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12 Pages Price 40,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 39th year No.13618 Monday MARCH 2, 2020 Esfand 12, 1398 Rajab 7, 1441 Rouhani urges Army produces unique Iran win two gold medals Irangaam Records to revitalization of Astana equipment to intensify at Karate 1-Premier release Shajarian’s album process on Idlib 2 coronavirus fight 2 League Salzburg 11 of Khorasani songs 12 Petchem exports up 5% in See page 7 10 months on year TEHRAN — The value of Iran’s petrochem- exports during the mentioned time span ical exports during the first 10 months of the was more due to the inauguration of new Saudis join current Iranian calendar year (March 21, petrochemical plants in the country. 2019-January 20, 2020) rose five percent Mentioning the possible negative im- compared to the same period of time in the pacts of the coronavirus outbreak on the past year, IRNA reported on Sunday. country’s trade with the neighboring coun- According to Seyed Hamid Hosseini, tries, the official said: “The virus outbreak the spokesman of Iranian Oil, Gas and could impact he exports of petrochemical Petrochemical Products Exporters’ Union products since most of Iran’s exports are shale gas race (OPEX), the increase in petrochemical to the neighboring countries.” 4 If you can’t beat U.S. in no legal position to determine them join them Afghanistan’s future: Tehran TEHRAN — The United States is in no the presence of its forces in Afghanistan legal position to sign an agreement that and it disagrees with them,” he said. determines the future of Afghanistan, says He said the Islamic Republic believes Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi. reaching a deal to establish sustainable “The U.S. has no legal status for sign- peace in Afghanistan will be achieved ing a peace deal or deciding the future of only through Afghan-Afghan talks and Afghanistan,” Mousavi said in a statement with cooperation of that country’s po- on Sunday. litical groups including Taliban and by “The Islamic Republic of Iran regards taking into account the considerations U.S. measures as attempts to legitimize of Afghanistan’s neighbors. 2

Iran’s advisory urges Turkey to avoid unwise acts in Idlib TEHRAN — Iran’s Advisory Center (IAC) calling on Ankara to behave wisely. in Syria, in a statement issued on Sunday, The IAC, in its 10-paragraph state- condemned the Turkish troops’ artillery ment, explains recent developments in attacks on the center’s positions in northwest- Idlib province, including the Turkish ern Syria, urging Ankara to handle current troops’ biased support for the terrorist developments in Idlib province logically groups, Turkish forces’ attacks on the IAC and based on the Syrian people’s interests. positions. It added the Iranian forces are

