InfoAnda - Lights on for some Kabul residents

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

China evictions slam door on elites, workers alike | | 14 June 2010
Britain's BBC, Sky refuse to air Gaza charity appeal | International | | 26 January 2009
Thai PM talks tough, red shirts refuse to give in | | 2 May 2010

Facebook takes another shot at settling privacy lawsuit | | 16 November 2012

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Lights on for some Kabul residents

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Asia Pacific World Search Search: Lights on for some Kabul residents AFP - 2 hours 28 minutes ago KABUL (AFP) - - For the first time in perhaps 20 years, Kabul resident Abdul Karim can turn his lights on every single night. ADVERTISEMENT It makes getting up to pray before dawn so much easier, said the 67-year-old, standing outside his small house on a dirt street in the centre of the Afghan capital. "This power is like eyes. If you don't have eyes, you can't walk," he said. Karim is one of the lucky Kabul residents to benefit from a 40-megawatt (MW) boost in power supply to the capital of roughly four million since mid-January. For up to 40,000 households, power supply has been boosted to 18 hours a day -- up from four hours every third day -- according to USAID, Washington's overseas aid arm, which helped put the project in place. Seven years after the US military helped end the repressive rule of the Islamist Taliban, many Kabul residents are finally beginning to feel that one of their most pressing complains is being dealt with. Karim's 21-year-old son, Haroon, is thrilled -- mainly because it means he can watch a lot more television. "There is no night that I have gone to bed before 12. This power is an amazing thing because we do not have places for entertainment," he said. The wattage in their home is enough for the lights and a few appliances -- though like most Afghans, they still use traditional wood-fired heaters and gas for cooking. Kabul is one of the few bright spots in the impoverished country when it comes to electricity supply. Only about 10 percent of the Afghan population, estimated at between 26 and 30 million, has access to power, the government says, not much different to the early 1980s when the Soviet Union was in charge and before the conflicts that destroyed the country and its infrastructure. The scarcity of power in the capital is often cited by people who grumble that the roughly 15 billion dollars in aid that arrived after the Taliban's removal has made little real difference to their lives. The substantial international military and aid communities based in the city cope with large and costly generators while most Afghans rely on wood and gas. If and when power does arrive, the locals rush to switch on geysers, fill buckets with water, do the ironing -- no matter what time of day or night. The recent surge to Kabul is temporary -- the power was diverted from the northern town of Mazar-i-Sharif near the Uzbek border and is to be returned when Kabul's situation improves. Nevertheless, hopes are high that a more regular supply may not be far off. Electronics salesman Amir Mohammad has seen a jump in television sales. "In 15 days I sold 100 TV sets. Before I could sell 20 in whole month," he says. He also sold 30 washing machines in two weeks. Abdul Halim is on the downside of the power surge, thinking about closing his business selling one-kilowatt Chinese-made generators that can run 10 light bulbs. "Before I was selling around 20 units a day," he said, adding that he has cut the price but these days no one is buying. Various projects are under way to boost power to the city while also improving a poor billing system to cover costs. About 300 MW is expected from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan soon, deputy power minister Ahmad Wali Shirzai told AFP. USAID is meanwhile funding the construction of a 100-MW power plant for Kabul. "Within a year, Kabuls distribution network will be upgraded to manage up to 400 MW, increasing its capacity and reliability before the additional power comes on line," said a USAID official who asked not to be named. "This will serve about 1.2 million individuals -- around one-fourth of Kabul residents," the official said. "However, change takes time -- it could be years before all of Kabul receives 24-hour electricity in a sustainable manner." The government goal is for power to reach 65 percent of urban households and a quarter of households in rural areas by the end of 2010. Regular electricity supply is a dream for 23-year-old Nargis and her 10-member family who live in a small house in a part of the city badly hit by the 1990s civil war. There was panic about a month ago when an earthquake shook Kabul and the family scrambled, in the dark, to flee the house. "We hardly found the doors," says Nargis, who is still in school. "If there was electricity, I could study in a separate room," she adds. For now, however, with an income of 100 dollars a month, they can only afford a gas lamp in one room -- and it can get pretty noisy and crowded, she said. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article Average (0 votes) Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: Entertainment & Lifestyle US-ENTERTAINMENT SummaryReuters - Thursday, March 19 VH1 resuscitates "Behind the Music"Reuters - Thursday, March 19 Elimination gives "American Idol" its final 10Reuters - Thursday, March 19 Natasha Richardson dies after fall on ski slopeAP - Thursday, March 19 Richardson was a true daughter of the theaterAP - Thursday, March 19 Enlarge Photo Afghan women walk past electric meter boxes in a residential neighborhood of Kabul. For up to 40,000 households, power supply has been boosted to 18 hours a day -- up from four hours every third day -- according to USAID, Washington's overseas aid arm. Most Popular – Entertainment Viewed AIG boss, and Obama, in firing line in Congress Actress Natasha Richardson dies after ski accident Injured actress Richardson flown to US: hospital Miniature carnivore dinosaurs roamed North America Arrest warrant issued for Lindsay Lohan View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Thursday, 19 March 2009
U.S. and Asia should match European welfare net: EU | International |
Sudan ready to talk to U.S. envoy, wants normalcy | International |
Israel's Netanyahu courts center-left Labor | International |
UK to reveal secret agents' interrogation methods | International |
Nokia to shutter its Mosh success story | Technology |
Consumers want unrestricted Internet access: survey | Technology |
NBC boss: Jon Stewart's criticism absurd, unfair | Entertainment |
Kelly Clarkson tops U.S. album chart | Entertainment |
Cable industry hopes downturn keeps people at home | Entertainment |
Clash guitarist reveals his Rock & Roll library | Entertainment |
Sotheby's withdraws star lot from Versace auction | Entertainment |
Japan's Kuniyoshi inspired Monet as well as manga | Entertainment |
NATO recommits troops for Afghan polls
Israel mulls tougher terms for Palestinian inmates
Israeli dad blames Olmert over failure to free son
Austria's Fritzl faces verdict in murder trial | International |
Global warming leaving its mark on polar bears
Lebanese president rules out direct Israel talks
U.S. mulls counter-insurgency push in Afghanistan | International |
French President faces new strike test
Arab child's sickbed is part of the battleground
North Korea guards detain U.S. journalists: TV report | International |
Actress Natasha Richardson dies after ski accident
China to send more ships to South China Sea | International |
Warming to speed icesheet collapse
Israelis round up Hamas politicians in West Bank | International |
Madoff auditor surrenders on fraud charge
U.S. plans soon to ease ban on contacts with Iran | International |
Fed adds $1.15 tln to economic fight
Madagascar's Rajoelina takes office
Homemade bomb explodes outside Greek MP's office | International |
Fed to add trillion dollars to economic fight
Azerbaijan votes to lift Aliyev term limit | International |
Italy's Unicredit seeks state aid
Global warming leaving its mark on polar bears
Mexican tariffs on 89 US products take effect
China says US could hold up climate deal
New Mexico governor bans death penalty
Warming to speed icesheet collapse
Obama cautious on gay rule in US military
Democrats split on fast-track budget for Obama
Colombian ex-army major sent to US on drug charges
New government brochure explains climate science
Microsoft releases Internet Explorer 8 | Technology |
Officials: US prepares civilian 'surge' in Afghan
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,259
Sony Reader taps Google's public domain books | Technology |
US-TECH Summary
Sony Reader taps Google's public domain books
Microsoft releases Internet Explorer 8
IBM in talks to buy Sun Microsystems: sources | Technology |
Mexico to raise tariffs on US goods
Sun rises on IBM purchase reports
Privacy group urges probe of Google cloud services
Woman among two favourites for Slovak presidency
Nokia to shutter its "Mosh" success story
Briton freed after 27 years as conviction quashed
Consumers want unrestricted Internet access: survey
Barroso well placed for second term as EC chief
Fujitsu cutting 1,750 Philippines jobs
Ontario to help emerging tech firms raise capital
France attacks pope condom comments
Sony Reader taps Google's public domain books
Space tourism to take flight in 2012
Nokia to shutter its "Mosh" success story
