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16 Pages Price 40,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 39th year No.13568 Tuesday DECEMBER 31, 2019 Dey 10, 1398 Jumada Al Awwal 4, 1441 Zarif says Iran, Petchem industry at Bana, Mohammadi Over 60,000 titles Russia seeking forefront of Iran’s named 2019 Asian published in Iran regional peace 2 non-oil exports 5 best coaches 15 over past year 16

U.S. strikes PMU bases to facilitate ISIL entrance to Iraq International desk the defense department said. In order to facilitate entrance of ISIL terrorists Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoff- Marking pro-Islamic to Iraq, the U.S. launched attacks on positions man said U.S. forces conducted “precision of Kata’ib Hezbollah in Iraq and Syria. defensive strikes” against three Kata’ib Kata’ib Hezbollah is part of the Popular Hezbollah facilities in Iraq and two in Syria. Mobilization Units (PMU), commonly An Iraqi paramilitary force said 25 known as Hashd al-Sha’abi. fighters were killed and 51 injured. Weapons caches and command and The U.S. secretary of state said it would See page 3 control centers at five sites associated with not stand for Iran taking actions that put Republic rallies Kata’ib Hezbollah were hit on Sunday, American lives in jeopardy. 13 Assyrian MP condemns Dutch politician’s insult to Islam’s prophet TEHRAN — Representative of the Iranian winner of a contest for caricatures of Islam’s Assyrians at the Parliament on Monday Prophet, more than a year after he shelved strongly condemned a Dutch politician a similar event . The drawing Wilders called for publishing a blasphemous cartoon of the “winner” was a dark image of a bearded Islam’s Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). man with a wrinkled brow wearing a black “The immoral and derogatory act of Greet turban and black shirt. Wilders was nothing but fanaticism and stu- “Freedom of speech must prevail over pidity,” Yonatan Betkolia said in his statement. violence and Islamic fatwas,” said Wilders, Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders who heads the largest opposition party announced on Sunday what he called the in the Dutch parliament. 2

Iran calls U.S. attacks on Iraqi forces ‘clear example of terrorism’

TEHRAN — Iran on Monday denounced Mousavi said the attacks once U.S. airstrikes against Iraqi forces as a again exposed Washington’s lies “clear example of terrorism”. in fighting the Daesh (ISIL) terror- “U.S. military aggression against ist group because it has “targeted

Majid Agaripour Majid the Iraqi soil and positions of al-Hashd positions of forces who have dealt al-Shaabi forces is a clear example of heavy blows to Daesh terrorists in terrorism and is strongly condemned,” recent years.” Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas He urged the U.S. to respect Iraq’s Mousavi said in a statement, using the independence, sovereignty and territo- Arabic name of the Popular Mobilization rial integrity and stop intervening in the Tehran Times/ Tehran Times/ Units (PMU). country’s domestic affairs. 3 EDITORIAL Islamic Banking plan: bankers confrontation with MPs ARTICLE Mohammad Ghaderi By Haniyeh Sadat Jafariyeh MPs, assert that the plan has been prepared by On the other hand, opponents to the approved Morteza Helali Tehran Times editor-in-chief TEHRAN (MNA) – The Iranian Parliament experts of the Iranian Parliament since under plan are banking experts, bankers and mainly Mehr News Agency @ghaderi62 Members (MPs) ratified outlines of their own US sanctions Iranian banking, monetary and the CBI governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, who journalist prepared Islamic banking plan in mid-December financial system is in dire need for a revival. It announced his sharp disagreement about the and are resolved to finalize it by the end of this is modifiable and open for being discussed and Islamic Banking Plan, in an open Parliament From a ‘color Parliament (May 2020) not to have it postponed criticized, they underline. session. Objectives of U.S. for the next one. The plan’s advocates believe the newly ap- “Under the conditions that the CBI is sanc- organization’ to The plan, which can be named as a ‘scheme proved scheme will provide the Central Bank of tioned, its structure must not be changed by the aggression on to revise the decades-old banking regulations’, Iran (CBI) with a higher level of independency ratified plan,” Abdolnaser Hemmati said. ‘Joker’s mask’ includes different sections covering ‘usury-free for applying and implementing macro-policies “I am not convinced about the plan and want Hashd al-Shaabi banking’, making amendments in structure of the and gives it a free hand for providing production MPs to vote against it,” he added. heories of soft subversion have always Central Bank of Iran (CBI) and establishment of and industrial units with low-price facilities. “The plan includes 205 articles,” he said, “Is positions been popular around the world, in the Islamic Republic of Iran Development Bank. Those backing the plan also note that it it possible to do such a number of amendments the form of “symbolization” in social he U.S. Army fighter jets targeted T The pros and cons of the plan, however, have has been prepared paying a specific attention in the banking system?” movements and protests. several bases of the Iraqi popular developed a confrontation between banking ex- to traditional Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh) to He urged the MPs not to pass the plan into a law “Symbol” in protests is a sign that forces of Hashd al-Shaabi at border perts and the Parliamentarians. addresses the concerns discussed by Islamic and let the government initially prepare a related T represents a common ideology or with Syria on Sunday evening. Proponents of the plan, who are mostly the Marja’s about usury. bill then submit it to the parliament. 7 concept, and for a group of protest- In a statement, the U.S. defense secre- ers with the same demands, it has a tary confirmed the attacks. Now this is the deeper meaning. This sign is chosen question: Which objectives had the U.S. to incite people. Taliban reject reports of planned ceasefire in Afghanistan amid U.S. talks been seeking from the attacks? The effect of the symbol is so strong The Taliban have rejected reports that the militant the council before the agreement was reached. with the Taliban. A ceasefire had been demanded The U.S. lives in fear of expansion of that it can be used as a weapon for years. group has agreed to observe a brief ceasefire in The negotiating team returned on Sunday to by Washington before any peace agreement could mutual cooperation between Iraq and Syria, Many countries try to symbolize and then Afghanistan amid ongoing peace talks with the Qatar, where the Taliban maintain a political office be signed. The Taliban has been demanding that especially in security and economic fields, incite citizens to undermine their rivals. United States. and where U.S. representative for Afghanistan all foreign forces — U.S. troops included — leave therefor, Washington has concentrated on It should be noted that the symbol “In the past few days, some media have been Zelmay Khalilzad has been holding talks with Afghanistan and end the invasion of the coun- sealing the Iraq-Syria common borders does not cause a protest, but it serves as releasing untrue reports about a ceasefire,” said the militants’ negotiators since September 2018. try, which began in 2001 under the pretext of and passageways via targeting military a means to control it. the Taliban in a statement on Monday, adding The Taliban group refuses to negotiate with fighting terrorism. positions in Iraq and Syria as well as In the recent decades, “color revolu- that the group “has no ceasefire plans.” the Kabul government, which it regards as being Even as the Taliban are engaged in talks about providing support for the terrorists and tions” have been one of the U.S. tools for The truce agreement was reported by the As- illegitimate and a U.S. puppet. ceasing hostilities, the militant group has kept creating a fresh terrorist group. interfering in other countries’ affairs, in sociated Press on Sunday evening. The report said In September, the peace process in Doha up it attacks across Afghanistan. Keeping the terrorist groups protected which the use of symbols has been widely the Taliban’s ruling council had not yet decided came to a halt while both sides seemed close to Earlier on Monday, a Taliban raid killed at least and providing backup for them are among practiced. This type of revolutions are one when the ceasefire would begin. a deal, with President Donald Trump declaring 14 Afghan forces and injured five others in the the U.S. main objectives as a number of of soft subversion’s methods that includes According to the report, it was suggested that the talks with Taliban “dead” after the militant northern province of Jowzjan, local sources said. reports have been released about relo- a kind of power transformation and dis- the ceasefire would last for 10 days. The AP added group killed a U.S. soldier in a Kabul bombing. Two government troops have also been missing. cation of terrorists from Syria to Iraq placement, coupled with negative struggle that the Taliban chief was expected to approve Talks resumed after Trump made a surprise Last week, the Taliban targeted a U.S. con- or vice versa. In the meantime, the U.S. and civil disobedience. the temporary ceasefire agreement. visit to Afghanistan at the end of November. voy in a bomb attack in Afghanistan’s northern has raided the Iraqi army several times to This method was mainly used for the The report also said four members of the Tal- So far, there has been no immediate response Kunduz Province, killing an American soldier. provide support for the terrorist groups Soviet countries in Central and Eastern iban negotiating team had met for a week with from Washington regarding the temporary truce (Source: agencies) in the country. Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus. Certainly, weakening Iraq and turning it Although the method failed in many cases into a crisis-hit country to pave the ground after its initial success, it worked well in Navy chief visits for the U.S. to impose its will on Baghdad removing barriers by the American he- can be considered as another objective that gemony. Washington is seeking in its recent attacks On the other hand, a general assessment Chinese, Russian on Iraq. Weakening the Iraqi popular forces of using such a method showed that the and damaging relations and cooperation color revolutions usually failed to complete destroyers between the country’s army and the popular the subversion project, and the desired forces are also among the main objectives result was not achieved, so the Western participating in of such plots. countries changed their attitude toward Other dimensions of the U.S. recent the protesters in their rival countries. plot against Iraq can be mentioned as Joker is the name of a character for- joint drills spreading chaos and turning the peaceful merly known as an anti-hero in the Bat- protests in Iraq into violence, destabilizing TEHRAN — The Iranian Navy commander on man story, and in most of the past stories Iraq’s political situation via interfering in Monday visited the Russian and Chinese de- had an unknown identity, though he was the process of forming a new government,

stroyers that had participated in the Maritime previously known as a “popular criminal” weakening Iraq’s security forces through Security Belt drills with Iran in the Sea of Oman by audience. conducting attacks on the Army centers and and the Indian Ocean. Recently, a movie was made about Hashd al-Shaabi’s bases and cutting Iraq’s

Ali Khara Ali Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi paid visits to the life if a “Joker” and why he became ties with its neighbors, including with Iran. the Russian Navy’s frigate Yaroslav Mudry and a criminal, which changed the way that The new U.S. plot is also aimed at China’s Xining guided-missile destroyer, that audience connect to this anti-hero. deflecting public opinion from the critical had participated in the trilateral drills. The “Joker” movie tells the story of a situation in Israel as well as appeasing In the meantime, a meeting of the commanders poor man who lives with his mother and the Zionist lobby to continue supporting of Russian, Iranian and Chinese naval units was has to play the role of a clown for the rest Tehran Times/ Donald Trump who is facing a Congres- held to evaluate the drill. 2 of his life. 2 sional impeachment. 3 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS DECEMBER 31, 2019

Navy chief visits Chinese, Russian destroyers Zarif says Iran, Russia participating in joint drills

1 Naval forces of Iran, Russia and China kicked off the large-scale maritime exercise in the northern part of the Indian seeking regional peace Ocean and the Sea of Oman on Friday morning. The wargame ended on Monday. The joint military exercise was viewed by some analysts as a POLITICAL TEHRAN – Foreign cooperation and is not avoiding show of power and solidarity between Iran and the great powers deskMinister Mohammad negotiation. of China and Russia in the face of pressure by Washington. Javad Zarif said on Monday that unlike “The Iranian people and government the United States, Iran and Russia are welcome interaction and fulfil their seeking peace and stability in the Middle commitments. However, we do not East region. accept unilateral implementation of “Unlike others who fuel war in our an agreement,” Zarif said in an open region, Iran and Russia have proposed reference to the 2015 nuclear deal important initiatives for the regional which the U.S. ditched in May 2018 and peace,” Zarif said during a meeting with imposed sanctions on Iran in line with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov his “maximum pressure” policy against in Moscow. Tehran. He cited the Hormuz peace initiative Zarif also criticized the Europeans proposed by Iran and also Russia’s for failing to meet their commitments initiative of dialogue in the Persian Gulf under the JCPOA. as examples. Lavrov said that Washington’s action According to Press TV, Zarif and Lavrov in quitting the nuclear deal violates denounced attempts by Western states, the international law. According to Rear Admiral Gholamreza Tahani, the deputy U.S. in particular, at increasing tensions “The JCPOA has been confirmed in 2231 commander of the Iranian Navy, the exercise covered 17,000 in the Middle East region. resolution of the United Nations Security square kilometers and consisted of “various tactical exercises,” Elsewhere, Zarif said Iran-Russia Council and must be implemented,” the which included target practice and rescuing ships from assaults relations is at its best state in the course veteran Russian chief diplomat noted. and fires. of history and described ties as “strategic” He added, “We want our Western Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on which will continue vigorously. partners to accept realities about the Friday that the joint military exercises show that Iran and its “Officials of the Islamic Republic of JCPOA.” partners are committed to secure vital waterways. Iran are determined to view relations Zarif said that the Astana talks have helped Russian President Vladimir Putin said Lavrov noted that Russia will continue “Our joint military drills in Oman Sea/Indian Ocean w/ our with Russia, as a big power and important ease tension in Syria. in August that Iran-Turkey-Russia talks talks on preserving the nuclear deal. Russian & Chinese partners make clear our broader commitment neighbor, as strategic,” Zarif remarked. In line with their security cooperation, have been “most effective” in tackling The Russian foreign minister said the to secure vital waterways,” Zarif tweeted. Lavrov, for his part, said that Iran and Iran, Turkey and Russia - three power crisis in Syria. JCPOA is in danger without the compliance Zarif added that Iran had been insisting that it is ready to Russia share common views on many brokers in Syria - launched the Astana ‘Collective cooperation required of the U.S. and the European Union. work with its neighbors on the southern shores of the Persian issues. peace talks on the Syrian crisis. The to counter unilateralism’ “Because of the destructive line that Gulf to secure maritime trade in the region based on the Hormuz Pointing to the U.S. withdrawal from talks were launched in January 2017 Zarif also said that the U.S. has spread Washington keeps towing, this important peace initiative. the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the with the aim of putting an end to the unilateralism and seeks to impose its achievement of international diplomacy… JCPOA, Lavrov said that all must make Syrian conflict. demands on others and noted that is in danger of falling apart,” he said, efforts to preserve the deal. Kazakhstan has hosted multiple rounds collective cooperation is required to according to the breakingnews.ie. Assyrian MP condemns ‘Astana talks have helped ease of talks on Syria since January 2017 most counter unilateralism. Lavrov added that “colleagues from the Dutch politician’s insult to tension in Syria’ of which involved delegations from the The chief diplomat added that Iran European Union” were not fully complying In a joint press conference with Lavrov, Syrian government and opposition. has proven that it seeks international with the agreement either. Islam’s prophet

1 In August last year, Wilders canceled a similar contest after Dutch police arrested a 26-year-old man who had threatened to kill him over his anti-Islam stance. Iraq’s Barham Salih meets Iranian diplomat: report Wilder’s previous plan to hold the cartoon contest prompted POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iraqi President Barham Yielding to the protesters’ demands, Iraqi Prime Min- huge demonstrations in some Muslim-majority countries. deskSalih met with Iranian Ambassador to ister Adel Abdul Mahdi resigned Nov. 29. Images of the Prophet are traditionally forbidden in Islam, Baghdad Iraj Masjedi on Monday, Ain Al-Iraq News During a meeting with Salih in October, Masjedi said and many Muslims regard caricatures as highly offensive. Agency reported, according to ISNA. that Tehran supports stability, security and economic The meeting at this time is highly important as President development in Iraq. Salih, a Kurd, returned to Baghdad Sulaimaniyah after He said that Iran will help Iraq to reconstruct war- From a ‘color organization’ he announced on Dec. 26 that he was ready to resign. torn areas. to ‘Joker’s mask’ On December 26, Salih refused to designate the nom- In a separate meeting of Masjedi with Ammar Hakim, inee of the Bina parliamentary bloc for prime minister, the chief of the National Wisdom Movement of Iraq, 1 Suffering from “pseudobulbar affect” disorder, Joker saying he would rather resign than appoint someone in October, the two sides stressed that dialogue and hopes to become a famous comedian to make people laugh. However, to the position who would be rejected by protesters. peaceful means are only remedies to the ongoing crises being constant rejection and humiliation, along with the immense However, some sources say there was another reason in the regional countries. corruption of the community he lives in, change his life and even- behind Salih’s threat to resign. The two sides discussed regional developments as tually turn him into a professional murderer with a tendency to The meeting with the ambassador also took place well as the current situation in Iraq. uncontrollable chaos. immediately one day after the United States launched of stability in Iraq and respecting this country’s “national “The regional countries would benefit from talks He only triggers chaos without any plans and sheds blood without a series of attacks on forces linked to the Popular Mo- will” without foreign interferences. and not conflicts,” Masjedi and Hakim said during the trial. The people of Gotham (his hometown), who are victims of bilization Units (PMU). About 25 forces were killed and The two sides also attached importance to independence meeting, Fars reported. class distinctions and discrimination just like the Joker, follow his about 50 injured. and stability in Iraq which will help regional security. “Everyone’s interest lies in using the tool of talks and lead and take into streets. The rioters rob shops, set public places According to Ain Al-Iraq News Agency, President Salih Public protests have gripped Baghdad and southern keeping the region away from any conflict that could on fire, commit crimes and kill rulers. and Ambassador Masjedi held talks over the importance and central Iraq since October. affect regional and global security,” Hakim said. As the movie was opened at the same time of uprisings in the West Asian region, some analysts suggest that the movie aimed at symbolizing and training protesters in these countries. Although this matter does not mean that the Joker movie staged the protests in these countries, the violence accompanied the protests and the ‘FATFA blacklisting can have serious consequences’ killings by the demonstrators suggest that there is a will to derail POLITICAL TEHRAN — Diako Hosseini, director He said that a failure to join the FATF will cause more popular protests against shortcomings and discrimination. deskof the World Studies Program at the economic problems for the country. In other words, the Joker’s role here is to “justify” the violence, presidential Centre for Strategic Studies, has said that The FATF must be studied regardless of factional and it seems that after failing in the peaceful conflicts, this time being blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force disputes, Abbasinejad noted. the enemy’s plan is to agitate and justify the protests by using new will have serious consequences. In a letter to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution symbolization. “The consequences can be equal to return to the United Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a number of MPs have pushed For example, the current events in Iraq have in fact risen from Nations Security Council’s sanctions against Iran,” he for the approval of the FATF by the Expediency Council. symbolism. Protesters who are rightly frustrated by the country’s told IRNA in an interview published on Monday. MP Shahabuddin Bimeghdar told IRNA on Wednesday situation, kill their innocent compatriots and take photo with his He noted that a wise decision must be taken regarding that it is said in the letter that being blacklisted by the hanging body, describing their tough living conditions as justification the country’s situation. FATF will isolate the economy which is already restricted for these brutal crimes. Abolfazl Soroush, a member of the Hope parliamentary by the United States’ “cruel sanctions”. The interesting point is that the protesters used the Joker mask faction, told ISNA in an interview published on Saturday The MPs said failure to join the FATF will cause “closure and image, which reveals their identification with the character. that joining the FATF will prevent economic isolation of the bank accounts in foreign countries”, “accusations Some experts believe that the potential to lead people in express- of Iran. of money laundering against the country”, “international ing their objections was considered in the characterization of this “The truth is that Iran’s joining to the FATF will not distrust”, “financial and banking crisis”, “inefficiency anti-hero, since the Joker was already a popular character and it result in a miracle, however, it will prevent worsening of Iranian bank branches in foreign countries” and also was predictable that the movie would be welcomed. of the country’s economic situation,” he said. “destabilization in stock exchange market”. The Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Therefore, it appears that the imperialist domination (the he- He noted that joining the FATF does not mean an end Mohsen Rezaee, secretary of the Guardian Council, said on October 18 that it has given Iran a final deadline gemony) has reached a model in using different approaches to over- to the United States’ sanctions, however, it will prevent said on December 24 that Palermo and CFT bills are of February 2020 to tighten its laws against money throw the political systems that opposed it, within the framework more economic pressure on the country. still under assessment in the council. laundering in compliance with the global watchdog’s of soft subversion theories. It assumes that if the model is carried Mehdi Zakarian, an expert on international relations, “The FATF-related bills (Palermo and CFT) are still financial standards. out properly, it can complete other scenarios to transform ruling also told IRNA in an interview published on Saturday that under evaluation in the Expediency Council, so, I can’t “If before February 2020, Iran does not enact the systems in those countries. “standards of the FATF have turned into an international say anything now (about the outcome of assessment),” Palermo and Terrorist Financing Conventions in line Compared to the previous difficult approaches, if launching soft convention in countering corruption and money laundering, Rezaee said, Fars reported. with the FATF Standards, then the FATF will fully lift the subversion projects could have made a significant stride in removing and Iran is required to join it in order to be present at In October 2018, the parliament voted to join the suspension of counter-measures and call on its members obstacles to the U.S. hegemony, in the next step “color” symbol had the international arena.” FATF. However, the Guardian Council rejected it. Now and urge all jurisdictions to apply effective counter- turned into a “live” symbol. Hossein Abbasinejad, the dean of the faculty of the ball is in the Expediency Council’s court. measures, in line with recommendation 19,” the FATF economics at the University of Tehran, also told IRNA When there is a dispute between parliament and the said in a statement, Reuters reported. in an interview published on Saturday that it is wise Guardian Council the issue is referred to as the Expediency The government is pushing for the approval of the Rouhani: This is a wartime to take a decision in line with the country’s interests. Council for final arbitration. FATF. situation