File photo File The IAC said that the Turkish army has capable to conduct retaliatory attacks on continued targeting the center’s positions, the Turkish troops. 2 ARTICLE The U.S. and a smart oligarchy ARTICLE Masoud Hossein By Mohammad Mahdi Abbasi president with more electoral votes. American writer and political strategist in Richard Ramin Hossein Abadian Head of the Sport Desk of TEHRAN — The Democratic primary is a serious Such a thing previously happened in the U.S. in Nixon’s government said that the United States Mehr News Agency the TehranTimes test for the U.S., and one should wait and see how 2000. At the time, Al Gore won 500,000 popular is not a democracy, but a plutocracy in which journalist the remaining hopes for a free and fair presidential votes more than George W. Bush, but Bush, the money and government are strongly intertwined. election in the U.S. and the real domination of Republican candidate, became the U.S. president. Currently, the support of power and wealth Sport victim democracy in the country will be destroyed by Despite all the weaknesses of the Electoral holders for taking power in the U.S. political Iraqi parliament eliminating persons like Bernie Sanders. College system and arguments between its sup- system is of the most importance. Groups that of coronavirus The American people vote in practice and porters and opponents, it cannot be identified are known as “Super PAC” these days have a confidence vote there is no change in their votes. The point is that as the main threat to democracy in America. key role in empowering candidates in various outbreak the factor that determines the results is not the Many believe that the significant role of wealth American political positions. to Allawi cabinet majority of votes, but an electoral system called and power in American election engineering is George McGovern is one of the most telling port has always been one of the shrouded in the “Electoral College”. the most important danger that has caused a examples in this regard. McGovern was a Democrat strongest weapons to fight disease For example, in the 2016 election, the safe election become a dream in this country. and Richard Nixon’s rival in the 1972 presidential but newly discovered coronavirus ambiguity S major candidate of Democratic Party Hillary This issue led many experts to refer to the Amer- election. He was opposed by the Democratic Party is going to kill it. Clinton won 65 million of people’s votes, while ican political system as a plutocracy (the superiority because of his stance against the Vietnam War, So many sports events have been post- epeated postponement of a special Republican candidate Donald Trump won on rich minority over poor majority) or an oligarchy. cutting U.S. military budget and refusing the sup- poned or will take place behind closed session of the Iraqi parliament to 62 million of people’s votes, but he became In this regard, Kevin Phillips, a prominent port of lobbyists and financial institutions. 7 doors due to the coronavirus concerns. Rgive confidence vote to Moham- Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has med Tawfiq Allawi’s cabinet occurs amid postponed several Champions League’s match- Washington’s attempts to create a political es and rescheduled the women’s Olympic The violence in Delhi is not a ‘riot’. It is targeted anti-Muslim brutality vacuum in Iraq. qualifier between China and South Korea. Violence in India’s capital has left more than sentencing nine white youths at the Old Bailey, ists, mainly supporters of the BJP, India’s The Iraqi parliament’s special session In Iran, sports leagues except football 40 dead and hundreds injured after a Hindu called it “nigger hunting”. There is, though, a governing party, many chanting “Jai Shri to give confidence vote to cabinet members have been canceled. Iran Professional League nationalist rampage, stoked by the rhetoric of long history of describing racist violence as a Ram” (“glory to Lord Rama”) and “Hinduon introduced by Prime Minister Mohammed (IPL) matches take place behind closed doors Narendra Modi’s populist government. “riot”, to portray it as a general violent mayhem ka Hindustan” (India for Hindus). Tawfiq Allawi has been postponed for sev- and the football-mad fans find it annoying. in August 1958, gangs of white youths began rather than as targeted attacks. The violence began after a local BJP politician, eral times. According to the latest news, Coronavirus has dampened enthusiasm systematically attacking West Indians in London’s And so it is with the violence that over the Kapil Mishra, told a rally last Sunday that unless a new parliament session was scheduled for the games and situation may be worse Notting Hill, assaulting them with iron bars and past week has engulfed parts of the Indian police cleared the streets of protesters against to be held on Sunday, March 1. than we know. meat cleavers and milk bottles. One policeman capital, Delhi. Journalists and politicians the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), he and The main reason for the postponement So many countries have closed the reported a 300-strong mob shouting: “We will have talked of “rioting” and “communal vi- his supporters would do it themselves. has been reported the inadequate num- schools, cinemas, competitions and mu- kill all black bastards. Why don’t you send them olence”. That’s no more accurate than de- The CAA is a new law that allows undocu- ber of Iraqi members of the parliament seums and the future remains unclear. home?” The attacks continued for a week before scribing the attack on Notting Hill’s black mented migrants from neighbouring countries to reach the quorum. This has led the Persian New Year, called Nowruz, is order was restored. residents as a “riot”. What Delhi witnessed to seek citizenship in India – except if they are parliament speaker for special sessions approaching but the Iranians are not happy The incident is still referred to as the “Notting over the past week is the Indian equivalent of Muslim. It’s the first law since India gained in- Mohamed al-Halbousi to postpone the since the coronavirus has killed 43 people Hill riots”. It was nothing of the sort. It was a vi- “nigger hunting”, targeted violence against dependence that explicitly excludes Muslims, sessions repeatedly. The latest session so far and closed their festivals. cious week-long racist attack. Mr Justice Salmon, Muslims, led by mobs of Hindu national- and has generated widespread protests. 10 of the Iraqi Parliament on addressing the More than 50 countries have been competence of the new cabinet created affected, including Iran. some tensions including al-Halbousi’s On Saturday, Head of Hong Kong Foot- argument with his deputy Hassan Al ball Association Pui Kwan-kay said it was Kaabi. “highly unlikely” that Hong Kong’s 2022 The First Deputy Speaker of the Ira- World Cup Asian zone qualifier against qi Parliament Hassan Al Kaabi noted Iran next month will go ahead because in this regard, “what happened during of the coronavirus outbreak. the session of vote of confidence to Mo- The match slated for March 26 is a hammed Tawfiq Allawi’s cabinet was a must-win game for Team Melli, however, “Wash Your violation of the constitution and a clear the East Asian country is going to meet challenge against the will of people”. Iran in a neutral field. Hands!” to fight He added, “The lack of participation of Iraq leads the group on 11 points, followed some political groups in the session in by Bahrain (9), Iran (6) and Hong Kong coronavirus: the hope of gaining Quotas and spoils (5) with Cambodia bottom on one point. is completely rejected.” Sports, especially football is life for the cartoonist Hamid Hassan Al Kaabi voiced his dissatis- most Iranian people but continuation of faction regarding what happened in the the situation would be chaotic in one word. Bahrami last Parliament session and described Around 83,000 coronavirus cases have the incident as a blatant violation of the constitution and demanded that been confirmed worldwide since the out- TEHRAN – The spread of the new coronavirus representatives of the nation respect break began in Wuhan, China. in the world has provided inspiration for the constitution and the regulations Nearly 79,000 of the cases have been renowned Atlanta-based Iranian cartoonist of the upcoming session on the vote of recorded in China, however the virus is and illustrator Hamid Bahrami to create his confidence to the cabinet. He empha- now believed to be spreading faster outside new work named “World, Go Wash Your sized that not ignoring interests and the country. Hands!” Quotas by parties seemingly for national Coronavirus has killed sports and hope The artwork published on his latest Insta- consensus in the issue of giving the vote for treating the novel coronavirus could gram post promotes the key medical advice of confidence indicates greed and bad be on the horizon since there is, so far, to prevent the spread of the virus. 12 no cure or vaccine for the virus. intentions of the political groups. 7 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS MARCH 2, 2020 Rouhani urges revitalization of Astana Next parliament intent on fighting social injustice: MP POLITICAL TEHRAN — Lawmaker Abolfaz Abootorabi process on Idlib in phone talks with Putin deskhas said the next parliament will focus on fighting “social injustice” and irregularities in the incumbent POLITICAL TEHRAN – In a phone protected, and on the other hand, terrorists administration. deskconversation with should be uprooted,” Rouhani said in his Besides that, he said, the parliament will push through drastic Russian President Vladimir Putin late on phone talks with Erdogan. reforms in the administrative system. Saturday, President Hassan Rouhani of Iran In a major escalation of the conflict said the conflict in Syria must be settled in Idlib, at least 33 Turkish soldiers have politically. died in a Syrian government attack on The phone conversation took place as the militants. The toll was the biggest military war for control of the northwestern Syrian loss the Turkish military has suffered since it province of Idlib is going unabated between intervened in the Syrian conflict in 2016, and the Syrian forces and the Turkish-backed in response, Ankara said it struck scores of armed groups who have formed a coalition Syrian government targets and “neutralized” with the terrorists. 2,212 “soldiers and elements”. The Iranian president said it is not Russia, Syria’s key ally, says Turkish troops acceptable that certain parts of Syria remain were attacked in Idlib province by Syrian under the control of terrorists. forces while operating alongside jihadist Rouhani also said that the situation in Idlib (terrorist) fighters, BBC reported on Feb. 28 is “worrisome”, calling for implementation of The EU has warned the crisis could escalate the Astana peace process as early as possible further. to pave the way for establishing peace and “There is a risk of sliding into a major open security in Syria. international military confrontation,” EU He noted that Iran, Russia and Turkey foreign policy chief Josep Borrell tweeted. In an interview with the Mehr news published on Sunday, have taken great strides in recent years in “It is also causing unbearable humanitarian Abootorabi said major reforms are needed in administrative, fighting terrorism and their victories against suffering and putting civilians in danger.” insurance and tax system. terrorism should not be undermined. The Turkish and Russian presidents Abootorabi said rise in “social injustice” was the main reason “We should preserve their outcomes, spoke by phone on Friday. Erdogan and which reduced participation in the recent parliamentary polls. and regarding the situation in Idlib, we Putin both expressed concern and agreed While the people suffer from unemployment and low income are completely ready to find a solution at on the need for “additional measures” to “some in state-run organizations are earning high volumes of political and security levels, which would government and opposition. The presidents of Iran, Russia and Turkey normalize the situation. income and the incumbent government is compromising with be agreed by the three countries,” he said. Putin calls Astana peace process hold regular summits on the Syria. According to al Jazeera, forces loyal such inequalities,” he argued. In line with their security cooperation, ‘effective’ Rouhani noted that the lives of the to Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad have “The next Majlis must improve Iranians’ livelihood,” he Iran, Turkey and Russia - three power brokers Putin, for his part, said that the Astana innocent people in Idlib province should be renewed an offensive to capture Idlib stressed. in Syria - launched the Astana peace talks on peace process has been “effective”. protected and at the same time the terrorists from opposition forces, who are backed by A total of 7,148 candidates, including dozens of religious the Syrian crisis. The talks were launched He attached great importance to in the region must be purged. Turkey. Since the operation intensified in minorities, ran for parliament in the February 21 elections. in January 2017 with the aim of putting an maintaining Syria’s territorial integrity. “In view of the gathering of dangerous December, Syrian government forces have In capital Tehran, 1,453 candidates competed for 30 seats. end to the Syrian conflict. Rouhani also phoned Turkish president terrorists and the need to protect the lives rapidly advanced into the last opposition Runoff elections will be held on April 17. Kazakhstan has hosted multiple rounds late on Saturday announcing that Iran is of innocent people living in the region, the stronghold, retaking the strategic M5 highway In Tehran, all 30 candidates enlisted by the principlist camp of talks on Syria since January 2017 most of quite ready to host the trilateral summit to issue of Idlib is very complicated. On one and solidifying control over parts of Aleppo won by a large margin. which involved delegations from the Syrian find a solution to the Idlib battle. hand, the lives of innocent people should be province, which borders Idlib. The next parliament will start its work in late spring. Iran’s advisory urges Turkey U.S. in no legal position to determine Afghanistan’s future: Tehran to avoid unwise acts in Idlib 1 After nearly two decades of war, He argued that the United Nations has will be able to root out terrorism,” he added. iban representative in Doha, described the 1 The statement read that the IAC has been cooperating the United States and the Taliban signed an the capacity to facilitate Afghan-Afghan Under the U.S.-Taliban agreement, deal as “a step forward.” with the Syrian forces to liberate M5 highway (Damascus-Aleppo agreement on Saturday aimed at paving the talks and to oversee the implementation the Taliban have agreed to sever ties with Commenting on the accord, another highway) based on the Damascus’ request. way for complete withdrawal of American of any struck agreement. al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups and senior Taliban official said that the U.S. It added that the IAC has assisted the Syrian Army to defend forces from Afghanistan. “The Islamic Republic of Iran, while sit down for peace talks with the Afghan was forced to leave after suffering humil- the M5 highway against the terrorist groups’ attacks after the The agreement came after months of respecting the sovereignty and territorial government. In return, Washington will iating defeats at the hands of the militant highway was liberated. negotiations in the Qatari capital of Doha, integrity of Afghanistan, is ready to offer start a phased withdrawal of troops. group and lost ground across Afghanistan The Turkish-backed Turkestani Islamic Party and Jabhat with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, any help for establishment of peace, sta- According to the New York Times, the in recent years. al-Nusra jihadist groups conducted their attacks with airstrike who earlier arrived in Doha, witnessing bility and security in Afghanistan, in line war in Afghanistan in some ways echoes “There is no doubt we have won the war, support from Ankara, according to the statement. the signing of the accord. with its own national security strategy,” the American experience in Vietnam. In there is no doubt, otherwise the foreign “Since the IAC presence in Syria, the Turkish centers have been “The Islamic Republic of Iran has wel- Mousavi remarked. both, a superpower bet heavily on brute forces (would not) have come to leave Af- within our forces’ fire range but based on the Astana agreement, comed any development leading to peace “We hope that a government takes office strength and the lives of its young, then ghanistan,” AFP quoted Abbas Stanikzai, none of the units of the resistance front attacked the Ankara and stability in Afghanistan,” Mousavi said, in Afghanistan which will have friendly and walked away with seemingly little to show. a Taliban negotiator, as saying. forces’ positions. We have thus far refrained from targeting any but he clarified that Iran only supports brotherly relations with its neighbors and Meanwhile, Mohammed Naeem, a Tal- Minutes before the deal was signed, a Turkish center in the region,” the statement added. efforts that are led by the Afghans. joint statement released by the U.S. and the “In the last four days the IAC forces have helped the Syrian “The Islamic Republic of Iran believes “The Islamic Republic of Iran, while Afghan government said that the American soldiers ward off the militants’ attacks,” it said, adding, “But, that the presence of foreign forces in Af- respecting the sovereignty and territorial and NATO troops would withdraw from the Turkish troops have conducted aerial and missile attacks ghanistan is illegal and is one of the main the war-raved country within 14 months. on our positions.” reasons behind war and insecurity in that integrity of Afghanistan, is ready to offer “The United States will reduce the num- “We sent a message to the Turkish troops that we do not country,” he said. any help for establishment of peace, ber of U.S. military forces in Afghanistan to want to engage in any clash with them based on advice of our The spokesman also said the withdrawal stability and security in Afghanistan, in line 8,600 and implement other commitments commanders,” the IAC said, adding that “we have announced of foreign forces is a prerequisite to reach in the U.S.-Taliban agreement within 135 to the Turkish commander not to put the life of their soldiers peace and security in Afghanistan and any with its own national security strategy,” the days of the announcement of this joint dec- in danger.” measure that enables the withdrawal of them Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman says. laration and the U.S.-Taliban agreement,” “Their [Turkish people’s] sons are targets to our fighters will contribute to peace in that country. the statement read. on the ground,” the statement warned, calling on the Turkish public to push its government to think “wisely” and end its presence in Turkey. Army produces unique equipment to U.S. extends travel restriction “We stay with the Damascus forces and government to free the remaining militant-held part of the country. We underline intensify coronavirus fight on Iranians our support for Syria’s territorial integrity,” the statement added. POLITICAL TEHRAN — Army “According to the pre-planned program, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence an- At least 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in Syria’s Idlib desk province on Friday after an airstrike blamed on Damascus, has produced unique the Army’s Ground Force is in charge of nounced that his country has extended prompting reaction from Washington and a UN warning on equipment for diagnosing and countering sanitizing hospitals and medical centers travel restriction on coronavirus-affected the rapidly-rising risk of escalation. COVID-19 in the shortest time possible. in Tehran.” countries, including Iran. Since Thursday, at least 74 soldiers of the Syrian army and Brigadier General Kiomars Heidari, On Saturday, President Hassan Rouhani, Pence was quoted by the CNN on popular forces supporting Damascus have been killed by the the Army ground force chief, made the in a phone conversation with emir of Qatar Sunday as saying that an entry ban on Turkish airstrikes, the London-based Syrian Observatory for announcement in ceremony inaugurating Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, called travelers from Iran would be expanded to Human Rights (SOHR) reported on Saturday. anti-coronavirus base in Tehran. on the entire nations worldwide to enhance include any foreign nationals who have In a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep He said, “Our experts working for cooperation to overcome the coronavirus visited Iran in the last 14 days. Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday afternoon, President Hassan the army’s self-sufficiency department outbreak. The United States on Saturday re- Rouhani announced that Tehran was ready to host trilateral have planned and built several unique “Today, outbreak of the coronavirus has ported its first death from the disease, ditional cases in America were “likely.” summit between Iran, Turkey and Russia as the battle in Idlib equipment which should go under test turned into a global problem, therefore, the a man in his 50s in Washington state, Travelers from Italy and South Korea was raging. by the Health Ministry. If everything entire nations and governments around where officials said two of the state’s would face additional screening, Trump “Trilateral cooperation at different levels is of special im- goes well the equipment will be a great the world should stay with each other to three cases have links to a nursing home and top officials had told a White House portance and as has been announced earlier Iran is quite ready achievement in rapid diagnosis of the overcome the epidemic disease as soon with dozens of residents showing disease news briefing, warning Americans against to host the next round of the trilateral summit,” Rouhani said, novel coronavirus.” as possible,” Rouhani underscored in his symptoms. traveling to coronavirus-affected regions according the presidential media office. He further said, “One of the army’s phone call. Although most Americans face a low in both countries. Rouhani noted that the lives of the innocent people in Idlib capabilities, which was unveiled in the The virus first emerged in China in risk from the virus, more U.S. deaths The United States may also restrict province should be protected and at the same time the terrorists ceremony today, was turning anti-bacterial December last year and is now spreading could be imminent following the nation’s travel on its southern border with Mexico, in the region must be purged. liquids into fog to spray it over vast regions.” in Europe and across the Middle East, first, he added. officials said. However, they encouraged “In view of the gathering of dangerous terrorists and the “We enjoy anti-pollution systems which sparking fears of a global pandemic. The “We know there will be more cases,” Americans to travel around the country, need to protect the lives of innocent people living in the region, are currently utilized by our forces across virus is spreading rapidly in the region, Pence told CNN, echoing President Don- including states that have recorded some the issue of Idlib is very complicated. On one hand, the lives of the country,” the commander said, adding, with cases recorded in many countries. ald Trump’s earlier comments that ad- of its more than 60 cases. innocent people should be protected, and on the other hand, terrorists should be uprooted,” Rouhani said in his phone talks with Erdogan. Rouhani went on to say that the Astana process engineered Rouhani hopes nuclear deal will be preserved through cooperation by Iran, Russia and Turkey for resolving the Syrian conflict must not be undermined. POLITICAL TEHRAN – President Hassan Rouhani The pledge was made as the JCPOA joint commission In its last step on January 5, Iran took the last and The Iranian president went on to say that that the intensifica- deskhas expressed hope that the 2015 nuclear held a meeting in Vienna, where the agreement was struck final step, removing bans on the number of its centrifuges. tion of tension in the region will not benefit anyone, insisting on deal, known as the JCPOA, would be preserved through in July 2015. The meeting was attended by diplomats from Borrell has said that Europe must ensure Iran’s benefits Tehran’s long-held policy that Syrian conflict must be resolved cooperation among its signatories. the European Union, Iran, Russia, China, Britain, Germa- from the nuclear deal if it wants the deal to survive. through dialogue. In a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir ny, and France. “If we want the Iran nuclear deal to survive, we need to “Surely, the intensification of tension in the region will benefit Putin on Saturday, Rouhani praised Moscow’s stance on “All participants reaffirmed the importance of preserv- ensure that Iran benefits if it returns to full compliance,” neither side, and we must resolve the issues through dialogue the JCPOA. ing the agreement recalling that it is a key element of the he wrote in an article in the Project Syndicate published and do not allow the Astana process to be weakened.” He also said that Iran is prepared to expand cooperation global nuclear non-proliferation architecture,” part of the on February 8. Also on Thursday, Russian and Syrian media outlets reported with Russia in various areas. statement said. Borrell was notified in January by Paris, London, and that Turkish military forces have been firing shoulder-fired U.S. President Donald Trump quit the nuclear deal in May EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on February Berlin that they had triggered the resolution dispute mech- missiles towards Syrian and Russian military aircraft providing 2018 and introduced the harshest ever sanctions on Iran. 16 that he will remain committed to keep the JCPOA alive. anism. air cover for Syria’s anti-terrorist operations. Helga Schmid, secretary general of the European Exter- “As coordinator I remain committed to listen to all sides He has said that the EU will extend indefinitely the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at the time that nal Action Service (EEAS), said in a tweet on February 25 and keep the #NuclearDeal alive,” he said in a tweet. time limit to resolve disputes in the nuclear deal to avoid President Putin and Erdogan spoke by phone Friday to discuss that all sides have a “collective responsibility” to preserve In May 2019 Iran announced that its “strategic patience” having to go to the UN Security Council or triggering new the implementation of de-escalation agreements in Idlib. the nuclear deal. is over and started to reduce its commitments to the JCPOA sanctions. “The conversation was detailed and devoted to the necessity The remaining parties to the JCPOA issued a statement at bi-monthly intervals in response to the abrogation of “There is an agreement that more time is needed due to to do everything,” Lavrov told reporters at a news conference on Wednesday reaffirming the need to keep the multilateral the pact by the U.S. coupled with the European Union’s the complexity of the issues involved. The timeline is there- in Moscow. “There is always room for dialogue.” nuclear agreement alive. inaction to shield Iran’s economy from sanctions. fore extended,” Borrell said in a statement on January 24. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y MARCH 2, 2020 IRAN IN FOCUS 3 IRGC, Basij pledge to continue fight ‘There is no term as blacklist against coronavirus until full victory in FATF’ POLITICAL TEHRAN — Gholamreza Mesbahi- POLITICAL TEHRAN — The Islam- “The claim of helping Iran in the fight deskMoghadam, a member of the Expediency deskic Revolution Guards against coronavirus, made by a country that Council, has said that there is no term like “blacklist” in Corps and Basij forces will remain active has exerted massive pressures on the Iranian the FATF (the Financial Action Task Force) and Iran has in the field until Iran fully overcomes coro- people with its economic terrorism and has been put on the list of “non-cooperative” countries. navirus outbreak, IRGC announced in a even blocked the (Iranian) purchase of med- “There is no term as blacklist in the FATF. At this juncture, statement on Sunday. icine and medical equipment, is a ridiculous we have been put on the list of non-cooperative countries “Your children in the Guards and Basij, claim and a political-psychological game,” again,” he told ISNA in an interview published on Sunday. until fully defeating the disease and returning Mousavi said. He added, “Using the term blacklist has very negative of normal conditions, will be ready and ac- The U.S. Department of the Treasury an- effect on the public opinion.” tive in the field of cooperation and help,” the nounced in a statement on Thursday that IRGC said in the statement, IRNA reported. the Swiss Humanitarian Trade Arrangement “The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, (SHTA) is fully operational. as a popular body coming from the pious and “The SHTA will further facilitate the flow revolutionary society of Iran, has always been of humanitarian goods to the Iranian people,” with you dear, kind and decent people and the statement said. this companionship has been featured and “The SHTA is the first operational channel witnessed in times of natural disasters and established under the framework announced catastrophes such as flooding, earthquake, by the U.S. Department of State and the Treas- etc.,” the statement read. ury in October 2019 to facilitate humanitar- It also thanked efforts made by Health ian trade with Iran. Initial transactions were Minister Saeed Namaki as well as the coun- successfully conducted in late January 2020 try’s medical staff. to demonstrate the viability and effectiveness Up until Sunday afternoon, the virus that of the SHTA.” showed up in the central Chinese city of Wu- Tehran has also categorically denied the han late last year has infected 978 people BBC Persian’s claim that at least 210 people in Iran and claimed the lives of 54 across On Thursday, Kianoush Jahanpour, head would enter the mass-production stage in have died from coronavirus. the country. of the Health Ministry’s Public Relations and the near future. Jahanpour said on Friday that the Lon- Iranian medical officials have assured that Information Center, said screening process Meanwhile, Tehran has denounced Wash- don-based channel is seeking to take political the country would, in the near future, rein had gone underway at the entrance to some ington’s false expression of readiness to assist advantage of the coronavirus outbreak. Mesbahi-Moghadam noted that the countries and banks in the outbreak, saying that the condition cities, adding that suspected cases would be Iran in the fight against coronavirus outbreak “Coronavirus has brought suffering and in- which are cooperating with Iran are well aware that Iran does of many patients diagnosed with the virus quarantined for a space of 14 days. as a “ridiculous” and “hypocritical” move and firmity upon the people of the world. However, not finance terrorism and does not do money laundering. has improved. Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousa- part of a political and psychological game. it has turned into a source of profit for such “So, it makes no sense to create a negative effect on the Defense Minister Amir Hatami has as- vi had said last week that around 20,000 In a statement on Friday, Mousavi respond- satellite channels and others with corresponding public opinion through media and make the people think signed his ministry’s subsidiary organizations testing kits were to be delivered to Iran by ed to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s roles in Saudi Arabian and Albanian channels,” that it is the end of the world,” said the cleric who has a with the task of mass-producing liquid dis- the Chinese government. claim about helping Iran in the battle with Press TV quoted Jahanpour as saying. masters’ degree in economy. infectants and protective masks, which are President Hassan Rouhani has also said the infectious disease, which has been hugely It came hours after the London-based Elsewhere, Mesbahi-Moghadam said that Iran has currently in high demand and are being freely coronavirus testing kits developed by Irani- publicized in the media and has been widely channel cited unnamed “hospital sources” observed 39 out of 41 recommendations of the FATF which distributed by health centers countrywide. an experts were undergoing final tests and advertised before informing Iran. as saying that 210 have died from the virus. have had no benefits for the country. The government of President Hassan Rouhani, in a 9-paragraph statement last week, urged the Expediency Air defense units ready to counter possible threats Army designates 3 well-equipped Council to remove the existing barriers in the way of approving despite coronavirus outbreak: commander hospitals for coronavirus patients the CFT and Palermo bills. The government’s statement says approval of the bills will prevent the enemies to invent more excuses to put more pressure on the country. In the statement, the government has laid emphasis on removal of any obstacle in ratifying the bills, noting that the government will do its best to solve the problem and improve the situation to prevent imposition of more losses on the country’s national interests. Rouhani said on February 23 that Iran has been a forerunner in fighting money laundering and did not deserve to be blacklisted by the FATF. “The great Iranian people and the Islamic Republic of Iran did not and do not deserve to be placed on an international body’s countermeasures list while it [the country] is forerunner in fighting terrorism and money laundering,” he said during a cabinet meeting. He added, “We made efforts to prevent being introduced POLITICAL TEHRAN — The has turned into a global problem, there- POLITICAL TEHRAN — Rear capabilities, which was unveiled in the cer- by the United States and the Zionist regime as violator of deskcommander of Iran’s fore, the entire nations and governments deskAdmiral Habibollah emony today, was turning anti-bacterial these measures while we are forerunner in fighting terrorism Air Defense Force said on Sunday that around the world should stay with each Sayyari, the deputy Army chief for coor- liquids into fog to spray it over vast regions.” and money laundering.” COVID-19 outbreak has had no effect other to overcome the epidemic disease as dination affairs, has announced that the “We enjoy anti-pollution systems Being blacklisted by the FATF is against the Iranian on his forces’ determination to defend soon as possible,” Rouhani underscored On Saturday Army designated three of which are currently utilized by our forces people’s interests, the president remarked. the country’s airspace against any pos- in his phone call. its well-equipped hospitals for the treat- across the country,” the commander said, “As it was expected, it made the United States happy and sible threat. The virus first emerged in China in ment of coronavirus patients. adding, “According to the pre-planned will justify intensification of cruel and inhumane sanctions. “The army’s air defense will continue December last year and is now spread- “The armed forces, including the Is- program, the Army’s Ground Force is Now, those who gave pretext to the United States must be its mission to keep the country’s airspace ing in Europe and across the Middle lamic Republic of Iran’s Army, are at the in charge of sanitizing hospitals and accountable for their unprofessional position,” Rouhani safe and secure in all conditions. No in- East, sparking fears of a global pan- forefront… in the battle against the coro- medical centers in Tehran.” asserted. cident can negatively affect our combat demic. The virus is spreading rapidly navirus,” Sayyari was quoted as saying by The virus first emerged in China in According to Reuters, the FATF appeared to leave the capabilities,” Brigadier General Alireza in the region, with cases recorded in Tasnim news agency. December last year and is now spread- door ajar for Iran saying “countries should also be able to Sabahifard said, pointing to the outbreak many countries. In relevant remarks, Brigadier Gen- ing in Europe and across the Middle East, apply countermeasures independently of any call by the of coronavirus in the country. The Iranian authorities have ordered eral Kiomars Heidari, the Army ground sparking fears of a global pandemic. The FATF to do so.” The commander added, “The air the closure of schools, universities and force chief, announced on Sunday that virus is spreading rapidly in the region, Mehdi Motaharnia, a political analyst, has said that the defense units embarked on widespread cultural events in a bid to contain the the Army has produced unique equipment with cases recorded in many countries. government must continue efforts to reduce consequences implementation of pre-cautionary meas- outbreak for diagnosing the virus in the shortest The Iranian authorities have ordered the of being blacklisted by the FATF, ISNA reported last week. ures in the bases since the first second According to the Health Ministry’s latest time possible. closure of schools, universities and cultural He noted that 80 percent of international trade are done of coronavirus outbreak.” official data, totally 978 Iranian nationals He said, “Our experts working for the events in a bid to contain the outbreak. This under regulations of the FATF and being blacklisted will On Saturday, President Hassan Rou- have been infected by the virus, out of army’s self-sufficiency department have is while free masks are being distributed cause restrictions on hani, in a phone conversation with emir of which 54 patients have lost their lives. planned and built several unique equip- among the people, with priority given to economic and banking “The performance Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, The health condition of a sum of 175 ment which should go under test by the cities that have reported coronavirus cases. transactions. called on the entire nations worldwide infected patients have improved, the Health Ministry. If everything goes well the According to the Health Ministry’s latest Foreign Ministry of the central to enhance cooperation to overcome the ministry said. equipment will be a great achievement in official data, totally 978 Iranian nationals spokesman Abbas bank over the last coronavirus outbreak. The virus has affected 27 out of 30 rapid diagnosis of the novel coronavirus.” have been infected by the virus, out of which Mousavi said on February year has given this “Today, outbreak of the coronavirus provinces in Iran. Heidari further said, “One of the army’s 54 patients have lost their lives. 21 that the blacklisting of Iran is “politically assurance to the motivated”. people that such “Unfortunately, what Iran able to make U.S. presence in the region untenable: happened is politically events will not motivated which exists create problems George Mason University professor in the international mechanisms by the for Iran’s POLITICAL TEHRAN — Professor of Government that concluded the Iran nuclear agreement, has said that United States, Saudi foreign trade deskand International Affairs at George assassination of Soleimani was an extraordinary risk. Arabia and the Zionist and stability in Mason University Edward Rhodes has said that Iran’s “I think the president took an extraordinary risk and I regime of Israel. They retaliatory action against the U.S. assassination of General don’t think we’ve seen the end of that risk yet,” WUSF News have influence on these foreign exchange Qassem Soleimani shows the Islamic Republic has the quoted her as saying in a news conference before the Ring- mechanisms and make market,” conventional forces necessary to make the continued ling College Library Association Town Hall lecture series. efforts to politicize Hemmati wrote U.S. presence in the region untenable. She added, “After he [Soleimani] was murdered by the them,” Mousavi said. In an interview with ILNA published on Sunday, Rhodes United States government, they [the Iranian people] were He noted that Iran on his Instagram confirmed that Iran’s retaliation successfully conveyed in the streets protesting America. That’s not in our national can never be labeled page. two messages: “The first is that Iran does not seek to security interest.” with money laundering provoke a war with the United States and the second is a She said that the assassination of Soleimani and the and financing of terrorism. reminder that Iran does indeed possess the conventional subsequent retaliation by Iran against U.S troops in Iraq The U.S., the Zionist regime and Saudi Arabia had forces necessary to make the continued U.S. presence in the brought the two countries close to war. made great efforts to pressure the international body to region untenable, and that it has the ability to force upon Bassam Abu Abdullah, an expert on international relations blacklist Iran. the United States a decision either to withdraw militarily at Damascus University, has said that assassination of Gen- However, Abdolnasser Hemmati, Iran’s central bank from the region or to go to war against Iran.” the assassination of Soleimani. eral Soleimani was a “miscalculation” by the United States. governor, has argued the move will not affect the Iranian Rhodes added, “Certainly the Iranian people have legitimate Trump believed that the assassination would augment “They thought this action will lead to annihilation of the foreign trade and stability in foreign exchange market. grievances against the behavior of the U.S. government.” U.S. security but it worked the other way around, Zarif said. axis of resistance, but if we study response to this assassi- “The performance of the central bank over the last year On January 3, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered air “Iran responded in a proportionate way against the base nation, we will see that Washington miscalculated,” ISNA has given this assurance to the people that such events will strikes that martyred General Soleimani and Abu Mahdi from which the operations against Soleimani were carried quoted Bassam Abu Abdullah as saying on February 23. not create problems for Iran’s foreign trade and stability in al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of Iraq’s Popular out,” said Zarif. The professor said, “Iran targeted Ain al-Assad base foreign exchange market,” Hemmati wrote on his Instagram Mobilization Units (PMU), in Baghdad’s international airport. He explained that Iran’s retaliatory attack was intended and the United States kept silence while no country page immediately after Iran was put on the blacklist. In the early hours of January 8, the IRGC fired dozens to show to the United States that they cannot bully Iran and had targeted the United States’ military bases since Hemmati said such “political and unprofessional” of ballistic missiles at a military air base hosting U.S. that actions against Iran will have repercussions. the World War Two.” behaviors toward Iran has been continuing against Iran forces in Iraq as part of its promised “tough revenge” The Pentagon announced on February 21 the total number “At first the United States announced that no one was since the summer of 2016. for the U.S. terrorist attack. of U.S. service members who suffered brain injuries in the injured. However, the Pentagon announced later that more He said the representatives of the U.S. and its allies In an interview with the NBC News on February 14, strike on the airbase has increased to 110. than 100 military forces of the United States. Moreover, at the FATF had focused on undermining expert reports Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Trump Wendy Sherman, the former undersecretary of state this action shows precision and power of their [Iran] about the great steps taken by Iran in line with the FATF was misled to believe his country would get away with for political affairs who led the U.S. negotiating team missiles,” he added. requirements. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY MARCH 2, 2020

