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16 Pages Price 40,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 39th year No.13547 Saturday DECEMBER 7, 2019 Azar 16, 1398 Rabi’ Al thani 10, 1441 Judiciary chief Petrol plan would No limitations on Iran discover AFC visits UCF have fallen without Iran’s oil output Futsal Championship nuclear site 3 Leader’s support 3 acceptable 5 2020 fate 15

Iran to cooperate in renovating Syria’s water, wastewater networks

TEHRAN – Iran and Syria signed a UNESCO Regional Centre on Urban Wa- E3 intends to hide memorandum of understanding (MOU) ter Management (RCUWM)’s governing on Thursday for cooperation in renovating board in Tehran. Syria’s water and wastewater networks, As reported, the MOU is going to de- IRNA reported. termine the framework of cooperation The MOU was signed by Iranian Ener- between the two countries in the field of gy Minister Reza Ardakanian and Syria’s water and wastewater and draws a roadmap ‘miserable incompetence’ Water Resources Minister Hussein Arnous for the presence of Iranian companies in on the sidelines of the 10th meeting of the Syria. See page 2 4

Remaining nuclear deal parties meet in Vienna TEHRAN — The remaining parties to ternal Action Service (EEAS). the 2015 nuclear deal, officially called This was the first meeting by represent- the JCPOA, met in Vienna on Friday to atives from Iran, UK, France, Germany, discuss issues surrounding the multi- Russia and China since July. lateral accord. The landmark agreement is on the verge The meeting was chaired by Iranian of collapse as the Trump administration Deputy Foreign Minister for Political withdrew the U.S. from the deal on May 8, Affairs Abbas Araqchi and Helga Schmid, 2018 and slapped the harshest sanctions secretary general of the European Ex- in history against Iran.

Ayatollah Sistani says new PM must be chosen without foreign interference

Iraq’s top Shia Muslim cleric said on ment and its members will be chosen Friday that a new prime minister must within the constitutional deadline” be chosen without foreign interference of 15 days since the resignation was after Adel Abdul Mahdi announced his formalized in parliament on Sunday, resignation a week ago. a representative of Sistani said in Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani urged his Friday sermon in the holy city

political leaders to abandon partisan poli- of Kerbala. tics in choosing a new head of government “It must also take place without any and said he would have no involvement foreign interference,” he said. in efforts to replace Abdul Mahdi. Addressing worshipers during Friday File photo “We hope a new head of govern- prayers in the holy city of Karbala, 13 PERSPECTIVE Jordan seeks to restore diplomatic relations with Syria: minister ARTICLE Mostafa Mousavi Sabet Jordan plans to restore full diplomatic relations in order to enhance communication between in line with Jordan’s stance since the outbreak Quayyum Raja Head of the Tehran Times with neighboring Syria in a further sign of Arab the two countries. of the Syrian crisis in 2011 to keep the Jordanian East Asian analyst Art & Culture Desk states embracing President Bashar al-Assad after Commenting on a possible meeting with embassy in Damascus open.” a UAE diplomat praised him for “wise leader- President Assad, he stated that the matter is in Jordanian lawmakers first asked for the im- ship” this week. the hands of the Syrian side, and that the Jorda- provement of Jordan-Syria ties to the level before Artists’ tax Jordanian Minister of State and Agriculture nian delegates would like to sit for talks with the the start of the Syrian crisis last year, stressing that My observations Samir Habashneh said Thursday he will trav- 54-year-old Syrian leader, senior officials and the relations are beneficial to both nations, Ara- exemption a just el to Syria later this month as part of a nearly representatives of the Syrian people. bic-language Rai al-Youm newspaper reported and experience 30-strong delegation, Arabic- language Ammon Jordan’s official Petra news agency, citing last December. decision? news website reported. Foreign Ministry spokesman Sufian Qudah, Around the same time, Bahrain announced in Iran Former Prime Minister Taher al-Masri will reported earlier this year that the Amman gov- that work at the kingdom’s embassy “in the Syrian ultural and artistic activities are one he cost of an air ticket from Lahore to head the delegation to restore Amman-Damascus ernment had appointed a new chargé d’affaires Arab Republic is going on whilst the Embassy of the eight categories exempted from Mashad was around 38000 rupees bilateral relations to the level prior to the outbreak to its embassy in Damascus. of the Syrian Arab Republic to the Kingdom of paying basic tax under Iran’s tax law. in March 2019, but as soon as Imran C of foreign-sponsored Syrian conflict, it said. “It was decided to appoint a Jordanian diplomat Bahrain is carrying out its duties and flights T However, in the country’s budget bill Khan came into power in Pakistan, the Habashneh said Jordan and Syria actually at the rank of charge d’affaires in the Jordanian connecting the two countries are operational for the upcoming year, the government price of the same ticket jumped up to 70 have common areas of interest, stressing that embassy in Damascus,” the Jordanian official said. without interruption.” announced its plan to reduce the tax ex- 000. I did not want to pay so much money. the visit should have taken place much earlier He underlined that the “decision has been made (Source: Press TV) emption to 50 percent. So, I decided to go by road. Everyone who A number of cultural figures and artists heard of it, warned me that the journey criticized the plan and said that by the by road from Pakistan to Iran was very elimination of the tax exemption, artists Iraqi demonstrators condemn foreign intervention in the country dangerous. and others working in the cultural fields Iraqis on Friday announced their support for not drawn to violent acts, chaos and destruction.” tendered his resignation a week ago. They also scared me that the people on would be squeezed by the consequent peaceful protests for the second day in a row on “Conserving the peaceful nature of the pro- “We hope a new head of government and its Pakistan-Iran border were very aggressive higher living expenses more than ever. the streets and reiterated opposition to foreign tests and keeping them far from violence and members will be chosen within the constitutional and I may be looted. I relied on Allah Meanwhile, Minister of Culture and intervention. destruction is very important and everyone needs deadline” of 15 days since the resignation was and joined 3 strangers in a private car Islamic Guidance Seyyed Abbas Salehi On the second day in a row, demonstrators to unite in achieving such,” a representative of approved in parliament on Sunday, Ayatollah from Islamabad to Pakistani Balochistan. officially asked the government to con- in Baghdad declared their support for peaceful Ayatollah Sistani said as he delivered the top Sistani said. The strangers were Balochi who first kept tinue the tax exemption for cultural and protests and condemned any acts of sabotage cleric’s sermon. Abdul-Mahdi announced his resignation last chatting among themselves, but at one artistic activities. and violence during the protests. The top cleric added that the protesters week after the top cleric called for the country’s stage during the journey, they asked me Following the request, the admin- Meanwhile, Iraq’s top Shia cleric said Friday should not allow rioters to infiltrate the rallies lawmakers to “reconsider” their options amid to introduce myself. I told them I was a istration retracted its decision and he had no role in talks on a new premier for the and target “security forces and destroy public ongoing demonstrations and the government’s Kashmiri writer, but when they became Vice-President Mohammad-Baqer protest-hit country, where apprehensive pro- and private property” just as protecting the inability to address them effectively. friendlier, I told them I was also a political Nobakht, who is also the director of testers remained on the streets despite widening lives of protesters is the responsibility of the On Thursday, a mass rally was held in the coun- activist who served a long time in prison the Management and Planning Orga- intimidation campaigns. security forces. try’s capital city of Baghdad to show support for for the reunification of Kashmir. nization, said that the government is Addressing worshipers during Friday prayers During his statements, Ayatollah Sistani also the top cleric’s earlier calls for peaceful protests. The friendly Balochs became sympa- extending the tax exemption for artistic in the holy city of Karbala, Grand Ayatollah Ali said that a new prime minister must be chosen The protesters also chanted slogans and carried thetic. They entertained me during the and cultural activities. al-Sistani said protests are effective in hastening “without any foreign interference” and partisan placards decrying US, Israeli and Saudi meddling 14 hours long journey. I recalled Sardar The retraction of the decision was Muhammad Aslam Kashmiri who was a needed reforms on the condition that they “are politics after the incumbent Adel Abdul-Mahdi in the country. 13 also criticized by a number of people custom inspector in Quetta. He booked working in the artistic and cultural a hotel for me and paid all my bills. He activities. then made sure that my next journey from “Many people working in these fields are Quetta to Taftan was fully comfortable not artists or cultural figures at all,” actor and it was. It took me 12 hours to reach Payam Dehkordi has said in an interview. from Quetta to Taftan. I didn’t know why “These people earn high incomes in Journalists but the driver paid for my lunch. other fields, while pretending to work in I knew only a few words of Farsi. An the artistic and cultural activities in order killed in 2005 Iranian immigration officer looked up at to evade tax,” he added. me and asked if I was a Punjabi, Pathan Film producer Manijeh Hekmat also plane crash or Kashmiri? I said: Kashmiri. He asked: attacked the decision. Education? I said, Master. He asked occu-

“If the artists’ tax exemption is not pation? I said, writer. He smiled and put an an election bribe, it is absolutely the commemorated entry stamp on my passport. I took a taxi government’s confusion and its misun- A ceremony was held at Behesht-e Zahra cem- from Taftan to Zehaidan and a coach from derstanding of tax functions and aims,” etery in Tehran on Thursday in memory of the Zehaidan for Mashad. It was another 14 hours she said. journalists and media persons who were killed journey during which I had no Iranian sim “Making this decision during the deep in a plane crash incident in 2005. card, but when I asked the coach driver if economic recession in the country is sign On the 6th of December 2005, a Lockheed the wi-fi was available, an Iranian student of the government’s misunderstanding offered me the wi-fi connection. Mohammad Mohsenifar C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft of of this situation,” she lamented. the Iranian air force crashed into a ten-floor He was very friendly and helpful “This extravaganza will lead into wid- apartment building in a residential area of Teh- during the whole journey chatting with ening the already-growing gap between ran, killing all 94 people on board, of whom 68 me about pan-islam. I reached Mashad rich and poor and an increase in poverty, were journalists bound for the southern port at half past two in the morning. I failed while only people with a high income will to get a hotel room, but I left my luggage

Tehran Times/ Tehran Times/ city of Bandar Abbas to report on a series of make a huge profit from the exemption,” military exercises. in the Amanatkhana of Imam Raza holy she noted. 16 Shrine. 11 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS DECEMBER 7, 2019

Jahangiri wants peaceful Tehran raps U.S. interference protests guaranteed

POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iranian First Vice President deskIs’haq Jahangiri said on Friday that the people are entitled to stage peaceful protests to seek their in China’s affairs rights, urging the three branches of the government to draw POLITICAL TEHRAN – Tehran has current violation of norms and its unbridled up a mechanism for that purpose. deskslammed Washington for unilateralism. “All officials in the three branches of the government as interfering in China’s internal affairs after the The U.S. House of Representatives on well as the country’s officials and elites are committed to U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a bill not only compensate the people’s losses but also they must for sanctions against Chinese officials over that would require the Trump adminis- embark on preparing the required mechanism to allow the alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang. tration to toughen its response to China’s people to protest peacefully,” Jahangiri wrote in his Twitter In a statement on Friday, Foreign Ministry alleged crackdown on its Muslim minority account in reference to the protests that followed an increase spokesman Abbas Mousavi referred to the in Xinjiang, drawing swift condemnation in gasoline prices on November 15. United States’ genocide of native Americans, from Beijing. “The mentioned mechanism will allay the society’s con- the enslavement of African Americans, mas- The Uighur Act of 2019 is a stronger cerns, bolster social wealth and in the meantime will open new sacre of Muslims in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, version of a bill that angered Beijing when horizons for the society’s better future,” Jahangiri remarked. Libya, Palestine and Yemen, and pardoning it passed the Senate in September. It calls The protests over gasoline prices turned violent in some war criminals, saying with such shameful on the president, Donald Trump, to impose cases, leaving a number of protestors and security forces killed. record, the U.S. is not qualified at all to sanctions for the first time on a member of Touching upon the National Student Day in Iran, which make comments about the ethnicities, races China’s powerful politburo even as he seeks falls on December 7, the vice president said, “This year, our and Muslims. a trade deal with Beijing. university students are marking the Day differently because “The repetition of such brazen violation of In a statement released shortly after the the country has been experiencing bitter days (in the past the well-recognized principles of internation- Uighur Act of 2019 was passed, China’s For- recent weeks).” al law is simply a reminder that interference eign Ministry on Wednesday condemned “We are still affected by the recent days’ developments in the internal affairs of other nations has the move, saying the bill “wantonly smears Mousavi also advised independent coun- which inflicted heavy material and spiritual damages (on the become a tenet of the U.S.’s norm-violating trend in such measures which threaten the China’s efforts to eliminate and combat ex- tries to react to the U.S. government’s re- country) and left unfortunately a number of the people and foreign policy,” he said, according to the global peace and stability. tremism.” security guards killed,” the vice president lamented. Iran Front Page. “We urge the U.S. to immediately correct Student Day is the anniversary of the murder of three stu- The spokesman further denounced the The Iranian Foreign Ministry says the U.S. its mistake, to stop the above bill on Xinjiang dents in the University of Tehran on December 7, 1953 (16 recent bill the U.S. House of Represent- is not qualified at all to make comments from becoming law, to stop using Xinjiang Azar 1332 in the Iranian calendar) by police in the Pahlavi atives passed against China, warning the about ethnicities, races and Muslims. as a way to interfere in China’s domestic era. Every year there are local gatherings at many universities international community against a growing affairs,” said the statement. organized by students to commemorate the day. Iran’s constitution’s chapter III (Article 19 to 42) refers to the rights of the people, saying, “Article 27 provides for freedom of assembly, provided that arms are not carried and the assemblies are not detrimental to the fundamental prin- Zarif: E3 intends to hide ‘miserable incompetence’ ciples of Islam.” Hook admits Iran’s missile testing not violating Resolution 2231: Zarif Zarif welcomes peaceful POLITICAL TEHRAN — Foreign by the UN Security Council (UNSC) in July claimed that Iran had just test-fired a me- “Latest E3 letter to UNSG on missiles solutions to Yemen crisis deskMinister Mohammad 2015, endorses the nuclear agreement be- dium-range missile “that is capable of carrying is a desperate falsehood to cover up their Javad Zarif wrote on his Twitter account on tween Iran, the 5+1 group, and the European multiple warheads.” miserable incompetence in fulfilling bare POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Minister Mo- Friday that even Brian Hook has acknowl- Union. However, the United States, under In an interview with ICANA published on minimum of their own JCPOA obligations,” deskhammad Javad Zarif underscored on Thursday edged that the UN Security Council Resolution Donald Trump, unilaterally withdrew from Tuesday, Zarif said Pompeo needs to study Zarif added. that diplomatic solutions are the best ways possible out of the 2231 has not banned missile testing by Iran. the agreement in May and ordered sanctions the resolution 2231. Zarif added, “If E3 want a modicum of crisis in Yemen. “Brian Hook has given our E3 JCPOA on Iran. In another tweet on Thursday, Zarif said global credibility, they can begin by exert- “Iran sees no benefit in continuation of war and siege in Yem- partners a timely reminder, openly admit- The resolution “calls upon” Iran not to that the three European states’ letter to the ing sovereignty rather than bowing to U.S. en, but it welcomes peaceful solutions,” Zarif wrote in Arabic ting that missile testing is not prohibited test nuclear-capable missiles; it does not ban UN chief on Iran’s missiles is an attempt “to bullying,” Zarif said. on his Twitter account. in the Security Council’s Resolution 2231,” Iran to conduct missile tests. cover up their miserable incompetence” to His remarks were in reaction to a letter Officials from both Yemen and Saudi Arabia told the Associated Zarif wrote. In a tweet on November 30, Pompeo implement the nuclear deal. penned by France, Germany and Britain, Press on November 13 that both sides are holding indirect, behind- Hook, who serves as U.S. special repre- known as EU trio, to the United Nations the-scenes talks to end the devastating five-year war in Yemen. sentative for Iran and senior policy advisor Zarif says, “If E3 want a modicum of global Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in The news agency said the negotiations are taking place with to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, had an- which the three European signatories to Oman, a Persian Gulf Arab country that borders both Yemen nounced, “One of the deficiencies of the Iran credibility, they can begin by exerting the JCPOA made the allegation that Iran’s and Saudi Arabia, as mediator. nuclear deal is that it ended the prohibition sovereignty rather than bowing to U.S. ballistic missile activity is “inconsistent” with on Iran’s ballistic missile testing.” the call in a council resolution endorsing the Resolution 2231, adopted unanimously bullying.” 2015 nuclear deal with Iran.

