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16 Pages Price 20,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 39th year No.13277 Thursday DECEMBER 13, 2018 Azar 22, 1397 Rabi’ Al thani 5, 1440 Iran among top five Israeli border tunnel Iran’s first goalscorer Iranian novel “Moon producers of operation won’t at World Cup Brow” on PEN America

destroyers, vessels 2 disturb calm 13 Danaeifard dies 15 Literary Awards long list 16

‘EU plans to finalize SPV as soon as possible’ ECONOMY TEHRAN — In a way with Gholam-Hossein Shafe’i, the head of Saudis getting desk to counter the U.S. Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, sanctions on Iran, European Union Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA), at the plans to finalize the special purpose place of ICCIMA on Tuesday, ICCIMA vehicle (SPV) as soon as possible to website reported. facilitate export and import processes Also as Bloomberg reported on Mon- between EU members and Iran, Tarja day, European Union foreign policy chief more bogged Cronberg, the head of the European Federica Mogherini has said that SPV Parliament delegation for relations meant to help companies do business with Iran, stated. with Iran will be completed by the end She made the remarks during a meeting of the year. 4 down in Yemen Rouhani urges unity in face of See page 2 psychological and economic war POLITICS TEHRAN — President Rouhani said in this situation the people deskHassan Rouhani said should not face difficulty in buying basic on Wednesday that the United States and commodities and that prices of commod- his regional allies have started a psycholog- ities should be fair. ical and economic warfare against Iran and President Donald Trump withdrew the it is necessary to keep unity to counter it. U.S. unilaterally from the 2015 nuclear deal “There is a kind of economic and psy- in May and ordered sanctions against Iran. chological warfare, and we cannot say that The first round of sanctions went into force the situation is normal. In this situation, on August 6 and the second round, which we should help each other through unity,” targets Iran’s oil exports and banks, were he told a cabinet session. snapped back on November 4. 2

Yemen’s warring parties agree to reopen Sana’a airport for domestic flights Yemen’s warring parties agreed Wednes- international flights would stop at a gov- day to reopen the airport in the Houthi- ernment-held airport for inspections before held capital of Sana’a for domestic flights, flying into or out of Sana’a. They have one of the confidence-building steps yet to agree whether those inspections under discussion at UN-led peace talks would take place in the airport of Aden in Sweden, sources familiar with the or that of Sayun. talks said. Sana’a airport is in Houthi territory, but The Houthi movement and the Sau- access is restricted by an Arab-led military khamenei.ir di-backed government have agreed that coalition, which controls the air space. 13

ARTICLE Sacrificing ethics for money REPORT Martin Love By Mohammad Homaeefar Trump, his secretary of state Mike Pompeo after a classified briefing on December 5 about Syed Zafar Mehdi Political analyst from President Donald Trump and his die-hard loyalists and defense secretary James Mattis argue the murder of Khashoggi called the prince a Journalist North Carolina have been tarnishing the image of the United that there is no proof that MBS had advance “wrecking ball”, “crazy” and “dangerous”, in from New Delhi States badly during the last 23 months since knowledge of the murder. an open reference to Trump and his soldiers Trump entered the White House. The CIA is believed to have evidence that (Pompeo and Mattis), said, “You have to be What dooms Now, while the CIA and key senators from bin Salman communicated repeatedly with an willfully blind not to come to the conclusion Person of the Year: both Republican and Democratic parties are aide who commanded the team that assassinated that this was orchestrated and organized by nations can be saying that evidence shows that Saudi Crown Khashoggi, around the time of Khashoggi’s death people under the command of MBS and that Murdered journalist Prince Mohammad bin Salman, known as MBS, on October 2. he was intrinsically involved in the demise of surprising, and it had ordered the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham who Mr. Khashoggi.” 13 Jamal Khashoggi resides internally 1398 budget bill, (non)-oil revenues? s 2018 approaches its end, it is By Haniyeh Sadat Jafaryieh Budget bill in review: • controlling unemployment rate and pre- time to look back at the important ne can believe without fear of re- events and happenings that shaped alistic opposition that people in The budget bill for the next Iranian calendar The prepared budget bill, which will be offi- serving job creation, A the year. The year would go down in his- general are much the same every- year 1398 (starting on March 21, 2019) was pre- cially submitted to the parliament by the Iranian • providing social justice and improvement O sented to the parliament on December 6 while President Hassan Rouhani on December 16, is of fair distribution of income, tory for many reasons – tragic incidents, where. Sure, cultures vary, religions and hyperbolic remarks, political dramas, social systems vary, but the fundamental Iran’s economy, previously expected to boom, said to be contractionary. • managing the operating deficit, improving is experiencing the toughest conditions under According to official information, major pol- the balance of capital assets, and trade wars, downfall of dictators, rise aspects and challenges and even joys of of democrats. human life remain constant. This is no the draconian U.S. sanctions. The upcoming icies applied by the Rouhani administration in • developing regional-provincial balance. year is supposedly an economic predicament preparing the annual budget bill include: To improve general livelihood of Iranians, spur Some of the important events that great epiphany, just simply the result of shaped the world and grabbed our attention exposure. That said, feel-good narratives for Iranians to endure and for the government • reaching stable economic conditions and job creation, support production, and reinforce to program and handle. improvement of business environment, budget discipline the budget bill is aimed at: 4 this year include U.S. President Donald are all over the U.S. media, but most all Trump unilaterally and quite dramatically of it is propaganda to give the largely un- pulling out of an international nuclear deal exposed public the impression that all is PGCC might survive in name only: Chicago professor with Iran, a massive earthquake jolting well. It isn’t. By Javad Heirannia by forming a separate defense agreement that power, both globally and in their immedi- Indonesia’s Sulawesi island and killing Of late one feel-good narrative has fo- TEHRAN — Robert R. Bianchi, a professor at excludes the other members.” ate neighborhood. Doha and Muscat see the thousands, Democrats regaining control cused on George H.W. Bush, who died. the University of Chicago, believes that “Now- He adds that “The PGCC might survive in Trump administration trying to downgrade of the U.S. house of representatives, crick- You would think this former one-term adays, China and Russia are acquiring greater name only.” America’s responsibilities in the Middle East eter-turned-politician Imran Khan’s party President was some kind of Christian influence in Iran and the Persian Gulf nations so Following is the complete text of the interview: while inviting Saudi Arabia to escalate proxy sweeping Pakistan’s general elections, U.S. saint, or maybe a man of al-Ghazzali’s it is natural that Doha and Muscat are inviting The Persian Gulf Cooperation Council’s wars with Iran all across the region. This has and China getting embroiled in a bitter wisdom and stature in the Muslim world. them to balance the destabilizing consequences (PGCC) annual summit was held in Riyadh led to greater bloodshed in Yemen, Somalia, trade war, and the brutal murder of Saudi No way. Bush was in fact the epitome of of American and Saudi policies.” while the Qatari emir and the Sultan of Oman Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. Such a polarized journalist Jamal Khashoggi ordered by a White Anglo-Saxon Protestant butcher Professor Bianchi, who also teaches at the refrained from joining. What are the reasons environment severely threatens the longstand- the Saudi crown prince. masquerading as some sort of “man of Shanghai International Studies University (SISU), behind this refusal? ing practice in Qatar and Oman of preserving Khashoggi’s murder on October 02 peace” when he was President, and before adds that “It’s possible to say that Saudi Arabia A: Qatar and Oman are responding intel- good relations with Iran and Washington at grabbed headlines across the world and in other governmental positions. and the UAE have virtually broken with the PGCC ligently to profound shifts in the balance of the same time. 7 generated a wave of anger and outrage He actually was responsible for the against the Saudi regime. The manner in butchering of hundreds of thousands of which the diabolical crime was carried out human beings. One notable incident oc- and the secrecy surrounding it generated curred when he butchered many thousands tremendous amount of interest among of Iraqi soldiers who were in hasty retreat people around the world. from Kuwait during the first Gulf War. Of course, it was not an ordinary crime This was unnecessary carnage. The war committed against a lesser-known per- had already been won, and anyway it had son at an undisclosed location for a petty originally gathered steam because of a false Breathtaking reason. It was a monstrous crime against report that Iraqi soldiers were murdering a well-known journalist carried out on babies in incubators in Kuwaiti hospitals. the orders of Saudi crown prince at the Anyway, George H.W. Bush had a fancy autumn country’s consulate in Turkey. funeral in Washington. At the official funeral Khashoggi’s murder is one event that ceremony his eldest son, George W, Bush scenery across defined this year. A tragic incident that spoke. You know, the President who ginned unmasked despots and neo-imperialists. up the so-called “War on Terror” and in- northern Iran The year would also be remembered for vaded several countries, most notably Iraq. the decline of Saudi empire and Mo- He is reported to have butchered maybe a With the colorful season of autumn set- hammad Bin Salman’s fall from grace. couple million Middle Eastern people, most ting in, the riot of colors in the eye-catch- What Khashoggi could not accomplish of them Muslims. Like father, you might ing, pristine landscapes in northern Iran in his life, although he tried hard, he say, like son. is spectacular. did that after his death. He can now Now, it has become accepted wisdom, Behnam Yousefi The photo is depicting a quiet, de- rest in peace. even in the U.S., that the Iraq War was a serted road in the northern province In a strong critique of the state of press “mistake” (for a number of obvious reasons of Mazandaran. freedom around the world, Time maga- only sub-cretins could miss.). Since Bush The misty weather surrounding the zine has chosen ‘The Guardians’, a group junior was responsible for this war, inasmuch road and trees ornamented with colorful of journalists targeted for their work, as as he was overwhelmed by bad Neocon and leaves hanging loosely from the branches ‘Person of the Year’. The group includes Zionist advice, he has not been particularly Tehran Times/ all mesmerize the passersby. Khashoggi, Capital Gazette newsroom and popular since he left office. 7 three other journalists. 6 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS DECEMBER 13, 2018 MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS Vaezi: SPV Iran among top five producers of to become operational in weeks destroyers, vessels: military POLITICS TEHRAN — Iran is producing all types of destroyers, as well POLITICS TEHRAN — Presidential chief of staff deskamong the world’s top five as flying and radar-evading boats,” he deskMahmoud Vaezi said on Wednesday the producers of destroyers and vessels, deputy said, noting that the Defense Ministry special purpose vehicle (SPV), a European mechanism which minister for defense and logistics affairs told attaches high significance to innovation aims to facilitate trade with Iran in defiance of U.S. sanctions, a conference on Tuesday. to improve the country’s industrial and will come into effect within two or three weeks. During the one-day conference themed scientific capabilities. Speaking on the sidelines of a cabinet session, Vaezi pointed “Explaining the Doctrine of Resistance” and Iranian military experts and technicians to the recent measures taken by the European Union to save hosted by the University of Tabriz, Brigadier have in recent years made great headways the 2015 nuclear deal following the U.S. exit, saying the EU General Amir Rastegari said today the Defense in manufacturing a broad range of indige- has vowed to counter Washington’s renewed sanctions on Ministry is capable of producing a plethora nous equipment, making the armed forces Iran, Tasnim reported. of military equipment, the Islamic Republic self-sufficient in the arms sphere. On May 8, U.S. President Donald Trump pulled his country News Agency reported. In a meeting with Navy commanders out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and He also announced that Fateh submarine earlier this month, Leader of the Islamic ordered re-imposition of sanctions on Iran. will join the Navy’s fleet soon. Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised Rastegari, also head of the Maritime In- as “great and fabulous” the advances that IRGC has found dustries Organization, said, “It is an honor for the military forces, the Navy in particular, the armed forces that all defense equipment have made since the victory of the Islamic clues about are produced inside the country.” Revolution in 1979. He said the Navy’s suc- “Today, all doctrines and policies are fo- cess in bringing into service homegrown Chabahar terror cused on promoting capabilities in the defense vessels such as the Sahand destroyer or sector,” the top military official remarked. Fateh and Qadir submarines heralds more attackers “We have reached self-sufficiency in progress day after day. POLITICS TEHRAN — Interior Minister Abdol- deskreza Rahmani Fazli said on Wednesday that the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) has found Russian diplomat says SPV is essential to do business with Iran clues about the perpetrators of the recent terrorist attack in POLITICS TEHRAN — Sergei Ryabkov, the Rus- it has been agreed that the related company be located in in order to rescue the European attempt to circumvent the Chabahar, Sistan-Baluchestan Province. desksian deputy foreign minister, has said that France and its director to be chosen from Germany. U.S. sanctions and salvage the 2015 nuclear deal. The IRGC is tasked with providing the security of that Europe’s special vehicle purpose (SPV) is essential to do Bloomberg reported on Monday that European Union Iran and the European side have been discussing ways to region and it will certainly give a crushing response to those business with Iran, ISNA reported on Wednesday. foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has said the SPV conduct non-dollar trade in order to offset the U.S. sanctions. involved in the attack, Rahmani Fazli said, Mehr reported. Ryabkov made the remarks in a meeting with Mehdi will be completed by the end of the year. Abdolnaser Hemmati, governor of the Central Bank of It came a week after a terrorist suicide blast in southeastern Sanaei, Tehran’s ambassador to Moscow. “I would expect this instrument to be established in the Iran (CBI), told a meeting of economists on Monday that port of Chabahar near the Pakistani border, which left two France and Germany have agreed to SPV which is a special coming weeks, so before the end of the year, as a way to Iran has made mutual monetary agreements with some police forces dead and dozens, including civilians, injured. payment channel created by Europe as part of its efforts to protect and promote legitimate business with Iran,” she said. countries to abolish U.S. dollar in financial transactions keep trade flowing with Iran in defiance of U.S. sanctions. The Wall Street Journal reported in November that British and the issue will be incrementally generalized to other EU must take The German magazine Wirtschaftswoche has reported officials were also mulling over joining France and Germany countries in future. practical measures ‘Iran, N. Korea see closer ties as remedy against U.S. sanctions’ to establish SPV: POLITICS TEHRAN — Head of sador to Tehran Kang Sam-hyon, Mehr He said parliamentary ties can facilitate two sides, saying the optimal use of the deskthe Iran-North Korea reported. political, economic and cultural relations existing economic and agricultural plat- advisor parliamentary friendship group on The MP said Iran and North Korea enjoy between the two nations. forms in North Korea and Iran can lead POLITICS TEHRAN — A senior foreign policy advi- Wednesday underlined the impor- great potential to meet the interests of the The lawmaker also emphasized the to closer ties. desksor to the Iranian parliament speaker has tance of closer relations between Iran two countries. importance of implementing bilateral Pointing to the recent visit by Iran-North said Europe’s promise of establishing the special purpose and North Korea to counter the effect “There are numerous potentials in Iran economic agreements and facilitating the Korea parliamentary friendship group to vehicle (SPV) needs practical measures. of cruel sanctions the U.S. has imposed and North Korea, which need to be realized involvement of the private sectors of Iran Pyongyang, the ambassador said expansion Hossein Amir Abdollahian made the remarks at a meet- against the two countries. through careful and proper planning in and North Korea in both sides’ economy. of relations among independent countries ing with Tarja Cronberg, a member of the Executive Board Alaeddin Boroujerdi made the remarks order to advance the national interests of Kang, for his part, acknowledged the against U.S. sanctions can decrease the of the European Leadership Network, Mehr reported on in a meeting with North Korean Ambas- the two countries,” Boroujerdi remarked. friendly nature of relations between the impact of the sanctions. Wednesday. While hailing the European Union’s defiance of the uni- lateral U.S. sanctions against Iran, Amir Abdollahian said UN chief calls on all countries to preserve nuclear deal Europe’s delay in establishing the SPV is not acceptable. By staff and agency continuity of this agreement that is fundamental to regional conduct non-dollar trade in order to offset the U.S. sanctions. Cronberg admitted that Europe has not acted quickly in UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called on all and international peace and security.” France and Germany have agreed to host the special fulfilling Iran’s expectations from the nuclear deal it signed countries to preserve the 2015 nuclear deal, officially called President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. unilaterally vehicle purpose (SPV), a special payment channel created with world powers in July 2015 and went into effect in Jan- the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, now that the U.S. from the JCPOA in May and ordered sanctions against Iran. by Europe as part of its efforts to keep trade flowing with uary 2016. has withdrawn from the multilateral agreement backed by The first round of sanctions went into force on August 6 Iran in defiance of U.S. sanctions. the UN Security Council Resolution 2231. and the second round, which targets Iran’s oil exports and Bloomberg reported on Monday that European Union Tehran commends According to a confidential UN report seen by Reuters banks, were snapped back on November 4. foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has said the SPV Armenian on Tuesday, Guterres called on all countries to “ensure the Iran and the European side have been discussing ways to will be completed by the end of the year. parliamentary Trump seeking ‘psychological-media Iranian envoy meets top IAEA officials polls objective’ through talks offer: diplomat in Vienna POLITICS TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Ministry desk POLITICS TEHRAN — Iran’s Iran’s ambassador to Vienna-based in- spokesman Bahram Qassemi on Tuesday deskAmbassador to the ternational organizations held meetings hailed the recent parliamentary elections in Armenia as part UK, Hamid Baeedinejad, has said that with senior officials from the International of a trend towards democratic changes in the neighboring Donald President Trump is seeking Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Austria. country, the Foreign Ministry website reported. a “psychological-media objective” by In one of the meetings in Vienna on In a statement, Qassemi expressed the hope that Iran calling for talks with Iran. Tuesday, Kazem Gharibabadi held talks and Armenia could increasingly strengthen their mutual “U.S. sets 12 impossible conditions with IAEA Deputy Director General and relations following the participation of the Armenians in for Iran and at the same time calls for head of the Department of Nuclear Safety general elections and subsequent formation of the new talks without any condition at highest and Security Juan Carlos Lentijo. government there. political level. They seek psychologi- The Iranian envoy also separately Establishing ties with all neighboring states has a very cal-media objective by calling for talks,” met with IAEA Deputy Director Gen- significant and decisive position in Iran’s foreign policy and Baeedinejad said in a post on his Ins- Back in May, Pompeo had set 12 eral and Head of the Department of Iran’s Kazem Gharibabadi meeting with helps establish peace, stability, prosperity and security in tagram, ISNA reported on Wednesday. conditions for talks with Iran, which Safeguards Massimo Aparo, and with IAEA Deputy Director General and Head all regional states, he added. The ambassador also noted that the were dismissed by Tehran. IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Safeguards Massimo U.S. violated the 2231 resolution of the In remarks on August 13, the Leader of the Department of Nuclear Energy Aparo, December 11, 2018. Israel accession UN Security Council by quitting the of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Mikhail Chudakov. 2015 nuclear deal in May and has “no Khamenei said there will be no war The talks revolved around the exist- Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), to FATF not clear policy for the future”. between Iran and the U.S. and nor ing joint projects between Iran and the which was achieved in Vienna in 2015 In a press conference at the White will be any negotiation between the IAEA and ways to promote cooperation after years of negotiations among Iran important: MP House on July 30, Trump said he would two countries. and bilateral ties. and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the meet with Iran “anytime they want to” The Leader noted that negotiation The IAEA is responsible for monitoring U.S., Britain, France and Germany). and without “preconditions”. with the current U.S. administration Iran’s nuclear activities as per the 2015 Since the historic deal was signed in POLITICS TEHRAN — MP Alaeddin Boroujerdi However, hours after Trump’s is impossible. “Even if we were to ne- nuclear deal and should also help Iran Vienna, the IAEA has confirmed the Islamic desk said on Wednesday that the accession statements, U.S. Secretary of State gotiate with the U.S., we would never develop its nuclear energy program. Republic’s compliance with its commit- of Israel to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is Mike Pompeo appeared on CNBC to hold talks with the current U.S. ad- On May 8, U.S. President Donald ments in 13 successive reports. not important for Iran, adding that the Zionist regime, set some conditions. ministration.” Trump pulled his country out of the Joint (Source: Tasnim) whether it be a member of the FATF or not, makes every effort to pressure Iran. “Israel is an eternal enemy of the Islamic Iran and will spare Leader: Saudis getting more bogged down in Yemen no efforts in pressuring Iran, especially through America,” POLITICS TEHRAN — Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, population on the verge of starvation. However, Ayatollah Khamenei cautioned, the U.S. might ISNA quoted Boroujerdi as saying. deskLeader of the Islamic Revolution, said The Leader said the Saudis have extended a hand of have plans coming for Iran. “America is a wicked, treach- He added that despite the pressure, the Iranian parlia- on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia has been caught in the friendship to the enemies of Islam. erous enemy and it might be playing deception by staging ment goes ahead with the passing of the FATF-related bills. Yemeni quagmire and the more they try to get involved in Leader also said over the past years, the U.S. has con- a row for the year (13)97, but for example devise a scheme On Monday, it was reported that Israel had been accepted the war against Yemenis the more they will be bogged down. sistently sought, but failed, to restore the domination it for the year (13)98.” as a member the FATF, which is dedicated to combating “They (the Saudis) thought they would gain control [of enjoyed over Iran prior to the 1979 Islamic Revolution, The Leader mocked claims by certain U.S. officials that the money laundering and terrorism financing. Yemen] in a matter of days or weeks. [But] the farther they and to bring the country under its tutelage similar to Islamic Revolution will not get to celebrate its anniversary go, the harder they will fall down and the more stinging certain weak regional states, which Washington has in 2019, stressing, “The Iranian nation is standing in all Iran, Azerbaijan will be the blow that they will receive,” the Leader noted, branded as its “milk cows.” strength and will, by divine grace, celebrate the 40th anni- according to Press TV. The leader further underlined Washington’s stepped-up versary of the revolution in far greater splendor this year.” sign border Addressing the families of martyrs, the Leader said this campaign against Iran over the past two years, saying the The Leader said by dubbing the U.S. “the Great Sa- security pact has happened despite the fact that the U.S. has been helping Americans sought to increase pressure on the country through tan,” Imam Khomeini united the world’s monotheists and Saudi Arabia militarily and politically in the war on Yemen. sanctions and measures to disrupt national security with the fair-minded nations against Washington. The United States is a complicit in the crimes Saudi Ara- aim of creating division and conflict among various groups. At a Paris gathering in July 2017, John Bolton, now the na- bia has been committing in the war against the people of “They were planning to lead some to the streets and had tional security advisor to Donald Trump, told the Mujahedeen POLITICS TEHRAN — Chiefs of the Iranian and desk Yemen, Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out. even referred to it as ‘the hot summer.’ To the enemies’ Khalq members that “the outcome of the president’s policy Azeri border police on Tuesday signed The war on Yemen, started in March 2015 under a coali- dismay, [however], this past summer was one of the best review should be to determine that the Ayatollah Khomeini’s a cooperation agreement to boost security at common tion led by Saudi Arabia, has put nearly half of the country’s ever,” the Leader noted. 1979 revolution will not last until its 40th birthday.” borders, IRNA reported. Brigadier General Qassem Rezaei from Iran and Colonel General Elchin Isa Oglu Guliyev from Azerbaijan signed the Rouhani urges unity in face of psychological and economic war agreement. According to the pact, the two sides will boost exchange of intelligence and cooperation in fighting drug 1 This happened despite the fact Iran is fully abiding by the terms of the Speaking to a select Jewish audience “It was a horrible, horrible deal. trafficking along the borders. that the International Atomic Energy agreement. on December 7 at the White House re- Should have never been made and im- The agreement was signed on the sidelines of a meeting of Agency, which is authorized to oversee Trump ditched the nuclear despite ception for Hanukkah, Trump boasted posed the toughest-ever sanction. We border guard commanders of Iran and Azerbaijan in Baku. Iran’s compliance to the nuclear deal, in by warnings by the international com- for leaving what he called “the horri- sanctioned Iran like I guess few have its regular reports has confirmed that munity, including its Western allies. ble Iran nuclear” deal. ever been sanctioned before.” I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 13, 2018 INTERNATIONAL Police hunt through eastern France for Pakistan denounces Strasbourg Christmas market attacker blacklisting by U.S. for Police searched through eastern France gling to quell a month-long public revolt over religious freedom violations on Wednesday for a man suspected of high living costs that has spurred the worst killing at least two people in a gun attack public unrest in central Paris since the 1968 Pakistan on Wednesday denounced the United States for placing it on a Christmas market in Strasbourg and student riots. on a list of countries violating religious freedoms, calling the desig- who was known to have been religiously The revelation that Chekatt was on a nation politically motivated. radicalized while in jail. security watchlist will raise questions over U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday added mainly Witnesses told investigators the assailant possible intelligence failures, though some Muslim Pakistan to the U.S. list of “countries of particular concern”, cried out “Allahu Akbar” (God is Greater) as 26,000 individuals suspected of posing a which have violated religious freedoms or tolerated abuses against he launched his attack on the market, the security risk to France are on the “S File” list. religious groups. Paris prosecutor said. Of these, about 10,000 are believed to have The move is likely to put further strain on relations between The prosecutor, Remy Heitz, also suggested been radicalized, sometimes in fundamentalist Islamabad and Washington, who have repeatedly clashed over how the suspect may have chosen his target for Salafist Muslim mosques, in jail or abroad. to deal with Islamist militants waging war in Afghanistan. its religious symbolism. Police had raided the suspect’s home early Pakistan’s addition to the list comes despite efforts to end what “Considering the target, his way of op- on Tuesday in connection with a homicide in recent years has been its most controversial case involving a erating, his profile and the testimonies of investigation. Five people were detained member of a minority religion. those who heard him yell ‘Allahu Akbar’, the and under interrogation as part of that in- The Supreme Court in October acquitted a Christian woman held anti-terrorist police has been called into ac- vestigation. on death row for more than eight years on a charge of blasphemy tion,” Heitz told a news conference. At the Europa Bridge, the main border that she denied. The acquittal sparked days of violent protests by Police identified the suspect as Stras- crossing in the region used by commuters Muslims. Pakistan’s foreign ministry said preserving the rights of bourg-born Cherif Chekatt, 29, who is on an traveling in both directions, armed police minorities was a “cardinal principle” of the constitution, and it de- intelligence services watch list as a potential inspected vehicles. Police were also checking nounced the inclusion on the U.S. list. security risk. pedestrians and trains arriving in Germany “Pakistan rejects the U.S. State Department’s unilateral and polit- An investigation had been opened into from Strasbourg. ically motivated pronouncement,” the ministry said in a statement. alleged murder with terrorist intent and sus- “We don’t know where the attacker is Last year, the United States put Pakistan on a watch-list of coun- pected ties to terrorist networks with intent and we want to prevent him from entering tries that violate religious freedom. to commit crimes, Heitz said. Germany,” a spokeswoman for the German This year came the designation, along with Myanmar, China, Two people were killed and a third per- border police Bundespolizei said. Eritrea, North Korea, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Turk- son was brain-dead and being kept alive on French Justice Minister Nicole Belloubet menistan. Pakistan was created out of Muslim-majority areas in life support, he said. Six other victims were said there was no need for the government colonial India in 1947, and for decades portrayed itself as a pro- fighting for their lives. market in the historic city was shutting down. we detected a radicalization in his reli- to declare a state of emergency. gressive Islamic nation. France raised its security threat to the He engaged in two gunfights with se- gious practices. But we there were never Secular France has for years grappled with Starting in the 1980s, however, it has drifted towards a more highest alert level, strengthening controls curity forces as he evaded a police dragnet signs he was preparing an attack,” Minister how to respond to both homegrown jihadists conservative interpretation of Islam that has reshaped the political on its border with Germany as elite com- and bragged about his acts to the driver of Nunez said. and foreign militants following attacks in landscape, fueled militancy and cowed champions of tolerance and mandos backed by helicopters hunted for a taxi that he commandeered, prosecutor One German security source said the sus- Paris, Nice, Marseille and beyond. members of minorities into silence. the suspect. Heitz said. pect was jailed in southern Germany from In 2016, a truck plowed into a Bastille Day The vast majority of Pakistan’s 208 million people are Muslims, French and German agents checked vehi- No one has yet claimed responsibil- August 2016 to February 2017 for aggravat- crowd in Nice, killing more than 80 people. with minorities accounting for about 4 percent of the population, cles and public transport crossing the Rhine ity, but the U.S.-based Site intelligence ed theft but was released before the end of In November 2015, coordinated Islamist mil- including Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and members of the Ahmadi river, along which the Franco-German frontier group, which monitors jihadist websites, his 27-month sentence so that he could be itant attacks on the Bataclan concert hall and Muslim sect, who say they are singled out for persecution. runs, backing up traffic in both directions. said ISIL terrorist group supporters were deported to France. other sites in Paris claimed about 130 lives. Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari said Pakistan’s inclusion Hundreds of French troops and police were celebrating. “He was banned from re-entering Ger- There have also been attacks in Paris on on the U.S. list was “pure political blackmailing” and an attempt taking part in the manhunt. French and German security officials many at the same time”, the security source police on the Champs-Elysees avenue, the by the United States to pressure Pakistan to implement U.S. policy Deputy Interior Minister Laurent Nunez painted a portrait of Chekatt as a serial in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg said. offices of satirical weekly publication Charlie goals in Afghanistan. Pompeo urged counties on the list to increase said he could not rule out that the fugitive law-breaker who had racked up more “We don’t have any knowledge of any kind Hebdo and a kosher store. respect for religious freedom. had already crossed the frontier. than two dozen convictions in France, of radicalization.” A man drove a trunk into a crowd at a “In far too many places across the globe, individuals continue to Serial convict Germany and Switzerland, and served Border controls Christmas market in Berlin in December face harassment, arrests, or even death for simply living their lives The gunman struck at about 1900 GMT on time in prison. The attack took place at a testing time for 2016, killing 12 people. in accordance with their beliefs,” he said in a statement. Tuesday, just as the picturesque Christmas “It was during these spells in jail that President Emmanuel Macron, who is strug- (Source: Reuters) (Source: Reuters)

