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Weekend Issue, Sponsored by Etisalat FRIDAY . DECEMBER 21. 2018 - Qaws 30, 1397 H.S www.facebook.com/ afghanistantimes www.twitter.com/ afghanistantime

PUL-I-KHUMRI: Afghan Local PUL-I-KHUMRI: A power trans- line, which supplies 300MW of Police (ALP) commander for Dah- mission line from Uzbekistan to electricity from Uzbekistan to na Ghori district has been killed Kabul has snapped during a clash Kabul, was cut due to the clash along with a bodyguard in a Tali- in northern Baghlan province, an between Taliban and security ban attack in northern Baghlan official said on Thursday. Da Af- forces,” he added. Aziz said a province, an official said on Thurs- ghanistan Breshna Shirkat Direc- technical team had been dis- day. Deputy Chairman of Provin- tor Sultan Ahmad Aziz told Pajh- patched to the area to fix the trans- cial Council Shams-ul-Haq Bar- wok Afghan News the incident mission line. The director in- akzai told Pajhwok Afghan News took place in the Zamankhel area formed another power cable had KABUL: National Security Ad- the incident took place in the Za- of Pul-i-Khumri on Wednesday been cut in northern Samangan visor (NSA) Hamdullah Mohib mankhel area of Pul-i-Kumri, the night. province. says the Afghan people desire provincial capital, on Wednesday “The electricity transmission (Pajhwok) lasting peace, not a hasty deal night. He said ALP Commander that ignores their sacrifices. Mo- Salim Kochi came under Taliban hib wrote on his Twitter account attack on his way home from a that peace efforts required stra- guesthouse. The commander and tegic patience, tact and courage - his bodyguard were killed, a sec- - not improvisation without any ond guard was wounded. Police direction. “We are humbled by spokesman Samim Joya confirmed the international interests in the attack and the killings. How- bringing peace to Afghanistan and ever, he gave no further details. The are thankful to our partners, es- Taliban have not yet commented pecially the US, KSA and the in this regard. HERAT CITY : At least four peo- told Pajhwok Afghan News that UAE, for their efforts in this re- ple were killed and three others the explosion took place in a farm gard,” he added. Salim Kochi had earlier served Hours after the conclusion of as police chief for 2nd district of wounded as a result of a mortar at 10:30am. negotiations in the UAE, the NSA Pul-i-Khumri. He took charge as shell explosion in Chesht Sharif He said the unexploded shell went stressed ongoing speculation on ALP commander for Dahna Ghori district of western Herat province off after a farmer took it to an- achieving a peace deal in haste district two weeks ago. on Thursday, an official said. Jilani other place. Four people were needed to be cleared. All efforts (Pajhwok) Farhad, the governor’s spokesman, killed and three others wounded. toward peace were taking into account the reality of the new Afghanistan, he said. “We appre- ciate our partners’ efforts in push- ing for an intra-Afghan dialogue, ified by the Consultative Loya Jir- for Afghanistan a sovereign nation, ture lay with its people and their foremost the United States.” The ga, the Wolesi Jirga and the Me- including political dispensations elected leaders. “There is no sub- US-Afghan relations were guid- shrano Jirga, he continued. No oth- violating the Afghan constitution, stitute for an elected government. ed by a bilateral security agree- er country or individual had the the NSA explained. Mohib made There will be no deal over the sac- ment, supported overwhelming- right or authority to discuss new clear the authority to make any rifices of the people.” ly by the Afghan people and rat- governance formulas or structures decision about Afghanistan’s fu- (Pajhwok)

KABUL: Afghan National Army’s ported the trainees were also giv- successfully undergone four women cadets are undergoing a tar- en lessons in leadership and hu- weeks of military training at the get-shooting course at the Offic- man resource management during OTA. They have been training KABUL: The next round of peace ing the fourth round of a quadrilat- said decisions in the UAE centered kistani military officials were also ers Training Academy in India, a the month-long course, which here since November 26,” the talks on a negotiated end to the eral meeting among the US, Afghan- on an amicable Afghan settlement in attendance besides diplomats. media report said on Thursday. A would end on December 26. On newspaper said. For the second 17-year conflict in Afghanistan istan, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. and the next meeting would take Earlier, national security advisors would take place in Saudi Arabia The meetings were part of efforts place on January 15, 2019 in Sau- (NSAs) from Afghanistan, the US, team of 19 female officers are un- Wednesday, the shooting range at consecutive year, ANA;s wom- next month, officials said on by the US and international part- di Arabia. Mullah Amir Khan Saudi Arabia and the UAE dis- dergoing the training, part of the the Officers Training Academy en officers have undergone train- Thursday. US special envoy Zal- ners to promote an intra-Afghan Mutaqi, representative of Taliban cussed the peace process. Afghan Afghan National Army's efforts to (OTA) near Alandur in Chennai ing at the academy. In 2017, 19 may Khalilzad on Wednesday dialogue aimed at ending the con- supremo Mullah Haibatullah, and NSA Hamdullah Mohib has hint- recruit more women. The officers echoed with gunfire, following women army officers from Af- arrived in Kabul from three days flict in the landlocked country. Haqqani network leader Qari ed a peace deal is around. receive weapons and tactical train- commands in Dari language. “The ghanistan took part in a three- of meetings in Abu Dhabi, includ- Meanwhile, reliable sources Yahya were also present. Two Pa- (Pajhwok) ing at the academy. The Hindu re- group of 19 women officers has week programme. (Pajhwok)

FRIDAY . DECEMBER 21, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES

AFGHANISTAN TIMES Editor: Mansoor Ahmad Faizy Phone No: +93-797070563 E-mail: [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.afghanistantimes.af Photojournalist: M. Sadiq Yusufi Advisory editorial board Saduddin Shpoon, Dr. Sharif Fayez, Dr. Sultana Parvanta, Dr. Sharifa Sharif, Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, Setara Delawari, Ahmad Takal Graphic-Designers: Edriss Akbari and Bilal Yusufi Marketing & Advertising: Mohammad Parwiz Arian, 0708954626, 0778894038 Mailing address: P.O. Box: 371, Kabul, Afghanistan Our Bank Accounts: Azizi Bank: 000101100258091 / 000101200895656 Printed at Afghanistan Times Printing Press

The constitution says Article 117 The President shall appoint one of its members as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Members of the Supreme Court, except under circumstances stated in Article One Hundred Twenty Seven of this Constitution, shall not be dismissed till the end of their term. In this Dec. 11, 2018 photo, President Donald Trump speaks during a meets with Democratic leaders the Oval Office in Washington. Against the advice of many in his own administration, Trump is pulling U.S. troops out of Syria. But the abruptness with which Trump is turning the page on Syria is raising questions about whether he might not do the same in Iraq or Afghanistan. EVAN VUCCI AP PHOTO

BY ROBERT BURNS firmed the withdrawal decision, ghanistan have confidence ter in the making." He said, Editorial Trump tweeted, "We have de- that he won't make the same "The biggest winners in this are Against the advice of many in feated ISIS in Syria, my only decision about them, when the ISIS and Iran." his own administration, Presi- reason for being there during fight there is costlier and Republican Sen. Marco dent Donald Trump is pulling the Trump Presidency." The progress less evident?" Rubio of Florida said the with- U.S. troops out of Syria. Could aspect of this that he did not These and other questions drawal would be a "grave error a withdrawal from Afghanistan address is whether the extrem- about the Trump decision and with broader implications" be- be far behind? ists or others will fill the securi- its broader implications were yond the fight against IS. He Trump has said his instinct ty vacuum created by the U.S. on the minds of many in Con- called it "one more example of is to quit Afghanistan as a lost withdrawal to regroup and pose gress. Sen. Jack Reed, a Rhode how the United States is not a cause, but more recently he's a new threat. Island Democrat, denounced reliable partner." Just last week, suggested a willingness to The administration said it what he called a betrayal of the the U.S. special envoy to the he Afghan government has welcomed much impor stay in search of peace with the intends to continue combatting Syrian Kurds. anti-ISIS coalition, Brett Taliban. However, the abrupt- Islamic State extremists global- "Now the President seems McGurk, said U.S. troops would tant round of peace talks concluded in Abu Dhabi, ness with which he turned the ly and could return to Syria if content to forsake their trust remain in Syria even after the page on Syria raises questions necessary. Still, critics launched and abandon them to a poten- Islamic State militants were capital of United Arab Emirates as they are desir- about whether combat partners a barrage of questions about tially bloody conflict with Tur- driven from their strongholds. ous for a lasting peace and hopeful of getting recognition like Iraq and Afghanistan the implications of Trump's de- key," Reed said. "This decision "I think it's fair to say Amer- should feel confident that he cision, including whether it also significantly increases the icans will remain on the ground of global community for their sacrifices against terror and will not pull the plug on them, opens the door for Turkish security risks to our key region- after the physical defeat of the too. forces to attack the Syrian al partners in Israel, Iraq and caliphate, until we have the sovereignty and solidarity of our motherland. Soon after "If he's willing to walk away Kurds who had partnered with Jordan." pieces in place to ensure that from Syria, I think we should the U.S. Kori Schake, deputy Trump has argued for a that defeat is enduring," concluding of the UAE talks, the National Security Advi- be concerned about whether director-general of the Interna- Syria withdrawal since he was McGurk told reporters on Dec. sor (NSA) Hamdullah Mohib through twitter states that Afghanistan is next," Jennifer tional Institute for Strategic a presidential candidate in 2016, 11. "Nobody is declaring a mis- Cafarella, the director of intelli- Studies, wrote on the and he has repeated his view sion accomplished. Defeating peace efforts required strategic patience, tact and cour- gence planning at the Institute Atlantic.com website Wednes- several times since taking of- a physical caliphate is one for the Study of War, said in an day that the Syria decision fice. Still, the decision appeared phase of a much longer-term age — not improvisation without any direction. “We are interview Wednesday. ought to unsettle every ally to catch many in his adminis- campaign." The U.S. has been at war in that relies on U.S. security as- tration by surprise; Pentagon And two weeks ago, Gen. humbled by the international interests in bringing peace to Afghanistan for 17 years and surances. "The governments officials offered no details on Joseph Dunford, chairman of Afghanistan and are thankful to our partners, especially still has about 15,000 troops of Iraq and Afghanistan ought the timing or pace of the with- the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said there helping government to be very, very worried," she drawal, nor could they square the U.S. still has a long way to the US, KSA and the UAE, for their efforts in this regard,” troops combat the Taliban. The wrote. "For if Syria can be so it with numerous statements by go in training local Syrian forc- approximately 5,000 U.S. troops lightly written off, the fight ar- Defense Secretary Jim Mattis es to prevent a resurgence of he added. Amidst talks at Abu Dhabi, certain rumors erupt- in Iraq are training and advis- bitrarily declared won, what is about the importance of re- IS and stabilize the country. He ing Iraqi security forces as they the argument for continuing to maining in Syria to assure sta- said it will take 35,000 to 40,000 ed regarding ceasefire, peace zone for Taliban and US continue to fight Islamic State assist Iraq — where ISIS is even bility. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a local troops in northeastern Congressman statement on the controversial issue of militants, a battle the U.S. en- more defeated? And if Trump South Carolina Republican and Syria to maintain security over tered in 2014 after IS swept into has so little interest in stabiliz- typically a Trump supporter, the long term, but only about Durand Line, thus making confusions and uncertainty. In Iraq from Syria. ing security and assisting gov- said he was "blindsided" by the 20 percent of them have been this respect, Mohib said it must be cleared. He, however Before other officials con- ernance in Syria, how can Af- decision and called it "a disas- trained. recalled that the US-Afghan relations were guided by a bilateral security agreement, supported overwhelmingly by the Afghan people and its lawful and constitutional organs like bodies including Loya Jirga, adding “no other country or individual had the right or authority to discuss new governance formulas or structures for Afghanistan a sovereign nation, including political dispensations violat- ing the Afghan constitution. He made it clear that the au- thority to make any decision about Afghanistan’s future lay with its people and their elected leaders. “There is no substitute for an elected government. There will be no deal over the sacrifices of the people.” So far there is no Taliban any reaction from either side especially US on the state- ment of Afghanistan National Security advisor. Khalilzad had also visited Kabul after a brief stopover in Islamabad where he met with Pakistan’s Army Chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa. At Kabul, Khalilzad met President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and briefed them about details of Abu Dhabi talks. Through such firm stance, the Afghan government is making its best to foil all attempts on the part of some stakeholders which might be harmful to the very interests of Afghanistan and its people. Subscription Rates Fee Categories Afghanistan Times Annual Afg: 5400 at your door step For fast delivery service Six Months Afg: 2700 Afghanistan Times seeks the names, addresses of your International Organization $240per year organizations and the number of copies you want. FRIDAY . DECEMBER 21, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES Bank of Japan keeps monetary policy unchanged WASHINGTON — The Trump In a widely expected move, administration announced on BOJ maintained its short- Wednesday that it intends to lift term interest rate target at sanctions against the business em- minus 0.1% and a pledge to pire of Oleg V. Deripaska, one of guide 10-year government Russia’s most influential oligarchs, bond yields around 0%. after an aggressive lobbying cam- paign by Mr. Deripaska’s compa- The Bank of Japan kept mone- nies. The decision by the Treasury tary policy steady on Thurs- Department, which had been post- day. In a widely expected move, poned for months, was both po- the BOJ maintained its short- litically and economically sensi- term interest rate target at mi- tive, and drew criticism from some nus 0.1% and a pledge to guide Democrats and foreign policy an- 10-year government bond alysts that the administration was yields around 0%. The central sending the wrong signal to Mos- bank also left unchanged its cow about its conduct toward its forward guidance, adopted in neighbors and the United States. July, that pledges to keep in- The companies are among the terest rates extremely low for an biggest in the aluminum industry, extended period. The Bank will and questions about their fate had purchase Japanese government roiled global metals markets. And bonds (JGBs) so that 10-year Mr. Deripaska’s stature in Russia JGB yields will remain at around made any decision seen to be in zero percent. While doing so, his favor tricky for the adminis- the yields may move upward tration at a time when President and downward to some extent Trump is under investigation by mainly depending on develop- the special counsel in connection ments in economic activity and with Russian interference in the prices. With regard to the 2016 election. Mr. Deripaska and amount of JGBs to be pur- his businesses — including the chased, the Bank will conduct world’s second-largest aluminum purchases in a flexible manner company, Rusal — were hit with so that their amount outstand- sanctions in April in retaliation for ing will increase at an annual Russian interference in the election pace of about 80 trillion yen. and other hostile acts by Moscow. The Bank will purchase ex- The companies responded with a change-traded funds (ETFs) sophisticated multimillion-dollar and Japan real estate invest- lobbying and legal campaign seek- ment trusts (J-REITs) so that ing to delay and ultimately remove their amounts outstanding will the sanctions in exchange for increase at annual paces of promises from Mr. Deripaska to The Russian oligarch Oleg V. Deripaska, right, with Vladimir V. Putin in 2008. Mr. Deripaska and his businesses give up majority ownership and about 6 trillion yen and about control of EN+, the holding com- were hit with sanctions in April over Russian election interference. 90 billion yen, respectively. pany that controls Rusal. The lob- With a view to lowering risk bying effort had cast the sanctions premia of asset prices in an ap- as having unintended ripple effects the administration’s intent to lift stake. Ms. Gacki said Mr. Deri- ensuring that half of EN+’s direc- month — the sanctions will auto- ident. propriate manner, the Bank may on companies in the United States, the sanctions against EN+, Rusal paska and his companies “have tors will be United States or Brit- matically be lifted. Saying that the plan “appears increase or decrease the Ireland, Sweden, Jamaica, Guinea and a third Deripaska company, agreed to undertake significant re- ish citizens. Representative Lloyd Dog- to be a shell game brokered by a amount of purchases depend- and elsewhere, with potential job JSC EuroSibEnergo. Ms. Gacki structuring and corporate gover- Unless Congress tries to block gett, a Texas Democrat who has sanctioned Russian bank, VTB ing on market conditions. losses and other negative econom- said Mr. Deripaska himself would nance changes to address the cir- the move by passing a joint reso- criticized the administration for Bank, involving one of Putin’s clos- As for CP and corporate ic impacts. Andrea M. Gacki, the remain on the sanctions list. As cumstances that led to their desig- lution of disapproval within 30 being soft on Rusal, said the move est buddies, Oleg Deripaska,” Mr. bonds, the Bank will maintain director of the Treasury’s Office long as that was the case, she said, nation.” The changes would in- days — an unlikely outcome giv- to lift sanctions amounted to Mr. Doggett said it “only encourages their amounts outstanding at of Foreign Assets Control, cited Mr. Deripaska would be unable to clude reducing his stake in the com- en the impending end of the con- Trump “sliding another big gift Putin to pursue his destabilizing about 2.2 trillion yen and about those economic effects in a letter gain access to the proceeds from panies to below 50 percent and gressional session and the swear- under Vladimir Putin’s Christmas activities around the world.” 3.2 trillion yen, respectively. notifying congressional leaders of selling off his shares to reduce his overhauling their boards, including ing-in of a new Congress next tree,” referring to the Russian pres- (AFP) China uses Spider-Man motto to slam US over trade at tense WTO meeting

“IMF is not the solution to South Africa” – EFF reacts to IMF visit The Economic Freedom Fighters much skeptical of this ‘random’ the IMF, because it is empirically (EFF) have not welcomed the vis- visit. The red beret’s suspicions and historically responsible for it of the managing director of the were not helped by Lagarde’s ve- economic models and systems that International Monetary Fund hement denials of there being a loan devastated poor nations and con- (IMF), Christine Lagarde, to our deal on the cards between the IMF demned poor people to absolute The United States and China may “the flag of the free.” And China ty,” Zhang said. The WTO is de- al security. But members also com- shores. According to Lagarde her- and South Africa. “I am not here poverty,” the party wrote. The have called a truce on tariffs, but invoked the spirit of legendary signed to be a forum for countries plained about the rising U.S. defi- self, who addressed the media on to discuss any form of financial red berets, referring to the Rama- tensions remained high during a comic book creator Stan Lee to to air their grievances, and reviews cit, international provisions in the Wednesday, this visit was more support and it did not get raised,” phosa and his Cabinet as the ‘out- diplomatic meeting in Switzerland scold the U.S. Ambassador Zhang of members’ trade policies can of- new tax law and the expanded use casual than anything. She insisted she said. The EFF are not biting it. going’ government, stressed the this week. International frustration Xiangchen said Spider-Man is his ten become heated. Still, the tone of national security reviews to that landing on South African soil On Wednesday evening, the op- apparent dangers of doing business over America’s protectionist stance favorite of Lee’s creations and cit- of the two-day meeting this week impose duties. was merely part of her tour of Af- position party issued a statement with the IMF. They blamed the boiled over during a closed-door ed the superhero’s famous philos- was unusually sharp. Countries “A top dog should act like a top rican countries. Pictured with Ra- on the matter, calling on the ‘out- large marginalisation of the poor review of U.S. trade policy at the ophy: “With great power comes took issue with a host of Ameri- dog,” Zhang said. “It cannot only maphosa and the South African going’ president, Ramaphosa, to re- from economic participation in World Trade Organization, accord- great responsibility.” “It is unfor- can actions, according to the Gene- see a narrow spectrum of its own Reserve Bank (SARB) governor, sist the urge to plunder the coun- South Africa on the loan the coun- ing to an official in Geneva. India tunate that we are seeing now, es- va official. Tariffs on foreign steel self-interest, and it certainly should Lesetja Kganyago, who had wel- try into deeper debt. “The EFF try had made with the fund. Re- called America unpopular. Japan pecially during the last year, a dif- and aluminum topped the agenda, not do whatever it wishes at the comed her to his quarters, they strongly advises that the South ferring to themselves as “the po- made reference to Old Glory, urg- ferent America with severe mis- especially since they were osten- sacrifice of others.” looked as cordial as ever. Howev- African government should not litical party that determines eco- ing the U.S. never to take down matched power and responsibili- sibly imposed to safeguard nation- (cnbc) er, at a distance, the EFF was very accept any economic advice from nomic policy in South Africa”. Rohingya issue slows investor interest in Myanmar A Tokyo court on Thursday unex- stance ran out on Thursday. The ited his opportunities to shower pectedly decided not to extend the court had widely been expected to and shave, a person familiar with While Myanmar’s tiny stock ex- eign direct investment (FDI), as the detention of Nissan's ousted chair- extend the detention, as granting the matter previously told Reuters. change formally reopened to for- country ranks in the bottom 20 of man, Carlos Ghosn, meaning he bail to suspects who insist on their It was not immediately clear how eign investors as a new companies its “Doing Business” publication. may soon be released from jail innocence is highly unusual in Ja- much bail would be, meaning it was law went into effect several The International Monetary where he has been confined since pan. Masashi Akita, a defence law- still uncertain whether Ghosn's months ago, they continue to keep Fund’s latest Article IV visit piled his arrest for alleged financial mis- yer in Osaka, said the court's deci- release was possible. Activist fund their distance amid slowing growth on with a call for a “second reform conduct. The Tokyo District sion could reflect