STOCK MARKET Petchem TEDPIX 515584.0 IFX 6675.04 Sources: tse.ir, Ifb.ir exports up 5% in CURRENCIES USD 42,000 rials 10 months on year EUR 46,316 rials 1 He underlined the fact that Turkey As a major petrochemical supplier to the GBP 53,847 rials and Iraq are the two main destinations for world markets, Iran is currently producing Iran’s petrochemical exports, noting that if the nearly 70 million tons of petrochemical AED 11,437 rials coronavirus is not contained and the closure of products annually. Back in December 2019, President Hassan non-oil exports Source: cbi.ir the borders between the mentioned countries Turkey, Iraq, China, United Arab Emirates Rouhani had stressed the significant role According to the Oil Minister Bijan Namdar with Iran continues it could significantly affect (UAE), Afghanistan and India are among of petrochemical industry in the country’s Zanganeh, Iran’s annual petrochemical output the petrochemical exports in the upcoming the major export destinations of Iranian economy in the face of U.S. sanctions, saying is expected to reach more than 100 million that it is at the forefront of the country’s tons by 2021, despite U.S. sanctions. COMMODITIES months. petrochemical products. Brent $49.67b WTI $44.76/b ICCIMA establishes coronavirus Growth returns to TSE, IFB OPEC Basket $51.89/b containment headquarters Gold $1,588.90/oz Silver $16.82/oz Platinium $871.20/oz Sources: oilprice.com, Moneymetals.com

Value of trades at IME climbs 37% in a week

ECONOMY TEHRAN — The worth of trades at Iran Mercan- desktile Exchange (IME) has risen 37 percent during the past Iranian calendar week (ended on Friday), according to a ECONOMY TEHRAN – Iran ters to carry out their social responsibility ECONOMY TEHRAN — Tehran Iranian week. report released by the Public Relations and International Affairs deskChamber of Commerce, and to help people and organizations. deskStock Exchange (TSE), The indices of Bank Mellat, Bank Department of IME. Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) Iranian medical officials have assured which is Iran’s major exchange, and Iran’s Tejarat, Iran Khodro Industrial Group, The report says that 826,653 has set up Coronavirus Containment Head- that the country would, in the near future, over-the-counter (OTC) market witnessed Saipa Group, Isfahan Oil Refinery, and tons of commodities worth $1.142 quarters in the chamber for cooperation rein in the outbreak, saying that the con- growth of their indexes on Sunday after National Iranian Copper Company mostly million have been traded at this with organizations that are responsible dition of many patients diagnosed with they had experienced some sharp fall on contributed to the rise of TEDPIX in the exchange market in the past week, battling the virus. the virus has improved. Saturday (the first day of Iranian calendar past week when the index experienced a indicating 40 percent rise in the As reported by ICCIMA portal, in a letter The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps week). noticeable rising trend and hit the record volume of trades. to the secretary-general of the chamber, (IRGC) has also expressed preparedness TEDPIX, the main index of TSE, climbed high of half million points. On the domestic and export ICCIMA Head Gholam-Hossein Shafeie to help fight the outbreak, and Defense 9,782 points to 515,583, as 6.296 billion On Sunday, Iran’s over-the-counter metal and mineral trading floor ordered the establishment of the head- Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami securities worth 45.026 billion rials (about market, known as Iran Fara Bourse (IFB), of IME, 277,652 tons of various quarters, urging daily meetings among its has assigned his ministry’s subsidiary or- $1.07 billion) were traded at this exchange. also experienced growth of its main index, products worth close to $538 mil- staff to assist responsible organizations ganizations with the task of mass-producing The first market’s index rose 5,873 points IFX. lion were traded, the same report and fellow citizens. liquid disinfectants and protective masks, and the second market’s index went up The index rose 140 points to 6,675 as confirmed. Shafeie has also called on the heads of which are currently in high demand and are 116,150 points. 2.885 securities valued at 27.959 trillion On this trading floor, 253,264 chambers of commerce across the country to being freely distributed by health centers TEDPIX had risen 45,640 points, or rials (about $665.6 million) were traded tons of steel, 11,160 tons of cop- establish Corona Containment Headquar- countrywide. 10 percent, to 524,394 during the past at this market. per, 10,420 tons of aluminum, 250 tons of molybdenum con- centrates, 18 tons of precious metal concentrates, 540 tons of zinc ingot as well as 2,000 tons of coke were traded by customers. ‘Participation of companies in Iran’s exhibitions abroad up 157%’ The report declares that on domestic and export oil and petro- ECONOMY TEHRAN — Managing director of Iran the most important measures taken by the company have chemical trading floors of IME, 548,341 tons of different commodities deskInternational Exhibitions Company (IIEC) been to increase the share of knowledge-based companies with the total value of $605 million were traded. says the number of companies that participate in international in our exhibitions and also supporting startups to have On this trading floor, 132,820 tons of bitumen, 225,000 tons of exhibitions held by IIEC in foreign countries has increased special booths in most of the national and international VB feed stock, 95,764 tons of polymer products, 31,000 tons of lube by 157% in the current Iranian calendar year (ends on March exhibitions.” cut oil, 41,423 tons of chemical products, 1,679 tons of base oil, 3,000 19) compared to the previous year, ILNA reported. He further mentioned holding demand-based exhibitions tons of slaps waxes, 100 tons of argon, 1,505 tons of insulation, as well “Holding exhibitions abroad and at home is one of the inside the country with the aim of boosting domestic as 16,050 tons of sulfur were traded. most important goals of IIEC and in this regard the average production and meeting the needs of industrial production Furthermore, the side market of IME experienced trading of 606 area allocated to Iran’s exhibition spaces increased by about units through domestic companies as another important tons of various commodities. 16 percent compared to the previous year,” the portal of measure taken by the IIEC. As previously announced by IME’s International Affairs and Public Industry Ministry quoted Bahman Hosseinzadeh as saying. Iran’s first exhibition of domestic production opportunities Relations Department, 2.874 million tons of commodities valued Underlining the Industry Ministry’s programs for promoting and manufacturing boom was held at Tehran permanent at $3.397 billion were traded at this exchange market in January. domestic production and non-oil exports, Hosseinzadeh international fairground in late July 2019. During the last month, the oil and petrochemical trading floor of noted: “promoting non-oil exports, development of domestic programs and the International Exhibition Company has In recent years, IIEC has been holding international IME hosted trading of 1,697,033 tons of commodities worth $1.65 production, supporting and promotion of technology and made every effort to achieve these goals.” exhibitions in the neighboring countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, million, the same report confirmed. knowledge-based companies and the improvement of the Underlining the fact that IIEC has also focused its programs Turkey and Russia, all of which have been greatly welcomed On this trading floor, more than 543,118 tons of bitumen, 280,982 business environment are the main axes of the ministry’s on the aforementioned issues the official added: “Some of by domestic and foreign companies. tons of polymer products and 149,505 tons of chemical products, 483,850 tons of VB feed stock, 170,240 tons of lube cut oil, 55,685 tons of sulfur, 5,595 tons of insulation, 2,000 tons of slaps waxes, 6,018 tons of base oil and paraffin waxes, and 40 tons of argon were How coronavirus may bring China’s debt pile to the global economy traded by customers. leaders maintain legitimacy. of the true state of Chinese growth will come The IME report said that metal and mineral trading floor wit- By William Pesek A slow and opaque response from how key trading partners from Japan nessed trading over 1.169 million tons of commodities worth more Amid surging uncertainty about the corona- But the coronavirus is loosening the rug to South Korea to Australia fare. than $1,737 million in the past month. virus, one thing seems clear: China will report beneath the feet of China’s policymakers in China’s economy confronts coronavirus On this trading floor 1.09 million tons of steel, 17,750 tons of copper, that its economy grew close to 6% in 2020. two ways. One, a slow and opaque response risks from a weakened position after 18 640 tons of molybdenum concentrates, 60 tons of precious metals A sharp slowdown is the last thing China’s to an outbreak skirting pandemic status is months of trade warring. To combat U.S. concentrates, 39,960 tons of zinc, 20,940 tons of aluminum, 10 tons leaders can afford. So, expect Beijing’s fiscal denting their legacy. Two, it’s piercing the veil President Donald Trump’s tariffs, Beijing’s of lead ingot, as well as 87 kg of gold bullion were traded by customers. engineers, municipal governments, central of economic inevitability on which Beijing fiscal managers and the People’s Bank of Meanwhile, the side market of the IME experienced trading of bank policymakers and statisticians to pull has dined for many years. China swung further toward stimulus mode. 2,778 tons of polyester threads, a total number of 16,850 of empty out all the stops to create the impression True, short sellers don’t make tend to That includes allowing regional governments barrel as well as 4,900 tons of phosphate concentrates during January. gross domestic product gets as close to this make much money betting against China to up borrowings. year’s target as humanly possible. Inc. Yet so-called Minsky moments—when Expect more of the same in 2020 as Chi- Coronavirus weighs on When temperatures fall and face masks credit-fueled booms go awry—come whether na’s outbreak hobbles any number of growth will have no choice but to default or delay come off, though, the global economy will or not you’re ready. Here, think Japan in engines. When it comes to the fallout for payment on their cash obligations to staff, South Korea February trade; confront a China that’s not as healthy and the 1980s, Latin America, Asia and Russia the most populous nation, economists don’t banks and suppliers, and to curtail their capex more systemically risky than ever before. The in the 1990s and the U.S. in 2008. Policy- know what they don’t know. plans this year.” ministry says worse to come number that matters most isn’t 6%—it’s 34 makers can’t easily control the fallout when The second-order impact Even this, of course, could prove optimistic. trillion. That’s how much worth of public and economies hit a wall. The “direct costs of China’s economy-wide If so, the $1.7 trillion rout U.S. stocks suffered South Korea’s monthly trade data, the first to be released among private debt in U.S. dollar terms China had This doesn’t mean China is going to crash shutdown to contain the spread of Covid-19 the first two days of this week could be a har- major exporting economies, provides an early guide to the health of as of 2019. This bookend is useful because it anytime soon. The closed nature of its financial are visible in empty streets and shuttered binger of things to come. It’s the risk Trump global trade already taking a hit from the epidemic. marks the price tag from Beijing’s last effort system does indeed afford China’s government stores,” says analyst Thomas Gatley of Gavekal didn’t consider when tossing sand into China’s Overall shipments in February rose 4.5% year-on-year, trade min- to beat economic gravity. a variety of unique shock absorbers—not least Research. “But the extent of the second-order export engine: how the economic trauma would istry data showed on Sunday, beating a median forecast of a 3.4% rise, The 10 years between 2009 — just after of which $3.2 trillion of foreign exchange impacts is much harder to see: how much of boomerang back America’s way. given 3.5 more working days from a year earlier. This compares with Wall Street crashed — and 2019 saw human- reserves. There’s no getting around the fact, the economic damage wrought by those clo- Bad enough China is facing a potential a 6.3% decline in January due to the Lunar New Year, a holiday which kind’s greatest stimulus campaigns. That though, that China’s financial system will end sures will last even after businesses reopen?” health crisis. Even worse it’s doing so in a fell in February last year. explosion of multilane highways, interna- 2020 on weaker footing than it entered it. Gatley estimates that Chinese companies weakened position. Global investors have Average exports per working day, however, tumbled 11.7%, the tional airports, stadiums, city halls, university With half a billion of its citizens on lock- collectively will lose around $710 billion in plenty of reasons to worry. Thirty-four tril- steepest decline in three months, and a big swing from a 4.6% increase campuses, five-star hotels and museums kept down and supply chains reeling, China proba- cashflows in the first quarter. “In the face lion, in fact. in January. growth north of 6% and helped the country’s bly won’t reach 6% this year. A better reading of this huge pressure,” he says, “many firms (Source: forbes.com) Exports to China dropped 6.6% from a year earlier, after falling 3.7% for the Feb. 1-20 period, but average exports to China per working day plunged 21.1%, the ministry said. This follows data on Saturday that showed factory activity in China contracted at its fastest ever in February, even worse than during the Britain’s economy dangerously exposed as coronavirus fear grips global markets global financial crisis of 2008. A sense of panic was palpable in all corners of the inter- pact risk alert from “high” to “very high.” interest rate on U.S. treasury bonds, considered the safest of “Per-day exports were seen subdued especially in the second half of national financial system on Friday as coronavirus cases Oil prices slumped to below $50 a barrel for the first such havens, dropped to the lowest level on record. February,” said Lee Sang-jae, chief economist at Eugene Investment spread relentlessly across Europe, the Americas and reached time since the summer of 2017 and stock markets saw a The extent of the panic and the potential for widespread & Securities, noting that it’s not over. sub-Saharan Africa for the first time. week’s worth of frenzied trading translate into a $5 trillion global economic damage brought a response from central “If the decline in February was mainly driven by sapping Chinese Determined efforts of the Chinese authorities to contain loss – equal to an 11% fall in the value of all listed companies. bankers, led by Bank of England governor Mark Carney and demand, exports would fall even worse in March and April as negative the outbreak failed to settle frayed nerves after the World This massive sell-off, the worst since the 2008 financial Jerome Powell, chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve, who took perceptions over Made-in-Korea products spread,” he said. Health Organization (WHO), reacting to the news that four crash, triggered a rush to buy assets considered safe havens in the unusual step of issuing a statement to reassure Americans. (Source: reuters.com) continents had at least six affected countries, raised its im- times of stress – including government bonds and gold. The (Source: theguardian.com) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y MARCH 2, 2020 ENERGY 5

