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16 Pages Price 20,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 39th year No.13289 Thursday DECEMBER 27, 2018 Dey 6, 1397 Rabi’ Al thani 19, 1440 ‘ spearheading Shahr-e Sokhta yields Iran tops Middle East Painter Sara Ashrafi new civilization rare 4000-year-old for applied mathematics showcases new collection

against the West’ 2 relics 10 in 2017 12 at Danish library 16

3m barrels of oil to be sold to private sector at IRENEX ECONOMY — Irani- deskan Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh announced on Wednes- day that the heads of the three branches accorded to sales of three million barrels of crude oil at Iran Energy Exchange (IREN- EX) via a 100-percent-rial mechanism, IRNA reported. 4

Iran says has held talks with Taliban with knowledge of Afghan government POLITICS TEHRAN — Tehran deskhas been holding talks with the Taliban with the knowledge of the Afghan government, Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani said on Wednesday during a visit to Kabul. The talks were held “to help curb the se- curity problems in Afghanistan,” Shamkhani told Hamdullah Mohib, the Afghan president’s national security advisor. 2

Syrian air defense systems shoot down Israeli missiles Massive turnout at Ayatollah Syrian air defense systems have intercepted “hostile” missiles fired by Israeli warplanes, nearly a month after government force foiled another Israeli act of aggression against the country. See page 2 ’s official SANA news agency cited a military source as saying on Tuesday that khamenei.ir Shahroudi’s funeral the Israeli missiles were launched from the Lebanese airspace, 13 ARTICLE Best is yet to come from Persepolis: Branko Ivankovic ARTICLE Hamid Bayati tournament started in 2003 under the Croat’s His football philosophy and aggressive style, Syed Zafar Mehdi Tehran Times journalist EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Journalist By Masoud Hossein & Farrokh Hesabi leadership. has changed Persepolis into a team with winning By demonstrating patience, Ivankovic has mindset, a team to beat. from New Delhi TEHRAN — Having a smile on his face, Branko proved himself as of one of the world’s greatest It’s no secret that the recipe for success is Ivankovic welcomed us warmly in Shahid Kazemi coaches. He never fusses about lack of financial perseverance as well as hard work, sacrifice, and Cabinet reshuffle in Stadium in southern Tehran. support or the ban of transferring players in the above all love. ‘Extermination’ of Shias The 64-year-old coach has stolen the show two transfer windows. Ivankovic says he wants to leave the legacy Afghan govt.; reform with four titles in Iran. Ivankovic has won back- He had already inspired Iran U23 football of love and passion in the world. continues in Pakistan to-back Iran Professional League title and two team to title in the 2002 . In his recent interview with the Tehran Times, or election game Super Cups. Persepolis reached the final of the Coach Ivankovic still is hungry to win more Ivankovic said Iranian players are very talented prominent political leader and former Champions League for the first time since the and says he is not finished yet with football. and valuable with great potential. 15 member of Pakistan’s national assembly was gunned down by ‘unknown assail- n December 23, Afghan President A ants’ in the port city of Karachi late on Tuesday. Ashraf Ghani nominated Amrullah Syed Ali Raza Abidi, a former leader of Mutta- Saleh and Asadhullah Khalid, as Further cooperation among Iran, and necessary in Syria: Logoglu O hida Qaumi Movement (MQM), was not your ministers of interior affairs and defense forces in Syria. potential flashpoint town of Manbij. EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW average, reticent, self-effacing politician. He respectively. Saleh replaces Wais Ahmad Major players in and around Syria have start- While Ankara considers PYD and YPG as ter- By Payman Yazdani was someone who voiced strong, unpopular Barmak while Khalid succeeds Tariq Shah ed positioning their forces as discussions get rorist groups, these Kurdish groups have been political opinions, without fear or favor. Bahrami. TEHRAN — A senior member of Turkey’s CHP under way on how to proceed once U.S. forces U.S. close partners in Syria in the U.S. alleged Just hours before his cold-blooded murder Amrullah Saleh and Assadullah Khaled, says further cooperation among Iran, Russia and vacate the country and their fight against the fight against ISIL. in the upscale Karachi neighborhood, the social both former heads of the Afghan intel- Turkey is necessary after the U.S. withdrawal last remnants of the ISIL. To know more about the opportunities and media-savvy entrepreneur-turned-politician ligence agency, have been appointed to from Syria. Turkey vowed on Monday that the fight threats of the U.S. withdrawal from Syria for Turkey had blasted the Imran Khan-led Pakistan the critical posts of interior minister and After President Trump said he would withdraw against ISIL would not be slowed by the U.S. we reached out to Dr. Osman Faruk Logoglu, a Tehreek Insaaf (PTI) for being hand-in-glove defence minister, respectively. all U.S. troops from Syria, Turkey’s president withdrawal from Syria, where Ankara-backed senior member of Turkey’s Republican People’s with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), These changes are taking place in the on Dec. 21 delayed operations against Kurdish groups reinforced their positions around the Party (CHP). 7 a government body responsible to streamline Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) efforts against corruption. which remains only five months before the Although no group has yet claimed respon- Afghan presidential election begins. So The many challenges of assisting those affected by war sibility for Abidi’s targeted killing, observers the appointment have fuelled accusations By Marjan Golpira Ritz said the ICRC closely follows a mandate that calls A. I have been in Iraq in the past three years as believe it could be the handiwork of forces that that Ghani was trying to attract political TEHRAN — Katrina Ritz, head of the Inter- for providing assistance to “all affected, on all sides”. the head of delegation. We, obviously, have a big have killed people like Amjad Sabri, Khurram support ahead of the election. national Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) The mandate, promoting the law, is based on delegation there, due to the size of the emergency Zaki and Sibte Jafar in recent past. The inimical Given that the president of Afghani- in Iraq, describes the situation on the ground the international humanitarian law and includes that took place in 2014, and today we still have 11 forces that seek extermination of ‘others’ in the stan faces major challenges in this coun- in Iraq “stable” but in need of much assistance. all victims of wars and conflicts. offices all over Iraq. We are working with 1,100 Iraqi Islamic republic of Pakistan. try, he has had political and security “I think what we often think is when the war is Ritz also described tasks designated to the colleagues, and we have around 150 international Incidentally, the deadly attack on Abidi, a failures. Now with the deterioration of over, the situation becomes normal. But I think ICRC in details. delegates, too. We travel with our own cars, we don’t prominent Shia politician, took place the day the situation in Afghanistan, it seems when the war is over we see how much humani- Following is the excerpt of the interview. have escorts, we don’t have weapons in our offices, Pakistan marked 142nd birth anniversary of that the beginning of the peace process tarian aid is needed.” How large is your delegation in Iraq, and so we really try to base our security on acceptance Mohammad Ali Jinnah, country’s founder could have guaranteed political revival In her recent interview with the Tehran Times, how do you manage to stay safe in conflict zones? within the communities. 7 who had envisioned a state where all Muslims, and perhaps a victory in the upcoming actually all citizens, would co-exist peacefully. presidential election. Jinnah’s dream, unfortunately, has been Meanwhile, the Taliban have refused hijacked by the radical Takfiri forces today. to hold direct talks in the recent summit Pakistan is home to second largest Shia that has been held in the United Arab population in the world, after Iran, with over Emirates, with the Afghan government, Migratory 18-20 million Shia citizens. The earliest inci- calling it a puppet of America and insisting dents of violence against the community go only on negotiating with the U.S. birds return to back decades but the systematic persecution of On the other hand, the actions of Shias, according to historians, started during major international actors for direct Hour al-Azim Zia ul Haq’s dictatorship in 1980s. contact with the Taliban and bypassing The military and intelligence agencies aided the Afghan government are among the terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Si- issues that have raised Ghani’s concern wetland pah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, the offshoots of Wahhabi to maintain his position in the Afghan SOCIETY school of thought, which Zia adhered to. Over National Unity government. For example, TEHRAN – Hour al- desk the years, the groups have become stronger with recently, Russia and the United States Azim wetland has been tacit support of secret local and foreign agencies. have had direct talks with the Taliban suffering water scarcity in recent years, According to official statistics, since without active participation of the Af- which posed a threat to bird migration, 2001, more than 5,000 Shias have been ghan government. while recent autumnal rainfall led to mi- targeted and killed in Pakistan. 6 Through direct contacts with the Tali- gratory birds flying over the area again to ban, the United States and Russia are able stay in the cold season. Mehdi Pedramkhoo Condolences to advance their geopolitical interests and, Hour-al-Azim wetland, located in southwestern province of Khuzestan, is through direct talks, show that Kabul is Dear Morad Enadi, an important wetland on the border of Iran viewed as a weak state that is not capable We express condolences over the of conducting a peace process. Therefore, and Iraq, which was dried up and turned death of your father. May his soul the international community led by the to a major sand and dust storm hotspot United States and Russia will lead the Tehran Times/ due to oil sector projects and not being rest in peace. granted its water right. negotiations instead of Kabul. 7 12 Tehran Times staff and management I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS DECEMBER 27, 2018 MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS Forming Iran, Russia to strengthen strategic ties with neighbors top priority: Rouhani naval cooperation POLITICS TEHRAN — President Hassan Rouhani POLITICS TEHRAN — Navy Chief sion to pull its troops out of Syria, saying desk said on Wednesday that his administration’s deskRear Admiral Hossein the decision was yet another defeat for U.S. priority is to establish “strategic ties” with Iran’s neighbors Khanzadi said on Tuesday that the cooper- President Donald Trump’s ill-advised policies to mitigate the impact of problems facing the country. ation between the naval forces of Iran and towards the region. “At present, we should prioritize closer and strategic re- Russia will be expanded in the future. For his part, Osipov said Iran and Russia lations with our neighbors,” Rouhani said during a cabinet He made the remarks on the sidelines of can contribute to regional and international meeting on Wednesday, the Iran Daily reported. a meeting with deputy chief of the Russian security and stability apart from their close “There is good potential and in case our ties with our Army General Staff, Vice-Admiral Igor Osipov, military interaction in Syria. neighbors are boosted, we can overcome problems more which was held at the Navy’s headquarters The Russian general also met on Wednes- easily,” he added. in Tehran, Mehr reported. day with Real Admiral Ali Fadavi, the IRGC Iran shares land and maritime borders with 15 countries, A delegation from the Russian Defense deputy chief for coordination. The two sides many of them are Iran’s main trading partners. Ministry, led by Osipov, arrived in Iran underlined the importance of boosting co- on Monday to take part in a session of the operation, especially in the fight against Russian-Iranian working group for the im- terrorism. ‘Iran plementation of a bilateral agreement on They also described achievements of Teh- military cooperation signed in January 2015 ran- cooperation in the fight against spearheading by Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu terrorism and regional threats as one of the new civilization and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Dehghan. many areas of mutual cooperation. On Wednesday, Osipov also met with Fadavi and Osipov emphasized that the against the West’ Iranian Deputy Defense Minister Qassemi defeat of the Takfiri terrorists in Syria has Taqizadeh, Tasnim reported. been the product of the strategic cooper- POLITICS TEHRAN — Iran is spearheading a “new desk During the meeting, Brigadier General ation between the two countries’ Armed civilization” against the ill-grounded West- Taqizadeh described the strategic coop- Osipov (L) meeting Khanzadi Forces in assisting the resistance front, ern civilization, Brigadier General Hossein Salami, the IRGC eration between Iran and Russia against international crises. pand military and defense cooperation with responding to the Syrian government’s second-in-command, said on Wednesday. terrorism as a successful model of man- Pointing to the 2015 military agreement, Moscow in all arenas. request for help and joint management Addressing students of Imam Hossein University in Teh- agement and settlement of regional and Taqizadeh voiced Tehran’s readiness to ex- He also pointed to Washington’s deci- of the battleground. ran, General Salami said the Iranian nation has managed to turn different concepts of the new civilization into reality across the world, Mehr reported. He said a powerful Islamic Iran is not tolerable for major Massive turnout at Ayatollah Shahroudi’s funeral world powers, adding that Iran is a true example of gaining POLITICS TEHRAN — On Wednesday a large num- as members of the Expediency Council and the Assembly Islamic Revolution to serve as an intermediary between independence and making progress without relying on the deskber of people attended a funeral proces- of Experts attended the funeral procession. Imam Khomeini and Iraqi scholars and leaders. hegemonic powers. sion for Ayatollah Seyyed Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, After the ceremony, the body of Ayatollah Shahroudi was He took the helm of the Expediency Council in 2017 to chief of the Expediency Council Chairman, who died late transferred to the city of Qom, where he was laid to rest at succeed the late Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. on Monday at the age of 70 after months of battling illness. Hazrat Masoumeh’s shrine. The Expediency Council is mainly responsible for arbi- The world is in People and state officials attended the funeral to pay Wednesday was declared a national day of mourning in tration between the parliament and the Guardian Council, their last respect to the soft-spoken cleric. honor of the ayatollah. which itself supervises the parliament. post-West era, The mourning ceremony began on Wednesday During his lifetime, Ayatollah Shahroudi served in Ayatollah Shahroudi also served as the head of Judiciary morning at Imam Khomeini Grand Prayer Grounds many crucial positions in the Islamic Republic. He was for 10 years. His attempts for speeding up due processes diplomat argues (Mosalla), where Leader of the Islamic Revolution born in 1948 in the Iraqi city of Najaf, which has hosted and establishing close contact with ordinary people were Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei performed the funeral many Muslim scholars. among the achievements he was credited for. prayer, Press TV reported. In Iraq, he attended classes held by the late founder of He also served in the capacity of the vice president of POLITICS TEHRAN — Mohammad-Kazem Sajjad- The heads of the three branches of government, namely the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini. the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body tasked to elect and deskpour, director of the Center for Political President Hassan Rouhani, Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani He fought against the dictatorial rule of Iraq’s Saddam oversee the performance of Leader of the Islamic Revolution. and International Studies at the Foreign Ministry, says the and Judiciary Chief Sadeq Amoli Larijani, were all present. Hussein and was jailed and tortured by his Baathist forces. He had been a member of the Guardian Council for years world has entered the post-West era, which has ended the Cabinet ministers, lawmakers, military officials as well Ayatollah Shahroudi traveled to Iran in the wake of the as well. West’s monopoly over power, wealth and thought. “America no longer has the dominant hand in the re- gion,” Mehr on Wednesday quoted Sajjadpour as saying in Iranian ambassador submits credentials to South Korean president an interview with channel 4 of Iran’s TV. POLITICS TEHRAN — Iran’s new Moon also thanked Iran for backing denuclearize the Korean Peninsula The U.S. and the West’s power is in decline throughout the deskambassador to Seoul, conciliatory moves on the Korean penin- and expressed the Islamic Republic’s world and as a result “we are in the post-West, post-America Saeed Badamchi-Shabestari, on Wednesday sula, a reference to the peace talks between backing for such a policy. and post-Europe era,” he said. submitted his letter of credentials to South South and . The envoy also expressed hope that prob- Sajjadpour also argued that there is a gap between the Korean President Moon Jae-in. The ambassador sent President Has- lems created in Iran-Korea interactions espe- United States, and Europeans do not consider America as In an official ceremony held at Cheong Wa san Rouhani’s warm greetings to Moon cially those related to banking and financial an ally. Dae, known as the Blue House, the Iranian and called for strong relations in areas transactions, which have been created due to ambassador along with five other new envoys of economy, politics and culture between the reimposition of sanctions on Iran by the from Brazil, Canada, Fiji, Sudan, and Croatia the two nations. Trump administration, would be resolved Tehran condemns handed their letters of credentials to Moon. Ambassador Badamchi-Shabestari through efforts by President Moon. Libya terror attack President Moon said cooperation between also praised Moon for his efforts to Badamchi-Shabestari had previously Iran and his country continued even at the served as the director general for East “toughest time” in the 1970s and even in the Ambassador Badamchi-Shabestari praises and Oceania at the Iranian Foreign Ministry 1980s during the Iran-Iraq war. President Moon for his efforts to denuclearize and charge d’affairs in the Iranian embassy The president also predicted that sanc- in . He replaced Hassan Taherian. POLITICS TEHRAN — Iran’s Foreign Ministry on tions-related problems between the two the Korean Peninsula and expresses Tehran’s Shabestari started his diplomatic mission deskWednesday denounced Tuesday’s terrorist countries will be resolved in the future. backing for such a policy. in Korea on October 11. attack in Libya, saying the people of Libya can overcome the residue of terrorism through unity and national will. Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi expressed sympa- Iran says has held talks with Taliban with knowledge of Afghan government thy with families of the victims of the terrorist incident that targeted Libya’s Foreign Ministry in Tripoli, Mehr reported. Shamkhani meets Ghani, Abdullah in Kabul “There’s hope that the world will soon witness better security and stability,” Qassemi said. 1 “All contacts and talks with the Tali- sure security of the Iran-Afghanistan border The Foreign Ministry building was stormed by three men ban group have been with the knowledge of and fight against drug traffickers and terror- armed with machine guns on Tuesday. Daesh (ISIL) has Afghanistan’s government and this process ists, Shamkhani said, “In an organized move, claimed responsibility for the deadly attack, according to will continue,” the top Iranian security official the enemies of regional security and calm the terror group’s media wing. underlined as he led a high-ranking Iranian seek to make the common border insecure security, military and political team to Kabul. in order to transfer the defeated elements of The news of Iran’s talks came a few days Daesh to Afghanistan and support the spread Iran, Georgia after talks between U.S. and Taliban officials of Takfiri terrorism in that country, so that over proposals for a ceasefire in Afghanistan, they could once again fan the flames of war, agree on which neighbors Iran to the east with a long bloodshed and insecurity in the region.” border, and a future withdrawal of foreign The top Iranian security official also urged continuation of troops ahead of possible peace negotiations. vigilance in the face of new threats posed by visa waiver Addressing the Geneva Conference on Takfiri terrorism, warning that ignorance and Afghanistan on November 28, Iranian For- inaction could lead to dreadful incidents sim- POLITICS TEHRAN — During a meeting in Tbilisi on eign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called ilar to those that broke out in Iraq and Syria. deskWednesday, Iranian and Georgian officials on the international community to facilitate Shamkhani further stressed the need for agreed on the continuation of the visa waiver agreement “inclusive” dialogue between the Taliban and increased dialogue and interaction among between the two countries, ILNA reported. the Afghan government in a bid to restore Afghan groups and for avoiding violence, The agreement was reached during the meeting, which peace to the war-torn country. adding that covert and destructive ploys by was between an Iranian delegation, headed by the Foreign The United States led an invasion of Af- the ultra-regional states, particularly the Ministry Consular General Ali Asghar Mohammadi, and ghanistan in 2001. The invasion toppled a Shamkhani says the withdrawal of U.S. U.S., are of no help to sustainable security Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Khotisiashvili. Taliban government that ruled over much of forces provides a “golden opportunity” for in Afghanistan and would only complicate The two sides discussed the consular relations and recent the country at the time; and while U.S.-led the peace process in the country. developments and underscored the importance of friendly forces continue to occupy Afghanistan, they Afghanistan to strengthen its defense and Shamkhani also said regional nations are relations as well as continuation of the existing agreement have failed to restore security. military capabilities by relying on its own impatiently waiting for a full withdrawal of on visa waiver. Zarif, who in a previous capacity famously U.S. forces from the region because their helped with the establishment of a post-in- potential. presence has had no result other than “war vasion government in Afghanistan in the Shamkhani also described the threat Shamkhani meets Afghan pres- and insecurity”. Iran, Armenia Bonn conference in 2001, said in the Geneva of the spread of the Takfiri terrorist group ident and For his part, Ghani called for the for- discuss co-op conference that there was no military solution of Daesh in Afghanistan as “serious.” He Later the day, Shamkhani met Afghan mation of joint mechanisms between the to Afghanistan and that the time had come called for practical measures to stop that President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Execu- intelligence and security organizations of between prisons for national reconciliation. from happening. tive Abdullah Abdullah. Iran and Afghanistan in the battle against ‘Need for constant consultation’ ‘Pillar of security’ In his meeting with Ghani, Shamkhani terrorism, organized crimes and drugs. Elsewhere in his remarks, Shamkhani Mohib, for his part, said the Islamic Re- said Iran is ready to enhance military and “Sustainable security at the common bor- der is the Afghan government’s overriding POLITICS emphasized the need to establish “mech- public had always been “one of the main defense cooperation with Afghanistan. TEHRAN — Iranian Ambassador to Ye- priority,” Ghani said. deskrevan Kazem Sajjadi has held a meeting anisms based on constant consultations” pillars of security in the region.” He said Iran is prepared to promote de- and “the active participation of regional “The cooperation of the two countries fense, military and security cooperation ‘Iran backs intra-Afghan peace with head of Armenia’s prisons administration, during which process’ the two sides discussed cooperation between the prisons countries in security processes” to guar- will undoubtedly be very effectual in re- with Afghanistan, which he described as antee sustainable stability and growth for solving Afghanistan’s current security a friend and brother. In his meeting with Abdullah, Shamkhani administrations of Iran and Armenia and the issue of Iranian said Tehran backs the peace process with nationals jailed in Armenia. regional nations. problems,” he said. The withdrawal of U.S. forces provides Shamkhani also hailed the constructive U.S. officials said last Thursday that a golden opportunity for Afghanistan to an “intra-Afghan approach” and views any During the meeting, which was held in Iran’s embassy in move other than this as a threat to the Af- Yerevan, the two sides emphasized the need to boost such agreements arrived at during a one-day se- President Donald Trump had ordered a strengthen its defense and military capa- curity conference among Iranian, Russian, withdrawal of nearly half of the American bilities by relying on its own potential, the ghan security. cooperation and exchange experience in this regard, ISNA For his part, Abdullah said his country is reported on Wednesday. Chinese, Indian, and Afghan security chiefs forces stationed in Afghanistan, although Iranian official said, adding that the U.S. and advisers in Tehran in September. The the U.S. commander in Afghanistan later presence in the region has resulted in nothing facing worrying security challenges and this The Armenian official said his country will make every entails constructive cooperation between all effort to protect the rights of Iranian prisoners. security chief voiced Iran’s support for holding said no order had been officially received but wars and insecurity. the summit’s next edition in Afghanistan. to begin such a withdrawal. Stressing the need for joint efforts to en- neighbors for securing Afghanistan. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 27, 2018 INTERNATIONAL

