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16 Pages Price 20,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 39th year No.13302 Saturday JANUARY 12, 2019 Dey 22, 1397 Jumada Al Awwal 5, 1440 Aboutorabi Fard Europe a Zarif on Pompeo: U.S. Vietnam match urges monetary ‘safe heaven’ for brings chaos wherever our second final:

policy changes 2 terrorists, says 2 it interferes 2 15 Rouhani promises space rocket “Special Award” wins honorable launches in weeks POLITICS — Presi- fensive tool and we are proud of it.” He deskdent added, “In the coming weeks, we will send said on Thursday that domestically-man- two new satellites into space using our mention at Ammar festival ufactured rockets will carry two new sat- domestically-built rockets.” ellites into orbit in the coming weeks. He also described Iran’s defense pow- Rouhani made the remarks during a er and technology achievements as relics See page 16 ceremony held to commemorate the death of Ayatollah Rafsanjani. Last November, of former president and chairman of the Ex- Deputy Defense Minister General Qassem pediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Taqizadeh announced that Iran would launch Rafsanjani in Tehran on Thursday. three satellites into space “on various orbits” Rouhani said, “Missiles are our de- within a few months. 2

Iran, Iraq stress expansion of energy ties ECONOMY TEHRAN — Irani- officials, Iranian minister underlined the deskan Oil Minister Bijan great potentials for expansion of bilateral Namdar Zanganeh and his Iraqi counter- relations especially in energy sector. part Thamir Ghadhban met on Thursday Zanganeh also expressed hope that to discuss expansion of bilateral ties in the meeting and other talks between energy sector. Heading a high-ranking the two sides will advance Iran-Iraq delegation, Zanganeh was welcomed by cooperation in every field. Ghadhban in Baghdad, Shana reported. He further noted that Iran has enough Speaking in a press conference after reserves of gas to increase its experts the meeting between the two countries’ to Iraq. 4

U.S.: withdrawal has begun; doubtful The United States says it has begun the nouncing on Friday that the pullout had begun. Hamid Vakili process of withdrawing from Syria but The U.S. “has begun the process of our Russia cast doubt on the claim on Friday, deliberate withdrawal from Syria. Out of saying it thinks Washington wants to stay concern for operational security, we will in the country. not discuss specific timelines, locations The United States President or troop movements,” he said.

Tehran Times/ Tehran Times/ last month unexpectedly announced a U.S. Ryan’s announcement came a day after a troop withdrawal from Syria, with the U.S. U.S. military official said the United States had Director Mohammad-Taqi Rahmati holds the Golden Lantern for Best Documentary on Economic War for his “In the Name of Father” at the Ammar festival. military spokesman Colonel Sean Ryan an- removed some equipment from Syria. 13 PERSPECTIVE Jaberi Ansari discusses Syria with Russian military, diplomatic officials ARTICLE Javad Heirannia POLITICS TEHRAN — Hossein Jaberi The planned withdrawal of U.S. troops from we had arranged work in the framework of the Martin Love political analyst deskAnsari, a senior advisor to the Syria has created a new situation in the region. Astana process,” Cavusoglu stated, according Political analyst from Iranian foreign minister for political affairs, held Turkish Foreign Minister said Mevlut Cavu- to RT. North Carolina meetings with a number of Russian officials in soglu said on Wednesday that as the U.S. is expe- Cavusoglu visited late in December Moscow on Thursday, discussing the latest de- riencing “certain difficulties” with the withdrawal to discuss the situation in Syria. On Wednesday, Reasons behind velopments surrounding Syria. from Syria, it should be coordinated with Iran he mulled bilateral talks between and The U.S. wants to He held separate meetings with Russian Deputy and Russia to prevent “terrorists” from taking Iran, giving no timeframe, however. the eventual Defense Minister Alexander Vasilyevich Fomin, up the vacated space. At the same time, Cavusoglu revealed that “incite” Iranians Middle East director Sergei Vershinin, and Dep- “The United States [has] been facing cer- a summit involving the presidents of Turkey, withdrawal of uty Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, who is tain difficulties with the process of the troops’ Russia and Iran is being prepared in Moscow. and this must be also President ’s special envoy for withdrawal from Syria. We want to coordinate The last meeting between the three presidents from PGCC Middle East affairs. this process with Russia and Iran, with which was held in Tehran on Sept. 7 2 rejected

fter several years since the beginning fter a while a rational person begins of Syria crisis, the Persian Gulf Arab to think Arabs, or at least Arab “lead- Astates are changing their policies The first attack of the 2019 anti-aggressor drones Aers”, bar a handful of reasonably towards this county, and following the By Farzad Farhadi ever-increasing power of the Yemeni drones and movement, Mohammed Abdul-Salam, announced sane souls that includes Syria’s Assad and move of UAE and Bahrain, Kuwait will TEHRAN — As UN Special Envoy for Yemen missiles. So far, dozens of missiles have been that if the Saudi led-coalition continues aggres- some others probably in Iraq and Leb- soon expand its relations with Syria. Martin Griffiths continues Track II efforts to lay fired at the military, airports, and oil facilities of sion on Yemen, the Yemeni missile capabilities anon, maybe in Kuwait and and Along with this policy change, the the foundation for peace-building in Yemen, the by the Yemeni army and popular will also increase. even Yemen (it’s difficult to say, much less Arab leaders of Persian Gulf countries Yemeni army and popular committees report the committees. The missiles are now more accurate The first drone strike of the Yemeni name names) are just flat stupid – espe- are warming up their ties with Israel. attack on the cease-fire by the invader. Fighting than ever and hit targets with high precision. army and popular committees in 2019 cially when compared with most Iranians The Arab-Israel relations get closer but broke out in Al-Hudaydah and other fronts in Therefore, despite the Patriot missile defense The latest blow on Yemen’s aggressors and whatever their posture is towards the rule Kuwait does not agree with this policy and Yemen a day after the ceasefire agreement, and the system in Saudi Arabia, the Saudis have begun mercenaries was on the morning of January 10, of Shia Muslim authorities in the Islamic intends to maintain its foreign policy outside Yemeni army and popular committees repelled efforts to take ownership of the Russia’s S400 2019, during which a Yemeni drone targeted the Republic. Israeli influence, but it’s possible as a result successive raids of mercenaries and invaders. air defense system. aggressors’ base at the Al-Anad air base in Lahaj Outstanding among the stupid (and Kuwait might be separated from the PGCC. What is remarkable on the battlefield is the The spokesman of Yemen’s Houthi Ansarullah province, killing and wounding dozens. 7 corrupt) has to be Mahmoud Abbas as In this regard, it should be noted that self- appointed spokesperson and leader of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council was Palestinians. He has done NOTHING for an organization that was set up in 1981 to A clear signal for the German chancellor his people west of the Jordan, it appears, control Iran and was attempting to take By Hanif Ghaffari here as my own person, just as life has shaped Democrats, have fallen below 50%. This suggests for decades. Arafat at least tried. The Is- steps to control Iraq, too. TEHRAN — It’s a difficult time for the Chan- me and of that I am proud,” she said. the unpopularity of the coalition government raelis make life ever more difficult for Holy Alongside these issues, the international cellor of Germany! She had to pass the power has announced that she among the German citizens. Merkel now has to Land natives, ethnic cleansing continues and regional powers’ role in influencing inside the Christian Democrat Party to her rival, will step down of power in 2021, but the polls run the weak coalition government until 2021! unabated, colonial Zionist “settlements” these countries also reflects the lack of Kramp-Karenbauer. In a conference, Karenbauer conducted in Germany has intensively worried Many analysts of Europe’s affairs believe that continue to sprout like weeds on stolen trust between the PGCC countries. For rejected claims that she was the “mini Merkel”. her. The results of these polls indicate that the Merkel’s power is actually over. The Chancellor land, etcetera, in an area now where Arabs instance, while Qatar hosts a Turkish mil- “People consider me a ‘mini,’ a copy, a simple total popularity of the two traditional German of Germany is no longer the symbol of power in outnumber Jews if one includes Gazans. itary base, this is seen as a threat to Saudi ‘more of the same,’ but I can tell you that I stand parties, the coalition of the Christian and Social the United Europe. 7 But this is an old story. Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain. The U.S. has lately been trying to cobble A recent international summit was held together what’s been termed an “Arab NATO” in , Qatar, by high-profile figures, while to confront and weaken Iran. This idea is earlier the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council Iran holds aerial somewhat analogous to NATO itself where summit in took place with the ab- a host of various countries within NATO at sence of Qatar, Oman and the UAE’s leaders. drill, tests U.S. urgings portray a larger country by land By holding this important summit and mass, Russia, as some kind of aggressive gathering outstanding international figures Qassed smart demon aiming to expand and attack Europe from Iran, Turkey and Russia, Qatar has when in fact Russia has no such aims but shown that it could be more widely recog- bombs its own defense. nized in the international arena despite the Any “Arab NATO” collection of coun- POLITICS hostile actions of the Persian Gulf Arabs TEHRAN — Iran held tries would confront a much larger country desk states with the Doha blockade. a massive aerial drill by geographic size, Iran, similarly and for On December 12, 2019, Riyadh hosted in central province of on Friday, the same false reasons, one must suppose. the first Arab-African conference of foreign targeting various positions with domes- And Iran clearly has no aggressive aims ministers of six countries bordering the tically made missiles and smart bombs. but it does intend to defend itself. What Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, a strategic During the operational stage on Friday to make of the Arab NATO concept? area vital to global shipping. morning, the F-4 Phantom fighter jets fired Well, one thing seems indisputable. During the summit an agreement was made Maverick tactical air-to-ground missiles That there is nothing benign about U.S. on the establishment of a legal regime for the and Qassed smart bombs, Tasnim news intentions, and it’s all about dividing the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The objective of agency reported. Muslim world (as usual) on the back of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden regime was to Abbas Poustindouz The two-day drill, started on Thursday, a selfish imperialistic desire to augment support world trade, international shipping codenamed Fadayeeyan Harim Velayat 8. U.S. presence and control in the Middle lanes, regional stability and the investment According to Press TV, laser-guided, East. John Bolton, who has influenced and development of the member states. The anti-radar and thermal missiles as well as Trump to delay any pull out of U.S. troops plan, proposed by the King of Saudi Arabia, ultralight aircraft were also tested during from Syria, talks about creating “a more will be implemented in pursuit of security and Tehran Times/ the maneuvers attended by all Iranian air vibrant and secure” Middle East (with the stability in the region. 7 force bases. 2 downfall of the Islamic Republic). 7 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS JANUARY 12, 2019 MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS Iran urges Netherlands to protect diplomats’ Zarif on Pompeo: U.S. brings chaos wherever it security after attack by Al-Ahvaziya group interferes Diplomat criticizes EU for harboring terrorists POLITICS TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Minister POLITICS TEHRAN — Iran’s in fighting terror. desk has mocked U.S. deskambassador to The Hague The European Council press release Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s speech in which he said has called on high-ranking Dutch officials to came one day after Danish Foreign Minister “when America retreats, chaos follows,” by asserting that preserve the security of Iranian diplomats and Anders Samuelsen said that the EU had the opposite was true. Tehran’s embassy in the European country agreed to enact sanctions against “an Iranian “Whenever/wherever US interferes, chaos, repression after Iran’s embassy building came under Intelligence Service for its assassination and resentment follow,” Zarif wrote on Twitter on Thursday. attack on Wednesday. plots on European soil.” “The day Iran mimics US clients & @SecPompeo’s ‘human The call by Alireza Jahangiri came after Top Dutch diplomat Stef Blok also claimed rights models’ — be it the Shah or current butchers — to supporters of a terrorist group called Al- that his country’s secret service had “strong become a ‘normal’ country is the day hell freezes over. Best Ahvaziya attacked the Iranian embassy in indications” that Iran was involved in the for the US to just get over loss of Iran.” The Hague on Wednesday afternoon. assassination of two Dutch nationals in 2015 The attackers gathered in front of the and in 2017. Europe a ‘safe embassy building and chanted anti-Iran The remarks followed claims by French slogans and threw rocks and bottles. They and Belgian police officials that they had heaven’ for also tried to climb the adjacent embassy disrupted a plot to conduct a bomb attack on terrorists, Iran building but were immediately arrested by an MKO meeting in Paris last June attended the Dutch police. by Giuliani, and several former European says According to one of the embassy diplomats, and Arab ministers. none of the embassy staff was hurt during The MKO has carried out numerous POLITICS TEHRAN — Kazem Gharibabadi, the the incident. attacks against Iranian civilians and deskIranian ambassador to the Vienna-based The Dutch authorities regretted the attack officials over the past four decades and is international organizations, has said that Europe has turned and emphasized the necessity to safeguard listed as a terrorist organization by much into a “safe heaven” for terrorists of the Mujahedin Khalq the security of the representative offices and of the international community. Out of the Organization (MKO/MEK). embassy staff. nearly 17,000 Iranians killed in terrorist It is unacceptable to criticize Iran and sanction Iranians Al-Ahvaziya is the same terrorist group assaults since the victory of the 1979 Islamic while Europe has turned into a “safe heaven” for terrorists “While Westerners act on the basis that conducted a terrorist attack on a military Revolution, about 12,000 have fallen victim of the MKO, he tweeted on Thursday. of unproven probabilities & fictitious parade in Ahvaz, capital of southwestern to MKO’s acts of terror. Anders Samuelsen, the Danish foreign minister, tweeted on Khuzestan province, on September 22 assumptions, they easily ignore the France and Denmark issued statements Tuesday that the agreed to enact sanctions while Iran was marking the start of the last October and November, respectively, against an Iranian Intelligence Service over claims of obvious realities,” Iran’s ambassador to Sacred Defense Week against the Saddam saying they suspected a so-called Iranian assassination plot in Denmark. invading Army. Dozens of civilians, including The Hague says. government intelligence unit pursued killing a 4-year old boy, were among those killed in summer, they held their held their annual Council as part of its response to recent foiled plots on their territories. ‘Washington’s the terrorist attack. forum in Paris with the presence of Trump attacks on the European soil,” it added. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin extremist In a tweet on Thursday, Jahangiri wrote, lawyer , calling for regime On Tuesday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Netanyahu admitted that the regime had “While Westerners act on the basis of unproven change in Iran. Mohammad Javad Zarif slammed the EU been behind Europe’s row with Iran over policies harming probabilities & fictitious assumptions, they In a hostile move on Wednesday, the sanctions and said they would “not absolve murder plot allegations. easily ignore the obvious realities. The fact is European Council said that it had added two Europe of responsibility for harboring Tehran strongly denied any involvement Americans’ EU hosts terrorist groups leaving them free for Iranian individuals and the Directorate for terrorists.” in the purported plots, saying the accusations Internal Security of the Iranian Intelligence Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram POLITICS TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Ministry their illegitimate activities but acts against Iran were merely intended to damage EU-Iran Ministry to the EU’s “terrorist list” and froze Qassemi also called the EU’s blacklist decision deskspokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Friday on false assumptions & unapproved stories.” relations amid efforts to save the 2015 their funds and other financial assets. “irrational” and “odd” and said the move that the Trump administration’s extremist approaches is The anti-Iran Mujahedin terrorist group nuclear agreement following Washington’s “These listings have been adopted by the showed the European countries’ “dishonesty” hurting the American people. (MKO/MEK) are also free in Europe. Last withdrawal. “The U.S., especially its current extremist regime, has chosen a path, exercising hostility towards the Iranian people and opposing all its former governments’ actions, that has no benefit for the Americans,” the spokesman remarked. Jaberi Ansari discusses Syria with Russian military, diplomatic officials During his speech at the American University in Cairo 1 The proposal comes as Ankara and Washington write a new constitution for Syria. on Thursday, .U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo rebuked are engaged in a bitter war of words over the U.S. troop The 150-strong committee, due to start work this year, Obama’s administration policies towards Iran and called for withdrawal from Syria. On Tuesday, U.S. National Security could pave the way for UN-supervised elections and a possible an end to Middle East rivalries to roll back Tehran’s influence. Advisor John Bolton blasted an opinion piece penned by peace process that would encourage millions of refugees to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the New York return to their homeland, the Guardian reported. ‘Sheltering Times as both “offensive and wrong.” The agreement on the committee’s formation was Erdogan praised his own efforts in combatting terrorism formally reached by the three countries on December terrorists no in Syria, while criticizing the U.S.-backed operations in Raqqa 18 last year in Geneva and the proposals passed to former and the Iraqi city of Mosul, as well as recalling the “lesson UN special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, for his example of political of Iraq” and the “premature declarations of victory” which endorsement and for consideration by the UN Security led to the emergence of Islamic State (IS). Council on December 20. freedom in EU’ Iran, Russia, and Turkey - guarantors of the Syrian peace The Geneva agreement was signed off by Çavu?oglu, his POLITICS TEHRAN — Tehran’s ambassador to the process under the Astana Group– have spurned efforts by Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, and Iran’s Mohammad deskUK has lambasted the European states for the UN to change the composition of a committee due to Javad Zarif. sheltering anti-Iran terrorist groups, saying giving freedom of activity to notorious outfits does not constitute an example of political freedom. Iranian defense minister attends Maduro inauguration Hamid Baeidinejad made the comments in a post on his POLITICS TEHRAN — Iranian De- Hatami was accompanied by a high tionary and independent countries. Hatami meets Mauritanian president Twitter account on Wednesday in reaction to the European deskfense Minister Brigadier ranking delegation. For his part, Morales attached great Prior to his visit to Caracas, Hatami took Union’s recent move to blacklist two Iranians and a department General attended the inaugu- The defense minister also held a meeting importance to expansion of ties with Iran a trip to the African country of Mauritania of the Intelligence Ministry over what it calls links to “foiled ration ceremony for Venezuelan President with Bolivian President Evo Morales on the and praised Tehran’s efforts in fighting and met with President Mohamed Ould attacks” in Europe. Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on Thursday. sidelines of the inauguration ceremony, dis- terrorism. Abdel Aziz. Baeidinejad complained that Europe has turned into a Maduro, who first came to power as pres- cussing international developments. Hatami also held a separate meeting with The defense minister called for expansion shelter for terrorist groups such as the Mujahedin Khalq ident in 2013, was sworn in for a second term Hatami said relations between Iran and Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Pa- of ties and praised Mauritania’s support Organization (MKO/MEK). in office on Thursday. Bolivia are friendly which benefits revolu- drino Lopez and invited him to visit Iran. for Palestinians. “Unfortunately, European countries have become a safe haven and a shelter not only for the MKO, but also for representatives of new terrorist and separatist groups (such as Al-Ahvaziya) Iran holds aerial drill, tests Qassed smart bombs that are openly pursuing Iran’s disintegration,” he said. 1 Various bombers, large military transport A spokesperson for the drill said the warplanes detonated ultralight aircraft and offense drones were also flown aircraft, interceptor and reconnaissance planes, and ground targets of the hypothetical enemy by dropping to detect and hit the positions configured to mirror the Iran dismisses patrol aircraft were used in the drills. 2000-pound Qassed standoff bombs, which are smart, have capabilities of hostile targets. reports U.S. citizen Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and offense pinpoint accuracy, and have been developed by experts from Different types of bombers, large military transport aircraft, drones were also used for reconnaissance operations the IRIAF (Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force). interceptor and reconnaissance planes, and patrol aircraft held in suboptimal and bombing mock enemy positions. During Friday morning’s stage of the war game, have taken part in the drill. condition Rouhani promises space rocket Aboutorabi Fard urges monetary POLITICS TEHRAN — Iran has dismissed as “lies” deskreports by U.S. media outlets claiming launches in weeks policy changes that an American citizen recently arrested in Iran is being held in suboptimal conditions. “An American citizen named Michael White was arrested in the city of Mashhad a while ago and the American Interests Section in Tehran was informed in the first days” since his arrest, Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi told reporters on Wednesday. Qassemi said, “We strongly reject such untrue and false reports.” On Tuesday, CBS News claimed the 46-year-old had been in detention since last summer and “was suffering psychologically and was being held in a ward with dangerous criminals.” This is while a U.S. State Department official confirmed that it had been informed of White’s arrest but told the Times “we have no additional information to provide at this time.” 1 Earlier this week, Foreign Minister Under the UN Security Council POLITICS TEHRAN — not mean increasing tax rate. U.S. to host Mohammad Javad Zarif said Iran will Resolution 2231, which endorsed the deskMohammad-Hassan The former lawmaker called for a continue with its aerospace program nuclear deal in 2015, Iran is “called upon” Aboutorabi Fard, the interim Friday crackdown on tax evasion. Iran-focused despite U.S. warnings, adding there to refrain from work on ballistic missiles prayer leader of Tehran, said that the “Tax evasion is a cruelty against summit next was no international law prohibiting designed to deliver nuclear weapons monetary policies should be reformed those who pay tax. This [tax evasion] such a program. for up to eight years. to curb the inflation. harms the society and causes economic month: Pompeo Zarif, who was in New Delhi on a Iran has ruled out negotiations with “We will face serious problems corruption,” he said. bilateral visit, also told that Washington over its military capabilities, if the monetary policies are not According to some reports, there is POLITICS The United States plans to host a global particularly the missile program. It says reformed. If the monetary policies about 40-50 billion dollar tax evasion, desk leaving a 2015 nuclear deal agreed with summit focused on the Middle East, world powers is an option available with the program is purely defensive and are not reformed, the inflation will Aboutorabi Fard lamented. particularly Iran, next month in Poland, U.S. Secretary of Tehran but is not the only option on denies missiles are capable of being not be curbed,” the mild-spoken cleric He also called on the MPs to consider State Mike Pompeo told Fox News in a report published on the table. tipped with nuclear warheads. told worshippers. the country’s long term interests in Friday, Reuters reported. The United States earlier this U.S. President Donald Trump pulled “If the banking system is not studying the national budget bill for In an interview with the news network, Pompeo said the month issued a pre-emptive warning out of the international agreement on reformed, the rise in liquidity which the next Iranian calendar year, which international gathering would be held Feb. 13 to Feb. 14 in to Iran against pursuing three planned Iran’s nuclear program in May and is a result of chaos in the banking system starts on March 21, 2019. Poland to “focus on Middle East stability and peace and space rocket launches that it claimed reimposed sanctions on Tehran. He said will cause economic challenges,” he The former legislator noted that as freedom and security here in this region, and that includes would violate a UN Security Council the deal was flawed because it did not remarked. long as the economy continues to rely an important element of making sure that Iran is not a resolution because they use ballistic include curbs on Iran’s development of He also called for a tax reform in the on oil revenues the issue of resistance destabilizing influence”. missile technology. ballistic missiles or regional influence. country, noting that tax reform does economy is irrelevant. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JANUARY 12, 2019 INTERNATIONAL

Trump threatens to declare Reuters journalists to remain in jail after emergency on border visit losing appeal