NIOC’s exploratory Why is everyone talking about First Solar stock? drillings surpass By Alison Healey First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) surprised investors with a fourth-quar- ter loss, and its results had a lot of information to unpack. But the company’s earnings and guidance are just a few of the reasons 13,000 meters the company is a major topic of conversation in the renewables investing community. Here’s a look at some of the factors that could affect the company’s prospects as a long-term investment. ENERGY TEHRAN – National operations of three wells in Forouzan, desk First Solar’s surprising Q4 loss was largely the result of timing Iranian Oil Company Mansouri and Deng fields after conducting issues tied to asset sales and revenue recognition, and adverse (NIOC)’s Exploration Directorate has managed preliminary tests in February, and said: weather, including a typhoon in Japan that damaged projects. to drill nine exploratory wells with a total “Currently, operation trials are underway The company has also seen some hiccups related to closing out depth of 13,281 meters in the current Iranian for Arman exploration well in the region.” manufacturing of its Series 4 solar modules in favor of ramping calendar year (ends on March 19), Shana Drilling work has been started in West up production of the higher-capacity Series 6 version. reported on Sunday, quoting an official with Marun, Ram and Chelingar onshore fields, The company manufactures the modules used to build solar the company. Hor said, noting that the drilling work will projects and also develops and builds the projects itself, but said According to Mohammadreza Hor, also be conducted jointly by NIOC and Pars at the time of its Q4 results it is considering a sale of its devel- the deputy director for technical affairs Oil and Gas Company (POGC) for offshore opment arm. at NIOC’s Exploration Directorate, the Siri and Yalda fields. On the company’s Q4 conference call, management said chal- deputy head for drilling operation has Holding 70 onshore and offshore drilling mentioned directorate currently has National Iranian Drilling Company lenges related to the business over the last few months have had announced. rigs as well as equipment and facilities for seven active drilling rigs and according (NIDC) which is a subsidiary of NIOC, “significant impact” with respect to revenue and gross margin. Hamidreza Khoshayand said the drilled offering integrated technical and engineering to the development plans the number of completed digging operation of 100 oil and “These challenges relate to both project sale and completion timing wells consisted of two exploration wells and services, the company plays a major part the rigs is planned to increase to eight in gas wells during the first ten months of the as well as higher expected cost due to adverse weather impact,” 35 development/appraisal wells as well as in drilling exploration as well as appraisal/ the coming months. current Iranian calendar year (March 21, Chief Executive Officer Mark Widmar said. 63 workover ones. development wells in the country. He announced the completion of drilling 2019-February 19, 2020), the company’s For the potential boost A sale could be a positive, not only for the potential boost to the company’s already robust balance sheet, but also to refine the company’s focus. Unloading the unit would allow First Solar to OPEC leaning towards larger oil cuts as Floating wind, carbon capture and hydrogen focus on its primary business, module production, particular- virus hits demand to lead Norwegian oil’s energy transition ly during the critical time when it launches its Series 6 model, which the company said is “largely sold out through the second Several key OPEC members are leaning By Darius Snieckus tor – which will get steel in the water first quarter of 2021.” towards a bigger than previously expected with the 88MW Hywind Tampen floating The company has been working to expand its manufacturing oil output cut, four sources with knowledge Floating wind power, carbon capture and array that will power an emissions-reduc- footprint for the Series 6 modules, which it touts as having higher of the talks said, as oil prices fell to $50 per storage (CCS) and hydrogen will be looked tion pilot on the Snorre-Gullfaks oil & gas energy yields at a more competitive cost. For 2020 the company barrel on fears the coronavirus outbreak will to spearhead the Norwegian oil & gas in- field – the KonKraft strategy involves the expects to produce 5.7 gigawatts of Series 6 volume, which would hit oil demand badly. dustry’s transition as it targets cutting its Norwegian oil & gas industry progressing represent a year-over-year increase of over 50%. “On the demand Members including Saudi Arabia are emissions by 40% by the end of the decade the role of CCS, the demonstration of hy- side, we ended 2019 with net bookings of 6.1 gigawatts and the considering agreeing an output cut of 1 mil- and to “near zero” by 2050, according to a drogen as a fuel in shipping, and the use current contracted backlog of 12.4 gigawatts,” the company said lion barrels per day for the second quarter new climate strategy report from cross-sec- of this gas for electricity generation “over on its earnings conference call. of 2020, more than an initially proposed cut outbreak surged elsewhere. The latest WHO tor body KonKraft. the coming decade”. “Our opportunity pipeline continues to grow going into 2020 of 600,000 bpd, the sources said. figures indicate over 82,000 people have been The plan, developed by industry bodies The “Norwegian oil & gas industry has with the global opportunity set of 18.1 gigawatts including mid- The Financial Times newspaper was first infected, with over 2,700 deaths in China and Norwegian Oil & Gas, the Norwegian Ship- acquired particular expertise and experience to-late stage opportunities 8.2 gigawatts.” to report the deeper cut idea. The virus has 57 deaths in 46 other countries. owners Association (NSA), the Federation where carbon storage is concerned. Such Earlier this year First Solar disclosed the settlement of a class-ac- caused almost 2,800 deaths in China and has Benchmark Brent crude’s slump should of Norwegian Industries (FNI) and a num- technology has been used in full scale on tion lawsuit. The suit, brought by a hedge fund controlled by spread to dozens of other countries. focus minds on this week’s meeting between ber of the country’s unions, will major on both the Sleipner and Snøhvit fields since Maverick Capital, alleged the company misled investors about Oil has slid by almost 25 percent this year the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting greenhouse gas reductions — from offshore 1996 and 2007 respectively, with a total of the extent of manufacturing difficulties that ultimately affected on lower demand and slower expected eco- Countries and allies including Russia, collec- platforms and coastal refineries but also from 25 million tons of CO2 injected for secure earnings and share price for those who bought shares between nomic growth, alarming OPEC members. tively known as OPEC+. the fleet of service vessels supporting offshore storage in geological formations beneath April 2008 and February 2012. First Solar settled the suit for OPEC and allies including Russia, a group- A deeper production cut operations on the Norwegian continental the seabed,” said KonKraft. $350 million but did not admit wrongdoing. ing known as OPEC+, are curbing oil output “OPEC+ will have to deliver a deeper shelf — while shaping a “forward-looking Beneath the northern North Sea It will pay out the settlement in the first quarter. The signif- by 1.7 million barrels per day (bpd) until the production cut as oil prices remain in free- energy industry” increasingly focused on The report authors highlight the CCS icant amount paid out by First Solar in the suit may not do a end of March. fall,” Edward Moya, senior market analyst at renewable energy projects. technology advances at Norcem Heidel- lot for investor confidence, but it is a positive for the company They are scheduled to meet on March 5-6 OANDA in New York, said in a report. The “expertise and technological inno- berg’s cement plant in Brevik, Fortum’s going forward because it eliminates one uncertainty that has been in Vienna to decide further policy. Meanwhile Several key OPEC members are leaning vativeness in the Norwegian petroleum energy recovery plant in Oslo, and the lingering for a few years. oil prices slumped for a sixth day in a row on toward a bigger than previously expected oil industry, its operators, suppliers and the Northern Lights project, a collaboration Clean energy development Friday to their lowest in more than a year, output cut, four sources with knowledge of maritime sector, are part of the solution to project between the oil giants Equinor, Shell First Solar recently marked 20 years since it launched op- causing futures to drop by the most in a week the talks said. the global challenges of the 21st century,” and Total piloting transport, handling and erations. During that time it has underperformed the S&P 500 since 2016, as the spread of coronavirus stoked Saudi Arabia, the biggest producer in said the KonKraft report authors. “They will permanent storage of CO2 in a geological slightly, even as it benefited from federal subsidies for renewable fears that a slowing global economy would OPEC, and some other members are con- contribute to meeting the Paris agreement’s formation beneath the northern North Sea energy and an unprecedented clean energy development boom. hit energy demand. sidering a cut of 1 million barrels per day targets and the UN sustainable develop- as examples of the role to be played by Over the past year things have been worse, with the company off The coronavirus spread further, with cases (bpd) for the second quarter of 2020, up ment goals. carbon capture. by roughly 20 percentage points. reported for the first time in six countries from an initially proposed cut of 600,000 “Long-term efforts to reduce greenhouse The offshore energy transition spelled Investors would be wise not to panic based on Q4’s surprises across three continents, battering markets bpd, the sources said. gas emissions have ensured that oil & gas out in the KonKraft strategy report would as the company was hurt by a typhoon, an issue that should not and leading the World Health Organization OPEC+ is due to meet in Vienna over production in Norway has one of the lowest also have hydrogen demonstrated as a fuel affect earnings on a recurring basis. It also saw problems in the (WHO) to raise its impact risk alert to “very March 5-6. carbon footprints in the world. Nevertheless, in shipping by 2025. development unit it is now looking to sell. More concerning is the high.” In a related development, Russian oil this is not enough. The Norwegian petrole- A 40% drop in Norwegian oil sector fact that the company has been around for more than 20 years Its lowest since July 2017 production, including gas condensate, stood um industry sees the need for a change of emissions by 2030 would equal an absolute but does not yet pay a dividend despite excess cash on the balance The most active Brent future for May LCOc2 at 11.29 million barrels per day (bpd) over pace in the work to reduce global warming.” reduction of 5.4 million tons of CO2 from sheet, and has failed to consistently turn a profit. delivery fell $2.06, or 4.0 percent, to settle at Feb. 1-27, a source familiar with preliminary Norway’s world-class wind re- levels in 2005, which corresponds to 10% On the other hand, renewables demand shows no signs of $49.67 a barrel, its lowest since July 2017. data told Reuters, as markets await news on sources of the country’s total emissions in 2018. slowing down, particularly as more corporations switch to 100% Brent LCOc1 futures for April delivery, whether Moscow will join OPEC in making The combination of Norway’s world- To “realize these goals, the industry will clean energy and states increase renewable energy mandates. meanwhile, lost $1.66, or 3.2 percent, to settle further production cuts. class wind resources – gusts travel over the work to build a culture where good ideas So as the company puts a long-standing lawsuit behind it, at $50.52 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas The preliminary figure is broadly in line country’s water at an average of 10 meters are encouraged, picked up and adopted,” pursues a significant sale, and prepares to launch a new line of Intermediate (WTI) crude CLc1 fell $2.33, with the 11.28 million bpd pumped in January per second – and the country’s long-estab- said KonKraft. “Oil and gas produced with panels, its best days could be ahead and it may be ready to show or 5.0 percent, to settle at $44.76. That is the but higher than Russia’s average output last lished maritime, offshore and land-based a low [greenhouse gas] footprint in Norway investors more stability and reward. lowest closes for both Brent and WTI since year. Russia’s highest monthly oil produc- industrial industries, in KonKraft’s view, will have a competitive advantage in the Would-be investors would be wise to keep the company in December 2018. tion of 11.45 million bpd was recorded in mean sea-based wind “will become a large future, and its ambitious climate targets their sights until the initial ramp-up of Series 6 panel production For the week, Brent lost almost 14 percent, December 2018. and important new [domestic] industry.” will help the petroleum sector to continue is complete to see if the launch translates into improved profit- its biggest weekly percentage decline since From late last year Russia was allowed The “oil & gas sector will work to ensure creating major value for Norwegian society.” ability for First Solar. January 2016, while WTI fell over 16 percent to exclude production of gas condensate, a that this strong position is further devel- KonKraft said the NSA, FNI, Norwegian (Source: fool.com) in its biggest weekly percentage drop since form of light oil, from its quota in the existing oped and that Norway takes a leading role Oil & Gas and the unions will in 2020 jointly December 2008. oil supply pact between OPEC and its allies - in developing floating wind farms as well establish “specific quantitative targets” for Coronavirus panic also sent global stock known as OPEC+ - but it continues to report as securing larger market shares for bot- emission reductions by 2030, and publish Data centers are not the markets and industrial and precious metals a combined figure with no breakdown. tom-fixed offshore wind power.” an updated climate strategy for the oil & gas prices tumbling, with losses amounting to Russia’s current oil production quota KonKraft sees “big synergies” between industry in Norway “no later than 2025.” energy hogs we thought stands at 10.33 million bpd excluding gas $5 trillion. the petroleum sector and offshore wind The KonKraft plans mirrors that of Data centers ran 550 percent more applications in 2018 than they condensate. It was not immediately clear “Virtually all fixed assets are attempting power, pointing at contractor Aker Solu- the part-state-owned energy company did in 2010, but they only used 6 percent more energy to do so, from the preliminary figures how Moscow to accurately discount GDP and demand im- tions’ investment in floating wind tech- Equinor, which is striving for a reduction according to a paper published on Sunday in the journal Science. complies with its obligations under the OPEC+ pact from the coronavirus that still appears nology developer Principle Power and of greenhouse gas emissions from its do- Data centers accomplished deal. Russia reports official February data to be spreading rather than contracting,” Jim rival Kværner’s expertise with concrete mestic offshore oil & gas field operations that, according to lead author on March 2. The energy ministry did not Ritterbusch, president of Ritterbusch and structures transferring to spar hulls, and and onshore plants in Norway by 40% by Eric Masanet of the University reply immediately to a Reuters request for Associates in Galena, Illinois, said in a report. Aibel and ABB jointly developing offshore 2030 when compared to 2005 levels, by of California Santa Barbara, by a comment. Mainland China reported 327 new cases, wind converter stations. 70% by 2040, and to “near zero” by 2050. improving energy efficiency. (Source: thenews.com.pk) the lowest in more than a month, but the In concert with the offshore wind sec- (Source: rechargenews.com) The “paper finds that the en- ergy use of global data centers is lower than commonly thought, despite recent rapid growth in Malaysia scraps cross-border Brunei projects demand for data,” Masanet told me via email. Malaysia has pulled out of a cross-border agreement with coalition, leaving Malaysia’s royal leaders to try to establish The study disputes recent Brunei to develop offshore oil and gas reserves. a new government. predictions that data centers Malaysia’s state-owned Petronas oil company halted Falling fossil-fuel incomes have hit Brunei, which is ac- will cause rapid and unavoida- discussions earlier this month, according to sources, on customed to extreme wealth. ble near-term growth in energy collaboration over several drilling projects along the mari- The oil-rich kingdom has the world’s biggest residential demand. time boundary or inside the Malaysia-Brunei Commercial palace. According to Masanet and his Arrangement Area. A reported $1.4 billion was spent by Sultan Hassanal co-authors—including Nuoa Lei from Northwestern University and The delays will reduce oil and gas production and reduce Bolkiah on his palace, which has 1,788 rooms, 257 bath- Arman Shehabi of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory—that income for both the Malaysian and Bruneian authorities. rooms and 7,000 luxury vehicles in more than 100 garages. growth in energy demand may be avoidable. The Malaysian government has purportedly complained This year unemployment is projected to rise above 9.1 Prior authors extrapolated energy use from data demand without about the revenue split, which was agreed by the previous per cent, the highest level in ASEAN. considering simultaneous gains in efficiency, the new study says. government of Najib Razak before his defeat the May 2018 Foreign workers continue to arrive, mainly from India, Their predictions suffered from a lack of “bottom-up” information general election. Bangladesh and the Philippines, to take jobs Bruneians do on data center types, locations, equipment, and energy-efficiency Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, 94, since returning left in 15 years. not want. trends. to power as head of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition PetroleumBrunei is hoping to work with Petronas to ex- The authorities offer 0 per cent income tax and residents Masanet’s team included that information and then exam- has reportedly taken a tough approach with Brunei and ploit several gas-rich fields to supply Brunei’s LNG (liquefied receive free health care, free education and housing devel- ined the global increase in compute instances—a measure of the demanded a larger slice of profits. natural gas) refinery at Lumut. opment funding. energy-intensive applications run on servers. They also looked Brunei is seen as keen to restart negotiations and open In October 2010, French oil and gas giant Total agreed But social welfare will be under threat if new oil and gas at data volume, measured by IP traffic, and found it increased another source of natural gas, putting it in a weak bargain- to sell its near 87-percent stake in a maritime block to Royal sources are not found. 11-fold since 2010. ing position. Dutch Shell for $300 million. The deal has now been amid The dispute has created uncertainty for fossil-fuel compa- Energy use increased only 6 percent, however, to about 205 Fossil fuel resources the Malaysian opposition. nies operating within Malaysian territory, which is expected terawatt hours. That’s still a hefty number—about 1 percent of The BP World Energy Outlook forecast that at its present A solution after last week looks far less likely as Mahathir to reduce investment in future extraction projects. global electricity consumption. rate of extraction, Brunei will have no fossil fuel resources has created a political crisis by bringing down the ruling PH (Source: aseaneconomist.com) (Source: forbes.com) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y

MARCH 2, 2020 ADVERTISEMENTS 6 نوبت اول 1398.7552 National Iranian N.I.O.C Drilling Company

First Announcement TEHRAN TIMES Call for public tender (First/Second publish) Call for public tender (First/Second publish) One-Stages tender N.I.O.C Subject of Tender: P/F: P/F “GOALTECK”MEASURINGOne Stages tender WHILE DRILLING(MWD) Modern Stadium of Subject of Tender: P/F: P/F “GOALTECK”MEASURING WHILE DRILLING(MWD) National Iranian 1398.7552 Drilling Company

Tender descriptions: Iran’s Leading Martyrs of Khuzestan Tender No. Estimated value The Tender holder Registration No. through national electronic tendering system /Indent No. (Rial) International Daily Tender No.: FP/20-98/147 National Iranian Drilling Company 3/230/763 20 349 481 619 Indent No.: 08-22-9845121 , , , Football Club (KSC)

Qualitative evaluation of tenderers

Qualification process will be done in plain mode in offers opening session according to presentation of valid practice Method certificate / legal documents (certificate of corporation/ supply announcement up to latest changes) which should be Advertising Dept related to tender subject.

Purchasing & Submitting

The distribution of the documents will be started one day after the publishing of second advertisement and Tender Document Distribution by Company ended on the following tenth day thereof ( closing date : 16March2020 )

Hall No.:113, 1th floor, Foreign Procurement Dept., National Iranian Drilling Company, Airport square, Ahwaz, Distribution IRAN 061-34148707 - Place Room No. 431, 4th floor ,Oil central building No.8,Yaghma alley, Jomhori Islami st., Tehran – Iran

Submitting one original Bank Fund Receipt in the amount of 190,000 Iranian Rials under account number 4001114004020491( Shaba No. IR 520100004001114004020491) in name of “NIDC Incomes Centralized Submitting Fund” issued by I.R. of Iran Central Bank. Method Submitting format Request for the purpose of receiving Tender Documents.

35 Days after the last time of Purchasing. ( closing date:21April2020) Closing date The envelopes will be opened At 9:15. a.m On (22April2020 ) Documents Receiving Method Hall No. 107, 1stfloor, Tender Committee, Operation building, National Iranian Drilling Company, Airport square, Ahwaz, IRAN. Address Tel: Tel: +98-61-34148580 +98-61-34148569 021 -430 51 450 Tender Guarantee

Value of guarantee 1,018,000,000 Rial / 8,499 Euro

Bank guarantees or guarantees issued by non-bank institutions that obtain activity license from the central bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Type of guarantee Submitting one original Bank Fund Receipt under account number 4001114006376636 ( Shaba No. IR 350100004001114006376636) in name of “NIDC saving account” by the central bank of Islamic Republic of Iran.

Duration of credit & quotation Tender Guarantee and quotation should be valid for 90 days and extendable maximum for one time in initial validity duration.

