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16 Pages Price 40,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 39th year No.13545 Wednesday DECEMBER 4, 2019 Azar 13, 1398 Rabi’ Al thani 7, 1441 Intelligence Ministry Forex rate not to be Iran, Wilmots reach Iran’s National Orchestra to arrests members of changed significantly in deadlock over Team perform works by Armenian anti-Revolution network 2 next year’s budget 4 Melli’s future: official 15 composers in Tehran 16

Baqeri: Iran, China reviewing 25- See page 2 year strategic relations document

TEHRAN — Mohammad Baqeri, chief tional Relations and cochairman of the U.S. sending of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Iran-China Joint Military Commission. announced on Tuesday that Tehran and “Iran’s Leader views Tehran-Beijing Beijing are reviewing an important docu- relations as strategic. The Chinese pres- ment which will guarantee joint strategic ident has also similar view towards the cooperation for the next 25 years. issue,” Baqeri said. Major General Baqeri’s remarks came He further said, “Iran has drafted an in a meeting in Tehran with Lieutenant important document over the strategy of private General Xia Yoan Ming, the deputy com- 25 years of relationship between the two mander of the Chinese Army’s Interna- nations. 2

Iran starts issuing electronic visas messages for Pakistani citizens TEHRAN - Iran has launched an e-visa Point reported on Monday. system for Pakistani citizens in order to The main purpose of issuing e-visa facilitate their travels through abolishing for Pakistani citizens is to ensure more old-fashioned paper visas. convenient and speedy traveling facili- to Iran E-visas will be issued for Pakistani ties to active workers in tourism industry, citizens by Iranian consulates in four commercial activities and trade, the news [Pakistani] provinces and the Iranian website quoted Iranian embassy sources embassy based in Islamabad, Urdu as saying. 10

Corbyn: I wish NATO didn’t exist Jeremy Corbyn, the current leader wish NATO didn’t exist. I am no fan of of the UK Labor Party, claimed in Western military alliances, indeed I wish a 2014 video that he wished NATO they didn’t exist”, The Daily Mail reported and other Western military alliances on Tuesday.

did not exist. Last month, Corbyn reportedly The footage has been publicized just refused to call the NATO alliance a in time for the United Kingdom to host great military success during an inter- a major NATO summit this week, bring- view. Asked if he agreed with the chief ing together world leaders, including US of defense staff, Nick Carter, on the President Donald Trump. latter’s description of NATO as being

Mohammad Babaei The footage, reportedly from 2014, the “most successful military alliance shows Corbyn, flanked by Labor candi- in history”, Corbyn replied, “I’m not dates Catherine West and David Lammy, sure I’d define it as that”, according IRNA/ saying, “I am no fan of NATO, indeed I to the Daily Mail. 13 PERSPECTIVE Netanyahu’s London trip nixed after veto from UK officials ARTICLE M.A.Saki Israel prosecution lists 333 witnesses in Netanyahu’s graft cases Maryam Khormaei Deputy editor-in-chief Mehr News Agency By staff & agencies Lisbon, Portugal, later this week. journalist Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did The Haaretz newspaper reported that the not fly to London on Tuesday to meet with U.S. British officials were unhappy that this was to Air pollution and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the sidelines be the second time in recent months that Net- Why Germany of a NATO summit, a senior official told Channel anyahu planned a trip to London just to meet the war of wills 13 news. with US officials — this time with short notice, turned its back on According to the report, the UK government at an event with multiple delegations in need of ith the arrival of cold season air said that logistically it cannot accommodate Ne- security and just days after the British capital parallel coalitions in pollution spreads its shadow over tanyahu on such short notice in addition to the was hit by a terror attack. Wcities, especially big ones. other world leaders and their delegations who In addition, the reports of the cancellation Strait of Hormuz Many proposals have been presented are attending the conference. of the trip came as Attorney General Avichai over the past years to reduce air pollu- UK reportedly says not enough notice given Mandelblit released a new version of the charges ermany recently announced it will tion, but no concrete measures have been for Netanyahu’s visit on NATO sidelines; Merkel, against Netanyahu and clarified that the 30- not join the French-led mission in taken so far. Macron said not eager to meet him. day period for him to request to be granted Gthe Strait of Hormuz. This is while, However, anybody who is aware of Sources told Haaretz that Merkel and Macron engulfing the British political system that was parliamentary immunity by the Knesset has not long ago, Berlin’s lack of support for the complexities surrounding the issue rebuffed inquiries about meeting with Netanyahu sure to take priority over any other matter in 10 now officially begun. Paris’s position on “the brain death of does not expect a miraculous solution to on the sidelines of the summit. Downing Street. He held talks with Johnson, Israel’s attorney general has officially submit- NATO” became a hot issue. the problem. In September, Netanyahu flew to London to who was facing a revolt within his Conservative ted his indictment of Prime Minister Benjamin Berlin’s stance against Paris reinforc- The illegal and cruel sanctions by the meet with US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper party over his controversial plan to leave the Netanyahu to the Knesset (parliament), laying es the assumption that maybe Germany, Trump administration on Iran has made and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The spon- European Union. out a sweeping case in which an estimated 333 on the eve of Brexit, is trying to prevent the situation more complicated. Sanctions taneously planned trip raised some eyebrows According to Hebrew-language reports, Ne- witnesses, including wealthy friends and former France to become the dominant power have made it almost impossible for Iran among political analysts, given the turmoil then tanyahu plans instead to meet with Pompeo in aides, could be called to testify. in Europe. The assumption is largely to benefit from new technologies in auto reasonable, provided one does not for- industry. Companies which had signed get that Germany, in a parallel action, or were about to sign partnership agree- UAE diplomat praises Syrian president’s ‘wise leadership’ benefits from the cooperation with France ments with local car companies left Iran to challenge U.S. supremacy and show of A United Arab Emirates diplomat has praised The UAE was a supporter of the Syrian op- minister Faisal Maqdad thanked the UAE for because of sanctions. power by the EU. Syrian President Bashar Assad’s “wise leader- position, which is now largely confined to the its support. Even if responsible bodies start to re- Britain, from innovation to ship,” describing relations between the two Arab northern Idlib province after losing its strong- “We cannot forget that the United Arab Emir- duce air pollution from today it will take treason countries as “solid and special.” holds elsewhere. ates stood by Syria in its war against terrorism,” many years to resolve it. Where did the idea of creating a European The comments by Charge d’affaires Ab- In December 2018, the UAE reopened its he said. Also, there is no single solution to mission in the Strait of Hormuz come from dul-Hakim Naimi came during a ceremony embassy in Damascus for the first time in sev- Earlier in the war UAE supported armed the issue. But one thing is certain: the and what countries were involved in it? late on Monday in Damascus to mark UAE’s en years, a reflection of improved relations groups opposed to Assad. But its role was less air pollution is taking toll on the citizens. What today is known as the French in- National Day. between Assad and some of his Arab foes as prominent than that of Saudi Arabia, and mainly Shina Ansari, chief of environment and itiative to secure the Persian Gulf was first Naimi said he hopes that “peace, security and the government gains more ground in the war- centered on ensuring that extremist forces did sustainable development at the Munici- proposed by Britain in response to the Iranian stability will prevail Syria under the shadow of torn country. not dominate the uprising. pality of Tehran, says air pollution costs seizure of the Stena Impero ship in July. the wise leadership” of Assad. At the ceremony, Syria’s deputy foreign (Source: NY Times) the capital up to $2.6 billion per year. This issue is related to the time before The Majlis Research Center has also the premiership of Boris Johnson, who cited the World Bank as saying that “the follows U.S. President Donald Trump in cost of air pollution in Tehran is $2.6 bil- his extremist policies. lion per year.” It says, “The estimate only At the time, Jeremy Hunt was serving as considers human health effects.” the British foreign secretary. Hunt preferred Alireza Raisi, the deputy health min- to offer a plan that did not directly involve the ister, told ISNA in an interview published EU, NATO and, above all, the United States, on Monday that density of air pollution 3080 candidates in the light of Britain’s ultimate intention to in certain regions in Tehran has reached realize Brexit. Instead, Hunt created a far 30 times above the normal level. weaker coalition with the participation of He said that pollution is not just re- registered for the European countries like Norway, which stricted to Tehran. The health official said were not a member of the EU. now cities such as Shiraz, Isfahan and parliamentary The initiative was approved by France and Ahvaz are not immune from air pollution. Germany at the beginning because these three Raisi said Health Minister Saeed countries, as European parties to JCPOA, did Namaki has written a letter to Tehran polls by Tuesday not intend to join U.S.-led maritime coalition. Mayor Pirouz Hanachi complaining The countries did not want to endanger the that air pollution intensifies spread of TEHRAN – By working hours on Tuesday, nuclear deal by assisting the maximum pres- influenza virus which also resurfaces in sure campaign against Iran. Maryam Kamyab 3080 people registered to run in the upcoming cold seasons and has so far taken the parliamentary polls. But the plan changed when Johnson lives of 56 people. “So far, registration of 3080 people have took office. Johnson, who was determined There are certain reasons for air pol- been finalized and others are completing this to carry out Brexit, did not mind to question lution but only experts can determine the process as well,” Interior Ministry director for the European coalitions and preferred to share of each pollutant. In big cities like election affairs Esmaeil Mousavi said, according compete with France and Germany by Tehran Times/ Tehran Times/ Tehran diesel and gasoline-powered ve- to ISNA. 3 joining U.S.-led maritime coalition in the hicles are the main culprits. 12 Strait of Hormuz. 13 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS DECEMBER 4, 2019

Shinzo Abe says Japan still Rouhani: We have no problem supports nuclear deal

POLITICAL TEHRAN — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo deskAbe said on Tuesday that Japan still supports the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the JCPOA. to resume ties with Saudis During a meeting with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tokyo, Abe said that Japan will continue POLITICAL TEHRAN – President “We all should make efforts to stop war desk playing its diplomatic role in preserving the JCPOA. Hassan Rouhani said on in Yemen immediately and stabilize the Araqchi also submitted a written message from President Tuesday that Iran has no problem with country through inter-Yemeni talks,” he said. Hassan Rouhani to Abe. expanding relations with neighbors and Rouhani also said that Saudi Arabia’s The Japanese prime minister welcomed continuation of resuming ties with Saudi Arabia. policies in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon have political consultations between the two countries. “From the Islamic Republic of Iran’s not brought any achievement for Riyadh Araghchi said that Iran will return to full implementation point of view, there is no problem with and expressed hope that the Saudis would of the JCPOA if sanctions are lifted. expanding relations with neighbors and change their policies. U.S. President Donald Trump quit the 2015 nuclear resuming ties with Saudi Arabia,” Rouhani Saudi Arabia and a number of its regional deal, known as the JCPOA, in May 2018 and introduced said during a meeting with Omani Foreign allies launched a devastating campaign the harshest ever sanctions on Iran. Minister Yusef bin Alawi in Tehran. against Yemen in March 2015. After waiting for a full year, Iran said its “strategic patience” Rouhani said, “All countries should stand The U.S.-based Armed Conflict Location is over and started to gradually reduce its commitments to beside each other to maintain security and and Event Data Project (ACLED), a nonprofit the nuclear deal in response to the U.S. moves. stability in the region.” conflict-research organization, estimates So far, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) The president said all the regional that the war has claimed more than 100,000 has taken four steps to cut back commitments in accordance countries should play an active role in lives over the past four and a half years. to paragraph 36 of the JCPOA which “allows one side, under maintaining security in the region and in The war has also taken a heavy toll on certain circumstances, to stop complying with the deal if this line Iran proposed the Hormuz peace the country’s infrastructure, destroying the other side is out of compliance.” initiative. hospitals, schools, and factories. The UN Iran has repeatedly said if the European parties to the “We should maintain security in the says over 24 million Yemenis are in dire need nuclear deal shield its economy from the U.S. sanctions it Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz of humanitarian aid, including 10 million will reverse its decisions. through expanding cooperation and we suffering from extreme levels of hunger. ‘Cooperation is needed more than ever’ should not let foreigners interfere,” the Rouhani describes Iran-Oman In a separate meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister president pointed out. Omani Foreign Minister Yusef bin Alawi met with President Rouhani on Tuesday. ties “brotherly” At the United Nations summit in New Rouhani also said that Iran and Oman Toshimitsu Motegi, Araghchi said that the Middle East building, freedom of navigation, energy and murder of people. York in late September, Iran officially have “brotherly” and “friendly” ties and region is in a volatile situation and cooperation is needed security, non-aggression, and non- “The Yemeni war has brought nothing unveiled the proposal for regional called for expansion of relations. more than ever. intervention”. but destruction, murder of the people, threat security, officially called the Hormuz Peace “Oman can be a center for Iran’s trade Motegi said that Japan will make more diplomatic efforts In a post on his Twitter account on against territorial integrity and also hatred Endeavour (HOPE). in the region,” he added. to help reduce tension in the region. October 15, Zarif renewed Iran’s call to all between the people of the two countries,” “Based upon the historical responsibility Omani FM says expansion of ties countries bordering the Persian Gulf to join the president lamented. of my country in maintaining security, peace, is beneficial to the entire region Tehran’s initiative to “forge a blueprint for He added that the United States and stability and progress in the Persian Gulf For his part, bin Alawi said that expansion Iran sounds out Japan about peace, security, stability, and prosperity” Europe have no interest in establishing region and Strait of Hormuz, I would like to of relations between Iran and Oman is in the region. peace in Yemen in order to sell arms. Rouhani visit: source invite all the countries directly affected by beneficial to all the countries in the region. ‘Yemen war has brought nothing The U.S. and certain European countries, the developments in the Persian Gulf and “Oman attaches great importance to but murder and destruction’ including Britain, France and Germany, By staff and agency the Strait of Hormuz to the ‘Coalition for expansion of relations and cooperation In his talks with the chief Omani are the main suppliers of arms to Saudi Kyodo News reported on Tuesday that a source close to bilateral Hope’, meaning Hormuz Peace Endeavor,” with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said. diplomat, Rouhani also said that the war on Arabia and the UAE in their attacks on relations said Iran sounded out Japan on Tuesday about President Rouhani told the UN delegates. Elsewhere, he said the Hormuz peace Yemen has brought nothing but destruction the impoverished Yemen. Hassan Rouhani visiting the Asian country. Foreign Minister Zarif has invited all initiative will benefit regional security and Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister for political regional states to join Iran’s initiative for stability. affairs, serving as a special envoy of the president, relayed the securing the Persian Gulf and the Strait Rouhani says the United States and Europe Bin Alawi also held talks with Foreign message to Japan during his two-day visit to Tokyo from Monday, of Hormuz. have no interest in establishing peace in Minister Zarif, Supreme National Security according to the source. In a tweet in September, Zarif said the Council secretary Ali Shamkhani, and Majlis If realized, it would be the first visit by an Iranian president initiative entails “dialogue, confidence- Yemen in order to sell arms. Speaker Ali Larijani on Monday. since October 2000. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Iran in June as the first Japanese leader since 1978. Commander reiterates ground Iranian diplomat says IAEA should be impartial POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iranian Ambassador Elsewhere, he said, “Importance of the IAEA for my force’s readiness to defend deskand Permanent Representative to the country cannot be overemphasized. On one hand, the Islamic International Organizations in Vienna Kazzem Qaribabadi Republic of Iran as a developing country with a considerable Iran against possible threats has said that the International Atomic Energy Agency nuclear program and activities has always looked up to the should be “impartial” in its dealings with Iran. Agency and its unique role in building capacities based POLITICAL TEHRAN — The commander of Iran’s Army “Maintaining constructive working relations between on its needs and priorities. In this regard, Iran believes deskGround Force announced on Tuesday that Iran and the Agency is of paramount importance, which that the peaceful uses of atomic energy should be neither his forces are well prepared to counter any possible threats we believe that it should be carried out in an impartial, hindered by unilateral, unlawful coercive measures, nor at borders. professional and independent manner, void of any hidden conditioned to any unjustified self-defined pre-requisites “The army’s combat might is very well and it can defeat political agenda,” he said at the IAEA Second Special by the other countries.” any enemy in the shortest time possible,” Kiomarsh Heidari General Conference on Monday. “On the other hand, monitoring and verification in the said while addressing troops in Shiraz. Qaribabadi was selected as the vice president of the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of the UNSCRes.2231 is “Well, there is no any enemy deployed at our borders at special conference tasked to nominate director general high on the agenda of the Agency. Iran is an important the time, but we must permanently be vigilant in order not for the IAEA. partner of the IAEA. It is noteworthy that only in 2019 to be surprised by the enemies,” Heidari noted. Rafael Grossi, the new director general of the IAEA, (by November) more than 688 inspections amounting Touching upon ground force’s units deployed in Shiraz, the was appointed to the post in October, following the death to 1376 person-day inspections have been conducted in “The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to maintain and commander said, “These troops, including the 37th armored of the previous chief Yukiya Amano in July. He was set to Iran,” he said. expand constructive interaction and cooperation with brigade, the armored training center and the 55th airborne take office as director general of the UN nuclear watchdog In an interview with NHK published on Saturday, Grossi the agency based on mutual respect and professional brigade are unique and strategic that are shouldering a key on Tuesday. said that he wants to develop a constructive relationship precision and neutrality of this institution,” he said in role in trainings of new forces and enhancing combat might Congratulated Grossi on his appointment, Qaribabadi with the Iranians. a message, congratulating appointment of Grossi as the of the ground force.” said, “We are confident that Ambassador Grossi, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said director of the IAEA. Iran has conducted major military drills in recent years to his professional experience and expertise, will officiate on October 31 that Iran is ready to expand cooperation Mousavi expressed hope that Grossi would fulfil enhance the defense capabilities of its armed forces and to over the activities of this organization to the best of its with the IAEA based on “mutual trust” and adoption of a his international duties professionally by adopting an test modern military tactics and state-of-the-art equipment. interests.” professional approach by the UN nuclear body. independent position. In November, the ground force staged large-scale military drills, codenamed “Zolfaghar-e-Velayat”, in northwest Iran to boost the combat readiness of its units. It covered a vast strategic area in the region. Various divisions of the ground force participated in the ‘No one can question Iran for reducing commitment to the JCPOA’ drill, which was focused on practicing the transfer of rapid POLITICAL TEHRAN — Deputy Foreign Minister for On May 8, exactly one year after the U.S. abandoned reaction units via ground and air from across the country deskPolitical Affairs Abbas Araghchi said on the deal, Tehran announced that its “strategic patience” is to operation zones. The enlisted units also displayed their Monday that no one can question Iran for deciding to scale over and began to partially reduce its commitments to the efficacy to enhance their readiness in responding to operational down its commitments to the 2015 nuclear deal, known as agreement at bi-monthly intervals. requirements and threats through day and night. the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. In the first stage, Iran announced that it will not limit its In a panel discussion in Tokyo, he said that Iran’s action stockpile of the nuclear fuel to 300 kilograms allowed under in reducing nuclear commitments does not mean quitting the deal. On that date (May 8) Iran’s Supreme National Baqeri: Iran, China the JCPOA. Security Council (SNSC) said if the remaining parties to reviewing 25-year strategic “The current situation is the result of the United States’ the JCPOA, especially Europeans, devise a mechanism to withdrawal from the JCPOA and the only solution to it is protect Iran from the sanctions’ effect in the two-month relations document removal of sanctions and return to diplomacy,” the top deadline it will reverse its decision. diplomat noted. But since European parties missed the deadline, on July 1 The document has been handed over to the Chi- Iran has started to partially reduce its commitments to the 7 Iran announced that it has started enriching uranium to a nese officials. The document has been prepared by the high- JCPOA in response to the United States which abandoned higher purity than the 3.67%, thereby starting the second step. est-ranking Iranian officials. The Leader has also confirmed the landmark deal in May 2018 and reinstituted sanctions. Again, as Europe missed the second 60-day deadline, the document.” So far, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Iran moved to take the third step, removing a ban on nuclear The top general said other countries cannot affect the has taken four steps to cut back commitments in accordance Union shields Iran’s economy from the sanctions effect the research and development (R&D). growing ties between Iran and China. with paragraph 36 of the JCPOA which “allows one side, country will reverse its decision. In the latest step, which started on November 6, Iran “Other countries’ views and their hostilities could not under certain circumstances, to stop complying with the Under the JCPOA, Iran promised to put limits on its began injecting uranium gas into 1,044 centrifuges at the affect the Tehran-Beijing relations. We hope that the Chi- deal if the other side is out of compliance.” nuclear activities in exchange for termination of economic Fordow nuclear site. It was done at the presence of inspec- nese officials’ point of view towards the document and their Top officials in Tehran has repeatedly said if the European and financial sanctions. tors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). response to our strategic offer to help expand bilateral ties,” the Iranian commander said. The Chinese military commander, for his part, evaluated Baqeri’s recent trip to his country as positive and said, “The U.S. sending private messages to Iran: Rouhani trip founded a suitable bedrock for more cooperation between the armed forces of the two friendly nations.” POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iranian Day for the People with Disability. the president further remarked. “The U.S. policy of maximum pressure In his trip to China in mid-September, Baqeri said Iran deskPresident Hassan In the meantime, Rouhani highlighted Donald Trump, who unilaterally has failed. The Americans presumed that attaches great significance to promotion of ties with China Rouhani said on Tuesday that the country’s once again the key role of the people’s withdrew the U.S. from the multilateral they can force Iran to make concessions and in different sectors, including military. might and stability have caused the U.S. to maximum resistance against the U.S. 2015 nuclear deal in May 2018 and bring it to its knees by focusing on maximum General Baqeri made the remarks in a meeting in Beijing send several private messages to Tehran maximum pressure in thwarting plots introduced the harshest ever sanctions pressure, especially in area of economy, but with General Li Zuocheng, the chief of China’s Joint Staff to pave the ground for resumption of aimed at bringing the Iranians to their against Iran under his officially stated they have troubled themselves,” Ayatollah Department of the Central Military Commission. negotiations. knees. “maximum pressure” strategy, has been Khamenei remarked. “Iran attaches great significance to its relations with the “Some messages and requests for He said, “Regardless of heavy economic trying to reach the Islamic republic for “The maximum pressure (policy) has People’s Republic of China in all areas. We have long-standing resumption of talks have been privately sent pressure and unfair sanctions, people dialogue. failed until this hour and I firmly say that ties in the military sector as well, and we hope this visit can to us (by the White House). The messages preserved their dignity and left behind hard In relevant remarks earlier this month, this maximum pressure will fail to the end be a turning point in the development and reinforcement sent are different from the slogans and conditions via resistance and tolerating Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah too,” he added. of the relations,” Baqeri said. propaganda they are shouting publicly. The difficulties.” Ali Khamenei told the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei underlined Heading a high-ranking military delegation, Baqeri visited Europeans who are playing a mediatory “Now the people have won and have Guards Corps commanders that the U.S. that Iran would certainly continue the China for a three-day trip with the aim of promoting bilateral role are aware of such messages,” Rouhani proven that they will not allow the enemies gained nothing by adopting the policy of revolutionary path and confrontation defense diplomacy. said in a ceremony marking International to materialize their hostile objectives,” maximum pressure against Iran. against the hegemonic powers. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 4, 2019 IRAN IN FOCUS 3