(Press TV) — President Hassan Rouhani says the era of pressure and sanctions against the Iranian nation will sooner or later be No letup to increase deterrence power: defense minister over as the Islamic Republic’s enemies have realized that they cannot bend Iranians to their will. POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iranian in recent years to enhance the defense In November, the Army’s ground force “I declare here unequivocally that the era of pressure and deskDefense Minister capabilities of its armed forces and to test staged large-scale military drills, codenamed sanctions against the Iranian nation will come to an end,” the Brigadier General Amir Hatami on Monday modern military tactics and state-of-the- “Zolfaghar-e-Velayat”, in northwest Iran to president said. underlined Armed Forces’ full readiness to art equipment. boost the combat readiness of its units. It “The reason for that is that our ill-wishers and enemies have give a strong response to enemies, noting his Naval forces of Iran, Russia and China covered a vast strategic area in the region. found out that they cannot force us to capitulate under maximum forces are resolved to do their best to bolster conducted a large-scale four-day maritime Various divisions of the ground force pressure,” he noted, while addressing an event to mark the Na- the country’s deterrence and missile power. exercise in the northern part of the Indian participated in the drill, which was focused tional Day of Petrochemical Industries in Tehran on Monday, Hatami, who was addressing graduates Ocean and the Sea of Oman on Friday that on practicing the transfer of rapid reaction IRNA reported. of the Army University, highlighted the lasted until Monday. units via ground and air from across the The United States launched the “maximum pressure” cam- country’s strategic position, saying, “Based on The joint military exercise was viewed country to operation zones. The enlisted paign under President Donald Trump. The policy saw Washing- the policy of Leader of the Islamic Revolution by some analysts as a show of power and units also displayed their efficacy to enhance ton leaving a multilateral and United Nations-ratified nuclear Ayatollah Khamenei, who is also commander- solidarity between Iran and the great powers their readiness in responding to operational agreement with the Islamic Republic last year, and returning in-chief of the Armed Forces, we are ready threat or aggression.” of China and Russia in the face of pressure requirements and threats through day and the sanctions that the deal had lifted. to give crushing immediate response to any Iran has conducted major military drills by Washington. night. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 31, 2019 IRAN IN FOCUS 3 Senior lawyer: Leader’s view can turn Iranian foreign minister to FATF-related bills into executable law visit China on Tuesday By staff and agency POLITICAL TEHRAN— A senior ards, then the FATF will fully lift the sus- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will pay an desklawyer acting as advisor pension of counter-measures and call on official visit to China on Tuesday at the invitation of Chinese in the Iranian parliament said on Monday its members and urge all jurisdictions to State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Chinese Foreign that withdrawal of the FATF-related bills apply effective counter-measures, in line Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang announced Monday, from the Expediency Council’s agenda is with recommendation 19,” the FATF said Xinhua reported on Monday. meant confirmation of the Guardian Coun- in a statement at the time. Geng said Zarif will confer with senior Chinese officials cil’s view, noting that in such cases the bills One of the actions Iran is required to take on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the can take effect by the Leader’s verdict. to appease the FATF is to ratify the CFT, common name for the 2015 nuclear deal, and a variety of Touching upon the latest situation the convention combatting the financing other issues. surrounding the bill on Combating the of terrorism. “Details of the meeting (between Zarif and Wang Yi) will Financing of Terrorism (CFT) and the The government is pushing for the ap- be later released,” he added. UN Convention on Transnational Crime proval of the FATF. Touching upon Zarif’s trips to Moscow on Monday, he (Palermo), Mir Hossein Mir Mohammad Talking in a cabinet meeting on Octo- added, “Moscow and Beijing are strategic partners who enjoy Sadeqi said, “According to the legal trend, ber 23, President Hassan Rouhani called close interaction and coordination over the JCPOA and other withdrawal of the CFT and Palermo bills on the Expediency Council to approve the important international issues.” from the Expediency Council’s agenda is FATF-related bills. Zarif visited Moscow late on Sunday for a two- day trip meant confirming the Guardian Council’s “It is our pride that we fight terrorists at the head of a high-ranking delegation for talks with his view about the bills.” and counter corruption, therefore we should Russian counterpart and other senior officials. Mir Mohammad Sadeqi said, “Accord- not allow allegations of money laundering Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas ingly, the two bills can be put on the agenda against our banking system,” Rouhani stated. Araghchi and Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi of the heads of the three branches of the He added, “This hurts our country.” were accompanying Zarif during the visit. government as well as the country’s Supreme Mahmoud Vaezi, the presidential chief Zarif met with his Russian counterpart on Monday and National Security Council.” of staff, said on October 30 that Iran should discussed recent regional as well as international developments “If the Expediency Council does not an- views),” he added. in compliance with the global watchdog’s use the opportunity to join the FATF in order and ways to promote bilateral relations. nounce its view about a plan or a bill over The Paris-based Financial Action Task financial standards. to avoid self-inflicted sanctions. The JCPOA, the Syrian crisis and the Persian Gulf situation which the Majlis and the Guardian Coun- Force (FATF) said in October that it gave “If before February 2020, Iran does not Vaezi said those who oppose joining were among other topics discussed by the two foreign ministers. cil have had different views, the Guardian Iran a final deadline of February 2020 to enact the Palermo and Terrorist Financing the FATF should accept responsibility for Council’s view will dominate (over other tighten its laws against money laundering Conventions in line with the FATF Stand- their actions. Iran calls U.S. attacks on Iranians mark pro-Islamic Those disrupting Persian Gulf security Iraqi forces ‘clear example Republic rallies unnerved by Iran-Russia-China drills: IRGC of terrorism’ POLITICAL TEHRAN — People of TEHRAN (Tasnim) — The spokesman desk all walks of life took to for the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps 1 “With these attacks, the U.S. demonstrated its unswerv- the streets on Monday to celebrate the (IRGC) said the joint naval exercise of ing support for terrorism and disregard to independence and anniversary of the “Dey 9 epic”, which put Iran, Russia, and China in the Indian sovereignty of countries,” the spokesman asserted. an end to the unrest that had followed the Ocean and the Gulf of Oman unnerved Mousavi also said the United States must accept responsi- 2009 presidential election. those disrupting security in the Persian bility for consequences of this “illegal measure”, and described Back on 30 December 2009, known as Gulf region. presence of foreign forces in the region is a cause of insecurity, Dey 9 in the Iranian calendar, millions of Since the war game was held among unrest and crisis. people staged pro-establishment rallies three of the world’s major military pow- “The U.S. must end its occupying presence,” he stated. across the country including the capital ers, it had a clear message for both those Mousavi also expressed his deepest sympathy for families Tehran to put an end to what the Iranian seeking regional security and those of the victims of the United States’ “terrorist attack”, saying authorities described as “sedition” which led by the US seeking to undermine the Islamic Republic supports Iraq’s independence, territorial had been going on for months following regional stability, General Ramezan integrity and national sovereignty. presidential elections earlier that year. Sharif told Tasnim. Zarif: America kills people across globe in the People were especially incensed by the in- “The exercise showed that Iran, name of self-defense cidents that occurred days earlier in Tehran, Russia, and China have a clear mes- Foreign Minister Zarif also reacted to the incident, saying where a group of rioters engaged in blaspheming sage on the establishment of security the U.S. kills people thousands of miles beyond its borders in Ashura, the day marking the martyrdom anni- in this sensitive region of the world,” the name of self-defense. versary of Imam Hussein, the third Shia Imam. he said, adding, “It gives our friends “The recent U.S. measure in Baghdad was merely an ex- During this year’s rallies, people re- in the region encouragement.” ample of such U.S. behavior in the region,” he said in Moscow forces in the Arab country as an example the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Oman newed their allegiance to the Islamic Revo- “Our enemies in the region should on Monday, upon meeting with his Russian counterpart, of Washington’s brutality. after three days. lution and denounced foreign-orchestrated understand the message of the exercise Sergey Lavrov. On Sunday, U.S. forces conducted drone On the final day of the joint drill, the riots, Mehr reported. well and be aware that we have plans to On Sunday, U.S. forces conducted drone strikes on a number strikes on a number of Kata›ib Hezbollah naval forces of the three countries exer- At the end of the rallies in Tehran, a establish security in this sensitive region,” of Kata’ib Hezbollah bases in Iraq’s western Anbar province, bases in Iraq’s western Anbar province, cised tactics to fight piracy and extinguish statement was read out on behalf of the the spokesman stated. killing at least 25 individuals and leaving another 51 injured, killing at least 25 individuals and leaving vessel fires in the international waters participants, which called for national He went on to say that the trilateral according to the PMU. unity and support for the Islamic Republic. another 51 injured, according to the PMU. naval exercise frightened those seeking south of Iran. The statement also condemned the The targeted Kata›ib Hezbollah forc- to undermine the Persian Gulf’s security. The war game came amid US efforts to United States’ evil actions, pointing to es belonged to brigades 45 and 46 of the Iranian, Russian, and Chinese naval woo countries into a maritime coalition an attack by U.S. forces against the Iraqi PMU, according to PMU official Jawad units on Sunday wrapped up the joint for patrols in the Persian Gulf, which have soil and positions of al-Hashd al-Shaabi Kazim al-Rabi›awi. exercise, dubbed Marine Security Belt, in received lukewarm welcome from its allies. How David Rockefeller helped the shah enter the U.S.

POLITICAL TEHRAN — The New York Times of restoration long after the shah fled Tehran. deskhas published an article about the U.S. As late as December 1980, Mr. Rockefeller personally government’s decision in 1979 to admit Mohammed urged the incoming Reagan administration to encourage Reza Pahlavi, the last shah of Iran. a counterrevolution by stopping “rug merchant type The article focuses on the role of David Rockefeller, bargaining” for the hostages and instead taking military The targeted Kata’ib Hezbollah forces belonged to brigades chairman of the Chase Manhattan Bank, behind the action to punish Iran if the hostages were not released. 45 and 46 of the PMU, according to PMU official Jawad Kazim scenes to persuade the Carter administration to admit He suggested occupying three Iranian-controlled islands al-Rabi’awi. the former shah. in the Persian Gulf. Iraqi President Barham Salih condemned the attacks as The following is an excerpt of the article: “The most likely outcome of this situation is an even- being unacceptable and damaging for the country, adding A newly disclosed secret history from the offices of Mr. tual replacement of the present fanatic Shiite Muslim that the strikes were contrary to security agreements inked Rockefeller shows in vivid detail how Chase Manhattan government, either by a military one or a combination between Baghdad and Washington, according to the Iraqi Bank and its well-connected chairman worked behind of the military with the civilian democratic leaders,” Mr. News Agency (INA). the scenes to persuade the Carter administration to Rockefeller argued, according to his talking points for Major General Abdul Karim Khalaf, spokesman for the admit the shah, one of the bank’s most profitable clients. meetings with the Reagan transition team. Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, also said that The shah sought refuge in America. But President Jimmy As Tehran’s coffers swelled with oil revenues in the Adel Abdul-Mahdi, currently Iraq’s caretaker prime minister, Carter, hoping to forge ties to the new government rising 1970s, Chase formed a joint venture with an Iranian has voiced his opposition to the attacks in a message to U.S. out of the chaos and concerned about the security of the state bank and earned big fees advising the national Defense Secretary Mark Esper. United States Embassy in Tehran, refused him entry for oil company. “Bombing PMU bases is a dangerous aggravation which the first 10 months of his exile. Even then, the White House By 1979, the bank had syndicated more than $1.7 endangers the security of Iraq and the region,” Iraqi media only begrudgingly let him in for medical treatment. billion in loans for Iranian public projects (the equiv- Over lunch at the sources cited Abdul-Mahdi as saying. For Mr. Carter, for the United States and for the alent of about $5.8 billion today). The Chase balance Knickerbocker Club in New Following the attacks, the Pentagon issued a statement saying Middle East it was an incendiary decision. sheet held more than $360 million in loans to Iran and that it had targeted three locations Although Mr. Carter complained publicly at the time York, Mr. Carter’s special more than $500 million in Iranian deposits. of the Iraqi fighters in Iraq and about the pressure campaign, the full, behind-the-scenes Mr. Rockefeller often insisted that his concern for envoy to Tehran, Gen. Robert two in Syria in response to alleged Foreign story — laid out in the recently disclosed documents — the shah was purely about Washington’s “prestige and attacks targeting American forces. Ministry has never been told. E. Huyser, told the Project credibility.” It was about “the abandonment of a friend U.S. Secretary of State Mike Mr. Rockefeller’s team called the campaign Project Eagle team that he had urged when he needed us most,” he wrote in his memoirs. spokesman Pompeo said top officials had Eagle, after the code name used for the shah. Exploit- Over lunch at the Knickerbocker Club in New York, Iran’s top military leaders to briefed President Donald Trump Mousavi ing clubby networks of power stretching deep into the Mr. Carter’s special envoy to Tehran, Gen. Robert E. on the attacks. White House, Mr. Rockefeller mobilized a phalanx of kill as many demonstrators Huyser, told the Project Eagle team that he had urged says the “We will not stand for the elder statesmen. Iran’s top military leaders to kill as many demonstrators United States as necessary to keep the shah Islamic Republic of Iran to They included Henry A. Kissinger, the former secretary as necessary to keep the shah in power. take actions that put American must accept of state and the chairman of a Chase advisory board; in power. If shooting over If shooting over the heads of demonstrators failed men and women in jeopardy,” John J. McCloy, the former commissioner of occupied the heads of demonstrators to disperse them, “move to focusing on the chests,” responsibility Pompeo told reporters in Palm Germany after World War II and an adviser to eight General Huyser said he told the Iranian generals, ac- failed to disperse them, “move Beach, Florida. for presidents as well as a future Chase chairman; a Chase cording to minutes of the lunch. “I got stern and noisy Earlier this month, Pompeo executive and former CIA agent, Archibald B. Roosevelt to focusing on the chests,” with the military,” he added, but in the end, the top consequences blamed Iranian-backed forces for Jr., whose cousin, the CIA agent Kermit Roosevelt Jr., general was “gutless.” of this “illegal General Huyser said he told the attacks on American military had orchestrated a 1953 coup to keep the shah in power; Only after the death of the shah, on July 27, 1980, the Iranian generals. bases in Iraq and threatened that measure”. and Richard M. Helms, a former director of the CIA nine months after his landing in Fort Lauderdale, did any attacks by Tehran or proxies and former ambassador to Iran. the restoration of a version of the deposed government. the Project Eagle team shift to new objectives. One was that harmed Americans or allies would be answered with a The records indicate that Mr. Rockefeller hoped for He evidently continued to advocate for some form protecting Mr. Rockefeller from blame for the crisis. decisive U.S. response. “We strongly condemn the Iranian proxy attack that wound- ed five Iraqi soldiers near the Baghdad Airport this week. To Iran’s leaders - the U.S. will respond decisively if #Iran or its Objectives of U.S. aggression on Hashd al-Shaabi positions proxies harm U.S. personnel or our Iraqi partners,” Pompeo 1 The U.S. has proved that it is the the Bab al-Mandab Strait have brought to Iraq have certainly roots in their fear authorities for Hashd al-Shaabi in the face said in a Twitter post on December 13. number one supporter of terrorism. Wash- about nothing but promoting terrorism. from the Iraqis’ rage against Washington’s of the U.S. aggressive move are testifying Tehran has rejected U.S. claim of involvement in the attacks ington’s claim of campaign against terrorism The U.S. has not been a savior. Rather it crisis-making behaviors. nationwide trust of Iraqis to the resistance as “false allegations”. is only a deception, and that is why their has been disruptor of the region’s security Widespread supports of popular and politi- forces which in turn shows failure of the Mousavi said at the time that Tehran understands that the military coalitions in the Persian Gulf and and stability. The U.S. officials’ secret trips cal groups as well as the country’s religious White House’s anti-resistance project. easiest job for the United States is to launch charges. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY DECEMBER 31, 2019

STOCK MARKET Iran to unveil 2 national brands TEDPIX 375547.7 IFX 4931.44 Sources: tse.ir, Ifb.ir of home appliances soon ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iran will as the latest data released by the Ministry CURRENCIES deskunveil two national of Industry, Mining and Trade show that USD 42,000 rials brands of home appliances in the near future, domestic manufacturing of home appliances the director general of Metal Industries and in the first six months of the current Iranian EUR 47,042 rials Home Appliances Department of Iranian calendar year (March 21-Spetember 22) has GBP 55,069 rials Ministry of Industry, Mining and Trade experienced a significant rise compared to announced. the same period last year. AED 11,437 rials Abbas Hashemi said that the new brands Based on the data released by the Industry Source: cbi.ir will meet some noticeable requirement of Ministry, in the mentioned period, production the domestic market, IRNA reported. of refrigerators and washing machines Due to the U.S. sanctions on Iran, two has witnessed the most increase, with the South Korean brands of home appliances left production increasing by 13.6 percent and the Iranian market some time ago because 13.4 percent respectively. COMMODITIES they could not import their required parts. As reported, over 595,500 refrigerators Brent $67.24/b And now their Iranian partners are and 291,400 washing machines were produced resuming production relying on domestic in the said six-months. WTI $61.94/b capabilities. The production of air cooler machines OPEC Basket $67.93/b “The Iranian sides managed to replace the also experienced a 2.1 percent rise to reach Korean parts with the domestically-made ones 564,200 devices. Gold $1,512.65/oz to create new brands”, the official highlighted. Now the experts believe that sanctions Silver $$17.89/oz As the current Iranian calendar year and bans on import of home appliances of 1398 is named the year of “Pickup in Mining and Trade has defined seven major year (ends on March 19, 2020). have encouraged domestic manufacturers Platinium $954.65/oz Production” by Leader of the Islamic plans to materialize this significant objective, As the import of many products of this for manufacturing more and better products. Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei among them the most important one which group has been banned, it could be an They also predict that promotion of Sources: oilprice.com, Moneymetals.com and given that realization of this motto is development of domestic production has opportunity for domestic manufacturers to domestic production will continue by the toward Iran’s self-reliance is in fact the only specified programs for boosting production promote their products, something which yearend and we will witness a good market way to tackle the U.S. cruel sanctions, all of products in different sectors. will lead not only to self-reliance but also to supply while lower prices in this year. governmental bodies have defined programs For home appliances, the set program high quality of products which will create In addition, they are of the opinion that Production by major to boost and flourish domestic production is manufacturing of 1,000 refrigerators, export markets. this trend of pickup in production will be and are seriously pursuing them. 800,000 washing machines, and 300,000 The defined programs for this sector also resulted in developing the markets of automakers exceeds 604,000 In this due, the Ministry of Industry, gas fireplace stoves in the current Iranian have already brought some fruitful results, Iranian products. in 9 months ECONOMY TEHRAN – Three major Iranian carmakers, Stock market posting more gains Iran’s annual dates output up 20% desknamely Iran Khodro (IKCO), SAIPA Group and Pars Khodro, manufactured 604,806 vehicles during the first nine ECONOMY TEHRAN — TEDPIX, ECONOMY TEHRAN — Produc- months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-December deskthe main index of Teh- desktion of dates in Iran has 22), IRNA reported citing the data released by Codal website. ran Stock Exchange (TSE), rose 5,817 reached 1.5 million tons in the current Irani- According to the data, during points to 375,547 on Monday, IRNA an calendar year (ends on March 19, 2020), the mentioned period IKCO manu- reported. registering a 20-percent rise from that of factured 260,534 vehicles of which Some 5.356 billion securities worth the previous year, IRNA reported, quoting 48,717 were produced in the ninth 29.871 trillion rials (about $711.2 million) the head of National Association of Iranian Iranian calendar month of Azar were reportedly traded at TSE. Dates (NAID). (November 22-December 21). As previously announced, TEDPIX Mohsen Rashid Farokhi underlined the Based on the data released by rose 49,000 points, or 16.7 percent, to increase in rainfalls and favorable weather the Mining and Trade Ministry stand at 353,997 points at the end of conditions as the major factors that contrib- earlier this month, Iranian car- the past Iranian calendar month of Azar 108 point to 4,931. uted to the increase in the production of dates exporters,” he explained. makers manufactured 394,400 (ends on December 21). Some 1.819 billion securities worth this year. According to the official, currently Iranian vehicles during the first seven Reportedly, some 82.215 billion secu- 13.923 trillion rias (about $331.5 million) The official said despite the good harvest, dates are being exported to India, Southeast months of the current Iranian rities worth 432.151 trillion rials (about were traded at IFB on Monday. the farmers are facing difficulties for selling Asia, CIS countries, Eurasia, Russia and Europe. calendar year (March 21-Octo- $10.29 billion) were traded through 10.153 IFX rose 15 percent in the past Ira- their products in foreign markets. Farokhi further noted that last year (March ber 22). million deals at TSE during the previous nian calendar month of Azar, while ex- He cited the government’s ban on date ex- 2018-March 2019), over 300,000 tons of dates The ministry’s data showed month, with growth of 61 percent and periencing a 102-percent rise since the ports and interference in the pricing process worth $400 million were exported to other that car manufacturing in Iran fell 76 percent in the number and value of beginning of current Iranian calendar over the past year as some of the issues that hurt countries. 35.8 percent in the seven-month traded securities, respectively, while 71 year (March 21). the export of the product and have become a Every year, up to 1.2 million tons of var- period of this year compared to the same period of time in the pre- percent rise in the number of deals. The index stood at 4,559 points at the concern for producers and exporters. ious types of dates are produced in 203,763 vious year. Iran’s over-the-counter (OTC) market end of the past month. “The price of dates is dependent on the hectares of land in Iran, making the country known as Iran Fara Bourse (IFB), also Value of trades at IFB rose 16 percent supply and demand and the government the second largest producer in terms of pro- witnessed growth of its index on Monday. in the previous month and 85 percent should not price it, because such pricing will duction and area under cultivation and the Private sector exports over $1b IFX, the main index of IFB, jumped since the year start. not be economically viable for producers and fifth largest exporter. of oil products in 4 months

ECONOMY TEHRAN — Head of Tehran Chamber of Com- deskmerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (TCCIMA)’s New incentives to be offered to auto parts manufacturers energy committee says the country’s private sector has managed to ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iranian carmakers have Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei on supporting export over $1 billion worth of oil products in the first four months of deskprepared some incentive packages to en- production in the current Iranian calendar year (began on the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-July 22), IRIB reported. courage investment making by the auto parts manufacturers, March 21), which is named the year of “Pickup in Produc- The private sector exported 2.7 million liters of such products in the according to the secretary of Specialized Manufactures of tion” by the supreme leader, Rahmani stressed that coop- mentioned period, which is an indication of this sector’s huge capacities Auto Parts Association. eration among all car makers, auto part manufacturers, for bringing foreign currency into the country’s economic cycle, Reza Arash Mohebinejad said that offering these incentives is knowledge-based companies and enterprises is vital for Padidar said on Monday during the 12th meeting of the TCCIMA energy in line with promotion of indigenizing the manufacturing strengthening domestic manufacturing of imported auto parts. and environment committee. of auto parts, IRNA reported. This movement should be all-out promoted to combat Purchasing the domestically-made auto parts at the same sanctions and also prevent from exit of foreign currency price of the similar imported parts and making the purchase from the country, the minister noted. guarantee deals with the auto part manufacturers are some He said the policy of domestic manufacturing of auto of these incentives, Mohebinejad stated. parts should be seriously followed up, and in this due the In mid-May, Iranian Industry, Mining and Trade Min- capable manufacturers should be seriously supported. ister Reza Rahmani issued a directive on “strengthening Given that 1.25 million vehicles are anticipated to be domestic manufacturing of imported auto parts”. manufactured in the country during the current Iranian Addressing two of his deputies, Farshad Moqimi, deputy the highest potential of human resources for strengthening calendar year (ends on March 19, 2020), the part manufac- for industrial affairs, and Mohammad-Baqer Ali, the board domestic manufacturing of auto parts which are currently turers will need 150 trillion rials of working capital (about chairman of Iran’s Industrial Development and Renovation imported to the country. $3.571 billion) for the purchase of raw materials and other Organization (IDRO), the minister put emphasis on using Highlighting the orders of the Supreme Leader of Islamic required items. Since the U.S. withdrew from Iran’s nuclear pact in May 2018, vow- ing to drive Iran’s oil exports down to zero, the Islamic Republic has been taking various measures to counter U.S. actions and to lessen its economy’s reliance on oil. Could Japan’s bond bubble burst in 2020? In this regard, National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) has been offering For around 20 years now, shorting Japanese government ernment spending, particularly mandatory social security a variety of oil products in the country’s energy exchange (IRENEX) in bonds has been the ultimate “widowmaker” trade. expenditures, heightening fiscal sustainability concerns order to encourage the private sector for engaging more in the exports Year after year, punters reckoned it was time Tokyo’s and potentially triggering bond market stress,” the IMF of such products. unsustainable debt load, dismal demographics and neg- argues in a recent report. “Higher risk premia could increase ligible growth would collide to panic markets, send yields debt service costs and refinancing risks for the sovereign soaring and stampede investors. – with adverse feedback effects to the financial system India may surpass Germany Since December 2012, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s and the real economy.” stimulus efforts managed to produce the longest expansion Granted, the coming borrowing binge might not seem to become fourth-largest since the 1980s. To offset the jump in borrowing needed daunting for a $5 trillion economy; the headline figure economy in 2026 to finance countless fiscal-spending packages, Abe’s gov- amounts to about $239 billion. ernment has hiked sales taxes twice. At some point, though, bond investors will object to India is expected to overtake Germany to become fourth-largest The first in 2014 boosted consumption levies to 8% from being party to the cycle in which Japan Inc. is trapped. economy in 2026 and Japan to become third largest in 2034, ac- 5%. It triggered an immediate recession, necessitating Each pledge or effort to curb overall debt ends up falling cording a recent report by the UK-based Centre for Economics and even greater bond issuance. At the start of 2014, Japan’s short, only to be subsumed by the next one. Business Research (CEBR). It further said India is also set to reach debt-to-gross-domestic product ratio was 232.5%. By the Another worry is what happens when the market’s big- a gross domestic product (GDP) of D 5 trillion by 2026, 2 years later end of 2019, it’s seen topping 240% – on the way to 250%. gest investor – the Bank of Japan – slims down. At the than the government’s target. That’s even before considering the fallout from another start of each year, traders bet this will be in one in which “India has decisively overtaken both France and the UK to become sales tax hike in October – that one to 10%. On December the BOJ “tapers” or goes even further, reducing its titanic 12th straight monthly drop. Business confidence is cra- the world’s fifth-largest economy in 2019. It is expected to overtake 5, Abe’s Cabinet announced a new stimulus jolt to offset the balance sheet. tering, while the 4.2% drop in industrial production in Germany to become fourth largest in 2026 and Japan to become the damage, a replay of 2014. It telegraphed a sizable short- Since 2013, BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda’s team October was the biggest in nearly two years. Inflation rose third largest in 2034,” the report, titled ‘World Economic League fall in tax collections and larger bond auctions. As such, has hoarded more than half of all outstanding govern- just 0.5% in November, a long way from the 2% target. Table 2020’, said. observes Fitch Ratings, “Japan’s fiscal health is unlikely ment securities. It has also cornered the stock market by And that mild increase, mind you, was exaggerated by the Japan, Germany and India will battle for third position over the to improve.” snapping up more than 75% of exchange-traded funds. October sales-tax hike. next 15 years, according to the CEBR. This fits with recent rumblings from the International By the end of 2018, the BOJ’s balance sheet exceeded the In part, Kuroda’s team is worried about the banking Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government’s Monetary Fund. Its economists worry a fast-aging and size of Japan’s entire economy. (Yes, you read that right.) sector in 2020. Ultra-low rates, coupled with its negative target of taking the economy to 5 D trillion by 2024, it said, “India shrinking population is stymying Tokyo’s efforts to service And by April 2019, the BOJ became a top-10 shareholder bond yield policy, make it hard for banks to, say, borrow is also set to reach a GDP of D 5 trillion by 2026 — 2 years later than a worsening debt burden. In 2018, Japan saw the lowest in half of all Tokyo-listed companies. That means the BOJ cheaply via short-dated securities and charge more for the current government target.” But, dark clouds gathering all over number of births since 1899. is a bigger stockholder than even Japan’s Government long-term loans. The BOJ’s unprecedented stimulus has the economy are leading many to question the maintainability of Age-related spending Pension Investment Fund, the world’s largest. deadened bond trading. the target. (Source: financialexpress.com) “Demographic trends will increase age-related gov- Exports fell 7.9% in November from a year earlier, the (Source: asiatimes.com) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBERDECEMBER 31,31, 20192019 ENERGY 5