Canada frees CFO of China’s Huawei on bail Ex-Trump lawyer Cohen to A top executive of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei Tech- a message they will send you a message.” nologies Co Ltd was granted bail by a Canadian court on Electronic monitoring be sentenced for hush money Tuesday, 10 days after her arrest in Vancouver at the request Meng, who was arrested as she was changing planes in of U.S. authorities sparked a diplomatic dispute. Vancouver, has said she is innocent and will contest the payments Meng Wanzhou, Huawei’s [HWT.UL] chief financial officer allegations in the United States if she is extradited. and the daughter of its founder, faces U.S. claims that she Tuesday was the third day of bail hearings. Meng’s defense U.S. President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer Michael misled multinational banks about Iran-linked transactions, had argued that she was not a flight risk, citing her long- Cohen will be sentenced on Wednesday for his role in the payment putting the banks at risk of violating U.S. sanctions. standing ties to Canada, properties she owns in Vancouver of hush money to women who said they had affairs with Trump In a court hearing in Vancouver, British Columbia, Justice and fears for her health while incarcerated. and for lying to Congress about a proposed Trump Tower project William Ehrcke granted C$10 million ($7.5 million) bail Her family assured the court she would remain in Van- in Russia that was discussed during the 2016 election campaign. to Meng, who has been jailed since her arrest on Dec. 1. couver at one of her family houses in an affluent neigh- Cohen, 52, pleaded guilty in August to charges by federal The courtroom erupted in applause when the decision was borhood. Her husband said he plans to bring the couple’s prosecutors in New York that, just before the election, he paid announced. Meng cried and hugged her lawyers. daughter to Vancouver to attend school, and Meng had said adult film actress Stormy Daniels $130,000 and helped arrange Among conditions of her bail, the 46-year-old executive she would be grateful for the chance to read a novel after a $150,000 payment to former Playboy model Karen McDougal must wear an ankle monitor and stay at home from 11 p.m. years of working hard. so the women would keep quiet about their relationships with to 6 a.m. Five friends pledged equity in their homes and “I am satisfied that on the particular facts of this case ... Trump, who is married. Trump denies having the affairs. other money as a guarantee she will not flee. China had threatened severe consequences unless Canada the risk of her non-attendance in court can be reduced to an Cohen also admitted to unrelated tax and bank fraud. He faces If a Canadian judge rules the case against Meng is strong released Meng immediately, and analysts have said retali- acceptable level by imposing bail conditions,” said the judge, sentencing on a separate charge of lying to Congress brought by enough, Canada’s justice minister must next decide whether ation from Beijing over the arrest was likely. adding that he was also persuaded by the fact that Meng was Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating possible to extradite her to the United States. If so, Meng would The U.S. State Department is considering issuing a travel a well-educated businesswoman with no criminal record. coordination between Trump’s campaign and Russia. Cohen face U.S. charges of conspiracy to defraud multiple finan- warning for its citizens, two sources said on Tuesday. She must remain in Canada and be accompanied by se- pleaded guilty to that charge last month. cial institutions, with a maximum sentence of 30 years for The Canadian government was considering issuing a curity guards when she leaves her residence. Meng will pay The sentencing by U.S. District Judge William Pauley in Man- each charge. similar warning, Canada’s CTV network reported. Reuters a cash deposit of C$7 million, with five guarantors liable for hattan will cap the stunning about-face of a lawyer who once The arrest of Meng has put a further dampener on Chi- was not able to confirm the report. a remaining C$3 million if she absconds. said he would “take a bullet” for Trump but has now directly nese relations with the United States and Canada at a time Earlier on Tuesday, the Canadian government said that Meng was ordered to reappear in court on Feb. 6 to make implicated the president in criminal conduct. when tensions were already high over a trade war and U.S. one of its citizens in China had been detained. plans for further appearances. Trump has denied any collusion with Russia and has accused accusations of Chinese spying. The International Crisis Group think-tank said on Huawei, which makes smartphones and network equip- Mueller’s team of pressuring his former aides to lie about him, U.S. President Donald Trump told Reuters on Tuesday Wednesday it had received no information from Chinese ment, said in a statement it looked forward to a “timely his campaign and his business dealings. Russia has denied U.S. he would intervene in the U.S. Justice Department’s case officials about the detention of its employee, former Ca- resolution” of the case. allegations of interfering in the election to help Trump. against Meng if it would serve national security interests nadian diplomat Michael Kovrig, and that it was seeking “We have every confidence that the Canadian and U.S. Prosecutors and Cohen both say the hush money payments or help close a trade deal with China. consular access to him. legal systems will reach a just conclusion,” it said, adding that violated campaign finance laws and were directed by Trump Speaking in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman The Chinese ministry spokesman, Lu, said he had nothing it complied with all laws and regulations where it operates. himself to cover up affairs he had in 2006 and 2007. Federal Lu Kang said Meng’s arrest “was a mistake from the start”. he could say on the details of the case, but said the ICG was The case against Meng stems from a 2013 Reuters re- law requires that the contribution of “anything of value” to a “We have already made clear our position to the United not registered in China as a non-governmental organization port here about Huawei’s close ties to Hong Kong-based campaign must be disclosed, and an individual donation cannot States and Canada, who should immediately correct their and Kovrig could have broken Chinese law. Skycom Tech Co Ltd, which attempted to sell U.S. equipment exceed $2,700. mistake and release Meng Wanzhou,” he told a daily news The Canadian government said it saw no explicit link to to Iran despite U.S. and European Union bans. Trump said on Monday on Twitter that the payments were a briefing. the Huawei case. Huawei is the world’s largest supplier of telecommuni- “simple private transaction” that did not violate the law. “Any person, especially if it is a leader of the United States, However, Guy Saint-Jacques, Canada’s former ambas- cations network equipment and second-biggest maker of Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani has argued the payments cannot or a high-level figure, who is willing to make positive efforts sador to China, asked by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp smartphones, with revenue of about $92 billion last year. be considered campaign finance violations because they were to push this situation toward the correct direction, then that, whether the Kovrig detention was a coincidence, said: “In Unlike other big Chinese technology firms, it does much of made to protect Trump’s reputation and would have been made of course, deserves to be well received.” China there are no coincidences ... If they want to send you its business overseas. even if he had not been a presidential candidate. Though Cohen asked in a Nov. 30 court filing to be given no jail time based on his assistance in the investigation, prosecu- tors on Friday asked that Cohen be given a “substantial term of Argentina foreign minister visits Qatar to drum up trade imprisonment” for his crimes with only a “modest” reduction Argentina’s foreign minister said Wednesday percent by the end of this year. to the roughly four to five-year term they say he faces under that his crisis-ridden country desperately Argentina and Qatar enjoy increasingly sentencing guidelines. needed international investment, as he began warm relations as Buenos Aires seeks fresh Though they said he provided useful information about the a two-day visit to one of the world’s richest trade opportunities and Doha looks for al- hush money payments, prosecutors said Cohen declined to sign nations, Qatar. lies at a time when it is isolated regionally a formal cooperation agreement, which would have required Jorge Faurie said Buenos Aires was “reach- in a diplomatic stand-off with neighboring him to be fully debriefed about his entire criminal history and ing out” to Doha at a time when it battles countries. his knowledge of others’ crimes. His refusal to cooperate fully, runaway inflation and economic austerity, In October, the emir visited Argentina, and they said, limited his credibility as a witness. and recently agreed to a loan from the In- there have been high-profile deals between In his guilty plea to Mueller’s charge, Cohen admitted he lied ternational Monetary Fund. the two countries. to Congress about the timeline for discussions about plans for “Argentina is at a point in its economy In June, state-owned Qatar Petroleum real estate businessman Trump’s skyscraper in Moscow. He said where it is highly dependent on external fi- acquired a 30 percent stake in two Exxon in written testimony to two committees that the talks ended in nancing, which is why we are reaching out to Mobil affiliates in Argentina, allowing the January 2016, before the first Republican primaries, when they countries that could invest in Argentina,” he company access to oil and gas shale assets actually continued until June 2016 after Trump clinched the told reporters at a news conference. there. Republican nomination. “And Qatar is a country with great potential In May, Qatar Airways became the shirt Sentencing consultant Justin Paperny said Judge Pauley, has for foreign investments, and this is why we sponsors of Buenos Aires-based Boca Juniors a reputation for being tough on white-collar defendants and that are in contact with them.” football club. Cohen probably made a mistake by asking for no jail time when Faurie is expected to meet several high-pro- Faurie added that Argentina would “be he failed to fully cooperate. file government figures while in Doha, in- at all times available” for any trade oppor- “It’s like he wanted to have his cake and eat it too,” said Pa- cluding Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin tunities from the 2022 World Cup, which perny, adding that Cohen would do well to get a sentence in the Hamad al-Thani. approved an austerity budget, designed to bailout, despite widespread protests. will be held in Qatar. low end of the guidelines. The visit comes just weeks after Argentina meet the requirements of a $56 billion IMF Inflation is expected to reach almost 50 (Source: AFP) (Source: Reuters) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY DECEMBER 13, 2018

STOCK MARKET ‘Iraq seeking TEDPIX 165352.1 IFX 1851.22 exemption from U.S. Sources: tse.ir, Ifb.ir

CURRENCIES sanctions to continue USD 42,000 rials EUR 47,994 rials Iran’s gas imports’ GBP 53,528rials ENERGY TEHRAN — Iraq will November 5. AED 11,380 rials desksend a delegation to the “The American side is cooperating with Source: iribnews.ir United States seeking an exemption from Iraq to find solutions that would remove Iran is currently exporting 25 million Hayan Abdul Ghani, head of Iraqi sanctions against Iran that would allow pressure on Iraq because the (Iranian) gas is cubic meters (mcm) of gas per day to Bagdad state-run South Gas Co. (SGC), said last it to keep importing Iranian gas, Reuters linked to a very sensitive issue which is elec- and 5 mcm to Basra, although, based on the week, “Iraq’s current production of gas is reported quoting Iraqi Prime Minister Adel tricity,” Abdul Mahdi told a news conference. deals between the two countries, Iran was not enough to meet our power stations’ COMMODITIES Abdul Mahdi as saying on Tuesday. Washington is seeking to roll back Ira- to supply 35 mcm of gas on a daily basis demand and therefore we are still import- Washington gave Iraq a 45-day waiver nian influence in the Middle East, including to the capital Bagdad [gradually in three ing gas from Iran. We need at least 24 WTI $52.41/b for imports of gas from Iran when it re- in Iraq, where Iran holds broad sway over phases] while up to 25 mcm of gas per day months to operate new gas projects and Brent $61.03/b imposed sanctions on Iran’s oil sector on politics and trade. was supposed to be exported to Basra. start production.” OPEC Basket $59.72/b Gold $1,246.30/oz 1398 budget bill, (non)-oil revenues? Silver $14.76/oz 1 • increasing the salaries Iran could sell 3.44 million bpd of heavy sales stand at much less than the announced Platinium $789.90/oz of government’s employees and the retired, oil at the price of $75.20 in September, figure. Some even put it at around 800,000 • continuing implementation of 2018, while its average production level bpd.” Sources: oilprice.com, Moneymetals.com the planned programs to combat absolute in the third quarter of 2018 stood at 3.59 “We should keep in mind that the poverty and improve healthcare, and million bpd. predicted sales of 1.5 million barrels, • paying cash subsidies to qualified Last Friday and in OPEC’s 175th meeting foreseen in the next year budget, include NEWS IN BRIEF Iranians with lower income. in Vienna, OPEC and oil-producing allies selling crude oil in addition to the In a bid to positively impact domestic known as OPEC+, agreed to cut production condensates,” he underlined. “Condensate Iran’s electricity economy and financial sector, the by 1.2 bpd and Iran was exempted from any prices are lower than oil prices,” he added. industry needs administration has prepared the budget oil production cuts. All was decided despite “Iran’s oil prices per barrel can usually plan revolving around: U.S. President Donald Trump’s tendency be estimated by subtracting three dollars over $142b to • divesting government’s to avoid the cut and keep prices low. from the Brent prices,” he said, “therefore, tackle rising responsibilities to the private sector, What occurred at OPEC and the general it presently hovers around $57 per barrel.” • making governmental assets conditions of the international oil market In a pessimism scenario, being able to demand productive and generative, can be translated in different ways, sell one million barrels of oil bpd at the ENERGY TEHRAN – The managing director of • paying specific attention to regarding Iran’s ability in earning the oil price of $54 pb, would supposedly bring deskIran’s Power Generation and Distribution production sector, revenues planned in next year budget bill. $19.71 billion of revenues for the country Mehdi Karbasian Company (known as TAVANIR) said Iran’s power industry • reducing unnecessary costs of In one optimistic scenario, future may per year. investments, for instance, to Iran. This is needs six quadrillion rials (near $142.8 billion) to keep the government, seem bright for Iran’s oil revenues thanks to No matter what future brings for Iran, what India and China have been doing within the country’s electricity infrastructure up with the rising • increasing the tax brackets, the country exemption from OPEC oil cuts considering its oil revenues, the significant the past years,” he said, “The government demand, ISNA reported. • modifying the system of paying and possibility of any increase in oil prices point is that the volume and prices of the can also lure Iranian businessmen, active According to Mohammad Hassan Motevalizadeh, since it cash subsidies and setting prices, due to other oil producers’ lower production. country’s oil sales are not predictable. in foreign countries, by granting them some has been estimated that for the next 10 years the country’s • amending government’s relation Removal of 1.2 million barrels from the Uncertainty is never welcome in economy. specific credits.” electricity demand will rise seven percent annually, the with Iranian banks, and world market would help offsetting the Iranian experts unanimously believe that The official also referred to a new resort network infrastructures should also grow twofold. • adjusting the system of levying value of Iran’s lost barrels. As Reuters puts the country should decrease its reliance on for the government to guarantee its revenues. Speaking in a seminar in Tehran, the official noted that tariffs and granting tax exemptions. the idea in words, “an output curtailment oil revenues and move toward supplying “Our oil sale contracts with our customers, with 80,000 megawatts of power capacity Iran is the top The unique and distinguishing also would provide support to Iran by its operating budget from other resources such as China and India, relies up to 50 country in the region and the 14th amongst the world’s characteristics of the proposed budget increasing the price of oil amid attempts such as exports of non-oil products, tax percent on their national currencies which top countries based on installed electricity capacity. plan, compared to those of the previous by Washington to squeeze the economy of revenues, tourism and etc. reduces competitiveness for Iran and pulls us “Currently all the country’s villages and rural areas years, are its support for: OPEC’s third-largest producer.” towards exclusive supply of goods,” he said. are connected to the national grid.” Motevalizadeh said. • providing social justice and The conditions would turn more in Iran’s “Using national currencies in our financial The official underlined modifying consumption patterns improvement of fair distribution of income, favor in case the U.S. and China accord to transactions provides us a new channel for and electricity tariffs as practical solutions to reduce • domestic production and job bury the hatchets and move toward less tense transferring money,” he underscored. electricity consumption in the country, adding that with creation, relations and the eight countries which are Relying on new income sources such as the distribution of 100 million energy-saving light bulbs • strengthening budgetary granted sanction waivers continue buying non-oil exports, tourism, divesting state- to subscribers, some 27,000 megawatts of consumption discipline, Iranian oil. run shares to the private sector as well as was reduced during peak periods. • modifying procedures and Accordingly, being able to sell more creating new banking channels is the new processes, and than 3 million bpd of oil at the price of track on which the Iranian government is Pistachio • most importantly increasing the $54 pb, would supposedly bring at least moving: stability of budget against international $59.1 billion of revenues for the country Based on the data released by the Islamic production hits impetuses. per year. Republic of Iran Customs Administration 180,000 tons For the next year, the prepared budget However, the dark side is probable to (IRICA), The value of Iran’s non-oil exports bill, as the Head of Iran’s Budget and emerge. during the first eight months of the current Planning Organization Mohammad Baqer The prices and the volume of Iran’s oil Iranian calendar year rose 13 percent from Nobakht announced: sales at the present time do not precisely $46.931 billion in the past Iranian calendar match with what MOMER has announced year of 1396 i.e. the country exported 75.27 ECONOMY • predicts 4.33 quadrillion rials TEHRAN — Production of pistachio in Iran (about $103.09 billion) of income for the (Iranian Oil Company does not publish any million tons of non-oil products worth desk Mohammad Ali Khatibi has reached 180,000 tons since the beginning government from various sources including official figure about the volume or prices $31.491 billion during the eight-month of current Iranian calendar year (March 21, 2018), according tax, divesting state-run shares, oil and etc. of Iranian oil, therefore, all the announced “The Iranian governments were expected period. to a director in the Ministry of Agriculture. • estimates a 12-pecent-growth for data are released by foreign resources or to decrease reliance of economy on oil More than 4.7 million foreigners travelled Of the mentioned figure, some 130,000 tons have been budgetary resources unofficial ones). In addition, international revenues by five percent per year. They to Iran during the seven months to October exported, Shokrollah Hajivand told IRNA on Wednesday. • expects 27 percent reliance of budget political and economic conditions do not are still on the process,” Khatibi lamented. 22, 2018 thanks to the lower costs of Iran Iran’s production of pistachio has been anticipated to reach on oil revenues seem much safe to guarantee Iran’s interests. “Oil revenues should not be utilized as travel packages and despite negative image 200,000 tons by the end of current calendar year (March 20, • forecasts 1.5 million barrels of oil sales What has been achieved at OPEC’s a budgetary resource but should be saved created by the U.S. and the Iranophobia 2019), according to Hajivand. per day (bpd) at the price of $54 per barrel latest meeting, of which Trump is not an at National Development Fund of Iran or project, according to Ali Asghar Mounesan, As reported by European Union’s statistics agency Eurostat, • estimates dollar exchange to stand advocate, is just an agreement signed on any other national fund to be consumed the head of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Iran exported €125 million of pistachio to Europe during the at 57,000 rials paper and its implementation would be for improving domestic infrastructure and Handicraft and Tourism Organization. The first half of 2018, with 19 percent increase compared to the • foresees no growth in fuel prices and compromised by any unpredicted decision development,” he said. number shows a growth of 56 percent in same period of time in the past year. petroleum price to stand at 10,000 rials or reaction of its signatories. Road to non-oil-reliant economy total number of foreign visitors compared According to Eurostat, Iran’s export of pistachio to Europe (about $0.23) per liter “There are tensions between China under construction with the same period last year. A new report during the first half of 2017 stood at €105 million. • requires the government to pay 34 and U.S.,” Iranian oil expert and market Iran’s budget deficit, the fruit of the on global security, 2019 Travel Risk Map percent of its oil revenues to National analyst Mahmoud Khaghani told the imbalance between government’s costs and prepared and launched by global risk experts Development Fund of Iran, according to Tehran Times, “and the Chinese economy is earnings, came in bigger than expected International SOS in collaboration with Textile exports the Sixth Five-Year National Development going to experience a recession, India may in the first half of the current year 1397 Control Risks, has portrayed Iran as safe rise 28% since Plan (2016-2021) followingly experience such a recession, (March 21-September 22, 2018) to reach as much of Western Europe for travelers in • necessitates the government to and the conditions are not much better 372.3 trillion rials ($2.65 billion), latest what could be an evidence that the country’s March allocate $14 billion (at the exchange rate in Europe; France is dealing with some data released by the Central Bank of Iran tourism industry has a good potential to of 42,000 rials) to supply of basic goods necessary challenges.” shows. The shortfall was larger than the provide a serious source of revenues in to back Iranians’ livelihood. The exchange budget law’s forecast of 164.3 trillion rials face of stringent U.S. sanctions. Iran plans rate for other goods, imports of which are ($1.17 billion) for the six-month period to attract 20 million tourists per annum ECONOMY TEHRAN — Exports of textile has wit- while it is 105.5 percent more compared by 2025 in order to generate $30 billion desk confirmed by the government, is 80,000 nessed 28 percent increase since the begin- rials. with the deficit of the preceding year’s of revenues as the country seeks to wean ning of the present Iranian calendar year (Mach 21, 2018) • mandates allocation of 1.42 quadrillion corresponding period. itself off the oil money. As planned in 1398 in comparison with the same time in the preceding year, rials (about $33.8 billion) for paying This reflects the significance of moving budget bill, the government is to increase IRNA quoted an official from Iranian Industry Ministry subsidies whether in cash or in form of toward a non-oil-reliant economy for the the granted budget to tourism sector for on Wednesday. basic goods to qualified Iranians government to be able to prevent its operating 100 percent. According to Afsaneh Mehrabi, domestic textile industry It is worth noting that all the used data costs surpass its income and to tackle the As reported in late September, Iranian has improved in imports and exports and installation of new and figures in this article are driven from the predicted rampant inflation, increase the Privatization Organization (IPO) has machineries. “There are 7,900 active production units in announcements made by Iranian officials income of its employees and pay the intended announced that privatization in Iran Iran,” she added. and the administration has not released cash subsidies to lower income-earners witnessed 100 percent growth during the the budget bill tables. in the upcoming year without increasing first five months of the current calendar year Therefore, precise calculation of the prices of energy carriers and fuel or and IPO offered 20 trillion rials (about $476 government’s income in next year due levying higher taxes, which do not seem million) of state-run shares to the private ‘EU plans to finalize SPV as to its high reliance to international and to be welcome by the Iranian nation under sector in this period. unpredictable factors, is not possible. Mahmoud Khaghani the ongoing conditions. The good news came on Monday when soon as possible’ Oil revenues in focus; possible As Mehdi Karbasian, the Iranian deputy the CBI governor Abdolnaser Hemmati scenarios “This is what Trump expects to see. industry minister and head of Iranian Mines announced that Iran has made mutual 1 “Britain, France and Germany are seriously work- Oil revenues, as the main source of He wants EU to be dissolved which will and Mining Industries Development and monetary agreements with some countries ing on SPV, but we should consider that it is a new experience supplying budget and government’s income, automatically cross out the Petro-Euro,” Renovation Organization (IMIDRO), told the on the way to abolish U.S. dollar in its both for Iran and the EU which has made the process delayed”, stand among the major pillars in planning Khaghani added. “The tough international Tehran Times in an interview, “to compensate financial transactions and the issue will be Cronberg noted in the meeting. next year’s budget bill. economic conditions will decrease the any probable decrease in oil revenues, the incrementally generalized to other countries She further said: “Iran has a long experience of tackling sanc- The 1398 budget bill predicts Iran’s oil international demand in near future, from government should make some changes in future. tions and I believe that the country can overcome again the chal- price to stand at $54 per barrel (pb) and which Iran will suffer,” he concluded. in its foreign policies and also take some Iran is abandoning dollar along with lenge made by the U.S. unilateral sanctions.” sales of 1.5 million barrels per day. As Iran’s former OPEC Governor measures to attract financial resources from India, Russia, China and the EU, the act Shafe’i, for his part, emphasized that the EU making the SPV The predicted oil price in the current Mohammad Ali Khatibi told the Tehran the Iranians who live abroad.” which is hoped to isolate the U.S. dollar as a practical will remove many problems for Iran and called on the Iranian year’s budget bill was $55 pb. Times, “according to Iranian officials, the “The government should create some global currency, preventing it from utilizing EU members to make necessary decisions in this due as soon According to the OPEC Monthly Oil country sells 3.75 million of bpd oil at the channels for Iranians living out of the its currency as an unparalleled diplomatic as possible. Market Report (MOMER) published, present time but rumors have it that oil country to inject their money in form of and economic power in a globalized world.