Intelligence Ministry arrests 3080 candidates registered for parliamentary members of anti-Revolution network polls by Tuesday POLITICAL TEHRAN — The Intelli- “But those who received orders and took 1 Iran on Sunday began registering candidates running for deskgence Ministry says it has to the streets in order to create problems the parliamentary elections, set to be held on February 21, 2020. arrested the top members of an anti-Islamic for public order, security and peace and had Candidates have until December 7 to register, Interior Ministry Revolution network who intended to create criminal records are still under interrogation,” said on Sunday. chaos in universities during the upcoming he explained. The elections will be held in over 200 constituencies across Students’ Day ceremonies. He added, “In Tehran province, 29 gas the country’s 31 provinces. In a statement on Tuesday, the Intelligence stations were set ablaze, more than 140 banks The Iranian parliament has 290 members who are elected by Ministry said the network intended to foment were seriously damaged … and 47 chain stores the people for four-year terms. insecurity in Tehran and some other cities. were set ablaze or looted.” Top members of the network were identi- He also said as the Judiciary chief has said fied and were arrested through coordination damage to private property will be compen- with the Judiciary, the ministry explained. sated after investigation. In the recent protests against partially Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raisi on Monday rationing gasoline and increasing its price, highlighted the necessity of compensating the network intended but failed to incite stu- the human and financial losses caused by the dents of the University of Tehran to disrupt recent unrest, calling on the administration the country’s security, it added. to take measures to that end. Protests erupted in Iran on November “We ask the authorities, especially the 15 after the government announced an in- administration to take measures to compen- crease in the price of gasoline, a subsidized sate the losses,” ISNA quoted Raisi as saying. commodity that is still cheaper in Iran than He said the Judiciary will also follow up on other countries in the world. the issue, assuring the victims of the unrest of The proceeds from the price increase legal support by the country’s justice system. are paid in the form of cash subsidies to 60 A day earlier, commander of the Tehran million Iranians, who account for about 75 division of the Islamic Revolution Guards percent of the population. Corps (IRGC), Mohammad Reza Yazdi, said The midterm elections of the Assembly of Experts will also The rationed gasoline, which is 60 liters per is almost 2.5 times higher in the free market. ince said on Tuesday that 2021 individuals investigations were underway to clarify the be held on the same date in Tehran, Khorsan Razavi, North month, is priced 1500 tomans (35 cents) and any Rioters damaged public and private prop- were arrested in Tehran Province during cause of death of those who lost their lives Khorasan, Fars and Qom provinces. amount beyond that is 3000 tomans (70 cents). erty and put banks, gas stations, and state the protests. during the unrest. The Guardian Council will vet parliamentary hopefuls for their The calculation is based on the official buildings on fire. Anoushirvan Mohseni-Bandpey said many “In the same way that people diverge from qualifications and will release the names of candidates deemed rate of 4200 tomans per dollar. However, the ‘2021 rioters arrested in Tehran of the arrested individuals were released im- rioters, those who innocently lost their lives eligible to run by December 18. value of the dollar, due to the U.S. president’s province’ mediately because they attended the unrest also diverge from those who wanted to dam- Disqualified candidates will have four days to object to the strategy of “maximum pressure” against Iran, The governor general of Tehran Prov- due to their “lack of awareness”. age public property,” Yazdi said on Sunday. Guardian Council, after which the council will study complaints and announce the final list on February 11. The candidates will have 8 days to spend on the campaign trail, ending on February 19, and then the elections will be held Guardian Council: Adherence to Tehran congratulates new EU foreign on February 21, 2020. constitution only way out of deadlocks policy chief on appointment ‘Guardian Council is the only election supervisor’ Guardian Council spokesman Abbasali Kadkhodaei said on POLITICAL TEHRAN — Adher- POLITICAL TEHRAN — Foreign Tuesday that the council is the only body responsible to supervise deskence to the constitu- deskMinistry spokesman the elections. tion is the only way to break deadlocks, Abbas Mousavi has congratulated Josep “Sometimes questions arise over whether we are the only the Guardian Council said in a statement Borrell on his appointment as the new supervisor of the elections or not,” Kadkhodaei said, adding, “I on Tuesday. EU foreign policy chief, voicing hopes emphasize that the Guardian Council is the only supervisor of The statement was issued on the that relations between Tehran and the the elections.” anniversary of the adoption of the EU would develop during his tenure. He said the Judiciary is tasked with investigating offenses and constitution through a referendum “While appreciating @FedericaMog’s the Interior Ministry has an executive responsibility. on December 2-3, 1979, replacing the moderate and sensible positions on Iran “This separation of supervision and execution is very impor- constitution of 1906. It was amended & congratulating the appointment of @ tant,” the spokesman remarked. “We should be able to implement on July 28, 1989. JosepBorrellF, hope to witness the devel- our legal responsibilities properly.” “December 3 each year is a commem- opment of our relations with the EU and Kadkhodaei also urged the authorities to avoid personal oration day for glory of the country as The Guardian Council is an ap- the consolidation of multilateralism and U.S. President Donald Trump walked tastes and partisan goals and strive to uphold Iran’s na- well as the nation through which revo- pointed and constitutionally mandated rule of law in the International arena,” away from the multilateral pact in May tional interests. lutionary path of the people resulted in 12-member body. Mousavi said on his Twitter account on 2018 and introduced the harshest ever Meanwhile, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali overthrow of an oppressive kingdom and The Iranian constitution calls for Monday evening. sanctions on Iran. Khamenei on Sunday advised potential candidates not to run establishment of the Islamic Republic via the council to be composed of six Is- Borrell on Sunday assumed the After waiting for a full year, Iran for the elections “if you don’t have management capabilities.” ratification of a new constitution,” the lamic faqihs (expert in Islamic law), post of EU High Representative for started to gradually reduce its commit- The Leader criticized the way many people register for the Guardian Council said in the statement. “conscious of the present needs and the Foreign Affairs and Security Policy ments to the nuclear deal in response elections, saying now that potential candidates can register for the “The constitution, which leads the issues of the day” to be selected by the and Vice-President of the European to the U.S. and an inaction by the re- elections, a lot of people go ahead and register without hesitation. society’s political, cultural, economic Leader, and six jurists, specializing in Commission, replacing Mogherini, maining parties, especially Europeans, Every responsibility or position requires certain commitments, and social institutions according to the different areas of law, to be elected by who served from 2014 to 2019. to shield Tehran from sanctions effect. Ayatollah Khamenei said. Islamic principles and regulations, is the Majlis (Parliament) from among On the same day, he said that the So far, the Atomic Energy Organi- “You have to see if you can make that commitment,” he added. the main source for stating new ruling the jurists nominated by the head of 2015 Iran nuclear deal, officially known zation of Iran (AEOI) has taken four system’s objectives and pillars, major the Judiciary. as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of steps to cut back commitments in structure for managing the republic, the It is charged with interpreting the Action (JCPOA), must survive. accordance to paragraph 36 of the people’s public rights and freedom, and Constitution, supervising elections of, “We have greatest interest in pre- JCPOA which “allows one side, un- Defense chief: the ways to guarantee the mentioned and approving of candidates to, the serving the nuclear deal and its sur- der certain circumstances, to stop items,” the statement added. Assembly of Experts, the president viving. We want the Iranian officials complying with the deal if the other Western colonialists plotting The statement further reiterated and the Majlis, and “ensuring ... the to do whatever they can to keep the side is out of compliance.” that the only way in front of the offi- compatibility of the legislation passed agreement alive,” Borrell told the Iran has repeatedly said if the Euro- return to the region cials and people out of any deadlock, by the Islamic Consultative Assembly Spanish daily El Pais, IRNA reported. pean parties to the nuclear deal protect crisis or problem is adherence to the [i.e. Majlis] ... with the criteria of Islam He also noted that killing the nuclear its economy from the U.S. sanctions TEHRAN (FNA) — Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir country’s constitution. and the Constitution”. deal will be a “big mistake”. it will reverse its decisions. Hatami lashed out at Western governments for their destructive role in the Middle East, adding that former colonialists are Judiciary differentiates between protestors and rioters seeking to return to the region. POLITICAL TEHRAN — The Judi- on the issue, assuring the victims of the unrest deskciary does not consider of legal support by the country’s justice system. those who protested against increase in Raisi also said the Judiciary was gas price as rioters, the spokesman for pursuing the cases of those who were Judiciary said on Tuesday. arrested during the riots. “From the Judiciary’s point of view, Protests erupted in Iran on November those who protested against gas price rise 15 after the government announced an plan and those who voiced their concern increase in the price of gasoline, a subsi- about their future and possible negative dized commodity that is still cheaper in impacts of the plan on prices of other goods Iran than other countries in the world. and services are different from thugs,” The proceeds from the price increase Gholamhossein Esmayeeli told reporters. are paid in the form of cash subsidies “Those who set public properties on to 60 million Iranians, who account for fire and killed security forces and even about 75 percent of the population. “Powers from beyond the region and their profit-seeking civilians were a special group of rioters The rationed gasoline, which is 60 interference are the main elements behind instability and in- and thugs who were affiliated to anti-rev- liters per month, is priced 1500 tomans security in the region”, Hatami said on Monday. olution groups supported by alien coun- (35 cents) and any amount beyond that The defense minister made the comments in response to tries’ spy agencies,” Esmayeeli added. “From the Judiciary’s point of view, those is 3000 tomans (70 cents). the remarks made by the French Defense Minister Florence On Monday, Judiciary Chief Ebrahim The calculation is based on the official Parly in the recent Manama conference. Raisi highlighted the necessity of com- who protested against gas price rise plan and rate of 4200 tomans per dollar. However, the Hatami said the former colonialists are seeking to return to pensating the human and financial losses those who voiced their concern about their value of the dollar, due to the U.S. president’s the region after they were expelled out by the resistance of the caused by the recent unrest, calling on the strategy of “maximum pressure” against Iran, people of the region, while noting that the people of the region administration to take measures to that end. future and possible negative impacts of the is almost 2.5 times higher in the free market. are now awakened and have not forgotten the oppression and “We ask the authorities, especially plan on prices of other goods and services are Following the people’s protests, rioters looting of their countries. the administration, to take measures different from thugs,” Judiciary spokesman misused the demonstrations and damaged Stressing that there is no doubt about the fact the U.S. power to compensate the losses,” Raisi added. public and private property and put banks, is in decline (as it was referred to by the French defense minister), He said the Judiciary would also follow up Gholamhossein Esmayeeli told reporters. gas stations, and state buildings on fire. adding that “This does not necessarily mean that the region is ready to replace it (the U.S.) with other arrogant powers.” He further advised the French defense minister to have a look at the number of French citizens who joined the ISIL terrorist Three homegrown surveillance planes join Navy’s fleet organization and their involvement in the crimes that were com- POLITICAL TEHRAN — Three domestically built the near future, Mehr reported. mitted in Syria and Iraq. deskultralight planes joined the Iranian Navy The electronic warfare system is strategic for the Iranian He further pointed out that the people and the armed forces in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas on Tuesday. Navy, the commander asserted. defeated ISIL terrorists with the help of Iran and Russia rather The three surveillance aircraft, called Chakavak (Lark), In remarks on Sunday evening, Khanzadi said presence than the Western countries. jointed the Navy’s fleet in a ceremony attended by Navy of naval forces of the United States and other foreigners Hatami went on to describe the French defense minister and Chief Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi. in the Persian Gulf cannot harm Iran’s maritime security. other Western officials’ proposals for the security of the region Chakavak is a light aircraft designed for both surveillance “The military presence of the global arrogance led by as new irresponsible ways to colonialize the region which will and training purposes, which can fly up to 14,000 feet. the U.S., Britain, and the Israeli regime will not undermine further complicate the situation in the region. Powered by a single engine, Chakavak can perform 4.5 Iran’s security,” he said. Referring to the American and Israeli plots for the region, hours of consistent flight. Referring to the U.S.-led maritime coalition in the Persian the Iranian defense minister noted, “The presence and the in- Khanzadi also announced that the Navy’s destroyers will Gulf, Khanzadi said it is time for foreign powers to withdraw terference of the Westerners will further complicate the security be equipped with indigenous electronic warfare systems in their military forces from the region. conditions in the region.” I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY DECEMBER 4, 2019

STOCK MARKET Forex rate not to be TEDPIX 320814.4 IFX 4116.34 changed significantly Sources: tse.ir, Ifb.ir in next year’s budget CURRENCIES ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iranian budget will not witness so much change in USD 42,000 rials deskFinance and Economic the forex rate. EUR 46,521 rials Affairs Minister Farhad Dejpasand said that The official further announced that the next the forex rate in the budget for the next Iranian year’s budget is anticipated to put the tax income GBP 54,351 rials calendar year (begins on March 20, 2020) is at 1.6 quadrillion rials (about $38.09 billion), not to be changed significantly from the rate adding that last year some 1.09 quadrillion AED 11,437 rials envisaged in the current year’s budget, Tasnim rials (about $25.95 billion) of taxes has been Source: cbi.ir news agency reported. collected in the country. Making the announcement among the The revenues gained from elimination of (PBO). Mohammad Baqer Nobakht has said. reporters on Tuesday, the minister said that hidden energy subsidies as well as increased “This does not mean a rise in tax income; Back in September, Nobakht had announced as the dollar exchange rate of 42,000 rials has tax incomes will replace oil revenues in the but by setting new tax bases and eliminating that the government was going to submit the COMMODITIES been decided to be considered for imports of next year’s budget bill, according to the head unnecessary exemptions at a time of economic budget bill for the next Iranian calendar year to the basic goods and medicine, the next year’s of Iran’s Planning and Budget Organization warfare, more tax revenues will be provided,” the parliament on December 6 as scheduled. Brent $60.95/b WTI $56.01/b OPEC Basket $63.83/b Tehran to host Iran-Oman Joint EAEU exclusive expo to be held Gold $1,470.95/oz Economic Committee meeting on Dec. 7 in Tehran Silver $$17.06/oz ECONOMY TEHRAN – The 18th ECONOMY TEHRAN — Man- deskIran-Oman Joint Eco- deskaging Director of Iran Platinium $904.45/oz nomic Committee meeting is slated to be International Exhibitions Company Bah- Sources: oilprice.com, Moneymetals.com held in Tehran on December 7, Portal of man Hosseinzadeh announced that the Iran Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) first international exhibition of Eurasian reported. Economic Union (EAEU) member states Aimed for strengthening the two sides’ is planned to be held in Tehran. Growth spurt predicted for bilateral relations in various areas including Speaking on the sidelines of a ceremo- trade, finance, investment and technical ny on the occasion of the 23rd National UK economy in 2021 cooperation, the event will be chaired by the Exports Day anniversary, Hosseinzadeh two countries’ industry and trade ministers, stressed the important role of international While the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) foresees modest according to the Director General of TPO’s technology, geology and labor and social exhibitions in boosting exports. ties of the Ministry of Industry, Mining growth of 1.2 percent over 2020, the forecast for the following Arabic-African Affairs Office Farzad Piltan. welfare are some of the topics to be dealt “After producing domestic products, and Trade is promoting exports to the year stands at 1.8 percent, based on the assumption the UK “has Among other areas, cooperation in the with in the said joint committee meeting. these products should be introduced to neighboring countries, this year nearly clear line of sight to an ambitious trade deal” with the European fields of economics and commerce, mining The trade turnover between Iran and the target markets, and international 40 international exhibitions have been Union (EU). and industry, banking, insurance, free trade Oman stood at nearly $220 million in the exhibitions both inside the country and held in the country.” Such a deal, according to the CBI, would involve alignment zones, agriculture and fisheries, transport, first half of the current Iranian calendar abroad will be a great help in this regard,” The industry ministry is also planning with EU rules to ensure frictionless trade, including protection oil, gas and petrochemicals, cultural herit- year (March 21-Spetember 22). the official said. to provide the organizers of such exhibi- for the UK’s services sector. age, handicrafts and tourism, sports and Technical discussions will be held on Pointing out the fact that Iran is trying tors with necessary financial assistance. The report says, the “main risk to the outlook remains continued youth, water and electricity, education and December 3-4, prior to the main event at to increase the number of international “Overall, exhibitions are directly and Brexit uncertainty, particularly the threat of a no-deal Brexit. On culture, standards, judiciary, engineering, the place of Iran’s Trade Promotion Or- exhibitions as planned, Hosseinzadeh indirectly contributing to the country’s the global front, a further escalation in U.S.-China trade tensions environment, customs, communications and ganization in Tehran. added, “Since one of the main priori- economic boom, he said. would deliver further hits to world growth and trade, with a knock- on impact on the UK economy.” Rain Newton-Smith, CBI chief economist, says that UK busi- nesses have continued to show remarkable resilience after more Iran, Senegal explore avenues of economic co-op than three years of “crippling uncertainty” since the vote to leave ECONOMY TEHRAN – Iran Chamber of Commerce, Union (UEMOA) and also a member of the African Union, the EU. “In that time,” she adds, “firms have continued to go about deskIndustries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCI- it is very important for Iran to develop economic relations their day jobs, playing a vital part in driving economic growth. MA) hosted an Iran-Senegal business forum on Tuesday, in with the country. But they’ve been beset by headwinds. Alongside perennial Brexit which the two sides discussed expansion of mutual trade ties. He further mentioned some of the potential areas for uncertainty, they are also contending with softer global demand. The forum was attended by officials, traders, and econ- mutual cooperation between the two nations, saying “There “Should these dual headwinds subside, we expect a gradual omy experts from both sides, including ICCIMA Deputy are numerous opportunities to work with Senegal consid- pick-up in activity. But the bigger picture is one of fairly modest Head for International Affairs Mohammadreza Karbasi, ering the existing capacities in industry, technical services, growth over the next couple of years – growth that should be far Iran’s Ambassador to Dakar Mohammadreza Dehshiri, and civil engineering, road construction, oil and gas, food, and better, given the UK’s relative strengths.” Hasan Khosrojerdi, the head of Iran-Africa Joint Chamber petrochemicals. Newton-Smith says, the “UK’s potential has been held back by of Commerce, as well as Senegal’s Ambassador to Tehran “There is potential for cooperation in other areas in- more than a decade of weak productivity growth and stop-start Amadou Sow. cluding medical tourism, rice production, extraterrestrial investment. It’s vital that the next government prioritizes lifting Delivering a speech in the gathering, Karbasi pointed to cultivation, medicine, medical equipment, agriculture and productivity and living standards by addressing day-to-day business Senegal as an important gateway into Africa’s 200 million industrial machinery. Senegal can also supply part of Iran’s concerns, including reforming the apprenticeship levy, raising market, saying “The strategic port of Dakar is one of Afri- need for agricultural, gastric and precious metals, coffee UK R&D expenditure and tackling long-term challenges on skills. ca’s important platforms for investment, economic growth and cocoa,” he added. A lost decade of productivity and development of trade relations with other countries.” Senegal’s Ambassador to Tehran Amadou Sow (2nd L) Amadou Sow for his part, mentioned the long history “But transforming a lost decade of productivity will only be According to Karbasi, given the positive political rela- and ICCIMA Deputy Head for International Affairs Mo- of economic cooperation between the two countries, like possible if supported by a good Brexit deal – one that keeps the UK tions between Iran and Senegal and the fact that Senegal hammadreza Karbasi (3rd L) speaking at an Iran-Senegal in automotive manufacturing and said “Senegal welcomes aligned with EU rules is essential for frictionless trade along with is a member of the West African Economic and Monetary business forum in Tehran on Tuesday Iranian investors and traders in all fields.” protecting the UK’s world-beating services sector, which accounts for 80 percent of our economy. “Let’s be clear: a no-deal Brexit would put the brakes on UK growth and realize businesses’ worst fears. What’s needed is a clear TPO to dispatch trade-marketing Iran to launch new shipping line to and committed line of sight to an ambitious deal that will protect delegation to Russia in mid-Feb. 2020 Eastern Mediterranean the UK’s economy and future prosperity. If firms can see a close deal with the EU on the horizon, with no further Brexit cliff-edges ECONOMY TEHRAN — Trade Pro- ECONOMY TEHRAN – Iran plans to worry about, investment will be unlocked.” deskmotion Organization of deskto launch a direct ship- The forecast says that growth in the economy would be largely Iran (TPO) plans to dispatch a trade and ping route to carry its goods to the Eastern driven by consumer spending, along with a contribution from marketing delegation to Russia during Mediterranean, IRNA reported on Monday, government plans outlined in the September Spending Review. February 9-13, 2020, TPO portal published. quoting an official with Islamic Republic Business investment is expected to grow modestly in 2020, as The Iranian delegates are active in the of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), as saying. Brexit uncertainty gradually wanes “under our assumption that fields of agriculture, foodstuff, and fisheries. “Despite the unjust sanctions imposed the UK begins a smooth transition to a new relationship with the Also as previously announced, a by the United States on Iran’s maritime EU”, before picking up in 2021. 23-member trade delegation from Rus- transportation industry, Safiran Payam Dar- “In the case of more prolonged Brexit uncertainty, we would sia’s Samara City is going to visit Tehran ya Shipping Company (SAPID) intends to expect business investment to be weaker,” adds the CBI. “Our on December 11 to attend a business forum equipment, oil, gas and petrochemicals, launch a new shipping line, specifically aimed increase and it is expected to also provide forecast sees a downgrade to global growth, which has continued hosted by Tehran Chamber of Commerce, medical services, etc. for carrying basic good cargos to Eastern suitable ways for transportation of products to disappoint during the first half of 2019, reflecting regulatory Industries, Mines and Agriculture (TC- On November 20, Iranian Energy Mediterranean in order to support the ex- to Iran via Eastern Mediterranean and the tightening in China, slower Eurozone growth and economic stress CIMA). Minister Reza Ardakanian and his Rus- ports sector,” Head of IRISL’s Bulk Carrier Black Sea,” Banaei added. in some emerging markets. As announced by TCCIMA portal, the sian counterpart Alexander Novak met Company Mohammadreza Banaei said. Supporting the country’s exporters “Increasing trade tensions are also weighing on investment delegation is comprised of representatives in Moscow and stressed expansion of ties Increasing the share of the national during the sanctions era is also among and sentiment. We still expect an improvement in global growth of Russian companies active in various in all areas. fleet from the country’s total imports and the objectives of the mentioned shipping ahead, particularly as momentum in the Eurozone picks up and areas including agriculture and livestock, As reported, the two sides followed exports transport market has been cited as line, he stressed. the emerging markets outlook stabilizes.” agricultural machinery, textile, IT services, up on the agreements made in different the most important goal for launching this Following the studies made, transporting (Source: relocatmagazine.com) natural gas processing for electricity and fields of energy, industry, agriculture and shipping line, he said. various types of consignments up to 20,000 heat generation, environment-friendly ve- banking during the 15th Iran-Russia Joint “With the inauguration of this shipping tons will be carried out through this line to hicle systems, lighting control systems, Economic Committee meeting held in Is- line, from Iran to Eastern Mediterranean the destination of Black Sea and Eastern FDI woes still plague Ukraine aerospace, wire and cable, casting, industrial fahan in mid-June. and vice versa, the national fleet share will Mediterranean using multipurpose vessels. Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows had broken a record in 2012, at about $8.2 billion. By 2013 – a tumultuous year in Ukrainian politics that sparked mass street protests in November – this figure had halved to about $4.5 billion. Turkey overcoming recession, says economist By the end of 2014 FDI had fallen to a 12-year low of $847 million. Turkish economy is now getting out of a severe recession bursting started to ease their monetary policies again since last year. to keep growth at mediocre level -- around 3% for the global Although inflows rebounded again in 2015, breaching $3 billion, FDI in the second half of 2018, according to eminent economist “Because there were a number of global territories that led to economy -- is unchanged. again started dropping in 2017 and this trend has continued to 2019. Nouriel Roubini. a sharp economic slowdown and concerns about even a global “Markets are becoming more optimistic about the future Even the good news must be qualified. Portfolio investments (a “There is an improvement in growth, which is expected to recession, the risk of an escalation of trade, currency, technology expansion and deflation. But the data from China, Europe, type of capital inflow covering shares, bonds and the like), which be to 2-3% next year, lower than the potential,” Roubini told and cold war between the U.S. and China,” he explained. Japan and emerging markets are not consistent with this also reversed sharply in 2014, recovered in 2015 and, unlike FDI, Anadolu Agency in an exclusive interview. The risk of hard Brexit the between the UK and the EU, renewed optimism about financial markets’ improvement. have continued to grow – reaching $2.1 billion by the end of 2018 Turkey saw a larger current account deficit in the second as well as geopolitical risks in the Middle East could spike on “Things may or may not be worsening compared to a few and already $1.2 billion in the first six months of 2019. half of 2018, Roubini said, but it is shrinking as the devaluation process, Roubini added. months ago. I don’t see a significant acceleration of global Still, this is a far cry from the $8.8 billion recorded in 2013. And of the currency and exports are more competitive. The risk of global recession growth in the next four months,” he asserted. portfolio investments are often referred to as “hot money” because He, however, said that that growth is partially driven by a “So given these, global (developments) ease that monetary When asked about whether global fiscal policies will be they are not as stable as FDI inflows. policy stimulus that is probably not sustainable. policy, and the good news that easing has allowed to easing a more effective in 2020, Roubini said many central banks are Unlike FDI, which usually involves the creation of productive “I think fiscal policies is too loose (…) and using state banks financial condition and so reduce the risk of a global recession,” reaching the limits of what they can do. assets, behind portfolio investments are often speculators seeking and other credit institutions as a way of boosting domestic he highlighted. “They (central banks) say we cannot be the only game in high returns. In case of economic downturn, these investments can demand, it’s very risky,” he warned. He said some of those global risks have been reduced with the town and are now saying if there is weakness in growth be pulled out of the country more easily. Roubini … the interest rates were dropped too much and the “phase one” of a long-sought trade deal between the U.S. and demand, fiscal authority which will take the button off Its neighborhood offers Ukraine some hard lessons. Income fast compared to the gradual fall in the inflation rates in Turkey. and China. should stimulate growth.” levels are far lower than in Belarus and Poland, and poverty levels This may cause shocks on Turkish lira and the process of “And for now, there is not an escalation of the tension with According to Roubini, as many countries in the world have remain high. Ukraine’s economy contracted by 6.6 percent and 9.8 structural reforms that should be boosting potential growth, the U.S. and Iran that could spike oil prices across the world. large fiscal deficits and public debts, they do not have a lot of percent in 2014 and 2015 respectively. according to the economist. So that’s the good news,” he added. fiscal space. (Source: eurasianet.org) Commenting on central banks globally, he said the banks Roubini, on the other hand, said fundamental problem (Source: hurriyetdailynews.com) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L YI N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 4, 2019 DECEMBER 4, 2019 ENERGYANALYSIS & INTERVIEW 5 5