Oil steady on upbeat data, Petchem industry at forefront Middle East unrest

Oil prices held on to three-month highs on Monday, underpinned by optimism over an expected China-U.S. trade deal and upbeat of Iran’s non-oil exports industrial data, while traders kept a close watch on the Middle East following U.S. air strikes in Iraq and Syria. Brent crude futures LCOc1 were up 0.18% at $68.28 a barrel, ENERGY TEHRAN – President such as preventing crude sales, development up 12 cents. The international benchmark has risen around 27% deskHassan Rouhani stressed and employment, saying “The petrochemical in 2019. the significant role of Iran’s petrochemical industry has been well on its way to achieving West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures CLc1 rose one industry in the country’s economy in the these policies, and setting up each petro- cent to $61.73 a barrel by 0940 GMT. The U.S. benchmark is up face of U.S. sanctions, saying that it is at chemical plant has been a step toward further about 36% so far this year. the forefront of the country’s non-oil exports, development of the downstream industries, “Trading has been relatively flat due to lack of market par- IRNA reported. and creating thousands of jobs and sub-units.” ticipants in the holiday season,” said market analyst Margaret Rouhani made the remarks in a meet- The minister noted the importance of Yang of CMC Markets. ing attended by the officials and managers diversification of products, greater use of of the industry, including the Oil Minister liquid feedstock and land preparation, as Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, on the occasion of some of the important factors to be taken the National Petrochemical Industry Day in into account for the future development of Tehran on Monday. the petrochemical industry, and said “In this Mentioning the industry as an impor- industry, great work has been done in creating tant source of revenues for the country, the knowledge, indigenizing technologies and president said: “The enemy thought that our cooperation with universities.” foreign revenues would be impaired if the “Also, several institutes have been estab- crude oil revenue declined.” lished to work on new technologies related “According to the governor of the central to the petrochemical industry,” he added. bank, 20 percent of the country’s foreign Zanganeh also mentioned the projects currency needs and more than 50 percent underway for expansion of the country’s of the injections to the NIMA system [Iran’s feedstock production capacity and said that domestic Forex Management Integrated completing such projects will create signif- System] are provided by the petrochemical icant feedstock sources for the country’s President Hassan Rouhani (middle), Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh (L) and “Oil prices have reached their highest level since the Saudi industry,” Rouhani added. petrochemical plants along with the South the Head of National Petrochemical Company (NPC) Behzad Mohammadi (R) visit an oilfield attack in mid-September, and thus traders are also cau- He further mentioned the oil ministry’s Pars, and will also prevent the burning of exhibition of the Iranian petrochemical industry’s latest achievements on the occasion tious about profit-taking possibilities,” she added. programs for development of the petro- flare gases. of the national petrochemical industry’s day in Tehran on Monday. Tensions in the Middle East have flared up as the United States chemical industry and noted: “According Accompanied by Behzad Mohammadi, the carried out air strikes on Sunday against the Kataib Hezbollah to statistics, by the end of the second leap, (starts in March 2021), Rouhani added: the year, saying that by the end of the second head of National Petrochemical Company militia group, while protesters in Iraq on Saturday briefly forced our petrochemical production capacity is production capacity will be increased from leap, the figure will reach $25 billion a year (NPC), President Rouhani and Zanganeh also the closure of its southern Nassiriya oilfield. projected to reach 100 million tons per year.” 100 million tons to 133 million tons at the and it will exceed $37 billion in the third leap. visited an exhibition of the Iranian petrochem- U.S. officials said the air strikes were in response to the killing Noting that the industry’s third develop- end of the third leap, which is a big step. A movement toward future ical industry’s latest achievements which was of a U.S. civilian contractor in a rocket attack on an Iraqi military ment leap has already begun and is expected He put the country’s earnings from the Zanganeh for his part, referred to some of held to celebrate the national petrochemical base were successful, but warned that “additional actions” may to be completed after the Iranian year 1400 petrochemical sector at about $17 billion a the policies emphasized by the government, industry’s day. still be taken. Elsewhere, Libyan state oil firm NOC said it is considering the closure of its western Zawiya port and evacuating staff from the refinery due to clashes nearby. IOOC allocates $2.6b to boost offshore oil output Oil prices were also supported by declining U.S. crude stocks, ENERGY TEHRAN – Head of completion and installation of five offshore this contract is the supply of at least 60 which fell by 5.5 million barrels in the week to Dec. 20, far exceeding deskIranian Offshore Oil platforms, construction of offshore pipelines percent of required drilling equipment by a 1.7-million-barrel drop forecast in a Reuters poll. Company (IOOC) says his company has and cabling and gas supply facilities. domestic manufacturers in accordance with In China, factory activity had likely expanded again in December 110 trillion rials (over $2.6 billion) worth Noting that all of the mentioned projects international standards, which is an effective on stronger external demand and an infrastructure push at home of development and maintenance projects have been awarded to Iranian contractors, step in empowering domestic drill builders in the although the pace of growth is set to ease as markets await more underway that are aimed at boosting the oil the official explained: currently, a project to development of offshore fields, the official said. certainty on a U.S.-China trade truce, a Reuters poll showed. production from the country’s offshore fields by maintain and increase oil production in Siri Back in September, the former IOOC Head China’s Commerce Ministry said it is in close touch with the 85,000 barrels per day (bpd), IRNA reported field in the Persian Gulf being carried out by Hamid Bovard had said that his company saved United States on the signing of a long-awaited trade deal. on Monday. an Iranian company is under a 12-trillion-rial nearly 300 million euros in its annual expenses of experience. The two countries on Dec. 13 announced a “Phase one” agreement According to Alireza Salman-Zadeh, the (about $285 million) contract, based on which since 2016 through structural modifications The main operation area of Iranian Offshore that reduces some U.S. tariffs in exchange for what U.S. officials mentioned projects include drilling, repairing the contractor is going to drill two new wells and regulations. Oil Company is the Persian Gulf where four said would be a big jump in Chinese purchases of American farm and completing 40 wells, construction and in the Sivand and Esfand fields. IOOC is one of the world’s largest offshore oil other oil producing countries are located on products and other goods. installation of two wellhead equipment, One of the important points regarding producing companies, with over a half century the other side. (Source: reuters.com)

Energy minister inaugurates 2 small-scale power plants in central Iran of projects will be inaugurated in each of the country’s provinces, on average. Based on this program, Energy Min- istry plans to inaugurate some water, electricity projects across the country every week. Earlier this month, Ardakanin said 3000 MW capacity of new power plants are going to go on-stream across the country by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (March 19, 2020). According to the official, in the re- maining three months of the current Iranian year nine major projects are planned to be inaugurated in different provinces across the country. The nominal capacity of electricity generation at Iranian power plants cur- rently stands at nearly 85,000 megawatts Iranian Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian (2nd L) inaugurates a small-scale power [84.795 gigawatts (GW)]. plant in Rafsanjan county in the southcentral province of Kerman on Monday. Iran’s total power generation capacity ENERGY TEHRAN – Iranian Ministry (Paven), with 4.5 trillion rials stood at 80,000 MW in the past Iranian deskEnergy Minister Reza (about $107 million) of investment, the calendar year 1397 (March 2018-March Ardakanian inaugurated, on Monday, mentioned power plants went on stream 2019), up from the 78,484 MW of its two small-scale power plants with a total in the 11th week of the energy ministry’s preceding year. capacity of 58 megawatts (MW) in Raf- A-B Iran program. According to a report by Tasnim news sanjan city in the southcentral province Under the A-B Iran [the acronyms A agency, the country’s power generation of Kerman. and B stand for water, electricity in Per- capacity is set to reach 85,695 MW by the As reported by the portal of the Energy sian], 10 trillion rials (over $238 million) end of the current Iranian calendar year. 2020 could be Africa’s arrival as a solar market with size After a long wait, 2020 could well mark a decisive shift in the The “project is expected to benefit about 1.7 million people energy availability graph for countries in Africa, as multiple currently living without electricity connections or with unreliable approaches and tactics finally make a case for a stronger push. supply, as well as businesses and public institutions who will For long, Africa has suffered from the world’s lowest electrifi- use modern standalone solar systems to improve their living cation rate. Figures from 2017 state that Its power consumption standards and economic activities,” the World Bank had said per capita is just 613 kilowatt-hours per year, in a statement announcing the funding. In figures that have been cited regularly, electricity con­sumption Taking the cue is a new breed of African innovators that is per person in large African countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, and harnessing mobile money, along with advances in solar power Nigeria is less than one-tenth that of Brazil or China. In poorer and battery storage, to leapfrog the continent’s gaps in electric countries such as Mali, a typical household uses less electricity power generation. in a year than a Londoner uses to boil a kettle each day. And Solar-powered electricity nearly 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to One example is Kenya-based M-Kopa, which provides so- electricity altogether — with the result that whole communities lar-powered electricity generation and storage solutions to live in the dark, come night time. households that lack access to the grid — and finances payment Back in April this year, the African Development Bank started over a twelve-month period via mobile money accounts. Since a campaign to “light up and power Africa”. It has committed $12 its founding, in 2011, M-KOPA has sold more than 600,000 billion to energy projects between 2017 and 2022, and aims to household kits and garnered investments from multinationals attract a further $50 billion in private sector investment. including Japan’s Mitsui. The World Bank has agreed to bolster the Regional Off-Grid Another example is Uganda-based Fenix, which has sold Electrification Project (ROGEP) with access to $225 million in 140,000 solar power kits, also enabled by mobile money. In cash and credit. late 2017 Fenix was acquired by Engie, a major global energy Funding is critical to cover the high initial capital costs, as company based in France, as part of a drive to use digital tech- well as cover for lack of adequate information on key parameters nologies to provide 20 million people around the world with like credit history of customers etc. decarbonized, decentralized energy by 2020. The World Bank funds include $150 million in credit and Yet another pioneer is UK-based BBOXX, which distributes grants from the International Development Association – a unit its solar kits through agents in ten African countries — and uses of the World Bank that helps the world’s poorest countries – and remote monitoring technology to improve battery life and users’ a $74.7 million contingent recovery grant from the Clean Tech- experience. nology Fund of the Climate Investment Funds, which are also The fact that most off grid suppliers have to compete with administered by the World Bank alongside regional development diesel powered captive power, and barely any central grid, makes banks. Contingent recovery grants must be repaid if other lenders the opportunity, and the battle more even. go on to supply funding to ROGEP. (Source: saurenergy.com) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 INTERNATIONAL DECEMBER 31, 2019

Greta Thunberg’s father: What will the world ‘She is happy, but I worry’

Greta Thunberg’s father has said he thought it was “a bad idea” for his daughter to take to the “front line” of the battle against climate change. look like in 2030? Millions of people have been inspired to join the 16-year-old in raising awareness of environmental issues. Lab meat. Cyberterror. Influencer I.P.O.s. The Times asked public figures for their predictions on the best and worst to come. But Svante Thunberg told the BBC he was “not sup- The reviews are in for the 2010s and they are P.W. Singer (Cybersecurity Specialist, portive” of his daughter skipping school for the climate at best mixed. For good reason: You can stroll fellow at New America): Our cities, workplaces strike. down the street talking to your far-flung grand- and homes will be “smarter” by 2030. That Mr Thunberg said Greta was much happier since be- mother on FaceTime while corporations and means nearly everything in our lives will be coming an activist - but that he worries about the “hate” governments use facial recognition technology networked into profitable, energy-saving in- she faces. to surveil you. There’s been a multicultural frastructures — much of it prudently designed As part of the same broadcast, guest-edited by Greta renaissance in arts and culture and a sluggish, to ward off the worst of climate change. But the for Radio 4’s Today programme, Sir David Attenborough unequal recovery from the Great Recession. transition to an autonomous, always-watch- told her she had “woken up the world” to climate change. Donald Trump was elected president and Al- ing-us internet of things will be bumpy. The She called Sir David on Skype from Stockholm in exandria Ocasio-Cortez emerged as a potential economy, politics and even family life will strug- Sweden, where she lives, and told him how he inspired new face of the Democratic Party. Depending gle to master a world of evermore intelligent her activism. on who you are, some trends of this decade have systems that operate in ways we understand The broadcaster and naturalist told Greta she had delighted you, others filled you with dread. less and less. Don’t expect the old sci-fi clichés “achieved things that many of us who have been working The 2020s will surely be characterized by the of a robot uprising. Expect the rise of even more on the issue for 20 years have failed to do”. same subjective mix of terror and excitement. populist anger, driven by so much change so He added that the 16-year-old was the “only reason” But over what? quickly; new crimes that exploit those very same that climate change became a key topic in the recent UK The New York Times Opinion section asked networks; and a new generation of terrorists, general election. politicians, writers, technologists, thinkers and able to hold an entire city hostage. others what most excites or terrifies them about Jami Attenberg (Novelist, author what will come between now and 2030. of “All this could be yours”): A decade ago, Edward Snowden (Former N.S.A. everyone was worried the internet would kill contractor and author of “Permanent Record”): the independent bookstore. But nearly 1,000 The drowned cities of tomorrow will be Edward Snowden is an American whistleblower who copied and leaked classified information new stores have opened in the United States founded on the conveniences of today. Elec- from the National Security Agency (NSA) in 2013 when he was a CIA employee and since 2009. And the owners — in partnership tricity usage by data centers is enormous and subcontractor. When he published his memoirs, “Permanent Record”, a U.S. court ordered with authors and readers themselves — are expanding, threatening to top 10 percent of profits to be redirected to the U.S. government. He was granted asylum in Russia where harnessing the dynamic nature of the inter- global electricity consumption within the next he presently lives. (Getty Images) net like some wild and wicked young horse to decade and to produce roughly five times the Ezra Klein (Editor at large, Vox.com): future of which we should all be afraid and do promote their decidedly more fixed product. CO2 emissions of all current global air travel. Every year, we kill more than 70 billion ani- everything we can to avoid: The internet as we “Bookstagram” and “book twitter” comple- As more power is required to cool these data mals for food. The vast majority of them live know it is largely American, but by 2030 the ment the bookstore, boosting retail sales and centers, the warmer the planet will become; lives of suffering, jammed into the grooves Chinese Communist Party will have built an audiences for readings. For a recent book launch, and as consumer electronics get cheaper and of our industrial agriculture system. But hu- entirely new internet where Beijing attempts to I wrote postcards to readers who preordered my Svante Thumberg and his daughter sailed to a climate summit more disposable, the more they will leach their man beings aren’t exempt from its costs. Our monopolize key supply chains, stifle free speech book through Books Are Magic then watched in New York on zero-carbon yacht. (Kena Betancur/Getty Images) minerals into our groundwater, poisoning the meat habit is responsible for almost a fifth of and hoard personal data. The menace is already as the recipients posted images on social media, future. global greenhouse gas emissions, a third of real. The C.C.P. is increasingly exporting its responding to what I sent. There is no playbook Greta was nominated for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, To achieve sustainability we will need to arable land use and more than 10 percent of model abroad. Huawei and ZTE seek to build for any of this. We’re operating on instinct and after spearheading a global movement demanding world treat technological change and environmen- the worldwide freshwater footprint. the world’s networks; WeChat and TikTok play genuine symbiosis. And community-oriented leaders take action over climate change. It led to co-or- tal change as symbiotic. If more efforts aren’t Without the 20th-century advances in a growing role in online discourse; Chinese bookstores are thriving. That will remain the dinated school strikes across the globe. directed toward converting data centers to breeding, antibiotics, ventilation, transport cryptocurrencies could one day threaten the case over the next 10 years. We’re not letting She is among five high-profile people taking over the renewable energy, and innovating ecologi- and more, processing enough animals to feed dollar. It’s not too late to stop — but we need go of these stores, or each other, anytime soon. Today programme as guest editors during the festive cally-responsible, recyclable machines and the world would have been impossible. But the a sense of urgency. Garry Kasparov (Chairman of the period. batteries, then the internet, too, will become conditions were inhumane — and what that Mark Blyth (Professor of international Renew Democracy Initiative and former world The BBC flew presenter Mishal Husain to Sweden to a weapon of the rich, even more than it already technology wrought, other technology may end. political economy, Brown University): Only one chess champion): I’ve made my share of dire interview the teenager and her father. is — a tool used to seize and control ever more The rise of plant and cell-based meat is the thing matters between now and 2030: climate forecasts — and as quite a few of them have On the decision to fly, Today editor Sarah Sands said: scarce natural resources. emerging trend that fills me with the most hope. change. Strange, then, that we will do nothing come to pass, I’m often called a pessimist. In “We just did not have time for other means of transport. Stacey Abrams (Democrat from Geor- The spread of Impossible Burgers and the soar- about it — for reasons of politics. The Republi- reality, I’m an optimist, issuing warnings in But we met our cameraman there and the interview be- gia): In 2030, America will be only a decade ing performance of the Beyond Meat I.P.O. cans are denialists whose main constituencies the hope of being proven wrong. Despite my tween Greta and David Attenborough was conducted or so from a becoming a majority-minority have proven that there’s a multibillion-dollar are in states whose business model is carbon professional focus on A.I. and the human-ma- by Skype, which felt the right way for the two of them nation — a complicated transition fraught market for clean meats, only now in its infancy. heavy. The Democrats are Green New Deal-ers chine relationship that will define our future, to communicate.” with challenges of identity and fraternity. In It’s entirely possible that by 2030 we’ll be on at the grass-roots level, but the money people the emerging trend I’m most concerned about Struggle with depression the meantime, the international community our way to growing healthier, tastier, kinder, inside the party fear and distrust their base. is purely human. The free world is lurching Speaking to Husain as part of the show, Mr Thunberg will also have to move toward net zero car- cheaper and more environmentally sustainable With that kind of split among the Democrats, toward a polarized, post-truth reality that re- said his daughter had struggled with depression for “three bon emissions. Our only path to a thoughtful, meat — at a mass scale, without all the killing. it’s easy to imagine the plausible: Trump wins minds me of my life in the Soviet Union, where or four years” before she began her school strike. responsive transition is a truly participatory If so, we’ll live through one of the greatest re- re-election, leaving the Denialist in Chief to the truth was whatever the regime said it was “She stopped talking... she stopped going to school,” democracy: Citizens will have to decide that ductions in sentient suffering in history. continue at the top of the world’s most power- that day. If the battle for a shared, fact-based he said. we are something greater than a collection of Alexandra Scaggs (Financial jour- ful government. With the Senate more or less reality is not fought and won, 2030 will make He added that it was the “ultimate nightmare for a individuals or political factions. Though we nalist): Unless central banks decide to keep structurally locked in their favor, Republicans the outrages and demagogy of 2019 look like parent” when Greta began refusing to eat. have been reminded in recent years that de- borrowing rates low indefinitely, by 2030 a will probably get one more clean shot at the a golden age of comity. To help her get better, Mr Thunberg spent more time mocracy is fragile, Americans are preparing roughly $12 trillion corporate debt bubble will White House in 2024. But thereafter, climate Min Jin Lee (novelist, author of with Greta and her younger sister, Beata, at their home for the challenge by participating in the 2020 burst and break the economy as we know it. change will be “Too Big to Ignore,” and boomers “Pachinko”): When I was in college in the late in Sweden. Greta’s mother, opera singer and former census, registering marginalized communities That’s when things could get weird: Amer- will no longer be a decisive electoral bloc. At ‘80s, I went to chapel on Sundays. There were Eurovision Song Contest participant Malena Ernman, and fighting voter suppression. By 2030, we’ll icans will have to legally declare themselves to that point, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is either a four or five undergraduates at the services; I cancelled contracts so the whole family could be together. see whether our nation has stood true to its be businesses in order to find work — either kingmaker or obtains the nomination herself, didn’t hang out with them. I’d sit alone in an The family also sought help from doctors, Mr Thunberg pluralistic roots and used the climate crisis as contract work for a few surviving conglomerates and perhaps even wins. But this will be 12 years empty pew, mumble the hymns, then right said. Greta was diagnosed with Asperger’s - a form of an opportunity to restore alliances here and or selling directly to customers online. Top after we were told we had 12 years to fix the after the benediction, I’d dash to the dining autism - four years ago, something she has said allows around the world. influencers will fare better, raising millions problem. Oops. hall. I wouldn’t mention where I had been. her to “see things from outside the box”. Caity Weaver (Writer at large, the New of dollars in personal brand I.P.O.s. But most Dambisa Moyo (Economist, author As a Gen X liberal, I avoided talking to anyone Over the next few years they began discussing and York Times magazine): By the end of the decade, workers will live at the whim of sprawling, of “Edge of Chaos”): Forecasts suggest the about Jesus, God or the Bible. Going to church researching climate change, with Greta becoming in- ads will be the highlight of my days. I might, tech-led corporations — even line cooks and world’s population could reach a staggering was awkward, isolating, uncool. creasingly passionate about tackling the issue. by then, have a child, who might occasionally dishwashers, whose apps schedule them for 9 billion people by 2030 — triple the population Campuses today seem to be blooming with As “very active” human rights advocates, Greta accused behave in captivating ways — but it will be no shifts with little notice. Bloggers and writers will of the early 1960s. Much of this increase will faith groups. Jewish students can happily go her parents of being “huge hypocrites”, Mr Thunberg said. match for my personalized ads. Mass custom- try to survive by selling à la carte subscriptions come from the poorest regions of India, South to Chabad or Hillel House, and churchgoing “Greta said: ‘Whose human rights are you standing ization is already, if not improving our lives, through Facebook-owned platforms. A drive America and Africa. Africa alone is expected Christians find support through a number of up for?’, since we were not taking this climate issue se- certainly making them more particular. Social to organize incorporated bartenders will fail to represent nearly half of the world’s popu- denominations without shame. Muslim and riously,” he explained. media home pages auto populate with photos once the Supreme Court rules they violate lation by the middle of this century; by some Hindu students are finding faith communities He said Greta got “energy” from her parents’ changes and videos (short videos, thank God) irresistibly antitrust law by colluding to raise prices — a estimates, India is adding 1 million people to alongside students who identify publicly as in behaviour to become more environmentally friendly - similar to those we have previously clicked. And precedent that will effectively kill private-sec- its working age population a month. If we don’t Baha’i, Buddhist, Zoroastrian, Mormon, Jain, such as her mother choosing not to travel by aeroplane nothing is better attuned to our true selves than tor unions. Only shareholder prudence and place international cooperation over national Shinto, Tao and Unitarian. And respect for and her father becoming vegan. the tracking data that trail us like ducklings. worker solidarity will be able to keep full-time self-interest, the world will be unprepared for indigenous spiritual traditions is a norm on Mr Thunberg has also accompanied his daughter on Did you once consider buying a blanket online? work a norm. But who, after the 2010s, can this population explosion, which could become campus. The young people I meet around her sailing expeditions to UN climate summits in New You sound like someone addicted to blankets. count on that? a catalyst for greater global conflict with dire the country today are far more open about York and Madrid. Greta refuses to travel by air because Perhaps you’d enjoy seeing other blankets you Mike Gallagher (Republican Con- implications for the global economy, migrants their religious practices than in years past. of its environmental impact. could buy, in between images of friends? gressman from Wisconsin): Here’s a dystopian and the environment. My guess? By 2030, religion will actually have “I did all these things, I knew they were the right thing I experience a Darwinian thrill observ- a stronger hold on young people. to do... but I didn’t do it to save the climate, I did it to ing my ads’ coevolution with me in real time. Larry David (Comedian, writer and save my child,” Mr Thunberg said. They memorize my soul and in exchange teach producer): Besides being a great bar mitzvah “I have two daughters and to be honest they are all that me that, yes, I would like to learn about an D.J. and amateur chemist, one of my unique matter to me. I just want them to be happy,” he added. Australian shoe brand I’ve never heard of. talents is spotting trends. In 1964, I was the Mr Thunberg said Greta has “changed” and become In 2030, the only ads I encounter will be for first to predict that jeans were going to be all “very happy” as a result of her activism. products I would kill to buy, with no filler of the rage — and look how that turned out. That “You think she’s not ordinary now because she’s special, irrelevant medications or home décor that was also the same year I watched my friend and she’s very famous, and all these things. But to me fails to complement my aesthetic. They’ll be get stoned and I immediately told everyone, she’s now an ordinary child - she can do all the things our new little loved ones. “Hey, I think this marijuana thing could really like other people can,” he said. Andrew Yang (Democratic presi- catch on! People seem to love it!” Truth be “She dances around, she laughs a lot, we have a lot of dential candidate): The greatest challenge told, I also predicted the demise of the bagel, fun - and she’s in a very good place.” of our time is automation, and by 2030 we’ll but nobody’s perfect. However, since Greta’s school strike stunt went viral be experiencing its full effects on our econ- Be that as it may, I am prepared to state online, Mr Thunberg said she has faced abuse from people omy and society. Technology can improve unequivocally that the next big trend will be who “don’t want to change” their lifestyles in order to lives. It can also take away jobs. This is in outright, brazen, shameless lying. This, of save the environment. large part how we have already ended up in course, originated in the White House and Greta has said previously that people abuse her for a world where 78 percent of people are living I’m already seeing signs of it everywhere. “my looks, my clothes, my behaviour and my differences”. paycheck-to-paycheck, most new jobs are Even I, heretofore the George Washington Her father said he was particularly worried about contract or gig work and recent college grad- of comedians, have succumbed. “the fake news, all the things that people try to fabricate uates are drowning in debt while also being Here’s just one example: Last week I at- her - the hate that that generates”. underemployed. Children are experiencing tended the screening of a director friend’s new But he added that his daughter deals with the criticism depression and loneliness at record rates movie, which I hated. The next day, when he “incredibly well”. because of smartphones and social media. asked me what I thought of it, I told him I hadn’t “Quite frankly, I don’t know how she does it, but she Without understanding and getting ahead seen it. He said incredulously, “What are you laughs most of the time. She finds it hilarious.” of much of this, we’ll end up at the mercy of talking about? I saw you there.” I said, “No, you Mr Thunberg said he hoped things would become “less the big tech companies. We need to re-eval- must’ve thought you saw me. There are always intense” for his family in the future and that he thinks uate the way we view work, put people over a lot of old bald guys at these screenings.” “But Greta “really wants to go back to school”. profits and create an economy that works we spoke!” “Again, you’re confusing me with He added that as Greta turns 17 soon, she will no for us instead of the other way around. I someone else.” At that moment, I saw him longer need to be accompanied on her travels. fear what will happen if we do nothing, but questioning his own sanity and I knew I was “If she needs me there, I’ll try to do it,” he said. “But I I’m excited by what could happen if we pick Gary Kasparov, Newsweek 1997. At age of 22, he became youngest World Champion in in. Three days later he was put in a straitjacket think she’ll be, more and more, going to do it by herself our heads up from our different screens and chess history. His famous maches against the IBM supercomputer Deep Blue brought and taken to Bellevue. Yeah, this lying thing which is great.” come together. chess and artificial intelligence into the mainstream. is going to be big. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 31, 2019 ANALYSIS & INTERVIEW 7