I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 13, 2018 ENERGY 5

Oil prices climb on OPEC-led Bank of America sees oil gains in 2019, but that forecast is far supply cuts, Asian stock rally from universal Oil prices rose by around 1 percent on value between early October and the Despite dramatic slides in the oil market, some forecasters remain Wednesday amid a stock market rebound announcement of the cuts. Some analysts positive on prices and demand going into 2019. A year ahead outlook and on expectations that an OPEC-led output warn, though, that the agreement may not report from Bank of America Merrill Lynch expects Brent crude to cut for 2019 would stabilize the supply- have the effect hoped for. regain its recent losses in 2019 and settle at $70 a barrel. But amid demand balance. Fereidun Fesharaki of energy consultancy mounting global uncertainty on everything from trade and monetary Disruptions to Libyan crude exports after FGE said in a note that the OPEC-led cuts policy to politics, that forecast is far from consensus. local militia seized the country’s biggest would likely be “insufficient to mop up the “Volatility will be high in the near future, but going into 2019, oilfield, El Sharara, were also buoying inventories in the targeted three-month we are constructive on oil prices,” Hootan Yazhari, head of global prices, traders said. period till the end of the first quarter of 2019”. frontier markets equity research at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, International Brent crude oil futures were As a result, FGE said prices were “likely told CNBC’s Dan Murphy on Tuesday. at $60.84 per barrel at 0742 GMT, up 64 to hover in the $55-$60 per barrel range for “We believe oil prices will resume their path back up to $70 cents, or 1.1 percent, from their last close. Brent, with WTI sitting some $5-$10 per average next year, potentially higher in the second quarter for a U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) barrel below this given current fundamentals”. brief spell of time. We believe the (OPEC) cuts were sufficient,” crude futures were at $52.06 per barrel, Undermining the supply cuts is soaring Yazhari said, predicting a “relatively balanced oil market” and stable up 41 cents, or 0.8 percent. output in the United States, where crude inventories next year. The higher prices came amid an increase production C-OUT-T-EIA has hit a record But worries over the strength of crude remain rife, with other in Asian share markets on Wednesday. 11.7 million bpd. market analysts pointing to $60 barrels or lower in the coming U.S. President Donald Trump told The United States is set to end 2018 as year. Brent crude is down nearly 30 percent from its October highs Reuters in an interview on Tuesday that the world’s top oil producer, ahead of Russia of more than $86. talks with China were taking place to defuse and Saudi Arabia, with the U.S. Energy After a dramatic summit of OPEC and non-OPEC members over the trade dispute between the world’s two uncertainty weakens the fundamentals In oil market fundamentals, a decision by Information Administration (EIA) saying the weekend that triggered an immediate boost in oil prices, the biggest economies. in emerging markets,” the Economist the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting on Tuesday the nation’s annualized average commodity has already dropped back to pre-meeting levels, falling Despite Tuesday’s more confident Intelligence Unit (EIU) said in its latest Countries (OPEC) and some non-OPEC output would be 10.88 million bpd for the 3.1 percent by the end of Monday. The 15-member cartel, led by market, analysts warned of an economic outlook. producers including Russia last week to full year. Saudi Arabia, agreed with Russia to cut production by 1.2 million slowdown. British bank Barclays said in its 2019 cut supply by 1.2 million barrels per day The 2018 output increase would be barrels per day (bpd) by January to support prices amid a global “The global economy is set to cool commodities outlook that “the major (bpd) has supported prices this week. 1.53 million bpd, the EIA said, adding supply glut and fears of waning demand. in 2019-20, as rising interest rates and risk to the near-term outlook relates to “OPEC production curbs will stabilize that it expected production to average an OPEC cuts: sufficient or not? inflation begin to limit consumption in a faster-than-expected deterioration in the market,” ANZ bank said on Wednesday. unprecedented 12.06 million bpd in 2019. Monday’s price dip tells us two things, says PVM Oil Associates major developed economies, and market economic activity”. Crude prices had lost a third of their (Source: Reuters) in London: “Either the 1.2 million bpd reduction in the production of the OPEC+ group is not deemed sufficient by the market, or there are other bearish factors at work.” It’s likely the combination of the two that prompted selling — not Pakistan orders halt of fuel oil imports Firms involved in Russian Nord Stream least concerns over growth stemming from the U.S.-China trade war, amid rising stocks 2 face risk of U.S. sanctions political uncertainty over the U.K.’s Brexit procedure, and record production of U.S. shale oil. According to PVM, investors have pulled nearly $50 billion out of the two major crude oil futures contracts since the latest rout started in October. In addition to American shale producers firing on all cylinders, the impact of higher inventories in countries like Iraq and Brazil on market fundamentals is something the Saudi-Russia cut may not be able to fully counter. Citi, meanwhile, sees oil going nowhere in 2019 and staying at $60 a barrel. OPEC’s cuts, the bank said, may in fact have been counterproductive, only encouraging U.S. shale producers to pump more. “The more OPEC+ tries to support prices by withholding oil from the market, the more they give the U.S. shale sector an out from rationing supply growth themselves,” Citi said in a research note written by a team led by Ed Morse, the firm’s global head of Pakistan’s ministry of petroleum has certainly not new to Pakistan. An abrupt Companies that work in Russia’s energy said last week that the Nord Stream 2 gas commodities. ordered domestic energy stakeholders decrease in fuel oil orders from power pipeline sector are risking U.S. sanctions, pipeline project is developing and there are Markets ‘getting scared’ to halt fuel oil imports, optimize storage plants in late 2017 led to a rapid rise in and Washington is considering possible no obstacles to its implementation. U.S. based Capital Economics, meanwhile, sees an average of capacities and even export surplus to help stocks at import terminals and domestic actions against the Nord Stream-2 project, Nord Stream 2 pipeline construction $63 a barrel over the course of 2019. But some remain bullish yet ease rising stocks of the fuel, driven by refineries, delaying deliveries of imported Assistant Secretary of State for Energy underway in Finnish waters in the Baltic Sea. — Japan’s MUFG views Brent and U.S. West Texas Intermediate the country’s shift to LNG-based power cargoes and disrupting operations of Resources Francis Fannon told reporters The Nord Stream 2 is a joint venture (WTI) to be “oversold,” predicting a “sharp rebound” in coming generation. domestic producers. on Tuesday. of Russia’s Gazprom with France’s Engie, months, while Societe Generale forecasts Brent at $73 for both 2018 The order follows a warning by Consumption is unlikely to recover, “The firms working in Russian energy Austria’s OMV AG, UK-Dutch Royal and 2019. Richard Robinson, manager of Ashburton Global Energy Pakistan’s refineries last month over as the electricity feedstock landscape pipeline sector are engaging a lot of business Dutch Shell, and Germany’s Uniper and Fund, believes the current dip is “transient” and that oil will recover potential shutdowns and a nationwide continues its switch to gas facilitated by that carries sanctions risk. We continue Wintershall. It aims to deliver 55 billion to between $70 and $80 in the next three months, he wrote in a shortage of other oil products, especially an exponential growth in LNG imports to review potential sanctions actions,” cubic meters (some 2 trillion cubic feet) of note earlier this month. gasoline and jet fuel, caused by critically expected to increase from 4.9 million mt Fannon said. “The U.S. government has Russian natural gas per year to the European BAML’s forecast is supported by its outlook for global demand, low offtake from power producers. of LNG in 2017 to nearly 24 million mt/ the ability to sanction Russia export energy Union through the Baltic Sea bypassing which it expects at 1.3 million bpd, consistent with above trend global “We have asked refineries to export year by 2023, according to S&P Global pipelines under section 232 the Countering Ukraine. gross domestic product growth of 3.6 percent. But Goldman Sachs or shift fuel oil surpluses to the storage Platts Analytics. America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions The pipeline project has been welcomed has a much darker forecast, expecting the U.S. to slow down to less of independent power producers,” said The situation has forced refiners to Act (CAATSA),” by some countries in Europe and opposed than 2 percent by the end of next year, one of its senior strategists minister of petroleum Ghulam Sarwar lower throughput this year to an average The statement follows Fannon’s comment by a number of others, including Ukraine, told CNBC on Monday. “As a result of that you could see the market Khan last week. of 60%-70%, according to letters sent to made on Monday that Washington believes Poland and the Baltic States, while the United getting quite scared,” the strategist said. “Pakistan State Oil has been asked the ministry of energy in late November that the construction of the pipeline poses States has also expressed its opposition. But as we go through seasonal demand peaks and the Iran to stop fuel oil imports and lift volumes by the Oil Companies Advisory Council, “broad geostrategic threats” to European Last week, U.S. National Security sanctions waivers issued by Washington to 8 major oil-importing from refineries instead in order to meet Pak Arab Refinery (Parco), Attock security and called on all parties to withdraw Advisor John Bolton said that Washington countries come off, “we will start to see the market tightening up,” demand from [power utility] K-Electric,” Refinery, National Refinery and Pakistan from it. was considering some options to stop the Yazhari said, noting that the market has not felt the full impacts of Khan added. Refinery. Russia’s Permanent Representative construction of the pipeline. those sanctions yet, designed to cripple the energy sector of OPEC’s Fuel oil supply chain disruptions are (Source: Platts) to the European Union Vladimir Chizhov (Source: Sputnik) third-largest producer. “There are a number of factors to suggest the cuts were deep enough, that we will start to see a resumption to the upside in oil Saudi Aramco, ADNOC’s India refinery project delayed by 2 years prices, but certainly we don’t see oil prices moving up to the $90, India has delayed the commissioning of a giant company executing the project. Acquisition of land for the project has meeting Saudi Arabia and ADNOC’s need to $100 level that maybe we could’ve seen,” the analyst said, adding, refinery that state-owned firms are building “The project will be completed in 2024 and been put on hold after a strong opposition secure regular buyers for its oil. “We think that the only certainty is uncertainty at the moment.” in tie up with Saudi Aramco and Abu Dha- commissioning will be in 2025,” said RPPL from farmers, chief minister of Maharashtra But thousands of farmers are refusing to Brent crude was trading at $60.35, up .38 percent on the previous bi National Oil Co (ADNOC) by two year to chief executive B. Ashok. Devendra Fadnavis said last month. surrender land, fearing it could damage a re- day, at 1 p.m. London time. WTI was at $51.55, up roughly half a 2025, a senior official at the consortium told He said the new commissioning sched- Land acquisition has always been a con- gion famed for its Alphonso mangoes, vast percent. (Source: CNBC) Reuters on Tuesday. ule has been drawn as the company now has tentious issue in rural India, where the ma- cashew plantations and fishing hamlets that The planned 1.2 million barrels per day “detailed information on the configuration, jority of the population depends on farming boast bountiful catches of seafood. (bpd) coastal refinery in western Maharashtra availability of the people to build and so on”. for their livelihood. Ashok said the project would have a very Oil tanker owners find solace state slated to commission in 2023, according According to RPPL website, the $50 billion The refinery, which was initially expected high complexity to churn out superior grade fu- in shale as OPEC readies cuts to the website of Ratnagiri Refinery & Pet- refinery and associated petrochemical project to cost $44 billion, was seen as a game chang- els and 18 million tons/year of petrochemicals. rochemicals Ltd (RRPL), the joint-venture would be spread over 15,000 acres of land. er - offering India steady fuel supplies and (Source: Reuters) America’s shale boom could be about to spare the world’s oil tanker owners from a typical OPEC ravaging. The producer group and allies decided on Dec. 7 to restrict output What would a new OPEC look like? from the start of next year by about 1.2 million barrels a day, adding The global oil market is going through a metamorphosis, of OPEC+ by around 11+ million bpd. At the same time, to deeper cuts two years earlier. Under normal circumstances, that and if the signs are right, a possible long-term partnership other options also still exist, as Azerbaijan, Egypt and would be a dire turn of events for owners who see cargoes cut almost between OPEC and its former rivals, especially Russia, looks others could be looking to join too. overnight. But shipping analysts are predicting that, this time, the to be forming. A stronger NOPEC also will be able to diminish U.S. rise of U.S. shale may well shield shippers. UAE Minister of Energy, and OPEC chairman, Al Mazrouie claims of energy market dominance. Already, U.S. president “OPEC+ is reducing their output as U.S. is increasing theirs, hence reported that Saudi Arabia has proposed a conference to Trump’s claims are based on the wrong assumptions, as true the overall limited effect for tanker volumes,” said Frode Morkedal, institutionalize an OPEC and non-OPEC Alliance. Al Mazrouie energy dominance remains a long shot. Demand for OPEC managing director of equity research at Clarksons Platou, an invest- indicated that there will be a cooperation agreement signed oil continues to be strong and is predicted to increase in the ment banking unit of the world’s biggest shipbroker. between non-OPEC, led by Russia, and OPEC in the next next couple of years. At present, the real impact of U.S. energy If owners do weather the storm, it would underscore the central three months. Next to this, the UAE minister said that “the and shale oil production is most likely overestimated by the dilemma facing the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries as it declaration of co-operation will be used as a base and will media. Overall market fundamental power of U.S. shale oil tries to prop up prices: deeper output cuts risk spurring rival production, be hopefully finalized in the next three months”. is less, especially when taking into consideration that the especially shale. The idea of the tanker industry withstanding heavy Looking forward, more developments can be expected U.S. has virtually no spare capacity. OPEC or NOPEC have reductions in OPEC production would have been almost unthinkable after the signing of the March 2019 agreement. With the an existing spare production capacity, and the capability to a few years ago, given the group’s vital importance to seaborne trade. Christmas season in mind, the statement indicates that act as a swing producer to stabilize the market. U.S. shale Cuts covered for 2019 the “Three Kings” will not be meeting on the 7th does not have the same capabilities, based on technical and Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest exporter, pledged on Dec. 7 that of January (as the Christian Holy Calendar indicates) but of members leaving the cartel in the last couple of years, geological factors. it would pump almost 1 million barrels a day less in January than in the OPEC – Non-OPEC Kings will be waiting for another 2 with Qatar as the most recent example, is unlikely to erode A stronger NOPEC is also needed to counter or mitigate November. At the same time, the U.S. just became a net oil exporter months. A new child seems to be born that day, presenting the the cartel’s influence on global oil markets. OPEC’s main the current market developments. OPEC’s current production for the first time in 75 years. global oil market with a fait-a-compli only to be strengthened producers, led by Saudi Arabia, already have been actively cut agreement is NOT enough. To counter the market U.S. production will expand at a rate of 1.18 million barrels a day by a formal new organizational structure, ending the current assessing and supporting a potential NOPEC approach sentiment at present a real cut should be made of around in 2019, the Energy Information Administration said Wednesday in OPEC producers alliance and replacing it with a much for years. The importance of such a new alliance should 1.7-1.9 million bpd. This will not be taken for granted by the its monthly outlook. That’s almost exactly the amount that OPEC+ stronger NOPEC. not be underestimated. By taking Russia on board as a market, as most of the parties are still questioning the OPEC- pledged to curb -- for the first six months of the year. Analysts have already been talking about a full member, OPEC’s grip on the oil market would increase Russia cooperation. When formalizing or institutionalizing Production surge restructuring of the oil cartel for years, with some even substantially, looking at the current Russian production the cooperation, maybe by a full membership of a new As U.S. production surges, ports are racing to build facilities to predicting a doomsday scenario based on Peak Oil or volumes. By allowing minor producers, such as Qatar, to organization, statements are taken as a fact, not as a political serve supertankers that normally haul cargoes to Asia. The Louisiana Renewables. Others have been assessing the option of a leave and at the same time sidelining Iran, the effective view or media proposition. The new NOPEC could grow Offshore Oil Port, the nation’s biggest deepwater facility, began super- new NOPEC, including Russia and others into the cartel. Al power is in the hands of the new Triumvirate (Riyadh, into a powerful organization which offers counterweight tanker exports back in February. On Dec. 9, it said it had completed Mazrouie bluntly stated that he is unconcerned about exits Abu Dhabi and Moscow). A possible inclusion of Russia, to a booming U.S. shale sector. the loading of three very large crude carriers with U.S. domestic crude from the group following Qatar’s departure. The impact officially or unofficially, will increase the production levels (Source: oilprice.com) in the prior seven days. (Source: Bloomberg) 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 DECEMBER 13, 2018 NEWS IN BRIEF Pakistan India’s cooperation needed to end dismisses U.S. rebuke war in Afghanistan, says Pakistan By Syed Zafar Mehdi required,” said Qureshi, according to Dawn. INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN — Pakistan has rejected Wash- “Some meetings have taken place [among desk ington’s move of placing Islamabad on TEHRAN — Pakistan and India, the two key stakeholders] for establishment of peace in its annual list of worst offenders for countries that infringe South Asian warring neighbors, have long Afghanistan. India also has stakes in Afghani- on religious freedom. been accused of proxy war in Afghanistan, stan and its cooperation will also be needed,” Pakistan, the statement added, is a “multi-religious and where the war has stretched into its 18th Qureshi said, Express Tribune reported. pluralistic society where people of diverse faiths and de- year now. It is significant because Pakistan and nominations live together.” While India has used its soft power ef- India have traditionally been seen as ‘part The reaction came after U.S. Secretary of State Mike fectively to gain foothold in the war-ravaged of the problem’ in Afghanistan. If the two Pompeo on Tuesday said he added Pakistan to the U.S. list country, Pakistan has failed to do so, for a countries come together and play a positive of “countries of particular concern” regarding protection host of reasons. role in the country, foreign powers who have for people to worship according to their beliefs. Apart from the troubled history between badly messed up would have to withdraw, “In far too many places across the globe, individuals con- Pakistan and Afghanistan, primarily due to believe experts. tinue to face harassment, arrests or even death for simply the dispute over border, the unending war There has been no official statement from living their lives in accordance with their beliefs,” Pompeo in Afghanistan, perpetuated by the U.S. and India’s Ministry of External Affairs, but media said in a statement. Pakistan had previously been on a special carried out by militant groups allegedly based reports say the government officials in New watch list for religious freedom. The downgrade means Pa- in Pakistan, has turned the two neighbors Delhi were skeptical about the sincerity of kistan could be hit with U.S. sanctions, according to reports. into bitter enemies. Pakistan’s statement. Meanwhile, sources told Tehran Times that the move The Afghan authorities have often ac- Pertinently, both India and Pakistan had could be part of Trump administration’s vendetta against cused Islamabad of providing sanctuary to sent their representatives to the Afghanistan Imran Khan government since it has refused to toe its line the militant groups who target Afghanistan. conference hosted by Moscow last month, on a number of issues. India, which considers Pakistan as its which also saw the participation of a Taliban arch enemy, has used the debilitating rela- delegation. Over 30 tions between Kabul and Islamabad to its The war in Afghanistan, which started advantage, scaling up its engagement in the with the U.S. invasion in 2001, continues killed in troubled country through visible reconstruc- Afghan-centric discourse. war-ravaged Afghanistan. to claim innocent lives every day. Accord- tion projects like roads, stadiums, dams and Pertinently, the PTI government in Is- Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah ing to the UN mission in Afghanistan, this multiple Afghan the parliament building. lamabad has recently made many overtures Mahmood Qureshi said on Monday that al- year has recorded unprecedented civilian attacks Pakistan, however, remains a key player to New Delhi to revive the stalled dialogue though Pakistan was committed to facilitate casualties since 2001. in Afghanistan because of the leverage it has process between the two countries, including a resolution of the protracted Afghan war, Despite many peace overtures by the Af- INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN —In a spate of terrorist attacks over the Taliban. It has facilitated many rounds Kartarpur corridor project and invitation to it needed help of other regional countries, ghan government, Taliban has been carrying deskacross war-torn Afghanistan in past few of talks between the militant group and the Indian PM Narendra Modi for the SAARC including India. out deadly attacks across the country. This days, more than 30 people have been killed, according to Afghan government in the past, although Summit. While India sent two of its min- Speaking in the National Assembly, week, more than 30 people were killed in reports. with little results. isters to the Kartarpur event, it ruled out Qureshi said Pakistan alone could not bring multiple attacks across provinces. At least four security personnel and eight civilians, in- While the previous political dispensa- the possibility of PM Modi attending the peace in Afghanistan as it was a “shared re- Meanwhile, there has been growing clamor cluding two women and a child, were killed on Tuesday in tion in Islamabad didn’t see India’s role in SAARC summit. sponsibility” of regional countries including in the U.S. calling on the government to end a suicide car bombing by the Taliban in Kabul. Afghanistan positively, the new government In a latest, seen as part of its outreach to India, Iran, Tajikistan and China. the war in Afghanistan that has proved a The attack took place when a suicide bomber detonated led by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan India, Pakistan has said that India’s coopera- “Since India is present in Afghanistan, total disaster. But, Trump seems to have explosives in Kabul’s Paghman district, Interior Ministry is going out of its way to include India in its tion would be needed for bringing peace to its cooperation in this regard will also be other plans. spokesperson Najib Danish said. The attacker was also killed in the bombing. In southern Kandahar province, Taliban fighters stormed a checkpoint in Arghistan district, killing eight officers, a Person of the Year: spokesman for the provincial governor was quoted saying. At least 11 insurgents were also reportedly killed in the fighting. Taliban militants have stepped up attacks on Afghan Murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi security forces and government facilities in recent months, even as the group is engaged in so-called ‘peace talks’ with 1 The cover story starts with Khashoggi, detailing “Such independence is no small thing. It marks the dis- the U.S. and Russia. the circumstances that led to his murder, the brutality with tinction between tyranny and democracy. And in a world Although Afghan authorities do not reveal casualty toll of which the crime was carried out at Saudi’s Istanbul consulate, where budding authoritarians have advanced by blurring its personnel, according to the UN mission in Afghanistan, Saudi crown prince’s culpability and the absence of morality the difference, there was a clarity in the spectacle of a ty- Afghan forces have suffered record number of casualties in the Saudi-U.S. alliance. rant’s fury visited upon a man armed only with a pen,” the between May and October 2018 compared to previous years. “Every detail of Jamal Khashoggi’s killing made it a sensa- report notes. tion,” reads the report, describing the scenes including the All despots, it adds, live in fear of their people. “To see 413 killed in time stamp on the surveillance video, the images of private genuine strength, look to the spaces where individuals dare jets carrying Saudi agents, the bone saw, and Khashoggi’s to describe what’s going on in front of them.” Kashmir last words: “I can’t breathe”. The report also blasts Trump for ‘embracing despots’ The report further says the crime would not have come to and ‘attacking the press’, which it says has ‘set a troubling violence the world’s attention if Khashoggi himself had not written tone’. It quotes the editor of Rappler Maria Ressa saying and spoken about such issues during his life. He was a strong that the U.S. was “very confused”. “What are the values of this year critic of the ruling elites in Riyadh and had courageously the United States,” asks Ressa. INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN — The deadly cycle of violence and unequivocally exposed their horrendous crimes and Truly, when a heinous murder takes places in broad daylight deskand killings in Indian controlled Kashmir attempts to suppress the voices of dissent. and an independent investigation exposes the perpetrator continues with around 413 persons, including 237 militants, 94 “His death laid bare the true nature of a smiling prince, of the crime and still there is no anger or outrage, not even civilians and 81 armed forces personnel, killed this year so far. the utter absence of morality in the Saudi-U.S. alliance,” up the heinous crime. Jared Kushner reportedly advised a statement of condemnation from the White House, we According to official records, reported in Indian media, reads the Time report, referring to Saudi crown prince Mo- Trump to “stand by” the Saudi crown prince, arguing the ought to ask uncomfortable questions. 