a change in its manager Yoshiaki Murakami, ar- and currency depreciation, and wave” to achieve frontier-market Court said it also decided against attitude towards detention. rested in 2006 for insider trading, potential removal by the Europe- status, as it cited fiscal risks from extending detention for Greg "They are very nervous about paid an initial 500m yen ($4.47m) an Union of duty-free entry to gar- large recently agreed China-fund- Kelly, a former Nissan executive criticism of their lenient approach in bail. Ghosn's Nissan income is ment exports over the Rohingya ed infrastructure projects and hes- who was first arrested along with toward detention. This is a typi- at the centre of allegations by To- refugee crisis. Government leader itant restructuring of the state-run Ghosn on November 19. Lawyers cal case of such changing, I sup- kyo prosecutors, who have Aung San Suu Kyi refused to ac- banking system. The World Bank for both men were not immediate- pose," he said. "I think this case charged the executive for failing to cept criticism at the APEC (Asia- predicts that growth in gross do- ly available for comment. It was has a big impact and effect on the disclose compensation that he had Pacific Economic Cooperation) mestic product will slow by half a unclear whether prosecutors will Japanese justice practice, and such arranged to receive later. Nissan has summit last month over expulsions point to 6.2% in the 2018-19 fis- appeal the decision. Shin Kukim- a move is favourable for the de- said its whistleblower investigation and human-rights violations cal year ending in March. Indus- oto, deputy prosecutor at the To- fence side." Public broadcaster also uncovered personal use of against the Muslim minority in trial-sector decline was tracked in kyo District Public Prosecutors NHK said Ghosn could be released company funds and other miscon- Rakhine state, as Bangladesh tried purchasing manager index (PMI) Office, said only that his office will on Thursday or Friday if any ap- duct. The scandal has shaken the to start a repatriation program for readings below 50 last quarter, with respond "appropriately". Ghosn peal by prosecutors is rejected by Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alli- a few thousand of the 750,000 business sentiment faltering ac- has been indicted for allegedly un- the court and bail is granted. ance, with Nissan chief executive there. Suu Kyi has replaced eco- cording to a separate survey. The derstating his income over a five- Ghosn's arrest marked a dra- Hiroto Saikawa calling for changes nomic officials but refused to ac- midyear pace of approved manu- year period from 2010. He was re- matic fall for a leader once hailed to weaken Renault's control. knowledge a “gathering storm” de- facturing FDI was half the previ- arrested on December 10 for the for rescuing Nissan from the brink Renault has so far not replaced scribed in a World Bank report this ous US$1.5 billion, and services same alleged crime covering the of bankruptcy. He has been treat- Ghosn as head of the French car- month of policy lapses and delays output fell slightly with tourism past three years. The 10-day de- ed like others in detention, held in maker, saying Ghosn's compensa- reflected in sliding tourism and for- fallout over the Rohingya issue. tention period in the second in- a small room. Authorities have lim- tion had been in compliance with FRIDAY . DECEMBER 21, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES Scientists develop method to visualize a genetic mutation Vaping among America's teenagers continues to climb, while the use of other substances -- such as al- cohol and opioids -- has declined in recent years, according to a new report. Monday's report, called Monitoring the Future, comes from the University of Michigan's In- stitute for Social Research and is based on an annual survey of drug and alcohol use and attitudes among eighth-, 10th- and 12th-grad- ers in the United States. This year's survey included 44,482 students from 392 public and private schools across the country. Behind drinking alcohol, vap- ing was the second-most common form of substance use, the study showed, with 17.6% of eighth- A team of scientists has developed namics and diversity of CNVs graders, 32.3% of 10th-graders and a method that yields, for the first within evolving populations has 37.3% of 12th-graders reporting time, visualization of a gene am- been unclear. In the PLoS Biology vaping in the past year. Last year, plifications and deletions known study, the scientists performed the annual survey found that prev- as copy number variants in single evolution experiments in the labo- alence of vaping was 13.3% among cells. Significantly, the break- ratory by subjecting cells to stress- eighth-graders, 23.9% among 10th- through, reported in the journal ful environments. They studied the graders and 27.8% among 12th- PLoS Biology, allows early detec- molecular processes underlying graders. Vaping involves using an tion of rare genetic events provid- CNV formation and the dynamics electronic cigarette, hookah or sim- ing high resolution analysis of the with which they are generated, se- ilar device to inhale certain vapors lant, because of this very high up- eighth-graders at 15.1%, followed very efficient at delivering drugs not surprising because of new tempo of evolution. The method lected, and maintained. The work or aerosols, which could contain take and embracing of vaping by by nicotine at 10.9% and then rapidly into your brain and, in so products, such as those from pop- may provide a new way of study- made use of Saccharomyces cere- substances such as nicotine, mari- teenagers that could lead them then marijuana at 4.4%. Tenth-graders doing, deliver the drugs in ways ular e-cigarette maker Juul. "How- ing mutations in pathogens and visiae, a microbe commonly used juana or flavoring. "What we are to the administration of other reported identical rates for flavor- that make them more addictive -- ever, since MTF doesn't appear human cancers. "Evolution and dis- in biomedical and genomics re- seeing is a change in the patterns drugs." ing and nicotine, but 12.4% report- and so it's not just nicotine. Now to separate out vaping vs. Juuling ease are driven by mutational search, and a fluorescent gene to of drug taking among teenagers in Vaping: 'A real problem' ed vaping marijuana. Among 12th- we also know that they are using in their survey, it is hard to know events in DNA," explains David monitor gene amplifications and that they are the lowest that we've This year is the second in graders, 29.7% reported vaping it for 9THC," or tetrahydrocan- what the youth are using," Halp- Gresham, an associate professor deletions in individual cells. They seen for many years," said Dr. Nora which the Monitoring the Future nicotine, 25.7% flavoring and nabinol, a cannabinoid chemical in ern-Felsher said of the new report. in New York University's Depart- found that thousands of new Volkow, director of the National survey asked high schoolers about 13.1% marijuana. "You're seeing marijuana, she said. Bonnie Halp- "The overall decline or stabiliza- ment of Biology and the study's CNVs are present in evolving pop- Institute on Drug Abuse, which vaping specific substances: nico- right now that 30% of 12th-grad- ern-Felsher, a professor of pediat- tion of other drug use is promis- senior author. "However, in pop- ulations in different selective con- funded the report. "So we have tine, marijuana or "just flavoring." ers last year were exposed to nico- rics in Stanford University's Divi- ing, although the increase in vap- ulations of cells these events cur- ditions. Most of these mutations very good news," she said, "but at Flavoring was the most common- tine," Volkow said. "Another is- sion of Adolescent Medicine, called ing marijuana is concerning," she rently cannot be identified until never become frequent in the pop- the same time, we have to be vigi- ly reported substance among sue of concern is, these devices are this increase in vaping alarming but said. (CNN) many cells contain the same muta- ulation, but a small number of tion. Our method detects these rare lucky mutations ultimately sur- events right after they have hap- vive. The advance reported in this pened, allowing us to follow their study shows that CNVs are a main Exercise may trajectory as the population driver of adaptive evolution in evolves." The study, led by evolving microbial populations, Nearly40,000peoplediedfromguns Stephanie Lauer, an NYU doctor- the researchers note. As CNVs be as effective al candidate, included researchers underlie drug resistance in some from NYU's Center for Genomics pathogens and tumor formation in as prescribed and Systems Biology and Stanford some cancers, this advance pro- inU.S.last year,highest in 50 years University. Copy number variants, vides a new way for studying the or CNVs, are a pervasive source evolutionary processes that cause drugs to lower More people died from firearm of genetic variation and evolution- disease. injuries in the United States last ary adaptation. However, the dy- (BBC) high blood year than in any other year since at least 1968, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Con- pressure trol and Prevention. There were 39,773 gun deaths in 2017, up by MoreCasesof Paralyzing Exercise may be as effective as more than 1,000 from the year be- prescribed drugs to lower high (140 fore. Nearly two-thirds were sui- mm Hg) blood pressure, suggests cides. It was the largest yearly to- IllnessConfirmedinMichigan a pooled analysis of the available tal on record in the C.D.C.’s elec- data, in what is thought to be the tronic database, which goes back first study of its kind, and pub- 50 years, and reflects the sheer lished online in the British Journal number of lives lost. When adjust- of Sports Medicine. But there are ed for population size, the rate of no direct head to head compara- gun deaths in 2017 also increased tive trials of exercise and blood slightly to 12 deaths for every pressure lowering drugs, and the 100,000 people, up from 11.8 per numbers of participants in some 100,000 in 2016. By this measure, of the included studies were rela- last year had the highest rate of tively small, caution the research- firearm deaths since the mid-1990s, ers. While promising, the findings the data showed. It was the third shouldn't persuade patients to consecutive year that the rate of ditch their blood pressure lower- firearm deaths rose in the United ing drugs in favour of an exercise States, after remaining relatively regimen just yet, although patients steady throughout the 2000s and might want to boost their physi- the first part of this decade. “It is cal activity levels, advises the lead significant that after a period of study author in a linked podcast. relative stability, now the rates are Exercise can lower systolic rising again,” Bob Anderson, chief passed a surge of new gun control Hook Elementary School shooting sis of the C.D.C. data by the Edu- blood pressure—the amount of of the mortality statistics branch Michigan is seeing more cases of a been reported in Oakland and pressure in the arteries when the laws, gun control groups outspent in Newtown, Conn., in 2012, gun cational Fund to Stop Gun Vio- at the C.D.C.’s National Center for the National Rifle Association in violence continued its dizzying as- lence, a public health think tank. mysterious illness that causes pa- Wayne counties. heart is beating and expressed as Health Statistics, said in a phone ralysis in children. AFM presents symptoms the top number in any blood pres- the midterm election cycle and the sault on America. Suicides have his- (The group is a sister organization interview. Guns and ammunition medical community recently took torically made up most deaths by of the Coalition to Stop Gun Vio- The state Health and Human similar to polio, but it’s not clear sure reading. But what isn't clear for sale at Big 5 Sporting Goods in Services Department says doctors what is causing the spread. is how exercise compares with on the N.R.A. over an assertion firearm in the United States, re- lence, an advocacy group that Sacramento in May. While there that doctors should “stay in their search shows. In 2017, about 60 works to oppose the N.R.A.) Sui- in Ottawa and Macomb counties We do know that symptoms blood pressure lowering drugs, of are signs that the movement to pre- diagnosed children with acute flac- appear after