Iran-Russia-China naval exercise Iran-Russia-China joint drills show U.S. global power ‘Diminishing’: American shows isolating Tehran isn’t possible analyst By Rudroneel Ghosh the injustice meted out to it, Iran has also indicated it is ready to sign and ratify by the TEHRAN (Tasnim) — An American political analyst IRANDAILY — In a powerful example Iranian Parliament an additional protocol said the ongoing joint drills of Iran, Russia and China in of how the world is increasingly becom- that will allow more intrusive inspection of the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Oman herald a new day ing multipolar and that Iran, despite US the country’s nuclear facilities at an earlier in international relations, adding that the ability of the US pressure, cannot be isolated, Iran, China date than set out in the 2015 deal. Plus, and its allies to dominate the world is “quickly diminishing”. and Russia are holding joint naval drills in Iran is ready to enshrine a ban on nuclear “The joint naval exercise by Iran, Russia and China is the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman. It will weapons in law. [Iran Leader Ayatollah a major geopolitical event and heralds a new day in inter- be recalled that ever since the US pulled Seyyed Ali Khamenei has already issue a national relations. It shows that the nations of the world, out of the Iran nuclear deal last year, it has fatwa banning the manufacturing of nu- with their differing social, economic and political systems deployed a so-called maximum pressure clear weapons]. But this would have to be can unite in the face of continued economic and political strategy against the Islamic Republic that in exchange of the US lifting all sanctions aggression from the Western powers led by the US,” Dennis has involved slapping of sanctions, includ- against Iran and ratifying the same by US Etler, a professor of Anthropology at Cabrillo College in ing secondary sanctions, against Tehran. Congress — something which is more than fair. Additionally, the US has now put together However, Trump continues to believe a naval coalition force to patrol the Persian his maximum pressure tactic will pay off. Gulf and Gulf of Oman citing supposed But as the Iran, Russia, China joint exercise threats to ships in the region. shows, Washington’s hard power options have All of this is illegal. The US withdrew from their limits. It would be best to resolve the the Iran nuclear deal unilaterally, despite situation through fair dialogue, respecting Tehran following every stipulation asked Iran’s rights and international protocols, and of it. This was an international accord that putting military options off the table. Most of was painstakingly put together after years of all, the US must junk its ‘isolate Iran’ plan. negotiations and approved by the UN. Yet, It clearly isn’t working. US President Donald Trump pulled out of people. Many describe this as an economic naval exercise shows, the US can no longer Rudroneel Ghosh is a Delhi-based jour- the pact without any real justification. And genocide launched by the US against Iran. unilaterally impose its will over matters. nalist working for the Edit Page of The Times in reimposing crippling sanctions on Iran But sanctions in the past did not break There are forces today capable of coun- of India. This article was first published on he has tried to starve the Iranian economy, Iran. It is unlikely to do so now either. tering US unilateralism and Iran won’t be timesofindia.indiatimes.com on December thereby hurting the poorest of the poor Iranian Furthermore, as Iran, Russia, China joint without friends. On the other hand, despite 29, 2019.

Islamic Banking plan: bankers confrontation with MPs 1 “Having the plan implemented, CBI would need the government has been receiving loans from the country’s almost two years to regain its stability,” he noted, “Under the banks to compensate its budget deficiency but it was not present sanctions, it is not vital to make such amendments.” able to fulfill its commitments,” he noted. Banking experts do not reject the positive aspects of the “Accordingly, banks had to deal with a large volume of bill but note that it includes major weaknesses. They believe arrears that they had not been paid to. Besides they were that the bill had to be prepared initially by the banking system cut out from international financial resources,” he added. Aptos, California, told Tasnim. and experts and after getting investigated by the government “The conditions made state-run banks and private ones He added, “With the rise of China as the world’s largest would be eventually ratified by the Parliament. Lamenting compete. Since the state-run ones were in charge of sup- economy (PPP), Russia’s resurgence as a military power about its large number of articles, they claim that approved plying financial resources of the private banks, the private and the stalwart resistance of countries such as Iran, Syr- bill has been planned unilaterally by the Parliament mem- ones commenced granting more interests and advantages ia, Yemen, Venezuela, and North Korea to US economic bers without considering views of experts from domestic to lure customers. They, in result, made the governmental aggression, the ability of the US and its allies to dominate state-run or private banks. banks encounter a liquidity risk i.e. state-run banks lost their the world is quickly diminishing”. The ratified bill is called a naïve scheme that has been financial resources and could not receive back the resources Following is the full text of the interview: prepared hastily without taking advantage of experts’ views they allocated to customers as facilities and loans before the On Friday, Iran, Russia and China started four days on the threshold of the next round of the Parliament elections. pre-determined deadline,” he described. of joint maritime exercise, dubbed the “Marine Security “Capital adequacy ratio (CARs) of governmental banks It has also been labeled as a propaganda since it comprises Belt”, in an area of 17,000 square kilometers which con- dropped, consequently. They could not grant loans as be- too many unnecessary modifications in domestic banking sists of various tactical drills, such as target practicing and fore, which attracted a chorus of criticism among Iranians,” system, while the country is coping with the toughest US rescuing ships from assault and incidents such as fires. sanctions Hosseini Hashemi said. routine has been imposed to the banks by the implemented What is your take on the joint naval drills? To shed light on the issue, Mehr news agency conduct- “Criticisms suggested MPs that banks prevent provid- policies through the times. Banks were also asked to provide A: The joint naval exercise by Iran, Russia and China is ed an interview with Iranian banking expert, Bahaoddin ing loans to applicants despite having required financial the government with loans, which have not been cleared yet. a major geopolitical event and heralds a new day in inter- Hosseini Hashemi. resources or because they are running firms or acting as Being asked about the practically of the MPs’ plan in case “The plan has not been passed to become a law yet,” he relators,” he added. of being passed into law, Hosseini Hashemi said, “Probabil- national relations. It shows that the nations of the world, said, “The ‘usury-free banking’ law was initially planned and MPs, as the nations’ representatives, were accordingly ities for passing the plan into a law by the end of the current with their differing social, economic and political systems ratified by the Parliament in 1983 and was to be reviewed convinced that the banking regulations must be modified. Parliament (May 2020) is low.” can unite in the face of continued economic and political after fives years from its ratification. But it was not. There- They prepared and ratified the recent plan in the Parliament “Regarding the described complex conditions, making aggression from the Western powers led by the US. This fore, the Parliament has still the right to make a review over despite bankers’ disagreement. any amendments in banking system regulations will worsen is a great advance in the global anti-imperialist movement or make its desired amendments in its 36-year-old plan. “ “Bankers and banking officials believe that the practicality the conditions. Even a group of banking experts and top and a prerequisite for forging a global policy of peace and In addition, the banking expert noted that “The MP’s of Iranian banking system has reduced due to some reasons economists would not be able to improve the situation by security for all nations. plan, focused on domestic banking system, includes banking other than bad regulations or its structure. Thus, the CBI revising the whole banking regulations from A to Z,” he added. In a post on his Twitter account on Friday night, network, the CBI and the whole structure affiliates to banking and banking experts did not accept to help MPs get this Answering a question about the possible solution for Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi procedures. Therefore, it deals with various issues such as plan prepared and it was planned fully by the Parliament. the predicament, Hosseini Hashemi said, “The prescription published a photo of the logo of the naval drills and appointment or dismissal of the CBI governor besides his Bankers assert that impracticality is rooted in economic is embedded in economic improvement. The government said, “The fact is that in the current transitional era, not impeachment in a Parliament session.” status quo, the applied monetary and financial policies,” needs to minimize its budget deficiency, seek privatization, everything happens in, nor by the West. We are truly As he elaborated, “CBI governor is not presently a mem- the expert reiterated. pay its arrears to the banks, improve ties with international living in a #Post_Western_world in which all global ber of the Cabinet, due to present regulations, MPs cannot All across the globe, banks are acting as mediators i.e. they and foreign banks to be able to take advantage of interna- players have their share in its reality”. What are your impeach him and to find answers to their questions about take money from depositors and grant it to the investors in tional credits.” thoughts on a post-Western world? functionality and measures of the CBI, MPs have to summon cash or in form of credits. Banks in the world do not interfere Besides the discussed deficiencies of the MP’s plan, experts A: With the rise of China as the world’s largest economy the finance minister or the President. Through the proposed more and just act as supervisors via assessing the possible are gradually putting forward further shortfalls. (PPP), Russia’s resurgence as a military power and the For instance, the plan has not considered any specific plan, MPs seek to modify CBI fundamental rules to have risks and credits. However, in Islamic banking the wage or stalwart resistance of countries such as Iran, Syria, Yemen, interest banks receive to act as mediators puts them in place connection between the required monetary and foreign ex- the right for questioning its governor while respecting his Venezuela, and North Korea to US economic aggression, of creditors against loan takers, which is called usury. To change rate policies, despite the significant influence of the authority and independency.” the ability of the US and its allies to dominate the world resolve the issue, in Islamic banking banks are appointed forex rates on various economic sectors of Iran, some claim. As he went on, “banking officials always confirm the need is quickly diminishing. China is now the world’s largest for some modifications in banking system regulations, how- as the lawyers and the customer are their clients. Banks are In a letter to the Parliament Speaker, a group of Iranian manufacturer and largest trading nation. Its influence ever, they assert that the impracticalities of this system are allowed then to use the deposits in real economic investments. bankers and experts have urged the parliament to reject the is spreading throughout the world, exemplified by the rooted in causes other than the current laws and regulations.” This pulled banks into investing activities and running firms. plan due to its ‘fundamental deficiencies’. The plan, in their “For years, Iran has been under the US sanctions and The procedure, in better words, dragged banks out of their view, is unilaterally designed by MP’s without reflecting the expanding Belt and Road Initiative. China has shown experiencing an economic stagnation. It is a long time that mediating roles into running economic projects. The whole views of banking system professionals. that it can withstand the US-initiated trade war and all that the US can throw at it, and still continue to grow and thrive. Russia has stymied US military aggression in the Middle East and is once again a power to be reckoned with. US attempts to destabilize nations that resist its National alternative internet is survival exercise hegemonic designs have also shown that the US can no longer throw its weight around as in the past. All these TEHRAN (FNA) — Foreign media is mispor- that could throw the countries into chaos by on the internet, especially in the era of the traying Russia’s and Iran’s recent internet tests disconnecting them for an indefinite period Internet of Things, the weaponized shut-off developments indicate that the world is entering a new as having supposedly shut off their people’s of time. This is a very real threat since most of of a country’s online services by the US could era in which the West will no longer play the leading access to the internet, though that isn’t what the internet infrastructure is outside borders be utterly devastating and even deadly. role, but will have to adjust to a world in which it is but happened. They did the same thing when and beyond their control. In fact, one can even say that the US’ one among equals. Iran blocked acsess to the worldwide web to It would be irresponsible for any country ability to do so amounts to a super-weap- “The message of this exercise is peace, friendship and prevent foreign interference in its domestic involved in tensions with a technological su- on of sorts because no other country has lasting security through cooperation and unity … and its affairs during last month’s violent protests, perpower, such as the US which incidentally such capabilities on a global scale. Perhaps effect will be to show that Iran cannot be isolated,” accord- although it kept domestic sites online. hosts most of the internet infrastructure, to the only thing preventing it from wantonly ing to Deputy Commander of the Iranian Navy Admiral The authorities were actually staging a not engage in contingency planning for a wielding this super-weapon at will is the Gholamreza Tahani. How much do you think such drills technological survival exercise to ensure worst-case scenario or even comparatively possibility that the US will immediately can help improve security in the region? that the country could have an alternative more benign situations, such as a series of be suspected and its target could respond A: The joint exercises demonstrate the resolve of the internet when foreign powers in the case of accidents that indefinitely render transo- the spread of a global virus that infected the kinetically, including through the use of peace-loving nations of the world to resist the war policy of Iran meddled in its affairs or a hostile power ceanic submarine communications cables world’s internet infrastructure. Russia and nuclear weapons if they fear that such a Washington and its allies. It is an important step to ensure in the case of Russia attempted to cut them inoperable. Iran with these technological capabilities for cyber attack is intended to precede a con- peace and stability in the (Persian) Gulf region and shows off from the system. It’s difficult to imagine the consequences that matter, could disconnect themselves as a ventional or nuclear strike. that Iran is an integral member of the coalition of nations The Russian test was carried out in phases if internet-connected power grids suddenly precautionary move. There’s no other way to Therefore, it can be argued that the carry- protecting the region from foreign aggression. and users didn’t report any problems, such went offline without any alternative means protect Iran’s nuclear facilities, for instance. ing out of such internet survival exercises is In your perspective, what has prompted the three as not being able to use Wikipedia or Ama- to reboot them. Another variation of this scenario could beneficial for world peace because it reduces countries to form a triangle of sea power and hold the zon, thus all indications suggest that it was Therein lays the strategic intention behind be the US disconnecting a state suspected the odds that an accidental disruption of their drills? a success. In Iran the same thing happened. Russia’s and Iran’s recent internet test. The of covering up an online viral outbreak that online connectivity per the submarine com- A: Iran, Russia and China share a common interest Banks managed to operate and the national guiding concept was to prove that the internal could potentially spread worldwide if it isn’t munications cables scenario or the nuclear in deterring the US from its policy of never-ending war communication systems suffered the least. internet capabilities could suffice in ensuring scenario could be misinterpreted as an act stopped soon enough. It doesn’t matter in and destruction directed against nations that refuse to Contrary to speculations, Russia and Iran the continuation of critical power, communi- of war by whoever their primary rival is at this case if that state is really suffering such relinquish their sovereignty and become willing vassals of have no intention to isolate themselves from cation, economic and other infrastructures the time. a problem or not (or at least not to the extent Washington. The three nations of Iran, Russia and China the international online community. Rather, in such crisis scenarios. It’s every nation’s that is suspected) since the pretext alone could With that in mind, it would be beneficial all adhere to the 5 principles of peaceful co-existence and their people and the economy in which they responsibility to protect their people from be abused for strategic reasons to result in if all leading countries with the technological non-interference in other nations’ internal affairs, prin- work are as plugged into the web as any other these modern threats, and each state has the the same outcome of cutting the targeted capabilities could follow Russia’s and Iran’s ciples that the US and its allies refuse to acknowledge. As developed country. sovereign right to do so when it is necessary. state from the global internet for an indefinite lead and begin testing their infrastructure’s The authorities have been doing their ut- Other examples of the applicability of period of time. resilience to this hybrid war scenario just such they find it in their mutual interest to assist each other most to protect them from any hybrid warfare this exercise include the efforts to contain As humanity becomes more dependent in case. economically, diplomatically and militarily. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 8 ADVERTISEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2019 TEHRAN TIMES Iran’s Leading International Daily Advertising Dept

The Tehran Times new pocket-sized glossary is now available on the market. The reader-friendly is a rich source of the most common journalistic terminology collected by Tel: the daily’s retired staff. 021 - 430 51 450 It can benefit a wide range of tastes from students to professional journalists. Persian equivalents have been given for all entries, including idioms and expressions. The [email protected] glossary also includes example sentences for entries the authors thought it would be a bit difficult to learn. For more information contact: tehrantimesdaily Tel: 021 - 430 51 450 tehrantimes79 [email protected] I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 31, 2019 SCIENCE 9