RCUWM governing board to Potential of renewables in the MENA region: The cases of Turkey and Jordan gather in Tehran on Thursday By Antonia Dimou The potential of renewables in the MENA region is met with major challenges and opportunities. The region is home to more than half of ENERGY TEHRAN – The 10th cials from different countries in the region the world’s crude oil and more than a third of its natural gas reserves deskmeeting of the UNESCO including Iran, Afghanistan, Oman Sultanate, By Grant Smith thus being a global producer and exporter of energy. Regional Centre on Urban Water Manage- Tajikistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Syria, The MENA region is also a major energy consumer, and alongside ment (RCUWM)’s governing board is slated India and Iraq as well as representatives of Asia it is estimated that it will continue to represent the majority of the to be held in Tehran on Thursday, during international governmental and non-gov- world’s energy demand growth. Solar power can constitute a major which urban water issues and expansion of ernmental entities including International pillar of renewable energy due to the region’s climate conditions cooperation between the region’s countries UNESCO-IHP and INWARDAM. thus playing a significant role as a cost-competitive alternative to will be discussed. RCUWM has been established under conventional fossil fuels. To be attended by senior officials from the auspices of UNESCO since 2002 in Creating the right incentives for renewable energy deployment 16 member states, the event is going to be Tehran-Iran. The agreement between the in the MENA region can involve a spectrum of economic policies chaired by Iranian Energy Minister Reza Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran that reduce or eliminate market distortions like access to sources Ardakanian, IRNA reported. and UNESCO regarding RCUWM has been of finance. The removal of distortions via the reduction of energy As reported, representatives of interna- recently renewed, signed and exchanged for subsidies, for instance can be a step towards the right direction that tional and regional organizations, including its third period of activities as for 2018-2023. is however met with both opportunities and challenges. the United Nations Educational, Scientific RCUWM is guided and overseen by its The provision of low energy prices in the past few decades has and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Governing Board (GB) as the most important helped certain regional countries to achieve key developmental and World Meteorological Organization (WMO), decision making constituent at the high- social objectives, such as protection of the income of households, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) est level according to the agreement. The promotion of industrialization and inflation control. But this policy and the United Nations Development Pro- Centre’s GB member states were Ministers has come at a huge cost and has led to a wide range of distortions, gram, will also be attending the summit. from Iran (Chair), Afghanistan, Armenia, such as hindering economic diversification; and, low efficiency as Sharing experiences in areas such as Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Germany, In- consumers and industries have had little incentive to conserve energy. water management and adaptation to dia, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Paki- No doubt that the increase in energy prices due to reduction of droughts, flood and drought management, water engineering, among other topics, are The RCUWM’s ninth meeting was held in stan, Syria, Tajikistan and Yemen as well subsidies will have direct and indirect effects on the welfare of house- improving drinking water quality, irriga- reported to be the major issues covered in August 2013 in Tajikistan capital Dushanbe. as UNESCO Director General during the holds and the profitability and competitiveness of the MENA industry. tion systems, holding training courses, and the gathering. The meeting was attended by senior offi- period of 2002-2017. To revert negative consequences, regional governments could establish specialized funds to help industries adjust to higher costs by introducing new technologies and upgrading equipment. Increases in energy prices Monthly loading, unloading of oil products at Iranian ports up 28% yr/yr Also designing compensation schemes for households would be ENERGY TEHRAN — Some 3,705 tons of oil products 2018, vowing to drive Iran’s oil exports down to zero, the Islamic essential to avoid backlash from consumers. For instance, increases in deskwere loaded and unloaded at ports of Iran Republic has been taking various measures to counter U.S. energy prices in Jordan were accompanied with direct cash handouts during the eighth Iranian calendar month of Aban (October actions and to lessen its economy’s reliance on oil. to households with low income. 23-November 21), registering 28.4 percent rise compared to In this regard the country has been implementing new strat- The main question that arises is the following: Are renewables a the same month in the preceding year. egies like focusing on development of the country’s refineries threat to natural gas or the other way around? As reported by IRNA on Saturday, the figure had witnessed and also offering oil products at the country’s stock market to Energy markets that are competitive and resilient illustrate how only a 5.4-percent rise in the seventh Iranian calendar month increase the exports of such commodities. natural gas and renewables are not mutually exclusive, but rather are of Mehr (September 22-October 21), year on year. Over the past few years, Iranian think-tanks and energy complementary. Natural gas and renewables can gradually replace The growth in loading and unloading of oil products among experts have been repeatedly stating that the country should coal in power generation, thus lowering carbon dioxide emissions. other commodity groups comes in a time when the United increase its refining capacity in order to lessen the economy’s In the regional setting, Turkey and Jordan present success stories in States has also added oil products such as petrochemicals to reliance on crude sales. that they combine natural gas and renewables for power generation. its sanctions list. China, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Afghanistan Jordan particularly looks for the provision of affordable and Since the U.S. withdrew from Iran’s nuclear pact in May and India are among the top destinations for Iranian oil products. sustainable electricity from renewables and natural gas. The king- dom is on pace to exceed 20 percent of generated electricity from renewables by 2020. Jordan managed to rank first in the MENA region in renewa- Oil higher as Saudi pushes for B.C. and Alberta find common ground ble energy growth because there are stable political and regulatory further supply cuts on international LNG credits frameworks that support investments for renewables along with clear financial schemes such as tax exemptions. However, the En- Oil prices edged higher on rising expec- Extending output curbs The premiers of B.C. and Alberta appeared rare moment of agreement between the two ergy and Minerals Regulatory Commission should ensure that the tations of deeper output cuts when OPEC Goldman Sachs said on Monday that to find common ground in their otherwise provinces, who have been engaged in a long Jordanian National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) and other and its allies meet this week, although OPEC+ will likely extend output curbs tense relationship Monday, uniting behind fight over B.C.’s opposition to the expansion distribution companies receive adequate incentives to connect re- skepticism about a deal among some through June, but expects the “uneventful” the idea of exporting more liquefied natural of the Trans Mountain Pipeline project that newables to the grid. analysts limited the gains. three-month extension to provide little gas to Asia and taking pollution credits for will triple the flow of oil products from near The Zaatari refugee camp can be cited as the world’s largest solar Brent futures LCOv1 rose 43 cents to support to prices. weaning countries off of dirtier coal. Edmonton to Burnaby. power production project, which produces 23 gigawatt hours/year and $61.35 a barrel by 0924 GMT on Tuesday. The factors behind this view included B.C. Premier John Horgan told reporters “Every extra unit of exported Canadi- supplies electricity 14 hours/day to at least eighty thousand Syrians, U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 a large increase in production from legacy at the Council of the Federation meeting in an liquefied natural gas will reduce global twenty-two schools and two hospitals. was up 44 cents at $56.40 a barrel. non-OPEC projects and a still uncertain Toronto that he believes B.C. and Canada greenhouse-gas emissions,” said Kenney. He The Zaatari camp has set a precedent when it comes to executing The Organization of the Petroleum outlook for demand growth, it added. should get credit for selling LNG to customers described it as the “global game-changer on sustainable renewable energy projects. At the same time, the king- Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its al- The investment bank said it expected in Asia and India because it will replace dirty, greenhouse-gas emissions that Canada can dom has pursued three viable options of gas supply for electricity lies, known as OPEC+, are discussing a Brent to trade around $60 a barrel in 2020, coal-fuelled power plants and improve global play in the foreseeable future is significantly generation: (1) reliable Israeli gas imports that could strengthen plan to increase an existing supply cut “absent new growth or geopolitical shocks.” air quality — an argument he once openly increasing our natural-gas exports.” Jordan’s energy security; (2) the supply of gas from the Risha field of 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) by a OPEC ministers will meet in Vienna on mocked when it was made by the previous Credit for exporting LNG in northeast Jordan that currently covers two percent of domestic further 400,000 bpd and extend the pact Thursday and the wider OPEC+ group will Liberal government. Former Liberal premier Christy Clark also needs, and (3) Qatari gas imports via the existing LNG terminal at until June, two sources familiar with the gather on Friday. “We believe low-emission natural gas is used to argue that B.C. should get credit for the port of Aqaba. matter said. Concerns about the inability of the United a preferable fuel source to high-emission exporting LNG to displace China’s use of coal Coming to Turkey, to ensure resource diversity, Turkey generates Saudi Arabia is pushing the plan to States and China, the world’s two biggest oil thermal coal,” Horgan said. “We have a lot and Japan’s use of nuclear power. 24 percent of its electricity from renewables, which is equal to the deliver a positive surprise to the market users, to reach a preliminary deal to resolve of work to do on coming to terms with how “We are doing the world a favor,” she world average of electricity production from renewables. Turkey’s before the initial public offering of state- their 17-month trade dispute also weighed we manage global emissions. And Canada’s said in 2013. success in renewables is attributed on the one hand to the aban- owned Saudi Aramco, the sources said. on oil prices, along with discouraging U.S. role, and certainly Western Canada’s role in The then-opposition NDP sharply crit- donment of the feed-in-tariff model that entailed high costs and on But it remains unclear if there is economic data. that, can be to displace these noxious sources icized Clark for that argument, calling it a the other hand to the adoption of the Renewable Energy Resources consensus within the group to achieve A senior adviser to President Donald with a cleaner product.” “fantasy.” Area Project-YEKA model that is applied to wind and solar power. a deeper cut. Trump said a U.S.-China trade deal was still B.C.’s first major LNG facility, LNG The “assertions from the premier are that Production of wind turbines Russian Energy Minister Alexander possible before the end of the year, adding Canada, is currently under development if we sell them gas, magically their emissions The YEKA model ensures a minimum domestication rate of 65 Novak said on Tuesday he expected this that the first phase was being put to paper, near Kitimat. At $40 billion, it’s the largest will go down,” Horgan said when leader of percent and a 15-year purchasing guarantee for contractors, including week’s meeting to be constructive, but although the talks have dragged on for weeks. private-sector project in Canada’s history the opposition. “I’m not convinced that will plant construction and production of wind turbines. added that Moscow had yet to finalize While OPEC may cut output, U.S. pro- and intended to export Canadian natural happen.” According to Turkey’s New Economic Program, the growth rate its position. ducers have been only too happy to meet gas to overseas markets. The NDP offered “There’s absolutely no evidence B.C. LNG of the Turkish economy will increase rapidly from 2021 and onwards Vagit Alekperov, CEO of Russia’s No.2 any market shortfalls, with production set- $6 billion in tax breaks for LNG Canada will result in the use of less coal in China,” and consequently the demand for energy will increase. oil producer Lukoil (LKOH.MM) said it ting successive records. Growth into 2020, in 2018. then-NDP environment critic George Heyman The combined power generation from natural gas and renew- would not be expedient to deepen produc- though, may range between 100,000 bpd Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, seated said in 2016. Heyman is now environment ables is a priority for Turkey that covers 60 percent of its primary tion cuts in the winter season, especially and 1 million bpd. beside Horgan at the closing news confer- minister. energy needs from natural gas, while electricity from renewables is for Russia. (Source: uk.reuters.com) ence, chimed in with his support. It marked a (Source: vancouversun.com) destined for domestic consumption. It is estimated that by 2035, Turkey will consume 55 bcm of gas, and for this reason, Ankara

seeks to safeguard import capacity. This shows that a strong interest Announcement 1398.5449 in East Mediterranean gas will likely remain regional as opposed to نوبت Firstاول OPEC seen to extend N.I.S.O.C 1398.5449 reaching international markets. output cuts as global (Source: moderndiplomacy.eu) growth slows N.I.S.O.C NATIONAL NATIONAL IRANIAN IRANIAN SOUTH SOUTH OILFIELDS OILFIELDS COMPANYCOMPANY AHVAZ AHVAZ-IRAN-IRAN Faced with slowing global economic growth TENDER NO.TENDER : 31-32-09999-9009-8 NO. : 31-32-09999-9009-8 and with abundant stocks putting pressure National IranianNational South Iranian Oilfields South Oilfields Company(NISOC) Company(NISOC) intends intends to purchase to purchase the following the goods following goods on oil prices, the OPEC group of oil producers and its partners are set to maintain production Material Description Quantity cuts when they meet in Vienna on Thursday and Friday. CHT 815-H 2-10' HYDRAULIC HOT TAPPING MACHINE. MAX DESIGN OPERATING PRESSURE 5000 PSI. HYDRAULIC POWER PACK UNIT. 30 The cuts of 1.2 million barrels per day from STANDARD HOT TAP CUTTER STANDARD HOT TAP PILOT DRILL BRAZED INSERT #2500 & #600 RF FLANGE ADAPTOR MHT4-20 4-20" NO October 2018 levels were originally fixed in HYDRAULIC HOT TAPPING MACHINE. MAX DESIGN OPERATING PRESSURE 1480 PSI. STANDARD HOT TAP CUTTER STANDARD HOT TAP PILOT DRILL BRAZED INSERT #300 & #600RF FLANGE ADAPTOR HTM 100 1/2"-4" HOT TAPPING MACHINE(FOR FREE) HOT TAP HOLE SAW December last year and were already extended #150 FLANGE ADAPTOR HOLE SAW HOLDER & PILOT DRILL at OPEC’s last meeting in June. Vendors who intend to participate in aforesaid tenders are requested to send their “ Intention to participate” letter They are currently due to remain in effect until March 2020 and could be extended “until via Fax to the following number along with their resume according to Qualitative Assessment Form no. 1, available at: June, the date of the next summit,” says Tomas WWW.nisoc.ir , not later than 14 days after the second announcement, otherwise, their requests for participation in the Varga, analyst at PVM. .tender will be disregarded FOREIGN PURCHASING DEPARTMENT Bldg. No. 104, Material Procurement Management Complex According to Andy Lipow from Lipow Oil The applicants should have relevant background in supplying the required goods and capability to provide and submit Associates the cuts could even be drawn out Kouy-e-Fadaeian Islam (New Site), Ahvaz, Iran .a bid bond of 17,059 EURO or Tel. 804 No.:,835,069 061 RIAL,341 2 3455in favor Fax of No.: NISOC 061 3445 7437 “until the end of 2020.” Tender documents including the materials thorough technical specifications and Qualitative Assessment Forms can be OPEC’s Economic Commission Board Public Relations WWW.shana.ir www.nisoc.ir http://iets.mporg.ir -- which is a strong indicator of the bloc’s di- accessed via: WWW.nisoc.ir-material procurement management tab

.AGHAJARI.IRAN PAYMENT TERM IS C.O.D روابط عمومی شرکت ملی,WAREHOUSE مناطق نفت خیز NISOC’S جنوب.rection -- said last week that maintaining cuts The ONLY ACCEPTABLE DELIVERY TERM IS D.D.P MATERIAL APPROVAL NO ADVANCE PAYMENT WILL BE PAID تهران S تایمز : نوبت ’NISOC اول TO/13 9/98 نوبت دوم into 2020 would lead to a “balanced” market. SUBSEQUENT98/9/16 The organization’s members may well be FOREIGN PURCHASING DEPARTMENT tempted to follow a cautious course by a for- bidding global economic context. Bldg. No. 104, Material Procurement Management Complex The trade war with the U.S. is acting as a Kouy-e-Fadaeian Islam (New Site), Ahvaz, Iran drag on growth in China, normally an avid Tel. No.: 061 341 23455 Fax No.: 061 3445 7437 consumer of oil, while the European economy Public Relations www.shana.ir www.nisoc.ir تهران تایمز : نوبت اول 13/9/98 نوبت دوم is also currently stagnating. 98/9/16 (Source: abs.cbn.com)

I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 INTERNATIONAL DECEMBER 4, 2019