176 locals have joined the militant ranks this year with high- hammad Bin Salman (MBS). scandal would “eventually pass”. Jamal Khashoggi is no more but his legacy will always est number of youngsters, 30, joining in May and lowest, Pertinently, the U.S. government officials, including The Time report says the Saudi kingdom was irked by inspire truth-seekers and whistleblowers. His murder has 4, in November. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Khashoggi’s style of independent journalism wherein he reported not only exposed the Saudi regime but also the so-called Out of 237 militants, 163 were killed since June this year, Pompeo, went out of their way to shield MBS and cover “troubling facts” and trusted the public “to think for itself”. ‘super-power of the world’. when Governor rule was imposed following the break-up of BJP-PDP coalition government. After the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan India Elections: Modi’s party suffers big setback, loses key states Wani in 2016, who gave new impetus to militancy in the By Syed Zafar Mehdi the fact that all promises of Modi and BJP troubled Himalayan Valley, the government started Opera- governments were just jumlas (statements) tion All Out to wipe out militancy from the state. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in and hot air; people are fed up with the politics Since then, many militants have been gunned in encounters India suffered a major setback on Tuesday of hate & goonda raj (warlordism).” down across the valley, including some top commanders who after losing three key states to Indian National Mamata Banerjee, chief of Trinamool had been evading security forces for years. Many of them were Congress (INC), the main opposition party, Congress party, which is part of the Congress- local Kashmiris with good education and career prospects. in state elections. Congress is all set to form led grand alliance, hailed it as the “victory On Sunday, three militants of Lashkar-e-Taiba were killed governments in Rajasthan, Chattisgarh and of democracy and victory against injustice, in an encounter near Srinagar, the summer capital of Kash- Madhya Pradesh. atrocities, destruction of institutions, misuse mir, during which seven houses were completely destroyed. The results, which come barely four months of agencies, no work for poor people, farm- before the general elections in India, have ers, youth, Dalits, SC, ST, OBC, minorities Violence set the ball rolling for Congress, which has and general caste.” been in the opposition since 2014. Employing sports terminology of semi-final mars Although BJP leaders have downplayed the and final, she said “semifinal (state elections) Bangladesh poll impact of state elections on general elections proves that BJP is nowhere in all the states. slated for April 2019, but political pundits This is a real democratic indication of 2019 campaign believe this might be an opportunity for Con- final match (general elections).” gress to bounce back and recoup the political Senior Congress leader and former HRD INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN — The campaigning for elections space from right-wing nationalists. minister Kapil Sibal said this was a victory deskin Bangladesh has kicked off on a sad note All three states — Madhya Pradesh, Ra- of humanity. “This is the victory of Rahul with scores injured in political rallies across the country. jasthan and Chhattisgarh — were won last Gandhi, our party, workers, people, and the According to reports, the campaigning turned violent on time by the BJP, which also won 60 out of Ecstatic over the results, Gandhi said his ingly dependent on PM Modi to win elec- fight against scams. This is the victory of Tuesday as police fired pellet guns into crowds and stick- 65 parliament seats in these states in 2014 party had defeated BJP in these elections and tions. But, this time, Modi factor didn’t humanity.” wielding mobs attacked rival candidates. general elections. Congress victory has clearly would defeat it in 2019 general elections as work for the party. A report in online news Senior journalist Shekhar Gupta said Police quoted by AFP said clashes broke out in at least given it an upper hand going into 2019. well. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, portal ‘The Print’ quite rightly noted that the myth of Yogi Adityanath as the “Hindi seven major towns on just the second day of campaigning, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, in particular, who failed to woo voters this time, “refused these assembly poll results may not be a heartland’s champion vote-catcher” has been injuring nearly 100 people who turned out to cheer the two were considered the bastions of BJP where to listen to the heartbeat of this country”, verdict on PM Modi’s popularity but they shattered. Adityanath, the BJP chief minister major parties contesting the Dec 30 polls. they were in power for past 15 years. The adding that there was a perception among certainly carry a lesson for the BJP: “That of India’s most populous state Uttar Pradesh, The unrest follows a crackdown on the Bangladesh Na- juggernaut has been broken. people that “PM Modi himself was corrupt”. it cannot rely solely on the Modi factor to has been in news recently for his hateful anti- tionalist Party in recent weeks, with hundreds of supporters In Chhattisgarh, Congress claimed whop- “When PM was elected to power, he was win elections.” Muslim rhetoric and for changing names of from the main opposition party sent to jail before campaign- ping 68 seats against BJP’s 16, a clear ver- elected on three platforms – employment, Senior BJP minister and star campaigner cities from Muslim to Hindu. ing had even begun, according to AFP report. dict. In Rajasthan, Congress bagged 99 seats corruption, and farmers,” said the young Arun Jaitley said the results were unexpected. Yascha Mounk, Lecturer at Harvard Uni- In one of the districts, a motorcade of an opposition leader while BJP got 73, a good margin. In Madhya Congress president. “It was in people’s mind “It is an opportunity to pause and analyze,” versity, termed the results as “excellent news Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was set upon by a huge crowd swinging Pradesh, the contest was even, and eventually that PM will fight against corruption. Now he said, adding that anti-incumbency factor for Indian democracy”. batons, said the report. The opposition party blamed people Congress prevailed over BJP with 114-109 people think that PM Modi himself is corrupt.” didn’t play a role in BJP’s defeat in these “While much can change before next year, aligned to the ruling Awami League, the party headed by figure. The other two states – Mizoram and Gandhi further said that BJP had “failed three key states. and the BJP might try to interfere with free Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who is running for a record Telangana – went to local parties. to provide a vision for the country going for- Social media has been abuzz with politi- and fair elections, the opposition has a real fourth term in office. Around 100 million voters have regis- The robust performance in these state ward”, and under the BJP government, “mis- cians, journalists, and experts sharing their shot at displacing Modi next year,” he tweeted. tered for this year’s election, even though the opposition is elections is a shot in the arm for Congress management of economy” had taken place. views on BJP’s big debacle. “Democracy has “And that should inspire opponents of pop- yet to name a candidate to run against the incumbent PM. party. It will unmistakably bolster the morale PM Modi accepted the people’s mandate won,” the Congress party tweeted. “Thank ulism around the world.” Veteran opposition leader and two-time Prime Minister of party workers before the general elections and in a philosophical tone said “victory and you India, you have chosen love over hate, A Twitter user Vaishali said people were Khaleda Zia has been barred from contesting the election and strengthen the hold of Rahul Gandhi defeat were an integral part of life”. He said peace over violence & truth over lies. This not happy that the Congress had won big, but against her long-time rival Hasina. over the party. Incidentally, the Gandhi scion the defeats would further party’s resolve to victory is yours.” people were happy that Communal BJP had She is serving 10-year jail term on graft charges her sup- completed one year on the day of election “serve people and work even harder for the Prominent lawyer and activist Prashant lost the game, adding that the Congress still porters say are baseless. results as party president and he couldn’t development of India”. Bhushan said the “0/5 drubbing of the BJP” needs regional parties to win 2019 general possibly have asked for better results. Since 2014, BJP has been overwhelm- was the result of “people becoming wise to elections. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 13, 2018 ANALYSIS & INTERVIEW 7 Continuation PGCC crisis will increase What dooms nations can be surprising, and it resides Turkish footprint in Qatar: Entessar internally A: Qatar’s announcement about its intention to leave OPEC EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW was a political message to Saudi Arabia and its aggressive By Javad Heirannia moves to transform OPEC into a tool of Riyadh’s broader TEHRAN — Nader Entessar, Professor Emeritus of Political foreign and economic policy goals. When the PGCC was Science from university of South Alabama says that Turkey’s formed in 1981, its stated objective was to enhance political, military base in Qatar allows Ankara to project power in the economic, security and cultural cooperation among its member Persian Gulf while maintaining close ties to Doha. states. However, the PGCC has now become a vehicle for He adds that “In addition to enabling Turkey to enhance Riyadh to buttress its role as a regional hegemon. Therefore, its military presence in the Persian Gulf, the Turkish base in if the current trends continue, it is not beyond the realm of Qatar also sends an indirect message to Saudi Arabia that possibility for Qatar to leave the PGCC. However, we need Ankara will remain by Doha’s side while at the same time to be cognizant of the fact that both the United States and seeks to act as an intermediary to resolve regional crises.” Europe will do their utmost to maintain the PGCC’s unity Entessar says “If the current PGCC crisis continues unabat- because they see the organization as a regional vehicle to ed, Turkey will likely seek to increase its footprint in Doha.” confront Iran in the Persian Gulf. Following is the full text of the interview: The PGCC failed to find a purely internal collective The Persian Gulf Cooperation Council’s (PGCC) an- solution to the Qatar crisis. With regard to this failure, how nual summit was held in Riyadh while the Qatari emir and do you see the future of PGCC? the Sultan of Oman refrained from joining. What are the A: Notwithstanding its lofty goals, the PGCC has largely reasons behind this refusal? been an ineffective body that has failed to foster meaningful A: In recent years, the traditional annual meetings of The PGCC had to cut its last ties among its member states. The organization’s weakness the PGCC states have become a platform for Saudi Arabia year’s meeting in Kuwait has been amplified with Qatar’s blockade by the Saudi-UAE- to strengthen its hegemony over the other member states short, partly as a result of led group. Although the PGCC may continue to exist on 1 In fact, he has often been ridiculed as a horrible Pres- and to align the foreign policy of the PGCC states with that paper for some time to come, the recent crises have defi- ident, and as well widely considered Not Very Bright (NVB). of Riyadh. The Saudi-engineered forced harmony in the the military partnership nitely undermined its viability as a collective security and But lo and behold, at his Dad’s funeral service, he kind of PGCC began to show cracks with the organization’s first between Saudi Arabia and socioeconomic organization. redeemed himself according to reports as a man of substance major crisis in 2014. The PGCC had to cut its last year’s In case of Qatar’s exit from PGCC, is there any possi- and even as a President of substance, even though there was no meeting in Kuwait short, partly as a result of the military the UAE outside the PGCC bility of a new alliance between Qatar and Turkey? evidence to support such a reassessment – except, allegedly, partnership between Saudi Arabia and the UAE outside the parameters. A: Turkey and Qatar have developed close security for the fact that when he was delivering his eulogy for his PGCC parameters. Given the ongoing blockade of Qatar by relations with each other in the past few years. Turkey’s father at the funeral service, he choked and cried like a baby. three members of the PGCC, namely Saudi Arabia, the UAE for the Council of Ministers. Sultan Qaboos’s absence at military base in Qatar allows Ankara to project power in Imagine! History gets revised in mainstream media reports and Bahrain, it was not surprising that Qatar’s Emir Sheikh the PGCC summit may have been related to both his health the Persian Gulf while maintaining close ties to Doha. In because George W. Bush wept at his father’s funeral, because Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani did not attend this year’s PGCC issues and Oman’s desire to stay clear of entanglement in addition to enabling Turkey to enhance its military pres- he showed some emotion publicly. meeting in Riyadh. However, Qatar did send a delegation the deepening regional crises precipitated by Saudi Arabia’s ence in the Persian Gulf, the Turkish base in Qatar also The problems with and in the U.S. have become too deep headed by the country’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs war in Yemen and Mohammad bin Salman’s adventurist sends an indirect message to Saudi Arabia that Ankara and they’ve been around too long, and past errors continue Sultan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi to represent Doha in the 39th foreign policy. will remain by Doha’s side while at the same time seeks to be compounded by further errors. For example, we just PGCC summit. Oman’s ruler Sultan Qaboos bin Said also Qatar left OPEC and according to some reports, it to act as an intermediary to resolve regional crises. If learned that oversight (or fraud) by the Pentagon has resulted did not attend the PGCC meeting in Riyadh but instead sent might break-up with PGCC. Do you think that Qatar will the current PGCC crisis continues unabated, Turkey will in Saudi and U.A.E. warplanes waging war on Yemen while a delegation headed by the country’s Deputy Prime Minister leave the PGCC? likely seek to increase its footprint in Doha. being refueled in midair by U.S. military tanker aircraft for free – or rather on the U.S. taxpayer’s dime. Who knows if this was intentional, but the Pentagon has also pooh-poohed a halt to funding for the war on Yemen be- Trump impeachment and stigmatizing MBS; the fate cause, and this is a quote, “it would send the wrong message”. I wonder what that message might be that is “wrong”? That halting mass killings is “wrong”? in the Congress’s hand And this week we got to hear from General Joseph Dun- ford, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the U.S., who By hamid Bayati of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jerry said that the U.S. military will stay in Afghanistan because if Nadler, said Sunday that the allegations, if TEHRAN — Perhaps Mohammed bin Sal- it pulled out it would risk “another 9/11” in the U.S. Frankly, proven, would constitute “impeachable of- it’s just the opposite: Usama bin Laden’s primary complaint man failed to imagine that his credibility and fenses.” Democratic Sen. Chris Coons said royal reputation, or what’s left of it, would was the presence of the U.S. military in Arabia! But these er- Monday Trump could be indicted after he rors of judgment or fraud and more by past and current U.S. depend on U.S. Senate, which has become leaves office. a nightmare for him. “leaders”, bad as they are, are minor compared to, arguably, Cohen first made the allegation in court in the greatest error of all: Bin Salma --, supported by Al Saud’s wealth September that he was directed by Trump to and undisputed U.S. support for the Yemeni The ability to put one’s self in the shoes of other humans and make the payments to the two women, Stormy therefore understand why they may have a grievance, rather war, repression of domestic opposition, hos- Daniels and Karen McDougal. Prosecutors tage taking of the Lebanese Prime Minister, than assuming they endorsed the allegation in a sentencing doc- are simply not hu- widespread mass repression of Shia Al-Qatif ument for Cohen on Friday, in which they Countries with -- thought he could do whatever he wished, man or somehow of said Cohen should receive a “substantial sen- leaders that do a sub-species. Let’s but now he is in a situation from which he tence” for the crimes he committed, which may not be able to escape. what the U.S. and be clear: this inca- included campaign finance violations for the pacity is ultimately The honeymoon period for bin Salman payments to the two women, tax fraud and Israelis have been ended with the United States in October after the death of nations lying to Congress. doing, to cite just or governments or the assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Lawyers say that the prosecution of Trump Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. two nations and regimes. during his presidency is difficult and the only The two most Meanwhile, although Riyadh tried hard to way to dismiss him is to interrogate him first. there are several eliminate bin Salman from the Khashoggi prominent countries Procedurally regarding possible impeach- which are currently murder case, evidence points to his unde- ment, charges must be brought by the U.S others, are literally niable role in the assassination. failing are the U.S. Congress which then could result in a trial of doomed. They may and Israel. In Israel, U.S. Senators have been relying on the Democrats are suggesting Trump committed the President. The law holds that the Presi- hard evidence so far gathered to deal with not be doomed this we hear from Gideon an impeachable offense and could even be dent, Vice President and U.S. state officials Levy, that country’s bin Salman effectively. Lindsey Graham, Re- can be impeached for treason, bribery, and year or even next or publican senator from South Carolina in an sent to prison when his term in the White finest journalist, a variety of other possible crimes. even in five years, who says that the interview with “Fox “ claimed: “If it weren’t House is over. The process of impeachment must start for the United States, they’d be speaking Farsi but doom remains far-right Zionists from the House of Representatives and needs and even a ma- in about a week in Saudi Arabia. We need in the murder of Khashoggi. White House told CNN that aides inside the to be voted on by the majority of the repre- inevitable. them a lot less than they need us. I think “In response to this resolution, the Wash- West Wing believe “the only issue that may jority of Israelis sentatives (half plus one). If this occurs, the are completely “at by hooking up with him (MBS) we hurt our ington Post reported that the United States stick” in the impeachment process is the trial will be held in the Senate. ability to govern the region.” Senate would officially condemn Saudi crown campaign finance violations tied to former peace” with the Occupation in Palestine. Why is that? Because, At this point, two-thirds of the Senate’s Levy says, most Israelis really believe that they are Allah’s Republican Senator Bob Corker, chairman prince Mohammed bin Salman before the end Trump attorney Michael Cohen’s payouts votes are needed to dismiss the President. of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, of 2018. With this condemnation, the crown to Trump’s alleged mistresses. “chosen” people. That and the Holocaust have given Jews to Though the threat of impeachment has been imagine they have the “right” to do ANYTHING they want has planned to introduce a resolution con- prince of Saudi Arabia will be required to stop Impeachment talk has ratcheted up in raised on numerous occasions, only two demning Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed other hostile policies in the Persian Gulf.” recent days following a blockbuster filing anywhere they want. American Presidents have been impeached. They simply do not care at all about Palestinians and bin Salman for the killing of Khashoggi. Trump has reason to fear he may from prosecutors in the Southern District Bill Clinton, the forty-second president of “While this doesn’t affect policy ... it’s a be impeached of New York. In that filing, prosecutors many others, who are considered sub-human, just as the the United States, was impeached for lying Jews allegedly were by the Nazis. In somewhat the same pretty strong statement for the United States Some in the U.S. Congress are not only directly alleged for the first time that Co- to a jury and related malfeasance, but he to be making, assuming we can get a vote looking to slam bin Salman, but also President hen was being directed by Trump when he vein, people like the Bushes and General Dunford and many was not thrown out of office. other “leaders” don’t give a damn about the suffering the on it,” Corker said, noting that condemning Trump, and Trump himself has expressed broke the law during the 2016 presidential The only other president who was im- Mohammed was a bold move by Republicans. concern about his own possible impeachment. campaign. U.S. military and U.S .policies have caused worldwide for peached in the history of the United States decades. Why? Because people of different cultures and Last week Republican senator Lindsay A Congressional source said Trump Democrats are suggesting Trump com- was Andrew Johnson, who served as the Graham also introduced a resolution from a sees impeachment as a “real possibility.” mitted an impeachable offense and could governments, especially if they don’t succumb to U.S. im- 17th President of the United States. He perialism or hegemonic demands, are considered lesser number of Republican and Democratic sena- But Trump isn’t certain it will happen, the even be sent to prison when his term in the managed to avoid a trial in the U.S. Senate, tors calling for bin Salman to be “co-defendant” source added. A separate source close to the White House is over. The incoming chairman human beings, if not sub-humans. like Clinton. General Dunford is worried about another 9/11 which dropped three tall buildings in New York with some peripheral damage and killed 3,000 plus people … when the U.S. has laid waste PGCC might survive in name only: Chicago professor to vast portions of entire countries and killed millions since 1 When small nations feel that a once friendly great do you see the future of PGCC? the end of World War 2? The attack on Fallujah alone in Iraq power is withdrawing its protection, they usually seek al- A: The PGCC might survive in name only. A continued during the Iraq War leveled thousands of buildings and killed ternative backing from strong states who can help them U.S. effort to weaponize the PGCC by turning it into a Sau- tens of thousands of civilian residents. Is it not clear what I maintain their independence vis-à-vis quarrelling neighbors. di-led coalition against Iran will cripple the organization am driving at? Here it is: Nowadays, China and Russia are acquiring greater influence and might eventually destroy it altogether. A viable PGCC Countries with leaders that do what the U.S. and Is- in Iran and the Persian Gulf nations so it is natural that Doha needs to resist domination by a single member such as Saudi raelis have been doing, to cite just two nations and there and Muscat are inviting them to balance the destabilizing Arabia, prevent manipulation by a great power—particularly are several others, are literally doomed. They may not be consequences of American and Saudi policies. Building new the U.S. or Britain—and avoid picking fights with powerful doomed this year or even next or even in five years, but partnerships with Russia and China can encourage the U.S. neighbors like Iran and Turkey. doom remains inevitable. They are doomed sub specie to prolong its Persian Gulf involvement in the short run and In case of Qatar’s exit from PGCC, is there any possi- aeternitatis, to use a Latin phrase, “under the gaze of prepare the way for replacing it in the long term. Hence, bility of a new alliance between Qatar and Turkey? eternity”. They are doomed from the standpoint of what the diplomatic skills of Qatar and Oman pose a striking A: A formal alliance is unlikely and unnecessary. Doha is universally and eternally true. contrast to Saudi Arabia’s self-defeating path of overreach and Ankara both prefer quiet understandings that are fluid, For example, one truism is that people are much the and isolation. specific, and non-binding. In the language of international same everywhere and share the same characteristics, good Qatar left OPEC and according to some reports, it relations, such arrangements are often called quasi-alliances and bad. And the action by one group or nation against might break-up with PGCC. Do you think that Qatar will or partial pacts. another, as if this is not true, as if one group obviously hu- leave the PGCC? They allow both sides to hedge their bets and pursue man is considered sub-human, this is deadly to the group A: It’s possible to say that Saudi Arabia and the UAE have multi-directional diplomacy as shifting circumstances re- or nation or leaders with such beliefs on offense. History virtually broken with the PGCC by forming a separate defense Far East, Russia, and Europe—ties that quickly deepened quire. Qatari and Turkish leaders realize they will not always shows this clearly. And one other truism is that it is very agreement that excludes the other members. In successfully during the boycott, making Qatar a stronger global actor agree on dealing with fast-moving events in such volatile difficult, but definitely possible, to be a wise leader, and weathering the Saudi-Emirati boycott, Qatar has shown than its adversaries. areas as Libya, Somalia, Iraq, Syria, and Egypt. Informal I hope Iran’s leaders are. Bush junior would have been it can flourish with or without the PGCC’s blessing. Doha The PGCC failed to find a purely internal collective understandings can let them cooperate when possible and far better weeping in sorrow for his own and his father’s has built extensive economic and diplomatic ties with the solution to the Qatar crisis. With regard to this failure, how go their separate ways when necessary. miserable Presidencies, too. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 8 ADVERTISEMENTS DECEMBER 13, 2018

