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Eight people were wounded as a car bombing hit a joint base of police and National Directorate AT News Report trol node in Musa Qal’ah during a explosive device facilitator, who the Afghan National Defense and of Security in southern Helmand high-level meeting of Taliban com- has been coordinating improvised Security Forces maintain an offen- province on Thursday. The manders. Among the more than 50 explosive device operations sive edge and a high-operational bomb attack on the police com- KABUL: The US Forces in Af- casualties was the deputy shadow against Afghan National Defense tempo, providing security for the plex in Greshk district took place ghanistan conducted a series of governor of Helmand, multiple and Security Forces, international people in support of safe and se- at around 9:30am, said Attaullah precision strikes over a ten-day Taliban district governors, intelli- forces and the people of Afghani- cure elections. Khogyani, the governor’s period, May 17-26, killing more gence commanders and key pro- stan for the last 13 years. Addi- Established in 2009, U.S. Forc- spokesman. The bomber rammed than 70 senior Taliban leaders. vincial-level leadership from Kan- tionally, from May 17-26, more es-Afghanistan is a U.S.-led mis- The security forces have regained killed and three others wound- his explosives-laden vehicle into “These strikes represent one dahar, Kunduz, Herat, Farah, than 15 Taliban were killed in sep- sion that directs and enables U.S. control of the Dasht-i-Kala district ed, Commander Zabit Alam was the police base, the official said, of the largest blows to Taliban lead- Uruzgan and Helmand provinces. arate strikes around the province. military operations in support of of northern Takhar province, an among 10 uprising members cap- without going into details. A ership in the last year,” said U.S. In a separate airstrike the same “National and international lead- Resolute Support, NATO’s train, official said on Thursday. Police tured by the Taliban, he added. source in the Emergency-run Army Gen. John Nicholson, U.S. day, U.S. Air Force A-10s struck a ers have been clear – victory in advise and assist mission. Its pur- spokesman Col. Abdul Khalil Around 20 rebels suffered cau- hospital, meanwhile, said eight Forces-Afghanistan and Resolute Taliban Red Unit commander for Afghanistan will be a political rec- pose is to sustain campaign mo- Aseer told Pajhwok Afghan News salities during the clash, accord- injured individuals had been Support commander. “The cumu- Helmand and an associate while onciliation,” said Nicholson. “As mentum in Afghanistan. It is also that the district remained under ing to the police. But the Tali- brought to the hospital from the lative effects of which will be felt they were transiting in Sangin dis- we continue the season of fighting tasked with executing responsibil- Taliban control for a few hours. ban claimed inflicting heavy cau- blast site. The injured were dis- nationwide for quite some time.” trict. U.S. Air Force A-10s also and talking, we will continue to ities and oversight for manpower, On arrival of reinforcements, the salities on the security forces. charged after being administered The largest of these strikes killed a shadow district governor increase pressure on the Taliban material and logistics, basing and security forces wrested back the Sharafat, a resident of the area, first medical aid. There was no came, May 24, when four High and destroyed a shadow district and remain vigilant to opportuni- operational movement in the coun- town from the insurgents, he said, verified the insurgents had left immediate claim of responsibili- Mobility Artillery Rocket System headquarters in Nahr-e-Saraj, May ties for negotiated peace.” try, supporting a responsible eco- adding the militants had been the district after torching the ty for the attack. (HIMARS) rockets destroyed a 25. On May 26, an MQ-1C Gray Tactical strikes against Taliban nomic transition that encourages a pushed back. During an eight hours police headquarters and intelli- (Pajhwok) known Taliban command and con- Eagle killed a senior improvised commanders and facilitators help resilient Afghan economy. clash, five security personnel were gence compound. (Pajhwok)

The Afghan government would Rajinder Khanna. Atmar’s remarks napping incident. The two sides, At least 105 civilians including The 7th Battalion of the comman- make all-out efforts to ensure the after seven Indians, all engineers while conferring on the situation five women were freed from a dos conducted a special operation security of Indian citizens in the working on a power project, were in Afghanistan, agreed to step up Taliban prison in southern Hel- in Sor Kariz and De Babay villag- war-torn country, says the national kidnapped in northern Baghlan security cooperation, Atmar’s of- mand province on Wednesday es of Kajaki district of the prov- security advisor. At a meeting in province on May 6. “We assure fice said. Khanna was quoted as night during a special operation ince on Wednesday night in which killed, one arrested and the securi- vide further details. The Taliban Kabul on Wednesday, Hanif At- you that we will work hard to en- saying by Qadir Shah, spokesman conducted by the army, the mili- 105 civilians including five wom- ty forces also seized 10 motorbikes have not yet commented over the mar held out the assurance to a vis- sure the security of Indian citizen for the National Security Coun- tary corps for special operations en were freed, according to the during the operation,” it said. How- operation. iting Indian delegation led by Dep- in Afghanistan,” the NSA tweet- cil, that India stoutly supported said in a statement on Thursday. statement. “Four insurgents were ever, the statement did not pro- (ToloNews) uty National Security Advisor ed, without referring to the kid- an Afghan-led. (Pajhwok) FRIDAY . JUNE 01, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES

AFGHANISTAN TIMES Afghanistan’s mineral resources Editor: Mansoor Ahmad Faizy Phone No: +93-797070563 E-mail: [email protected] fueling war and insurgency Afghanistan’s rich mineral resources could prove to be the best substitutes Email: [email protected] for foreign aid and could decrease the country’s dependence on donor coun- www.afghanistantimes.af tries and foreign support. These resources, if properly managed, provide an Photojournalist: M. Sadiq Yusufi opportunity for Afghanistan to write its own story of economic success. Advisory editorial board By Ahmad Shah Katawazai operations elsewhere. the state up to $300 million annu- for the development of its nascent Saduddin Shpoon, Dr. Sharif Fayez, Dr. Sultana Parvanta, Dr. Sharifa Sharif, Insurgents are attempting to ally since the Taliban’s collapse in mineral sector. take control of the areas that are 2001.[32] Insecurity in eastern The international community Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, Setara Delawari, Ahmad Takal Part II rich in mineral resources. In some Nangarhar province and elsewhere can help the Afghan government areas, insurgents have been able to prompted Minister Saba to warn prevent the illegal trade of miner- Graphic-Designers: take control of mineral deposits. Afghan lawmakers in 2015 that als that contributes significantly to ...Islamic State (ISIS) and Tali- For instance, Helmand province, monitoring the thousands of mines conflict and strengthening insur- Edriss Akbari and Bilal Yusufi ban insurgents Eye on Miner- rich in chromite and one of the larg- around the country is impossible, gents. The UN Sanctions Commit- als in Afghanistan est opium-producing provinces, and that the complete and unre- tee should begin investigating how Marketing & Advertising: Natural resources can contrib- has faced fierce fighting in the past strained looting of local resources mining wealth reaches insurgents Mohammad Parwiz Arian, 0708954626, 0778894038 ute to conflict, especially when the decade. Some of the districts in this might happen in the absence of a and funds illegal armed groups. state does not have complete ter- province are under the control of peace deal with the Taliban. The international community, par- Mailing address: P.O. Box: 371, Kabul, Afghanistan ritorial sovereignty. This is a big Taliban insurgents. Badakhshan Without a coherent and imme- ticularly the United States, should possibility in Afghanistan, where province, which is famous for its diate response, the vast mineral work in collaboration with the Af- Our Bank Accounts: Azizi Bank: 000101100258091 / 000101200895656 according to the new data released gold and azure mines, and Kunar resources in Afghanistan not only ghan government to encourage re- by US forces in Afghanistan, 30% and Nuristan provinces, which represent a lost opportunity but a forms and an effective mechanism Printed at Afghanistan Times Printing Press of districts are contested or are have large deposits of precious threat to Afghanistan’s national of oversight and monitoring of the under the insurgent influence.[23] stones, have experienced fierce security. If robust policies coupled country’s mineral resources. Man- According to a 2014 mining indus- fighting because insurgents in those with a comprehensive, realistic and agement of the mineral resources, try study, some of the most prom- territories are particularly focused long-term strategic approach are which can foster economic devel- ising deposits of lithium are in the on and attracted by the large de- not adopted, there is a significant opment and stability, needs to be The constitution says eastern province of Ghazni and the posits of precious stones. This is possibility that Afghanistan will a core strategic priority. Given the southern region of Helmand prov- a dangerous move by the insur- slide into a resource curse and suc- plethora of problems in Afghani- Article 117 ince, which are largely under the gents to seek control of the areas cumb to the same historical cycle stan, each step of the process will control of Taliban. Furthermore, in from where they can extract mil- of conflict and civil war that most need to be monitored strictly by The President shall appoint one of its members as Chief Justice of the Supreme some areas the local warlords and lions of dollars to fund their war African countries grapple with the international community and Court. Members of the Supreme Court, except under circumstances stated in Article strongmen have more influence machinery. Access to resources has now. watchdog agencies to avoid corrup- One Hundred Twenty Seven of this Constitution, shall not be dismissed till the end compared to the government. State made civil war all the more likely. Way Forward tion and ethnic problems, and to of their term. and non-state actors finding sanc- Possible Scenario, Heading to Given the current situation of ensure that the extraction translates tuary in the restive and volatile Increased Conflict rampant corruption, an active in- into success rather than turmoil or border regions of Afghanistan in- In Afghanistan, mining is an surgency, a war economy and the conflict. creases the probability of conflict. easily exploitable resource to fund absence of effective state institu- Though the country’s nascent Resource rich countries plagued by fighting. Research shows that there tions, the country’s resources, if mineral sector faces major challeng- civil war experience war for longer is a statistical correlation between not managed effectively, could es, it still sends a strong signal to Editorial time compared to resource poor natural resource endowment and potentially open another window donors and investors around the countries.[24] Conflicts create war incidence of civil war.[27] The re- of violent conflict and could turn world that the country could stand economies when some parts of a sources themselves often give rise into a curse. With these challeng- on its own feet through extraction country are controlled by rebels, to violent conflicts for control over es, it seems that achieving econom- of its mineral wealth. warlords and insurgents. Members them. Often conflicts arise in re- ic stability through the exploita- Conclusion of armed groups benefit from loot- sponse to various actors’ attempts tion of these resources will be a Taliban insurgents are not just ing, thus using violence in order to to control extractive mining sec- challenging task for the Afghan making gains on the battlefield— IncredibleRashidKhan maintain their control and access tors. Because of easy extraction government. Mining in a country they are also bleeding away a rev- to resources. and major wealth generated like Afghanistan, which has spent enue source that is crucial for Af- The insurgents, warlords and through mines, resource conflict is decades riled by conflict, will not ghanistan to pay for its military other armed groups are still taking always a possibility. Resources be easy without a strong commit- without U.S. help.[33] So far, most ashid Khan, the 19-year-old bowler from Afghani a significant cut from mining in constitute an opportunity for easy ment from the Afghan government of the revenue from the natural many parts of Afghanistan. Tali- profit by individual and armed and the international community. wealth has gone to power brokers, stan has made the whole cricket fans proud by his ban insurgents and the recent ex- groups. Thus, those who have an Better management of mineral re- warlords and corrupt officials, in- pansion of Islamic State seeks to economic agenda and who are will- sources could result in sustainable stead of the Afghan people and the tremendous performance in IPL 2018. Though, the tap the country’s poorly moni- ing to take up arms want access to economic growth and pave the way government. Given current circum- tored mineral resources to fund these resources to derive profits for a lasting peace. stances, mismanagement of the Sun Risers Hyderabad (SRH) become second, but the their operations in Afghanistan, from their extraction and sale. Ar- Despite formidable obstacles, country’s resources could open showcase that Khan made in qualifying SRS to the final Iraq and Syria. Gemstones and eas where criminal and insurgent Afghan President Ashraf Ghani another window into violent con- drugs, which are easily extracted networks are strongly involved are and U.S. President Donald Trump flict. was excellent just like one man army in the history of and traded, are more attractive for more vulnerable to conflict. are backing efforts to exploit Af- Mineral resources are a key the armed groups. Conflicts some- Afghanistan has not had a clear ghan minerals. Both presidents had driver of instability that can fuel cricket. The Afghan masses and the whole cricket lovers times are sparked over mining ac- strategy to effectively deal with several conversations about min- competition among armed groups tivities in remote areas of the coun- its mineral wealth. In April 2015, ing opportunities in Afghanistan. and local people and create griev- are proud of him. His popularity reached boiling point try. Groups are in competition to the Special Inspector General for However, since mining is the Tali- ances in the absence of government counter each other, and in some Afghanistan Reconstruction (SI- ban’s second-largest source of fund- control. With around 14,000 Amer- because of his tireless efforts that has never gave up. He instances, weaker communities GAR), an independent U.S. gov- ing, the insurgent group might use ican troops supporting the relative- have invited Taliban elements for ernment body, released a report this US involvement as an attempt ly new Afghan security sector, it plays with his heart and gives his 100 percent to undercut their protection. With the recent acknowledging that Washington to stir up resentment against Amer- will be hard for the Afghan gov- emergence of ISIS in Afghanistan, “did not have a unified strategy ican troops present in Afghanistan. ernment to secure all the country’s the opposite team. He also has blessings of millions of the country’s mining sector is now for the development of Afghani- Rampant corruption in the coun- mines. Mining in a country like people. The entire Afghan people are praying for his suc- facing a renewed threat. stan’s extractive industries.”[28] try is another big challenge. This Afghanistan won’t be easy with- The former Afghan Minister Since 2009, USAID and the De- not only undermines the effective- out a strong commitment from the cess and for other Afghan cricket players. Rashid Khan is of Mines and Petroleum, Daud fense Department’s Task Force for ness of Afghan security forces and Afghan government and robust Shah Saba, told lawmakers in the Business and Stability Operations the legitimacy of the government, support from the international best bowlers in the world with ranking No. 1 bowler in Afghan parliament that ISIS pos- (TFBSO) have provided $488 mil- it is also a big impediment to the community. es a grave threat to the Afghan min- lion toward the nation’s extractive path of economic development— Afghanistan’s rich mineral re- both ODIs, and T20s before IPL began. It won’t be wrong ing industry.[25] It is unclear industries.[29] These funds, SI- and the mining sector is no excep- sources, if exploited effectively, whether ISIS, which is trying to GAR explained, did nothing to tion. In order to develop mineral could prove to be the best substi- to label him as highest wicket-taker. In every match, he gain a foothold in Afghanistan, will build a viable and well-regulated resources, the government needs tutes for foreign aid and could de- stand against the Afghan govern- mining industry in Afghanistan. to solidify its presence and ensure crease the country’s dependence produced an all-around performance. It is worth mention- ment. However, it is entirely pos- The US government, including stability, particularly in areas con- on donor countries and foreign sup- ing that after a match-winning all-round performance with sible that ISIS will seek to tap the USAID and the Department of taining mineral resources. Eradicat- port. These resources, if properly country’s poorly monitored min- Defense, had failed in its mission ing or at least bringing down the managed, provide an opportunity both the bat and the ball for SRH, Rashid Khan’s Indian ing industry to fund their primary to help create “self-sustaining Af- corruption level is important, in for Afghanistan to write its own operations in Iraq and Syria.[26] ghan extractive industries,” which addition to implementing reforms story of economic success. Robust fans went in frenzy and demanded on the social media to The deteriorating security situa- “still seems a very distant in the mineral laws. Mineral rights policies and strong institutional tion has provided more favorable goal.”[30] should be well-defined and a clear arrangements together with clear give him an Indian citizenship and let him play for India. conditions for ISIS. If left uncon- Illegal mining is rampant legal framework for attracting for- policy direction will help attract trolled, ISIS and Taliban insurgents throughout Afghanistan, with more eign investment should be estab- both domestic and foreign inves- The demand of cricket lovers received response from Pres- may pose a major threat through than 2,000 such sites raising mon- lished. The Afghan government, tors. Better management of miner- the exploitation of Afghanistan’s ey for warlords and the insur- with support from the international al resources could result in sustain- ident Ashraf Ghani who replied that he will not giving him vulnerable mines, as it will pro- gents.[31] A SIGAR report found community, should formulate a able economic growth paving the away. In his twitter account he said, “Afghans take abso- vide them with funding for their that illegal mining has been costing long-term, realistic, strategic vision way for a lasting peace. lute pride in our hero, Rashid Khan. I am also thankful to our Indian friends for giving our players a platform to show their skills. Rashid remind us what’s best about Afghanistan. He remains an asset to the cricketing world. No we are not giving him away.” Definitely, Rashid Khan belongs to us and also a great asset to the cricketing world. Even Sachin Tendulkar, the famous cricketer has tweeted regarding Khan, saying at the moment he is the best T20 bowler in the world. Tendulkar, is very famous in Afghan- istan and his tweet regarding Khan made his popularity Taliban more. Khan ended IPL with 21 wickets that remarkably, every top-order batsman was troubled by him at some point during the tournament. They simply failed to read his well-disguised googlies, leading to their downfall. De- spite cricket is nascent phenomenon in Afghanistan, but the achievements gained in shortest time are amazing. For county where the game arrived less than two decades ago, our craze for cricket is astonishing. We are proud of you, our Cricket heroes. Subscription Rates Fee Categories Afghanistan Times Annual Afg: 3600 at your door step For fast delivery service Six Months Afg: 1800 Afghanistan Times seeks the names, addresses of your International Organization $200 per year organizations and the number of copies you want. FRIDAY . JUNE 01, 2018 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

