InfoAnda - Unsafe, salvaged cars cause havoc in Kabul

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

Ferry capsizes in Philippines, drowning 22 | 15 December 2008
Israeli Cabinet backs new West Bank construction | 6 September 2009
Sri Lanka war crimes rift with U.N. widens over protests | | 9 July 2010

Top US senators say Fed chief will win second term | 24 January 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Unsafe, salvaged cars cause havoc in Kabul | International |

My Profile Top News Reuters top ten news stories delivered to your inbox each day. Subscribe You are here: Home > News > International > Article Home Business & Finance News U.S. Politics International Technology Entertainment Sports Lifestyle Oddly Enough Health Science Special Coverage Video Pictures Your View The Great Debate Blogs Weather Reader Feedback Do More With Reuters RSS Widgets Mobile Podcasts Newsletters Your View Make Reuters My Homepage Partner Services CareerBuilder Affiliate Network Professional Products Support (Customer Zone) Reuters Media Financial Products About Thomson Reuters Unsafe, salvaged cars cause havoc in Kabul Thu May 7, 2009 10:40pm EDT Email | Print | Share | Reprints | Single Page [-] Text [+] By Hamid Shalizi KABUL (Reuters) - More than seven years after the fall of the Taliban, the streets of Kabul are gridlocked with cars, many of them so rickety they failed roadworthy tests at home and were shipped off to Afghanistan instead. Importing vehicles into Afghanistan has become one of the most lucrative businesses in the country as vast injections of foreign cash help the economy recover from years of civil war followed by austerity and sanctions during the Taliban era. But unscrupulous traders are exploiting a lack of import regulations to ship in vehicles that fail safety tests in other countries, officials and dealers say. "Afghan traders mostly import Japanese Toyota cars that are second-hand and salvaged," said Amir Mohammad, a police officer in charge of Kabul's crowded city center. Some 90 percent of used cars were bought in Germany and Canada and then shipped to Afghanistan via Dubai and an overland route from Iran. Businessmen and high-ranking officials drive Toyota land cruisers and Lexus jeeps. Other cars are out-dated, with Russian taxis from the 1960s and 70s still creeping through the city's streets, clogging the capital's skies with pollution. The government, about two years ago, restricted importing vehicles more than a decade old, but then abandoned the rule in the face of protests from traders who said they had placed orders for old cars and Afghans could not afford newer models. "There is no law that stipulates what type and what models of vehicles the traders can bring in," said Finance Ministry spokesman Aziz Shams. New cars anyway have a mixed attraction, in a country where crime, guns and violence are still rampant. "Most people don't want to buy new cars because it attracts the kidnappers and robbers," said civil servant Nadir Shah. "On the other hand, most cars on the Afghan roads are very old, they might have had dozens of accidents before getting to our country," he added. OLD CARS CLOG STREETS AND SKIES The average profit on a salvaged car is around $1,000 and business is booming, with an average 20 cars per day sold in Kabul alone, dealers said. Prices range from about $4,000 for a 1996 model to $16,000 for a 2006 Toyota Corolla. There are also thousands of cars brought in during the early 1990s that had the steering column crudely, and dangerously, modified to fit Afghanistan's right-hand drive road system. The largely narrow, unpaved and pot-holed roads of the city are now flooded with 400,000 mostly second-hand cars, nearly ten times the amount they were originally designed for. Continued... View article on single page Share: Del.icio.us Digg Mixx Yahoo! Facebook LinkedIn Next Article: Egypt brushes off reports on nuclear traces Green Business Reuters Green Business Reuters introduces a new section dedicated to the emerging green technology sector, featuring five people to watch in the business of green and our global green portfolio. Full Coverage More International News Pakistan forces bomb Taliban in Swat after PM speech | Video Asian countries pledge common fight against flu A year on, China quake survivors face uncertain future | Video Venezuela soldiers seize oil service companies Singapore's most wanted militant arrested in Malaysia More International News... Featured Broker sponsored link Editor's Choice Slideshow A selection of our best photos from the past 24 hours. Slideshow Most Popular on Reuters Articles Video Obama seeks to double tax law enforcement budget Virgin sees space tourism as just the beginning U.S. banks race to fill $74.6 billion stress test hole | Video Obama budget cuts funds for "abstinence-only" Afghanistan's only pig quarantined in flu fear Pirates fire at U.S. Navy ship off Somalia Obama budget cuts have little deficit impact Michael Jackson former publicist sues for $44 million Ryan O'Neal offers grim outlook on Farrah Fawcett Supportive Dodgers rally around disgraced Ramirez Most Popular Articles RSS Feed Video Face transplant recipient revealed The fog of Afghanistan Banks in need? Burger run for Obama and Biden Wildfires in western U.S. China eases quarantine Obama releases budget details Chancellor Merkel underwear Civilian toll in Afghanistan Mexico eases flu restrictions Most Popular Videos RSS Feed The Great Debate Iran sanctions and wishful thinking Bernd Debusmann The idea that sanctions will break the Iranian economy so badly that popular discontent will sweep away the leadership without a shot being fired is wishful thinking at its finest. Commentary Follow Bernd Debusmann on Twitter Reuters Deals The global destination for corporate leaders, deal-makers and innovators Knowledge to Act Reuters.com: Help and Contact Us | Advertise With Us | Mobile | Newsletters | RSS | Interactive TV | Labs | Archive | Site Index | Video Index Thomson Reuters Corporate: Copyright | Disclaimer | Privacy | Professional Products | Professional Products Support | About Thomson Reuters | Careers International Editions: Africa | Arabic | Argentina | Brazil | Canada | China | France | Germany | India | Italy | Japan | Latin America | Mexico | Russia | Spain | United Kingdom | United States Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests. NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.