The United States President Donald Trump time television address from the Oval Office threatened on Thursday to declare a nation- that there was a growing security and hu- al emergency to circumvent Congress if he manitarian crisis at the border. can’t reach a deal with Democrats to fund On Wednesday, he visited Republican pol- his promised border wall, which has been at iticians at the U.S. Capitol, emerging from a the center of an ongoing partial government meeting to say his party was “very unified”. shutdown. Less than two hours later, eight Repub- Trump flew to the Texas border with Mexico licans in the House voted with majority to try to bolster his case that the country is Democrats on a bill that would reopen the facing a crisis which can only be solved by Treasury Department along with some other spending billions of dollars to construct a wall. programs and did not include any funding “We can declare a national emergency. for the wall. We shouldn’t have to,” Trump told reporters. On Friday the U.S. lawmakers are expect- “This is just common sense.” ed to vote on a bill that would reopen the His trip to the border town of McAllen, Department of the Interior. Texas, came on the 20th day of the shutdown, U.S. military prepares options The two Reuters journalists imprisoned in Myanmar for their which has left some 800,000 Americans out to build Trump’s border wall reporting on the violence against the Rohingya Muslims in Rah- of work or working without pay. Meantime, the U.S. Defense Department kine state have lost their appeal, with the court upholding their Prior to the shutdown, Trump said he is preparing options to build a wall on the guilty verdict and lengthy prison sentences. would be “proud” to shut the government U.S.-Mexico border in the event that President Wa Lone and had each been handed prison down over the issue but has since blamed Donald Trump declares a national emergency, sentences of seven years in September after they were found Democrats. the latest sign that such a move is gaining guilty of breaching the country’s Official Secrets Act after it was He also has been considering whether to support within the White House. claimed they were in possession of classified documents. declare a national emergency and use it to “The Department of Defense is reviewing The trial of the pair was widely criticized, with human rights circumvent Congress by building the wall available authorities and funding mechanisms groups and international governments accusing the Myanmar with money allocated for the Department Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate to identify options to enable border barrier regime of using the courts to target the two reporters for their of Defense. McConnell has made clear, however, that he Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, calling construction,” said the U.S. Navy Captain reporting on the military-led massacre of Rohingya Muslims in On Thursday, Trump said it would be will not allow that chamber to vote on any it “a total waste of time”. Bill Speaks, a Pentagon spokesman. the village of Inn Din in Rahkine. “very surprising” for him not to declare a measure that does not include wall funding. Trump says undocumented immigrants “As there has not been such a declaration Both Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who are both Burmese, have national emergency if he can’t make a deal McAllen is located in the Rio Grande Valley, and illegal drugs are streaming across the made, it would be inappropriate to comment continued to stress their innocence, alleging they were hand- with Democrats. the busiest part of the border where individ- border from Mexico, despite statistics that further on those efforts,” he said. ed classified documents, which was used as evidence they had “I’m not prepared to do that yet, but if I uals cross between official ports of entry. show irregular immigration is at a 20-year Trump’s declaration of an emergency at breached secrecy laws, without their knowledge in a police set-up. have to, I will,” Trump told reporters. “We’re Trump travelled there with the state’s two low and that many drug shipments likely the southern border would allow the U.S. The appeal against the verdict, which was filed in November, either going to have a win - make a compro- U.S. senators, Republicans John Cornyn and are smuggled through official ports of entry. Army Corps of Engineers to design barriers argued that “compelling evidence” of the arrest being a set-up mise - because I think a compromise is a win Ted Cruz. Signaling he’s ready to maintain the Democrats accuse Trump of using fear and allow contractors to build them. by the police, as well as violations in due process and key holes for everybody - or I will declare a national game of brinksmanship, Trump wrote on Twitter tactics and spreading misinformation about Lieutenant General Todd Semonite, who in the prosecution’s case, had been ignored. emergency,” he said. on arrival in Texas that he will scrap a visit to the border situation in order to fulfil a 2016 commands the Army Corps of Engineers, However, in a further blow to freedom of expression in My- It’s not clear what a compromise would the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, campaign promise as he looks towards his accompanied Trump on his trip Thursday to anmar, on Friday afternoon a judge at the high court in entail, as Trump has so far refused to give Switzerland, which runs from January 21-25. race for re-election in 2020. McAllen, Texas, to tour the border, according rejected the appeal and upheld their guilty verdict. The judge up on his demand for $5.7bn in border wall Trump had been expected to make a brief “Again, we saw a temper tantrum because to the White House. described the seven year jail sentence as a “suitable ruling”. funding, and if he were to go through with appearance at the influential get-together, he couldn’t get his way,” Schumer told re- The U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said Stephen J Adler, the editor-in-chief of Reuters, said the re- the threat to declare a national emergency, attended by many world leaders, but said porters on Wednesday after Trump walked on Capitol Hill on Thursday that Trump is jection of the appeal was “yet another injustice among many it would likely be challenged in the courts. that opposition Democratic “intransigence” out of the meeting with Democrats. determined to build a wall on the border. inflicted upon Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo”. Democrats, who control the House of Rep- required him to stay home. The president has been working to make The $5.7 billion Trump seeks would build “They remain behind bars for one reason: those in power resentatives, refuse to approve the funding, But Trump has also expressed his own his case to the public and bolster any congres- 234 miles (376 km) of barriers. Democrats have sought to silence the truth,” said Adler. “Reporting is not a crime, saying a border wall is ineffective, expensive doubts that his appearance and remarks sional Republicans who might be wavering. refused to pass a government funding bill that and until Myanmar rights this terrible wrong, the press in My- and immoral. They have instead said they in Texas will change any minds as he seeks Pressure on them could intensify on Fri- includes Trump requested amount for a wall, anmar is not free, and Myanmar’s commitment to rule of law will allocate more than $1.3bn for border money for the wall that has been his signature day when hundreds of thousands of federal calling it immoral, ineffective and medieval. and democracy remains in doubt.” security measures that don’t include a wall. promise since his presidential campaign. employees - including border patrol agents Some Republican say they oppose divert- A statement issued by the EU’s spokesperson for foreign af- On Thursday the Democrat-controlled On December 22, about 25 percent of the and airport security screeners - miss their ing money from the Pentagon or any other fairs, Maja Kocijancic, said the appeal rejection was a “missed House passed two bills that would reopen government - excluding mainly the Depart- first pay-cheques. federal department to pay for the barriers. opportunity to right a wrong” adding that the ruling “casts seri- the departments of Agriculture, Transpor- ment of Defense and health-related programs “I have never been more depressed about Trump made the wall a key election cam- ous doubt over the independence of Myanmar’s justice system.” tation and other agencies that have been - shut down because of Congress’ inability moving forward than right now. I just don’t paign promise in 2016, saying Mexico would The appeal was also condemned by , largely shuttered for nearly three weeks. to meet a September deadline on funding. see a pathway forward,” said Republican Sen- pay for it and claiming it is needed to com- who said the ruling “perpetuates an appalling injustice” while Twelve republicans voted with them on The impasse has continued, while Trump’s ator Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally, who said bat illegal immigration and drug trafficking. the chief executive of PEN America, Suzanne Nossel, said that the transportation bill, and 10 on the one meetings with Democratic congressional lead- it was time for the president to declare a Democrats have called a border wall immoral, “yet again Myanmar’s justice system has turned its backs on the to open Agriculture and the Food and Drug ers have ended in bitterness. On Wednesday, national emergency. ineffective and medieval. principles of rule of law and respect for rights that are the litmus Administration. he stormed out of a meeting with the U.S. On Tuesday, Trump said in his first prime- (Source: agencies) test of democracy”. Since they were jailed in September, there has been a ground- swell of support for Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo internationally, with the pair handed awards for their journalism. They were also MBS in touch with ‘former’ Saudi royal adviser among the persecuted journalists named as Time Magazine’s Person of the Year 2018. However, within Myanmar, where there is little sympathy for the plight of the Rohingya, condemnation of the jailing of the Qahtani: report journalists has been more muted. The Myanmar state counsellor, The House of Saud regime Crown Prince Mohammed bin He was dismissed as a royal adviser following Khashoggi’s dissenters,” according to the U.S. and Saudi sources. , the winner who was once a Salman, also known as MBS, remains in regular contact murder, but the ambiguity surrounding his status has raised It said the Trump administration had hoped that the leading human rights advocate, has resisted calls to pardon Wa with his adviser Saud al-Qahtani, accused of masterminding questions about whether he continues to have influence Saudi royal would learn something from Khashoggi’s killing Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, the most recent of which came from the the murder of journalist , the Washington behind the scenes. and make some changes. US vice-president, Mike Pence, during a meeting with Aung San Post reported. Qahtani is believed to have played a pivotal role in “Domestically, he feels very confident and in control. As Suu Kyi in November. The newspaper, citing unnamed United States and Saudi Khashoggi’s assassination by first trying to draw him back long as his base is secure, he feels that nothing can harm The conviction could still be appealed in Myanmar’s Supreme sources, said that Prince Mohammed, continues to seek to Saudi Arabia. He met the Saudi hit team before they left him,” the U.S. source who had recently met MBS said. Court, the highest court of appeal in the country. advice from Qahtani. for Turkey and allegedly gave orders to kill Khashoggi if he One example that shows how MBS hasn’t altered his Qa- (Source: The Guardian) David Ignatius, the paper’s security affairs correspond- refused to return to his country voluntarily. htani-style internet bullying tactics is a new aggressive social ent, quoted an unnamed U.S. citizen who had recently met Ignatius quoted another Saudi source as saying that media campaign launched this week to attack Khashoggi MBS as saying that Qahtani is in possession of a lot of files Qahtani had recently made two trips to the United Arab and Canadian-based Saudi critic Omar Abdel Aziz. and dossiers. Emirates (UAE), even though he was presumed to be under Ignatius said the Twitter hashtag “Fact” was used to pres- “The idea that you can have a radical rupture with him house arrest in Riyadh. ent the alleged involvement of the two men in anti-Saudi Merkel: Germany ‘takes is unrealistic,” the source said. The adviser also reportedly met recently with senior dep- plots financed by Qatar. A Saudi who is close to the royal court concurred. uties from the royal court’s Centre for Studies and Media A video on Twitter titled “Qatar System Exposed”, pro- total responsibility’ for Nazi “There’s stuff [Qahtani] was working on that he may have Affairs at his home in “Riyadh” and told them that he had duced by a company with the same name as a Dubai-based crimes in Greece to finish, or hand over,” he said according to The Wash- been blamed and “used as a scapegoat.” Qahtani had run video studio, alleged that Khashoggi was part of a plot to ington Post. the center until shortly after Khashoggi’s death. “create a new destabilizing Arab Spring (Islamic Awakening) The last official government comment on Qahtani was on The paper reported that “far from altering his impulsive to unsettle Arab countries, mainly, Saudi Arabia”, reinforc- Chancellor Angela Merkel says Germany “takes total responsi- November 15, when prosecutors said he was under investi- behavior,” MBS “appears instead to be continuing with his ing what the source said about Qahtani’s visit to the UAE. bility” for crimes committed by the Nazis in Greece during the gation and was barred from leaving the kingdom. autocratic governing style and a ruthless campaign against (Source: Al Jazeera) Second World War. The Chancellor, who is on a two-day visit in Athens, said on Friday that Germany is “aware of our historical responsibility,” but it has already paid Athens 115 million deutsch- marks in 1960. “We are aware of our historical responsibility, we Cleric Ali al-Omari cruelly subjected to torture in Saudi jail: rights group know how much suffering Germany caused Greece during the era of National Socialism so the lesson for us is to do everything A political dissident and renowned Muslim clerics backed by the regime in Riyadh. The we can to ensure goo” relations with Greece and to support each preacher in Saudi Arabia has reportedly been Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/ other for the benefit of both countries,” Merkel said. brutally tortured in prison as a crackdown Daesh) Takfiri terrorists and other militant Germany has already dismissed Athens request to a com- led by the Saudi regime Crown Prince Mo- groups use the ideology to declare people of pensation of €288 billion for the destruction Greece sustained hammed bin Salman (MBS) against Muslim other faiths “infidels,” justifying the killing between 1941 and 1944, the years the country was subject to preachers and intellectuals widens in the of their victims. Third Reich rule. conservative oil-rich kingdom. Omari is said to have been completely “As Greeks, we consider these demands legally active and The rights group Prisoners of Conscience, prohibited from visits and contact with his (can be) judicially pursued and should be solved in the compe- which is an independent non-governmental family during his time in solitary confinement. tent European forum, judicial forum,” Greek President Prokopis organization seeking to promote human rights The House of Saud regime has lately Pavlopoulos told Merkel during a short meeting. in Saudi Arabia, announced in a post on its stepped up politically-motivated arrests, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, however, said Merkel’s visit official Twitter page that Dr. Ali al-Omari is prosecution and conviction of peaceful marked “the end of a difficult cycle between our two countries.” currently suffering from severe burns and dissident writers and human rights cam- This is Merkel’s first visit in Greece after the country exited injuries all over his body as a result of savage paigners. its bailout programs a few months ago. beatings and electric shocks he experienced The Saudi regime officials have also inten- Back in 2010, it was revealed that Greece that had been af- during his detention in solitary confinement sified security measures in the Shia-populated fected with a spiraling spending deficit had borrowed much for 15 continuous months. and oil-rich Eastern Province. more money than it was able to make in revenue through taxes. It added that Omari was recently released Eastern Province has been the scene of The government then asked for a financial rescue by the Eu- from solitary confinement. peaceful demonstrations since February ropean Union (EU) and International Monetary Fund. The Saudi regime authorities arrested the 2011. Protesters have been demanding re- Germany, provider of the bulk of Athens’s international bailout cleric, who had called for more rights for forms, freedom of expression, the release of during the years of economic crisis, sparked anger among many women and campaigned against the violent political prisoners, and an end to economic security forces increasing security measures ities executed Shia cleric, Sheikh Nimr Baqir any Greeks who blame it for tough austerity measures they had Wahhabi ideology in his TV shows, in early and religious discrimination against the oil- across the province. al-Nimr, who was an outspoken critic of the to endure. Greek protesters clashed with police on Thursday September 2017, together with a a group of rich region. Over the past years, Riyadh has also rede- policies of Riyadh. Nimr had been arrested in Athens, during a demonstration against German Chancellor preachers, academics and writers. The have been met with a fined its anti-terrorism laws to target activism. in Qatif in 2012. Angela Merkel’s visit in the country. Wahhabism is freely preached by Saudi heavy-handed crackdown by the regime with In January 2016, the Saudi regime author- (Source: Press TV) (Source: Press TV) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY JANUARY 12, 2019

STOCK MARKET ‘S. Korea expected to restart Iran’s TEDPIX 164829.4 IFX 1944.55 Sources: tse.ir, Ifb.ir oil imports in late Jan. or early Feb.’ ENERGY TEHRAN — South this year, industry sources said in November. deskKorea is expected to South Korea can buy up to 200,000 barrels CURRENCIES restart imports of Iranian crude oil in per day of Iran oil, mostly condensate, USD 42,000 rials late January or early February, Reuters an ultra-light form of crude oil under the reported quoting the head of South Korea’s waiver, the sources said. EUR 48,577rials SK Innovation, which owns the country’s South Korea was the third-biggest buyer biggest oil refiner SK Energy, as saying on of Iranian oil and the largest importer of GBP 53,697 rials Wednesday. Iranian condensate before the U.S. sanctions AED 11,437 rials The U.S. launched new sanctions on were reimposed in November. Iran’s petroleum sector on November 4, Also as reported by Reuters on Tuesday, Source: cbi.ir but it has granted exemptions to eight Turkey has resumed imports of Iranian crude countries allowing them to temporarily oil under the U.S. sanctions waiver, according continue buying Iranian oil. to the trading and shipping sources. Among those eight countries was South The country restarted oil imports from COMMODITIES Korea, one of the major customers of Iranian Iran after a one-month stop in November WTI $51.95/b oil, that won a six-month waiver allowing when U.S. sanctions on Iran were reimposed. it to purchase a limited amount of crude Reuters also reported on Monday that Brent $60.81/b from Iran, but the country has not imported Indian State-run Bharat Petroleum Corp OPEC Basket $56.29/b any oil from Iran since September. will import 1 million barrels of Iranian oil “As South Korea received a waiver and in February after a gap of three months, Gold $1,288.95 /oz has been in talks with Iran about the first with the nation’s overall purchases from import volume, it seems (Iran oil) could Tehran remaining at 9 million barrels, Silver $15.62/oz be brought in late in January or early three industry sources said. Platinium $822.00/oz February at the earliest,” SK Innovation The United States in early November Chief Executive Officer and President the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in South Korean and Japanese buyers were granted India a six-month waiver from Sources: oilprice.com, Moneymetals.com Kim Jun told Reuters on the sidelines of Las Vegas. expected to restart Iranian oil imports early sanctions on Iran’s oil exports.

NEWS IN BRIEF WB predicts 1.1% GDP growth Tehran hosting 3 Imports of milk for Iran in 2020, 2021 international expos powder permitted ECONOMY TEHRAN — The ECONOMY TEHRAN — The The 26th Exhibition of Chandeliers temporarily deskWorld Bank (WB) deskIranian capital is and Decorative Lights is also being held predicts a 1.1 percent growth of gross simultaneously hosting three international during the mentioned period. domestic product (GDP) for Iran in exhibitions along with a domestic one from As reported, the 9th edition of 2020 and 2021. January 11 to 14 at the Tehran Permanente International Exhibition of Architecture, International Fairground, IRNA reported Interior Design, and Modern House (Midex ECONOMY TEHRAN — The Iranian agriculture minister The bank predicts a -3.6 percent on Friday. 2019) is hosting 182 Iranian companies deskannounced that imports of milk powder is growth for the country’ GDP in 2019 The three international exhibitions and 21 foreign ones from The Netherlands, allowed temporarily for processing and re-exporting the product, but expects it to experience 1.1 percent of include the 9th International Exhibition China, Russia, Germany, South Korea, Tasnim news agency reported on Friday. GDP growth in the following two years. of Architecture, Interior Design, and Italy, Belgium, Turkey and Finland. asked the Iranian Economy Minister Farhad Global economic growth is projected Modern House (Midex 2019), the 8th Some 43 Iranian companies are Dejpasand in a letter to allow imports of milk powder into the to slow to 2.9 percent in 2019 from a International Exhibition of Office present in HOFEX 2019, and 150 Iranian country for a short period of time for re-exporting purposes. downwardly revised 3 percent in 2018 amid rising downside risks, the World Furniture of Iran (HOFEX 2019) and exhibitors along with the Spain pavilion Bank said in its newly-released Global tightened, trade tensions “have the third edition of Iran’s International are showcasing their latest achievements Economic Prospects report. intensified,” and some large emerging Exhibition of Agriculture, Agricultural and products in Iran Agri Show 2019. Iran, Iraq stress expansion The World Bank said the outlook markets and developing economies have Machineries and Equipment, Inputs, Finally, 226 Iranian companies are for the global economy “has darkened” experienced significant financial market Irrigation Systems and Mechanization taking part in the 26th Exhibition of of energy ties as global financing conditions have stress. (Iran Agri Show 2019). Chandeliers and Decorative Lights. 1 Ghadhban for his part, stressed the common grounds for cooperation between the two sides and emphasized the implementation of previously signed agreements on energy. China to set lower GDP growth target of 6-6.5 percent in 2019 During his visit, Zanganeh also met with Iraq’s Prime Minister China plans to set a lower economic growth watching employment levels as factories could inflation eased to 1.9 percent in December United States, they said. Adil Abd al-Mahdi in which Abd al-Mahdi stressed the importance target of 6-6.5 percent in 2019 compared with be forced to shed workers amid a trade war from 2.2 percent in November, below the The government is expected to step up last year’s target of “around” 6.5 percent, policy with the United States, despite a more resilient government’s full-year target. fiscal stimulus this year with steeper tax cuts sources told Reuters, as gears up to services sector, policy insiders said. The State Council Information Office did to help corporates and an increase in spending cope with higher U.S. tariffs and weakening Growth of about 6.2 percent is needed in the not immediately respond to a Reuters request on infrastructure projects, the sources said. domestic demand. next two years to meet the ruling Communist for comment. The annual budget deficit could rise from The proposed target, to be unveiled at the Party’s longstanding goal of doubling gross More Stimul US Seen last year’s 2.6 percent of gross domestic annual parliamentary session in March, was domestic product and incomes in the decade Chinese leaders have turned more pro- product, but is likely to be kept below 3 percent, endorsed by top leaders at the annual closed- to 2020, and to turn China into a “modestly growth since the December meeting, softening the sources said without giving specific figures. door Central Economic Work Conference in prosperous” nation. a drive to rein in financial and debt risks, but Local governments could be allowed to mid-December, according to four sources with “Considering employment, income and they have ruled out “flood-like” stimulus. issue up to 2 trillion yuan worth of special knowledge of the meeting’s outcome. stability, we need growth of at least 6 percent “The pressure on the economy is quite big, bonds in 2019, up from 1.35 trillion yuan last Data later this month is expected to show this year,” said one of the sources. and overall policy focus is stability this year year, they said. the Chinese economy grew around 6.6 percent Adopting a range as a target would give and even next year,” said one of the sources. On tax cuts, the focus will be on possibly in 2018 - the weakest since 1990. Analysts policymakers room to maneuver amid The central bank is likely to pump out lowering valued-added tax (VAT), which ranges are forecasting a further loss of momentum uncertainties caused by a tit-for-tat tariff war more cash by further lowering banks’ reserve from 6 percent for the services sector and 16 this year before policy support steps begin with the United Sates, as the two sides strive requirements, following a broad-based cut percent for manufacturers. Such taxes account to kick in. for a possible deal to settle their differences this month, while trying to funnel more credit for more than a third of total government Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh (2nd L) and “It’s very difficult for growth to exceed before March. to small and private firms - vital for growth revenues. Iraqi Oil Minister Thamir Ghadhban (1st R) speaking in a press 6.5 percent (this year), and there could be The government plans to maintain a 3 and jobs, policy sources said. Policymakers are unlikely to loosen controls conference after a meeting in Baghdad on January 10 trouble if growth dips below 6 percent,” said percent consumer inflation target for 2019 Policymakers remain reluctant to cut on the property market across the country, one source who requested anonymity due to despite a recent softening in price rises, leaving benchmark interest rates despite easing but may give provincial and city governments of stronger bilateral ties with Iran in various fields especially in the sensitivity of the matter. some space for the government to stimulate pressure on the yuan, fearing any moves could more leeway in tweaking polices to keep local oil and gas sectors. As the world’s second-largest economy weaker consumption. spur capital outflows as China’s short-term markets steady, the sources said. The Iraqi prime minister pointed to cooperation in the fields of loses steam, China’s top leaders are closely Data this week showed China’s consumer bond yields have fallen below those of the (Source: Reuters) oil and gas as one of the most important areas for strengthening relations between the two countries. Iranian Ambassador to Baghdad Iraj Masjedi and Iraqi Oil Italy keeps Europe on a downer amid Recession scare for Germany Minister Thamir Ghadhban also attended the meeting between Slumping production in Italy added to ominous signs for probably because of a shock to confidence created by Rome’s the two officials. the European economy, days after Germany slid closer to budget battle with Brussels. The data significantly increase Later on Thursday Zanganeh also held talks with Iraqi recession. the likelihood that the economy contracted again in the President Salih Barham during which the Iraqi official reiterated Italian industrial output fell 1.6 percent in November. final three months of the year, sending Italy into recession.” that promoting Tehran-Baghdad relations will benefit regional That matched a similar trend in huge output declines in Trade difficulties are also adding to concerns. Juergen security and stability. Germany, France and Spain. The continued disappointing run Stackmann, head of sales for the Volkswagen brand, said of numbers is undermining hope that the current slowdown Thursday that trade tensions have hit demand in China will stabilize rather than turn into something more worrying. and that some of that will linger. “There will still be some UK economic growth hits 6-month While the production figures cover the end of 2018 -- nervousness in the first half of the year,” he told Bloomberg and can be erratic -- there’s reason to be concerned about Television. low, manufacturing slides the outlook, with multiple economic, political and financial For ECB President Mario Draghi, the major positive risks. Late on Thursday, European Central Bank Governing -- which he regularly highlights -- is the labor market. Jobs Britain›s economy cooled in the three months to November, Council member Francois Villeroy de Galhau said policy growth continues, unemployment has dropped below 8 expanding at its weakest pace in six months as factories suffered makers must take it slow in the current environment, and Commerzbank on Friday downplayed the gloom, saying percent for the first time since 2008 and wages are starting from tough global trade conditions ahead of Brexit, official data cited threats including Brexit, the maturing of the U.S. cycle, the disappointment will be countered by better consumer to improve. showed on Friday. and “numerous uncertainties’’ in China. demand. As the one-offs of 2018 fade, growth should stabilize, Gross domestic product in the three months to November JPMorgan Chase & Co. on Thursday cut its euro-area Last year saw the euro area stumble its way through a albeit at a slower pace. Economists see expansion of 1.6 was 0.3 percent higher than in the previous three-month period, growth forecast and pushed out its prediction for the first host of hurdles, from Italy’s budget battles to car production percent this year, down from 1.9 percent. down from growth of 0.4 percent in the three months to October ECB interest-rate increase to December from September. disruption in Germany and riots in France. Overlaying all “Some of the fears that may be holding back the economy and matching the consensus of a Reuters poll of economists. Citigroup’s Surprise Index, which measures data surprises that was U.S.-China tension, though there’s some optimism will fade,” said JPMorgan economists led by Greg Fuzesi. Manufacturers suffered their longest period of monthly falls in relative to market expectations, is at a seven-month low. now that the world’s two largest economies may prevent “For example, that auto tariffs and a hard Brexit are avoided output since the financial crisis, hurt by weaker overseas demand, The big shock this week was Germany, the region’s biggest an all-out trade war. in the near term, that Italy muddles along, that French the Office for National Statistics said. economy, where the slump in industrial output prompted What Our Economists Say... protests remain less disruptive.” Worries about the global economy have been mounting due to talk that Europe’s largest economy could slip into a recession. “Italian industrial production plunged in November, (Source: Bloomberg) concerns about a trade war between the United States and China. Figures from Germany and France earlier this week similarly showed falling industrial output. Fed Chairman Powell says he is ‘very worried’ about growing amount of U.S. debt Britain›s economic growth in the three months to November Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell However, “it’s a long-run issue that we Total U.S. debt is about $21.9 trillion, of Gundlach added that the economy appears was driven mostly by the dominant services sector, as well as the is concerned about the ballooning amount definitely need to face, and ultimately, will which $16 trillion is owed by the public. In to be slowing “and maybe the supply makes construction industry. of United States debt. have no choice but to face,” he added. part because of continued rate increases under it so rates don’t go down with economic The figures fit with business and consumer surveys that suggest “I’m very worried about it,” Powell said The Fed chief’s comments came as the Powell, the interest cost on that debt could weakness.” the economy is slowing sharply after robust growth of 0.6 percent at The Economic Club of Washington, annual U.S. deficit reaches new sustained start to become a bigger and bigger burden. Fitch Ratings — one of the top credit in the third quarter of the year, reflecting growing uncertainty D.C. “From the Fed’s standpoint, we’re highs above $1 trillion, a fact many Wall Street’s “bond king” and respected rating agencies that analyzes companies and ahead of Britain›s planned departure from the European Union, really looking at a business cycle length: economists worry could spell trouble for financial prognosticator Jeffrey Gundlach governments alike — said Wednesday that the as well as global jitters. that’s our frame of reference. The long-run future generations. Annual deficits have said in December that the Fed seems to be ongoing government shutdown could soon Britain is due to leave the European Union on March 29 and fiscal, nonsustainability of the U.S. federal topped $1 trillion before, but never during on a “suicide mission,” raising rates while start to impact its ability to pass a budget whether businesses will still be able to trade without disruption government isn’t really something that plays a time of sustained economic growth like now, the government deficit increases as a share of and could impact the government’s triple-A to cross-border supply chains remains unclear. into the medium term that is relevant for raising concern about what would happen GDP. Normally when the deficit is expanding, sovereign score. (Source: Euronews) our policy decisions.” if a recession hits. the Fed would be lowering interest rates. (Source: CNBC) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JANUARY 12, 2019 ENERGYJANUARY 12, 2019 5ANALYSIS & INTERVIEW 5 Oil on track for weekly gains on trade India will add a record level of talk hopes, OPEC-led supply cuts solar power capacity in 2019 India’s solar capacity addition is set for a record in 2019. New in- stallations this calendar year will reach nearly 14 gigawatts (GW), Oil prices were on track for solid weekly percent for 2019, with some even fearing which is about 50 percent more than the capacity added last year, gains on Friday after financial markets a looming recession amid trade disputes according to a report by the Gurugram-based renewable energy were lifted by hopes the United States and spiraling debt. consultancy firm Bridge to India, released on Jan. 09. and China may soon resolve their trade On the supply side, oil markets are The new capacity addition will take India’s installed solar ca- disputes, and as OPEC-led crude output receiving support from supply cuts led pacity to about 38 GW by the end of the year. Overall, the country cuts started to tighten supply. by the Organization of the Petroleum is estimated to add nearly 16 GW of clean energy capacity in 2019, Despite this, markets were held in Exporting Countries (OPEC) aimed at driven by large-scale solar projects. check by expectations of an economic reining in a glut that emerged in the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has set a target slowdown in 2019. second half of 2018. of building 100 GW of solar capacity by 2022 to help meet one of International Brent crude futures A key reason for the emerging glut the country’s goals under the Paris climate agreement: renewable were at $61.59 per barrel at 0555 GMT, was the United States where crude oil sources must account for up to 40 percent of power-generation down 9 cents, or 0.15 percent, from their production C-OUT-T-EIA soared by more capacity by 2030. last close. than 2 million barrels per day (bpd) in The central and state governments have been auctioning tenders U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) 2018 to a record 11.7 million bpd. to build large-scale solar projects, whose main customers will be crude futures were 4 cents below their last Consultancy JBC Energy this week said state-owned power distribution companies. These projects take up settlement, at $52.55 per barrel. it was likely that U.S. crude oil production to two years to get commissioned, which is when the new capacity Brent and WTI are set for their second was already “significantly above 12 million is considered added, said Bridge to India analyst and the report’s week of gains, rising nearly 8 percent bpd” by January 2019. lead author Arti Mishra Saran. and 10 percent respectively. Given the overall supply and demand In 2018, addition of new capacity fell primarily due to low ten- Markets were being supported by hopes balance, Swiss bank Julius Baer said it der activity in the past couple of years, Saran said, adding that the that the trade war between Washington was “price neutral” in its oil forecast. projected rise in additions this year is a result of heavy tendering and Beijing may be resolved soon after it resumed, have also supported crude. slowdown, crude will underperform “We see the oil market as well balanced activity in late 2017 and early 2018. officials said three-day talks this week Despite this, concerns over the health due to its correlation to growth,” said into the foreseeable future, as the petro- Though it dipped in the second half of 2018, government tenders concluded constructively and that further of the global economy lingered on, with Hue Frame, portfolio manager at Frame nations make space for further U.S. shale picked up again in December, when India’s ministry of new and negotiations would likely follow this month. signs mounting that China’s growth in 2018 Funds in Sydney. production growth,” said Norbert Ruecker, renewable energy announced plans to issue tenders for 60 GW by Lower oil exports from Iran since last and 2019 would be the lowest since 1990. Most analysts have downgraded their head of commodity research at the bank. March 2020. November, when U.S. sanctions against “If we experience an economic global economic growth forecasts below 3 (Source: Reuters) Apart from such large-scale projects, installation of rooftop solar panels also continues to rise. (Source: qz.com) Saudi Aramco to issue first global bond this year Renewables meet 55% of Saudi Aramco plans to tap the debt market in the second The plans for the bond, first reported by Bloomberg Portugal's power needs in 2018 quarter to finance the acquisition of petrochemical giant News last year, come as the Saudi government reactivates Sabic, likely issuing its first ever international bond and its plan to sell shares in the company. Al-Falih reiterated Power from renewable energy sources met about 55.1 percent disclosing its accounts in the process. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s comments in of Portugal›s electricity demand in 2018, shows data from Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih revealed 2018 that Riyadh is aiming for Aramco’s initial public the Portuguese Association of Renewable Energy (APREN). the plan on Wednesday in Riyadh, adding the company offering in 2021. The kingdom had initially targeted 2018. The country produced 12.3 TWh of wind power, enough to wanted flexibility in funding the Sabic deal, which could Al-Falih didn’t disclose the size of the potential cover 24.3 percent of demand. Thus wind ranked as the main cost about $70 billion. bond sale, but it could rank among the largest issued source of electricity in mainland Portugal for the first time, That debt sale would force the world’s largest oil by a company if Aramco plans to finance a large chunk followed closely by hydropower with a share of 24.1 percent. producer to disclose its accounts to investors for the of the Sabic deal with it. Verizon Communications In 2018, thanks to renewable power plants, the country first time since its nationalization roughly four decades Inc. raised $49 billion in the largest ever corporate saved EUR 1.27 billion (USD 1.46m) in fossil fuel imports and ago. It would also have to make public details about bond sale in 2013 to buy Vodafone Group Plc’s stake reduced by 6 million tons carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions oil reserves and operations. The kingdom took a first in its cellular phone unit. Anheuser-Busch InBev NV from the power sector, APREN stated in its press release. step in that direction on Wednesday by releasing the took out $46 billion in 2016 to finance the takeover On the other hand, the average price of electricity in the first audit of Aramco’s oil and gas reserves since 1980. of SABMiller Plc. spot market went up 18 percent to EUR 57.4 per MWh. This The funding program “will be sustained over time Al-Falih played down chatter in the market that increase was mainly due to higher demand in mainland Portugal, as Saudi Aramco grows and undertakes its capital Aramco would fund the entire $70 billion Sabic deal a bump in the price for CO2 emissions licenses in the European program,” Al-Falih said. “We believe that having bonds with the bond offering. “It’s not going to be anywhere market, the unavailability of some nuclear reactors in neighboring and commercial paper as one of its sources of capital is near the number that’s been rumored,” he said. countries and the rise of fuel prices, APREN noted. prudent and necessary.” (Source: Bloomberg) (Source: renewablesnow.com)