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Naloxone, a life-saving antidote Record number of cases in mysterious illness paralyzing to drug overdose: myths and facts children, officials say HEALTH TEHRAN — According an opioid overdose, at least one country desk The condition has been likened to polio, but investigators have to World Health organi- has made naloxone available in pharmacies found no evidence of that virus in recent cases. zation (WHO), Opioid overdose is treatable without prescription. ?This year has seen a record number of cases of a mysterious with naloxone, an opioid antagonist which Side effects paralyzing illness in children, U.S. health officials said Monday. rapidly reverses the effects of opioids. Naloxone has been used in opioid It is still not clear what’s causing the kids to lose the ability to move In Iran, there are different opinions overdose management for over 40 years, their face, neck, back, arms or legs. The symptoms tend to occur about the correct usage of naloxone. with minimal adverse effects beyond about a week after the children had a fever and respiratory illness. Last week, the Food and Drug Admin- the induction of opioid withdrawal No one has died from the rare disease this year, but it istration’s spokesperson announced that symptoms. It carries no potential for was blamed for one death last year and it may have caused self-injection or non-prescribed usage of abuse, although high doses may lead to others in the past. naloxone could have catastrophic con- the development of opioid withdraw- sequences, even leading to adverse side al symptoms such as vomiting, muscle effects on the heart. cramps and agitation. Kianoush Jahanpour added that na- Does naloxone only work for loxone should be used only under a phy- overdose cases caused by opioids? sician’s supervision and with emergency The Iranian Food and Drug Adminis- room equipment, as it is usually used in tration’s Deputy Director said last week emergency situations in hospitals. that naloxone does not reverse the effects Meanwhile, Health Ministry’s Spokes- of benzodiazepines and stimulants such as person Iraj Harirchi said on Monday that cocaine, crystal meth (Methamphetamine) according to Iran’s current laws, naloxone and ecstasy. is only accessible in hospitals. According to naloxoneinfo.org, naloxone He said that naloxone is available in some only reverses the effects of opioids such countries in the format of nasal sprays or as heroin, methadone, morphine, opi- even edibles, but in Iran people should be um, codeine, or hydrocodone. It does not first properly trained on this drug’s usage, On November 4, 2014, WHO published Calls for naloxone widespread counter the effect of other types of drugs, before making it available in pharmacies, guidelines aimed to reduce the number of adoption such as benzodiazepines (drugs including What’s more, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention especially if parenteral route of adminis- opioid-related deaths globally. The guide- In recent years, a number of programs diazepam, midazolam, or alprazolam), an- officials say many children have lasting paralysis. Close to half the tration is used. lines recommend countries expand naloxone around the world have shown that it is fea- tihistamines (like pheniramine or phen- kids diagnosed with it this year were admitted to hospital inten- In an interview with Khabaronline on access to people likely to witness an over- sible to provide naloxone to people likely to ergan), alcohol, or other sedatives (drugs sive care units and hooked up to machines to help them breathe. Monday, Dr. Omran Mohammad Razaqi dose in their community, such as friends, witness an opioid overdose, in combination such as phenobarbital) or stimulants such The condition has been likened to polio, a dreaded paralyzing said that naloxone nasal sprays which are family members, partners of people who with training on the use of naloxone and as cocaine and amphetamines. But if the illness that once struck tens of thousands of U.S. children a year. extremely easy to use aren’t available in use drugs, and social workers. the resuscitation of people experiencing person is not breathing it will not hurt to Those outbreaks ended after a polio vaccine became available in Iran, but the drug can also be administrat- Naloxone is usually used with basic life opioid overdose, prompting calls for the administer naloxone. the 1950s. Investigators of the current outbreak have ruled out ed intravenously by bystanders who can support which is generally only available in widespread adoption of this approach. In the worst case scenario, naloxone polio, finding no evidence of that virus in recent cases. perform injections. medical settings, however, the guidelines In 2012, the United Nations Economic will simply do nothing, but in the best case The current mystery can be traced to 2012, when three cases According to WHO, naloxone has been recommend that people who are likely to and Social Council (ECOSOC) called upon scenario it will save a life. of limb weakness were seen in California. The first real wave of used in the management of opioid over- witness an opioid overdose should be given the World Health Organization (WHO), in Study suggests anti-overdose confirmed illnesses was seen in 2014, when 120 were reported. dose for more than 40 years. It is a safe access to naloxone and training in its use. collaboration with the United Nations Office med naloxone increases reckless Another, larger wave occurred in 2016, when there were 149 con- drug with a low risk of serious side effects Route of administration on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to provide opioid use firmed cases. So far this year, there have been 158 confirmed cases. and any adult capable of learning basic WHO guidelines recognizes that nalox- advice and guidance, based on scientific In March, CNBC published a contro- In 2015 and 2017, the counts were far lower, and it is not life support can also learn to recognize an one is effective when delivered by intra- evidence, on preventing mortality from drug versial new study arguing that laws ex- clear why. opioid overdose, and administer naloxone venous, intramuscular, subcutaneous and overdose, in particular opioid overdose. panding access to naloxone have increased The condition is called acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM. Inves- in time to save lives. intranasal routes of administration. Persons Access to naloxone opioid-related ER visits and theft while tigators have suspected it is caused by a virus called EV-D68. Educating people on usage of using naloxone should select a route of Access to naloxone is generally limit- doing nothing to curb mortality. The 2014 wave coincided with a lot of EV-D68 infections and the naloxone administration based on the formulation ed to health professionals, and in many The study found opioid-related deaths virus “remains the leading hypothesis”, said Dr Ruth Lynfield, a WHO has announced that globally, an available, their skills in administration, countries there is limited availability of increased 14 percent in the Midwest after member of a 16-person AFM taskforce that the CDC established estimated 69,000 people die each year the setting and local context. naloxone even in medical settings, in- these laws were in effect. last month to offer advice to disease detectives. from opioid overdose alone. Among peo- A study on naloxone distribution and cluding ambulances. The authors believe that people act more Why would the virus suddenly be causing these paralyzing ple who inject drugs, opioid overdose is administration by peers in Australia found Naloxone is a prescription medicine recklessly when they have a safeguard in illnesses? the second most common cause of death that 74% of interviewees preferred using in almost all countries, and while it is not place, but the study›s findings could just “This is a key question that has confounded us,” said the CDC’s after HIV/AIDS. the intranasal route of administration. usually prescribed to people likely to witness be correlation instead of causation. Dr Nancy Messonnier, who is overseeing the agency’s outbreak investigation. Experts also said it’s not clear why cases are surging in two- Limited activity harms Iranian girls’ Increased care cost drives 100m people year cycles. Another mystery: more than 17 countries have reported scattered health, wellness: official into poverty each year: UN Chief AFM cases, but none have seen cyclical surges like the US has. Last week, CDC officials said the problem had peaked, but they warned that the number of cases would go up as investiga- tors evaluated – and decided whether to count – illnesses that occurred earlier. As of Monday, there were 311 illness reports still being evaluated. This year’s confirmed cases are spread among 36 states. The states with the most are Texas with 21 and Colorado with 15. For an illness to be counted, the diagnosis must include an MRI scan that shows lesions in the part of the spinal cord that controls muscles. (Source: The Guardian)

Too much salt might help spur A-fib

A high-salt diet could raise your risk for a common heart rhythm HEALTH TEHRAN — The depu- neering is not suitable for families’ physical United Nations Secretary-General Anto- each year, 100 million people are driven disorder, new research suggests. deskty director of the Welfare activity, leading them to have less children nio Guterres in his message on the first into poverty because care cost far more Atrial fibrillation (A-fib) is a quivering or irregular heartbeat that Organization said the level of girls’ overall and less exercises as well. observance of International Universal than they could afford. can lead to blood clots or other complications. It affects millions of health and physical wellness has decreased Physical inactivity Health Coverage, 12 December 2018, Such dire circumstances should befall people worldwide and puts them at higher risk for stroke and, in by 11% over the last 15 years due to inactivity World Health Organization estimated said each year, 100 million people are no one – and do not have to. Many coun- rare cases, can lead to heart failure. and limited space available to them. that globally, around 31% of adults aged 15 driven into poverty because care cost far tries around the world have shown that This study included 716 middle-aged men and women Habibollah Masoudi Farid said boys also and over were insufficiently active in 2008 more than they could afford. it is possible to provide universal health in Finland who were followed for an average of 19 years. face similar problems, Fars news agency (men 28% and women 34%). Approximately The full text of his message reads: care. They have also demonstrated that During that time, 74 of the reported on Wednesday. 3.2 million deaths each year are attributable Today, the world marks the first In- improving health is a smart investment participants were diagnosed “We have to take a systematic approach to insufficient physical activity. ternational Universal Health Coverage in human capital that helps to promote with atrial fibrillation. in devising plans for empowering people. In 2008, prevalence of insufficient Day. We do so because good health is a economic growth and reduce poverty. Those with the highest Empowerment doesn’t merely concern physical activity was highest in the WHO fundamental human right and crucial Strong leadership and community levels of salt in their diet traumatized people or the ones with dis- Region of the Americas and the Eastern to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sus- engagement are essential in ensuring had a higher rate of atrial abilities, but it also concerns devising Mediterranean Region. In both these tainable Development. that all people get the healthcare they fibrillation than those with widespread plans that targets kinder- regions, almost 50% of women were in- Quality physical and mental health need. On this International Day, let us the lowest salt intake. After gartens, nurseries, schools, families and sufficiently active, while the prevalence services should be accessible to everyone, reaffirm our commitment to a world accounting for several oth- the whole society,” said Farid. for men was 40% in the Americas and everywhere. Tragically, that is not the with health for all. er risk factors -- including He added that the current urban engi- 36% in Eastern Mediterranean. case for half the world’s population. And (Source: UNIC) age, body fat, blood pres- sure and smoking -- the researchers found that salt consumption was in- Health minister attending PMNCH 2018 Partners’ Forum dependently associated HEALTH TEHRAN — Iranian Health Minister the scientific panels held in the Forum the minister is with the risk of atrial fibrillation. deskHassan Qazizadeh-Hashemi has trav- planned to make a speech on the innovative measures But the study only found an association -- it did not prove that elled to India to attend The Partnership for Maternal, taken to raise fund for better execution of maternal and a high-salt diet causes the heart rhythm disorder. Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH) Partners’ Forum newborn child health in Iran. The study was published recently in the Annals of Medicine. which kicked off on Wednesday. Specific goals of the Partners’ Forum “This study provides the first evidence that dietary salt may The two-day event is a multi-constituency partnership Specific goals of the Partners’ Forum include greater increase the risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation, adding to a hosted by the World Health Organization and chaired seeks political momentum, sustaining attention to the “Sur- growing list of dangers from excessive salt consumption on our to achieve universal access to comprehensive, high-quality vive-Thrive-Transform” agenda of the Global Strategy, and cardiovascular health,” said study author Tero Paakko, from the reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health care. its contribution to driving the Universal Health Coverage University of Oulu in Finland. The Partnership has brought together 1,200 partners (UHC) and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals “Although further confirmatory studies are needed, our dedicated to the Every Woman Every Child (EWEC) (SDG). The voices of women, children and adolescents results suggest that people who are at an increased risk of movement and the achievement of the UN Secretary will be central to our messaging and framing. atrial fibrillation may benefit from restricting salt in their General’s Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Knowledge exchange, through sharing of lessons diet,” Paakko said in a journal news release. Adolescents’ Health (Global Strategy) on December 12 learned and best practices to innovate and improve im- The chances of developing atrial fibrillation increase and 13, 2018, in New Delhi, India. emphasize the importance of people- centered account- plementation strategies for results is another goals of with age, and the condition affects about 7 in 100 people Hosted by the Government of India the 2018 Forum ability bringing forward the voices and lived realities of the forum. The rigorously produced “Success Factors” 65 and older. revolves around improving multi-sectoral action for re- women, children and adolescents through innovative case studies (selected from more than 300 partner-led “With estimates suggesting that over three-quarters of salt con- sults, sharing country solutions and capturing the best programming and creative projects. proposals) will anchor this effort. sumed is already added in processed foods, reducing salt intake at a practices and knowledge within and among the health Qazizadeh-Hashemi is also scheduled to deliver speeches And lastly the forum is focused on improved cross-sec- population level could have a hugely beneficial impact on new-onset sector and related sectors. over the course of the two-day event. toral collaboration through knowledge exchange and joint atrial fibrillation and overall cardiovascular disease,” Paakko said. According to the World Health Organization it will also Based on a report by Fars news agency over one of advocacy strategies. (Source: WebMD) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 10 HERITAGE & TOURISM DECEMBER 13, 2018 Hospitals, clinics Foreign arrivals in Qazvin rise in H1 highlighting Iran’s medical tourism TOURISM TEHRAN — Over 20 top nearly doubled in the first three months of the deskIranian hospitals and clin- current Iranian calendar year, corresponding ics are taking part in the 10th Pars tourism to spring 2018, from a year earlier, according to exhibition, which opened to the public in data Ministry of Health provided in September. Shiraz on Wednesday, aiming to get visitors A total of 166 Iranian hospitals have so far acquainted with Iran’s potentials in medical been received special licenses and are running and health tourism, Fars reported. international patient departments, health Ten chambers of commerce are also attend- official Mohammad Jahangiri said in May. ing the exhibit that will be running through Wallet-friendly and quality treatment December 15, the report added. services are what Iran is globally famous TOURISM TEHRAN – The number of foreign tourists The exhibit is also turning the spotlight for when it comes to medical travels. deskto Qazvin province has significantly increased on religious and air traveling, hotels and The country has launched extensive plans during the first six months of the current Iranian calendar year eco-lodges, marine and air sports, online to bolster its tourism sector. Under the 2025 (March 21-September 22), compared to the same period last booking, free trade zones, recreational ac- Tourism Vision Plan, Iran is expecting to year, provincial tourism chief has said. tivities and handicrafts, amongst others. increase the number of tourism arrivals from “Statistics show that over 12,600 foreign nationals visited Medical tourist arrivals in the country has 4.8 million in 2014 to 20 million. Provincial officials unveil a poster for the 10th Pars tourism exhibition historical destinations across Qazvin province during the first six months of the year, which indicated a significant year-on-year Tehran museum to exhibit rare Quran Semnan hosting nationwide crafts increase,” Mohammad-Ali Hazrati said, ISNA reported. He didn’t mention how many foreign nationals visited Qazvin manuscript exhibit in the six-month period last year. Famed for carpets and seedless grapes, Qazvin embraces won- derfully restored caravanserais, monuments, mosques, bazaars, atmospheric areas, some quirky museums and a handful of decent eating options. Its capital of the same name, was once the capital of all Iran, but for most foreign travelers it is primarily the staging point for excursions to the famous Castles of the Assassins and trekking in the sensational Alamut Valley.

Urmia Museum of Anthropology adds manuscripts gallery

HERITAGE TEHRAN — A rare luminated manuscript, which is deemed HERITAGE TEHRAN — Crafters The event, which will be running deskmanuscript of the as one of earliest of its kind, represents deskfrom 10 provinces are through December 14, showcases various Holy Quran will be put on show for a full copy of the Holy Quran and it also taking part in a national handicrafts sales souvenirs, handwoven rugs, potteries, the public at the Reza Abbasi Museum bears a Persian translation. exhibit which is being held in the city of regionals clothing, personal ornamen- in Tehran. Named after one of the great artists Semnan. tations, woodwork, enamels, leather- Academia and literary figures namely of the Safavid period, Reza Abbasi “A total of 65 stalls have been set up work, handwoven textile, traditional Azartash Azarnoush, Ali-Ashraf Sadeqi, Museum embraces several permanent for 100 artisans from the provinces of Is- musical instruments, metalwork, and Morteza Kariminia will deliver speeches exhibition halls that showcase vari- fahan, Khorasan Razavi, Kerman, Yazd, marquetry to name a few. It also offers about the importance of such works of ous eras of the Iranian history with Sistan-Baluchestan, Alborz, Tehran, live performances. art in an opening ceremony to be held on objects belonging the pre-Islamic Golestan, Mazandaran and Semnan,” Semnan province is home to 4500 December 16, Mehr reported. era, paintings and calligraphy works Semnan’s tourism chief has said, IRNA craftspeople working in 52 different Known as “Quran-e Za’fferani”, the il- amongst them. reported. fields.

HERITAGE TEHRAN — Urmia Museum of Anthropology deskin West Azarbaijan province has added a new Ancient Roman statue discovered in margarine tub gallery, special for rare handwritten manuscripts. An ancient statue of the Roman deity Minerva was discov- than 300 years old are defined as treasure. Overall, 1,267 Several local officials, experts and academia attended the ered in a margarine tub, where it had been languishing of 2017’s discoveries fell into this category -- including this gallery’s opening ceremony on Tuesday, CHTN reported. for years. statuette with its silver rivets -- making it a record-breaking The gallery showcases a collection of 72 significant, rare and The Romano-British piece was brought to attention by year for treasure. weighty works many of which by great Iranian calligraphers, amateur metal detectorist 66-year-old Len Jackman, who was A spokesman for the British Museum told CNN: “When a provincial tourism chief Seyyed Hadi Tabatabaei said. visiting a local farmer in rural Oxfordshire. When Jackman potential treasure find is reported to the local Finds Liaison “Manuscripts have been important and worthwhile over time sought permission to detect on his land, the farmer told him Officer (which they must do by law) it begins a process whereby and they should be considered ambassadors of culture and time.” he was not the first to do so. the objects will be assessed by various experts including our Jackman, a retired lorry driver, told CNN: “He invited curators here at the British Museum. me in to give me a map of his land and said he’d had other “Often that means that they will travel to the Museum to detectorists before. He then produced this statue out of an be examined. At the end of the process, there is an inquest ROUND THE GLOBE old margarine box, saying it was found on his land.” where a coroner will declare the find to be legally treasure.” As an experienced detectorist, Jackman guessed that The Minerva statue is still going through the treasure City of Cuzco the statue -- which shared the box with some gold coins -- process, according to the spokesman, so there is no monetary was Roman. But it would only be confirmed several months value attached to it as yet. “But a number of museums are later, when he returned to show the farmer the discoveries already interested in acquiring it,” he added. The City of Cuzco, at 3,400 m above sea level, is located in a he had made on his land. Among the other items unveiled at the museum Tuesday fertile alluvial valley fed by several rivers in the heart of the “I told him I would take what I’d found to be iden- was gold jewelry plucked from the Shropshire marshes, in Central Peruvian Andes of South America. tified and dated at the Museum Resource Centre in the west of England, and a priceless antique lamp discovered Under the rule of Inca Pachacuteq (Tito Cusi Inca Yupanqui), Standlake and he said if I was going I should take the on the banks of the River Thames in London. in the 15th century, the city was redesigned and remodeled stuff from the margarine tub. I said, ‘I think you’ll be Antiquities Annual report for 2017. Speaking at the museum, Ellis thanked the public for their after a pre-Inca occupation process of over 3,000 years, and getting a phone call!’“ The artifact was just one of 78,000 archaeological items contributions and said: “Thousands of hidden treasures have became the capital of the Tawantinsuyu Inca Empire, which Fortunately, Jackman recognized the significance of the that were unearthed by the British public last year and vol- been uncovered this year, helping us to learn more about our covered much of the South American Andes between the 15th lead and copper alloy statuette and took it to be assessed untarily recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme, past and those that came before us. Many of these important and 16th centuries CE. -- together with the other items he had uncovered. which is managed by the British Museum. More than nine finds have been acquired by, and gone on public display in On Tuesday morning Jackman was invited to the British out of 10 of these items (93 per cent) were found by metal our museums, meaning that more and more people can Museum in London, where the statue was introduced by detectorists like Jackman. experience and understand our rich history.” arts minister Michael Ellis, as he presented the Portable Coins or items made of gold or silver which are more (Source: CNN) Hotels are enhancing offerings for pint-size guests By Shivani Vora Jam-making and recycling Located in the heart of Provence, the kids’ Once boring spaces with a few toys and a club at Domaine de Manville is headquartered TV, “kids’ clubs” at hotels and resorts are in two collector caravan cars. evolving into destinations that your children Children entertain themselves with pot- may actually enjoy hanging out in. tery making, gardening, jam-making classes As a mother of two young children who using fruit grown on the property, and recy- often accompany me on my travels, I can cling workshops where they create arts and say that most of the hotel kids’ clubs I’ve crafts using secondhand materials. There is The Imperial city of the Incas was developed as a complex seen — that is, if a property even has one also a court where children can learn to play urban center with distinct religious and administrative func- — tend to be single room spaces with little Petanque, a sport — similar to bocce — that’s tions which were perfectly defined, distributed and organized. consideration to youthful interests. Most native to Provence. Plus, the club is free to The religious and government buildings were accompa- offer predictable activities like arts and crafts children (up to 13) staying at the resort. Room nied by the exclusive abodes for royal families, forming an and board games. rates begin at $215. unprecedented symbolic urban compound, which shows a But increasingly I’ve begun to see clubs Treasure hunting in a medina stone construction technology with exceptional aesthetic and that have unique settings and entertainment Similarly, Royal Mansour, in Marrakesh, structural properties, such as the Temple of the Sun or Qori- offerings that aim to stimulate children and has a new kids’ club set in a private pa- cancha, the Aqllahuasi, the Sunturcancha, the Kusicancha and give them a sense of place. The best connect vilion within the property’s gardens, but a series of very finely finished buildings that shape the Inca children to the culture of their destination still brings children all the richness of the compound as an indivisible unity of Inca urbanism. while giving them space to play. The art room in the kids’ club at the Marbella Club in Spain gives youngsters local culture. The noble city was clearly isolated from the clearly delineated It’s not a surprising move, explained plenty of space to create and hang their creations. Access is included in the room charge areas for agricultural, artisan and industrial production as well Amanda Norcross, features editor of Family ple of a club that puts culture first. It’s in a vegetable garden and use them to blend (rates start at around $1,000 a night), and as from the surrounding neighborhoods. The pre-Hispanic Vacation Critic. “Parents want their children 55,000 square-foot villa that was the original their own perfumes in Andalusian style. activities include Moroccan art workshops, patterns and buildings that shaped the Imperial city of the to be happy and engaged on their trips,” she home of Prince Alfonso of Spain. It has its Or the counselors might take them to the Arabic lessons and a treasure hunt in the ho- Incas are visible today. said. “Having an innovative kid’s club is cer- own shallow pool and plenty of outdoor space nearby beach where they can try their hand tel’s medina. The hotel also offers a hands-on With the Spanish conquest in the 16th century, the urban tainly a way to do that. It also gives a hotel with extensive gardens. at kayaking or paddle surfing and learn chocolate making experience for children in structure of the Inca imperial city of Cuzco was preserved a differentiating factor in an industry that’s Children between the ages of 4 and 12 about local birds. their on-site chocolate laboratory — the best and temples, monasteries and manor houses were built over always competing for guests.” (there’s a separate area for children from Access to the club is 90 euros per day. part may be when the youngsters taste-test the Inca city. Lessons in culture and wildlife 5 months old to 3 years old) have a choice Meals are included, and are always traditional the bonbons, truffles and other confections (Source: UNESCO) The kids’ club at the Marbella Club, a of six different activities a day. They may Spanish dishes like paella or gazpacho that they’ve created. beachside resort in Spain, is a good exam- pick lavender and other herbs from the the youngsters help prepare themselves. (Source: The New York Times) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 13, 2018 SCIENCE 11