Hormuz peace initiative a step forward in reducing regional tension: Araghchi POLITICAL TEHRAN — Deputy Foreign Minister invite all the countries directly affected by the developments deskAbbas Araghchi who visited Kuwait on in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz to the ‘Coalition Thursday said Iran’s Hormuz peace initiative is a step in for Hope’, meaning Hormuz Peace Endeavor,” President line with reducing tension in the region. Hassan Rouhani told the UN delegates. During a meeting with Kuwaiti Deputy Foreign Minister During a meeting with Omani Foreign Minister Yusef bin Khaled al-Jarallah, Araqchi said that the regional countries’ Alawi on Tuesday in Tehran, Rouhani said all the regional “constructive” approach towards Iran’s initiative will help countries should play an active role in maintaining security alleviate tension. in the region and in this line Iran proposed the Hormuz He added that Iran is ready to find mechanisms to im- peace initiative. plement the peace plan, which is known as the Hormuz “We should maintain security in the Persian Gulf and the Peace Endeavor (HOPE). Strait of Hormuz through expanding cooperation and we Saudi Arabia and a number of its regional allies launched The littoral states to the Strait of Hormuz and the Per- should not let foreigners interfere,” the president pointed out. a devastating campaign against Yemen in March 2015, with sian Gulf have many capacities to help prosperity of the Foreign Minister Zarif has invited all regional states to the goal of bringing the government of former president Abd future, he said. join the peace plan for securing the Persian Gulf and the Rabbuh Mansur Hadi back to power and crushing the Houthi He also noted that Iran attaches great importance to Strait of Hormuz. Ansarullah movement. the regional countries’ collective cooperation to maintain In a tweet in September, Zarif said the initiative entails “Three countries have given written response to Iran’s The U.S-based Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project security in the region. “dialogue, confidence-building, freedom of navigation, invitation and other countries are studying it,” he said. (ACLED), a nonprofit conflict-research organization, estimates The Kuwaiti official highlighted the importance of dialogue energy security, non-aggression, and non-intervention”. He also called on certain Persian Gulf Arab states to that the war has claimed more than 100,000 lives over the past and cooperation to maintain peace and security. In a post on his Twitter account on October 15, Zarif abandon reliance on foreign forces for their security, saying four and a half years. At the United Nations summit in New York in late Sep- renewed Iran’s call to all countries bordering the Persian dependence on foreigners is just an “illusion” The war has also taken a heavy toll on the country’s infra- tember, Iran officially unveiled the proposal for regional Gulf to join Tehran to “forge a blueprint for peace, security, “We called on the countries to respond to Iran’s peace-seek- structure, destroying hospitals, schools, and factories. The security. stability, and prosperity” in the region. ing call and abandon illusions. We have stressed that the UN says over 24 million Yemenis are in dire need of humani- “Based upon the historical responsibility of my country In a press briefing on November 25, the Foreign Ministry presence of foreign countries undermines security and tarian aid, including 10 million suffering from extreme levels in maintaining security, peace, stability and progress in the spokesman Abbas Mousavi announced that three countries stability. We hope this initiative of Iran would face with a of hunger. Persian Gulf region and Strait of Hormuz, I would like to have accepted to join Iran’s Hormuz peace plan. positive response,” Mousavi stated. The Western-backed military aggression, coupled with a naval blockade, has plunged Yemen into “the world’s worst humanitarian crisis”, according to the United Nations. Iran won’t relinquish right to oil Iran should call for Israel’s disarmament Commander: Iran self- export, ambassador says in response to EU power’s letter: analyst sufficient in defense industry POLITICAL TEHRAN — Ka- (Press TV) — A political commentator He said during the 1980s war between Iran deskzem Gharibabadi, says, Iran — “one of the few subjects of mis- and Iraq, “Iraqis provided [with] technologies TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Iran’s ambassador and permanent sile war”— has full justification to develop its paid for by the Saudis and Europeans and the Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri said the representative to the Vienna-based missiles programs, while Israel and Saudi Americans bombarded Iran with missiles.” Islamic Republic has gained full self-sufficiency in the field international organizations, said on Arabia have constantly been threatening the “Other countries like Saudi Arabia and Israel of defense. Thursday that Iran will not relinquish country with their missiles. have pointed missiles, threatened Iran with “Today, we can declare that we have achieved full self- its right to export oil now that the Author and analyst at Foreign Policy in massive attacks and you are saying that Iran sufficiency in defending the country, and these achievements have country is under U.S. illegal sanctions. Focus, Ian Williams, made the remarks on has uniquely has no right to counter it.” given the great Iranian nation effective might and deterrence, “Iran will not back down on up- Thursday, commenting on a letter written He said that the International Atomic En- security, and sustainable defense,” the top commander said holding its right to produce and export by three European countries to the UN chief ergy Agency (IAEA) should get its inspectors at an exhibition of military products in Tehran on Thursday. oil after imposition of sanctions,” he about Iran’s missiles program. to check Israel’s Dimona atomic center. “Let He assured the Iranian people that the Defense Ministry told reporters on the sidelines of 177th Having failed to fulfill their commitments to them check out the missile bases in Israel, does not rely on foreigners to supply the defense and combat Meeting of the OPEC Conference. Iran under the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran, let them check out the U.S. missiles in the equipment, noting that all military gear for ground, naval and U.S. President Donald Trump the European signatories of the Joint Com- vicinity.” aerial combat, and weapons for air defense and electronic quit the 2015 nuclear deal in May policy has failed to achieve concrete prehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) wrote the Williams said the three “European so-called warfare are manufactured by Iranian experts. 2018 and introduced the harshest results. letter to UN chief Antonio Guterres. powers are …looking for excuses as the foreign He also highlighted the effectual strategy to take advantage ever sanctions on Iran as part of First Vice President Es’haq Ja- Circulated on Wednesday, the letter accused minister [Zarif] correctly said they wriggle out of Iranian knowledge-based companies for manufacturing the “maximum pressure” campaign hangiri said on Monday that the Tehran of possessing “nuclear-capable ballistic of the JCPOA commitments.” defense equipment. against Iran. United States could not cut Iran’s missiles” and claimed that the country’s latest The three European governments are During Major General Baqeri’s visit to the exhibition, the Since April 2019, the Trump ad- oil sale to zero despite pressure and missile activities were “inconsistent” with a UN “trying to weasel out,” he added. Defense Ministry unveiled a smart communication system ministration has gone beyond the sanctions. resolution that endorsed the accord. “They don’t want to upset Trump in public, used by the country’s military forces. pre-nuclear deal sanctions to impose “Despite maximum economic and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad apart from making rude gestures in Bucking- The homegrown system, comprised of four subsystems, measures that would reduce Iran’s psychological pressure, the United Javad Zarif said in response that the letter is ham Palace in London. They don’t want to go creates a safe online communication channel among military oil export income “to zero.” States could not cut export of Iran’s aimed at hiding their “miserable incompe- against the rage which the U.S. is throwing units. U.S. secondary sanctions now ap- oil to zero and we sell our oil through tence” in fulfilling their commitments under around,” he said, referring to the gathering Iranian military experts and technicians have in recent ply to virtually every civilian sector other methods,” he said during a the nuclear deal. of NATO leaders for a reception at the palace years made great headways in manufacturing a broad range of Iran’s economy speech at a ceremony held to mark “I wish foreign minister had said ‘hay, if on Tuesday evening. of indigenous equipment. Washington has been pressuring national day of exportation. Israel disarms, so will we’,” Williams told Press Former U.S. diplomat James Jatras who was Iran maintains that its military capabilities pose no threat countries not to buy oil from Iran. He said that Iranians have stood TV’s ‘The Debate’ program on Thursday. also talking to Press TV on the same program, to regional countries, stressing that the Islamic Republic’s Many analysts and think tanks on their own feet and have resisted Williams said Iran was “one of the few said that the JCPOA was about the nuclear defense doctrine is entirely based on deterrence. believe that the maximum pressure economic pressure. subjects of missile war”. program, and not Iran’s missile program. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 7, 2019 IRAN IN FOCUS 3 Cleric: Petrol plan would have Intelligence Ministry foils dorm explosion plot ahead fallen without Leader’s support of Student Day POLITICAL TEHRAN — The imple- the issue, he would support any decision made POLITICAL TEHRAN — The Intelligence Ministry says it deskmentation of the petrol by heads of the three branches of government deskhas foiled a sinister plot to blow up the kitchen subsidy reform plan would have failed if it and the experts. of an Iranian university’s dormitory. was not for the Leader’s timely support, said Aboutorabi Fard said authorities should Extremist elements were after blowing up a dormitory of Iran an interim Friday prayer preacher. not allow foreign intelligence agencies to take University of Science and Technology and killing its residents, “If it was not for the timely support of advantage of the decision, voicing regret over the ministry said in a statement on Thursday. the Leader of the Revolution, which came the hasty implementation of the plan, which out of his wisdom, bravery, tactfulness, he said could have gained the support of the piousness and justice, the implementa- elite and the people before being put into force. tion of this plan would have faced defeat,” On Wednesday, the Leader urged relevant Mohammad-Hassan Aboutorabi Fard told state bodies to practice Islamic mercy when worshipers in Tehran on Friday. dealing with those who committed acts of The remarks came a few weeks after violence or caused insecurity in the protests. protests erupted in some cities in Iran He said those who were killed without against increasing gasoline price. In cer- being involved in provoking riots should be tain cases, the protests turned violent as considered martyrs and their families should some rioters clashed with police, using receive stipends. knives and guns. Ayatollah Khamenei also called for Is- Rioters damaged public and private prop- lamic mercy in dealing with those suspects erty and put banks and state buildings on fire. involved in sabotage acts. The protests lasted just for a few days. Aboutorabi Fard pointed to the Leader’s The plot, however, was foiled thanks to the awareness of the Soon after the protests erupted, Ayatollah remarks, saying, “The world should know residents and the help of the building’s security personnel, it added. Khamenei supported the government’s de- that this is how the Revolution looks at the “Following comprehensive intelligence activities, the elements cision, putting an end to doubts and possible society.” engaged in the sinister plot have been arrested,” the statement moves to reverse the decision. The cleric also called on officials and reads. The Leader said he had previously an- clerics to attend to the families of victims The Intelligence Ministry said the criminals were trying to carry nounced that since he was not an expert on of the unrest. out the plot to provoke unrest and disrupt the events marking Iran’s National Student Day, set to be hold on Saturday. The National Student Day marks the anniversary of the mur- der of three students of the University of Tehran on December Diplomat says Iran’s priority is protecting independence 7, 1953, by Iranian police in the Pahlavi era. Iran’s top diplomat in Moscow also said it was “nat- to the agreement at bi-monthly intervals. Every year, national demonstrations are organized to honor ural” that Iran decided to reduce its commitments to In the first stage, Iran announced that it will not limit the occasion. the JCPOA, the official name for the 2015 nuclear deal. its stockpile of the nuclear fuel to 300 kilograms allowed Earlier this week, the Intelligence Ministry said it had ar- Iran has started to partially reduce its commitments under the deal. On that date (May 8) Iran’s Supreme rested the top members of an anti-Islamic Revolution network to the JCPOA in response to the United States which National Security Council (SNSC) said if the remaining who intended to create chaos in universities during the National abandoned the landmark deal in May 2018 and rein- parties to the JCPOA, especially Europeans, devise a Student Day ceremonies. stituted sanctions. mechanism to protect Iran from the sanctions’ effect The ministry said the network intended to foment insecurity And, since April 2019, the Trump administration in the two-month deadline it will reverse its decision. in Tehran and some other cities. has gone beyond the pre-JCPOA sanctions to impose But since European parties missed the deadline, on In the recent protests against partially rationing gasoline and measures that would reduce Iran’s oil export income “to July 7 Iran announced that it has started enriching ura- increasing its price, the network intended but failed to incite zero.” U.S. secondary sanctions now apply to virtually nium to a higher purity than the 3.67%, thereby starting students of the University of Tehran to disrupt the country’s every civilian sector of Iran’s economy. the second step. security, it added. “The United States violated the JCPOA and the Eu- Again, as Europe missed the second 60-day deadline, Sporadic protests erupted in Iran on November 15 after the ropeans do not take enough actions to preserve the deal. Iran moved to take the third step, removing a ban on government announced an increase in the price of gasoline, a So, how do you think Iran should behave?” the ambas- nuclear research and development (R&D). subsidized commodity that is still cheaper in Iran than other sador asked. In the latest step, which started on November 6, Iran countries in the world. So far, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) began injecting uranium gas into 1,044 centrifuges at Rioters damaged public and private property and put banks, has taken four steps to cut back commitments in accord- the Fordow nuclear site. It was done at the presence gas stations, and state buildings on fire. ance with paragraph 36 of the JCPOA which “allows one of inspectors from the International Atomic Energy side, under certain circumstances, to stop complying Agency (IAEA). with the deal if the other side is out of compliance.” Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Top officials in Tehran have repeatedly said if the Eu- Araqchi said on Monday that no one can question Iran for Judiciary chief visits UCF POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iranian Ambassador to ropean Union shields Iran’s economy from the sanctions deciding to scale down its commitments to the JCPOA. nuclear site deskRussia Mehdi Sanaei said on Friday effect the country will reverse its decision. In a panel discussion in Tokyo, he said that Iran’s that relying on domestic capacities and protecting in- Under the JCPOA, Iran promised to put limits on its action in reducing nuclear commitments does not mean dependence are Iran’s priorities. nuclear activities in exchange for termination of economic quitting the JCPOA. POLITICAL TEHRAN — Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raisi desk “In this situation, protecting independence and power and financial sanctions. “The current situation is the result of the United States’ has visited the UCF nuclear site in Isfahan, of the foreign policy and also relying on domestic economy On May 8, exactly one year after the U.S. abandoned withdrawal from the JCPOA and the only solution to it central Iran, ISNA reported on Friday. and capacities are Iran’s important priorities,” Sanaei the deal, Tehran announced that its “strategic patience” is removal of sanctions and return to diplomacy,” the said in a press conference in Moscow. is over and began to partially reduce its commitments top diplomat noted. China urges U.S. to stop maximum pressure against Iran By staff and agency saying in a press conference on Friday. U.S. maximum pressure in thwarting plots Hua Chunying, the Chinese Foreign Min- Hua said that Washington’s decisions, aimed at bringing the Iranians to their istry spokesperson, has urged the United such as leaving the JCPOA, were only serving knees. States to stop policy of maximum pressure to complicate the situation in the region. Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said on Sun- against Iran. “We hope that all parties in the JCPOA day that maximum pressure is a “wrong “The United States is not only unilat- will be able to fully implement the agree- policy” and the U.S. must stop it. erally withdrawing from the Joint Com- ment,” she added. “There has always been political will to prehensive Plan of Action [JCPOA] and U.S. President Donald Trump quit the solve issues and there is no dead end… The exerting maximum pressure on Iran, but 2015 nuclear deal in May 2018 and in- issue is that policy of maximum pressure Speaking on the sidelines of the visit, Raisi referred to the is also imposing sanctions or threatening troduced the harshest ever sanctions on is wrong and must be changed. We have applications of nuclear technology in different fields, saying great to impose sanctions on other parties with- Iran as part of the “maximum pressure” not closed the door, however, the United steps have already been taken by Iranian scientists and that the in the agreement ... We urge the United campaign against Iran. States must come to the understanding technology will improve to reach the desired level. States to correct its erroneous policy of Addressing a ceremony marking Inter- that this policy is not right,” he Larijani The Judiciary chief wished success for the scientists in the field. exerting pressure on Iran, to leave room national Day for the People with Disability told a press conference. He also lauded the efforts made by scientists and staff of the for diplomatic efforts by other parties and on Tuesday, President Hassan Rouhani He noted that current U.S. officials nuclear facility and commemorated the memory of Iranian nu- create conditions to mitigate the situation highlighted once again the key role of the should be “wise” enough to learn from clear scientists martyred by foreign agents inside the country. in the region,” UrduPoint quoted her as people’s maximum resistance against the past experiences. The Isfahan Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF) is one of the pivotal facilities for producing nuclear fuel, wherein the conver- sion of yellowcake to uranium hexafluoride (UF6) takes place. Expert says maximum pressure has not weakened Iran Defense officials and reports indicate that the maximum nian oil. As of May 2, 2019, the administration ended a Government sympathizes pressure campaign has not weakened Iran strategically or U.S. sanctions exception for any country that does reduce caused a reduction in Iran’s regional influence, the Atlantic purchases, essentially requiring all of Iran’s oil customers with victims of gas cylinder Council said in a commentary published on Thursday. to stop buying Iranian oil. A summary of the article, written by Kenneth Katz- * Penalize transactions with Iran in precious metals, explosion in Kurdistan man, a specialist on Iran at the Congressional Research certain minerals, Iran’s currency, automobile production Service, is as follows: equipment, shipping, shipbuilding, shipping insurance, POLITICAL TEHRAN — The spokesman for the Iranian The effectiveness of any U.S. policy needs to be measured Iran port operations, and industrial software. deskgovernment in a tweet on Thursday offered against the primary objective it is seeking to accomplish. * On September 20, 2019, the Treasury Department des- his condolences to the family members of the victims of a gas A policy might be changing some conditions in a target ignated Iran’s Central Bank as a terrorism-supporting cylinder explosion in a wedding ceremony in the town of Saqez country, but not others. The conditions that are being entity under Executive Order 13224. The new sanctions in Kurdistan province on Thursday night. changed by U.S. policy might be material to U.S. interests, go beyond existing provisions that bar all U.S. transac- “Unfortunately, a sum of 11 of our Kurdish compatriots, who or they might not. The key question is whether the policy tions with Iran’s Central Bank or penalize foreign banks had gathered to celebrate the beginning of a new life, lost their lives is affecting the core variables the United States seeks to that deal with it. This new designation does not convey due to the gas explosion. Some others were also wounded in the affect, and in the ways sought by the United States. a humanitarian exemption. blast. I, as the government spokesman, express my condolences With respect to Iran policy, in May 2018, the Trump The administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign to our Kurdish compatriots and the victims’ family members,” Administration withdrew the United States from the multi- To pressure Iran to accede to U.S. demands, the has hurt Iran’s economy. In October 2019, the Interna- Ali Rabiei said. lateral nuclear accord with Iran (the Joint Comprehensive administration re-imposed all secondary sanctions tional Monetary Fund revised downward its estimates “The government will do its best for treatment of the injured,” Plan of Action or JCPOA) and articulated specific demands that were eased in accordance with the JCPOA. And, for Iran’s GDP for the March 2019-March 2020 period to Rabiei vowed. for Iran to change its behavior in exchange for a new since April 2019, the administration has gone beyond a shrinkage of about 9.5 percent. In October 2019, Brian A sum of 11 people, including 5 children, 5 women and a man lost JCPOA and normalized relations with the United States. the pre-JCPOA sanctions to impose measures that Hook, the State Department’s top Iran official, said the their lives in the explosion and the following fire in the wedding hall. The demands pertaining to Iran’s regional activities, as would reduce Iran’s oil export income “to zero.” U.S. administration’s own estimates indicate Iran’s economy In the meantime, Hossein Khosh Eqbal, Kurdistan’s deputy stipulated in a May 21, 2018, speech by Secretary of State secondary sanctions now apply to virtually every civilian could shrink as much as 14 percent in that same period. governor general for social, security and political affairs, said, “11 Mike Pompeo at the Heritage Foundation are that Iran: sector of Iran’s economy. The sanctions: The termination of oil purchase sanctions exceptions invitees to the wedding ceremony were killed and 38 more were * Ends support to Middle East groups, including Leb- * Exclude from the U.S. financial system foreign banks has driven Iran’s vital oil exports to lows not seen since the wounded. The injured were transferred to the nearest medical anese Hezbollah, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. that conduct transactions with the several hundred sanc- 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War. Absent any oil-related sanctions, centers by the emergency and rescue staff.” * Allows the disarming and demobilization of militias tioned Iranian entities or persons, and additional entities Iran’s baseline crude oil exports are about 2.5 million Eqbal added three of the wounded people are in critical condition. in Iraq. are designated for sanctions virtually every week. barrels per day. But, for all of October 2019, Iran exported Kurdistan governor general Bahman Mordnia, for his part, * Ends military support to the Houthi movement in * Penalize firms that invest in Iran’s energy sector or about 250,000 barrels per day. sent a message of condolence to the bereaved families and an- Yemen. sell Iran goods to expand that sector. Defense officials and reports indicate that the maximum nounced a day of public mourning in the province. * Withdraws all forces under Iranian command through- * Penalize banks of any country that fail to reduce oil pressure campaign has not weakened Iran strategically He also visited the scene of the incident to see the reasons out Syria…. purchases from Iran, and sanction firms that ship Ira- or caused a reduction in Iran’s regional influence. behind the blast and meet the families of the victims. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY DECEMBER 7, 2019 Iran to cooperate in STOCK MARKET TEDPIX 322527.9 IFX 4159.68 renovating Syria’s water, Sources: tse.ir, Ifb.ir wastewater networks 1 According to Ardakanian, expert teams from the two sides would visit CURRENCIES signing of the mentioned MOU would each other’s projects as soon as possible, and then start taking practical measures. USD 42,000 rials create a mechanism for Iranian companies to participate in the construction of dams, Arnous, who travelled to Tehran to EUR 46,549 rials hydropower plants and the construction take part in the RCUMW conference, of water and wastewater treatment plants said Tehran and Damascus have strategic GBP 55,081 rials in war-torn Syria. relations. AED 11,437 rials Iranian companies will be awarded a He welcomed using Iranian potentials special priority in the post-war Syria’s and expertise for the reconstruction of Source: cbi.ir reconstruction projects, the official said. the water projects in Syria. Ardakanian further noted that a joint “The Syrian water sector is in dire need of reconstruction and Iranian companies technical committee at the level of deputy Iranian Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian (L) and Syria’s Water Resources Minister can help,” he said. ministers will be delegated to work out the Hussein Arnous talking to the press after a meeting in Tehran on Thursday. COMMODITIES mechanisms and follow up implementation The 10th meeting of the UNESCO Brent $63.12/b of the projects in Syria. Regional Centre on Urban Water board was held in Tehran on Thursday, expansion of cooperation between the The Iranian minister expressed hope that Management (RCUWM)’s governing during which urban water issues and region’s countries were discussed. WTI $58.04/b OPEC Basket $63.39/b Gold $1,477.75/oz Tehran, Baku stress expansion of banking ties ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iran’s Finance and Eco- reached between the two countries’ presidents should be Silver $$17.02/oz desknomic Affairs Minister Farhad Dejpasand discussed and finalized in the upcoming Iran-Azerbaijan Platinium $903.70/oz said on Thursday that Iran and Azerbaijan should take Joint Economic Committee meeting. necessary measures to expand their economic ties, es- Referring to the upcoming visit of the Azeri President Sources: oilprice.com, Moneymetals.com pecially in the banking sector, IRNA reported. Ilham Aliyev to Iran in early 2020, the Iranian minister The official made the remarks in a meeting with Azer- also stated that the two countries’ joint economic com- baijan’s Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev in mittee meeting should be held as soon as possible so that Saudi, Russia win over oil Tehran. if some agreements would need certain preparations and Underlining the two countries’ great potentials for specific arrangements, there would be enough time to producers to deeper cuts economic cooperation, Dejpasand said the two countries do so before the visit. should develop their banking ties, accelerate creation of Mustafayev for his part welcomed Dejpasand’s sugges- Saudi Arabia and Russia won backing for deeper output cuts from joint economic projects and further develop their relations. tion for holding the joint economic committee meeting OPEC and allied oil producers on Friday as they look to head off He mentioned Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s and noted that President Aliyev is keen on expansion of global oversupply in 2020 and sustain prices. recent visit to Azerbaijan and noted that the agreements relations and cooperation with Iran. The group of more than 20 producers agreed to an extra 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) in cuts for the first quarter of 2020, sources told Reuters, taking the total to 1.7 million bpd, or 1.7 percent of global demand. Iran, Kyrgyzstan confer on boosting German industry slump sparks OPEC and allied producers, the so-called OPEC+, pump more trade up to 10 folds renewed economic growth fears than 40 percent of the world’s oil. They began a closed-door meeting at around 1130 GMT to thrash out how the additional ECONOMY TEHRAN – Iranian Germany’s industrial output unexpectedly consecutive quarters of negative growth. cuts will be distributed. deskindustry, mining and dropped in October, reviving worries about “Trade conflicts, global uncertainty OPEC is likely to shoulder approximately 340,000 bpd in trade minister said Iran and Kyrgyzstan its economic growth outlook as its man- and disruption in the automotive industry fresh cuts and non-OPEC producers an extra 160,000 bpd, one have agreed to boost they trade turnover ufacturing backbone takes a blow from have put the entire German industry in a source said on Friday. to $500 million, ten times more than the global trade conflicts and disruptions in headlock, from which it is hard to escape,” Benchmark Brent oil prices were steady on Friday near $63 current level, in short term. the auto sector. said Carsten Brzeski, economist at ING. per barrel. Reza Rahmani made the remarks af- Industrial output dropped 1.7% on the The Automobile Association VDA said “Despite the deeper potential cuts, we view most headlines so ter a meeting with Kyrgyzstan’s Economy month against expectations for a 0.1% rise, on Wednesday that it expected global car far as falling short of consensus expectations,” Goldman Sachs said Minister Sanzhar Mukanbetov in Tehran Statistics Office figures showed on Friday. sales to fall by 5% this year and that the in a note citing factors including the short duration of the deal. on December 4, IRIB reported. Production of capital goods slumped by crisis would force German companies to OPEC+ will deepen cuts for the first three months of 2020, “The current volume of trade and eco- Kyrgyzstan’s Economy Minister Sanzhar 4.4% on the month, the steepest decline cut more jobs in 2020. shorter than the six- or 12-month scenarios some OPEC mem- nomic exchanges between the two countries Mukanbetov (L) held talks with Iranian in more than five years. Many economists have been urging the bers wanted. is not very good considering the existing Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Europe’s biggest economy is going government to ditch its policy of incurring The cuts offset an expected increase from countries that are capacities, but given the two countries’ Farhad Dejpasand in Tehran on December 4. through a soft patch as its export-oriented no new net debt, saying it should instead not part of OPEC+, including top producer the United States. membership in Eurasia, the value of trade he added. manufacturers struggle against a backdrop borrow to finance a stimulus package. OPEC met on Thursday in Vienna, deliberating policy for between the two countries is projected to Establishing a joint insurance of trade friction, an ailing car industry and Conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel’s more than five hours. The length of the meeting prompted the reach $500 million in the short run and company uncertainties over Britain’s planned de- right-left coalition government has rejected cancellation of a news conference and a gala dinner for delegates even more in the long run,” Rahmani said. During his visit to Tehran, Mukanbetov parture from the European Union. calls from industry groups and economists aboard a boat on the Danube. The official said, “Facilitating the issu- also held talks with his Iranian counterpart, “Now the trepidation starts again for a stimulus package to put the economy Eleven of OPEC’s 14 member states are participating in the ance of visas, in particular for businessmen, Farhad Dejpasand, during which the Iranian about GDP growth in the final quarter,” firmly back on a growth trajectory. supply curbs. Iran, Libya and Venezuela are exempt. facilitating the exchange of trade delega- minister suggested the two sides establish said Jens-Oliver Niklasch, economist at However, the new leftist leadership at OPEC+ adds Russia and nine others - Azerbaijan, Bahrain, tions, holding international exhibitions and a joint insurance company to support the Landesbank Baden-Wuerttemberg. the helm of the Social Democrats, Merkel’s Brunei, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, South Sudan and establishing direct flights between the two activities of their traders in both countries. German industry now expects output junior coalition partner, wants more in- Sudan. countries were among the areas agreed at In the meeting, Dejpasand mentioned in the coming months to fall more slowly vestment in schools, infrastructure and One sticking point has been compliance, with Saudi Arabia today’s meeting that would increase trade the two countries’ positive political rela- than was foreseen a month ago, a survey digitalization. cutting more than required in order to offset overproduction between the two countries.” tions and called for the two sides to take of 2,300 firms in the sector by the (Ifo) an The coalition parties must now decide from Iraq and Nigeria. The Kyrgyz minister for his part noted necessary measures to boost the trade ties acronym from Information and Forschung how far they will compromise to preserve “A scenario where the Saudis ‘absorb’ the majority of a 500,000 that in the meeting the two sides have de- to match the political relations. (research). their governing alliance until a 2021 election. bpd cut and formalize their target at current output levels would termined potential areas for mutual coop- Referring to the implementation of the In its 10th successive year of growth, The “economic weakness in industry not be impactful to the market - unless Iraq and Nigeria come eration, saying “during the meeting we have free trade agreement between Iran and Germany’s economy has been relying on remains” the ministry said in a statement. into compliance with their targets,” said analysts from Jefferies. been able to determine many industrial and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) strong consumption as exports weaken, “However, the latest developments in new ING bank analysts said the key question was whether the commercial areas for enhancing relations. since late October, he said, “In this con- which resulted in a second-quarter GDP orders and business expectations indicate new cuts were real or just a matter of Saudi Arabia formalizing “Although the volume of trade between text, we must work together to increase contraction of 0.2%. that a stabilizing trend could emerge in its current over-compliance. the two countries has been growing over the volume of our trade relations with The negative growth the coming months.” “Obviously, if it is the latter, the market will be disappointed, the past few months, but of course we are the union, and it should be done through The economy grew by just 0.1% in the German business morale rose in No- as this will do little to eat into the surplus over the first quarter,” further working to fix the existing issues the countries in the region, including the third quarter, narrowly avoiding recession, vember, Ifo said late last month. ING said. and restrictions to facilitate this growth,” Kyrgyz Republic.” which economists usually define as two (Source: reuters.com) Saudi Arabia needs prices of at least $80 per barrel to balance its budget, much higher than most other producers, and also needs to support the share flotation of its national oil company Saudi Aramco. How China can set the record straight about its GDP figures Shares in Aramco are expected to begin trading this month By Logan Wright lower level of 2018-2019 nominal GDP for the Chinese econ- following pricing on Thursday that made it the world’s biggest IPO. Given its trade war with the U.S. and slowing domestic ac- omy as a whole and bring the trendline into better alignment (Source: Reuters) tivity, many economists anticipate that China will report its with the pattern of aggregated components from the country’s first quarter of growth below 6% in 29 years in the period that industrial output statistics. Stagnant local economy ends December 31. Output growth rates revised While the pace of expansion has been on a long, slow decline, The logic of such a revision would be to bring China’s eco- concerns state pension fund what has stood out most about China’s gross domestic product nomic volatility more in line with those of other economies figures in recent years is how unnaturally stable they have been. and to increase the credibility of each subsequent GDP release. Despite South Africa’s slow local economic growth, the Govern- The country’s economic momentum is a matter of signif- Local governments in China have already revised down 2014- ment Employees Pension Fund (GEPF), which invests over 90% icance to more than just statisticians and national officials. 2015 output growth rates themselves and the sum of these of its assets in the country, said it is not in a rush to increase its Over the past decade, China has become the biggest factor in revisions represents around 2%-3% of 2014 GDP. exposure to international markets. global growth, nearly matching the combined contribution However, Beijing is now moving in the other direction. In Africa’s largest pension fund, which manages R1.8 trillion in of all advanced economies. Thus, how fast China’s economy late November, the authorities revised 2018’s nominal GDP pension savings of state workers, released its annual report for is expanding is relevant for businesses from Bali to Berlin. output produced by my company and other published data figure up by 2.1%. While it is true that service sector activity the financial year to the end of March. The GEPF recorded sharp What Beijing needs to do is to build credibility in its numbers. series point to significantly more volatility in China’s economic was probably undercounted for many years, the change had declines in returns from its domestic equities (JSE-listed shares) The best way to do this would be to simply let the numbers activity over the past five years. Moreover, according to official the added benefit of moving the country closer to achieving a and bonds, which account for over 80% of its asset allocation in move up and down more. figures, imports have fallen much more than exports over the 10-year goal of doubling GDP by 2020. its investment portfolio. China’s GDP data has barely moved over the past four years, last two years, suggesting a sharper slowdown in domestic de- The authorities have not revised 2018’s growth figures so Returns from domestic equities declined from an annual with year-on-year growth rates varying between just 6.2% and mand and industrial activity than the GDP data would indicate. far. So there might still be an opening to publish more widely return of 9.41% as at March 2018 to 0.43% as at March 2019. 7% until the most recent announcement of 6% growth in the Outside of rapidly rising pork prices, China is facing defla- ranging rates for last year. That would look more realistic and Meanwhile, returns on local bonds were 3.5% as at March third quarter. Looking at data from the other 19 largest global tionary pressure, indicating that regardless of official growth enhance Beijing’s credibility. Every quarterly GDP release that 2019 compared with 16.1% as at March 2018. economies, none have ever reported such a narrow range of rates, domestic demand for major raw materials and com- continues on the current ever-so-gradual glide path toward On the other hand, the GEPF’s offshore investments – mainly GDP figures across a four-year period. modities is insufficient to move prices. sub-6% growth becomes increasingly difficult for observers global equities and bonds – saw returns of 26.28% and 19.39% The reasons for China’s official record of stability are well-un- Fundamentally, the most important consequence of China’s to believe. respectively, which were “enhanced” by the rand’s depreciation derstood. Economic performance is a critical component of careful management of its GDP data is a continued deterioration A more volatile past growth trajectory would also help pol- against the dollar. In 2018, global equities and bonds penciled the Chinese Communist Party’s legitimacy. Stable and high in Beijing’s credibility: in domestic and international financial icymakers downplay the significance of rigid GDP targeting in returns of 0.31% and -6.45% respectively. growth rates project efficiency in economic management. They markets, in international policy circles and even among the in the future by showing that China has missed targets in the The “GEPF’s allocation to offshore investments is relatively also speak to China’s rise as an increasingly prosperous and media and general public. recent past without economic or social calamity. Moreover, small, at 5% of total assets [of R1.818 trillion], thus the strong powerful country. To improve the credibility of its published GDP growth demonstrating that China’s economic growth has already performance of offshore investments did not make a large impact Supporting the economy rates, Chinese policymakers should ponder changing the past slowed sharply could reinvigorate internal debates about the on the fund’s overall return,” the annual report reads. But there are significant costs in projecting such stability, for the sake of the future. importance of structural reform for more sustainable growth However, the state pension fund’s overall annual return on primarily for China itself. Bad data produces bad decisions. Specifically, trust in the National Bureau of Statistics would over the long term. investments was 2.6%, which slightly exceeded its 2.3% benchmark. An internal perception of stability can cause leaders to hold off probably improve should the agency make a high-profile an- China’s credibility problem with its economic statistics will Asked if the fund would diversify its investments by increasing from supporting the economy even when downside risks are nouncement of a thorough revision of recent years’ GDP levels persist as long as the political priority on evincing stability its exposure in offshore assets, GEPF principal executive officer building and loan and bond defaults are becoming far more and growth rates. continues to influence published GDP growth rates. Beijing can Abel Sithole said a decision would not be “taken overnight”. common. This might help explain China’s current hesitant This would involve reducing GDP growth rates for 2014- help start afresh and virtually without cost simply by admitting This implies that the GEPF would carefully consider the move. stimulus efforts in response to slowing growth momentum. 2015, revising 2016-2017 rates slightly higher and reducing to a higher degree of past economic volatility. (Source: citizen.co.za) The Rhodium China Activity Tracker, or R-CAT, of industrial 2018’s growth rate. This would produce a correspondingly (Source: asia.nikkei.com) II NN TT EE RR NN AA TT II OO NN AA LL DD AA II LL YY DECEMBER 7, 2019 DECEMBER 7, 2019 ENERGYANALYSIS & INTERVIEW 55

No limitations on Iran’s oil output Asian LNG prices drop for second straight week on mild winter

Asian spot prices for liquefied natural gas (LNG) dropped for acceptable: Zanganeh a second consecutive week as supply flooded the market, over- shadowing demand subdued by a winter that has been milder ENERGY TEHRAN – Iranian Oil agreed levels of production and cuts, it would than average. deskMinister Bijan Namdar be good enough. The average LNG price for January delivery into northeast Zanganeh said Iran would not accept any He further noted that Tehran supports the Asia is estimated to be about $5.50 per million British thermal limitationsBy Grant Smith on its oil output and will produce decision of the majority of the OPEC member units (mmBtu), down 10 cents from the previous week, several at its full capacity when the U.S. sanctions states on output cuts. industry sources said. are removed, Shana reported. He further mentioned a letter he wrote to “It’s still looking pretty bearish for January,” a Singapore-based Speaking to the press prior to the 177th OPEC Conference President Manuel Queve- LNG trader said. “There are some pockets of demand, but way meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum do, saying “Yesterday, I wrote a letter to the too much supply.” Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Vienna on conference president and asked him to inform Russia’s Sakhalin 2 plant probably sold a cargo for loading on Thursday, Zanganeh said he and his team other OPEC members that Iran has involun- Jan. 22 at $5.70 to $5.90 per mmBtu, an industry source said, would never forfeit Iranian nation’s rights. tarily reduced its output and produced less although this could not immediately be confirmed. “In the future, those who are currently than its historical quota. Those who produce Angola LNG offered a cargo for delivery over late January to producing more will have to make more cuts; more oil must cut their output deeper.” mid-February in a tender that closes next week. this is a matter of rights for our nation and Asked whether Iran is going to negotiate our people, and I insist on it,” he said, adding with the U.S., Zanganeh said we will negotiate “No one must expect Iran to reduce its output if they remove all “oil and banking sanctions” in the wake of eased sanctions in the future.” against Iran. Asked about the OPEC decision on ex- He also mentioned the Europe’s Instru- tending or deepening the cuts, the officials ment in Support of Trade Exchanges (IN- said OPEC is currently emphasizing more STEX), saying “we can’t say anything positive on adherence and if all the OPEC and non- has happened unless oil money is transferred OPEC parties of the deal conform to their through INSTEX.”