China, Russia and EU edge away from petrodollar Notification for All Suppliers 3476 making it difficult for them to carry out transactions and obtain financing in Obligation to use special sales Invoice for travelers of foreign countries dollars. In the Eurasian Economic Union, a In order to implementation VAT refunds, according to note Article 13 of the Value Added Tax Act, all regional economic union consisting of suppliers are required to use special invoices for foreign travelers (at the time of supply of goods), effective Kazakhstan and other former member states of the Soviet Union, Russia plans from August 23, 2018. to establish common energy markets. At Iranian National Tax Administration the union’s summit in December, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, “We have Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance approved large-scale programs for the The Iranian National Tax Administration formation of common markets for gas, oil and petroleum products,” revealing فرم شماره 3 وزارت امـور اقـتصـادي و دارايي داراي ي his plan to use the Russian currency, the فرم شماره 3 سـازمان امـور ماليـاتي كشـور ruble, for payments among the member states. The EU is also aware of the risks of Serial Number Sales invoice for foreign passenger travelling to Iran شماره سريال : ...... The exclusivity of the U.S. dollar as a will increase 8 percent in 2019 over this heavy reliance on the petrodollar. The صورتحساب فروش كاال ويژه مسافران تبعه كشورهاي خارجي تاريخ : ...... vehicle for global crude oil trading is year. European Commission, the executive Date increasingly being challenged by other Although is becoming the center body of the EU, declared its intention in currencies. of crude oil trading, the key international December of creating a euro-denominated مشخصات فروشنده China, caught in a trade war with the benchmarks of West Texas Intermediate price benchmark for crude oil, saying that Details of the seller U.S., is expanding oil trading denominated and North Sea Brent, which is traded on it would gather opinions from exchanges نام شخص حقيقي/حقوقي: ...... شماره اقتصادي: شماره ثبت/شماره ملي: in yuan, while Russia and the European the London market, have long been used and market players by the summer of  Union are also seeking to reduce their to determine crude oil prices. Investors 2019 to study ways of increasing the use  10 نشاني : استان: ...... هرستان:ش ...... شهر : ...... كد پستي رقمي : .dependence on the dollar for payments also tend to turn to the U.S. and European of the euro for oil trading شماره آدرس : ...... شماره تلفن/نمابر: ...... گواهي ثبت نام : for oil. Awareness of risks stemming from markets because of their transparency With essential oil supplies from Russia تاريخ heavy reliance on the dollar is growing now and liquidity. and Iran the subject of U.S. sanctions, the مشخصات مسافران تبعه كشورهاي خارجي )خريدار( (that the U.S. government has reimposed However, with the hope of changing the ability of European countries to procure Details of the foreign passenger (buyer sanctions against Iran including on its current oil market structure and attracting energy has been gravely affected by U.S. Name and surname: ...... ) نام و نام خانوادگي( oil exports. investment money from abroad, China diplomatic decisions. When EU Climate ...... ) شماره گذرنامه ( :The launch by the Chinese government has opened the door for crude futures Action and Energy Commissioner Miguel Passport No ...... ) شماره رواديد ( :.in March of yuan-denominated oil futures trading to foreign investors. Arias Canete warned that crude oil trading Visa No ...... ) نشاني محل اقامت( :. trading on the Shanghai International The petroyuan for oil futures trading could founder due to the hegemony of the Residence Address Energy Exchange has reinforced the could become a tool to counter U.S. dollar petrodollar, he evidently had the current Chinese currency’s presence in crude hegemony in the oil market. China is U.S. administration’s unilateralism in Detail of the goods bought مشخصات كاال ي مورد معامله .oil markets. The daily trade volume on steadily increasing yuan-denominated mind 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 the Shanghai market topped 500,000 trading with oil-producing countries that However, with the dollar accounting After Unit price Unit of Number / Details Code of NO for more than 99 percent of payments Total price + VAT Total VAT discount discount Total price (I.R.I. measurement quantity contracts many times in December -- experience some friction with the U.S. of the goods the good with each contract for 1,000 barrels of In May, the administration of U.S. in crude oil trades, it will be difficult to price Rials) تعداد/ واحد مبلغ واحد مبلغ كل مبلغ مبلغ كل پس از جمع ماليات و جمع مبلغ كل بعالوه جمع ماليات و كد كاال شرح كاال ,crude. Transactions have doubled over President Donald Trump announced change the current oil market structure رديف مقدار اندازهگيري )ريال( )ريال( تخفيف تخفيف )ريال( عوارض )ريال( عوارض )ريال( the past six months. the re-imposition of sanctions against which was established after the end of نحوه محاسبه براساس شماره ستون )4 × 6( )8 – 7( مجموع نرخ ماليات و عوارض × Trading volumes for Shanghai’s yuan- Iran, calling for other countries to cut World War II. )9 + 10( 9 denominated oil futures have already imports of Iranian oil to zero. China, While yuan-denominated deals are overtaken those of the rival Dubai however, is set to continue importing increasing in China, they are led by Mercantile Exchange and sometimes oil from Iran. individual speculators seeking quick come close to those of North Sea Brent, “As the biggest importer of Iranian oil, profits. Oil companies and trading houses an international crude oil benchmark. China is likely to continue imports in yuan from countries including Japan, South With the first delivery completed in and may hedge against price fluctuations Korea and India remain cautious about September, trading in yuan-denominated on the Shanghai market,” said Takayuki trading on the Shanghai market, where oil futures, mainly by Chinese companies, Nogami, chief economist of Japan Oil, the total number of outstanding contracts جــمع كـل has been steadily increasing. Gas and Metals National Corp. is one-tenth of the amount in U.S. and Total value Swelling demand for oil in China If the use of the yuan for settlements European markets. Conditions and method of sale شرايط و نحوه فروش : is behind the rapid growth of yuan- of spot trading increases, demand for “Even if you earn a profit from trading نقدي denominated oil trading. China surpassed futures trading denominated in the in yuan-denominated futures, it’s difficult cash   غيرنقدي the U.S. as the world’s biggest oil importer Chinese currency will increase as a means to call it back,” a Japanese trading house non-cash   in 2017 and increased imports at a year- to hedge against price fluctuations. official said, referring to cumbersome توضيحات : on-year rate of 8 percent in the first 10 Russia, too, is making aggressive foreign exchange procedures. Details months of 2018. With an increase in attempts to reduce its reliance on the Shanghai futures trading will “need ...... the construction of new and capacity petrodollar and is partly accepting some time to have an impact on global expansion of existing oil refineries in crude oil prices,” said Takayuki Honma, مهر و امضاء فروشنده Stamp and signature of the seller امضاء خريدار payments in yuan for its oil exports to signature of the buyer China, a think tank affiliated with China China. The U.S. has imposed economic chief economist at Sumitomo Corp. Global

Petroleum & Chemical, or Sinopec, has sanctions against Russian state oil group Research. forecast that the nation’s refining capacity Rosneft and other energy companies, (Source: Nikkei) ساعت: 17:00 امضاء صفحه آرا: ساعت: امضاء مسئول صفحه: ساعت: امضاء ادیتور: ساعت: امضاء سردبیر:

I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 INTERNATIONAL JANUARY 12, 2019 The Saudi engine of repression The DRC election: A very unlikely result continues to run at full speed Voters hoped for their country’s first democratic transition. Of- ficials named an opposition candidate as the victor – but could By David Ignatius secret; I mentioned it in a long column about this be another win for President Joseph Kabila? Khashoggi that appeared on Oct. 12, 10 days People in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been One hundred days after the murder of Jamal after he disappeared in Istanbul. waiting a long time – since independence from Belgium in 1960 Khashoggi, Saudi Crown Prince Moham- Even MBS’s strongest supporters in the – for a democratic transition of power. They waited two years for med bin Salman is pressing ahead with United States appear concerned by the new this election, and they waited days for its result. Early on Thursday, anti-dissident campaigns and remains in social media campaign. Ali Shihabi, the head the country’s electoral commission announced that an opposition regular contact with Saud al-Qahtani, the of the Saudi-backed Arabia Foundation, com- candidate had won. This was indeed unprecedented, but not in media adviser whom the CIA believes helped mented in an email to me Thursday: quite the way many had hoped for: it looks, in the words of one organize Khashoggi’s killing, according to “I have no idea who is behind this new analyst of democracy in Africa, like “the first election rigged by U.S. and Saudi sources. campaign, but it certainly does not seem the government in favor of an opposition candidate”. The Saudi crown prince, far from altering wise.” He argued that despite a “concerted Felix Tshisekedi is said to have defeated not only President his impulsive behavior or signaling that he campaign funded by Qatar and others .?.?. the Joseph Kabila’s hand-picked successor, Emmanuel Shadary, but has learned lessons from the Khashoggi af- kingdom’s media organs had so far exercised also the clear frontrunner, Martin Fayulu, who has denounced the fair, as the Trump administration had hoped, great self-control since the Jamal tragedy, results as an “electoral coup”. Critically, the country’s respected appears instead to be continuing with his and I would hope that continues.” Catholic church has said that the official results do not tally with autocratic governing style and a ruthless The videos and Web postings in the new data gathered by its 40,000 observers. The key to this bizarre campaign against dissenters, the U.S. and campaign all have the professional feel of mod- development is not Tshisekedi but Kabila. His government has Saudi sources said this week. Saud al-Qahtani Jamal Khashoggi ern media studios in Dubai. According to a left half of DRC’s 80 million people living on less than a dollar a “Domestically, he feels very confident and Saudi source, Qahtani recently made two trips day, despite its immense mineral resources, while he and those in control. As long as his base is secure, he to the , even though he around him have amassed huge wealth. Human rights groups feels that nothing can harm him,” says one “Domestically, he feels very confident and is supposedly under house arrest in Riyadh. say thousands of civilians have been killed by security forces and American who met recently with MBS, as The trips couldn’t be confirmed independently. armed groups in the last two years. A devastating humanitarian in control. As long as his base is secure, he the crown prince is known. One of Britain’s The Treasury Department said Nov. 15 crisis continues. most experienced Saudi-watchers agreed: feels that nothing can harm him,” says one in imposing sanctions on Qahtani that he But Kabila has proved expert at hanging on to power since “He’s completely unchastened by what has “was part of the planning and execution of succeeding his assassinated father in 2001. Elections were delayed American who met recently with MBS, as the happened. That is worrying for Western the operation” that led to Khashoggi’s death. repeatedly as he sought to carry on after reaching the two-term governments.” crown prince is known. The American who recently visited MBS limit on the presidency in 2016. Protests were lethally suppressed. MBS has been contacting Qahtani and have to finish, or hand over,” he said. as a Dubai-based studio. The video includes said he cautioned him that top U.S. mili- When he eventually called elections, he barred western observ- continuing to seek his advice, according to One indication that MBS hasn’t altered his English subtitles alleging that Khashoggi was tary and intelligence officials were weighing ers. A mysterious fire destroyed voting machines, polls were the U.S. and Saudi sources. A Saudi source Qahtani-style Internet bullying tactics is an involved in a plot to “create a new destabiliz- whether the crown prince was a dictator, like delayed, and officials said violence and an Ebola outbreak pre- said Qahtani had also met recently at his aggressive social media campaign launched ing Arab Spring to unsettle Arab countries, Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, nominally committed cluded voting in places. Widespread irregularities were followed Riyadh home with his senior deputies from this week to attack Khashoggi and Omar Ab- mainly, Saudi Arabia.” to modernization but unreliable, or a solid by the lengthy wait for results, with suspicions growing as the the royal court’s Center for Studies and Media dulaziz, a dissident living in Canada. Another new video argues that The Post ally of the United States. “As long as you government shut off the internet. Affairs, the cybercommand post he ran until An Arabic hashtag on Twitter surfaced shouldn’t have given Khashoggi a platform keep Qahtani, people will say you’re more Yet Shadary performed so abysmally that the government ap- shortly after Khashoggi’s death. Thursday claiming to offer “Fact” about the as a columnist when he was also receiving like Saddam,” this visitor warned. parently realized that naming him victor would not fly. It has been “I’m being blamed and used as a scapegoat,” two men’s alleged involvement in anti-Saudi editing advice on his columns from the head Senior Saudi officials who have discussed forced to acknowledge its rejection by three-quarters of voters. The Qahtani is said to have told his former aides. conspiracies funded by Qatar. One English- of the Qatar Foundation International, a MBS’s continuing contact with Qahtani widespread belief is that Kabila has agreed a deal with Tshisekedi. “Qahtani holds a lot of files and dossiers,” language post showed pictures of the two Qatar-funded group based in Washington. have urged U.S. patience. “If I try to ban Fayulu, a former businessman, is a relative political outsider, though says the American who met recently with men with the caption “Jamal and Omar: Ironically, the main evidence offered to him, [Qahtani] will find another channel,” he enjoys the backing of two heavyweights: the tycoon Moïse Ka- MBS. “The idea that you can have a radical Qatar’s Agents.” support these charges of Khashoggi’s links a senior prince is said to have advised the tumbi and the former warlord Jean-Pierre Bemba. Tshisekedi’s rupture with him is unrealistic.” A Saudi who Also appearing on Twitter was a slick video to Qatar is a Dec. 22 article in The Post by administration. Meanwhile, the Saudi engine father was an opposition leader and is deeply rooted in DRC politics: is close to the royal court agrees: “There’s titled “Qatar System Exposed,” apparently Souad Mekhennet and Greg Miller. of repression continues to run at full speed. Kabila may feel he will find it easier to exert control through political stuff [Qahtani] was working on that he may produced by a company with the same name The Qatar Foundation link was hardly a (Source: The Washington Post) structures. At a minimum, it is thought, the president wants the safeguarding of his family’s reported fortune, as well as immunity from any potential prosecution; he should not be given it. At most he hopes to hang on to power if not office – and perhaps to reclaim The president and the wall the latter in future, à la Putin. (He has said that he wants to remain “available” for his country.) By Donald Lambro rapists, murderers and drug smugglers. Fayulu is almost certain to appeal to the constitutional court, One false claim that he’s made before — that terrorists but few expect it to overturn the results. How far will his back- Two years into his presidency, Donald Trump is still trying were also crossing the border into the United States — was ers, the church, regional players and to a lesser extent the in- to convince Congress to cough up billions of hard-earned tax missing from his speech. Fact checkers, TV anchors, includ- ternational community, press the issue? Despite the fury of his dollars to build his wall on the southern border with Mexico. ing Fox News, have questioned that claim. supporters, many will be relieved to see Kabila’s party go, and OK, he originally promised voters that Mexico would Still, Trump administration officials have raised issues of may be satisfied that the presidency will be taken by the man pay for the 2,000-mile concrete wall, and his supporters terrorists entering across the border. But when NBC News they probably expected to vote for prior to Fayulu’s rise and the swallowed it hook, line and sinker. looked into those claims, it turned out that U.S. Customs and opposition’s split. Concern for stability is a priority, given the They bought it even after the president of Mexico flatly Border Protection agents “encountered only six immigrants country’s bloody history. This is not the democratic transition told him at a face-to-face meeting on the border during the at ports of entry on the U.S.-Mexican border in the first half that so many hoped for. Unless pressure is exerted and sustained, campaign that they were never going to pay for his dream of fiscal year 2018 whose names were on a federal govern- it may not be much of a transition at all. wall. But he continued to repeat his false promise at all of ment list of known or suspected terrorists,” according to (Source: The Guardian) his rallies, asking his supporters, “And who’s going to pay data given to Congress that was obtained by NBC. for the wall?” “Mexico,” his fans shouted back. In Trump’s world, only the worst elements in Mexico are Now, with his job approval polls stuck in the lower 40 crossing the border, when most are presenting themselves percent range and the Democrats, who now control the House at the border, seeking safety, asylum, jobs and a better life. “A small percentage of all heroin seized by border patrol of Representatives, refusing to spend one nickel on his wall, What Trump doesn’t tell Americans is that the number of officials “was between Ports of Entry,” the Drug Enforce- Renewing German-French President Trump is raising the stakes. migrants crossing the border illegally has fallen to a 20-year low. ment Administration said in a 2018 report. So Trump’s wall Trump is refusing to sign a budget bill unless it contains A recent Reuters news service story says this: “Illegal border would do little to halt drug trafficking.” vows for Europe the $5.7 billion he wants to begin construction of his wall, crossings into the United States have declined dramatically in Then there’s Trump’s specious claim that if Congress triggering a partial government shutdown that he says he recent years, yet Trump insists a wall is still necessary to stem does not appropriate the $5.7 billion for his wall, he will With the EU splintering on its edges, the original founders plan will not open until Congress gives him the money. a ‘humanitarian and national crisis’ in the region.” get the money from his newly-negotiated North American to better integrate their two peoples as a model of friendship for Then the president went on nationwide television to de- Illegal crossings and apprehensions peaked at 1.6 mil- Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). the rest of Europe. liver what The Washington Post called a “fact-challenged” lion in 2000, but has since fallen to a little over 300,000 in “The wall will also be paid for indirectly by the great new For a European Union fragmented on many fronts, it may be speech from the Oval Office Tuesday, telling the American 2017. That’s the lowest in 45 years. trade deal we have made with Mexico,” he said Tuesday night. time to go back to its roots – at the very heart of the Continent. On people that the United States faced “a growing humanitarian In fact, there are many more cases of people who just The Post called this part of his Oval Office speech a “Four Jan. 22, the leaders of Germany and France plan to sign a treaty and security crisis” on the Mexican border. have overstayed their visas than border crossing arrests. Pinocchio claim.” aimed at bringing the bloc’s two most powerful economies – and In a misleading, fear-mongering speech, Trump proceeded As for drug smugglers, it is true that 90 percent of the heroin Trump must have skipped his Economics 101 course at its original founders – even closer. to tell Americans that thousands of Mexicans are illegally sold in the United States comes from Mexico, The Post says, the Wharton School of Business. The two are first going local, hoping to better integrate people pouring into our country, largely composed of criminals, but “virtually all of it comes through legal points of entry.” (Source: The Washington Times) living close to the border. Schools on either side will be encouraged to become bilingual, for example. Joint business parks may be set up. Ambulances will be able to cross over. Basic utilities like water Do Jordan protests herald a new phase of the Arab Spring in 2019? might be merged. The idea is to form “Eurodistricts,” or models of integration. This “twinning” pact, negotiated over the past year, By Mohammad Ayesh was not holding any political prisoners, not- also calls for ministers to regularly sit in the cabinet meetings of ing: “All the protesters under custody are It has been a tough year for Jordan. Marked each other’s government. It seeks greater unity in diplomacy and charged with violating the law.” by an unprecedented wave of street protests peacekeeping missions. France will push for Germany to become a Although the new income-tax law will bring over harsh economic conditions, 2018 saw permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. 180 million Jordanian dinars ($253m) into the return of scenes from the Arab Spring Europeans often forget the EU was born out of a stunning state coffers, there are no indications that wave that hit the region back in 2011. convergence of these two nations after World War II. By the the country’s political and economic crisis In December, protests turned violent, 1960s, France had largely forgiven Germany for its Nazi past is nearing a resolution. after weeks without any clashes between and Germans showed great contrition over that past. The reasons behind the financial crisis are demonstrators and security forces. Such qualities of character helped suppress the militant national- numerous, but the most important factor is that The country’s economic crisis has wors- ism that had sown conflicts for centuries. After World War I, says financial aid from Persian Gulf countries has ened in recent days, heightening tensions in French President Emmanuel Macron, “we were unable to produce been cut off for almost two years now. A five-year the streets. Jordanian security services used a lasting peace because France and Germany remained divided.” aid package from the Persian Gulf Cooperation force last month to disperse protesters who The current strains within the 28-member union, such as Council (PGCC) states to Jordan, worth some tried to reach the prime minister’s office in Britain possibly exiting the bloc and the rise of anti-EU nationalist $3.6bn, ended in January 2017, but no further Amman, but the demonstrators have vowed parties, have convinced Macron and German Chancellor Angela assistance was offered. to continue protesting in an effort to push Merkel of the need for deeper European integration – starting To understand the importance of the Per- the government to revoke a controversial with their own countries. The two plan to sign the treaty in the sian Gulf’s financial aid to Jordan, consider income-tax law. German city of Aachen, which has been controlled by both peoples that the general budget of Jordan is estimated Protesters are also calling on the govern- over time. It is best known as the imperial center of Charlemagne, at nine billion Jordanian dinars ($12.5bn). ment to cancel the country’s cybercrime law, Recent violence marks a serious shift in the the great unite of Western Europe in the late 8th century. Social and political demands which imposes harsh penalties on social media country’s wave of social unrest, sparked by The signing date of Jan. 22 is also significant as it marks Jordan’s political calamity is escalating activists, and for the release of detainees who the 56th anniversary of the signing of the Élysée Treaty, which economic and political concerns. due to an accelerating economic crisis. The took part in previous protests. cemented the French-German friendship and provided the foun- income-tax law that has sparked protests No fix in sight dation for the EU. several reasons. Firstly, the protests are taking prime minister and a number of activists. But among the poor and middle classes will If the protests in Jordan escalate in the Nearly two-thirds of EU citizens say the bloc is a good thing, place at a higher pace and with greater levels of the meeting was boycotted by some generate only a quarter of a billion dollars New Year, bringing down Prime Minister according to the most recent Eurobarometer survey. But about violence, despite amendments to the income- leaders and failed to alleviate the ongoing for the treasury of the Jordanian state, just Omar al-Razzaz’s government or producing half say the Union is “going in the wrong direction.” tax law. This means that the protesters have tensions, as evidenced by the recent flare-up. a fraction of the cancelled funds from the more violence, it could pave the way for a new With so much division – over migration, EU regulations, the not accepted the government’s concessions. Dozens of detainees Persian Gulf states. wave of change in the region - possibly even a euro’s woes, and anti-democratic moves in a few countries – the The income-tax law is among the condi- In addition, the cybercrime law has failed In light of the ongoing protests, the gov- second phase of the Arab Spring, which began bloc’s two founders are like a couple who, after decades of mar- tions imposed by the International Monetary to contain online dissent, which has spilt over ernment is at genuine risk of being sacked. in Tunisia in 2010 and ended in Syria, where riage, find their extended family squabbling and splitting. So Fund to continue supporting Jordan, whose onto the streets. The arrest of activists has not In addition, the current wave of unrest in the revolution has largely failed. they’ve decide to remind everyone of the origin of that family by financial crisis is likely to continue, with no contained the protests, with activist Fakher Jordan may tempt the broader Arab public Although Jordan’s King Abdullah II inter- renewing their wedding vows and drawing closer. If they can speak fix in sight beyond collecting greater amounts Daas telling Middle East Eye that “there are to again rise up with social and political de- vened last summer in response to protesters’ as one even more, they will help drive the convergence that has of taxes from Jordanian citizens. dozens of detainees. The number of protest- mands, which could lead to a second phase demands, the recent deterioration marks a provided a peaceful balancing of interests in Europe for so long. Secondly, the December protests came ers under police custody is significant.” The of the Arab Spring in 2019. serious shift in this wave of social unrest for (Source: The CSM) just two days after a meeting between the Jordanian government, meanwhile, said it (Source: Middle East Eye) ساعت: امضاء صفحه آرا: ساعت: امضاء مسئول صفحه: ساعت: امضاء ادیتور: ساعت: امضاء سردبیر:

I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JANUARY 12, 2019 ANALYSIS & INTERVIEW 7 The U.S. wants to “incite” Iranians Former Italian PM underlines close economic and this must be rejected ties with Iran 1 It’s a wonder that ANY Arabs believe some sort of “freedom” of social license from this nonsense, and maybe some are beginning Islamic rules for Iranians, really constitutes not to. For example, Jordan has lately called little more than incitements directed to- for the end of the Israeli occupation of the wards Iranians generally to create division Golan, and some Iraqis are demanding the and discord inside the Islamic Republic end that the U.S. military presence in Iraq. for – ultimately -- the benefit of the U.S. Also, pompous U.S. Secretary of State Mike and Israeli imperialism and its further Pompeo has had the gall to claim that the consolidation. U.S. only wants a “better life” for the Iranian Even if there is merit in the idea of people with some sort of new governance, more “democracy” for Iranians, it’s far and at the same time has made life hard for more important to realize that the Trump most all Iranians with economic sanctions Administration does not in fact give a hoot and other threats. Does that make sense? about real “democracy” in the Middle East. Of course not. If it did, let’s be quite clear, it would NOT This is not a claim that ought to be in any be supporting or allied with the Saudis, way “bought” by Iranians generally – that the the Zionists or even Sisi in Egypt about U.S has ANY intentions but to create discord, whom it can easily be said are not sincerely division and chaos in the Middle East for “democracy” minded. the alleged benefit of any country EXCEPT The real tragedy of the Middle East is itself and Israel, which has so fully captured that the predominate Muslim populations, NEW DELHI (Tasnim) — Former prime minister of Italy Paolo many in Washington that some “leaders” are tolerant of other faiths and minorities, and Gentiloni highlighted his country’s “historical commitment” to willing to throw away the most cherished whether Sunni or Shia, have failed to recognize broadening trade ties with Iran, stressing that Italy should adopt amendment to the Constitution – free speech the power and benefits inherent in hanging policies that are independent of the US. -- by making criticism of Israel a crime. In together as a first priority and advocating for Paolo Gentiloni Silveri, the 57th prime minister of Italy who fact, if the U.S. wants any coherent Iran at each other to create more unity and peace ruled the European nation from December 2016 to June 2018, all, it wants a government in Iran that, like current rule of (Islamic) law. To be clear, there name just two countries. And it’s interesting regionally. has joined a host of diplomats, scholars and political figures, the Shah’s, was simply a repressive one eager are social and political controls in Iran that to note that Assad’s Syria, an Iranian ally, is Perhaps this may begin to dawn on the including Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, in to do the bidding of the U.S. and open up have limited “free speech” and what may be in fact far more if not entirely “secular” in Arab and Muslim masses, because one thing India for a multilateral conference dubbed the Raisina Dialogue. Iran to the exploitation of U.S. corporations. termed full “democracy”. orientation than most all other Arab countries is certain: over the last 100 years since the end In an interview with Tasnim in New Delhi, Mr. Gentiloni However, it’s also fair to say that what the But this is no more evident, and perhaps today. It’s a huge positive that some Arab of the Ottomans the “West” and particularly expressed his views about international trade with Iran and the U.S. is dangling before the Iranian people is far less so in Iran, than in the harsh kinds countries are now beginning to reestablish the U.S., the British, the Zionists and the US’ attempts to block relations with Tehran. some kind of appeal to further upset by the of social and political controls so apparent diplomatic relations with Assad and Syria. French, too, have made life miserable for Asked about his get-together with Zarif, Gentiloni said, “We downsizing if not the eradication of Iran’s in Saudi Arabia and even in Sisi’s Egypt, to This apparent “dangling” by the U.S. of too many in the Middle East. are old friends and former colleagues and always pleased to meet Minister Zarif, and we discussed both the relations between Eu- rope and Iran that I deem very relevant, and I hope in positive revolution in these relations.” The first attack of the 2019 anti-aggressor drones As to plans for eliminating US dollar from the international trade with Iran, the former Italian premier said, “Well, I think 1 According to reports, Abdullah al-Nahki, Yemen’s arsenals in the Middle East in terms of numbers and range. we have to insist on good economic relations with Iran. This Chief of Staff and other senior military commanders including The Yemeni army demonstrated its missile capability in the is a historical commitment of my country, and I hope that the Deputy Chief of Staff Saleh Al-Zindani, were hospitalized Yemeni unification ceremony in May 1990. More than 60 international situation allows us to continue.” in Aden during the operations. percent of the Yemeni missiles are exported from countries, He was also asked about the latest developments regarding The military and drone power of the Yemeni especially , Russia and China, and 40 percent the special purpose vehicle (SPV) -a financial mechanism devised army and popular committees are invaders’ nightmare are made inside Yemen. by the EU to save the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and preserve trade It is undeniable that ballistic missiles and drones of the Many believe the development of the missile program with Tehran- and the impact of the US sanctions on Italy’s ties army and popular committees of Yemen have a strategic in Yemen has been extended to 1,000 kilometers with with Iran. Gentiloni said, “We have always considered seriously impact in the Yemeni war and play a significant role in de- ballistic missiles. the positions of the United States, but we need an autonomous terrence against the Saudi coalition. Yemen, which did not earlier have missiles with a range policy, independent (policy).” Last year when the Yemenis unveiled the Badr-1 smart of more than 300 kilometers, within two years, capabilities EU countries led by France, Germany and Britain -signatories rocket, the anti-Yemeni coalition along with their US-Zionist reached a range of 1,000 kilometers covering the entire to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal- want to enable non-US trade with allies got worried. island Arabian peninsula. Iran to continue in defiance of Washington. The path to Yemen’s missiles development The next ballistic missile, the Bokan-3, whose range The EU has devised the SPV to continue trade with Iran and A Yemeni newspaper reported: “The Yemenis bought the exceeds 1,500 km, will be a surprise. neutralize the US sanctions against Tehran. ballistic missiles in the 70s from the Soviet Union, rockets Destruction of Yemeni missiles didn’t come true On May 8, US President Donald Trump pulled his country such as Scud, Luna, and Tochka.” The United States and the Saudi-led allies sought to de- out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which In 1998, the Yemeni army had Iraqi experts help de- stroy Yemen’s missile capability, but they failed to reach was achieved in Vienna in 2015 after years of negotiations among velop its missiles alongside former Soviet Union rocket that objective. Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France engineers. These both played an important role in the Mohammad Abbas al-Zaleei, a Yemeni analyst, writes: and Germany). construction of the Yemeni army’s scientific research and “The ballistic missiles launched by Houthis in Saudi Arabia development center in Sana’a. For six years, more than are not from Iran, and those who claim that these missiles Riyadh and their allies. The reality is the US Patriot mis- 2,000 ballistic missiles were transferred from Mukalla are sent from Iran in small pieces or as an entire rocket are sile defense system in Saudi Arabia has failed to deal with and Aden to Sana’a. wrong. This is a misconception and illogical. These missiles Yemen’s missile power. Despite the claims over Iran’s support for Yemen’s missile are Yemen missiles.” Yemenis rockets and drones have become a nightmare Human Rights: Time for U.S. for aggressors. defense, Sana’a has had one of the largest ballistic missile The Yemeni missile power has frustrated the officials of to walk the talk A clear signal for the German chancellor 1 She has lost the power of manag- will be able to win the majority of seats ing the power equations in her country. In in the parliament. other words, Merkel has become a “passive As a result, a large part of the German player” in Berlin, the European Union and authorities’ time and energy will be consumed the Eurozone. by forming a coalition government (which This is while Merkel had previously will be a weak one). This will undermine said that she hoped her planned departure the position of Germany’s leadership in the would end bitter fighting in her weak and United Europe. In this sophisticated game, fractious right-left coalition, confessing that the Alternative for Germany (which the other “the picture the government is sending out German parties are unwilling to join) have is unacceptable”. been struggling to broaden its political and According to an Infratest dimap survey, social popularity. the Alternative for Germany (AFD), the Green This extremist party hopes that other NEW DELHI (Tasnim) — The foreign minister of Spain said Party and Liberal Democrats are now increas- right-wingers, including French national his country would do its best to preserve economic relations with ing their relative popularity to challenge the leader Marin Le Pen, will be able to win good Iran despite the US sanctions against Tehran. two ruling parties (Christian Democrats and results in the elections and other political In an interview with The Tasnim News Agency in New Delhi on Social Democrats) and to end the domination platforms in their country, and that their Wednesday, Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union of the two traditional German parties on the victory will influence Germany. and Cooperation Josep Borrell commented about Tehran-Madrid power equations in Berlin. Merkel is no longer the symbol of Christian ties and the efforts to save the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Undoubtedly, Merkel can’t be now re- Democrats’ power in Germany’s and Europe’s Mr. Borrell, 71, is among the diplomats, scholars and political garded as a successful politician at the head equations. Political history of the German figures who have gathered in India for a multilateral conference of the political and administrative equations Chancellor as the EU leader has come an end dubbed the Raisina Dialogue. of Germany. At the beginning of the Ger- at a time when her substitute (in the event Asked about the content of his meeting with Iranian Foreign man coalition government, many analysts as the current trend continues and the ocratic Party. It’s not possible to restore the of a relative and fragile victory in the coun- Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Borrell said, “We talked about believed that the presence of Social-Dem- popularity of the two traditional German political power of these two parties in the try’s next general elections), should devote the situation and the relationship between Europe and Iran after ocrats alongside the Christian Democrats ruling parties drops in the polls, they will near future, that is, as long as they are work- her power to attempts for the formation of a the Americans breaking the (nuclear) deal.” was a big mistake. lose more votes in the upcoming German ing together in the coalition government of coalition or minimal government in Berlin. Commenting on the significance of Tehran-Madrid relations, The anti-EU and anti-immigration elections in 2021. Germany. Without a doubt, Angela Merkel never im- the Spanish diplomat said, “We are very much interested in keeping party of “Alternative for Germany” has What is happening today in Germany is On the other hand, the political equa- agined that she would have to permanently the best relations with Iran. It has been a very nice meeting, and become the main opposition party in the a big catastrophe for Merkel, the Christian tions in Germany are so complex that withdraw from power in Europe by 2021, as we’ll do our best to continue having economic relations despite German parliament. On the other hand, Democrat and, subsequently, the Social-Dem- none of the traditional German parties an incapable chancellor. the American decisions.” Asked about Spain’s willingness to save the Joint Comprehen- sive Plan of Action (JCPOA), he stressed, “Yes, it’s very important Reasons behind the eventual withdrawal of Kuwait from PGCC for all European countries. It is important to make the nuclear deal to be preserved, for sure.” 1 The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Kuwait disagrees with the resumption of oil extraction “It (the nuclear deal) is an important part of our security. on December 12 that Saudi Arabia agreed to establish a Red from the neutral zone without its recognition, and calls for We have been investing a lot of energy, diplomatic energy and Sea regulatory regime aimed at strengthening security and its control as a Kuwaiti-dominated area. political will, on building this agreement. That’s why we think investment in the Red Sea bordering countries. Kuwait has discovered that Saudi Arabia is not a true it’s important,” Borrell noted. According to the statement, the seven countries are Saudi friend of the Persian Gulf states, but an interventionist in Asked about the impact of US pressures on Spain’s ties with Arabia, Egypt, Sudan, Djibouti, Yemen, Somalia, and Jordan. the Persian Gulf states’ internal affairs. Iran, the senior diplomat said, “We know, all European countries, The conference also features a new Saudi-led regional bloc Kuwait knows that the deal Saudi Arabia and its allies, that their stage are in different position from us.” that shows the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council’s failure. the Emirates and Bahrain made with Qatar may repeat with EU countries led by France, Germany and Britain -signatories Regarding the normalization of relations with Tel Aviv Kuwait and Oman. In fact, what caused Qatar not to invade to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal- want to enable non-US trade with and the “deal of the century”, we are also seeing disagree- Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE was the resistance and Iran to continue in defiance of Washington. ments among members of the Council. Kuwait is one of the meddling of Kuwait and Oman. The EU has devised the SPV to continue trade with Iran and countries that disagrees with the policy of normalization Accordingly, Kuwait seeks to strike a balance between the neutralize the US sanctions against Tehran. of relations with Israel by some member states of PGCC. three countries. Although Kuwait has military and security On May 8, US President Donald Trump pulled his country Kuwait has never wanted to be dominated by the Saudis. ties with the U.S., it well knows that the U.S. is constantly out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which We also see a sharpening of the country’s disagreements threatening regional security. No one has forgotten what was achieved in Vienna in 2015 after years of negotiations among with Saudi Arabia over joint oil fields, too. about 5,700 square kilometers. Its dividing line begins north Trump said about Saudi Arabia, : “You might not be there Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France This disagreement is over the Neutral Zone, and area of of Khafji oil field and runs straight to the west. for two weeks without us”. and Germany). I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 8 ADVERTISEMENTS JANUARY 12, 2019

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II NN TT EE RR NN AA TT II OO NN AA LL DD AA II LL YY JANUARYJANUARY 12, 2019 HEALTHADVERTISEMENT 99

1.3 million Iranians suffering from epilepsy High-fibre diet cuts risk of HEALTH TEHRAN — There are Such patients’ well-being is highly de- desk1.3 million Iranians suf- pendent on the use of drugs and in some death from cancer, stroke fering rom epilepsy and 400,000 of them cases one hour delay in taking the medi- are diagnosed with drug-resistant disease, cations may result in seizures, he warned. and heart disease by up to a the head of the 15th International Congress Marjan Asadollahi the scientific secretary third, major study finds on Epilepsy has said. of the 15th International Congress on Ep- Epilepsy is a chronic disorder of the ilepsy also called on insurance companies A nutritional review, which includes 185 studies and 58 clinical brain that affects people of all ages. It is to cover treatment and medication costs trials conducted over nearly 40 years, found that eating at characterized by recurrent seizures, which of such patients. least 25g to 29g of fiber per day was linked to a 15 to 30 per are brief episodes of involuntary move- The 15th International Congress on cent reduction in rates of life-threatening cancers, strokes ment that may involve a part of the body Epilepsy will be held on January 23-25. and heart disease. (partial) or the entire body (generalized), Drug resistant epilepsy, medical and sur- For every 1,000 partici- and are sometimes accompanied by loss gical managements, epilepsy in system- pants, researchers found that of consciousness and control of bowel or ic diseases, and psychogenic seizure and eating more fiber translated bladder function. psychological aspects of epilepsy are the into 13 fewer deaths and six Epilepsy’s side effects can be easily main themes of the congress. fewer cases of coronary heart managed in case it is diagnosed timely, Epilepsy worldwide disease. and the quality of the patients’ life will According to World Health Organi- But worldwide the majority increase, IRNA news agency quoted Hos- zation (WHO) approximately 50 million of people consume less than sein Pakdaman as saying on Thursday. people worldwide have epilepsy, making 20g of fiber a day. Despite other countries where they in- it one of the most common neurological UK guidelines, in place vest on research for epilepsy, not much is diseases globally. since 2015, recommend that spent in Iran on research and treatment Being injured in road crashes is one of the Nearly 80% of the people with epilepsy people eat 30g a day, yet only methods for epilepsy, he regretted. leading causes of epilepsy in Iran and the live in low- and middle-income countries. 9 per cent of British adults Being injured in road crashes is one People with epilepsy respond to treatment meet the target. of the leading causes of epilepsy in Iran number of people suffering from the disorder approximately 70% of the time. In the U.S. rates of consumption are even worse, with the and the number of people suffering from in the country is two or three times more than About three fourths of people with ep- average adult eating just 15g of fiber a day. the disorder in the country is two or three other developing countries ilepsy living in low- and middle- income Experts found that for every 8g increase in fiber consump- times more than other developing coun- countries do not get the treatment they need. tion, total deaths from coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes tries, he added. ation, for his part, said that while there epilepsy patients is taking medicine and In many parts of the world, people with and colorectal cancer plummeted by 5-27 per cent. Dariush Nasabi Tehrani, director and different medications available for treat- even changing the medicine might give epilepsy and their families suffer from stig- Researchers did not find any risks associated with eating founder of the Iranian Epilepsy Associ- ment of epilepsy the main treatment for rise to seizures in such patients. ma and discrimination. fiber but the nutritional review’s authors noted that consum- ing lots of it could have ill-effects for people with low iron or mineral levels. Exercise can help fight off Alzheimer’s, but how? Whole grains, which are high in fiber, can further reduce Exercise is a vital element of a healthful lifestyle; it helps They conducted the new research — the findings of which and hormone called irisin, as well as those of its precursor — iron levels. maintain heart health, improve mood, and fight weight gain. appear in the journal Nature Medicine — in a mouse model, fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5) The review’s authors also emphasized that their results New research also suggests that it can protect a person’s and it suggests that a protein and hormone released during — are significantly reduced in both the hippocampus and mainly related to fiber rich foods and not synthetic fiber, such cognitive skills, and a new study uncovers fresh information exercise might be the main factor behind slowing cognitive the cerebrospinal fluid. as powders, which can be added to meals. as to how this can happen. impairment linked to conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers explain that irisin is a myokine, a mes- “This study effectively re-endorses that the UK government According to a study covered on Medical News Today The memory-boosting protein senger protein released by muscle cells in response to the advice to consume 30g fiber per day is pretty spot on,” said last year, engaging in regular, leisurely exercise can help In the new study paper — the first author of which is contractions that occur during physical activity. Nita Forouhi, a professor at Cambridge University’s MRC keep the body young and healthy. Mychael Lourenco, from the Federal University of Rio de Potential for ‘an attractive novel therapy’ Epidemiology Unit. The same appears to be true for the relationship between Janeiro — the scientists explain that in Alzheimer’s disease, Mice that the researchers engineered to express low- “The onus is on individuals themselves, as well as public exercise and the mind; only 10 minutes of physical activity as well as in other neurodegenerative conditions, hormonal er-than-normal levels of irisin in the brain had trouble with agencies, to make it happen, as average fiber intakes remain may boost cognitive function in the short-term. signals are impaired. short-term memory and less of an ability to strengthen syn- woefully low at a population level in the UK. Meanwhile, exercising regularly for 6 months could ac- “Failure of hormone-initiated signaling pathways,” the apses. These are the links between neurons that support “This research did not study total carbohydrate intakes tually reverse the symptoms of mild cognitive impairment. authors explain, “has been associated with brain disorders, information flow and memory recall in the brain. specifically, but its findings do imply that, though increasingly Starting from such evidence, which suggests that exercise including [Alzheimer’s disease].” However, when the researchers increased irisin level popular in the community at large, any dietary regimes that has a protective and even healing effect on brain functioning, This has led investigators to target such signaling path- in rodents, they found that this boosted their memory as recommend very low-carbohydrate diets should consider the a team of researchers from numerous international academic ways in an effort to find better treatments and preventive well as their ability to form and strengthen new synapses. opportunity cost of missing out on fiber from whole grains. institutions has recently investigated some of the biological approaches for cognitive impairment. They also made another interesting find: when they blocked “This research confirms that fiber and whole grain intakes mechanisms that underlie this relationship. Lourenco and team started by looking at hormonal lev- irisin signaling in mice, the animals no longer enjoyed the are clearly important for longer term health.” The researchers came from institutions including the els in the hippocampus and cerebral spinal fluid of people cognitive boost normally offered by exercise. This further The nutritional review was commissioned by the World Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and the Taub with Alzheimer’s. Then, they repeated the investigation in strengthens the idea that this protein is key to safeguarding Health Organization, authored by researchers from the Uni- Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging a mouse model of the condition. memory and brain health. versity of Otago and is published in The Lancet. Brain at Columbia University in New York City, NY. They found that in Alzheimer’s, the levels of a protein (Source: Medical News Today) (Source: The Independent)