Permafrost thaw to topple buildings Scientists recreate tiny drops of quark soup from the very in Arctic by 2050, team suggests early universe Within the next two decades, infrastructure in of the hydrocarbon extraction fields in the You probably don’t stop to think about this often, but right after the countries across the Arctic circle — including Russian Arctic are in regions where thaw- birth of the Universe, matter was not in the form we recognize today. the U.S., Canada and Russia — will begin to related ground instability can cause severe Instead, scientists think it was very much in a state of soup, ‘quark crumble as the frozen ground it is built on damage to the built environment. Alarmingly, soup’ to be precise - a state also known as quark-gluon plasma. starts to thaw. these figures are not reduced substantially Now, researchers say they’ve managed to shape ultra-hot, ul- That is according to research published even if the climate change targets of the Paris tra-small liquid droplets of this soup in the lab – possibly allowing in the journal Nature in which scientists Agreement are reached.” us to peer back to the very first microseconds of existence. forecast potential hazards to infrastructure In an interview with Newsweek, Hjort Expanding drops of quark-gluon plasmas were created in three relating to permafrost thaw. In the paper, said damage to critical infrastructure could geometric shapes – circles, ellipses and triangles – by using a researchers found that three quarters of peo- threaten the sustainable development of Arctic massive particle collider to smash together protons and neutrons ple living in permafrost areas — around four communities, as well as causing ecosystem at such high speeds and temperatures that they break up. million people — will be affected by damage disruption through things like oil spills. He One of the key findings from the experiment is that these tiny to buildings, roads and other structures in said there are different adaptations that can quark-gluon plasma drops behave like fluids, even at the smallest the region by 2050. be made to reduce or prevent thaw — such scales. That’s something scientists had originally thought was im- Permafrost is a thick layer of soil that as insulation — and potential thaw can be possible, but have now seen more and more evidence for. is permanently frozen. In some areas, the considered during the construction of new “Our experimental result has brought us much closer to answer- ground has been frozen for tens of thousands infrastructure. ing the question of what is the smallest amount of early Universe of years. However, as global temperatures Infrastructure risk assessment matter that can exist,” says one of the team, Jamie Nagle from the start to rise, this frozen earth has started to “Permafrost — and its thaw — is mainly University of Colorado Boulder. thaw, creating huge problems for the people controlled by climate conditions. (To prevent So what exactly is quark-gluon plasma? It’s a liquid-like state, living on it. the permafrost thawing), we need to stop cli- but one that exists at searing temperatures, where conditions are In 2016, scientists in Siberia warned that mate warming.” Concluding, the researchers too hot to form atoms. buildings would start to collapse from the say a detailed infrastructure risk assessment We’re talking in the region of 4 trillion degrees Celsius (or nearly mid 2020s as a result of the thaw. is needed to understand how communities 7 trillion degrees Fahrenheit) – about 250,000 times hotter than Sinking cemeteries in permafrost areas will be affected as the the core of the sun. Meanwhile researchers at Columbia planet warms. While these particles eventually cooled enough to form regular University recently warned that in some including residential, transportation and four million people and 70 percent of current However, Christopher Burn, professor matter that makes up our world today, the properties of this plas- parts of Alaska, sinking cemeteries mean industrial facilities. infrastructure in the permafrost domain are of geography and environmental studies at ma remain fascinating for scientists – properties which tell the people are no longer able to bury the dead Findings showed that the thawing in areas with high potential for thaw of near- Carleton University, Canada, said that “from story of the very beginnings of the universe and everything in it. in the ground. permafrost will pose a significant threat to surface permafrost,” the team wrote. a Canadian perspective, the paper does not (Source: sciencealert.com) In the latest study, Jan Hjort and colleagues Arctic communities across the Northern “Our results demonstrate that one-third tell us anything we don’t already know, and carried out a hazard risk assessment for Hemisphere by 2050. “We show that nearly of pan-Arctic infrastructure and 45 percent in some ways is misleading.” the permafrost regions of the Northern He told Newsweek the part of the paper Hemisphere — an area covering about nine Findings showed that the thawing looking at Canada uses incorrect permafrost Did supernovae kill off large million square miles. They looked specifically permafrost will pose a significant threat to projections, while they use a statistical ap- ocean animals at dawn of at the damage to infrastructure that will proach to predict ground temperature — which take place under projected climate change Arctic communities across the Northern Burn says does not provide an accurate rep- Pleistocene? scenarios. They looked at infrastructure that Hemisphere by 2050. resentation of risk. is “fundamental” to Arctic communities, (Source: Newsweek) About 2.6 million years ago, an oddly bright light arrived in the prehistoric sky and lingered there for weeks or months. It was a supernova some 150 light years away from Earth. Within a few hundred years, long after the strange light in the sky had dwindled, a tsunami It could be the age of the chicken, Corals are developing resistance to of cosmic energy from that same shattering star explosion could heatwaves, says study have reached our planet and pummeled the atmosphere, touching geologically, researchers say off climate change and triggering mass extinctions of large ocean With 65 billion chickens consumed each Researchers found that more individual animals, including a shark species that was the size of a school bus. year, the signature fossil of the modern coral reefs survived last year’s mass The effects of such a supernova -- and possibly more than one -- on epoch may be the leftovers. bleaching event compared in 2016. They large ocean life are detailed in a paper just published in Astrobiology. It’s one thing to eat chicken every day. found that the 2016 marine heatwave “I’ve been doing research like this for about 15 years, and always It’s something else to have that on your killed more susceptible species, leaving in the past it’s been based on what we know generally about the permanent record, as in the geological the resilient ones to survive. After the universe -- that these supernovae should have affected Earth at record, the remnants of our time that massive bleaching in 2016, scientists some time or another,” said lead author Adrian Melott, professor archaeologists or aliens of the future will discovered that the coral reefs of the emeritus of physics & astronomy at the University of Kansas. “This sift through to determine who we were Great Barrier Reef have become more time, it’s different. We have evidence of nearby events at a specific and how we shaped our world. resistant to last year’s marine heatwave. time. We know about how far away they were, so we can actually But a group of scientists argue in a new According to a recently published compute how that would have affected the Earth and compare it essay that this is exactly how our time on study, an international team of to what we know about what happened at that time -- it’s much Earth will be marked, by leftover chicken researchers discussed the extent of more specific.” bones. We live in the Age of the Chicken. damage to the coral reefs after the major Melott said recent papers revealing ancient seabed deposits of There are about 23 billion chickens bleaching events of 1998, 2002, 2016, iron-60 isotopes provided the “slam-dunk” evidence of the timing on Earth at any given time, at least ten and 2017. They found that only 7 percent and distance of supernovae. times more than any other bird, forty five to nine weeks, by various estimates, of the Great Barrier Reef has not been Atmospheric Administration’s satellite- times the number of sparrows. The second has five times the mass of its ancestor. It affected by bleaching events since 1998. based tools to monitor the extent of the most numerous bird on the planet, at has a genetic mutation that makes it eat Moreover, 61 percent of the individual damage of last year’s heatwave to the an estimated population of 1.5 billion, insatiably so that it gains weight rapidly. reefs have been severely bleached at least coral reef. is a small creature called the red-billed It is subject to numerous bone ailments once in the past 20 years. Hughes added that the more positive quelea, sometimes known in its home of because it has been bred to grow so quickly. However, here is the good news. While outcome last year was due to the conditions sub-Saharan Africa as a feathered locust. And because of its diet — heavy on grains most of the Great Barrier Reef has at that the Great Barrier Reef experienced The combined mass of those 23 and low on back yard seeds and bugs — its least once has been severely damaged the year before. This is the first time that billion chickens is greater than that of bones have a distinct chemical signature. from coral bleaching caused by a marine the natural wonder experienced two mass- all the other birds on Earth. But, said The broiler is also completely dependent heatwave, the corals that have been bleaching events in a row. The reason Carys Bennett, an honorary fellow at on and designed for an industrial system affected are found to be more resilient. why there was less bleaching last year the University of Leicester and one of of meat production. It can only live Terry Hughes, the lead author of the study, was that the more susceptible species of the authors of the essay, it’s not only supported by human technology. Eggs revealed that there was less bleaching corals died off in 2016. the mind-boggling numbers of chickens are artificially incubated and chicks grow in 2017 even when the temperature was This, of course, does not mean that that will tell a tale of our times, but their in climate controlled sheds of up to 50,000 higher than the year before. coral reefs are no longer vulnerable to the shape, genes and chemistry. chickens, the scientists write. “Dead corals don’t bleach for a second rapid global warming. The researchers “As far back as the mid-1990s, people said, ‘Hey, look for iron-60. Jungle fowl ancesters The chickens are transported to time,” he stated in a press release from hope the new study could provide new It’s a telltale because there’s no other way for it to get to Earth but Chickens seem to have been slaughterhouses at no older than nine the Arc Center of Excellence Coral Reef knowledge about the cumulative impacts from a supernova.’ Because iron-60 is radioactive, if it was formed domesticated about 8,000 years ago, and weeks (broilers at some farm animal Studies. The “north lost millions of heat- of climate change-driven environmental with the Earth it would be long gone by now. So, it had to have been gradually bred to be larger and meatier sanctuaries live four years or more) “where sensitive corals in 2016, and most of the events that will become more frequent rained down on us. There’s some debate about whether there was than their jungle fowl ancestors. But it most waste products (feathers, manure, survivors were the tougher species. As if the world fails to reduce emissions of only one supernova really nearby or a whole chain of them. I kind of wasn’t until production of broilers ramped blood etc.) are recycled via anaerobic a result of bleaching, the mix of species greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. favor a combo of the two -- a big chain with one that was unusually up in the 1950s and farming practices digestion, incineration and rendering is changing very rapidly.” “We need urgent global action on powerful and close. changed that the bird was transformed. into edible byproducts, all technology Satellite-based tools greenhouse emissions to save the world’s (Source: sciencedaly.com) The modern broiler chicken, with an dependent.” Chicken potpie anyone? The team of researchers used the coral reefs,” added Hughes. average life until slaughter of a scant (Source: The NYT) data from the National Oceanic and (Source: Tech Times) SpaceX and NASA push back ‘Pest-controlling’ bats could help save rainforests: new study crewed dragon test flight A new study shows that several species of The farming benefits SpaceX and Boeing are both working toward full certification of bats are giving Madagascar’s rice farmers The team next used DNA barcoding tech- their respective spacecraft to carry astronauts to the International a vital pest control service by feasting on niques to analyze droppings collected from Space Station (ISS). it’s been a long road, but SpaceX was set plagues of insects. And this, a zoologist at bats captured within the rice plantations to launch its first demonstration mission (Demo-1) on Jan. 7th, the University of Cambridge believes, can and nearby forest. All six species of bats 2019. There has been yet another delay, but at least this one is ease the financial pressure on farmers to were found to have fed on economically short. The launch is now scheduled for Jan. 17th. turn forest into fields. important insect pests. While the findings NASA frames this as an “adjustment” rather than a delay. A key reason for this is that insect pests indicated that rice farming benefits most Although, delays are nothing new in spaceflight. It’s a high-stakes are destroying vast quantities of rice, leading from the bats, the scientists also found mission even if there won’t be any passengers aboard. Even a local subsistence farmers to destroy even more pests of other crops, including the black small error could result in a significant setback as NASA and forest to create new paddies. The result is twig borer (a pest of coffee), the sugarcane SpaceX scramble to identify and fix the issue. A minor fuel leak devastating habitat and biodiversity loss on cicada, the macadamia nut-borer, and the on Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner crew capsule several months ago the island. But not all species are suffering. In sober tabby (a pest of citrus fruits). contributed to a multi-month delay in its testing schedule. fact, some of the island’s insectivorous bats The “effectiveness of bats as pest con- Kathy Lueders, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Pro- are thriving, and this has important implica- trollers has already been proven in the gram said the team still has more work to do before launching tions for farmers and conservationists alike. USA and Catalonia,” said co-author James the mission. “We are not driven by dates, but by data,” said Co-leading an international team of sci- logical pest suppressors,” Rocha said. “We The researchers recorded over a thousand Kemp, from the University of Lisbon. “But Leuders. There is some sense of urgency, though. NASA has entists, Ricardo Rocha from the University found that six species of bat are preying on bat ‘feeding buzzes’ (echolocation sequences our study is the first to show this hap- been purchasing seats aboard Russian Soyuz missions since the of Cambridge’s Zoology department Con- rice pests such as the paddy swarming cat- used by bats to target their prey) at 54 sites, pening in Madagascar, where the stakes retirement of the Space Shuttle seven years ago. It purchased servation Science Group, found that sev- erpillar and grass webworm. The damage to identify their favorite feeding spots. This for both farmers and conservationists are those seats ahead of time, but the contract will run out at the end eral species of indigenous bats are taking that these insects cause puts the island’s revealed that bat activity over rice fields was very high.” of 2019. NASA needs a working commercial vehicle to maintain advantage of habitat modification to hunt farmers under huge financial pressure and much higher than it was in continuous forest The researchers argue that maximizing access to the station in 2020. insects swarming above the country’s rice that encourages deforestation.” - seven times higher over irrigated rice fields, bat populations has the potential to boost Demo-1 will relay important data about the rocket’s perfor- fields. They include the Malagasy mouse- The study, published in the journal Ag- and sixteen times higher over hillside fields crop yields and promote sustainable live- mance, the crew capsule, and the autonomous docking system. eared bat, Major’s long-fingered bat, the riculture, Ecosystems and Environment, - which clearly shows that the animals are lihoods. They are now calling for further This is an essential step to make sure SpaceX is ready to carry Malagasy white-bellied free-tailed bat, and used state-of-the-art ultrasonic recorders preferentially foraging in these man-made research to quantify this contribution passengers, even though it’s successfully flown cargo to the sta- Peters’ wrinkle-lipped bat. and molecular analysis to investigate the ecosystems. The researchers suggest that the because Madagascar’s bats currently tion for years now. Following Demo-1, SpaceX will need to show Biological pest suppressors feeding activity of insectivorous bats in the bats favor hillside fields most because lack of fall under game species legislation and that its launch abort system is ready to carry astronauts away “These winner species are providing a farmland bordering the Ranomafana Na- water and nutrient run-off make these crops are not actively protected in the country. from the Falcon 9 launch vehicle in the event of an emergency. valuable free service to Madagascar as bio- tional Park in the southeast of the country. more susceptible to insect pest infestations. (Source: eurekalert.org) (Source: extremetech.com) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 12 SOCIETY DECEMBER 13, 2018

Mohseni-Bandpey appointed Iran to take part in Tehran governor general SOCIETY TEHRAN — The cabinet of ministers elected international mental deskAnoushirvan Mohseni-Bandpey as the new governor general of Tehran on Wednesday morning, Tasnim news agency reported. Mohseni-Bandpey replaced Mohammad Moqimi who was arithmetic contest banned from his job in the wake SOCIETY TEHRAN — Iran will 28 in Sandton, South Africa,” head of Smart of law on banning employment deskattend the 18th PAN PA- Kids institute Rouhollah Mokhberian said. of the retired. CIFIC Abacus & Mental Arithmetic Associ- He further expressed hope to win title at The law was passed in ation Global Abacus and Mental Arithmetic the competition, and highlighted that this mid-September by the Majlis Championships which will be held in Malaysia year, we have a greater chance of claiming [Iranian parliament] and it was on December 28. medals, since selected children are more implemented by November 15. The Iranian team is comprised of 35 tal- skillful than the last year’s delegation. Mohseni-Bandpey has previ- ented children, Fars reported on Tuesday. Talented girls and boys from provinces ously served as the head of Iran’s The championship is an example of what of Alborz, Lorestan, Bushehr, Tehran, Welfare Organization. He was can be achieved with early intervention in Zanjan, Kordestan, Kermanshah, Hor- also the acting labor minister be- abacus math and mental arithmetic education. mozgan and Hamedan will be sent to fore Mohammad Shariatmadari The purpose of the competition is to allow Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia to compete took office in early October. He for the observation of mental arithmetic with participants from around the world, was named as the caretaker for skills from all countries, to promote abacus Mokhberian noted. Social Security Organization in mid-November. and mental arithmetic education, and to Also, talented children from different Mohseni-Bandpey holds a PhD in sanitary engineering from improve friendships among participants countries, including, Taiwan, Thailand, UK Newcastle University. The cabinet also appointed Azizollah from around the world. Canada, Hong Kong, United States, South Shahbazi and Alireza Ashangar as governor generals of Alborz On August 2, some 323 children aged 7 to Africa, Vietnams, South Korea, Lebanon, and Semnan provinces respectively. 13 years took part in the 6th national abacus Saudi Arabia, Australia, India, Russia, China, Last year, Iranian students comprising 11 and mental arithmetic contest to solve some Kazakhstan, UAE, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Tajik- students aged 5 to 12 years, ranked first 7 mathematical test sheets using abacuses. istan, Yemen will attend the international among 300 students from 21 countries “Last year, Iranian students comprising competition, he added. $22m earmarked for 11 students aged 5 to 12 years, ranked first “Iran has proposed to host the 19th PAMA at the 17th PAMA Global Abacus and equipping technical- among 300 students from 21 countries at Global Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Cham- Mental Arithmetic Championships held on the 17th PAMA Global Abacus and Mental pionships and in case it is confirmed Tehran vocational schools Arithmetic Championships held on December will host the event next year,” he concluded. December 28 in Sandton, South Africa.