Clashes in Hudaydah ahead of truce Afghanistan postpones committee meeting presidential election Afghanistan’s presidential election, initially scheduled for April, Fresh clashes have been reported between condition of anonymity, said Yemeni troops will be postponed for several months to allow time to fix technical Yemen’s Ansarullah (Houthi) fighters and and fighters from Popular Committees raided problems that surfaced during October’s parliamentary elections, militants loyal to the country’s former Sau- several military camps in the Jahfan district officials said. Abdul Aziz Ibrahimi, deputy spokesman for the di-backed regime in Hudaydah ahead of a of the region, targeting the Saudi soldiers. Independent Election Commission, said on Wednesday that United Nations-organized joint committee Yemeni military units also launched a more time is needed to train staff on a biometric identification meeting meant to monitor the ceasefire in domestically-developed Zelzal-1 (Earth- system designed to reduce fraud. He said verification of voter the strategic Red Sea port city. quake-1) ballistic missile at a gathering of lists also requires more time. An AFP correspondent said Yemen’s rival Saudi soldiers in Raqabah area of Asir region No new date for presidential polls has been set. parties had exchanged gunfire on Wednesday in . Parliamentary elections were fraught with delays after the and that the sound of heavy artillery could Separately, scores of Saudi soldiers and few staff trained on the biometric system did not show up at the be heard to the east of Hudaydah. their allies lost their lives and sustained in- polling booths and countless registered voters could not find The skirmishes come as retired Dutch juries when Yemeni forces struck their posi- their names on voter lists. Polling had to continue for a second Major General Patrick Cammaert is expected tions in al-Madrassa village of Saudi Arabia’s day after hundreds of polling stations opened several hours late. to chair a joint committee, including repre- southwestern border region of Najran. Several legal complaints have been filed to challenge the results. sentatives from Yemen’s warring factions, The House of Saud regime and a number The last presidential election, held in 2014, was mired in to monitor the Hudaydah truce that entered of its regional allies launched a devastating controversy and widespread allegations of fraud. into force on December 18. military campaign against Yemen in March The two leading candidates, Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Ab- Cammaert arrived in Hudaydah on Sunday 2015, with the aim of bringing the govern- dullah, fought a tight race that went to a second vote. from the Ansarullah-held capital, Sana’a, af- ment of Hadi back to power and crushing But before the results of the runoff could be announced, Abdullah ter holding talks with officials from Yemen’s enis, has seen some of the heaviest fighting have reportedly carried out an aerial attack Ansarullah movement. alleged massive vote fraud and warned of widespread protests. former Saudi-allied regime in the city of Aden. in the Saudi regime-led aggression, which against a position of the Saudi regime-spon- According to a new report by the Armed John Kerry, the then United States secretary of state, interceded The ceasefire was reached recently in Swe- began in March 2015. sored militiamen loyal to Yemen’s former Conflict Location and Event Data Project and helped cobble together a unity government and convinced den during peace talks between delegations The House of Saud regime and the United president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, in (ACLED), a nonprofit conflict-research the election commission to hold off on announcing the results from the Ansarullah and the Saudi-backed Arab Emirates (UAE) launched the Huday- the country’s northern province of al-Jawf. organization, the Saudi-led war has so far of the runoff, which Ghani seemed poised to win. former government. dah offensive in June but have been facing Spokesman for Yemeni Armed Forces claimed the lives of around 56,000 Yemenis. Ghani was named president and Abdullah was given a newly The opposite sides agreed to the withdrawal strong resistance from Yemeni armed forc- Brigadier General Yahya Saree said early on The Saudi regime-led war has also taken created title of Chief Executive. of their forces and the deployment of the UN es — led by the Ansarullah — as well as the Wednesday that Yemeni soldiers and their a heavy toll on the country’s infrastructure, The arrangement was intended to last only two years but has monitors to the port, the entry point for most city’s residents. allies attacked the Saudi regime mercenaries destroying hospitals, schools, and factories. continued up to the present, resulting in a government marked by of Yemen’s commercial goods and vital aid. The Saudi regime war has killed tens of in the Suwaiqa base, which lies in the al-Yat- The UN has already said that a record 22.2 deep divisions that has struggled to combat a resurgent Taliban. The UN monitoring team is tasked with thousands of Yemeni people and made the ma area of the province, Arabic-language million Yemenis are in dire need of food, (Source: Al Jazeera) securing the functioning of Hudaydah and country the world’s worst humanitarian al-Masirah television network reported. including 8.4 million threatened by severe supervising the pullout of forces from the city. disaster. The report added that the airstrike left a hunger. According to the world body, Yemen On Tuesday alone, the Ansarullah recorded In related news, the Saudi regime-led large number of Saudi-sponsored militiamen is suffering from the most severe famine in at least 31 violations of the Hudaydah truce airstrikes targeted a displaced family in dead and injured. more than 100 years. Poseidon in action: Russia by the aggressors. Yemen’s northwestern Hajjah Province on The development came shortly after A number of Western countries, the U.S. However, an official for the Saudi re- Wednesday, killing two people and injuring Yemeni army snipers fatally shot four Sau- and Britain in particular, are also accused of ‘starts’ underwater trial of gime-led coalition accused the Ansarullah three others. di soldiers in the kingdom’s southwestern being complicit in the ongoing aggression as fighters of 183 violations, saying 10 militants Yemeni drone strikes military base Jizan region, in retaliation for ’s they supply Riyadh with advanced weapons strategic nuclear drone had been killed since the ceasefire went into of Saudi regime mercenaries in Jawf ongoing military aggression against the and military equipment as well as logistical force. Meantime, Yemeni army soldiers, support- impoverished country. and intelligence assistance. A Russian strategic drone propelled by a miniaturized nuclear Hudaydah, a lifeline for millions of Yem- ed by allied fighters from Popular Committees, A Yemeni military source, speaking on (Source: agencies) reactor is undergoing underwater trials, according to reports. The weapon, called Poseidon, is slated to become a new class of the country’s nuclear deterrence. Poseidon, which was previously dubbed Status-6, was officially Sudan police fire live ammunition to block announced in March along with other upcoming weapon sys- tems, meant to counter the development of anti-ballistic missile technologies by the United States. It’s a long-range submersible drone capable of travelling at high speed deep underwater thanks Khartoum protest march to a miniaturized nuclear reactor. According to a defense source cited on Tuesday by TASS, Riot police in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, used live immediately. Poseidon is currently undergoing underwater trials as part of its ammunition and tear gas in an attempt to disperse protesters Sudan’s embattled al-Bashir has vowed to introduce development. “The nuclear propulsion system of the Poseidon marching towards the presidential palace. “real reforms” since the anti-government protests began drone is currently being tested in a sea area protected from sur- Videos posted online appeared to show crowds of several in Atbara city seven days ago, but has also warned the veillance by the likely opponent,” the source said, using an old hundred people heading towards the palace on Tuesday, protesters to not respond to attempts “at sowing discord” Soviet military term for the U.S. and its NATO (North Atlantic which is located on the bank of the river Blue Nile in the in the country. Treaty Organization) allies. According to the source, the torpedo heart of Khartoum. Speaking to a crowd of his supporters on Tuesday, Bashir is carried by a nuclear-propelled submarine of the Russian Navy The demonstrators could be heard singing patriotic songs accused the protests of being influenced by external agents. and that the developer hopes to complete the project before 2027. and chanting, “Peaceful, peaceful against the thieves” and “Thank you for your support and enthusiasm which are The claimed reactor miniaturization technology that allows “The people want to bring down the regime” before police a response to every foreign agent, traitor, outlaw, and de- the creation of Poseidon is behind another weapon system, the began firing into the crowds. structive person,” he said. development of which was announced this year – the intercon- The unrest came after five days of rallies against the gov- “You are the ones responding to them right now. From tinental-range cruise missile Burevestnik. ernment of President Omar al-Bashir, with protesters enraged here, you are responding to all the traitors and foreign agents. Other weapons include a traditional-design Sarmat ICBM over rising prices, shortage of basic goods and a cash crisis. I support you. And with your support, I will be back here (intercontinental ballistic missile), a hypersonic air-launched Al Jazeera’s Hiba Morgan, reporting from Khartoum, next year”. ballistic missile, apparently meant to destroy aircraft carrier said calls for the president to step down were growing louder The demonstrations are the biggest in several years groups and similarly valuable targets, and a laser system of un- with people turning up in significant numbers for the protest, against Bashir’s 29-year rule. disclosed purpose. The latter, some analysts believe, could be an which had been planned for a number of days. Officials have recorded at least 12 deaths, though Amnesty financial instability, however, they’re now demanding the anti-satellite weapon capable of disabling optical sensors in orbit. Embattled president International on Monday said it has “credible reports” that toppling of the regime.” (Source: RT) Tuesday’s protest was organized by The Sudanese Profes- police have killed at least 37 protesters in clashes during “The masses have realized there is a strong relationship sionals Association, an umbrella coalition for professional anti-government demonstrations. between the economy and politics. The regime has promised unions, and supported by the National Umma Party, one Sidki Kabilo, a member of the Sudanese Communist Party, several times to correct its path, but the crisis is over the of the country’s top opposition parties. said the protests had morphed over spiraling costs into wider nature of the regime which spends a lot of money protecting Former Iraqi premier They said they planned on marching to the palace and discontent and dissatisfaction with Bashir. itself and buying loyalty and support.” hand the presidency a memo calling for him to step down “The people started demonstrating over bread, fuel and (Source: Al Jazeera) responds to Bahrain’s criticism of his remarks

Koreas’ bid to reconnect rail, road links clouded by sanctions issue Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has responded to the Bahraini regime’s recent criticism of his latest remarks, where The two Koreas on Wednesday launched Speaking at the event, the North’s Vice he had censured the ruling House of Khalifah dynasty over crack- a project to reconnect rail and road links Railroad Minister Kim Yun Hyok called for an down on political dissidents and pro-democracy campaigners severed since the 1950-53 Korean War, but “unwavering determination to stand against in the tiny Persian Gulf tiny kingdom state. actual construction cannot start while sanc- headwinds” that could threaten the project. “We did not demand interference in the affairs of Bahrain or tions remain in place against North Korea, “The results of the rail and road project any other country, as the others interfere in our affairs. We did officials said. hinge on the spirit and will of our people,” not allow violence and we do not encourage anyone to do so,” The two sides agreed in October to work Kim said. Maliki, who now heads the State of Law Coalition in the Iraqi on reconnecting railways and roads as part The two sides will conduct additional joint parliament, wrote in a post published on his official Twitter page of a thaw in relations that the United States surveys and design work that could take one on Wednesday. He then called for “dialogue and rejection of fears will undermine efforts to press North or two years to complete, the South’s Kim marginalization and the exercise of political tyranny.” Korea to give up its nuclear weapons. Hyun-mee said. Maliki also stressed “respect for people and their right to free- “There’s a lot of things to do before we Wednesday’s ceremony was another dom and the use of constitutional mechanisms and democracy actually start construction,” South Korean example of the thaw in relations between in dealing with crises.” Transport Minister Kim Hyun-mee said before the Koreas, technically still at war after their On Monday, Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry summoned the dep- the ceremony in the city of Kaesong on the conflict ended in a truce not a peace treaty. uty charge d’affaires of the Iraqi embassy to condemn Maliki’s North Korean side of the border. But major economic initiatives have yet comments regarding Manama’s crackdown on dissent. The materials and investment needed to take off amid the lack of progress on denu- The ministry described the remarks as “blatant and unaccept- for construction to begin are banned under clearizing the North. able interference in the internal affairs of Bahrain.” the United Nations and the United States North Korean leader Kim Jong Un agreed “(A Bahraini official) described Maliki’s attitude as a clear sanctions imposed over ’s nuclear to work toward denuclearization at a sum- solidarity with those who seek to spread chaos, violence and and missile programs. Washington insists mit with the U.S. President Donald Trump terrorism and exhibit hatred,” Bahrain’s state-run news agency sanctions remain until the North gives up in June. But negotiations have made little BNA reported. Thousands of anti-regime protesters have held its nuclear weapons. headway, with Pyongyang upset at Washing- train between the Koreas when they operated would ever be able to come back after I retire.” demonstrations in Bahrain on an almost daily basis ever since South Korean officials, politicians and ton’s insistence that sanctions remain until a joint factory park a decade ago, said he They were joined by a North Korean del- a popular uprising began in the country in mid-February 2011. members of families displaced by the war the North takes concrete steps to give up its never thought he would return to the North. egation, as well as officials from the United They are demanding that the House of Khalifah regime relin- boarded a special train to the ceremony. nuclear arsenal. “I’m just deeply moved,” Shin said. “It’s Nations, , Russia and Mongolia, accord- quish power and allow a just system representing all Bahrainis Shin Jang-chul, who drove the last freight (Source: Reuters) been 10 years and I’ve been wondering if I ing to South Korea’s Unification Ministry. to be established. Manama has gone to great lengths to clamp down on any sign of dissent. On March 14, 2011, troops from the House of Saud regime and the (UAE) Putin: Russia is ready to deploy new hypersonic nuclear missile were deployed to assist Bahrain in its crackdown. Scores of people have lost their lives and hundreds of others Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that “From next year, 2019, Russia’s armed forces will get defense ministry building in Moscow. The Kremlin described sustained injuries or got arrested as a result of the House of Russia would deploy its first regiment of hypersonic nucle- the new intercontinental strategic system Avangard ... the test in a statement, saying that an Avangard missile, Khalifah regime’s crackdown. ar-capable missiles next year, saying the move meant his It’s a big moment in the life of the armed forces and in launched from a location in south-west Russia, had suc- On March 5, 2017, Bahrain’s parliament approved the trial country now had a new type of strategic weapon. the life of the country. Russia has obtained a new type of cessfully hit and destroyed a target in the Russian Far East. of civilians at military tribunals in a measure blasted by human Putin was speaking after overseeing what the Kremlin strategic weapon.” Putin announced an array of new weapons in March, rights campaigners as being tantamount to imposition of an said was a pre-deployment test of the new missile system, Russia has said the new missile system, one of several including the Avangard, in one of his most bellicose speeches undeclared martial law countrywide. called Avangard. new weapons Putin announced in March, is highly maneu- in years, saying they could hit almost any point in the world Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah ratified the consti- “This test, which has just finished, ended with complete verable, allowing it to easily evade missile defense systems. and evade a United States-built missile shield. tutional amendment on April 3 last year. success,” Putin told a government meeting. Putin remotely observed Wednesday’s test from a Russian (Source: Reuters) (Source: Press TV) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY DECEMBER 27, 2018