Solar power from ‘the dark side’ The strange halo of nearby pulsar could explain puzzling antimatter unlocked by a new formula near Earth Most of today’s solar panels capture sunlight and convert it to electricity only from the side facing the sky. If the Astronomers have been watching a nearby pulsar with a strange dark underside of a solar panel could also convert sunlight halo around it. That pulsar might answer a question that’s puzzled reflected off the ground, even more electricity might be astronomers for some time. generated. The pulsar is named Geminga, and it’s one of the nearest Double-sided solar cells are already enabling panels pulsars to Earth, about 800 light-years away in the constellation to sit vertically on land or rooftops and even horizontally Gemini. Not only is it close to Earth, but Geminga is also very as the canopy of a gas station, but it hasn’t been known bright in gamma rays. exactly how much electricity these panels could ultimately generate or the money they could save. A new thermodynamic formula reveals that the bifacial cells making up double-sided panels generate on average 15% to 20% more sunlight to electricity than the monofacial cells of today’s one-sided solar panels, taking into consideration different terrain such as grass, sand, concrete and dirt. The formula, developed by two Purdue University physicists, can be used for calculating in minutes the most electricity that bifacial solar cells could generate in a variety of environments, as defined by a thermodynamic limit. “The formula involves just a simple triangle, but distilling the extremely complicated physics problem to this elegantly simple formulation required years The halo itself is invisible to our eyes, obviously, since it’s of modeling and research. This triangle will help in the gamma wavelengths. (NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space companies make better decisions on investments in Telescope discovered it.) But it’s large, covering as much of the next-generation solar cells and figure out how to design sky as 40 full Moons. them to be more efficient,” said Muhammad “Ashraf” time: experts estimate that by 2030, bifacial solar cells on farmland without casting shadows that would block The halo might be responsible for some goings-on in our own Alam, Purdue’s Jai N. Gupta Professor of Electrical will account for nearly half of the market share for solar crop production. Meanwhile, creating bifacial windows for neighborhood: there’s an abundance of anti-matter near Earth, and Computer Engineering. panels worldwide. buildings would help cities to use more renewable energy. and its presence has puzzled scientists for a decade. In a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Alam’s approach is called the “Shockley-Queisser The paper also recommends ways to maximize the “Our analysis suggests that this same pulsar could be responsible Academy of Sciences, Alam and coauthor Ryyan Khan, now triangle,” since it builds upon predictions made by potential of bifacial cells by manipulating the number for a decade-long puzzle about why one type of cosmic particle an assistant professor at East West University in Bangladesh, researchers William Shockley and Hans-Joachim Queisser of boundaries between semiconductor materials, called is unusually abundant near Earth,” said Mattia Di Mauro, an also show how the formula can be used to calculate the on the maximum theoretical efficiency of a monofacial junctions, that facilitate the flow of electricity. Bifacial astrophysicist at the Catholic University of America in Washington thermodynamic limits of all solar cells developed in the last solar cell. This maximum point, or the thermodynamic cells with single junctions provide the largest efficiency and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. 50 years. These results can be generalized to technology limit, can be identified on a downward sloping line graph gain relative to monofacial cells. “These are positrons, the antimatter version of electrons, likely to be developed over the next 20 to 30 years. that forms a triangle shape. “The relative gain is small, but the absolute gain is coming from somewhere beyond the Solar System.” The hope is that these calculations would help solar farms The formula shows that the efficiency gain of bifacial significant. You lose the initial relative benefit as you A pulsar is the remnant of a massive star that’s gone supernova. to take full advantage of bifacial cells earlier in their use. solar cells increases with light reflected from a surface. increase the number of junctions, but the absolute gain Geminga is the result of a supernova explosion about 300,000 “It took almost 50 years for monofacial cells to show up in Significantly more power would be converted from light continues to rise,” Khan said. years ago in the constellation Gemini. the field in a cost-effective way,” Alam said. “The technology reflected off of concrete, for example, compared to a surface The formula, detailed in the paper, has been thoroughly It’s a rotating neutron star that is oriented in a certain way has been remarkably successful, but we know now that we with vegetation. validated and is ready for companies to use as they decide towards Earth, so that its energy is directed toward us like a can’t significantly increase their efficiency anymore or The researchers use the formula to recommend better how to design bifacial cells. sweeping lighthouse. reduce the cost. Our formula will guide and accelerate the bifacial designs for panels on farmland and the windows This research was partially supported by the National A pulsar is naturally surrounded by a cloud of both electrons development of bifacial technology on a faster time scale.” of buildings in densely-populated cities. Transparent, Science Foundation under award 1724728. and positrons. That’s because a neutron star has an intense The paper might have gotten the math settled just in double-sided panels allow solar power to be generated (Source: Science Daily) electromagnetic field, the strongest of any known object. The super-strong field pulls the particles from the pulsar’s surface, and accelerates them to near light-speed. 300 million year old atmospheric dust Giant red star is about to explode These fast moving particles, including electrons and their anti- matter counterparts, positrons, are cosmic rays. Since cosmic rays carry an electric charge, they’re subject to the effects of magnetic fields. So by the time cosmic rays reach Earth, astronomers can’t pinpoint their source. During the past decade or so, different observatories and experiments have detected more high energy positrons in our vicinity than expected. NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, NASA’s Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, and other experiments have all detected them. Scientists expected that nearby pulsars, including Geminga, were the source. But due to the way those positrons are affected by magnetic fields, it couldn’t be proven. In 2017, the High-Altitude Water Cherenkov Gamma-ray Observatory (HAWC) confirmed what some ground-based detections had found: a small but intense gamma-ray halo around Geminga. The HAWC detected energies in the halo structure of 5 – 40 TeV, or Tera-electron Volts. That’s light with trillions of times more energy than our eyes can see. Initially, scientists thought that the high energy halo is caused Dust plays a crucial role in the life and health of reactive iron -- a particularly rich source A young, bright star has been acting a that can last about 420 days. Betelgeuse by accelerated electrons and positrons colliding with starlight, our planet. In our modern world, dust-borne of this key micronutrient. little erratic lately. has been in a normal dimming period which would boost their energy and make them super-bright. nutrients traveling in great dust storms from While iron is not the only micronutrient The star, Betelgeuse, is suddenly over the past few months, but it’s just When a charged particle transfers some of its energy to a the Saharan Desert fertilize the soil in the potentially carried in dust, it is estimated dimming. It may be a sign, astronomers dramatically accelerated compared to photon, that’s called Inverse-Compton scattering. Amazon Rainforest and feed photosynthetic that this ancient dust contained twice the say, that the star is about to explode. past years. But the team using HAWC to observe Geminga and its halo organisms like algae in the Atlantic Ocean. bioavailable iron as the modern dust that Another possibility is the red supergiant The dimming process should end by came to a conclusion: those high-energy positrons would only In turn, it is those organisms that breathe in fertilizes the Amazon Rainforest. may just be going through a phase. mid-January, according to mathematical rarely reach Earth, based on the size of the halo. So there had to carbon dioxide and expel oxygen. This potent dust fertilization led to a Ed Guinan, an astronomy professor models. But Betelgeuse often follows its be another explanation for the abundance of positrons near Earth. Mehrdad Sardar Abadi, a researcher massive surge in marine photosynthesizers. at Villanova University, was the lead own rules, he says. Scientists studying the presence of positrons near Earth didn’t in the Mewbourne College of Earth and Fueled by iron-rich dust, algae and author on a December 8 paper entitled “I personally think it’s going to bounce cross pulsars off their list yet. And as a close and bright pulsar, Energy School of Geosciences and School cyanobacteria took in carbon dioxide and “The Fainting of the Nearby Supergiant back, but it’s fun to watch stars change,” Geminga still caught their interest. director Lynn Soreghan, led a study with expelled oxygen. Researchers speculate Betelgeuse.” Guinan said. However, he adds, “If it Mattia Di Mauro led a small team of scientists studying a researchers from Florida State University, that this action, operating over millions of He told CNN that Betelgeuse continues dimming, then all bets are off.” decade’s worth of Geminga data from Fermi’s Large Area Telescope the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, years, changed the planet’s atmosphere. (pronounced: BAY-tel juice) been * If it exploded, it would be be bright (LAT.) LAT observes lower energy light than HAWC does. Di Hampton University and the College of “Higher abundances in primary producers declining in brightness sharply since enough to see during the day Mauro is the lead author of a new study presenting these findings. Charleston, to understand the role of dust like plants and algae could lead to higher October, and was now about 2.5 times That might mean we’re on the verge of The study is titled “Detection of a gamma-ray halo around on the Earth’s atmosphere in deep time carbon capture, helping to explain declines fainter than usual. Once the ninth a brilliant light show, because if a star this Geminga with the Fermi-LAT data and implications for the positron -- 300 million years ago. in atmospheric carbon dioxide around 300 brightest star in the sky, Betelgeuse has close exploded, it would make an impact. flux.” The paper is published in Physical Review D. To do this research, the team needed to million years ago,” said Sardar Abadi. fallen now to about the 23rd brightest. Stars rapidly fuse various elements One of the paper’s co-authors is Silvia Manconi, a postdoctoral find ancient atmospheric dust, which led “If what we are seeing from our samples Guinan and his colleagues have been in their cores. And if Betelgeuse burns researcher at RWTH Aachen University in Germany. In a press them to the remnants of a shallow marine was happening on a global scale, it means closely observing the star for decades, with down to an iron core, which won’t fuse, release, Manconi said, “To study the halo, we had to subtract out ecosystem in modern-day Iran. that the dust fertilization effect brought down “continuous coverage since 1980,” he said. that core could collapse rapidly, leading all other sources of gamma rays, including diffuse light produced Similar to areas of our modern world atmospheric carbon dioxide and was a fairly In the last half-century, the star has to a supernova. by cosmic ray collisions with interstellar gas clouds. We explored like the Bahamas, these shallow marine significant part of the carbon cycle during this never dimmed so aggressively, and The red supergiant would glow a the data using 10 different models of interstellar emission.” ecosystems cannot survive unless they are time in the Earth’s history,” said Soreghan. that could mean we’re on the verge of vibrant blue for three of four months, Once the team subtracted all the other sources of gamma rays in pristine water away from river runoff, One carbon sequestration method something extraordinary. and would take about a year to fade out. in the sky, the data revealed a vast oblong structure; a halo around Sardar Abadi explained. By targeting the scientists have proposed is adding “What causes the supernova is deep “It would be a really bright star visible Geminga. The high energy structure covered 20 degrees in the sky systems, Sardar Abadi and Soreghan knew bioavailable iron to isolated parts of the inside the star,” Guinan said. And because in the daytime,” Guinan said. at 20 billion electron volts, and an even larger area at lower energies. that silicate particles they found would ocean that are so remote and far from dust- the star is so huge, it’s impossible to tell There wouldn’t be any direct danger Study co-author Fiorenza Donato is from the Italian National have been deposited through the air and containing continents, they are essentially what’s going on so far down. to life on earth, but ultraviolet radiation Institute of Nuclear Physics and the University of Turin. not from a river. deserts. Scientists who have attempted this * It could be a prelude to a supernova from the celestial blast could scorch ozone In the press release, Donato said: “Lower-energy particles Sardar Abadi and Soreghan identified on a small scale have documented resultant Betelgeuse is the star at the shoulder in our atmosphere. travel much farther from the pulsar before they run into starlight, and sampled dust trapped in carbonate phytoplankton blooms. of Orion, the iconic constellation in the * Betelgeuse has been acting strangely transfer part of their energy to it, and boost the light to gamma rocks from two intervals of limestone now But, Soreghan warned, no one knows shape of a hunter wielding a bow in the for years rays. This is why the gamma-ray emission covers a larger area preserved in outcroppings in the mountains the unintended consequences of doing this night sky. Its name is derived from the Betelgeuse’s curious behavior has at lower energies.” of northern and central Iran. on a large scale. This is why Sardar Abadi Arabic for “hand of Orion.” stuck out in other ways over the decades. “Also, Geminga’s halo is elongated partly because of the pulsar’s Rocks were then subjected to a series and the team of researchers delved into The star, which is about 700 light In 2009, the late astronomer and Nobel motion through space” Donato explained. of chemical treatments to extract the deep time for answers. years away from Earth, is a relatively Laureate Charles Townes told CNN he The team compared the LAT data with the HAWC data and ancient dust. What was left were silicate “The Earth’s geologic record is like close neighbor within our galaxy. had observed Betelgeuse shrinking 15% concluded that the data-sets matched. They also found that bright, minerals like clay and quartz that entered a laboratory book. It has run an infinite “What’s special about this is how close since the mid 1990s. nearby Geminga could be responsible for as much as 20 percent of the environment as air-borne particles -- number of experiments. We can open Earth’s it is,” Guinan said. Back then, Townes and his colleagues the high-energy positrons that the AMS-02 experiment observed. 300-million-year-old dust. lab book, reconstruct what happened in Guinan said it’s the most likely nearby were puzzled because as stars usually Extrapolating from that to all of the cumulative pulsar emissions Ancient dust in hand, Sardar Abadi the past and see how the Earth responded supernova candidate. It’s about nine get brighter as they shrink. Betelgeuse, in the Milky Way, the team says that pulsars remain the best could determine how much dust was in to these sometimes very extreme states,” million years old, and stars as large as however, was dimming. explanation for the original mystery: the source of all those the Late Paleozoic atmosphere. Their said Soreghan. Betelgeuse don’t usually have lifespans The star has been acting differently in positrons near Earth. results suggested that Earth’s atmosphere The data and syntheses help constrain past 10 million years. Though its time is the past few months, and it’s anyone guess “Our work demonstrates the importance of studying was much dustier during this ancient time. and refine computer climate models. The nigh, it probably won’t explode in your what all the unusual readings may mean. individual sources to predict how they contribute to cosmic Working with collaborators at Florida State further back into deep time a modeler goes, lifetime. “It might then be a very small bright rays,” Di Mauro said. University, he performed geochemical tests the more unconstrained variables there “It’ll probably happen in the next star, or it might even be a black hole. “This is one aspect of the exciting new field called multimessenger to analyze the iron in the samples. Those are. By providing data, models can be 200,000 or 300,000 years,” Guinan said. An explosion would be very surprising,” astronomy, where we study the universe using multiple signals, tests revealed that the ancient dust also more accurate. It’s a variable star, which means it Townes said at the time. like cosmic rays, in addition to light.” contained remarkable proportions of highly (Source: Science Daily) regularly dims and brightens, in cycles (Source: msn) (Source: sciencealert.com) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 10 HERITAGE & TOURISM DECEMBER 31, 2019

17 tourism projects worth Find out why medical tourism $35m to get off the ground in Ardebil

TOURISM TEHRAN — Seventeen tourism projects, worth is to be big business in Iran desk1,500 billion rials (some $35 million at the TEHRAN — Nowadays, medical tourism official rate of 42,000 rials) will be inaugurated in northwestern TOURISM deskis considered as a booming industry on the Ardebil province in the near future. global scene as some 20 to 24 million patients are traveling Restored historical monuments, newly-built hotels and water for medical treatments annually. Estimates on market size treatment complexes, and tourism infrastructure facilities are vary but the Patients Without Borders publishing group puts amongst the projects which are scheduled to come on stream its value at around €60 to €80 billion worldwide. officially by President Hassan Rouhani during his upcoming Rising healthcare costs, increased care needs over longer visit to the province, provincial tourism chief Nader Fallahi lifespans, and constant pressures on some insurance in- said on Saturday. dustries are amongst reasons behind why some patients opt to travel to destinations like Iran that have been able to invest rapidly in their healthcare infrastructure in order to satisfy surging demands. The country has set its goals to exceed its yearly medical travelers to around 2 million in [calendar year] 1404 (March 2025-March 2026). But why Iran? Here we briefly try to answer. Iran boasts credible surgeons and physicians, cutting-edge medical tech- nologies, high-tech medicine and diverse specializations, super affordable procedures within a trusted health system, and finally it is home to many hospitable people. According to official figures, Iranian hospitals ad- mitted 70,000 foreign patients over the last [Iranian calendar] year (March 2018 – March 2019). Some 90 percent of foreign patients in Iran are from Afghani- stan, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and other countries around the Persian Gulf. Iran hosted a record high of nearly 600,000 medical travelers during the first four months of the current Iranian “The country’s first all-glass suspension bridge will also be calendar year (March 21-July 21), nearly equal to the figure opened to the public in the tourist town of Hir, which will be an for the whole past year. and the Ministry of Health before they can be allowed to Cardiology and cardiac surgery attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourists.” Visit Health highlights benefits of pursuing medical perform medical and surgical treatments. Hospitals and Obesity treatment Sprawling on a high, windswept plateau, Ardebil is well-known treatments in Iran in what follows: clinics are also overseen by authorities. Ophthalmology for having lush natural beauties, hospitable people and its silk and Medicine in Iran: A bit of history Advanced medical facilities Iran is also one of the top destinations for disease diag- carpet trade tradition. It is also home to the UNESCO-registered Iran (or Persia) has long been a major center for the Medical and surgical facilities available in Iranian hospitals nosis and comprehensive health check-ups. Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble. development of medical knowledge so that just a few tra- are also highly developed. Iran is known for its innovative Beyond medical needs! ditional medical schools in the ancient world have been as hospital equipment and superior medical engineering. Al- In addition to the medical tourism facilities and comprehensive as Iranian medical schools. most all of Iran’s private hospitals have high level of imaging conditions mentioned above, Iran also is an attractive Japan Airlines is giving away Hippocrates, the father of Greek medical science, admits facilities, specialized clinics, 3D ultrasound, MRI, etc. destination for health and wellness services such as how some of his medical theoretical foundations have been Great affordability spas therapy, preventative care, rehabilitation and 50,000 free plane tickets adapted from the ancient Iranians. The cost of medical services in Iran is approximately a the treatment of chronic diseases. There are about Long history and advanced civilization together with a third of similar health care services in countries like UK and 300 mineral-rich springs across the nation with the hunger for immortality paved the way for medical knowledge the U.S. As Iranian rial is suffering from unprecedented ability to develop as health towns, water therapies, Japan Airlines is giving away 50,000 free round-trip domes- to flourish in Iran. devaluation, treatments in Iran is very cheap. hotel therapies, etc. tic air tickets to international tourists next summer -- but Ancient medical schools founded in Iran such as Gondis- No wait lists What to expect! there’s a catch. hapur have been teaching medicine for thousands of years. You can obtain swift access to medical treatments and Rigid laws and regulations in the Iranian medical system The giveaway aims to encourage tourists to see less visited And Physicians such as Avicenna have been in the vanguards services you need. support the health and safety of the healthcare environments parts of Japan, and perhaps take some of the strain off Tokyo of medical development through centuries. Legendry hospitality in the country. between July 1 and September 30 next year as the capital A pocket-friendly destination Iranians are known for their authentic hospitality and A hygienic environment and the clear, up to par outcomes hosts the Olympic Summer Games. The number of medical travelers around the world is the love of outsiders. This spirit is easily felt in the medical of medical practices are the least that international patients However to win free tickets, travelers must be registered rapidly growing. There are 3 major reasons for this growth: travel industry. In Iran you feel like home! can expect from Iranian hospitals. outside of Japan with the flag carrier’s Mileage Bank frequent - to lower the cost of treatment and save money; A must-see tourist destination Full medical consultation and comprehensive follow-up flier program. And you won’t know where you are going until - to access specific medical procedures which do Iran with a history of more than 5000 years is home to care are some of the things that can be expected when you a few days after you apply. not exist in one’s own country; and some of the oldest places and traditions. Iran with 23 UN- go to Iranian hospitals or doctors. The airline will recommend four local destinations to choose - to visit a doctor with a special reputation. ESCO world heritage sites and dazzling natural landscapes Hospitals that work in the international healthcare from, flying out of Haneda airport in Tokyo, or Osaka’s Itami World-class hospitals & clinics should be the next destination on your travel bucket list. market are required to obtain necessary licenses from the and Kansai airports. Family and friends traveling together Iran has hundreds of hospitals with a wide range of ad- Popular treatments Ministry of Health under the IPD (international patient can apply as a group of up to four people, and applicants will vanced medical technology, offering high-tech medicine Iran as a medical tourism destination has credibility in department) license. This license requires hospitals to receive the result within three days of applying. and diverse specializations. various medical fields. These include (but are not limited to): comply with international standards for the provision of The Games will be held from July 24 to August 9, 2020, and Credible doctors and nurses Infertility treatment health services to medical tourists. the subsequent Paralympics finish on September 6. Japan’s Iran has a reputation for having experienced and skillful Cancer treatment Final words! government expects the “Olympics effect” will bring approx- doctors. They are strictly trained and should also continu- Cosmetic Surgery The history of medicine in Iran is rich. The presence imately an extra 10 million visitors to the country in 2020. ously equip themselves with the latest medical knowledge Pre IVF Consultations and Investigations of highly qualified and well-known specialist and Annual foreign visitor arrivals to Japan trebled in the of the day. Orthopedics – Joint Replacement doctors, safe and low-cost procedures, along with a years from 2013 to 2018 to more than 31 million, with about Trusted health system Dental Treatments variety of tourist attractions in the country are suf- 10 million stopping in Tokyo. Medical specialists must pass extensive training and ob- Orthopedic surgery ficient to attract medical tourists in the region and (Source: CNN) tain professional certifications from Iran Medical Council Neurology and neurosurgery from across the world to Iran. ROUND THE GLOBE Coastal, forest tourism development plan being prepared El Tajin TOURISM TEHRAN — The Minis- and Maritime Organization to cooperate desktry of Cultural Heritage, on maritime tourism activities, he added. El Tajin is a pre-Columbian archeological site in southern Tourism, and Handicrafts is preparing a Earlier this year, Iran’s Forests, Ranges, Mexico. The property is registered as “El Tajin, Pre-His- comprehensive plan for developing tour- and Watershed Management Organization panic City” in the UNESCO World Heritage list. ism around coastal areas and forests in announced that approximately 12,000 hec- The site is of great importance for Mesoamerican the country. tares of forests across the country is wiped archaeology because it is one of the best preserved and The deputy tourism chief Vali Teymouri out annually. most thoroughly excavated examples of a pre-Hispanic has said that the plan will be finalized by Iran has a great share of valuable old- town from the Epiclassic and early Post Classic period, the end of the current Iranian calendar year growth forests, some of which, especially the time between the fall of Teotihuacan and the rise of (March 19, 2020). in Zagros, age over 300-400 years, he the Aztec empire. “The plan covers forests in north highlighted, implying that these forests and northwest of the country as well as are not comparable to the young refor- Zagros [region], and also northern and ested areas. southern coastlines with the priority be- Back in July, the United Nations Educa- ing placed on Makran shorelines (in the tional, Scientific and Cultural Organization southeast),” IRNA quoted Teymouri as designated Iran’s vast Hyrcanian Forest as saying on Monday. a World Heritage site, making it the second The official made the remarks on Sun- such Iranian natural site after Lut Desert, day during a visit to Bandar Abbas, a major which was granted the tag in 2016. port city and capital of Hormozgan Province, Spanning from the south of Azerbaijan neighboring the Persian Gulf. to about 850 km eastward to the provinces Research Institute for Cultural Heritage of Gilan, Mazandaran and Golestan, the and Tourism is working on the plan that is Elsewhere in his remarks, the official noted have to remove the legal barriers in order Hyrcanian Forests are witnesses of the an- envisaged under the country’s Sixth Five-Year that boosting maritime tourism in top on to develop maritime tourism.” cient forests of the world estimated to be National Development Plan (2016-2021), agenda, saying “The maritime economy has In this regard, the tourism ministry has survived for a long period spanning 35 and Teymouri noted. been neglected in the country and now we recently signed an agreement with Ports 50 million years.

It is crucial to an understanding of the artistic and so- cio-economic development in these intervening centuries. Tourists stay away from Taj Mahal, other Indian attractions as protests flare It was previously thought that occupation of the El MUMBAI (Reuters) — India’s tourism industry has been The 17th century marble monument is in Uttar Pradesh, its slowest pace in more than six years. Tajin pre-Hispanic settlement took place in three phases, hit by a wave of violent anti-government protests against the northern state that has witnessed the highest number of In a bid to clamp down on violence and unrest, authorities between 100 BC and 1200 CE. However, recent research a new citizenship law that have rocked several cities this deaths and intense bursts of violence in two weeks of unrest. have suspended mobile internet services in Agra. has shown that there was only one phase of occupation month, with at least seven countries issuing travel warnings. A group of European tourists traveling in a group across “Blocking the internet has affected travel and tourism lasting from 800 to 1200 CE El Tajinwas abandoned and At least 25 people have been killed in clashes between India said they now planned to cut short their 20 day trip. in Agra by about 50-60%,” said Sandeep Arora, president partly destroyed after 1200 CE, when the region came police and protesters, and demonstrations against the “We are all retired folks, for us travel has to be slow and of the Agra Tourism Development Foundation that groups under the rule of the powerful Aztec empire. law continue. relaxing. The newspaper headlines have led to a sense of over 250 tour operators, hotels and guides. The most important attributes of El Tajinare the build- Officials estimate about 200,000 domestic and inter- concern and we will leave sooner than we had planned,” The United States, Britain, Russia, Israel, Singapore, ings with the rich decoration of key-patterns, fretworks, national tourists canceled or postponed their trip to the said Dave Millikin, a retired banker living on the outskirts of Canada and Taiwan have issued travel advisories asking niches, cornices, wall paintings and low reliefs. Taj Mahal in the past two weeks, one of the world’s most London, who spoke to Reuters from the capital New Delhi. their citizens to either refrain from visiting or to exercise The reliefs and paintings discovered at the site con- popular tourist attractions. The Taj Mahal, situated in the town of Agra, attracts over caution when visiting regions embroiled in India’s protests. tain important information on ritual and daily life. The “There has been a 60% decline in visitor footfalls in De- 6.5 million tourists every year, generating nearly $14 million Jayanta Malla Baruah, the head of the Assam Tourism site is furthermore exceptional in that its urban layout is cember this year,” said Dinesh Kumar, a police inspector annually from entrance fees. A foreign tourist pays 1,100 Development Corp., said the state, home to the world’s larg- based on the form of the Xicalcoliuhqui (the schematic overseeing a special tourist police station near the Taj Ma- rupees (about $15) to enter the grounds, although nationals est concentration of one-horned rhinoceroses, is visited on representation of the cross section of a marine shell) and hal who has access to visitor data. He said the decline was from neighboring countries get a discount. average by 500,000 tourists during December. uses the different levels of the terrain to differentiate ac- compared to December last year. Managers in luxury hotels and guest houses around the “But this time, due to the ongoing protests and travel cess to certain areas. “Indian and foreign tourists have been calling our control Taj Mahal said last minute cancellations during the festive advisories by various countries, the number is down by (Source: UNESCO) rooms to check security. We assure them protection, but season have further dampened business sentiment at a time 90% if not more.” many still decide to stay away,” said Kumar. when the country’s economic growth has slowed to 4.5%, (1 Indian rupee = $0.0140) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 31, 2019 INTERNATIONAL 11