SOUTH AFRI CA'S RAND STEADY AHEAD OF TRADE, PPI DATA

South Africa’s rand held firm against the dollar early on Thurs- day, building on its previous-ses- sion strength ahead of trade and producer price inflation figures. * At 0646 the rand was trading at 12.5200 to the dollar. * The rand rallied on Wednesday as the greenback lost gains after lower-than-expected U.S. GDP numbers and an ease in worries about Italy’s political turmoil. As the world largest international world. People’s Daily offered you ty, in an exclusive interview with SCO,” he explained. One of the * Producer Price Inflation figures organizations, the Shanghai Coop- a guide to understand SCO with People’s Daily. Gao also pointed highlights in SCO Summit 2018 for April and trade balance data are eration Organization (SCO) has interviews with leading interna- out the cooperation between the could be China’s proposal in eco- due at 0930 GMT and 1200 GMT The Minister of Finance, Mrs. financing treasury bills and issu- nearly 3 billion populations, ac- tional relations experts who believe Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and nomic cooperation and global se- respectively. Kemi Adeosun, has said that the ing bonds. We have been refinanc- counting for one-third world pop- the SCO summit will promote a SCO can be expected. curity, according to Gao. * The yield on the benchmark gov- International Monetary Fund is ing treasury bills in the domestic ulation, and its total GDP exceed- more impartial and open world. “As a westwards initiative, the It is believed that China could pro- ernment bond due in 2026 was not worried about Nigeria’s debt market and replacing them with ed $16 trillion after its first expan- The unprecedented interactions in BRI could utilize the mechanism vide advanced experience for mem- down 3.5 basis points to 8.505 profile. Adeosun said that the coun- longer term debts in the interna- sion in 2017. The SCO Summit Eurasian continent indicate the of SCO to promote economic co- ber countries to promote local de- percent. try had enough capacity to repay tional market. And this is reducing 2018 is scheduled to be held from huge market potential and further operation and regional develop- velopment and free trade in global * The Johannesburg Stock Ex- its debt obligations estimated at our cost of borrowing.” She said June 9 to 10, attracting worldwide promotion in world economics, ment, and in return, the joint de- economics in the context of anti- change opened firmly on the front N21.7tn. She explained that the that as of this time last year, the expectation about China’s role in said Gao Fei, president assistant velopment could stimulate mutual globalization trend, Gao noted. foot, with the Top-40 index up 1 government was not worried about Federal Government was borrow- the world as well as the future of of China Foreign Affairs Universi- understanding among states in (BBC) percent soon after the bell. (AP) the country’s rising debt profile as ing at an average cost of 18 per the debt to Gross Domestic Prod- cent, adding that currently, it had uct ratio was still low compared reduced to 13 per cent. The minis- to other countries. The minister ter added that the Federal Govern- explained that at 20 per cent, Ni- ment was working very hard on Ukraine's international I EA: Global geria’s debt to GDP ratio was one the country’s debt service cost and of the lowest in sub-Saharan Afri- revenue collection. She said rather ca compared to Ghana’s 68 per than worrying now, Nigerians reserves rise to $18.4 bln cent and Ethiopia’s 50 per cent. should have expressed concern electric car She said Nigeria’s debt to GDP about the country’s debt profile ratio was far lower than a country when the indebtedness doubled in like China whose debt to GDP was the period of high oil prices and at 250 per cent. Adeosun stated, gross capital formation did not sales up over “I have said this before and I am grow. Adeosun stated that unlike saying it again, there is no cause in the past when funds were bor- for worry. Nigeria’s debt to GDP rowed for no specific reasons, the ratio is 20 per cent and it is one of government was now tying the debt 50 percent in the lowest in sub-Saharan Africa. to capital projects, noting that this “We are pursuing a very measured accounted for the various infra- strategy. We are running a budget structure projects being imple- deficit; the size of that deficit is mented across the country. She 2017 coming down now. Nigeria is not said, “Those roads and rails will among the countries that the IMF be here for the next 30 years; so, is worried about. We do have a you are matching long-term assets challenge on debt service to reve- and long-term liabilities. nue. “So, there is no cause for alarm as That is because the interest cost far as Nigeria is concerned. We are is quite high and that is a function using a well-managed and very con- of two things. “One is the fact that servative debt strategy, and we will most of the debts were short-term; continue to be very focused on con- so, we are paying interests and cessional borrowing.” compounding it. We have been re- (AP)

After a current account deficit in in April was almost at the level of by the successful placement of March 2018, Ukraine's balance of the respective month of last year," eurobonds by a leading Ukrainian payments saw a surplus of $175 the report says. It notes that the mobile operator. Net FDI inflows million in April 2018, according net inflow of capital in the finan- remained at the level of the previ- to the National Bank of Ukraine. cial account in April decreased to ous month ($98 million) and were "In April, the current account re- $119 million. Net liabilities of the almost entirely directed at the real turned to a positive value ($175 public sector to the world shrank sector of the economy. In the first million) compared to the deficit by $121 million mainly due to the four months of 2018 net income Electric car sales around the world by volume (China) and sales share in March ($628 million), due to a repayment of hryvnia-denominat- from foreign direct investment rose by 54 percent in 2017, taking (Norway) have the strongest pol- narrowing of the deficit of trade ed domestic government bonds amounted to $394 million. In global stock across the three-mil- icy push,” the IEA said. “Looking in goods and lower public debt ser- owned by non-residents. Instead, April, the balance of payments had lion threshold, the International ahead, the strongest current poli- vicing payments. At the same there was inflow of capital to the a surplus of $290 million. Energy Agency said in a report cy signals emanate from electric car time, the current account surplus real sector, secured, in particular, (WP) Wednesday. In China, the world’s mandates in China and California, biggest market for electric vehicles, as well as the European Union’s sales also grew by about half -- recent proposal on carbon dioxide but their market share remained (CO2) emissions standards for small at 2.2 percent. In Norway 2030.” The EU has committed to Swiss bank BCP halts all electric vehicles have by far the cutting 40 percent of its greenhouse world’s highest market share, with gas emissions from 1990 levels, 39.2 percent, according to the IEA. and to boosting its use of renew- new business with Iran The Paris-based agency was opti- able energy by at least 27 percent. mistic about the sector’s pros- France, home to Europe’s second- Swiss lender Banque de Commerce pects. “Supportive policies and biggest car industry after Germa- et de Placements (BCP) has sus- cost reductions are likely to lead ny, has gone further by announc- pended new transactions with Iran to significant growth in the market ing a plan to end sales of petrol and is winding down activities with uptake of (electric vehicles) in the and diesel vehicles by 2040, as part the country after US President outlook period to 2030,” the re- of an ambitious plan to meet its Donald Trump’s pullout from the port said. Should policymakers targets under the Paris climate ac- nuclear deal with Tehran, the bank honor their current commitments cord. Electric vehicles use batter- said on Tuesday. “We have sus- to the environment, “the number ies instead of petrol or diesel, there- pended any new transaction relat- of electric light-duty vehicles on by massively reducing their dam- ed to Iran after May 8, 2018 and the road (would reach) 125 million age to the environment. But they started the ‘wind down period’ by 2030,” it added.And should are not without controversy. Key within the framework of OFAC policy ambitions develop further, components in the batteries include announcement,” the bank said in a that number could become as high the mineral cobalt, much of which emailed statement to Reuters, re- as 220 million in 2030, it said. But comes from the unrest-hit Demo- ferring to the US Treasury’s sanc- the IEA said that in order for the cratic Republic of Congo. Rights tions enforcement arm. Trump’s cars of the future to overtake their groups have raised concerns about withdrawal from the accord on petrol and diesel-powered compet- corruption in the cobalt industry May 8 was announced in tandem tions within 180 days, prompting announce their exit from Iran. itors, governments will have to and often poor working conditions A consumer boycott aimed at major suppliers of milk, bottled water and with the re-imposition of US sanc- several European companies to (CNN) take the lead. “The main markets for the miners in DR Congo. petrol in Morocco has prompted the government to call for lower prices and forced one firm to scale down operations. The International Mon- etary Fund has praised Morocco for opening up its economy, which has helped attract investment by major international firms such as Renault, Boeing and Bombardier. But the campaign, launched on April 20 and TURKI SH OFFI CI ALS SAY CENTRAL BANK READY calling for a boycott of Morocco’s main milk, water and petrol brands, has struck a raw nerve with many, who complain they have been left out of the business boom. Facebook pages with more than two million users TO ACT, DI ALI NG BACK ERDOGAN RHETORI C have backed the campaign, which no political or civil society group has claimed, but which aims to express the frustration many Moroccans feel about their circumstances. An online campaign, launched on April Two senior Turkish officials have dialed back on their president’s combative message to markets on interest 2o called for a boycott of Morocco’s main milk, water and petrol brands. rate policy, insisting the central bank has freedom to act to defend the lira, according to investors who met (Screen grab) “The goal of this boycott is to unite the Moroccan people them on Tuesday. Earlier this month, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan met with money managers in and speak with one voice against expensive prices, poverty, unemploy- London and indicated he was about to take over the reins of monetary policy after the June 24 election. He ment, injustice, corruption and despotism,” one of the boycott pages said low interest rates were the way to tame rampant inflation. The comments compounded the lira’s said. The campaign targets Afriquia fuel stations owned by the Akwa problems and it nosedived after the visit. Since then, the central bank has been forced to lift interest rates by group of Agriculture Minister Aziz Akhanouch, one of Morocco’s rich- 300 basis points, and on Monday it outlined plans to simplify a complicated interest rate structure as of June est men, French dairy firm Centrale Danone and the Sidi Ali water 1. Money managers who attended meetings in London on Tuesday with Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet brand. The three firms have not detailed the impact on their businesses Simsek and Central Bank Governor Murat Cetinkaya said the tone was similarly conciliatory. “This was but several grocery shops in the capital Rabat said they had sold less certainly a different message to what we got from Erdogan a week ago,” said one fund manager who attended milk and water from the firms under fire, Reuters reported. “Since the one of the meetings, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We do have to believe that Erdogan signs off on all boycott started my customers are opting for other milk products,” said these decisions, either by directly signing them off or saying ‘look Mehmet, do what you have to do to get the a Rabat grocery owner who gave his name as Younes. Sidi Ali and lira back under control’.” At least five meetings had been scheduled for the day with Simsek and Cetinkaya at Afriquia did not immediately respond to requests for comment. the offices of Bank of America Merrill Lynch in London, fund managers said. The atmosphere was quiet and (AP) calm, said sources attending the meeting. (CNN) FRIDAY . JUNE 01, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES W h ich vita m in s sh ou ld I ta ke? A n ew stu dy says