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‘80% of web content for kids ISA supports not safe for Iranian children’

TECHNOLOGY TEHRAN — Over 80 percent of internet deskcontent for kids is not safe and appropriate space-based agriculture for children in Iran, the secretary of Koodakonline festival said, Fars reported on Wednesday. TECHNOLOGY TEHRAN — The Iranian technology, she explained. Seyyed Jamal Hadian explained that the web content either deskSpace Agency provides “In this way, we can provide a business is not appropriate for children’s age range or is made by foreign facilities for space-based startups active opportunity for entrepreneurs and startups developers and is not appropriate for the Iranian culture. in the field of agriculture, Mehr reported to meet the society’s need.” The secretariat of the festi- on Thursday. For example, space-based data and val has received 1,120 works, According to an agreement signed be- technology has a great role in agriculture. of which 638 ones were web tween the agriculture research and develop- Monitoring the area under cultivation, in series and others were films so ment technology fund and ISA, some facili- general, as well as cropping pattern mod- far, he said. ties are provided for the startups, Shabnam ification and modern farm management The Information and Com- Yazdani, an official with ISA announced. methods and services can be provided by munication Technology (ICT) The Information and Communication space-based technology, she said. Ministry will hold Koodakon- Technology Ministry also offers loans to Moreover, date provided by satellites as line festival on web series and startups. well as metrological data and data provided online short films for children The government paves the way for devel- by drones and soil maps and databases in spring 2019. opment of space technology, however the are important parts of a chain, which can The festival only acts as a private sector mostly provides infrastructure help farmers to be more productive, she facilitator to connect inven- and general systems, she said. explained. tors, investors and producers, Recently, the private sector has been en- Obtaining these data helps lay the in- he said. gaged in activities such as remote sensing frastructure and is costly, however the Sometimes both money and human resource are provided and telecommunication satellites, she added. government can support startups to provide but there is no will to perform the work, he lamented. Firstly, ISA should introduce space the data, she added. .A total of 20 top ideas in the web series section is selected technology and application of satellite Universities and academic centers can and the Information and Communication Technology Ministry data to people and then recognize their empower human resources in the field of provide a subsidiary for producing as well as some facilitations needs, which can be met by space-based space technology, she concluded. like equipment, office, director and animator, he explained. Several state-run organizations and private sectors includ- ing VOD supporters and publishers announced their support as Iranian apps, online services Some 64% of Iranians are internet sponsor of the festival, he said. He named Amir Hossein Akrami, Banafsheh Badiei, Hamed developed: minister users: report Tamoli, Mehdi Hajvani, Bozorgmehr Hosseinpour, Ali Derakhshi and Hadis Lazar Gholami as the members of the jury. Applicants can submit their works to the secretariat of the festival until January 21 and the winners will be announced in April 2019, he said. The ICT ministry support five top idea for commercialization, he concluded. The festival acts as an incubator in the field of creating appro- priate content for children and young adults, the ICT minister said in December 2018. In November, the ICT Ministry released a survey according to which, only eight percent of Iranian parents monitor their children’s online activity in Iran. The ministry is projected to introduce parental control ap- plications in the near future.

Tech terms you need to know

The devices and systems we use seem to change or get updated TECHNOLOGY TEHRAN — Iran has tion service, which is comparable to the TECHNOLOGY TEHRAN — Accord- to the internet, which means that on an almost daily basis. deskdeveloped homegrown Google Translate. desking to a report released 17,936,000 families benefit from in- As our lives become increasingly interconnected, a range of new anti-virus, machine translation service, nav- Targoman provides services in eight by the Measuring Information Society ternet nationwide. words and phrases are being added to the technological lexicon. igator and GPS projects, the information and languages including Russian, Japanese, of Iran at the Information Technology A total of 17,216,000 families have Artificial Intelligence communication technology (ICT) minister English and Arabic, he said. Organization, 64 percent of Iranians access to computer, which is 69.7 per- Artificial intelligence, or AI, is a term that can mean different said on Wednesday, Mehr reported. It has also begun negotiations with above six years are internet users. cent of the population. things to different people. Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi said startups in other countries for some mu- A survey was conducted at urban Another survey, which was con- For its part, analytics business SAS states that AI “makes it that the projects are done at the Infor- tual projects, he explained. and rural areas during winter season ducted two years ago, reported that possible for machines to learn from experience, adjust to new mation and Communication Technology He also said that the national navigator of the Iranian calendar year 1396 (end- 61.39 percent of Iranian families have inputs and perform human-like tasks.” (ICT) Research Center. has been downloaded for two million times ed March 20, 2018) by the Statistical access to internet until the yearend of A conceptual images of thousands of multi colored squares The antivirus, Padvish, which has been by the users, which is comparable to the pop- Center of Iran. Iranian calendar year 1395 (ended on all moving in midair against a black background, coalescing to downloaded for one million times, is ular foreign navigator ‘Waze’ in the country. According to the survey, the inter- March 21, 2017). form a face of a head. This image is very abstract and could il- considered as a rival for foreign appli- During the past year, the ICT re- net user is defined as someone who Hence, there is a 10 percent de- lustrate artificial intelligence or connection…With motion blur cations, he said. search center has conducted applicable has used internet during the past velopment during a year, according and bokeh effects. The application has been installed researches, he said. three months and by this definition to the report. Autonomous vehicle 700,000 times on computer and 300,000 Azari Jahromi announced that the 46,315,545 people are internet users The survey is done according to A vehicle, such as a car or truck, that uses technology and times on cellphones so far, he announced. center should provide data to the public in Iran. 19 indicators and factors provided sensors to drive without the need for human assistance. Azari Jahromi named ‘Targoman’ and can encourage startups by holding According to the report, 72.8 per- by International Telecommunication Uber, Tesla and Hyundai are just some of the big businesses as the first Iranian machine transla- educational workshops. cent of Iranian families have access Union (ITU). working on self-driving technologies. Biometrics The U.S. Department of Homeland Security describes biomet- It is not technology that will steal your job rics as being “unique physical characteristics” that can be utilized The future of work is in hot debate all over the world. of workers to their declining fortunes may be coming to for “automated recognition.” Think fingerprints, iris scans and The World Economic Forum, the ILO, the International an end. If so, we are in for a tumultuous period of protests voice recognition. Confederation of Trade Unions, consulting firms, and and search for new ways for workers to build power to Blockchain universities like MIT have task forces asking what work improve their conditions at work, whether that be in A distributed digital ledger that records transactions. will look like in the years ahead. the gig world of Uber, the low wage world of McDonalds Instead of different parties in a transaction keeping their own There are two problems with much of these debates. and Walmart or the high tech world of Google, Amazon, records of that transaction — which could potentially differ and The first is an over-fixation with technology. The second and others. cause confusion — blockchain creates one “master” record. This is the view that technology has a trajectory all its own as Will established labor unions adapt and find new ways cannot be changed once a transaction has been recorded. if there is some iron law of physics that will determine to recruit and represent workers and counterbalance As technology giant IBM notes: “All parties must give consensus its shape and effects. I challenge both of these premises: employer power? Maybe. If they don’t, either new ‘alt- before a new transaction is added to the network.” technology will of course be important; it is one of the big labor’ organizations will rise out of the ashes of the current Cloud computing “megatrends” that will influence work of the future. But unions or it will be left to government policies to address The term “cloud computing” has been used with increasing how it, and four other megatrends I will outline below the consequences of declining returns to labor. frequency over the last few years. will influence the future depends on the actions we take That will mean turning to tax reforms and perhaps It’s described by Microsoft Azure as “the delivery of computing now. So I want to re-frame discussion in forums about the even some form of income guarantees to redistribute the services” like software, servers, storage and databases, over the future of work from one of predicting the consequences the most automated auto plant in the world. Only after gains from technological advance more equitably across internet, or “cloud.” of megatrends to one of how to engage the megatrends he couldn’t get enough new cars out the door did he the workforce. Most likely some combination will be Contactless to produce better work, more inclusive societies, and a have to admit he underestimated the importance of needed of new forms of labor organizing, updating and A cashless method of paying for goods and services. In the broader sharing of future prosperity. the workforce. strengthening labor and employment policies to ensure all U.K., contactless payment technology can usually be used for Let’s start with technology. Compensate and assist those who are who work, whether in standard employment relationships, payments of £30 or under, although there are some exceptions. Futurists are spending too much time debating displaced contract, or independent contract relationships are covered Contactless payment technology can be incorporated into a whether “robots will eat all our jobs” or don’t worry, Some workers will lose their jobs and be displaced. They by basic employment standards, and tax reforms that range of devices, from debit and credit cards to smartwatches like technological revolutions that came before, enough need to be compensated fairly and provided adjustment help shift returns from capital to labor. and smartphones. new jobs will be created to replace the ones lost. It’s time assistance to avoid creating another generation of “winners Workforce diversity within and across borders: DDOS to move on to figure out what needs to be done to update and losers”. Population growth in Africa, India, and other less developed DDOS stands for Distributed Denial of Service. The U.K.’s public policies, labor market institutions, and workplace Globalization: The wave of globalization that countries will be accompanied by slower growth and aging National Crime Agency (NCA) says that DDOS attacks take place practices to put technological changes to good use. I has accelerated since China joined the World Trade populations in Europe, Japan, China, and North America. when a group of “compromised, controlled computers” send propose the following elements of a proactive strategy Organization in 2001 has created an enormous gulf This means cross-border migration will likely accelerate, messages to another computer or server simultaneously. for doing so. between winners and losers. Brexit, Trump, and the leading either to greater tensions than those already The messages are sent involuntarily – that is to say without Train before new technologies hit the ensuing trade wars are manifestations of expanding present or to a new era of assimilation as immigrants are the consent of the computer’s owner – the NCA adds. DDOS workplace trade without attending to its effects on workers and welcomed to help fill workforce shortages in advanced attacks are malicious and can make websites slow down and The consensus recommendation of just about everyone communities. But we can’t solve this problem with trade economies. Which will it be? Neither is preordained but crash, making them inaccessible to users. studying changing technology is to retrain workers who are wars, isolationist strategies, or empty promises to bring it will take a sustained effort to rebuild respect for and Fintech most at risk. Too often, however, the call is for retraining back old-style factory jobs. The better option is to put ability to capture the value of diversity in our workplaces. An amalgamation of the words “financial” and “technology.” when workers are displaced. That’s too late. Instead we will advances in technology to work to build the next generation Climate change: Climate change is probably the According to the Central Bank of Ireland, fintech “describes need massive government and private sector investments manufacturing industries, processes, and jobs, some of mother of all megatrends that will influence not just the the use of technology to deliver financial services and products in continuous training to ensure workers have the skills which can be produced locally in maker spaces using future of work but the future of the planet. But this could to consumers.” needed to engage new technologies before they appear modern digital fabrication tools. These investments be our ace in the hole-a potential avenue for addressing Examples of fintech include mobile banking and contactless at the workplace door. need to be combined with significant regional economic all of the other megatrends mentioned above. Investing in payments. Integrate design of technology and redesign development, infrastructure, and education that offer alternative energy sources and associated infrastructure Hydroponics of work by engaging the workforce the best chances of rebuilding communities hardest hit could produce a large number of high quality jobs and As the Royal Horticultural Society states, hydroponics refers Years of research tell us the best returns to technology by the most recent wave of globalization. help save the planet. to “the science of growing plants without using soil, by feeding are achieved when it is integrated with redesign of work Worker responses to growing inequality: A megatrend The bottom line is if we go beyond predicting or them on mineral nutrient salts dissolved in water.” practices, not by designing technology first and treating of the past several decades has been the decline in the worrying about these megatrends and start focusing Some hydroponic systems are located underground and use workforce issues as something to address later in the share of income going to labor and increases in income on strategies to address and manage them, we can shape LED technology to grow crops such as micro greens and salad implementation process. Yet this lesson is often ignored, inequality. This corresponded with, and in part happened a positive and rewarding future for work. The future of leaves throughout the year. only to repeat the disastrous results of over automating. because of declining union membership and power in the work, indeed, the future of our planet is in our hands. (Source: cnbc.com) Witness the mess Elon Musk made of trying to create majority of OECD countries. But the quiet acquiescence (Source: irishtimes.com) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JANUARY 12, 2019 SCIENCE 11 Oceans are warming even faster than Sunscreen and cosmetics previously thought, research team suggests compound may harm coral Although sunscreen is critical for preventing sunburns and skin cancer, some of its ingredients are not so beneficial to ocean-dwelling Heat trapped by greenhouse gases is raising certainly be the warmest year on record in creatures. In particular, sunscreen chemicals shed by swimmers ocean temperatures faster than previously the oceans, as was 2017 and 2016 before are thought to contribute to coral reef decline. thought, concludes an analysis of four recent that,” Hausfather said. The “global warming Now, researchers reporting in ACS’ journal Analytical Chemistry ocean heating observations. The results pro- signal is a lot easier to detect if it is changing say that one such chemical, octocrylene (OC), which is also in vide further evidence that earlier claims of a in the oceans than on the surface.” some cosmetics and hair products, accumulates in coral as fatty slowdown or ‘hiatus’ in global warming over Gaps in measurements acid esters that could be toxic to the marine organism. the past 15 years were unfounded. The four studies, published between 2014 According to several research studies, up to 14,000 tons of Berkeley -- Heat trapped by greenhouse and 2017, provide better estimates of past sunscreen end up in the world’s oceans every year. To protect gases is raising ocean temperatures faster than trends in ocean heat content by correcting coral reefs, the state of Hawaii recently banned sunscreens con- previously thought, concludes an analysis for discrepancies between different types of taining oxybenzone and octinoxate, two chemicals known to harm of four recent ocean heating observations. ocean temperature measurements and by coral, with the law set to take effect in January 2021. Another The results provide further evidence that better accounting for gaps in measurements substance, OC, can be found in cosmetics such as hair sprays earlier claims of a slowdown or “hiatus” in over time or location. and conditioners, as well as sunscreens. global warming over the past 15 years were The “Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Although OC is toxic to coral at high concentrations, Didier Stien, unfounded. Change’s (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report, Philippe Lebaron and colleagues wondered how it would affect “If you want to see where global warming published in 2013, showed that leading cli- coral at levels more likely to be encountered in the environment. is happening, look in our oceans,” said Zeke mate change models seemed to predict a To find out, the researchers exposed coral to OC at various Hausfather, a graduate student in the Energy much faster increase in ocean heat content concentrations for a week. They found that the coral was sensitive and Resources Group at the University of over the last 30 years than was seen in ob- to the compound at concentrations of 50 micrograms per liter and California, Berkeley, and co-author of the servations,” Hausfather said. “That was a greater, which is about 10 times higher than levels measured in paper. “Ocean heating is a very important problem, because of all things, that is one the ocean. OC accumulated in the coral as fatty acid conjugates, indicator of climate change, and we have thing we really hope the models will get right.” which may interfere with the organism’s metabolism. robust evidence that it is warming more A fleet of nearly 4,000 floating robots The team also detected increased levels of acylcarnitines in rapidly than we thought.” Assuming a “business-as-usual” scenario bump in temperature would raise sea levels drift throughout the world’s oceans, every the exposed corals, which are produced under conditions of ab- Ocean heating is critical marker of climate in which no effort has been made to reduce 30 centimeters, or around 12 inches, on top few days diving to a depth of 2000 meters normal fatty acid metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction. change because an estimated 93 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions, the Coupled Model of the already significant sea level rise caused and measuring the ocean’s temperature, The researchers say that levels of OC in the ocean might have excess solar energy trapped by greenhouse Intercomparison Project 5 (CMIP5) models by melting glaciers and ice sheets. Warmer pH, salinity and other bits of information been underestimated previously because these measurements gases accumulates in the world’s oceans. predict that the temperature of the top 2,000 oceans also contribute to stronger storms, as they rise back up. This ocean-monitoring did not take into account OC fatty acid esters. And, unlike surface temperatures, ocean meters of the world’s oceans will rise 0.78 hurricanes and extreme precipitation. battalion, called Argo, has provided consistent (Source: tunisiesoir.com) temperatures are not affected by year-to- degrees Celsius by the end of the century. “While 2018 will be the fourth warmest and widespread data on ocean heat content year variations caused by climate events like The thermal expansion caused by this year on record on the surface, it will most since the mid-2000s. El Nino or volcanic eruptions. Prior to Argo, ocean temperature data Climate change models Unlike surface temperatures, ocean was sparse at best, relying on devices called Spring migration causes 2b The new analysis, published Jan. 11 in expendable bathythermographs that sank Science, shows that trends in ocean heat temperatures are not affected by year-to- to the depths only once, transmitting data birds to cross Gulf of Mexico, content match those predicted by leading year variations caused by climate events on ocean temperature until settling into says study climate change models, and that overall like El Nino or volcanic eruptions. watery graves. ocean warming is accelerating. (Source: sciencedaily.com) A new study indicates that an average of 2.1 billion birds migrates through the Gulf of Mexico each spring. The findings also revealed that the highest activity, with 26,000 birds per kilometer, occurs Discovery adapts natural membrane to Astronomers find signatures of a ‘messy’ along the western coast of Texas. Scientists explain that quantifying the migration intensity and make hydrogen fuel from water star that made its companion go supernova timing of movement is necessary to understand the impact of climate change and shifting landscapes on migratory birds. A chemical reaction pathway central to Many stars explode as luminous super- The most crucial findings of the study are the fact that at least plant biology have been adapted to form novae when, swollen with age, they run half of yearly migration happens within a period of 18-days. This the backbone of a new process that converts out of fuel for nuclear fusion. But some information, researchers suggest, can help mitigate the harm to bird water into hydrogen fuel using energy from stars can go supernova simply because populations caused as a result of wind turbines and light. the sun. they have a close and pesky companion The study combined data from bird watchers and weather radar In a recent study from the U.S. Depart- star that, one day, perturbs its partner so stations to provide detailed understanding into spring bird migra- ment of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National much that it explodes. tion along the Gulf of Mexico. The findings of the study, which was Laboratory, scientists have combined two These latter events can happen in binary published in the journal Global Change Biology, reveal the timing, membrane-bound protein complexes to star systems, where two stars attempt to location, and intensity of these movements. perform a complete conversion of water share dominion. While the exploding star “We looked at data from thousands of eBird observers and 11 molecules to hydrogen and oxygen. the two photosystems,” Utschig said. “It gives off lots of evidence about its identity, two years after the initial explosion. weather radar stations along the Gulf Coast from 1995 to 2015,” said The work builds on an earlier study that structurally supports both of them simul- astronomers must engage in detective work By looking for evidence of debris im- lead author Kyle Horton, an Edward W. Rose postdoctoral fellow examined one of these protein complexes, taneously and provides a direct pathway for to learn about the errant companion that pacts months or years after a supernova at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. called Photosystem I, a membrane protein inter-protein electron transfer, but doesn’t triggered the explosion. in a binary star system, the team believes that can use energy from light to feed elec- impede catalyst binding to Photosystem I.” On Jan. 10 at the 2019 American As- that astronomers could determine whether trons to an inorganic catalyst that makes Natural membrane tronomical Society meeting in Seattle, the companion had been a messy red giant hydrogen. This part of the reaction, however, According to Utschig, the Z-scheme an international team of astronomers or a relatively neat and tidy star. represents only half of the overall process — which is the technical name for the announced that they have identified the The team made this discovery as part needed for hydrogen generation. light-triggered electron transport chain of type of companion star that made its partner of a wider study of a particular type of Protein complex natural photosynthesis that occurs in the in a binary system, a carbon-oxygen white supernova known as a Type Ia supernova. By using a second protein complex that thylakoid membrane — and the synthetic dwarf star, explode. Through repeated ob- These occur when a carbon-oxygen white uses energy from light to split water and catalyst come together quite elegantly. The servations of SN 2015cp, a supernova 545 dwarf star explodes suddenly due to activity take electrons from it, called Photosystem “beauty of this design is in its simplicity — million light years away, the team detected of a binary companion. II, Argonne chemist Lisa Utschig and her you can self-assemble the catalyst with the hydrogen-rich debris that the companion Carbon-oxygen white dwarfs colleagues were able to take electrons from natural membrane to do the chemistry you star had shed prior to the explosion. Carbon-oxygen white dwarfs are small, water and feed them to Photosystem I. want,” she said. Red giant star dense and -- for stars -- quite stable. They The radar helped reveal the timing of bird migration and the The “beauty of this design is in its simplic- One additional improvement involved The “presence of debris means that form from the collapsed cores of larger routes they take. Researchers found that the peak spring migration ity — you can self-assemble the catalyst with the substitution of cobalt or nickel-contain- the companion was either a red giant star stars and, if left undisturbed, can persist remained consistent for over two decades along the Gulf coastline the natural membrane to do the chemistry ing catalysts for the expensive platinum or similar star that, prior to making its for billions of years. and the period between April 19 and May 7 is the busiest. you want” — Lisa Utschig, Argonne chemist catalyst that had been used in the earlier companion go supernova, had shed large Type Ia supernovae have been used Scientists explained that even though the migration has evolved In an earlier experiment, the researchers study. The new cobalt or nickel catalysts amounts of material,” said University of for cosmological studies because their due to climate change, the current rate of change may be too brisk for provided Photosystem I with electrons from could dramatically reduce potential costs. Washington astronomer Melissa Graham, consistent luminosity makes them ideal the birds to keep up. The findings also show that seasonal movements a sacrificial electron donor. The “trick was The next step for the research, accord- who presented the discovery and is lead “cosmic lighthouses,” according to Gra- now commence sooner. However, the peak activity has remained how to get two electrons to the catalyst in ing to Utschig, involves incorporating the author on the accompanying paper accept- ham. They’ve been used to estimate the unchanged with regard to the change in seasonal movements, which fast succession,” Utschig said. membrane-bound Z-scheme into a living ed for publication in The Astrophysical expansion rate of the universe and served may be an alarming trend. The two protein complexes are embedded system. “Once we have an in vivo system — Journal. as indirect evidence for the existence of (Source: Tech Times) in thylakoid membranes, like those found one in which the process is happening in a The supernova material smacked into dark energy. inside the oxygen-creating chloroplasts in living organism — we will really be able to this stellar litter at 10 percent the speed Yet scientists are not certain what kinds higher plants. see the rubber hitting the road in terms of of light, causing it to glow with ultraviolet of companion stars could trigger a Type The “membrane, which we have taken hydrogen production,” she said. light that was detected by the Hubble Space Ia event. Earth’s magnetic pole moving directly from nature, is essential for pairing (Source: phys.org) Telescope and other observatories nearly (Source: eurekalert.org) fast, baffling scientists