Pope sparks condom backlash on Africa visit
Natasha Richardson dies after ski fall | Entertainment |
Elimination gives American Idol its final 10 | Entertainment |
Kanye West charged in airport scuffle | Entertainment |
Japan PM: NKorea sanctions warning over rockets
VH1 resuscitates Behind the Music | Entertainment |
Tiger Woods' fee queried in Australia
Nicolas Cage journeys deeper into sci-fi | Entertainment |
Beijing human rights law firm shut down
China may up patrols amid South China Sea disputes
Stacy Keach had mild stroke: spokesman | Entertainment |
Militants to free Red Cross hostage in Philippines
Shows honored for television with conscience | Entertainment |
Thai PM faces no confidence motion
Salma Hayek back acting in Adam Sandler comedy
NKorean military detains US journalists: report
Aid group says worker killed in Sri Lanka war zone
China firm shares tumble after failed Coke bid
Vietnam reports another human bird flu case
GRAPHIC-S.Korea's 'March crisis' not showing up in markets
Filipino troops to pull back, hostages threatened
Experts say Asia needs to rely less on exports
New York Dolls reunite with Rundgren for new album | Entertainment |
S.Korea govt to buy $2.8 bln in local bonds-report
Springsteen leads Seeger 90th birthday tribute | Entertainment |
Lights on for some Kabul residents
Toyota to halve recruitment in 2009: report
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
SKorea to spend US$3.5bln to create jobs
VH1 resuscitates "Behind the Music"
AIG boss, Obama in the hot-seats as Congress fumes
Elimination gives "American Idol" its final 10
Taiwan dollar at 1-mth high on Fed bond purchase
Albania businessmen hope to outflank crisis
China's US$65mln Costa Rica investment
Natasha Richardson dies after fall on ski slope
S.Korea to spend $3.5 bln for more jobs
Richardson was a true daughter of the theater
Filmmaker depicts ugly underbelly of corporations
Contents of Versace's home sell for 7m pounds
AP NewsAlert
Maxis commits $10 billion to India mobile unit
Austria's Fritzl gets life in psychiatric ward for incest-murder | International |
Israel seizes Hamas political leaders
Arab League chief presses for Iraqi reconciliation
Bomb attack kills Afghan MP, four bodyguards | International |
Hundreds of thousands march in French protests | International |
Israel to probe reported abuse by soldiers in Gaza
Israeli soldiers break ranks over Gaza war | International |
Operator BAA 'must sell three UK airports'
Military to check reports of ethical abuse in Gaza
Yemen offers reward to help track down militants | International |
Bomb kills anti-Taliban Afghan MP
EU leaders under pressure to boost economies
Israel seizes 10 Hamas members in West Bank
Outside forces ravaging Africa: Vatican | International |
Bin Laden urges Somalis to topple new president | International |
Israeli ex-president Katsav indicted for rape | International |
Zimbabwe says in talks with West on sanctions | International |
Sony Ericsson puts U.S. focus on camera phones in '09 | Technology |
Sony Ericsson puts U.S. focus on camera phones in '09
Cisco flips for Flip | Technology |
Sony Ericsson puts U.S. focus on camera phones in '09
Sotheby's Versace villa sale beats estimates | Entertainment |
Cannes in first as animated film opens festival | Entertainment |
Violence at Indonesian Greenpeace protest
Broadway thriving despite recession | Entertainment |
North Korean guards detain U.S. journalists
Kyrgyz court rules for early presidential vote
Cambodian court sentences American to 13 years
Aid group says worker killed in Sri Lanka war zone
SKorea arrests Japanese near border with NKorea
Militants agree to free Red Cross hostage: official
S.Korea c.bank may buy T-bonds for extra budget-paper
CIA director meets with Indian security officials
Goldman offers bid for Universal Studios Japan
Parents say Sichuan quake school not built to code
China shares up for 4th day on revival hopes
Japan mulling more sanctions against North Korea
Reports: China East Star airline chief detained
Nationalistion of China's first private airline
'Late Late Show' host Ferguson has comedy special
China Mobile reports 2008 net profit up 30 percent
HSBC Taiwan sees profits in '09 vs record profit yr ago
Sotheby's Versace villa sale beats estimates
Cannes in first as animated film opens festival
Japanese stocks get hit by jump in yen
Pixar 3D animation 'Up' to open Cannes filmfest
Report: 1st medics turned away in Richardson fall
'American Idol' contestants head to Motown
Broadway thriving despite recession
Chow Yun-fat to play Confucius in new film: media
Greenpeace activists roughed up in Indonesia
'Kosmos': the singing, swimming mayor of Kiev
Cisco buys Flip Video maker for $590 million
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01