If you need another reason to sleep in on your days off, re- th er e’s searchers in Sweden have found that sleeping in on off days could help you live long- er. In a study published in the on e th at’s m or e Journal of Sleep Research, re- searchers found people younger than 65 who got less sleep during the week, but slept im por ta n t th a n in on weekends had the same mortality rate as people who got seven hours of sleep each night. The study tracked more th e r est than 43,000 people over a 13 year span. “The mortality rate among participants with short sleep during weekdays, but long sleep during weekends, did not differ from the rate of the reference group,” the study summary says. “Among indi- viduals =65 years old, no asso- ciation between weekend sleep or weekday/weekend sleep du- rations and mortality was ob- served.” “In conclusion, short, but not long, weekend sleep was associated with an in- creased mortality in subjects long weekend sleep may com- yourself of sleep during the them out later,” the Post wrote. sleep-deprived, sleeping in on <65 years,” the study says. “In pensate for short weekday week and count on making it Michael Grandner, director of a weekend is like eating a salad the same age group, short sleep sleep.” However, epidemiolo- up over the weekend. “Sleep is the Sleep and Health Research after a series of hamburger din- (or long sleep) on both week- gists who spoke to The Wash- not like a financial transaction. Program at the University of ners — healthier, sure, but from If you've ever found yourself in duced the risk of cardiovascular days and weekend showed in- ington Post warned that you We can’t deposit zzzs over the Arizona’s College of Medicine, ‘one perspective the damage is the health and wellness aisle of disease, heart attack, stroke, or creased mortality. Possibly, shouldn’t purposely deprive weekend and expect to cash compared it to a diet. “For the done.'” your local pharmacy, wondering in early death." So does that mean total confusion which vitamins you you've been taking those yummy should take and which ones are just Flintstones vitamins your whole a bunch of BS, there might be some life for nothing? Unfortunately, Supplements good news coming your way. yes, this might mean there's really While there is a lot of advice out no point in taking your Flinstones Won't Help there to stuff your pill box with all vitamins, besides a daily dose of CDC WARNS OF DI SEASE kinds of supplements to take ev- good ol' nostalgia. Rest assured, ery day, there seems to be even though, you're not the only one Prevent Heart more evidence that the whole prac- who's a bit taken aback by just how tice might be a bit pointless for pointless most vitamins apparent- causing bacteria in public pools Disease: Study you, health-wise — for the most ly are. According to Forbes, the part, anyway. This not-so-little study's lead author, Dr. David Jen- When it comes to preventing heart revelation comes from a new re- kins, said in a statement, We were A new report says bacteria and parasites in pools and hot tubs has caused disease, vitamin and mineral sup- view published in the Journal of surprised to find so few positive more than 27,000 people to get sick or die in recent years. plements are probably a waste of the American College of Cardiolo- effects of the most common sup- As the weather heats up, odds are money, a new research review con- gy, which looked at both data and plements that people consume. you and your family will want to cludes. The findings, published different clinical trials done be- Our review found that if you want jump in the pool. But before you May 28 in the Journal of the Amer- tween January 2012 and October to use multivitamins, vitamin D, do, you might want to read this. A ican College of Cardiology, largely 2017 to see whether or not taking calcium or vitamin C, it does no new report from the Centers for confirm what's already known: vitamins really affects your health harm – but there is no apparent Disease Control and Prevention Supplements may be popular, but one way or the other in the long- advantage either. (CDC) says from 2000-2014, pub- in most cases, there is no evidence term. Lo and behold, according to Per Business Insider, some of the lic health officials in 46 states and they protect against heart disease. the results of that review, most other vitamins that were under re- Puerto Rico reported 493 disease There was one exception, research- multivitamins, along with vitamin view during the study were vita- outbreaks connected to treated rec- ers said. A more recent clinical trial C, vitamin D, and calcium supple- mins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9 (aka reational water. More than 27,000 in China found that folic acid sup- plements helped curb participants' ments, don't really add much of a folic acid), C, D, and E. The re- people have gotten sick and eight boost to your overall health, even searchers also looked at the effects people have even died due to dis- risk of stroke. However, experts said, it's not clear whether the same when you take them every day over of iron, zinc, magnesium, and cal- ease exposure in pools, hot tubs a long period of time. On top of cium on people's health, and still, and water playgrounds over that benefit would be seen in countries where folic acid is added to grain that, ScienceAlert reports, "there none of them appeared to have any time period. Where do the most was no evidence taking them re- real. (CNN) outbreaks happens? Hotel pools products, and people generally and hot tubs, the CDC reported. have sufficient levels of the B vi- Bacteria and parasites were the tamin. It's found in leafy green veg- etables, fruits, dried beans, peas cause of the outbreaks. A majority and nuts. The bottom line? Eat a were caused by Cryptosporidium, healthy diet and do not rely on microscopic parasites that cause supplements, said Dr. David Jen- diarrhea and other gastrointestinal kins, who led the review. "There problems. The study also con- are big health benefits from a most- nected illnesses and six of the eight ly plant-based diet," said Jenkins, deaths to Legionella, a bacteria that a professor of nutritional sciences can cause a serious type of pneu- at the University of Toronto. "In monia, according to the CDC. my opinion, that's the way to go." HERE'SWHATWE High-protein diets are linked KNOWABOUTNIPAH to heightened risk for heart VIRUS,THEBAT-BORNE disease,even for vegetarians DISEASEKILLING PEOPLEININDIA