SOCIETY TEHRAN — A total budget of 900 billion Bike-sharing scheme gets underway in Tehran deskrials (nearly $22 million) has been requested to develop and equip technical-vocational high schools across ENVIRONMENT TEHRAN — Bike-sharing scheme, pro- drop off the bikes at the nearest parking lots which are now desk the country in the current Iranian calendar year (ending March posed by an Iranian startup through a set up in different parts of the city, he highlighted. 20, 2019), Mohsen Hosseini, an official with the Ministry of Ed- system based on Internet of Things (IoT), has started to be “Next Tuesday (December 18), the bike-sharing scheme ucation has announced. implemented in the capital, YJC reported on Wednesday. will be launched officially in districts 2 and 6 with Tehran Describing some of the Some 500 bikes are currently provided for use in district mayor, Pirouz Hanachi, in attendance,” he stated. programs and priorities of the 2 of the city, the head of board of directors of Pak Charkh According to journals.plos.org, bike-sharing programs, technical and vocational train- Iranian Company, Hossein Qasemi, announced. with initiatives to increase bike use and improve accessi- ing organization affiliated to the “We planned IoT-based bikes with initiatives to mitigate bility of urban transit, have received increasing attention Ministry, Hosseini pointed to air pollution along with encouraging people to use green in growing number of cities across the world. improvement of technical and vehicles rather than emitting private cars,” he added. The scheme was first introduced in mid-August in an vocational training plans as the He further explained that the capital residents can start attempt to address air pollution in the metropolis of Tehran. Ministry’s main priority. cycling through downloading Bdood app on their smart- According to World Health Organization exposure to air Competency-based educa- phones and after paying some 1.59 million rials (about pollution kills seven million people worldwide every year tion and assessment is among $38) as a deposit, which can be refunded at any time the and costs an estimated $5.11trn in welfare losses globally, the most important programs residents decide. a report released last week revealed. of the technical and vocational Using the aforesaid app users can scan the QR Code said, adding that using the bikes costs nearly 3 cents per It highlighted that in the 15 countries that emit the most organization, which must be well on the bike and will receive a code on their phone and by half an hour. greenhouse gas emissions – and have the worst air pollution implemented in all career and technical education high school, entering the secure electronic key the bike will unlock, he Whenever arrived at the destination, the citizens can – health impacts are estimated to cost more than 4% of GDP. he added, Mehr reported on Wednesday. Given that the number of years students are supposed to spend in career and technical education high schools has increased this Tax fossil fuel companies to raise billions and fix damage caused year from two to three years, we need to assess the education quality provided in previous recent years and plan more ap- propriate methods for the next few years, he further explained. by climate change, experts say Secondary education in Iran is divided into two three-year A tax on the fossil fuel industry could be Ms Richards compared the proposed cycles: Lower-secondary education and upper secondary educa- used to protect the world’s most vulnerable tax to similar charges applied to tackle the tion, in which, students are segmented into three fields or streams people from climate change, according to damage caused by oil spills and tobacco use. of the education system: academic, technical, and vocational/ a coalition of environmental groups. Ralph Regenvanu, foreign minister for skills. The academic stream which is divided into three fields As global temperatures soar, devastating the island nation of Vanuatu, said his nation of studies including, math and physics, experimental sciences, events like hurricanes and floods are be- was “on the front lines of climate change literature or humanities has traditionally been the most popular. coming more frequent and destructive, but and yet we have done little to cause it”. Students studying career and technical education high school many affected are those least responsible He cited the cased of Cyclone Pam, which have chosen the technical field, which before was only a two-year for these phenomena. struck in 2015 and cost Vanuatu over 60 cycle and the students who planned to take Iran’s standardized For years debate has gone back and per cent of its GDP. university entrance examinations (Konkur) would attend the forth about how best to reimburse those Though they applied to the existing universities without passing the pre-university year, while recently hit by these disasters, but there is still a Green Climate Fund for compensation, such schools also have switched to a three-year cycle. need for a pot of money that can be accessed the grants awarded have been insufficient, rapidly to aid their recovery. suggesting a need for new sources of money In a new report released at a major to support climate reparations. LEARN ENGLISH UN climate summit in Poland, a “climate Finance – and specifically the amount damages tax” that could generate up to of money given by richer nations to poorer Job Interview II $300bn (£237bn) each year is suggested ones to tackle climate change – is an im- as a possible solution. portant topic at this year’s COP24 meeting A: Thanks for coming in today, did you have any trouble finding Based on the “polluter pays” principle, in Poland. us? Please take a seat. fossil fuel corporations would be taxed for However, the groups behind the report B: Thank you. every ton of coal, oil and gas they extract said discussion of the matter was progress- A: So, let’s get started; tell me a bit about your educational from the ground. ing at a rate out of step with the urgency background. This would make those spewing out cli- of climate change. B: Sure! Well, I graduated with honors from Chesterton University mate-damaging emissions responsible for In their report, the Climate Damages with a major in Business Administration, with a specialization recovery costs until these dirty fuels are fuel industry make hundreds of billions Climate Damages Tax Coalition. Tax Coalition lay out a system in which in Information Management, and I minored in psychology. phased out altogether. in profits whilst the true costs of their Sir David Attenborough at the United companies pay for every ton of CO2 they I chose this course of study for two reasons: I wanted to gain some “The Climate Damages Tax is a prac- product are paid by the rest of society, Nations Climate Change Conference in emit, and this continues until fossil fuels practical, marketable skills, which the information management tical way to address the injustice at the particularly the poorest and most vulner- Katowice: Climate change ‘our greatest are phased out entirely by 2050. track provided, and I also feel that interpersonal skills are essential heart of climate change – that the fossil able,” said Julie-Anne Richards from the threat’ (Source: The Independent) for professional success, hence the minor in psychology. A: Interesting. And, your postgraduate studies? B: Well, I am really passionate about consumer behavior, so I pursued a master’s in that area. I also strive to keep my professional ENGLISH IN USE skills current, so I continuously attend seminars and conferences related management and customer service. LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION A: Very good. Now, tell me a little bit about your work experience. I see here that you previously worked at Oracle. B: Yeah, I worked as their customer support manager, which Run-down areas account for 5% of brought me a breadth of experience in both client care, and 5 درصد از مساحت کل شهر تهران بافت فرسوده است process management. I supervised and coordinated the customer Tehran: expert support team as well as implemented new strategies to achieve مدیرعامــل ســازمان نوســازی بافــت فرســوده شــهرداری تهــران گفــت: بــر ,better customer satisfaction. Rundown areas constitute some 5 percent of the total areas in the capital A: Interesting... according to the statistics published in the Iranian calendar year of 1385 اســاس آمارهــای ســال 85، 5 درصــد از مســاحت کل شــهر تهــران را بافــت B: Yes, in this position I was able to make some pretty significant فرســوده تشــکیل م ی دهــد. contributions to the overall success of the company. With (March 2006-March 2007), head of the renovation of rundown areas the different initiatives that we implemented, we lowered organization affiliated to the Municipality has said. کاوه علــی اکبــری مدیرعامــل ســازمان نوســازی بافــت فرســوده شــهرداری our churn rate to about five percent, which had a direct تهــران در گفتگــو بــا خبرنــگار باشــگاه خبرنــگاران جــوان؛ اظهــار کــرد: یــک impact on revenue. “Currently, over 1.2 million people live in run-down areas, amounting میلیــون و 200 هــزار نفــر در بافــت فرســوده زندگــی م یکننــد کــه ایــن رقــم Key vocabulary to 15 percent of the total population of Tehran,” YJC qouted Kaveh educational background: the history of the education you›ve 15 درصــد کل جمعیــت شــهر تهــران را شــامل م ی شــود. .had with honors phrase with special recognition for receiving Ali-Akbari as saying on Wednesday very high marks major: the main field of study in an undergraduate degree specialization: a limited area of study minor: to have a secondary area of study in an undergraduate PREFIX/SUFFIX PHRASAL VERB IDIOM program contribution: adding or giving something “-ide” Liven up Not have a clue Supplementary vocabulary tertiary education: university education Meaning: elements or compounds Meaning: to become more exciting, or to make an Explanation: don’t know anything about take initiative: take the chance to do something before others do For example: We would like to test a wide variety event become more exciting something distinguish: make something different in a special way of polysaccharide structures. For example: Why don’t we invite Jane? That’ll For example: My wife’s grandmother’s maiden name? attribute: a good quality or feature that someone has liven things up! I don’t have a clue! scrutinize: examine something in a careful and critical way 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 DECEMBER 13, 2018 WORLD IN FOCUS 13 Israeli border tunnel operation won’t May battles confidence disturb calm: Aoun vote, warning Brexit U.S. Rejects Israel’s Request for Sanctions on Lebanon over tunnels is in peril By staff & agencies read an army communiqué. Theresa May vowed to win a vote of no confidence triggered Lebanon’s president said that Israel’s op- It further pointed out that the Lebanese by angry Brexit supporters in her Conservative Party on eration to destroy a series of cross-border army units are carrying out their usual mis- Wednesday, saying her ouster would jeopardize Britain’s tunnels won’t endanger the calm along the sions near the occupied lands in cooperation divorce from the European Union. frontier, adding that his country takes the with the United Nations peacekeeping force, issue seriously. known as UNIFIL, to prevent any escalation Michel Aoun, a Hezbollah ally, said that or destabilization in the region. Lebanon is prepared to address the issue ‘A PR stunt meant to save after assessing a full report on the situation. Netanyahu’ Aoun said the United States has informed Analysts have, however, raised doubt Lebanon that Israel has “no aggressive in- about the declared objective of the Israeli tentions,” adding that his country harbored operation, describing it as an attempt by none either. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanya- Meanwhile, the United States has rebuffed hu to divert attention from the corruption Israel’s request to impose sanctions on Leb- scandals he is grappling with. anon and the Lebanese army so they would Prominent regional analyst Abdel Bari take responsibility for Hezbollah digging Atwan, the editor-in-chief of Rai al-Youm, tunnels into Israel and violating UN Res- wrote Tuesday that the Israeli premier is olution 1701. struggling to save his own political life and Hezbollah warns avoid ending behind bars for graft by an- Earlier, a Hezbollah official has warned nouncing such an operation. Israel against invading Lebanon, saying the of blocking any Israeli assault and launching threatening another offensive against the He also said the operation was launched resistance movement is strong enough to counter-attacks on the enemy. Arab country. shortly after Netanyahu’s meeting with US block any military aggression and retaliate The resistance forces, he added, are on Separately on Tuesday, President Michel Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in the Bel- against it. “a constant state of alert and surveillance, Aoun called on Lebanon’s military and se- gian capital, stressing that the embattled “The days when Israel could simply attack and are assessing the situation.” curity agencies to “closely monitor” the prime minister had been in Brussels to ask Less than four months before the United Kingdom is Lebanon are over, even though the initia- The official also noted that Hezbollah’s situation in the country’s south. Pompeo for help. due to leave on March 29, Brexit is in chaos with options tive to attack is in Israel’s hands,” Hassan course of action will depend on develop- Lebanon’s official National News Agency Miko Peled, a former member of the Israeli ranging from a potentially disorderly no-deal departure Hoballah, a member of Hezbollah’s political ments in the field. (NNA) reported that Aoun had held several army who has now become a pro-Palestinian to another referendum that could reverse it. bureau, said on Tuesday. Hezbollah was formed following the Is- phone calls with government officials and activist, also believes that the Israeli operation Speaking outside her Downing Street residence hours The remarks came hours after the Israeli raeli regime’s invasion of Lebanon and the the army commander regarding the new is actually meant to distract public opinion before the vote of confidence to decide her fate, May said army launched an operation along Lebanon’s ensuing occupation of its southern parts in Israeli operation. from Netanyahu’s corruption probes. she would fight with everything she had. border under the pretext of “cutting off” the 1980s, and currently constitutes Leba- “During President Aoun’s phone calls, “Yesterday, if you look at the Israeli The long-running schism over Europe in her party what it claims are Hezbollah tunnels near non’s de facto military power. the situation was evaluated in light of the papers, there was some mention of the contributed to the fall of all three previous Conservative the occupied territories. Since then, the movement has helped the available information about the objectives of corruption charges. Today, it’s all south- premiers - David Cameron, John Major and Margaret Chief of Staff of Israeli military, Lieutenant national army retake the occupied regions the Israeli operation and security agencies ern Lebanon, it’s all Hezbollah, it’s all Thatcher. General Gadi Eizenkot, claimed that the so- from Tel Aviv and thwart two Israeli acts were asked to closely monitor the situation,” pictures of Netanyahu with his senior May, a 62-year-old vicar’s daughter who voted to called Operation Northern Shield had been of aggression in 2000 and 2006. It has also the report said. security staff, with the generals and so- remain in the EU at a 2016 referendum, told opponents launched before the tunnels were operational been playing a significant role in the Syrian Additionally, the Lebanese army com- forth. So this is a great PR and political if they toppled her, then Brexit would be delayed or and “became an immediate and direct threat army’s fight against Takfiri terrorist groups. mand said that it is watching the situation gift that he got when (ex-minister for stopped. to northern communities and army bases.” Since the end of the 2006 war, Israeli closely, reiterating its readiness to confront military affairs) Lieberman resigned, and “A change of leadership in the Conservative Party now Elsewhere in his comments, Hoballah forces have regularly violated Lebanon’s any emergency situation. now he’s making use of it,” Peled told would put our country’s future at risk and create uncer- stressed that Hezbollah fighters are capable sovereignty, with the regime’s officials even “The situation is under close follow-up,” Russia’s Sputnik news agency. tainty when we can least afford it,” she said. “I stand ready to finish the job.” A new leader would not have time to renegotiate Brexit and secure parliamentary approval by the end of March, Yemen’s warring parties agree to reopen Sana’a airport for domestic flights meaning the Article 50 withdrawal notice would have to 1 ing pro-Hadi militants on the battlefield against Yemeni be extended or rescinded, May said. UN asks warring parties to leave Hudaydah armed forces. May will address lawmakers at a closed meeting before The United Nations has proposed that both parties to the “There is no excuse for the presence of foreign troops in they cast votes in a metal box from 1800 GMT in Committee Yemen conflict pull out of Hudaydah, and that an interim Yemen as long as we are heading for a political solution,” Room 14 at the House of Commons. An announcement entity be set up to run the embattled port city, a lifeline for he added. is due at 2100. millions of people in the war-torn country. Mass prisoner swap expected In a possible sign May might offer a date for resignation The proposal was put forward on Tuesday, the sixth Additionally on Tuesday, Yemen’s rival parties exchanged after Brexit, her spokesman said the vote would not be about day of the UN-brokered peace talks in Sweden between lists of over 15,000 prisoners and detainees, including UAE who leads the party into the next election, due in 2022. delegations from Yemen’s Houthi Ansarullah movement and Saudi nationals, for a swap agreed at the start of the “She must go” and the country’s former Saudi-backed regime. peace talks. May could be toppled if a simple majority of Conservative Three sources familiar with the discussions told Reuters Delegates said the swap would take place through the lawmakers vote against her, though a significant rebellion that the initiative, which has been presented by UN Special Houthi-held Sana’a airport and the militant-held Say’un could also undermine her position. However, at least 174 Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths, envisions the formation airport in the south, with the UN and the International of her 315 lawmakers had indicated public support for of a “joint committee or independent entity” to manage Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) overseeing the process. her by 1420 GMT. Hudaydah after the withdrawal of the warring sides from “We have exchanged more than 7,000 names from each Reports said that another round of peace talks could Brexit is Britain’s most significant political and economic the strategic Red Sea port. side, including some 200 high-ranking officers,” said Ghaleb be held in early 2019. decision since World War Two, though pro-Europeans fear Hudaydah is the entry point for most of Yemen’s com- Mutlaq , a member of the Houthi delegation. Over 60k killed in Yemen since 2016 it will weaken the West as it grapples with the presidency mercial goods and vital aid. Abdul Qader al-Murtada, another Houthi official, also The Saudi regime and a coalition of its allies invaded of Donald Trump and growing assertiveness from Russia Saudi Arabia and the UAE launched an offensive against said the process would begin on January 20. Yemen in March 2015, months after Riyadh-friendly and China. Hudaydah in June but they have hit a stiff brick wall in the Askar Zouail, a member of the former government’s Hadi resigned as Yemen’s president amid a political The outcome will shape Britain’s $2.8 trillion economy, face of a strong resistance put up by Yemeni armed forces delegation, said his side had submitted the names of 8,576 conflict with the Houthi movement and fled to the have far reaching consequences for the U.K. unity, and – led by the Houthis -- and the city’s residents. detainees to the UN, while the Houthis had given the names Saudi capital. determine whether London keeps its place as one of the The Saudi-led coalition claims that the Houthis are us- of some 7,487 people. According to new figures released by an independent top two global financial centers. ing the port city for weapons delivery, an allegation rejected He also noted that his side had urged the Houthis to hand research group, some 60,223 people had been killed in Yem- The British pound rose to 1.2615 against the U.S. dollar. by the Yemeni fighters. over the body of Ali Abdullah Saleh, the former Yemeni en between January 2016 and the end of November 2018. May won the top job in the turmoil that followed the So far in the peace talks, both parties have agreed to a president who was killed last December. The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project 2016 EU referendum but promised to implement Brexit UN role in Hudaydah. One source told Doha-based Al Jazeera broadcaster (ACLED) said that nearly half of those fatalities happened as a way to heal a divided nation. But on Monday she However, the Houthis say the city must be declared a that as part of a confidence-building measure, the Houthis this year alone.? pulled a parliamentary vote on her deal - which seeks to neutral zone, while the team of Yemen’s former Saudi-backed were expected to release several high-ranking militant com- The death toll “is far higher than official estimates - and keep Britain closely aligned with the EU after exit - to president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi says it should be placed manders as well as ex-defense minister General Mahmoud still underestimated,” said ACLED’s Executive Director avoid defeat. under the control of the self-proclaimed Interior Ministry. al-Subaihi and some relatives of Hadi. Clionadh Raleigh. Her trade minister, Liam Fox, said the government Commenting on UN proposals on Hudaydah, Mohamed UN chief to attend talks “Fatality numbers are only one approximation of the might not even put it to a vote unless the EU gave more Abdulsalam, who heads the Houthi team, told Yemen’s In another development on Tuesday, the UN said in a abject tragedy and terror forced upon Yemenis from several reassurances on the so-called Irish “backstop”, an insur- al-Masirah television that the Riyadh-sponsored party is statement that the world body’s chief Antonio Guterres would sides. This cannot be overstated,” Raleigh added. ance policy aimed at preventing border controls on the “escalating its military aggression on Hudaydah.” attend the closing of the Yemeni peace talks on Thursday. The figure, however, does not include the deaths caused island of Ireland. “The presence of foreign forces in Yemen is contrary to Guterres, the statement read, would “hold meetings with by disease, malnutrition or deteriorating humanitarian German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the 27 other the Yemeni constitution and the resolutions of the Security the two delegations and will address the closing session of conditions in Yemen. bloc members would not change a deal the EU spent two Council,” he said, referring to the Saudi-led forces back- this round of consultations.” (Source: agencies) years negotiating. Brexit-supporting lawmakers in her party say May has betrayed the people’s vote in negotiations, while opponents Gazan kid dies of Israeli gunfire wounds sustained in anti-occupation protests say she struck a deal that is the worst of all worlds - out of A Palestinian child has died four days after aged four years and eight months, died late rallies began in the Gaza Strip on March 30. On June 13, the United Nations General the EU but with no say over rules it has to abide by. being shot by Israeli military forces during on Tuesday. More than 240 Palestinians have been killed Assembly adopted a resolution, sponsored by “Theresa May’s plan would bring down the government clashes between Israeli troopers and a group He had been critically injured in the head by Israeli forces. Over 23,000 Palestinians Turkey and Algeria, condemning Israel for if carried forward,” lawmakers Jacob Rees-Mogg and Steve of Palestinian protesters participating in near his eye during Friday rallies east of the have also sustained injuries. Palestinian civilian deaths in the Gaza Strip. Baker said in a statement. “Conservatives must now answer an anti-occupation rally along the border city of Khan Yunis, located about 25 kilo- The Gaza clashes reached their peak on The resolution, which had been put for- whether they wish to draw ever closer to an election under between the besieged Gaza Strip and the meters south of Gaza City. His father was May 14, on the eve of the 70th anniversary ward on behalf of Arab and Muslim countries, Mrs May’s leadership. In the national interest, she must go.” Israeli-occupied territories. wounded by shrapnel in the foot. of Nakba Day (Day of Catastrophe), which garnered a strong majority of 120 votes in the Party divisions Ashraf al-Qidra, the spokesman for Tensions have been running high near coincided this year with the U.S. embassy 193-member assembly, with 8 votes against May’s predecessor Cameron bet all on the ref- the Gaza Health Ministry, said in a state- the fence separating Gaza from the occupied relocation from Tel Aviv to occupied East and 45 abstentions. erendum he lost in 2016. Now, having already been ment that Ahmed Yasser Sabri Abu Abed, territories ever since anti-occupation protest Jerusalem al-Quds. (Source: Press TV) weakened by a snap election last year which cost her a parliamentary majority, May also sees her own job at risk over Europe. Widely praised for a punishing work ethic and dutiful Sacrificing ethics for money approach, May’s premiership has been characterized by 1 According to CNN, Bob Corker, also a Republican say that the Saudis have been enticing Trump and his inner and a former Middle East envoy. The administration’s re- obduracy in the face of crises. senator, said the prince “ordered, monitored, the killing” of circle to shape the American foreign policy. liance on the Saudis in the peace process, its support for Ministers said changing leader at such an important Khashoggi, a Washington Post Journalist who was a critic The cordial ties between bin Salman and Jared Kush- the kingdom’s feud with Qatar, an American ally, and its moment in British history was folly. “I am absolutely sure of the Saudi war on Yemen. ner, Trump’s son-in-law and Middle East adviser, is open backing of the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen, he said, the prime minister will win,” said Michael Gove, most senior However, Trump and his security team are denying the to all. In a report posted on its website on December 8, all grew out of “that bromance”. Brexiteer in May’s government. crown prince’s involvement in the murder in order to sign the New York Times said according to two former senior Before Trump took power at the White House, millions But as investors and company bosses tried to gauge the more lucrative personal and government business deals American officials and the two people briefed by the Saudis, of people around the world had a relatively positive view ultimate outcome of the political crisis, some were betting with the Saudi kingdom. The deals range from hundreds of the exchanges between MBS and Kushner continued even of the U.S. despite Washington’s blind support for Israel, Brexit would be thwarted. billions of dollars in arms sales to the kingdom to purchases after the killing of Khashoggi. which has been continuously stealing the Palestinian lands. The EU’s top court ruled on Monday that Britain could of apartments by Saudi royals from Trump. It also said according to documents, emails and text Such a view was given energy under Barack Obama. cancel its Article 50 notice to leave without permission In 2015, Trump, then a presidential candidate, said he messages reviewed by the Times, the prince and his advisers, However, under the Trump administration, human- from other members and without losing privileges. loves the Saudis because they spend millions for apartments eager to enlist American support for his hawkish policies in itarian principles are being traded for money, no matter But if May’s deal fails and Brexit is not delayed, then from him. While the CIA and other American intelligence the region and for his own consolidation of power, cultivated whether it is the killing of Khashoggi or the starving of the Britain could be heading towards a disorderly exit that agencies have concluded that MBS is a complicit in the the relationship with Kushner for more than two years. Yemeni people. For Trump, what is now of utmost priority investors fear will clog the arteries of trade, dislocate supply murder, a claim by Pompeo, who was directing the CIA “The relationship between Jared Kushner and Mohammed is to boast more arms and business deals with the wealthy chains and roil markets. until April, that there is no evidence that MBS knew of the bin Salman constitutes the foundation of the Trump policy state of Saudi Arabia and demonize Iran. “We are working hard to make sure we get an orderly murder is highly upsetting. not just toward Saudi Arabia but toward the region,” said In fact, Trump’s United States has been trampling ethics Brexit,” said Merkel, the EU’s most powerful leader. In view of these bitter facts, it is not an exaggeration to Martin Indyk, a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations by sacrificing the country’s reputation for MBS. (Source: Reuters) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 14 WORLD SPORTS DECEMBER 13, 2018

NASA offers to show proof of Sky to end ownership of cycling moon landing to Warriors’ Stephen Curry outfit Team Sky NASA has offered to show Stephen Curry proof the United States One of the most successful teams in profes- and the Vuelta a Espana in 2016. landed on the moon in 1969 after the Golden State Warriors star sional cycling history is looking for a new But the team’s darkest moment came said in a podcast that he didn’t believe the event ever happened. sponsor after Sky announced its ownership in 2016, when the UK Anti-Doping agency “We’d love for Mr. Curry to tour the lunar lab at our Johnson and sponsorship of Team Sky will cease at (UKAD) launched an investigation over a Space Center in Houston, perhaps the next time the Warriors are the end of 2019. parcel delivered to star rider Wiggins in 2011. in town to play the Rockets,” Allard Beutel, a NASA spokesman, Broadcaster Sky helped found Team Sky The team was condemned for manipu- told The New York Times. “We have hundreds of pounds of moon in 2010 and, over the last eight years, the lating regulations and their popularity was rocks stored there, and the Apollo mission control. During his team has won six Tour de France titles with severally damaged worldwide. A report from visit, he can see firsthand what we did 50 years ago, as well as British riders Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) what we’re doing now to go back to the moon in the coming years, and Geraint Thomas. said the team had crossed an “ethical line.” but this time to stay.” However, the team has come under criti- More bad news followed when fellow Curry expressed his doubts on The Ringer’s “Winging It” podcast, cism for its use of therapeutic use exemptions Team Sky rider Chris Froome was subject asking, “We ever been to the moon?” Fellow NBA players Vince (TUEs) with an inquiry being launched by to a doping investigation in 2017. He was Carter and Kent Bazemore, who host the podcast, answered, “No.” Britain’s Parliament to investigate whether the found to have more than the permissible “They’re going to come get us, I don’t think so either,” Curry team had been guilty of any doping offenses. level of asthma drug salbutamol in his urine said. “Sorry, I don’t want to start conspiracies.” “Over the past nine seasons, Sky has backed in 2012 but was later cleared of all charges. Asked to clarify by co-host Annie Finberg, Curry again said us all the way, enabling us to achieve some Sky deny the controversy surrounding he didn’t believe the landing happened. amazing results and inspire millions of people doping allegations as the reason for pull- Curry addressed the reaction to his comments on Monday night. to love our sport,” said the Team Sky state- ing out of the partnership but Woodhouse “I’ve got a lot of interesting feedback from some ex-NASA ment. “We’d like to thank Sky for all of their believes it might be a factor. astronauts that I’m planning on having a conversation with,” support, and in particular the opportunity to “We have to factor in that maybe Sky wer- Curry told reporters, according to The Athletic. “So some good help Britain become a cycling nation. en’t getting the headlines that they wanted is going to come out of this, for sure.” “First things first, nothing changes for from the sport,” he said to CNN Sport, while Curry isn’t the only NBA player to support a conspiracy theory. next year. Sky are fully committed to the admitting that Sky may have taken cycling Last year, the Boston Celtics’ Kyrie Irving said the Earth was flat end of 2019 and together we have ambitious ed. If we can find a new long-term partner said cycling expert and broadcaster John as far as they could. and later apologized for his comments this year. goals for the season. We all want to close the to take the Team forward into a new era, Woodhouse, who has covered the Tour de “When you look at the reaction on the (Source: ESPN) Team Sky story with the strongest possible then we will do so,” the statement continued. France for 20 years. road, it’s a very negative reaction to Team finish. We are more motivated as a Team “And we will be doing everything we can to “They would love to have those guys on Sky. That’s generating a lot of headlines that than we have ever been.” make that happen over the coming weeks and their rota. Chris Froome has got another Tour Sky don’t need. You don’t want the team you The team hopes to secure new sponsorship months. Equally, any future partner would in him, if not two.” sponsor to be tainted in anyway.” Ancelotti frustration as Napoli for 2020 but finding a replacement willing have to be the right partner - one who shares Team Sky was formed with a clear am- Sky’s Group Chief Executive Jeremy Dar- to match the previous investment may prove our ethos and buys in to our values.” bition to build a successful outfit around a roch said the organization would now focus on denied “cherry on the cake” difficult. Sky had invested $188 million into If a replacement is not found, Team Sky’s core of British riders and staff. They succeed new projects, including the Sky Ocean Rescue the team over the last ten years, according impressive roster of riders will be looking in winning the Tour de France with a Brit- campaign which looks to raise awareness of Carlo Ancelotti conceded it was a bitter pill to swallow as Napoli to the Guardian. for new teams. ish rider for the first time in 2012 and also the dangers of single-use plastics. came so close before being denied a place in the Champions “In terms of the future, we are open mind- “Teams would love to snap those guys up,” secured victories at the 2018 Giro d’Italia (Source: CNN) League knock-out rounds with a dramatic 1-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday. Former Roma goalkeeper Alisson Becker’s superb late save Japan shuns Kagawa for bid to reclaim Blind Spanish surfer says sea sets her on Arkadiusz Milik ensured Liverpool advanced to the last 16 thanks to Mohamed Salah’s first-half goal. Asian Cup free, goes for world title The Italians had only needed a point to advance from Group C to the last 16 after missing out last season under Ancelotti’s predecessor Maurizio Sarri. “We did everything in our power to get through,” said Ance- lotti, who replaced Sarri with the aim of challenging in the top European competition and in Serie A this season. “We are bitter, but we also know that we have exceeded our expectations and we challenged until the last minute in a very strong group.” Napoli finished third behind Liverpool with French champions Paris Saint-Germain winning the group. Ancelotti had said that his side would be “idiots” not to reach the knock-out rounds. “The cake has been made –- now we need to add a little cherry,” the 59-year-old three-time Champions League winning coach warned his players beforehand. (Source: AFP)

Japan dropped former Manchester United new challenge. Carmen Lopez can only imagine what the Derek Rabelo have achieved legendary star Shinji Kagawa from the Blue Samu- Moriyasu suggested he had been tempted sea looks like, but the blind 21-year-old status in the sport, and Lopez, who only Yaya Toure leaves Olympiakos rai’s bid to reclaim the Asian Cup, opting to turn to veterans like Kagawa, but said he Spaniard is in her element riding the surf. took up surfing a few months ago, is instead for a squad filled with young Eu- needed to pick players in their best form. Guided by instinct and signals whistled aiming high. after three months rope-based talents. “Of course, I wanted help from expe- by her coach, Lopez has been training hard After the La Jolla tournament, organised Coach Hajime Moriyasu on Wednesday rienced players, those who went to the to become Spain’s first blind female ath- by the International Surfing Association Former Manchester City and Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure selected several players with only a handful Russian World Cup and those who have lete to enter the World Adaptive Surfing (ISA), Lopez aims to compete in the 2024 has left Olympiakos three months after rejoining the Greek Super of caps to their names for Asia’s showcase led Japan for years,” Moriyasu told a press Championship in La Jolla, California, on Paralympic Games in Paris. ISA has been League club. football tournament in the United Arab conference. Wednesday. campaigning to make adaptive surfing a Olympiakos said on Tuesday that the former Ivory Coast in- Emirates starting in January. “Many of the players whom we selected “The sea is where I feel peace and Paralympic sport. ternational’s contract had been terminated by mutual agreement. The likes of Ritsu Doan of Gronin- at this time have only limited experiences. freedom, as if it were where I’m supposed Lopez has also practised figure-skat- Toure, who was released by City after a limited role last sea- gen, Shoya Nakajima of Portimonense I have chosen them with hopes that they to be,” she said sitting on her surfboard ing and horse-riding and her coach and son, chose to join the club where he won the domestic double in and Takumi Minamino of Salzburg will would take the ownership of the team and after an hour and a half of wave-riding friend Lucas Garcia praised her natural the 2005-06 season. lead Japan’s bid for a record-extending build the national team themselves and practice in the Bay of Biscay in northern balance and instinct. Garcia, who swims Yet the 35-year-old’s second spell ended after just five ap- fifth title. fight for the title,” he said. Spain. next to Lopez when she surfs, is her ‘eyes’ pearances, with two coming in the league. But there was no place for midfielder However, the young squad will be sup- “I’m not different from other surfers,” when it comes to telling her about a wave “Yaya is and remains an important member of the Olympiakos Kagawa, 29, now struggling for playing ported by Werder Bremen striker Yuya said Lopez, who was born with congenital coming up. family, who has marked a central part of the history of the club,” time at Borussia Dortmund. Osako and Galatasaray defender Yuto Na- glaucoma and lost her vision completely “A single whistle means the wave is Olympiakos said in a statement. Kagawa has long been among the leading gatomo, both veterans of past World Cups. when she was a child. coming on her right side, and a double “Olympiakos would like to thank him for everything he has stars of Blue Samurai and at his German Japan won the Asian Cup in 1992, 2000, In its fourth edition, the La Jolla event whistle, on her left side,” he said, likening the offered to the club. outfit, but the attacking player has found 2004 and 2011, but failed in the last edition, for surfers with disabilities features its first signals to the way dolphins communicate. “Yaya will remain deeply devoted to the club and wishes to himself unable to get regular first-team won by Australia in 2015. team competition for visually-impaired Lopez wants to encourage others with Olympiakos lots of success. Yaya is leaving as a friend and the football under Dortmund coach Lucien “Japan’s national team did not win the female athletes, with Lopez representing disabilities to challenge their limitations, doors at Olympiakos will always be open for him.” Favre. title last time. We will reclaim the Asian Cup Spain. live a full life and perhaps try out radical Toure joined Barcelona in 2007 and won two La Liga titles He told Japanese media last month that and bring back the title,” Moriyasu said. Blind surfers such as Lopez’ coun- sports. and the Champions League in 2009. he wished to move to Spain to take on a (Source: AFP) tryman Aitor Francesena or Brazilian (Source: Reuters) He moved to City in 2010, where he won three Premier League titles, two League Cups and the FA Cup. (Source: Soccernet) Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp has ‘no words’ for Alisson save vs. Napoli Jurgen Klopp described Alisson’s stoppage-time interven- made the game so intense. We knew at half-time that you tion against Napoli on Tuesday as a “lifesaver” as Liverpool cannot change the tactics and say: ‘Let’s sit a bit deeper.’ reached the knockout rounds of the Champions League. In that moment, they are not to defend anymore because Bolton Chairman to Liverpool will be in a draw for the round of 16 on Dec. they do it really so well. 17 after Mohamed Salah’s 34th-minute goal proved to be “We had to do it like how we did it in the first half.” ‘personally’ pay wages the difference at Anfield in the must-win tie. Liverpool finish second in the Group C behind Paris But, with a Napoli goal sending Liverpool into the Europa Saint-Germain, meaning they can be paired with holders Bolton Wanderers chairman and majority stakeholder Ken An- League, Alisson, the £65 million summer signing, made Real Madrid in the last 16. derson is to personally fund outstanding wages owed by the a crucial save to deny Arkadiusz Milik from close range. “We have no say in that,” Klopp said. “We wait for the Championship club. “The goal Mo scored -- what a goal, unbelievable. And draw -- no problem with that. Wanderers said an agreement reached with the Professional the save Ali made -- I have no words for that,” Klopp said “Until 7:55 tonight, I was really not sure that we will be Footballers’ Association (PFA) to pay November’s wages was not at his post-match news conference. in the draw still and now we are in it. How could I sit here the “preferred route”. “That was, of course, a lifesaver tonight. I’m really proud and ask for any team? I don’t care. The Bolton News reports that the PFA has already pulled out what the boys did tonight.” “We are second in the group, so we will have an out- of the agreement because of other financial concerns. Klopp added: “It was not only one save. He had a lot of standingly strong opponent. That’s it.” Payments will be made on Friday - 14 days late. Wanderers things to do tonight. matches at Anfield. Meanwhile, Liverpool have a number of injury concerns said the latest delay was “caused” by exploring the option of “How cool and calm he was with the ball helps us a lot “I’m still full of adrenaline,” the Liverpool manager to their defence after the Napoli victory, and sources have assistance from the PFA, with an agreement first reached with in our build-up situations. When he comes out for crosses said. “This game was just amazing. It was outstanding, confirmed to ESPN FC that Joel Matip went to hospital fol- the players’ union on Friday, 7 December before it was revised he is outstanding. And, yes, that save was just incredible. unbelievable. lowing the match for tests on his shoulder injury sustained and an initial statement was issued by the club on Monday. “But if we don’t defend the whole pitch like we defended, “The boys played their whole hearts on the pitch -- I’m in the final seconds. The wage dispute at Bolton is not the first this season, with Ali cannot make 20 saves like the last one. not sure it’s right saying. With each part of their body, they Trent Alexander-Arnold hobbled off in the 90th min- players going on strike and pre-season fixtures being cancelled “He did it. ... Incredible, unbelievable. I never saw some- were in that game. Our offensive defending, our offensive ute with an apparent foot issue, while James Milner was because of similar issues last summer. thing similar. But still he needs the other boys around.” pressing was some of the best I’ve ever saw. suffering from cramps. Financial problems have plagued the club in recent years, The win means Liverpool, last season’s finalists, have now “The intensity we played with was just difficult to deal “Trent got a knock on his foot, we are not sure about with the Trotters only avoiding administration in September progressed to the knockout stages in back-to-back Cham- with. Yes, we could have scored more often but the 2-0 what exactly it is,” Klopp said. “It is painful. after former owner Eddie Davies gave the club a £5m loan four pions League campaigns for the first time since 2008-09. doesn’t help a lot. “Millie had cramps -- I hope it was only cramp. That was days before he died. Klopp was left delighted with the performance from “The most difficult period was after the 1-0. You could it, I don’t know anything else.” (Source: BBC) his side, who are now unbeaten in their last 19 European see this little bit of relief and then Napoli was there. That (Source: ESPN) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 13, 2018 SPORTS 15