( Foreign Procurement Dept.) (Name of department) More of this & other More tenders of are this accessible & other by click tenders on: are accessible by click on: www.nidc.ir http://sapp.ir/nidc_pr تهران تایمز نوبت اول12/12/98نوبت دوم 98/12/13 www.nidc.ir http://sapp.ir/nidc_pr

تهران تایمز نوبت اول 12/12/98نوبت دوم 98/12/13

430 51 450 430 51 405 Advertising Dept: [email protected] I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y MARCH 2, 2020 ENERGYANALYSIS 7

Saudis join shale gas race Iraqi parliament confidence vote to Allawi cabinet If you can’t beat them join them shrouded in ambiguity 1 Based on latest reports, what has so far prevented By Salman Parviz Fracking and 2020 U.S. elec- the process of assessing the competence of cabinet members tions introduced by Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi is the emergence of TEHRAN — Saudi Arabia fought a price A stand on fracking industry can be some political disagreements, which are mainly attributed to the war aimed at putting the U.S. shale in- a very tricky. On the one hand it can protests made by the factions of the Kurdistan Region against dustry out of business just six years ago be a question of creation of jobs and the mechanism used by the Prime Minister in introducing the and ultimately failed. Last week Aramco a source of energy in the short term. candidates for ministries. In fact, the factions of the Kurdistan Chief Executive Officer Amin Nasser However, the long-term implications Region seek to introduce their own candidates for the ministerial told Reuters that the company is launch- on the environment is not known. For posts, on the other hand, Allawi does not stand the violation of ing the biggest shale gas development politicians short-term gains count. his independence in introducing cabinet members. outside the U.S. to boost domestic gas Gains to consumers far outweigh the supply to be used to replace oil to fire costs associated with fracking. Elimi- power generation plants. nating fracking would inevitably lead The $110 billion Jafurah shale gas to higher natural gas prices and higher field project received the green light from electricity prices and increased unem- Aramco on Saturday aimed at making ployment as the U.S. would once again Saudi Arabia world’s third largest gas become a net importer of natural gas producer by 2030. Top two producers and oil. are U.S. and Russia. Making 2020 elections a climate The plan is to use the gas to replace emergency story? 800,000 bpd crude used for power plants “On my first day as president, I will to generate electricity by 2030. sign an executive order that puts a total Fracking is a controversial way of moratorium on all new fossil fuel leases extracting natural gas from beneath the for drilling offshore and on public lands. earth’s surface which was previously And I will ban fracking — everywhere,” too costly to tap. It has already proven Democratic presidential hopeful Eliz- to have triggered earthquake, and with abeth Warren tweeted. a potential to cause numerous other A fracking site in Texas in 2017. Photograph: Bloomberg via Getty The rest of the Democratic hopefuls forms of ecological damage, it has been will follow suit, with a possible excep- An Iraqi political figure Ala El Khatib close to the Prime Minister banned by some countries. tail” that is thrust with high pressure on will remove the obstacle that a lack of tions of Joe Biden and Ohio Rep. Tim announced that the Kurdistan Democratic Party led by Masoud Why is fracking so contentious? En- the shale, thereby cracking them and water supply represents to fracking in Ryan, analysts predict. Barzani insisted on the necessity of selecting its nominees for vironmentalists argue that long term releasing the gas. In short extracting the desert. Of course, oil industry is a mega in- new cabinet ministerial seats, but Allawi did not accept. effects of fracking on the environment natural gas from rock. “A lot of people said it doesn’t work dustry with big backing behind it. On “Allawi rejected the names proposed by the Kurdistan Democratic is not studied and known. The long-term impact of injecting outside the U.S. because fracking uses Thursday a U.S. oil lobby group said Party and emphasized that he himself must propose the cabinet The process requires pumping water, the earth with such a lethal chemical a lot of water and we are not rich with banning hydraulic fracturing and halt- members”, he added. Therefore, these political disagreements sand and chemicals into the fields at cocktail has not been studied thoroughly. water. But we are using seawater,” the ing new drilling on federal land would and the insistence on introducing certain names for ministerial high pressure on sandstones and shale What is known is that fracking causes Aramco executive said in the interview. cost the U.S. economy $7 trillion in the seats is one the major reasons for repeated postponements of under the earth that contain natural earthquakes, rampant air and water pol- The Jufarah field is near the Persian next decade and kill millions of jobs. the parliamentary sessions. gas. The gas is accumulated through lution, and an ever growing list of public Gulf coast, having relatively easy access No need to talk about Trump’s stand The disagreement has reached a point where even some people the decomposition of dead organisms in health problems. And then there are to seawater, which will have to be lightly on the issue. in Iraq are chanting slogans in favor of the U.S. and, surpris- the rocks. Fracking extracts that gas by risks to the climate. Once you properly treated before using in fracking. Aramco In conclusion I want to ask why should ingly, calling for the overthrow of the Allawi-led government drilling into rocks by injecting pressur- account for emissions of carbon dioxide has also identical local sand that can be we abandon and sanction Iran’s easily which even has not been established. In this regard, the Al-qavia ized water mixed with various chemicals and methane (from natural gas), the used for fracking, insists Nasser. accessible, environmentally friendly Al-Iraqia Coalition announced that it is striving to overthrow the to force it out, inevitably disturbing a supposed advantages of switching to Saudi Arabia is bordered by Jordan, to extract fossil fuel deposits and in- government of Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi which has not been terrestrial netherworld. gas-fired power plants from coal are far Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the Unit- stead venture into the North Pole, as formed yet and is still waiting for the vote of confidence from the Fracking uses a substantial amount less impressive than advertised. ed Arab Emirates, Oman and Yemen. Russians, Canadians and Americans parliament. The coalition spokesman Faleh al-Issawi said that of water which is mixed with chemicals, With the severe shortage of water There has been no comments from the are doing presently or dig miles under the coalition does not seek postponement in the parliamentary including toxic liquids, acids, detergents in the region, Nasser said Aramco had neighbors about the ecological damage the ground inside rocks in search of session for the vote of confidence, but it wants to overthrow the and poisons, known as “fracking cock- developed fracking using seawater, which that such a project can bring with it. natural gas? Allawi’s cabinet in the parliament. Meanwhile, however, U.S. consultations with the officials of the Kurdistan Region cannot be ineffective in the repeated post- ponement of the parliament special session on Allawi’s cabinet. Although U.S. terrorist leaders have repeatedly stated that they are in favor of stabilizing Iraq and called for the new government The U.S. and a smart oligarchy to be formed as soon as possible, they provoke their allies in 1 The Democratic Party, backed by lobbyists, Some figures like Michael Bloomberg, the tenth richest by looking at the spending of candidates in congressional the Kurdistan Region to stand up against Allawi’s government. launched a movement called “anyone except McGovern”. man in the U.S., has further reinforced the idea of the elections, we will find out that nearly 90 percent of the About two weeks ago, the Prime Minister of Iraqi Kurdistan Therefore, he lost the votes of the Democratic Party, importance of money and wealth in the U.S. election by candidates who have spent the most have won the U.S. Region Masrour Barzani held a series of meetings with various while had not have the Republicans’ votes from the his sudden presence in the Democratic race. congressional election. U.S. officials. U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper had a meet- beginning, so he lost the election. He later said, “I lost Bloomberg distributes free food and booze in many The U.S. election is limited to the Democratic and ing with Masrour Barzani and emphasized that Erbil is one of to Nixon because I was against the war”. campaign events, and has spent more than $ 300 million Republican parties, and the electoral process is designed Washington’s key allies. Barzani also held a meeting with U.S. Now few may remember those years, but this strange on advertising in the past month alone. His efforts have in a way that the third party is less likely to take part in Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in which the U.S. official gave election engineering is still used as a key model by been effective, and Bloomberg has gained a good place the race, so people have to choose someone from the his praise to the Kurdistan Region. lobbyists and power-holders, to the extent that many in the polls despite not being present in the Iowa and Democratic or Republican Parties. It is clear that the U.S. has used all its influence over the offi- now refer to Bernie Sanders as the second McGovern, New Hampshire elections. In fact, any third party is practically absent from cials of the Kurdistan Region in order to undermine the process believing he will also face lobbyists’ anger because of Figures like Bloomberg in the U.S. political system the debates, is not reflected by media outlets and is of forming the cabinet of Allawi. The main purpose of the U.S. is its opposition to wealth-holders as well as opposition show that money and wealth has become a key factor in not financially backed. This is what many called that a to create a political vacuum and, consequently a legal vacuum in the U.S. to help candidates to take power. For example, two-party dictatorship or a smart oligarchy in America. .Iraq which leads to tension and chaos in the country نوبت اول .to U.S. military policies around the world 1398.7494 National Iranian نوبت اول 1398.7525 N.I.O.C Drilling Company

National Iranian N.I.O.C Drilling Company Second Announcement Second Announcement TEHRAN TIMES Call for public tender (First/Second publish) ( Foreign Procurement( Foreign Procurement Dept.) Dept.) Call Call for forpublic public tender tender (First/Second (First/Second publish) publish) Call for public tender (First/Second publish) One-Stages tender One-StagesOne Stages tender tender N.I.O.C Subject of Tender: OneHAMMER Stages tender PLUG VALVE 1” X 2” CWP N.I.O.C Subject of Tender: P/F: “ANTARES” FREE POINT INDICATOR , TYPE 150 3 1398.7525 National Iranian Subject1398.7494 of Tender: P/F: "ANTARES" FREE POINT INDICATOR , TYPE 150 3 National Iranian Subject of Tender: HAMMER PLUG VALVE 1" X 2" CWP Drilling Company Drilling Company Tender descriptions: Tender descriptions: Iran’s Leading Tender No. Estimated value Tender No. Estimated value Registration No. through national Registration No. through national The Tender holder electronic tendering system The Tender holder (Rial) electronic tendering system /Indent No. /Indent No. (Rial) International Daily Tender No.: FP/04-98/ 195 Tender No.: FP/11-98/201 National Iranian Drilling Company 3,230,281 5,814,000,000 National Iranian Drilling Company 3 /230 / 215 4.206.000.000 Indent No.: 01-22-9846012 Indent No.: 08-22-9845125

Qualitative evaluation of tenderers  Qualitative evaluation of tenderers

Qualification process will be done in plain mode in offers opening session according to presentation of valid practice Advertising Dept Qualification process will be done in plain mode in offers opening session according to presentation of valid practice certificate / legal certificate / legal documents (certificate of corporation/ supply announcement up to latest changes) which should be Method documents (certificate of corporation/ supply announcement up to latest changes) which should be related to tender subject. Method related to tender subject.

 Purchasing & Submitting

The distribution of the documents will be started one day after the publishing of second advertisement and ended on the following Purchasing & Submitting tenth day thereof ( closing date : March 11/2020 )

Tender Document Distribution by The distribution of the documents will be started one day after the publishing of second advertisement and ended on the Hall No.:113, 1st floor, Foreign Procurement Dept., National Iranian Drilling Company, Airport square, Ahwaz, IRAN 061- following tenth day thereof Company 34148656 -06134148615 Distribution Place Tender Document st th Hall No.:113, 1 floor, Foreign Procurement Dept., National Iranian Drilling Company, Airport square, Ahwaz, IRAN 061-34148601 Room No. 431, 4 floor ,Oil central building No.8,Yaghma alley, Jomhori Islami st., Tehran – Iran Distribution Place Distribution by Company Room No. 431, 4th floor ,Oil central building No.8,Yaghma alley, Jomhori Islami st., Tehran – Iran Submitting one original Bank Fund Receipt in the amount of 190,000 Iranian Rials under account number 4001114004020491( Shaba No. IR 520100004001114004020491) in name of “NIDC Incomes Centralized Fund” issued by Submitting one original Bank Fund Receipt in the amount of 190,000 Iranian Rials under account Submitting Method I.R. of Iran Central Bank. number 4001114004020491( Shaba No. IR 520100004001114004020491) in name of “NIDC Submitting Method Incomes Centralized Fund” issued by I.R. of Iran Central Bank. Submitting format Request for the purpose of receiving Tender Documents.

Submitting format Request for the purpose of receiving Tender Documents. 35 Days after the last time of Purchasing. ( closing date April 13 / 2020 ) Closing date Closing date 35 Days after the last time of Purchasing The envelopes will be opened At 10:45 . a.m On April 14 / 2020 )

st Documents Receiving Method Documents Receiving Method Hall No. 107, 1 floor, Tender Committee, Operation building, National Iranian Drilling Company, Hall No. 107, 1stfloor, Tender Committee, Operation building, National Iranian Drilling Company, Airport Airport square, Ahwaz, IRAN. Tel: square, Ahwaz, IRAN. Address Address

Tel: +98-61-34148580 +98-61-34148569 Tel: +98-61-34148580 +98-61-34148569 021 -430 51 450 Tender Guarantee  Tender Guarantee Value of guarantee 291,000,000 Rial / 2,146 Euro Value of guarantee 21.000.000 Rial / 1, 536 Euro

Bank guarantees or guarantees issued by non-bank institutions that obtain activity license from the central bank of the Islamic Bank guarantees or guarantees issued by non-bank institutions that obtain activity license from the central bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Republic of Iran.

Type of guarantee Type of guarantee Submitting one original Bank Fund Receipt under account number 4001114006376636 ( Shaba No. IR Submitting one original Bank Fund Receipt under account number 4001114006376636 ( Shaba No. IR 350100004001114006376636) in name of “NIDC saving account” by the central bank of Islamic Republic of Iran. 350100004001114006376636) in name of “NIDC saving account” by the central bank of Islamic Republic of Iran.

Duration of credit & Tender Guarantee and quotation should be valid for 90 days and extendable maximum for one time in initial validity duration. Duration of credit & quotation Tender Guarantee and quotation should be valid for 90 days and extendable maximum for one time in initial validity duration. quotation

Foreign Procurement Dept. (Name of department) ( ) (Name of department) ( Foreign Procurement Dept.)

More of this & other More tenders of are this accessible & other by click tenders on: are accessible by click on: www.nidc.ir http://sapp.ir/nidc_pr More of this & other More tenders of are this accessible & other by click tenders on: are accessible by click on: www.nidc.ir http://sapp.ir/nidc_pr www.nidc.ir http://sapp.ir/nidc_pr تهران تایمز نوبت اول http://sapp.ir/nidc_pr 11/12/98نوبت دوم 12www.nidc.ir/12/98 تهران تایمز نوبت اول 11/12/98نوبت دوم 98/12/12 تهران تایمز نوبت اول 11/12/98نوبت دوم 98/12/12 تهران تایمز نوبت اول 11/12/98نوبت دوم 98/12/12

I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 8 HERITAGE & TOURISM MARCH 2, 2020

The travel industry is suffering its worst shock since Rig-e Jenn: An extraordinary 9/11 because of coronavirus