the children had a fe- which there are several types, as lane” on gun policy — the find- percent of gun deaths were sui- cide over all has been on the rise vent gun violence gained momen- ings underscore that even after such cides, while about 37 percent were for more than a decade and is the cid myelitis. ver or respiratory illness. no direct head to head clinical tri- tum this year — state legislatures Cases of AFM have already (BBC) als have been carried out. efforts ramped up after the Sandy homicides, according to an analy- 10th leading cause of death. To get round this, the research- ers pooled the data from 194 clin- ical trials looking at the impact of drugs on lowering systolic blood pressure and 197 trials looking at the impact of structured exercise, and involving a total of 39,742 people. Structured exercise was A day after reporting on the able soon. That happened Dept. of Public Health) The flu cember and February. Just two categorised as: endurance, to in- state’s latest influenza data, Wednesday.And the ADPH’s is now considered widespread weeks ago, Alabama reported clude walking, jogging, running, we’re updating our report to Influenza Surveillance Map in all areas of Alabama except only lab-confirmed cases in cycling and swimming, and high show a much wider spread of changed drastically, from wide- for the Wiregrass in the south- west central parts of the state intensity interval training; dynam- the illness across Alabama. If spread flu in just the northern eastern corner of the state, and and no significant flu reports ic resistance, to include strength you read “I’ll have a flu Christ- part of the state to nearly the Mobile County. Jefferson anywhere else. training—for example, with dumb- bells or kettle bells; isometric re- mas? Illnesses rise in Alabama” entire state. A before and after County remained unchanged Historical data shows Ala- sistance, such as the static push- on Tuesday, we indicated the shows the widespread reports from the previous report, with bama was moving into a wide- up (plank); and a combination of data was the Alabama Depart- of flu across Alabama since lab-confirmed cases confirmed spread flu season around this endurance and resistance. Three ment of Public Health’s latest Dec. 1, 2018. A before and after within the last three weeks, a same time in 2017. It lasted 11 sets of analyses were done: all information through Dec. 8 and shows the widespread reports step below ADPH’s “wide- weeks and prompted Gov. Kay types of exercise compared with that a new report on the flu of flu across Alabama since spread” status. The flu season Ivey to declare a public health all classes of blood pressure low- through Dec. 15 would be avail- Dec. 1, 2018. (Source: Alabama typically peaks between De- emergency. ering drugs; different types of ex- ercise compared with different types of drug; and different inten- sities of exercise compared with different drug doses. And finally, these analyses were repeated, but Frustratedopioidpatientsspeakout:'Inowbuyheroinonthestreet' in a group of exercise trials that One woman spoke of how her said. "Ending life now is not on suggestions, not to be enforced as included only participants with mother, at 72 years old, and in pain bucket list. I do think about it all law – has left many chronic pain high blood pressure, as most of because of degenerative bone dis- the time.” Wayman is among the sufferers undertreated, with some these trials were of young healthy ease, saw only one way out after hundreds who reached out to Fox contemplating taking their own life. participants with normal blood her opioids were tapered down. News through emails and messag- Pain patients who shared their pressure. The results showed that She committed suicide. A husband es on social media, following the frustrations and desperation and, blood pressure was lower in peo- whose wife of 50 years suffers publication of a three-part series in several cases, questions about ple treated with drugs than in those from neurological and spinal dis- on the nation's struggle to address whether they could go on much following structured exercise pro- eases and who no longer can get a its crippling opioid crisis, caused longer included a wide range of grammes. But when the analyses prescription for painkiller patch- mainly by illegal drugs, and the mothers, fathers, executives, farm- were restricted to those with high es said, “A welcome death has be- unintended victims – chronic pain ers, maintenance workers, doctors, blood pressure, exercise seemed to come a discussion.” Paul Wayman, sufferers who have relied on pre- nurses, law enforcement officials be just as effective as most drugs. a 69-year-old veteran, wrote: “The scribed opioids for relief – left in and veterans. All described their What's more, the effectiveness of VA cut my pain meds cold turkey its wake. The series showed the experience of being limited by their exercise increased the higher the after over 25 years. I now buy her- federal government’s approach to diseases and pain to being debili- threshold used to define high blood oin on the street.” “You need to addressing the overdose epidemic tated and bedridden, after being pressure—that is, anything above talk with veterans. My friend has by targeting the supply and pre- tapered down or denied continued 140 mm Hg. more metal and screws in him than scribers of opioids has unwitting- prescription opioids. The researchers also found a robot, but no more pain meds. ly led many doctors to cut down “My wife lives in extreme "compelling evidence that combin- Suicide is the only light at the end or cut off their patients’ pain med- pain,” wrote Tom Walker of Lous- ing endurance and dynamic resis- of the battlefield," Wayman said. ications altogether. The approach iana. “She has had countless epi- tance training was effective in re- "I used to do a lot of volunteer – bolstered by 2016 Centers for dural procedures, to no avail. And ducing [systolic blood pressure]." work, loved doing it with my wife. Disease Control and Prevention add one very invasive back sur- But structured exercise trials Now I get high so I can walk.” (CDC) guidelines for opioid pre- gery, to no avail. She suffers from were fewer and smaller than those “All we’re asking is some re- scribing that, despite the agency’s three different neurological diseas- for drugs, they caution. lief. And some quality of life," he warning that they merely were es as well.” FRIDAY . DECEMBER 21, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES

Snapchat hopes to outperform TikTok with new lens challenges Snapchat is hanging in there. The service has been slipping down- ward, due in no small part to Face- Facebook gave companies such as book's repeated attempts to copy Apple, Amazon and Yahoo exten- its core features, some of which sive access to users’ personal data, have gone on to become even more effectively exempting them from successful than Snapchat itself. As the company’s usual privacy rules, an attempt to recoup disinterest- according to a New York Times ed users, Snapchat is introducing a report . Facebook enabled partners new feature called Lens Challeng- to offer services that tap into Fa- es. Users can join these challenges cebook accounts and features. For by uploading Snaps with a Lens example, Spotify was able to offer that's themed to a particular song, a feature that lets a user share song dance, holiday, event, and more, lists with his or her Facebook Snapchat explains. friends. But to do that, Facebook Snapchat Lens Challenges had to give Spotify the user’s list One of the first challenges is of Facebook friends. Facebook centered around Gwen Stefani's says it didn’t violate its users’ pri- version of "Jingle Bells," which vacy in doing any of this. But Fa- users can sing along to and share. cebook has a history of playing Other Lens Challenges are acces- fast and loose with the word “per- sible on the Lens Explorer section, mission.” That appears to be the many of which are songs users can case here, too. The facts: In this record themselves lip-synching to. case, the company says that its Snapchat designed the Gwen Ste- “integration partners” – such as fani challenge itself, although oth- Amazon, BlackBerry or Microsoft ers will be created by community – had to get authorisation from members. Apart from that lip- people to turn on these features. synch Lens is a new one called Users would have done this by "Disappear," courtesy of user Jye using their Facebook account to log Trudinger. With Disappear, users in to the other services, which, are instructed to take two photos technically, counted as giving per- — one where they're present, and mission. But people may not have one where they're not — so as to realised just what they were grant- make the subject disappear. What's ing permission for. In addition, ac- The Point Of These Lens Chal- cording to the Times report, Face- friends to users. Facebook argues panies, there were also automak- ing the New Zealand man who dis- email that the permissions feature The facts: As part of the settle- lenges? It doesn't take a genius to book from its early days formed that its partners are essentially an ers and media organisations. Some, covered the practice after down- – which prompted users to grant ment, Facebook is required to ob- realize that the Gwen Stefani Lens key data-sharing partnerships extension of itself, as service pro- the Times notes, were still in ef- loading his Facebook data in access to call logs and text-mes- tain people’s “affirmative express Challenge described above closely with companies, sometimes giving viders, and thus they don’t need fect this year. The permissions is- March, were surprised that the sage history – is “a pretty high- consent” before making changes mimics another popular service, them special access to data – with- to get permission from users as sue came up earlier this year, when company was logging this data. risk thing to do from a PR per- that override their privacy prefer- TikTok. In that app, users can pick out asking for users’ permission. long as they limit data use to pro- Facebook was found to have been According to internal emails spective.” But, he added, “the ences. This could apply to sharing a song then dance or lip-synch to For example, according to the viding Facebook-related services. collecting call and text histories made public as part of a lawsuit , growth team will charge ahead and the content of private messages, it. Challenges are also a main part report, the company used contact In all, the report says, more from Android users. The compa- the company was aware that the do it.” Facebook: “Nor did they friends’ lists and other information of TikTok, and they have been in- lists from “partners” such as Am- than 150 companies benefited from ny said at the time that it got per- Android data collection could look violate our 2012 settlement with that Facebook gave its partners strumental in the app's enormous azon, Yahoo and China’s Huawei Facebook’s data-sharing practices. mission from users to do this. bad. A product manager, Michael the FTC,” or Federal Trade Com- access to. success in recent months, especial- to suggest potential Facebook While most were technology com- Nonetheless, many users, includ- LeBeau, wrote in a February 2015 mission. – from the same blog post. (AP) ly since acquiring. President Trumpissuesorder Cr ew of th r ee sa fely la n ds in K a za kh sta n tocreateUSspacecommand a fter 19 7-day spa ce m ission A Russian cosmonaut, a German flight engineer and a NASA astro- naut undocked from the Interna- tional Space Station and plunged back to Earth overnight Wednes- day, landing on the snowy steppe of Kazakhstan to wrap up a six- month mission. Blocked from view by low clouds and wind-blown snow, the Soyuz MS-09/55S spacecraft, suspended beneath a large orange-and-white parachute, touched down on the frigid steppe near the town of Dzhezkazgan at 12:02 a.m. EST Thursday (GMT- 5; 11:02 a.m. local time), three-and- a-half hours after departing the space station. Russian recovery crews and medical personnel, along with U.S. and European Space Agency support teams, quickly rushed to the spacecraft to help the returning crew members out of the cramped crew compartment as they began their re-adaptation to WASHINGTON — President Deputy Commander of the new mand. Wilson said both organiza- the unfamiliar tug of gravity. Soyuz Trump on Tuesday directed the command. [What Is the