STOCK MARKET Iran to sell 3m TEDPIX 158443.7 IFX 1836.84 Sources: tse.ir, Ifb.ir barrels of oil to CURRENCIES USD 42,000 rials private sector EUR 47,936 rials GBP 53,353 rials AED 11,380 rials at IRENEX Source: iribnews.ir 1 The sales, which may occur the past two rounds of offering oil at this market next week, will be done based on the forex have been able to export the cargos without wrapped up by selling eight 35,000-barel- transparent business environment, can be rate announced by the Central Bank of Iran’s any specific difficulty. cargos of oil on the day. translated into creation of a new energy stock online Sana system (accessible at sanarate. On October 28, just few days before And on November 11, NIOC sold 700,000 market that results in economic development. COMMODITIES ir, a website that records daily forex trade new U.S. sanctions on Iran’s petroleum barrels of light crude oil at IRENEX at the The energy market is basically exports- WTI $43.10/b from across the domestic exchange bureaus), sector took effect (November 4), National price of $64.97 per barrel. The set price for oriented and has the capacity to increase Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) could sell this round of oil sales was $71.59 per barrel. Iranian oil customers both domestically and Brent $51.12/b the minister added. “In case applicants for oil prefer to do some 280,000 barrels of crude oil at $74.85 Establishment of IRENEX, which is internationally. Price setting relies on the OPEC Basket $53.92/b their purchases via other currencies, that per barrel on the first day of offering crude considered as a turning point in Iran’s strategic base price determined by NIOC according is also possible,” Zanganeh said. oil for export at the international ring of oil industry and capital market and also a to global prices. Receiving a trading code, Gold $1,272.65/oz He also informed that those exporters IRENEX. With the daily supply amount platform for producers and consumers to foreign companies can purchase oil cargos Silver $14.88/oz who had purchased oil at IRENEX in the of one million barrels per day, the market be in touch and pay lower trade costs in a from IRENEX. Platinium $799.70/oz Sources: oilprice.com, Moneymetals.com Switzerland to launch a payment channel for Iran by mid-Jan. ECONOMY TEHRAN – Switzerland conducted by Iran Chamber of Commerce, within three weeks. Switzerland, which is not an EU member deskis going to launch a Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) “Launching a direct financial channel and has a large pharmaceuticals sector and NEWS IN BRIEF payment channel for Iran in mid-January which was published on the portal of the which is separate from the European a tradition of neutral diplomacy, has strong 2019, which allows its companies to sell chamber on Tuesday. Union indicates how much Switzerland is credentials to be a base for such mechanisms. Integrated food, medicine and medical devices to the Nezam-Mafi said the Swiss Federal determined to maintain its trade relations According to the chairman of Iran- management country, Sharif Nezam-Mafi, the chairman Department of Economic Affairs has with Iran”, he noted. Switzerland Joint Chamber of Commerce, of Iran-Switzerland Joint Chamber of been in talks with the U.S. and Iranian “60 percent of Iran’s imports from in the sanctions era Switzerland will play system for transport Commerce, announced. authorities, as well as Swiss companies Switzerland is comprised of food products a vital role in providing food products and projects launched He made the remarks in an interview and the initiative will probably be launched and pharmaceuticals”, he added. medicine for Iran. in 17 provinces ECONOMY TEHRAN — An integrated management India likely to continue purchasing oil from Iran in 2019 desksystem on roads and transport projects was ENERGY TEHRAN — Senior officials in the In- important for sustaining a balance in oil trade. launched in 17 provinces of the country, IRNA reported quoting desk the deputy head of Iran’s Road Maintenance and Transporta- dian government said India is likely to India is one of the largest consumers of crude oil and tion Organization (RMTO) for planning. continue purchasing oil from Iran in 2019, the Hindu Busi- Iran has been one of the key suppliers. Khodadad Moqbeli said the system has been run in line ness Line reported. On December 6, Reuters reported that India will import with the e-government objectives and provides rapid access New Delhi is expecting a positive result when the U.S. crude oil from Iran using a rupee-based payment mechanism, to precise specifications of the implementation of projects. reviews the waiver, according to government officials. as announced by an industry source involved in discussions. “India had extensive discussions with the U.S. on the The source told Reuters that 50 percent of those pay- country’s oil economy and how getting reliable and cheap ments will be used for exporting items to Tehran, adding 21st ACI Iran supply was essential for economic growth. We clearly com- that India’s state-owned UCO Bank is expected to announce Chapter Annual municated that till we have access to alternatives, we cannot the payment mechanism in the next 10 days. bring down our imports from Iran sharply,” an official said. “An agreement had been signed by the Indian and Ira- Convention The U.S. launched new sanctions on Iran’s petroleum nian government on November 2, 2018 for oil payment in running in sector on November 4, but it has granted exemptions to eight rupees and 50 percent of those funds had been earmarked Tehran countries, including India, allowing them to temporarily Sanjiv Singh, the chairman of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, for exports,” according to an Indian government document continue buying Iranian oil. believes that Iranian crude in global market is extremely reviewed by Reuters. ECONOMY TEHRAN — The 21st Edition of American deskConcrete Institute (ACI) Iran Chapter Annual Convention kicked off on Wednesday in Tehran, Asian stocks retreat as U.S. political China playing an increasingly vital role IRIB reported. As reported, 58 teams from different universities are tumult adds to growth worry in US companies’ growth plans competing in nine specialized fields during this event from which one team will be awarded the wining prize. Asian stock markets retreated again on of the year-end,” said Masahiro Ichikawa, As California-based Tesla Motors Inc will A former California State Senator, The annual convention is organized by Iran’s Concrete Wednesday, extending a rout that began senior strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui Asset start partial production in in the serving from 2008 to 2016, Huff said that Research Center (ConREC) in cooperation with Aria University last week as U.S. political uncertainty ex- Management. second half of next year, and Boeing de- periodic review of real-world results from of Sciences and Sustainability. acerbated worries over slowing global eco- U.S. stocks have dropped sharply in recent livered first airplane from its a country’s national and international poli- Founded in 1904 and headquartered in Farmington Hills, nomic growth. weeks on concerns over weaker economic facility in China earlier this month, busi- cies is a healthy and important procedure, Michigan, USA, the American Concrete Institute is a leading Investors were unnerved by the U.S. growth. Trump has largely laid the blame ness leaders believe that stable China-US especially when China enjoyed tremendous authority and resource worldwide for the development, federal government partial shutdown and for economic headwinds on the Fed, openly relations will help more companies from results in the past 30 years, transform- dissemination, and adoption of its consensus-based standards, President Donald Trump’s hostile stance criticizing its chairman, Jerome Powell, whom the United States maintain robust growth ing into the second-largest economy in technical resources, educational and training programs, toward the Federal Reserve chairman. he appointed. in China. the world. certification programs, and proven expertise for individuals U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin That has further rattled investors as China has become an integral part of the “I applaud China looking at their and organizations involved in concrete design, construction, had also raised market concerns by convening they grappled with fears of slowing global growth plans of many US businesses, not economy, global conditions, and taking and materials, who share a commitment to pursuing the a crisis group amid the pullback in stocks. growth, corporate earnings and U.S.-China just because of its sheer size but also due corrective actions to address some of the best use of concrete. S&P 500 emini futures were last down trade tensions. to its strategic importance, according to inadvertent imbalance,” Huff said. “As their 0.6 percent, pointing toward a lower start In an effort to reassure investors, Treas- Stephen Shafer, president of 3M China, the economy slows, it is natural and healthy for Wall Street when the U.S. market reo- ury Secretary Mnuchin spoke on Sunday Minnesota-headquartered conglomerate. to make midcourse corrections to focus its pens after Christmas Day, when many of the with the heads of the six largest U.S. banks, “China is actually becoming the leader growth in ways that best benefit its people, German industry views world’s financial markets were shut. who confirmed they have enough liquidity in many markets and technologies that we nation and the global economy.” Markets in Britain, Germany and France to continue lending and that “the markets are interested in,” said Shafer, referring to Huff focused on China’s new policies Brexit, Trump as biggest will remain closed on Wednesday. continue to function properly.” digital platforms in China that help com- to turn current development pressure into MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific “In the end, we believe that the Fed is panies engage with customers. an impetus for high-quality development, risks to economy shares outside Japan slipped 0.5 percent, the only presence capable of ending the cur- “If China can implement the reforms re- including speeding up the optimization, brushing a two-month low. rent confusion in the markets,” Kenta Inoue, cently outlined by its leadership, I believe we upgrading its economic structure, enhancing Germany’s leading industry groups said on Wednesday that The Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.4 senior market economist at Mitsubishi UFJ will enjoy a better and longer lasting bilateral the capability of technological innovation, Britain’s departure from the European Union and trade dis- percent while South Korea’s KOSPI shed Morgan Stanley Securities, said in a note. relationship between the US and China,” and deepening reform and opening-up. putes triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump’s ‘America 1.6 percent. “The White House will probably keep said Bob Huff, CEO of Huff Strategies LLC. He praised China’s plans to encourage First’ policies were posing the biggest risks to growth and Japan’s Nikkei, which slumped 5 percent making gestures intended to halt the rout in Huff, a political veteran, made these new and high-tech businesses to drive the prosperity. the previous day, had a volatile session. It stocks, but the federal government is likely remarks in an exclusive interview after country’s economy. The German economy, Europe’s largest, is expected to post swerved in and out of the red, falling more to remain shut into the new year. The U.S.- China’s annual Central Economic Work “Supporting high-value businesses its weakest growth rate in many years in 2018 as exporters are than 1 percent to a 20-month-low at one China trade war also shows no signs of a Conference which was convened from with tax breaks or less regulations will facing headwinds from abroad. But vibrant domestic demand stage, before ending the day with a gain of resolution.” Wednesday to Friday in Beijing. Dur- allow China’s industries to spawn more means many companies are still able to expand business. 0.9 percent. U.S. bond yields have declined amid the ing the meeting China’s top leadership innovation and more sustainable, higher In a survey conducted by Reuters, the heads of Germany’s “In addition to concerns toward the U.S. rout, including a steep sell-off in oil, prompted reviewed the country’s economic work productivity,” Huff said. “Innovation, not leading industry associations said they did not see the economy economy, the markets are now having to investors to move into safe-haven govern- in 2018, analyzed the current economic business as usual, is usually at the heart entering a recession and that most forecasts were predicting grapple with growing turmoil in the White ment debt, adding to the growing pressure situation and arranged economic work for of higher efficiency and value.” a solid growth rate of around 1.5 percent for 2019. House which has raised political risk ahead on the dollar. (Source: Reuters) the coming year. (Source: China Daily) But the industry associations said the economic woes of company executives were increasing and the government should do more to help them, for example by lowering cor- porate taxes and investing more in digital infrastructure. World economy is set to feel the delayed trade war pain in 2019 “The biggest risk in the short term is Brexit,” said Dieter While 2018 was the year trade wars broke out, 2019 will be chinery sector will produce a record 228 billion euros ($260 Kempf, president of the BDI industry association. the year the global economy feels the pain. billion) this year, the trade disputes are among reasons why If Britain left the EU in March without any agreement on Bloomberg’s Global Trade Tracker is softening amid a fading growth will slow, according to the VDMA industry association. its future relations with the bloc, this would create massive rush to front-load export orders ahead of threatened tariffs. Output will increase about 5 percent in real terms in 2018, the uncertainties for trade and business, Kempf warned. And volumes are tipped to slow further even as the U.S. and most since 2011, before growth slows to 2 percent next year. “The British economy would face the direct threat of China seek to resolve their trade spat, with companies warning Then there’s the risk of the U.S. placing tariffs on auto imports a recession which would indirectly also affect Germany,” of ongoing disruption. from Europe and Japan, a move that would damage relations Kempf said. Already there are casualties. GoPro Inc. will move most of its between some of the world’s biggest economies. The arrest of Holger Bingmann, head of the BGA trade group, said Brexit U.S.-bound camera production out of China by next summer, Huawei Technologies Co. Chief Financial Officer Meng Wan- was the “most urgent problem for the German economy” while becoming one of the first brand-name electronics makers to zhou illustrates the risk of unexpected developments that can an escalation of international trade disputes sparked by the take such action, while FedEx Corp. recently slashed its profit quickly inflame already tense relations. United States could potentially derail the economic upswing. forecast and pared international air-freight capacity. “‘Trade divergence’ since 2018 and the ‘Tariffs-Limbo’ DIHK President Eric Schweitzer said German companies “Any kind of interference with commerce is going to be a Recent data underscore concerns that trade will be a drag into 2019 are likely to keep a high degree of uncertainty and are still worried about the U.S. imposing higher import tar- tax on the economy,” said Hamid Moghadam, chief executive on American growth next year. U.S. consumers are feeling the continue to have an impact on trade and investment plans,” iffs on European cars. “The threat of car tariffs is still on the officer of San Francisco-based Prologis Inc., which owns almost least optimistic about the future economy in a year, while small New York-based Citigroup global markets economist Cesar table,” Schweitzer warned. 4,000 logistics facilities globally. “And the world economy is business optimism about economic improvement fell to a two- Rojas wrote in a recent note. It was vital that both sides increased their efforts to find probably going to slow down as a result of it.” year low and companies expect smaller profit gains in 2019. The critical question is whether Washington and Beijing a solution to the trade dispute through negotiations that Financial markets have already taken a hit. Bank of America The International Monetary Fund forecasts trade volumes can strike a deal by the March 1 deadline. If they succeed, a ideally would lead to lower tariffs, Schweitzer said. Merrill Lynch estimates that the trade war news has accounted will slow to 4 percent in 2019 from 4.2 percent this year and 5.2 cloud will be lifted off the world economy. But for now, the The German economy likely grew by around 1.5 percent for a net drop of 6 percent in the S&P 500 this year. China’s percent in 2017. They warn that trade barriers have become threat that tensions will linger is a brake on business expansion this year, compared with 2.2 percent in 2017. stock market has lost $2 trillion in value in 2018 and is lan- more pronounced. plans, and thereby the global economy. (Source: Reuters) guishing in a bear market. Europe isn’t insulated either. While Germany’s key ma- (Source: Bloomberg) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 5 DECEMBER 27, 2018 POLITICSENERGYDECEMBER 27, 2018 5