RCUWM-Tehran to increase Iran’s role in region’s water projects ENERGY TEHRAN – Iranian Energy Minister Reza “Of course, transferring knowledge and experience from Center also attended the gathering,” he said. deskArdakanian said the UNESCO Regional other parts of the world and attracting investment are also RCUWM has been established under the auspices of Centre on Urban Water Management (RCUWM-Tehran) on our agenda, and we have started various programs with UNESCO since 2002 in Tehran-Iran. The agreement be- has offered new solutions for increasing the role of regional the goal of capacity building and transferring experiences,” tween the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and GAIL (India) has also offered up to 10 cargoes on a free-on- companies, including Iranian firms, in water and energy he added. UNESCO regarding RCUWM has been recently renewed, board (FOB) basis from the Sabine Pass and Cove Point LNG projects. He further noted that RCUWM-Tehran has been invit- signed and exchanged for its third period of activities as plants in the U.S. for loading from early next year to early 2021, Speaking to the press on the sidelines of the 10th meeting ing other countries, international organizations and even for 2018-2023. industry sources said. of the UNESCO Regional Centre on Urban Water Manage- countries outside the region that are interested in helping in RCUWM is guided and overseen by its Governing Board In the United States, Cheniere Energy asked U.S. energy and ment (RCUWM)’s governing board in Tehran, Ardakanian this area, adding “Many countries responded positively and (GB) as the most important decision making constituent at safety regulators to approve a process to return to service a storage said the RCUWM regional center in Tehran was established participated in the 10th RCUWM meeting; including Syria, the highest level according to the agreement. The Centre’s GB tank that leaked at its Sabine Pass LNG export plant. as a hub for cooperation among the countries of the region. Tajikistan, Oman, Iraq, Armenia, Egypt, India, Afghanistan, member states were ministers from Iran (Chair), Afghani- The lower spot prices appeared to stoke some demand from “It has been largely welcomed as we are in an arid region Bangladesh, Switzerland and Germany.” stan, Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Germany, India, China, Japan and India. which has been plagued by wars in recent years. Wars that “World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations En- Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Syria, Tajikistan, China’s Guangzhou Gas and Japan’s Tohoku Electric Power each have caused extensive damage to the infrastructure of some vironment Program (UNEP), The International Development and Yemen as well as UNESCO Director-General during sought a cargo for delivery in late January, industry sources said. countries in the region,” he said. Bank and Japan’s Middle East Partnership Development the period of 2002-2017. In India, Gujarat State Petroleum Corp (GSPC) is seeking a cargo for delivery in January while Reliance Industries sought a cargo for delivery over the second-half of January, industry BP boosts stake in solar firm amid clean Wind power in Spain, Enel Green Power connects sources said. Pakistan LNG is seeking a cargo for delivery over Feb. 16 to energy plan for its offices the wind farms of Campoliva II and Primoral 17 in a tender that closes on Dec. 17, a tender document showed. Still, temperatures in Tokyo, Beijing and Seoul are expected to BP has increased its stake in the British solar The wind energy plants of Campoliva II power and 339 MW of solar energy at be mostly warmer than average over the next two weeks, according venture Lightsource BP as it prepares to strike and Primoral have a capacity of 39.37 MW government auctions held in May 2017, to weather data by Refinitiv Eikon. a deal to power its offices with renewable and 34.65 MW, may generate 119.34 GWh with a total investment of more than 800 South Korea’s LNG demand is also set to slow over the next energy from next year. and 107.58 GWh respectively and add an million euros. At this time, the company two years, despite a number of coal plant closures, the boss of The companies announced plans to set investment of 75 million euros. has already connected to the network the Power Company SK E&S said this week. up a 50:50 joint venture almost two years The development of these wind farm 339 MW of solar and some 160 MW of Chief Executive Jeong Joon Yu expects at least 10 coal plants after BP made its return to the solar market plants responds to Endesa’s strategy of wind turbines, and the construction and to be shut down by spring, but the drop in coal power produc- by snapping up a 43% stake in Lightsource reaching 10.2 GW of renewable installed connection of the remaining wind farm tion will be offset by weaker electricity demand and new nuclear for £200m. capacity in 2022 thanks to an investment projects, which will be ready by the end output, he said. BP will increase its stake in the company by of 3.8 billion euros, to achieve, in 2050, a of the year, is finalized. (Source: in-reuters.com) buying new shares for an undisclosed price to countries in the last two years by harness- generation mix without emissions. The Campoliva II wind farm, consisting help accelerate Lightsource BP’s solar power ing BP’s international networks and energy Enel Green Power España (EGPE), the of 15 turbines, may generate 119.34 GWh targets. It had hoped to grow its portfolio to trading expertise. renewable energy subsidiary of Endesa, per year and its entry into operation will Natural gas outpaced 6GW of capacity by 2023 but plans to reach The company has also been experimenting has connected to the network the wind prevent the emission of approximately 10GW over the same timescale. with ways to boost the financial rewards of farms of Campoliva II and Primoral, of 78,500 tons of CO2 annually into the renewable energy in reducing BP has used the UK solar startup to re-es- solar power projects, including trials that 39.37 megawatts (MW) and 34.65 MW atmosphere. greenhouse gases tablish a presence in the solar sector after it use double-sided panels or help to balance respectively, which have meant an invest- The Primoral wind farm consists of 10 backed out of the market in 2011. It plans to the energy system at night. ment which amounts to 75 million euros. wind turbines that provide a total pow- Natural gas outpaced renewable energy options in the reduction of use more solar power in its own offices too. Nick Boyle, the group chief executive of They are located in the municipalities of er of 34.65 MW. It will produce about greenhouse gas emissions, according to a recent report published Dev Sanyal, the boss of BP’s alternative Lightsource BP, said: “Two years ago, we were Villamayor de Gállego and Alfajarín, in the 107.58 GWh per year and avoid the annual by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). energy division, said the oil company was in in four countries and we’re now in 13. We had province of Zaragoza, and represent the emission of 71,000 tons of CO2 into the While energy and electricity production has changed sub- conversation with the venture to source solar a global pipeline of 1.6GW and today it’s over third and fourth park of the Company that atmosphere. Its construction began on May stantially over the years, natural gas is emerging as the cleanest, energy to power BP’s global offices next year. 12GW. It’s that sort of additional momentum goes into production in Aragon, after the 15, 2019 and ended on October 4, 2019. lowest-impact fossil fuel source for generating power, the report BP’s commodity traders will also sell which has been facilitated (by BP).” Sierra Costera I (Teruel) and Campoliva The construction of Primoral has been indicates. more renewable energy from Lightsource BP’s fresh investment in the solar company plants I (Zaragoza). the result of a long-term energy purchase The shift in the U.S. to building more natural gas power plants BP projects to other companies that want came as environmental lawyers prepared to José Bogas, CEO of Endesa, said that and sale agreement (PPA) signed by Ende- has led to the reduction of more than 2.8 million metric tons of to run on clean energy. take action against a multimillion-pound BP “Endesa is already finalizing the connec- sa and BBVA and does not correspond carbon dioxide emissions since 2005. Sanyal said: “BP is committed to helping advertising campaign. tion to the network of the 879 renewable to the MW awarded in the auctions. The meet the world’s rapidly growing demand for ClientEarth said the company was MW awarded in the 2017 auction, which Primoral wind farm will supply 30% of low-carbon energy. Solar, which is predicted misleading the public with claims of being demonstrates the company’s commitment BBVA’s energy consumption in Spain, to increase by a factor of 10 by 2040, plays committed to a low-carbon future. The to fulfill the commitments acquired in the while Endesa will provide the remain- a key role in this energy transition. That is charity is calling for the ads to be banned Tenders This is another step in Endesa’s ing 70% through the traditional supply why we want to invest more in Lightsource unless they include a health warning that commitment to the production of clean model based on green certificates, both BP and to deepen our partnership.” BP’s oil and gas spending is contributing energy, one of the pillars of the national in corporate buildings and in the bank’s Lightsource BP has grown its pipeline of to the climate crisis. energy transition policy.” branch network. solar projects almost 10-fold across nine new (Source: theguardian.com) EGPE was awarded 540 MW of wind (Source: binarybusinessbay.com)

Announcement 1398.5449 نوبت Secondاول N.I.S.O.C FRV to develop 1398.5449 energy storage N.I.S.O.C NATIONAL NATIONAL IRANIAN IRANIAN SOUTH SOUTH OILFIELDS OILFIELDS COMPANYCOMPANY AHVAZ AHVAZ-IRAN-IRAN projects globally TENDER NO.TENDER : 31-32-09999-9009-8 NO. : 31-32-09999-9009-8 The analysis examines economic trends and changes in fuel mix National IranianNational South Iranian Oilfields South Oilfields Company(NISOC) Company(NISOC) intends intends to purchase to purchase the following the goods following goods Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV), part of Abdul Latif that influence energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the Jameel Energy, has announced its first battery project U.S. As a result, most of the CO2 emissions being discussed are the Material Description Quantity as a part of its long-term investment plan to develop result of fossil fuel combustion or their use in the petrochemical and energy storage projects globally. related industries, the report states. CHT 815-H 2-10' HYDRAULIC HOT TAPPING MACHINE. MAX DESIGN OPERATING PRESSURE 5000 PSI. HYDRAULIC POWER PACK UNIT. 30 The plan includes long-term investments in battery In the short term, energy-related CO2 emissions are influenced by STANDARD HOT TAP CUTTER STANDARD HOT TAP PILOT DRILL BRAZED INSERT #2500 & #600 RF FLANGE ADAPTOR MHT4-20 4-20" NO energy storage projects that play a central role in the the weather, fuel prices and disruptions in electricity generation. 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 market, supporting the increasing penetration of re- the long term, CO2 emissions are influenced by public policy, reduced #150 FLANGE ADAPTOR HOLE SAW HOLDER & PILOT DRILL newables in the global energy mix. costs and improved efficiencies of new technology, demand-side Vendors who intend to participate in aforesaid tenders are requested to send their “ Intention to participate” letter The project is located at Holes Bay, Dorset, UK, in efficiency gains and economic trends, according to the report. via Fax to the following number along with their resume according to Qualitative Assessment Form no. 1, available at: collaboration with the British developer Harmony Energy. A major factor in recent reductions in the carbon intensity of The Holes Bay project will be comprised of lithi- electric generation in the U.S. is the reduced generation of electricity WWW.nisoc.ir , not later than 14 days after the second announcement, otherwise, their requests for participation in the um-ion batteries with a combined capacity of 15 MWh, using coal while increasingly using natural gas. Natural gas emits FOREIGN PURCHASING DEPARTMENT .tender will be disregarded connected to the Southern Electric Power distribu- less carbon dioxide for the same amount of electricity generated, Bldg. No. 104, Material Procurement Management Complex The applicants should have relevant background in supplying the required goods and capability to provide and submit tion network, with the capability to store energy and and non-carbon generation (including renewables), which don’t Kouy-e-Fadaeian Islam (New Site), Ahvaz, Iran provide flexibility to the grid. emit the gas. .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 Tender documents including the materials thorough technical specifications and Qualitative Assessment Forms can be Construction will start in January 2020, with com- Between 2005 and 2018, EIA has calculated that cumulative U.S. Public Relations WWW.shana.ir www.nisoc.ir http://iets.mporg.ir missioning expected within three months. C02 emissions reductions attributable specifically to shifts from coal accessed via: WWW.nisoc.ir-material procurement management tab Harmony Energy, with the backing of FRV, has also to natural gas and to non-carbon generation totaled 4,621 million روابط عمومی شرکت ملی مناطق نفت خیز جنوب The ONLY ACCEPTABLE DELIVERY TERM IS D.D.P. NISOC’S WAREHOUSE, AGHAJARI.IRAN PAYMENT TERM IS C.O.D. conditionally pre-qualified 300 MW of new battery metric tons (MMmt). Of this total, 2,823 MMmt resulted from de- MATERIAL APPROVAL NO ADVANCE PAYMENT WILL BE PAID energy storage systems in the UK Capacity Market, creased use of coal and increased use of natural gas; 1,799 MMmt تهران S تایمز : نوبت ’NISOC اول TO/13 9/98 نوبت دوم SUBSEQUENT98/9/16 with this pre-qualified capacity making up 16% of the resulted from decreased use of coal and increased use of non-carbon FOREIGN PURCHASING DEPARTMENT total 1.8 GW battery energy capacity. generation sources. Bldg. No. 104, Material Procurement Management Complex The UK has been a pioneer in deploying these systems Between 2005 and 2017, total U.S. electricity generation increased Kouy-e-Fadaeian Islam (New Site), Ahvaz, Iran in a competitive and open market, creating perfect by almost 4 percent while related C02 emissions fell by 27 percent. Tel. No.: 061 341 23455 Fax No.: 061 3445 7437 conditions for integrators, developers and investors During the same period, fossil fuel electricity generation declined by Public Relations www.shana.ir www.nisoc.ir to embrace the benefits of incorporating these clean roughly 9 percent, and non-carbon electricity generation increased .technologies into the energy mix. by 35 percent تهران تایمز : نوبت اول 13/9/98 نوبت دوم 98/9/16 (Source: energyglobal.com) (Source: thecentersquare.com)

I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 INTERNATIONAL DECEMBER 7, 2019