U.S. Space tions fulfill different missions. U.S. commander Sergey Prokopyev she was looking forward to the of your loved ones.” Second on her here.” She got her wish to “feel the Department of Defense to estab- Force?] The Defense Department Space Command will become the and NASA physician-astronaut most, Auñón-Chancellor said list behind family “would be just Earth” right away. The Soyuz land- lish a U.S. Space Command as a currently has 10 combatant com- military’s unified command for Auñón-Chancellor logged 196 “that’s easy. Family. That’s what the feelings of Earth,” she said. ed in cold, cloudy conditions with unified combatant command. mands, each with a geographic or space. Air Force Space Command, days 17 hours and 50 minutes off you miss the most up here.” “I “For example, the wind, the rain. temperatures in single digits, a sub- Vice President Mike Pence an- functional mission. U.S. Space meanwhile, will be reorganized the planet during their first space don’t think you ever really get used We were watching a video the oth- zero wind chill and up to a half nounced the presidential decision Command would become the 11th. under the president's plan to stand mission while German astronaut to it,” she told CBS News in an er day and I remember being very foot of snow in the area. As usual on Tuesday during an appearance During a media call on Tuesday up a new military branch for space. Alexander Gerst, veteran of an ear- interview last month. “You have jealous of watching somebody with Soyuz landings, the crew at Kennedy Space Center, Flori- following the announcement, Wil- Air Force Lt. Gen. John Thomp- lier stay aboard the station in 2014, reminders, we have pictures, we stand by the ocean because I knew members were carried to nearby da, along with Air Force Secretary son said having a four-star com- son, commander of the Space and pushed his total to 362 days of get special video conference calls, they could feel the wind and smell recliners and bundled in blankets Heather Wilson. The president in batant command for space is a "tre- Missile Systems Center, elaborat- cumulative time aloft. Asked what but it’s not like being in the arms the sea. And we can’t do that up for initial medical checks. a Dec. 18 memo instructed the mendous step forward" as the Pen- ed further during the call. "The Pentagon to establish a United tagon turns more attention to whole point behind a combatant States Space Command as a "func- space as a domain of warfare. Af- command is to do our war fighting tional Unified Combatant Com- ter the news of Trump's memo missions whereas the point behind Google Engineer mand." He also directed the Secre- broke on Tuesday morning, spec- Air Force Space Command is to SpaceX to try again to tary of Defense to recommend of- ulation swirled on social media that provide the resources necessary to ficers for nomination and Senate U.S. Space Command would re- organize, train and equip, and pro- Finds Zero-Day confirmation as Commander and place U.S. Air Force Space Com- vide forces to that combatant. launch U.S. satellite in first Flaw in Microsoft national security mission Chinese hackerstap into EU Browser A Google engineer has discovered a zero-day flaw in Internet Explor- diplomatic communications network er that would allow an attacker to take full control of an unpatched The critical COREU network in the bloc has been reported- system. Detailed in CVE-2018- 8653, the scripting engine memo- ly compromised by a state-sponsored Chinese hacking ry corruption vulnerability affects group, leading to the theft of internal cables. Internet Explorer on all supported versions of Windows, from Win- The Chinese government has been dows 7 to Windows 10 (version covertly monitoring communica- 1809 included). The bug was dis- tion between European govern- covered and reported to Microsoft ment organizations and think tanks by Clement Lecigne of Google’s potentially for years, researchers Threat Analysis Group. While it claim. In a report released Wednes- wasn’t publicly disclosed, the vul- day (.PDF), researchers from Area nerability is already being exploit- 1 Security said that the ongoing ed, according to Microsoft. In or- Billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX cal time (1400 GMT). due to a technical issue, although campaign has "gained access into der to compromise a vulnerable Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to Weather will be a challenge on it said later the rocket and payload the diplomatic correspondence system, an attacker needs to point blast off on Thursday after two Thursday morning, with only a 20 “remain healthy.” network of the European Union." users to a malicious website spe- canceled launches earlier this week percent chance of favorable condi- The launch was also canceled Unusual behavior was first spot- cifically created to exploit the flaw. due to last-minute technical prob- tions because severe thunder- early on Wednesday due to a tech- ted in April 2015. The firm sus- As a result, users are recommend- lems, but poor weather is looming storms and wind gusts are predict- nical issue with the rocket. A suc- pected a cyberattack was taking ed to stay away from untrusted as a potential problem. The ed for south and central Florida’s cessful launch would be a signifi- place against Intergovernmental web links until they patch their SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, scheduled so-called Space Coast on Thurs- cant victory for Musk, an entre- Organizations, Ministries of For- devices. Microsoft Edge fully se- to launch a U.S. Air Force naviga- day, said Patrick Burke, a meteo- preneur who spent years trying to eign Affairs and Ministries of Fi- cure tion satellite, sits on Launch Com- rologist with the National Weath- break into the lucrative market for nance, as well as trade unions and “A remote code execution vul- plex 40 after the launch was post- er Service’s Weather Prediction military space launches long dom- think tanks. After tracking the sus- nerability exists in the way that poned after an abort procedure was Center in College Park, Maryland. inated by Lockheed and Boeing pected campaign for some time, in the scripting engine handles ob- triggered by the onboard flight “It’s almost a near certainty Co. It marks SpaceX’s first so- November this year, Area 1 un- jects in memory in Internet Explor- computer, at Cape Canaveral, Flor- that Cape Canaveral will get thun- called National Security Space mis- covered the successful infiltration er. The vulnerability could corrupt ida, U.S., December 18, 2018. RE- derstorms in the morning, with sion, as defined by the U.S. mili- of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also utilized by the Council of Force (SSF) of the People's Liber- memory in such a way that an at- UTERS/Steve Nesius/File Photo some severe winds,” Burke said. tary, SpaceX said. SpaceX won an of Cyprus and therefore the the European Union, the Europe- ation Army (PLA). An online cy- tacker could execute arbitrary code The rocket will carry a rough- “A cold front bringing the rain is $83 million Air Force contract in COREU network, a key system an External Action Service, and the bersecurity team was established in the context of the current user. ly $500 million global positioning moving in from off shore.” 2016 to launch the GPS III satel- which provides the backbone of European Commission. Area 1 Se- by the PLA in 2011, but it was not An attacker who successfully ex- system (GPS) satellite built by Burke said the weather might lite, which will have a lifespan of communications between all 28 curity has attributed the infiltra- until 2015 before China explicitly ploited the vulnerability could gain Lockheed Martin Corp and is due not clear up until Saturday. 15 years. Vegan solution to leather EU countries. tion to the Chinese government; admitted to the unit's existence. the same user rights as the current to take off from Florida’s Cape SpaceX halted the planned launch found in pineapples. The communications platform specifically the Strategic Support (AFP) user,” Microsoft explains. Canaveral shortly after 9 a.m. lo- minutes before lift-off on Tuesday (Reuters) FRIDAY . DECEMBER 21, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES Game of Thrones star: Producer paranoia learns more about it, though, he begins to question his already- strained relationship with the Bu- reau of Paranormal Research and caused problems Development, run by his adoptive father, Trevor Bruttenholm (Ian McShane). Bruttenholm (pro- nounced “broom”) was killed off early in the Hellboy comics, so his survival gives him a bigger role in the film. Bruttenholm is the founder and director of the BPRD. On the ground, Hellboy is more often accompanied by foot soldiers like Major Ben Daimio (Daniel Dae Kim) and civilians like Alice Mon- aghan (Sasha Lane), who retains a connection to the magical world after being kidnapped by fairies as a child. These working relation- ships can get bumpy in their own way; Daimio in particular is not Game of Thrones star Iain Glen Live's Nihal Arthanayake, Glen exactly welcoming, even though his has described how security mea- described the table read for Game own facial scars also set him apart sures put in place to prevent sto- of Thrones' final season, which saw from normal-looking humans. ry details leaking to the public more than 100 cast and crew gath- “He’s definitely got a point of caused problems for some actors. er together to read through the view about Hellboy,” Kim told EW "They're absolutely paranoid scripts for all six episodes. "This at New York Comic Con. “Just now about anyone finding out season was the first ever that we anything about the series and sat and read the entire arc of the because they all exist in this uni- spoiling it," he said. "We weren't story from beginning to end right verse doesn’t make them all allowed a written word on a page." through over the course of a day," friends. There are suspicions and The final season of Game of he said. "Kit [Harington - who rivalries. As far as how he holds Fans have seen Hellboy on the big (The Descent). “It’s not an origin the first time he’s heard anything bring about the end of the world. Thrones will be shown on Sky plays Jon Snow], if he wasn't ly- his own, let’s just say Daimio has Atlantic in April 2019. Glen said: ing, had not read it, so he was read- screen twice already, but David story, but it’s his coming to terms like that. The question that comes His massive stone right hand isn’t a few tricks up his sleeve.” While Harbour’s version of the brawny with where he came from,” says up in the movie is where does he just for show: Supposedly, that "Everything was accessed through ing it on that day for the first time." he’s figuring out how to feel about iPads with different security you Glen said there were moments of red monster hunter is hairier, ang- Harbour. “He’s been Hellboy for a really belong?” Longtime fans of hand is the only thing capable of his human allies, Hellboy is also stier, and more immature than long time, but there’s a new turn Hellboy comics and the movies releasing ancient demons from their had to get through to access it. shock from the actors, as they re- getting appeals from the monsters Which caused a problem for the alised how the show's intricate plot what’s come before — as you can of events at the start of the film, directed by Guillermo del Toro cosmic prison so that they can to join their side. This ongoing ex- actors, I have to say." The Scot- was set to be resolved, but that see in EW’s exclusive first-look where people start to bring up the should know by now that Hell- kick-start the apocalypse. Har- istential crisis opens Hellboy’s tish actor, who has played Ser Jo- the consensus was that the actors photo from next year’s Hellboy fact that he might bring about the boy is prophesied to be the Beast bour’s Hellboy is unaware of all mind to the arguments of Nimue rah Mormont in HBO's global were thrilled by what had been movie, directed by Neil Marshall end of the world, and it’s really of Apocalypse, who will one day that when the film begins. As he the Blood Queen (Milla Jovovich), phenomenon since it began in written. "Honestly, these six epi- a powerful witch who’s angry 2011, also said that the show's fi- sodes are absolutely phenomenal. about what humans have done to nal season is "absolutely phenom- The writers really, really came up First Look: Tiger Shroff announces release