Zero Point By Javed Chaudhry

US strike kills 16 Afghan policemen in Helmand province

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<div class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm" content="A US airstrike has killed 16 policemen in Afghanistan, officials said Saturday, the latest setback to Washington's efforts to bring peace to the war-torn country." data-reactid="22" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1em;" type="text">
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<div class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm" content="A US airstrike has killed 16 policemen in Afghanistan, officials said Saturday, the latest setback to Washington's efforts to bring peace to the war-torn country." data-reactid="22" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1em;" type="text">
A US airstrike has killed 16 policemen in Afghanistan, officials said Saturday, the latest setback to Washington's efforts to bring peace to the war-torn country.</div>
<div class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm" content="The incident took place in Helmand province on Friday as Afghan security forces attempted to clear a village of Taliban militants, Salam Afghan, a police spokesman, told AFP." data-reactid="23" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1em;" type="text">
The incident took place in Helmand province on Friday as Afghan security forces attempted to clear a village of Taliban militants, Salam Afghan, a police spokesman, told AFP.</div>
<div class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm" content=""In the strike, 16 Afghan policemen were killed including two commanders. Two other policemen were wounded," he said." data-reactid="24" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1em;" type="text">
"In the strike, 16 Afghan policemen were killed including two commanders. Two other policemen were wounded," he said.</div>
<div class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm" content="The strike hit a compound in Gereshk district in Helmand, large parts of which are under Taliban control." data-reactid="25" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1em;" type="text">
The strike hit a compound in Gereshk district in Helmand, large parts of which are under Taliban control.</div>
<div class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm" content=""A US-supported (Afghan security) operation...resulted in the deaths of... friendly Afghan forces who were gathered in a compound," NATO's mission in Afghanistan said in a statement." data-reactid="26" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1em;" type="text">
"A US-supported (Afghan security) operation...resulted in the deaths of... friendly Afghan forces who were gathered in a compound," NATO's mission in Afghanistan said in a statement.</div>
<div class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm" content=""We would like to express our deepest condolences to the families affected by this unfortunate incident," the statement said, adding there would be a probe into what happened." data-reactid="27" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1em;" type="text">
"We would like to express our deepest condolences to the families affected by this unfortunate incident," the statement said, adding there would be a probe into what happened.</div>
<div class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm" content="An interior ministry spokesman, Najeeb Danish, said a ministry delegation had been sent to the area to investigate and help families of the victims." data-reactid="28" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1em;" type="text">
An interior ministry spokesman, Najeeb Danish, said a ministry delegation had been sent to the area to investigate and help families of the victims.</div>
<div class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm" content="Helmand for years was the centrepiece of the US and British military intervention in Afghanistan." data-reactid="29" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1em;" type="text">
Helmand for years was the centrepiece of the US and British military intervention in Afghanistan.</div>
<div class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm" content="But the Taliban now effectively controls or contests 10 of Helmand's 14 districts, blighted by a huge opium harvest that helps fund the insurgency." data-reactid="30" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1em;" type="text">
But the Taliban now effectively controls or contests 10 of Helmand's 14 districts, blighted by a huge opium harvest that helps fund the insurgency.</div>
<div class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm" content="In April, some 300 US Marines returned to the province as embattled Afghan security forces struggle to beat back the resurgent Taliban." data-reactid="31" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1em;" type="text">
In April, some 300 US Marines returned to the province as embattled Afghan security forces struggle to beat back the resurgent Taliban.</div>
<div class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm" content="The surge helped Afghan security forces, backed by US air strikes, recapture Nawa district in Helmand six months ago." data-reactid="32" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1em;" type="text">
The surge helped Afghan security forces, backed by US air strikes, recapture Nawa district in Helmand six months ago.</div>
<div class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm" content="The operation came as Pentagon chief Jim Mattis finalised plans to present a new Afghanistan strategy to President Donald Trump in a bid to reverse what US generals call a "stalemate" at best." data-reactid="33" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1em;" type="text">
The operation came as Pentagon chief Jim Mattis finalised plans to present a new Afghanistan strategy to President Donald Trump in a bid to reverse what US generals call a "stalemate" at best.</div>
<div class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm" content="In February, a US airstrike in Sangin killed at least 18 civilians, mostly women and children." data-reactid="34" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1em;" type="text">
In February, a US airstrike in Sangin killed at least 18 civilians, mostly women and children.</div>
<div class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm" content="Last November 32 Afghan civilians were killed in a US airstrike in the northeastern province of Kunduz." data-reactid="35" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1em;" type="text">
Last November 32 Afghan civilians were killed in a US airstrike in the northeastern province of Kunduz.</div>
<div class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm" content="In October 2015, a US air strike hit a hospital run by Medecins Sans Frontieres, killing 42 people and sparking international outrage." data-reactid="36" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1em;" type="text">
In October 2015, a US air strike hit a hospital run by Medecins Sans Frontieres, killing 42 people and sparking international outrage.</div>