U.S. favors ‘Regime Change’ not diplomacy with Iran: Ex-U.S. East Asia at the glance senate candidate U.S. should not test China’s patience on HK TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Mark Dankof, a former US Senate candidate, system based on outdated theories and stereotypes reaches said the US administration is interested in “regime change” not diplo- nowhere. What it only leads to is the fear of China. macy with respect to Iran. But how to set people free from such shackled mind-set? “They are obviously interested in ‘regime change,’ not diplomacy, This is something both Chinese and Western scholars need to with the interests of Israel, Saudi Arabia, the Central Banks, Oil-Gas work together on. Addressing this problem could be difficult, but Consortiums, and Armament Manufacturers being paramount,” under the circumstances that China is opening up to the world Dankof told Tasnim. widely, it can be much easier than ever. For example, scholars Mark Dankof is a broadcaster for The Ugly Truth Podcast. Born in can take a field trip to Xi’an or Xuzhou, and start to re-recog- Wiesbaden, Germany, the son of a United States Air Force Colonel, nize China’s political system from there. While the problem he graduated from Valparaiso University in 1977 and from Chicago’s remains — whether the West would like to drop their sense Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 1983. In recent years, he has of superiority and understand China’s history with sincerity? pursued post-graduate work in systematic theology and theological Most countries will rebuild a world order the German at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. Formerly U.S. can’t stop the 36th District Chairman of the Republican Party in King County/ Political chaos has become a new normal for the US. As the Seattle and later an elected delegate to Texas State Republican Con- presidential election approaches, confusion has worsened while ventions in 1994 and 1996, he entered the United States Senate race the country’s foreign policy has become the focus of political in Delaware in 2000 as the nominated candidate of the Constitution games between the Democratic Party and the Republican Par- Party against Democratic candidate Thomas Carper and Republican ty. This has severely restricted US foreign policy from being incumbent William Roth. rational, and has victimized China-US ties.The impeachment Following is the full text of the interview. inquiry against US President Donald Trump launched by the In an interview with BBC Persian on Nov. 21, the US special Democrats has intensified friction between the two political representative for Iran, Brian Hook, said Washington is “very pleased” parties, and the Republicans have fought back. with protests over a fuel price hike in Iran, adding that the maximum The Republican base on Tuesday drove fundraising to a pressure against Iran will continue. US President Donald Trump and GLOBALTIME S— China has suspended reviewing applications age it has done to its alliance with Europe. It is quite true that pro-Trump super political action committee America First Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also took to Twitter to express support by US warships and aircraft to make port calls in Hong Kong with security consideration weighed in, the US still has com- Action, which is dropping $2.26 million in ads against “27 for the protesters. Open support for rioters has just reinvigorated the and will impose sanctions on five NGOs, including the National manding influence over Europe, however its moral standing Democratic House members the group sees as most politically Islamic Republic’s official narrative that the real goal the United States Endowment for Democracy and Human Rights Watch, which has depleted in the continent as well as the world in the last vulnerable in the impeachment fight,” according to an AXIOS pursues through maximum pressure is not to bring Iran to the negotiating are involved in the Hong Kong unrest. These countermeasures couple of decades. It is a trend going on for quite a while but report. But the move could “get the base even more fired up.” table but to cause “regime change” in the country. What do you think? were announced by China’s Foreign Ministry on Monday as clearly exacerbated by Trump. Most of the time after the WWII, Both parties upgraded their moves and countermeasures What is behind this kind of US policy? a response to US so-called Hong Kong Human Rights and the US-Europe alliance has been anchored by a shared goal, to knock off the other, but have only drawn themselves into a A: It is clear that “regime change” in Iran is the goal of the Neo-Con- Democracy Act, which was signed into law by US President which was combating the Soviet Union. After the end of the vicious cycle.Trump described China as a strategic competitor servative, Zionist foreign policy of the Trump Administration. As I stated Donald Trump on November 27. Cold War, a narrative was created - the US-Europe alliance is and launched a trade war against it. He has taken advantage of in an interview on the Republic Broadcasting Network this afternoon, The US legislation stipulates that it will evaluate Hong Kong’s a three-in-one relationship, built upon security cooperation, the trade war to create an image that he is fighting for Ameri- and on UK EuroFolkRadio yesterday morning, the situation in Iran must “autonomous decision-making,” based on which Washington woven together by economic interdependence, and bonded by cans, and thus to gain more votes. As the two countries strive be understood not only in light of what the CIA and British intelligence will decide whether to continue the city’s special customs status. shared values, which in their opinion denote “universal values.” for a phase one trade deal, Trump once again hinted to delay did in Tehran with Operation Ajax in 1953, but in contemporary terms In addition, the bill said the US should impose sanctions on Though the security cooperation is in reality intact, the the deal as he likes “the idea of waiting until after the election in the 4 decades since the overthrow of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi officials from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong involved other two pillars are under assault from no one but the US for the China deal.” in 1979 with ongoing American and Israeli subversion in various cities in violating so-called human rights. itself. Economic interdependence, which is measured by trade Where did that “idea” come from? Maybe it was from the and provinces of Iran, along with the current American Empire machi- China’s retaliatory measures showed the Chinese government’s and investment volumes, used to be a good thing, but since polarized US Congress. Both parties are using China as a token nations in Ukraine, Libya, Syria, Iraq, Bolivia, Venezuela, and now Hong resolve to safeguard its sovereignty, security, development, to Trump assumed office, it is no longer relevant, trade deficit is to gain the upper hand. Hence, Congress won’t let Trump make Kong among others. Pompeo’s recent announcement giving Israel the follow the “one country, two systems” principle, and to resist what truly matters. a trade deal with China easily. From the so-called Hong Kong green light to steal the West Bank along with solidifying their theft of external interference. To stop violence and restore order is Thus EU, Germany in particular, is not that friendly any- Human Rights and Democracy Act to the so-called Uyghur East Jerusalem (al-Quds) must also be added to this demonic mix and what Hong Kong needs most now. As Article 23 of the Basic more. The US has lost its moral compass in other parts of the Human Rights Policy Act, when one party interferes in China’s overview. Jewish settlement in Hebron (al-Khalil) alone has now tripled, Law, which states that “the Hong Kong Special Administrative world from time to time, but Europe was not directly affected. domestic affairs, the other won’t allow itself to be left behind. as but one example of the ramifications. The American backed horrors Region shall enact laws on its own to prohibit any act of treason, Since Trump took power, Europe has met the moral decline of In this context, two forces in the US are colluding. One force in Gaza and Yemen amplify a very blood-soaked picture. secession, sedition, subversion against the Central People’s the US head on, be it withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear is the anti-China group represented by Republican senators Reports by Iranian intelligence services say that the US and Government… to prohibit foreign political organizations or deal or the Paris climate deal. Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, who use anti-China legislation and its allies in the region meddled to stoke recent unrest in Iran. They say bodies from conducting political activities in the Region,” is What’s more, the US has shown a tendency of browbeat- statements to enhance their own political careers. The other is clues have been found proving that they intervened to create the turmoil. not yet implemented in the city, such countermeasures are ing Europe over the security connection. Former head of US an anti-Trump group who opposes anything Trump supports, Bahman Reyhani, a military commander in Kermanshah, said “the ri- stern warnings to disruptive forces. Homeland Security Tom Ridge once said if the UK uses Huawei including hindering him from reaching a trade deal with China. oters belonged to anti-revolutionary groups and America’s intelligence The US so-called Hong Kong bill is overt interference in equipment for its 5G network, intelligence sharing with the US This is what US politics is really like. We can predict right now services”. What are your thoughts on this? China’s domestic affairs. But we can see the Chinese side has will be harmed. The situation has forced Europe to grow up. It that the 2020 election campaign will be unprecedentedly fierce. A: All of the published reports over time indicate that the Saudi-backed been restrained considering the bigger picture of China-US is true that there are still quite a lot of ideological Atlanticists It is pathetic for Democrats and Republicans to get where they terror groups are involved in (Sistan and) Balouchestan Province terrorist ties. The countermeasures are meant to warn the US to stop who believe in the moral perfection of the US-Europe alliance are. Both parties have gone too far, and so has Washington’s operations coming across the Pakistani-Iranian border. In Khuzestan interfering before it is too late. It is not the first time China has itself and who expect transatlantic relations to go back to the foreign policy. In addition to the trade wars it launched against Province, where unofficial reports indicate Iran has discovered a new suspended reviewing applications for US warships and aircraft honeymoon period once there is a new occupant of the White China, India and Japan, the US has pointed its tariff gun at its potential deposit of oil in southwestern Iran, both groups and the nefar- to make port calls in Hong Kong, the US side should be aware House. But there are more and more pragmatic Atlanticists ally France and Latin American “friends” Brazil and Argentina, ious Muhajedeen-e-Khalq (MEK-MKO) are apparently involved in the of the signal such suspensions have sent. On the other hand, who know that the security aspect of the US-Europe alliance not to mention its reckless policies toward Europe and Russia. ignition of violent incidents. The MEK is clearly involved in the troubles although Beijing’s sanctions against the US NGOs, which are is still valid and important for Europe, but the continent needs Given such a mind-set of the US, not only China-US trade in Tehran, and in Golestan Province and Iranian Azerbaijan. as a matter of fact supported by Washington and even US to look after its own interests. To make decisions that suit its talks but also many other international agendas have been The MEK headquarters in Tirana, Albania, has been regularly en- intelligence agencies, will give US far-right forces an excuse to own interests regardless of diktats from Washington is what affected. After World War II, the US grasped the opportunity tertaining leading American Neo-Conservatives and Zionists in public step up their anti-China rant, it has saved the face of the Trump many European countries have opted for in the case of Huawei to establish a US-dominated world order, but it has also been photo-ops. The New York Times has extensively covered the Neo-Con- administration, since after all, they are NGOs. and 5G, because the volatility of the Trump administration damaging the system by breaking rules. More impact to the servative, Zionist politicians who have been on the MEK payroll, and Trump was reluctant to sign on the Hong Kong bill. He is a harbinger of a changing world, in which only self-help is already fragile world order is coming.As most countries pursue who helped remove them from the American State Department list of was aware that his signature would scupper the chances of a best for the long run. stability and development, they will join hands to rebuild the Officially Designated Terrorist Organizations. The money of the MEK is phase one trade deal with China, but in the face of “political China’s political system predates the West’s world order. It will take a long time to shape a new order, which traceable to Saudi Arabia, and Israeli players in this New Great Game. It correctness” in terms of Hong Kong issue, which is formed Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220) plays an important role in will certainly be different from the US-dominated one. If the is fascinating to note the absolute silence over the recent Albanian earth- by both chambers of the Congress, and mounting pressure of Chinese history. The dynasty was built on past achievements US doesn’t stop harming the world and join rulemaking, some quake and the report of the Balkans Post and Iran Interlink that the MEK presidential election, his signing could be argued as a rational and opened up the future. Qin Dynasty (221BC-206BC), the other countries will make the rules. headquarters there was devastated. I’m fishing for more information on choice from his own perspective. However, as if offering a sweet dynasty before Han, was the first unified state in Chinese his- Young US adults lean toward socialism this report, and what the damage and casualties there might mean to pill, he immediately issued a statement after signing on the tory. In China, there is a saying that the governmental system Socialism is as popular as capitalism among young adults this key asset in the American-Israeli-Saudi war on Iran. bill to send a friendly signal to China, implying that the pro- of Han Dynasty followed that of Qin Dynasty. Nowadays, it in the US, according to a survey by Gallup, a US-based polling As far as Kermanshah, (military commander) Bahman Reyhani’s visions of the bill won’t be enforced immediately. He hedged takes only about three hours on a high-speed train to travel organization. Forty-nine percent of Americans aged 18 to 39 initial report may later lead to more information publicly on these “an- full support for the legislation, saying that “certain provisions from Beijing to Xuzhou, East China’s Jiangsu Province, which view socialism positively while it is 51 percent for capitalism. ti-revolutionary” groups, in terms of specific identification of the or- of the act would interfere with the exercise of the president’s offers an insight into the Han Dynasty. This seems inconceivable. But given that the Gallup poll was ganizations involved. Dr. Philip Giraldi has already confirmed to your constitutional authority to state the foreign policy of the US.” The Tomb of Chu King, probably the third-generation king mainly about respondents’ views in economic fields, the atti- agency (Tasnim) that American, Israeli, and Saudi fingerprints are all Trump obviously wished not to push China too hard by of the State of Chu during the Han Dynasty, on the Shizi Moun- tudes actually reflect Americans’ pragmatism and the return of over these operations. I concur. showing that his attitude toward Hong Kong is not totally con- tain, is located in Xuzhou. In 1994, a large number of Chinese individualism. Hence, the candidates vying for the presidency Last Wednesday, the director-general of the anti-espionage sistent with that of the Congress. But if the US ignores China’s seals and ink pastes were excavated from the tomb. If these should pay more attention to social issues like the wealth gap. department of the Iranian Intelligence Ministry said a number of ele- warning, continues interfering, and even slaps sanctions on seals and ink pastes are arranged in order, a generally complete As the bellwether of capitalist countries, the US has been ments that were seeking to collect information on the riots and transfer China citing the legislation, the Chinese government will cer- bureaucratic system of the Han Dynasty emerges. In Xuzhou very confident about its liberal democracy and takes it as the it to foreign countries were identified and arrested before they could tainly step up its countermeasures. China-US relations are Museum, there is an introduction to Han Dynasty’s bureaucratic foundation from which all its power emanates. Washington carry out their mission. “These elements that had received CIA-funded then bound to be affected. system organized in the order of seals and ink pastes. In 1995, has also been dedicated to promoting its liberal democratic training in various countries to gather information under the guise of With ties fraying across the Atlantic, will Europe a large number of ink pastes from Qin Dynasty were found model. However, repeated domestic problems have exposed citizen-journalists had been monitored for quite a long time,” the official realize futility of toeing the US line? in Xi’an, Northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, becoming an the flaws of the US system.In the political sphere, democracy said. How much do you think the CIA, Mossad and Saudi spy agency The recent row between a German high-ranking official important original material to study the bureaucratic system hasn’t worked well in the US. US President Donald Trump, were involved in the riots? and the US is emblematic of the state of US-Europe relations. of Qin Dynasty. From these Chinese cultural relics, it can be once a political nobody, blew away political elites by winning A: As I have already indicated, I believe it to be logically indisputable During a program on Germany’s ARD TV show, German argued that China had a mature bureaucracy even 2,000 years the presidential election. Economically, the middle and lower that the CIA, Mossad, and Saudi are involved in funding these subversives Economy Minister Peter Altmaier defended Berlin’s decision ago, which had formed a set of systems to govern the country classes are becoming increasingly dissatisfied as the wealth and provocateurs, and providing legends and covers for those operationally not to ban Chinese telecom titan Huawei by saying his coun- and society. US political scientist Francis Fukuyama once said, gap is widening. In addition, populism is thriving in the US. active in these incidents. The use of “citizen-journalists” and fake NGO try had “not imposed a boycott” on US tech companies in the “China really invented modern bureaucracy at the time of the Americans are concerned by the worsening split in society and “human-rights” activist profiles is a regular feature of these “spontane- wake of the National Security Agency spying affair, when it was Qin and Han dynasties.” fiercer infighting among political parties: both Democrats and ous” uprisings and “color revolutions.” One presumes the interrogations revealed that US authorities had tapped Chancellor Angela Therefore, compared with Western Europe, China has a Republicans are only busy figuring out a way to gain more votes of those apprehended yielded all kinds of additional information and Merkel’s phone. He also questioned the US record by saying longer history of developing national strength and national in the presidential election in 2020. evidence for Iranian intelligence and the internal security apparatus. “the US demands from its companies that they pass on certain systems. China’s political system has become the focus of global Trump assuming office was a body blow to the establishment Iranian officials have repeatedly said that US sanctions against information needed for fighting terrorism.” attention in recent years. All China-related topics, including camp. US political elites and mainstream media used to pay Tehran have dealt a blow to the prospects of talks between Washington Clearly, Washington will not tolerate this comment. The the country’s economy, trade, technology and military, may more attention to the appeals of middle and upper classes, and Tehran. It seems that Trump administration has closed the door US Ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, has issued a eventually lead to analyses of its political system. And all es- but Trump, who has been to some extent representing the to diplomacy. Do you share the opinion that the White House is not statement on the embassy website, saying Altmaier’s comments timates of China’s economic and social development will be, demands of white men from the middle and lower classes, interested in diplomacy when it comes to Iran? equating the US with China are “an insult to the thousands in the end, connected to its system. was elected. The latter group cares more about individual or A: They are obviously interested in “regime change,” not diplomacy, of American troops who help ensure Germany’s security and If one opens textbooks on politics and history in the West, family financial situation rather than the country’s interna- with the interests of Israel, Saudi Arabia, the Central Banks, Oil-Gas the millions of Americans committed to a strong western one will find that the description of China’s political system is tional responsibility or values. This is why the “America First” Consortiums, and Armament Manufacturers being paramount. Trump alliance,” as “there is no moral equivalency between China dated and stereotyped, as if China is still in the 1950s. Taking policy can get sustained support. The Gallup survey has further unilaterally and illegitimately abrogated the multilateral JCPOA, P5+1 and the US.” a glance at Western media’s reports, one may feel that the reflected that individualism has the upper hand and thus to nuclear treaty being adhered to by Iran. The Treasury and State De- Though Ambassador Grenell is known for being a cham- Cold War is not yet over.An apparent problem is that plen- some extent pushes forward populism in the US. partment have instituted economic sanctions on Iran that are a literal pion of US President Donald Trump’s foreign policy, this new ty of Western scholars still judge China’s political system by Since the founding of the US, individualism has been the declaration of war on Iran by other means. This has led to predictable episode involving China is particularly revealing of a dimension Western standards. They rank political systems in accordance impetus for the country’s innovation and liberalism. US political political unrest in Iran, exacerbated by the wartime gasoline rationing of US-Germany relations and to some extent US-Europe ties. with Western theories, and believe China’s centralized setup system is designed to limit public power and show the suprem- designed by the Iranian government to bring national consumption of A US that puts great power competition at its heart and targets lags their democratic system and must evolve into democratic acy of individualism. The skewed distribution of household gasoline down from 110 million liters to 70 million annually. Once the China in every way, expects its allies to fall in line. Therefore, one. With the expansion of Western civilization in the past five wealth has triggered various social and political problems in economic distress led to more publicly expressed political dissatisfaction US allies’ national interests should all make way for US na- centuries, such an understanding is considered reasonable. But the US with tardy progress in implementing welfare measures and unrest, American, Israeli, and Saudi intelligence began unleashing tional interest. But it is too high a demand for US European actually, China’s system existed long before the West formed for the middle and lower classes. The richest 10 percent of US the MEK/MKO terrorists and subversives within the country, with an allies, simply because since Trump took office, Washington its own, and has developed in China’s own way. households represented 70 percent of all US wealth in 2018, assist from the Saudi Wahhabist groups, depending on the region and has done too little to make Europe happy and is therefore When China had not opened up to the world, the difference compared with 60 percent in 1989. In 2016, the richest 1 percent location involved. It is as simple as that. close to overdraft of the support and trust it built in Europe in political systems did not matter much. However, China has of households held more than half of all outstanding stock, But it may get worse. The economic sanctions and deployment of after the WWII. It is well expressed in a remark made by then become powerful through its own system, one that is differ- financial securities, trust equity, and business equity, and 40 terrorists and provocateurs in cities and provinces must be seen as the president of European Council Donald Tusk, “With friends ent from the West’s. Thanks to constant reforms, the system percent of non-home real estate. And the richest 10 percent last stage in “regime change” endeavors short of an overt military attack like that, who needs enemies” and in the comment by French radiates energies and remarkable achievements that many of households controlled 93 percent share of directly owned on Iran.The endgame may well be a False Flag event somewhere, falsely President Emmanuel Macron, NATO is “brain dead” as US is Western countries have dreamed of but failed to realize.The stocks and mutual funds. In the meantime, the bottom 90 and deliberately attributed to Iran, that would provide the cover for such “turning its back on us.” influence of China’s political system has already spread to the percent of households was responsible for 72 percent of total an attack. This is how evil and ruthless these people are. However, the US is clearly still unaware of the level of dam- entire world. It is clear that analyzing China and its political indebtedness. 7 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 7, 2019 ANALYSIS & INTERVIEW 7 East Asia at the glance The wealth gap will inevitably affect leged sector - billionaires. trend. For US elections, grassroots the ethos and political ecology of the In the 2016 election, US President appeal and a commitment to social US. The US poor believe the wealth Donald Trump’s Twitter account justice don’t determine whether a gap is a result of an unfair distribution propelled his rise as defined by a Re- candidate can clinch the attention system and capitalism is in favor of publican primary with over a dozen of a major newsroom. In the Trump magnates. On the contrary, they think opponents the media deemed more era, building on decades of media de- socialism can somewhat limit crony credible and qualified. Despite losing regulation and centuries of political capitalism and lead to fairer distribu- the popular vote to former secretary disenfranchisement, Bloomberg’s can- tion of household wealth and improve of state Hillary Clinton, Trump could didacy showcases how social media the poor’s economic welfare.For US garner about 63 million votes and win and traditional media work together election candidates, their approval the electoral college. in the interests of their owners. ratings will decide their political career. Trump’s rise was helped by the CGTN Think Tank launched Amid a surge of populism, anyone who free airtime he received from news to provide dialogue platform for wants to win the election needs to take commentators of major cable net- global researchers ethos into consideration. Americans, works who consistently covered his Supported by technological pro- particularly the young, have shown campaign and its appeal to white na- gress and various platforms, it’s be- their concerns about living standards tionalists. His tweets then, as they coming all the more easy for people by viewing socialism positively. As do now, disseminated right-wing fa- to express their opinion, but more social classes solidify, young Americans naticism. Mainstream commentators difficult to have a rational debate on wish to have a better future, and this nonetheless widely publicized them. ideas worldwide. The world also lacks is why younger adults have shown They emphasized the nature of his voices from China. Against this back- increasingly positive attitudes toward viral performance, calling it “unpres- ground, China Global Television Net- socialism since 2010. idential,” instead of spending time work (CGTN) launched CGTN Think In recent years, young Americans accurately covering the proposed Tank in Beijing on Wednesday at the have been more proactive in politics. policies of other candidates. Third CGTN Global Media Summit. About 28.2 percent of young Ameri- Trump’s far-right, xenophobic A new type of media-run think tank, cans aged 18 to 29 voted in the 2018 tries is to solve the problems left Wang’s visit indicates that Chi- to talk to the US. sentiments were acknowledged, CGTN Think Tank aims at promoting midterm elections - more than double over by the THAAD deployment na-South Korea relations are re- Clever use of media can but only in the context of the way cooperation among global think tanks, the national youth turnout in the 2014 while at the same time preventing covering. It sends out a signal that promote Bloomberg he communicated them. Racism in build an open platform for interna- midterms. The turnout of Americans bilateral ties from being affected by bilateral ties are going back on track Former New York City Mayor past presidential campaigns, such as tional communication and diversify aged 30 to 44 was about 49 percent new issues. For instance, US Defense and will continue to move forward. Michael Bloomberg entered the US George H.W. Bush’s Willie Horton ad voices in the world. The advantages in the 2018 midterm elections, up by Secretary Mark Esper said the US South Korea expects President Xi presidential race last week. The bil- or Richard Nixon’s use of the Southern CGTN has in information collection 13 percent compared to 2014. wants to deploy an intermediate Jinping to visit Seoul next year and lionaire’s quest for the White House Strategy, was more discreet. US history and communication will better em- Due to the higher turnout among range conventional missile in Asia hopes bilateral relations battered by began with an ad funded by his $31 shows past presidents, including many power its think tank in research, which 18 to 29-year-olds and 30 to 44-year- after the US withdrew from the In- the THAAD row could become normal billion campaign corpus. At a time Democrats, have implemented many will in turn provide more knowledge olds, the percentage of voters under termediate Range Nuclear Forces after Xi’s visit. Therefore, whether the social media is playing an integral of Trump’s policies. The difference support in content creation for the the age of 45 rose to 35.4 in 2018, (INF) treaty. There were reports that two countries could pave the way for role in US politics, Bloomberg’s use was that in 2016, a country changed network. It is reported that CGTN up from just 30.3 percent in 2014, South Korea has been singled out as Xi’s visit would be on the agenda of of television demonstrates how wealth by social media finally had a sobering Think Tank has partnered with over according to the Brookings Institution. a place for the deployment. Whether Wang’s two-day trip. is still the horse that powers the mass look at itself. 50 think tanks in China and abroad. Young people have gradually become South Korea hosts the US interme- It’s unlikely that Seoul would media cart. In this climate, Bloomberg’s use Shen Haixiong, president of China the main voters in US presidential diate-range missile is a potential agree to Washington’s deployment Presidential candidates with the of traditional media may swing the Media Group, said at the launching elections. Therefore, for any candi- challenge for China-South Korea of intermediate-range convention- strongest grasp of media have shaped pendulum away from online platforms. ceremony that the world of today is date, to listen to what young people relations. Rounds of negotiations al missiles on its soil. Compared to the political landscape for some time. It is certain that Bloomberg, a media not perfect, against rising protection- want will be increasingly important. between the US and South Korea THAAD, such missiles are offensive In 2007, a junior US senator from mogul, will keep his informational ism and unilateralism, it is hoped the South Korea unlikely to let on sharing the cost of maintaining weapons, which will cause greater Illinois managed to market hope and arsenal. Bloomberg News sent a memo CGTN Think Tank can grow to be a di- US deploy missile US troops on the Korean Peninsula harm to China’s strategic security. change to a cynical electorate. Directing to its 2,700 employees telling them alogue platform for global think tanks, Chinese State Councilor and For- have ended without an agreement. There is no doubt that China would campaign staff to spearhead outreach not to investigate the former mayor’s introduce more Chinese scholars to eign Minister Wang Yi kicked off his The US has piled pressure on South take stronger countermeasures once online and offline, then-senator Barack campaign. The network’s coverage the world and promote better under- two-day South Korea visit on Wednes- Korea, if the latter doesn’t compro- South Korea allows the US to deploy Obama was adept at using the tools of will steer clear of covering Democratic standing of China. Representatives day, for the first time in five years as mise over the cost-sharing issue, it the missiles. This is not what South 21st century new media. With backing rivals, but focus on Trump, keeping from 27 think tanks and institutions the two countries seek to improve ties might make concessions over oth- Korea wants to see. Seoul is unwill- from Goldman Sachs, it wasn’t long with the practice of mainstream media from across the world attended the since a spat over the installation of er issues such as allowing the US ing to upset the thaw in China-South before the neoliberal politician was holding the president’s spectacle in launching ceremony. Ban Ki-Moon, the US Terminal High Altitude Area to deploy the intermediate-range Korea relations. able to clinch the Democratic nomi- the spotlight. Spin will play a focal former UN secretary-general, Jin Liq- Defence (THAAD) anti-missile system missile on its soil. Wang’s visit comes amid a sim- nation. Obama knew where to focus part in Bloomberg’s media spectacle un, president of Asian Infrastructure in South Korea. What is the significance But as South Korea has already suf- mering row between Japan and South when selling a political platform in regardless of how the media he doesn’t Investment Bank and Chinese Am- of the visit? What are the stumbling fered a lot because of the deployment Korea. Japan-South Korea conflicts the age of Facebook and Twitter. The own spin his campaign. bassador to the US Cui Tiankai sent blocks in China-South Korea relations of THAAD, it would deal with the in- are still controllable as Seoul has re- “Yes We Can” music video propelled The rest of the media, just like congratulatory messages via video. and how to get rid of them? Global termediate-range missile deployment versed its decision not to renew the the Obama phenomenon. Bloomberg News, will likely ignore The Third CGTN Global Media Times reporter Yu Jincui talked to issue very prudently. In the foreseeable General Security of Military Infor- Distinguishing himself as a candidate the substance of Bloomberg’s agenda Summit themed “Media vs Tech- two scholars. future, I believe the chance that it al- mation Agreement (GSOMIA), but against Wall Street recklessness and a or his record of controversial policies nology” discussed how media land- China-South Korea relations are lows the US missile deployment is very further follow up is needed to alleviate critic of “mind-set that got us into the such as the racist stop-and-frisk prac- scape has been and will be changed in a transitional period. The ice is slim. One important reason is that once tensions. The China-Japan-South Ko- [Iraq] War,” his campaign was bolstered tice and his support for the Iraq War. by new technology such as 5G and melting between the two countries it agrees, it is going to completely ruin rea trilateral summit is to be held in when John McCain, then presidential Corporate social media will especial- Artificial Intelligence. From pigeon but spring has not yet arrived. The China-South Korea relations and have China this month. China could play a candidate for the Republican Party, ly generate stories on Bloomberg’s to AI-powered news anchor, media toughest time for bilateral relations has unbearable consequences for Seoul. mediating role between South Korea picked then Alaska governor Sarah Palin character as removed from his career. industry has come a long way. But passed, but some problems caused by Li Jiacheng, research fellow at the and Japan so as to prevent bilateral to be his vice president. Palin was widely Their algorithms are made for creat- ultimately it is still about providing the deployment of the THAAD system Research Center for the Economies conflicts jeopardizing trilateral co- seen as an incompetent candidate after ing a spectacle, and are not meant for objective information and facilitating in South Korea remain. and Politics of Transitional Countries, operation. an interview where she seemed unfa- principled policy discussion. exchange of ideas. An urgent task for the two coun- Liaoning University Besides, December is a critical miliar with the names of major media Social media has taken presidential As the world is experiencing month. In April, it was reported outlets.Despite starting another war politics by storm. Facebook has collab- profound changes, how to better by North Korean media that North in Libya and having an administration orated with Democratic presidential understand China and the world is Korean leader Kim Jong-un said made up of career politicians from the candidate Pete Buttigieg’s campaign a daunting challenge. Zheng Bijian, in a speech he would wait until Bush and Clinton dynasties, Obama was while traditional mainstream media chairman of the China Institute for the end of this year for the US able to retain the aura of political change outlets openly attack candidates like Innovation and Development Strate- to change its approach to denu- when he beat his Republican opponent Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and gy, who is also one of China’s leading clearization talks. It’s possible Mitt Romney in 2012. Lackluster de- Senator Bernie Sanders for rejecting thinkers, said that China will broaden Kim would take adventurous steps bate performances lowered his 2012 the Washington Consensus. Sanders shared interests with more countries, after the year-end limit, bringing election margins over Romney, but his Shahid Tondgooyan Petrochemical Company has accumulated the most individual particularly developing countries to new uncertainties to the Korean campaign’s mass marketing expertise donors of any candidate in the Dem- form community with shared interests, Call for Identify Resources Peninsula issue. It’s particularly delivered another four years of power. ocratic primary but struggles to gain on which to build a community with a important for China and South And now, enter Bloomberg. The the social media coverage of a front shared future for mankind. An existing Shahid Tondgooyan Petrochemical Company (STPC) intends to identify the following Korea to conduct strategic com- unprecedented digitalization of the runner. Bloomberg’s international example is the China-proposed Belt chemical suppliers which are qualified. munications at this juncture to political landscape has been naturally recognition that arguably predates and Road Initiative. try to keep North Korea willing used to empower the US most privi- Sanders’ will likely contribute to that نوبت اول :Subject N.I.S.O.C ROW CHEMICAL NAME CONSUMPTION RATE (TON/YEAR) 1398.5435 1 ISOPHETALIC ACID 5000 TEHRAN TIMES Second Announcement 1398.5435 2 TITANUM DIOXIDE 600 3 ANTIMONY (III) OXIDE 110 4 ANTIMONY (III) ACETATE 150 NATIONAL IRANIAN SOUTH OILFIELDS COMPANY AHVAZ-IRAN 5 HYDROBROMIC ACID 250 N.I.S.O.C 6 Cobalt Acetate 60 NATIONAL IRANIAN SOUTHTENDER OILFIELDS NO. : 01- 3COMPANY1-9646010 AHVAZ-IRAN 7 CMB 600 Iran’s Leading TENDER NO. : 01-31-9646010 8 Terminol 66 Up to process condition NationalNational Iranian Iranian South South Oilfields Oilfields Company(NISOC) Company(NISOC) intends intends to purchase to purchase the following the following goods goods 9 SHELL OIL Up to process condition International Daily

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Fax No.: 061 3445 7437 روابط24644 عمومی 341 شرکت ملی061 مناطق :.No نفت .Tel خیز جنوبContacts: You can contact any of the addresses below: E.MAIL: [email protected] Public Relations www.shana.ir www.nisoc.ir Email: [email protected]: 061 521 – 72045 Fax: 061 521 – 72043 98 9 16 98 9 13 تهران تایمز : نوبت اول 13/9/98 نوبت دوم 16/9/98 تهران تایمز : نوبت اول / / نوبت دوم / /

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NASA’s probe soaring near Sun reveals Why mammals are so good at hearing surprises about solar wind By Sarah Zhang Troves of new data from a NASA probe’s stream outward from the Sun and fill the One hundred and twenty million years ago, when northeastern close encounters with the Sun are giving solar system. China was a series of lakes and erupting volcanoes, there scientists unique insight about the solar Oscillations in the speed of these charged lived a tiny mammal just a few inches long. When it died, it wind and space weather more generally as particles beaming outward from the solar was fossilized down to its most minuscule ear bones. And it the spacecraft zooms through the outermost corona have previously been thought to is these ear bones that have so intrigued scientists: They are part of the star’s atmosphere. dissipate gradually, much like the waves evidence of how evolution created the unique ear of mammals, Researchers on Wednesday described seen after plucking a guitar string fading giving modern mammals—including us—a finely tuned sense the first published findings from the Parker from the middle. of hearing. Solar Probe, a spacecraft launched in 2018 One of the probe’s “really big surprises,” to journey closer to the Sun than any other according to one of the researchers, was the human-made object. The findings, offering detection of sudden, abrupt spikes in the fresh details about how the Sun spawns speed of the solar wind that were so violent space weather, are reshaping astronomers’ that the magnetic field flips itself around, a understanding of violent solar wind that can phenomenon called “switchbacks.” hamper satellites and electronics on Earth. “We’re finding these discrete, powerful “We were certainly hoping we’d see new waves that wash over the spacecraft, kind of phenomena and new processes when we like rogue waves in an ocean,” said Justin got close to the Sun- and we certainly did,” Kasper, a principal investigator whose team Nicola Fox, director of the U.S. space agency’s at the University of Michigan built a solar heliophysics division, told reporters. “Some wind-sensing instrument on the Parker of the information that we found pretty probe. “They carry a tremendous amount much confirmed what we expected, but gather the data used in the studies published The probe has endured extreme heat of energy.” some of it is totally unexpected.” in the journal Nature. The probe eventually while flying through the outermost part “This will dramatically change our Earth is roughly 93 million miles from will travel within about 4 million miles (6 of the sun’s atmosphere, called the solar theories for how the corona and solar wind the sun. The probe ventured as close as 15 million km) from the sun’s surface, seven corona, that gives rise to solar wind - the are being heated,” Kasper added. million miles (24 million km) to the Sun to times closer than any previous spacecraft. hot, energized, charged particles that (Source: Reuters)