her kind. (BBC) enal". Speaking to BBC Radio 5 trumps. (BBC) date of 'Baaghi 3' in the teaser poster Clash of the warrior princesses: Sajid Nadiadwala and Tiger across every age group. After Shroff's most famous and success- launching Tiger Shroff in Heropan- Kangana Ranaut v Deepika Padukone ful action franchise Baaghi has an- ti, Sajid Nadiadwala introduced the nounced their third instalment revolutionary side of the actor as which is set to release on 6th an action hero with Baaghi. In March 2020. Today the official Baaghi 2, Tiger Shroff further ele- announcement poster has been vated the level of action setting his launched by Nadiadwala Grandson feet firm as the biggest action star Entertainment on their official of Bollywood. The official an- Twitter handle. Tiger Shroff also nouncement poster has marked shared the franchise to be very Immense excitement to witness close to his heart. Tiger also tweet- Baaghi 3 Fans across the world will ed about this special announce- yet again to witness the magic of ment, "And round 3 is on! #Sajid- the hit trio of B-town i.e.Sajid Na- Nadiadwala's #Baaghi3 will be out diadwala-Tiger Shroff-Ahmed on 6th March 2020. Khan in Baaghi 3 Produced by Born in 2016, Ronnie the rebel Sajid Nadiadwala under the ban- won hearts with the action-packed again in 2020. Even before the re- turned Tiger Shroff into the young- ner of Nadiadwala Grandson En- avatar. In 2018, the Baaghi made a lease of Baaghi 2, Sajid Nadiadwa- est Superstar of Bollywood. Ti- tertainment, Baaghi 3 is co-pro- smashing entry offering action se- la announced Baaghi 3 instilling im- ger Shroff carved a place for him- duced by Fox Star Studios and di- quences a notch higher turning out mense faith in his hero Tiger and self as the much-loved action star rected by Ahmed Khan. to be a blockbuster hit at the box director Ahmed Khan. with Ronnie being his most loved Starring Tiger Shroff, Baaghi 3 office. Now, the much-loved char- Emerging as one of the highest character in not just every nook is slated to release on 6th March acter of Ronnie is all set to roar grosser films of 2018, Baaghi 2 and corner of the nation but also 2020. (Sanyabanta)

Ace film-maker Sanjay Leela Bhan- sali has wowed audiences with larg- er than life films such as Devdas, Ram Leela and many others on that, and we know that. The throughout his career. But in his goal is there are eight books by [au- last two projects, Padmaavat and thor] PL Travers, there are some Bajirao Mastani, the director shed amazing Mary Poppins stories light on women who defy all odds that haven't made it to the screen." and go to war alongside their male Mary Poppins Returns is set in counterparts, promoting girl pow- 1930s London, two decades after er. Bajirao Mastani saw Deepika the original, with the famous nan- Padukone as a strong and fierce ny returning to help look after a warrior. Likewise, even Padmaa- new generation of Banks children. vat showed the recently married Arriving in cinemas 54 years after star as an archer and adept politi- its predecessor, the reviews for the cal strategist instead of a damsel in film have been mainly positive. distress. Sure, Padukone’s roles in The Telegraph's Robbie Collin both films were married to strong called it "practically perfect in ev- men but that didn’t come in the ery way" in his five-star rave, way. Now, Kangana Ranaut will while Empire's Olly Richards said be taking the reins as Bollywood’s Blunt was "impeccably cast as next princess warrior. The trailer Poppins". But some critics have focused on the soundtrack, sug- of Ranaut’s upcoming film Mani- trailer show Ranaut engaged in a gesting it doesn't live up to the orig- inal. "The songs of Mary Poppins karnika: The Queen of Jhansi was sword fight whilst riding a horse Returns are almost shockingly for- recently released and the 31-year- and are also eerily similar to gettable," wrote Alissa Wilkinson old actor does not fail to impress Padukone’s from Padmaavat and in Vox. "I defy you to hum any of in it. Literally slicing through the Bajirao Mastani. The presence of screen with a sword, Ranaut sports a child in Manikarnika’s trailer There's only one rule laid down to nately we think we can live with A Star is Born, Tomb Raider and the tunes on your way out of the journalists at the press launch of it. Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Ghostbusters, but Miranda insists theatre." The Hollywood Report- a white dress and a killer look which shows that she single-handedly Mary Poppins Returns. "Don't ask Miranda, Emily Mortimer and di- this is a different beast. It is a se- er acknowledged: "There's no song shows that she means business – took care of him, much like Mas- any of the cast to spell Supercali- rector Rob Marshall are here to talk quel, not a reboot. "That's an im- as memorably poignant as Feed the much like how Padukone looked tani did before she was executed. fragilisticexpialidocious." This about the follow-up to the 1964 portant distinction because it's not Birds," although it praised The at the beginning of Padmaavat Whether or not Ranaut will be point is made by the film's publi- classic, which is released in the UK us trying to improve on Supercal- Place Where Lost Things Go for when she first comes across Ma- able to match Padukone’s charm cists twice over as we arrive and this weekend. Hollywood may be ifragilisticexpialidocious," he tells "conveying the film's underlying haraja Rawal Ratan Singh (Shahid in Manikarnika is yet to be seen. it's clear they aren't joking. Fortu- awash with remakes of films like BBC News. "You can't improve sorrow with a comforting.” Kapoor). What follows is another However, with the trailer, she does clip of Ranaut, donning a lavish seem to give a tough competition red sari, walking across the palace to the undisputed queen of period – a look Padukone also embraced films. When Ranveer Singh in Padmaavat. Other clips from the (Tribune) introduced Kartik Aryan to Sara Ali Khan! Aanand L Rai flew down 300 people from

ecently on celebrity talk show Koffee with Karan when Meerut to recreate the set in Mumbai Karan Johar asked Sara Ali Khan in a rapid-fire round Director Aanand L Rai not only recreated Meerut with a Rthat whom she wants to date, Sara replied she wants to humongous set in Mumbai but also flew down local peo- date Kartik Aryan. This statement of Sara sets the many tongues ple from the small town to add authenticity to the film. wagging and everybody was curious to know what could hap- The filmmaker who adds a rooted touch to his films pen next. A video form the event is doing the rounds on social flew down 300 artists from Meerut especially to create media where Ranveer can be seen playing cupid. On Wednes- the feel of the town in addition to the set. The makers day, at Lokmat Most Stylish Awards, Simmba team was pro- built a huge set in the film city of Mumbai replicating the moting the film and Ranveer saw Kartik Aryan, he took him to iconic Ghantaghar and streets of Meerut to incorporate Sara Ali Khan and introduced him to her. He made them hold the elements of the small town giving it a realistic touch. hands and said, "Glad, you guys have met", while making love While Aanand L Rai hired junior artists for the film to sign with his hands. On the work front, Ranveer and Sara will be showcase the buzzing lanes of Meerut he also ensured seen together in Simmba, directed by Rohit Shetty. The film is the background artists hailed from Meerut as well to slated to release on 28th December. Kartik Aryan is shooting for present the real feel of the city. Luka Chuppi with Kriti Sanon and it's slated to release next In fact, even the pivotal actor Zeeshan Ayyub who year. plays the character of Bauua aka Shah Rukh Khan. FRIDAY . DECEMBER 21, 2018 AFGHANISTANTIMES Chelsea Max Litchfield determined breaks GB to keep Andreas record at Winter Christensen Championships in Sheffield

Andreas Christensen has had limited opportunities to impress at Chelsea Chelsea will resist any attempt from rival clubs to sign defender Andreas Christensen after report- edly rejecting interest from Barce- lona, Sky Sports News under- stands. They are believed to be re- luctant to offload a player they have invested considerable time and money in and view him as an important member of the first- Max Litchfield is in fine form as the build-up to Jose Mourinho has spoken for the missal, Mourinho simply said it is Manchester United have a future understands. We could speak team squad. Christensen has Tokyo 2020 gathers momentum first time since being sacked as "game over" at Old Trafford. Ole without me and I have a future about so many good things, [some] played just five more matches for Manchester United manager, tell- Gunnar Solskjaer replaced Mour- without United." Mourinho was not as good, but that's not me. He the club since his father made that ing Sky Sports News he still has a inho in a caretaker role until the told of his fate at around 9am on had only signed a new two-year statement, with only one of those "future" in football. Speaking on end of the season. "We could speak Tuesday in a face-to-face meeting contract until 2020 earlier this year coming in the Premier League - the the streets of central London just about so many good things, [some] with executive vice-chairman Ed but his troubled season began 2-1 defeat away to Wolves on De- a day after he left the Lowry hotel not as good, but that's not me," Woodward at United's Carrington when he publicly criticised the cember 5. The 22-year-old has in Manchester following his dis- said Mourinho. "It's finished. training base, Sky Sports News United board for not backing. spent two season-long loan spells with Bundesliga club Borussia Monchengladbach and has played 52 matches in total for the Blues. Stephen Jones Oops! Remember you need to log Whyte vs Chisora 2: Derek Chisora in using your Sky iD to watch Pre- mier League video Highlights from and Jonathan Chelsea's 2-1 win over Brighton in to hunt and pound Dillian Whyte the Premier League Chelsea play Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup Humphreys to Whyte confident his consistency and maturity will see him score a second victory quarter-finals on Wednesday be- fore facing Leicester in the Premier League on Saturday. join Wayne Derek Chisora has promised to (Skysports) "hunt and pound" Dillian Whyte before taking things out of the judg- Pivac's Wales es' hands with a destructive knockout finish. The pair sharp- ened their tools at the public work- backroom team out ahead of Saturday's mouth- Manchester joins watering heavyweight showdown at The O2, live on Sky Sports Box current hosts Office. Book Whyte vs Chisora 2 online here Watch Whyte vs Chiso- ra 2 online here Whyte, who sits London in ATP on the brink of a world title shot, is refusing to get caught up in a Finalsfive-city verbal tirade with his rival, while Chisora is once again ready to go to war. "We have trained hard for shortlist this fight and there's only one way we are going, we will enter for Stephen Jones and Jonathan Hum- war," the Finchley powerhouse Swimmer Max Litchfield broke field, who also won the 200m phreys will join Wales' coaching said. Dillian Whyte says he has his side, start pounding him ing the media workout "The first a British record, won three ti- IM and 400m Freestyle, said: staff when Wayne Pivac takes over made big improvements in the last [Whyte] down. "We have to knock time we fought was my second ever tles and beat his brother at the "I'm really pleased. There are following the 2019 World Cup. two years "Right from the get-go, him out, we don't want to leave it 12-rounder and the first time I got Winter Championships in Shef- mixed emotions, as I wanted to Pivac, who will succeed Wales run over to his side, start pound- to the judges. We are coming there stopped. I didn't' know what my field. It was a stunning few go sub four minutes, but it's boss Warren Gatland after next ing him [Whyte] down. I am going with a knockout mentality, no conditioning would be like. Now days for the 23-year-old Sky been a good week. autumn's tournament, has named to pound him, pound him, pound points, nothing else. I have to I've been there and done it and the Sports Scholar who returned to "The last few days were a great his current Scarlets assistant Jones him. I am going to pound you, knock this guy out for my fans, rounds experience showed in my Ponds Forge in his home city way to end what has been a roll- pound you and pound you down. the War Chisora fans." 