New York (CNN Business) — It’s one of the largest industries in the world, with $5.7 trillion in revenue. It is responsible for an landscape named after elves! estimated 319 million jobs, or roughly one in 10 people working on the planet. And no sector is more at risk from the novel coronavirus. By Afshin Majlesi The travel industry has already taken a huge hit due to travel TEHRAN – Eastern Iran is dominated restrictions and canceled trips for both business and pleasure, but by vast deserts known worldwide for hav- that’s just the beginning. ing harsh sun-scorched landscapes, parts It could be the worst crisis for the industry since the September of which more attractive for adrenaline 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, according to some experts. chasers. “It’s on the front line of the fallout,” said Mark Zandi, chief The one, which is focus of this story, economist with Moody’s Analytics. “It’s the most directly and is Rig-e Jenn (“Dune of the Jinn”); a immediately impacted.” barren and desolate place dominated by Travel industry crucial to the global economy enormous sand dunes that defies avid The hit to the travel industry has the potential to become a skillful sightseers, adventurers and mo- major drag on the global economy if the coronavirus continues torists driving 4WD vehicles. to spread around the world. Rig-e Jenn is in fact home to giant “It’s vital. If you measure the entirely of the impact of travel, it is sand dunes, vast swamps that could pose bigger than any other industry around the world. No other industry a serious challenge even to passionate can say it supports 1 in 10 jobs,” said Adam Sacks, president of trekkers with arduous hike and scarcity Travel Economics, a leading research firm that follows the industry. of water. His firm produced the data on the industry’s global revenue and People who have been there say it feels employment, the latter for the World Travel and Tourism Council. almost like walking across an ocean floor “It’s partly because it’s such a diverse industry. It includes a without water. It is where eye-catching lot of things you don’t think of,” said Sacks. “Besides airlines and structures and shapes are only formed hotels, it’s part of retail, part of restaurants, parts of technology.” by constant winds blowing across vast The effect on travel is growing by the day. areas of sand that can almost look unreal There has been a sharp drop in travel across the Pacific, not just and “too” smooth. to and from China, the epicenter of the outbreak, but also to other Ones who set up camps are well re- Asian countries. This week United Airlines disclosed that it had seen warded when the sun sets. It’s the right a near total drop in demand to China and about a 75% decline in time for a very bright moon and extremely near-term demand on the rest of its trans-Pacific routes. vivid stars to show off in the absolute Chinese nationals have become the most frequent global trave- clear sky of the desert. lers in the world, with 180 million holding passports, compared to Also known as the “Desert of Spirits”, the 147 million Americans who have passports. And travel by the it is not a place where a novice trekker Chinese has been virtually halted due to the crisis. goes alone! But why? Because it’s in the Sharp drop in business travel middle of nowhere with no roads and The falloff in travel has expanded beyond the Chinese market. in some parts with no mobile coverage. Rig-e Jenn assumed its name from whom believed that is was Several major conferences expected to draw more than 100,000 Experts say even seasoned voyagers must visitors each were canceled even if their location has yet to expe- plan prudently before setting foot on the haunted by spirits and the devil. The bizarre desert can be reached rience an outbreak. That’s because people traveling from around desert. after hours first on asphalt roads, and then for some hours the world could bring the virus to the event, and infected people are Rig-Jenn is situated in a border area through uninhabited terrain. slow to show symptoms. between Semnan and Isfahan provinces. Canceled conferences include the Mobile World Congress in In another world, it is part of Dasht-e ed from the fact that perhaps many had Even today, amongst the neighboring Finally a feasible path through the Rig-e Barcelona, the leading show for the mobile phone industry, the Kavir (the central desert of Iran). The entered the desert and never returned. towns and villages some still hold this Jenn was found some years ago by trial Geneva Motor Show, Facebook’s (FB) F8 conference, and ironi- bizarre desert can be reached after hours Narratives say that even caravans used belief. Sources say that Sven Hedin, the and error using modern equipment such cally enough, the ITB Berlin, the leading trade show for the trav- first on asphalt roads, and then for some to skip passing through Rig-e Jenn, be- famous Swedish desert explorer avoided as 4WDs, maps, aerial photos, laptops, el industry itself. It was expected to draw 160,000 participants hours through uninhabited terrain. lieving it to be a place where evil spirits the area during his 1900s travels to Iranian GPS devices, and aids. starting Wednesday. Rig-e Jenn assumed its name from and “jinn” dwell. A “jinn” is a spirit in deserts and in the 1930s, Alfons Gabriel If you are planning to pay a visit, bear “The fact that the largest global travel show is being canceled whom believed that is was haunted by Islamic culture and Rig-e Jenn was once only managed to cross the southern ‘tail’ in mind that sometimes fierce winds howl right now is telling,” said Sacks. spirits and the devil. This say-so was (and in some places still) believed to ac- of the desert on his way from Ashin to throughout Rig-e Jenn voicing fears to But it’s not just the big shows being canceled. All kinds of busi- strengthened by, or probably originat- commodate evil spirits! Aroosan. passersby! ness trips are being canceled or put on hold because of companies’ concerns with exposing employees to unknown risks. Major companies such as Amazon (AMZN) are on record dis- couraging non-essential travel for employees. According to a sur- vey of 400 businesses by the Global Business Travel Association, Remnants of prehistorical settlement discovered in Iran’s Jiroft nearly half of businesses have already canceled or postponed at HERITAGE TEHRAN – A team of investigation.” least some meetings or travel. The group estimates that up to 37% deskIranian and German Senior Iranian archaeologist Nader of business travel is at risk of being lost. archaeologists has recently discovered Alidad-Soleymani and German Professor The steep and immediate drop in willingness to travel is com- remnants of a prehistorical settlement Peter Pfalzner co-led a newly-commenced parable to what happened following the 9/11 attacks, said Scott during a survey in an ancient hill in Jiroft, comprehensive survey, which is aimed to Solombrino, the trade group’s executive director. Confidence started southeast Iran. record evidence about previously excavated to improve as time passed after the attacks, he said. In the case of “According to early reports, a very sites in the counties of Jiroft, Kahnouj, coronavirus, the concern about travel is growing each day amid important building from the Achaemenid Anbarabad, Faryab, Rudbar, Qalehganj new reports of outbreaks around the world. era (550-330 BC) has been discovered in a and Manujan. “It is fundamentally affecting the way many companies are now prehistorical Tepe (hill) situated near Tom Supervised by Iran’s Cultural Heritage doing business,” he said. “If this turns into a global pandemic, the Gavan village of Jiroft [county, Kerman and Tourism Research Center, the previous industry may well lose billions of dollars -- an impact that will have province],” Jiroft governor said on Sunday, surveys adopted a methodology that negative ramifications for the entire global economy.” IRNA reported. involved field sampling methods, pottery “The hill itself dates back to [some] 6,500 documentation, setting up a database system years ago to the third millennium BC,” Abuzar and carbon dating. ROUND THE GLOBE Atapourvaziri stated. Jiroft is one of the richest historical areas The official announced the launch of in the world, with ruins and artifacts dating Maya site of Copan a research laboratory and archaeological back to the third millennium BC. Many Iranian site in Jiroft, adding, “It is constructed to and foreign experts see the findings in Jiroft Discovered in 1570 by Diego Garcia de Palacio, the Maya keep data and artifacts [collected] from the as signs of a civilization as great as Sumer site of Copan is one of the most important sites of the Mayan [neighboring] archaeological sites for further and ancient Mesopotamia. civilization. Located in Honduras, the site is functioned as the political, civil and religious center of the Copan Valley. It was also the political center and cultural focus of a larger territory that cov- ered the southeast portion of the Maya area and its periphery. Arts of ancient Iran: Chalice decorated with leopards TOURISM TEHRAN – The pictured Iranian painted ceramics, regional variations can be seen in deskchalice, which is decorated with the shapes and decorative motifs employed: footed leopards and geometric patterns, dates from the vessels, also called ‘chalices,’ were made both in Tepe fourth millennium BC. It was unearthed near Tepe Sialk and in Tepe Hissar, east of the Caspian Sea. Sialk which is a large ancient archeological site in a Goblets were common in Tall-e Bakun, in the Fars suburb of the city of Kashan, central Iran. region. The object is being kept and displayed at Louvre “Bushel, bowls, and small elegantly designed jars museum in Paris. According to the Louvre’s Department were the three basic forms found in Susian pottery. of Near Eastern Antiquities, painted ceramic vessels Ceramics with designs painted on a red ground were comprised the principal medium of artistic expression typical of Islamabad, south of Tehran. The designs in Iran during the fifth millennium BC. The most often combined geometric patterns (here, bands of beautiful examples feature highly stylized animal jagged lines alternating with ladder patterns next to motifs repeated several times over. Goats appear a stylized woolly fleece) and animal motifs: ibexes, frequently. Lions, panthers, and leopards are rarer. ducks, birds with outspread wings, and, more rarely, Footed vessels were found both in Tepe Sialk on the big cats: panthers or leopards.” edge of the Kavir Desert and at Tepe Hissar east of Evidence shows that representations of human the Caspian Sea. figures were very rare during this period. The image The first evidence of population in the Copan Valley dates Iranian painted ceramics of the fifth millennium most frequently found on the vessels of Tepe Sialk back to 1500 BC, but the first Maya-Cholan immigration from BC and early fourth millennium BC are characterized and Tepe Hissar image is that of a leaping goat in the Guatemalan Highlands is dated around 100 CE. The Maya by the quality of their execution and by the variety mid-air with its legs pointing forwards. leader Yax Kuk Mo, coming from the area of Tikal (Petén), of designs employed: they formed a vast common “There was obviously a connection between the arrived in the Copan Valley in 427 CE, and started a dynasty cultural idiom. shape of the vessel and the nature of its design. On of 16 rulers that transformed Copan into one of the greatest As the potter’s wheel had not yet been invented, the vessel shown here, a procession of big cats with Maya cities during the Classic Maya Period. the vessels were made by hand using coils of clay. spotted coats is depicted.” The great period of Copan, paralleling that of other major The brown designs with which they were decorated The walking motion is conveyed by the oblique Mayan cities, occurred during the Classical period, 300 CE- combined geometric patterns with elements derived position of the legs. It is amusing to observe a kind of 900. Major cultural developments took place with significant from the local environment; however, animals and contradiction between the simplified way in which the achievements in mathematics, astronomy and hieroglyphic plants were so highly stylized that they were difficult leopards’ bodies have been rendered and the extreme writing. The archaeological remains and imposing public to identify. These motifs were repeated several times realism with which the animals’ tails are depicted, with squares reveal the three main stages of development, during - in the art of this period, rhythmic repetition took their curling tips emphasized and fur meticulously which evolved the temples, plazas, altar complexes and ball precedence over narrative considerations. The Tepe evoked by small streaks of color. courts that can be seen today, before the city was abandoned Sialk site was established on the edge of the Iranian leopards on its upper level. A sherd of a pot from the Tepe Sialk has so far been excavated several times; in the early 10th century. plateau; it was founded circa the mid-fifth millennium same site portrays a leopard rising up on its hind legs the first three seasons in (1933, 1934, and 1937) by a The Mayan city of Copan as it exists today is composed of BC - a little earlier than Susa, the major site of the and gripping the hindquarters of an ox. team headed by Roman Ghirshman and his wife Tania a main complex of ruins with several secondary complexes Elamite period. How chalices of Tepe Sialk differ from Ghirshman. Artifacts from the original dig ended up encircling it. The main complex consists of the Acropolis and The depiction of big cats is a characteristic of Tepe those crafted in Tepe Hissar mostly at the Louvre, while some can be found at the important plazas. Sialk art. In contrast, such imagery is totally absent from Louver experts believe despite the existence of a British Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in (Source: UNESCO) the vessels vases produced in Susa. A larger shallow vast common cultural idiom in Iran during the fifth New York, and the National Museum of Iran and in bowl from Sialk depicts a procession of panthers or millennium BC, which was principally reflected in the hands of private collectors. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y MARCH 2, 2020 SOCIETY 9

$47m more allocated to combat Orchids are woven through Chinese culture. What happens if they vanish? COVID-19 outbreak Unfurling across paintings, poems and carvings, Cymbidium or- chids are more than just wild plants in China. They are inextricably SOCIETY TEHRAN — The Plan desk linked with the country’s culture. But this rich blooming of human and Budget Organization response to orchids that has endured for millennia is fragile, and has allocated 2 trillion rials (nearly $47 as Cymbidium orchids increasingly vanish from the wild so too million at the official rate of 42,000 rials) do the words and knowledge that humans have about them. more to the Ministry of Health in order to Every year the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the New counter COVID-19. York Botanical Garden open their doors to thousands of visitors This allocation is in line with the order of who flock to their orchid shows. Easily grown and long-lasting the President Hassan Rouhani to enhance orchids such as generic Phalaenopsis form the bulk of these tem- services of medical staff, nurses and health porary displays. But behind the scenes these institutions engage workers fighting coronavirus, IRIB reported. in longer-term work to conserve not just living plants but also Previously, the Plan and Budget records of the culture attached to them. Organization allocated 3.5 trillion rials (nearly $125 million) to the Ministry of Health in this regard. Health Minister Saeed Namaki earlier announced that effective measures have been taken and comprehensive plans are underway to get rid of the virus in the country. The country has put in place a set of contingency plans, including the temporary shutdown of schools, universities and cultural centers, in an effort to curb a coronavirus outbreak that has already claimed eight lives in the country. The number of coronavirus cases in the country has risen to 987, with 54 deaths so far. Kew’s Spirit Collection contains ghostly flowers of Cymbidium kanran; their colour washed out but their three-dimensional Tehran to host INOTEX 2020 What does Iranian traditional medicine shape preserved by immersion in a mixture of alcohol, glycer- ol, and water. In collaboration with the Institute of Medicinal in June recommend against COVID-19? Plant Development, Beijing, Kew has also developed a collec- SOCIETY TEHRAN — The 9th SOCIETY TEHRAN — Iranian tion of plants – including orchids – in the forms they are used deskInternational Innova- desktraditional medicine can in traditional Chinese medicine – chopped, dried, fried and so tion and Technology Exhibition (IN- play an effective role in strengthening the on. Indexed with scientific botanical names, this collection is a OTEX 2020) will be held at Tehran immune system to resist the novel coronavirus repository of knowledge and a reference tool for authenticating Permanent International Fairground infection, the health ministry’s director of botanical ingredients. on June 7-10. traditional medicine department has said. Dr Barnabas Seyler, assistant researcher in the department It is expected that more than 18,000 Referring to the importance of health of environment at Sichuan University, looked at the relation- people will attend the event which is care, Alireza Abbassian explained some ship between biodiversity and cultural diversity by examining aimed to attract investment for startups of the measures recommended in Irani- changes in knowledge of Cymbidium orchids in Liangshan Yi and introduce investment opportuni- an traditional medicine to strengthen the autonomous prefecture, Sichuan. ties to them. immune system, ISNA reported. “As an ethnobotanist, I find all facets of biocultural diversity to be fascinating,” says Seyler. Over 500 companies, startups, customers of technology products to He went on to say that medical fasting, yogurt, tomatoes, bananas and thick food. “Many people, particularly in the west, but also in rapidly chang- and investors will set up booths at their manufacturers, and also intro- reducing calorie consumed in a day by 20 On the other hand, the consumption ing, urbanising, and modernising China do not fully appreciate the exhibition representing their latest duces investors to the opportunity percent less than usual, can help strengthen of juicy stews along with fresh vegetables, the magnitude of symbolism and pride that Cymbidium have held achievements, with more than 600 to invest in technological projects or the immune system and reduce inflamma- prune, barberry, zucchini, green bean, okra throughout history in traditional Han Chinese culture,” he says. B2B sessions and 20 side events to start-ups. tion, this method can improve the body’s and pumpkin are also helpful to boost the “Symbolism, metaphors, and poetry associated with Cymbid- be held during the three-day event. Leading governmental organiza- function against the disease. immune system, he noted. ium are credited to have begun with Confucius’s own sayings and Established in 2012, INOTEX is a tions of Iran are the partners behind “Pickles should be restricted and it is He went on to conclude that thyme, infuse traditional Confucian thought today. If you walk into any platform for innovation and technology, INOTEX, including Vice Presidency for essential to avoid spicy food such as red cinnamon, fennel flower, turmeric, stachys Chinese restaurant around the world, or into any tea parlour or salon which seeks to introduce latest tech- Science and Technology, Presidential pepper, mustard and salts in addition to lavandulifolia, viper’s-buglosses, chamo- in China, you will likely find paintings, furniture, place settings, nologies to large and medium-sized Center for Innovation and Technology salty nuts or cucumbers,” he said, adding, it mile, saffron, rosemary and cloves are also or other material culture items depicting Cymbidium orchids.” industries in addition to connecting Cooperation and Innovation Fund. is also advisable to limit the consumption of beneficial to the body. Orchids, like other wild species, are vulnerable to the impact of climate change and habitat loss. But Cymbidium species native to Sichuan studied by Seyler have an additional vulnerability – their Space images show drastic drop in China pollution as coronavirus hits beauty. Between 2005–2008, when Cymbidium prices were at their peak, wild-collected rare forms could be sold for six-figure Satellite images show a dramatic drop in pollution over Chi- China, where the outbreak began, has nearly 80,000 cases sums. In 2006 one was bought for 4.6m Chinese yuan (£511,000). na after the coronavirus outbreak shut down swathes of the of coronavirus, by far the largest number of any country, Interviewing individuals in predominantly Yi and Han com- country’s industry and travel. with nearly 2,900 deaths. munities, Seyler and his colleagues assessed whether people could US space agency Nasa said the change was at least part- Nasa’s maps compare pollution levels between the first identify different Cymbidium species. Additionally, they asked ly related to the economic slowdown caused by efforts to three weeks of the year and 10-25 February. about local ecological knowledge: how to find, harvest and grow contain the virus. The space agency’s scientists said the fall in pollution orchids, as well as orchid business knowledge, and awareness of Nasa maps show how levels of nitrogen dioxide, a toxic was first apparent near Wuhan, the source of the outbreak, orchids in arts, academia and idiomatic expressions. gas from vehicles, power plants and factories, plummeted but eventually spread across the country. In all categories of knowledge, they found that when species after the mass quarantine, compared with before. “This is the first time I have seen such a dramatic were locally extinct, knowledge about them had declined, except Scientists have previously found the coronavirus wiped drop-off over such a wide area for a specific event,” said among individuals involved in their trade. out at least a quarter of China’s emissions of damaging green- Fei Liu, an air quality researcher at Nasa’s Goddard Space Seyler believes that botanical gardens contribute much towards house gases in just two weeks in mid-February. Flight Centre. conserving biocultural diversity, “through ex-situ collections, Closing industrial plants and asking people to stop at She said she had seen a decline in nitrogen dioxide levels for example collecting and showcasing plants like Cymbidium, home has led to sharp drops in the burning of fossil fuels during the economic recession of 2008 but said that decrease advocating for their conservation, and educating the general — a key cause of the climate crisis — in the world’s largest was more gradual. public, and documenting traditional knowledge, stories, and greenhouse gas producer. (Source: The Independent) cultural traditions associated with these plants”. (Source: The Guardian) ENGLISH IN USE WORDS IN THE NEWS LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION War risk to Iraqi treasures

(April 02, 2003) Wildfire extinguished Politicians, leading archaeologists and scholars around the world have expressed concern that the relentless bombing of Iraq could آتش سوزی جنگل های گیالن مهار شد in northern forests destroy priceless treasures. This report by Sunita Nahar. Iraq is thought to be the cradle of civilization. The first urban فرمانــده یــگان حفاظــت اداره کل منابــع طبیعــی و آبخیــزداری گیــان Wildfire, erupted in northern forests of Gilan province over communities, the first evidence of writing and the first legal codes are said to have evolved in the country. Iraq is also an گفــت: آتــش ســوزی جنــگل هــای اســتان گیــان پــس از ۷۲ ســاعت تــاش، the past 2 days, has been fully extinguished, commander of the important land for Christians, Jews and Muslims. It’s home کامــا مهــار شــد. protection unit of natural resources and watershed management to Babylon - the Biblical Garden of Eden and Ur, believed to ســرهنگ محمــد قربانــی لــرد عصــر روز شــنبه در گفــت و گــوی اختصاصــی بــا organization of Gilan has stated. be the birthplace of the prophet Abraham. From palaces to the desert mounds, remnants of this ancient culture litter خبرنــگار ایرنــا اظهــار داشــت: بــر اســاس آخریــن آمارهــا بــه صــورت تقریبــی .the landscape حــدود »۱۳۰ هکتــار« از اراضــی جنگلــی اســتان گیــان در چنــد روز اخیــر According to the latest statistics, approximately 130 hectares of ,The United Nations cultural agency, UNESCO, The Arab League دچــار آتــش ســوزی شــدند. forests in Gilan province have been burnt in recent days, IRNA archaeologists and politicians in Europe and the United States have all warned of the threat the US-led war in Iraq poses to these وی افــزود: ۹۹ درصــد از آتــش ســوزی جنــگل هــای ۱۳ شهرســتان اســتان .quoted Mohammad Qorbani as saying on Sunday cultural sites. They’ve provided US officials with lists of sites and گیــان ســطحی بــوده و خســارت جــدی بــه درختــان وارد نشــده اســت. He went on to say that 99 percent of fires in 13 cities of Gilan province have caused no serious damage to the trees. museums so they can be avoided during the military campaign. -UNESCO says it’s confident that the US will take steps to pro فرمانــده یــگان حفاظــت اداره کل منابــع طبیعــی و آبخیــزداری گیــان خاطــر tect Iraq’s rich heritage. Reports suggest American-led troops نشــان کــرد: بــه رغــم مهــار کامــل آتــش در جنــگل هــای اســتان ، نیروهــای یــگان In spite of the complete containment of fire, the protection unit appear aware of the importance of these sites, apparently they حفاظــت اداره کل منابــع طبیعــی و آبخیــزداری در آمــاده بــاش کامــل هســتند. .is on full alert, he further noted can only fire at some of them in self-defense - but this is hardly .likely to be their first concern in the midst of battle وی ضمــن قدردانــی از تمامــی نیروهــا در مهــار آتــش در جنــگل هــای اســتان ,Appreciating all the forces who made efforts to control the wildfire Words گیــان اضافــه کــرد: آتــش ســوزی در ســطح شهرســتان هــای مختلــف اســتان از he concluded that fire broke out in various cities, including the cradle of civilization: the place where the advanced stage جملــه رضوانشــهر، تالــش، رودبــار، ســیاهکل و غیــره روی داده. Rezvanshahr, Talesh, Roudbar, Siahkal and some others. of human social development began legal codes: rules of law the birthplace: the place where someone was born remnants: a remnant of something is a small part of it that PREFIX/SUFFIX PHRASAL VERB IDIOM is left when the main part has disappeared or been destroyed “phon-, phono-” Put in something Doom and gloom litter the landscape: are scattered all around the land poses: if something poses a threat or danger, it is the cause of it Meaning: sound, voice Meaning: to do something in a particular way, es- Explanation: A general atmosphere of pessimism, take steps: take action, make moves For example: Small-group activities focus on pecially a performance in a play, film, race and a feeling that the situation is not going to improve rich heritage: interesting and valuable buildings and monuments phonological awareness and language skills. For example: He put in a brilliant performance in For example: Fortunately, it’s not doom and gloom hardly likely: not very probable the British Grand Prix. for all businesses, in spite of the economic situation. in the midst of battle: in the middle of the fighting (Source: BBC) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 10 INTERNATIONAL MARCH 2, 2020