Today, mammals have three small bones in the ear that transmit sound from the eardrum: the malleus, incus, and Emotion-sensing robot launches to assist space station astronauts stapes. A wealth of evidence from fossils and developing embryos An intelligent robot equipped with emotion-sensing voice is sad, is he angry, joyful and so on.” of CIMON’s most important purposes would be to serve as suggests that two of these ear bones were once jaw bones. detectors was headed to the International Space Station after Based on algorithms built by information technology “an objective outsider that you can talk to if you’re alone, or Over millions of years of evolution, they shrank in relative launching from Florida on Thursday, becoming the latest giant IBM Corp (IBM.N) and data from CIMON 1, a nearly could actually help let the group collaborate again,” he said. size and detached completely from the jaw. Reptiles—like artificial intelligence-powered astronaut workmate in orbit. identical prototype that launched in 2018, CIMON 2 will be Engineers have said CIMON’s concept was inspired by our nonmammalian ancestors, probably—hear by placing The Crew Interactive Mobile Companion 2, or CIMON 2, more sociable with crew members. It will test technologies a 1940s science fiction comic series set in space, where their jaw on the ground to pick up low-frequency vibrations. is a spherical droid with microphones, cameras and a slew that could prove crucial for future crewed missions in deep a sentient, brain-shaped robot named Professor Simon But mammals, with their three ear bones, can hear high- of software to enable emotion recognition. space, where long-term isolation and communication lags mentors an astronaut named Captain Future. CIMON pitched sounds in the air: insects buzzing, wind rustling, The droid was among 5,700 pounds (2,585 kg) of to Earth pose risks to astronauts’ mental health. 2 also parallels HAL, the sentient computer in Stanley birds squawking, music, speech. supplies and experiments aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 While designed to help astronauts conduct scientific Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” film. The fossilized mammal found in northeastern China, rocket, whose midday launch had been delayed from experiments, the English-speaking robot is also being trained SpaceX is the first private company to fly to the space named Origolestes lii, has an ear that looks close to modern. Wednesday due to high winds. to help mitigate groupthink — a behavioral phenomenon station, a $100 billion project of 15 nations. Along with CIMON While parts of its body still look quite ancient, its ear bones, “The overall goal is to really create a true companion. in which isolated groups of humans can be driven to make 2, the cargo aboard its 19th resupply mission to the orbital according to the study’s authors, have moved away and The relationship between an astronaut and CIMON is really irrational decisions. research lab included 40 live mice that will show scientists detached from the jaw. “That separation is critical because important,” Matthias Biniok, the lead architect for CIMON “Group-thinking is really dangerous,” Biniok said. In how muscles change in the microgravity of space. it allows the separation of hearing and chewing,” says Jin 2, told Reuters. “It’s trying to understand if the astronaut times of conflict or disagreement among astronauts, one (Source: Reuters) Meng, the curator of fossil mammals at the American Museum of Natural History and an author of the paper. And thus, the ear and the jaw could evolve separately in mammals, each How brightly the Moon glows is a specializing in what it does. Centuries of inbreeding to blame for ‘Habsburg In fact, it may have been chewing that initially drove the jaw’ among European royals, study finds mystery, but maybe not for long detachment of the would-be ear bones and the jaw, says Vera Weisbecker, who studies mammalian evolution at the University of Queensland and was not involved in the study. Chewing is actually unique to mammals. It requires a jaw that can move side to side in addition to up and down, teeth that can grind, and lips to keep food inside the mouth while masticating. (Consider a crocodile, says Thomas Martin, a paleontologist at the University of Bonn. It doesn’t have lips. “If it would chew, all the food would fall out of the mouth.”) The ability to chew may have unlocked additional nutrients and food sources for mammals. Ruminants today, such as cows, for example, can eat tough plants because they chew and chew. And the detachment of extra bones in the jaw helped create a more flexible joint for chewing. Those extra bones, it happens, ended up being co-opted for hearing in the middle ear. Scientists who study mammalian embryos have also noticed that two of the tiny bones of the middle ear start off attached to the jaw. “The ear develops by first developing as part of the mandible,” says Neal Anthwal, a developmental biologist at King’s College London who studies the mammalian jaw and ear. It is only later in embryonic development that the ear bones detach and the piece of cartilage that connects them, called the Meckel’s Cartilage, dissolves. Centuries of inbreeding are to blame members of the Habsburg dynasty. By Maria Temming because that probe would be “basically Scientists have in fact found ways to mutate mice so that for a facial deformity prevalent among Despite differences in artistic style, the facing the same problems as all the other their ear bones remain connected to their jaw—essentially European royals, known as “Habsburg portraits are characterized by a realistic The lunar dark side may be the Moon’s more Earth-observing satellites” that aim to reversing a step in mammalian evolution. jaw”, scientists have said. approach to the human face. mysterious face, but there’s something pretty use the Moon’s brightness to check their This separation of the middle ear appears to have, The condition, medically known as The surgeons were asked to diagnose 11 basic scientists still don’t know about the function, Turpie says. Namely, instruments interestingly, happened at least three independent times in mandibular prognathism, causes the features of mandibular prognathism, as well bright side — namely, just how bright it is. degrade in the harsh environment of space. the evolution of mammals—in the ancestors of monotremes lower jaw to protrude significantly and as seven features of maxillary deficiency, the Current estimates of the Moon’s By sending air-LUSI on a short flight rather (a group of egg-laying mammals that includes the platypus affected the Habsburg dynasty of Spanish most recognizable of which are a prominent brightness at any given time and vantage than into orbit, scientists can manually and echidna), of therians (a group including marsupials and and Austrian kings and their wives, who lower lip and an overhanging nasal tip. point are saddled with at least 5 percent examine the instrumentation after landing placental mammals), and in another group of mammals that secured their influence across a vast The portraits are held by some of the uncertainty. That’s because those estimates to make sure it continued operating correctly has gone entirely extinct. Somehow, all three groups converged swathe of Europe for more than 200 world’s most esteemed art museums, are based on measurements from ground- throughout its observations. on the same adaptation of separating their chewing and their years through intermarriage. including the Kunsthistorisches Museum based telescopes that gaze at the moon Turpie’s team is still analyzing results hearing. Origolestes lii, Meng says, belonged to a group of While these genetically compromising in Vienna and Madrid’s Prado Museum. through the haze of Earth’s atmosphere. from its initial observing run. But if the animals that eventually evolved into placental mammals and tendencies are known to have eventually The surgeons gave scores for the Now, scientists have sent a telescope air-LUSI measurements are as accurate into us humans. led to the family’s demise, with the final degree of mandibular prognathism and beyond the clouds on a high-altitude as expected, observations from those and The first of the Origolestes lii fossils in this study was Habsburg monarch, Charles II, unable to maxillary deficiency in each member of airplane in hopes of gauging the Moon’s glow future flights could be combined with ground actually found in 2003. But Meng says the team waited a produce an heir as a result, no studies had the Habsburg family. within about 1 percent or less uncertainty, telescope data to create a more accurate long time to analyze the fossils, because they were so tiny conclusively linked the distinctive facial Mary of Burgundy, who married into the National Institute of Standards and model of the Moon’s appearance at various and difficult to extract from the rock around them. “It’s condition to their inbreeding. the family in 1477, showed the least degree Technology reports in a Nov. 19 news release. times and locations. Shaving uncertainty not until recently we have high-resolution CT scan,” he “The Habsburg dynasty was one of both traits. The Habsburg jaw was most Knowing the exact brightness of Earth’s about the Moon’s brightness down to about says, which can be used to look inside the fossils without of the most influential in Europe, but pronounced in Philip IV, who was king of celestial night-light could increase the 1 percent or less would require making breaking them apart. became renowned for inbreeding, Spain until 1665. reliability of data from Earth-observing air-LUSI observations during different Zhe-Xi Luo, a paleobiologist at the University of Chicago which was its eventual downfall,” said Maxillary deficiency was diagnosed to satellites that use the Moon’s steady glow phases of the Moon over at least three who specializes in the evolution of the middle ear, says it is the study’s lead researcher, Professor the greatest degree in five members of the to check that their sensors are working years, Turpie estimates. possible that the ear bones were actually connected to the Roman Vilas, from the University of family, including Charles II. properly. Those satellites keep tabs on In the future, moonlight-seeking jaw and fractured apart only after the animal died—as he has Santiago de Compostela. Detecting a correlation between the two things like weather, crop health and experiments that fly even higher than found in a fossil of a closely related mammal from the same Habsburg descendants ruled over conditions, the researchers speculated that dangerous algal blooms. air-LUSI, potentially on high-altitude time period and region in northeastern China. He agrees the Holy Roman Empire, Austria, and they share a genetic basis. The new moonbeam-catching mission, balloons, may help measure moonlight that ear bones must have completely detached from the jaw in Spain until the heirless death of Charles The extent of inbreeding was calculated called the Airborne Lunar Spectral Irradiance with even greater accuracy, says lunar at some point in the evolution of mammals, though. “The II, also known as “the Bewitched”, which from a large-scale family tree, including Mission or air-LUSI for short, performed calibration researcher Hugh Kieffer. He only way this can be resolved is, we get another fossil that led to the 13-year War of the Spanish more than 6,000 individuals belonging a series of demonstration flights from late is not involved with air-LUSI but has shows it,” he says. Succession in 1701. to more than 20 generations. November 12 (right after a full moon) to the modeled the Moon’s brightness using This area of China, close to the North Korean border, “We show for the first time that there The researchers detected a strong wee hours of the morning on November ground telescope observations for the is in fact a hotbed of fossil-hunting activity. The lake beds is a clear, positive relationship between relationship between the degree of 17, NASA said in a Nov. 14 news release. U.S. Geological Survey. and volcanic eruptions that rained down ash 120 million inbreeding and appearance of the Habsburg inbreeding and the extent of the Habsburg During each flight, a telescope was bathed By pointing a satellite at the Moon and years ago created fantastic conditions for fossil formation. jaw,” Professor Vilas said. jaw. The relationship to maxillary in moonlight for half an hour while riding comparing its observations with the Moon’s Since the 1990s, amateurs and professionals alike have been “While our study is based on historical deficiency was also positive, but it was on the wing of a NASA airplane about 21 true brightness, scientists can test whether unearthing exquisite fossils from this region. (Several of the figures, inbreeding is still common in only statistically significant in two of the kilometers above ground — around twice the satellite is seeing things correctly — and six Origolestes lii fossils presented in the paper were originally some geographical regions and among seven features diagnosed. the cruising altitude of a commercial airliner. tweak data coming from it to compensate found by local villagers.) some religious and ethnic groups, so it’s The cause of the relationship between “When we’re up there, the atmosphere for any errors. It’s difficult to run the same Fossil hunters in northeastern China have most famously important today to investigate the effects. the inbreeding and facial deformity remains is not an issue,” says air-LUSI team leader kind of test using other celestial objects found dinosaurs with delicately preserved feathers—as well “The Habsburg dynasty serves as a unclear, but the study’s authors suggest it is Kevin Turpie, a remote sensing scientist as reference lights, because “stars are too as dozens of new species of birds, plants, mammals, and fish. kind of human laboratory for researchers because mating between relatives increases at the University of Maryland, Baltimore dim and pointy, and the sun is too bright,” Together, they are clarifying and complicating the story of life to do so, because the range of inbreeding the chance of offspring inheriting identical County. With the plane flying above about Kieffer says. on Earth in the Mesozoic era, some 252 million to 66 million is so high.” forms of a gene from both parents. 90 percent of the atmosphere, “it’s getting More advanced models of the Moon’s years ago. “We have these complete Mesozoic skeletons in During the study, published in the Annals This reduces someone’s genetic fitness much closer to viewing the Moon as you brightness could not only help clean up data the last 20 years or so, which really dramatically changed of Human Biology, researchers recruited – meaning the Habsburg jaw should be would from space.” from current Earth-facing satellites, but our picture of mammalian evolution,” Martin says. “We live 10 specialist facial surgeons, who used 66 considered a recessive condition. Researchers can’t just launch a satellite also refine observations from past satellites in exciting times.” If the story of the mammalian ear is to get portraits to diagnose the condition in 15 (Source: The Independent) up into space to get a clear view of the moon, that peered at the Moon. any clearer, it will likely be because of fossils found there. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 10 HERITAGE & TOURISM DECEMBER 7, 2019

Iranian crafter fuses Seljuk, Qajar eras into artwork Azerbaijan willing to receive

HERITAGE TEHRAN — An Iranian artisan has recent- deskly completed a lavishly-decorated tray using know-hows typically practiced during the Seljuk era (1037–1194) more tourists from Iran and Qajar epoch (1789 to 1925) of the Iranian history. TOURISM TEHRAN — The Republic of Azerbaijan According to the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Research deskintends to receive more arrivals from Iran Center, the iron tray, which measures 30 centimeters in diameter, so as to attain a balance in tourist exchange rate between is embellished with embossed motifs and richly enameled with the two neighbors. silver, IRIB reported on Wednesday. Azerbaijan is not satisfied with the unbalanced tourism exchange rate between the two countries. Over the past year, about 1.5 million Azerbaijani citizens traveled to Iran, while [some] 241,000 Iranians visited that country,” ISNA quot- ed Fuad Nagiyev, the head of the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan, as saying on Wednesday. Nagiyev made the remarks in a meeting with the head of the Association of Iranian Travel Agencies Hormatol- lah Rafiei. A number of administrative officials and tour operators from the two sides also attended the meeting. As a solution, the Iranian side suggested the Repub- lic of Azerbaijan to waive visa requirements for Iranian travelers, the report said. Iran abolished visa requirements for nationals of the Republic of Azerbaijan three years ago, while Iranian citizens still have to obtain visas to visit the country. Azerbaijan’s visa fees cost $26 for an airport visa, $24 for an electronic one, and $51 for an instant visa, according to the report. “The Republic of Azerbaijan is willing to increase the num- Carried out by crafter, Kourosh Qanouni, the project was ber of Iranians traveling to Azerbaijan, as Iran is a friend and implemented through a special silver-enameling method, which brother country, and it is of great importance for our country to uses extremely thin layer of silver, the report said. develop relations in tourism and trade with it,” Nagiyev noted. Currently, the method is almost forgotten and the project is Rafiei for his part said, “On one hand, airports of the Statue of Nader Shah (on horseback) and his soldiers at the Naderi Museum, Mashhad, northeast Iran. Born aimed to revive the technique. country [Azerbaijan] receive 50 euros as the [arrival] fee, Nader Qoli Beyg, he was one of the most powerful Iranian rulers in the history of the nation, ruling as Shah of Iran’s handicrafts exports reached $289 million in the past which is calculated on the flight ticket price and makes it Iran (Persia) from 1736 to 1747 when he was assassinated during a rebellion. Iranian calendar year 1397, showing three percent growth year on expensive. On the other, every Iranian citizen has to pay year, based on data released by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, 26 dollars to obtain a visa from the Republic of Azerbaijan. year (March 21 – August 22), which shows 30 percent earlier in September. Under the 2025 Tourism Vision Tourism and Handicrafts. These increase the cost of traveling to this country.” hike, compared with the same period last year, accord- Plan, the country aims to increase the number of tourist Traditional ceramics, pottery vessels, handwoven cloths as Therefore, it is requested that the government of the ing to official data compiled by the Ministry of Cultural arrivals from 4.8 million in 2014 to 20 million in 2025. well as personal ornamentations with precious and semi-precious Republic of Azerbaijan revoke the visa [requirements for Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts. The country boasts hundreds of historical sites such as gemstones are among Iranian exports to Iraq, Afghanistan and Iranian nationals], Rafiei added. The Islamic Republic attracted 7.8 million foreign bazaars, museums, mosques, bridges, bathhouses, madrasas, Germany, the U.S., the UK, and other countries. Iran welcomed some four million foreign nationals travelers during the last Iranian year, which shows 50 mausoleums, churches, towers, and mansions, of which during the first five months of the current Iranian calendar percent growth year on year, the ministry announced 22 being inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list New airplane seat design will make it easier to sleep in French nationals top list of foreign tourist economy arrivals in Fars TOURISM TEHRAN — French nationals composed Hafezieh (mausoleum of Hafez, an illustrious 14th-cen- A new seat design comes with an innovative solution to this in- deskthe largest source of foreign arrivals in the tury Persian poet), the UNESCO-registered Persepolis, and flight issue, using “padded wings” that fold out from behind both southern Iranian Fars province during the first two months Sadi mausoleum were respectively the most- visited sites sides of the seat back -- allowing both for additional privacy and of autumn, provincial tourism chief has said. in the period, Amiri added. a cushioned spot to rest heads for some shut-eye. During the months of Mehr and Aban (Sep. 23 –Nov.21), The ancient region of Fars, also spelled Pars, or Persis, This new idea from Universal Movement, a spin-off from 92,683 foreign nationals visited historical and cultural sites was the heart of the Achaemenian Empire (550–330 BC), London-based design company New Territory, is called “Inter- [and museums] of the province, with French citizens at the which was founded by Cyrus the Great and had its capital at space.” It premiered in London this week as part of the Aircraft top of the list, Mosayyeb Amiri said on Wednesday. Pasargadae. Darius I the Great moved the capital to nearby Cabin Innovation summit 2019. International tourists visiting Fars province’s historical Persepolis in the late 6th or early 5th century BC. Interspace is the brainchild of Luke Miles, New Territory’s and cultural sites during the period were mostly from France, The capital city of Shiraz is home to some of the founder and chief creative officer. He spent three years working Germany, Switzerland, China, Russia, Poland, India and country’s most magnificent buildings and sights. In- as Head of Design at Virgin Atlantic, so he knows his aircraft Oman, the official noted. creasingly, it draws more and more foreign and domestic interiors inside out. During the aforementioned period, a total of 580,670 sightseers flocking into this provincial capital which was Foreign travelers take photos of the 19th-century Nasir al- The designer tells CNN Travel he’d noticed how innovative people visited cultural and historical sites in Fars, of whom the literary capital of Persia during the Zand dynasty Mulk Mosque, also known as the Pink Mosque, in Shiraz, airplane cabin designs usually focus on business or first class 487,987 were Iranians, he explained. from 1751 to 1794. southern Iran. experiences and he wanted to come up with a way to make the cheap seats comfier. “We’re really keen as a business on trying to -- it sounds a bit cliche -- but trying to push some innovation back into the Tehran, Bishkek agree to ease visa rules, majority,” says Miles. The wings on Interspace fold manually in and out of the chair. This allows for a streamlined look, and easy access to move up resume direct flights and down the row. TEHRAN — Iran and Kyrgyzstan have Iran-Kyrgyzstan Joint Economic Committee meeting (Source: CNN) TOURISM deskagreed to facilitate visa issuance and which was held in Tehran on December 3-4. resume direct flights by the end of the current Iranian The event was co-chaired by Iranian Minister of Transport ROUND THE GLOBE month of Azar (Dec. 21), YJC quoted Iran’s deputy transport and Urban Development Mohammad Eslami and Kyr- minister Shahram Adamnejad as saying on Wednesday. gyzstan’s Minister of Transport and Roads Janat Beishenov. “The two countries are willing to improve transport In a meeting with Kyrgyz Prime Minister Mukhammed- Citadel of the Ho Dynasty ties, so necessary measures have been taken to ease visa kalyi Abylgaziev in November, Iranian First Vice-Pres- rules and we will resume direct flights by the end of Azar,” ident Es’haq Jahangiri said his country is ready to ease The 14th -century Ho Dynasty citadel, built according he explained. visa regulations for Kyrgyzstani nationals in a bid to to the feng shui principles, testifies to the flowering of He made the remarks on the sidelines of the 12th boost tourism. neo-Confucianism in late 14th century Vietnam and its spread to other parts of East Asia. The Citadel of Ho Dynasty built in 1397, composed of the Inner Citadel, La Thanh Outer Wall and the Nam How to travel car-free with a family Giao Altar covers 155.5 ha, surrounded by a buffer zone By Lauren Matison seat and gain back the time wasted mulling for just-in-case taxis and tour companies. Does the bus have a bathroom or require a of 5078.5 ha. over “just in case” outfits or scavenging for Before all aboard, check the tour- booster seat? I also strategize ways to make When I moved to New York and started souvenirs. My son, now 3 and a half, and I ism board the transition between modes of transit a car-free travel blog in 2007, I was a re- share a 100-liter hybrid duffel backpack and Cities with efficient mass transit systems less stressful. covering Los Angeles transplant, keen to he enjoys carrying the essentials in his own and widespread bike share programs are a Put the children in charge ditch driving and atone for my environ- “Kikki” backpack. Using packing cubes and boon to car-free travelers. Destinations like Your children, believe it or not, can help mental sins. I hiked the Appalachian Trail choosing lightweight, water-resistant and Los Angeles, Connecticut, Banff and Scot- with those transition points. off the Metro-North train, surfed via the convertible luggage can also make life easier. land are part of a growing tourism movement On a recent outing to Chautauqua Queens-bound A subway and biked into If possible, leave the stroller at home — the celebrating the road less driven with digital Park in Boulder, Colo., I designated my the Hudson Valley from the Bronx’s South peer-to-peer rental marketplace goBaby rents car-free brochures. You can continue your son as our guide, “Ranger Remy.” When County Trailway. No car? No problem! strollers and other baby gear from more than research with Bikabout, which offers fami- we switched from bike to shuttle bus, he Then I became a mother, breastfeeding on 100 locations throughout North America. ly guides to bike-friendly towns, hotels and couldn’t wait to lead the way, first stopping buses and potty training on trains. I’ll admit Pass the road test Airbnbs in North America. at the ranger center near the Chautauqua I felt less like a weekend warrior and more Before committing to a long vacation, For other places to go and apps to use, Trailhead to borrow a goodie-filled discovery like a pathetic peripatetic parent. However, get the entire family in a go-with-the-flow Wanderu, a car-free booking site, finds backpack. But in San Francisco, we had seeing how much my son loves riding the rails groove to better handle the inevitable car- the most affordable transit options in to jump from the BART train to Amtrak and engaging with different people continues free setbacks: delayed buses, stuck trains, no addition to providing handy travel tips and my son wasn’t in the mood to be the to be more rewarding than any adventure available seats, overly ambitious parents. A such as under $20 getaways from major station navigator. So I successfully teased in an automobile. few summers ago, with our then 1-year-old, cities in the United States, and the bus the journey with Amtrak’s Trails & Rails It is located in accordance with geomantic principles Here are a few tips, for biking and using my husband and I were hoping to shorten companies that accept mobile tickets. And program, when National Park Service guides in a landscape of great scenic beauty between the Ma public transit, that have helped me avoid the our cycling route through France’s Pays de Hipcamp, an app with more than 300,000 give on-board show-and-tell presentations and Buoi rivers in Vinh Loc district, Thanh Hoa prov- simple mistakes and fuel the fun. la Loire region and incorrectly assumed that public and private campsite listings, has about landmarks along the route. Older ince of Vietnam. Pack less, see more the local trains would allow bike trailers on a search tool that allows you to filter for children can keep things running smoothly The Inner Citadel constructed of large limestone blocks After a bit of trial and error, you’ll find board. Following our France fiasco, we ex- sites that don’t require a car. as snack supervisors or travel planners, represents a new development of architectural technology car-free travel is a liberating choice that perimented with car-free excursions closer Once the destination has been selected, charged with picking out the next activity and adaptation of geomantic city planning in an East Asian forces you to schlep considerably less. Take to home, and now research policies for buses plan for what could be big travel snafus: Are from the guidebook. and South-east Asian context. only two pairs of shoes, bid adieu to the car and trains ahead of time and carry information guides needed to reach certain attractions? (Source: The New York Times) It demonstrates the use of architectural elements in terms of space management and decoration designed for a centralized imperial city in order to show a concept of royal power, based on the adoption of the Confucian philosophy Hidden Tattoos found on Egyptian mummies change our knowledge of the ancient practice within a predominantly Buddhist culture. Being the capital of Vietnam from 1398 to 1407 and Three thousand years ago, the village of Deir el-Medina Austin, this represents evidence that in ancient Egypt, the But, as we saw with the 5,000-year-old mummies from also the political, economic and cultural center of North in ancient Egypt was home to a community of artisans, all practice of tattooing may have been more widespread than Gebelein, which had been sitting in a museum for over 100 Central Vietnam from the 16th to the 18th century, it bears living and working together on the tombs of the Valley of we knew. She presented her findings at the American Schools years before their tattoos were discovered, tattoos on mum- exceptional testimony to a critical period in Vietnamese the Kings necropolis. But new evidence has emerged that of Oriental Research annual meeting in November. mies aren’t always easy to see. Mummified skin becomes and South-east Asian history when traditional kingship tombs were not their only creative outlet. The work has been several years in the making. It started discoloured and darkened, especially with mummification and Buddhist values were giving way to new trends in Infrared imaging has revealed a range of tattoos on the pre- in 2014, when Austin and her colleague Cedric Gobeil noticed resins added to the mix; and tattoos can lighten over time. technology, commerce and centralized administration. viously unstudied mummified corpses of seven women. The ink markings on the neck of a female Deir el-Medina mummy. Such hidden tattoos can, however, be revealed with infrared (Source: UNESCO) was scattered across their bodies, with a range of different motifs. Closer inspection revealed that the marks were not, as she photography, which works in wavelengths usually invisible to According to University of Missouri anthropologist Anne first thought, painted on - they were tattoos. the human eye. (Source: Science Alert) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 7, 2019 INTERNATIONAL 11