'The Body last fight, I was put down in the having secured two golds at the ercoaster of a year! At this as backs coach and Humphreys as "It doesn't matter what he's done. Snatcher' will gladly meet his nem- last round but got up to see it forwards coach. Top Tech Com- Short Course Championships point in 2017, I still couldn't Remember what I said, he can't hurt esis head on, but has no concerns through. "Good luck to his hunt Alexander Zverev won this year's four weeks ago. swim so to have had a very solid panies You Should've Invested in me. He hasn't got a powerful shot about running out of stamina down and pound. He's starting to sound 10 Years Ago Top Tech Compa- edition of the ATP Finals at the The 400m Individual Medley meet and post good swims is that bothers me. I am going to find the stretch. "We've worked on a a lot like David Haye these days. O2 Arena Manchester has joined was the standout performance very positive for next year and nies You Should've Invested in 10 this guy, hunt him down and beat few new things and have improved "Chisora can say what he wants. Years Ago Jones won 110 Test him up. "I am born-again, I have a in every area. I've always been con- The last time I was 27-years old current hosts London as a candi- in the event that saw GB's top beyond. caps - 104 for Wales and six for new manager and a new training sistent in the last few years," the and was a madman, I just wanted date in a five-city shortlist to host swimmers take on Canada's "A trio of personal bests and a the British and Irish Lions - while regime and I am just loving life. Brixton heavyweight said. Dillian to punch his head in. Donkeys do the ATP Finals from 2021 to 2025. elite. British record is not a bad way former hooker Humphreys has For me, it has all gone just great Whyte trains during the media what donkeys do, stand in fields The season finale will remain at He finished 9.44 seconds ahead to finish my racing for 2018! spent the last five years working Right from the get-go, run over to workout Dillian Whyte trains dur- and eat hay." (Skysports) the O2 Arena in London up to of his nearest rival - younger "I'm going to have a few days in Scotland, first for the national 2020, with that deal open to be brother Joe - clocking 4 minutes off over the festive period and team and more recently as assis- extended, while the ATP an- 0.18 seconds, knocking 0.48s enjoy some family time before tant coach at Glasgow Warriors. nounced Singapore, Tokyo and off his previous British best he hitting it hard again in January Turin as the other shortlisted cit- "The WRU have been forward set in Canada in 2016. Litch- starting with an altitude camp." ies. Johnny Depp Sells First of Five thinking with their planning and ReviewingFrancescoMolinari's Eclectic L.A. Penthouses for $2.5 recruitment for post RWC 2019 million Johnny Depp Sells First and this has allowed me to bring in of Five Eclectic L.A. Penthouses Nairo Quintana to and secure the coaches we want- for $2.5 million London has host- ed," Pivac said in a Union history-makingexploitsin2018 ed the event since 2009, with the statement.Warren Gatland will opened the tournament with a bo- tournament enjoying an average of lead Movistar at leave his Wales role at the end of gey-five, but he would drop only more than 250,000 fans attending the 2019 World Cup Warren Gat- one further shot over the next 71 every year but last month's edi- land will leave his Wales role at the holes in a remarkable display of tion proved the least successful in 2019 Tour de France end of the 2019 World Cup consistency, with blemish-free terms of ticket sales. The current "Stephen and Jonathan are hugely weekend rounds of 66 and 68 earn- deal of hosting rights for the ATP respected not only for what they ing the title by a two-shot margin Finals ends in 2020 The current did on the field as players but in over McIlroy. His fifth European deal of hosting rights for the ATP their careers as coaches and I'm Tour title lifted him back to 20th Finals ends in 2020 "The level of delighted to have them as part of in the world rankings, and he came agonisingly close to making it a interest we have received world- our team." Coach Neil Jenkins and wide throughout the bid applica- WRU head of physical perfor- sixth the following week in front of his home fans in Brescia at the tion process reflects the rich heri- mance Paul 'Bobby' Stridgeon will Italian Open, but despite follow- tage of this unique tournament, as remain in their roles post 2019. ing three 66s with a classy 65 on well as the success of the event at Jones said: "I'm hugely excited the final day, he was pipped to the The O2 since 2009," ATP execu- with the opportunity. It is a great title by Thorbjorn Olesen, who tive chairman and president Chris honour to be asked to coach your closed with a 64 to prevail by one Kermode said. "It has been a high- country. "I'm very grateful to the shot. Molinari reflects on his suc- ly competitive process, and the Scarlets for the opportunity I have Francesco Molinari has enjoyed a last-16 place by Justin Thomas at cess this year and the confidence candidate cities on the shortlist de- had with them and for their con- career-best year and we analyse in the WGC-Dell Technologies it's given him, but insists he won't serve huge credit for the passion tinued support." Jonathan Hum- greater depth what the Italian has Match Play, although there were become complacent After a week and creative vision they have phreys was the Scotland forwards achieved during a memorable and encouraging signs at Augusta Na- off, Molinari was back in action in shown in their respective plans to coach in the 2015 World Cup historic 2018 campaign. Molinari tional as he finished in a share of the US Open at Shinnecock Hills continue the growth of our show- Jonathan Humphreys was the spent the early part of 2018 in the 20th - just one place below his best where he was unable to contend piece event." Leading players are Scotland forwards coach in the United States and made his first result at the Masters in 2012. The for a third straight event, although split on whether the tournament 2015 World Cup Humphreys, like PGA Tour start on January 24 at Italian failed to trouble the leaders he did finish in a respectable tie should remain at the O2, with Rog- Jones a former Wales captain, said: the Farmers Insurance Open, a week later at the RBC Heritage for 25th, albeit a distant 11 strokes er Federer describing the current Nairo Quintana will lead the ning on a mountainous course behind back-to-back champion "It's a huge honour to return to where he started well enough with and, although he recorded his best home as a "winning formula" and Movistar team at the 2019 Tour in Innsbruck "We want to con- a 68 in the opening round but sub- finish of the year with a tie for Brooks Koepka. But Molinari Wales during what is a really excit- Novak Djokovic calling on the de France, team director Euse- centrate our focus on Nairo on sequent scores of 73, 73 and 74 16th at the Wells Fargo Champi- would soon be celebrating his sec- event to travel more. The regular bio Unzue has revealed. Quin- the Tour de France and the ing time for Welsh rugby. "The op- saw him finish in a tie for 45th. onship, he dropped to 33rd in the ond win in less than a month, and portunity to come back and coach season finishes with the Paris tana, who has won both the Vuelta too," Unzue said at a It was a similar story a week world rankings when he missed the his first PGA Tour title as he pow- Masters so another European can- Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a presentation of the 2019 line- my country with Wayne and later at the Waste Management cut at The Players Championship ered to a comprehensive eight-shot Stephen is one that I couldn't turn didate may be favoured but the Espana, was co-leader of Mo- up in Madrid. "The key objec- Phoenix Open as Molinari tied for following two disappointing win at the at the Quicken Loans vistar along with world cham- tive for the team this year is to down. "In the meantime I have a 40th, but he failed to make the cut rounds of 73. Molinari held his National, where he was tied for the tournament is currently sponsored job to do in Glasgow and my fo- two weeks later at the Genesis nerve to win the BMW PGA lead after 54 holes before leaving by Japanese brand Nitto, adding pion Alejandro Valverde, 38, win a Grand Tour." Valverde, cus will be solely here until the Open before steadying himself Championship in May Molinari the field trailing in his wake after weight to Tokyo's bid. Singapore and the Spanish climber Mikal who won a thrilling, mountain- end of the season. with a tie for 25th in Mexico, and held his nerve to win the BMW closing with a stunning 62. Moli- hosted the WTA Finals for the last Landa at the 2018 Tour. Unzue ous world championships in The club set-up at Scotstoun a share of 26th at Bay Hill. Moli- PGA Championship in May But nari's impressive run of form con- time this year before it switches admitted last season's tactics Innsbruck, will race the Giro in is one of the best I have experi- nari has enjoyed success in both his golden summer was ignited by tinued a fortnight later at the John to China, with Manchester miss- had failed and that backing the May and the Vuelta in Septem- enced during my coaching career Europe and America Molinari has a return to Europe at the end of Deere Classic, but despite a final- ing out to Shenzhen in the final Colombian was the key to 2019. ber, Unzue revealed. Landa, re- and it would be fantastic to try enjoyed success in both Europe May as he produced a near-flaw- round 64 not being enough to chal- bidding for hosting rights. More Alejandro Valverde became cruited from Team Sky will race than 40 cities expressed an inter- and finish up with some silver- and America Molinari had begun less performance to upstage Rory lenge runaway winner Michael world champion by winning on the Giro in May and then back Kim, the red-hot Italian pitched up est and the winning candidate will ware." the year as world No 21, but his McIlroy and claim a handsome vic- a mountainous course in Inns- up Quintana in the Tour de uncertain start to the year saw him tory in the BMW PGA Champi- at Carnoustie with his confidence not be announced before March bruck Alejandro Valverde be- France. (Skysports) slip to 27th when he was denied a onship at Wentworth. Molinari at an all-time high. 2019. (Skysports) came world champion by win- (Skysports) FRIDAY . DECEMBER 21. 2018 - Qaws 30, 1397 H.S Vol:X Issue No: 141 Price: Afs.20