Earth’s north magnetic pole is moving fast and in an unexpected Moonlight influences opening and closing of oysters’ shells, say researchers way, baffling scientists involved in tracking its motions. Our planet is surrounded by a magnetic field. It is thought The gentle glow of moonlight on water The moonlight levels to arise from the electric currents generated by Earth’s core—a has moved musicians, poets and painters The team suggests the increased opening solid iron ball surrounded by a liquid metal. This field is one of the – and, it turns out, molluscs. Researchers of the oysters when moonlight levels are reasons life is able to thrive as it deflects the solar wind, protecting have discovered the opening and shutting lower might be linked to the possibility us from harmful radiation. of oysters’ shells appears to be tied to the that more food is available at low light However, the magnetic field is constantly moving. At the mo- lunar cycle. levels: previous studies have suggested ment, its north pole is over Canada, but it is slowly making its Biological clocks have intrigued scientists the movement of plankton also appears way toward Siberia. In the early 2000s, NASA announced the for centuries, and researchers in the field to be influenced by light. “We know that pole’s rate of movement had increased to about 25 miles per year. won the 2017 Nobel prize for studies into oysters open their valves when there is The changes to Earth’s magnetic field are tracked with the World the 24-hour body clock. food,” Payton said. Magnetic Model. According to the British Geological Survey, the However, organisms do not necessarily However, the study did not look at the World Magnetic Model is used extensively for navigation by the U.S. have biological processes linked only to the impact of the moon on oysters’ behavior in Department of Defense, as well as many civilian systems. Because rhythm of day and night, the circadian clock. all seasons, or take into account cloud cover of the constant changes, the model has to be revised regularly. Other patterns that include links to the – and hence the actual level of moonlight In 2014, a new version of the model was released. This was tides have been found for species including the molluscs experienced. expected to last until 2020, but last September it had to be revised the horseshoe crab, and to the phases of the David Wilcockson, a senior lecturer in following feedback from users that it “had become inaccurate in moon for creatures including the bristle aquatic biology at Aberystwyth University, the Arctic region,” the British Geological Survey said. worm. Some have suggested the latter may oysters submerged off the French coast over complex, noting the creatures appeared to said there were still many mysteries in the Now, the World Magentic Model is set to be updated again. also affect humans. the course of three and a half lunar cycles be able to tell if the moon was waxing or field. “We know that, for example, tidal, A meeting was scheduled for January 15, but because of the U.S. Now experts say they have found evidence from the end of 2014. waning: the oysters were generally more lunar and circadian clocks appear to have government shutdown, it has been postponed until January 30, that oysters not only have a circadian clock The team used electrodes to track the open during the third quarter than the first separate mechanisms, but they are to some Nature magazine reported. and a tidal clock, but are also attuned to molluscs’ degree of opening every 1.6 seconds quarter. extent linked – and we don’t know quite “The error is increasing all the time,” Arnaud Chulliat, a geo- lunar rhythms. and looked at astronomical data to assess Payton said one possibility was that the how and to what level,” he said. magnetist at the University of Colorado Boulder and the National The moonlight effect how much of the moon was illuminated. benthic bivalves may have evolved an internal Wilcockson said human activity could Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, told Nature. He said “It was a surprise to see that there is The results reveal the oysters were most lunar clock, rather than passively relying cause unexpected problems in marine learning that the World Magnetic Model had become inaccurate such an effect of the moonlight,” said Laura open in the buildup to – and presence of on direct cues. In that case, she added, the environments – an issue research like the placed scientists in an “interesting situation” with experts won- Payton, co-author of the research from the – a new moon, and less open as the moon moonlight sensed by the oyster would help latest study could help examine. “If you have dering just what was going on. University of Oldenburg. entered first quarter and full phases. keep this clock in sync with the environment coastal lighting, for example, or lighting on According to Nature, a geomagnetic pulse under South America Writing in the Biology Letters journal, The team says that suggests oysters can rather than directly triggering the opening marine structures, then of course we don’t in 2016 shifted the magnetic field unexpectedly. This was exac- Payton and her colleague Damien Tran sense moonlight – even though it is far less and shutting of the shell – similar to how really know what the impacts of those might erbated by the movement of the north magnetic pole. “The fact from the University of Bordeaux describe intense than the sun’s rays. humans use daylight to keep their internal be,” he said. that the pole is going fast makes this region more prone to large how they tracked the behavior of 12 Pacific However, Payton said the situation was 24-hour clock on track. (Source: The Guardian) errors,” Chulliat said. (Source: Newsweek) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 12 SOCIETY JANUARY 12, 2019 Be on the horns of a dilemma: Water Education Ministry elaborates on elimination of university entrance exam transfer from Caspian Sea to central Iran By Maryam Qarehgozlou calendar year (starting on March 21, 2019), SOCIETY TEHRAN — On January 2, Education Minister no water will be transferred from enclosed deskMohammad Bat’haei bid farewell to Konkur, TEHRAN — Water transfer from Caspian bodies of water regarding its probable en- the university entrance exam being held annually for gaining Sea in northern Iran to the central province of vironmental consequences. admission to higher education, however, there are many ques- Semnan has been a controversial scheme which Forests, national land areas are tions left as to how students will be evaluated to gain admission has put many on the horns of the dilemma. in danger to a specific university. Uneven water resource distribution and Aziz Abesi, an environmental expert, has Bat’haei in a tweet explained that students can gain admission imbalanced water demand of the human also mentioned the environmental, social and to 85 percent of the fields of studies at universities without needing society makes water transfer inevitable. economic impacts of the scheme. to take part in the difficult exam and undergo intense stress, solely Water transfer has been a method to alle- “Installing pipes and building roads would based on their educational backgrounds; farewell to Konkur. viate and even resolve the urgent demand definitely cause irreparable damages to the of the water-stressed areas. sensitive ecology of Hyrcanian forests,” he A number of countries have made at- warned. tempts and have achieved enormous benefits. Moreover, as Alborz mountainous region However it definitely involves changes of the is prone to earthquakes and land subsidence ecological environment in different basins. the pipes can easily break and salt water can Department of Environment gives cause damages to the national land areas, the green light he added. On January 5 chief of Department of En- The dangers facing the environ- vironment Issa Kalantari told ILNA news ment agency that he has no objection to water According to the U.S. National Library of transfer from Caspian Sea to the central Medicine National Institutes of Health, the parts of the country. positive impacts include adding new basins for “Providing potable water as well as wa- water-deficient areas, facilitating water cycle, ter needed for industrial purposes is a must level at the sea. nian Parliament), said the Caspian Sea is an improving meteorological conditions in the The Iranian university entrance exam, is a standardized multiple for the government by any means and water Moreover, he added, other littoral countries enclosed body of water and any changes to recipient basins, mitigating ecological water choice test used as a means to gain admission to higher educa- transfer from the Caspian Sea is one of those have already installed pipes for gas and oil it would endanger its ecology. shortage, repairing the damaged ecological tion in Iran. Students in the three main groups of mathematical means,” Kalantari said. transfer deep into the sea which is against Water transfer from the Caspian Sea is system, and preserving the endangered wild sciences, experimental sciences, and human sciences and two Transferring water from the sea is alright the law and Iran can also transfer water from a threat to the sea and should the project fauna and flora. other groups of arts and foreign languages will compete in an provided that environmental impact of the the sea without negotiations. goes into effect the sea level will drastically However, the negative impacts include attempt to seek a place in one of the public universities after scheme is assessed, he said, adding that water Mentioning the increased salinity of drop and it will be dried out, Shaeri warned. salinization and aridification of the donor finishing the 12-year compulsory education. transfer can be both good and bad. water by using desalination plants, Kalan- By implementing the scheme other prov- basins, damage to the ecological environment As the number of seats at top public universities are limited the He also highlighted that more than 100 tari explained that the Persian Gulf littoral inces such as Tehran, North Khorasan, and of the donor basins and the both sides of competition is usually cut-throat and the exam content is rigorous. percent of renewable water resources are countries are desalinating billions of cubic other central regions would request water the conveying channel system, increase of However, changes announced by the Ministry have so far being used in the country with agriculture meters of water and causing great problems transfer from the Caspian Sea which would water consumption in the recipient basins, perplexed students and their families wondering what is con- sector being the biggest consumer saying for the Persian Gulf but the Iranian Medias be a threat to the sea. and spread of diseases, etc. sidered as the education background. that water transfer for agricultural use is are criticizing the government for desalinating He further explains that carrying out this As water transfer has enormous ecolog- Moreover, some are speculating about the possible outcomes not acceptable. only 1 billion cubic meters of water annually. plan is an “ultimate betrayal” as it carries huge ical risk, it is necessary to comprehensively of the newly proposed scheme, fearing whether all students can He went on to say that enviornmtal activist We should safeguard our national interest, environmental and economic consequences. analyze the inter-basin water balance rela- gain admission to the higher education fair and square. are not weighing up the matter properly the he suggested, restating that transferring water In addition to environmental damages to tionship, coordinate the possible conflicts There is also one other group who may not have a very good negativity is not good for the environment. for agricultural purposes is not economically the sea water transfer from the Caspian Sea and environmental quality problems between educational background and believe they have lost any chances The environment chief also said that wa- justifiable but for drinking and industrial can endanger the forests as well, he lamented. regions, and strengthen the argumentation of going to university forever. ter shortage in central Iran would result in purposes is a must. The project will breed enviornmtal and of the ecological risk of water transfer and Inquired about the possible implications of elimination of forced migration of the residents to Tehran. He also ensured the public that the process social consequences both for the donor and eco-compensation measures. Konkur, Abbas Soltanian, director of the high school education Inquired about environmental conse- will be done with the lowest environmental recipient basin as such plans are proved to In addition, there are some effective al- department at the Ministry of Education, said that educational quences of water transfer from the Caspian impacts possible. be environmentally unsustainable. ternative measures for water transfer, such background refers to the grades and scores students obtain during Sea he explained that the volume of water Parliament opposes the plan Mohammad Torbatinejad, who is the as attaching importance to water cycle, im- their last year of education in nationwide end-of-the-term exams. in the Caspian Sea is about 80,000 billion According to a report by the YJC published spokesman for agriculture committee of proving water use efficiency, developing sea This year in booklets being distributed by Sanjesh Organization cubic meters and transferring 100 million on January 11, Mohammad Ali Shaeri, head Majlis said on January 9 that according to water desalination, and rainwater harvesting [which is in charge of coordinating and administrating Konkur] cubic meters of water won’t affect water of the agriculture committee of Majlis (Ira- the national budget bill for the next Iranian technology, etc. all majors available for students to choose without needing to take Konkur will be announced, IRNA news agency quoted Soltanian as saying on Friday. 23,000 housing units completed in quake-stricken Kermanshah He didn’t mention the exact time of the distribution of the booklets. SOCIETY TEHRAN — Some 23,000 housing units Mahdian as saying on Thursday. Kermanshah deputy governor general Mohammad Salari That some believe educational backgrounds include the scores deskwere completed in quake-stricken regions By the end of the current [Iranian calendar] year some also explained that increasing the number of floors I newly students obtained during their high school years is wrong, he said, of the western province of Kermanshah, deputy director 26,000 housing units will be completed in villages affected constructed houses in what delaying their completion. adding that nonetheless, students should prepare themselves for at the Islamic Revolution Housing Foundation has said. by the earthquake, Mahdian added. So that completing the housing units may last until the their last year final exams during those years. On November 12, 2017, a destructive earthquake measuring Low-interest housing loans were allotted to all the victims end of the summer, Salari suggested. Additionally, Soltanian said that those who have received 7.3 on the Richter scale hit Sarpol-e Zahab in Kermanshah. of the earthquake and there is no one left, he highlighted. He also said that more than 6,000 aftershocks and earth- poor grades are allowed to take the exams one more time to Some 90,000 houses were partly or completely damaged He went on to say that reconstruction of the urban areas quakes hit Kermanshah since the first quake jolted the region improve them. by the tremor. Sadly, the quake took over 660 lives and left is completed by 70 percent and the houses in these areas will and people are still worried, however, the magnitude 5.9 Students who have been graduated from high school in 2006 more than 10,000 injured. be also completed by the end of spring or summer. Gilan-e Gharb quake which shook the area on January 6 and later can take their final exams once more to raise their Retrofitting and reconstruction of the houses in the quake- He also stated that increased costs of construction mate- made people trust more to their houses being earthquake grades, he added. hit villages is 90 percent completed, IRIB quoted Azizollah rials is what delaying the completion of the houses. resistance. He also stated that students and their parents should not worry about the fairness of the new scheme as the final exams of the 12th grade are all standardized ad being held nationwide Mysterious mass fish deaths spark alarm in Australia and there are no chances of cheating in the exams. The deeper students’ knowledge are the better they would More than a million fish are thought to have ray cod and perch are among those affected. algal blooms, and the plants then decompose, perform at their final exams, Soltanian noted, saying that ex- been killed, including huge cod up to 80 years At the time of the first incident in late siphoning off all the dissolved oxygen in the amining students’ knowledge in a three-hour multiple choice old, in a river in Australia amid an unusual December 2018, in which 10,000 fish are water and effectively suffocating the fish. exam is not efficient. algal bloom following drought conditions. estimated to have been killed, WaterNSW But anger remains over the management This new method would decrease students’ stress and ease The cause of the algal bloom, which is the and the DPI blamed drought. of the water system, with locals pointing out the process of gaining admission to universities. second to hit the Darling River at Menindee This time, the DPI admitted the events fish over 80 years old have survived droughts in New South Wales in a month, is the subject were “unprecedented” and said the drought and cold spells in the past. of furious debate over weather patterns and conditions were then exacerbated by cool Senator for the state of South Australia LEARN ENGLISH the management of dams. weather. Rex Patrick said: “The Darling River is going Ecologists fear the impact could be so The DPI’s fisheries manager Iain Ellis said: into cardiac arrest and both the governments Discussing the Competition severe whole populations of local native fish “I’ve never seen two fish kills of this scale so are asleep at the wheel of the ambulance,” ment, have gained more than 2 million views. may have been wiped out. close together in terms of time, especially in the senator said, according to ABC news. “This is bloody disgraceful, this is the Mr. Ford: Now, of course, with all this cutting-edge technology According to the NSW Department of the same stretch of river.” He also urged the state and federal gov- most disgusting thing I’ve seen in my life,” there must be a catch, you might ask yourself. I bet the retail Primary Industries (DPI), toxic blue green “In both cases it’s when the algal bloom ernments to allow water being held in nearby Mr McBride tells the camera. price will be too much for most consumers, you might say. algae is to blame. has been disrupted. dams to flow down the river system to meet “This has nothing to do with drought, this Well, you’d be wrong! A government spokesperson said on Tues- “The first time due to a storm, and in this “basic needs” of humans and livestock. is a man-made disaster brought to you by Mr. Ford: Yes, of course the x420 is aimed at the luxury market, day only heavy rain in the area will flush the case, by the cold front that went through.” Footage of distraught local men Rob the New South Wales government and the but if you compare the price of our leading competitors, the x420 algae out of the river basin. The department said it believes the tem- McBride and Dick Arnold, holding the bodies federal government.” represents incredible value for money. At only15,000RMB it is Native species including bony bream, Mur- perature drop would have killed the huge of huge dead fish and blaming the govern- (Source: The Independent) far more affordable and far more attractive than almost every leading brand and model. Mr. Ford: So, what differentiates us from our competitors? Well, if we compare Orange’s luxury MP40 range then we can ENGLISH IN USE really highlight some of the differences. Mr. Ford: Now, of course Orange has an enviable record for LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION producing revolutionary and top class products, and I must admit the MP40 is a breathtaking machine. However, for most consumers the MP40 is simply far too expensive to consider. Iran outlaws private ownership of مالکیت شخصی و نگهداری حیوانات وحشی ممنوع شد Mr. Ford: The questions we must ask ourselves are” What does the Alpha brand stand for?” and also” How can we set ourselves apart wild animals مدیــرکل دفتــر حفاظــت و مدیریــت شــکار و صیــد اظهــار داشــت: براســاس قانــون from our competitors?” The answer to both of these questions is the same my friends. Iran has outlawed the private ownership of wild animals, including اگــر شــخصی اقــدام بــه نگهــداری چهارپــای وحشــی از جملــه یــوز پلنــگ، شــیر و Mr. Ford: Alpha stands first andforemost for quality, for excellence and for service. If we always stick to this philosophy, then I’m cheetahs, lions and tigers, and will fine or imprison anyone parading ببــر کنــد، بــه جریمــه نقــدی و زنــدان محکــوم مــی شــود . confident that we will really be able to expand our market share علــی تیمــوری مدیــرکل دفتــر حفاظــت و مدیریــت شــکار و صیــد ســازمان حفاظــت .significantly. Okay, let me move on now to give you an idea of the wild animals in public, YJC reported on Wednesday our marketing campaign for the x420. “If a person seen in public walking an exotic pet, will be fined up to محیــط زیســت در گفتگــو بــا خبرنــگار حــوزه محیــط زیســت گــروه اجتماعــی Key vocabulary باشــگاه خبرنــگاران جــوان؛در رابطــه بــا خیابــان گردانــی حیوانــات وحشــی اظهــار cutting edge: the newest and most advanced 800 million rials (about $20,000) and could face up to three-year term catch: hidden problem that makes something complicated داشــت: بــرای متخلفــان نگهــداری از حیوانــات وحشــی جریمــه ۸۰ میلیــون تومانــی aim: to direct (something) at a particular goal of imprisonment,” Department of Environment›s (DOE) director و ۳ ســال حبــس در نظــر گرفتــه شــده اســت. .differentiate: to make different in some way for hunting and fishing Ali Teymouri has said highlight: to make or try to make people notice enviable: causing envy; very desirable foremost: most important Supplementary vocabulary PREFIX/SUFFIX PHRASAL VERB IDIOM high-end: at the top level of consumer purchases, aimed at luxury and high quality markets “-ery, -ry” Make something into Come to your senses outsource: to send a job somewhere else, often overseas hotline: a phone number people can call to get help any time of day Meaning: a place for Meaning: convert or change into Explanation: to start to think clearly and behave motto: an expression that is the guiding principle of a person For example: At one time, I would have everything For example: We’re going to make our garage into sensibly or organization I owned dirty before I would go to the laundry. a playroom. For example: She finally came to her senses when trademark: something (symbol, logo, phrase, etc.) that she saw that public transport was faster than driving distinguishes one company›s product from its competitors in the city. (Source: irlanguage.com) ساعت: 19:40 امضاء صفحه آرا: ساعت: امضاء مسئول صفحه: ساعت: امضاء ادیتور: ساعت: امضاء سردبیر:

I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JANUARY 12, 2019 WORLD IN FOCUS 13 U.S.: Syria withdrawal has begun; Large U.S. troop deployment Russia doubtful in Kirkuk causes Iraqi outcry 1 “I can confirm the movement of tory from the direction of the Tal al-Sakhir The United States military has made a large troop deployment equipment from Syria,” the unnamed official town in Hama, reported Syria’s official news to military bases near the Iraqi city of Kirkuk, causing outcry was quoted as saying by AFP, but declined to agency SANA on Thursday. among the local population. provide further details “for security reasons.” The Syrian forces reportedly retaliated The troops have been stationed predominantly at the K1 The so-called Syrian Observatory for with proportionate fire in response to the airbase situated 15 kilometers away from the city, Press TV’s Human Rights (SOHR) reported that the breach. correspondent in Kirkuk said on Thursday. coalition had started scaling down its pres- Based on last year’s demilitarization The deployment is said to have happened on the pretext of ence at Rmeilan airfield in the northeastern truce, all terrorist forces were supposed to countering remaining Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/ province of Hasakeh. withdraw from points of contact with the Daesh) Takfiri terrorists. “On Thursday, some American forces Syrian army, but never did. Popular Mobilization Unites (PMU/Hashd al-Sha’abi) spokes- withdrew from the Rmeilan military base in Moreover, terrorists aligned with the person Ali al-Hussaini denounced the presence of the U.S. forces, Hasakeh province,” said Rami Abdel Rah- Turkish-backed National Front for Liber- saying that the city faced no terrorist threat and Americans had man, head of the Britain-based monitoring ation (NFL) have frequently violated the no reason to be there. organization. deal by launching attacks in Hama. “Deploying U.S. forces in Kirkuk or any other city is unac- “This is the first such pullout of American The terrorist incursions have, however, ceptable. This is violating the treaty between the U.S. and Iraq,” forces since the U.S. president’s announce- failed to make any gains. said Hussaini. ment” of a full troop withdrawal from Syria Al-Qaeda-linked terrorists The city experienced relative calm since Iraqi Kurds handed last month, he said. expand control in Idlib over positions to Iraqi troops in October 2017. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Elsewhere, the al-Qaeda-linked Hayat The ISOF (Iraqi Special Operations Forces/Golden Division) reacted to the allegation, saying he thought Tahrir al-Sham (Organization for the Lib- deployment was in response to rising tensions after the Iraqi the United States wanted to stay on in the eration of the Levant/Levant Liberation semi-autonomous Kurdistan region (Kurdistan Regional Gov- country. Committee/Tahrir al-Sham/HTS) terrorist ernment/KRG) flag was illegally raised over a political party Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for group has effectively gained control over headquarters building, signaling unfounded Kurdish claims to Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told re- Meanwhile, the U.S. National Security paper outlining the U.S. plans for withdrawing Syria’s last major terrorist-held stronghold the city. porters that if the claims were true the territory Adviser John Bolton on Sunday outlined from Syria included leaving troops in place after the NFL accepted a surrender deal on The rising tensions in Kirkuk come as the U.S. Secretary of previously controlled by the U.S. should be conditions for the U.S. troop departure from at a position near the Iraqi and Jordanian Thursday. State Pompeo visited of Iraq’s semi-autonomous re- transferred to the Syrian government. Syria, including a provision that Turkey border. The NFL was forced into the deal after gion of Kurdistan, Erbil, after visiting Baghdad on Wednesday. “In this regard, establishing dialogue should guarantee the safety of the People’s Most of the U.S. forces are concentrated facing heavy losses in more than a week of “These have been folks that have fought with us and it’s im- between the Kurds and takes on Protection Units (People’s Defense Units/ in the northeast of Syria, but soldiers also bloody infighting between the two terrorist portant that we do everything we can to ensure that those folks particular significance. After all, the Kurds are Yekîneyên Parastina Gel/YPG) Kurdish mil- maintain a base near southern Syria in an alliances. that fought with us are protected,” said Pompeo during the trip. an integral part of Syrian society,” she said. itants in Syria. area known as al-Tanf, on the Iraqi border. Under the new deal, an HTS-backed civil The visit was part of a Middle East tour aimed at assuring the Zakharova also said Russia remains com- Those conditions enraged Turkish Pres- Israel has reportedly lobbied for the government will gradually be given author- U.S. allies of continued American presence in the region despite mitted to an agreement it had struck with ident Recep Tayyip Erdogan who refused Trump administration to reconsider pull- ity over all terrorist-held regions in Idlib, earlier remarks made by the U.S. President Donald Trump calling Turkey to stabilize a de-escalation zone in to meet Bolton on his visit to Ankara early ing troops out of al-Tanf, and according to including the remaining occupied territories for a regional troop withdrawal. Syria’s Idlib province, but Moscow is worried this week. the London-based Middle East Eye online of the Hama and Aleppo provinces. Pompeo seemingly backpedaled from Trump’s earlier state- by an increase in the number of ceasefire “It is not possible for us to accept and portal, the U.S. withdrawal plan would leave NFL terrorists have, however, been per- ments, saying that “we learned that when America retreats, chaos violations there. stomach the message Bolton gave from Is- soldiers there. mitted to hold on to their military bases often follows.” Trump has said he agreed to submit ar- rael,” Erdogan said. “The U.S. is not withdrawing from the in Idlib. The statements were, however, later ridiculed by Iranian eas under the control of Kurdish militants “Regarding this matter, Bolton has made base at al-Tanf at this time,” it quoted a Some of the Turkish-backed forces plan Foreign Minister Javad Zarif who highlighted America’s role in to Turkey, prompting outrage among the a serious mistake and whoever thinks like Turkish official, citing a document which to rejoin other NFL forces in Syria’s occupied destabilizing the region. community in northern Syria and warnings this has also made a mistake. It is not pos- was presented in Ankara by Bolton early northwestern region of Afrin. (Source: Press TV) by the U.S. politicians that Washington was sible for us to make compromises on this this week. It is not clear whether the HTS, which betraying its allies in the region. point,” he added. The U.S.-led coalition, which includes has been ambiguous towards the demili- The U.S. officials are now sending con- Pompeo’s remarks in Cairo also appeared countries such as France and Britain, was tarization deal in the past, seeks to uphold tradictory signals on the plan, prompting to contradict Trump’s announcement, draw- formed in mid-2014 to supposedly counter the agreement in the future. India probes opposition to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu ing immediate criticism from Middle East the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/ Syrian forces, however, expanded troop granting citizenship to to say on Thursday that his country’s planned experts as well as officials who served under Daesh) terrorist outfit’s expansion after it presence along the terrorist-held terri- military operation against Kurdish militants former U.S. president . proclaimed its self-styled “caliphate”. tory as a precautionary measure earlier non-Muslims in Syria would not depend on an American “We learned that when America retreats, Syrian Army foils attack in this week. withdrawal. chaos often follows. When we neglect our Hama, terrorists take full control Iran, Russia and Turkey act as the guaran- Indian police on Friday said they are investigating an academic, The U.S. Secretary of Defense Mike Pom- friends, resentment builds. And when we of Idlib tors for the all-out ceasefire regime in Syria. a journalist and a peasant leader for possible sedition for publicly peo stressed on Thursday that the alleged partner with our enemies, they advance,” Meantime, the Syrian Army has repelled The deal has so far helped significantly opposing a proposal to grant citizenship to non-Muslims from U.S. withdrawal from Syria was not “a change he said. a terrorist attack violating a truce in the decrease violence in country. Related talks neighboring Muslim-majority countries. of mission.” “The good news is this: The age of self-in- northern countryside of the Hama prov- have also paved the way for the formation “Let me be clear: America will not retreat flicted American shame is over. And so are ince where al-Qaeda-linked terrorists are of a constitutional committee. until the terror fight is over,” he said, adding, the policies that produced so much needless expanding control. Iran and Russia have been supporting “For our part, our airstrikes in the region suffering. Now comes the real new begin- The Syrian forces carried out “concentrat- the Syrian government in its anti-terror will continue as targets arise,” he said in a ning,” Pompeo added. ed bombardments” against terrorists who operations at the request of Damascus. speech at the American University in Cairo. Media reports on Thursday said a draft sought to infiltrate government-held terri- (Source: agencies)