The violence in Delhi is not a ‘riot’. It is targeted Afghan peace deal hits first anti-Muslim brutality

1 Within hours of Mishra’s ultimatum, BJP gangs started attacking anti-CAA protesters. Within days, they were burning snag over prisoner releases down Muslim houses, shops and mosques. And Muslims them- selves. At least 39 people have been killed, including a policeman. Just one day after the United States and deal to end the war in Afghanistan for Hindus, too, have been attacked and their houses burnt. This the Taliban militant group signed a peace the benefit of all Afghans. has led some to portray the events in Delhi as general lawlessness, agreement, Afghanistan’s government According to the declaration, the even primarily as Muslim violence. In 1958, many West Indians has announced that it does not consider peace deal will guarantee to prevent armed themselves with bricks and bats, some ganged up looking itself bound by the terms of the deal to the use of Afghan soil by any interna- for whites to attack. That did not detract from it being a racist free thousands of Taliban prisoners. tional terrorist groups against the U.S. assault on local blacks. Nor does the fact that Muslims in Delhi The agreement was reached between security; will present a timeline for the have also responded with violence diminish the Hindu chauvin- Washington and the Afghan militants withdrawal of all U.S. and NATO forces; ism and anti-Muslim hostility that lies at the heart of the “riots”. in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday, after at will secure a political settlement through The BJP is driven by the ideology of “Hindutva”, or “Hinduness”, least 10 rounds of talks over the past intra-Afghan dialog; and will enforce a seeing the Hindu way of life as the only authentic model for India. 18 months. The accord was signed by permanent ceasefire. All of India’s Muslims should have been packed off to Pakistan at U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad NATO, despite not being part of the partition, a government minister, Giriraj Singh, said last month. and Taliban political chief Mullah Ab- agreement, will conform with the future Like many European reactionary groups, the BJP has won dul Ghani Baradar. peace deal and gradually pull its troops popular support largely because of disaffection with the failure As a condition for talks with the Afghan out of the country. and corruption of mainstream parties, especially Congress, which government, the deal noted that 5,000 Despite its strong willingness to re- has governed India for most of its post-independence history. Taliban prisoners would be freed in ex- store peace across the war-torn country, When the BJP came to power in 2014, its Hindu chauvinism change for up to 1,000 Afghan government Afghanistan’s government has voiced Ka- was kept on a short leash. A resounding second victory in elec- captives by March 10. bul’s opposition to some articles of the tions last year has, however, given the prime minister, Narendra But Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Doha deal. The Taliban, in response, Modi, licence to pursue exclusionary policies without restraint. told reporters at a news conference in claims that it does not recognize the In August 2019, the government stripped Muslim-majority Kabul on Sunday that his government had legitimacy of the Kabul government. Jammu and Kashmir of its autonomous status – a demand of no commitment to release the Taliban US forces invaded Afghanistan in Hindu nationalists since the 1950s – and dealt brutally with lo- prisoners as stated in the deal. October 2001 under the pretext of the cal protests. Then came the CAA, part of a two-pronged attack The Taliban’s demand for the release so-called war on terror, overthrowing on Muslim citizenship. The second prong is the creation of a of its prisoners from Afghan jails cannot the Taliban regime in Kabul. Since the national register of citizens, compelling all Indians to provide be a precondition to direct talks with U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, Wash- documentation of their citizenship. Millions of poorer Indians the government, Ghani added. in 14 months provided that it sees no president and the Pentagon chief issued ington has spent more than $2 trillion have no such paperwork. For non-Muslims, this is unlikely to The U.S. has agreed to cut down the hostilities from the Taliban. a joint declaration. The NATO chief was waging war on the impoverished coun- be too great a burden – the amended citizenship law provides a number of its troops in Afghanistan from However, representatives from the also present. try, leaving more than 2,400 American path to citizenship. Muslims, however, excluded by the CAA, fear 13,000 to 8,600 within 135 days of signing Kabul government were not present The joint declaration calls on the soldiers and tens of thousands of Afghan that they will be deemed “foreigners” even if they have lived in the deal. Washington has also agreed to during the Doha deal and a meeting was sides to work together to reach a civilians dead. India for generations; that they may end up as India’s Rohingya. withdraw all its forces from the country instead held in Kabul, where the Afghan comprehensive and sustainable peace (Source: agencies) While the attempt to exclude Muslims reveals the chauvinist ideology of the BJP, mass opposition to the CAA, from Hindus and Muslims alike, shows the depth of hostility to bigotry. In Delhi, too, amid the violence there have been many stories of Hindus Syria closes northwestern airspace, downs Turkish drone protecting Muslim neighbours, and of Muslims aiding Hindus. Syria has shut its airspace over the country’s northwest, those of Russia came under increasing militant attacks. What is playing out in India is not a simple religious conflict particularly the embattled Idlib province, warning to bring Turkey is evidently upset by changing conditions on the between Hindus and Muslims but a political struggle between down any aircraft that violates it. ground. It has deployed massive troops and military equipment two visions of India: between those who see it as an open, secular Syria’s official SANA news agency quoted a military in recent weeks to stop Syrian troops from ousting terrorists. nation and those who wish to create a chauvinist Hindu state. source as saying on Sunday that the army had taken the On Thursday, Turkey said at least 36 of its soldiers were Who prevails in this struggle matters not just to Muslims, or to measure based on its adherence to “constitutional and na- killed in an aerial attack by Syrian forces in Idlib. Indians, but to all of us. tional duties in defending the sovereignty of the state and The Russian Defense Ministry said the Turkish troops By Kenan Malik, an Observer columnist protecting its security and territorial integrity.” who came under fire “were in the battle formations of “Any aircraft that breaches the Syrian airspace will be dealt terrorist groups.” with as hostile aircraft that must be downed and prevented Under a deal reached between Turkey and Russia in the from achieving their hostile goals,” he added. Black Sea resort of Sochi in September 2018, Turkish troops Muhyiddin becomes The military source also lashed out at Turkish forces for were deployed in Idlib and set up observations posts there. Malaysia prime minister, carrying out “hostile acts” against the Syrian armed forces The agreement required Ankara to oust Takfiri terrorists by directly targeting their positions in Idlib and its adjacent from the northwestern Syrian province. But, more than Mahathir vows to fight areas and providing support to armed terrorist organizations. downed a Turkish drone over the strategic city of Saraqib, a year into the Sochi deal, foreign-backed terrorists rule “These repeated hostile Turkish acts will not succeed in which lies on the intersection of the M5 and M4 highways. supreme in Idlib in close proximity to the Turkish troops. saving terrorists from the strikes of the Syrian Arab Army Over the past few weeks, tensions have escalated between Footage shows Turkish forces beating Syrian Muhyiddin Yassin was sworn in as Malaysia’s prime minister on and they prove the Turkish regime’s disavowal of all the Ankara and Damascus in Idlib, the only large territory in soldiers Sunday, an hour after his predecessor and former ally, Mahathir previous agreements including the Sochi memo,” it added. the hands of terrorists. A new video has emerged showing Turkish forces vio- Mohamad, claimed he was the one with enough support to form Syria downs Turkish drone The Syrian military has managed to undo militant gains lently beating Syrian soldiers who have been taken captive. a government and would prove it with a vote in Parliament. Turkey’s state-owned Anadolu news agency claimed across the Arab country and bring back almost all of Syrian Social media users have criticized the behavior which “I am telling the public that I have the majority support,” Mahathir Sunday that a Syrian government plane had been soil under government control. violates the terms of the Geneva Convention on the treat- told journalists in a live-streamed news conference. “I have the 114.” downed in Idlib. Syria launched a counter-terrorism offensive in Idlib ment of prisoners of war. The 94-year-old veteran Mahathir said he had proof of the SANA denied the report and said that the Syrian army had and neighboring areas last December after its troops and (Source: Press TV) support in the form of statutory declarations and letters, and called for an urgent sitting of Parliament. Mahathir was flanked by politicians from the Pakatan Harapan coalition, which won power in May 2018 but has been dogged EU border force on ‘high alert’ as Pentagon sees Taliban deal as allowing by political infighting that came to a head last weekend when migrants push to enter continent fuller focus on China a splinter group tried to form an alliance with the opposition. The move led to Mahathir’s resignation and days of uncertainty that the king, a constitutional monarch, had sought to resolve by meeting each member of Parliament individually. On Saturday, the palace announced that Muhyiddin, 72, had the confidence of Parliament and would be sworn in as prime minister on Sunday. The announcement sparked anger among some Malaysians who felt their democratic rights as voters were being undermined. Muhyiddin was driven into the palace in Kuala Lumpur at 9.50am (01:50 GMT) ahead of the oath-taking ceremony, having cobbled together a coalition with the opposition United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), and PAS, Malaysia’s Islamic party, with support from the main political party in the Borneo territory of Sarawak. (Source: al Jazeera)

Some U.S. states make it harder The European Union border force Kastanies Forest in the early hours The Trump administration’s peace deal so they can prepare for “high end” warfare. for college students to vote Frontex has announced that it is on of Sunday. with the Taliban opens the door for an Stephen Biddle, a policy analyst and a “high alert” across all the bloc’s bor- Kastanies was the scene of violence initial American troop withdrawal that Columbia University professor of inter- ders with Turkey, and aims to provide a day earlier when riot police used tear Defense Secretary Mark Esper sees as a national and public affairs, is skeptical Vanderbilt University student Will Newell wishes it was easier further support to Greece as thou- gas to repel the migrants on the Turk- step toward the broader goal of preparing that the Pentagon will be able to fully for college students like him to cast ballots in Tennessee, one sands of migrants seek to enter the ish side seeking entry, with migrants for potential future war with China. shift away from Afghanistan and other of 14 states holding a presidential primary on Super Tuesday. continent through the southeastern throwing rocks at the officers. Esper has his eye on “great power com- regional hot spots like Iraq, recalling that The campus has no locations for early voting, so students must European country. The Greek government officials have petition,” which means staying a step the Obama administration tried the same visit an off-campus polling location to cast a ballot on Election “We have raised the alert level for all put the number of people gathered on ahead of China and Russia on battlefields thing - also with China’s rise in mind - in Day. Newell drives but worries that many students who don’t borders with Turkey to high,” the Fron- the border with Turkey at 3,000, while of the future, including in space and in the 2011-2014 period. have their own transportation won’t make it to a precinct. He said tex spokeswoman said in a statement to the International Organization for Mi- next-generation strategic weapons like “The trouble was the Islamic State burst some campus groups offer rides to students, but the university AFP on Sunday, adding that, “We have gration estimated the number at 13,000. hypersonic missiles and advanced nuclear onto the scene,” in Iraq and Syria, Biddle itself does not provide a shuttle. received a request from Greece for ad- The scenes of refugees heading to- weapons. He sees China in particular as a said in an interview, and “lo and behold He supports a bill introduced in the Tennessee Legislature ditional support. We have already taken ward Turkey’s border with Greece have rising threat to American predominance it was right back to a focus on the Middle that would require early voting locations at large colleges and steps to redeploy to Greece technical sparked fears of a repeat of the 2015 on the world stage. East and small wars.” universities in the state. That’s not the only restriction working equipment and additional officers.” refugee crisis when over one million To do more to prepare for the China chal- In remarks Saturday in Kabul, Esper against college students in the state. Tennessee, where overall Greek police said at least 500 peo- refugees arrived in the EU, most of them lenge, Esper wants to do less in Afghanistan, kept the focus on prospects for a com- voter turnout is low, is among several states that does not allow ple had arrived by sea on three Greek fleeing conflict zones in the Middle East Iraq and other places. It’s less about mov- plete U.S. withdrawal, while cautioning a college student ID. But it does allow a handgun license. islands near the Turkish coast within and North Africa. ing troops directly to Asia from elsewhere that the United States “will not hesitate” “It just makes the last part of actually getting them to the a few hours on Sunday morning. This time around, there are also in the world, and more about reducing to strike what he called terrorist threats polls to vote a lot more difficult,” Newell, a senior public policy The Frontex announcement came fears of a new coronavirus outbreak commitments in lower-priority regions so in Afghanistan if the Taliban falters in its and economics major, said of the ballot-casting hurdles faced as Turkey on Thursday relaxed curbs that has reached some European coun- that more military units can train together promise to prevent extremist groups to by students in the state. on the migrants’ movement through tries from China. at home on skills related to conventional use Afghan soil to launch attacks on the As Democratic candidates seek a boost from young voters in its borders and said Ankara would no The European Union and Turkey warfare. Predecessors in the Pentagon have homelands of the U.S. or its allies. 2020, their impact at the polls could be blunted in a number of states longer restrain hundreds of thousands struck a deal in 2016 under which Tur- had similar hopes, only to be drawn back “We still have a long way to go,” Esper that make voting more difficult for college students. Those include of asylum seekers in its territory from key would hold back refugees hoping to crises in the greater Middle East. In the said. laws related to voter IDs, residency requirements and on-campus reaching Europe despite an agreement to reach Europe via Turkish territory. past year alone, the U.S. has sent an extra Reducing U.S. troops levels in Af- polling places. Critics say many of those laws are designed to dampen struck with the EU in 2016. The EU says Ankara had not officially 20,000 troops to the Middle East, mainly ghanistan to zero is “our ultimate ob- turnout among voters who typically lean Democratic. A Greek government source said informed the bloc that it had suspended due to worries about Iran. jective,” he said, but added that it will College groups aligned with the Democratic Party are mobi- police forces deployed at the border the 2016 deal. The Turkish warning With President Donald Trump’s em- take “many months.” lizing this year in an effort to defeat President Donald Trump’s had stopped nearly 10,000 migrants was seen as an attempt to apparently phasis on ending America’s wars against Late last year, Esper said he would be re-election, said Matt Nowling, national director of communi- trying to enter from Turkey over the pressure European leaders into backing extremists and insurgents, including in willing to reduce troop levels even if no cations for the College Democrats of America. past 24 hours, adding that huge crowds Turkey’s military campaign in Syria. Afghanistan, Esper wants to bring home as deal could be made with the Taliban. (Source: AP) had tried to cross into Greece via the (Source: agencies) many troops as he thinks he prudently can (Source: AP) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y MARCH 2, 2020 SPORTS 11

