AAP routs Modis BJP with historic win;

Nangarhar councilwoman targeted in

bombing; Pakistan facing water shortage

BY NEELI SHAH, COURTNEY SCHUSTER-FEBRUARY 10, 2015

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Event Notice: 88 Days to Kandahar, Today, 12:15-1:45 (New America).
India
AAP routs Modis BJP with historic win

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), commonly known as the anti-corruption party, defeated
Prime Minister Narendra Modis Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in an election for the
New Delhi assembly on Tuesday, after winning 67 of the 70 seats (Livemint, Indian
Express, WSJ). AAPs Arvind Kejriwal, a former tax inspector, said: We will always
walk the path of truth It is very scary, the kind of support the people of Delhi have
given us (NDTV). Kejriwal further said: With the help of people, we will make Delhi a
city which both poor and rich will feel proud of (BBC).
Kejriwal, 46, will take oath as chief minister of New Delhi on Feb. 14, exactly a year
after he resigned from the same position when opponents blocked his anti-corruption
bill in the state assembly. Modi, admitting BJPs defeat,tweeted: Spoke
to@ArvindKejriwal & congratulated him on the win. Assured him Centres complete
support in the development of Delhi. This is Modis first major setback since his
historic win in the national elections in May last year. The Congress party, which had
ruled New Delhi for 15 years, did not win a single seat.
Police make arrests in Rohtak rape case
The Indian police arrested eight men on Monday in the Rohtak district, located in
northern state of Haryana, in connection with the rape, mutilation, and murder of a
Nepalese woman earlier this month (WSJ, Indian Express, BBC). The suspects, all in
their 20s, come from a village close to Rohtak. While the police arrested eight suspects,
a ninth suspect allegedly committed suicide on Monday. According to the police, the
body of the 28-year-old woman was found with a fractured skull and some of her
internal organs had been cut out. The autopsy report stated that stones, blades, and
sticks were forced inside the womans body during the assault, and she suffered
several sexual attacks. Dr S.K. Dattarwal, who headed the autopsy, said: I have
never seen such a horrific case in 30 years. The injuries suggest she was hit on the head
with a heavy object, became partly unconscious and was then gang-raped (NDTV).
McDonalds to shed weight in India
McDonalds Corp, the worlds largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, has cut
about 40 percent of the fat content in sauces, approximately 20 percent sodium in
fries, and almost 50-60 calories on an average from all its burgers on its Indian menu,
according to news reports on Tuesday (NDTV, Reuters). Amit Jatia, vice president of
one of Indias two main McDonalds franchisees, said: This is also to make
McDonalds a better option for consumers. You have to meet the needs of consumers.
If consumers are going in this (health) direction, I cant stick to the opposite direction
(Economic Times). According to analysts, this is McDonalds strategy to beat the
competition as international chains like Burger King, Carls Jr., Johnny Rockets, and
Wendys have already opened or announced their plans to open in India.

 Neeli Shah
Afghanistan
Nangarhar councilwoman targeted in bombing
A roadside bomb planted near a school in Jalalabad detonated as Angeza Shinwari, a
Nangarhar provincial councilwoman, drove past (AP, Pajhwok). According to Ahmad
Zia Abdulzai, a spokesman for the provincial governor, Shinwari and another were
severely wounded and her driver was killed. No group has claimed responsibility for
the attack. At the time of the attack, students were making their way to school.
Ghani held talks with China, Pakistan
On Monday President Ghani met with Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Liu
Jianchao at the Presidential Palace in Kabul where they discussed bilateral relations,
counterterrorism, and regional cooperation (Pajhwok). Ghani called for improving
track-two diplomacy between parliamentarians, civil society activists, and the youth of
China and Afghanistan.
Jianchao was in Kabul to take part in a trilateral dialogue with Afghanistan, Pakistan,
and China, along with Pakistans Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry and
Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai (ET). The three had a
discussion on the security situation of the region, resolving to maintain peace and
stability in Afghanistan, and reaffirming that Afghanistan needed an Afghan-led peace
process. Pakistans foreign secretary also met individually with Afghanistans deputy
foreign minister where he emphasized the importance of a peaceful and prosperous
Afghanistan.
Taliban attack Afghan police station
On Tuesday the Taliban launched an hour-long attack against a police station in
Kunduz province (TOLO News, Pajhwok). According to Interior Ministry spokesman
Sediq Sediqqi, a suicide car bomb detonated first followed by a suicide bomber on foot
and gunmen (AP). Sediqqi said three gunmen died in a shootout with the police.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani issued a statement condemning the attack that killed
one police officer. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack via Twitter.
ICRC: 2014 deadlier year for combatants

The International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) said that it removed twice as
many bodies of combatants from battlefields in 2014 than in the previous year: 1,372
dead up from 620 in 2013(Reuters). The ICRC is responsible for removing the fallen
Afghan forces and militants; U.S. and international forces use their own evacuation
services. The increase in dead was attributed to the uptick in violence and the poor
rural health care infrastructure.
Pakistan
Pakistan facing water shortage
After facing electrical shortages, Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Asif said on
Tuesday that Pakistan will have another utility shortage: water (Dawn, ET). Asif,
addressing the Water and Power Development Authority in Lahore, said that a water
shortage was imminent and that authorities have failed to pay attention to the
impending issue. As for the electricity shortage, Asif added that it will be resolved in
the next two to three years.

Baloch militants killed in operation

On Tuesday the Frontier Corps clashed with suspected militants in southwestern
Balochistan during a search operation (ET,Dawn). At least 15 militants were killed, one
Frontier Corps member was killed, and three were wounded. A spokesman for Frontier
Corps said that the dead militants were involved in bombings and targeted killings in
the area.
Courtney Schuster
Edited by Peter Bergen
MONEY SHARMA/AFP/Getty Images
Posted by Thavam