U.S. blocks Israeli sale of used F-16s to NATO member Croatia over upgrades The United States has blocked the Israeli regime’s sale of States to the sale of 12 planes to Croatia, and the $500 mil- Critics have called the proposal blatantly anti-Muslim and an 12 used F-16 jet fighters to Croatia in a deal worth $500 lion deal will apparently be canceled,” the Croatian Defense attempt by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist million over demands that Tel Aviv removes electronic Ministry emphasized in a statement. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to boost its Hindu voter base ahead modifications it has made to the war planes. “Unfortunately, we have not been able to realize the deal of a general election due by May. “Israel has officially informed us that it cannot get because of problems that could not have been expected and The cases have been filed amid a wave of protests in the BJP-gov- an approval from the United States for delivery of the are not under the control of the countries,” said the chief erned northeastern state of Assam. A small regional party in India planes to Croatia,” Croatia’s Defense Minister Damir of Israeli war ministry, Udi Adam, in the press briefing in quit the ruling coalition on Monday in protest against the plan. Krsticevic announced in a Thursday press conference Zagreb on Thursday. The Modi government is facing growing criticism for stifling in the capital Zagreb following a meeting with a visiting Eager to sell the planes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin criticism, including in the media. A television journalist in the region Israeli delegation. Netanyahu reportedly even raised the issue with the U.S. was jailed last month for criticizing the government on social media. According to Croatian media reports, the problem Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during their meeting in “We have registered a case against a few people based on certain came up because the war planes had been refitted with Brazil earlier this month. statements that they made at a public rally in Guwahati,” Deepak Israeli technology, depriving American weapons makers Despite all efforts, however, the State Department blocked Kumar, a police official from Guwahati in Assam, told Reuters. the opportunity to update and service the decades-old the transfer of arms to the Balkan nation. It did not provide The three have not been charged. fighter jets. comments on the report because it was on furlough due to Meanwhile, Croatia’s Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic Many people fear such a move could change the demographic The U.S. reportedly insisted that the Israeli regime must the persisting U.S. government shutdown. announced earlier this week that Zagreb would not accept profile of Assam, where residents have for years complained that strip the jets of the upgrades it had made -- including elec- Moreover, a senior Israeli official told the U.S.-based any other deal except the original Israeli offer which it ac- immigrants from Bangladesh have put a big strain on resources. tronic and radar systems – prior to transferring the aircraft. Axios news outlet that former Pentagon Chief James Mattis cepted last March. Hiren Gohain, an 80-year-old academic, peasant leader Akh- Croatia, however, declined to purchase the planes with- had rejected a personal request from Netanyahu to give the “The agreement on buying the planes has not been signed, il Gogoi and journalist Manjit Mahanta have been accused of out the Israeli modifications, declaring that it will cancel acquisition his personal approval. so there is no financial damage to our budget,” Plenkovic criminal conspiracy and attempting to wage a war against the the order for the F-16 Barak combat aircraft, which were Apart from the Israeli regime, several other coun- said during a cabinet session on Thursday. government, Kumar said. to replace the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) tries also participated in the bidding process for He added, however, that Zagreb was determined to The bill, which seeks to give citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, member’s aging fleet of Soviet MiG21 jetfighters. the warplane deal, including Greece, South Korea continue with its plans of modernizing its air force. Jains, Buddhists, Christians and Parsis from Afghanistan, Pa- “Israel failed to overcome the opposition of the United and Sweden. (Source: Press TV) kistan and Bangladesh, has been passed by the lower house of the parliament. The bill will be tabled for approval in the upper house in the Near Syrian border, Turkish defense minister vows operation when time is right next session, where it is expected to face resistance from the opposition Congress party. The BJP does not have a majority in Turkey’s defense minister on Friday Trump’s plan to bring home about 2,000 drawing, a spokesman said. support for it against the ISIL as a betrayal. the upper house of the parliament. pledged to wage a campaign against a troops stationed in Syria. The plan hinges Trump’s national security adviser, John “When the time and place comes the (Source: Reuters) United States-backed Syrian Kurdish on Turkish cooperation to secure a swathe of Bolton, this week tried to make the case for terrorists here will be buried in the ditch- militia, sharpening focus on a potential northeast Syria as the United States departs. guarantees that Turkey would not harm es they have dug, as was done in previous conflict the United States has sought to While the pull-out has been clouded the People’s Protection Units (People’s operations,” Akar said in a speech to military Romania: Corruption protest prevent, Reuters reports. by mixed messages from both Trump and Defense Units/Yekîneyên Parastina Gel?/ personnel at a brigade command center in Turkey and the United States, although his administration, on Friday the U.S.-led YPG) after the withdrawal. That earned a the province of Sanliurfa, referring to two targets EU presidency NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) coalition supposedly against the Islamic stiff rebuke from President Recep Tayyip other cross-border campaigns that Turkey allies, are deeply divided over the imple- State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Daesh) Erdogan. Turkey considers the YPG a ter- has carried out in Syria. ceremony mentation of the U.S. President Donald terrorist outfit began the process of with- rorist organization and sees Washington’s (Source: agencies) Hundreds protested outside the Romanian Athenaeum in Bucharest on Thursday, coinciding with a ceremony marking Romania’s ascendancy to the European Union (EU) Council Presidency. to file complaint at UN over Israel’s building of border wall Greek protesters clash with police during Merkel’s visit in Athens Lebanon will issue a complaint at the United Nations Se- [United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon],” a Lebanese explain Lebanon’s stance on the Israeli aggressions. Meantime, Greek protesters clashed with police on Thursday curity Council (UNSC) over Israel’s building of a wall along Army statement said. “The Higher Defense Council affirmed Lebanon’s com- in Athens, during a demonstration against German Chancellor their shared border, Lebanese state media reported Friday. Speaker Nabih Berri expressed his concern over the mitment to every inch of its land and water as well as its Angela Merkel’s visit in the country. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency quoted For- “dangerous” developments. “This is something that must constant readiness to complete the negotiations to resolve Protesters used sticks to attack police officers blocking the eign Minister Gebran Bassil as calling the Israeli move a be carefully monitored because it is very dangerous. There existing border disputes.” street in the center of Athens and police responded with tear gas, violation of a UNSC resolution that ended the 2006 war is something I know and it will be time to show it,” he told In a statement, the Lebanese Army said Israel’s actions as Merkel was meeting Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance group. visitors at his Ain al-Tineh residence in the evening. “threatened to resume hostilities,” and it stressed the need his office nearby. The comments came after Tel Aviv placed 25 cement Berri said he would discuss Israel’s actions with the for a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Shebaa Farms, Even though the government banned gatherings and blocks near the illegal Israeli settlement of Miskaf Aam, United States Undersecretary for Political Affairs David Kfar Shuba hills and the occupied part of Ghajar. demonstrations in the Greek capital due to Merkel’s visit, opposite the Lebanese town of Adaisseh, with six blocks Hale, who is due to visit Lebanon next Monday. Back in December, caretaker Lebanese Transportation hundreds marched on the streets of Athens, chanting and placed on disputed points. In response, the Lebanese Army The Higher Defense Council of Lebanon said in a statement Minister Youssef Fenianos announced that the country holding banners against the German chancellor. deployed reinforcements to the area. that it considered “the Israeli actions along the southern was set to lodge a complaint against Israel at the UNSC, Protesters said Merkel was not welcome in Greece as she “What happened today is dangerous and could spark border to be an attack on Lebanese territory, which is a clear after airstrikes launched by Israeli war planes targeting played a “leading role” in impoverishing the Greek people. a security incident,” a political source told Lebanon’s The violation of Article 5 of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.” Syria threatened civilian airliners flying over the Leb- This was Merkel’s first visit in Greece after the country exited Daily Star. The council announced that it would submit a complaint anese airspace. its bailout programs a few months ago. The blocks had been placed “without informing UNIFIL to the Security Council and increase diplomatic contacts to (Source: agencies) (Source: agencies) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 14 WORLD SPORTS JANUARY 12, 2019 Tearful Murray plans Wimbledon retirement Nottingham Forest part company with manager but says Australian Open may be last event Karanka A tearful Andy Murray on Friday announced Perry. World number five Juan Martin del Nottingham Forest have parted company with Spanish manager he would likely retire this year due to severe Potro, who has also struggled with injuries and Aitor Karanka a year after he arrived, the Championship side pain from a hip injury, saying next week’s will miss the Australian Open, told Murray said on Friday. Australian Open could be the last tournament to “keep fighting”. Forest are seventh in England’s second tier, 12 points adrift of a glittering career. “We love you Andy and we want to see of leaders Leeds United and four points off the playoff places. The former world number one and three- you happy and doing well,” he added. A former Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao player, Karanka time Grand Slam winner broke down at a called him “a champion joined Forest in January last year. The 45-year-old had previously press conference in Melbourne as he said on and off court”, referring to Murray’s been fired by then Premier League side Middlesbrough. the pain had become almost unbearable. long-time support of women’s equality “Aitor Karanka has asked to be released from his contract as “I can play with limitations. But having in tennis. the manager of Nottingham Forest Football Club,” Forest said the limitations and the pain is not allow- “So sorry you cannot retire on your own in a statement. “The club have agreed to this request and the ing me to enjoy competing or training,” the terms, but remember to look to the future. terms of departure have been agreed. Both parties wish each emotional Scot said. Your greatest impact on the world may be yet other every success for the future.” Thirty-one-year-old “Sir Andy” said he to come. Your voice for equality will inspire Forest added that first team coach Simon Ireland would take would like to finish at his home Grand Slam in future generations,” she said. charge until a new manager was appointed. Wimbledon, but ruefully admitted he might Top Australian coach Darren Cahill, who (Source: AFP) not make it that far. until recently was mentoring world num- He will be remembered as the first British ber one Simona Halep, said Murray was an man to win Wimbledon in 77 years and as example of the never-say-die attitude that a player who battled his way to the top in separated the best from the average. a golden era for the game alongside Roger tember after only a handful of appearances ‘Legend of a bloke’ “When you search for examples of ‘emptied Arsenal may seek loan deals Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. to concentrate on working his way back to One of the so-called Big Four, along with the bucket to be as good as they could be’ “Wimbledon is where I would like to stop full fitness. But he was knocked out in the Federer, Djokovic and Nadal, who have dom- there should be a picture of Andy Murray in January, says Emery playing, but I am not certain I am able to do second round on his return at Brisbane last inated the game for years, Murray’s ranking sitting under that quote,” he tweeted. that,” he said. week and called it quits on Thursday after has slumped to 230. “Remarkable discipline for training, com- Arsenal are looking at signing players who can ensure a strong “I’ve been struggling for a long time. I’m less than an hour of a practice match in Mel- He hasn’t reached a Grand Slam final since petition, sacrifice, perfection, a little crazy finish to their Premier League campaign but the club’s transfer not sure I can play through the pain for an- bourne against Djokovic, with his movement winning his second Wimbledon title in 2016, but a legend of a bloke.” activity this month could be restricted to loan signings, manager other four or five months. clearly hampered. but has nevertheless enjoyed a glittering ca- Former star Andy Roddick also paid Unai Emery has said. “Pretty much done everything that I could “I think there is a chance the Australian reer since turning professional in 2005, with tribute on Twitter. The north London club, who have missed out on top-four to try and get my hip feeling better and it Open is my last tournament,” he said. not only three Grand Slam titles, but two “I tip my to Andy! Absolute legend. finishes and Champions League qualification in the previous two hasn’t helped loads.” While he intends to begin his open- Olympic gold medals and 45 ATP crowns. Short list of best tacticians in history. Unreal seasons, are fifth in the table with 41 points, but Emery said fans He pulled out of last year’s Australian ing-round match against 22nd seed Roberto Notably, in 2013 Murray became the first results in a brutal era. Nothing but respect could not expect permanent recruits in January. Open to have hip surgery and only returned Bautista Agut next week, how his body with- British man to win Wimbledon for 77 years, here. I hope he can finish strong and healthy,” “We cannot sign permanently. We can only loan players,” in June at Queen’s Club in London. stands potentially gruelling five-set clashes ending the nation’s obsession with finding a he said. Emery told a news conference ahead of Saturday’s league trip to He ended the season at Shenzhen in Sep- in energy-sapping heat remains to be seen. champion to follow in the footsteps of Fred (Source: AFP) West Ham United. The Spaniard pointed out the difficulties in recruiting players in the January transfer window but said the club were keeping their eyes open. “I know the club is working on DNA request made in Cristiano Head of Japan’s Olympic Committee possibilities of which players can help us with big performances like we need now,” Emery added. Ronaldo rape case under investigation in France “If we can find one player who can help us like we need, with the quality and a different player for getting in our squad, we are going to do it.” Arsenal’s transfer strategy in recent seasons has seen play- ers run down their contract and leave for free, the latest being midfielder Aaron Ramsey who is set to join Juventus in the close season after failing to agree a new deal. “I respect his decision a lot. My last conversation with him is very important,” Emery said. “We both spoke about the situation with respect from him and from us. His response has been very good in training and matches with good performances. “I want his behaviour and his focus to be on West Ham on Saturday.” (Source: Reuters)

Las Vegas police have asked football star representatives of Ronaldo, Mayorga and The president of Japan’s Olympic Committee, an investigation into more than $2 million Bayern to appeal as Mueller Cristiano Ronaldo to submit a DNA sam- their lawyers, where she alleges she was Tsunekazu Takeda, is under formal investi- (£1.5 million) of payments made by the ple as part of their investigation into rape paid $375,000 to keep quiet. gation by French prosecutors for suspected Japanese bidding committee to a Singa- suspended for Liverpool tie allegations made against him. Ronaldo’s lawyers have said that the corruption related to Japan’s successful bid porean consultancy firm, Black Tidings. The five-time world player of the year non-disclosure agreement signed with the to host the 2020 Olympic Games, a French In 2017, Takeda and several others were -- who plays for Italian league champions former model was “by no means a confession judicial source said on Friday. voluntarily questioned by Japanese prose- Bayern Munich said Friday they will appeal the two-match Cham- Juventus -- has vehemently denied the ac- of guilt”. Mayorga’s attorney has said the The source said Takeda, a retired eques- cutors at the request of French authorities in pions League suspension handed to Thomas Mueller which means cusations, and his lawyer Peter Christiansen model agreed to an out-of-court settlement trian sportsman, was indicted last month relation to the payments, Kyodo News agency the Germany international will miss both legs of their last-16 tie said the request was standard procedure. to keep her name from going public, but by the national financial prosecutor’s office reported at the time. Takeda and the others against Liverpool. “Mr Ronaldo has always maintained, as was inspired to speak out by the #MeToo in Paris. Prosecuting judge Renaud Van had denied any wrongdoing, Kyodo said. European football’s governing body UEFA handed Mueller he does today, that what occurred in Las movement against sexual harassment. Ruymbeke suspected Takeda of paying Black Tidings is headed by Ian Tan Tong a two-match ban on Friday following his sending-off in the 3-3 Vegas in 2009 was consensual in nature, Her attorney could not immediately be bribes to secure Japan’s winning bid. Hon, who is closely associated with Papa draw away to Ajax in their final group game last month. so it is not surprising that DNA would be reached for comment, but in the past said In Tokyo, Takeda said no improper ac- Massata Diack, the son of disgraced former Mueller was shown the first straight red card of his career for present, nor that the police would make the agreement should be made null and void tions such as bribery had taken place in international athletics chief Lamine Diack, kicking Ajax defender Nicolas Tagliafico in the head. this very standard request as part of their because it was made when she was suffering connection with Tokyo’s games bid and he who is himself facing corruption charges. The 29-year-old will definitely miss the away leg at Anfield on investigation,” he said in a statement. from extreme psychological duress. had not been indicted by French authorities. Japanese officials said at the time the February 19, but Bayern hope a successful appeal would mean The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Ronaldo is widely considered one of the Under French law, indictment means he two payments were legitimate consult- Mueller could play the return at the Allianz Arena on March 13. Department said it had made an official greatest footballers in the history of the is now being treated as a “formal suspect” ant’s fees, and a panel commissioned by Mueller apologised following the sending-off, insisting he request to Italian authorities, adding it is game, having won the Champions League but a full indictment comes only once the the Japanese Olympic Committee said meant to kick the ball. “No, no, of course I didn’t mean to do it. “taking the same steps in this case as in title five times -- once with Manchester case is going to court. in September 2016 that it had found the It wasn’t intentional,” Mueller told reporters, but Bayern coach any other sexual assault to facilitate the United and four times with Real Madrid. “I apologise for the huge worries that have payments to be legitimate. Niko Kovac said the red card was the correct decision. collection of DNA evidence”. He also led Portugal to the Euro 2016 been brought to the people of Japan, who Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike said she Mueller has five goals and six assists in 25 matches in all Former model Kathryn Mayorga, 34, of title in France. have given so much support to the Tokyo was “very surprised” by the news of the competitions this season. Las Vegas, made the accusations against the Juventus signed him last year from Real Olympics and Paralympics, and in order to investigation. Like Mueller, Ajax midfielder Maximilian Woeber has also now 33-year-old Ronaldo in a complaint for 100 million euros ($115 million), the put every doubt to rest I intend to continue Takeda, 71, has long been involved in been given a two-match suspension for his horror tackle, in the filed last year in the state of Nevada. most ever paid for a player aged over 30. cooperating with investigations,” he said. the Olympics movement, having com- same game, on Bayern’s Leon Goretzka which also led to the She claims after meeting the footballer Ronaldo has long been marketed as a The International Olympic Commit- peted as a show jumper in the 1972 and Austrian international being shown a straight red. at a Las Vegas nightclub, he raped her at his global face of football and his image has tee (IOC) said it had been in close contact 1976 games. His great-grandfather was Woeber will miss both legs of Ajax’s last-16 tie against holders hotel suite on June 13, 2009 -- just before become a market mover. When the rape with French judicial authorities. Its ethics the Emperor Meiji and he is the current Real Madrid. he joined Real Madrid from Manchester allegations first came to light, shares in committee has opened a file on the case emperor’s second cousin. (Source: AFP) United for a then-world record 94 million Juventus dipped on the stock exchange. and would meet later on Friday. He has been a member of the Japanese euros ($108 million). Forbes magazine says he is one of just “Mr Takeda continues to enjoy the full Olympic Committee since 1987 and its pres- Mayorga’s lawyers have said previously three athletes to be given a lifelong contract presumption of innocence,” the IOC said ident since 2001, helping to coordinate the she immediately reported the alleged rape by US sportswear manufacturer Nike along in a statement. preparations for several Winter Olympics Manchester City scrap plans to the Las Vegas police and underwent a with NBA superstar LeBron James and Takeda is also an IOC member since as a senior member of the International medical examination. retired basketball legend Michael Jordan. 2012 and heads its marketing commission. Olympic Committee (IOC). to take winter break A private mediation was organised with (Source: AFP) In 2016, French prosecutors announced (Source: Eurosport)

Manchester City have scrapped plans for a warm weather train- ing camp because of their hectic fixture schedule, sources have Lovren banned over social media outburst against Spain told ESPN FC. City’s first-team squad have taken breaks to Abu Dhabi mid- Croatia defender Dejan Lovren has been banned for one was dismissed in a separate incident of the same match. way through the past two seasons, with manager Pep Guardiola international match over comments he made on social me- BATE Borisov’s Sihnevich Mikalai and Villarreal’s Costas meeting club owner Sheikh Mansour. dia about opponents Spain following his side’s 3-2 Nations Jorda Jaume were also banned for two European matches But there is no opportunity to do the same thing this spring, League win in November. after being sent off in Europa League games last month. with City remaining in contention in four competitions. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich forward Thomas Mueller and Olympiakos were fined 90,000 euros (£80,920) following They have only one free weekend between now and the end Ajax Amsterdam defender Maximilian Woeber will miss both crowd trouble in their Europa League match against AC Milan. of the season -- Feb. 17-18 -- but that would have to stage an FA legs of their teams’ respective Champions League round of UEFA sanctioned the Greek side over a pitch invasion, Cup fixture if they beat Burnley in the fourth round. 16 ties after being banned for two European games following the setting-off of fireworks and blocked stairways during The free weekend also comes just before the Champions League red cards last month. their 3-1 win over Milan on Dec. 13 in Athens. first leg game against Schalke on Feb. 20. Mueller will sit out the tie against Liverpool and Woeber Olympiakos must play their next home match behind The Premier League clash with West Ham at the Etihad Stadium misses his side’s clash with Real Madrid. closed doors although this was deferred for a “probationary on Feb. 26 will also need to be rescheduled after City effectively Lovren posted a video on Instagram where he appeared period” of two years. confirmed a place in the Carabao Cup final with a 9-0 victory to brag about elbowing Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso suggested that Olympiakos over Burton Albion in the semifinal first leg. and made insulting comments about the Spain team following threw extra balls onto the pitch and mentioned a “strange The Manchester derby at Old Trafford in mid-March would the game on March 15. trumpet noise” although he said it was not an excuse for also need to be rearranged should either City or United reach the He also told reporters after the match that Spain were their defeat. FA Cup quarterfinals. City face a potential headache to squeeze “rude on the pitch” and bad losers. Milan were fined 5,000 euros after their fans also set in all their fixtures with so few matchdays available, particularly UEFA said that Lovren had fallen foul of a clause in its baijan in March. Despite the win, Croatia finished bottom off fireworks. when the Champions League resumes. disciplinary rules which penalises anyone “whose conduct of Group A4 after losing their final game to England and Paris St Germain and Red Star Belgrade were fined 35,000 They have lightened the load a little with the huge victory is insulting or otherwise violates the basic rule s of decent were relegated to League B of UEFA’s new competition. euros and 25,000 euros respectively for incidents at their over Burton, with Guardiola set to put out a second-string side conduct.” Mueller was given a straight red card for a high kick on Champions League match on Oct. 3 which the side for the second leg against the League One club. He was suspended from Croatia’s next UEFA competition Nicolas Tagliafico during Bayern’s 3-3 draw against Ajax won 6-1. (Source: ESPN) match, which is the Euro 2020 qualifiers at home to Azer- and was banned for two European club matches. Woeber (Source: Reuters) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JANUARY 12, 2019 SPORTS 15