By Saeed Sobhani paign is in any sort of trouble, especially as he still frequently leads the Democratic field TEHRAN – Surveys recently released in the in national polls. United States, both at the state and national What does the latest poll “As people get closer and closer to Febru- levels, show that the situation in the United ary, they become more and more practical States is ambiguous. The closer we get to the about this,” said the former Iowa governor US presidential election next year, the elec- Tom Vilsack, who recently gave Biden his most toral and political climate in the United States high-profile Iowa endorsement. “He can make becomes more blurred. Here’s a look at the ?in America say the strongest case, among all the candidates, latest polls in the United States: that he is in a position to get things done, and Poll: Biden leads Warren by 6 points he is in a position to win.” in Illinois Ambiguous atmosphere in American elections Biden opened November with an under- Former Vice President Joe Biden contin- whelming speech at the state party’s “Liberty ues to lead the Democratic field in Illinois, & Justice” gala. While Buttigieg and Senator although his advantage has shrunk since July, Elizabeth Warren roused thousands of sup- according to a poll Monday. The poll from the porters in a Des Moines arena, Biden ticked Chicago-based independent company Victory through his standard applause lines as whole Research found the former vice president with sections of seats purchased by his campaign 23.2 percent support. Sen. Elizabeth Warren sat empty. (D-Mass.) was second with 17.4 percent support. In south-east Iowa, the state party’s rural Biden’s lead has narrowed since his 36.1 caucus vice-chairman says Biden’s footprint percent support in July, the Jacksonville Jour- isn’t visible. “I know the names of the people nal-Courier noted, after seeing a 13.6 point who are supporting various other candidates,” drop among African Americans.South Bend, Glenn Hurst said. “But in terms of people out Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg came in third in the there knocking on doors, who attend other latest poll, with 15.9 percent support, edging campaign events, district events, I can’t name out Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who got 15 a member of the south-east Iowa Democrats percent support. All of the other candidates who’s supporting Joe Biden.” received 3.6 percent support or less.The poll Fairly or not, Biden’s national staff has fueled surveyed 1,200 likely Democratic primary vot- skeptical assessments with pronouncements ers between Nov. 22 and Nov. 25. The margin that he doesn’t have to win Iowa to win the of error is 2.83 percentage points. nomination. As Vtdigger reported, Since April, Sanders Iowa is overwhelmingly white; Biden’s had hovered around 20% — No. 2 in the crowded national advantage leans heavily on non- Democratic primary — in Morning Consult’s white voters who help determine outcomes polling. But Warren surged ahead of Sanders in Nevada, South Carolina and many 3 March in mid-September and maintained a slight Super Tuesday states. edge until Nov. 10, when she began to slip. Yet all the handwringing misses key vari- Warren now sits at 15% in that poll, with ables in Iowa, according to Vilsack and other Sanders at 21% in second, still trailing Biden, Biden supporters.They contend that, public who has 30% support nationally. South Bend, enthusiasm aside, Biden has the broadest Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg is in fourth place range of support both demographically and with 9%, ahead of other candidates including geographically, especially in rural and small- California Sen. Kamala Harris and New Jersey town Iowa and among the growing minority Sen. Cory Booker. population that, while small, could prove im- “Biden and Sanders continue to hold their portant with so many candidates dividing the bases, which should concern Warren, as she overall caucus vote. has waited for one of the front runners to slip during the fifth Democratic debate. At an event promise; he believed that it was the job of is getting northward of 60% of the vote among Those Biden organizers that get so much these past few months – yet, their support with wealthy liberal donors, Obama had urged the president to implement, not to make or black voters 45 years and older. His nearest criticism, the campaign says, spend their days seems to be crystalizing,” Spencer Kimball, candidates not to push too far left. to disregard, the law. competitor, Warren, is 50 points behind him. not with local party officials, but with volun- director of Emerson College’s polling, said in a “Even as we push the envelope and we are A student of American history and a lawyer by Younger black voters are far less enthralled teers knocking on doors and making calls. statement.Newcomers to the race — billionaire bold in our vision, we also have to be rooted in profession, he knew the Constitution by heart. with Biden. A look at our polling over the last Their focus: reliable caucus participants, plus Michael Bloomberg and former Massachusetts reality,” the New York Times reported Obama He believed in and acted as if Congress was a three months has him in the low 30s with black disaffected Republicans and independents. Gov. Deval Patrick — barely show up in the saying. “The average American doesn’t think co-equal branch of government. He knew how voters under the age of 45. “The media seems to have picked up this recent national polls. we have to completely tear down the system government worked at its best: he had been a This large age gap has existed all primary narrative that the Biden campaign is not do- “The only angle and hope candidates like and remake it.” member of Congress and his state’s legislature. long, and it’s not going away. If anything, our ing well or not as well as it should,” said the Bloomberg or Patrick have for the nomination Earlier in 2019, when Sanders was leading Trump knows only one thing: the values of polling is indicating that it is getting larger. longtime party activist and Biden supporter is a brokered convention, and while unlikely, in many polls, Obama privately told advisers upper-class New York City real estate deals. The age gap in Biden’s support benefits him Phyllis Hughes Ewing, daughter of a former the elimination of Super Delegates in 2020,” he would “speak up to stop him” from winning Lincoln believed in speaking truth to power in a way that I’m not quite sure folks under- Iowa governor and US senator. Kimball added.Not all of the news has been the nomination, Politico reported Tuesday. which meant creating a cabinet of estimable stand. Simply put, there are more older black “I’m on the phones with voters two nights a positive for the Sanders campaign. Politico asked a close adviser whether the rivals who spoke their minds to him. Like voters than there are younger black voters. week for several hours at a pop. I’m a boot on In a Quinnipiac University poll published popular former president would actually act Trump, he was elected by a minority of the Those 45 years and older made up 60% of all the ground, and that’s not what I’m seeing.” Tuesday, Biden is at 24% with Buttigieg second to make sure Sanders did not win the Dem- popular vote. But, once elected, he favored potential black primary voters. In the major- Bloomberg overtakes Harris in with 16%, Warren at 14% and Sanders fourth ocratic nomination. inclusiveness and reconciliation. No American ity black primary in South Carolina, those 45 new poll with 13%. In October, Sanders was third in that “I can’t confirm that,” the adviser told Po- was an enemy; every American deserved the years and older were 71% of all actual primary As The Hill reported,Former New York City poll.Meanwhile, Sanders has also stabilized litico. “He hasn’t said that directly to me. The respect and the rights of American citizenship, voters in 2016. Mayor Michael Bloomberg (D) topped Sen. in recent statewide polls in early caucus and only reason I’m hesitating at all is because, the appeal to reason and to the “better angels I cannot help but think this age divide im- Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) in a new Hill-HarrisX primary states. yeah, if Bernie were running away with it, I of our nature.” perils some folks ability to understand Biden’s poll of the Democratic presidential primary race. In Iowa, Sanders sits in second place at think maybe we would all have to say some- 'Honest Abe' wasn't above appeal with black voters. If all you’re reading The survey released on Monday found that 18%, one point behind Warren, who had been thing. But I don’t think that’s likely. It’s not raucous debates, savvy politics about is how a lot of younger black activists support for the former mayor ticked up from 3 comfortably leading since September, according happening.” ‘Honest Abe’ wasn’t above raucous debates, don’t like Biden (which is true), you’re missing percent to 6 percent among likely Democratic to a poll conducted by Iowa State University. Donald Trump is no Abraham Lin- savvy politics most of the black voting population. This is also voters and Democratic-leaning independents. However, Warren has seen her support coln, despite poll Lincoln was not perfect, but his imperfection true if you’re someone who gets their news off Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), meanwhile, drop in the Hawkeye State by 10 points in As (CNN) reported, An Economist/You- was encased in a personality that was both of Twitter, where younger voices dominate in fell behind with 2 percent support, a two- the past month, allowing Buttigieg to move Gov poll conducted just before Thanksgiving compassionate and kind, including to people a way they don’t in the real world. point decrease. to the front of the pack with 26%. Biden has found that a majority of Republicans (53%) who disagreed with him. He abhorred slavery, Indeed, I would argue that Biden’s standing This marks the first Hill-HarrisX poll that slipped to fourth place in Iowa with 12%. The think Donald Trump is a better president than but not slaveholders. with older black voters is historically strong. has been taken since Bloomberg officially caucus is the first week of February. the first Republican elected to that position, As a president, he was a realistic human- Looking back over the past 40 years, the only jumped into the 2020 race, though he was In a statement, Dave Peterson, a political Abraham Lincoln. ist. Unlike Trump, he was never self-serving candidates with anywhere near the sort of edge included as a possible candidate in a previ- science professor who oversees the polling I doubt that any of the 53% of Republicans or simplistic about the complications of the with older black voters at this point in the ous survey. process, attributes the recent shift in the who gave the nod to Trump over Lincoln did human situation, both personal and political. primary that Biden has were Jesse Jackson However, Bloomberg still significantly trails polls to the heightened scrutiny on Warren’s so because of what they thought or felt about He had a gift for the English language, from in 1988, Al Gore in 2000 and Hillary Clinton the party’s current front-runners, former Vice Medicare for All spending plan combined with Lincoln, who they might know a lot about or grammar to oratory. He used words to inspire in 2016. President Joe Biden (D), Sens. Elizabeth War- Buttigieg’s rising national popularity.“What very little. Rather, their poll response was all and heal. There’s no record of Lincoln ever All three of these candidates went on to ren (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and this tells me is that there is a segment of Io- about Trump and themselves. “He’s my guy, being nasty in word, gesture, or act. easily win older black voters. Clinton and Gore South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D). wans backing the candidate getting the most and I hope to have him for another four years,” Trump’s words hurt the ears and the heart. would win the primary overall.It’s Jackson, All four contenders have vied for control of positive coverage,” he said. “If we start seeing you might imagine them saying. “When I look Trump has made a career of being nasty. Lin- though, who may be an interesting compar- the top tier of the Democratic field for months. more scrutiny of Buttigieg, then his lead might in a mirror, I see a man wearing the same red coln would find it hard to understand how that ison to Biden. While the two are certainly Biden still holds the lead, inching up one prove to be temporary as well.” hat that I’m wearing.” alone would not disqualify him, independent very different (e.g. Jackson was the first black percentage point to 31 percent support. His The Sanders camp received a scare in New The poll results demonstrate one of the of public policies, for the presidency. candidate to win a substantial number of pri- fellow top rivals saw a slight dip, with Sand- Hampshire, where he resoundingly won in historical givens of American politics: facts, Lincoln was a moral man in a world in maries), Jackson held onto his black support ers dropping 3 points to 15 percent support 2016, on Nov. 18 when St. Anselm College evidence, expert opinion, rational analysis, which being moral meant a total commitment even after performing poorly in the mostly and Warren sliding 5 percentage points to 10 released a poll with the Vermont senator and historical consensus don’t matter when to truth and justice. The 47% of Republicans white states of Iowa and New Hampshire. percent.Buttigieg, who gained momentum in sitting in fourth place with 9%. Buttigieg led it comes to political preference. Perhaps they who thought Lincoln the better Republican No one knows if Biden can maintain the recent weeks, received 9 percent support, a in the poll with Warren and Biden tied for also demonstrate a given of human nature: president command our respect. backing of older black voters if he loses in Iowa two-point increase from the prior Nov. 16- second at 15%. feelings, self-image, self-interest, life-long Don’t understand how Biden’s still ahead? and New Hampshire, but Jackson showed it Nov. 17 poll. But a week later Suffolk University/Bos- influences, birth and parentage, group affil- You don’t know enough older black voters. can be done. Businessman Andrew Yang, Amy Klobuchar ton Globe published a Granite State poll with iation and economic and social status are all A new CNN/SSRS poll shows that former Biden launches eight-day ‘no (D-Minn.) and former Housing and Urban Sanders in first place among a bunched group powerful forces that often determine what we Vice President Joe Biden leads the Democrats malarkey’ bus tour amid flagging poll Development Secretary Juli?n Castro garnered of four. The Vermont independent led with think and how we vote. among potential Democratic voters nationwide numbers 2 percent. 16% ahead of Warren, Buttigieg and Biden. Mark Twain was quite bitterly certain about with 28%. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden has embarked upon an eight-day The rest of the contenders in the crowded David Paleologos, director of Suffolk Uni- this: “You tell me whar a man gits his corn pone, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren are in a “no malarkey barnstorm” bus tour across Iowa Democratic field received 1 percent in support versity’s political research center, told the en I’ll tell you what his ‘pinions is.” Lincoln fight for second at 17% and 14% respectively. as the former US vice-president attempts to or less. Another 3 percent said they were unsure. Boston Globe that for much of the campaign did his best as often as he could to appeal to South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg arrest his flagging poll numbers in the key The survey comes in light of an ever-fluid cycle Sanders and Warren have been fighting “the better angels of our nature.” Twain had comes in fourth at 11%.Other national polling state, which is the first to vote in the race to be Democratic primary race.Though the field re- for supremacy among New Hampshire voters some doubt about there being “better angels” shows Biden with a clear advantage on the the Democratic 2020 presidential nominee. cently expanded with the addition of Bloomberg but not any more. within ourselves or anyplace else. Trump? No Democratic field. Biden started his election blitz on Saturday, and billionaire Tom Steyer, the primary also “The narrative is changing in New Hamp- angels at all. What’s the point: Biden is steady as a rock telling supporters in a fundraising email that lost two candidates over the last few days. shire,” Paleologos said. “Now, add to that the A comparison between Lincoln and Trump in national polling. As I noted earlier this week, he was undertaking an “eight-day, 18 county, Former Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.) and Mon- war between Buttigieg and Biden.” on matters physical or metaphysical, personal he’s been within the margin of error of 30% in ‘no nalarkey’ barnstorm” across Iowa. “The tana Gov. Steve Bullock (D) each ended their Trying to capitalize on the recent uptick or political is illuminating. Lincoln rarely looked all but two CNN/SSRS national polls. Yet, it plan is to meet as many caucus-goers as I 2020 White House bids after failing to gain in the polls, the Sanders campaign sent out a into a physical mirror; Trump is obsessed with always seems that his opponents (and some can, and we’re going to cover a lot of ground traction in national polls.Sestak announced plea asking for 15,000 donations by the end self-image, with clothes, style, hair, complexion, members of the press) are just waiting for to do it,” the email read. the news in a press release over the weekend, of Tuesday.“November is a tough month for with his own self-aggrandizement. him to collapse. On Sunday, the former vice president was saying he was thankful for what he called an fundraising, and our movement is doing a The Trump administration is trying Biden could eventually falter, but it seems to due to attend a meet-and-greet in Carroll, a “endeavor filled with immeasurable wisdom, great job keeping pace with where we need to to rewrite America’s founding principles me that those counting on it just aren’t talking town hall in Storm Lake, meet and greets in passions, humor and insights to, and from, be,” the campaign wrote to supporters. Lincoln had the advantage of being born to enough older black voters. Jefferson and Perry, and a town hall in Spencer. the people of America.” The campaign also wrote that in the debate, poor and having had to make his own way in Biden’s averaged 49% among all potential The bus tour follows recent polling that A day later, Bullock issued a statement an- Sanders — who only spoke for 11.8 minutes — the world. He was the archetype of the best black Democratic primary voters in our last two shows Biden’s standing has slipped among nouncing his own departure from the 2020 race. showed he will “stand up to special interests sort of Republican self-made man. Trump is CNN national polls. That’s good enough not Democratic voters in Iowa who, on 3 Feb- “While the concerns that propelled me to when we are in the White House.” a child of wealth who pretends he’s a master only for a 35-point lead over his Democratic ruary, will be the first caucus in the US to enter in the first place have not changed, I leave During the Nov. 20 debate, Sanders said he businessman, a parody of the American values competitors, but good enough to beat all of pick a favored candidate to take on Donald this race filled with gratitude and optimism, agreed with former President Barack Obama’s associated with Benjamin Franklin and Horatio them combined by about 10 points. Trump in the 2020 presidential election.After inspired and energized by the good people I’ve recent comments that the average American Alger.And though Lincoln and Trump are both But I think treating black voters as if they’re topping the Democratic field in the state in had the privilege of meeting over the course does not want to tear down the current po- nominally Republicans, the party of 1860 and some sort of monolith creates some sort of a several polls as recently as September, the of the campaign,” he wrote. litical system. the party of 2019 have nothing in common blind spot for those following the campaign: 77-year-old has seemingly been eclipsed by The Hill-HarrisX poll surveyed 1,001 reg- “We don’t have to tear down the system, but but the name. Lincoln was pro-immigration; the wide faultline along age in the black com- Pete Buttigieg in recent surveys of Iowan istered voters between Nov. 1-Dec. 1. It has a we do have to do what the American people he favored a balanced budget; he abhorred munity. Democrats. Still, the polls show a tight race margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage want,” Sanders said in response to a question dealmaking other than as constructive com- In our polling over the last two months, Biden and Biden’s supporters deny that his cam- points. 7 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 4, 2019 ANALYSIS & INTERVIEW 7 What does the latest poll in America say? 6 Here’s how Biden, Sanders, gap among nonwhite voters. I think Eliz- would hold with lesser-known candidates? Warren and other top Democrats are faring abeth Warren was only receiving about I don’t think it would hold with less- against Trump in national polls forty-nine per cent of nonwhite men in er-known candidates, or candidates who As CNBC reported,Donald Trump finds our surveys. have not been attacked and who have not himself in a rut in potential matchups Who are the Warren-but-not-Biden faced criticism from their opponents or a with top Democratic challengers a year voters? There are not nearly as many of full-fledged campaign. There are many before the 2020 election, polling shows. them. cases where I wouldn’t want to take a poll Former Vice President Joe Biden, Sens. There aren’t as many as them, and so and results a year out as an indication of Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Bernie Sand- the sample sizes are getting really small. I anything. But, when it comes to Trump, ers, I-Vt., and Kamala Harris, D-Calif., didn’t see a clear message from them. They Warren, Sanders, and Biden, I think it’s and South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete didn’t like Biden, but it wasn’t like they a little different. They are well-known Buttigieg all hold comfortable leads over were a bunch of very liberal voters, either. candidates who have been in the fray. the president in hypothetical contests, They weren’t overwhelmingly women. It The President has certainly been under according to RealClearPolitics averages of wasn’t obvious what the source of the issue attack. I would think a large number of national surveys. The latest poll of head- was, other than I am inclined to assume voters basically know what they need to-head races raised eyebrows: an ABC that for whatever reason they don’t like to know about those folks. A lot could News/Washington Post survey released Joe Biden much. There is always this change, but I do think it means that it Tuesday showed all five of the Democratic sort of churn in the electorate. isn’t unreasonable to take a measure of candidates beating Trump by at least 9 What does your poll do that other polls where things are. and as many as 17 percentage points, a don’t do that leads you to believe your What other swing states interest you wider margin than in most other polls. data is worth paying attention to? from these numbers? Biden fares the best against Trump, as I think we do a lot of things, but I I would consider Georgia. I feel like we polls find a 10 percentage point advantage would emphasize two. One is that we know that Georgia is a state where voters for him on average. Sanders holds the are able to adjust our sample on party are deeply divided about the President. I second-biggest lead against the presi- registration for these states. So, when would be surprised if we learned some- dent, trailed closely by Warren. Harris you look at a poll in Arizona, that is a poll thing like Biden up five or Trump up five. and Buttigieg have the most narrow edges a Democratic upset in Texas, and wheth- 2020, that there was a massive turnout, that do, or they think political correctness has where registered Republicans outnumber I think it could be an important part of the over Trump among the five candidates er other pollsters are making the same would imply good news for the President gotten out of control in this country. This is Democrats by four points, just like in swing-state picture, but I am not sure I tracked by RealClearPolitics. mistakes they did in 2016. in a place like Michigan, and good news a disproportionately working-class group, reality. Our poll in Pennsylvania is the have that much uncertainty, because the Here are how those Democrats cur- What is your biggest takeaway from for the Democratic nominee in Arizona and it is disproportionately male. There opposite. That sample is forty-seven-per- state is deeply polarized along racial lines. rently stack up against Trump in averages all of the data you collected? or Texas? Or is that too simplistic? is less evidence that gender plays a huge cent registered Democrats and thirty-nine- I am curious about some of the peripheral of national polls: The President is better positioned in I don’t think that is too simplistic. I role in American elections. Most of that per-cent registered Republicans. So you northern battlegrounds, like Maine, New The surveys underscore the peril Trump the battleground states than he is nation- am not saying it is a sure thing. It would data is from congressional races. I think can have confidence that, on the single Hampshire, and Minnesota, not because faces in trying to win another term in the wide, and remains really competitive in depend on who is mobilized to the polls. it is conceivable that it is a bigger factor characteristic that is the most likely to I think those states are necessarily going White House, even backed by an economy the states likeliest to decide the election, It is not just the opportunity but how you here, or at least in this case. predict whether you like the President or to be top-tier battlegrounds but because it strong enough that it would traditional- despite all that’s happened to him. take advantage of it. But I think that, in Then there is a final group who just not, we have taken steps to make sure it might help confirm the general pattern in ly boost an incumbent’s hopes. Dragged What would you imagine the national general, the Democrats have this upside don’t know very much about her. I would is appropriately balanced. There are very the Midwest in our polling, or call it into down by poor approval ratings on issues numbers are if these are the numbers in that they have not realized in states like think she could have success in mobilizing few public polls that do that. question. And, by the way, if we are right such as health care, immigration, foreign the swing states you polled? Texas or Arizona, while I think there is a this group to her side over the next year. The second thing I would note is that in Pennsylvania or Michigan, then I think policy and race relations, the president Over the summer, we did an analysis case that it is the reverse for Republicans And, to be clear, she could persuade the our poll is constructed to account for the those states would be fairly competitive. appears headed for anything other than of what we thought the President’s ap- in the north. Or, at least, the Democrats other voters, as well, but I think she faces educational composition of the electorate. You also did a survey of Iowa, in which a 2020 landslide. proval rating was in every state. And in don’t have that kind of upside. real obstacles now that she will have to In 2016, many states pollsters didn’t do you found Warren further behind than Though national polls offer a snapshot these states we thought the President’s What do the Arizona numbers make surmount. that, and as a result they underestimat- anyone else, despite all the time she has of Trump’s current standing against his approval rating was five points better you think about Texas? What was your One of the striking findings was, as ed President Trump’s support, because spent in the state, and despite the fact rivals, they leave major gaps in under- than nationwide. So, if Biden is up two guess about Trump’s approval over the you wrote in your story, that “Nonwhite well-educated voters are likelier to respond that she led your primary poll among standing what will happen in November in these states, I would say maybe that summer? Biden supporters are likelier than white to telephone surveys. That problem contin- Democrats. What did you make of that? 2020 — especially this early in the race. he is up seven nationwide. That would When we estimated the President’s Biden voters to say they would choose ues today, and a number of the state polls The Iowa poll was done after everything Polling averages in the individual states make Warren up three nationally. standing in Texas over the summer, we Mr. Trump over Ms. Warren.” How do you see that show the Democrats posting else, so we had already seen Warren un- most likely to determine who wins the Michigan and Pennsylvania surprised thought it was basically the same as it was you understand that? wide leads over the President have not derperforming by about four points across Electoral College still favor Democrats. me a little bit. You have Warren losing by in Pennsylvania or Michigan or Wisconsin If we just step back for a second, we been adjusted to account for the reality the battlegrounds. And so it was: there But Trump looks to have a better chance of six in Michigan, and Biden tied. Biden is among registered voters. And, again, there found across the board that Democrats were that we live in a country where only about is that again. I would say I don’t think it carrying 2020 battlegrounds than winning up three in Pennsylvania, while Warren is a difference between the registered-voter not doing as well with nonwhite voters thirty per cent of the population has a is particularly good news for Warren. If the nationwide popular vote. is tied. Why might they be as close or population in Texas and the one that has against the President as Hillary Clinton college degree. there was a state where she might have Take Pennsylvania and Michigan, two closer than in Wisconsin, which you and ever shown up to vote before. If you look was in similar polling in 2016. I think that, So you are still concerned pollsters hoped to have made more inroads as the of the states that propelled Trump to the others have long talked about as the most at our poll in Arizona, it is consistent with whether it is the economy, or whether it are making the same mistake. result of active campaigning, that would White House with narrow 2016 victories. likely key swing state? that. It has Joe Biden up by five in a state is because the nonwhite population is not I am. In 2018, there were a lot of state have been the state where it would hap- In an average of Pennsylvania surveys, The first thing I would note is that that Hillary Clinton lost by almost four. as woke as one might assume, and not polls that overestimated the Democrats pen, and it didn’t. It doesn’t rule out the Biden, Sanders and Warren lead Trump individual state polls are going to be fairly That is a nine-point swing. I would note as offended by the President’s conduct in a lot of white-working-class states. On possibility it will happen in the future, by about 7, 5 and 2 percentage points, noisy. And, in general, I would suggest that Hillary Clinton lost Texas by nine. as you might think, that the President Election Night, it was a big surprise that but it at least crosses off one potential respectively, according to RealClearPol- that people take the data collectively I don’t think it is crazy that there could has made some inroads—not many, but Claire McCaskill was losing when there argument on her behalf. itics. In Michigan, Biden, Sanders and rather than focus on the exact order of be a nine-point swing between the 2016 some—among voters who we wouldn’t were polls showing her up. Same thing for Your poll included a note that the Warren have edges of about 8, 7 and 3 the states. That said, I could conjure up vote and the registered-voter population typically think of as receptive to his cause. Joe Donnelly, in Indiana. Democrats lost Michigan data was hard to gather. What, percentage points, respectively, over the an argument about how Pennsylvania is in Texas. It could even be more. Texas is And this should not be totally unfamiliar governors’ races in Iowa and Ohio where exactly, was the problem? president. a state where Elizabeth Warren’s style a more diverse state. It’s very conceivable for Democrats. Back in 2004, the polls they led in pre-election polls. Obviously, Michigan has been tough for us for a A series of swing state surveys released of reformist, idealistic progressivism is to me that we would have found Biden said the same thing about Bush against the polls over all weren’t all that inaccurate, while. We just have very low response rates, Monday indicate the Electoral College not likely to play as well as it would in ahead in Texas if we had conducted a Kerry. Granted, there was the security but, in a lot of the same states, they were and a lot of numbers were people saying the could swing either way. The New York Wisconsin. Pennsylvania is a state that poll there. explanation, but this idea that an incumbent biased in the same way. And that’s when person we were asking for doesn’t live there. Times/Siena polls gauged potential head- has a tradition of being friendly to estab- So you think that, even if the regis- President with the advantage of incum- Donald Trump wasn’t the person on the The people apparently are pretty mean to to-head matchups in Pennsylvania, Mich- lishment Democrats in the primary, like tered-voter advantage wouldn’t translate bency and name recognition running on a ballot. He is the one who really generates our interviewers, too. The survey responses igan, Wisconsin, Florida, Arizona and Hillary Clinton in 2008 and 2016, while into Democrats being favored there, it culturally populist message might make a the largest education split. So the idea it don’t come in as balanced as we want them North Carolina — states that will play a Wisconsin voted for Bernie in the 2016 would be close enough that Democrats few more inroads among nonwhite voters could be back in full force in 2020 isn’t to, which requires more weighting. In this huge role in deciding the election. primary and Obama in 2008. So I could should compete there? than we might think wouldn’t be a huge crazy to me. I am not saying it is assured, case, we reduced the number of interviews Trump performs worse in those states imagine something like that explaining I would want to have actual data from surprise. The idea that there might be a but it strikes me as a possibility. compared to everywhere else. I guess in hypothetical matchups versus Biden the difference, if it is real. Texas before making that conclusion and group of voters who are a little Trump-cu- Some people have suggested that gen- my view is that I don’t think this poll is than he does in potential contests with And Michigan? spending the millions of dollars that it will rious, and Warren might not be the right eral-election polling this far out from an terrible or something. I think it still obeys I think the same story could potentially take to compete in Texas. But, I think, if candidate for them, doesn’t seem like a Warren and Sanders. The vast majority election isn’t helpful. You write in your the rules of the margin of error. But, by of those polls show tight races a year hold there. The other thing I would note you were to extrapolate from our data, huge surprise. story that, “On average over the last three the measures that we use to evaluate our out: Nearly all of them show a candidate about Michigan that is interesting in our you would think there would be a real Do you have enough data to see whether cycles, head-to-head polls a year ahead own polling, it’s objectively the worst with a lead that falls within the survey’s sample is that we think the President is opportunity for Democrats in Texas. And there is a giant gender gap among non- of the election have been as close to the of the samples. So I would say I have margin of error. doing really well among non-voters in I would add that these are polls of people white voters? final result as those taken the day before.” more uncertainty about that result than .of We did find evidence of a large gender Why might this be? And do you think this the others نوبت اولThe Times’ Nate Cohn on Elizabeth Michigan. It is the only state where the who are registered today, and millions Warren’s Odds Against Donald Trump President does better among registered people are going to register over the next N.I.S.O.C 1398.5435 As New Yorker reported,in Monday, voters than likely voters. And if you year. That would tend to exaggerate the 1398.5435 the New York Times and Siena College narrow it even further, to people who trends that we see among new voters in First Announcement released a poll of how Donald Trump is have voted before, Biden’s lead grows this data. Texas may be a narrow Biden faring against three leading Democratic even more. Our sample of non-voters is lead in registered voters now, but, after Presidential opponents—Joe Biden, Bernie not particularly big in Michigan, but it another year of young and nonwhite and NATIONAL IRANIAN SOUTH OILFIELDSN.I.S.O.C COMPANY AHVAZ-IRAN is conceivable to me that the voters who newly eligible voters, perhaps it would Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren—in six NATIONAL IRANIAN SOUTHTENDER OILFIELDS NO. : 01- 3COMPANY1-9646010 AHVAZ-IRAN critical swing states, all of which Trump are on the sidelines of politics there may be more than that. TENDER NO. : 01-31-9646010 be an untapped source of strength for the Who are the Biden-but-not-Warren won in 2016. The results contain bad news NationalNational Iranian Iranian South South Oilfields Oilfields Company(NISOC) Company(NISOC) intends intends to purchase to purchase the following the following goods goods for Warren, despite her strong showing President. Again, it is a single-state poll, voters? How do you think about them and we are talking about a sub-sample as a group? with Democratic-primary voters in Iowa; Items Quantity against President Trump, she performs of that poll, but that is the story in this I think they are about six per cent of the Material Description worse than Biden or Sanders, with Trump particular survey. electorate, and I think it is useful to divide Arizona surprised me, too. It’s the only them into three groups. One group thinks leading or tied in five of six swing states. PARTS FOR “COOPER-BESSEMER” CENTRIFUGAL GAS COMPRESSOR 255 Biden leads or is tied with Trump in five state with Warren leading. Biden is up Warren is too far to the left ideologically. of the six states, while the Times/Siena five among registered voters. Were you They are relatively well-educated and live 09 NOS surprised? in the suburbs, they consider themselves poll shows Trump and Sanders running Vendors who intend to participate in aforesaid tenders are requested to send their “ Intention to participate” letter via essentially even. The Times’ Nate Cohn, I was not. Over the summer, we es- moderate, they voted for Trump or Gary timated that the President was weakest Johnson, they do not like single-payer to the following fox number\email address along with their resume according to Qualitative Assessment Form no. 1, who oversaw the poll, wrote of Warren, “not only does she underperform her rivals, in Arizona, among all of these states. health care. That vote makes sense for available at: WWW.nisoc.ir , not later than 14 days after the second announcement, otherwise, their requests for partic- but the poll also suggests that the race could Remember, this is a poll of registered me, and I think they are logical. I think it .ipation in the tender will be disregarded be close enough for the difference to be voters, and so there are a large number of is consistent with a lot of evidence about The applicants should haveFOREIGN relevant background PURCHASING in supplying DEPARTMENT the required goods and capability to provide and submit decisive.” Cohn also noted that the poll Hispanic voters who are on the sideline the role of ideology in political elections. there. I think we had Joe Biden with more The next group is not so obviously .a bid bond ofBldg. 4,049 No.EURO 104, or 509 Material ,526,151 RIAL, Procurement in favor of NISOC Management Complex suggests that Trump may have a greater Tender documents including the materials thorough technical specifications and Qualitative Assessment Forms can be advantage in the Electoral College in 2020 than a fifty-point lead among Hispanic disposed against a left-leaning candidate Kouy-e-Fadaeian Islam (New Site), Ahvaz, Iran than he did in 2016, suggesting that the voters in Arizona. And so in this poll of but really doesn’t like Warren that much. accessed via: WWW.nisoc.ir-material Tel. No.: 061 procurement 341 24644 management Fax No.: tab061 3445 7437 President could again win the election registered voters you have a more diverse One question we asked that may be telling ONLY ACCEPTABLE DELIVERY TERM IS D.D.P. NISOC’S WAREHOUSE, AGHAJARI.IRAN PAYMENT TERM IS C.O.D. SUBSE- electorate than the one you have seen on about the reason they don’t like Warren is while losing the popular vote. QUENT TO NISOC’ S MATERIAL APPROVALE.MAIL: NO KALA.F.P@ ADVANCE PAYMENTnisoc.ir WILL BE PAID For further insight into the results, Election Day, and that’s an advantage whether they thought that the women who Democrats can claim that they wouldn’t get run for President aren’t very likable. About FOREIGN PURCHASING DEPARTMENT I recently spoke by phone with Cohn. Public Relations WWW.shana.ir www.nisoc.ir http://iets.mporg.ir (Cohn and I worked together at The New in a state like Michigan or Pennsylvania, forty per cent of the voters who support Bldg. No. 104, Material Procurement Management Complex Republic and remain friends.) During our where most of the non-voters are a bunch Biden but not Warren said they agreed Kouy-e-Fadaeian Islam (New Site), Ahvaz, Iran روابط عمومی شرکت ملی مناطق نفت خیز جنوب conversation, which has been edited for of white working-class voters who would with that statement. I think this group also E.MAIL: [email protected] Tel. No.: 061 341 24644 Fax No.: 061 3445 7437 length and clarity, we discussed why some be relatively favorable to the President. holds some conservative views on cultural Public Relations www.shana.ir www.nisoc.ir 98 9 16 98 9 13 تهران تایمز : نوبت اول / / نوبت as دوم /Biden voters dislike Warren, the odds of Would one upshot of what you have issues. They believe whites face/ about تهران تایمز : نوبت اول 13/9/98 نوبت دوم said be that, if I told you on Election Day, much discrimination as nonwhite people 98/9/16