Cuban foreign ministry releases statement My observations and experience in Iran

1 I was very tired of 50 hours journey from Azad Kash- in reaction to U.S. destabilizing policies mir to Mashad, but as soon as I entered Imam Raza Shrine, I felt as if I had woken up from a sweet dream. I prayed and TEHRAN – The most recent events in the read the Holy Qur’an. region confirm that the US government My next priority was to buy a sim card and ring my wife and the reactionary oligarchies bear the and daughters. They were very worried of my safety, but I primary responsibility for the dangerous told them that the Iranians were guiding me like angels on unrest and political and social instability both of my sides. I felt of Imam Raza Shrine as the safest that broke out in Latin America and the and most comfortable place in the city. This holy shrine was Caribbean, reads part of the statement named after the 8th Shiat Imam. Many people have either released by Cuban foreign ministry. misunderstanding or misperception of Shiat lineage and the Entitled “Our America in The Face of hierarchy of the Imams. The misunderstood people think The Onslaught of Imperialism and the that Shiats are deviants or self-projected dissenters, but in Oligarchies”, the whole text of the decla- fact, the Shiats are Alhe-Bait. ration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs The Prophet (PBUH) had no son and his dearest daughter of Cuba, which was released on December Hazrat Fatima married to Hazrat Ali Alaisalam who was the 3, reads as follows: first Imam and Imam Raza was the 8th one in the line of Shiat As was anticipated by the First Secretary Imams. Imam Raza was born on 1st January 766 CE in Madina of the Communist Party of Cuba, Army and martyred on 6 June 818. It is said that The Abbasi ruler General Raúl Castro Ruz, on January 1, Mamoon conspired the invitation of Imam Raza to Mashad, 2019: Those who entertained the illusion where he poisoned him in a pomegranate. The previous name of the restoration of imperialist domina- of Mashad was Khorasan. The meaning of Mashad is the place tion in our region should understand that of shahdat result of the martyrdom of Imam Raza. Latin America and the Caribbean have The total area of Mashad is 267079 square meters and the changed and so has the world (…) The population is three million. 600 000 people can pray at a time region resembles a large prairie in times in this holy shrine, which has 16 main gates and 41 meter high of drought. A single spark could cause an 8 minaret. Imam Raza Shrine houses Astan Quds Library with uncontrollable fire that would damage the 1.1 million books. This library has 35 branches including one national interests of all.” in India. I was honored with several visits in this wonderful President Donald Trump proclaims library. There are several other departments in the shrine. the validity of the Monroe Doctrine and This is a place where one never feels lonely. resorts to McCarthyism to maintain the dent Luis Inacio Lula Da Silva himself; the that led Brazil to dramatically reduce the oligarchy and the OAS as an instrument, My accommodation was arranged in Ferdowsi University, but imperialist domination over the natural prompt participation of the Department levels of poverty and social exclusion un- is an evidence of the aggressive character it was closed for a few days on my arrival. I met with an Afghan resources of the region; prevent the ex- of Justice of the United States, by virtue der the Workers’ Party governments are of the imperialist onslaught. Cuba once shopkeeper whom I requested him to find me a reasonable ercise of the national sovereignty and the of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, to being dismantled. again condemns the coup d’état and the hotel, but he took me to his house where I stayed for a few days aspirations of regional integration and install a dependent government, ready Since May, 2019, tens of thousands of brutal repression that has been unleashed until the University was reopened. His mother looked after cooperation; attempt to re-establish his to revert important social achievements demonstrators have taken to the streets in that country and expresses its solidarity me like a brother. I joined the Ferdowsi University on 6th of unipolar and hemispheric hegemony; through neo-liberal adjustments, introduce to protest against budget cuts in educa- with comrade Evo Morales Ayma and the July 2019 where I spent 3 months with very compassionate eliminate progressive, revolutionary and a nefarious change in the development tion, the reforms to the pension system, Bolivian people. staff and friendly fellow students from all over the world. The alternative models to wild capitalism; re- model, allow the destruction of national the discriminatory policies and gender While the US government continues Persian and Arab students were very hospitable. vert political and social achievements and businesses and a predatory privatization violence. its non-conventional war to attempt to Most of the lectures were delivered by cool minded Dr. impose neo-liberal models, with full dis- and sell the resources and infrastructure The Brazilian government has inter- overthrow the legitimate government of Zahra Hamadi, a sportive and inspiring Dr. Elham Ikhlaqi and regard for International Law, the rules of of the country to American transnationals fered in the internal affairs of neighboring President Nicolás Maduro Moros and in- very diligent, meticulous, brisk and a considerate Masha Az- the game of representative democracy, the at a cheap price . countries, such as Venezuela, Argentina, vokes the Inter-American Treaty of Re- moodehe. The head of department was Dr. Zeinab Moazenzade environment or the wellbeing of peoples. By the end of 2017 there was a protest Paraguay and Uruguay and has adopted ciprocal Assistance (TIAR), Cuba ratifies assisted by her competent Assistan Ms. Merghadi, who spoke This Monday, December 2, Secretary against the electoral results in Honduras hostile positions against Cuba in violation its unshakable determination to maintain excellent English. Although I met with several decent people of State Mike Pompeo threateningly ac- that was terribly repressed. of International Law. As was published its cooperation with the government and in the department of Adbiyat, Muhammad Karimi was the cused Cuba and Venezuela of benefiting In January, 2018, the United States by the Brazilian media in April, 2019, the the people of Venezuela. most considerate Iranian, who gave me so much of his time. from and helping to stir up unrest in the aborted the signing of an agreement be- foreign ministry of that country instructed We reiterate our solidarity with the On occasions, he lent me money as my cash was kept in countries of the region. He distorts and tween the government of Venezuela and 15 of its embassies to coordinate with US Sandinista government and people of my department where I had no access at weekends. A number manipulates reality and conceals the main the Washington-controlled opposition. embassies with the purpose of encouraging Nicaragua, led by President Daniel Or- of students took me to historical places such as Tuss, which reason for the instability in the region, One month later, the Secretary of State recipient governments to condemn Cuba tega, who is facing the US attempts of is the resting place of Imam Ghazali and Abu al Qasim Fer- which is the US permanent interference proclaimed the validity of the Monroe Doc- at international fora. destabilization and unilateral coercive dowsi. I felt so satisfied and elated while standing by the in Latin America and the Caribbean. trine and called for a military coup against For the first time since 1992, Brazil, measures. graves of these spiritual personalities. The city of Tuss had The legitimate protests and peoples’ the Bolivarian and Chavista Revolution. only joined by the United States and Israel, The legitimate government of the been destroyed by the anti knowledge Mughual invaders, but massive demonstrations that are going In March, 2018, the Brazilian council- voted this year against the UN General Commonwealth o Dominica and its Prime they failed to destroy the thoughts and ideas left behind by on in the continent, particularly in the woman Marielle Franco was atrociously Assembly Resolution calling for an end to Minister Roosevelt Skerrit deserve inter- the Persian thinkers. Abu al Qasim Ferdowsi is credited with Plurinational State of Bolivia, Chile, Co- murdered. This action aroused a wave of the economic, commercial and financial national solidarity and can, as from now, protecting and promoting the Persian language and culture. lombia, Ecuador and Brazil are caused anger in her country and the whole world. blockade -that the US has further tight- count on the solidarity of the Cuban people The Ferdowsi University is named after him, while Imam by poverty and the increasingly unequal The obscure involvement of the powers ened against Cuba-, and the cessation of at a moment when that island nation is a Ghazali is followed globally. I was introduced to a Dr. Hosseini, distribution of wealth; the certainty that that be in this event has not been disclosed. the extraterritorial implementation of U victim of foreign interference that is al- who asked me to teach him journalistic skills and I subsequently neo-liberal formulas are worsening the In April, Lula is sent to prison through laws against third States. ready causing violence and is attempting connected him with the Tehran Times becoming a regular exclusive and unsustainable situation of spurious judicial maneuvers. There is In the same vein, the government of to thwart the electoral process. contributor. He introduced me to two Muslim brothers Mu- social vulnerability; the absence or pre- abundant evidence of the US interfer- Colombia abstained in the vote of the In this complex scenario, the govern- hammad Sabri and brother Rajee, who among other things carious situation of health care, education ence in the Brazilian elections through resolution it had supported since 1992 ment headed by Andrés Manuel López guide people on al-Mustafa Education system set up at the and social security services; the abuses specialized companies using technolo- which calls for the ceasing of the genocidal Obrador in Mexico is coping with neo-lib- instruction of Imam Khomeni, the Father of Islamic Revolu- against human dignity; unemployment and gies such as “big data” and polymetry to blockade imposed by the United States eralism and defending the principles of tion. These two brothers are very well-versed with English. restriction of labor rights; privatization; manipulate, on a case by case basis, the against Cuba –at a moment when it is non-interference and respect for the na- Brother Sabri also speaks Urdu. the increasing cost and cancellation of will of voters, such as the ones used by being tightened- and its extraterritorial tional sovereignty, while the election of Before I went to Iran, I was told the minorities were op- public services and the increased public the ultra-reactionary Steve Bannon and character. In order to justify such repre- Alberto Fernández and Cristina Fernández pressed, mainly the Sunni, but the Iranian sunnis denied it. I insecurity. others designed by Israel. hensible decision, the authorities of that as President and Vice-president of Argen- attended once a big sunni mosque near the historical Park-e- They reveal the crisis of political systems, During this period, legal proceedings country has resorted to the politically tina evidence the unequivocal rejection Mellat, where hundreds of people do exercises in mornings. the lack of true democracy, the discredit of were initiated against ex presidents Cristina motivated and ungrateful manipulation of that nation against neo-liberal formu- I was also invited to Iranian weddings, which were similar to traditional conservative parties, the protest Fernández de Kirchner and Rafael Cor- of the altruistic, dedicated, discreet and las that impoverished and indebted that Kashmiri weddings in many ways. against the typical historical corruption rea. In April, 2018, there was an attempt unquestionable contribution of Cuba to nation and seriously harmed its people. My plan was to keep low profile in Iran and concentrate on of military dictatorships and right-wing to destabilize Nicaragua through foreign peace in Colombia, for which our country’s Lula’s release from prison is a victory of Persian language and research, but the Iranian government governments, the scarce popular support interference and the implementation of behavior has received universal recogni- all peoples and Cuba, once again, calls and students reacted very strongly against Indian government’s to official authorities, the lack of confidence unilateral coercive measures. tion. It is well known that this decision for a global mobilization to demand his decision to revoke Jammu Kashmir’s special status. I joined in institutions and the system of justice. On August 4, 2018, an attempt against generated a broad and critical debate in complete freedom and the reinstatement their several activities. The spiritual leader of Iran, Ayatollah They also protest against the brutal the life of President Nicolas Maduro Moros that nation but, despite all odds, we will of his innocence and his political rights. Khamenei issued a number of statements against India cor- police repression, the militarization of it was perpetrated. In January, 2019, the continue to accompany that nation in its The corruption that characterizes the rectly terming the Kashmir tragedy as a British conspiracy. using as a pretext the protection of critical self-proclamation of the barely-known efforts to achieve peace. behavior of the current US administra- The Iranian parliament passed a resolution in support of infrastructures; the exemption of repressors and corrupt Juan Guaidó, organized in The US slander attributing Cuba alleged tion can be hidden no more. Its impact Kashmir. The Iranain Foreign Office made 3 briefings and from criminal liability; the use of military Washington, took place. In March, 2019, responsibilities in the organization of pop- on the peoples of Latin America and the students were allowed in all major cities to protest against and anti-riot weapons that cause deaths, president Trump ratified the Executive ular demonstrations against neo-liberal- Caribbean has taken a toll on human lives India and the United Nations. serious injuries, including hundreds of Order considering Venezuela a threat. On ism in South America is a barely credible and has caused hardships, instability and I had a special meeting with a member of Iranian Parliament, youths suffering from irreversible eye April 30 there was an attempted military excuse to justify and tighten the blockade economic damages. Dr. Nasrollah Pezmanfar arranged by Fareedon Zindadil and injuries caused by shotgun pellets; the coup in Caracas, which happened to be a and the hostile policy against our people. In view of the tragic juncture that the Tehmina Muzafari. The Iranian press nationally highlighted the criminalization of demonstrations; vi- resounding failure, and the United States, It is likewise useless to conceal the failure region and the world are going through, Kashmir Issue and the daily Tehran Times published several of olations, beatings and violence against in revenge, escalated its non-conventional of the capitalist system, protect teetering Cuba reaffirms the principles of sovereignty, my articles and Khorasan published an interview. I also had an detainees , among them minors; and even war against that South American nation and repressive governments, conceal par- non-interference in the internal affairs of opportunity to attend a meeting of a Peace and Reconciliation the assassination of social leaders, demo- that has been putting up a tenacious and liamentary, judicial and police coups; and other States and the right of every peo- Organisation headed by Dr. Arabshahi. A Khanum Moeeni in bilized guerrillas and journalists. heroic resistance based on the civic and stir up the ghost of socialism to terrify ple to freely choose and create a political Shiraz is also very active on human rights abuses in Kashmir. The United States advocates and sup- military union of its people. peoples. By doing this it also intends to system of their own, in a climate of peace, I spoke over the phone but not met with her as Shiraz was a ports repression against demonstrators During this whole period, the US gov- justify repression and the criminalization stability and justice, without threats or full day journey from Mashad. under the pretext of safeguarding the al- ernment has been applying savage an- of social protests. aggressions or unilateral coercive meas- Despite 40 years long economic sanctions on Iran as an leged “democratic order”. The complicit ti-immigrant policies and has adopted Cuba’s only responsibility is the one ures; and encourages compliance with the unfair reaction to Islamic Revolution, the Iranian infrastruc- silence of several governments, institu- an aggressive behavior, full of hatred, to that emanates from the example set by principles enshrined in the Proclamation ture is still remarkable and inflation balanced. The roads tions and personalities, that turn out to be fuel fear and division among voters. It its heroic people in the defense of their of Latin America and the Caribbean as a are big and cities clean. The main complaint I heard in Iran very active and critical against the left, is a is attempting to build a xenophobic wall sovereignty, in their resistance against the Zone of Peace. was about the immigration law because of which many Af- shame. The complicity of the big corporate in the border with Mexico and is threat- most brutal and systematic aggressions, Cuba will continue to work towards ghan refugees children born and brought up in Iran had no media is shameful. ening this country and the entire Central in the invariable practice of solidarity and the integration of Our America, which in- right to nationality. I met with a number of Afghan social Peoples are very rightly wondering: America with the imposition of terrible cooperation with all sister nations of Latin cludes all efforts so that the Community workers, including an active and acclaimed lady Tehmina Where is democracy and the rule of law? tariffs and sanctions if they do not stop America and the Caribbean. of Latin American and Caribbean States Muzaffari, who helped so many vulnerable Afghans. She is What are the institutions that are suppos- those who flee from poverty and insecu- Imperialism is hurting because Cuba has (CELAC), which will be very soon presided well connected with influential Iranians and get things done edly devoted to the protection of human rity. It has also increased deportations. proved that another world is certainly pos- over by Mexico, would continue to pro- for the Afghans. rights doing? Where is the justice system It cruelly separates thousands of children sible and that it is indeed possible to build mote the common interests of our nations The most important thing in Iran is the wealth of knowl- whose independence is so much trumpeted? from their parents; it has arrested 69 000 an alternative model to neo-liberalism, by strengthening unity amidst diversity. edge and rich culture and heritage. The people are very po- Let’s review some facts. In March, 2015, minors and is trying to expel the children based on solidarity, cooperation, dignity, a In the face of the implacable onslaught lite, positive and well-mannered. It is the Iranian scientific President Barack Obama signed an un- of immigrant parents who were born and fair distribution of wealth, equitable access of the most reactionary forces in the hem- knowledge, natural beauty and friendliness of the people heard-of Executive Order declaring the raised in the US territory. to professional upgrading, citizens’ safety isphere, Cuba will oppose the unshakable that pulls a stranger like me back though there is something Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela as an The ultra right-wing government of and protection and the absolute freedom resistance of its people and its determi- internal that binds me with Farsi as well. While Pakistan is “unusual and extraordinary threat to the Brazil, headed by Jair Bolsonaro, showing of human beings. nation to defend the unity of the nation, importing unislamic syllabus in the name of modern edu- national security, the economy and foreign a shameful subordination to the United The Cuban Revolution has also been a its social achievements, its sovereignty cation with western funding as well, there are many people policy” of that big power. In November, States, has resorted to lies and a xenopho- proof that a people that is closely united, and independence and socialism what- like me who want to tie together Farsi, Arabic and Urdu for 2015, the costly electoral defeat of the left- bic, racist, misogynist and homophobic that has become the owner of their country ever the cost. We do it with the unswerv- this is the only way to bring the Muslims closer. For this wing in Argentina occurred. discourse, combined with delirious pro- and institutions, living in a permanent ing optimism and confidence in victory specific purpose, I wish to improve my Farsi and desire to The neo-liberal offensive had its mo- jections about social and political phenom- and profound democracy, can success- that we inherited from the Commander visit the resting place of the great Saadi Shirazi whose won- mentum in August, 2016, with the judicial ena, such as climate change, indigenous fully resist and develop in the face of the in Chief of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel derful poem titled “Bani Adam” hangs on the main gate of and parliamentary coup in Brazil against populations, the Amazon fires and emi- longest-lasting aggression and blockade Castro Ruz, under the leadership of the the United Nations. President Dilma Rousseff; the criminali- gration, which have aroused the rejection in history. First Secretary of our Party, Army General In Bani Adam, Saadi Shirazi describes that all human zation and incarceration of the leaders of of numerous leaders and organizations. The coup d’état in Bolivia, orchestrat- Raúl Castro and the guidance of President beings are from the same essence. May Allah give me a chance the Workers’ Party and later on of ex Presi- Under his government, the social policies ed by the United States, using the local Miguel Díaz-Canel. to visit Shiraz! I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 12 SOCIETY DECEMBER 7, 2019

Victoria Falls at risk of drying Decade of ‘exceptional’ heat likely up because of climate change, warns Zambian president to be hottest on record, experts say One of the world’s natural wonders, the Victoria Falls, could one The last decade has been one of “exception- ments to pay heed to young people, who day dry up unless urgent action is taken to tackle the climate al” heat around the world, and was almost were “showing remarkable leadership and crisis, the Zambian president has warned. certainly the hottest on record, while the mobilisation”. Edgar Lungu said drought had reduced water levels at the falls oceans have also warmed to record levels The latest WMO figures showed the pattern – which border Zambia and Zimbabwe – to their lowest in 25 years. and grown markedly more acidic, the World of warming was growing stronger, warned Both countries have suffered power cuts as they are heavily Meteorological Organization has said. Keith Shine, regius professor of meteorol- reliant on hydropower from plants at the Kariba Dam, which sits Temperatures for the years from 2010 to ogy and climate science at the University on the Zambezi river upstream of the waterfalls. 2019 were about 1.1C above the average for of Reading. While the falls typically dry up occasionally during the dry the pre-industrial period, showing how close “Each of the past four decades has been season, officials said this year had brought unprecedented de- the world is coming to the 1.5C of warming 0.1 to 0.2C warmer than the decade before. cline in water levels. that scientists say will cause dramatic im- Carbon dioxide levels have continued their pacts, extreme weather and the loss of vital relentless rise, and methane levels have grown ecosystems. much more rapidly than in the previous dec- The preliminary findings of the State of ade. Unless things start to change markedly, the Global Climate, an annual publication by it is going to get harder and harder to meet the WMO, show that this year is on course the goals of the Paris agreement.” to be the second or third warmest since re- While average temperatures may seem to cords began. be only gradually creeping up over decades, Over land, the impacts from January this disguises the true impact on lives, ex- to October have included severe droughts, plained Grant Allen, professor of atmospheric heatwaves and floods across all inhabited physics at the University of Manchester. continents, and over the seas there have also “This [temperature rise] does not simply been heatwaves. said the impacts of rising concentrations of terns posed a threat to crop yields, which, mean slightly warmer summers, it means During the past year, the upper levels of carbon in the atmosphere were becoming combined with population increases, would an increased frequency of extreme weath- the oceans, measured since the 1950s, have ever more harmful, as demonstrated in this mean “considerable food security challenges er globally – droughts, heatwaves, flooding exceeded previous records so far this year, year’s extreme weather events. for vulnerable countries in the future”. and changing patterns in the frequency and and the ocean experienced about 1.5 months “Heatwaves and floods which used to The findings came as the world’s gov- intensity of tropical cyclones. of unusually warm temperatures, with large be once-in-a-century events are becom- ernments gathered in Madrid for a critical “These impacts are real and happening now areas of the north-east Pacific showing severe ing more regular occurrences. Countries UN conference on the climate. On Monday, and place huge pressures on communities and The average flow over the falls in 2019 is down by almost 50 heatwaves. The Arctic sea ice minimum in from the Bahamas to Japan to Mozambique the UN secretary general, António Guterres, countries – put simply, these impacts make per cent, according to Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Environment, September was the third smallest on record. suffered devastating tropical cyclones. warned that though the technology and eco- for a more unstable world, and are already Climate and Tourism. The final version of the report will be pub- Wildfires swept through the Arctic and nomic means to fight climate chaos were having profound impacts on our ecosystems In an interview with Sky News in Zambia’s capital Lusaka, lished in March. Australia,” he said. available, political will was lacking. and biodiversity.” Mr Lungu said: “Do we want to want to pass on the Zambezi Petteri Taalas, the WMO secretary general, He warned that more erratic rainfall pat- He called on world leaders and govern- (Source: The Guardian) without the mighty Victoria Falls? “Do we want to pass on Africa and the next generation with- out the mighty Victoria Falls? Is that what we want? There are practices and measures we can take now.” 50C heat could become the norm in Tackling degraded oceans could In October, the Zambian president tweeted a picture of the Australia, experts say mitigate climate crisis – report falls with barely a trickle of water descending the dry rock face. The scene is more famously known as a wall of cascading water Hundreds of climate records were broken Halting overfishing and the plastic pol- – up to a kilometre wide – which draws hundreds of thousands in just 90 days in Australia as temperatures lution of the oceans could help tackle the of tourists a year. soared and rainfall dried up, according climate emergency by improving the de- “These pictures of the Victoria Falls are a stark reminder of to a new report. graded state of the world’s biggest carbon what climate change is doing to our environment and our live- The findings are detailed in a report by sink, a report has found. lihood,” wrote Mr Lungu. “It is with no doubt that developing the Climate Council of Australia (CCA), The oceans absorb both the excess heat countries like Zambia are the most impacted by climate change which says climate change is “super- generated by our greenhouse gas emissions, and the least able to afford its consequences.” charging extreme weather events, putting and absorb carbon dioxide itself, helping “It’s normal to have low water this time of the year but the Australian lives, our economy and our to reduce the impacts of climate chaos. But falls will never dry in our lifetime. We haven’t had as much wa- environment at risk”. we are rapidly reaching the limits of the ter as we have had in the past years but it’s not dry,” said board By 2040, researchers warn, temperatures “We have seen temperature records oceans’ absorptive capacity as our pillage less carbon than they did before commercial member Blessing Munyenyiwa, in comments reported by The of 50C could become commonplace in Syd- smashed, bushfires in winter and a prolonged of marine life is disrupting vital ecosystems whaling began, Greenpeace noted, while Chronicle newspaper. ney and Melbourne unless global warming is drought. Climate change is influencing all and the natural carbon cycle. working to rebuild key whale populations But Elisha Moyo, principal climate-change researcher at the limited to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels of these things.” Creating ocean sanctuaries and forging would remove 160,000 tonnes of carbon country’s environment ministry, said the disappearance of the – the most ambitious target set under the Eastern Australia is currently plagued a new treaty to protect the oceans, with every year. falls was a “serious possibility”. Paris Agreement. by drought, said the Climate Council’s a target of safeguarding at least 30% of “The ocean’s biology is one of our best “It’s a worry,” he told the BBC’s Hardtalk last month. “Maybe The UN’s landmark IPCC report warned chief executive, Amanda McKenzie, with the oceans by 2030, could restore many allies in the fight against climate change,” one year there will be no falls completely, no water.” humanity now has less than 12 years to no significant rain in sight to dampen areas to health and combat global heating, said Louisa Casson, oceans campaigner at He added the falls drying up would mean the loss of Zimba- achieve this aim, which cannot occur without its impact on rural and regional com- according to the report entitled Hot Water: Greenpeace UK. “But over-exploitation and bwe’s “tourism trump card” but would also affect animals reliant “unprecedented” change. munities, farming, water supplies and the climate crisis and the urgent need for our addiction to fossil fuels have pushed on the Zambezi’s water supply. The hottest temperature on record the natural environment. ocean protection, published by Green- our ocean to the brink of collapse. Ocean Droughts in southern Africa have also affected crops, leaving for Melbourne is 46.4C, logged in Feb- It is the third year in a row that crops have peace International on Wednesday. protection is climate action – if we can millions of people facing food shortages ruary 2009. been threatened by drought, with national Phytoplankton such as algae, for in- save our ocean, it can save us.” Zimbabwe’s finance minister Mthuli Ncube said in October While the CCA report found 206 climate summer crop production forecast to fall by stance, transform dissolved carbon dioxide The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate that water in the Kariba dam was so low “we are dangerously close records were broken last summer – including 20 per cent to 2.1 million tonnes. into organic carbon, which then forms part Change recently highlighted the perils the to a level where we have to cut off power generation”. record-high temperatures and record-low “These heatwaves can have severe ef- of the food chain. Gradually some of this oceans face from climate chaos, in its first Water and power shortages are set to shrink the county’s rainfall – it says that “the summer of 2019- fects on human health, including both direct sinks to the sea bottom where it is buried report to focus solely on the marine envi- economy by 6.5 per cent this year, he added. 20 is shaping up as another terrible trifec- heat illnesses such as heat exhaustion and in sediment. Without the biological carbon ronment. That also sounded the alarm over (Source: The Independent) ta of heatwaves, droughts and bushfires”. indirect illnesses such as cardiovascular pump that this entails concentrations of ocean acidification. The seas are now about 26% Temperatures have already soared to failure,” said Ms McKenzie. carbon in the atmosphere today would be more acidic than in pre-industrial times, with a record 40C this spring, sparking dead- Echoing a message from UN director gen- about 50% higher, according to estimates damaging impacts on shellfish in particular. WORDS IN THE NEWS ly bushfires in New South Wales and south eral Antonio Guterres on Monday ahead of cited in the report. Oceans are scheduled to be a key topic at Queensland that killed at least six people the UN’s climate change conference (COP25) Krill – a species of small fish – also form the UN climate change meeting in Madrid, Round-World Balloon Trip and up to 1,000 koalas, which are vul- in Madrid, in which he berated world leaders a vital part of the carbon cycle in the seas where governments are now discussing nerable to extinction. for their inaction on climate change, the as they move through levels of the ocean, progress on the Paris climate change agree- (June 19, 2002) Fire season is starting earlier and last- report attacks a decade of “rancorous and and play a big role in the diet of larger ment. COP25, as the meeting is known, was Millionaire American adventurer Steve Fossett has successfully ing longer, according to the report, with divisive politics”. species. But krill populations have been scheduled to take place in Chile, a country taken off from an airfield in western Australia. He is hoping to bushfires seen as early as August this year. “Nowhere is this tension between the in long-term decline since the 1970s due to with a coastline that stretches for more become the first person to complete a solo balloon navigation of “Climate change is supercharging the need for urgent action and ideologically pollution, overfishing and climate change. than 4,000 km and has a heavy reliance the earth. This is his sixth attempt at capturing the record. This extreme weather events we are witness- driven? denial and inaction more evident Marine life at the other end of the scale on the oceans. But political unrest meant report from Dominic Hughes. ing,” said the report’s author, Professor than in Australia,” Professor Steffen writes. also plays an important role. Large baleen COP25 was moved from Santiago to Spain. After a long and anxious night waiting for just the right conditions for Will Steffen. (Source: The Independent) whales are estimated to store 910m tonnes (Source: The Guardian) launch, Steve Fossett and his ground crew decided to go ahead with his latest attempt at a solo circumnavigation. Thousands of cubic meters of helium were pumped into the towering silver ENGLISH IN USE canopy of his balloon. After meticulous pre-flight checks and the loading of last-minute supplies, the balloon finally lifted off from the airfield at Northam in western Australia. LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION Steve Fossett will spend the next fifteen to twenty days living in a tiny capsule suspended beneath the balloon, getting little sleep and eating army rations he describes as disgusting. But the millionaire $7b to be allocated to retrofit, اختصاص بیش از 29 هزار میلیارد تومان برای بازسازی financier believes this is his best chance to capture the record that has eluded him on five previous attempts. rebuild flood-devastated houses خانه های سیل زده Last year, he got as far as Brazil, but was forced to abandon the معــاون عمــران و توســعه امــور شــهری و روســتایی وزیــر کشــورگفت: براســاس مصوبــه اخیــر هیــات flight because of deteriorating weather conditions. In 1998, he A budget of 290 trillion rials (nearly $7 billion) will be allotted to reconstruct was lucky to survive when his balloon plummeted into the sea. and repair housing units destructed by flood in 18 provinces across the وزیــران مبلــغ 29 هــزارو 130 میلیــارد ریــال بــرای بازســازی و جبــران خســارات ناشــی از ســیل در So, having safely launched his latest attempt in western Australia, country, Mehdi Jamalinejad, deputy interior minister for urban and بخشــهای مختلــف 18 اســتان پرداخــت مــی شــود. .everything now depends on the weather. rural development has announced بــر اســاس ارزیاب یهــای انجــام شــده در ۲۱ اســتان کشــور، بیــش از ۱۶۹ هــزار و ۳۷۷ واحــد مســکونی Words Flood has devastated some 169,377 housing units, 68,333 of which are conditions: things which can affect the flight - here, the weather شــهری و روســتایی در ســی لهای اخیــر در کشــور آســیب دی دهانــد کــه بایــد دوبــاره احــداث شــوند. .beyond repair and must be reconstructed, he stated ground crew: the team of people working on the ground to assist Moreover, household appliances of 109,832 families also have suffered the flight جمالــی نــژاد بیــان داشــت: در اثــر ســیل بــه ۱۰۹هــزار و ۸۳۲ واحــد مســکونی نیــز خســارت .damages, he further regretted معیشــتی وارد شــده اســت. circumnavigation: travelling around the world meticulous: with a lot of attention to detail He went on to say that 20,000 housing units, undergone devastation by وی اضافــه کــرد: امــروز ســاخت 20 هــزار دســتگاه واحــد مســکونی کــه در ســیل آســیب دیــده supplies: necessary food, drink, etc. taken on a journey recent flooding in Aq-Oala county in northern Golestan province, are بودنــد نیــز در آق قــا شــروع شــد. .capsule: here, a compartment hanging beneath the balloon, where under construction the balloonist can travel Non-repayable loans amounting to 25 trillion rials (nearly $600 million) دبیــر کمیتــه نوســازی و بازســازی قــرارگاه بازســازی مناطــق ســیل زده در ادامــه گفــت: ۲۵هــزار rations: the amount of food allowed each day on an expedition will be provided for retrofitting of houses, 7.4 trillion rials (around $177 میلیــارد ریــال تســهیلت قــرض الحســنه و همچنیــن مبلــغ ۷هــزار و ۴۶۰ میلیــارد ریــال بــرای record: a record is usually the fastest or best attempt at something: million) will also be earmarked to compensate for the infrastructure مرمــت زیرســاخت هــای آســیب دیــده از ســیل پرداخــت خواهــد شــد. .here, to travel round the world in a balloon damages, he explained eluded: if something eludes you, you just can’t reach it plummeted: fell very fast and very hard (Source: BBC) PREFIX/SUFFIX PHRASAL VERB IDIOM Without “co-, col-, com-, con-, cor-” Nose out Crocodile tears Meaning: with or together Meaning: to find out or discover information, se- Explanation: To shed crocodile tears means to shed earth no For example: What will it take for us to coexist crets, etc. false tears or show insincere grief in peace? For example: He nosed out their plans. For example: Caroline pretended to be sad but we birth! all knew her tears were crocodile tears. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 7, 2019 WORLD IN FOCUS 13