Flaky pastries, fine wine and fash- to neutral packaging to make ciga- ionable people smoking lots of cig- rette packs look less appealing and arettes: Fair or not, this has been a a ban on flavors and additives, cultural image of France for de- which were particularly attractive cades. But there are signs that to young people, the report says. smoking in France is losing its al- "This is the result of preven- lure. A new study by the French tion measures that prove their Department of Public Health has worth, and good news that found that one million daily smok- strengthens my commitment to the ers in the country quit the habit in ... health of all," tweeted the Min- Health officials are currently working to contain the outbreak, which is the last year. Explore the many ad- ister of Health, Agnès Buzyn. the first cluster of infections in south India caused by the brain-damag- vantages of Wallonia. Content pro- Low-income people are smok- ing virus, according to the World Health Organization. Nipah virus is an emerging infectious disease with no known cure and a case fatality rate vided by Wallonia Authorities at- ing less of up to 75%. The outbreak was first reported on May 19 in the tribute the drop to recent anti- The reduction of smoking is a Kozhikode district of Kerala, and there have been a total of 25 suspect- smoking measures and higher tax- priority in Buzyn's prevention ed cases so far. Of these, 16 are confirmed and 13 patients have died, For 20 years a team of researchers scant. A new study, though, pub- in 1984, when scientists launched es on cigarettes. "This historic de- policy. She also attributes the low- including a nurse who had been caring for infected patients at a hospital. watched more than 2,400 Finnish lished this week by the American the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Dis- cline proves to everyone that it is er rates of smoking to an increase According to the Kerala Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the men eat. What they learned gives Heart Association, shows that eat- ease Risk Factor Study. As part of possible to fight against smoking in taxes on nicotine. outbreak is localized. However, it has raised concern for many about the us a glimpse into some of the long- ing a lot of protein—derived from the study, scientists recruited through coherent and integrated In March, just after prices for potential for Nipah to spread to other parts of the world, becoming a term health effects of one of to- both plants and animals—is linked 2,441 middle-aged and older men actions," said François Bourdillon, a pack of cigarettes increased by a pandemic. Nipah virus was first identified in 1999, after an outbreak day’s most popular dieting fads. to an elevated risk of cardiovascu- and tracked their daily protein con- the health department's director full euro, sales dropped by nearly among pig farmers in Malaysia, according to the WHO. The natural The fascination with high-protein lar failure. Even still, the Universi- sumption for an average of 22 general, in the report released 20%. reservoirs of the virus are the fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family, diets isn’t new. In the 1970s, Amer- ty of Eastern Finland researchers years. Each participant was as- Monday. According to the study, This may help explain why the which are are found in the Eastern hemisphere. There have been annual ican doctor Robert Atkins popu- who undertook the study noted in sessed on how much dairy, animal, tobacco kills an average of 200 decline in smokers was particular- outbreaks of Nipah in Bangladesh since 2001, and several outbreaks in larized the idea with his namesake the paper that many unanswered plant, and overall protein they ate. people in France every day -- ly steep among low-income resi- eastern India. If you've never heard of the Nipah virus before, you are eating plan, designed to help peo- questions about their findings re- In each of those four categories, about 73,000 people per year. In dents. not alone. It is incredibly rare, and there have only been a handful of ple lose weight fast. Today, simi- main. For example, it’s not yet the participants were divided into 2017, 26.9% of 18-to-75-year-olds Buzyn says she plans to in- large-scale outbreaks in South and Southeast Asia in the last 20 years. So lar regimens are still hitting the clear how and why various amino four quartiles; the researchers then smoked on a daily basis, down crease the price to 10 euros per what exactly is the Nipah virus, and how does it spread? The virus market. In April 2018, Pierre Du- acids abundant in animal protein compared the top quartile in each from 29.4% the year before. cigarette package by 2020. typically spreads to people from infected fruit bats. Less commonly, it kan, a French doctor, introduced sources often lead to poor heart category to the bottom quartile. So, That's a drop from 13.2 mil- Some 1.1 billion people on the spreads from person to person through direct contact. Nipah is a zoonotic the Dukan Diet, which also em- function. Also left unanswered: for example, they looked at the risk lion daily smokers to 12.2 million, planet -- about 15% of the Earth's infection, meaning it is transmitted to humans from animals carrying the phasizes limited carbohydrate in- why fermented dairy foods (which of heart failure for the 25% who which health officials attribute to population -- are smokers, accord- disease. "The virus coevolved with bats over millions of years, so it take while promoting protein. De- also contain protein) such as ate the most dairy protein com- the anti-smoking measures of their ing to the World Health Organiza- doesn't cause the bats any problems, but the issue is that other mam- spite the popularity of such diets, cheese are worse for heart health pared to the 25% who ate the least National Tobacco Reduction Plan tion. The WHO says that smok- mals can be infected, like pigs or dogs or horses," said Dr. Stephen Luby. the research on how they impact than unfermented dairy, such as dairy protein. in 2016. ing kills more than 7 million peo- (BBC) heart health has been relatively milk. This research project began (BBC) Those steps included a switch ple worldwide each year. FRIDAY . JUNE 01, 2018 AFGHANISTAN TIMES MH370search ends–probably –without finding diverse order that now slithers, creeps and burrows across every continent except Antarctica. In a video for the MUSE Science Mu- missing777 seum in Trento, Italy, co-author Michael Caldwell called the fossil a "perfect example." "It's almost a Probe of extra search area virtual Rosetta stone," said Cald- well, also a paleontologist at the University of Alberta, "in terms again fails to find plane of the information that it gives us on the evolution of snakes and liz- ards." Megachirella's partial skel- eton was discovered by an ama- teur fossil hunter in the Dolomite mountains of northern Italy and first described by scientists in 2003. But, limited by the technol- ogy of the time and an incomplete Fires ignited by lightning have and free. The recent positive trends in understanding of the squamate or- will likely continue to increase SAM are attributed to increasing der, researchers were not quite sure across the Mediterranean and tem- greenhouse gas levels and the hole how the new species fit into the perate regions in the Southern in the ozone layer. "Now the win- reptile family tree. Fifteen years Hemisphere under a warmer cli- ter is not as rainy and the summer later, high-resolution micro CT mate, according to a new study co- is longer, drier and warmer," Holz scanning made it possible to peer led by a Portland State University said. Drier winters mean less mois- inside the rock holding the fossil researcher. The study, published ture on the land, and warmer and identify features concealed online in May in the journal Geo- springs and summers are pulling within. At a synchrotron facility, physical Research Letters, exam- the soil moisture into the air more Simões and his colleagues identi- ined the observed and forecasted quickly, allowing the soil and veg- fied features in the animal's brain relationship between lightning-ig- etation to dry out and ignite more case, collar bone and wrists that nited fires, rising temperatures readily, he said. The study found are unique to lizards. They also across the Southern Hemisphere that the natural influence of the Further efforts to find MH370, the search zone suggested by model- found evidence of vestigial traits and natural climate variability in three climate modes (ENSO, IOD Malaysian airlines Boeing 777 ling drift patterns of debris from that more modern squamates have three leading climate drivers that and SAM) on fire activity was missing since March 2014, have the plane wasn’t searched until since lost - a small cheek bone called affect weather worldwide: El Niño- stronger during the 21st century again failed to find the plane. Oliv- Ocean Infinity offered to do so. the quadratojugal and primitive La Niña, the Indian Ocean Dipole than during the last couple of de- er Plunkett, the CEO of Ocean In- All manner of theories about the belly bones called gastralia (which and the Southern Annular Mode. cades of the 20th century as a re- finity, a company conducting a no- plane’s fate are now circulating, Here's a fact you should know 70 million years younger than that. are found in many dinosaurs, too). El Niño-La Niña, known as ENSO, sult of anthropogenic warming. find-no-fee search on behalf of the some of them involving conspira- about the world in which you live: "That's more time than there is Simões devoted his PhD to under- is the periodic warming and cool- That trend is expected to contin- Malaysian government, on Tues- cies to keep the plane's fate a se- It's home to more kinds of scaly between us and the dinosaurs, and standing the family tree of living ing periods of the equatorial east- ue. Climate change is amplifying day said the search will shortly end cret. Some point to the fact that reptiles than all the mammal fami- we had no clue what was going and extinct squamates. "For the ern and central Pacific Ocean that climate-fire teleconnections, or the without having found the plane. the plane’s pilot flew a simulated lies combined. The reptile order on," said Tiago Simões, a paleon- first time, having that information affects the world's climate the strength of long-distance relation- The extended search covered over route over the Indian Ocean as ev- Squamata, which includes snakes, tologist at the University of Al- with this highly expanded data set, most. The Indian Ocean Dipole, ships between weather patterns 25,000km2 of the Indian Ocean, idence of a murder/suicide. Others lizards and legless worm-looking berta. Enter Megachirella wacht- now it became possible to actual- or IOD, is a similar ocean-atmo- and fire During the onset of the including areas outside the original say the plane went elsewhere. All creatures known as amphisbae- leri, a three-inch, 240-million-year- ly assess the relationship of not spheric phenomenon characterized 21st century, lightning-ignited fires search zone suggested as more like- that is certain is that the families nians, is the largest order of living old fossil - and an exciting new clue only this species but also of other by changes in sea-surface temper- were tightly coupled with upward ly resting places for the plane. Plun- of the 12 crew and 227 passengers land vertebrates on the planet. And in this evolutionary mystery. Ac- species of reptiles," Simões said. atures between the eastern and trends in the SAM and rising tem- kett said that search his company still want answers. They may yet yet scientists know surprisingly cording to research by Simões and When Megachirella walked the western part of the Indian Ocean, peratures across the Southern conducted covered that area and get them because Ocean Infinity little about where all those geckos his colleagues that was published Earth, in the middle Triassic peri- while the Southern Annular Mode, Hemisphere "We think that by plenty more, making it almost as called off the search due to winter and vipers and iguanas and py- Wednesday in the journal Nature, od, the world's land masses were or SAM, describes the north-south having warmer oceans and warmer extensive than the original search. weather making further operations thons came from. Genetic evidence Megachirella is the "mother of all crushed together in a superconti- movement of the westerly wind temperatures in general, we're go- But even that effort turned up dangerous. But it’s unclear at this suggests the order originated in the lizards," the oldest known ances- nent called Pangaea. Flowers had belt that circles Antarctica and car- ing to see higher evaporation and nothing. The original search area time if any nation or entity will Permian period, more than 250 tor of all squamates. Her existence not evolved, and the ground was ries moisture to the southwest cor- heat transfer, and thus higher fre- was chosen after analysis of satel- fund further searches. ® million years ago. But the oldest helps explain the transition from dominated. ners of all the Southern Hemisphere quency of convective storms that lite handshakes, but an alternative (BBC) known squamate fossil was about more primitive reptiles to the large, (WP) continents. Heat, oxygen, fuel and in turn results in more lightning- an ignition source combine to start ignited fires," Holz said. wildfires, but where and how "And with a climate mode such as quickly a fire moves depends on SAM stuck in its positive, fire- the terrain, the types and condi- prone phase that seems to ampli- tion of vegetation present and the fy climate change, it doesn't look G O O G L E N O W H AS T W O AP P S I N weather, said Andrés Holz, the good." But Holz cautions that it study's co-lead author and a geog- does not mean that there will be an raphy professor in PSU's College increasing number of fires every- of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The where. Ch in a , bu t sea r ch r em a in s off lim its study found that of the three cli- Under warmer conditions, if pre- mate drivers, the SAM had the cipitation stays constant, there will Google is bringing a second app to years. It released its language trans- strongest impact on fire activity - be increased fire activity in areas China as it looks to grow its pres- lation app in China a year ago. The both lightning- and human-caused that already have plenty of fuel to ence in a huge market where most company said the number of users wildfires - due to a combination of burn but have historically been too of its services are blocked. of Google Translate in China grew lower precipitation and higher tem- humid or wet to burn. On the flip The company said in a blog post 400% in the first five months. It peratures, said Holz, who also side, areas that are dry year-round Thursday that it has launched its declined to give the current num- serves as a faculty fellow at PSU's will likely see a decline in fire ac- file management tool, Files Go, in ber of users. Institute for Sustainable Solutions. tivity with global warming unless four Chinese app stores. The app Google faces challenges getting During the positive phase of SAM, there's a strong increase in rainfall. was released in the United States more services into the country, in- the westerly winds contract to- "These trends are expected world- in December. Many of Google's cluding stricter censorship regula- ward Antarctica, leaving large ar- wide, not just in the Southern (GOOGL) best-known services -- tions and increased scrutiny of for- eas in southern South America, Hemisphere," Holz said. such as search, Gmail, YouTube eign tech companies. The compa- South Africa and Australia rain- (AP) and Maps -- are banned or widely ny's own app store, Google Play, inaccessible in China, the world's remains blocked in China, which largest smartphone market. But means that for Android phone us- Files Go is unlikely to upset the ers, Files Go and Google Trans- country's censors -- it suggests late are only available on third-par- files to delete, organizes images, ty app stores, like the ones run by Samsung videos and documents, and lets Chinese smartphone makers Hua- users share files offline. wei and Xiaomi. Google is also set- Google effectively left China in ting up an artificial intelligence re- Galaxy S10 to 2010, but the country's hundreds search center in Beijing, the com- of millions of internet users make pany's first in Asia. The move will it too large a market to ignore. The help China pursue its aim to be- company has been hunting for come a global leader in AI. use in-display ways to expand there in recent (CNN)