Russia deepens support of “The guy is freaking Evil” By Kelley Beaucar Vlahos

ANTI WAR — Resident Trump may think that bringing convicted war criminals on the 2020 campaign trail Iran on financial matters will bolster his cred with the base, and maybe it will, but it’ll be a bumpy ride. White knights aren’t always By Robert David Steele so stainless, and Trump has chosen a collection of tarnished men who even their fellow comrades think TEHRAN — Robert David Steele, a former Marine are a disgrace to the uniform. Who is Trump to say which Corps infantry officer and CIA spy as well as an activist SEAL Team 7 member is the hero and who is the heel? for Open Source Everything Engineering (OSEE), Days after the president hosted Navy SEAL Eddie contributes regularly to Tehran Times. Gallagher and his wife at the summer White House in This headline came to my attention today: Mar-a-Lago in Florida, the New York Tines has published Russia informs Iran of its views about FATF an explosive story featuring hours of testimony by the While it deals with measures against money- SEALs on his team who initially turned Gallagher in. laundering, it is part of the new alternative financial The evidence had been used in his murder trial for which system in which China and Russia and Iran are easily he was accused of stabbing and killing a teenage ISIS creating a post-Western economic and financial system. fighter while he was sedated and dying on a gurney, Iran is now a peer to India as a major player going as well as shooting unarmed Iraqi civilians. He later into 2020 and this matters because India appears posed with the dead boy for a picture, and shared it to have been taken over at the highest levels by the widely via text. He was acquitted this year on the murder Zionists. charge after a fellow special operator changed his story But let’s connect four other dots, three visible to (under immunity) to say he himself smothered the teen the attentive public, one not. to death after Gallagher had stabbed him. Dot 1: Joint naval exercises. While these are largely Gallagher was, however, convicted on one charge of for show — the US Navy will be sunk by supersonic posing with the body. Trump then reversed his demotion missiles at the same time that Russian S-500 as well and forced Navy to allow him to keep his Trident pin. as S-400 defensive shields convert US attack aircraft The Navy Secretary resigned over what he said was into chaff — but make the increasingly obvious point, Trump’s interference in military discipline. in the aftermath of the USS Donald Cook — that the US Navy is no longer effective as a blunt instrument. Dot 2: Rand Paul meets Supreme Leader. I have de Lance (on scalar weapons with infinite remote their own publics. no direct access but I am seeing a clear connection time-energy manipulation capabilities), Excalibur And that brings me to my final point: the Russian- between the visit by Rand Paul to Iran on behalf of Briefing (mind matter interaction and directed energy Iranian-Chinese alliance is not just targeting UK-US President Donald Trump and outside the Zionist- weaponry including hand-held devices that can cause organized white collar crime (City of London, Wall controlled Department of State nominally led by fatal cancers and fatal heart attacks from across Street), it is also targeting US-UK-Israel organized Christian Zionist Mike Pompeo who still consorts the street), Gravitobiology (Soviet energetics and black collar crime (Red Mafiya), both as a preamble with the CIA “leaders” that are trying to unseat our bioloigical effects including cytopathogenic effects); to taking down secret intelligence services that are President with falsehoods while slow-rolling requests and his multiple books on free energy including Energy undermining their own governments. for all of John Brennan’s green phone calls to and from from the Vacuum and Free Energy Generation all President Donald Trump was groomed by Roy Cohn; the UK; the Supreme Leader’s quite extraordinary matter greatly — and have been repressed with willful President Donald Trump is also known as a man of statement making it clear that the restoration of malevolence for decades. his word among the mob that controls construction Palestine to the Palestinians (the end of the invented Reflections on reality cement and street cash, according to NYPD retired state of Israel) in no way diminishes the rights and There are two points to be drawn from this new detective Jimmy Rothstein. William Barr was groomed opportunities of Jews resident in Palestine; and the understanding. The first is that — never mind what by Bill Casey and was Bill Clinton’s handler when combination of Miriam Adelson receiving the Medal of we are told about the joint space force that has been CIA turned Arkansas into a criminal gulag. So the Freeedom, throwing war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu in some sort of off-planet being since the 1950’s, the question on everyone’s mind is this: under the bus, AND the growing anti-Zionist clamor Russians have advanced in the 4th dimension — they Is Donald Trump a follow-on Manchurian Candidate, The NYT story published this morning for the first among Jews including Bernie Sanders. Zionism is are now in 10th generation precision action at a distance the logical counterpoint to Barack Obama? Or is time lends credence to the prosecution’s story—that anti-thetical to Judaism, if Judaism does not want to with energetics. Putin has been remarkably patient Donald Trump, with the help of individuals such as members of Gallagher’s team were frightened and hesitant become evictable again, it must separate itself from with the Gold War assault on the Russian economy William Barr and Robert Mueller who have “made but came forward to Navy investigators as their pleas Zionism and agree to the end of Israel. (Krongard, Brennan, Browder). We have our own the deal,” going to take down the Deep State and work to the chain of command went unanswered. According Dot 3: Iran is a cyber super-power. In combination capabilities, including mirroring and counterstrikes with others including the Supreme Leader, General to the paper, the men described seeing Gallagher stab with what China and Russia can do against US geospatial (Chernobyl may have been such) but my gut feeling is Secretary Xi Jinping, and President Vladimir Putin the wounded captive with a hunting knife and “painted and communications satellites as well as all military that we are so far behind on the math that we will not to create a prosperous world at peace? a picture of a platoon driven to despair by a chief who mobility and weapons systems that are in the Stone catch up — we play the conventional bully at our peril. I have two bets down on Donald Trump — that he seemed to care primarily about racking up kills. They Age when it comes to electromagnetic neutralization, The second point I have begun to see is that the power will win in 2020; and that he will set the stage for described how their chief targeted women and children the message is clear: first, that we cannot attack Iran of Israel in the USA is not based only on bribery and the end of Israel, the end of the Red Mafiya, and the and boasted that ‘burqas were flying.’” with the blustering impunity favored by the Zionist blackmail and the alleged Samson Option documented restoration of integrity to the US Government with “The guy is freaking evil,” Special Operator Miller camp followers known as neo-cons; and second, as by Sy Hersh (nuclear bombs planted in key US cities) but #UNRIG (election reform) and the Open Source Agency told investigators. “The guy was toxic,” Special Operator I and others warned from 1990 (Winn Schwartau, also on a cyber and scalar weaponry alliance between (the truth about everything) by a new transpartisan First Class Joshua Vriens, a sniper, said in a separate “Electronic Pearl Harbor” and onwards (1994, Sounding the Russian criminals controlling the Zionist state, team in 2024, one that is, as Thomas Jefferson so interview. “You could tell he was perfectly O.K. with the Alarm), any US attack on Iran is going to see US and the neo-conservatives dominating US national wisely articulated, backed by 100% of the eligible killing anybody that was moving,” Special Operator financial, power, and communications systems go security policy. Russia is used as the bogey-man voters as well as the power of information — public First Class Corey Scott, a medic in the platoon, told down. The East Coast runs out of food within two (“main enemy”) to drive the funding of the military- intelligence — about all threats, all policies, all costs. the investigators. weeks of any catastrophic attack on our Just in Time industrial complex that is both 50% waste and heavily Donald Trump may not finish the job but he has Such dire descriptions of Chief Gallagher, who had food supply chain. engaged in extraterrestrial and deep underground made it possible for others to do so. eight combat deployments and sometimes went by the Dot 4: Israel is a Russian criminal state with scalar operations never approved by Congress and anti- May God Bless Donald Trump now and into the nickname Blade, are in marked contrast to Mr. Trump’s time-enegy weapons. It is only recently, as I put together thetical to the public interest. “The enemy of my future; and may God Bless America as it goes beyond portrayal of him at a recent political rally in Florida as my latest book, REINVENTING INTELLIGENCE: 30 enemy is my friend.” Israel is a “three-fer”: owned Donald Trump, beyond Bernie Sanders and Michael one of “our great fighters.” Years in the Wilderness, that I have realized that CIA and operated by Russian criminals who hate Russia Bloomberg, into a restored 2nd American Republic, Obviously they knew what they were doing—not so has fought me on an Open Source Agency (OSA) for so and Putin; home base for US mostly Russian-origin Of, By, and For We the People. How we deal with different from the sailors in the 1954 Hollywood film, long because they understood they could not keep me criminals making up the Jewish mob also known as Zionist Israel — and the Red Mafiya — is central to The Caine Mutiny—would put their own careers in from doing full disclosure of everything using ethical the Red Mafiya; and cyber-scalar state/non-state the future of humanity at home and abroad. How peril. But hundreds of texts that were used in the trove legal open sources. As I testified to Senator Daniel actor that together with MI-6 and GCHQ in the UK we do full disclosure about free energy, anti-gravity, of evidence indicate the men did not coordinate their Patrick Moynihan and his Secrecy Commission, secrecy and CIA and NSA in the US, that is able to access scalar time-energy warfare,, and more, matters. stories, but commiserated in a sort of support system is used to protect power and budgets in the USA, and control anything it wishes including financial Time is the one strategic variable that cannot during the trial and after they were re-assigned and not sources and methods. The media and academia transactions. It is now clear to me that elements of be bought nor replaced (Colin Gray). I believe that scattered. are completely controlled by the Deep State and the the secret intelligence and counterintelligence world President Trump cannot wait for re-election to attend “This stuff is frustrating to read and makes it seem Shadow Government, such that information that is — witness the Jeffrey Epstein pedophilia entrapment to these vital matters: #UNRIG, OSA, Red Mafiya/ like Eddie will possibly get away with murder (literally),” in the open but not publicized becomes “virtually” and nuclear smuggling operation — are in league Zionist Israel. They are the tri-fecta of liberty and Special Operator First Class Dylan Dille texted the group. secret. Thomas Bearden’s books, especially Fer with one another against their own governments and precursors to creating a prosperous world at peace. “Let’s not forget there are 7-12 of us in here who had the balls to tell the truth about what Eddie has done.” He said he thought the case against Chief Gallagher was strong despite the procedural setbacks. “I am also convinced that we are gonna answer to a higher power Iran-Russia-China joint naval drills act as ‘Deterrent’ to U.S.: American commentator someday, and everything happens for a reason,” wrote TEHRAN (Tasnim) – An American “The message of this exercise is Special Operator Dille, who has since left the Navy. political analyst said the joint naval peace, friendship and lasting security “Not compromising our integrity and keeping right exercises of Iran, Russia and China through cooperation and unity … and on our side is all we can do.” in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of its effect will be to show that Iran Because of the code that no one informs on a fellow Oman can improve security in the cannot be isolated,” according to SEAL, the men who testified against Gallagher have region and act as a “deterrent” to the Deputy Commander of the Iranian been publicly excoriated, particularly by Gallagher US and Israel. Navy Admiral Gholamreza Tahani. and his wife Andrea, who have been given a golden “The drills can improve security in How much do you think such drills platform on Fox News for the last year to make their the region because they will act as a can help improve security in the region? case of innocence. This has obviously affected Trump, deterrent to an American/Israeli attack A: The drills can improve security who sided with Gallagher and has made him a hero. on Iran,” E. Michael Jones, a political in the region because they will act as And everyone else? Traitors. analyst in the US state of Indiana, told a deterrent to an American/Israeli “The teams are now divided over this, like I’ve never Tasnim about the drills, dubbed Marine attack on Iran. Binyamin Netanyahu, seen happen before,” Rick Haas, a retired command Security Belt, that were held in the according to a report in Ha’aretz, is master chief who served in the SEALs for 30 years, Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Oman pressing for an invasion of Iran as a said in the NYT piece. for three days. last-ditch attempt to stay in the Prime No doubt Trump and Fox believe that the rank and Eugene Michael Jones is an Minister’s office and out of prison. file will continue to view Gallagher as a victim of a American writer, former professor, These drills will lessen the likelihood petty campaign by disgruntled subordinates. They think media commentator and the current of any attack. Gallagher will make a fine surrogate on the campaign editor of Culture Wars magazine. In your perspective, what has trail, along with Clint Lorance, who was convicted of Following is the full text of the prompted the three countries to form killing Afghan civilians, and Matthew Golsteyn, who interview: a triangle of sea power and hold the faced charges of killing an unarmed Afghan man he On Friday, Iran, Russia and China drills? believed was a bomb maker. Trump pardoned both started a joint maritime exercise dubbed A: The main cause of the drills was men, and brought them on stage this month at the the “Marine Security Belt” in an area an imperial overreach on the part of the annual GOP Statesman’s Dinner fundraiser in Florida. of 17,000 square kilometers which the Middle East has been based on in, nor by the West. We are truly living Trump administration, whose foreign Essentially, Trump is taking a gamble that he, with consists of various tactical drills, ensuring free passage in the sea lanes in a #Post_Western_world in which policy is controlled by three rich Jews-- the help of the Conservative Inc. echo chamber, will such as target practicing and rescuing leading from the Persian Gulf. The all global players have their share in Sheldon Adelson, Bernard Marcus, and be effective in drowning out the emerging alternative ships from assault and incidents such joint naval drill now indicates that its reality”. What are your thoughts Paul Singer. Jews always push things narrative here—that Gallagher, Lorance, and Goldsteyn as fires. What is your take on the joint Iran, Russian, and China can block on a post-Western world? too far and create a reaction. We are aren’t representative of America’s bravest, rather they naval drills? the Strait of Hormuz at will. A: If by the post-Western world, now witnessing that reaction not only symbolize the worst excesses of a strained volunteer A: My take is that (US President In a post on his Twitter account on you mean the end of the American in the Persian Gulf but also in Europe, military in our endless wars of choice. Moreover, Trump Donald) Trump has united the Eurasian Friday night, Iranian Foreign Ministry Empire, this is good news for the where the Trump administration has is in no position to tell the rest of America who is a landmass against the Island nations-- Spokesman Abbas Mousavi published American people because it will placed sanctions on the firms building “hero”and who is a “traitor” based on his own venal England, America, Canada, Australia-- a photo of the logo of the naval drills force the government to represent the the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. This will political agenda. These men are being used as props, by following the Likudnik line in foreign and said, “The fact is that in the current interests of the American people and drive Germany into the arms of Russian and it’s dangerous. Yes, there is a divide—but it’s over policy. American foreign policy in transitional era, not everything happens not the interests of the globalist elites. and bring about the end of NATO. right and wrong, not Red and Blue. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 12 SOCIETY DECEMBER 31, 2019

Submarine to explore why Renewables Antarctic glacier is melting so quickly replace wood An international team of scientists has reached the Thwaites glacier in Antarctica and is preparing to drill through more than half a kilometre of ice into the dark waters beneath. The 600-metre deep borehole will allow researchers to fuel in 425,000 lower down a torpedo-shaped robotic submarine that will explore the underside of the ice shelf to better understand why it is melting so fast. Thwaites glacier, which is part of the west Antarctic ice sheet, has lost an estimated 540bn tonnes of ice since the 1980s. But households recent measurements show that the melting of the glacier is SOCIETY TEHRAN — The wood are used by households for fuel each year. speeding up, sending even more ice into the Amundsen Sea. deskfuel used by around Land subsidence, sand and dust storms, “There are several glaciers in Antarctica that are doing similar 425,000 households residing in the vicinity groundwater depletion, lack of regeneration, things, but this is the one we are most worried about,” said David of forests has been replaced by renewable species extinction, drying up of springs and Vaughan, the director of science at the British Antarctic Survey, sources of energy, Davar Namdar, deputy salinization are partly related to deforesta- who has travelled south with the UK-US drilling team. director of the Forests, Ranges, and Water- tion and degradation of natural resources, Thwaites glacier is one of the most remote and inhospi- station also have been set up in rural areas the equipment. shed Management Organization, has said. he lamented. table places on Earth. It has taken the researchers weeks to to sell petroleum and liquefied gas. One million hectares of the country’s Pointing out that wood fuel would aggra- Through the scheme, petroleum and get themselves and their equipment to the drilling site, a He went on to say that to enhance the use natural resources are being monitored vate the degradation of natural resources, gas stoves have been distributed in rural spot on the ice shelf about 1,500km (932 miles) from both of renewable energies, some 20 households with a budget from the National Devel- Namdar said that 8.5 million cubic meters communities, in addition to gas cylinders the British Antarctic Survey’s Rothera research station and were provided with solar panels and some opment Fund to tackle all kinds of pests of forests and 600,000 tons of desert bushes and oil tankers, he explained, adding, some the American McMurdo station. others with low-interest loans to afford and diseases, he concluded. In brutal conditions, where the temperature can fall below -20C, the researchers will have only a few days to drill through the ice shelf, deploy the “icefin” submarine and retrieve it, and set a suite of monitoring instruments into the ice before the 2020 is world’s last chance to tackle climate change, heads hole freezes over. “The aim is to do it as rapidly as possible. All of this will happen in three to four days. They really can’t of environmental bodies warn afford to muck about,” said Vaughan. The expedition to the Florida-sized glacier became more pressing The coming year is the “last chance” to bring the world the tempo of action here in the UK” in 2020, with a new this year when Nasa scientists used ground-penetrating radar to together to tackle climate change to protect commu- environment bill expected to be presented to parlia- reveal a massive cavity in its base. The cavern, two-thirds the size nities and nature, the heads of two key environmental ment with provisions for an ambitious national nature of Manhattan and 300 metres tall, was formed as 13bn tonnes of bodies have warned. recovery network. ice melted away over the past three years. The enormous cavity Climate change and damage to nature are already having The two environmental bodies have plans for large-scale allows water to get under the glacier and melt it from beneath. “dire consequences”, the leaders of the government agen- woodland regeneration to store carbon, improve wildlife Earlier this week, scientists on the team hauled radar-equipped cies Natural England and the Environment Agency have said. habitat, clean up rivers and reduce flood risk. sledges over the ice to map the thickness of the shelf near the In an article, Natural England chair Tony Juniper and the And they said the government’s commitment for a new “grounding line” where the glacier leaves land and extends over Environment Agency’s Emma Howard Boyd have pointed to £640m nature for climate fund in the Conservative election the sea. The map will help them pinpoint where to drill the bore- the recent flooding which saw hundreds of people evacuated manifesto is one way national efforts could be delivered. hole. During the site assessment, they came across a crevasse that from Fishlake, Doncaster, with some still out of their homes. Projects such as the efforts to prevent dozens of species plunged deep into the ice shelf. A report in October on the state of nature in the UK being lost from the UK, or creating and restoring large ar- Once they get the green light, the scientists will use a hot water found two-fifths (41 per cent) of the country’s wildlife eas of habitat, are helping adapt to climate change, protect drill to bore a 30cm-wide hole through the ice shelf. The equip- species had declined over the past 50 years and 13 per wildlife and capture and store carbon. ment can melt a hole at about 1.5 metres per minute, meaning cent of the species tracked were threatened with ex- But they warned that the ambition to cut greenhouse it will take more than six hours of nonstop drilling to get all the tinction in England. gases to net zero by 2050 was “only as good as its delivery”. way through. Small teams who sleep overnight in tents on the The warning comes after little progress at UN climate Alongside policies and initiatives, substantial financial ice will work in rotation around the clock to drill the hole, deploy talks in Madrid and ahead of a series of international meet- “Climate change is causing damage to ecosystems, such as investments in environmental recovery would be vital – the submarine, and set other instruments into the borehole for ings in 2020, including on protecting nature in China in the droughts which are wrecking chalk rivers and wetlands, including properly resourced government agencies. long-term monitoring. October and crucial climate talks in Glasgow in November. while the degradation of the natural environment, such as “Our government has the opportunity to lift plans for “Nobody has ever been able to drill through the ice close to “It’s clear that 2020 is our last chance to bring the world deforestation and drainage of peatlands, is leading to the clean, green, healthy and resilient communities at home where it starts to float and that is the critical point,” Vaughan together to take decisive action on climate change in order emissions causing climate change,” the two leaders said. towards action for the whole world,” Mr Juniper and Ms told the Guardian. “If everything goes to plan, they will drill the to protect our communities and reverse the alarming loss “If we are to adapt to what are now inevitable climatic Howard Boyd said. hole and then ream it out until it’s about 50cm across, and then of wildlife we have witnessed in recent years,” Mr Juniper shifts, including the effects of extreme weather, then “In that programme it will have our full support, for if lower in the autonomous underwater vehicle. That will actually and Ms Howard Boyd said. restoring the natural environment must be at the heart we walk the talk, we might just persuade others to share go into the cavity and send back images in real time so they can They said the environmental challenges of climate change of our response.” our vision.” navigate it right up to the point where the ice starts to float.” and nature losses are fundamentally connected to each other. They said there would be “every opportunity to raise (Source: The Independent) The 3.5 metre-long icefin carries high definition cameras, sonar, and instruments for monitoring water flow, salinity, ox- ygen and temperature. These can determine how much fresh water is flowing out from under the ice shelf. The robotic sub World’s ‘oldest rhino’ dies at 57 will also sample the gritty sediment shed into the water as the A rhino called Fausta who was deemed to be the oldest in forced to put the animal in captivity, after several attacks glacier grinds over the slab of rock it sits on. The data will feed the world has died in Tanzania. from hyena and severe wounds thereafter. Fausta also lost into computer models to refine predictions about the fate of the The female rhino, who was 57-years-old, had been sight or vision, which further compromise its survival ability glacier and the magnitude of sea level rise its melting will produce. living in a world heritage site situated in the Crater High- in the wild.” Thwaites glacier is already responsible for about 4% of the lands area of the East African country called Ngorongoro He said Fausta had not had any calves in her lifetime. global sea level rise, as the ice slips off the land and into the sea. Conservation Area. Another rhino is believed to have been born on the same But because the ice shelf is melting and thinning, the glacier is Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority said the day that Fausta died. speeding up. Thwaites itself contains enough ice to raise global eastern black rhino appeared to have died from natural Black rhinos are one of the most critically endangered sea levels by more than 2 feet (61cm), but it holds back other causes on 27 December. species worldwide and only 5,000 remain in the wild. inland glaciers that contain far more ice, enough to raise global Dr Freddy Manongi, the organisation’s conservation They are native to eastern and southern Africa but the sea levels by more than 2 metres. commissioner, said: “Records show that Fausta lived longest animals are threatened by changes to habitat, illegal poaching (Source: The Guardian) than any rhino in the world and survived in the Ngorongoro, and human conflicts. free-ranging, for more than 54 years before it was kept in a ?Five eastern black rhinos were transported to Rwanda sanctuary for the last three years of its life in 2016. from the Czech Republic in the biggest ever transit of its WORDS IN THE NEWS “Fausta was first located in the Ngorongoro crater in type back in June. 1965 by a scientist from the University of Dar Es Salaam, The animals were born and raised in Europe were taken Ukraine protest at the age between three and four years. to live in the Akagera National Park. “Her health begun to deteriorate in 2016, when we were (Source: The Independent) (September 16, 2002) Opposition parties in Ukraine are gearing up for mass street protests in the capital, Kiev, and other major cities across the country. The protests mark the second anniversary of the death of Georgy Gongadze, a journalist whose headless corpse was found in a forest ENGLISH IN USE near Kiev. This report from Ray Furlong: Georgy Gongadze’s body still lies in cold storage in a morgue in LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION Kiev. Only last week did the Ukrainian Prosecutor-General finally admit that according to exhaustive forensic tests, it is indeed the journalist’s corpse. Marine species population increased افزایش گو نههای دریایی مناطق تحت حفاظت سازمان محیط زیست The cause of death has been given as torture followed by beheading, but the head has never been found. Many people in protected areas in Ukraine believe the country’s President, Leonid Kuchma, الهیجــان زاده گفــت: براســاس سرشــماری ســاالنه تعــداد گون ههــای موجــود در ordered Mr Gongadze’s killing. According to the annual census, the population of marine species in زیســتگ اههای دریایــی تحــت حفاظــت رو بــه افزایــش اســت. One of Mr Kuchma’s former security officials leaked tapes last habitats under the Department of Environment (DOE) supervision year in which the President was heard calling for Mr Gongadze to has increased, Ahmad Lahijanzadeh, head of marine environment احمــد الهیجــان زاده معــاون محیــط زیســت دریایــی ســازمان حفاظــت محیــط زیســت be got rid of. The result was a wave of mass street protests. Those protests proved unable to remove President Kuchma from office, affairs at the DOE has said. در گفتوگــو بــا خبرنــگار باشــگاه خبرنــگاران جــوان، در رابطــه بــا اهمیــت حفاظــت از and now the opposition hopes this anniversary will fuel a new The annual Census is the authoritative source of data determining زیســتگ اههای دریایــی اظهــار کــرد: حفاظــت از زیســتگ اههای دریایــی و شناســایی ایــن campaign of demonstrations. the population and distribution of animal or marine species through Crucially, Ukraine’s most popular opposition politician, Viktor counting them yearly. مناطــق در اولویــت ســازمان حفاظــت محیــط زیســت قــرار دارد و تمــام ایــن زیســتگاهها Yushchenko, has been sending mixed signals. Speaking at the Protecting marine habitats and listing them as protected areas are weekend, he said Ukraine was currently in its biggest political crisis در قالــب مطالعــات جامــع و تعقیــب میدانــی شناســایی شــده اند. among the most important priorities of the DOE, he said, adding, all in the eleven years since the break-up of the Soviet Union - but he وی بــا بیــان اینکــه در بســیاری از ایــن زیســتگ اهها زادآوری صــورت م یگیــرد، افــزود: also stressed the need for dialogue between opposition forces of the areas have been identified through environmental assessment and President Kuchma’s administration. and field surveys. زمــان ایــن زادآوریهــا بــا شناســایی زیســتگ اهها مشــخص اســت و ســازمان محیــط Words The reproduction time is important, and the DOE forces stand guard زیســت در ایــن بــازه زمانــی حفاظــت فیزیکــی را انجــام م ی دهــد. .cold storage: if something is put in cold storage, it is kept in an and constantly supervise the area during this period, he noted artificially cooled place to preserve it الهیجــان زاده گفــت: براســاس سرشــم اریهای ســاالنه، تعــداد گون ههــای موجــود در He went on to say that annual census shows that the number of morgue: a place where dead bodies are kept before they are species in protected areas is increasing, probably due to favorable زیســتگ اههای تحــت حفاظــت رو بــه افزایــش اســت. cremated or buried forensic tests: scientific analysis done to find out information condition and full-time control. about a crime indeed: for certain corpse: dead body PREFIX/SUFFIX PHRASAL VERB IDIOM torture: the action or practice of inflicting severe pain on someone as a punishment or in order to force them to do or say something “il-, im-, in-, ir-” Pick something up Put a damper on something beheading: the action of cutting off a person’s head, especially as a form of execution Meaning: not Meaning: to learn something by watching or listening Explanation: If someone or something puts a damper leaked: gave information away For example: It was impossible to sleep because to other people on a situation or event, they make it less successful or fuel: give new life to of the noise. For example: I picked up a few words of Greek enjoyable mixed signals: contradictory messages when I was there last year. For example: The party was going great until the stressed: emphasized neighbor’s complaints put a damper on it. (Source: BBC) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 31, 2019 WORLD IN FOCUS 13