Other News on Friday, 8 May 2009
Singapore's most-wanted militant arrested after escape | International |
Egypt brushes off reports on nuclear traces | International |
Huge U.S. camp arises in Afghan Desert of Death | International |
U.S. calls for credible 2010 Sudan election | International |
Visionary or plane crazy? Airbus contest to decide | Technology |
Moms trust Ellen DeGeneres with kids: poll | Entertainment |
Rock 'n' roll survivor Duff McKagan back on the road | Entertainment |
Pakistan forces bomb Taliban in Swat after PM speech | International |
Probe confirms US killed Afghan civilians: reports
Asian countries pledge common fight against flu | International |
Pope prepares to start Mideast trip
A year on, China quake survivors face uncertain future | International |
Venezuela soldiers seize oil service companies | International |
Ex-U.S. soldier found guilty in Iraqi rape and deaths
Porpoise is 2nd to give birth in captivity
Singapore's most wanted militant arrested in Malaysia | International |
Iraq: Firm once known as Blackwater exits Baghdad
Venezuela to nationalize oil service companies
China vice premier says world economy to worsen: report | International |
Afghan suicide attack kills 12 civilians
US banks need to up capital to meet 'stress tests'
Blair says Israel-Palestinian talks must address core issues
Obama budget to slash 'stunning' waste in US
Washington committed to seeking Syria-Israel deal
Pills that are Gazans' little helpers | International |
Kiefer Sutherland arrested on assault charge
Unsafe, salvaged cars cause havoc in Kabul | International |
US banks scramble to raise capital after stress tests
US bank tests 'considerable comfort' to investors: Bernanke
Obese young men have less hope of marriage: study
Global auto sector faces big shakeup
Obama vows to cut 'stunning' government waste
Google CEO says he expects more government scrutiny | Technology |
Activision eyes Guitar Hero TV series, tour | Technology |
Ex US-soldier found guilty of rape, murder
Google CEO says he expects more government scrutiny
Update: Gunman In Connecticut University Shooting Surrenders
Heart Attack-Stricken Mississippi Mayor Dies After Reelection Defeat
Virtual Earth gets 3D Photosynth views
Xerox unveils new color printer
Illinois Police Sergeant Arrested For Death Of Ex-Wife
Thousands flee as fires gut California homes
Kentucky Jury Convicts Discharged Soldier For Rape, Murder Of Iraqi Family
GE to spend $6 bln on high-tech health sector
American Tourist Caught Swimming Away From Burmese Opposition Leader's Lakeside Home
Lawsuit Alleges California's KeyPoint Credit Union Discriminates Against Deaf Customers
Brazil rejects extradition of Italian leftist
Clinton buries disputes for new Russia ties
Microsoft buying Canadian online game company
Connecticut School In Lockdown As Cops Look For Gunman Who Shot Dead Student
Charles Manson's last hideout burns in California
Hackers taking advantage of Windows 7: Microsoft
EU holds landmark summit with ex-Soviet states
Merkin Sued For $557.8 Million By Liquidating Trustee
9 people injured in blast at Md. shopping center
Microsoft to buy game maker BigPark
Georgia opposition seeks Saakashvili talks
$75 Billion In Capital Needed By 10 Banks According To Stress Tests
US swine flu victims had chronic health problems
Toledo Point-Shaving Scandal Indicts Six Former Players, Two Businessmen
Google tightens bonds with YouTube users
Aristocrat guilty of Kenya manslaughter
Feds ready to build virtual fence along border
Future of journalism debated in US Senate
Thomson Reuters says profits rise in first quarter
Microsoft to buy game maker BigPark
Ryan O'Neal offers grim outlook on Farrah Fawcett | Entertainment |
Star Trek looks to enter new box-office galaxy | Entertainment |
NKorea vows to strengthen nuclear deterrent
One of last Wizard of Oz Munchkins dies | Entertainment |
World must pressure China over Tiananmen: dissidents
Kiefer Sutherland charged with assault in NY | Entertainment |
Boxing champ Pacquiao returns home to hero's welcome
The Simpsons get the (postal) stamp of success | Entertainment |
Mexico relieved but world swine flu fears persist
No kung-fu, Asian beauties in Malaysia Cannes film | Entertainment |