Judge dismisses fingerprint Kaspersky's Amazon geoblocks Australia from attempts to sensor courtesy overturn U.S. site as tax change kicks in of Qualcomm 'unconstitutional' range - a tenth the range of its U.S. site - and uncompetitive prices US gov ban since it began taking orders in De- cember. It may also benefit Ama- A US JUDGE has dismissed two zon’s main rivals, from California- lawsuits filed by Kaspersky that headquartered online market eBay sought to overturn the US govern- to smaller Australian merchants ment's ban on its products. Back which had campaigned to have the in September, the US government GST apply to all goods shipped ordered the removal of all Kasper- from overseas. National Retail As- sky software from federal agencies sociation CEO Dominique Lamb due to fears of influence from Rus- said Amazon’s move was a sur- sian president Vladimir Putin. The prise. “You have to wonder if they following month, an official work- are trying to funnel more traffic to ing at the Department of Home- its Australan website,” she said. An eBay spokesman said the land Security (DHS) has confirmed Rumours suggesting the Samsung Galaxy S10 will feature an in-display U.S. company was working on a fingerprint sensor are nothing new anymore. We've been hearing for a that the "vast majority" agencies way to collect the Australian tax have removed all Kaspersky soft- couple of years that Samsung will eventually introduce the technology from sellers around the world with- but so far have yet to see anything. Now, according to a report from ware. Then, in December, reality out cutting access for Australians. TV star and US president Donald Korean news outlet ET News (via SamMobile), the Galaxy S10 will “eBay’s GST solution ... allows finally get an in-display ultrasonic sensor, courtesy of Qualcomm. That Trump signed a bill - the National imports to Australia to continue Defense Authorization Act last bit is a little unexpected, since a few weeks ago, another report out without any structural barriers, of Korea said that Samsung was in fact working on its own ultrasonic (NDAA) - that banned the use of redirects or blocks to the buyer ex- Kaspersky Lab products within fingerprint sensor that it would then integrate with other non-smart- perience,” he said. Until now, GST phone devices, such as smart home devices and home appliances. It's US government organisations. has applied only to most goods Kaspersky, which has long reiter- possible that Samsung either wasn't working on its own sensor at all, or sold in Australia and imported it hit a few obstacles and would rather turn to Qualcomm, whose ultra- ated that it has not fostered ties goods worth over A$1,000, mak- sonic sensors have been available for some time, so that it get the tech- with Russian spies, filed two law- ing relatively low-cost imported nology into the S10 duo. Qualcomm's ultrasonic in-display sensor will suits in an attempt to lift the two items cheaper than their equiva- be more accurate than the optical ones we've seen come out of China on "unconstitutional" bans - but a Amazon.com Inc said on Thurs- “geoblocking” from July 1, when international sites,” an Amazon lents in local stores. Australian phones from Vivo and Huawei, as it transmits an ultrasonic pulse to read judge this week dismissed them. day it will force Australians to use a 10 percent Goods and Services spokesman said, adding that the Treasurer Scott Morrison an- all the tiny details of your fingerprint. It can even measure your heart US District Judge Colleen Kollar- its Australian website instead of Tax (GST) applies to imported firm was taking the measure to nounced the change in April 2017, rate and blood flow and also work underwater - so a slight splash from Kotelly ruled that the ban, which its much larger U.S. site to avoid a online goods worth less than comply with the legislation and not eight months before Amazon the rain shouldn't pose any problems. The Samsung Galaxy S10 and comes into effect on 1 October, new sales tax, setting the stage for A$1,000 ($756). “While we regret to avoid paying tax. The move will opened its Australian unit. “The S10+ are expected to be announced much earlier in 2019 than previous was constitutional, noting that the a showdown with rival eBay Inc any inconvenience this may cause likely drive traffic to Amazon’s second-biggest company in the years, perhaps even as early as CES in January. The company reported- government's actions don't deter- in the No. 12 economy. The retail customers, we have had to assess Australian website, testing the world, run by the richest man in ly wants to launch the S10 duo there, so it can launch its long-rumoured mine guilt and inflict punishment. giant said it would subject Austra- the workability of the legislation patience of shoppers who have the world, shouldn’t get a leave foldable smartphone at MWC in February. (BBC) lians to the process known as as a global business with multiple complained about its thin product pass from paying. FRIDAY . JUNE 01, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES

ave Bautista, who plays Drax the De stroyer in the Marvel Cinematic Uni verse, has said he is part of both the Avengers movies.

Kim Kardashian’s visit to President Donald Trump, to discuss prison reform, has left Twitter in utter disbelief.

WASHINGTON: Days away House efforts at criminal justice Johnson, a 62-year-old who has has pardoned disgraced Arizona Wrestler-turned-actor Dave Bau- ‘‘I don’t know if I was sup- chise. from a historic summit with North reform. In the end, she met with been in prison for more than two sheriff Joe Arpaio, a Trump sup- tista has confirmed he will appear posed to, but I believe that I’ve “We don’t know. I don’t even Korea’s mercurial leader, US Pres- fellow TV personality, President decades for a nonviolent drug porter who was convicted of vio- in Avengers 4 as well as Guardians already said publicly that I am in know. I haven’t read the script for ident Donald Trump held a White Donald Trump – formerly of The offense.Fixing tough sentencing lating a court order to halt traffic Of The Galaxy Vol. 3. both,” Bautista told Den of Geek. either, and, you know, I’ve talked House meeting Wednesday with Apprentice and New York tabloid laws had been a priority of presi- patrols targeting immigrants. He The 49-year-old actor plays The actor, however, has no to James (Gunn, ‘Guardians’ writ- another famous Kim – reality TV fame. “Great meeting with dent Barack Obama’s administra- also pardoned vice president Dick the part of Drax in the Marvel Cin- idea of how or when Drax will re- er/director).’‘ star Kardashian – to discuss pris- @KimKardashian today, talked tion, but he failed to win Congres- Cheney’s former chief of staff ematic Universe (MCU). turn to the money-spinning fran- (Hindustan Times) on reform and sentencing. The re- about prison reform and sentenc- sional support, prompting a Lewis “Scooter” Libby. Celebri- ality star entered the grounds of ing,” the president said in a tweet, stream of presidential pardons and ties, students march together 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue wear- accompanied by a photograph of clemency actions. Trump has so against gun violence ing a black suit and canary yellow the pair in the Oval Office, with far taken a more hardline ap- Last month, Kim’s rapper stilettoes, an AFP photographer Trump flashing a broad grin. Kar- proach, advocating a “lock-em-up- husband Kanye West raised eye- witnessed. Kardashian was expect- dashian, 37, is known for her so- and-throw-away-the-key” ap- brows after tweeting about his VEDHI KA TO ed to meet aide Jared Kushner, who cialite TV persona, but has also proach to criminal justice. During “love” for Trump and describing has spearheaded stuttering White called for the release of Alice Marie his first year and half in office he him as a “brother”. (Tribune) MARK HER Glamorous roles can wait; BOLLYWOOD Disha Patani wants ‘to come I went nude in my DEBUT across as an actor first’ debut film, OPPOSI TE The Bollywood says actor, who became EMRAAN a leading lady with Ranbir Baaghi 2, has tak- en what appears to Kapoor HASHMI be a supporting role in Salman at Sanju Khan’s Bharat. She says that her choic- trailer es, including the upcoming film launch Sanghamitra, are Ranbir Kapoor is receiving acco- driven by great lades for his looks and perfor- mance in Sanju, a biopic on Bolly- stories, not her wood star Sanjay Dutt. He said own screen time. that a thumbs up from Sanjay Dutt himself matters a lot to him. While speaking at the trailer launch of Actor Disha Patani, who acquired — that got her noticed and earned debut was followed by an Indo- can always do a glamorous role or Sanju on May 30, he said, “I used true leading lady status with this her plenty of praise. Disha adds, Chinese film, Kung Fu Yoga, star- a film in the future, but I want to to have Sanju sir’s poster on the year’s Baaghi 2, co-starring Tiger “I had many offers at that time — ring Jackie Chan. And now, after come across as an actor first, and wall of my cupboard, and today in Shroff, chose an unusual vehicle roles where I could have looked playing the lead in Baaghi 2, Disha then anything else. For instance, I front of you, I am looking at you for her Bollywood debut — a small good, commercial [roles], danced, has come on board for Ali Abbas was sure that I didn’t want [to be and trying to represent him. I know but significant role in MS Dhoni: done things that I like. But I chose Zafar’s Bharat, which has Salman a part of] a masala film at this stage. I can never be the man he is but in The Untold Story (2016), with this look, without makeup, with Khan and Priyanka Chopra in the I’d like to eventually do that, but every which way I go about my Sushant Singh Rajput in the title just kajal and a choti [braid]. Be- lead. Asked about the yardstick for not right now. Maybe after a cou- career I really want him to like me.” role. “If I was ever worried about cause I feel that connection with her choices, the 25-year-old says ple more films, I’d think in that In the trailer, Ranbir is seen going my [role] length in a film, I’d nev- people will come when you do a that she has a long way to go in the direction and then, viewers could nude in an emotionally charged er have signed Dhoni,” she says, real-life story, rather than any oth- industry and a corresponding see me in a different light,” she scene. He talked about it as well. looking back at the performance er thing.” Her choices have, indeed, scope for experimenting with her says. Ranbir said, “Main toh pehli film — as Dhoni’s first serious girlfriend been away from the obvious. The on-screen persona and looks. “I (Hindustan Times) se nude chala gaya tha jab mera towel gir gaya tha (I went nude in my first film when my towel fell). I am very shy in real life, but not when the camera is on. I am por- The Tale movie review: An unmissable traying a character so you have to be nude, emotionally and physi- experience, one of the bravest films of 2018 so far cally. Ranbir debuted in Bollywood with director Sanjay Leela Bhan- claims such as this - even the ones sali’s film Saawariya (2007). He that are completely fictional. Es- was paired with Sonam Kapoor in Popular South Indian actress Vedhika Kumar is all geared up to make pecially the ones that are fic- the film. The two are returning to- her Bollywood debut alongside none other than Emraan Hashmi. tional. But The Tale relies abso- gether in Sanju after a gap of 11 Though Vedhika, 30, made her film debut in 2006 with 'Madrasi', she lutely on the words - and memo- years. Directed by Rajkumar Hi- only rose to success after signing 'Paradesi' in 2013. Since then, she has ries - of one person. Jennifer Fox rani, Sanju also stars Anushka Shar- been a big name in the South Indian film industry. Vedhika has got was 13 when she entered into a ma, Manisha Koirala, Vicky experience in working across Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam ‘relationship’ with her 40-year-old Kaushal, Dia Mirza, Karishma languages. However, 'The Body', her Hindi debut film, will add another track coach. The abuse began Tanna, Jim Sarbh and Boman Irani language in her kitty. The film will also have Rishi Kapoor in a pivotal shortly afterwards, and continued in lead roles. Sanju will hit the role. Helmed by Jeethu Joseph, the film will be jointly produced by for months, insidious and unno- screens on June 29, 2018. Sunir Kheterpal and Viacom 18 Motion Pictures. ticed. Even in real life, words and (Santa Banta) memories are all that victims of abuse have. It is their only weap- on in a near impossible fight for truth, for themselves, and for their Here’s your first glimpse at Kajol future. They will be ignored, they will be humiliated, and they will be blamed, but as long as they have as Elastigirl in Incredibles 2 conviction in their beliefs, they will Disney India has released the first promotional video - it’s not exactly a survive. Laura Dern plays Jenni- trailer - for Incredibles 2, in Hindi and featuring Kajol as the voice of fer Fox, whose memories are trig- Elastigirl, a role originally voiced by Holly Hunter. In the one-minute gered after an old story she wrote clip, Kajol introduces us to the Incredibles, a superhero family, and their is discovered. The Tale is an un- The Tale “The story you’re about to see daily trials and tribulations. The video highlights the characters’ relat- is true,” says Jenny as the screen compromising self-portrait, a pain- ability, despite their secret superpowers. “It brings to us a heartwarm- Director - Jennifer Fox ful memoir of an artist battling her Cast - Laura Dern, Isabelle Nélisse, Jason Ritter, Elizabeth Debicki, fades in, and then she adds the ing tale of a family that’s like us, and yet they’re different,” she previ- words that will irrevocably change past. Fox, an award-winning doc- ously told Hindustan Times. “There were so many moments in the Blythe Danner, Common umentarian, makes her narrative Rating - 4.5/5 everything: “As far as I know.” story that I could relate with and I knew I had to join the fun. I’m really We’ve often heard movies make debut here. (Tribune) excited to be a part of the family of supers. (Hindustan Times) FRIDAY . JUNE 01, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES

Usain Bolt is spending a week training with Norwegian top-flight side Stromsgodset. The eight-time Olympic gold medallist trained with the team for the first time on Wednesday and is due to play a training match against Norway U19s next Tuesday, the club said. The Jamaican sprinter, who retired after last year's World Champion- ships in London, has already trained with German side Borus- sia Dortmund and South African club Mamelodi Sundowns this year. Stromsgodset were Norwe- gian champions in 2013 and the club's sporting director is former Sheffiled Utd and Norway striker Jostein Flo. He said: "We think it's amazingly fun that Usain Bolt chooses to come here to Stroms- godset to train. He is a champion, one of the greatest athletes of all time and, of course, we can learn a lot from him. "Usain Bolt is fur- thermore a particularly charismat- ic and energetic type and his pres- ence will undoubtedly be a great inspiration for players, coaches and the whole club. "We want him to be given the opportunity to play in the training match. Manchester City are in advanced talks to sign Napoli midfielder Jorgin- (Sky Sport) ho, according to Sky Italy. City have reportedly made an offer in the region of £40m for the 26-year-old but the Serie A side are holding out for at least £44m. The Premier League champions have been monitor- ing the player for a while and he is on a list of summer transfer targets. Callum Johnson Jorginho, who has two years left on his current deal, has made 36 appearances for Napoli this season, scoring three goals, including one against City in the Champions League in November. The Italian's agent has previously said Jorginho will join the Premier League champions if undaunted by they can reach a deal this summer. Jorginho's agent Joao Santos said: "Jorginho is still under contract but if Napoli finds an agreement with City, the player will go to Manchester. "Finding an agreement with the Artur Beterbiev English club will not be a problem considering the importance of the team. "But, I repeat, that will depend on the decisions of Napoli as the player is tied for another two years. "City are the champions of En- gland and are one of the top European clubs. If Napoli and City find a as world title solution, we can talk about it. Otherwise, he will be happy to continue in Naples. "At the moment, I have not heard anything from the leader- ship of Napoli. I hope to hear from the director and maybe in the next fight nears few days I will be in Naples to talk about it." (BBC Sport) confirm ation Kyle Edmund, Cameron Norrie, Englandtoughtobeat at and Heather homein 2019 Cricket World Watson fly the Cup,says Allan Donald Allan Donald has tipped hosts have thought they could get to this and he was pretty adamant he British flag at England for Cricket World Cup point. But there's something about wanted to play in the World Cup. 2019 glory. The former South Af- them that I like. "They play a very So, I half expected him to give rica bowler hailed captain Eoin aggressive brand of one-day crick- South Africa real hope that they Callum Johnson says he has "no been willing to step-up and take Morgan for ushering in an "aggres- et. And my gut feeling is that they could win the World Cup. "I don't fear" of Artur Beterbiev as he closes on the Canada-based champion, French Open sive brand" of one-day cricket he will go a long way in this World think they are totally out of it. But on finalising a "dream opportuni- but, now, number eight contender never expected from an English side Cup. "The skill is stupendous for without AB de Villiers, with him ty" to fight for the fearsome Rus- Johnson has accepted the challenge Watson and Edmund both scheduled to Ex-Warwickshire seamer Donald most teams now. But England for in the team they would have had a sian's world title. Negotiations re- and is relishing the task ahead. also admitted to fearing South Af- me, through Eoin Morgan and the huge chance. "But it's his choice main ongoing but Johnson, the "These opportunities don't come play on Court Three with Norrie set to rica will struggle to fight for the coaching staff, have brought a dif- and I respect that. He just said he British and Commonwealth cham- around every day and, when my finish his match against Lucas Pouille on title without batsman AB de Villi- ferent beast to it." De Villiers hit was tired, He has a very young pion, is confident that it will be promoter Eddie Hearn showed me ers, who has retired from interna- 22 centuries and 46 half centuries family, and maybe he just realised him that next gets a shot at the the letter from the IBF offering the Philippe Chatrier at lunchtime tional cricket after a stunning 14- in 114 Tests at an average of 50.66, it was his time now. It happens to IBF king. Beterbiev, with 12 stop- fight, I jumped at it," Johnson ex- year career. "I really do feel that if racking up 25 one-day international all of us. And that you've got to page wins from as many fights, has clusively told Sky Sports. "I'm in ever they [England] had the chance tons to boot. The 34-year-old has respect. "He's given South Africa looked devastating so far in the the game to be in the biggest and to win a World Cup, it's definitely opted not to push his impressive plenty, he has won many games paid ranks, despite frustrating pe- best fights possible. I've dreamt of now," Donald told Sky Sports career through to next year's World off the back of his own bat. His riods of inactivity, and has become winning a world title since I was a News "I reckon in their own back- Cup, however - with Donald ad- brilliance, his flair, it will be missed. one of the most feared fighters in kid so I'm not going to turn down yard they will be very tough to mitting South Africa will feel his And it will hurt South Africa not the sport. I don't fear any man so this chance because he [Beterbiev] beat. The way they take on one- loss keenly. "AB's a massive, enor- having him here next year. "But it's all the talk of how big and strong is this apparent beast. I believe I day internationals now it's a dif- mous loss," said Donald, talking also a hugely selfless decision. he is, his power, it's all very well am a beast as well and can beat ferent England from the one I've at an event to mark one year to go Knowing AB he's as dead-on as and good, but at the end of the day, him. "I've boxed big, ferocious, seen. "I'll be honest, given what I until the start of the World Cup. "I they come. He can walk away with he's human. I don't fear him. With Russians before in the amateurs. faced back in the day, I wouldn't spoke to him about six months ago his head held high. a mandatory due, few fighters have (BBC Sport)