US strike kills 16 Afghan policemen in Helmand province

A US airstrike has killed 16 policemen in Afghanistan, officials said Saturday, the latest setback to Washington's efforts to bring...

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Justin Bieber banned from China because of his 'bad behaviour

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LOS ANGELES: China has banned pop idol Justin Bieber from performing on the mainland because of his "bad behaviour" on and off the stage.</div>
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The Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture said the ban was necessary to "purify" the country's entertainment industry but suggested it was not permanent, expressing the hope that Bieber might improve his behavior and earn back the love of his fans.</div>
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The 23-year-old singer-songwriter has had run-ins with the law over alleged drunk driving and drag racing.</div>
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Compared to British alternative rock band Placebo, Bieber was the lucky one. The group has had to cancel its gig at the Summer Sonic Festival in Shanghai in September and faces a lifetime ban from performing in China after posting a picture of the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, on the band's official Instagram page. China considers the Nobel Peace Prize-winning monk a dangerous separatist.</div>
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The temporary Bieber ban emerged after someone posted a question on the Beijing culture bureau's website on Jul 16 asking why the Canadian singer was not allowed to perform in mainland China as part of his Asia tour in September. The tour, to promote his latest album, "Purpose," takes in Tokyo, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Singapore.</div>
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"Please give a detailed explanation of why Justin Bieber is not allowed to come to China! [He] has won many major awards, which demonstrates his extraordinary talents. Why aren't mainland fans given the right to enjoy his performance?" the questioner wrote.</div>
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The Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture replied Tuesday (Jul 18) that Bieber's "bad behaviour" was the reason.</div>
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"We sympathise with your feelings. Justin Bieber is a talented singer but is also a controversial young foreign idol," said the statement. "We understand that there are records of his bad behaviour, whether it is in his private life abroad or on stage.</div>
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"His inappropriate manner has caused public discontent. In order to regulate the market order of show business in China and purify the market environment, it was decided that performers of inappropriate behaviour will not be welcomed."</div>
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Bieber had been to China previously. While touring the country in 2013, he was captured on camera being carried up to the Great Wall of China by Chinese bodyguards. The incident was seen by many Chinese as offensive.</div>
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It's not uncommon for China to ban foreign artists and performers for political reasons. In 2008, Icelandic pop queen Bjork was banned after calling for Tibetan independence during a gig in Shanghai. Maroon 5 and Oasis also faced similar fates after showing support for Tibet.</div>
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Justin Bieber banned from China because of his 'bad behaviour

LOS ANGELES: China has banned pop idol Justin Bieber from performing on the mainland because of his "bad behaviour" on and of...