Pakistan army fights, but can it win?
Spinal Tap roars Back From the Dead | Entertainment |
New Zealand cops lock down city in gunman standoff
LA judge rejects Polanski bid to dismiss sex case | Entertainment |
NZ police lock down city in standoff with gunman
Quake survivor Panda bounds into China's theaters | Entertainment |
Gul sinks Australia in Twenty20
Thousands of civilians flee Pakistani war zone
Russia warns Japan against 'inflated hopes' in islands dispute
World Bank sees Cambodian GDP recovery in 2010
ExxonMobil starts work on Shanghai technology centre
Taiwan dlr up on fund inflows, but c.bank caps gains
Former coal mine aids Arctic climate research
S.Korea bonds down, recent falls may renew interest
Store admits it boobed in bra dispute
Korea Hot Stocks
Sikh police want bullet-proof turbans
Seoul shares dip; Hyundai E&C up after stake sale
Carreras retires from opera
Vietnamese war hero fires salvo over mining plan
Ryan O'Neal offers grim outlook on Farrah Fawcett
China warns EU on protectionism
LA judge rejects Polanski bid to dismiss sex case
Taiwan promises to regulate foreign aid
Chris Brown's lawyer wants LAPD records
Hitachi hikes annual net loss forecast to $8.0 bln
LA judge denies Polanski's bid to toss sex case
'24' star Sutherland charged over head-butt claim
US braces for more summer car breakdowns
Iraqi relatives urge death for U.S. rape soldier
Pope hopes Catholic Church can help Mideast peace | International |
U.N. experts prepare to investigate war crimes in Gaza | International |
US says Afghan strikes death toll exaggerated
Conservative rival raps Iran president on economy
Leading figures sit out Afghan presidential poll | International |
US unemployment hits 8.9 pct as 539,000 jobs lost
Contractor's slaying of Afghan man divides
British store admits it boobed in bra row
Russia says it's ready to move forward on NATO ties | International |
International peacekeeper killed in Sudan's Darfur | International |
Georgian opposition agrees to talks on stalemate | International |
Villagers list 147 dead in Afghan strike | International |
Powerful Croat MP gets 10 years for war crimes | International |
Obama budget rescinds energy industry tax breaks
Wall Street pares gains after jobs data
Layoffs slow to 539K in April; jobless rate rises
Danny Gokey, `American Idol' crews visit Milwaukee
Wildfire raging near Calif. city; 30,000 evacuated
Don't rewrite WWII history: Medvedev
Ex-soldier could get death in Iraq rape, slayings
Amid turmoil, new Illinois governor nears 100 days
'Babyface' look can help black CEOs, study says
Obama envoy urges NKorea to open dialogue with US
Sherpa presumed dead in avalanche on Mt. Everest
East Asia agrees on strategy to fight swine flu
Financial crisis inspires Tori Amos' latest album | Entertainment |
25 dead as typhoon hits Philippines: officials
Pakistan kills 'more than 140' militants
Researchers urge crackdown on junk food TV ads | Entertainment |
China: School rebuilding on track in quake zone
U.S. warns North Korea of consequences for nuclear test
US denies report that 147 died in Afghan violence
AFC president wins bitter fight for key FIFA seat
Chinese parents protest tainted milk deaths
Bachchan: Hollywood warming to Indian escapism
Japan's Toshiba announces biggest loss
Agent's Hollywood success? Mom gets the credit
Toyota posts first loss, sees worse ahead
S.Korea utilities in China coal talks, seek hefty discount
San Miguel bids for Philippines power plant
Toyota sees losses growing this year
AIG close to selling Tokyo building: source
S.Korea bond traders see no rate change next week
Bollywood boycott dulls Indian screens
Financial crisis inspires Tori Amos' latest album
Bachchan: Hollywood warming to Indian escapism
2 rare elephants found dead in Indonesian jungle
Bachchan: Bollywood seeks higher profile in China
Agent's Hollywood success? Mom gets the credit
Hindsight: Be careful what you search for
List of top 15 cable TV shows for April 27-May 3
`Store Front' documents retail face of NY City
New `Trek' crew roams beyond `hailing frequencies'
New threat to Iraq's antiquities
US-TECH Summary
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