Squatting in the dust by the main road to Afghanistan's biggest airbase, Mir Salam sifts through a pile of broken electronics in front of him, salvaged from departing US troops.
All around are heaps of junk and scrapped equipment – ranging from telephones and Thermos flasks to computer keyboards and printer cartridges.
I met the employees of a company that provided basic food. They are afraid of losing their jobs
"This is what the Americans do," the 40-year-old told AFP. "They destroy absolutely everything."
The Pentagon is vacating Bagram airbase as part of its plan to withdraw all forces by the 20th anniversary this year of the September 11 attacks on the US, and it could be completed by the end of the month.
Military gear is being taken home or given to Afghan security forces, but tonnes of civilian equipment must be left behind.
The result is a booming scrap business that is making money for some, but leaving many resentful.
"They blow it up or are burning it," says Mr Salam of the equipment being discarded.
"There were lots of new things in this base – enough to rebuild Afghanistan 20 times – but they destroyed everything."
For two decades, Bagram was the nerve centre for US operations in Afghanistan.
A sprawling mini-city visited by hundreds of thousands of service members and contractors, it had swimming pools, cinemas and spas – even a boardwalk featuring fast-food outlets such as Burger King and Pizza Hut.
It also has a prison that held thousands of Taliban and jihadist inmates over the years.
Bagram was built by the United States for its Afghan ally during the Cold War in the 1950s as a bulwark against the Soviet Union in the north.
Ironically, it became the staging point for the Soviet invasion of the country in 1979, and the Red Army expanded it significantly during their near decade-long occupation.
When Moscow pulled out, it became central to the raging civil war – it was reported that at one point the Taliban controlled one end of the three-kilometre runway and the opposition Northern Alliance the other.
In recent months, Bagram has come under rocket attacks claimed by ISIS.
If the Taliban capture the base, it would be a significant step – perhaps even the decisive one – towards seizing control of Kabul itself.
Mr Salam pays 1,000 afghanis ($12) a month to rent a modest fenced plot on the Bagram road, where he stores base scrap that he searches through for nuggets to sell to specialised dealers.
The road to the base is lined with dozens of similar enterprises – some ramshackle, but others featuring imposing warehouses with armed guards.
Anything they do not use is left for smaller dealers such as Mr Salam. The big players have contracts to remove the scrapped equipment, which they cherry-pick for items that can be repaired.
Cables are stripped for copper, circuit boards broken down for rare-earth metals, and aluminium collected to be smelted into ingots.
Nothing goes to waste, says Haji Noor Rahman, another scrap merchant.
"Anything reusable, people buy it," he told AFP.
His warehouse is like a department store for scrap, with the floor covered by an astonishing array of items – broken chairs, cracked TV screens, rusting gym equipment, an electronic piano keyboard, artificial Christmas trees and other festive decorations.
First aid kits lie gutted, spilling bandages and IV bags.
Picking through the selection is Abdul Basir, who came from Kabul with a friend and snapped up six warped metal doors for about 8,000 afghanis.
Elsewhere, a young man unearthed a pair of branded shoes that still appeared to have a few miles left on them.
Another browser bought a teddy bear and a mini rugby ball.
It is not just equipment that will be left behind when the Americans pull out – Bagram is surrounded by satellite communities that rely on the base for employment.
"The withdrawal of American troops will have a bad impact on the economy of the country and that of Bagram," district governor Lalah Shrin Raoufi told AFP. He said he was pessimistic for the future.
"Their presence here has provided jobs for thousands and thousands of Afghans," he said, ranging from mechanics to bakers.
"I met the employees of a company that provided basic food … they are afraid of losing their jobs."
Mr Raoufi said everything is being done to take charge of the base and its security when the last US forces leave.
"We are working with the police, the army and the NDS [intelligence services]," he said.
"We have started to recruit soldiers … we will take those who meet the criteria."
Meanwhile, the clear-out continues.
"They came to rebuild our country but now they are destroying it," said Bagram resident Mohammad Amin, looking over a pile of scrap. "They could have given us all this."
The years Ramadan fell in May
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The%20specs
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IF YOU GO
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
Frida%20
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8
Power: 503hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 685Nm at 2,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Price: from Dh850,000
On sale: now
World Series
Game 1: Red Sox 8, Dodgers 4
Game 2: Red Sox 4, Dodgers 2
Game 3: Saturday (UAE)
* if needed
Game 4: Sunday
Game 5: Monday
Game 6: Wednesday
Game 7: Thursday
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Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Letswork%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOmar%20Almheiri%2C%20Hamza%20Khan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20co-working%20spaces%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%242.1%20million%20in%20a%20seed%20round%20with%20investors%20including%20500%20Global%2C%20The%20Space%2C%20DTEC%20Ventures%20and%20other%20angel%20investors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20about%2020%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5