Iran’s first Persepolis to hold winter goalscorer at World camp in Qatar SPORTS TEHRAN — Iranian football club Persepolis deskwill hold their training camp in Doha, Qatar. Persepolis are going to hold the preparatory camp at Cup Danaeifard dies the Aspire Zone. SPORTS TEHRAN — Iraj Danaei- half and secured Iran’s first ever World The camp will be held as part of preparation for the 2019 deskfard, the scorer of the first Cup point, and their last for 20 years till AFC Champions League group stage and the Iranian league. official goal for Iran national football team a famous win over the United States. Persepolis, who lost 2-0 to Kashima Antlers on aggregate in the FIFA World Cup, has died aged 67. After the Asian Cup in Kuwait in 1980 in this year’s final, will begin their campaign in the West Danaeifard passed away from liver disease he announced his retirement from inter- Zone’s Group D where they have Qatar’s Al Saad SC, Saudi in Shiraz’s Namazi Hospital on Wednesday. national football with 17 caps and 3 goals Arabia’s Al Ahli Saudi FC and the Play-off 1 (UAE/UZB/ Iraj Danaeifard was the son of Ali Danaei- for Iran. IRQ) winners for company. fard who was one of the founders of Taj Danaeifard played for Iranian football The Reds also are favorites to win Iran Professional League SC football club (the club became known giants Taj from 1970 to 1972. He also played for the third year in a row. as Esteghlal in 1979). for Iranian football clubs Oghab and Pas. He was invited to the national team for In 1980, he moved to the United States the first time in 1977 and helped Team Melli and started playing for the NASL team, the Zob Ahan held to home draw qualify for 1978 World Cup. Tulsa Roughnecks. He remained in the club Danaeifard scored against Scotland, which until 1984 when the league folded. by Naft Masjed Soleyman was Iran’s first goal ever at a World Cup. The Tehran Times staff offer heartfelt He equalized the match in the second condolences to his bereaved family. SPORTS TEHRAN — Zob Ahan Isfahan football deskteam were held to a goalless draw at their home by Naft Msjed Soleyman in Iran Professional League Sambo wrestling’s path to enter Olympic program ‘is difficult, (IPL) on Wednesday. Zob Ahan, who are under pressure after a series of bad results in IPL and sacking their ex-coach Omid Namazi, but possible’, says chief shared the spoils with the Masjed Soleyman based football It will be difficult for the Sambo wrestling to make its is a Russian acronym, which stands for “self-defense team at the Foolad Shahr Stadium. way into the program of the Olympic sports, but chances without weapons.” It was the fourth game of Alireza Mansourian as Zob are still on the table due to this sport’s audience appeal, According to most recent statistics, provided by the Ahan’s new head coach. In the last three games with Man- Vasily Shestakov, the president of the International Sambo All-Russia Sambo Federation, over 500,000 Russians sourian on the bench, Zob Ahan could take only one point Federation (FIAS), said on Tuesday. practiced Sambo as of today and the figure includes over against Foolad Khuzestan football team. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued 230,000 children. “Frustrated,” Zob Ahan boss Alireza Mansourian said in on November 30 its recognition for the Sambo wrestling Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in 2016, speak- the post-match press conference. “We are mentally under as an Olympic competition, which can help the sport to ing about Sambo wrestling and its global perspectives, pressure, not because of not winning the games but as a officially enter the Olympic program of wrestling compe- that the Russia-originated wrestling should be included consequence of not scoring goals in our matches.” titions in the future and to secure a financial assistance in the Olympic program, but it would require a lengthy The result left Zob Ahan in thirteenth place on 13 points on behalf of the global Olympic body. and labor-consuming period. from 15 games, 2 adrift of Naft Masjed Soleyman who are tenth “Today, Sambo wrestling is a sustainable sport,” FIAS president Shestakov has once again praised a with 15 points from the same number of games as Zob Ahan. Shestakov said speaking at a news conference, hosted decision of the IOC to recognize the Sambo wrestling by TASS on Tuesday. “The [previous Sambo] World and pledged to keep working on the improvements of Championship was broadcast live in 20 countries, this sport’s federation in the future. 40 more countries broadcast the recordings, and the “We will continue working on the improvements and Iraj Arab officially appointed championship attracted a television audience of over sport is interesting and is in a high demand,” the FIAS developments in the international organization as well Persepolis acting general one million viewers.” president stated. as in national federations,” Shestakov said. “We have The World Sambo Championships, which is organized “It will be difficult to enter the Olympic program, met in advance all of the requirements on behalf of the manager annually by the FIAS as the main tournament in Sambo but Sambo still has its chances as it is a very spectacular IOC to be recognized.” and Combat Sambo, was held this year in Romania’s sport,” Shestakov said adding that the next Summer “We [Sambo] are the first Russia-originated sport Bucharest between November 8 and 12. The very first Olympics are due in Japan’s Tokyo in 2020. to be recognized on behalf of the IOC and I believe that TASNIM — Iraj Arab has been officially appointed as acting World Sambo Cup was held in Spain’s Oviedo in 1977. Sambo wrestling originated in Russia in the 1920s, something of the kind is most unlikely to happen in near general manager of Persepolis football club. “The championship [in Romania] was also broadcast when soldiers of the then-Soviet Army developed their future,” he added. Arab was previously working as deputy chief of the club’s by the Olympic television channel and it proves that our own hand-to-hand combat technique. The word Sambo (Source: Tass) administrative and financial. He replaced Hamid Reza Garshasbi in the Iranian foot- ball club. Garshasbi left his post due to the law barring the employ- Childhood dream comes true for Dembele must focus on being more ment of retirees in government, state or public institutions Theo Gmur professional - Rivaldo which use state funds or facilities. Under management of Garshasbi, Persepolis became runner-up at the 2018 AFC Champions League and won the Iran Professional League title.

Alireza Beiranvand to leave Persepolis in January

PLDC — Persepolis and Iran national football team goal- keeper Alireza Beiranvand will leave his club in the January transfer window. Beiranvand’s contract includes a buyout clause worth $600,000. 25-year-old stole the show in the 2018 World Cup by saving Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty in the match against Portugal. Beiranvand also helped Persepolis reach the 2018 AFC Champions League, where the Iranian team lost to Japan’s Theo Gmur’s outstanding campaign at the in the running for the prize. Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele Barcelona is upsetting because he’s Kashima Antlers 2-0 on aggregate. PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Past winners included Heinz Frei (ath- has been warned to improve his attitude already shown that he can play very He also helped Persepolis win back-to-back Iran Pro- Games was recognized during a glittering letics and cycling) and Edith Wolf-Hunkeler and focus on being more professional well, score goals and be an important fessional League title. ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland, that hon- (athletics). by club legend Rivaldo. member of the team,” he said. Zob Ahan goalkeeper Rashid Mazaheri is a most likely ored the nation’s top athletes of the year. The 22-year-old had a dominant On Monday, sources told ESPN FC “He just needs to focus on being a replacement for Beiranvand in Persepolis. The 2018 Credit Suisse Awards were Paralympic debut in March, winning that Dembele had been two hours late little more professional and to stop Beiranvand will represent Team Melli in the 2019 AFC handed out on Sunday (9 December), with three gold medals (downhill, super-G for a training session on Sunday. being late for training sessions. Asian Cup and after the competition he will decide on his the freshly minted Paralympic champion and giant slalom) in the men’s standing The 21-year-old, linked with a “This is not the correct mentality new European club. winning the “Disabled Athlete of the Year” category. move away from Barca next month, for someone potentially trying to leave category. A total of six awards were given The Haute-Nendaz native then capped was tracked down at his home by club Barcelona. It’s always strange to hear out that night. off the 2017-18 season by winning the over- security staff a day after starring in the that someone might want to leave a “Another childhood dream came true all World Cup crystal globe in his category. 4-0 derby win over Espanyol. big club in this way. AFC President confident of to conclude this indescribable year,” Gmur Switzerland sent a 13-member delega- In October, sources told ESPN “If he wants to leave, he must prove strong Asian showing at posted on social media. “Now, it’s time to tion to PyeongChang 2018, with Gmur being FC that the club had concerns about his value by playing well and not missing race again,” he added. the only athlete to medal. He carried his Dembele’s off-pitch behaviour. Ri- training sessions to recover his credibil- FIFA Club World Cup Gmur was the first Para alpine skier to nation’s flag during the Closing Ceremony. valdo said there was no doubting the ity as a professional. That will generate claim the award. Wheelchair racer Marcel Gmur also balances being an elite athlete France international’s talent but said interest from other clubs. Hug had won the accolade the last five and student, as he is studying sports at the he needed to change in order to make “If he doesn’t change, he is hurting AFC President Shaikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa years. This year, Hug, along with fellow Swiss Federal University in Magglingen. the most of it. himself more than the club.” has arrived in Abu Dhabi, to attend FIFA Club World wheelchair racer Manuela Schaer, was also (Source: Paralympic) “Ousmane Dembele’s situation at (Source: ESPN) Cup UAE 2018 in the United Arab Emirates. The com- petition started on Wednesday with Al Ain of UAE faced Team Wellington of New Zealand, at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium. UAE 2019 door still open, says Korea Republic’s Bento Shaikh Salman stressed the importance of Asian teams Head coach Paulo Bento had a message as Korea Repub- Bento is scheduled to announce the final squad of participating in the competition and said that he was con- lic’s AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 hopefuls checked in for 23 on December 20, three days before departing for the fident that Al Ain and Kashima Antlers from Japan will training on Tuesday - every player has a chance to make UAE. The Ulsan training camp is considered to be the provide a positive impression as the two teams had the the final squad for the Continental showpiece on January last opportunity for East Asian league-based players to ambition and ability to produce high level performances 5-February 1. make their case for squad selection. and get positive results. Korea Republic are seeking to win the AFC Asian Cup for Bento, who has led Korea Republic to an unbeaten run The AFC president said: “Al Ain has great experience and the first time since 1960 and Bento wants the best players since he took the helm in August, said he is not concerned players of the highest caliber. They will also enjoy home advan- available for the challenge that awaits in UAE 2019, where about Europe-based players joining the national team tage, which we hope will give them impetus to progress in the 24 of the continent’s top teams will be vying for glory. late or in the middle of the tournament. tournament. Kashima Antlers have shown they are in a good Former Portugal coach Bento has called up 23 play- It has been already confirmed that Tottenham Hot- position after winning the AFC Champions League recently, and ers plying their trade in the K League, Japan and China spur star Son Heung-min will be available after Korea we hope they continue to get good results for Asian football.” PR - for this phase of training and urged them to fight talent,” he said. “The players need to show their strong Republic play their first two group stage matches at the Shaikh Salman expressed his confidence on the infra- for their places. will to compete.” AFC Asian Cup. structure in UAE and the LOC;’s ability to deliver a top “Nothing has been confirmed (for the Asian Cup squad),” The training squad for the Ulsan training camp in- “Since they’ve already experienced our national team, class event. Bento said. “The door is open to any player. I will confirm cludes five players who had never played for the senior I’m sure they know our style of play and tactics,” he said. The AFC President said: “The fact that the FIFA Club the final Asian Cup roster after checking these players team before. “They’re not here, but we’ll train as usual, and I will try World Cup is being staged in the UAE once again reflects through training.” “There are players that I know well, and there are to make one team with new players this time.” the country’s position in delivering top class sport. The UAE Korea Republic players playing in Europe and West new faces,” Bento said. “We have players whose season The Taeguk Warriors are in Group C of the AFC Asian has already successfully hosted different international and Asia were not called up for this phase as Bento wanted to schedule with their respective clubs just ended, so we Cup UAE 2019 with China PR, Kyrgyz Republic and the continental competitions in recent years, and so we are allow them to focus on their club commitments. need to conduct our training carefully considering their Philippines. confident they will excel again.” “My selection will be based on the players’ quality and physical conditions.” (Source: Yonhap News) (Source: the-afc) Prayer Times Noon:11:58 Evening: 17:12 Dawn: 5:36 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 7:06 (tomorrow) DECEMBER 13, 2018 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 “Exodus” studies connections between economic Editor-in-Chief: Mohammad Ghaderi Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 [email protected] Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 recession and return of Afghans from Iran Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051450 Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 ARTTEHRAN – Bahman Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 desk www.eshterak.ir Distributor: Padideh Novin Co. Kiarostami’s latest Tel: 88911433 documentary “Exodus” surveys the impacts Webmaster: [email protected] of the deep recession facing Iran following the Printed at: Rooztab - ISSN: 1017-94 U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran deal on the return of undocumented Afghan P.o. Box: 14155-4843 migrants from the country. Zip Code: 1599814713 “‘Exodus’ was made in the wake of the economic recession and its impacts on the return of Afghan migrants from Iran,” he told the Persian service of ISNA on Tuesday. According to a recent report published by the International Organization for Migration, 13,644 undocumented Afghans spontaneously returned or were deported from Iran through the Milak (Nimroz) and GUIDE TO Herat (Islam Qala) border crossings from SPIRITUAL AWAKENING December 2 to 8. Afghan migrants are usually employed to do the difficult jobs Iranians shrink from. To redress the wrong of the oppressed and to Reading an article about the Imam gladden the hearts of the sorrowfull is the best Reza Immigration Center, a Tehran- expiation of great sins. based organization that registers those undocumented Afghan migrants who Imam Ali (AS) want to return their homeland, also pushed Kiarostami to make the documentary at the center. “Thousands of Afghans were interviewed at the center every day and we were not “Return” named best short allowed to have any control over the Filmmaker Bahman Kiarostami in a undated photo. conditions at all, and the questions were at Karama Human Rights those asked by the center’s agents,” he said. the center turns into an inquisition. “They typically a sequel to his books “Photo Riahi” film owes a debt to Abbas Kiarostami’s Film Festival “As the director of the documentary, I were asked a lot of questions from their and “Golshahr”. ‘Homework’ and ‘First Graders’.” had minimal intervention in the inquires identities to personal and religious issues,” Bahman, a son of the celebrated filmmaker The film is competing in the 12th Cinéma ARTTEHRAN – “Return” by Iranian director made during the shooting,” he noted. Kiarostami stated. Abbas Kiarostami, said that he was inspired Vérité festival currently underway at Tehran’s deskShahriar Purseyyedian was picked as best short It seems that the investigative process at Kiarostami views the documentary by his father in making “Exodus”. “The Charsu Cineplex. film at the 9th Karama Human Rights Film Festival in Amman, Jordan, the organizers announced on Monday. “The House of Bernarda Alba” set up at Vahdat Hall ARTTEHRAN – An Iranian Parisa Saburi and Reyhaneh Salamat are desktroupe is performing the main members of the cast for “The Spanish dramatist Federico Garcia Lorca’s House of Bernarda Alba”, which will be 1945 play “The House of Bernarda Alba” on stage until January 20, 2019. at Tehran’s Vahdat Hall. Having a Ph.D. in theater from Ali Rafeie is the director of the play. He Sorbonne University in France, Rafeie previously staged Garcia Lorca’s “Blood is also the director of the acclaimed plays Wedding” and “Yerma”. The two plays “Fox Hunting”, “It Does Not Snow in along with “The House of Bernarda Alba” Egypt”, “Crime and Punishment”, “The are referred to as Garcia Lorca’s rural Maids” and “Nightmares and Memories trilogy. of a Bath Attendant about the Life and The play tells the story of an elderly Murder of Amir Kabir”. “Return” by director Shahriar Purseyyedian. woman, Bernarda, whose husband has His last play “Nightmares and It is about Rahim, a man who after 23 years in prison returns just died, and she asks her five daughters Memories of a Bath Attendant about to his hometown to meet his brother. to go through an eight-year mourning the Life and Murder of Amir Kabir” Three other Iranian films were screened at the festival, which period according to her family’s tradition. was selected as the best play of the year selected the motto “You Are Not Alone” this year to contribute Roya Teymurian, Maryam Saadat, in 2016 by Iran’s Critics and Theatrical to the understanding of the general situation of women around Maedeh Tahmasebi, Nasrin Derakhahan, A scene from “The House of Bernarda Alba” by Ali Rafiei. Writers Society of the Theater Forum. the world and in the Arab world in particular. “The Fog” co-directed by Ali Shurvarzi and Hossein Mahruqi competed in the short film competition of the festival. “Ballsy: Story of A Revolution” by Seyyed Mohsen Purmo- hseni-Shakib and “Power to the People” by Andia Afsar Keshmiri Iranian novel “Moon Brow” were screened in the animated film competition. on PEN America Literary Awards long list Movies from Iran competing ARTTEHRAN – The Restless Books. fiction, nonfiction, poetry, biography, deskEnglish version of the The book, which has yet to be published essays, science writing, sports writing, in Chennai festival Persian novel “Moon Brow” by Iranian in Iran, is about Amir who lost his hand translation and more. writer Shahriar Mandanipur is among the and memory during the 1980-1988 Iran- “Moon Brow” is competing with nine ARTTEHRAN – Two Iranian films will go on screen semi-finalists of the 2019 PEN America Iraq war. He just remembers a mysterious other books for the PEN Translation Prize deskat the 16th edition of the Chennai International Literary Awards. woman called Moon Brow. worth $3,000. Film Festival, which will open in the Indian town today. The book has been rendered into The PEN America Literary Awards will The finalists for all categories will be “Orange Days” by Arash Lahuti and “Dayan” by Behruz Nura- English by the U.S.-based Iranian be presented to writers and translators announced in January 2019 and the award Front cover of the English translation of nipur will be screened in the World Cinema competition. translator Sara Khalili and published whose literary works were published in ceremony will be held in New York City Iranian writer Shahriar Mandanipur novel by the Brooklyn independent publisher 2018 in various categories, including on February 26, 2019. “Moon Brow” by Sara Khalili.

Beauty meets despair in racial Broadway’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ injustice movie “Beale Street” puts new spin on racial injustice LOS ANGELES (Reuters) — Some films NEW YORK (Reuters) — Almost 60 about race in America are angry, many are years after it was first published as a passionate, or terrifying or heartbreaking, book, “To Kill a Mockingbird” opens and a few are funny. this week in a first Broadway theater “If Beale Street Could Talk,” opening in U.S. adaptation whose themes of racial theaters in major cities on Friday is marked injustice are just as relevant today. by a quiet beauty and dignity, despite the Yet writer Aaron Sorkin says despite A poster for “Dayan” by Behruz Nuranipur. despair that runs through it. the book’s familiarity as a beloved classic Based on the 1974 novel with the same of American literature and movies, “Orange Days” tells the story of Aban, the only female con- title by the late James Baldwin, the film is audiences are in for something different. tractor in the cutthroat and male-dominated orange harvesting director Barry Jenkins’ follow-up to his 2016 “Thirty seconds in and you’re just industry, who enters a competition to win a large contract. Oscar-winner “Moonlight.” in a different place watching ‘To Kill “Dayan” is about women in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, who are It is the latest in a slew of movies by or about a Mockingbird’ the way you’ve never captured by ISIS fighters and cannot return to their families. African-Americans that were nominated last watched it before,” said Sorkin, the The festival will be running until December 20. week for Golden Globe Awards, including Spike creator of political TV series “West U.S. President George W. Bush (R) before Lee’s Ku Klux Klan thriller “BlacKkKlansman,” Director Barry Jenkins arrives for the Wing,” and who wrote the stage awarding the Presidential Medal of Free- superhero movie “Black Panther,” and 1960s Time 100 Gala in the Manhattan bor- adaptation. dom to American novelist Harper Lee (L) road trip “Green Book.” ough of New York, New York, U.S. April The Broadway version, opening “The Favourite” leads film in the East Room of the White House, in “If Beale Street Could Talk” is the story of 25, 2017. Picture taken April 25, 2017. on Thursday, stars Jeff Daniels as the this November 5, 2007. (Reuters/Larry two hopeful young lovers in Harlem whose (Reuters/Carlo Allegri) upstanding small town white lawyer nominees for Critics’ Choice Downing) future is ruined when the man is imprisoned for “Tish is so young and pure and wide eyed Atticus Finch who takes on the case of LOS ANGELES (AP) — “The Favourite” leads the field of a crime he did not commit. Baldwin said Beale and so innocent, that to work from any other a black man wrongfully accused of rape does is speak to that a little bit - that films with 14 nominations for the 24th annual Critics’ Choice Street could stand for any black community place than that would have felt like a false in the Depression-era south. tolerance of trying to look away when Awards. in the United States. move,” Jenkins said. The play was the subject of a bitter it happens.” “Black Panther” was close behind with 12 nominations. Jenkins said he was drawn to make the Jenkins sees “Beale Street” and lawsuit earlier this year in which the “To Kill a Mockingbird” has sold more Three TV series are tied with five nominations each. film because of its blend of “sensuality and “Moonlight” as companion pieces, partly estate of author Harper Lee accused than 50 million copies worldwide and The Broadcast Film Critics Association and the Broadcast love - both physical and emotional love - but because he wrote both films during the Sorkin and the producers of deviating was made into an Oscar-winning movie Television Journalists Association announced the nominees also this other voice that was very, very clear summer of 2013. They are also about black too much from the beloved 1960s novel in 1962, starring Gregory Peck as Finch. Monday. about social critique and taking America to families, albeit very different. and tying the play too closely to today’s It has been produced for the stage in Nominations for “The Favourite” include: best picture; best task for the role it has played in the lives and “I still get notes and letters from total social climate. Lee died in 2016 at age 89. various U.S. cities and in London but actress and best actress in a comedy for Olivia Colman; and best the degradation of black folks.” strangers who feel their lives have been The dispute was settled in May this is the first time “Mockingbird” has supporting actress for both Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz. Yet Jenkins, who also adapted the impacted or in some ways improved because without either side giving details. come to Broadway. The film is about two cousins vying for the attention of screenplay, says rage is not in his wheelhouse of the visibility that ‘Moonlight’ brought to According to those who have seen the Gbenga Akinnagbe, who plays Queen Anne. as a filmmaker. their personal lives,” he said. play in preview, one difference in the accused rapist Tom Robinson, said the “The Americans,” ?The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: “I feel like anger has never been the best Jenkins hopes “Beale Street” leaves stage adaptation is allowing the main circumstances faced by his character are American Crime Story” and “Escape at Dannemora” garnered place for me to work from,” he said. audiences with “a sense of optimism that the black characters more opportunities still happening in courtrooms across five nominations each in the television category. In contrast to the more strident tone of the lives and souls of black folks in America have to speak up than the novel. the United States. HBO and Netflix are tied with 20 nominations each. novel, the film is made from the perspective of often been rooted in despair and degradation, “Racism has been with us since the “So, it doesn’t feel like a period piece The Critics’ Choice Awards will be presented Jan. 13 on young and pregnant Tish, played by newcomer and yet there has always been love, joy, family beginning of America, and then here it to me. It doesn’t feel like a period piece the CW Network. KiKi Layne, and her loving family. and community.” is again,” said Daniels. “What the play other than the clothes,” Akinnagbe said.