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Spacewalkers back inside ISS after Will 2020 be the year we find completing work to repair particle detector intelligent alien life? By Leonard David NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan and this long, nor be serviced in space. To fix European Space Agency astronaut Luca the instrument’s broken cooling pumps, Probably not, but there are reasons to be optimistic about our Parmitano are back in the International engineers had to develop special tools and near-future prospects. Space Station after completing the third in send them to the space station. The SETI Institute’s Allen Telescope Array (ATA) searches a series of complex spacewalks aimed at fixing In addition to prolonging the AMS our galaxy for radio signals from potential intelligent alien life. an experimental physics device designed to experiment, the series of complex spacewalk The Allen Telescope Array in northern California is dedicated detect antimatter in cosmic rays. missions has helped NASA astronauts gain to astronomical observations and a simultaneous search for During the first few hours outside ISS, valuable troubleshooting experience. extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). Morgan and Parmitano “completed all “The process of creating the tools and primary tasks for today’s spacewalk and procedures for these spacewalks is preparing started work on get ahead tasks,” according teams for the types of spacewalks that may to a Twitter update from the International be required on Moon and Mars missions,” Space Station. NASA wrote. “The tools include plumbing The duo switched their spacesuits to battery instruments to cut into the cooling lines, new power — the official beginning to all spacewalks screwdriver bits and devices to capture the — at 6:31 a.m. ET on Monday morning. Though fasteners the astronauts remove from AMS.” they were originally scheduled to spend 7.5 In addition to successfully repairing the hours outside the space station, Morgan and AMS’s cooling system, the two spacewalkers Parmitano finished their work early, returning also completed several get-ahead tasks. to ISS at 12:33 p.m. ET — a six-hour-and- “The astronauts also completed an two-minute spacewalk. additional task to install an insulating blanket The mission was broadcast live on NASA TV. on the nadir side of the AMS to replace the “The two astronauts successfully installed heat shield and blanket they removed during In the past three decades, scientists have found more than 4,000 a new cooling system for the Alpha Magnetic the first spacewalk to begin the repair work,” exoplanets. And the discoveries will keep rolling in; observations Spectrometer,” ISS wrote on Twitter. NASA wrote in an update. “The flight control suggest that every star in the Milky Way galaxy hosts more than The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer was of thousands of positrons, the antimatter the mysterious makeup of dark matter, which team on Earth initiated power-up of the system one planet on average. installed in 2011. Over the last few years, counterpart of the electron. Data collected accounts for most of the mass in the universe. and confirmed it is receiving power and data.” Given a convergence of ground- and space-based capability, the instrument has observed hundreds by the AMS could help scientists determine But the device wasn’t designed to last (Source: UPI) artificial intelligence/machine learning research and other tools, are we on the verge of identifying what is universally possible for life — or perhaps even confirming the existence of extraterrestrial New algorithms to determine eigenstates Scientists inch closer than ever to signal intelligence? Is 2020 the celestial payoff year, in which objects of interest and thermal states on quantum computers from cosmic dawn are found to offer “technosignatures,” indicators of technology developed by advanced civilizations? Space.com asked top SETI (search for extraterrestrial intelligence) experts about what next year may signal regarding detecting other starfolk. “Well, despite being the widely celebrated 100-year anniversary of the election of Warren G. Harding, 2020 will not likely gain fame as the year we first discover extraterrestrial life,” said Seth Shostak, a senior astronomer at the SETI Institute in Mountain View, California. The search for intelligent beings elsewhere, Shostak said, is largely conducted by checking out nearby star systems for either narrow-band radio signals or brief flashes of laser light. And those might succeed at any time, he told Space.com. “But one should remember that this type of search is gaining speed in an exponential fashion, and that particular technical fact allows a crude estimate of when SETI might pay off. If we take — for lack of a better estimate — Frank Drake’s opinion that there might be 10,000 broadcasting societies in the Milky Way, then we clearly have to examine at least one [million] – 10 million stellar systems to have a reasonable chance of tripping Determining the quantum mechanical that we can prepare a quantum mechanical Around 12 billion years ago, the antennas arranged across the remote across one. That goal will be reached in the next two decades, behavior of many interacting particles is system in a simple but inaccurate approximation universe emerged from a great cosmic countryside of Western Australia. The but certainly not in 2020,” Shostak said. essential to solving important problems for the ground state, a trial wave function. By dark age as the first stars and galaxies antennas are bundled together into 128 But there are still reasons for intelligent-alien hunters to be in a variety of scientific fields, including applying this cooling process to the system, we lit up. With a new analysis of data “tiles,” whose signals are combined by a excited and optimistic about the coming year. Multiple existing physics, chemistry and mathematics. can systematically remove spurious excitations collected by the Murchison Widefield supercomputer called the Correlator. In projects will either be expanded or improved in 2020, Shostak For instance, in order to describe the from the trial wave function, thereby gradually Array (MWA) radio telescope, scientists 2016, the number of tiles was doubled said. For example, the SETI Institute will get new receivers for electronic structure of materials and approaching the ground state. This is the content are now closer than ever to detecting to 256, and their configuration across the Allen Telescope Array in northern California, and both the molecules, researchers first need to find of the quantum imaginary-time evolution the ultra-faint signature of this turning the landscape was altered to improve SETI Institute and the University of California, Berkeley, will the ground, excited and thermal states (QITE) algorithm.” point in cosmic history. their sensitivity to the neutral hydrogen conduct new searches for possible laser technosignatures. of the Born-Oppenheimer Hamiltonian The three algorithms developed by the In a paper on the preprint site signal. This new paper is the first analysis “And, of course, there’s always the unexpected,” Shostak said. “In approximation. In quantum chemistry, the Caltech researchers are somewhat similar to ArXiv and soon to be published in the of data from the expanded array. 1996, the biggest science story of the year was the claim that fossilized Born-Oppenheimer approximation is the classical techniques for finding ground and Astrophysical Journal, researchers Neutral hydrogen emits radiation at Martian microbes had been found in a meteorite. No one really assumption that electronic and nuclear excited states. By collecting information as present the first analysis of data from a wavelength of 21 centimeters. As the saw that coming. So one can always hope to be taken by surprise.” motions in molecules can be separated. imaginary-time evolution unfolds, however, a new configuration of the MWA designed universe has expanded over the past 12 The powerful 330-foot (100 meters) radio telescope at Green A variety of other scientific problems these algorithms can formulate and solve an specifically to look for the signal of billion years, the signal from the EoR Bank, West Virginia, is being used by Breakthrough Initiatives in its also require the accurate computation of eigenvalue problem that provides access to neutral hydrogen, the gas that dominated is now stretched to about 2 meters, SETI efforts. The powerful 330-foot (100 meters) radio telescope Hamiltonian ground, excited and thermal specific excited states, employing a quantum the universe during the cosmic dark and that’s what MWA astronomers at Green Bank, West Virginia, is being used by Breakthrough states on a quantum computer. An important variant of the Lanczos approach, a well- age. The analysis sets a new limit — the are looking for. The problem is there Initiatives in its SETI efforts. example are combinatorial optimization established mathematical technique to lowest limit yet — for the strength of are myriad other sources that emit at “I am skeptical about picking a specific year for the first problems, which can be reduced to finding compute eigenvalues and eigenvectors. the neutral hydrogen signal. the same wavelength — human-made discovery. Previous predictions of success have been wrong,” the ground state of suitable spin systems. “Of course, imaginary-time evolution can “We can say with confidence that if sources like digital television as well as said Michael Michaud, author of the thought-provoking book So far, techniques for computing Hamiltonian also be used to cool a system from infinite the neutral hydrogen signal was any natural sources from within the Milky “Contact with Alien Civilizations: Our Hopes and Fears about eigenstates on quantum computers have been to finite (greater than zero) temperature, stronger than the limit we set in the Way and from millions of other galaxies. Encountering Extraterrestrials”. primarily based on phase estimation or variational and thus to compute finite-temperature paper, then the telescope would have “All of these other sources are many “I and others have observed that the continued improvement algorithms, which are designed to approximate properties, as we do in our QMETTS detected it,” said Jonathan Pober, an orders of magnitude stronger than the of our search technologies and strategies could boost the odds the lowest energy eigenstate (i.e., ground state) and algorithm,” Motta said. assistant professor of physics at Brown signal we’re trying to detect,” Pober for success,” Michaud said, noting that the primary focus of a number of excited states. Unfortunately, these The quantum imaginary time evolution University and corresponding author said. “Even an FM radio signal that’s SETI remains on radio signals. “However, we still don’t cover techniques can have significant disadvantages, algorithm and Lanczos algorithm on the new paper. “These findings can reflected off an airplane that happens to all frequencies, all skies, all of the time. Other types of searches which make them impracticable for solving many proposed by the researchers have several help us to further constrain the timing be passing above the telescope is enough have failed, too, such as looking for laser signals or Dyson spheres scientific problems. advantages over existing and classical of when the cosmic dark ages ended to contaminate the data.” [ET mega-engineering projects]. Those campaigns usually have A research collaboration between the techniques. For instance, as they are and the first stars emerged.” To home in on the signal, the limited funding and often don’t last long.” groups of Garnet Chan, Fernando Brandao, rooted in physical intuition, they can The research was led by Wenyang researchers use a myriad of processing A new possibility has arisen because of exoplanet discoveries, and Austin Minnich at the California be implemented on contemporary Li, who performed the work as a techniques to weed out those Michaud said: “In some cases, astronomers now can look for Institute of Technology (Caltech) has quantum hardware and do not require Ph.D. student at Brown. Li and Pober contaminants. At the same time, they chemical evidence of life in planetary atmospheres. It is conceivable recently led to the development of three deep circuits, ancillary qubits and collaborated with an international group account for the unique frequency that we will find simple forms of life before we find signals from new algorithms that could help to overcome complicated parameter optimizations, of researchers working with the MWA. responses of the telescope itself. a technological civilization.” the limitations of existing phase estimation which are indispensable for other Despite its importance in cosmic “If we look at different radio If astronomers do someday confirm a SETI detection, how and variational methods. quantum algorithms. history, little is known about the period frequencies or wavelengths, the telescope should they announce the discovery? It is an old question that “Determining ground, excited and “The most meaningful achievement of when the first stars formed, which is behaves a little differently,” Pober said. has been answered in several ways. thermal states is of course an important our study was the conception of a suite of known as the Epoch of Reionization “Correcting for the telescope response “The prevailing opinion among radio astronomers has been problem in quantum computing, but the new algorithms for the study of many-many- (EoR). The first atoms that formed after is absolutely critical for then doing the that the news will leak quickly. If that is correct, scientific and algorithms to tackle it on contemporary body systems on contemporary quantum the Big Bang were positively charged separation of astrophysical contaminants governmental authorities won’t have much time for developing hardware typically require important computers,” Motta said. “Our algorithms hydrogen ions — atoms whose electrons and the signal of interest.” a public-affairs strategy,” Michaud said. quantum resources, such as deep quantum bring useful insights to the Physics field: in were stripped away by the energy of Those data analysis techniques “It remains possible that the sophisticated monitoring capabilities circuits (i.e. comprising many quantum particular, they show how the combination the infant universe. As the universe combined with the expanded capacity of intelligence agencies might be the first to detect hard evidence,” gates, and thus prone to decoherence and of ideas and techniques from different fields cooled and expanded, hydrogen atoms of the telescope itself resulted in a new Michaud said. “One might think that the government would have imperfect implementation) and ancillary of science can be synergistically combined reunited with their electrons to form upper bound of the EoR signal strength. a plan to deal with such an event.” (i.e. additional) qubits—or non-linear noisy to produce innovative techniques.’’ neutral hydrogen. And that’s just about It’s the second consecutive best-limit- But, Michaud said that his own experience suggests that such classical parameter optimizations,” Mario In their study, Motta and his colleagues all there was in the universe until about to-date analysis to be released by MWA plans are unlikely to be drawn up due to a “giggle factor” and Motta, one of the researchers who carried demonstrated the effectiveness of the 12 billion years ago, when atoms started and raises hope that the experiment will would be forgotten as officials rotated out of their positions. He out the study, told Phys.org. algorithms they developed by implementing clumping together to form stars and one day detect the elusive EoR signal. previously represented the U.S. Department of State in interagency The key aim of the recent study carried them on the Rigetti quantum virtual galaxies. Light from those objects re- “This analysis demonstrates that discussions of national space policy. out by the researchers at Caltech was machine and Aspen-1 quantum processing ionized the neutral hydrogen, causing the phase two upgrade had a lot of its Artist’s illustration of NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey to develop new quantum algorithms unit. In these demonstrations the algorithms it to largely disappear from interstellar desired effects and that the new analysis Satellite (TESS). Using data from TESS, scientists have discovered for determining ground, excited and performed remarkably well, comparing space. techniques will improve future analyses,” an “improbable” exoplanet that should’ve been engulfed by its thermal states on quantum computers. favorably to existing techniques for The goal of projects like the one Pober said. “The fact that MWA has now star but wasn’t. The researchers tried to circumvent the computing Hamiltonian ground, excited happening at MWA is to locate the signal published back-to-back the two best “While I’m enthusiastic at the reinvigoration of practical limitations of existing techniques and thermal states. of neutral hydrogen from the dark ages limits on the signal gives momentum technological-signatures work, and in particular the growth for computing Hamiltonian states by The new algorithms developed by this and measure how it changed as the EoR to the idea that this experiment and its in looking across much of the electromagnetic spectrum, leveraging notions from classical computer team of researchers could be used in a variety unfolded. Doing so could reveal new and approach has a lot of promise.” I think this is going to be a long-term project. I estimate a physics, such as imaginary-time evolution, of studies that involve quantum simulations critical information about the first stars The research was supported in part very small probability of success in any given year,” said Pete exact diagonalization and finite-temperature and optimization. In addition, they could — the building blocks of the universe by the U.S. National Science Foundation Worden, executive director of the Breakthrough Initiatives. state sampling, ultimately extending these be refined and extended to meet the needs we see today. But catching any glimpse (grant #1613040). The MWA receives “But those chances are now orders of magnitude better than notions to quantum computing algorithms of individuals’ research projects. of that 12-billion-year-old signal is a support from the Australian government they were even a decade ago.” beyond what previously accomplished. “Our future research will be directed difficult task that requires instruments and acknowledges Wajarri Yamatji Breakthrough Initiatives is tackling the big question of life in “Our algorithms are based on the notion towards expanding the predictive power of with exquisite sensitivity. people as the traditional owners of the the universe, the notable query about whether or not Earthkind of imaginary-time evolution, which is akin to the algorithms we developed,” Motta said. When it began operating in 2013, observatory site. is alone. Breakthrough Initiatives is a multifaceted group that’s a cooling process,” Motta explained. “Suppose (Source: phys.org) the MWA was an array of 2,048 radio (Source: Science Daily) reinvigorating the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 10 HERITAGE & TOURISM DECEMBER 4, 2019

Iranian cuisine, culture attracts Iranian, Chinese provinces visitors at Slovenia exhibit

HERITAGE TEHRAN — Visitors to a Slovenian charity deskexhibition highly welcomed Iran’s stalls which seeking closer tourism ties turned the spotlight on the country’s cuisine, handicrafts, ancient traditions, and tourism destinations. TOURISM TEHRAN — The Irani- deskan province of Isfahan and the Chinese province of Guizhou have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to lay the ground for deepening tourism ties. The MOU was inked in Isfahan on Sun- day by Isfahan’s tourism chief, Fereydoun Allahyari, and director of the information center at Guizhou’s tourism administra- tion, Li Fang, IRIB reported. “Guizhou province in China, with a population of over 40 million, has great potential to establish ties with Isfahan and [in particular] for exchanging travelers,” Allahyari said. Iran’s stall offers visitors traditional Persian dishes at a one-day The Iranian official then reminded charity exhibit in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. that over 120 million Chinese nationals The one-day exhibition -- SILA’s 26th Annual Charity Bazaar annually travel to different parts of the — was held on Sunday at SILA (the Slovenian International Ladies world. “Considering the [high] rate of Association) in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. cultural and economic exchanges be- The Iranian embassy in Ljubljana set up two stalls at the event tween the two countries, we are looking with the aim of promoting arts and culture of the country as well to increase interactions, especially with as its travel destinations, IRNA reported. Isfahan province.” Exhibitors from 30 countries took part in SILA’s 26th Annual Elsewhere in his remarks, Allahyari noted, Charity Bazaar which was divided into two main sections, one “Given that Isfahan province has a wide range dedicated to culture, arts and handicrafts, and the other to local of cultural and natural attractions as well Travelers visit the 17th-century Chehel Sotoun (“Forty Columns”) palace in Isfahan. Built as a pleasure pavilion and reception foods and beverages. as medical tourism capacities, we hope this hall during the Safavid era, the royal structure is embraced by a well-manicured Persian-style garden. Turkey, Indonesia, Brazil, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Croatia, agreement would contribute to the tourism Ukraine, Uganda, Egypt, Hungary, France, Greece, Montenegro, boom in Isfahan, especially as we are ap- with many architectural wonders such as seeing it is relevant to seeing the whole cording to Lonely Planet, has remained Bosnia and Herzegovina, the U.S., Russia, India, Thailand, Peru, Brazil, proaching the Chinese New Year this winter.” unmatched Islamic buildings, bazaars, world. In its heyday it was also one of the largely unknown to travelers outside Sweden and Finland were among the participants, the report said. The official also pointed to the ancient museums, Persian gardens and tree-lined largest cities in the region with a population China. The province has two of the coun- SILA was originally established as a social group for the wives Silk Road as one of historical bonds that boulevards. It’s a city for walking, get- of nearly one million. The cool blue tiles try’s largest and most spectacular natural of diplomats and foreign businessmen stationed in the country. connects the nations together. ting lost in its mazing bazaars, dozing in of city’s Islamic buildings along with its features – a waterfall and a cave – while However, as times have changed so has the group, which is now open Isfahan was once a crossroad of in- beautiful gardens, and meeting people. majestic bridges, well-contrast with the outside the capital, Guiyang, it’s pretty not only to any foreign woman living in Slovenia, but also Slovenes, ternational trade and diplomacy in Iran The capital city of Isfahan has long encircling hot, dry Iranian countryside. much green hills and valleys, flowing a meeting point to share experiences, adventures and pleasures. and now it is one of Iran’s top tourist been nicknamed as Nesf-e-Jahan which is Despite being a popular destination rivers and limestone formations to the Organizers say while it’s the celebration of the foreign com- destinations for good reasons. It is filled translated into “half the world”; meaning with domestic travelers, Guizhou, ac- horizon. munity in Slovenia and the varied sights, sounds and flavors that will draw the crowds, the real focus of the bazaar is charity, with money raised by the prize draw and other means. Iran starts issuing electronic visas for Pakistani citizens 1 “The Iranian consulates based in Peshawar, Karachi, strictions to enter the U.S. Ancient puppy found in Lahore, and Quetta have worked day and night to ease visa In November 2017, the Islamic Republic started a pilot issuance process for pilgrims during the year, while last year project in a select of its airports, issuing electronic visas permafrost still has its Iranian embassies and consulates have issued millions of -- without any entry or exit stamps -- for those traveling to visas for Pakistani citizens.” the country, in a bid to facilitate tourist inflow and to cope fur and whiskers Some 150,000 Pakistani pilgrims annually visit Iran, with sanctions reimposed by the U.S. Tasnim reported. Iran welcomed some 7.8 million foreign nationals last A 18,000-year-old puppy, preserved in the Siberian permafrost, Earlier in June, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani issued year, which shows a 52.5 percent increase year on year. still has its nose, fur, teeth and whiskers – but DNA tests to deter- an order for the waiver of physical stamping on travelers’ According to a report by the World Travel & Tourism mine whether it is a dog or a wolf have come up blank, suggesting passports upon entering or leaving the country. Council, Iraq was the main source of tourism for Iran in it may represent a common ancestor of both. The decision is deemed to facilitate travels to the 2018, as Iraqis constituted 24% of all inbound visitors. The puppy’s remains were identified by researchers at a site country without fear of possible U.S. penalties as last Other major sources were Azerbaijan (17%), Turkey (8%), near Yakutsk in eastern Siberia, last year. Since then, a team at year Washington announced those travelers who would Pakistan (4%) and Bahrain (2%). The remaining 46% the Centre for Palaeogenetics, a joint venture between Stockholm visit certain countries including Iran would face re- came from the rest of the world. University and the Swedish Museum of Natural History, has been analysing a piece of the animal’s rib bone. So far, the researchers have determined that the animal is male. Team members estimate that he was 2 months old and Why airlines want you to go by train lived around 18,000 years ago. The puppy is now named Dogor, of passengers traveling between London France began collaborating with French a Yakutian word for “friend”. and Glasgow rose to a record 29% in 2019, rail company SNCF on high speed services But the researchers can’t tell if the puppy was a dog or a wolf. a move it says is due to people choosing between Paris and Brussels. If the animal is a dog, it may be the oldest ever found. But a re- rail over flight. On this super quick service, typically searcher on the team thinks it may represent a common ancestor Given that travel time on this 400 taking just over 80 minutes, Air France of both dogs and wolves. (Source: New Scientist) mile route is roughly 4.5 hours by train purchases a block of seats and admin- and about 1 hour 15 minutes by air (plus isters them as an airplane cabin, with ROUND THE GLOBE connection times), and the price points bags checked pre-journey and returned are relatively close, there could be some to passengers at destination. merit to the claim. The service “really provides an Air Komodo National Park It could also reflect the growing pop- France experience,” says airline spokes- Komodo National Park, located in the center of the Indonesian ularity of the recent Sweden-originating man Patrice Tetard. So much so that Air archipelago, between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores, is “Flygskam” or “flight shame” movement France has eradicated its Paris-Brussels composed of three major islands (Rinca, Komodo, and Padar) that has seen some championing rail travel air route altogether. and numerous smaller ones, all of them of volcanic origin. over short-haul flights. “It didn’t make sense to maintain air But does it represent a major trend that connections between Paris and Brussels, could change the way the world travels? the distance is too short,” explains Te- “I doubt it’s got the airline industry tard. “However there is still significant scared,” says Mark Smith of The Man in connecting traffic, which we wanted to Seat 61. “It’s more likely that the airlines capture. That is why we established this are going to look towards longer-haul and commercial relationship.” pull out of short haul.” Over in Germany, Lufthansa got rid of We might not all be Greta Thunberg, shun- PR” and “hard commercial reason.” Codeshare agreements with train com- its Frankfurt to Cologne short-haul due ning air travel for weeks-long odysseys “There is this trend towards lower car- panies also stop airlines from losing their to its successful codeshare alliance with aboard Atlantic yachts, but turning our bon travel and the airlines are aware that monopoly in a changing market. For cus- Deutsche Bahn under which passengers backs on short-haul flights in favor of train this is something they can be seen to be tomers, it’s also a chance to use or earn travel across the German countryside in travel is, for many of us, a more practical doing,” Smith tells CNN Travel. air miles and retain airline club status. dedicated compartments. enterprise. “This sort of nods towards that, whilst So what’s it like to travel on an air-rail “The passenger traveling with the train Rather than bemoaning the loss of actually there are sound commercial rea- codeshare? stays our customer, as he travels with a eco-conscious travelers, some airlines sons for doing it, by freeing up the long To make sure there’s no misunderstand- Lufthansa seem to be embracing this rail-orientat- haul slots.” ing, the airlines do make it clear from the So could such success stories mean the ed gear switch. KLM makes no secret of the business outset passengers are traveling by rail, end of the line for short-haul European Located at the juncture of two continental plates, this na- Dutch airline KLM recently announced sense behind cutting short haul Amster- printing it clearly on tickets. flights? tional park constitutes the “shatter belt” within the Wallacea plans to partner with European train com- dam-Brussels flights, but insists the move Different types of rail-train alliances It’s complicated. Biogeographical Region, between the Australian and Sunda panies Thalys and NS to replace one of its will help long-term sustainability and a offer different services. “The decisive factor here is always ecosystems. The property is identified as a global conservation five daily flights between Amsterdam and “fly responsibly” campaign that advises On board the Amsterdam-Brussels the alternative for our passengers,” says priority area, comprising unparalleled terrestrial and marine Brussels with a high-speed rail service. passengers to pack light and offset the trains, KLM promises to “fully match Austrian Airlines’ Steinmann. “The geo- ecosystems and covers a total area of 219,322 ha. Elsewhere in Europe, Austrian Airlines carbon emissions of their travel. the speed, reliability and comfort that graphical location and infrastructure play The dry climate has triggered specific evolutionary ad- is offering “AIRail,” another terrestrial “If we can really build a product that is air travel offers passengers.” a key role in this case. If it takes too long aptation within the terrestrial flora that range from open service in partnership -- or codeshare, in comparable to our current products, we “There will be a dedicated check-in desk for a passenger to travel the route by rail, grass-woodland savanna to tropical deciduous (monsoon) aviation parlance -- with that country’s will consider replacing more short-haul at Schiphol in 2020 to make the connection the right framework conditions have to forest and quasi cloud forest. The rugged hillsides and dry national rail operator OOB. In Germany, flights in the future,” KLM spokeswoman as smooth as possible for train passengers be created beforehand.” vegetation highly contrast with the sandy beaches and the Lufthansa has a collaboration with train Manel Vrijenhoek tells CNN Travel. from Brussels,” says Vrijenhoek. Speed is perhaps the most important blue coral-rich waters. network, Deutsche Bahn. By eliminating one in five of its Amster- Austrian Airlines’ AIRail service using factor. In instances where a train service The most remarkable inhabitant of Komodo National Park So are these down-to-earth moves by dam-Brussels flights departing Schiphol OBB trains between Vienna and Linz op- has killed off the equivalent flight route, is the Komodo Lizard, Varanus komodoensis. These giant air carriers being made for the sake of the Airport, KLM will play a part in the Dutch erates under designated flight numbers. it’s usually a high speed service known for lizards, existing no-where else in the world, are of great sci- environment, or the bottom line? air transport sector’s overall mission to Customers get food vouchers redeema- reliability, efficiency and high standards. entific interest, especially for their evolutionary implications. There’s clearly a business rationale. reduce C02 emissions by 35% by 2030, ble in the train restaurant, while biz class When only long, slower services are Most commonly known as ‘Komodo Dragons’, due to its Replacing short-haul flights with trains she adds. passengers can use OBB Lounges at Linz available, short-haul flights maintain the appearance and aggressive behavior, the Komodo Lizard, frees up landing and departure slots at “KLM is committed to driving a sustain- and Salzburg Central Station. upper hand. is the largest living species of lizard, growing to an average busy airports that can be used for more able future for aviation,” says Vrijenhoek. The service has operated since 2014 “Trains do not always provide satisfac- length of 2 to 3 meters. lucrative long-haul services. They also “Part of that commitment is that we want and is now a fixture of trans-European tory solutions to cater to the specific needs The species is the last representative of a relic population of make the airline look greener, even if to reduce our footprint?.” travel. of passengers, notably same-day return large lizards that once lived across Indonesia and Australia. As there’s no long-run difference to its car- As for travelers, the stats suggest people “Last year we canceled our flight service trips for business passengers,” says Air well as being home to the Komodo dragon, the Park provides bon footprint. are becoming more willing to look at train between Vienna and Linz as the rail offering France’s Tetard. a refuge for many other notable terrestrial species such as the As train expert Mark Smith, founder of travel for longer distances. was running well,” Leonhard Steinmann, The success stories also, unsurprising- orange-footed scrub fowl, an endemic rat, and the Timor deer. rail route encyclopedia The Man in Seat In the UK, Virgin Trains, which has a spokesman for Austrian Airlines, tells ly, involve cities that have airports with (Source: UNESCO) 61, puts it, airlines replacing flight routes operated the country’s West Coast railway CNN Travel. integrated rail stations. with train services combines both “good line for the past two decades, says its share Something similar happened when Air (Source: CNN) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 4, 2019 INTERNATIONAL 11