Oil rises to $51 after steep Iraq’s Kirkuk oil exports to stay restricted

Exports from Iraq’s northern Kirkuk oilfields to the Turkish port of Ceyhan will stay at between 80-90,000 barrels per day (bpd) slide; growth fears weigh as most of the crude produced is being diverted to feed refineries in the north, Iraq’s oil minister said on Wednesday. Oil edged up to $51 a barrel on Wednesday the outlook is not as weak as in 2016 when a Current production at the Kirkuk oilfields stands at around after reaching its lowest since June 2017 supply glut built up, because the Organization 370,000 bpd, the head of Iraq’s North Oil Company, Farid al- on perceptions that a price slide prompted of the Petroleum Exporting Countries this Jadir, told the same news conference. by worries over the global economy had time is trying to prop up the market, Jakob Jadir also said a BP technical team was now operating in been overdone amid an OPEC-led effort said. Kirkuk and would prepare a study reviewing plans for increasing to tighten supply. Concerned that a new glut could form, production by the end of 2019. Crude has been caught up in wider OPEC and its allies including Russia decided “BP is currently working with the North Oil Company on pre- financial market weakness as the U.S. earlier this month to return to a policy of paring a technical study that will completely reevaluate Kirkuk government shutdown, higher U.S. interest cutting production in 2019, unwinding a production capacity and how to increase it,” he said. rates and the U.S.-China trade dispute decision taken in June 2018 to pump more oil. “They are currently on the ground and we expect to present unnerved investors and exacerbated worries The producers’ alliance, known as OPEC+, the final study before the end of next year before reaching an over global growth. plans to lower output by 1.2 million barrels agreement with the company.” Brent crude, the global benchmark, per day, of which OPEC’s share is 800,000 Oil Minister Thamer Ghadhban said Iraq was in the final stages was up 43 cents at $50.90 at 0949 GMT. bpd, next year, and some ministers have of talks with Exxon and CNPC over a mega energy project in the It earlier fell to $49.93, the lowest since even suggested taking further action. south and expected to sign the agreements soon. July 2017, and posted a 6.2 percent slide Stephen Innes, head of trading for (Source: Reuters) in the previous session. Asia-Pacific at futures brokerage Oanda U.S. crude was up 74 cents at $43.27. in Singapore, said some buying interest “I think there is a little bit of over- had returned after firmer trading in U.S. extension to the downside linked to global equity futures. Producer cuts are set to market fears,” said Olivier Jakob, analyst at But, he added, economic worries will boost the oil market in 2019 Petromatrix. “It’s all about equities.” continue to weigh unless OPEC reassures “OPEC has shown it wants a higher prices the market as to the viability of the supply An oversupply of oil will continue to pressure prices into the first quarter and is working towards that goal.” cuts and “even imposes deeper ones as some of 2019, but producer cuts will eventually boost crude price as the year Trade was thin due to the Christmas again on Wednesday. Markets in Britain, on Wednesday. members have suggested”. progresses, according to Argus Media, an energy information provider. holidays. Asian stock markets retreated Germany and France will remain closed While economic worries have weighed, (Source: Reuters) That is, supply and demand should rebalance by the second quarter of next year, said Azlin Ahmad, editor for crude oil at Argus. Since climbing to four-year highs in early October, the price of crude Russia’s energy minister sees oil prices China’s farthest offshore wind farm futures have crashed by more than a third. The latest wave of heavy selling comes at a time when the energy market as well as the global stabilizing in first-half 2019 officially put into operation economy is gripped by a flurry of bearish factors. Brent oil futures, the international benchmark were trading around Russian Energy Minister Alexander On December 20, 2018, the wind turbines $53.60 per barrel on Monday, representing an almost 20 percent de- Novak said on Tuesday that oil prices, of the Dafeng offshore wind farm owned by cline in 2018. which fell by more than a third this the State Power Investment Corporation But prices are likely to pick up next year as supply cuts by the Organ- quarter, would become more stable in (SPIC) were connected to the grid and of- ization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. The cuts are scheduled the first half of 2019. ficially put into operation. to take effect in January. The Organization of the Petroleum The offshore wind farm is located in east- OPEC and allied non-OPEC oil producers including Russia agreed Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other ern China’s City, Jiangsu Province, at the start of December to curb output by 1.2 million barrels a day. large oil producers led by Russia agreed 43 kilometers off the coast, making it the That’s equivalent to more than 1 percent of global demand, in a bid to earlier this month to cut their combined most distant offshore wind farm in China. drain tanks and boost prices. crude output by 1.2 million barrels per proposals for an extraordinary meeting With a sea area of 90 square kilome- providing valuable experience to China for The 15-member organization said it would reduce its output by day from January in order to stem the with OPEC, and he attributed the fall ters, the Dafeng offshore wind farm has developing large-scale and capacity offshore 800,000 barrels a day, while Russia and the allied non-OPEC producers fall in oil prices. in oil prices to macroeconomic factors. an installed capacity of 302.4 MW and is wind farms in the deep-sea area. will contribute a 400,000 barrels daily reduction. “I think that during the first half, due “Those are the fundamental factors: expected to generate 870 million kWh of According to China’s “13th Five-Year Argus forecasts Brent crude to trade around $65 per barrel in the to joint efforts, which were confirmed the decrease of demand in winter and, of electricity per year. Plan for Wind Power Development,” by first quarter, rising to $68 in the second quarter and reaching the low by the OPEC and non-OPEC countries course, the macro economy as we’ve been After 202 days construction, China’s 2020, the construction scale of offshore $70s in the third quarter. Prices will breach $80 a barrel in the fourth this December, the situation will be witnessing a decline in global economic farthest offshore wind farm is officially wind power will reach 10,000 MW, and quarter of 2019, Ahmad projected. more stable, more balanced,” Novak activity at the end of the year and a fall put into operation. /CCTV Photo the cumulative grid-connection capacity Average Brent oil prices will be below $70s in the whole of said in an interview on Rossiya-24 TV. on the stock market,” he said. Consisting of 72 wind turbines, the off- will be more than 5,000 MW. 2019, according to Argus’ forecast. Novak also said there were no (Source: Reuters) shore wind farm was completed in 202 days, (Source: CGTN) (Source: CNBC) شماره: «BASE_LETTER_NO» شماره: «BASE_LETTER_NO»

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Hormozgan Water and Wastewater company

"كم آبي ديگر شعار نيست." Call for identification of investors for Completion of section of Wastewater system in Bandar Abbas آگهی فراخوان شناسايی سرمايه گذار Through Buyback contract تکميل بخش از تاسيسات فاضالب شهر بندر عباس به روش بيع متقابل (Auction)

)مزايده( According to Article 37 of the sixth development plan and Article 2 of the law on establishment شركت آب و فاضالب استان هرمزگان در نظر دارد بر اساس ماده 37 قانون برنامه ششم توسـعه، و مـاده of water, The Hormozgan Water and Wastewater company intends to concede the 2 قانون تشكيل شركت های آب و فاضالب مصوب 1369 ، تكميل بخشي از تاسيسات تصـفيه فاضـالب completion of a section of the treatment system in Bandar Abbas against the allocation شهر بندرعباس را در ازاء تخصيص پساب تصفيه شده، به منظور كاربری معين و با حجم مشخص، بـرای of the determined volume of treated effluent for specific use for a limited and predetermined period through Buyback contract according to the following conditions دوره زماني محدود و معين و به روش بيع متقابل و با شرايط ذيل، به سرمايه گذار واجد شـرايط واگـذار .to a qualified investor

نمايد. A- Brief description of the project: -الف شرح مختصری از پروژه:

احداث تصفيهخانه فاضالب بخش شرقي بندرعباس Subject: Construction of East Wastewater Treatment Plant of Bandar Abbas - سرمايه پذير: شركت آب و فاضالب هرمزگان. Concessioner: the Hormozgan Water and Wastewater Company - دوره احداث: بسته به مبالغ تامين مالي توسط سرمايه گذاران Consultant: Rayab - دوره بهره برداری تجاری: با ارائه مدل مالي Construction period: depending on the amount of financing by financer - - Commercial operation period: Financial model to be submitted جمعيت تحت پوشش: مدول اول تصفيه خانه 182450 نفر - Population coverage: 182450 people محل اجرا: شهر بندرعباس Project site: Bandar Abbas - مشاور: شركت مهندسين مشاور ری آب B- General conditions for investment:

-ب شرايط کلی برای سرمايه گ ذار سرمايه گذار به صورت شخص حقيقي يا حقوقي با داشتن سابقه مديريتي قابل قبول، تامين و تخصـيص The investor must be a real or legal entity in possession of acceptable management - سرمايه مورد نياز را بر عهده خواهد داشت. .experience to ensure and allocate the required investment - Qualified investors May submit their letter of intent for investment in the plan from سرمايه گذاران واجد شرايط مي توانند از تاريخ 06/10/97 لغايت پايان وقت اداری 17/10 97/ نسبت بـه until the end of office hours on 2019/01/07 2018/12/27 ارسال نامه اعالم آمادگي جهت سرمايه گذاری در طرح فاضالب بندر عباس، اقدام نماينـد. نامـه هـا مـي The letters should be submitted to: hormozgan water and wastewater company - ,next to the shariati hospital, Naser blvd, Bandarabbas, IRAN. Postal code 7914964575 بايست به آدرس بندر عباس، بلوار ناصر، جنب بيمارستان شريعتي شركت آب و فاضالب استان هرمزگان

كد پستي 7914964575پست سفارشي گردد. ضمناً، اسناد ارزيابي در مراحل بعدی در اختيار سرمايه .Meanwhile, evaluation documents will be available to investors at a letter stage - گذاران قرار داده خواهد شد. پس از بررسي مدارک ارزيابي كه توسط شركت كنندگان تكميـل و تحويـل Following the review of the submitted by the interested parties, the qualified investors مي شود، از سرمايه گذاران واجد شرايط جهت مذاكرات قراردادی دعوت بعمل خواهد آمد. .shall be invited for contract negotiations - The concessioner has the right to accept or reject the technical or financial proposals of سرمايه پذير در رد يا قبول پيشنهادات فني يا مالي سرمايه گذاران درتمام مراحل اختيار دارد.ت ام ام دارد.ت the investors at any stage of the proceedings.

بندر عــباس ، بلوار ناصـر,جنــب بيمارســتان شريعتي پـــست الكترونيـكي:[email protected] بندر عــباس ، بلوار ناصـر,جنــب بيمارســتان شريعتي پـــست الكترونيـكي:[email protected] كــد پســتي : 7914964575 صــندوق پستي :1754 آدرس وب سـايــت :www.abfahormozgan.com كــد پســتي : 7914964575 صــندوق پستي :1754 آدرس وب سـايــت :www.abfahormozgan.com تـلــفـــن: 87-86-33350582فـكـــس :33338014 شماره پيامك:300004122 شناسه ملي: 10800045461 تـلــفـــن: 87-86-33350582فـكـــس :33338014 شماره پيامك:300004122 شناسه ملي: 10800045461