Hadadi assures of winning Iran nat’l weightlifting team cancels warm-up camp

IRNA — Iranian women national weightlifting team has second Olympics medal canceled its warm-up camp prior to attending in the Asian championships due to the outbreak of coronavirus. SPORTS TEHRAN — Iranian discus Speaking to IRNA, head of Iranian women national weight desk thrower Ehsan Hadadi says lifting team Bahar Bahrami said on Sunday that the camp that he can win his second medal in the was scheduled to be held during March 3-18. Olympic Games. She added that four Iranian weightlifters were supposed Hadadi, 35, won a gold medal at the 23rd edition to be in the camp. of the Asian Athletics Championships in Doha The exact number of athletes to be dispatched to Asian in April. He won his sixth continental title with championships has not yet been identified , she said adding a throw of 65.95m. However, he failed to claim a that the camp will not be held until the further notice. medal at the 2019 World Athletics Championships The Asian championships was supposed to be held in in Doha in September. Hadadi later said he had Uzbekistan on March 27 but it was postponed to April 15, suffered a foot injury ahead of the competition. she reiterated. Hadadi, who won a silver medal at the 2012 Head of Iran’s Health Ministry’s public relations office Olympics with a 68.18m throw, is going to claim Kianoush Jahanpour said on Saturday that 43 Iranians another medal in the prestigious event. have succumbed to the lethal coronavirus which has con- “I am training in Mashhad’s Emam Reza taminated the country. Stadium and I have to say I am in a pretty good He went on to say that 593 Iranian people have been shape right now. I think I am better compared affected by the virus so far. to where I was four years ago,” Hadadi said in an interview with IRNA. “I’ve already trained in the U.S. and I should say our country suffers from lack of infrastructure Dragan Skocic returns but we also have capacity to expand infrastructure in our country,” he added. to Iran “My American coach Mac Wilkins has arranged three events in the U.S. and I will also participate TASNIM — Iran national football team head coach Dragan in three more competitions in Europe as part of Skocic returned to Iran Sunday morning. preparation for the Olympics. I will hold a camp The 52-year-old Croatian coach had traveled to Belgium in Russia 20 days before the Tokyo 2020 to adjust and Russia to monitor the Iranian players in the leagues. to the time difference,” Hadadi said. Skocic then went to Croatia and met with Croatian Football “Olympic Games is a dream for every athlete Federation president Davor Suker. and I am really grateful that I will participate in Iran national football team will start the training camp the games for the fourth time. I hope to win my on March 17 in Tehran. best medal in the event. The best seven discus Team Melli prepare for the matches against Hong Kong throwers will take part at the Olympics and they and Cambodia, slated for March 26 and 31 in Group C of the will make it tough for me to win a medal but I 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification. will do my best to win my second medal at the Olympics,” Hadadi concluded. Iran officially postpones Cambodia, Iran match likely to be postponed Iranian Volleyball SPORTS TEHRAN — Iran match against Cam- the air with governing bodies as to whether the clash Super League deskbodia at the 2022 World Cup qualifier can go ahead. will likely be postponed due to coronavirus concerns. Hong Kong is expected to visit Tehran’s 78,000-seat TASNIM — Iranian Volleyball Super League has been post- The outbreak of coronavirus and the canceling or Azadi Stadium for the away World Cup match on March poned over coronavirus concerns. reducing flights between countries especially in Asia 26 before returning for their home tie against Iraq in Last season champions Shahrdari Varamin will represent have led many sports events to be postponed or to be the Group C qualifiers five days later. Iran in the AVC Club Volleyball Championship. held behind closed doors. Meanwhile, Iran national team must go to Cambodia Deaths in Iran from coronavirus have hit 43, the highest Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has postponed to meet the country’s national team on March 31 but number outside China, and the total number of infected people several Champions League matches and rescheduled this game is also unlikely to happen because there is has risen to 593, an Iranian health official said on Saturday. the women’s Olympic qualifier between China and no direct flight from Iran to Cambodia and due to the The virus has infected more than 80,000 people around South Korea. fact that calls for closing borders have grown louder the world, including over 77,000 in China. More than 2,600 Now, it seems that the 2020 World Cup qualifiers and that many countries have closed their borders with people have died in China’s central Hubei province alone. might be affected by coronavirus concerns. Iran, there will be high costs for the Iranian Football The outbreak has had a major impact on the global sporting Hong Kong’s Soccer chief Pui Kwan-kay said it was Federation to send Team Melli to Cambodia. calendar, with a host of events canceled or postponed, and “highly unlikely” that Hong Kong’s World Cup Asian Iran has four must-win games ahead in the 2022 raised alarm bells for Tokyo Olympics organizers. zone qualifier against Iran next month will go ahead World qualifiers against Hong Kong, Cambodia, Bah- because of the coronavirus outbreak, but hoped to clear rain, and Iraq. Henry off the mark as Impact Iran win two gold medals at Karate World’s strongest Paralympian wins MLS opener 1-Premier League Salzburg Siamand Rahman dies A superb 80th-minute finish from Maxi Urruti secured all three points for Montreal Impact, which appointed Thierry Henry as manager in November. Thierry Henry’s Major League Soccer (MLS) managerial career got off to a winning start as Montreal Impact came from behind to defeat New England Revolution 2-1 in its season-opener.

SPORTS TEHRAN — Bahman At the Female Kumite +68kg, Abbasali SPORTS TEHRAN — The pic Games, lifting an unprecedented 310kg. deskAsgari Ghoncheh and earned a 2-1 win over Italian Clio Ferracuti deskstrongest ever Paralym- The mark he set is the equivalent of three Hamideh Abbasali from Iran clinched two and seized Iran’s second gold. pian Siamand Rahman passed away at the baby elephants. gold medals at the Karate 1-Premier League She had had taken gold in Paris after age of 32 on Sunday. “It’s great to be part of this awe- Salzburg on Sunday. beating her Turkish opponent Meltem Rahman died after suffering a heart some campaign. I am so excited to see Asgari, who had won a gold medal at Hocaoglu Akyol. attack at the Nabi-akram Hospital in we are getting closer to the Games,” Karate 1-Premier League Paris in late Jan- The competition brought over 600 Oshnavieh, West Azerbaijan. said Rahman. “I can’t wait to compete A superb lobbed 80th-minute finish from Argentinian uary, claimed a gold in Austria beating competitors from 88 countries together Powerlifting superstar Rahman, a in Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. striker Maxi Urruti secured all three points for Impact, which Stanislav Horuna from Ukraine 3-0 in the at the 2020 Karate 1-Premier League two-time gold medalist in London 2012 In Tokyo, everything is going to be appointed former France and Arsenal star Henry as manager Male Kumite -75kg final. Salzburg. This tally represents a con- and Rio 2016, was preparing to win his between the bar and me. I will redraw in November. The Iranian karateka had edged Erman siderable increase with the previous third successive gold at the Tokyo 2020 the boundaries,” Rahman had said Urruti’s winner, lifting the ball over New England goal- Eltemur of Turkey in semi-finals 4-4 and event since 513 competitors from 79 Paralympic Games. last year. keeper Matt Turner from the edge of the area, came just qualified to win his third medal in three countries took part in the Karate 1-Pre- Rahman broke the 300kg barrier in the Tehran Times offers its heartfelt con- moments after Revs substitute Wilfried Zahibo had a goal events this year. mier League Dubai. men´s over 107kg at the Rio 2016 Paralym- dolence to his bereaved family. chalked off for offside after a video review. Earlier Teal Bunbury had fired New England into the lead at the Olympic Stadium with a 13th-minute volley after a well-worked move from a corner. Nadal beats Fritz to win title in Acapulco Romell Quioto headed Montreal level in the 37th minute, Rafael Nadal captured his third Mexican Open title on Sat- Britain’s seventh seed Heather Watson needed 10 cham- nodding home Joel Waterman’s flick-on from a corner to urday, continuing his good form with a 6-3 6-2 triumph in pionship points to overcome Canadian teenager Leylah make it 1-1. the final over Taylor Fritz. Fernandez 6-4 6-7(8) 6-1 in the women’s final. Zahibo looked to have shot New England into the lead in Nadal survived 10 aces from Fritz and broke his service Watson saw her first five championship points slip away the 73rd minute after bundling home a free kick from close three times to outperform the 22-year-old American. in the second-set tiebreak before regaining her composure range but the goal was later ruled out for a marginal offside. “I couldn’t be happier. I played a great event from the to lose just one game in the final set. Instead it was left to former Portland Timbers forward beginning to the end,” Nadal told reporters. Victory ensured Watson’s first WTA title since she won Urruti to clinch victory for Montreal, latching on to a long “Acapulco was the first big title that I won in my ca- the Monterrey Open in 2016, and her fourth overall, and she ball over the top to lob Turner as the New England goalkeeper reer, so to be able to stay here after 15 years is amazing. will re-enter the top 50 of the WTA rankings on Monday. advanced off his line. I can’t thank enough the people who make me feel at “It’s been a few years, so I’m just really, really happy I Elsewhere on Saturday, Mexico international striker home every single time.” came through that match,” said Watson. Javier Hernandez was unable to mark his MLS debut with The Spanish world No. 2, who first won the title in 2005 It was a breakthrough week for the 17-year-old Fernandez, a goal as the Los Angeles Galaxy was held to a 1-1 draw at and took it again in 2013, stormed through the draw without who reached her first WTA quarter-final, semi-final, and Houston Dynamo. dropping a set and improved to 20-2 in the event overall. final after starting as a qualifier. Argentinian forward Cristian Pavon fired Galaxy into an Fritz had reached the final by rallying from a set and “I think it’s her mental toughness that really stands out,” early lead with a superb shot from the edge of the area after 2-4 behind against John Isner but he could mount no such Watson said. “I think she’s going to have a great career 13 minutes. comeback against Nadal. to reach the Acapulco final. ahead of her and rise up the rankings very quickly if she But Houston fought back to level through Colombian Fritz, playing his first final at an ATP 500 event, be- “He’s one of the best players to ever play the game and keeps playing like this.” striker Mauro Manotas shortly after half-time. came the only American besides Sam Querrey in 2017 he showed me why that is tonight,” Fritz said of Nadal. (Source: Reuters) (Source: sportstar) Prayer Times Noon:12:16 Evening: 18:19 Dawn: 6:08 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 6:31 (tomorrow) MARCH 2, 2020 ART&CULTURE I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y www.tehrantimes.com Managing Director: Mohammad Shojaeian Editor-in-Chief: Mohammad Ghaderi Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 [email protected] Big Sky filmfest honors Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051450 Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 www.eshterak.ir Distributor: Padideh Novin Co. “Sunless Shadows” Tel: 889 433 11 ARTTEHRAN — Iranian Webmaster: [email protected] desk Printed at: Jame Jam Bartar Borna - 44197737 director Mehrdad Oskui’s acclaimed film “Sunless Shadows” Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimesdaily has won an honorable mention at the 17th Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, the No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran organizers have announced. P.o. Box: 14155-4843 The festival was held in the U.S. city of Zip Code: 1599814713 Missoula, Montana from February 14 to 23. In “Sunless Shadows”, Oskui builds a remarkable relationship with a group of adolescent girls who are serving their sentences for the grave crime of murdering their father, their husband or another male family member in an Iranian juvenile detention center. “We award ‘Sunless Shadows’ with an honorable mention for exposing the GUIDE TO desperation and resiliency of young Iranian SPIRITUAL AWAKENING women serving time at a juvenile detention center, and the unlikely opportunity that Beware, beware of sinfulness. By God, He has their incarceration allows them as they form veiled His servants’ guilt so much as if He has tight friendships and are able to speak freely forgiven them. about their regrets and hopes,” the jury Imam Ali (AS) wrote in a statement. “I Am Not Alone” by Garin Hovannisian from Armenia was selected as best feature documentary while the award for best short documentary went to “Colette” by American Irangaam Records to filmmaker Anthony Giacchino. The Big Sky Award was presented to release Shajarian’s album of “Public Trust” by American filmmaker David Khorasani songs Garrett Byars and “A Bold Experiment” co- directed by Andrew Miller and Alexander ARTTEHRAN — Tehran-based Irangaam Records Milan from the U.S. was picked as best desklabel plans to release an album of legendary mini-documentary. A scene from “Sunless Shadows” by Mehrdad Oskui. vocalist Mohammadreza Shajarian’s Khorasani songs entitled “Khorasaniyat” on March 9. Mazandarani folk singer Abolhassan Khoshru dies at 73 CULTURE TEHRAN — Mazandarani folk singer local music of Mazandaran rooted in the rich culture and deskAbolhassan Khoshru, who made history of the region,” he noted. great efforts to familiarize the younger generation Khoshru was born into a musician family. His father, in northern Iran with their native music, died at his Abutaleb, was a singer and ney virtuoso. Along with his home in Qaemshahr on Saturday night after years of brothers, Farajollah, a santur player, and Abdollah who suffering from cancer. He was 73. plays kamancheh, he established an ensemble. His friend, The director of the Mazandaran Office of Culture and Ahmad Mohsenpur, who played violin, joined the band, Islamic Guidance, Abbas Zare, confirmed Khoshru’s death which recorded memorable songs for the Mazandaran Radio. in a press release published on Sunday. “Hojabr Soltun” was his first album. He had a smash hit “Master Khoshru carried in his heart the songs and with his first single titled “Mashti”. As a result, many people Cover of Iranian legendary vocalist Mohammadreza melodies, which were linked to the lives and hearts of in Mazandaran called him “Mashti”. Shajarian’s new album “Khorasaniyat”. people,” he said. He also sang pieces for the albums “Mazandaran Epic Poems by Emad Khorasani have been set to music by the late Mazandarani folk singer Abolhassan Khoshru in an “He made great efforts in transferring these songs to and Ritual Music” composed by Nabi Ahmadi and “Cham” composer and santur virtuoso Parviz Meshkian. undated photo. the younger generation and helped introduce the original by Siavash Talebi. The duo recorded the songs of the collection during their lifelong collaboration. Meshkatian, who died in 2009, was one of the prominent Iranian musicians that created several music albums with Shajarian. “I Killed Bin Laden” published Shajarian is currently in a Tehran hospital to receive treatment for cancer. in English The living legend of Persian traditional music has been suffering from kidney cancer for about 20 years. CULTURE TEHRAN — Persian The Persian version of the book was but meanwhile it engages in activities to deskwriter Mehdi Rezai’s published by Aradman Publications in gain income for their operations. novel “I Killed Bin Laden: The Wildest Iran. The commando’s cooperation with the Dance of the History” has been published The novel is the story of one of the UN’s private team continues until they also have Memoires of Iranian in English. commandos who uncovers corruption in operations in Iran and Saudi Arabia. In Supreme Century, a major international the UN bureaucracy, and the issue propels the end the team plans an operation for woman commander publishing company located in the Reseda him to kill one of the UN’s commanders killing Bin Laden in Pakistan in order neighborhood in Los Angeles, is the and then escape. While he is fleeing, he to prevent more massacres in the world Front cover of the English version of Persian published in French publisher of the book translated into is recruited by a private military team and to thwart any attempt by American writer Mehdi Rezai’s novel “I killed Bin English by Mandana Kia. whose objective is achieving global peace, military forces to slay him. Laden: The Wildest Dance of the History”. CULTURE TEHRAN — The memoirs of Fatemeh Jushi deskwhen she was the commander of women’s Basij Organization in Abadan during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war has recently been published Actress Lori Loughlin among parents to Coronavirus sends Netflix looking outside Italy in French. Iranian scholar Alieh face U.S. college scam trial in October for part of Dwayne Johnson’s “Red Notice” shoot Sabaghian is the translator of “Number Five” published by the Sacred Defense Research Center and Archives. Morteza Ghazi wrote the original Persian book based on narratives from Jushi in 2016. The book describes the role of women’s volunteer forces in the southern cities of Abadan and Khoramshahr during the war, which is known in Iran as the Sacred Defense. Front cover of the Persian “As Islamophobia and version of the “Number Five” by Iranophobia are being promoted Iranian writer Morteza Ghazi. in the world, translating such books, which give a real image Actress Lori Loughlin, and her husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli Actor Dwayne Johnson speaks during a ceremony for actor Kevin Hart of the Sacred Defense, seems necessary,” Ghazi said during a leave the federal courthouse after a hearing on charges in a nationwide to place his handprints and footprints in cement in the forecourt of the review session held in Tehran on Saturday. college admissions cheating scheme in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., August TCL Chinese theatre in Los Angeles, California, U.S., December 10, 2019. 27, 2019. (Reuters/Josh Reynolds) (Reuters/Mario Anzuoni) BOSTON (Reuters) — A federal judge of the private investment firm Dragon LOS ANGELES (Reuters) — Filming of movies to date with a budget of roughly “Wash Your Hands!” to fight on Thursday said actress Lori Loughlin Global. Netflix Inc’s big-budget Dwayne Johnson $160 million, Hollywood trade publication in October will be among eight parents Prosecutors have accused 53 people movie “Red Notice” had been scheduled Variety reported. coronavirus: cartoonist accused of participating in a vast U.S. of participating in a scheme in which to move to Italy in the coming weeks, but Production on “Red Notice” is currently Hamid Bahrami college admissions bribery and fraud parents conspired with a California producers now are exploring other locations underway in Atlanta, the location that had scheme to face the first trial to result college admissions consultant to use due to the coronavirus outbreak in the been planned to host the bulk of filming. from the scandal. bribery and other forms of fraud to country, a source close to the production The U.S. State Department late on 1 The cartoon depicts a coronavirus-shaped bowling The “Full House” star, along with secure the admission of their children told Reuters on Friday. Friday said Americans should reconsider ball rolling toward masked pins, one of which cries “If just her fashion designer husband, Mossimo to top schools. The possibility of relocating that travel to Italy due to the coronavirus I washed my hands!” Giannulli, are among 15 parents fighting The consultant, William “Rick” Singer, portion of the production is not expected outbreak there. “Red Notice” is among “I start my day with reading the news, and by this I feel charges brought by federal prosecutors pleaded guilty last March to charges he to force a hiatus in filming of the movie, a handful of Hollywood productions informed, and it injects life into routine jobs,” Bahrami had in Boston stemming from the U.S. college facilitated cheating on college entrance which also stars “Deadpool” actor Ryan affected by the virus. once said in an interview. admissions scandal. exams and helped bribe university sports Reynolds and “Wonder Woman” actress Producers of the CBS television global “Based on the news I’ve read, I begin to create a work that U.S. District Judge Nathaniel Gorton coaches to present his clients’ children Gal Gadot, the source said. Netflix has competition show “The Amazing Race” said may portray Donald Trump! This may be the most journalistic said the first group of parents would face as fake athletic recruits. not announced a release date, and the on Friday they had temporarily suspended behavior toward the visual arts,” he added. trial on Oct. 5, while the remaining ones Prosecutors allege that Loughlin company had no comment on production filming of a new season. Iran has canceled all art, cultural and cinematic events across the would go on trial on Jan. 11. and Giannulli agreed with Singer to locations. And a planned three-week shoot country amid growing concerns over the new coronavirus outbreak. Loughlin’s co-defendants at trial pay $500,000 in bribes to have their “Red Notice” is a global crime thriller in Venice, Italy, for Tom Cruise’s new According to the latest data, a total of 978 Iranian nationals will include Gamal Abdelaziz, former two daughters named as fake recruits about an Interpol agent who tracks the “Mission: Impossible” film has been have been infected by the virus, out of which 54 patients president of Wynn Resorts Ltd’s Macau to the University of Southern California world’s most-wanted art thief. It is among postponed due to the outbreak, Paramount have lost their lives. subsidiary, and Robert Zangrillo, founder crew team. the streaming service’s most-expensive Pictures said this week.