Trump was right before he was In Hong Kong, it’s U.S. vs. China now wrong: NATO should be obsolete By Patrick J. Buchanan At first glance, it would appear that five months of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong had produced By Medea Benjamin a stunning triumph. By September, the proposal of city leader Carrie The three smartest words that Donald Lam that ignited the protests – to allow criminal sus- Trump uttered during his presidential pects to be extradited to China for trial – had been campaign are “NATO is obsolete.” His withdrawn. adversary, Hillary Clinton, retorted that And though the protesters’ demands escalated along NATO was “the strongest military alliance with their tactics, from marches to mass civil disobe- in the history of the world.” Now that dience, Molotov cocktails, riots and attacks on police, Trump has been in power, the White House Chinese troops remained confined to their barracks. parrots the same worn line that NATO is Beijing wanted no reenactment of Tiananmen Square, “the most successful Alliance in history, the midnight massacre in the heart of Beijing that guaranteeing the security, prosperity, and drowned in blood the 1989 uprising for democratic freedom of its members.” But Trump was rights. right the first time around: Rather than In Hong Kong, the police have not used lethal force. being a strong alliance with a clear pur- In five months of clashes, only a few have perished. And pose, this 70-year-old organization that when elections came last month, Beijing was stunned is meeting in London on December 4 is a by the landslide victory of the protesters.Finally, last stale military holdover from the Cold War month, Congress passed by huge margins in both houses days that should have gracefully retired a Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act that many years ago. threatens sanctions on Hong Kong authorities should NATO was originally founded by the they crush the rebels.When President Donald Trump United States and 11 other Western na- signed the bills, the protesters now had the U.S. as an tions as an attempt to curb the rise of ally, and the Chinese reacted viscerally. communism in 1949. Six years later, An enraged Foreign Ministry declared: “The US Communist nations founded the Warsaw … openly backed violent criminals who rampantly Pact and through these two multilateral smashed facilities, set fire, assaulted innocent civilians, institutions, the entire globe became a trampled on the rule of law and jeopardized social Cold War battleground. When the USSR order.”This so-called bill will only make the Chinese collapsed in 1991, the Warsaw Pact dis- people … further understand the sinister intentions banded but NATO expanded, growing from and hegemonic nature of the United States. It will only its original 12 members to 29 member make the Chinese people more united and make the countries. North Macedonia, set to join American plot more doomed to failure.” next year, will bring the number to 30. Thus do the Hong Kong protesters appear victorious, NATO has also expanded well beyond questions the U.S. commitment to fight the time for NATO to shut up shop, give aggressive foreign policy that focuses on for now.Sunday, black-clad masked protesters were the North Atlantic, adding a partnership for Europe, has called NATO “brain dead” up, go home and go away.” peace, diplomacy, and economic engage- back in the streets, waving American flags, erecting with Colombia in 2017. Donald Trump and has proposed a European Army under A further complication is Scotland, ment instead of military force barricades, issuing new demands – for greater autono- recently suggested that Brazil could one the nuclear umbrella of France which is home to a very unpopular Tri- An additional major bone of conten- my for Hong Kong, the release of jailed protesters and day become a full member. Turkey has enraged NATO members dent nuclear submarine base as part of tion is who will pay for NATO. The last the punishment of police who used excessive force. NATO’s post-Cold War expansion with its incursion into Syria to attack the NATO’s nuclear deterrent. A new Labour time NATO leaders met, President Trump This confrontation is far from over. toward Russia’s borders, despite earli- Kurds, who have been Western allies in government would need the support of derailed the agenda by berating NATO er promises not to move eastward, has the fight against ISIS. And Turkey has the Scottish National Party. But its leader, countries for not paying their fair share led to rising tensions between Western threatened to veto a Baltic defense plan Nicola Sturgeon, insists that a precondition and at the London meeting, Trump is powers and Russia, including multiple until allies support its controversial incur- for her party’s support is a commitment expected to announce symbolic US cuts close calls between military forces. It sion into Syria. Turkey has also infuriated to close the base to NATO’s operations budget. has also contributed to a new arms race, NATO members, especially Trump, by Europeans can’t stand Trump (a re- Trump’s main concern is that mem- including upgrades in nuclear arsenals, purchasing Russia’s S-400 missile system cent poll found he is trusted by only 4 ber states step up to the NATO target and the largest NATO “war games” since Trump wants NATO to push back percent of Europeans!) and their leaders of spending 2 percent of their gross do- the Cold War. against China’s growing influence, in- can’t rely on him. Allied leaders learn of mestic products on defense by 2024, a While claiming to “preserve peace,” cluding the use of Chinese companies for presidential decisions that affect their goal that is unpopular among Europeans, NATO has a history of bombing civilians the construction of 5G mobile networks interests via Twitter. The lack of coordi- who prefer that their tax dollars to go for and committing war crimes. In 1999, NATO – something many NATO countries are nation was clear in October, when Trump nonmilitary items. Nevertheless, NATO engaged in military operations without UN unwilling to do ignored NATO allies when he ordered Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg will approval in Yugoslavia. Its illegal airstrikes Is Russia really NATO’s adversary? US special forces out of northern Syria, brag that Europe and Canada have add- during the Kosovo War left hundreds of France’s Macron has reached out to Russia, where they had been operating alongside ed $100 billion to their military budgets civilians dead. And far from the “North inviting Putin to discuss ways in which French and British commandos against since 2016 – something Donald Trump Atlantic,” NATO joined the United States the European Union can put the Crimean Islamic State militants will take credit for – and that more NATO in invading Afghanistan in 2001, where invasion behind it. Donald Trump has The US unreliability has led the Euro- officials are meeting the 2 percent goal, it is still bogged down two decades later. publicly attacked Germany over its Nord pean Commission to draw up plans for a even though a 2019 NATO report shows In 2011, NATO forces illegally invaded Stream 2 project to pipe in Russian gas, European “defense union” that will co- only seven members have done so: the Libya, creating a failed state that caused but a recent German poll saw 66 percent ordinate military spending and procure- US, Greece, Estonia, the UK, Romania, Instead, it has escalated, and the US government, masses of people to flee. Rather than take wanting closer ties with Russia ment. The next step may be to coordinate Poland and Latvia. having given up its posture of benevolent neutrality responsibility for these refugees, NATO The UK has bigger problems. Britain has military actions separate from NATO. In an age where people around the in favor of peaceful demonstrators for democracy, has countries have turned back desperate mi- been convulsed over the Brexit conflict and The Pentagon has complained about EU world want to avoid war and to fo- become an open ally of often-violent people who are grants on the Mediterranean Sea, letting is holding contentious national election countries purchasing military equipment cus instead on the climate chaos that battling Chinese police inside a Chinese city. thousands die. on December 12. British Prime Minister from each other instead of from the United threatens future life on earth, NATO On Monday, China retaliated, suspending visits to In London, NATO wants to show it is Boris Johnson, knowing that Trump is States, and has called this defense un- is an anachronism. It now accounts for Hong Kong by US military planes and Navy ships and ready to fight new wars. It will showcase its wildly unpopular, is reluctant to be seen ion “a dramatic reversal of the last three about three-quarters of military spending declaring sanctions on the National Endowment for readiness initiative – the ability to deploy as close to him. Also, Johnson’s major decades of increased integration of the and weapons dealing around the globe. Democracy, Freedom House and half a dozen other 30 battalions by land, 30 air squadrons contender, Jeremy Corbyn, is a reluctant transatlantic defense sector.” Instead of preventing war, it promotes US agencies that promote democracy for interfering in and 30 naval vessels in just 30 days, and supporter of NATO. While his Labour Do Americans really want to go to militarism, exacerbates global tensions the internal affairs of China.And there is another issue to confront future threats from China Party is committed to NATO, over his war for Estonia? Article 5 of the Treaty and makes war more likely. This Cold here – the matter of face.China has just celebrated and Russia, including with hypersonic career as an antiwar champion, Corbyn states that an attack against one member War relic shouldn’t be reconfigured to the 70th anniversary of the Revolution where Mao missiles and cyberwarfare. But far from has called NATO “a danger to world peace “shall be considered an attack against maintain US domination in Europe, or proclaimed, “China has stood up!” after a century of being a lean, mean war machine, NATO and a danger to world security.” The last them all,” meaning that the treaty obli- to mobilize against Russia or China, or foreign humiliations and occupations. is actually riddled with divisions and time Britain hosted NATO leaders in 2014, gates the US to go to war on behalf of 28 to launch new wars in space. It should Can Xi Jinping, already the object of a Maoist cult contradictions. Here are some of them: Corbyn told an anti-NATO rally that the nations – something most likely opposed not be expanded, but disbanded. Seventy of personality, accept US intervention in the internal French President Emmanuel Macron end of the Cold War “should have been by war-weary Americans who want a less years of militarism is more than enough. affairs of his country or a city that belongs to China? Not likely. Nor is China likely to accede to demands for greater sovereignty, self-determination or independence for Hong Kong. This would only raise hopes of the city’s eventual Why Tehran doesn’t talk to Washington? escape from its ordained destiny: direct rule by Beijing TEHRAN (FNA) — Despite Washing- are all enemies of Iran. when the 50-year China-U.K. treaty regarding the ton’s continuous denials, the CIA has a Things are going south in the US and it transfer of Hong Kong expires in 2047. long history of meddling in Iran’s internal takes a lot of effort for the Trumpsters to For XI to capitulate to the demands of Hong Kong’s affairs. claim otherwise. If the past mistakes are demonstrators could cause an outbreak of protests For instance, it supported the recent any indication, if the recent news about US in other Chinese cities and bring on a crisis of the violent protests in Iran. Back in 1953, it trying to sow discord and violence in Iran regime.XI Jinping is no Mikhail Gorbachev. He is helped to orchestrate the coup against are true, and if you think about it, Trump not going to let his people go. He is not going to risk democratically elected Prime Minister is doomed to a foreign policy failure that a revolution to overturn the Maoist Revolution he has Mohammad Mosaddegh. In the 1950s, the will repeat itself again and again, as did served his entire life. US and Britain opposed the nationalization all previous presidents, for US foreign A ruler committing the atrocities XI is committing of Iran’s oil industry as well. They passed policy delusions are static things, colonial today in the concentration camps in the Uighur regions a resolution at the UN Security Council readings of already written papers. You of China is staying his hand in Hong Kong only so the and imposed economic sanctions on Iran. can surely see by now that by doing the world and the West cannot see the true face of the They adopted a similar policy against the exact same thing his predecessors did, ideology in which this true believer believes. nationalization of Iran’s nuclear industry Trump’s anti-Iran presidency is doomed In providing moral support for protesters in Hong and imposed similar sanctions. Perhaps, to this same humiliation and error. Kong who desire the freedoms we enjoy, America is on this is why even President Trump once It is wishful thinking, therefore, to the right side. But to align the US with the protesters’ famously said, “Iran has total disregard expect the New York billionaire to ana- cause, and threaten sanctions if their demands are not for the United States.” lyse and correct America’s past mistakes met, is to lead these demonstrators to make demands The New York billionaire, who during continues to have “total disregard” for Those who disregard this reality have regarding Iran before they paralyze his that Hong Kong’s rulers cannot meet and China will his presidential campaign more or less the United States, it’s because the US made huge spending to buy arms and own future and legacy. He won’t kick not allow.We should ask ourselves some questions promised a non-interventionist foreign has once again earned it. If the Trump security, but later came to realize that out the past errors of the establishment before we declare our solidarity with the protesters policy, continues to repeat the anti-Iran administration does not like Iran’s disre- they have been fooled. foreign policy and whatever turns out to engaging the Hong Kong police. rhetoric, promoted by war capital Wash- gard it should redeem itself. After signing Trump has to stop upping the ante with follow the populist right on an increasingly If the police crush them, or if China’s army moves ington and his cabinet members, accusing the nuclear deal in 2015, Iran showed economic terrorism, spying networks, destabilised planet. As previously, the in and crushes the demonstrators whose hopes were Tehran of supporting terrorism and dest- a new road to the US towards conflict military threats, and support for violent past Iran policy mistakes, including CIA’s raised by America’s declared solidarity, then what are abilising the Middle East. He binned the resolution. Quite the contrary, it was the protesters. The man who lies to himself clandestine operations and regime-change we prepared to do to save them and their cause?Are nuclear deal and has backed away from US that began throwing stones at Iran and listens to his own lies has come to fantasies, will repeat themselves and we willing to impose sanctions on Beijing, such as we his insistence that he doesn’t want war by refusing to fully commit itself to the a point that he cannot distinguish the there’s so much more to come. have on Venezuela, Iran and Vladimir Putin’s Russia? with an already heavily sanctioned Iran, historic deal. truth within him, or around him. If Trump In the coming decades, count on one Some of us yet recall how the Voice of America saying now of the war, “It could go either Trump is desperate to convince the is serious about fighting terrorism and thing: Iran will continue to uphold that broadcast to the Hungarian rebels of 1956 that if they way, and I’m OK either way it goes.” world that Iran is a threat and undem- ensuring security in the Persian Gulf, America cannot be trusted at all, and that rose up and threw the Russians out, we would be at their The new saga to support the recent ocratic. His talking point is filled with he should withdraw all US troops. It’s there is no change in its hostility toward side. The Hungarians rose up. We did nothing. And violent protests in Iran, however, signals unutterable loathing, as in factual real- the real obvious. Iran has never attacked Iran. The bottom line is that there is no one of the great bloodbaths of the Cold War ensued. a marked escalation of tensions. This is ity Iran is at the forefront of the reason any neighbour and the terrorist groups advantage for Tehran to resume ties with Are we telling the protesters of Hong Kong, “We’ve not total nonsense. In response, if Iran why there is security in the Persian Gulf. of ISIL, Al-Qaeda, and their off-shoots war capital Washington. got your back!” when we really don’t? I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 12 SOCIETY DECEMBER 4, 2019

Tehran parks, bus stations Hour al-Azim wetland hosting more accessible for persons with disabilities SOCIETY TEHRAN — Tehran Municipality has improved flocks of migratory birds deskaccessibility of persons with disabilities to 66 TEHRAN — Hour al- parks and 139 bus stations. ENVIRONMENT deskAzim wetland is hosting The parks have been equipped with accessible entrance, flocks of migratory birds this year again after routes, sports and playgrounds, cafeterias, benches, sanitary years of water scarcity and no bird migration. facilities, praying rooms, other amenities and buildings, IRNA Hour al-Azim wetland, located in south- quoted deputy mayor for urban services, Mojtaba Yazdani, as western province of Khuzestan, is an important saying on Monday. wetland on the border of Iran and Iraq, which was dried up and turned to a major sand and dust storm hotspot due to oil sector projects and not being granted its water right. While above normal rainfall led to water flow in the wetland and caused many migra- tory birds flying over the area again to stay during the cold season. Some special bird species exclusively migrate to the wetland, including, lesser white-fronted goose, ferruginous duck and darters or snakebirds. The situation of water reserve has improved in Hour al-Azim wetland since mid-November due to filled Karkheh Dam and end of water harvesting for summer cultivation, Seyed Adel Mola, Khuzestan’s department of en- vironment deputy chief, has said. It is planned to make 44 other parks accessible for persons with He went on to say that many bird species disabilities by the end of this year (March 20, 2020), he stated. have migrated to the wetland, and the presence Some 15 playgrounds for physically challenged children, 110 of prominent species such as pelicans, African sport spaces in the parks for people with disabilities, and other sacred ibis, crested duck, ferruginous duck projects are among the measures in this regard, he stated. and marble ducks have been recorded so far. Meanwhile, deputy mayor for urban planning and architec- A good population of flamingos is also ob- ture, Abdolreza Golpaygani, said that 139 bus stations have been served in the wetland, he further highlighted. Above normal rainfall led to water flow in the wetland and made accessible for this group of the society. He added that 80 to 85 percent of the caused many migratory birds flying over the area again to stay He added that 182 bus stations in the capital required retrofit- wetland is filled with water, but eastern part ting, 139 of which have so far been equipped with the necessary during the cold season. of it is still dry. infrastructure, he highlighted. “Although roads are still a limiting factor bring more water into the wetland,” he said. to Iraqi part of the wetland which have not to 20 cubic meters of water enter the Iraqi Majlis [the Iranian parliament] approved both general out- for water flow in the wetland, we hope rainfall There are three fractures on the boundary yet been repaired, which cause a total of 18 part of the wetland, he concluded. lines and details of a bill on rights of persons with disabilities in January 2018. The law provides better living conditions for persons with disabilities to no longer feel isolated, additionally, development of disability-friendly cities, health insurance and FAO reaffirms readiness to assist Iran in sustainable soil management employment are some of the articles of the law. FAO Representative to Iran, Gerold Bödeker, said that the “Erosion causes the removal of the fertile surface soil Organization is looking forward to further collaboration horizon, incorporation of denser subsoil into the surface with Iranian Government in sustainable management of layer, and a decrease in the rooting zone of the soil; a Smuggling out medicine soil and natural resources. sequence that adversely affects crop growth and yield,” Speaking at the World Soil Day event, organized by the he added. increased in Iran Ministry of Agriculture on Tuesday, Bödeker said that “FAO As per the latest report published by FAO, the impact urges its member states to adopt policies motivating the wide of erosion on global crop yields has been estimated to be a spectrum of stakeholders in pursuing farming approaches reduction by 0.4 percent per year. The report asserts that SOCIETY TEHRAN — Smuggling medicine out of the desk that promote the sustainable management of soil,” adding soil erosion contributes to the pollution of waterways and country has increased due to depreciation of “agro-ecology, conservation agriculture, organic farming, releases soil organic carbon from the soil. the Iranian rial against foreign currencies which has lowered zero tillage farming and agroforestry,” are among the main Bödeker in his concluding remarks underscored that medicine costs inside the country, Mohammad Reza Shanehsaz, practices advocated by FAO in this regard. observing World Soil Day presents an opportunity to head of Food and Drug Administration, has said. FAO Representative to Iran emphasized that the soil recognize the value of our soils for soil productive ca- In addition to the traffickers who seize the opportunity to make is a finite resource, meaning its loss is not recoverable pacity as well as its contribution to food security and the higher profits and export medicines available on the market in within a human lifespan. maintenance of key ecosystem services. “As highlighted various ways, foreign and domestic He further noted that “Erosion is the greatest threat by this year’s theme, we need to work hard to ‘Stop Soil travelers also carry suitcases contain- to soil health and soil ecosystem services in many re- Erosion’ in order to ‘Save Our Future’.” ing medicines as lucrative items for gions of the world.” (Source: FAO) selling abroad, he lamented. Many of these people, of course, do not sell or smuggle these medi- cines out of the country and their Air pollution and the war of wills relatives in neighboring countries 1 In its newest report the Majlis Re- a city full of outdated motorbikes. On November 15, when the government is needed. The campaign against air pollution may need them, such as diabetes Reducing air pollution entails the coop- decided to increase petrol price, which entails cooperation by every single citizen to patients who need insulin which search Center said “more than 2.6 million below Euro 4 standards sedans are currently eration of different government bodies such is still much cheaper than its real value, those at the top managerial posts. is costly in neighboring countries, as municipalities in developing public trans- a great majority of citizens, no matter From those farmers who burn straw stubble he noted. moving around the capital city.” Motorbikes, which their number reaches portation system, environment departments in which part of the country they live, up to those citizens who use private cars even While some of these people who in enforcing environment-friendly laws, or reacted negatively. for short distances or heat their houses above take medicines out of the country for hundreds of thousands in the metropolis of Tehran, should also be blamed. industry ministry in obliging companies Though the government did not increase a certain temperature in cold days as well as their family members do not think to produce fuel efficient cars and standard petrol price because of air pollution, it can those companies that produce fuel-inefficient that it has dire consequences for the country and patients in need Even some experts believe that each motorbike, because of its faulty combustion motorbikes. help reduce the pace of ever-increasing con- and substandard vehicles and those officials of the medicines, he said, IRNA reported on Tuseday. It also needs cooperation by the citizens. sumption of petrol at least for some months. who have been hesitant to bring fuel prices to “So, we have expanded cooperation with the police, customs system, produces gas emissions much more than a car. For example, in the recent days They can be encouraged to avoid using private Air pollution is a monster that its defeat is the market value must realize that the health and border officials to counter this issue,” he noted, concluding, cars at least on smoggy days. not easy. A strong will and continuous effort of citizens is above anything else. although medicine smuggling seizures have increased, unfor- the density of air pollution was high in Qom, tunately smuggling pharmaceuticals has increased generally. WORDS IN THE NEWS World must stop ‘war against nature’, UN chief says The world must stop a “war against nature” and find more it is possible,” Mr Guterres said ahead of the 2-13 De- pre-industrial levels. Afghanistan’s loya jirga political will to combat climate change, United Nations sec- cember summit. Many countries are not even meeting those commitments, retary general Antonio Guterres has said ahead of the start “We simply have to stop digging and drilling and take and political will is lacking, Mr Guterres said. (June 12, 2002) of a two-week global climate summit in Madrid. advantage of the vast possibilities offered by renewable en- President Donald Trump for his part has started with- Afghanistan’s traditional government assembly - the loya jirga - Around the world, extreme weather ranging from wildfires ergy and nature-based solutions.” drawing the US from the Paris Agreement, while the de- finally opened on Tuesday 11th June after 24 hours’ delay. It’s the to floods is being linked to manmade global warming, putting Cuts in emissions of greenhouse gases – mostly from forestation of the Amazon basin – a crucial carbon reservoir first such meeting in nearly forty years. This report from Pam O’Toole pressure on the summit to strengthen the implementation of burning carbon-based fossil fuels – that have been agreed – is accelerating and China has tilted back towards building The current interim administration was shoehorned together at the 2015 Paris Agreement on limiting the rise in temperature. so far under the Paris deal are not enough to limit temper- more coal-fired power plants. a UN sponsored conference in Bonn last December. It was regarded “Our war against nature must stop, and we know that ature rises to a goal of between 1.5 and 2 degrees above (Source: The Independent) as an emergency measure and wasn’t entirely representative of the Afghan population, particularly the largest ethnic group, the Pashtuns. This loya jirga is intended to legitimize the power sharing arrangement set up in Bonn and begin to iron out at least some of the inequalities ENGLISH IN USE in representation. Some progress has been made. Many delegates have been freely elected by their home districts and seats have been LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION set aside for previously under represented, or un-represented, groups, such as women. But the last minute addition of extra places also means that Afghanistan’s powerful warlords-some of whom were accused of trying to fix earlier rounds of voting - will Water drenches 18,000 ha of 18 هزار هکتار از بستر هامون صابوری آبگیری شد .also have seats in the tent Over recent days, a power struggle again erupted over the Hamoun-e Sabori wetland role of Afghanistan’s former King, Mohamed Zahir Shah, with Hamoun-e Sabori wetland on the Iran-Afghanistan border has been رئیــس اداره دریایــی اداره کل حفاظــت محیــط زیســت سیســتان و بلوچســتان گفــت: his supporters pushing for him to be named as head of state in 18 the new administration. That would run counter to the wishes saturated, as rainwater flowed over 18,000 hectares of the wetland, هــزار هکتــار از بســتر هامــون صابــوری ایــران در جریــان بــارش هــای اخیــر آبگیــری شــد. -of the powerful ethnic Tajiks from the Northern Alliance who Mohammad Reza Alimoradi, head of marine affairs at the Sistan hold most of the key roles in the interim government and who are محمــد رضــا علیمــرادی روز شــنبه در گفــت و گــو بــا خبرنــگار ایرنــا اظهار داشــت: این .supporting its current leader, Hamid Karzai, as future head of state. Baluchestan provincial department of environment has announced اتفــاق پــس از آبگیــری کامــل هامــون صابــوری افغانســتان بــه ســمت صابــوری ایــران Words “Water entered 18,000 hectares of the wetland in the country, after the interim administration: a government appointed for a short afghan part has been soaked in water,” Alimoradi said, IRNA reported time until something more permanent is arranged صــورت گرفته اســت. .iron out: get rid of on Saturday set aside: kept available for a specific purpose under represented, or un-represented groups: parts of the population which don’t have enough power in government, or have no power last minute: left until very late in the process PREFIX/SUFFIX PHRASAL VERB IDIOM to fix:here, to arrange unfairly that your candidate wins power struggle: here, disagreement between different groups “-fest” Narrow something down Cream rises to the top wanting control Meaning: gathering Meaning: to reduce the number of things included Explanation: Someone or something exceptionally good erupted: began suddenly and intensely in a range will eventually attract attention or stand out from the rest pushing for: if you push for something, you try very hard to achieve it For example: It’s a horror mystery, rather than a counter to: against gorefest. For example: The police have narrowed down their For example: I knew you’d succeed. As the saying (Source: BBC) list of suspects. goes: ‘cream rises to the top’! I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 4, 2019 WORLD IN FOCUS 13