U.S. strikes PMU bases to Sudan sentences 27 intelligence agents to hang facilitate ISIL entrance to Iraq for teacher’s killing Kata’ib Hezbollah leader Jamal two years after losing the last of its territory 1 A Sudanese court sentenced 27 members of the national Jaafar Ibrahimi, who is also known as Abu in the country, BBC reported. intelligence service to death by hanging on Monday over Mahdi al-Muhandis, warned that “the blood Kurdish and Western intelligence officials the killing of a teacher in detention in February during of the martyrs will not be in vain”. have told the BBC that the ISIL presence protests that led to the overthrow of former president Omar “Our response will be very tough on the in Iraq is a sophisticated insurgency, and al-Bashir. American forces in Iraq,” he said. IS attacks are increasing. It was the first time courts have handed down convictions The targeted Kata’ib Hezbollah forces The militants are now more skilled and over crackdowns on demonstrations in the months before belonged to brigades 45 and 46 of the PMU, more dangerous than al-Qaeda, according and after Bashir was toppled in April. according to PMU official Jawad Kazim to Lahur Talabany, a top Kurdish coun- Thirteen defendants were sentenced to prison terms and al-Rabi’awi. ter-terrorism official. a further four were acquitted in the verdict, which could “They have better techniques, better Iraqi president condemns face several stages of appeal. tactics and a lot more money at their dispos- U.S. attack The death of teacher Ahmed al-Khair in the eastern town al,” he said. “They are able to buy vehicles, Iraqi President Barham Salih has con- of Khashm al-Qirba became a rallying point during 16 weeks weapons, food supplies and equipment. demned Washington’s attacks on Kata’ib of protests against Bashir’s rule. Technologically they’re more savvy. It’s Hezbollah, which is part of Iraq’s Popular Khair’s family said security officials initially claimed he more difficult to flush them out. So, they Mobilization Units (PMU), as the death had died of poisoning, though days later a state investigation are like al-Qaeda on steroids.” toll from the air raids reaches more than found he had died of injuries from beating. two dozen. ISIL suspects sent by U.S. Hundreds of people rallied outside the court in Omdurman The Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported from Syria to Iraq where the verdict was delivered on Monday, some waving that Salih decried the attacks as being un- U.S. forces have quietly sent suspect- national flags or holding pictures of Khair. acceptable and damaging for the country, ed ISIL fighters captured in Syria to Iraq, (Source: AP) adding that the strikes were contrary to Reuters reported on May 29. security agreements inked between Baghdad province, killing at least 25 individuals and group headquarters, referring to it as a The U.S. army helicopters have been and Washington. leaving another 51 injured, according to “blatant attack” on the sovereignty of Iraq sighted in heavy operation in Syria’s Major General Abdul Karim Khalaf, the PMU. and its people. Northern province of Hasaka since Sun- Netanyahu says Arab spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief Hashd al-Sha’abi fighters played a major Sistani blasts US Airstrikes day morning as eyewitness accounts said of the Iraqi Armed Forces, also said that Adel role in the liberation of Daesh-held areas The spiritual leader joined other Ira- the choppers are taking large groups of states to normalize ties Abdul-Mahdi, currently Iraq’s caretaker to the south, northeast and north of the qi leaders, including President Bahram the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant prime minister, has voiced his opposition Iraqi capital Baghdad, after the terrorists Silah and caretaker Prime Minister Adel (ISIL, also known as ISIS or Daesh) Takfiri with Israel soon launched an offensive in the country, over- Abdul-Mahdi, in criticising Sunday’s U.S. to the attacks in a message to U.S. Defense terrorists away. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will soon running vast swathes in lightning attacks. airstrikes, which targeted five Iraqi and Secretary Mark Esper. Citing local sources and witness accounts, have normal ties and formal peace agreements with a num- In November 2016, the Iraqi parliament Syrian facilities hosting the Baghdad-allied “Bombing PMU bases is a dangerous official news agency SANA reported that ber of Arab countries. voted to integrate Hashd al-Sha’abi, which Kata’ib Hezbollah Shia group. aggravation which endangers the security American forces transported 230 foreign “I intend in the coming years to conclude normalization was formed shortly after the emergence of Ali al-Sistani, a senior Iraqi spiritual of Iraq and the region,” Iraqi media sources ISIL terrorists that had been captured and peace agreements with a number of Arab countries,” he Daesh, into the military. leader and Iraq’s top Shia Muslim cleric, cited Abdul-Mahdi as saying. in al-Malikiya to al-Shadadi in Hasaka’s said Sunday night, recalling in particular his trip to Oman, a Over the past six months, Iraqi outposts has slammed the U.S.’s airstrikes on the The premier also reportedly ordered Southern countryside. country with which Israel has no formal diplomatic relations. accommodating American troops have come Kata’ib Hezbollah militia, demanding that Iraq’s Joint Operations Command (JOC) to The news outlet added that a U.S. mil- Netanyahu met Oman’s Sultan Qaboos in Muscat in under at least 10 such rocket barrages, in- U.S. leaders respect Iraq’s sovereignty. not allow any air or land-based operations itary helicopter also transported 5 ISIL October 2018. The controversial visit was kept secret un- cluding the Friday launch. to take place in the country without the ISIL regrouping in Iraq inmates from al-Adnaniya village to Iraq, til after the Israeli premier had returned to the occupied U.S. bombing ‘blatant attack government’s approval. U.S. attack on PMU bases came as ISIL as, in recent days, U.S. troops have moved territories. Earlier on Friday, U.S. forces conduct- on Iraq’: Hezbollah terrorist group is regrouping in Iraq. hundreds of foreign inmates affiliated The Israeli premier made the new remarks at a Likud ed drone strikes on a number of Kata’ib Hezbollah has condemned a U.S. bom- There are growing indications that the to the ISIL terrorist organization from event in Tel Aviv in which he touted what he characterized Hezbollah bases in Iraq’s western Anbar bardment of Kata’ib Hezbollah militant ISIL terrorist group is re-organizing in Iraq, Syria into Iraq. as his past diplomatic achievements and pledged more successes. Jordan and Egypt are the only two Arab states that have Three-fold rise in attacks on children in war Merkel, Erdogan and Putin discuss diplomatic ties with Israel. However, reports have indicated that several of them, including Saudi Arabia, the United areas since 2010 diplomatic solution for Libya Arab Emirates and Bahrain, have had secret relations with Tel Aviv. Children continue to pay a deadly price most basic rules of war: the protection German Chancellor Angela Merkel the United Arab Emirates. Israel and the Persian Gulf Arab states have dramatically as they succumb to a nearly three-fold of children,” she said, adding that many discussed efforts to reach a diplomatic A German foreign ministry spokesman increased their contacts since June 2018, when Bahrain rise in attacks over the last 10 years in more acts of violence against children go solution for the Libyan conflict in sepa- in Berlin said Germany was following the hosted a US-led conference where the “economic” part of conflict-ridden areas, the United Na- unreported. rate phone calls with Russian President reports about Turkey’s military plans in President Donald Trump’s “peace” plan for the Middle East tions has said. In 2018, the UN recorded more than Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Libya with “great concern”. He urged all was unveiled. Violations against minors in wars in- 24,000 abuses, nearly three times as many Tayyip Erdogan, whose government in- involved parties to exercise maximum The Israeli foreign minister, Israel Katz, visited the UAE clude killing, maiming, sexual violence, as in 2010. tends to send troops to Libya, a government restraint, respect an international embargo capital city of Abu Dhabi in June last year for a UN environ- abductions, denial of humanitarian access, In approximately half of those cases, spokesman said on Monday. for arms exports to Libya and step up mental conference, where he discussed cooperation against child recruitment and attacks on schools children were killed or maimed by air Turkey’s foreign minister has warned efforts for a diplomatic solution. Iran, as well as economic and transport collaboration. and hospitals. attacks and explosive weapons such as that the Libyan conflict risks sliding into “A further exchange was agreed to On October 26 last year, the Israeli culture and sports The UN has verified more than landmines and mortars. chaos and becoming the next Syria, as he strengthen diplomatic efforts,” the gov- minister, Miri Regev, traveled to the UAE to accompany 170,000 grave violations against chil- UNICEF also noted that the number sought to speed up domestic legislation to ernment spokesman said, adding that Israel’s judo team at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam 2018. Her dren since 2010 - the equivalent of more of countries blighted by war is the highest allow Ankara to send troops to the North Merkel also discussed the developments in visit marked the first of its kind by an Israeli minister to a than 45 violations each day for the last it has been in 30 years. African country. Syria with Erdogan and Putin during the Persian Gulf littoral state. 10 years. Children in Syria, Yemen and Afghan- Last week, Erdogan announced his phone calls, which took place on Sunday. Israel will also take part in the Expo 2020 world fair in “Conflicts around the world are istan were at particular risk in 2019, ac- government’s decision to seek parlia- Germany has offered to host an in- Dubai next year. lasting longer, causing more blood- cording to UNICEF. mentary consent to send troops to Lib- ternational peace conference on Libya (Source: Press TV) shed and claiming more young lives,” The UN agency called on the warring ya, at the request of Tripoli. The troops that the United Nations is planning. The UNICEF executive director Henrietta parties around the world to end violations would help to defend Libya’s U.N.-backed conference could take place in Berlin after Fore said. against children and the singling out of Government of National Accord against a planned meeting between Erdogan and “Attacks on children continue una- civilian infrastructure. General Khalifa Haftar’s forces, which get Putin in January. Australia fire kills bated as warring parties flout one of the (Source: agencies) military support from Russia, Egypt and (Source: Reuters) firefighter, 100,000 residents urged to flee

More nuclear energy for Turkey as Russia starts work on 2nd power unit for Akkuyu plant About 100,000 people were urged to flee five Melbourne The construction of a new power unit at the Russian-built to have a 51 percent stake in it. The rest will be acquired suburbs on Monday evening as Australia’s spiraling bushfire Akkuyu nuclear power plant (NPP) in Turkey, the first of by third-party investors, according to an agreement the crisis killed a volunteer firefighter battling a separate blaze its kind in the country, is set to start in the first quarter two sides signed in 2010. in the countryside. of 2020. The main contractor for the power plant’s construc- Authorities in the country’s second-biggest city down- “Works at the site have already begun... We may hold tion, Rosatom’s subsidiary Titan-2 Concern, is working graded an earlier bushfire emergency warning but said an official concrete pouring ceremony by March,” Alexey in partnership with one of Turkey’s largest private in- residents should steer clear of the blaze, which has burned Likhachev, director general of Russian nuclear energy vestment construction firms Ictas, the Russian nuclear through 40 hectares (nearly 100 acres) of grassland. corporation Rosatom, told journalists on Monday. energy corporation announced on Monday. “We hope In Bundoora - just 16km (10 miles) north of the city center Pouring concrete at such sites usually marks the official this alliance will help us successfully realize the pro- and home to two major Australian university campuses - the start of construction. In August, Akkuyu Nuclear, a part ject,” Likhachev said. fire’s spread toward houses had been halted for now but it of Rosatom charged with implementing the construction The plant will have four reactors with a capacity of was yet to be brought under control, said Vic Emergency. in Turkey, was granted a general licence, allowing them 4,800 MW, and is expected to serve for at least 60 years, Local media showed images of water bombers flying over to start work on the second reactor. covering around 10 percent of Turkey’s electricity needs. neighborhoods, and families hosing down their homes in The Akkuyu NPP is the largest joint project between The first reactor is expected to start operations in 2023, the hope of halting the fire’s spread. Russia and Turkey. The $20-billion project is fully funded when Turkey will celebrate its centenary. A volunteer firefighter died in New South Wales state by Russia, while in the future Russian companies are set (Source: RT) and two others suffered burns while working on a blaze more than five hours southwest of Sydney, the Rural Fire Service said. “It’s believed that the truck rolled when hit by extreme Trump faces criticism after sharing tweet naming alleged whistleblower winds,” the agency said in a tweet. U.S. President Donald Trump is facing that name the alleged whistleblower, the Ten others, including two volunteer firefighters, have staunch criticism for retweeting a post New York Times reported, but Twitter does been killed so far this fire season. that included the alleged name of the not. In a statement issued to the Associated The blazes have destroyed more than 1,000 homes and whistleblower whose complaint led to the Press, Twitter said the @surfermom77 tweet scorched more than three million hectares (7.4 million acres). president’s impeachment. was “not a violation of the Twitter Rules”. A heatwave sweeping the country on Monday fuelled Trump shared a post from a user named There was some speculation about the latest destruction in Australia’s devastating summer @surfermom77, who described themselves whether Trump deleted the retweet after fire season, which has been turbocharged by a prolonged as a “100% Trump supporter”. the outcry. drought. The retweet seemed to disappear from Twitters users said they were unable Conditions worsened on Friday with high winds and the president’s timeline for a period but to see the post on his timeline on Satur- temperatures soaring across the country - reaching 47C was visible again later. day morning, after he shared it at around (117F) in Western Australia and topping 40C in every re- Trump has repeatedly called for the midnight on Friday. gion - including the usually temperate island of Tasmania. whistleblower to be identified. On Saturday afternoon, Twitter said More than a dozen blazes are also raging in Victoria’s November, lawyers for the whistle- there had been a glitch in its system, East Gippsland countryside, where authorities said “quite a number” of the 30,000 tourists visiting the usually pic- blower - who is said to work in the U.S. idence of wrongdoing by the government. an automated “bot” account, “including which had made some tweets invisible intelligence community - issued a cease- to some users, although the company turesque region had heeded calls to evacuate. ’Hallmarks of a bot’ an unusually high amount of activity and Some of the fires were burning so intensely that hundreds and-desist warning to the president, saying Previous posts by @surfermom77 - profile pictures featuring stock images from did not specify how many people were their client was “in physical danger”. But affected or make a direct connection to of firefighters were pulled back beyond a front estimated the Twitter user retweeted by President the internet”. to stretch 1,000km (600 miles). the president ignored the warning and Trump - include anti-Islam content and The account’s profile picture - a stock this specific controversy. continued to call for them to be named. The retweet was visible again in the It was deemed “unsafe” for them to remain in bushland posts spreading the false conspiracy theory photo of a woman in business attire that areas, Gippsland fire incident controller Ben Rankin said, The U.S. has federal laws that guarantee that President Barack Obama was a Muslim. was pulled from the internet - was changed president’s feed by Sunday morning. His the protection of whistleblowers, designed account is followed by 68 million people. describing the situation as “very intense”. According to a report by the Associated on Saturday to an image of Mr Trump. (Source: al Jazeera) to shield those who come forward with ev- Press, the account bears the hallmarks of Facebook has a policy of banning posts (Source: BBC) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 14 WORLD SPORTS DECEMBER 31, 2019

Eighty percent of Barcelona members want Valverde out Boy born without legs joins

Ernesto Valverde’s contract with Barcelona ends in the summer of 2021, but either party is allowed to terminate the deal in June 2020 and, if the decision was left to the hero Ronaldo for a game members of the club, they would overwhelmingly prefer to see him leave earlier rather than later. Cristiano Ronaldo has played alongside some of the great- Despite winning LaLiga Santander in each of his two est players in the world during his career - but his latest season in charge, Valverde has lost the backing of the knockabout was a rather heartwarming one. fans largely due to the Champions League exits in those Ali Turganbekov was born without legs but that has not years, and especially the humiliating manner in which prevented him from developing his passion for football they occurred. as he continues to remain physically active. Mundo Deportivo ran a detailed poll past the club’s And the 12 year-old boy from Nur Sultan in Kazakhstan members about the current state of the Catalan club, could not contain his excitement when he got the chance one of which was about whether or not Valverde should to knock the ball around with his idol in Dubai. continue beyond next summer. Ali has 158,000 followers on Instagram where he has The results were stark, with 80 percent of Barcelona been photographed alongside other greats of the game members wanting Valverde gone in the summer of 2020 such as former Barcelona star Xavi and Real Madrid the latest. legend Iker Casillas. Valverde and his side have started the league campaign But he could not contain the thrill of meeting Ronaldo, well once again, leading LaLiga Santander one week chucking the ball to the Portuguese moments after he had before the halfway stage of the season but the European walked through the door before engaging in a series of disappointments against Roma and Liverpool respectively games of keepy uppies. seem impossible to forgive. After the first short game, Ali goes over to Ronaldo Jurgen Klopp is the preferred replacement with 82 to embrace him in the most heartwarming aspect of the votes (33.6 percent), while Ronald Koeman closely follows video which also sees the Juventus star take photos with with 78 votes (31.96 percent), and Roberto Martinez was the boy and signing the ball they are playing with. third with 42 votes (17.21 percent). On Instagram, Ali describes himself as a ‘unique op- (Source: Marca) timist’. He plays in goal and has developed impressive handling and heading skills, which are immediately evi- dent throughout the video. Cassano: ‘Inter better than The meeting with Ronaldo, set up by Russian Mixed Juventus’ Martial Arts champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, is not the first time young Ali has met one of his sporting heroes. home town to join in the knockabout with the side thanks on his Instagram by saying: ‘That’s why you the best in the Antonio Cassano has let loose with his caustic opinions on In March, he was introduced to Andriy Shevchenko to the help of Kazakhstan Premier League side FC Kairat. world. Thank you so much. You make my brother happy’. Juventus, Maurizio Sarri, Romelu Lukaku, the Champions and Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko after in- He also handed out medals in Istanbul to Liverpool Ronaldo is currently on a winter break in the Emirates League and why “Inter will win the Scudetto.” viting Ali to join the Ukrainian national team during a players after the team’s European Super Cup victory in and spent the week in Dubai where he was named the FantAntonio has never been one to hold back and following training session. August over Chelsea. men’s player of the year at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards. his retirement is becoming a sought-after pundit on Italian Ali travelled more than 4,000 kilometres from his And Nurmagomedov thanked Ronaldo for the gesture (Source: Daily Mail) television, although he did recently get his certificate to qualify as a director of sport. “I’ve been saying since the end of August that Inter will Struggling West Ham turn to Moyes for AS Roma in talks over sale to U.S. win the Scudetto,” he told Sky Sport Italia. “Antonio Conte is a coach who by himself brings you second time billionaire Friedkin an extra 15-20 points, he’s world class and lights the fire within his players. “I’ll admit, though, I didn’t think Lukaku would do so well in Serie A straight away. He works for the team and already speaks Italian after two months. “Lautaro Martinez is a great striker and we’ll be talking about him for at least the next 10 years. As for Sebastiano Esposito, you can see he has that fire inside him and determination to do well. Not everyone can play with such confidence at San Siro aged 17. He’s fortunate to have Conte as a coach, because it’s the best environment to mature. “I give credit to (Inter director Piero) Ausilio for signing the players who were suited to Conte’s football.” Another reason why Cassano tips Inter for the Serie A title is his irritation with Sarri and Juventus director of sport Fabio Paratici. “Sarri did some good things in recent years, but before that he was always in Serie B or C. I consider him nothing more than a normal coach. (Source: Football Italia) Struggling West Ham said on Sunday they Bournemouth at the London Stadium. AS Roma is in talks with a group led by 9% at the open in Milan on Monday but had appointed David Moyes as manager “David proved in his short time with U.S. billionaire Dan Friedkin looking pared gains to stand 4.4% up at 1226 GMT. for the second time in a bid to safeguard the club that he was capable of getting to buy the Italian Serie A soccer club, it “Any deal with Group Friedkin is sub- Seeing Red: Guardiola says their place in the Premier League. results and we believe that he will start said on Monday ject to the positive outcome of the legal Moyes, whose career has never moving the club in the right direction once Europe’s top soccer clubs have at- due diligence process on the AS Roma title is Liverpool’s recovered from a deeply unsuccessful again,” said West Ham’s co-chairman tracted big money from some of the group,” the club said in a statement. world’s richest investors over the past Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said he is already spell as Manchester United boss in 2013- David Sullivan. AS Roma last changed hands in 2012 decade as the game draws more fans and preparing for next season because Liverpool are destined 14, succeeds Manuel Pellegrini, who was “We are delighted to welcome David when it was taken over by a group of television revenue in lucrative markets to win the title. sacked after a 2-1 defeat to Leicester on back – he knows the club well and he built U.S. investors led by James Pallotta, who such as Asia, the United States and the City beat Sheffield United at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday that left the Hammers just one strong relationships during that time which became the club’s president. Middle East. Sunday to bounce back from defeat at Wolves on Friday, but point above the relegation zone. will be crucial for the work that needs to Pallotta, a U.S. businessman of Italian The proposed deal is the latest soccer Guardiola insists his focus has already turned to wrestling The 56-year-old has been without a be done going forward.” descent, failed to revive the fortunes of foray by a U.S. investor after Manchester the trophy back from Jurgen Klopp’s side, who are 13 club since leaving West Ham after a six- Moyes won nine and drew 10 of his the club, which won the last of its three City’s Abu Dhabi-controlled owner in points clear at the top with a game in hand, in next year’s month spell in the 2017-18 season. 31 previous games in charge of the club. Serie A titles in 2001. November sold a $500 million stake in campaign. Moyes guided West Ham to safety that He made his name in 11 successful years AS Roma idol Francesco Totti, a former the English club to U.S. private equity “It’s unrealistic to think about it [catching Liverpool],” season after Slaven Bilic was dismissed in at Everton, but was sacked after less than captain of the club who won the World firm Silver Lake. said Guardiola. “When a team has the numbers that early November and will be tasked with a year as Alex Ferguson’s successor at Cup with Italy in 2006, left as technical In June American billionaire Rocco Liverpool has why should we think about it, when we doing the same for a second time. Manchester United. director in June, complaining he had Commisso bought Serie A club ACF are 14 [points] or 17 behind? “It’s fabulous to be back,” said Moyes Moyes also struggled in short spells never been given a proper role during his Fiorentina from Italy’s Della Valle “Prepare, play good, be as close as possible, play the in a club statement. at Real Sociedad and Sunderland before two years on the management team and family for a reported sum of about 160 knockouts and prepare for next “I’m feeling very proud that I’m back taking the West Ham job first time round had been excluded from key decisions. million euros. Having accepted that City’s title defence is over, Guardiola here at West Ham. But I think more on a short-term contract. He said he would be ready to return Press reports said Friedkin would pay has suggested they still have work to do to ensure they importantly I’ll be looking to see what I can He was not offered a new deal despite to the club if Pallotta left. between 750 million and 790 million qualify for the Champions League. do and what I can make improvements to. comfortably keeping the club up by Having missed out on UEFA Cham- euros (640.63- 674.19 million pounds), Everton are the visitors on Wednesday looking to build “I do believe that the squad of players finishing 13th. pions League qualification after finish- including debt, for an 82% stake in AS on back-to-back wins under new boss Carlo Ancelotti. I’ve got here is a better squad of players However, West Ham’s ambitious ing sixth in Serie A last season, when Roma. “The best motivation is to try to play good, win games, than when I took over before, so I am appointment of former Real Madrid Juventus won their eighth consecutive The club made a loss of 24 million that’s the best,” said Guardiola. looking forward to working with them.” and Manchester City boss Pellegrini did title, AS Roma are in the second-tier euros on revenue of 233 million euros “Now we recover for three days -- thank you for three The West Ham hierarchy were keen not pay off as the Chilean was let go on Europa League. They have reached the in the financial year to June 30. Net debt days, we appreciate it -- and it’s Everton, so that’s what to make a swift appointment following Saturday after a run of seven defeats in knockout stages and next play Belgian amounted to 221 million euros. we have to think about.” Pellegrini’s sacking ahead of Wednesday’s nine Premier League matches. side KAA Gent for a place in the last 16. Shares in AS Roma shot up more than (Source: ESPN) crucial clash with fellow strugglers (Source: AFP) (Source: Reuters) Nishikori out of Australian Struggling West Ham turn to Moyes for second time Open and ATP Cup with Struggling West Ham said on Sunday they West Ham’s co-chairman David Sullivan. elbow injury had appointed David Moyes as manager for “We are delighted to welcome David back the second time in a bid to safeguard their – he knows the club well and he built strong World number 13 Kei Nishikori has pulled out of next place in the Premier League. relationships during that time which will be month’s Australian Open as he is yet to fully recover from Moyes, whose career has never recovered crucial for the work that needs to be done right elbow surgery, tournament organisers announced from a deeply unsuccessful spell as Man- going forward.” on Monday. chester United boss in 2013-14, succeeds Moyes won nine and drew 10 of his 31 The 30-year-old Japanese, who has not played since Manuel Pellegrini, who was sacked after previous games in charge of the club. losing to Alex de Minaur in the third round of the U.S. a 2-1 defeat to Leicester on Saturday that He made his name in 11 successful years Open and underwent minor elbow surgery in October, will left the Hammers just one point above the at Everton, but was sacked after less than a also miss the inaugural ATP Cup team event in Australia. relegation zone. year as Alex Ferguson’s successor at Man- “Today, together with my team, we have made this The 56-year-old has been without a club chester United. decision as I’m still not 100% ready (or) healthy to compete since leaving West Ham after a six-month Moyes also struggled in short spells at at the highest level,” Nishikori said in a statement . spell in the 2017-18 season. Real Sociedad and Sunderland before tak- “This decision was not taken lightly as Australia is one Moyes guided West Ham to safety that ing the West Ham job first time round on a of my favourite places to compete. Together with my team season after Slaven Bilic was dismissed in short-term contract. I will keep working hard to be back on court as soon as early November and will be tasked with do- He was not offered a new deal despite possible. Thanks for all the support.” ing the same for a second time. comfortably keeping the club up by finish- Nishikori is the latest high-profile men’s player to “It’s fabulous to be back,” said Moyes in ing 13th. pull out of the season’s first Grand Slam following the a club statement. I’ve got here is a better squad of players than clash with fellow strugglers Bournemouth However, West Ham’s ambitious appoint- withdrawal of Briton Andy Murray on Saturday. “I’m feeling very proud that I’m back here when I took over before, so I am looking at the London Stadium. ment of former Real Madrid and Manchester Yoshihito Nishioka replaces Nishikori as Japan’s top- at West Ham. But I think more importantly forward to working with them.” “David proved in his short time with the City boss Pellegrini did not pay off as the ranked player for the ATP Cup which begins on Friday. I’ll be looking to see what I can do and what The West Ham hierarchy were keen to club that he was capable of getting results Chilean was let go on Saturday after a run of They face Spain, Georgia and Uruguay in Group B in Perth. I can make improvements to. make a swift appointment following Pel- and we believe that he will start moving the seven defeats in nine Premier League matches. (Source: Reuters) “I do believe that the squad of players legrini’s sacking ahead of Wednesday’s crucial club in the right direction once again,” said (Source: AFP) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 31, 2019 SPORTS 15