Massive chaos as largest strike in Ayatollah Sistani says new PM must be chosen without years hits France for 2nd Day foreign interference A nationwide general strike has hit France for down and hundreds of flights were expected 1 Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani said protests are a second day in a row over planned pension to be cancelled. effective in hastening needed reforms on the condition that reforms by the government, causing chaos Union leaders warned that the strike could they “are not drawn to violent acts, chaos and destruction.” across the country. last at least until Monday if the government “Conserving the peaceful nature of the protests and Schools remained closed on Friday and did not take the right action. keeping them far from violence and destruction is very hospitals were understaffed. Reports said “The strike is not going to stop tonight,” important and everyone needs to unite in achieving such,” a the cancellation of rush-hour trains into said Philippe Martinez, secretary general of representative of Ayatollah Sistani said as he delivered the Paris has caused a huge traffic jam around the CGT union, on Thursday. top cleric’s sermon. the capital. Paris’s bus and metro operator have said According to traffic app Styadin, traffic their walkout will last until Monday at the The top cleric added that the protesters should not allow jams totaling more than 350 kilometers very least. rioters to infiltrate the rallies and target “security forces and clogged the main roads in and around the President Macron is already faced with destroy public and private property” just as protecting the capital as many commuters took to their cars. a major challenge to his rule from “Yellow lives of protesters is the responsibility of the security forces. On the first day of the general strike on Vest” protesters, who have been holding During his statements, Ayatollah Sistani also said that Thursday, about a million workers held pro- weekly demonstrations for more than a year. a new prime minister must be chosen “without any foreign tests that later turned violent after police Trade union leaders are now calling on interference” and partisan politics after the incumbent tear-gassed demonstrators in Paris. Macron to abandon his campaign promise Adel Abdul-Mahdi tendered his resignation a week ago. The strike, the largest since 1995, was to overhaul the retirement system. “We hope a new head of government and its members started against President Emmanuel Macron‘s The president has said he wants to simplify will be chosen within the constitutional deadline” of 15 plan to overhaul the pension system that the country’s complex retirement system, days since the resignation was approved in parliament would see workers retiring later or facing which comprises more than 40 different on Sunday, Ayatollah Sistani said. reduced payouts. plans, many with different retirement ages (Source: agencies) Hundreds of thousands of strikers par- and benefits. alyzed the transport system on the first day people took to the streets, while more than were detained on Thursday. The new system will introduce a “points of industrial action which prompted closure 6,000 police officers were deployed with a Strikers on Friday were set to contin- system” for retirement, which will have a of schools across the nation. decree to forbid the protesters from gathering ue a similar pattern across the country, significant impact on the public sector. Iraqi demonstrators According to union leaders, more than 1.5 on the Champs-Élysées or at police stations. with widespread rail cancellations and Until now, the sector had enjoyed spe- million people turned out across the country, Police in riot gear used tear gas and trun- disruption to flights expected across cial retirement systems to compensate for condemned foreign with police using tear gas to disperse them. cheons to disperse protesters near the Place the nation. difficult working conditions. Just in Paris alone, tens of thousands of de la Republique. The judiciary 57 people In Paris, most of the metro system shut (Source: agencies) intervention in the country Similar protests were being held in Baghdad and other cities on Friday. U.S. lawmakers work on articles of The lady and the hague: Myanmar The developments come as nearly two months of protests have rocked primarily Baghdad and the southern areas of impeachment against Trump leader Suu Kyi courts home audience Iraq. The protesters have been expressing frustration with Democrats in the U.S. House of Repre- had in mind for establishing a democracy,” The last time Myanmar leader Aung San Hague for the first hearings, from Dec. 10, a failing economy and have demanded reforms. sentatives on Friday deliberate over what Pelosi told CNN later Thursday. Suu Kyi traveled to western Europe, she to “defend the national interest”. The rallies have, however, turned into violent confron- charges to bring against President Donald At the heart of the Democratic-led was feted as the freshly elected civilian “There is a discrepancy between the tations on numerous occasions. Trump, after Speaker Nancy Pelosi ordered House impeachment inquiry is Trump’s ruler of a fledgling democracy who had opinion of Myanmar and the interna- Since October 1, more than 300 people have been killed the Judiciary Committee to draft formal request that Ukraine launch an investi- brought an end to half a century of military tional community,” said Myo Nyunt, in the country, according to the Iraqi parliament’s human articles of impeachment. gation targeting Joe Biden. The former dictatorship. the senior spokesman for her National rights commission. The committee could draft and recom- vice president is a top contender for the When the Nobel peace prize laureate League for Democracy Party. “She has (Source: agencies) mend the articles by Dec. 12, after more Democratic nomination to face Trump in returns next week, her first trip to the re- to explain what has really taken place than two months investigating, interview- the November 2020 presidential election. gion since a 2017 military crackdown on in northern Rakhine.” ing witnesses and holding hearings into Trump denies wrongdoing and has not Rohingya Muslims in western Myanmar, Her decision to attend took some by whether the Republican president abused cooperated with the investigation, which it will be to face accusations of genocide, surprise. People close to her with strong UK’s Labor leader says the power of his office. he calls a hoax. He could face an impeach- alongside the army she spent much of her international connections voiced concerns In a televised announcement on Thursday, ment charge of obstruction of Congress in life battling. it could further tarnish her image abroad, leaked report exposes PM Pelosi said she had directed Jerrold Nadler, addition to one alleging abuse of power. According to reuters, Gambia, a tiny, according to two people familiar with the Johnson’s Brexit “fraud” the Judiciary panel’s chairman, to draw up Some lawmakers and legal experts have mainly Muslim West African state backed discussions. the formal charges, which will subsequently speculated that he could also face charges by the 57-nation Organisation for Islamic But at home the announcement has British opposition Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn said Friday be put for a vote in the full House. of bribery or obstruction of justice. Cooperation (OIC), lodged a lawsuit at the unleashed a wave of popular support, he had a confidential government report which showed She called it a historic day. After refusing all requests to hand over International Court of Justice (ICJ) last with the leader who spent 15 years un- “It was taking us across a threshold on documents and ordering administration month against Myanmar for genocide, der house arrest for defying the army there would be customs checks between Northern Ireland this that we just had no choice. I do hope officials not to testify, Trump faces another including mass murder and rape. lauded as once again championing the and mainland Britain under a Brexit deal negotiated by that it would be remembered in a way that deadline on Friday. Myanmar denies the allegations, and interests of the people against a com- Prime Minister Boris Johnson. honors the vision of our founders, what they (Source: Reuters) Suu Kyi’s office said she would fly to The mon enemy. “This is the cold, hard evidence that categorically shows the impact Johnson’s damaging Brexit deal will have on large parts of our country,” Corbyn said in a speech in London. Johnson’s main campaigning message ahead of next Revealed: Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib targeted in far-right fake news operation week’s election is that he would ‘get Brexit done’ three Two Muslim U.S. congresswomen have been targeted by a or had large amounts of content removed soon after the years after the 2016 referendum, but Corbyn said the slo- vast international operation that exploits far-right pages on Guardian approached Elkaras for comment. Public posts gan was misleading. Facebook to inflame Islamophobia for profit, a Guardian on his Facebook profile were also deleted. He said the prime minister wanted Britons to vote blind investigation has found. Elkaras did not respond to multiple requests for com- of the facts, saying the leaked government document re- A mysterious Israeli-based group uses 21 Facebook pages ment via email and phone, but the Guardian was able to vealed that there would be customs declarations and security to churn out more than a thousand coordinated fake news track him down in the Israeli town of Lod, near Tel Aviv, checks between Britain and Northern Ireland which he posts per week to more than a million followers around the where he denied involvement in the network. “It’s nothing argued contradicted Johnson’s claim there would be no world. It milks the traffic for revenue from digital advertising. related to me,” he said through a translator. border in the Irish sea. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, The uncovering of the network is likely to fuel concerns Labor’s Brexit plan is to negotiate a new deal with the who earlier this year became the first Muslim women to that Facebook is failing to tackle disinformation and hate European Union to include a customs union and then hold serve in the U.S. Congress, have been singled out for vicious groups ahead of next year’s presidential election in the U.S. attacks by the coordinated effort. Abbas Barzegar, director of research and advocacy at the Council another referendum on whether to accept it, although Cor- Somali-born Omar is the most frequent target. She has been on American-Islamic Relations, said: “Spreading disinformation byn himself has vowed to remain neutral. mentioned in more than 1,400 posts since the network began and faux-reporting through pre-networked social media accounts “Once the decision has been made we will need a prime two years ago. Tlaib has been mentioned nearly 1,200 times. and pseudo-news websites has been the preferred tactic of the minister able to speak to both sides if we are to bring the Both totals are far higher than any other member of Congress. Islamophobia industry for a very long time. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Facebook’s com- country together,” Corbyn said. “I think we’ve had just Omar and Tlaib are members of a group of progressive “These actors create entire media and information placency is a threat to our democracy. It has become clear about enough of this division.” women of color known as “the squad” that also includes ecosystems that inscribe dangerous ideas and narratives that they do not take seriously the degree to which they (Source: daily Star) Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Ayanna Pressley in audiences across the world. The impact isn’t personal provide a platform for white nationalist hate and dangerous of Massachusetts. They have been subject to racist insults prejudice, alone. Rather, such disinformation impacts our misinformation in this country and around the world. And from Donald Trump. political climate, actual laws, policies and overall culture.” there is a clear reason for this: they profit off it. I believe The Guardian uncovered contacts between a group of Somali-born Omar, the first member of the House of their inaction is a grave threat to people’s lives, to our de- Russia, Turkey working on mysterious Israel-based accounts and 21 far-right Face- Representatives to wear a hijab in the chamber, has been mocracy and to democracy around the world. book pages across the U.S., Australia, the UK, Canada, subject to hundreds of online death threats. In Septem- “When private corporations don’t act, we as a nation new S-400 missile contract Austria, Israel and Nigeria. ber she accused Trump of putting her life at risk after the need to think seriously about ways to address the spread The posts exacerbate Islamophobia by amplifying far-right president retweeted a post that falsely claimed she partied of misinformation while protecting core values like free Russia and Turkey are working on a contract for the deliv- parties and vilifying Muslim and leftwing politicians. Their on the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. speech.” ery of a new batch of Russian S-400 missile systems, the content is a blend of distorted news and pure fabrication. Omar told the Guardian: “As this report makes clear, When the Guardian notified Facebook of its investiga- Interfax news agency cited a senior official at a Russian An analysis by Queensland University of Technology’s foreign interference – whether by individuals or govern- tion, the company removed several pages and accounts military cooperation agency as saying Friday. digital media research centre indicated a single entity is ments – is still a grave threat to our democracy. These “that appeared to be financially motivated”, a spokesperson Moscow hopes to seal a deal to supply Turkey with more coordinating the publication of content across the Face- are malicious actors operating in a foreign country, Israel, said in a statement. S-400 systems in the first half of next year, the head of Rus- book pages. spreading misinformation and hate speech to influence “These pages and accounts violated our policy against sian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport said last month. Using web archiving services and domain registry infor- elections in the United States. The goal of these anti-Mus- spam and fake accounts by posting clickbait content to Amid already strained bilateral ties, Washington has mation, the Guardian has been able to confirm a key figure lim hate campaigns is clear – they put Muslim lives here drive people to off-platform sites,” the spokesperson said. suspended Ankara from the U.S. F-35 stealth fighter jet in the network is Ariel Elkaras, a thirtysomething jewelry and around the world at risk and undermine our country’s “We don’t allow people to misrepresent themselves program, in which it was a producer and buyer, to penalize salesman and online operator living on the outskirts of the commitment to religious pluralism.” on Facebook and we’ve updated our inauthentic behavior it for buying S-400 batteries this year. Israeli city of Tel Aviv. She also slammed Facebook for its role in allowing users policy to further improve our ability to counter new tactics. (Source: Interfax) Several of the network’s websites were either taken down to spread misinformation. (Source: Guardian) Sudan’s new PM wants to withdraw troops from Yemen France to convene meeting Sudan’s new Prime Minister Abdalla Ham- Yemen, formed in 2015 in a bid to install a remaining troops from Yemen. mission in Yemen has come to a standstill to mobilize support for dok has vowed to withdraw troops from the pro-Saudi government in Sana’a and crush The new prime minster said his government due to the resistance and increasingly so- Saudi-led war in Yemen, saying his coun- Yemen’s Houthi Ansarllah movement. had “inherited” the deployment in Yemen from phisticated attacks of Yemeni forces. Lebanon try’s role should be limited to assisting in a According to reports, up to 40,000 Su- Sudan’s former president Omar Hassan al- Earlier this year, the United Arab Emirates political resolution of the conflict. danese troops were deployed in the country Bashir who was ousted following a popular (UAE), Riyadh’s most influential partner in France plans to convene a meeting of an international “The conflict in Yemen has no military during the peak of the conflict in 2016-2017. uprising against his rule in April. the war, was reported to have withdrawn support group for Lebanon Dec. 11 to mobilize assistance solution, whether from us or from anywhere Late October, however, Sudanese offi- Hamdok pledged to “address” the coun- most of its troops from Yemen. for the country as it grapples with an acute economic crisis, in the world,” Hamdok told the Atlantic Coun- cials said the country had withdrawn thou- try’s involvement in the Saudi-led war “in UAE officials have reached the conclusion a Lebanese government official said Friday. cil, a U.S.-based think tank, on Thursday. sands of troops from Yemen, with only a the near future” without further elaborating that the war has become “unwinnable” and A European official said invitations had been sent out He added that the war “has to be resolved “few thousand” remaining. on the matter. that the Houthis will eventually “have a role for the Dec. 11 meeting in Paris. The Lebanese official said through political means,” and that his country Speaking on Thursday, Hamdok said “not While Sudanese officials have abstained in the future in Yemen”, reports said. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were expected will seek to “help our brothers and sisters many” Sudanese forces remain in Yemen. from publishing official casualty numbers Fearing a long-lasting quagmire in Yemen, to be invited. in Yemen and play our role with the rest to Hamdok, who is leading the country’s in Yemen, Yemen’s armed forces have said Riyadh has also been reportedly seeking “It is a meeting to attempt to mobilize assistance to help them address this”. transitional government in a power-sharing a total 4,253 Sudanese troops have been to negotiate an end to the conflict through help Lebanon deal with the acute crisis that it is facing,” Sudan has been one of the main contrib- pact with the military, further stated that killed in the conflict. discussions with the Houthis. the Lebanese official said. utors to the so-called Saudi coalition against he will be “absolutely” able to withdraw the The developments come as the Saudi-led (Source: Press TV) (Source: Reuters) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 14 WORLD SPORTS DECEMBER 7, 2019

Man Utd announce tie-up Romelu Lukaku & Chris Smalling with China online giant Alibaba

Manchester United on Friday announced a partnership with criticize ‘Black Friday’ headline China’s technology giant Alibaba Group, boosting the club’s Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku says a bad way,” Calvo told BBC Radio 5 Live. engagement with its Chinese fanbase. the ‘Black Friday’ headline used by Italian “All of us who work in football have a The partnership will see Manchester United content, newspaper Corriere dello Sport is “one of bigger responsibility, which is giving the including selected first-team matches, highlights and the dumbest” he has seen, while Roma’s right message to people, being a role model localised original productions, available to around 700 Chris Smalling condemned it as “wrong and trying to educate people. million consumers across Alibaba’s platforms, according and insensitive”. “This is what everyone should do, in- to the Premier League club. The headline accompanied pictures of cluding this newspaper. We should be very There will also be a dedicated Manchester United channel Lukaku and Smalling prior to last night’s careful with the words we use. on Alibaba’s video-streaming platform, Youku. match between their two sides. “This only allows people to talk about It will feature Academy, women’s and first-team tour games, “You guys keep fuelling the negativity racism in Italy instead of giving a message plus first-team matches shown on-demand and global and and the racism issue,” Lukaku said. against racism because people will only read China-specific content. Smalling urged the newspaper’s editors the headline and not the article.” The partnership will also involve collaborating to create a to “understand the power they possess”. Solskjaer brands ‘Black Friday’ future Manchester United flagship store on Tmall, Alibaba’s Roma, along with Inter’s rivals AC Milan, headline ‘worst front page ever’ online retail platform, which will become the official online announced later on Thursday they will not Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Sol- marketplace store selling Manchester United merchandise work with Corriere dello Sport until January. skjaer has branded Corriere dello Sport’s to Chinese fans. A joint statement released at the same “Black Friday” headline “the worst front “We’re proud of our passionate and loyal following around time by Roma and AC Milan said: “We page” he has ever seen and offered support the world and our Chinese fans are a huge part of that,” said have decided to ban Corriere dello Sport to Chris Smalling and Romelu Lukaku. Manchester United Group managing director Richard Arnold. from our training facilities for the rest of Solskjaer says it is “incredible” that the “We are always looking for new ways to engage with fans the year and our players will not carry out defender. the newspaper said. newspaper decided to go ahead with the there and this partnership with Alibaba enables them to any media activities with the newspaper At a news conference on Friday, Solsk- Earlier on Thursday, Roma’s chief op- headline. connect with the club directly through one of China’s most during this period. jaer said: “When you see that paper, you erating officer Francesco Calvo said he did “When you see that paper you say: ‘Wow. popular video streaming platforms.” “Both clubs are aware the actual newspa- say: ‘Wow. Really? Is that possible?’ It’s the not think the headline was a “clear case” of Really? Is that possible?’. It’s the worst front Alibaba Group president Michael Evans said: “Manchester per article associated with the ‘Black Friday’ worst front page I’ve ever seen. It has to be. racism, but called on people in positions page I’ve ever seen. It has to be,” said the United is one of the most popular and successful football teams headline did portray an anti-racist message “Of course we have been in touch with of authority - including clubs, players and Norwegian at his press conference on Friday. in the world, with a sizable and passionate fan base in China. and for this reason we have only banned Chris, just so he knows that we’ll back him media - to be more careful with the language “Of course we have been in touch with “We share the same goal, which is to provide fans with Corriere dello Sport until January. and we support him, and with Romelu as they choose. Chris, just so he knows that we’ll back him one-of-a-kind online content consumption and shopping that “We remain totally committed to tack- well.” “This isn’t like the racism we’ve expe- and we support him, and with Romelu as well. leverages the latest technology.” ling racism.” Corriere dello Sport defended the “in- rienced many others in Italy in the recent “Wow, that’s incredible, and at least we (Source: Mirror) Smalling is on loan from Manchester nocent” headline in a comment piece on period, this is superficial and unfortunate of don’t see that here... that has to be stamped United, whose Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said its website. people not understanding of how messages down (on).” Pele’s last Brazil jersey sells the club had been in touch with the England “It was only a way to celebrate diversity,” can be mixed up in words and perceived in (Source: Staff & Agency) for 30,000 euros in Italy SEA Games: Athlete finally wins Chelsea transfer ban cut by CAS, club The jersey worn by Brazilian football legend Pele during his final match for the five-time world champions has sold for gold - 38 years after debut free to sign players in January 30,000 euros ($33,000) in an auction in Italy. The three-time World Cup winner wore the jersey in a friendly against Yugoslavia at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro in July 1971, the last time he played for Brazil. Pele, 79, regarded as among the greatest footballers of all-time, scored 77 goals for Brazil in 92 appearances. The shirt was the highlight of objects which went under the hammer at the Bolaffi auction house in Turin on Thursday. Other sporting memorabilia included the yellow jersey won by Italian cycling star Fausto Coppi on his way to victory in the 1952 Tour de France, which sold for 25,000 euros. A rare blue Juventus jersey worn by Italian defender Luciano Spinosi in the final of the 1971 UEFA Cup sold for 9,400 euros. Another shirt worn by Argentina legend Diego Maradona during his time playing for Napoli in the 1989-90 season sold for 7,500 euros. A bat used by US basketball great Michael Jordan during his brief foray into baseball fetched 425 euros. (Source: Goal) It was a 38-year wait - but the hard work paid lessons - and Tham hasn’t stopped swim- Chelsea are free to sign new players in the tially lifted the ban in April, although only for off for Christina Tham at the Southeast Asian ming since. January transfer window after a FIFA-im- players under 16 who are not “international Silva sacked as Everton (SEA) Games in the Philippines this week. At the age of 12, she represented Sin- posed ban was reduced on appeal by the Court transfers and first registrations of foreign Tham first represented Singapore at gapore at the 1981 SEA Games in Manila, of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Friday. minor players”. manager the SEA Games - a regional Olympic-style claiming her first silver in the 4 x 100m The ban, imposed following violations in That left Chelsea still unable to sign play- event - in 1981, winning silver in swimming medley relay. the recruitment of minors, was reduced from ers over the age of 16 during the summer Everton have sacked manager Marco Silva after 18 months, at the age of 12. The SEA Games, which are held every two transfer windows to one, which Chelsea transfer window. with the club in the Premier League relegation zone after their Now aged 50, she returned to the games two years, sees athletes from the region already served in the summer. Chelsea had been eager to have the ban Merseyside derby humiliation. and finally went one better. compete in a variety of events. A fine was also reduced from 600,000 lifted at the time, or at least suspended pend- Wednesday’s 5-2 defeat by Liverpool at Anfield was their Tham won not one, but two gold medals “I was very young and didn’t appreci- Swiss francs ($607,000; £462,000) to half ing an appeal, so they could be in a position ninth of the season and leaves them 18th in the Premier League in underwater hockey - a sport making its ate the significance [of my] achievement. I that amount by the Lausanne-based court. to sign a replacement for Eden Hazard, who after three successive losses. debut in the games. come from a typical Singaporean Chinese A CAS statement said that Chelsea were was sold to Real Madrid. Silva, who took charge in May 2018, won 24 and lost 24 of “I never thought I would be back [at the] family where [you’re] expected to [accept] guilty of violating rules related to the inter- Nevertheless, in the absence of new re- his 60 games. SEA Games and winning golds and scoring achievements with modesty,” she says. national transfer and registration of minors, cruits, new manager Frank Lampard has Shanghai SIPG boss Vitor Pereira is a contender to succeed goals,” she said. “It was only after I became an adult that “but for a significantly smaller number of enjoyed success promoting several members Silva, while David Moyes’ return can not be ruled out. “I never thought I could perform at this I realized the enormity of my achievements players”, concluding that they were only guilty of the club’s highly regarded youth academy Former striker Duncan Ferguson has been put in temporary level again.” - I was 12 and had won a medal in the SEA of one third of the violations found by FIFA. to the first team. charge and will manage the side against Chelsea on Saturday. Tham got into swimming aged seven, Games and was in the top 10% in the country In addition, the breaches of other transfer Centre-back Fikayo Tomori, midfielder The club said they aim to appoint a new manager “as swiftly when her father had a near-miss while in the [national examinations that year].” rules “were found to be less serious than those Mason Mount and striker Tammy Abraham as possible”. canoeing on a lake during a family trip to Two years later, she was back at the SEA attributed to Chelsea FC by FIFA”. have all returned from loan spells to become Everton are now searching for their fourth permanent boss Malaysia. Games, clinching another silver in the 200m The initial ban was announced by foot- regulars at Stamford Bridge, their form leading since Roberto Martinez was sacked in May 2016. Her father, who was in his late 40s, could breaststroke. ball’s world governing body in February, to England call-ups. Abraham is Chelsea’s Former Everton manager Moyes has been considered as a not swim and initially resisted wearing a But that’s where her journey as an ath- but Chelsea had always denied wrongdoing. top scorer with 12 goals this season. potential interim successor, but the suggestion has sparked a life jacket - but relented on her mother’s lete stopped - at least for the next three It followed a FIFA probe into Chelsea’s Young full-back Reece James has also largely negative reaction from supporters and it remains to be insistence. decades or so. signing of foreign under-18 players, including broken into the first team, while USA winger seen whether majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri and his “I remember I was in another canoe across Tham pursued a career in the legal in- the club’s former forward Bertrand Traore, Christian Pulisic remains the last new signing boardroom colleagues ignore that and invite the 56-year-old the lake when I heard a loud shrill,” Tham dustry, training as a solicitor and eventu- a Burkina Faso international who now plays brought to the club after being signed from Scot to return. told the BBC. “I saw my dad floating on ally heading up her own section of a legal for French Ligue 1 club Lyon. Borussia Dortmund for £58 million ($74 Moyes spent 11 years as Everton manager, and his return has the water, held up by the life jacket. That department within a real estate company. Traore signed professional forms for million) last January. been seen by fans as a retrograde step given his lack of success saved his life.” It wasn’t until 2005 that her sporting Chelsea in 2013 at the age of 18 but was not Chelsea are currently fourth in the Premier since leaving for Manchester United in 2013. After her dad was rescued, he quickly career resumed . registered until January the following year. League ahead of Saturday’s trip to Everton. (Source: BBC) signed up the whole family for swimming (Source: BBC) At first they appealed to FIFA who par- (Source: AFP) Amazon ‘thrilled’ after Premier League debut Russia braces for four-year Olympic ban over doping scandal Russia could be hit with a four-year Olympic ban on Monday Yuri Ganus, the head of Russian anti-doping agency RU- Amazon Prime has declared its first foray into the Premier for flouting anti-doping rules, a punishment local officials SADA, has been one of the few critical voices inside Russia. League market a success, saying its coverage of the midweek have said would be unfair and part of a malicious Western “The problem is that we have four years ahead of us programme was one of the biggest-ever streaming events in attempt to destroy sport in the country. and for now, judging by the reaction of the current sports the United Kingdom. Russia, which has tried to showcase itself as a global sports authorities, I don’t see any prospect of resolving these is- The streaming giant made its debut in English top-flight power, has been embroiled in doping scandals since a 2015 sues,” Ganus told Reuters. football this week by showing all 10 matches, breaking up the report commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency RUSADA is set to be stripped of its accreditation for the duopoly of Sky and BT Sport. (WADA) found evidence of mass doping in Russian athletics. second time in four years as part of the same doping sanctions. Amazon said the biggest day ever for Prime sign-ups in the UK Its doping woes have snowballed since, with many of Ganus pointed to what he said was an unhealthy culture was set on Tuesday before the record was broken 24 hours later. its athletes sidelined from the past two Olympics and the among Russia’s sporting authorities which he said was re- A six-game fixture list on Wednesday included the Mersey- country stripped of its flag altogether at last year’s Pyeo- sistant to change. Officials had used destructive methods side derby between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield and Jose ngchang Winter Games as punishment for state-sponsored to handle a crisis that could have been resolved by honestly Mourinho’s return to Manchester United as Tottenham manager. doping cover-ups at the 2014 Sochi Games. addressing issues, he said. “We’re delighted that millions of football fans enjoyed watch- Russian sport could enter four more years of gloom on “I don’t think we need to... try to find those guilty in other ing Amazon’s first ever round of Premier League matches on Monday when WADA’s executive committee convenes in countries and say that the main source of evil is the West or Prime Video,” said Alex Green, managing director of Prime Lausanne to rule on whether to ban the country from host- “The more these types of decisions are made, the better the East, or anyone else,” he said. “That’s nonsense. The main Video Sport Europe. ing major sporting events and to force its clean athletes to it is... for their anti-Russian argument,” Foreign Minister problem is our culture, the culture inside the sports world.” “We are excited to be the first ever broadcaster to bring fans compete without their flag or anthem for four years. Sergei Lavrov complained last week. Ganus said he hoped President Vladimir Putin, who has all 10 games live in a fixture round. WADA has accused Moscow of tampering with laboratory ‘Unhealthy culture’ yet to comment on WADA’s recommendations to punish “We are thrilled and humbled by the positive response from data by planting fake evidence and deleting files linked to International sports bodies and officials have heavily Russia, would order serious reform of the country’s sports Prime members.” positive doping tests that could have helped identify drug criticised Russia over its latest doping offences, alleging administration. As well as the six games on Wednesday, the Crystal Pal- cheats. that the country has once again violated the ethos of sport. “In our country with these traditions, autocratic and ace-Bournemouth and Burnley-Manchester City games were Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov last month attributed the “Russia has not learned, and is not prepared to learn, bureaucratic, the presidential level is needed to make deci- broadcast on Tuesday and the Arsenal-Brighton and Sheffield discrepancies in the laboratory data to technical issues. Other from its serious indiscretions,” the Institute of National sions to change,” he said. “I really hope that the time has United-Newcastle matches were shown on Thursday. senior officials have likened the proposed punishment to Anti-Doping Organizations (iNADO) said in a statement come for serious changes.” (Source: Eurosport) broader attempts by Western countries to hold Russia back. this week. (Source: Reuters) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 7, 2019 SPORTS 15