Trump enters war of words between Corbyn: I Wish NATO Didn’t Exist Macron, Erdogan According to the media report, the Tories hope to use what they claim is Labor’s lack of support for the UK military as the U.S. President Donald Trump has entered a Spring in northeastern Syria, after Trump center of their political campaign this week. war of words between his French and Turkish said American troops would withdraw from Corbyn, in his first major foreign policy speech on Sunday, counterparts, saying Emmanuel Macron’s the region. remarked that he wanted the next UK government to push NATO remark that NATO was brain dead was “very, Turkey said it wanted to create a safe to soften its stance on Russia, and stop leaning on the United very nasty” and “disrespectful”. zone to protect the country against Kurd- States for support. Macron made the comment in a November ish “terror” groups and ISIL, where it could If Labor wins the 12 December election, the party will “work 7 interview with The Economist, as he criti- relocate Syrian refugees. Ankara considers for the alliance to reduce tensions in Europe and beyond”, Corbyn cized a lack of coordination between NATO the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) noted, which may be the focus of the next week’s NATO summit members over Turkey’s recent operation in as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ in London. Syria. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Er- Party (PKK), which has waged an insurgen- The Tories hope to attack Labor’s perceived lack of support dogan later responded, challenging Macron cy against Turkey for 35 years and is des- for Britain and undermining of the military at the heart of their to check his own “brain death”. ignated a terrorist organization by Turkey, campaign this week. Trump, speaking to reporters in London the U.S. and EU. On Sunday, Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said Mr. Corbyn on Tuesday alongside NATO Secretary Gen- The YPG forms the main component of was ‘Putin’s useful idiot’ for undermining NATO. eral Jens Stoltenberg, said Macron’s assess- the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). But the Wallace said that the Labor leader’s ‘long record of siding with ment of the military alliance was “insulting militia, a U.S. ally, was crucial in the fight Russia’ is unpatriotic and renders him unfit to be Prime Minister. to a lot of different forces”. against ISIL, and several NATO leaders hit The former British Army officer says the Leader of the Op- “It’s a tough statement, though, back at Ankara by suspending arms sales position ‘is not a man capable of making the decisions we need when you make a statement like that, to Turkey while others, including France, to defend this nation’. that is a very, very nasty statement worried that the operation risked ISIL fight- Mr. Wallace told The Mail on Sunday: ‘I know that in dan- to essentially 28, including them, 28 ers escaping. gerous situations the decision to pull the trigger is taken in a countries,” he said. Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst Mar- heartbeat. There is no time for a committee or a lawyer. It is Trump also said he would not allow France handbags and other French products. “a great purpose”. wan Bishara said: “Clearly from the way just you on your own. to take advantage of American companies French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire Several world leaders are in the English leaders are approaching [NATO], they don’t ‘Just the time to aim and squeeze. In that split second our after a U.S. government investigation found branded the U.S. threat unacceptable and capital for a two-day NATO meeting cele- seem to be optimistic themselves. security forces need to know that their political leaders have France’s new digital services tax would harm said the French tax did not discriminate brating 70 years of the alliance. “They don’t see eye to eye on the their backs.’ U.S. technology companies. against American companies. Queen Elizabeth will host them at Buck- challenges facing the West or the NATO (Source: FNA) “It’s not right to be taken advantage of on “In case of new American sanctions, the ingham Palace later on Tuesday evening. alliance. NATO and also then to be taken advantage European Union would be ready to retaliate,” The official leaders’ meeting will take “Macron was saying that NATO has lost of on trade, and that’s what happens. We Le Maire told Radio Classique. place on Wednesday, in Watford at the its raison d’etre, its reason for existence - can’t let that happen,” he said. He later told a press conference: “We Grove Hotel. what he’s saying is that if Turkey and the German court annuls de In response, the French government said are not targeting any country.” The gathering comes little more than a U.S. are going to act on their own without on Tuesday that France and the European Trump struck a more conciliatory tone week before the UK holds a general election, consulting NATO members on something facto armored vehicles Union are ready to retaliate if Trump acts regarding NATO, the 29-member organi- on December 12. as important as Syria, then why do we have on a threat to impose duties of up to 100 zation he has previously heavily criticized, NATO came under scrutiny in October NATO?” export ban to Saudi Arabia percent on $2.4bn in imports of champagne, saying it was more “flexible” now and serves when Turkey launched Operation Peace (Source: al Jazeera) A German court Tuesday annulled a de facto export ban on a producer of armored vehicles to Saudi Arabia which the gov- ernment had imposed following the killing of Saudi journalist UK Party manifestos all have ‘unclear and unrealistic Brexit goals’, Think Tank says in report Jamal Khashoggi. The think tank finds even under the scenario of a Con- a referendum in six months, which is judged “exceedingly The German government authority for exports control had failed to servative Brexit leading to a free trade agreement, there’d demanding”, as the Constitution Unit estimates it takes meet formal requirements when it withdrew an export permission for be an annual fiscal shortfall of at least £6 billion and around 22 weeks for Parliament to legislate for a referendum 110 armored vehicles to the Royal Saudi Land Forces, an administrative potentially as much as £20 billion. A World Trade Or- and for all the formalities to be sorted out. court in Frankfurt said. ganization exit from December 2020 could push that as ?In respect of the UK-EU relationship, the Conservatives The court did not identify the company that had brought the case high as £28 billion. aim to have 80 percent of UK trade covered by free trade and said the ruling was not yet definitive and could still be appealed. Analysis conducted of major UK political party manifes- agreements within the next three years, starting with the The economy ministry, which supervises the exports supervision tos reveals their various stances on Brexit to be “vague and US, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. office, was not immediately available for comment. potentially unrealistic”, especially in respect of the economic “This is extremely optimistic, particularly given pro- (Source: Daily Star) impact of Brexit on the economy, research by academic spective partners will first ask about the nature of the UK’s think tank The UK in a Changing Europe has revealed. relationship with the EU,” the report says. The report, Brexit: the manifestos uncovered, states that Conversely, Labor’s proposal to put its deal on the UK’s while Brexit will shape the UK’s economic, regulatory and future relationship with the EU to the people is deemed World has not done enough trading relationship with the EU for the foreseeable future, “misleading”, as the UK can only negotiate its divorce over Khashoggi killing: UN neither the Conservatives nor Labor actually address how agreement now – any political declaration dealing with regulatory alignment on goods. Brexit would “affect their wider economic strategies and the future, isn’t legally binding. May also wanted to maintain the possibility of par- investigator ambitions”. The report also highlights some key differences be- ticipating in a range of EU agencies and programmes, Key examples of unclear, unfeasible, misleading and tween the deal struck by Theresa May with the EU and which the current manifesto doesn’t mention. There The world has not done enough to ensure justice is done over missing statements include the Conservatives ruling out Boris Johnson’s. For instance, the current prime minister moreover isn’t a single reference in the Conservative the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a special UN extending transition beyond 2020 and failing to discuss “wants a far looser relationship” with the EU than his manifesto to maintaining security co-operation with investigator said on Tuesday. what will happen if a trade deal is not secured by then, and predecessor, whose deal talked about building on customs the EU. Agnes Callamard, the United Nations rapporteur for extra- Labor’s proposal to negotiate a new Brexit deal and hold arrangements and held out the prospect of significant (Source: Sputnik) judicial executions, called for more action from the European Union and the United States over Khashoggi’s murder by Saudi operatives at Riyadh’s consulate in Istanbul in 2018. “I think it is important to recognize that the international Why Germany turned its back on parallel coalitions in Strait of Hormuz community so far has failed in its duty to ensure that there cannot 1 depends on the approval of the parliament. British model, which limits the coalition to Iran has approved none of the coalitions, be immunity or impunity for the killing of Jamal Khashoggi,” The European coalition: From This issue has become a challenge for Berlin the will of the European countries, regardless and Germany has not participated in any Callamard told reporters in Brussels. idea to implementation in accompanying Paris. of direct dependence on the EU and NATO. of them. Callamard is seeking an international criminal investigation On November 24, France’s Defense Min- Germany constrained by law According to the German law, the country At the beginning the U.S. expected 60 instead of a Saudi trial, but Riyadh has rejected her request. ister Florence Parly announced that a French From the earliest days when the U.S. was is only allowed to participate in a foreign countries to join the coalition which was Hatice Cengiz, who had been due to marry Khashoggi, ac- naval base in Abu Dhabi will serve as the inviting states to create a maritime coalition mission if that mission is defensible from launched under the command of a headquar- companied Callamard on a trip to Brussels which she said was headquarters for a European-led mission in the Persian Gulf region, German Foreign the perspective of a “system based on mutual ters in Bahrain in November. At the present intended to remind people they were still seeking justice. to protect Persian Gulf. Minister Heiko Maas opposed the move and collective security” within the framework the time, just Britain, Australia, Albania, Saudi Khashoggi was a U.S. resident and a critic of Saudi Crown Although her announcement formalized insisted on the need to follow diplomacy to EU, NATO and the UN. Therefore, partici- Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain have joined Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Eleven Saudi suspects have been the UAE as the headquarters of European-led reduce tensions in order to preserve the JCPOA. pation in the coalition proposed by France the U.S.-led coalition. put on trial over his death in secretive proceedings. A report by mission, the decision had been anticipated much Germany, like France, was also looking for is not justified from the perspective of the The European coalition has also failed at Callamard has called for the crown prince and other senior Saudi earlier and was stated in the August reports. a European initiative, but what is important German law. the outset due to legal obstacles in certain officials to be investigated. It was reported that Italy, Spain, Nor- now is that Berlin has apparently broken its On the other hand, Berlin’s reason for countries in Europe. The death caused a global uproar, tarnishing the crown prince’s way, Belgium and Sweden were expected to promise and left Paris halfway. refusing to join the U.S.-led maritime coalition Meanwhile, Defense Minister Parly af- image. The CIA and some Western governments have said they accompany France, while the Netherlands But does the decision by Germany ruin was not just to preserve the Iran nuclear deal. firmed European and U.S. coordination in believe Prince Mohammed ordered the killing, but Saudi officials was not sure to join the European-led naval the future of the European coalition? Legal restraint was also a matter. parallel missions in the Strait of Hormuz. At say he had no role. mission or the U.S.-led coalition. On No- It should be said that, despite refusing Unlike France and Britain, sending forces the same time, Parly accused Washington The EU called on the first anniversary of Khashoggi’s killing vember 25, the Dutch government formally to join the coalition, Berlin still politically outside Germany has to be done with the of being indifferent to what happened in the for “full accountability for all those responsible” and said there announced its decision to accompany its supports it. What prevents Berlin from joining consent of parliament, and almost all Ger- Middle East in the summer, including the must be a “credible and transparent” investigation. European partners. Therefore, the Nether- the coalition is the country’s constitution. man parties are opposed to joining a U.S. incidents of Fujairah port and Oman Sea, The United States has called for Saudi Arabia to show tangible lands will contribute a ship to the French-led In fact, Germany has set a precondition mission against Iran. as well as downing of a U.S. drone. progress toward holding those behind the killing to account. naval mission in the Strait of Hormuz for a for its support of the plan. Germany says The fight over establishing security in The comments by Parly, in addition to (Source: Reuters) six-month period starting in January 2020. the French-led initiative must turn into an the Strait of Hormuz represents a small part what French President Emmanuel Macron However, for some European countries “EU mission”. In the current context, the of the NATO disputes. Currently, there are had recently said about NATO’s brain death, 2010s hottest decade in participating in any extraterritorial mission initial core of the plan is still based on the two parallel coalitions in the Persian Gulf. further fuels the domestic crisis within NATO. history: UN

This decade is set to be the hottest in history, the United Nations Turkey threatens to block NATO’s Baltic defence plan said Tuesday in an annual assessment outlining the ways in which Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened veto rights, politically and militarily, and there are climate change is outpacing humanity’s ability to adapt to it. to reject NATO’s so-called defense plan for the Baltic procedures here,” he said. “There is no such thing The World Meterological Organization said global temperatures states and Poland if the Western military alliance fails as Turkey blackmailing — a statement like that is so far this year were 1.1 degrees Celsius (two degrees Farenheit) to recognize groups that Ankara deems terrorists. unacceptable.” above the pre-industrial average, putting 2019 on course to be Erdogan made the remarks on Tuesday before his Turkey, NATO’s second largest standing military in the top three warmest years ever recorded. departure from Ankara for NATO’s 70th anniversary force, wants the alliance to formally classify the Kurd- Manmade emissions from burning fossil fuels, building infra- summit in London. ish-led YPG, the main component of the U.S.-backed structure, growing crops and transporting goods mean 2019 is The president said that he had spoken on the phone Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as a terrorist group. set to break the record for atmospheric carbon concentrations, with his Polish counterpart, Andrzej Duda, and agreed Ankara is angry over NATO member states’ support locking in further warming, the WMO said. to meet him as well as leaders of the Baltic states in for the YPG, which Turkey says is tied to homegrown Oceans, which absorb 90 percent of the excess heat produced by London for talks on the plan. autonomy-seeking Kurdish militants. greenhouse gases, are now at their highest recorded temperatures. “With pleasure, we can come together and discuss On the sidelines of the NATO summit, Erdogan The world’s seas are now a quarter more acidic than 150 years these issues there as well,” he said. “But if our friends will attend a four-way meeting with British Prime ago, threatening vital marine ecosystems upon which billions of at NATO do not recognize as terrorist organizations Minister Boris Johnson, German Chancellor Angela people rely for food and jobs. those we consider terrorist organizations ... we will Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron on In October, the global mean sea level reached its highest stand against any step that will be taken there.” Tuesday. on record, fuelled by the 329 billion tonnes of ice lost from the NATO envoys need formal approval by all 29 mem- During the meeting, the Turkish leader is expected defense plan for the Baltics and Poland. Greenland ice sheet in 12 months. bers for the Baltic initiative, which is meant to defend to demand that Europe endorse his plan for a “safe In an interview with Reuters, he warned Ankara Each of the last four decades has been hotter than the last. three Baltic countries – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania zone” in northern Syria. that “not everybody sees the threats that they see” And far from climate change being a phenomenon for future – and Poland against alleged threats from Russia. He will also seek an EU donation for the reconstruc- and that he would not support labeling the YPG as generations to confront, the effects of humanity’s insatiable, A Turkish security source said on Monday that his tion of northern Syria and complain that Turkey has terrorists. growth-at-any cost consumption means millions are already country is not “blackmailing” NATO with its rejection been left alone in its fight against terror, particularly “The message to Turkey ... is we need to move counting the damage. of the plan, stressing that Ankara has full veto rights against the YPG. forward on these response plans and it can’t be held The report said more than 10 million people were internally for any proposal within the alliance. On Monday, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper up by their own particular concerns,” Esper said. displaced in the first half of 2019 – seven million directly due to “NATO is an institution where Turkey has full urged Turkey to stop holding up support for the NATO (Source: RT) extreme weather events such as storms, flooding and drought. (Source: AFP) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 14 WORLD SPORTS DECEMBER 4, 2019

Federer to have Swiss coin Messi wins sixth Ballon d’Or as minted in his honour

Tennis great Roger Federer is to become the first living Swiss to have a coin minted in their honour, with a commemorative Rapinoe takes women’s prize 20 franc (15.64 pounds) silver piece bearing his image being issued in January. Lionel Messi said he hoped to carry on Messi has scored 46 goals in 54 matches The 38-year-old 20-time Grand Slam champion is regarded undimmed by age after claiming a record so far in 2019, and netted 36 times in total in by many as the greatest tennis player ever and is a national sixth men’s Ballon d’Or award at the age of 34 La Liga matches last season as Barcelona hero in Switzerland. 32 in Paris on Monday, while USA World won the title. Swissmint confirmed that 55,000 of the coins, featuring Cup superstar Megan Rapinoe took the He did not enjoy a successful Copa Federer delivering a backhand, will be produced and will be women’s prize. America with Argentina but was also the available for pre-order from Tuesday until Dec. 19. Rapinoe was not at the Chatelet Theatre top scorer in last season’s Champions League “Roger Federer’s sporting achievements, his charitable in the French capital, unable to make the with 12 goals. commitments, his easy-going nature and his accessibility to trip back to the country where she led the ‘Incredible year’ for Rapinoe his fans have prompted Swissmint to dedicate this 20-franc USA to victory in July. This is just the second year that a women’s silver coin to him – the first time it has done so with a living However, Messi was there with his Ballon d’Or -- voted for by 48 journalists -- person,” a Swissmint spokesperson told Reuters. wife, Antonella Roccuzzo, and two of their has been awarded, with Rapinoe succeeding With demand expected to be high, Swissmint said another children. It is Messi’s first Ballon d’Or since Norway’s Ada Hegerberg. 40,000 coins could be issued in May while a 50 franc gold coin, 2015 and his sixth overall as he moves one Rapinoe was the star of the Women’s featuring a different design would also be produced next year. ahead of old rival Cristiano Ronaldo. World Cup on, and off, the field, winning the “Thank you Switzerland and Swissmint for this incredible “It is 10 years since I won my first Ballon Golden Boot for top scorer, with six goals, honour and privilege,” Federer wrote on Twitter. d’Or here in Paris and I remember coming and Golden Ball for best player. This year’s commemorative Swiss coins included the 50th here with my three brothers, I was 22 and She scored the opening goal as the USA anniversary of the moon landings, the Furka Pass and the roe it was all unthinkable for me what I was beat the Netherlands 2-0 in the final. deer. The most recent sports-themed commemorative coin going through,” Messi said on stage after But the 34-year-old feminist icon made came out in 2015 and celebrated Hornussen — a traditional receiving the award from last year’s winner headlines with her outspoken criticism of Swiss sport played by farmers involving a puck and a stick. Luka Modric. Van Dijk comes second the voting for FIFA’s equivalent prize, The US President Donald Trump during the (Source: Reuters) “I hope I have several years left to keep The Barcelona number 10 won this Best, in September. tournament and has led calls for her team to enjoying my football. I am aware of the age year’s prize -- organized by France Football “Unfortunately there are a couple of be paid the same as their male counterparts. I have and these moments are all the more magazine and voted for by a panel of players like him who are a bit unnatural. “It’s been an incredible year,” said Real Madrid join the Climate enjoyable because the moment when I have journalists from around the world -- ahead Six times Ballon d’Or -- you need to respect Rapinoe in a recorded video message. Summit to retire is getting closer and that is difficult. of Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, with greatness as well,” said Van Dijk. “I want to say a huge thank you to my “All going well I’ll have several years left Ronaldo third. Van Dijk was one of four Liverpool team-mates, the coaches, the US Soccer Acanvas has been unveiled on the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu but at the moment time seems to be flying It is the first time since 2010 that Ronaldo players in the top 10, with Sadio Mane Federation, for all of the support to allow in order to win the 25th United Nations conference on climate and everything is happening very quickly. has failed to rank in the top two. fourth, Mohamed Salah fifth and goalkeeper me to be who I am and do what I do on the change. “I hope to keep enjoying my football, Having starred in the Liverpool team Alisson seventh. The latter won a new prize field but also be the person who I am off The canvas is micro perforated and flame retardant, measur- my family, facing my rivals and all of this that won the Champions League, Van Dijk for the goalkeeper of the year, named after the field.” ing 35.77 metres in width by 19.60 metres in height. life that I have.” finished second to Messi just as he did in former USSR icon Lev Yashin. (Source: AFP) Real Madrid described it as being capable of “an ecological treatment that, with daylight, converts pollution and dirt in water vapour and eliminates bacteria. “Every three square metres of the canvas absorb the equivalent UEFA chief accuses British PM Man Utd ‘a closed chapter’, says amount of nitrogen dioxide that a vehicle gives off in a year.” Johnson of fuelling racism Mourinho ahead of Old Trafford return The conference will be held in Madrid on December 13. (Source: Marca) “Madrid didn’t want Cristiano to win Ballon d’Or” - Chiellini

According to Juventus player Giorgio Chiellini, Lionel Messi was an “OK” winner of the award this year, but felt his team- mate was “robbed” last time out. Giorgio Chiellini was happy for Lionel Messi to win this year’s Ballon d’Or, but the Juventus defender blasted the “theft” that meant Cristiano Ronaldo missed out in 2018. Barcelona star Messi claimed the prize for a record sixth time on Monday, beating Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk and Ronaldo. It came a year after Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric ended the 10-year dominance of Messi and Ronaldo, but it was that decision that upset Chiellini. UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin has accused ministers -- when you see presidents of re- Jose Mourinho says his time at Manches- matches, I like to play against the best “It’s OK the Ballon d’Or for Messi this year,” the Juve cap- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson of fuel- publics who are racists, who were sexist, you ter United is “a closed chapter” and he is teams and go back to a place where I was tain told Sky Sport Italia at the Gran Gala del Calcio awards ling racism and insists European football’s see that something is wrong.” only interested in beating them when he happy. in Milan on Monday. governing body is working hard to tackle UEFA has come under fire for a perceived takes his in-form Tottenham side to Old “I have a great relationship with the “The real theft was last year. Real Madrid decided that the problem plaguing the game. lack of appropriate action to root out racism Trafford on Wednesday. Manchester United supporters. I went Cristiano should not win the Ballon d’Or. It was really strange.” A number of high-profile incidents in but Ceferin said the organisation was fully It is the new Tottenham manager’s first back as a pundit and I was humbled by Chiellini added: “Real didn’t want him to win because he recent weeks, including racist abuse hurled engaged in the fight. return to the touchline at United’s home such a beautiful reception. was no longer one of their players.” at England players in Bulgaria and chants “I don’t blame the players for what they ground since his sacking by the club last “Tomorrow I go back as the coach of Ronaldo joined Juventus from Madrid in July last year, aimed at Romelu Lukaku and Mario Ba- say,” he said. “I understand that the players December. the team that will try and beat Manches- and was on Monday named the Serie A player of the year for lotelli in Italy, have underlined the scale are desperate because of the punishments “This is a closed chapter for me,” said ter United. 2018-19. of the issue. and the incidents that are happening again Mourinho, who has won all three of his “I understand that what they want (Source: AS) Johnson condemned the “vile” racist and again. matches in charge of Spurs. “I left the is the exact opposite of what I want. Of chanting during England’s Euro 2020 quali- “Of course you want to say (to UEFA): club, I took my time to process everything course during the match I expect them fier in Sofia in October and called for UEFA ‘Go to hell!’ I know. that happened, I took my time to prepare to forget me.” WADA moves crucial to take tough action. “But I am not so naive to think that we’ve myself for the next challenge. Reports say Spurs midfielder Christian But the prime minister, currently fighting done all we can and now everything is fin- “Honestly, United for me is in my book Eriksen has refused to sign a new deal with ExCo meeting to Lausanne an election campaign, has in the past courted ished. We haven’t. of experiences, it’s in my history book.” the club, while there has been specula- from Paris controversy with various comments, including “We are trying and we care. We are not United are struggling under Mourinho’s tion over the futures of Belgian defenders suggesting Muslim women wearing burkhas just some guys in Nyon (UEFA headquar- successor, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but go Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen. The World Anti-Doping Agency said Monday it had moved look like “letterboxes”. ters) sitting eating fancy food and driving into the game just two points behind fifth- Mourinho said he was speaking with next week’s crucial Executive Committee meeting from Paris In an interview with Britain’s Mirror Ferraris.” placed Spurs. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy about the to Lausanne because of fears of disruption caused by strike newspaper, UEFA president Ceferin said: UEFA appears set to overhaul its disci- “It is not for me to analyse United contract issues but refused to be drawn action in the French capital. “When a politician that calls women with plinary panels, making them more diverse. now,” Mourinho said at his pre-match on the details. burqas post boxes or mailboxes then says Ceferin said: “You have to have different press conference. “I analyse them as an “I’m not going to discuss these indi- publicly that he condemns you UEFA -- do perspectives, then you have a more, let’s say, opponent, how they play. How can we vidual things,” he said. “If I tell you that I you reply to that? Do you believe it’s hon- clear view on what is right and what is wrong. beat them? How can they beat us? For didn’t speak with Mr (Daniel) Levy about est? Come on. “We want to be specific. So we are working me that is the important thing.” Eriksen, Alderweireld and Vertonghen, I “The situation in Europe is more and on that. We will change our statutes about Mourinho is excited about the prospect would be lying. So, yes I’m speaking with more tense,” he added. it in March, the next committee.” of returning to Old Trafford. Mr Levy about it.” “When you see high politicians, prime (Source: Eurosport) He said: “I feel good, I like to play big (Source: Mirrror)