Kyle Edmund, Cameron Norrie, just have to go in there and put out and Heather Watson will fly the your A game and see where that is. British flag at the French Open on "So you obviously analyse it in Thursday, with the trio all in ac- terms of match-ups and maybe tion on a bumper day. British No tactics, but I try not to analyse it 1 Edmund will be in second-round too much and just go out there and action against Marton Fucsovics play my game and trust it." William Buick is convinced Masar heads a formidable Irish challenge of Hungary, a potentially tricky We will have news, previews, can give him a good spin around that includes Hazapour. Trainer opponent who won the Geneva live blogs, reports and expert anal- Epsom in the Investec Derby on Dermot Weld reports the son of Open last week. We will return for ysis from the 2018 French Open. Saturday. The Charlie Appleby- Shamardal to be primed for the ul- more tennis coverage from the ATP On the move? Head to our app for trained colt ran a tremendous race timate test Epsom provides after Tour when we head to Germany mobile devices and iPad, or follow to finish third behind Saxon War- Frankie Dettori flew over to Ire- for the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, our Twitter account @SkySport- rior in the 2000 Guineas after win- land to partner his Investec Derby live on Sky Sports Arena from sTennis to join in the conversation. ning the Craven Stakes. Though he mount on Tuesday. Winner of the 11am on Monday, 18 June. Ed- Cameron Norrie prolonged his has yet to run beyond a mile, con- Derrinstown Derby Trial, tradi- mund, looking to build on his stun- Parisian adventure by another day nections are optimistic he will stay tionally a good pointer towards the ning run to the Australian Open at least after pinching a set in the further. "He ran lovely in the Guin- Epsom Classic, Hazapour has semi-final in January, overpowered Paris gloom on Wednesday eas and he should stay," said Buick. been well backed in recent days. 19-year-old Australian Alex De evening. He will return to Court "He ran like he will definitely get Hazapour is related to Harzand, Minaur in the opening round, but Philippe Chatrier on Thursday further than a mile and obviously Weld's first winner of the blue rib- is wary of the dangerous Fucsov- lunchtime trailing French 16th seed we meet the winner again, Saxon and two years ago. "Hazapour is Warrior, but the Derby is the Der- in great form. Frankie Dettori came ics. "I played him in Winston-Sa- Lucas Pouille 2-6 4-6 7-5. It may by - it is the ultimate race. "It is a and rode him and I'm glad to say lem and beat him in straight sets. I well be that this match proves a tough race and a lot needs to go he was very pleased with him," remember playing quite well that step too far when they resume, but right for you in it, whatever horse said the Rosewell handler. "It day. But he's improved since then," Pouille at least knows he has a job you are on. "Masar has had plen- wasn't that we did anything magi- said Edmund. "He won last week, to finish. Heather Watson will bid ty of racing experience, the balance cal with him, we didn't ask him to so for sure he's feeling good. But to get past the second round for and a really good attitude. He do anything spectacular. He's an I'm feeling good as well. It's just the first time when she faces Bel- should relax nicely and we are very idle horse, a lazy colt, but Frankie one of those matches where you gian 16th seed Elise Mertens. positive about him." Aidan was satisfied with him and I was (Sky Sport) O'Brien's Saxon Warrior spear- very satisfied with him. TeamSky'sChrisFroomemakeshistorybywinningGirod'Italia Chris Froome became the first Briton to win the Giro d'Italia in its 101- Merckx (1982/83). Froome fin- Sam Bennett (Bora) sprinted to the streets of the Italian capital. year history after a sensational comeback on Sunday. The Team Sky ished ahead of defending champi- victory in the 21st and final stage, Froome said on Eurosport: "I don't rider's sixth Grand Tour title, following last year's fourth Tour de France on Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) of the his third of this year's race, after think it has quite sunk in yet, but win and maiden La Vuelta victory, sees him become the seventh man to Netherlands in the overall stand- pipping four-stage winner Elia Viv- I'm sure it will over the next few have won all three races and just the third to hold the three titles simul- ings, with Colombian Miguel An- iani (Quick Step) at the line after a days once I've had a bit of time to taneously - after France's Bernard Hinault (1972/73) and Belgian Eddy gel Lopez (Astana) third. Ireland's 115km closed circuit race through reflect. FRIDAY . JUNE 01 . 2018 -Jawza 11, 1397 H.S Vol:X Issue No: 301 Price: Afs.20

Former prime minister of Kyr- gyzstan Sapar Isakov has been in- dicted and barred from leaving the country on corruption charges re- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ernment forces pushed all rebels lating to a power station that hit out of the Syrian capital of Dam- the headlines when it malfunc- has said the United States has "lost its cards" in Syria, calling on Amer- ascus, marking a major turning tioned and left inhabitants of the point in the war. But Russia's in- capital Bishkek exposed to the ica to leave the country in an inter- view with Russia Today. "The tervention turned Syria into a pow- winter cold for days. Kyrgyz State Americans should leave. Some- der keg for world powers. In the Committee for National Security how, they're going to leave. They interview with RT, Assad said official Rakhat Sulaimanov an- came to Iraq with no legal basis, nounced the charges on May 30. Russia and the US came close to a They are based on Isakov’s in- and look what happened to them. confrontation in Syria. "We were volvement in the construction of They have to learn their lesson. close to have direct conflict be- Iraq is no exception. Syria is no tween the Russian forces and the the Bishkek Thermal Power Plant, exception. People will not accept American forces," Assad said. which started in 2013. He is ac- foreigners in this region any more," "Fortunately, it has been avoided, cused of lobbying for the interests Assad said. The Syrian president not by the wisdom of the Ameri- of a Chinese company, TBEA, said his government had "opened can leadership, but by the wisdom which won the tender to build the doors to negotiation" with US- of the Russian leadership," he add- power plant. However, although plenty of recriminations flew af- backed Syrian Democratic Forces ed. Months after an alleged chem- ter the facility broke do (SDF), a predominantly Kurdish ical attack by government forces wn last prompted US President Donald winter, the pursuit of Isakov in group that controls parts of north- relation to the matter is seen in ern Syria. The SDF, which Assad Trump to call the Syrian president many quarters as simply an offi- dubbed the "only problem left in "Animal Assad" in a tweet, Assad cial excuse to go after him. It is Syria," would be confronted with said he had no nickname for force if negotiations fail, the pres- Trump. "This is not my language, Isakov’s closeness to ex-president ident said. Assad has been battling so, I cannot use similar language. Almazbek Atambayev that is widely seen as the main reason rebels opposed to his rule since a This is his language. It represents behind the interrogations prior to popular uprising seven years ago him," Assad said. "Somebody like plunged the country into civil war. Trump will move nothing for me," the charges and the sacking of him Government forces lost large he added. In April, the US, UK and his cabinet in mid-April by swaths of territory, but Russian and France conducted joint air- current Kyrgyz President Sooran- intervention on behalf of Assad in strikes in Syria in response to re- bai Jeenbekov, who succeeded 2015 helped turn the tide of the ports of a chemical attack in the Atambayev last November. war in his favor. This month, gov- Syrian town of Douma. (AP)

U.S. assertions that China is mili- tioned whether U.S. Navy “free- it China, and both countries were coordinating tarizing the South China Sea are dom of navigation” operations on details. He did not provide a date for a possi- “ridiculous”, China said on Thurs- were really about preserving the ble trip. day, after U.S. Defense Secretary right for ships to sail through the The Global Times, a state-backed Chinese Jim Mattis said Washington would region or an attempt to maintain tabloid that does not reflect official policy, said confront China’s actions in the dis- hegemony. “This sounds like a case in an editorial on Thursday that China must pre- puted waterways. Mattis said on of a thief crying ‘stop thief’to cover pare to forcefully respond to any “extreme” U.S. Tuesday the United States would their misdeeds,” she said. Speak- interference in the South China Sea. “Aside from push back against what it sees as ing at a separate briefing, defence deploying defensive weapons on the Spratly Is- China’s militarization of islands in ministry spokesman Ren Guo- lands, China should build a powerful deterrence the South China Sea despite Chi- qiang said they had noted that the system, including an aerial base and a roving na- na’s condemnation of a voyage United States had recently been val force and base,” the paper said. Reuters first through the region on the weekend “turning a blind eye to the facts reported that two U.S. Navy warships sailed near by two U.S. Navy ships. “The and hyping up” the militarization South China Sea islands claimed by China on United States military presence in of the South China Sea. No coun- Sunday, prompting anger in Beijing, which claims the South China Sea is greater than try has the right to “make irrespon- most of the strategic waters where Chinese, Jap- that of China and other countries sible remarks” about China’s build- anese and some Southeast Asian navies operate. that surround the seas combined,” ing of necessary defence facilities While the Sunday operation had been planned Chinese foreign ministry spokes- on its own territory, Ren said. months in advance, and similar operations have woman Hua Chunying said at a However, he said the United Sides become routine, it comes at a sensitive time and regular briefing. Hua also ques- had formally proposed Mattis vis- days after the Pentagon withdrew. (Reuters)

Fighting has escalated in the Liby- an city of Derna, with air raids, shelling of residential areas and heavy ground clashes, the United Nations humanitarian office said on Thursday. There were severe water, food and medicine shortag- es, and electricity and water were completely cut off for the city’s 125,000 residents, it said in a re- port that described the violence as “unprecedented” there. The east- ern city has been encircled since July 2017 by the Libyan National Army (LNA), whose commander Khalifa Haftar opposes the inter- nationally recognised government based in the country’s west. Lo- cated on the coast around 270 km (165 miles) from the border with Egypt, it is the only major town in eastern Libya outside LNA con- Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey not be comprehensive without the lifting of sanc- trol. “The LNA has announced that Lavrov met with North Korean tions," Lavrov said according to state news agen- it now has control over the city’s leader Kim Jong Un during a trip cy Sputnik. Lavrov's comments are likely to be eastern and western entrances ... to Pyongyang Thursday, as Mos- met with frustration in Washington, where efforts and surrounding areas where clash- cow steps up efforts to increase are underway to convince North Korea to begin es have been taking place,” the its influence in the region ahead of the process of nuclear disarmament ahead of the U.N. report said. Haftar’s forces proposed talks between Kim and on-again off-again summit, tentatively scheduled are trying to wrest the city from a US President Donald Trump. for June 12. The Trump administration has long coalition of local fighters and Is- Speaking to reporters after meet- maintained that the lifting of sanctions is depen- lamists known as the Derna Mu- ing with his North Korean coun- dent on the North's willingness to begin the pro- jahideen Shura Council (DMSC) terpart Ri Yong Ho, Lavrov called cess of full denuclearization. The success of the or Derna Protection Forces (DPF). for the phased lifting of sanctions policy, known as the "maximum pressure cam- Haftar says he is trying to rid on North Korea, suggesting that paign" remains dependent on the support of the Libya of the threat of militant Is- denuclearization would only be international community, including Russia. On lamists. Critics accuse him of achievable if sanctions were scaled Wednesday, Senior North Korean official Kim branding all his opponents as “ter- back. "As we start discussions on Yong Chol met with US Secretary of State Mike rorists” as he seeks to expand his how to resolve the nuclear prob- Pompeo in New York, their third meeting this power. lem on the Korean Peninsula, it is year, as the two sides attempt to finalize their (Reuters) understood that the solution can- summit preconditions. (CNN)