"The blunt statement could be an indicator that As UK politicians slug it out over the North has no intentions to return to the Theresa May's Brexit plans and negotiation table anytime soon," one expert said. the threat of no deal, the Prime Minister visited border staff at SEOUL, South Korea — North in Singapore where they issued a Heathrow Airport. The venue was Korea said Thursday it will never vague goal for the "complete de- carefully chosen as her govern- unilaterally give up its nuclear nuclearization" of the Korean Pen- ment published proposals on how Avigdor Liberman says weapons unless the United States insula without describing when and to cut immigration - one of the move a boon for Iran removes its nuclear threat first, a how it would occur. But North major issues influencing the "leave bombshell statement that could Korea for decades has been push- the EU" result in the 2016 referen- and its proxies; his rattle the fragile diplomacy be- ing a concept of denuclearization dum. "We are all committed to what predecessor Ya’alon tween Washington, Seoul and Py- that bears no resemblance to the we said in the Conservative Party calls for US recognition ongyang. The statement carried by American definition, vowing to manifesto, which was that we were of Israeli sovereignty in the official Korean Central News pursue nuclear development until going to bring net migration down Agency came amid a deadlock in the United States removes its to sustainable levels,” she said. Golan ‘as an expression nuclear negotiations between the troops and the nuclear umbrella “And that means not the hundreds of continued support’ United States and North Korea defending South Korea and Japan. of thousands we've seen in recent over the sequencing of the denu- In Thursday's statement, the North decades, and that means tens of clearization process and removal made clear it's sticking to its tradi- thousands." In the policy paper Former defense minister Avigdor the post Brexit approach to immi- of international sanctions. It rais- tional stance on denuclearization. Liberman warned Thursday that es further doubts on whether North It accused Washington of mislead- gration the government says it will US President Donald Trump’s de- end special treatment for Europe- Korean leader Kim Jong Un will ing what had been agreed on in Sin- cision to pull all American troops ever voluntarily relinquish an ar- gapore and driving the post-sum- an Union nationals and prioritise out of Syria could lead to a north- skilled workers from where ever. senal he may see as a stronger guar- mit talks into an impasse. "The ern war between Israel and Irani- antee of survival than whatever United States must now recognize But with the threat of the UK an-backed forces. Trump an- crashing out of the EU Home Sec- security assurances the United the accurate meaning of the denu- nounced Wednesday that Ameri- States could provide. It also sug- clearization of the Korean Penin- retary Sajid Javid was keen to re- can soldiers would leave Syria as assure EU nationals already in the gests that North Korea will de- sula, and especially, must study UK. “We have been very clear to the Islamic State jihadist group had mand the United States withdraw geography," the statement said. the three million EU nationals al- been “beaten.” The planned pull- or significantly reduce the 28,500 "When we talk about the Ko- ready here we value hugely the out was criticized by officials in American troops stationed in rean Peninsula, it includes the ter- contribution you have made to this the United States and Israel, who South Korea, which would be a ritory of our republic and also the country,” he said. “Deal or no deal, warned it could undercut efforts major sticking point to a potential entire region of (South Korea) we want you to stay and we will to counter Iran in Syria. “The with- disarmament deal. Kim and Presi- where the United States has protect your rights. The future drawal of the US from Syria sig- Yisrael Beytenu party leader Avigdor Liberman speaks at the Globes Business Conference in Jerusalem on dent Donald Trump met June 12 placed its invasive force. system is about making sure im- nificantly raises the chance of an December 19, 2018. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90) migration works in the best inter- all-out conflict in the north — ests of the UK." The policy docu- both [in] Lebanon and Syria,” sponse to violence in the Gaza minister, said Israel would now troops on ground. He called for the ment includes scrapping the cur- Liberman told Israel Radio. He said Strip, also said the US decision face a “more complex” security Trump administration to recognize rent cap on the number of skilled the US pullout would boost the would lead to a major strategic shift situation in north. “It is in our sovereignty over the Golan workers such as doctors or engi- morale of Syria’s President Bashar in the region. “This is 2,000 sol- power to deal with the new reality Heights, which Israel captured neers from the EU and elsewhere, Assad, Iran and the Lebanese ter- diers who supervised the passage if we continue our active policy in from Syria in the 1967 Six Day but possibly a minimum salary ror group Hezbollah, as the latter between Iraq and Syria. We’re accordance with our red lines and War and later annexed in a move requirement of £30,000 for skilled two fight on behalf of the Syrian now talking about contiguous Shi- national interests,” he wrote on not recognized internationally. migrants. However temporary vis- regime in that country’s civil war. ite land between Iran, Iraq and Twitter Thursday. Ya’alon said the “Not as ‘compensation’ but rath- itors from the EU will not be re- Liberman, who resigned last month Syria,” he said.Moshe Ya’alon, US has “many other ways to act er as an expression of continued The policy Iran follows in the re- Swedish Foreign Minister said that quired to have visas. to protest the government’s re- Liberman’s predecessor as defense and influence” despite not having support,” he said. gion is based on interaction in line her country is politically deter- with ensuring security and stabili- mined to hold further talks with ty, Iranian Deputy Foreign Min- Iran and expand relations with Te- ister said on Thursday. hran in various international, re- Iran continues playing con- gional and bilateral fields. structive role in fructifying Yeme- Wallström also described the ni-Yemeni talks, Abbas Araqchi JCPOA as an international agree- told Swedish Minister of Foreign ment based on multilateral ap- Affairs Margot Wallström in proaches. All countries benefitted Stockholm, Sweden. Araqchi is in from implementation the July the Swedish capital for the fourth 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, so the round of political consultation be- European countries including Swe- China’s foreign ministry has said ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chu- ernment has not identified the third tween Iran and Sweden. Talking of den insist on saving the JCPOA that a Canadian woman is under- nying, identified the third Canadi- person, though news reports in the issue of the Iran Deal, from despite the the US exit, she added. going “administrative punishment” an as Sarah McIver, who was serv- Canada have said she was McIver, which the US withdrew unilater- She said that the European coun- for working illegally, after Cana- ing “administrative punishment” and added she was an English ally in May, Araqchi appreciated tries are after providing a mecha- da’s government said a third Cana- due to “illegal employment”. Hua teacher being held because of “visa the positive and constructive nism for continuing economic ties dian had been detained in China. did not elaborate. “What I can tell complications”. Canada’s prime stance taken by Stockholm to sup- with Iran. About Yemen issue, she Chinese state security agents last you is that China and Canada are minister, Justin Trudeau, urged port the deal and develop cooper- appreciated Iran’s support for Ye- week detained the former diplo- maintaining clear consular commu- caution on Wednesday and said he ation with Tehran. Araqchi further men peace talks, held in Stock- mat Michael Kovrig and business- nication,” she told a daily news would not be “stomping on a ta- urged Europeans to extend further holm, and described such support man Michael Spavor, saying both briefing. Hua, when asked if McIv- ble” after China detained the third practical support for keeping the as Tehran’s goodwill. At the end Canadians were suspected of en- er’s case was connected to that of Canadian. He said he was asking Iran Deal formally known as the of her remarks, she called for con- dangering state security. The de- Kovrig and Spavor, pointed out China for more information on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Ac- tinuation of Iran’s cooperation in tentions of the Canadians followed that the nature of the cases were detentions. The latest incident was tion (JCPOA). For her part, the this regard. the arrest in Vancouver of Meng different, given the other two were “a very separate case” from the Wanzhou, the chief financial offic- accused of endangering national other two, Trudeau said. The Ca- er of the Chinese telecommunica- security. Hua referred further ques- nadian government has said sever- tions giant Huawei. Meng was ar- tions on McIver to the ministry of al times it saw no explicit link be- A high-ranking Kuwaiti official gional powers to help solve the rested at the request of the US, public security. It did not immedi- tween the arrest of Meng, the says his country is in talks with Persian Gulf crisis, and revive the which has been engaged in a trade ately respond to requests for fur- daughter of Huawei’s founder, and Saudi Arabia to help work out a Persian Gulf Cooperation Council war with China. China’s foreign ther comment. The Canadian gov- the detentions of Kovrig. solution to a diplomatic crisis in (GCC). “The (Kuwait) Emir has the Persian Gulf region, which has had a big leadership role in calming seen the Riyadh regime and a num- the situation which is highly ap- ber of its allies impose a diplomat- preciated by Qatar. We continue ic and trade boycott against Qatar. to count on the role of Kuwait and “Saudi Arabia is a great broth- on the countries in the region to On December 19, Russia-con- was reduced for a day – till Janu- erly country and we do communi- bring it (the GCC) back together,” trolled Supreme Court of Crimea ary 24. On November 25, the coast cate with them at all times and plac- Sheikh Mohammed said on Satur- refused to consider an appeal of guard ships of the Russian Navy es and on all issues,” Kuwaiti Dep- day. “...We believe that we are more the defence of the Ukrainian Vol- acted aggressively against the ships uty Prime Minister and Foreign relevant as a bloc for those coun- odymyr Varimeza and refused to of the Ukrainian Navy, which have Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid tries than we are separate and frag- provide him with the translator, been carrying out a scheduled tran- al-Hamad Al Sabah said at a news mented,” he added. Qatar’s foreign as his lawyer Anri Tsiskarishvili sition from Odesa port to Mari- conference with his Dutch coun- minister has called the Persian Gulf reported on Facebook. “My de- upol port in the Sea of Azov. 21 terpart Steve Block in Kuwait City Cooperation Council (GCC) re- fendant was denied to have a trans- Ukrainian sailors have been deliv- on Wednesday. Kuwait has been gional body a “toothless” organi- lator, and the parties’ arguments ered to Lefortovo remand center playing a mediating role between zation incapable of holding its concerning the fact that Volody- in Moscow, three others are in the Qatar and the Saudi-led boycott- members to account. Saudi Arabia, myr is a POW are ignored,” the hospital of Matrosskaya Tishina ers since the outbreak of the crisis the United Arab Emirates, Bahr- lawyer wrote. Both participated prison. On December 3, the Rus- in 2017. The remarks came a few ain and Egypt all cut off diplomat- in the session in a video-confer- sian prosecutors officially accused days after Qatar’s Foreign Minis- ic ties with Qatar on June 5 last ence regime from “Lefortovo” pris- Ukrainian sailors with the 'illegal ter Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul- year, after officially accusing it of on. Varimeza and three more sail- crossing of the state border'during rahman Al Thani said Doha is still “sponsoring terrorism.” ors have been left in custody. At the Kerch Strait incident. counting on Kuwait and other re- (PressTV) the same time, the sentence term (BBC)

The Latest on Russian President ventional warheads, saying that Vladimir Putin’s annual news con- the launch of such a missile could ference (all times local): 12:55 p.m. be mistaken for the launch of a Russian President Vladimir nuclear-tipped one and trigger a Putin is warning about the rising global catastrophe. 12:20 p.m. threat of a nuclear war. Speaking President Vladimir Putin is hailing at his annual news conference another year of Russian economic Thursday, Putin pointed at the growth after a previous period of U.S. intention to withdraw from stagnation. Putin said at an annual the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nu- news conference summing up the clear Forces (INF) Treaty. He said results of the year that Russia’s that if the U.S. puts intermediate- gross domestic product is set to range missiles in Europe, Russia grow by 1.8 percent this year, while will be forced to take countermea- industrial output has grown faster sures. He also noted that Western at 3 percent. The Russian presi- analysts are talking about the pos- dent noted Thursday that the na- sibility of using low-yield nuclear tion’s hard currency reserves have weapons. Putin warned that “there increased from $432 billion at the is a trend of lowering the thresh- start of the year to $464 billion old” of using nuclear weapons, now. The positive statistics fol- adding that “lowering the thresh- low a difficult period in recent old could lead to a global nuclear years when Russia’s economy has catastrophe.”Putin also empha- suffered a combined blow of low sized that the U.S. pondering the oil prices and Western sanctions, use of ballistic missiles with con- resulting in stagnation.