Hawks end losing skid, hand Warriors worst NBA record If there was ever a time to do it, Monday’s matchup against Golden State can take advantage of an injury-plagued season the Golden State Warriors presented the Atlanta Hawks an for the upside of a high draft pick. excellent chance to snap a double-digit losing streak -- and Despite an obvious opportunity to win against the battered they didn’t miss their chance. Warriors, Pierce said the Hawks didn’t prioritize Monday’s WADA confirmed the venue switch to Switzerland in a “It wasn’t pretty, but we’ll take it,” coach Lloyd Pierce said. game. And he’s also trying to make sure the outcome is kept brief statement. “It feels a lot better coming in here than the last 10 games.” in context as well, noting often who the Warriors didn’t “WADA has taken the decision to relocate (the meeting) Behind 24 points and 7 assists from Trae Young, the have playing. to Lausanne due to likely disruptions and uncertainty caused Hawks dominated the skeleton Warriors 104-79, picking “I don’t know if it’s a momentum builder,” he said, “but by imminent general strike action in Paris,” WADA said. up their first win since Nov. 12. it’s just good to get off the other side of the momentum.” The December 9 meeting is expected to see WADA chiefs “It feels good, obviously, winning,” Young said. “I haven’t Coming off a deflating road trip that featured two close approve a recommendation by the body’s Compliance Review won in a long time, which is not a good feeling. So any time losses to top-level Eastern Conference teams and then a Committee concerning Russia. you get a win it feels good, so we’re all happy but obviously 47-point thrashing by the Houston Rockets, the Hawks The WADA compliance panel has called for Russia to we’ve got a long way to go.” kept preaching positive energy and investment. At Mon- be banned from sporting competitions for four years after The Warriors, on the other hand, now sit alone with the day morning’s shootaround, the spirit was evident, with accusing Moscow of falsifying laboratory data handed over worst record in the league at 4-18, having lost six of their the team gathering around midcourt as the rookies sang to investigators earlier this year. past seven. happy birthday to De’Andre Hunter. Under the proposed sanctions, Russian athletes would “I thought we were playing for ourselves out there, instead After the victory over the Warriors, the locker room was still be allowed to compete at the Olympics next year but of playing for each other,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. our team has fought really hard through the first quarter full of fun, with jokes about Cam Reddish’s missed dunk, only if they can demonstrate that they were not part of the “We were trying to dribble through traffic instead of moving of the season and had some really difficult, close losses,” Hunter being in pain because of a (apparently non-serious) Russian system. the ball. Everybody was trying to make a play, instead of Kerr said. “It wears on you, and you want those efforts to finger injury and DeAndre’ Bembry grabbing two rebounds Full disclosure of data from the Moscow laboratory was letting the next guy make the play, and we just got frustrated. be rewarded. You have to keep the faith, and you just have late in the game from Damian Jones, which prevented a a key condition of Russia’s controversial reinstatement by We didn’t have any kind of rhythm or flow to the game.” to keep fighting, and that’s my job to keep their spirits up double-double against his former team. WADA in September 2018. Against the second-worst defense in the NBA, the War- and turn it around.” “When you’re on a 10-game losing streak, it’s hard to The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) had been riors scored just 79 points (tied for second-fewest under Monday’s game brought two differing mindsets, with the communicate,” Pierce said. “You don’t want to offend any- suspended for nearly three years previously over revelations Kerr), turned it over 23 times and shot 3-of-17 from 3, tied Hawks trying to grow a young group into a playoff-caliber one, everyone’s pissed off. So to just be able to make fun of of a vast state-supported doping program. for the fewest made 3s under Kerr. team, while the Warriors have endured an almost comical each other is a big part of it.” (Source: Guardian) “It’s not easy for anybody to lose, especially given that string of injuries. Atlanta isn’t interested in losing, while (Source: ESPN) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 4, 2019 SPORTS 15

Iran, Wilmots reach deadlock Esteghlal handed tough tie at Hazfi Cup quarters

SPORTS TEHRAN — Esteghlal football team were over Team Melli’s future: official desk handed a tough tie in the 2019 Hazfi Cup SPORTS TEHRAN — Negotia- quarterfinals. desktions between Football Two teams shared the spoils in Iran football league on Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) Saturday in a controversial match. and Marc Wilmots over Team Melli’s future are deadlocked as the Iranian federation is going to terminate the Belgian coach’s contract, the official said. Hedayat Mombeini, a member of Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), said that head of football federation Mehdi Taj has traveled to Istanbul to negotiate with Wil- mots’s lawyers over termination of the contract. It was understood that Wilmots has signed a three-year deal but reports emerged that the Iranian federation has inserted a break clause into terms. The Belgian coach had to stay in Iran during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers but he traveled to his homeland immediately after a loss against Iraq in Amman, Jordan. Defending champions Persepolis will face first tier Shahrd- However, it should be noted that Wilmots ari Mahshahr. believes that Iran football federation has Tractor will entertain Mes Kerman and Naft Masjed Sol- created serious contractual violations for him yman host Shahin Bushehr. and he faces an intolerable situation in Iran. The ties will be played on Dec. 24. “There is no way to continue with Wil- Esteghlal are the most decorated football team in Hazfi mots,” Mombeini said. “He failed to meet Cup, winning the title seven times. expectations that’s why we want to part Hazfi Cup is the Iranian football knockout cup competition, company with him.” run by the Iranian Football Federation. According to him, there are a few other options to replace Wilmots and the Iranian trainer, Team Melli sit in third place in Mombeini confirmed that Iran football The Croatian coach led Team Melli in federation is in talks with them. Group C with six points, five points adrift federation has negotiated with former Perse- 2006 FIFA World Cup and the federation has Under leadership of the ex- Ivory Coast of leaders Iraq. polis coach Branko Ivankovic. expressed an interest in bringing him back. Does Afif deserve to win 2019 AFC Player of the Year Award? Iran down Thailand at IWBF Asia Oceania Championships Iran’s Sports and Youth Minister Masoud Soltanifar has ques- SPORTS TEHRAN — Iran’s men’s team humiliated each already allocated to Japan as the host nation. tioned the 2019 AFC Annual Awards for naming Akram Afif as deskThailand 85-37 at the 2019 International Fourteen men’s teams and an event-record eight wom- the 2019 AFC Player of the Year over Team Melli goalkeeper Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) Asia Oceania en’s teams will compete at the competitions, taking place Alireza Beiranvand and says that his countryman deserved Championships in Thai city Pattaya on Tuesday. at the Eastern National Sports Center and are scheduled to win the accolade. Iran’s Mohammadhassan Sayari scored a match- to conclude on December 7. Afif burst onto the scene at the AFC Asian Cup where high 20 points and Pongsakorn Sripirom led Thailand In the men’s competition, the six top-ranked teams - he was an instrumental figure in helping Qatar secure their with 21 points. Australia, China, Iran, Japan, South Korea and Thailand first-ever title. Iran started the event with a win over China but suffered - will play in Division A, which will be a single round-robin His brilliance was not limited to the Continental stage after two successive defeats against Japan and Australia. to determine first to sixth place in the ranking. guiding Al Sadd to the AFC Champions League semi-finals Team Melli will play South Korea on Wednesday. The other eight teams - Afghanistan, Chinese Taipei, by scoring five goals. Also, Iran’s women’s team lost to Thailand 51-34. India, Indonesia, Iraq, Malaysia, the Philippines and Saudi Afif has made 56 matches for Qatar senior national football The Iranian women, who have already defeated Cambodia Arabia - are drawn into two pools of four in Division B. team and score 15 goals for Al Annabi. and India, will meet Afghanistan on Wednesday. The top two teams in Division B will become the sev- Qatar defeated Japan 3-1 in the AFC Asian Cup final match The IWBF Asia Oceania zone has four spots available for enth- and eighth-ranked teams in Division A to make up courtesy of good performances of Al-Moez Ali, Hassan Al-Hay- men and three for women at Tokyo 2020, with one spot in the quarter-final pairings. dos and Afif. Without a shadow of doubt, Afif was good enough to win the award thanks to his current year’s achievements. Solskjaer: I don’t fear sack at Man Utd Tokyo 2020 G-SATELLITE ready for launch “Alireza Beiranvand had a great performance in the 2018 World Cup group of death and helped Persepolis advance to the AFC Champions League final. These successes could impact the results. “Star like Beiranvand has performed well in the 2018 World Cup and the results of the ceremony cannot deny his abilities. He sits on the podium of the AFC Annual Awards,” Soltanifar said. The minister’s message is about the last year but Afif won the award because of his success in the current year. Iran has just qualified for two World Cups in a decade and the country’s clubs have become runners-up twice in the AFC Champions League. (Source: Persian Football)

Alireza Beiranvand Asia’s best goalkeeper: Gabriel Calderon

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he does not his departure from Spurs but Solskjaer Mid-March 2020 the G-SATELLITE will be ground of 3D images of the earth (with fear the sack at Manchester United. has said he is purely focused on turning launched and transported to the ISS aboard text in Japanese and English). TASNIM — Persepolis Argentine coach Gabriel Calderon United are ninth in the Premier League United’s season around. a supply ship (actual date will depend on May – July 2020 Live streaming of con- says the Iranian team’s goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand is the table after their worst start to a season “Football is a results business. the ISS schedule of activities). versations between Amuro and Char while best in Asia. since 1988 and sit closer to the relega- We’re not happy, we know we can April 2020 The G-SATELLITE will be the satellite passes over Japan; transcripts Beiranvand was among the final nominees for the 2019 tion places than the top four ahead of do better and we are working hard,” released from the ISS into earth orbit but will be uploaded to the Tokyo 2020 official AFC Player of the Year. Wednesday’s visit of Tottenham. Solskjaer added, while also ruling the launch date will depend on the ISS YouTube channel (in Japanese only). Akram Afif from Qatar won the award over the Iranian keeper. “It doesn’t make me concerned,” Sol- out Paul Pogba for the visit of Jose schedule of activities. From July 2020 Messages of encourage- “It’s a great honor for us to see Beiranvand among the skjaer said. “I’m just focusing on my job Mourinho’s men. Spring 2020 Voice messages by the ment for the Tokyo 2020 Games displayed nominees. I believe that he is the best goalkeeper in Asia,” and that’s doing as well as I can, looking “The work is always geared on us fictional characters Amuro, the pilot of on the electric bulletin board and video of Calderon said. forward to the next game.” improving but we’re not getting all the Gundam and Char, the pilot of Zaku, will be Gundam and Char’s Zaku in orbit will be “In my opinion, Persepolis’s fans should be proud of him Solskjaer’s United have taken 26 results we’ve deserved.” transmitted from space to earth (in Japanese transmitted via Tokyo 2020 social network for being in the list,” the Persepolis coach added. points from the 22 league games since United have won just four of their 14 only). The messages will be uploaded to the channels (in English, French and Japanese). A he was appointed permanent manag- league games this term, and after the project website at: https://participation. countdown project will commence on 14 July. er in March. Mauricio Pochettino was 2-2 draw with Aston Villa, they are on tokyo2020.jp/jp/oneteam/08.html. This initiative is part of the Tokyo 2020 sacked by Tottenham after collecting 25 a run of three games without a win in Spring 2020 A special video message One Team Project, launched in August Referee Zahedifar banned for points from his last 22 games in charge. all competitions. from Amuro and Char to the winners of 2017, in which Japan’s leading creators, five weeks Meanwhile, Unai Emery was dismissed Solskjaer, however, insists it is not the Tokyo 2020 Twitter competition will innovators and performers in a wide range by Arsenal having taken 28 points from the time for crisis talks with executive be transmitted (in Japanese only). of fields are being invited to express their his final 22 games. vice-chairman Ed Woodward and the Spring 2020 A special website will own interpretations of the vision for the SPORTS TEHRAN — Mohammadhossein Zahedifar Pochettino has said he intends to get Glazers. be launched showing the location of the Tokyo 2020 Games. deskhas been suspended for five weeks following back into management soon following (Source: ESPN) G-SATELLITE in orbit against a back- (Source: Paralympic) bad refereeing decisions in an Iran Professional League match. Cannavaro expects to stay at Guangzhou after ‘miracle’ title Fabio Cannavaro said taking Guangzhou Evergrande to Guangzhou went on to win the next three matches and the Chinese Super League title was “a miracle” and gave seal their eighth title in nine years with a 3-0 win over the strongest indication yet that he expects to keep his job. Shanghai Shenhua at the weekend, after which Cannavaro The 46-year-old Italian World Cup winner was tempo- was tossed in the air by his jubilant players. rarily moved aside as coach in October but returned to lead “I know very well that the outside world had various China’s most successful club to the championship on Sunday. opinions about it,” Cannavaro said of the brief period when It was the former Juventus and Real Madrid defend- he was relieved of his duties. er’s first major honor as a coach and a personal triumph He did not say how close he came to leaving, but said after a turbulent few weeks during which he appeared winning the CSL had fulfilled Guangzhou’s demands to be on the brink of the sack. for the season. “I know that many names have been mentioned as a Bearing in mind injuries and the need to revamp an replacement for me, including (Jose) Mourinho, (Zinedine) ageing squad, winning the title was almost “a miracle”, Zidane and (former Guangzhou coach) Scolari,” Cannavaro Cannavaro said, hailing Brazilian midfielder Paulinho Esteghlal suffered a late 2-2 draw against Sepahan on told the Guangzhou Daily in a report published Tuesday, as a “superhero”. Saturday in Isfahan. referring to recent rumors. “An average team can’t do it,” he added. Sepahan Brazilian forward Kiros Stanlley clearly touched “For a team of Evergrande’s level, fans hope to have but a poor run led them to briefly push Italy’s 2006 Cannavaro said he has several priorities for next season, the ball in the first half and Esteghlal should have been awarded the top coaches and the coach will definitely face various World Cup-winning skipper aside and put veteran captain suggesting that he expects to still be in charge at Guangzhou. a penalty but Zahedifar ordered to continue. pressures. Zheng Zhi in charge. “I hope to further reduce the average age of the team, Last year, the Football Federation of Islamic Republic “I’m definitely not a perfect coach and it’s impossible to Cannavaro made a surprise return at the start of Novem- get in better replacements and continue to provide talent of Iran (FFIRI) announced that the VAR (Video Assistant make everyone satisfied.” ber but only after a reprimand by the club, which scolded for the national team,” he said. Referee) will be used at the stadiums in the new season but Guangzhou were still top of the CSL in late October him for his “weak ability to rectify mistakes”. (Source: AFP) failed to deliver on its promise. Prayer Times Noon:11:54 Evening: 17:29 Dawn: 4:11 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 6:59 (tomorrow) DECEMBER 4, 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 Italian exhibition displays works [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 by photographer Saeid Arabzadeh www.eshterak.ir Distributor: Padideh Novin Co. Tel: 88911433 ARTTEHRAN — The Novi Webmaster: [email protected] deskLigure International Photo Printed at: Jame Jam Bartar Borna - 44197737 Exhibition now underway in the northwestern Italian city is displaying photos from Iranian Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimesdaily photographer Saeid Arabzadeh’s series “Desert”, the organizers have announced. No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran A selection of 50 photos by 34 P.o. Box: 14155-4843 photographers from different countries, Zip Code: 1599814713 including France, the U.S., South Korea, Greece and Vietnam, has been put on view at the exhibit, which opened at the Museo dei Campionissimi on Tuesday. Arabzadeh is a member of Iran’s Focus Photo Club and has been active as a jury member in several Iranian and international photo contests. He has also been awarded by several Iranian and international photography events. GUIDE TO “In the Wind Direction” from his series SPIRITUAL AWAKENING “Desert” won the NBPC Ribbon at the 12th NBPC International Salon of Photography in India this year. Beware of the wrath and assault of a hungry noble He also won the Salon Bronze for “The man and a satiated ignoble one. Darkness”, a black and white portrait of a Imam Ali (AS) young woman, at the Brooklyn Photo Contest in New York City in 2018. In 2017, Through the Viewfinder, an international photo contest held in Iran’s National Orchestra to Kragujevac, Serbia, honored Arabzadeh the Master of Light Photographic Association A photo from Saeid Arabazadeh series “Desert”. perform works by Armenian (MOL) Bronze Medal for his photo “Sorrow”. December 8, also features works by Korean Cornu from France, Kate Theo from Italy, The exhibit has been organized by Museo The Novi Ligure International Photo photographers Ann Jung-bae, Baek Mi-suk, Le Hong Linh from Vietnam and Michelle dei Campionissimi in collaboration with the composers in Tehran Exhibition, which will be running until Choi Ok-hee and Han Sang-pyo; Jean Luc Kwon from the U.S. F Gallery in Jeonju, South Korea.

ARTTEHRAN — Iran’s National Orchestra will deskperform pieces by some Armenian composers in a program titled “Armenian Music Night” in Tehran on December 19. Illegal upload, another shock to Iranian-Armenian maestro Razmik Ohanian will conduct “The Paternal House” the orchestra during the concert, which will be held at Vahdat ARTTEHRAN — “The Paternal House” the internet, the Persian service of MNA reported on Tuesday. Hall, the Rudaki Foundation deskhas been illegally uploaded on some It is not yet clear what persons are behind the movie upload. announced on Tuesday. Persian sites to complete the run of bad luck on the Culture Ministry’s Supervision and Evaluation Office Compositions by Komitas, controversial Iranian movie. director Mohammad-Mehdi Tabatabainejad, who is also the Aram Khachaturian, Edward Produced nearly ten years ago, the honor killing drama director of the Film Anti-Piracy Organization, said that only Avedisian and Loris Tjeknavorian was banned three times due to allegedly violent scenes. the film’s producer and laboratory have had the full version. have been selected to be Director Kianush Ayyari finally received the court’s “It is not my intention to accuse anybody, but no one performed at the concert. permission on November 13 after making some modifications else has had a full copy of the film,” he noted. The orchestra will also be Nasser Hashemi and Mehran Rajabi act in a scene from to his movie. However, he said that a team of experts is investigating A poster for National Orchestra’s director Kianush Ayyari’s drama “The Paternal House”. However, a full copy of the movie has been uploaded on the issue. program “Armenian Music performing accompanied by Night” at Vahdat Hall, Tehran. soloists Samvel Galstyan and Vahan Badalyan, and duduk player Saro Poghosyan. Cinéma Vérité to screen Macedonia’s Tehran cultural center to host submission to 2020 Oscars ARTTEHRAN — The director of the 13th Against Gravity and Montclair Film Festival. festival of children’s naqqali deskCinéma Vérité festival, Mohammad “Andrey Tarkovsky, a Cinema Prayer”, a documentary Hamidi-Moqaddam, said on Tuesday that screening that chronicles the life story of the legendary Russian ARTTEHRAN — Tehran’s Ibn-e Sina Cultural “Honeyland”, North Macedonia’s submission to the 2020 filmmaker by his son Andrei Andreyevich Tarkovsky, is deskCenter will be hosting a festival of naqqali, Oscars, will be the highlight of the documentary film festival. another highlight of the festival,” Hamidi-Moqaddam said a style of storytelling dedicated to epic stories from Ferdowsi’s The film co-directed by Ljubomir Stefanov and Tamara during a press conference. masterpiece Shahnameh, for children and young adults. Kotevska is about a woman who utilizes ancient beekeeping “We also invited the director to attend the festival, but traditions to cultivate honey in the mountains of Macedonia. on account of some personal issues he could not accept our When a neighboring family tries to do the same, it becomes invitation,” he added. a source of tension as they disregard her wisdom and advice. Organized by the Documentary and Experimental Film The film has received several awards during international Center, the 13th edition of the Cinéma Vérité festival will take “Honeyland” North Macedonian filmmakers Ljubomir events such as the Sundance Film Festival, Millennium Docs place at Tehran’s Charsu Cineplex from December 9 to 16. Stefanov and Tamara Kotevska. Robert Massie, who popularized Russian history, dead at 90 NEW YORK (AP) — Robert K. Massie, He discussed hemophilia with the Duke immediate income and looked for a job in the Pulitzer Prize-winning historian who and Duchess of Windsor (The Duke was journalism. He began as an office assistant specialized in bestselling and critically the Tsarevich’s first cousin), and with at Collier’s, where he would work under praised biographies of the Russian tsars Earl Mountbatten of Burma, a grandson Theodore H. White, the future author of “The and discovered a personal connection to the of Queen Victoria. He received “fat, bulky Making of the President” series. Massie later country’s past through the blood disorder envelopes,” one containing a letter from a joined Newsweek as a book critic and The that afflicted both his son and the son of woman identifying herself as “Mrs. J. Edgar Saturday Evening Post as a features writer. A poster for the Naqqali Festival for Children of Iran. Nicholas II, died Monday at age 90. Hoover, Her Imperial Majesty Catherine III By the mid-1960s, he was struggling to Son Christopher Massie told The Romanov-Hoover, Diplomatic Agent Five keep up with their son’s medical bills and The Naqqali Festival for Children of Iran aims to honor the 10th Associated Press that the author, who had Star A.G., Chief of Mission for President was frustrated professionally. For years, he anniversary of the Shahnameh millennium which was accepted been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, Lyndon Baines Johnson.” had been anxious to write about hemophilia. on UNESCO’s 2010 calendar of events, the center has announced. died at his home in Irvington, New York. His other works included “The He submitted a story to Reader’s Digest in The festival has also dedicated a section to the epic stories Likened to David McCullough and Edmund Romanovs”, which tackled the mystery the late 1950s, but was turned down, and about the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war, which is also known as Morris as a popularizer of history, Robert of the royal family’s remains after they was no more successful while at Newsweek. Sacred Defense in Iran. K. Massie wrote epic page turners on two were executed in 1918 by the Bolsheviks, The Saturday Evening Post did run a story The top winners will be honored during Ferdowsi Day on outsized tsars: the 900-page “Peter the Great”, and a pair of books about the military by Massie in 1963, but declined a separate May 15, 2020. winner of the Pulitzer in 1981; and the 600- rivalry between Britain and Germany in sketch on the tsar’s son. The Shahnameh, which is known as the “Book of Kings” in page “Catherine the Great”, winner in 2012 the early 20th century: “Dreadnought” and Massie had read enough about Russian English, is the celebrated work of the epic poet Ferdowsi, in of a PEN award for biography. Reviewing “Castles of Steel”. Massie and his first wife, history to know that little had been told which the Persian national epic found its final and enduring “Catherine the Great” for The New York Times, Suzanne, collaborated in the mid-1970s on about the Tsarevich’s hemophilia. At the form. It was completed in 1010. Kathryn Harrison praised Massie as both a “Journey”, a memoir about their son. The New York Public Library, where he often scholar and literary stylist. Robert K. Massie at his home in Irvington, couple, who also collaborated on “Nicholas spent his lunch hour, he had discovered “Massie, who has spent almost half a N.Y., in 2011, just after finishing his book and Alexandra”, divorced in 1990. letters written between the tsar and his wife, “Three Sisters, century studying czarist Russia, has always on Catherine the Great. Two years later he married the literary the Empress Alexandra, which referred been a biographer with the instincts of a War, and praised in The New York Times as agent Deborah Karl, with whom he had three often to their son’s condition. Suzanne Three Queens” comes to novelist,” Harrison wrote. “He understands a long-needed and balanced account of the children. Massie served as president of the Massie suggested a book, but her husband plot — fate — as a function of character, last tsar and his family. Massie’s book also Authors Guild from 1987-1991. was skeptical. Iranian bookstores and the narrative perspective he establishes was a commercial success and the basis for a Born in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1929, “‘You see,’ Sue said, ‘nobody knows and maintains, a vision tightly aligned with 1971 film adaptation, starring Michael Jayston Robert Kinloch Massie was a “bright, fiery this. It has been completely ignored. You and Janet Suzman, that won the Oscar for art CULTURE TEHRAN — English historical novelist that of his subject, convinces a reader he’s boy from an old Southern family,” Suzanne could change people’s thinking about the deskPhilippa Gregory’s book “Three Sisters, Three not so much looking at Catherine the Great direction. Massie thought the film superficial, Massie once wrote. He was a Rhodes Scholar whole subject,’” Massie wrote in “Journey,” Queens” has recently been published in Persian by Gooya as he is out of her eyes.” but took advantage of the publicity to raise who studied American and European history published in 1975. “Then, as she talked about Publications in Tehran. Massie’s first book drew upon his interest in money for hemophilia treatment. at Yale University and Oxford University. Russian history, Russian literature, the Translated by Ali-Akbar Abdolrashidi, the 2016 book tells the Nicholas’ heir apparent, the Tsarevich Alexei, “Nicholas and Alexandra” made Massie After serving in the Navy, he considered going Russian church, the Russian people she stories of Margaret Tudor, Mary Tudor and Katherine of Aragon, a hemophiliac like the eldest of Massie’s three a celebrity, phoned by strangers who invited to graduate school to become a teacher or a had met, I began to see that there was a three sisters who became the queens of Scotland, France and children, Robert Jr. “Nicholas and Alexandra” him for lunch, and a magnet for relatives lawyer. But when his wife became pregnant book that could be done, and that only we, England, respectively. was published in 1967, in the midst of the Cold and alleged relatives of the Romanovs. with their first son, born in 1956, he needed as parents of a hemophiliac, could do it.” United by family loyalties and affections, the three queens find themselves set against each other. Katherine commands an army against Margaret and kills her husband. But Margaret’s “Baby Shark” creators plan Navajo version of popular video boy becomes heir to the Tudor throne when Katherine loses her son. Mary steals the widowed Margaret’s proposed husband, but ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Creators of the popular Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock, Arizona, to The “Baby Shark Dance” video has garnered more than when Mary is widowed it is her secret marriage for love that is video “Baby Shark”, whose “doo doo doo” song was played create a new version of the widely popular tune about a 3.9 billion views on YouTube. the envy of the others. at the World Series in October, are developing a version family of sharks. The Navajo Nation is the largest Native American As they experience betrayals, dangers, loss and passion, the in Navajo. The company is seeking voice actors to portray the roles reservation in the U.S. three sisters find that the only constant in their perilous lives is Pinkfong, a subsidiary of the South Korea company of Baby Shark, Mommy Shark, Daddy Shark, Grandma A second North American leg of the “Baby Shark” concert their special bond, more powerful than any man, even a king. SmartStudy, announced last week it is working with the Shark, and Grandpa Shark. tour is launching in March.