Iran discover AFC Futsal Iran wheelchair basketball team advance to Championship 2020 fate Paralympic Games SPORTS TEHRAN — Iran have SPORTS TEHRAN — Iran’s men’s wheelchair bas- desklearned their fate at the deskketball team booked a place at the 2020 AFC Futsal Championship Turkmenistan Paralympic Games. 2020 at the official draw which was conduct- ed at Ashgabat’s Olympia Hotel on Friday. The ceremony separated the 16 qualified teams into four groups ahead of next year’s competition, where the best in Asian futsal will compete for the title of Continental champions. Defending champions Iran were drawn in Group D alongside Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia and Southeast Asian cham- pions Thailand. Host nation Turkmenistan will begin the competition with what is sure to be a hotly anticipated clash against tournament debu- tants Oman on February 26, before rounding their Group A commitments with matches against Tajikistan and Vietnam. Team Melli defeated China 84-51 at the 2019 Internation- The final will be played on March 8, the- al Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) Asia Oceania afc.com reported. Championships in Thai city Pattaya. Newly crowned AFC Futsal Player of the Iran qualified for Tokyo as one of top four finishers. Year Tomoki Yoshikawa will lead Japan in Iran’s women’s team also defeated Afghanistan and fin- an intriguing Group B, which also includes ished in fifth place. Lebanon, Kyrgyz Republic and Kuwait, while The IWBF Asia Oceania zone has four spots available for four-time runners-up Uzbekistan will begin men and three for women at Tokyo 2020, with one spot in their campaign against Indonesia after both each already allocated to Japan as the host nation. sides were drawn in Group C, which also Fourteen men’s teams and an event-record eight wom- contains Bahrain and China PR. also serving as the final stage of FIFA Futsal Continent at Lithuania 2020. side in AFC Futsal Championship history, en’s teams will compete at the competitions, taking place The AFC Futsal Championship is Asia’s World Cup qualifying, with the top five With 12 titles in the 15 previous editions of with three-time champions Japan the only at the Eastern National Sports Center and are scheduled to flagship international futsal competition, sides in Turkmenistan to represent the the competition, Iran are the most successful other nation to have lifted the trophy. conclude on December 7.

IPL: Persepolis defeat Zob Ahan in Isfahan A bright future ahead of Iranian women footballers: after nine years Khosrowyar SPORTS TEHRAN — Persepolis football team a 1-0 win over thanks to Cheick Diabate’s second-half goal. deskdefeated Zob Ahan in Iran Professional Sepahan were held to a 2-2 draw by Nassaji in Ghaemshahr League (IPL) in Isfahan after nine years. and Tractor played out a goalless draw against rock-bottom Iranian football coach Katayoun Khosrowyar says the future On Thursday, the Reds earned a 3-0 win over their hosts Shahin Bushehr in Tabriz. is bright for the Iranian girls. at the Fooladshahr Stadium. Gol Gohar Sirjan drew 0-0 with Naft Masjed Soleyman The former Iran U-19 women football coach vied with Mehdi Torabi gave the visiting team the lead from the and Sanat Naft defeated Paykan 3-2. Japan’s Asako Takakura for AFC Women Coach of the Year. penalty spot in the 16th minute. Esteghlal sit atop the table with 25 points. In the 2019 AFC Annual Awards held in Hong Kong on Ali Alipour made it 2-0 in the 58th minute and Torabi Sepahan are second with 24 points and one game in hand. Monday, Takakura was women’s coach of the year for a was on target once again in the 65th minute. Shahr Khodro and Persepolis are third and fourth with record seventh time. Earlier on the day, Esteghlal moved to top of the table with 23 and 22 points, respectively. Khosrowyar is currently coaching Reign FC Academy in the U.S. but says the Iranian girls can earn more in the upcoming years. Iran victorious over S. Korea at Wilmots denies amicable It was a big step to be among the best Asian coaches. Did you ever think that you would be here? Asia-Pacific Goalball Champs agreement with Iran Khosrowyar: I’ve always tried to coach at the highest level possible in Asia and in the world. I knew that I could achieve my dreams with the Iranian girls team. I’ve always wanted to add my information and learn new tactics, not only in football but also in my life. What did you talk about with AFC President Sheikh Salman in the ceremony? I told him the Iranian girls require more consideration because they can have a bright future. He confirmed that and said he is sorry since our team failed to qualify for next stage in the Asian championship. Asako Takakura was named as the best Asian coach for the seventh time. Did you talk with him? She has been named as the best Asian coach in the past years. I’ve met him in the AFC meetings several times and she has always supported me. Japan is a good country in many aspects, especially in grassroots football. Experienced Takakura will promote growth of Iranian girls if she comes to Iran and I hope that this will happen despite US sanctions on our country. Iran has recently started in this section but can achieve more success in the future. (Source: the-afc)

SPORTS TEHRAN — Iran The team were also the top ranked SPORTS TEHRAN — Belgian “We are negotiating to find an amicable deskdefeated South Korea Asian side from the 2018 Worlds, fin- deskcoach Marc Wilmots solution following the non-respect of the Four taekwondokas to 9-7 at the IBSA Goalball Asia-Pacific ishing just one place ahead of their confirmed he has terminated his contract contractual obligations by the Iranian Foot- Championships on Friday. rivals in sixth. with the Iranian federation, but he denied ball Federation and following my justified represent Iran at World Team Melli, who had started the “The team’s ultimate ambition is to a resolution had been reached. termination of the contract. The file being competition with a 16-10 win over Thai- get a Tokyo 2020 slot and stand on the The ex-Ivory coast coach has left his role in the hands of my lawyers, I will not make Grand Prix Final land Thailand at the Chiba Port Arena podium. Securing the gold medal last as coach of the Iran national team, just seven any other comment,” he added. in Chiba, Japan, will take on Indonesia year improved our motivation but need- months after replacing Carlos Queiroz at the Under coaching of Wilmots, Iran have TASNIM — Iran has participated at the World Taekwondo and China on Saturday. less to say, any winning sets expectations helm of the three-time Asian champions. defeated Hong Kong and Cambodia and Grand Prix Final in Moscow, Russia with four representatives. In the men’s event seven teams will be higher for the athletes and the team,” He was appointed in May to lead Iran lost to Bahrain and Iraq in the 2022 World A total of 128 athletes from 42 countries are competing in action until Dec. 10, while six women Mohammad Tabe, , the Technical Direc- in their quest for a sixth World Cup ap- Cup and 2023 Asia Cup qualifiers. at the Dynamo Sports Palace on December 6 and 7. teams will compete together. tor of the Iranian National Paralympic pearance after Queiroz had secured back- Team Melli sit in third place in Group C The competition is the last opportunity for vital ranking The winners of each of the men’s Committee, told IBSA. to-back qualifications for the first time in with six points, five points adrift of leaders Iraq. points prior to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. and women’s competition, if not already “Japan and Australia could be named the country’s history. A source close to Iran football federation Arman Hadipour in men’s under-58 kilograms, Mirhashem qualified, will secure a ticket to Tokyo as the strong teams, and of course, China, “Contrary to the information apparently said the federation has negotiated with Hosseini and Soroush Ahmadi in under-68kg and Sajad 2020. considering their presence in the final published in the Iranian press, no amica- former Persepolis coach Branko Ivankovic. Mardani in over-80kg represent Iran in the prestigious Iran will hope to better their silver round of the 2018 Asian Para Games, ble agreement was reached between the The Croatian coach led Team Melli in competition. medal from 2017 when they lost out to despite our win against them, could be Iranian Football Federation and me and 2006 FIFA World Cup and the federation has China 10-2 in the final. one of the strongest teams,” he added. my staff,” Wilmots said on Twitter. expressed an interest in bringing him back. Squads revealed ahead of Bento expects normal service from Korea Republic in regional meet Qatar 2019 kick-off The likes of Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan may best we can,” Bento said. not be a part of the Korea Republic squad but the target for “This is an important competition. We’ll try to figure The seven contenders at the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar the Taeguk Warriors in the 2019 EAFF E-1 Championship out how some of the new faces blend in with the rest of 2019 have named the 23-man squads they hope will catapult will be the same - playing their best. the team. No matter which tournament you play, you them to global glory. Head coach Paulo Bento’s squad for the regional tour- have to work to get the best result possible.” It’s less than a week until kick-off, with fans across Qatar nament consists of players who play their club football Korea Republic will be defending the title they won eagerly awaiting seeing the likes of Liverpool, Flamengo, in Korea Republic, China and Japan. in the last two editions and seeking a fifth overall but Monterrey, Esperance Sportive de Tunis, Al Hilal SFC, The lone exception is Vancouver Whitecaps FC mid- Bento said he is looking at the big picture heading into Hienghene Sport and host side Al Sadd SC. The latter pair fielder Hwang In-beom while the Europe-based players the tournament. will get the tournament under way on Wednesday at the were not called up to allow them to focus on their club “The biggest motivation for me is to continue develop- Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. commitments. ing this team. And if it brings the results and gives us the The announcement of the squads has revealed that we’ll Bento, however, believes this is a chance for him to third straight championship, then so much the better.” have Europe, Africa and Asia’s top players, as according to blend more players into the national team set-up ahead of The championship kicks off on Tuesday in Busan, with UEFA, CAF and AFC, in the shape of Virgil van Dijk (Liver- Korea Republic resuming their Asian Qualifiers campaign Korea Republic playing Hong Kong on Wednesday followed pool), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) and Akram Afif (Al Sadd). in March for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC by China (December 15) and Japan (December 18). China With 161 players from 32 different countries, the tour- Asian Cup China 2023. will face Japan in the tournament opener on Tuesday. nament will certainly bring with it a global feel. As many as Korea Republic ended the year second in Group H of The women’s championship will see Korea Republic 18 of those have been here before, with the likes of Al Sadd the Asian Qualifiers following consecutive draws with playing China on Tuesday with Japan and Chinese Taipei and Monterrey captains Hassan Al Haydos and Jose Maria DPR Korea and Lebanon. the other teams in the competition. Basanta appearing at editions as far back as 2011. “We’ll maintain our philosophy and try to play the (Source: AFP) (Source: FIFA.com) Prayer Times Noon:11:56 Evening: 17:32 Dawn: 4:11 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 7:01 (tomorrow) DECEMBER 7, 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 Gunther Uecker’s “Tribute to Hafez” [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 to move to Bushehr www.eshterak.ir Distributor: Padideh Novin Co. Tel: 88911433 ARTTEHRAN — After five Webmaster: [email protected] deskshowings in Tehran, Printed at: Jame Jam Bartar Borna - 44197737 Shiraz, Isfahan, Kerman and Rasht, German sculptor and op artist Gunther Uecker’s Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimesdaily exhibition “Tribute to Hafez” will move to the southern Iranian city of Bushehr for No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran another showcase. P.o. Box: 14155-4843 The exhibit is due to open in one of the Zip Code: 1599814713 historical sites of the city on December 31, the director of the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, Ehsan Aqai, said in a meeting with Fatemeh Karampur, the director of the Bushehr Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance Office, on Thursday. Karampur also said that an exhibition of visual arts by Iranian artists will open on the sidelines of the exhibit. “Tribute to Hafez” is currently on view at GUIDE TO the Rasht Central Hall and will be running SPIRITUAL AWAKENING until December 21. The collection has been inspired by the ghazals of Persian poet Hafez. Uecker has The nearest people to prophets are those who are created a collection of graphical works in which the wisest and most informed of their mission the ghazals are transformed into colors and from God. the sound of the poems into written images. Imam Ali (AS) This method to translate spoken language into pictorial expressions has characterized the artist’s oeuvre since the 1970s. TMCA director Ehsan Aqai (C) and some cultural officials visit Gunther Uecker’s exhibition “Tribute to Hafez” at the In 2016, Uecker first displayed his Rasht Central Hall. (Gilkhabar) WHAT’S IN ART GALLERIES collection in Shiraz where the Mausoleum Painting of Hafez lies. The Imam Ali (AS) Religious The 88-year-old Uecker is a member of objects and installations as well as stage His works can be seen in collections and An exhibition of paintings by Arts Museum in Tehran, Isfahan Museum the ZERO movement, best known for his designs and films. He is mainly interested at large fairs in both the West and the East. Aziz Anzabi is underway at Ehsan of Contemporary Art and Kerman Museum signature use of nails arranged into tactile, in the Eastern European avant-garde of the Uecker’s artistic creativity reached a climax Gallery. of Contemporary Art hosted the exhibition sculptural paintings. 1920s and 1930s, but he is likewise fascinated in 2000 with the prayer room he designed The exhibit named “One Way Trip” afterwards. Uecker’s oeuvre includes paintings, art by Asian cultures and their ideas. for the rebuilt Reichstag building in Berlin. will run until December 11 at the gallery located at No. 22, East 14th St. in the Ajudanieh neighborhood. Cinéma Vérité to screen eight Iranian association honors writers Nahid Sohrab Gallery is playing host to an exhibition of paintings biographical docs Motamedi, Batul Momen, Manuchehr Salimi by a group of artists, including Mohammad Ehsai, Parvaneh Etemadi, Reza Bangiz, Iraj Zand, Jazeh Tabatabai and Farideh Lashai. The exhibit titled “Along the Imagination” runs until December 12 at the gallery located at 142 Somayyeh St. Paintings by Mina Mokhtarzadeh are on display in an exhibition at Golestan Gallery. The exhibit will be running until December 11 at the gallery that can be found at 34 Kamasai St. in the Darus neighborhood. A collection of paintings by Forugh Reyhani is currently on view in an exhibition at Shirin Gallery. The exhibit entitled “Archetypes” A poster for honoring children’s book writers Nahid Motamedi, Batul Momen and Manuchehr will run until December 18 at the A scene from “Andrey Tarkovsky, a Cinema Prayer” by Andrei Andreyevich Tarkovsky Salimi at the Iranian Association of Writers for Children and Youth on December 4, 2019. gallery located at No. 5, 13th St., ARTTEHRAN — A lineup Republic and France by Czech directors CULTURE TEHRAN — Even during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq Karim Khan Ave. desk desk Amin Mirmoqaddam is of eight biographical Helena Trestikova and Jakub Hejna, “Talking Veteran children’s war, when people were suffering from showcasing his latest paintings documentaries will go on screen in the about the Trees”, a co-production of France, book writers Nahid Motamedi, the conflict, the writers narrated the in an exhibition at Saye Gallery. Portrait section of the 13th Cinéma Vérité, Sudan, Germany and Chad by Sudanese Batul Momen and Manuchehr pain and sorrow of the children from The exhibit named Iran’s major documentary film festival, the director Suhaib Gasmelbari and “The Ghost of Salimi were honored for their the southern region of the country “Personification” will be running organizers announced on Friday. Peter Sellers” by the Hungarian-born British lifetime achievements by the Iranian in their stories for our children,” he until December 11 at the gallery “Andrey Tarkovsky, a Cinema Prayer”, a director Peter Medak. Association of Writers for Children explained. located at 3 Aqakhani Alley, documentary that chronicles the life story Also included are “Unstoppable: Sean and Youth during a ceremony on In her brief words, Motamedi Omidvar St. in the Niavaran of the legendary Russian filmmaker by Scully and the Art of Everything” by Nick Wednesday. expressed thanks to the association neighborhood. his son Andrei Andreyevich Tarkovsky, Willing about the life of the extraordinary Speaking at the ceremony, director for organizing the ceremony and hopes An exhibition of paintings by is the highlight of the lineup. abstract British painter Sean Scully and of the association Fereidun Amuzadeh- that she can be serving children and Hesam Dashti is underway at “Fellini Never-Ending”, about the “What We Left Unfinished”, a co-production Khalili said that children’s writers young adults throughout her life. Shalman Gallery. prominent Italian filmmaker Federico between the U.S. and Afghanistan by should build the wishes and dreams Researcher and Persian antique Entitled “Amnesia”, the exhibit will Fellini by his assistant Eugenio Cappuccio Afghan director Mariam Ghani about five of children. tale collector Salimi next talked about run until December 11 at the gallery and “Flavioh - Tributo a Flavio Bucci”, unfinished fiction feature films from the “Imagining children without his activities in children’s literature. located at 27 Kavusi Alley, West about the famous Italian actor Flavio Bucci Communist era in Afghanistan. wishes and dreams is unpleasant Momen, who writes under the Rudbar St., off Mirdamad Blvd. and people who had an influence on his Organized by the Documentary and and indefensible,” he added. pseudonym of Azarmehr, recited Art Center Gallery is hosting personal and artistic life by Riccardo Zinna, Experimental Film Center, the 13th edition “Children’s book writers have one of her poetry for the participants. an exhibition of paintings by Iraj are among the films. of the Cinéma Vérité festival will open at always written the most beautiful The ceremony came to an end with Eskandari. The lineup also includes “Forman vs. Tehran’s Charsu Cineplex on Monday and and most affectionate stories even the screening of a short film about The exhibition runs until December Forman”, a co-production between the Czech will continue until December 16. during times of evil and wickedness. the cultural activates of the honorees. 17 at the gallery, which can be found at 145 North Salimi St., Andarzgu Blvd. in the Qeitarieh neighborhood. Sculpture Hoorakhsh unveils An exhibition of sculptures by Goli Tavakkoli is underway at Elaheh Gallery. “The Last Fiction” game The exhibition will continue until ARTTEHRAN — Hoorakhsh Studio, the its people from darkness. But he must first conquer his own December 16 at the gallery located deskproducer of Iranian director Ashkan demons in this portrayal of Persian mythology that reveals at 47 Golfam St., off Africa Ave. Rahgozar’s award-winning animation “The Last Fiction”, human nature. Multimedia has unveiled a video game based on the movie Tehran, the The game includes ten characters of the Shahnameh Paintings and sets of installation studio announced on Friday. with their own superpowers, and can be downloaded from by Sudeh Davud are on display “The Last Fiction” recounts a story from Persian poet Café Bazar and Sib Apps for free. in an exhibition at Moon Gallery. Ferdowsi’s epic masterpiece Shahnameh. It is about Zahak’s The animated movie “The Last Fiction”, which is among the The exhibition will be running until A scene from the animated movie “The Last Fiction” by treacherous rise to the throne in Jamshid in Persia. The young submissions for the 2020 Oscars consideration, is currently December 24 at the gallery located Iranian director Ashkan Rahgozar. and naive hero Afaridoun will have to save the kingdom and on screen at Iranian theaters. at 26 Golestan Blvd., Africa Ave. Installation Sets of installation by Mona Shirazi, Mahsa Fathi, Mehri Seraj, Leili Ameri, Saba Kafili and three Artists’ tax exemption a just decision? more artists are currently on display in an exhibit at Vaali Gallery. 1 Addressing Nobakht, Hekmat said, “Mr. Nobakht! toward justice and balance. In Iran, there are people The exhibition titled “Backyard” We are facing a serious situation; don’t make it harder who live in houses, one of which is valued at about 10 runs until December 17 at the by your inept decisions. Collect taxes and spend them trillion rials (about $240 million) and there are also gallery located at No. 71, Khoddami properly like all other countries in the world with many people who cannot afford to eat a loaf of bread. St. off of Vanak Square. prudence, if there still remains any prudence.” In such a society, the tax exemption should be Drawing The storm of criticism caused the Culture Ministry more specific. The tax exemption for cultural and A collection of drawings by to comment on the issue. Deputy Culture Minister for artistic activities may include people working in the Mehdi Hamedi is on display in Legal Affairs Ali-Asghar Karandish said last Wednesday entertainment industry, which makes enormous profits an exhibition at Homa Gallery. that artists and cultural organizations with high incomes for them. Many of these people live in houses located The exhibition named “Atrium” are excepted from any tax exemption. in Busty Hills, a neighborhood in the town of Lavasan will run until December 17 at the “We as the major cultural organization of the near Tehran, which is called the Beverly Hills of Iran. gallery that can be found at No. country believe actors, singers, institutes or any other The government lacks the necessary measures to 8, Fourth Alley, Sanai St., Karim organizations with a high income must pay tax,” he prevent tax evasion activities by members of the private Khan Ave. added. sector. However, workers and others with low incomes People visit the exhibition of the 7th Tehran Auction at Everybody knows that taxes are levied to lead society must pay their tax before they receive their salaries! the Parsian Azadi Hotel on July 4, 2017. (Honaronline)