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Ivanka Trump takes Donald Trump seat at G20 leaders' table

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In an unusual move, Ivanka Trump briefly took her father Donald's seat at a summit of world leaders on Saturday.</h2>
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The US president had stepped away for a meeting with the Indonesian leader during the G20 meeting.</div>
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Ms Trump is an adviser to her father, but a leader's absence is usually covered by high-ranking officials.</div>
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A BBC correspondent at the summit said he could recall no similar precedent. There has been widespread criticism on social media.</div>
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Mr Trump returned a short while later to retake his seat between the British prime minister and the Chinese president.</div>
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Ms Trump did not seem to make any major contribution to the session on African migration and health during her father's absence.</div>
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<li class="story-body__list-item" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit; line-height: 1.375; list-style: square outside; margin: 18px 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 4px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="story-body__link" href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39712732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(17, 103, 168, 0.3); border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 220, 220); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: inherit; line-height: 1.375; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ivanka Trump: America's first daughter</a></li>
<li class="story-body__list-item" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit; line-height: 1.375; list-style: square outside; margin: 18px 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 4px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="story-body__link" href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-40542783" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(17, 103, 168, 0.3); border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 220, 220); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: inherit; line-height: 1.375; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Memorable moments from the G20</a></li>
<li class="story-body__list-item" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit; line-height: 1.375; list-style: square outside; margin: 18px 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 4px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="story-body__link" href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40252782" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(17, 103, 168, 0.3); border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 220, 220); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: inherit; line-height: 1.375; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ivanka Trump condemns 'vicious' critics</a></li>
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A photograph of her presence was tweeted by a Russian attendee but later deleted.</div>
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Some users highlighted that Ms Trump is unelected, or questioned her credentials - as a fashion brand owner - to sit at such a senior diplomatic meeting.</div>
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Others lampooned her appearance among the world's most powerful leaders after her claim in an interview two weeks ago that she tries to "stay out of politics".</div>
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But her brother appeared to suggest there was nothing wrong and asked <a class="story-body__link-external" href="https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/883724621006204928" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(17, 103, 168, 0.3); border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 220, 220); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: inherit; line-height: 1.375; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">the "outraged left" if they would rather he sat in instead</a>.</div>
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Ms Trump had joined her father for an earlier G20 event on Saturday on women's entrepreneurship and finance, along with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Christine Lagarde, director of the International Monetary Fund.</div>
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<li class="story-body__list-item" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit; line-height: 1.375; list-style: square outside; margin: 18px 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 4px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="story-body__link" href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39642391" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(17, 103, 168, 0.3); border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 220, 220); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: inherit; line-height: 1.375; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jared Kushner: Who is the Trump whisperer?</a></li>
<li class="story-body__list-item" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit; line-height: 1.375; list-style: square outside; margin: 18px 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 4px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="story-body__link" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-39500169/ivanka-where-i-disagree-with-my-father-he-knows-it?intlink_from_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fnews%2Ftopics%2F7734c205-db65-4c95-8543-be0653af0702%2Fivanka-trump&link_location=live-reporting-map" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(17, 103, 168, 0.3); border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 220, 220); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: inherit; line-height: 1.375; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ivanka: 'Where I disagree with my father, he knows it'</a></li>
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All three women had previously appeared together on a panel during the G20 women's summit in Berlin in April.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Helmet, Freesans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.375; margin-top: 18px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a class="story-body__link" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-39704840" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(17, 103, 168, 0.3); border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 220, 220); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: inherit; line-height: 1.375; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">At that appearance</a>, she defended her father as a "tremendous champion of supporting families and enabling them to thrive".</div>
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Earlier on Saturday, Donald Trump said having him for a father was the only "bad thing" in Ms Trump's life.</div>
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"I'm very proud of my daughter, Ivanka - always have been, from day one," he told world leaders at the panel on female entrepreneurs.</div>
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"If she weren't my daughter, it would be so much easier for her. Might be the only bad thing she has going, if you want to know the truth."</div>
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While her siblings, Donald Jr and Eric, took over the family business, Ms Trump put her own fashion brand assets in a trust in order to take an unpaid White House position, a move criticised as nepotism.</div>
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After a brief modelling career as a teenager, Ms Trump was given a job in her father's company.</div>
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There, she expanded the Trump hotel brand and became an executive vice-president of development, alongside her siblings.</div>
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Ms Trump is married to Jared Kushner, who also plays an influential role in Donald Trump's White House.</div>

Ivanka Trump takes Donald Trump seat at G20 leaders' table

In an unusual move, Ivanka Trump briefly took her father Donald's seat at a summit of world leaders on Saturday. The US preside...

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