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I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 INTERNATIONAL DECEMBER 27, 2018 NEWS IN BRIEF Four verdicts in 18 months: Troubles Crackdown on global charities mount for former Pakistan PM INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN — The troubles ing in line with the intents of the legislature in India deskfor the deposed Pakistani manifested in the ordinance itself. If it is done, premier Nawaz Sharif have increased with even now it could promote the culture of rule TEHRAN — Global charities with opera- INTERNATIONAL an accountability court sentencing him to of law, parity and equality. Application of desktions in India have been forced to sack seven years in prison on corruption charges. law with equal intensity to both the rich and staff after the Indian government froze their bank accounts, The verdict that came on Monday has the poor will enhance the public confidence accusing them of receiving funds from overseas. fueled allegations of the judiciary’s political and trust in the institutions tackling law and Amnesty International and Greenpeace have accused bias as it comes a little more than three months justice,” it added. the BJP-led government in India of launching a “smear after the Islamabad High Court suspended Nawaz Sharif held some of the highest campaign” against NGOs, activists and journalists critical the accountability court’s judgment against executive offices in both the federal and of the government. him, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son- provincial governments from 1985 to 2017, Amnesty’s India office has seen crackdown by the country’s in-law Captain Mohammad Safdar (Retd). including those of chief executive of Punjab home ministry, forcing it to remove at least 70 employees. The three had been jailed less than three and of Pakistan. Aakar Patel, executive director of Amnesty India, said weeks prior to general elections in Pakistan in The court was satisfied that he was one of it is an organisation committed to the rule of law. “Our July over allegations of corruption for own- the most influential members of the mono- operations in India have always conformed with our na- ing four flats in London’s high-end Mayfair lithic and tightly connected Sharif family and tional regulations. The principles of transparency and district. The court ruled that the flats were that after the death of his father in October accountability are at the heart of our work,” he said in evidence enough that Sharif and his family 2004, he was for all practical purposes, the a statement. had indulged in corrupt means to fund the head of and most influential member of the Greenpeace India has also been targeted for investiga- purchase of these flats. with the military, since he lost power in a of observance that “by resorting to corrup- Sharif family. The verdict noted that upon tion by authorities in recent weeks and could be forced to The latest sentence by the accountability 1999 coup by then army chief General Pervez tion and corrupt practices one set of society the death of his father Mian Mohammad leave altogether. court is the fourth verdict against the for- Musharraf. has amassed unprecedented wealth and ac- Sharif, his entire estate including funds, Activists say it is an extension of a wider campaign against mer Pakistan prime minister in less than 18 In a detailed judgment, the accountability cumulated huge assets while the other seg- properties and assets devolved to his legal human rights groups in India. More than 19,000 NGOs have months, after he was ousted as the PM by court expressed concern over rampant cor- ment of society has drowned down forced heirs, including Nawaz Sharif. been blocked from receiving funds from overseas for viola- country’s apex court over investigations into ruption in society that the judge said had to lick the clay”. Meanwhile, the former Pakistan pre- tions ranging from not filing the appropriate paperwork to Panama Papers claims in July 2017, which reached its climax and therefore a “stern “As such, to my mind, it is obligation mier who was flown to Islamabad from engaging in “activities not conducive to the national interest” was followed by the apex court ruling in April action was the need of the hour”. of all concerned in law enforcing agencies Lahore on Sunday, said that his conscience under the Narendra Modi led BJP government. this year that disqualified him from holding “It is a matter of concern for us all that especially the courts to keep preying eyes was clear. The government claims to have reduced the total flow public office for life. corruption has been rampantly increasing vigilant minds and forceful hands to give “I do not have any sort of fear; my con- of foreign funds from £1.6bn in 2014 to £691m last year. There have been claims from his support- for the past two decades in society and has a strong jolt to the persons found guilty science is clear. I have done nothing that ers that the latest verdict came at the behest reached…its climax at present,” observed of such practices,” the detailed verdict would force me to bow my head. I have Kabul of Pakistan’s powerful army, which sought the judge providing reasons for convicting stated. always served the country and this nation to sideline him as he was seen as someone him in the Al-Azizia/Hill Metal Establish- “For achieving this objective the rules, with absolute honesty,” he said while talking attack who took them on. ment reference. procedure and law is to be applied even filling to party leaders in a meeting in Islamabad death toll climbs Sharif has always been at loggerheads The judge further stated that it is a matter the dots to achieve the object of the law go- before heading to the court. to 43 INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN — The death toll from an at- ‘Making Tehran Geneva of Muslim world desktack on a government building in Kabul has climbed to 43, according to local officials, as police and rescue workers engage in combing operations. panacea to problems’ The deadly attack on a public welfare building in densely- populated area of Afghan capital took place on Monday when By Syed Zafar Mehdi and how it has influenced the way Islam is practiced in the the gunmen held out for eight hours against security forces. Himalayan region? According to reports, a suicide bomber detonated his TEHRAN — At a time when the forces of Takfirism have A. Sufism was a part of dawah employed by Muslim explosives-laden vehicle outside the building before gun- become menacingly stronger across the world, bringing bad preachers from Iran and Central Asia when they came to men stormed in, rampaging through the office complex. name to Islam and Muslims, it has become extremely impor- Kashmir and other parts of Asia and it was not something U.N. Secretary-General’s special representative for Af- tant for the liberal, educated Muslims to stand up and retune alien to Islam. Present world is in need of spiritual panacea ghanistan said in a statement that these attacks cause “untold the discourse around Islam in the light of holy scriptures. and Sufism in its puritanical form can help us preach Islam human suffering to Afghan families”. Prof. Hamid Naseem Rafiabadi is a noted Islamic scholar in this mystic parlance. The attack also came a day after Afghan President Ashraf and author based in Kashmir. He has headed the department But we don’t need to insist on the terminology. We can Ghani appointed two anti-Taliban and anti-Pakistan figures of religious studies at Kashmir University and served as the use terms like Ihsan, Tazkiyah and Wilayat instead of Sufism to two top security posts, which evoked mixed response in director of Shah e Hamdan Institute of Islamic Studies, and try to utilise only the ethical part of Sufism and leave Afghanistan. Kashmir. In an interview to Tehran Times, Prof. Rafiabadi its metaphysical aspects behind as these were influenced at talks about the challenges facing Muslim Ummah today, the times by Hinduism or Buddhism and at times by Christian- Pakistan need for unity and why Muslims need to be vigilant of the ity as has been mentioned by Sir Mohammad Iqbal and Dr. sinister plots hatched in the West. and brought people out of barbarism into civilization. Even Ali Shariati also. FM ends Following are the excerpts: hard-nosed European evangelists admit that the modern Western powers led by the U.S. continue to wreak Islam is perhaps the most misunderstood and ma- world was built on the scientific breakthroughs made by havoc in the Muslim world and some of the Arab countries four-nation ligned religion today. What reasons would you attribute to it? Muslim scholars. Then what led to the decline and degen- have unfortunately become their pawns in this sinister game. tour A. Since Muslims themselves are not following the reli- eration of Muslims? How did you see this nexus? gion properly, behaving irresponsibly and defaming their A. Muslims left behind the basic sources of inspiration, A. It is really unfortunate that Muslims are helping their INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN — Pakistan’s Foreign Minister faith, Islam has become the most misunderstood religion i.e. the Quran, Sunnah and the path of pious Islamic per- enemies against fellow Muslims in different parts of the deskShah Mehmood Qureshi completed his in the world. We have a very strong case but our advocacy is sonalities. They manufactured sectarian divisions based world. Be it Russia or U.S., they are using Muslims and four-nation tour with a whirlwind visit to China on Tuesday, very weak. We need real representation on the global stage. on jurisprudential or political differences and allowed non- their resources to create their hegemony in several parts which has emerged as the strongest regional ally of Pakistan. Groups like ISIS, Taliban, Boko Haram have brought Muslim nations to exploit their resources owing to their of Muslim world especially West Asia. According to reports, the U.S. decision to pull nearly bad name to Islam and Muslims across the world. As a scholar backwardness in science and technology and human resource. Muslims have to realize that unity is important if they half of its troops from Afghanistan figured prominently in of Islam, how would you counter their narrative in the light Since the Islamic legacy was basically rooted in the fore- want to defeat their enemies. If Sunnis and Shias leave their talks between Qureshi and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. of Holy Quran? grounding and ambience created by Quran, the degeneration differences aside and focus on commonalities, there is no As China looks to expand its role as a peace broker in South A. All these groups are either being patronized by the of Muslims also started when their relation with Quran be- reason why they cannot regain their glorious traditions of Asia and play more active role in conflict-torn Afghanistan enemies of Islam or they are a misguided lot. The relationship came weak. They were rendered directionless in the wake of brotherhood. amidst the drawdown of U.S. forces, the meeting assumed between ‘superpowers’ and these groups can be proved by Greek philosophies replacing the pristine teachings of Quran. Three countries of Muslim world need to forge unity for significance. the fact that some of these groups used to sell oil to almost At a time when the despicable project of Takfirism unifying the whole Islamic world: Iran, Turkey and Saudi Earlier this month, officials from Afghanistan, Pakistan 40 European countries. How come it was possible that the is being used by enemies of Islam to create divisions, how Arabia .Though this proposition seems utopian right now, and China met in Kabul to discuss trade, development and powers that could topple big empires were showing timidity important has it become for Muslims to forge unity? but in the long run this is the only way to bring kinship among regional security issues. It was the second high-profile meet- before these groups. A. The only way to get rid of these ailments is to return all sections and factions of Muslims worldwide. ing between the three neighbors. In the West, Islamophobia and hate crimes against to the Quran, make unity among Muslims a duty for clergy What according to you is the biggest challenge facing Beijing has also hosted Taliban leaders in an effort to bring Muslims have grown alarmingly in recent years. Based on and intellectuals of community and work for reconciliation the Muslim Ummah today and what’s the solution? the warring sides in Afghanistan to the negotiating table. your research and observations, what has been the main on the basis of minimum common programme . A. The biggest issue for Muslims today is the lack of Islamic China has not made its official stance on the U.S. troop trigger for it? The minimum common programme can be chalked out education and the leadership based on Islamic ideals. And pullout from Afghanistan clear but experts say Beijing is A. The powers inimical to Islam have started an un-holy by identifying the basic survival denominators relevant to of course a group of thinkers who can understand the chal- willing to fill in the vacuum left by U.S. Pakistan on Saturday campaign against Islam and they are triggering this hate cam- both Sunni and Shia Muslims and those can be identified lenges posed to Muslims and Islam and exert their ijtihadi welcomed the decision to cut U.S. troop numbers calling it paign by spending lot of money for the purpose. Sometimes without any difficulty if we make our resolve to unite . capabilities to find solutions to these problems. “a step towards peace” in its war-torn neighbor. they even use Muslim countries to trigger these feelings and When the Western and European powers could take Muslim We need to join our efforts and heads to help each other in unfortunately these gullible Muslims don’t understand how countries along in their unholy war against various Muslim identifying these issues and use our resources for redressing Opposition they are being used against their own brethren. countries, why can’t Muslims forge unity among themselves the problems. We need a pan-Islamic approach to solve these These anti-Islamic forces start whipping sectarian passions for common causes like Palestine and non-interference of problems, and we can start by establishing linkages through activists by creating different lobbies within Muslims. The Quranic foreign powers in the affairs of Muslims worldwide. dialogue on intra-faith basis in various parts of the Muslim world. injunctions regarding the intrigues of enemies of Islam have The sagacity and magnanimity is needed to bring Muslims Muslim world today needs science and technology policy arrested in been disregarded by some Muslim countries and they have on one platform, not the sectarian approach both Sunnis and and cooperation among themselves to share their expertise Bangladesh ended up becoming pawns in the hands of these powers and Shias are adopting when it comes to the problems Muslim in this field. The Madrasatul Zahra envisaged by Nursi in have rendered Muslims vulnerable to conspiracies in the world is facing presently. Turkey and making Tehran the Geneva of Muslim world as INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN — Ahead of the bitterly con- Muslim lands itself! Kashmir is known for its syncretic Sufi culture. Could dreamed by Sir Mohammad Iqbal is one viable solution to desktested general elections in Bangladesh, the Muslims ruled the world for eight to nine centuries be briefly tell us about the genesis of Sufism in Kashmir our many problems. Sheikh Hasina government has reportedly arrested more than 10,500 opposition activists. Opposition parties have alleged that the unprecedented ‘Extermination’ of Shias continues in Pakistan crackdown and arrests since the election was called on No- vember 8 were intended to create a “climate of fear”. 1 In September this year, a report by are a potential target. There are heartrend- killings. Pertinently, the country has a grim reflects systematic extermination of Shias in “Every day 80 to 90 of our activists have been arrested UK-based Global Extremism Monitor made ing tales of helplessness, bravery, resistance, history when it comes to targeted attacks on the country. This diabolic project is designed nationwide,” opposition leader Shafiqur Rahman was quoted a stunning disclosure. Ninety five percent of loyalty, pride and honor. Hazara Shias. and conceived in Riyadh and executed by saying by AFP. “These arrests have created a climate of fear.” sectarian violence all over the world in 2017, To their credit, Shias of Pakistan are a The community has been targeted for their lackeys across Pakistan. Police spokesman Sohel Rana did not confirm any figure it said, was focused on the Shia community. proud community and staunch nationalists. more than a decade, with attacks mostly Why is the killing of innocent Shia civil- for arrests but said they did not make “unnecessary arrests” And Pakistan figured on a list of countries It is the unflinching love for their country claimed by Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Sipah e ians no longer a soul-wrenching episode without warrants. “We never target any individual unless they most affected by violent religious extremism. that gives them courage to walk the tightrope Sahab Pakistan (SSP). According to Pakistan’s in Pakistan, Saad Rasool wrote in The Na- break the law. These people have specific warrants against It won’t be exaggeration to state that in the between life and death. National Commission for Human Rights, at tion. Perhaps because, as The Daily Times them,” he was quoted in the report. killing fields of Pakistan death is a statistic. Just last month, a suicide bomber rammed least 509 Hazaras have been killed in Quetta editorial noted, “it has become part and Rizvi Ahmed, spokesman of the main opposition party led There have been countless attacks on the through a market place outside a Shia religious since 2013. parcel of living in Pakistan, and to accept by former prime minister Khaleda Zia, said the charges laid members of Shia community – politicians, seminary in border district of Khyber Pakh- The phenomenon of ‘disappearances’ has that Shias are killed as a matter of routine against party activists were “fictitious” and “ghost cases” aiming activists, artists, teachers, clerics – in recent tunkhwa province, killing at least 30 people. also assumed alarming proportions in recent violence.” for “a lopsided election” in favour of Sheikh Hasina’s party. years. The manner in which most of these Pakistan’s minister for human rights years. More than 140 Shias have ‘disappeared’ Abidi’s killing, regardless of what some Hasina and Zia have been political foes since the incep- targeted attacks are carried our bear strik- Shireen Mazari blamed the U.S. failures in in the country over the past two years, ac- ‘social media warriors’ may proclaim, has tion of democracy in the country in 1991. They have both ing similarity. neighboring Afghanistan for the attack. “As cording to reports. The families believe they to do with his sectarian identity as much as been in power but Hasina’s current tenure has lasted since Human rights campaigners have often the U.S. fails in Afghanistan, Pakistan should were taken into custody by the intelligence his political affiliations. His tragic death has 2009 and Zia’s jail term this year prevented her from taking blamed country’s security and intelligence be prepared for fallout and we must ensure agencies for alleged links to Zainabiyoun generated palpable buzz on social media with part in the election. agencies of either being involved in the at- greater security for our tribal areas especially Brigade, a Pakistani militia fighting against condemnations pouring in from all quarters, Civil society and rights groups have accused Hasina’s tacks or incapable of dealing with the scourge. protection of our people,” she tweeted. foreign-backed mercenaries in Syria. including his political opponents, but it will government of crushing dissent and muzzling the press In Karachi, for example, people are no In May this year, Hazara Shias in south- Violence against Shias in Pakistan, whether fizzle out soon. Like other Shia victims before through a strict digital-security law. strangers to violence and vicious targeted western Pakistani city of Quetta held five- in Karachi, or Quetta, or Parachinar, or Se- him, he will also be forgotten. He will also killings. If you fit a certain stereotype, you day sit-in against the unrelenting targeted hwan Sharif, or Noorani Shah, or Shikarpur be reduced to a statistic. ساعت: امضاء صفحه آرا: ساعت: امضاء مسئول صفحه: ساعت: امضاء ادیتور: ساعت: امضاء سردبیر:

I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 27, 2018 ANALYSIS & INTERVIEW 7 The many challenges of Further cooperation among Iran, Russia and Turkey assisting those affected by war necessary in Syria: Logoglu 1 The way we work is to have a dialogue submit names to try to find them. We also with all parties of the conflict, even beyond have to check databases to see if the person Touching upon the Iraq. In Afghanistan we held talks with the in Iraq is now in a detention center in Syria. 1 resons behind the U.S. presi- Taliban, but with them we did not manage to Then we can connect with our ICRC Syrian dent’s decision to pull out from have such a high-level dialogue. Our presence office for more information on him and that Syria, Logoglu said, “While a was limited in the area which was under the is how we connect our different operations. belated step in the right direc- control of ISIS. This limited our support for a If the person is not found then he is a missing tion, the U.S. pullout alone is not large part of the population who was affected person. Missing persons and their families necessarily a blessing without by the humanitarian consequences of ISIS. have needs and have the right to know what other powers leaving at the same. Today, we have access to all of Iraq. happened and where their loved one is. We President Trump wishes to divert Were you ever threatened by the ter- can deal with death, we can deal with detain- the attention of the American rorist groups? ees, but when someone has not appeared that people from his domestic trou- A. We never got direct threats [from ISIS]; chapter always remains open for their relative. bles, aims to please the average however, not having a dialogue also means The situation in Iraq is getting better America family at the holiday that is difficult to understand our acceptance. relatively, but a country that faced years of season by bringing troops home No threat doesn’t mean that we are accepted. war under the Saddam Hussein regime, and and as in Afghanistan, wants to walk away from the cost of fighting However, we were not targeted. We could ac- then came the Iraq war, and later fell into the ISIL in Syria. These are all “America-first” reasons.” tually work in fairly safe conditions; but there hands of ISIS, still suffers from tremendous Commenting on the consequences of the U.S. pull out he went is the risk of being in the wrong place at the humanitarian issues. Could you shed light on on to say, “The withdrawal could however be of some value if it wrong time. what your organization has taken up to aid serves to energize the UN Geneva peace process for Syria. Turkey Landmines left from Saddam Hussein’s the war-torn country? could thus turn the US pullout into an opportunity by pressing war against Iran in the 80s still take tolls in A. I think what is really important at ICRC we so people can return back. And that is probably Iraq the foreign nationals are arrested or are for the formation of the constitutional committee and for it to border areas; painful stories that Iranians are working with a mandate. And the mandate why Iran-Iraq border area has never been a top in detention centers run by the government. start its deliberations.” losing limbs in those areas emerge once in is not just to provide humanitarian assistance. priority. Iraq has been in cycles of conflicts, They are primarily detained and then tried. We He added, “With the pullout, President Trump has tendered a while. Has your organization thought of a We should provide help to all affected on all it has rarely seen a stable moment since the visit them. Some of them have small children, the fight against ISIL to its coalition partners, but most par- solution to rid Iran’s border of landmines? sides that is very specific and often very dif- Iran-Iraq war. and also there are unaccompanied children ticularly to Turkey. He tweeted so specifically, saying President A. Unfortunately, it is always a sad situation, ficult to understand. They ask us how come Iraq has millions of displaced nationals. whose parents were killed during hostilities, Erdogan is the person to finish ISIL. So now Turkey is faced because these are the mines that are dating you help terrorists. But we have a mandate to Just six millions were displaced when ISIS and for these children we try to locate their with the double task of fighting both ISIL and PYD/YPG which back to the 80s. We don’t demine, because help all victims and we have also a mandate attacked the country. Based on reports, over 3 families. With unaccompanied children if there for Ankara is the Syrian extension of the terrorist organization that is really the government’s job, but what to promote the law, which is the international million have returned. The Iraqis who fled the is legitimate family who will take them back PKK. In the meantime, the American decision is likely to push the we are doing is that we would do mine risk humanitarian law. country empty handed need ID documents, we could repatriate them with their families, PYD/YPG into a closer relationship with the Syrian government. education sessions for schools, children, com- Now that the terrorist group is defeat- cash donation, shelter, etc. to return. What because these children are not detained and Any new military operations by Turkey could, therefore, be met munities. We also do it with the Iraqi Red ed, have you been able to bring communities has your organization offered the Iraqis who are victims in the situation. with resistance from an alliance between Esad and PYD/YPG.” Crescent Society. Now, the biggest problem back together? are willing to return or have already returned? For the fighters who are detained, some Referring to the significance of more cooperation among Iran, is that you have to actually demarcate huge A. I think what we often think is when the A. It was a very fast paced displacement in may be females. We look at their condition Russia and Turkey after Trump’s game changing act, Logoglu areas of desert that has different layers and so war is over, the situation becomes normal. Iraq. It was millions in a moment, but in parallel and try to establish the family links. If there is said, “Nuances among Turkey, Russia, and Iran will henceforth you have to be cautious about the area. One But I think when the war is over we see how we also already had the return process going communication, we often do it with Red Cross be more pronounced as their interests and priorities differ in of the other challenges is that the climate is much humanitarian aid is needed. Some- on. When the first areas were retaken by the massages. That was the case way back during Syria, especially now that the U.S. has changed the rules of the changing so you can suddenly have floods in times the need might be a little bit different, government, people had started to return back the Iraq-Iran war, that we had exchanges of game. There will thus be a need for tighter coordination between these areas. With heavy rains in these areas where at the beginning we distribute food and rehabilitation had already started there. massages, so the prisoners can write on family Turkey, Russia, and Iran, including on Ankara’s concerns and there is possibility of landslide, which can and water, but at the end of the war it’s less We were always quick to assist. We provided matters. For children we try to reunify them intended steps in Syria.” move the landmines. the need of the people. What people need is material to the Iraqi Red Crescent, so they with their families and find ways for their re- Commenting on the possible Saudi’s role in reconstruction of Now, in addition, you have much more may be to find their missing relatives. What were on the frontline first, sometimes with patriation, because otherwise they’ll end up Syria and its possible destructive role and policies near Turkey’s weapon contamination in the recently affected the people need is to visit their people in ready-made food, and then we would help out in orphanages in Iraq. These children often borders, he said, “The reconstruction of Syria, once peace and areas of the conflict. I remember Ramadi after detention centers. Detainees might need in the back the camps. The United Nations or don’t speak English and some are very young stability are secured, will be a gigantic task. It will be up to the the big fighting. When the army took back support of the authorities in detention, but the other organizations who partnered up with and don’t speak at all. We try to link their na- Government of Syria who does what and under which conditions. the town under their control, Ramadi was left the healing process after many decades of the UN, they managed the camps and went on tionality to countries and families and families Like others, Saudi Arabia may take a role in rebuilding Syria – there with a lot of mines or booby traps, weapons, conflict is not easy. What we also try is to see providing food and support on a monthly basis, who search for their children or grandchildren. is no problem with that. For Turkey, however, our neighbor Syria explosives, unexploded weapons, ordinances different vulnerability of the families. The because they needed regular support. When And that is a very time-consuming work. But will always only be the people and the Government of Syria. It is all around. I So to clear all these areas is quite destruction in Iraq and Syria is so massive the return started, we also did the evaluation in we don’t repatriate fighters back home, it’s incumbent upon Turkey to develop a strategy for the post-conflict challenging, because it uses a lot of human that will take years to rebuild. the places or homes to see whether they have only their children. Syria and assume a major role in the country’s reconstruction.” resources and technical expertise. At ICRC access to shops, to market and as soon as this The non-profit organization, the ICRC, The battle in Mosul was a landmark we are contributing to mine awareness and is happening we started to give cash instead also assists Iraqis looking for missing family in fighting ISIS. How is the situation on the we have a team which is basically working of kind. Cash is easier because you don’t have members in Iraq. Could you explain further ground now? for the humanitarian projects. When we went the logistics, obviously, but also it gives the how the organization goes about locating these A: When you compare Iraq today to hostile to the field, we have our own specialists who family the freedom of choosing what is their missing people? activities that were taking place before, it has would go first to see if the area is safe, or when biggest priority and what they need most at A. Missing family members involves a similar definitely improved. The situation certainly Cabinet reshuffle in Afghan we would have rehabilitate water treatment that time. For some families it might be food, process; it is done mostly earlier. There are has stabilized, but the question is more how plant, or health center, or school, we would other families it might be school fees or so on. different ways when a person goes missing. It the government will be able to support and gov.; Reform or election first send in our team to make sure that it So it gives them more freedom. can be that the person is arrested, or has left address the needs of people who were affected has been properly cleared, just to make sure Your organization also gets engaged for another country, or is dead or abducted by the war, and those who weren’t. including game that we don’t have an accident or we do not in helping the families of ISIS-linked foreign and so on. The first thing we do is to get as the people of southern Iraq who have been expose more contractors or families to more fighters who are kept in detention. Could you much information as possible from the last neglected for many years and the people of danger. Because Iraq has such a big problem elaborate on that and what the organization scene where the person was seen, or arrested the Kurdistan region which observed a huge with weapon contamination, some feel the has done to bring these fighters back home? by whom, and so on. If we cannot find the number of displaced people. We need to take priority is to clear the cities and villages first, A. We don’t bring foreign fighters home. In person after visiting detention centers, we their needs into consideration, too. A Statement by Educational Activists in Support of Yemen’s Children ’Be the foe of the oppressor and the supporter of the oppressed‘ INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN — These days, even though they also take all measures to support children affected by as always white-collar spokesmen of international institutions deskmost media news are biased, limited but war” (Article 38). Also, the “2030 agenda for sustainable de- only “warned of humanitarian disaster” and showed concern astonishing and painful news is heard of a country that is de- velopment” emphasizes the establishment and strengthening and regret and avoided any urgent and appropriate action in prived of the most basic human rights and stands resistant of peace in the world, and in the appendix of objective 4-7, Yemen and the explicit condemnation of Western and Arab under oppression. promoting a culture of peace and anti-violence is mentioned. governments supporting Saudi Arabia. 1 On the other hand, the election of Zalmay Khalilzad, special Mark Lowcock (United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Article 11 of “The Presentations of the 2030 Education State- We are all responsible and educational and cultural society representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, was not much of Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator): The ment” also introduced violence and attacks on educational of the country holds more responsibility, because their mission welcome news to the Afghan National Unity Government. Khal- brutal economic warfare launched by anti-Yemen aggressors institutions as a disruption in education and has agreed to adopt is tied to “childhood”. Minds should be put to pondering, pens ilzad was so focused on strengthening the central government of has entered a new phase and as a result ,there is no possibility national, regional and international coordinated solutions to should be moved to illustrate the reality and tongues should Afghanistan and maintaining the political system of Afghanistan to prevent the widespread loss of the Yemeni people caused reduce the overall risks for the goal of maintaining the survival move for the purpose of speaking and demanding rightfulness. when he was the first U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, who met by hunger in all parts of the country. “ of education in situations of war and emergency. We should make our truth-seeking just hearts be the judge and consulted with Afghanistan’s then-president Hamid Karzai. UNICEF: “More than 11 million Yemeni children are suf- These laws of protecting children and protecting their right with the help of integrity and liberty. In his book “The Messenger”, Khalilzad wrote about what fering from the lack of food in the absence of humanitarian to education and security have filled the world while these days, We, activists in the field of education of children and adoles- the creators called saboteurs, pointing to the weakening of local aid. Every ten minutes a child in Yemen dies because of pre- we are faced with the inexcusable silence about the imposition cent, with the upcoming of December 18th “World Day Against commanders who had semi-autonomous areas: “No warlord can ventable diseases. ... 400,000 Yemeni children suffer from of extreme violence in Yemen by many governments signatory Violence and Extremism “will do everything in our power to offend Karzai as much as General Dostum. Karzai has decided severe malnutrition and fight to survive .More than 6,000 to these types of documents,So that it can be rightly claimed cry out the obvious violation of the basic human rights of the several times to arrest my friend, but I advised him once and for children have been killed or injured since the beginning of the that some of the advocates of these types of conventions have oppressed Yemeni people, especially the Yemeni children, all to keep the balance of power in the north and act with caution.” war against Yemen in 2015 ... More than 20,000 people are in restrained the Yemeni government of guaranteeing these rights and the double and discriminatory international standards It seems that “balance” and “precaution” have contributed to urgent need of water and food and medicine in Al-Hadida. “ with a comprehensive siege on Yemen . What is happening in and in this path, we invite all the community of education to the political scene, with the rejection of the central government Lise Grande (UN humanitarian Coordinator) says ;” Three Yemen indicates the ineffectiveness of the content of international accompany each other in any way possible. We hope that Imam of Afghanistan after the controversial 2014 election in addition quarters of Yemen’s residents and 80% of children need sup- documents, the imposition of inequitable discrimination on Mahdi (The waited upon peace -spreader) will remove the false to Ghani’s attempts to remove the effective Syndrome, warlord. port and assistance.” the fulfillment of basic human rights, the existence of double claims of peace and humanity with his rise and reappearance. With the marginalization of many political and jihadist lead- Associated Press correspondent wrote; “In a remote corner standards in dealing with nations and the gross violation of the Islamic Student Association of Iran ers, Ghani has culminated in political discontent, in which fewer of northern Yemen, there are many families whose children children’s rights. The main problem is the contradiction that Hayat Educational Foundation political influential figures can be like him. have nothing to eat but leaves of a local grape.” has been kept secret in the rush of world media emperors and Rab news agency ( Rabnews.ir ) Some believe that Khalilzad’s duties in Afghanistan include On March 25, 2016 a full-scale war against the Yemeni the negligence of most people. The contradiction is between Tavana Educational Campus “national unity, elections and the national reconciliation process.” people, including children and adolescents led by Saudi Arabia, the content of these documents and what actually occurs in Kids news agency (koodakpress.ir) It is that the introduction of Khalilzad in such a situation meant and the formation of an American-Zionist coalition began with countries such as Yemen, Syria and Palestine, and only a small Child portal (Farzandportal.ir) the failure of the Afghan government to meet these three goals. the purpose of surrendering Yemeni people and preventing the number of it is exposed by small cyberspace cracks. It seems Student Center of Islamic Psychology, University of Tehran Perhaps this is because the Afghan Presidential Palace did not formation of an independent government, And now, nearly that these documents, in addition to age, take into account the Popular library of Amir Hossein Fardi publish a formal statement to welcome Khalilzad. four years after the beginning of the war, the aforementioned grading of nationalities subtlety in the definition of “childhood” Karamat; The center of growth and teacher training The unprecedented rise in violence, blind executions and reports only showcase a few of the crimes against humanity and define “humanity” in another context. Sama-e-tarbaiat Institute Taliban progress, to the extent that the United States says that that are taking place in Yemen. All of these statistics are being What is happening these days to the Yemeni people brings Koodakmagazine almost half of Afghanistan’s territory has dominated and the transmitted during the years when international organizations out every truth-seeking conscience to seek justice. Here is where Imam Sadiq (PBUH) Educational Cultural Complex Taliban’s lack of willingness to negotiate with the government and institutions have placed emphasize on the elimination of every peaceful person and justice seeker must cry: Yemeni Seraj educational complex shows that America has lost hope in the power of the Afghan violence against civilians, and in particular the protection of children are also “children.” Ruhollah Training Center National Unity government. children’s rights; “Every child has the right to live and this is We are all responsible; Shahid hojaji Training Center In the current situation, Ghani is trying to use different people his/her inherent right to life” (Article 6 of the Convention on Firstly we, the activists of education of Islamic Iran address Qur’an and Itrat School of Tehran University Students in the government, change the alignment of the national unity the Rights of the Child ). These organizations have adopted our words to those who have chosen to be silent in the face MadreseNama government, and dismiss some of the vertices in the government a global consensus on the “Convention on the Rights of the of this contradiction while insisting on the value of “peace” Peyvand Educational Support Center structure is an attempt on his part to improve the situation in Child” that says; Governments officially recognize the right of and emphasizing “children’s rights” and the need to protect Imam Sajjad (PBUH) Center for Strategic Educational Studies his favor. the child to have “ Health and use of all facilities for the survival, it. The international community and the United Nation as Kindergarten portal (mahdportal.ir) Many analysts also believe that Asadullah Khalid and Amrullah treatment of illness and rehabilitation of health. (Article 24), the communicators of these laws are well aware that the de- Qaaf Institute Saleh, although having good experience in security institutions, a level of life that is appropriate to his or her physiological , parture of Yemen from the humanitarian crisis requires the Tali’e Rooyesh Institute will not succeed in the positions of the Ministry of Defense and physical, ethnic and social development (Article 27), and the removal of economic and medical sieges and the stopping of Borhan foundation the Minister of the Interior. For this reason, these measures are right to education “(Article 28); And “under war conditions, rape and mass murder, But after a few years of this genocide, Hedayat-e-mizan institiute more of election game than reform. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 8 ADVERTISEMENTS DECEMBER 27, 2018

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II NN TT EE RR NN AA TT II OO NN AA LL DD AA II LL YY DECEMBERDECEMBER 27,27, 20182018 HEALTHADVERTISEMENT 99

National plan on Tehrani citizens donate $1.6m to welfare organization

HEALTH TEHRAN — Tehran residents donated rehabilitation drafted desk70 billion Rials (about $1.6 million) to the State Welfare Organization over the first nine months of the HEALTH TEHRAN — A national and enhance their quality of life,” Jogha- current Iranian calendar year (started March 21), said the desk plan aiming to facilitate taei remarked. organization’s director. the provision of rehabilitation services by “Rehabilitation services need to be com- Around 40 billion Rials (about $950,000) of the donations promoting cooperation between the Health bined with medical care and professional were in goods and 30 billion rials (about $715,000) were Ministry and other organizations was drafted, counseling,” he added. in cash, Mohammad Rahim Fazelinejad told Tasnim news announced Mohammad Taqi Joghataei, an “Currently there are only 200 rehabili- agency on Wednesday. advisor to the health minister for rehabili- tation beds available, while there is urgent Currently, the State Welfare Organization supports around tation services. need for 4,000 beds, at least,” he further 100,000 people including the physically challenged, patients A draft of the plan is ready but it yet to be remarked, adding, “the shortage of beds is with neurosychological disorders, children without caretakers approved by the High Council of Health and due to the lack of insurance coverage and and breadwinner women, he added. Nutrition Security, IRNA quoted Joghataei the high expenses of supplying such beds.” “Since the beginning of the current [Iranian calendar] as saying on Wednesday. In October, an official with the Red Cres- year, 22,000 new people with disabilities who were on the “Rehabilitation services should increase cent Society (IRCS) announced that Com- waiting list, were registered in the organization; however, across the country. Currently, physical re- prehensive rehabilitation centers would be there are still 3,000 people awaiting to be supported by the habilitation is the only provided service that established in all provinces by the Iranian organization,” he further noted. merely covers a small number of patients with calendar month of Bahman (January 21-Feb- Earlier this month, the then organization’s director, Anoush- physical impairments or disabilities such ruary 19, 2019). irvan Mohseni Bandpey said over 50,000 job opportunities as spinal cord diseases and musculoskeletal Comprehensive rehabilitation centers of would be generated by the Organization for the individuals system disorders,” he noted. IRCS are set to offer physiotherapy, occupa- under the Organization’s coverage in the next Iranian calendar “Rehabilitation services must also target tional therapy, speech therapy, orthosis and year (March 2019-March 2020). patients with neuropsychological impairment prosthetics services, said Hasan Safarieh. causing from acquired brain injuries (such According to him, some 10 percent of the as stroke, concussion, neurosurgery), spinal population in Iran are suffering disabilities, cord injuries, growth disorders, Parkinson of which about two percent are financially Strong link found between and Multiple sclerosis (MS), helping them struggling and need help and support to be regain part of their precognitive abilities provided with rehabilitation services. back pain and mortality

Tehran to host 3rd intl. personalized Just 6 months of walking may boost A prospective analysis of back pain and rates of disability may help explain the association between back pain and mortality. medical congress aging brains Back pain is common and often debilitating. Back pain is very common, affecting millions of people HEALTH TEHRAN — The third “In cancer, for example, personalized Walking and other types of moder- The effect was equivalent to shaving desk worldwide. International Personal- medicine would reveal the possibility of ate exercise may help turn back the about nine years from their brain age, It is also a major cause of disability and missed work days. ized Medical Congress of Iran will be held getting the diseases, and lead to early clock for older adults who are losing said lead researcher James Blumenthal, Risk factors such as posture, sedentary lifestyle, weight on February 13-15, 2019 in Tehran. diagnosis, so the treatment will be both their mental sharpness, a new clinical a professor at Duke University School gain, obesity, and age can all contribute to the development Personalized medicine is a medical timely and more compatible with each trial finds. of Medicine, in Durham, N.C. of this condition. model that separates people into different patients’ individual conditions,” said The study focused on older adults In contrast, those same mental The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke groups—with medical decisions, practic- Houshmand. who had milder problems with memory abilities kept declining among study suggest that around 80 percent of adults experience back pain es, interventions and/or products being “Genetic analysis will also help with and thinking skills. The researchers participants who received health ed- at least once in their life. tailored to the individual patient based infertility as it can reveal the causes of found that six months of moderate ucation only. A United States telephone survey showed that the preva- on their genetics, predicted response or this condition and reveal possible treat- exercise -- walking or pedaling a sta- Experts said the findings support the lence of chronic back pain more than doubled in the 14-year risk of disease. ments,” he added. tionary bike -- turned some of those general concept that a healthy lifestyle interval between 1992 and 2006, and that it was greater The congress is mainly about cancer, “Another area of focus is pharma- issues around. can help protect the brain as you age. in women. cardiovascular diseases and infertility. cogenomics which help the selection of Specifically, exercisers saw improve- “And it’s never too late to start,” said Back pain can be acute or chronic. Acute back pain can last Personalized medicine can help the pre- best drugs for each patient especially ments in their executive function -- the Keith Fargo, director of scientific pro- for a few days to a couple of weeks, and it usually resolves on vention of these conditions and choose the the ones suffering from cardiovascular brain’s ability to pay attention, regulate grams and outreach for the Alzheimer’s its own. Approximately 20 percent of people with acute low right course of treatment for individuals diseases,” he noted. behavior, get organized and achieve Association. “The people in this study back pain develop chronic low back pain. based on their genetics, personal history Pharmacogenomics is a branch of goals. And those who also made some were older, already had cognitive [men- Chronic back pain lasts for 3 months or longer. Chronic and environmental factors, IRIB quoted genetics concerned with determining healthy diet changes, including eating tal] impairments and cardiovascular back pain may be due to underlying conditions such as oste- Massoud Houshmand, the congress’s sci- the likely response of an individual to more fruits and vegetables, showed risk factors, and they were sedentary.” oporosis and cancer. entific secretary, as saying on Tuesday. therapeutic drugs. somewhat bigger gains. (Source: webmd.com) (Source: medical news today)

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Over 6800 historical objects Ski resorts draw thousands retrieved in 9 months of tourists in Iran TOURISM TEHRAN – The snow- road to Dizin that starts from northeast deskcapped highlands above Tehran. Tehran are home to some of the world’s top Despite Shemshak and Darbandsar are ski resorts which offer powder chasers refuge both smaller than Dizin, they boast remarka- from the hustle and bustle of city life. ble terrain on-piste and towering mountains Nestled in the foothills of the Alborz behind. Shemshak has two main lifts which Mountains, Dizin, Tochal, Shemshak and are double chairs. Visitors will be astound Darbandsar are all under-two-hour drive with mountain vistas, and some very nice north from Tehran. They are elevated enough off-piste runs. to retain their snow quite well as the season Darbandsar is a little smaller and it has usually stretches from November all the way a sole main lift. The resort is sloped on one through to May. Here is a look into the resorts, side which means you are skiing on the side which are dotted across the rugged Alborz of the mountain a little bit. mountain range. Tochal HERITAGE TEHRAN — Police in Iran recovered 6810 Dizin The smallest of the four, Tochal can be deskhistorical objects from smugglers or illegal Established in 1969, Dizin is the most reached via a four-mile journey by cable car diggers over the first nine months of the current Iranian calen- important ski area not only in Iran but the that leaves from the northern suburbs of dar year (started March 21), a senior police official in charge of Middle East, a region not noted for much Tehran. At 3963m, Tochal ski resort is the protecting cultural heritage said on Tuesday. snow except at higher elevations in winter. fifth highest resort in the world, ensuring a A total of 1654 culprits were detained in this regard and Located some 120km north of Tehran, long season from December to at least April surrendered to judicial system for further investigation, Amir Dizin is equipped with three gondolas and and sometimes June. Rahmatollahi said, IRNA reported. “In this connection, 15,312 12 chairlifts. It takes around two hours to Tochal is good for convenience and price, fake objects were confiscated as well.” Iran hosts some of the get there if the road is quite clear. but the better terrain may be found at the world’s oldest cultural monuments including bazaars, museums, It reaches an altitude of 3,600 meters. other resorts. mosques, bridges, bathhouses, madrasas, gardens, rich natural, Terrain at this resort is great for those inter- When it comes to comfortable accommo- rural landscapes as well as 22 UNESCO World Heritage sites. mediate skiers and boarders trying to move dation, both Dizin and Shemshak have large into that more advanced category. hotels that will almost always have space. It also offers smaller and easier hikes for There are also several privately-owned cot- skiers and boarders beginning to dabble in crowds it might be preferable to get there Road on to Shemshak Road and eventually tages around that can be rented out. Prices 8-century-old footprints backcountry terrain. Overall, Dizin may be midweek. to Shemshak-Dizin Road directly to Dizin. for these vary on the quality of the cottage. best for intermediates. The Chalous Road, in northern , will Shemshak and Darbandsar Nightlife can be limited in resorts as most found in historical Kadikalesi Since the resort is very busy on weekends take you to Dizin Ski Resort, or from north- Shemshak and Darbandsar are neigh- Iranians prefer to socialize at home in the and holidays, for those wishing to escape eastern Tehran there is a route from Fasham bors. They are situated on the breathtaking evening.