Bana, Mohammadi named AFC lauds Iranian Beach Soccer, Futsal Teams

The 2010s produced countless classic moments and foot- balling landmarks from both established and developing 2019 Asian best coaches Asian nations. Iran lit up the Asian futsal scene in the 2010s, winning SPORTS TEHRAN — United World Wrestling three AFC Futsal Championships and finishing third at the deskAsia has announced the “Best Wrestlers” 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup, where it famously defeated in each style, the “Best Coaches” in each style and the “Most both Brazil and Portugal in a stunning month in Colombia. Active National Federation”. Iran also excelled in the world of Beach Soccer, finishing The results of the contest are based on the perfor- the decade as the second-ranked team in the world, and mance criteria for 2019, which has been approved at earning a best-ever finish of third in the 2017 FIFA Beach General Assembly of the United Wrestling Asia in Xi›an Soccer World Cup in the Bahamas, the-afc.com Reported. (China) on the initiative of the President of the United Japan would follow in their footsteps two years later World Wrestling Asia Daulet Turlykhanov to promote in Paraguay, reaching the global semi-finals, with only and develop wrestling in Asian continent. a penalty shootout defeat to eventual winners Portugal In the nomination “Best Greco-Roman coach of the ending their bid for a maiden title. year” won the head coach of the Iranian national team, Iranian striker Sardar Azmoun also was Asian forward the legendary Mohammed Bana. Iranian Greco-Roman to star in Russia. wrestlers won three bronzes and three Olympic licenses Still only 24, Azmoun has bagged over 60 goals for at the World Championships, and four gold and three Rubin Kazan, FC Rostov and Zenit St. Petersburg, win- bronze medals at the continental championship under ning the Russian Premier League with the latter in season leadership of Bana. 2018-19; a title won by Uzbekistan’s Vitaly Denisov with In the nomination “Best freestyle wrestling coach of the Lokomotiv Moscow a year prior. year” also won the representative of Iran, a well-known (Source: the-afc) wrestler in the past (four-time medalist of the World Cup), and nowadays the head coach of the Iranian team Gholam- reza Mohammadi. This year, the Iranian national freestyle wrestling team dominated at the Asian Championship by Ali Alipour going nowhere, winning seven gold and three bronze medals. To reveal the winner of the nomination “Best freestyle Persepolis announces wrestler of the Year” was very difficult. Two wrestlers in this nomination scored an equal (90) points. Nurkozha Kaipanov TASNIM —Iranian football club Persepolis have announced (70 kg) from Kazakhstan and Alireza Karimi Machiani (92 that their forward Ali Alipour will be staying at the club. kg) from Iran. Both wrestlers won Asian Championship Portuguese top-flight team Pacos Ferreira have shown and ranking series in Sassari (Italy). an interest in signing the player in the January transfer Also, they became owners of silver medal in World window but the Iranian club have rejected the offer. Championship. To objectively identify the best wrestler, of the World Military Games in Xi›an (China). won the national federation of Kazakhstan, which held a “I’m concentrating on my team at the moment but the following criteria were taken into consideration: victory In 92 weight category in World Championships (Nur-Sul- high-level senior World championship and the cadet Asian whatever the club decides on my future,” Alipour said. in other important events and the quantity of participants tan) participated 18 athletes, while 30 wrestlers participated championship in Nur Sultan city. Futebol Clube Paços de Ferreira is a Portuguese football in the weight category at the World Championships. in 70 kg. This factor has become crucial in identifying the All winners will be awarded with valuable prizes from club based in Paços de Ferreira, Porto district. If Alireza Karimi Machiani won the World Club Champi- best freestyle wrestler, uww.asia reported. the United World Wrestling Asia. The time and place of Founded in 1950, they currently play in the Primei- onship this year, Nurkozha Kaipanov won the silver medal In the nomination “Most Active National Federation” official delivery will be announced later. ra Liga, holding home games at the 9,077-seat capacity Estádio da Mata Real, where the team have been based since 1973. Iran finalize squad for AFC U-23 Championship The club’s colors are yellow and green. SPORTS TEHRAN — Iran coach Hamid Estili (Varaždin), Reza Dehghani (Nassaji) deskhas named his 23-man squad for the AFC Forwards: Mohammad Mohebbi (Sepahan), Mehdi Iran beach soccer still in U23 Championship Thailand 2020. Ghaedi (Esteghlal), Reza Jabireh (Sanat Naft), Ali Shojaei Rising star Younes Delfi has been dropped from the list (Nassaji), Amir Roostaei (Persepolis), Reza Shekari (Trac- fifth place in world ranking after Belgian side Charleroi don’t let him to leave the team. tor), Allahyar Sayyadmanesh (Istanbulspor) Squad: Iran will kick off their 2020 campaign against hold- Goalkeepers: Meraj Esmaeili (Zob Ahan), Habib Abba- ers Uzbekistan in Songkhla on January 9, with matches The Iranian national beach soccer team remained in fifth sifar (Naft Masjed Soleyman), Mehdi Nourollahi (Saipa) against South Korea and China PR to follow in an in- place in the world ranking. Defenders: Mehran Derakhshan Mehr (Zob Ahan), Omid triguing Group C. Team Melli is the best Asian team in the ranking. Noorafkan (Sepahan), Aref Aghasi (Foolad), Shahin Taher- The competition will be held in Thailand from Jan. 8 to 26. Portugal, winner of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, khani (Esteghlal), Mojtaba Najjarian (Foolad), Hossein Saki The top three teams qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics shoot up the ranking, slashing the gap between themselves (Sanat naft), Matin Karimzadeh (Pars Jonoubi) in July, although should Japan emerge as one of them, the and the Brazilians in the top spot to just 240 points. Midfielders: Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh (Saipa), Jafar fourth-placed side will advance. It leapfroged Europeans rivals Italy and Russia into Salmani (Sanat Naft), Sina Zamehran (Shahr Khodro), Mo- Iran have not been in the Olympics since the 1976 games second place, closing the gap on leader Brazil to an his- hammad Khodabandehloo (Paykan), Mehdi Mehdikhani in Munich. torically low number of points. November’s Movers of the Month, Japan, also achieved another impressive leap into sixth position, overtaking teams such as Spain and Switzerland in the process, and signaling what could be the arrival of a new era for the Heydar Baharvand appointed acting FFIRI president Asian champion among the beach soccer elite. (Source: Beachsoccer) SPORTS TEHRAN — Football Federation of He was rushed to hospital last week and the doctors deskthe Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) recommended him stepping off from his role. has announced the appointment of Heydar Baharvand Taj has suffered heart problems related to the stress as the federation’s acting president. of management twice in one year. Tokyo 2020 to take Baharvand will serve as provisional president until Iran football federation spokesman Amir Mehdi Alavi the General Assembly elects its president. has confirmed that Taj has resigned from his role. measures after asbestos After holding a session with the Minister of Youth “The activities, from now on, will be carried out in Affairs and Sports Masoud Soltanifar, members of the accordance with the regulation by the vice president,” found at venue: Asahi Presiding Board of the Federation selected Baharvand Alavi said. as acting president of Iran Football Federation. Taj was elected as head of Iran football federation in Tokyo 2020 organizers will take “emergency counter- He replaced Mehdi Taj, who resigned on Sunday due May 2016, replacing Ali Kafashian, who held the position measures” after asbestos was found at the water polo to the heart problems. for eight years. venue for next year’s Games after initially opting against treating it when it was discovered two years ago, Asahi newspaper reported on Monday. Asbestos, which was once widely used in fireproofing Omid Noorafkan, one to watch at AFC U23 Championship and insulation, has been linked to several health hazards including mesothelioma and other types of cancer. Iran skipper Omid Noorafkan is among the saw him called up to the senior national side The Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Tokyo 2020 ones to watch at the AFC U23 Championship in August 2019 at just 18 years old. were not immediately reachable for comment. Much of Thailand 2020. Having turned 19 in December, Urunov Japan is closed for New Year holidays. Omid Noorafkan may well be among the youngest players at IR Iran, Midfielder Thailand 2020 but the midfield playmaker The IR Iran skipper during the AFC U23 could be a pivotal part of the holders’ ti- Championship Thailand 2020 Qualifiers, tle defense with a place at the 2020 Tokyo Omid Noorafkan has been touted as a talent Olympics on the line. ever since he became the youngest player Song Bum-keun to appear for Tehran giants Esteghlal as an Korea Republic, Goalkeeper 18-year-old in December 2015. Famed for their production of top qual- Since then, the midfielder moved to Char- ity goalkeepers, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors’ leroi in Belguim (June, 2018) but enjoyed Song Bum-keun, 22, is set to follow, and renewed success upon returning to Isfahan potentially surpass, a long line of standout side Sepahan on loan in 2019. The anchor Korea Republic custodians. of the young Team Melli side, who usually Already well known among aficionados plays in front of the defensive line, Noorafkan of the K.League, the man who only made his will look to improve Iran’s tournament best professional debut in February 2018 has of a quarter-final finish. excelled in the domestic championship – he Oston Urunov is already the owner of two league winners’ as the future of China’s forward line but has stints in Netherlands and Germany, Zhang Uzbekistan, Midfielder medals – and the last two editions of the yet to show his full ability when it comes to returned to China in early 2019 and will hope A little over three years ago, Oston Urunov AFC Champions League. the big stage. Turning 23 in January, the AFC that, after a season at Beijing FC where he en- The Asahi report said the Tokyo government found was captaining Uzbekistan at the 2016 AFC Zhang Yuning U23 Championship Thailand 2020 could be joyed a consistent run of games, he can make the asbestos in fireproof material sprayed on part of the U-16 Championship in Goa and since then China PR, Forward his opportunity to fulfil his potential. an impact at the highest Continental level. structure supporting the Tokyo Tatsumi International has enjoyed a steady career progression that Zhang Yuning has been long spoken about A footballing education that has taken in (Source: the-afc) Swimming Center’s roof. While Japanese construction industry regulations state asbestos should be removed or covered up, the Tokyo government deemed the amount not to be large in scale, Arnold sets title target as head coach names Australia squad in a stable condition and not accessible so decided to Australia announced their squad for the Malaysia’s capital on Friday, before traveling nament was no simple task – we had over leave it, Asahi said. AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 on to Bangkok on Saturday where Group A games 50 players on our radar for this tournament, Organizers had since decided to take “emergency coun- Monday, with head coach Graham Arnold against Iraq, Thailand, and Bahrain await. so we will arrive in Thailand with a strong termeasures”, Asahi said without providing further details. targeting the title. The top three teams at the AFC U23 Cham- squad and one that I believe will represent The report is the latest headache for Tokyo 2020 or- Australia’s U23 men’s national team pionship Thailand 2020 will join Japan as Australia well. ganizers, who have faced concerns over elevated levels for next month’s tournament will feature Asia’s representatives in the men’s football “Our target in Thailand is to become the of bacteria in the water in Tokyo bay and how athletes 14 players representing 8 A-League clubs, competition at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. U23 champions of Asia, and we know if we will cope with sweltering summer heat, which has led with nine members of Graham Arnold’s Arnold said he was happy with the final can achieve that further opportunities will the marathon event to be moved to the far northern city squad set to arrive in Southeast Asia from The green and gold will play an interna- make-up of the squad. come the team’s way in 2020.” of Sapporo. overseas-based teams. tional friendly against Korea Republic in “To finalize the 23 players for this tour- (Source: the-afc) (Source: Reuters) Prayer Times Noon:12:07 Evening: 17:21 Dawn: 5:44 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 7:14 (tomorrow) DECEMBER 31, 2019 ART&CULTURE I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y www.tehrantimes.com Managing Director: Mohammad Shojaeian Editor-in-Chief: Mohammad Ghaderi Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 “When the Moon Was Full” leads [email protected] Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051450 Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 nominations at Iran critics’ celebration www.eshterak.ir Distributor: Padideh Novin Co. ARTTEHRAN — Director Tel: 88911433 deskNarges Abyar’s Webmaster: [email protected] acclaimed movie “When the Moon Was Full” Printed at: Jame Jam Bartar Borna - 44197737 received nominations in twelve categories, Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimesdaily including best film and best director, at the 13th edition of the Celebration of Iranian No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran Cinema Critics and Screenwriters, the P.o. Box: 14155-4843 organizers announced on Monday. Zip Code: 1599814713 The film tells the story of a woman from Tehran who marries a man from an Iranian province near the border of Pakistan. Soon afterwards, she discovers that her new brother-in-law is a religious extremist trying to recruit her husband for his bloody cause. Co-written by Abyar and Morteza Esfahani, the film has also been nominated for the award for best screenplay. “The GUIDE TO Oath” by Mohsen Tanabendeh and “The SPIRITUAL AWAKENING Warden” by Nima Javidi are also competing for the award. The day of pleading justice against an oppressor is In the best actor category, “When the worse than the day of bullying an oppressed man. Moon Was Full” star Hutan Shakiba is Imam Ali (AS) competing with Navid Mohammadzadeh for his role in “The Warden”, Payman Maadi for “Just 6.5”, Hamed Behdad for “Castle of Dreams” and Amin Hayai for “Darkhongah”. Elnaz Shakerdoost also received a Over 60,000 titles published nomination in the best actress category for her role in “When the Moon Was Full”, in Iran over past year while Fereshteh Sadr-Orafai and Shabnam Moqaddami received nominations in the CULTURE TEHRAN — Deputy Culture Minister for best supporting actress category for their A scene from Narges Abyar’s “When the Moon Was Full” deskCultural Affairs Mohsen Javadi said on roles in the film. Monday that over 60,000 book titles have been published in “When the Moon Was Full” is followed by “A Hairy Tale” and Javidi’s “The Warden”, “Gholamreza Takhti” by Bahram Tavakkoli a celebration scheduled to take place at Iran over the past year. director Saeid Rustai’s drama “Just 6.5” with each with eight nods. each received seven nominations. the Amphitheater of Tehran University of nine nominations, Homayun Ghanizadeh’s “Castle of Dreams” by Reza Mirkarimi and The winners will be announced during Medical Sciences on Friday. A Perfect Circle’s “Emotive” inspires play connecting capitalism with poverty ARTTEHRAN — American rock band A “The idea of writing the play began to form eighty percent deskPerfect Circle’s 2004 album “Emotive”, by A Perfect Circle’s album ‘Emotive’,” Moravvej told the which features a collection of anti-war cover songs, has Persian service of Honaronline last week. inspired an Iranian play that shows how capitalism helps He also said he spent a year carrying out research on some spread poverty in a society. songs, films and several books, including English novelist Mohammad Moravvej is the writer and director of the George Orwell’s “1984”, to write the play. play “Mr. Smith, Mr. Ivanov and a Low-Profile African A cast of twenty actors, including Mohammadreza Family”, which had its first performance last Wednesday Solati, Marjan Shokufaki and Erfan Honarbakhsh, at Tehran’s Hafez Theater. have had many rehearsals over the past two years to Deputy Culture Minister for Cultural Affairs Mohsen The play is about Mr. Smith and Mr. Ivanov, two perform the play. Javadi (C) speaks at the press conference in Tehran on American and Russian multi-millionaire tycoons, and “It’s not clear where and when the story of the play is December 30, 2019. an African family that lives in absolute poverty. Viewers set in, because capitalism is ruling the world for over a A poster for “Mr. Smith, Mr. Ivanov and a Low-Profile gradually notice how the happiness of one side brings century, and the audiences will have their own perception Speaking during a press conference in Tehran, he added African Family”. misery to the other side, and vice versa. of the time and place of the story,” Moravvej said. that there is a five-percent increase in the number compared with previous year’s figures. “The ministry has also purchased 400,000 books, out of which over 350,000 have been distributed across the country,” he added. He also said that the ministry annually holds some seasonal Tehran center to celebrate Isaac Asimov’s book fairs across the country to help promote book reading. He added that the 33rd Tehran International Book Fair 100th birthday will take place at Imam Khomeini Mosalla from April 14 to 24, 2020, and Turkey will be received as the guest of honor CULTURE TEHRAN — The Khial Literary and and for his popular science books. at the cultural event. deskCultural Club plans to celebrate the He was one of the 20th century’s most prolific writers, Javadi announced a culture ministry’s plan to merge the Iran 100th birthday of Russian-born American author Isaac having written or edited over 500 books and an estimated Cultural Fairs Institute, Iranian Fiction and Poetry Foundation Asimov during a meeting at Tehran’s Andisheh Cultural 90,000 letters and postcards. and the Khaneh Ketab Institute, and said that by the downsizing, Center on Thursday. Asimov is widely considered a master of the science- the ministry intends to promote the private sector to play a Iranian translators of Asimov’s books Mohammad Qassa, fiction genre. His most famous work is the Foundation key role in the national economy. Somayyeh Karami and Saeid Simorgh and writer Mohammad- Series, his other major series are the Galactic Empire Hossein Jahanpanah are scheduled to deliver speeches. series and the Robot series. Asimov was a professor of biochemistry and a highly Most of his books have been rendered into Persian and have Issac Asimov at Typewriter (Corbis via Getty Images/ successful writer, best known for his works of science fiction been well-received by Iranians, especially by teenage readers. Deborah Feingold). “The Great Treehouse War” published in Persian Actor Zac Efron is home after falling ill in Papua New Guinea CULTURE TEHRAN — American children’s book writer SYDNEY (Reuters) — American actor photograph of him with families in Papua discuss confidential patient information, adventure series in which “The Greatest desk Lisa Graff’s novel “The Great Treehouse War” Zac Efron confirmed on Monday that he New Guinea, Efron said that he was back but could confirm “that Medical Rescue Showman” star ventures “deep into the has recently been published in Persian in Tehran. recently fell ill while filming a survival home “for the holidays with my friends retrieved a U.S. citizen in his 30s from PNG jungles of a remote, dangerous island to Farideh Khorrami is the translator of the book, Iranian reality TV show in Papua New Guinea. and family.” to Brisbane recently for medical attention.” carve his own name in expedition history.” publisher Peydayesh announced on Monday. Australian media had reported “Very thankful to everyone who has The newspaper reported that doctors The series was commissioned by short The story is about Winnie, whose last day of fourth grade that 32-year-old Efron was flown by reached out,” his post said. “I did get sick allowed Efron to fly home to Los Angeles content platform Quibi, which is scheduled ended with a pretty life-changing surprise. That was the helicopter for treatment in Australia in Papua New Guinea but I bounced back on Christmas Eve. to launch in April. day Winnie’s parents got divorced and decided that Winnie after contracting a bacterial infection, quick and finished an amazing 3 weeks Typhoid fever is transmitted by Efron had previously posted images would live three days a week with each of them and spend possibly typhoid, while shooting the in P.N.G.” contaminated food and water, and kills on social media showing him in a canoe Wednesdays by herself in a treehouse between their houses, “Killing Zac Efron” series. Glenn McKay, a doctor with the Medical 216,000 to 600,000 people worldwide on PNG’s Sepik River and traveling to to divide her time perfectly evenly. In a post on Monday on his official Rescue Group, told the Daily Telegraph each year. Yanchan Village to see a traditional skin- It was the day Winnie’s seed of frustration with her Twitter account, accompanied by a newspaper on Sunday that he could not “Killing Zac Efron” is billed as an cutting ceremony. parents was planted, a seed that grew until it felt like it was as big as a tree itself. By the end of fifth grade, Winnie decides that the only way to change things is to barricade herself in her treehouse “Skywalker” rises again; “Little Women” go big at box office until her parents come to their senses—and her friends decide to join. It’s kids vs. grown-ups, and no one wants LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Star Wars” was still rising in “Uncut Gems”, an even smaller film that has also sparked to back down first. But with ten kids in one treehouse, all the last weekend of the year, while “Little Women” broke awards-season buzz for Adam Sandler’s rare dramatic with their own demands, things get pretty complicated, big at the box office. performance as a jeweler and gambling addict, entered even if they are having the most epic slumber party ever. “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” brought in $72 million the top 10 for the first time as it expanded to more screens over the weekend to remain the top-earning film in North in its first week. The film earned $9.6 million over the America by light-years, according to studio estimates Sunday. weekend and has brought in $20 million overall. In 10 days of release it has brought in $362.8 million for Director Sam Mendes’ experimental World War I epic Fajr poetry festival to open Disney, falling just short of the earnings of its predecessor, “1917”, earned more than $1 million since its Christmas 2017?s “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” in a comparable span. opening despite showing in only 11 theaters. The huge in Isfahan Thursday Helped by the Christmas holiday week, “Star Wars” per-screen average bodes well for the film’s nationwide had a smaller-than-average 59% drop-off in its second opening next month as it ramps up its Oscars campaign. CULTURE TEHRAN — The 14th Fajr International weekend after earning $175 million in its first. As 2019 ends, annual overall box office revenue is down by deskPoetry Festival will hold its opening “For a movie that opened that big, that is a modest 4%, though it gained ground in its latter months, narrowing ceremony in Isfahan on Thursday, the organizers have drop,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst a deficit that was 11% in April, and 2018 was always going announced. for Comscore. “Movies that open this time of year, they to be tough to beat. “Like the previous editions, literati will gather at the opening usually have legs.” This image released by Lucasfilm shows Adam Driver as “Last year was an outlier,” Dergarabedian said. “It was ceremony to recite their latest poems,” the director of the Sony’s “Jumanji: The Next Level”, earned $35.3 million Kylo Ren, left, and Daisy Ridley as Rey in a scene from just a massive year.” festival, Mehdi Qezelli, said in a press release on Monday. for second place and has tallied a total of $175.5 million “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.” (Lucasfilm via AP) Between Marvel and “Star Wars,” and its animation Mohammad-Ali Bahmani, Javad Mohaqeq, Bahman Saki, through its third weekend of release. divisions, 2019 was utterly owned by Disney, which had all Esmaeil Amini, Abdoljabar Kakai and Mahmud Ekramifar Director Greta Gerwig’s re-imagining of the American Emma Watson, Florence Pugh and Laura Dern, scored big five of the year’s top grossing movies: “Avengers: Endgame”, are among the poets invited to the opening ceremony. literary classic “Little Women” had a $16.5-million weekend with both audiences and critics and is gaining momentum “The Lion King”, “Toy Story 4”, “Captain Marvel” and Veteran poets Khosro Ehteshami, Fazlolah Shirani and and a five-day total of $29 million since its Christmas opening, as an awards-season favorite. “Frozen 2”. Mohammad Mostaqimi from Isfahan are also expected to a major performance for a smaller-audience film with a “With Greta Gerwig’s reputation as a filmmaker, a great And with “The Rise of Skywalker” ending the year at attend the ceremony, which will take place in the Isfahan budget dwarfed by the top two films. cast and a perfect holiday release date, they’ve got quite a No. 7 and “Aladdin” at No. 8, the mega-mouse ate up seven branch of the Art Bureau. The film, also a Sony release, starring Saoirse Ronan, hit on their hands,” Dergarabedian said. of the top 10 spots.