Vietnam match Tractor Sazi coach Mohammad Taghavi resigns our second final: SPORTS TEHRAN — Tractor Sazi interim coach Mo- deskhammad Taghavi parted ways with the Iranian football club on Thursday. The 47-year-old coach, who started his work as John Toshack Karim Ansarifard assistant coach in -based football club at the beginning SPORTS TEHRAN — Iran international striker Karim of the Iranian league season, deskAnsarifard says the match against Vietnam will be replaced the Welshman in Team Melli’s second final in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. September as interim coach. Iran will take on the Vietnamese team at the Al Nahyan Stadium in Under tutelage of Ex-Es- Abu Dhabi, the UAE on Saturday. teghlal defender, Tractor Sazi “Every match is like a final for us. We won Yemen 5-0 in our first got back on track and they final and now we concentrate on our second final against Vietnam,” are one of the favorites to win Ansarifard said. their first ever Iran Profes- “There will be no easy games for Iran since the teams have progressed sional League title. a lot. Turkmenistan made life difficult for Japan on Wednesday. We are “I think it’s time to say good- here to do our best and I believe that Vietnam and Iraq are strong teams bye with popular football team and we will not underestimate them,” the Nottingham Forest striker added. Tractor Sazi. I wish you all the Ansarifard, who scored an equalizer against Portugal in the 2018 World best for the future,” Taghavi Cup, came off the bench as a substitute in the second half. posted on his Instagram account. “We don’t care who scores and who becomes the top scorer, what is The Iranian media reports suggest that Taghavi will take the most important is that we keep progressing in the tournament. The charge of Nassaji Mazandaran. Iranian fans are always supporting us and it brings positive energy in He will replace Ex-Team Melli captain in the competition,” Ansarifard added. the Ghaemshahr-based football team. Iran sit top of the table after beating Yemen in their opener on Monday. Iraq are second thanks to a 3-2 late win over Vietnam. Team Melli last won the Cup in 1976 and the Persians are looking forward to end their 43-year trophy drought in the UAE. to be named The 2019 AFC Asian Cup is being held in the UAE from Jan. 5 to Feb. 1. Colombia coach after Nelo Vingada joins Iran’s Taqi to officiate Iran v Vietnam: Asian Cup: Report coaching staff Asian Cup Iran national football team’s coach Carlos Queiroz will become the new coach of the Colombian national team after the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. While there were rumors of Luiz Felipe Scolari possibly taking over the vacancy, the Colombian FA has struck a deal with Queiroz. The 65-year-old coach will take on his new role once his participation in the Asian Cup with Iran finishes. Queiroz, who was the former coach of teams such as Real Madrid, Portugal and South Africa, will start his new position in early February. His official debut with the Colombian national team will come during their next set of friendlies to be held in March. (Source: )

Mohammadi takes silver at SPORTS TEHRAN — Former Vingada has also headed Iranian SPORTS TEHRAN — League matches. Asian Para Cycling C’ship deskIran U23 football most-popular football team Persepo- deskMuhammad Taqi Taqi Aljaafari has also refereed coach Nelo Vingada has joined Team lis in 2009. Aljaafari Bin Jahari has been chosen matches in the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Melli coaching staff in the AFC Asian At the 2014 held in to officiate the match between Iran Cup in India. TASNIM — Iran’s Mehdi Mohammadi wins a silver medal at Cup underway in the UAE. Incheon, South Korea, Iran lost 4–1 to national football team and Vietnam Iran sit top of the table after beating the 8th Asian Para Track Cycling Championship in , In- The Portuguese coach has been vol- Vietnam in their first match which was in Group D of the 2019 AFC Asian Yemen 5-0 in their opener on Monday. donesia on Thursday. untarily added to Iran staff. the team’s worst defeat in the tournament. Cup. Iraq are second thanks to a 3-2 late The Iranian cyclist finished in second place with a time of Team Melli are preparing for the match They drew 1–1 with Kyrgyzstan in the next The match has been scheduled to win over Vietnam. 5:23.920 at the C4 - C5 4000m Individual Pursuit. against Vietnam in Group D after beating match, resulting in an early exit from the take place at the Al Nahyan Stadium Team Melli last won the Cup in 1976 The gold medal went to Indonesian Muhammad Fadli Imam- Yemen 5-0 in their first match. competition which was Iran’s worst result in Abu Dhabi, the UAE on Saturday. and the Persians are looking forward muddin who clocked 4:56.956. Vingada is no stranger to the region’s in the Asian Games since its establishment. Singaporean Muhammad Taqi to end their 43-year trophy drought Sufyan Saori also from claimed a bronze medal in football as the 65-year-old coach has Vingada had already worked as Car- Aljaafari has been a FIFA listed in the UAE. this event with a time of 5:13.951. already coached Saudi Arabia, Jordan los Queiroz’s assistant during the 2014 referee since 2012 and has also The 2019 AFC Asian Cup is being held The 8th Asian Para Track Cycling Championship in Jakarta, and Iran U23 football teams. FIFA World Cup qualification. refereed a number of AFC Champions in the UAE from Jan. 5 to Feb. 1. Indonesia is being held in Jakarta, Indonesia from 8 to 13 January.

Jahanbakhsh targets Asian Cup glory with Iran Mario Budimir reaches wants to emulate Albion colleague Jahanbakhsh, Albion’s £17 million record buy from AZ Matthew Ryan - by winning the Asian Cup. Alkmaar in Holland last summer, is one of Iran’s biggest agreement with Persepolis Keeper Ryan lifted the trophy with Australia on home stars, but the unassuming winger likes to keep a low profile. soil four years ago. He said: “The people back home love their football and Jahanbakhsh’s Iran are favourites to win the 2019 tour- following the players who play for the national team abroad. Persian Football — Croat forward Mario Budimir has report- nament, now underway in the United Arab Emirates. “They always show their love and their encouragement, edly reached an agreement with Iranian football club Persepolis. The three-time former champions have not triumphed which is very nice and appreciated, but it’s nothing like Budimir, 32, will be Persepolis’s fourth Croatian player after since 1976 but are strongly fancied after drawing with Por- David Beckham! Mate Dragicevic, Bozidar Radosevic, and Luka Maric. tugal and running Spain close in the World Cup finals group “When I go back to my home town in the north of Iran, Budimir, who most recently played at Dinamo Zagreb, will stages in Russia last summer. people will come up and talk to me and take pictures, and join Persepolis in Qatar training on Friday to pass a medical Jahanbakhsh (below) said: “The Asian Cup is big for it’s the same at the airport, but it’s nothing out of control. examination. us. Yes we made the world Cup finals for the past two “I’ve never craved the attention anyway. I prefer to keep Persepolis, who finished runners-up in the 2018 AFC Cham- tournaments, for the first time in our history, and of a low profile, to chill when I’m back home and hang out with pions League, are going to strengthen for new season, where course it was nice for the people and a great experience will have a lot of Iranian fans coming to the UAE to watch us. my family and friends where there’s not a lot of people. the team are pitted against Qatar’s Al Sadd and Al Ahli of Saudi for the players to be facing Spain and Portugal, but the “We are ranked one and we have to show it. It’s also “Of course when I’m with the national team there’s more Arabia in Group D. Asia Cup is different. important because we haven’t been champions of this com- interest, with the fans wanting pictures and autographs Persepolis also are favorites to win the Iran Professional League “We have been the top ranked team in Asia for the past petition for many years. Maty Ryan won it last time with but I’m always happy to do that because I was a fan once.” for the third successive year. two or three years so there is a big expectation on us - and we Australia so hopefully it’s us this time!” (Source: Argus)

Saman Ghoddos looking forward to Australia beat Palestine to bounce back Iran embassy in Hungary says Vietnam challenge from Jordan defeat sports diplomacy priority With the first match jitters safely over- Defending champions Australia dom- IRNA — Iran’s Ambassador to Hungary Gholam-Reza Raja- come, Islamic Republic of Iran’s Saman inated Palestine 3-0 on Friday as they bi-Yazdi says sports diplomacy is among priorities of Iranian Ghoddos says Team Melli are looking recovered from their shock opening Embassy’s programs in the Eastern European nation. forward to locking horns with Vietnam defeat at the Asian Cup and moved He said regarding the influential role of sports in connecting in an AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Group within sight of the last 16. nations and getting them together in a healthy and peaceful D tie on Saturday. Goals from Hibernian striker Jamie environment, sports cooperation between Iran and Hungary The three-time champions opened their Maclaren, Awer Mabil and substitute is among priorities of the programs due to be implemented by campaign on a high note, defeating Yemen Apostolos Giannou put the much-im- Iranian Embassy in Hungary. 5-0 on Monday, but Ghoddos admitted Iran proved Socceroos second in Group B He said world states consider sports events as the most influ- had gone into the match nervous. with one game to go. ential soft power tool and try to hold competitions to have active “It’s not easy to play the first game in The Aussies will now go into next presence in the world federations and use sports figures’ influ- a tournament. It’s always stressful and Tuesday’s final group game against ence to forge stronger engagement of nations and governments. nervous and you’re trying to do your best Syria with renewed confidence after He went on to say that the second-round qualifiers to the 2017 so sometimes the play can be a bit stiff, banishing memories of their 1-0 upset CEV U18 Volleyball European Championship – Women, held but we showed a good result by scoring at the hands of Jordan. in Jászberény of Hungary in September and Iranian Free Style five goals and keeping a clean sheet. “To be honest I haven’t watched the Coach Graham Arnold dropped the Mabil could have doubled his tally and Greco Roman national teams’ presence in the 2018 World “So that’s very important and we have other games, just to keep focused on under-performing Massimo Luongo before half-time but he skied his shot Wrestling Championships, held in Budapest from October 20 big confidence in the team now,” said the my own game, so I don’t know the level and Robbie Kruse in favour of Jackson after a neat move through the middle to 28, and also presence of Hungarian wrestlers in the World midfielder, who plays for Amiens SC in yet,” added Ghoddos, who came on as Irvine and Chris Ikonomidis, who im- involving captain Mark Milligan and Clubs’ Free-Style Cup Competitions in December along with the French Ligue One. a substitute to score Iran’s fifth goal pressed as substitutes against Jordan. Maclaren. presence of Iranian National Youth Boxing Team in Hungary Iran however, said Ghoddos, are not against Yemen. And it was a far more dynamic But Australia kept up their assault World Boxing Competitions are among sports programs of thinking of the title just yet despite scor- Iran have seen enough of Vietnam to team that opened their account on after the break as Palestinian defender Iran and Hungary. ing the highest win in the first round of know the Southeast Asians will be handful 18 minutes, when Celtic’s Tom Rogic Abdallah Jaber knocked an attempted He added that 2019 will mark a turning point in expansion of matches. at the Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi. picked out Maclaren who scored his clearance onto his own crossbar and sports cooperation between Iran and Hungary as Iranian athletes “That’s not a thought in our minds “The coach and his team have analyzed first international goal with a glanc- Irvine headed just over. will take part in table tennis competitions in Hungary next week, right now, because it’s a long tournament them and we have watched some videos. ing header The attacks kept coming and sub- Iran’s national boxing team will attend Hungary world boxing and it’s tough games.” It’s a good team, all respect to them. Two minutes later and gold-clad stitute striker Giannou, a late call-up competitions in February, Iran’s Greco-Roman wrestling team “We’re just looking forward to the next “However, we are going to play our Australia were 2-0 up as Ikonomidis after Scottish-born Martin Boyle was will attend Hungary International competitions late February, game, and right now that’s Vietnam. That’s game and we are not thinking so much lofted a ball to the far post where Mabil injured, nodded a deserving third for Hungary’s badminton players will attend Ten-Day Dawn com- important for us, to just think about the next about the other team.” sneaked in unmarked for a first-time Australia in the final minute. petitions, Iranian Paralympics athletes will attend Tokyo 2020 game and not think too many steps in front. (Source: the-afc) finish. (Source: Thenational.ae) Paralympics qualifying competitions in Hungary. Prayer Times Noon:12:12 Evening: 17:31 Dawn: 5:45 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 7:14 (tomorrow) JANUARY 12, 2019 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: Ali Asgari Editor-in-Chief: Mohammad Ghaderi “Special Award” wins honorable Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 [email protected] Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051450 Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 mention at Ammar festival Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 www.eshterak.ir Distributor: Padideh Novin Co. ARTTEHRAN – The jury of Tel: 88911433 desk Webmaster: [email protected] the 9th Ammar Popular Printed at: Rooztab - ISSN: 1017-94 Film Festival (APFF) announced on Thursday that no feature fiction movie deserved the No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran best film award as they awarded “Special P.o. Box: 14155-4843 Zip Code: 1599814713 Award” by Seyyed Ali Seyyedi an honorable mention. “Special Award” is about a young boy who dreams of having a bicycle, but his family cannot afford his wish. He enters a cultural competition organized at a mosque that plans to award a bicycle to the winner. The closing ceremony of the festival, which aims to take a global view of cultural, so- GUIDE TO cio-economic, environmental and political SPIRITUAL AWAKENING issues that may endanger peace, freedom and justice in the world, was held at Tehran’s Felestin Cinema. If the world favors a group, it grants them the good- In the mid-length fiction movie category, ness of others, too, and when it rejects them, it robs the award for best film went to “Needle” them of their own goodness. directed by Yusef Jafari. The film is about a group of volunteers who arrive in a remote Imam Ali (AS) village to provide medical services for villag- ers, among whom no children are present. Consequently, they began a search to track down the children. WHAT’S IN ART GALLERIES The short fiction films “#Don’t Send” by Painting Saman Ghanaemi and “It’s at an End” also An exhibition of paintings received awards. by Katayun Giti is underway at Several documentary films were also Negar Gallery. awarded on the sidelines of the festival. The exhibit named “The “In the Name of Father” by Moham- Director Sirus Moqaddam (R) accepts an award for his TV series “Paytakht 5” from Ammar Popular Film Festival director Nader Heritage of Hint” will run until mad-Taqi Rahmati received the Golden Talebzadeh during the closing ceremony of the event at Tehran’s Felestin Cinema on January 10, 2019. (Mehr/Hamid Vakili) January 16 at the gallery located Lantern for Best Documentary on Eco- to those Iranian soldiers who fought the at the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting Prophet Muhammad (S). at 33 Delaram Alley, Roshanai St. nomic War. Daesh forces in Syria and Iraq. was awarded as Best Documentary on Soft Director Sirus Moqaddam was also hon- in the Qeitarieh neighborhood. The award for Best Documentary on the “The Son the Imam” by Seyyed Mohtash- War and Cultural Front. ored with a Golden Lantern for the fifth sequel A collection of paintings by Defenders of the Holy Shrines was present- am Ali Naqavi won the award for Best Docu- Established by a number of Iranian revo- he made to his popular TV series “Paytakht”, Mahsa Mashayekhi is on display in ed to “Rescue” by Amir-Hossein Noruzi. mentary on Islamic and Global Awakening, lutionary figures, the festival has been named which was broadcast on IRIB’s Channel 3 an exhibition at Golestan Gallery. “Defenders of the Holy Shrines” is applied while “Once Upon a Time Trump” produced after Ammar Yasir, a close companion of during the Noruz holidays last March. The exhibition will be running until January 16 at the gallery that can be found at 42 Kamasai St. in Pop stars to extend sympathy for Behnam Safavi’s family the Darus neighborhood. A group of artists, including ARTTEHRAN – Pop star Sirvan Khosravi sufficiently to allow him to continue chemotherapy and desk Sahar Alizadeh, Kurosh Sarmadi, along with his brother Xaniar and radiotherapy treatments. Elham Omidi and Samira Shahab Ramezan will perform in a joint concert tonight He appeared on the stage at Tehran’s Milad Tower, Nikfarjam, is showcasing their at the Iranian Conference Hall in Tehran to sympathize performing his concert while sitting in a chair. However, he latest paintings in an exhibition with the family of Behnam Safavi, the 35-year-old pop went into a coma after receiving chemotherapy treatment at Ace Gallery. singer who went into a coma last week due to brain cancer. in December. The exhibit titled “Immediacy” The performance titled “A Concert for Behnam”, In July 2017, he underwent a successful operation will run until January 16 at the which was announced in an Instagram post by Sirvan performed by Professor Majid Samii and his team in gallery located at 1831 Shariati on Wednesday, was sold out a day after. Hanover, Germany as the tumor recrudesced. He returned Ave., near the Qeitarieh “Behnam’s family has not asked anyone for financial to Iran to pursue medical treatment in his homeland. neighborhood. support and also rejected all his friends’ proposals for However, his family announced last week that he had Paintings by Reza Alizadeh financial support,” Sirvan wrote. gone into a come again. are currently on display in an “I hope that we along with you will give Behnam Safavi’s debut album, “Be My Love”, was released in exhibition at Saye Gallery. positive energy and will see him on stage again very October 2009 and a song by the same name from the The exhibit titled “Bubble” soon,” he told his fans. collection soon became a smash hit at that time. runs until January 16 at the gallery Earlier in July 2015, Behnam Safavi underwent Two years later, he released his second album, “Calm”, located at No. 21, 13th Alley, Sanai successful surgery at a Tehran hospital to remove a small which earned him a firm place in the Iranian pop music St. of Karim Khan Ave. tumor from his brain. In early October, his medical arena. His latest collection “Extraordinary” was released Razieh Karimi, Sara team permitted him to hold a concert to raise his spirits A poster for “A Concert for Behnam”. in May 2014. Hosseinpur and Mahsa Khahani are displaying their paintings in an exhibition at Sherveh Gallery. TMCA new director “Double” to compete The exhibit titled “Through” will run until January 16 at the appointed in Irvine Film Festival gallery, which can be found at 9 ARTTEHRAN – Hadi Fine Arts School since 2017. ARTTEHRAN – Iranian Khojasteh Alley, Daemi St. off deskMozafari, the The TMCA is home to works by deskdirector Ronak Jafari’s Fatemi St. director of the Visual Arts Office of many august artists of the West, short film “Double” will go on screen at the Shokuh Gallery is hosting the Ministry of Culture and Islamic including Claude Monet, Francis Bacon, 8th edition of the Irvine Film Festival, which an exhibition of paintings by Guidance, appointed Ehsan Aqai the Pablo Picasso, Max Ernst, Georges will be held in Costa Mesa, California from Faramarz Khani. new director of the Tehran Museum Braque, Alberto Giacometti, Jackson March 22 to 28. The exhibit named “Anima” of Contemporary Art (TMCA) on Pollock, Mark Rothko, Donald Judd, The film is about Pegah, a young woman runs until January 22 at the gallery Wednesday. Andy Warhol, René Magritte, Duane with a red raincoat who is in an eerie marsh located at 19 Amir Nuri Alley, Aqai replaced Ali-Mohammad Zare’, Hanson and Chuck Close, which had in the middle of mysterious mountains all North Salimi St. near Andarzgu who held the position since 2017. been accumulated by Iran’s former alone. Her true identity is revealed when she A scene from “Double” by Iranian director Blvd. Aqai was the principal of the Tehran empress Farah Pahlavi. coincidentally meets another woman, Matin. Ronak Jafari. Paintings by Matin Ruintan are on display in an exhibition at Atashzad Gallery. Entitled “Nature in the Frame”, Skydance hires ousted Disney On Woodstock’s 50th anniversary, the exhibit will continue until January 20 at the gallery located animation head John Lasseter double the peace, love and music at 3 North Abbaspur (Tavanir) St. Los Angeles (Reuters) — U.S. film which the company considered serious LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The 50th “Today, we’re experiencing similar near Vanak Sq. production company Skydance Media and warranted its full attention. anniversary of the Woodstock music disconnects in our country, and one thing on Wednesday named Walt Disney Co’s However, advocacy groups expressed festival, one of the watersheds of the 1960s we’ve learned is that music has the power to Photo former animation head and co-founder disappointment at the CEO’s comments. counterculture movement, will be celebrated bring people together. So, it’s time to bring Photos by Shuresh of Pixar, John Lasseter, as head of its an- “By saying Skydance has conducted in August with two competing events. the Woodstock spirit back, get involved and Mobasheri are on display in an imation division. an independent investigation and then Michael Lang, the co-producer of the make our voices heard.” exhibition at the gallery of the Lasseter, regarded as a modern day proceeded to hire Lasseter, do they mean 1969 Woodstock festival, announced on The August 1969 Woodstock festival, Behnam Daheshpur Charity Walt Disney because of his creativity and to suggest that they are hiring him in spite Wednesday that the official Woodstock billed as “three days of peace and music,” Organization. commercial success, left Disney late last of the numerous accounts of women and Music and Arts Fair would take place is regarded as one of the pivotal moments The exhibition has been year. His exit followed a six-month leave colleagues?” Women In Film, Los Angeles from Aug 16-18 at a motor -racing venue in music history. organized to raise funds for of absence after what he called “missteps,” said in a statement. in upstate New York. Over three sometimes-rainy days, more patients suffering from cancer. including unwanted hugs that made em- Hollywood anti-harassment organi- Last month the Bethel Woods Center for than 30 acts - including Jimi Hendrix, Janis The exhibit entitled “Wena” will ployees uncomfortable. zation Time’s Up in a Twitter post said, the Arts, the current owners of the field where Joplin, The Who, The Band, and the Grateful run until January 16 at the gallery “... We did not enter into this decision “Skydance Media’s decision to hire John the 1969 festival took place, announced it Dead - performed around the clock to a located at 13 Marmari Alley, off lightly. John has acknowledged and apol- Lasseter as head of animation endorses and would mark the 50th anniversary with a 400,000-strong audience, most of whom Masjedi Alley, Jabarian St. in the ogized for his mistakes and, during the perpetuates a broken system that allows “pan-generational event” on the same dates. watched for free and camped onsite in the Farmanieh neighborhood. past year away from the workplace, has powerful men to act without consequence.” “The original festival in ‘69 was a mud. The festival was documented in the An exhibition of photos endeavored to address and reform them.” Lasseter directed the 1995 hit “Toy Sto- reaction by the youth of the time to the 1970 film “Woodstock,” which won an Oscar. by a group of artists, including Skydance Chief Executive Officer David ry” and was the creative force behind movie causes we felt compelled to fight for - civil Lang did not announce the 2019 Bahareh Bisheh, Farid Musavi, Ellison said in a statement. hits like “Frozen” and “Finding Nemo”. rights, women’s rights, and the antiwar performer line-up but said more than 60 Samad Qorbanzadeh, and Hosna In a memo to staff, Ellison said, Lasseter, who will report to Ellison, movement, and it gave way to our mission musicians would take part on three main Shahrami, is underway at Negah Skydance employed outside counsel to will be based in Los Angeles and start later to share peace, love and music,” Lang said stages at Watkins Glenn International, the Gallery. thoroughly investigate the allegations, this month. in a statement. site of car racing events including NASCAR. The exhibit titled “Dame” will be running until January 30 at the gallery located at 64 Ghafari St., Jam St., Motahhari Ave. Tintin marks 90th birthday with colonial controversy BRUSSELS (Reuters) — Tintin will a remastered digital version in color to as important,” Robert Vangeneberg told book form in 1946, “Tintin in the Congo” Graphic design mark his 90th birthday this year with a celebrate 90 years since the strip cartoon reporters on Thursday. features Tintin and his faithful dog Snowy Dena Gallery is playing host return to controversy as his Belgian creator’s character first appeared in a Brussels However, one Congolese, noted Brussels- grappling with diamond smugglers and big to an exhibition of graphic designs heirs release a new edition of “Tintin in newspaper in 1929. based comic book artist Barly Baruti, told game hunters. by Arash Tanhai. the Congo”, a work from 1930 that draws The publishers dismissed suggestions Reuters that he felt that bringing out a new A Belgian court reject an attempt by The showcase entitled accusations of racism. that the story, which features charicatural edition of the work at a time when nationalist Congolese campaigners a decade ago to “Oblivion” will continue until The boy reporter’s adventure in the black Africans with fat, red lips and and racist groups appear to be on the rise have the book banned. The judges said it January 21 at the gallery located then Belgian colony was among the first wearing loincloths, was problematic: in Europe was questionable: “We really ask reflected the colonial attitudes of its time at 4 Sussan Alley off Qarani St. Tintin stories to be serialized by the artist “Dialogue is most important and the work ourselves if it is the right moment,” he said. and there was no evidence that Herge — who Herge, and his widow’s firm is launching of deconstruction, decolonization, is just First issued as a complete album in died in 1983 aged 75 — had held racist views.