Iran’s windmills a step closer to Shahr-e Sokhta yields rare UNESCO listing 4000-year-old relics

Archeologists have discovered cat and dog paw traces on brick and roof tiles that are nearly eight centuries old at the Kadikalesi archaeological site in Aydin’s Kushadasi district. Dating back to more some 5,000 years, Kadikalesi was his- torically known as Anaia. It is 8 kilometers away from the city center. Archeologists have discovered numerous artifacts that shed light on the regions ancient social and commercial life. The excavations were carried out under professor Zeynep Mer- cangoz, head of the Byzantine Art Department at Ege University. Experts have discovered collections of ceramics, potteries and HERITAGE TEHRAN — Iran’s “Asbad is a smart technique to grind HERITAGE TEHRAN – Iran’s The remains of the mudbrick city rep- utensils at the site. By looking at the various forms, colors and deskcultural heritage body grains, a technique which goes back to deskUNESCO-registered resent the emergence of the first complex rich motifs on the ceramics, it can be said that Kadikalesi was a has almost completed preparations for a ancient times when the people living in Shahr-e Sokhta has yielded tens of rare societies in eastern Iran. rich and qualified production center. In addition, archaeologists chain of ancient vertical-axis windmills the eastern parts of Iran, in an attempt relics which date back to over 4000 years Founded around 3200 BC, it was also found some interesting details about the regions social life. for possibly becoming a UNESCO World to adapt themselves with the nature and ago, IRNA reported on Tuesday. populated during four main periods up Continuously inhabited since ancient times due to its strategic Heritage. transform environmental obstacles into “A total of 26 burial chambers have been to 1800 BC, during which time there de- location, Kadikalesi was also home to ancient bricks and roof Vertical-axis windmills, which are opportunities, managed to invent it,” ac- unearthed recently that led to discovery veloped several distinct areas within the tiles, dating back to as far as the 1200s. And some of them had locally known as “asbads” can be found cording to UNESCO website. of potteries, beads, small metal objects city: those where monuments were built, cat and dog footprints. in Sistan-Baluchestan, South Khorasan “The earliest-known references to and a piece of marble torch,” said Seyyed and separate quarters for housing, burial Mercangoz told Anadolu Agency (AA) that the castle at the and Khorasan Razavi provinces, south- windmills are to a Persian millwright in Mansour Seyyed Sajjadi who led the site’s and manufacture. site, built during Byzantine period, was used as an acropolis. It east, south, and northeast of the country, 644 CE and to windmills in Seistan [Sis- 17th archaeological season. According to UNESCO, diversions in also has a 5th-century church inside. respectively. “Documentation, surveying, tan], Iran, in 915 CE,” the Encyclopedia “The excavated objects date from a water courses and climate change led to (Source: Daily Sabah) photogrammetry of 30 asbads, which are Britannica says. time span between 4800 to 4200 years the eventual abandonment of the city in situated in the historical part of Khaf (coun- Dotted in Sistan-Baluchestan, South ago.” the early second millennium. try), are being completed by a group of six Khorasan and Khorasan Razavi provinc- “Significant part of our research in The structures, burial grounds and ROUND THE GLOBE experts and according to UNESCO-defined es, such windmills are fueled with strong Shahr-e Sokhta deals with studies in bo- large number of significant artefacts un- criteria,” IRNA quoted a local official as northern winds blow throughout the year tanical archeology and anthropology,” the earthed there, and their well-preserved saying on Wednesday. in the eastern parts of the country. senior archaeologist added. state due to the dry desert climate, make Baekje Historic Areas Architectural plans, facades, cross-sec- A number of asbads have so far been Shahr-e Sokhta, meaning ‘Burnt this site a rich source of information tion geometry, photogrammetry measure- restored and brought back to life to testify City’, is located at the junction of regarding the emergence of complex Located in the mountainous mid-western region of the Republic ments, and their ownership are amongst before visitors how ancient Iranians har- Bronze Age trade routes crossing the societies and contacts between them of Korea, Baekje Historic Areas comprises eight archaeological issues being investigated. nessed the wind to make a living. Iranian plateau. in the third millennium BC. sites dating from 475 to 660 CE. The remains of three capital cities collectively represent the later period of the Baekje Kingdom as it reached its peak in terms of cultural development involving frequent commu- Four ways to book a luxury cruise for less nication with neighboring regions. The Baekje lasted 700 years from 18 BC to 660 CE and was By Shivani Vora Consider a “guarantee” cabin Some cruises offer the option to book a one of the three earliest kingdoms on the Korean peninsula. Cruising can be a pricey way to get away, but The Baekje Historic Areas serial property comprises eight “guarantee,” which means that you’re guar- these tips will help you book even a high-end anteed to have a room in the class you select cruise and keep enough in your wallet to (e.g., a balcony cabin or an inside cabin) but enjoy your destination. don’t have an official cabin assignment until A luxury cruise usually comes with luxury just before your trip. pricing, but there are ways to save money on “By definition, you will either be assigned your next onboard getaway, said Judy Perl, a cabin in the category you are guaranteed a cruise specialist and the founder of Judy in or higher,” Ms. Perl said. “You would be Perl Worldwide Travel. “You can get a lot surprised how often upgrades occur, which more for your money if you know what to are worth hundreds and even thousands of look for when picking an itinerary,” she said. dollars.” Here, she offers some tips to get the most Spring for the all-inclusive on- bang for your buck the next time you book board package a cruise: Do your research before booking a cruise Look for “positioning cruises” that seems more attractively priced, com- Five-story Stone Pagoda at Jeongnimsa Temple Site In the cruise industry, “positioning cruis- pared with others you’re interested in, Ms. es” (sometimes referred to as “repositioning archaeological sites dating from 475-660 CE including the Perl said, because that price may not include cruises,”) are ones where a ship relocates from amenities you’re looking forward to. Drinks, Gongsanseong fortress and royal tombs at Songsan-ri relat- one region to the next. According to Ms. Perl, ed to the Ungjin capital Gongju; the Archaeological Site in meals in the ship’s specialty restaurants, Wi- these itineraries are generally lower-priced Fi or gratuities may all be on you, when you Gwanbuk-ri and Busosanseong Fortress, Jeongnimsa Tem- because they’re often one-way tickets from ple Site, royal tombs in Neungsan-ri and Naseong city wall could have saved by booking an all-inclusive one location to another, and they often occur package. related to the Sabi capital Buyeo; the Archaeological Site in during the off-season or shoulder seasons. Wanggung-ri and the Mireuksa Temple Site in Iksan related Booking an all-inclusive cruise which in- Examples of these cruises include a and many even allow you to search specifically For example, many cruise lines offer “ship cludes all these extras (and open bar, too) and to the secondary Sabi capital. trans-Atlantic crossing from Miami to Lis- Together these sites testify to the adoption by the Baekje of for them on their websites. within a ship” areas with restricted access, sometimes, even shore excursions (especially bon in time for the Mediterranean sailing Look for high-end rooms on a and amenities only available to passengers on river cruises), will almost certainly save Chinese principles of city planning, construction technology, season, a coastal cruise from Los Angeles to arts and religion; their refinement by the Baekje and subse- budget-friendly ships staying in that part of the ship. Those amenities you money and give you flexibility, especially Vancouver in time for Alaska’s season and Spring for top category staterooms on can include early boarding, butler or laundry if you’re not the type to track every dollar quent distribution to Japan and East Asia. one from New York to St. Thomas in time The archaeological sites and architecture of the Baekje lower-priced ships, Ms. Perl said. “Most services, a private restaurant, pool, or even you spend on vacation. for Caribbean season. cruises lines have dedicated staff and areas dedicated spa access — those perks can be “An all-inclusive cruise may have a higher Historic Areas exhibit the interchange between the ancient “Even the priciest cruise lines offer deals East Asian kingdoms in Korea, China and Japan in the develop- on ships which are only for guests who book pricey, but if you get them on a budget-friendly cost, but you’ll end up saving money overall on these sailings, compared with what their these rooms,” she said. “You’ll get a large ship, you can enjoy a high-end experience and won’t be nickel-and-dimed throughout ment of construction techniques and the spread of Buddhism. other itineraries cost,” Ms. Perl said. Virtually (Source: UNESCO) room or suite and outstanding amenities overall for less than if you’d booked the same your trip,” Ms. Perl said. every cruise line offers positioning cruises, and service.” cabin type on a pricier ship or cruise line. (Source: The New York Times) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 27, 2018 SCIENCE 11

Former NASA astronaut calls human Scientists develop a safe, wearable soft sensor mission to Mars ‘stupid and ridiculous’ Children born prematurely often develop neuromotor and cognitive developmental disabilities. The best way to reduce the impacts of those disabilities is to catch them early through a series of cognitive NASA prepares new human missions to moon by the end of the 1960s, the BBC and motor tests. But accurately measuring and recording the motor the Moon. It also wants to learn the skills report said. functions of small children is tricky. As any parent will tell you, and develop the technology to enable a “NASA couldn’t get to the moon today. toddlers tend to dislike wearing bulky devices on their hands and future human landing on Mars. They’re so ossified … NASA has turned into have a predilection for ingesting things they shouldn’t. Bill Anders, 85, said he is a “big sup- a jobs program … many of the centers are Harvard University research- porter” of the “remarkable” unmanned mainly interested in keeping busy and you ers have developed a soft, non-tox- programs, “mainly because they’re much don’t see the public support other than ic wearable sensor that unobtru- cheaper”. But he added the public support they get the workers their pay and their sively attaches to the hand and simply was not there to fund vastly more congressmen get re-elected,” Anders said. measures the force of a grasp and expensive human missions. He was also critical of the decision to the motion of the hand and fingers. “What’s the imperative? What’s pushing focus on near-Earth orbit exploration after The research was published in us to go to Mars?” he said, adding “I don’t the completion of the Apollo program in Advanced Functional Materials think the public is that interested”. the 1970s. and is a collaboration between The Robotic probes have been exploring Mars. A serious error Harvard John A. Paulson School of In November, the InSight lander, which “I think the space shuttle was a serious Engineering and Applied Sciences would sample the planet’s interior, suc- error. It hardly did anything except have (SEAS), The Wyss Institute for cessfully touched down at Elysium Planitia. an exciting launch, but it never lived up Biologically Inspired Engineering, In December 1968, Anders, along with to its promise,” he said. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical crewmates Frank Borman and Jim Lovell, The “space station is only there because Center, and Boston Children’s Hospital. lifted off from Cape Canaveral in Florida you had a shuttle, and vice-versa. NASA “We have developed a new type of conductive liquid that is no atop a Saturn V, before completing 10 orbits really mismanaged the manned program more dangerous than a small drop of salt water,” said Siyi Xu, a around the moon. since the late lunar landings.” graduate student at SEAS and first author of the paper. “It is four Twenty hours spent in orbit It’s a view that might seem surprising times more conductive than previous biocompatible solutions, The crew of Apollo 8 spent 20 hours in However, the former astronaut was since the heady days of President John from a proud patriot and servant of the leading to cleaner, less noisy data.” orbit, before returning to Earth. scathing about how NASA has evolved F. Kennedy’s pledge to land a man on the U.S. military, who still remembers his own Harvard’s Office of Technology Development has filed a port- They splashed down in the Pacific on mission to space with great fondness. folio of intellectual property relating to the architecture of novel December 27, landing just 4,500 meters Anders’ view doesn’t sit too well with soft sensors and is seeking commercialization opportunities for from their target point. They were picked In December 1968, Anders, along with some in the space community. these technologies. up by the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown. “I think NASA’s lucky to have what crewmates Frank Borman and Jim Lovell, The sensing solution is made from potassium iodide, which is It was the furthest humans had ever they’ve got — which is still hard, in my a common dietary supplement, and glycerol, which is a common been from their home planet at that point lifted off from Cape Canaveral in Florida mind, to justify. I’m not a very popular guy food additive. After a short mixing period, the glycerol breaks the — and a vital stepping stone on the road at NASA for saying that, but that’s what I atop a Saturn V, before completing 10 orbits crystal structure of potassium iodide and forms potassium cations to Apollo 11’s historic moon landing just think,” he explained. (K+) and iodide ions (I-), making the liquid conductive. seven months later. around the moon. (Source: news18.com) “We often see that children who are born early or who have been diagnosed with early developmental disorders have highly sensitive skin,” said Eugene Goldfield, coauthor of the study and an Associate Camera trap study reveals the hidden Aircraft SR-71 Blackbird still Professor in the Program in Behavioral Sciences at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School and Associate Faculty Member lives of island carnivores the fastest plane on Earth of the Wyss Institute at Harvard University. (Source: eurekalert.org)

Lean electrolyte design is a game-changer for magnesium batteries

Researchers from the University of Houston and the Toyota Research Institute of America have discovered a promising new version of high-energy magnesium batteries, with potential applications ranging from electric vehicles to battery storage for renewable energy systems. The battery, reported Dec. 21 in Joule, is the first reported to operate with limited electrolytes while using an organic electrode, a change the researchers said allows it to store and discharge far more energy than earlier magnesium batteries. They used a chloride-free Researchers placed 160 cameras on 19 of the The research offers new insights into a Capable of cruising at speeds in excess of tary Edward C. Aldridge Jr. estimated that electrolyte, another change from the traditional electrolyte used by 22 Apostle Islands in northern Wisconsin to phenomenon known as island biogeography, Mach 3.2, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird the money used to operate the SR-71 fleet magnesium batteries, which enabled the discovery. see which carnivores were living there. After which describes the distribution and diversity was the fastest air-breathing manned air- could operate and maintain two tactical Yan Yao, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering taking more than 200,000 photos over a pe- of species in territories with distinct bound- craft to ever to see operational service. But fighter wings.” at UH, said the researchers were able to confirm that chloride in the riod of three years, the team discovered that aries that can act as obstacles to inward and even though its performance has never been Indeed, by some accounts, the SR-71 cost commonly used electrolyte contributes to sluggish performance. several mammalian predators are living on outward migration. matched, the SR-71 was retired as the Cold as much as $200,000 per hour to operate Yao, who is also a principal investigator with the Texas Center various islands in this remote archipelago in “Most research on island biogeography has War drew to a close. when all of its ancillary expenses were fac- for Superconductivity at UH, and his team used the chloride-free Lake Superior. been conducted in tropical marine systems that The Blackbird was initially retired in tored in. Part of that cost stemmed from electrolyte to test organic quinone polymer cathodes with a mag- Reported in the journal Community Ecol- have innately high levels of biodiversity and 1990, even before the fall of the Soviet Un- the fact that it was a small specialized fleet. nesium metal anode, reporting that they delivered up to 243 watt ogy, the study reveals a thriving community of few carnivores,” Allen said. The new study is ion. Eventually, however, three of the jets Because of the small number of jets built — hours per kilogram, with power measured at up to 3.4 kilowatts carnivores, with some doing better than others unique in that it examines carnivores in a remote were reactivated by the Air Force — at the thirty-two — and its unique design, the SR-71 per kilogram. The battery remained stable through 2,500 cycles. on islands that differ in size and proximity to island system in a temperate locale, he said. insistence of Congress — for a brief period was a maintenance hog. It also required a Scientists have spent decades searching for a high-energy mag- the mainland. Gray wolves between 1995 and 1998. Meanwhile, NASA specialized logistical train — particularly nesium battery, hoping to take advantage of the natural advantages The researchers put motion-activated “We were surprised to find an intact carni- flew research missions with the aircraft until for its exotic fuel—which cost $18,000 per that magnesium has over lithium, the element used in standard cameras on each of the islands studied, at a vore community - including gray wolves and 1999. In the end, the Blackbird was retired hour in 1989 dollars. lithium ion batteries. Magnesium is far more common and there- density of one camera per square kilometer. American martens - on these islands,” Allen without a true replacement. But why? The SR-71’s JP-7 fuel — which also had fore less expensive, and it’s not prone to breaches in its internal Over time, the camera traps recorded 10 of 12 said. “We found more carnivore species on Ultimately, while the SR-71 delivered to be carried onboard specialized KC-135Q structure — known as dendrites — that can cause lithium batteries Wisconsin land carnivores, including Amer- islands that were larger and/or closer to the unparalleled performance, it was its oper- tankers to refuel the Blackbird — was de- to explode and catch fire. ican martens, black bears, bobcats, coyotes, mainland.” ating costs that condemned the Blackbird signed to be a safe, high-flashpoint fuel But magnesium batteries won’t be commercially competitive fishers, gray foxes, gray wolves, raccoons, red Black bears were found on 13 of the islands to early retirement. Moreover, the U.S. Air that would not vaporize or blow up under until they can store and discharge large amounts of energy. Yao foxes and weasels. The cameras also captured examined. They appeared to prefer bigger is- Force had doubts about the aircraft’s sur- extreme heat and pressure. said previous cathode and electrolyte materials have been a stum- images of semiaquatic carnivores mink and lands that were closer to other islands. Gray vivability versus a new generation of Soviet Such low volatility bling block. river otters, as well as raptors, small rodents, wolves, however, were seen only on one of the (and later Russian) air defenses and inter- It had such low volatility that one could The cathode is the electrode from which the current flows in a squirrels, songbirds and waterfowl. 19 islands studied. These differences may have ceptors — like the SA-10 Grumble (and other supposedly extinguish a match in a puddle battery, while the electrolytes are the medium through which the Carnivore community to do with the animals’ diets and habits. Bears advanced S-300 derivatives) and MiG-31 of JP-7. But that also meant that the fuel was ionic charge flows between cathode and anode. “This is one of the first studies to focus on tend to be solitary and eat a variety of foods, while Foxhounds. In fact, the Air Force actively difficult to ignite using the convention sys- (Source: phys.org) the carnivore community in an island system,” wolves are social, with more specialized diets. resisted congressional attempts to revive tems, which meant Lockheed had to develop said Illinois Natural History Survey wildlife The latter tend to prey on ungulates like deer. the program during the 1990s because of a triethylborane-based chemical ignition ecologist Max Allen, who led the new research The researchers were surprised to find that those very reasons. system for the SR-71’s engines — adding to with Morgan Farmer and Tim Van Deelen at some smaller carnivores, such as weasels and Reconnaissance satellites the jet’s complexity and maintenance costs. World’s smallest tic-tac-toe the University of Wisconsin, and Erik Olson American martens, appeared to prefer life on In congressional testimony, Air Force As the Air Force’s budgets declined to- game board made with DNA from Northland College. “The area is remote islands further from the mainland. Chief of Staff Gen. Larry D. Welch identified ward the end of the Cold War, the service and difficult to access, with rough water in The carnivores may swim from island to the increased survivability of reconnaissance could no longer justify keeping the expen- It was just about a year ago that Caltech scientists in the laborato- summer and variable ice conditions in winter, island or use ice bridges that form in winter satellites, SR-71 vulnerability to the Soviet sive SR-71 in its inventory — especially as ry of Lulu Qian, assistant professor of bioengineering, announced so the carnivore community had never been between the islands. Documented declines in SAM-5 surface-to-air missile and the cost new threats started to emerge. The service they had used a technique known as DNA origami to create tiles studied.” the duration of lake ice as a result of climate of maintaining the SR-71 fleet. The cost expected that a combination of satellites that could be designed to self-assemble into larger nanostructures The INHS is a division of the Prairie Re- change may hinder the movement of carnivores factor is the most significant to the Air Force and other technical means would replace that carry predesigned patterns. They chose to make the world’s search Institute at the University of Illinois at between islands and to and from the mainland, because it limits expenditures in other areas. the venerable jet. smallest version of the iconic Mona Lisa. Urbana-Champaign. Allen said. (Source: eurekalert.org) Reagan Administration Air Force Secre- (Source: The National Interest) The feat was impressive, but the technique had a limitation sim- ilar to that of Leonardo da Vinci’s oil paints: Once the image was created, it could not easily be changed. Massive star is so big it gives birth to a tiny twin, research finds Now, the Caltech team has made another leap forward with the In 2017, scientists using a new array of radio telescopes in the ions,” he said. “But binary stars are often very equal in mass, and technology. They have created new tiles that are more dynamic, Chilean desert were observing a massive young star named so likely formed together as siblings. Finding a young binary allowing the researchers to reshape already-built DNA structures. MM 1a in an active star-forming region of the galaxy more system with a mass ratio of 80:1 is very unusual, and suggests When Caltech’s Paul Rothemund (BS ‘94) pioneered DNA origami than 10,000 light-years away. As they analyzed the data, they an entirely different formation process for both objects.” more than a decade ago, he used the technique to build a smiley realized that MM 1a was accompanied by a second, fainter Stars condense from massive discs of dust and gases that face. Qian’s team can now turn that smile into a frown, and then, if object, which they dubbed MM 1b. This, they found, was the gradually pull together their own gravity. As they coalesce, they they want, turn that frown upside down. first star’s smaller sibling, formed from the spray of dust and begin to spin, and leftover dust and gas begins to orbit them. “We developed a mechanism to program the dynamic interac- gases it holds in its gravitational pull. In a Solar System like In small stars like the sun, Ilee said, this disc of leftover tions between complex DNA nanostructures,” says Qian. “Using this Earth’s, this “disc” can coalesce into planets. dust and gas can start clumping into planets that then orbit the mechanism, we created the world’s smallest game board for playing “In this case, the star and disc we have observed is so mas- parent star. MM 1a’s huge size, though, meant that a second star tic-tac-toe, where every move involves molecular self-reconfigura- sive that, rather than witnessing a planet forming in the disc, could form rather than a planet. It’s one of the first times such tion for swapping in and out hundreds of DNA strands at once.” we are seeing another star being born,” astronomy research a phenomenon has been observed, the researchers reported That swapping mechanism combines two previously developed fellow John Ilee of the University of Leeds in England, who Dec. 14 in the journal The Astrophysical Journal Letters. DNA nanotechnologies. It uses the building blocks from one and the led the study, said in a statement. MM 1b could possibly have its own disc of space debris, general concept from the other: self-assembling tiles, which were Ilee and his team made their observations using an array of which could theoretically coalesce into planets, the researchers used to create the tiny Mona Lisa; and strand displacement, which 66 telescopes in the high-altitude Chilean desert known as the said. But the clock is ticking for the protostar system, Ilee said. has been used by Qian’s team to build DNA robots. Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). By Massive stars like MM 1a last only about a million years before Each strand of DNA consists of a backbone and four types of coordinating this array, scientists can detect far-flung objects exploding into supernovas, he said. When that happens, the molecules known as bases. These bases -- adenine, guanine, cytosine, as if they had an impossibly large optical telescope 2.5 miles whole area will be kaput. and thymine, abbreviated as A, T, C, and G -- can be arranged in any (4 kilometers) wide. MM 1b, is a relative pipsqueak, less than half the mass of the “While MM 1b may have the potential to form its own plane- order, with the order representing information that can be used by In binary stars sun. That size differential is unusual in binary stars, Ilee said. tary system in the future, it won’t be around for long,” Ilee said. cells, or in this case by engineered nanomachines. MM 1a is huge, with 40 times the mass of the sun. Its twin, “Many older massive stars are found with nearby compan- (Source: space.com) (Source: sciencedaily.com) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 12 SOCIETY DECEMBER 27, 2018

Migratory birds return to 95% of Tehran buses get Hour al-Azim wetland

1 Migratory birds normally wing their ways to the wetland as temperatures drastically drops in their main habitat in Siberia, technical inspection stickers Russia and northern Europe. SOCIETY TEHRAN — Some 95 per- of the buses received inspection stickers, This year, the number of mi- desk gratory birds has increased in cent of the buses running he concluded. Hour al-Azim wetland due to in the capital’s transport fleet have received World Health Organization (WHO) asserts recent above-normal rainfalls vehicle inspection stickers, head of vehicle that Tehran is one of the most air polluted and good conditions, Mehr re- technical inspection bureau affiliated to cities in the world. Tehran is ranked 12th ported on Wednesday. Tehran Municipality has said. among 26 megacities in terms of ambient Migratory birds on their way Vehicle inspection is a procedure man- PM10 levels. In 2016, the annual ambient land in some other wetlands dated by national or subnational govern- level of PM10 was estimated at 77 micrograms to rest and then arrive at their ments in many countries, in which a vehi- per cubic meter. This is almost four times destination in Hour al-Azim or cle undergoes inspection to ensure that it the WHO’s recommended threshold of 20 Shadegan wetland to spend conforms to regulations governing safety, micrograms per cubic meter. the whole winter, and leave emissions, or both. There are two main types of air pollution the country before the spring In the Iranian calendar month of Aban sources, mobile sources including cars, buses, migrating to North Africa. (October 23-November 21), some 220,000 planes, trucks, and trains, and stationary Some special bird species exclusively migrate to the Hour al- vehicles referred to technical inspection sources such as oil refineries, industrial fa- Azim wetland, including, lesser white-fronted goose, ferruginous centers and passed technical tests, IRIB cilities, and factories. duck and darters or snakebirds. quoted Navab Hosseini Manesh as saying According to health or environmental on Tuesday. officials over 70 percent of pollutants in Inspection playing a significant role in Tehran is produced by clunker buses. In identifying the vehicles defects, can be the a press conference held on January 13 in New tree species became first step to halt the production of cars with Tehran, deputy environment chief Masoud extinct before it was officially major defects, however, the car industry does World Health Organization (WHO) asserts that Tajrishi said that some 97 percent of buses not welcome the idea, thus Nissan Junior Tehran is one of the most air polluted cities in Tehran are old. categorized causing a large amount of emissions is still Clunker vehicles being 25 times more pol- being produced, he lamented. in the world. Tehran is ranked 12th among 26 luting than ordinary cars, must be inspected Hosseini Manesh further explained that megacities in terms of ambient PM10 levels. to indicate the level of emission they produce Forest clearing and spread of farming thought to have wiped out this year, for the first time, inspection tests and eliminate it. unique specimens in west Africa have been conducted for heavy vehicles on In 2016, the annual ambient level of PM10 was So it is not so farfetched to conclude that air Scientists have identified a new species of tree that is thought the roadsides, adding, through which 2,500 estimated at 77 micrograms per cubic meter. pollution in Tehran and other metropolises of to have become extinct before it was even named. diesel vehicles have been technically tested, Iran are derived from the old transportation The tree, which has now been called Vepris bali, is believed regardless of having inspection stickers, 24 It demonstrated a huge amount of cal examination from the buses in public system and not being rigorous in enforcing to have been unique to a forest reserve in west Africa, but forest percent of the cars failed the tests despite emissions being produced by diesel heavy transport fleet operating within Tehran air pollution abatement rules such as getting clearing and agricultural development have wiped it out. having inspection license. vehicles, so, we decided to start techni- municipality, and so far some 95 percent inspection stickers. Scientists are studying the vepris species for the antimicrobial and antimalarial properties of their essential oils. Researchers hope several other vepris trees will be identified Iran tops Middle East for applied $3b approved for improving and named in Cameroon before they also disappear. A specimen was collected by a forester, Edwin Ujor, in the mathematics in 2017 safety of schools Bali Ngemba Forest Reserve in Cameroon in 1951. The specimen was thought to belong to the genus vepris, which has 80 species, mostly found across Africa. But the tree has not been seen anywhere since. Researchers from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the country’s University of Yaoundé I examined the original spec- imens and used molecular phylogenetic studies to identify the new species. They say the tree is now either critically endangered or al- ready extinct. Repeated efforts to find the species between 2000 and 2004 and at least six other studies failed to turn up any sign that the tree still exists. Tens of thousands of plant species globally face similar risks. SOCIETY TEHRAN — Iran to the report. SOCIETY TEHRAN — The sixth the schools nationwide are old, of which According to the International Plant Names Index, only about 5 deskranked first among SCImago is a research group from deskfive-year national devel- some 12 percent must be completely rebuilt per cent of all known species have ever been formally assessed the Middle-Eastern countries for de- the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones opment plan (2016-2021) has predicted a and 18 percent must be retrofitted. for their extinction risk. velopment in applied mathematics in Científicas (CSIC), University of Grana- total budget of $3 billion to be allocated Renovation of schools and meeting the The authors wrote: “This makes it a priority to discover, document 2017, data released by the SCImago da, Extremadura, Carlos III (Madrid) for rebuilding and retrofitting old schools necessary standards requires a consider- and protect such species before they become globally extinct.” Journal & Country Rank (SJR) show, and Alcalá de Henares, dedicated to across the country, director of the organ- able amount of budget, however, current The Bali Ngemba Forest Reserve, an officially protected for- ISNA reported on Wednesday. information analysis, representation ization for renovation, development and government funding and annual budgets est, is part of the Bamenda highlands, an area so denuded of its Iran took the first place in the Middle and retrieval by means of visualization equipment of schools has said. are by no means enough, he added. natural forest vegetation that it is now known in Cameroon as East region in the field of applied math- techniques. There are some 107,000 schools na- In the Iranian calendar year 1382 (March “the grasslands”. ematics with 1,528 documents, 1,475 SCImago has developed the SJR, tionwide with 530,000 classes, 160,000 of 2003-March 2004), the proportion of standard The reserve, which sits up to 7,000ft above sea level, now citable documents and 626 citations in which is a classification of worldwide which are dilapidated, not meeting safety schools to old ones was the opposite, 30 percent represents one of the last remnants of cloud forest there, and the international papers. universities and research-related in- standards, ISNA quoted Mehrollah Ra- of schools met required standards and the rest is home to a unique collection of flora including at least 38 that Iran has surpassed Turkey, Saudi stitutions ranked based on research khshanimehr as saying on Wednesday. were old, he highlighted, adding, “in the fifth are globally threatened. Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Jordan, , performance, innovation outputs and “However, after 2 years the budget has five-year development plan some $4 billion But it, too, is being destroyed by the expansion of human Iraq, , Oman, , Palestine, societal impact measured by their web not been allocated yet,” he lamented. was allocated from the forex reserve fund to farmland. Yemen, Syria and Bahrain, according visibility. He went on explain that 30 percent of rebuild and retrofit the old schools.” (Source: The Independent) LEARN ENGLISH Baby seals drinking milk contaminated by toxic chemicals from ocean Substances including banned pesticide DDT have poten- Group leader Dr. Kimberley Bennett explained how Dr. Kelly Robinson and Prof Ailsa Hall of the University Business Plan tial to drive marine mammal populations to extinction, the chemicals have become locked in the ecosystem, with of St Andrews said: “We have already shown that these scientists say mother seals accumulating them from fish and passing chemicals can reduce the likelihood that a seal pup will A: I’ve had it! I’m done working for a company that is taking Seals living off the coast of the UK face a threat to their on the harmful effects to their young through their milk. survive to its first birthday. me nowhere! survival from toxic chemicals that are ending up in pups’ “We’ve known for a long time that high levels of these “We’ve now discovered why this is the case and how these B: So what are you going to do? Just quit? milk, a new study has revealed. chemicals are very dangerous and can hamper reproduction toxins add to the seals’ burden of potential health effects.” A: That’s exactly what I am going to do! I’ve decided to create Despite bans on the substances in question, which range and immunity in marine mammals,” she said. These results were published in the journal Environ- my own company! I’m going to write up a business plan, get from paint additives to pesticides, they are still finding “They may even drive some populations towards ex- mental Science and Technology. some investors and start working for myself! their way into the ocean from sewage and landfill sites. tinction.” Concern about pollution in the ocean has shot up as B: Have you ever written up a business plan before? Scientists are warning the contaminants trigger changes “Efforts to reduce levels in the environment have been public awareness of plastic waste has grown, and there A: Well, it can’t be that hard! I mean, all you have to do is in the way pups gain the fatty blubber they need to survive. successful. But our new research shows that blubber, have been several high-profile cases of seals harmed by explain your business, how you are going to do things and Researchers from Abertay University in Dundee found which is a vital for seals and whales, could be vulnerable plastic debris. that’s it, right? even low levels of the fat-altering chemicals, known as PCBs to harmful effects of PCBs and DDT at levels much lower However, scientists are also concerned plastic fragments B: You couldn’t be more wrong! A well written business plan and DDT, in the sea are putting the lives of pups at risk. than previously thought.” may add to the burden of dangerous chemical pollution will include an executive summary which highlights the idea The research, in partnership with the sea mammal re- Although the so-called “dirty dozen” chemicals are banned in waterways, as these small objects are often contami- of the business in two pages or less. Then you need to describe search unit at the University of St Andrews and Belgian from being produced and released into UK waters under the nated with substances they have picked up either during your company with information such as what type of legal academics, confirms the ban – introduced in the early Stockholm Convention, they are still entering the oceans. manufacture or from the environment. structure it has, history, etc. 2000s – may not go far enough to protect wildlife. The contaminants have been seen as harmful to wildlife Some preliminary studies have suggested that chemicals A: Well that seems easy enough. Conducted on the Isle of May in the Firth of Forth, the since the 1970s, with marine mammals facing the biggest found in plastic may have an impact on animal behavior. B: Wait, there’s more! Then you need to introduce and describe study focused on grey seal pups in their first weeks of life. threat because they feed at the top of the food chain. (Source: The Independent) your goods or services. What they are and how they are different from competitors’? Then comes the hard part, a market analysis. You need to investigate and analyze hundreds of variables! You ENGLISH IN USE need to take into consideration socioeconomic factors from GDP per capita to how many children on average the population has! LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION All this information is useful so that you can move on to your strategy and implementation stage, where you will describe in detail how you will actually execute your idea. A: Geez. Is that all? B: Almost, the most important piece of information for your Wedding ceremony for couples with مراسم ازدواج 110 زوج معلول در برج میالد برگزار شد investors will be the financial analysis. Here you will calculate disabilities held in Tehran and estimate sales, cash flow and profits. After all, people will بــه گــزارش خبرنــگار اجتماعــی خبرگــزاری تســنیم ، مراســم ازدواج ۱۱۰ زوج want to know when they will begin to see a return on their Some 110 couples with disabilities celebrated their wedding during investment! a ceremony held at Milad Tower in Tehran on Monday, Tasnim news معلــول در ســالن همایــش بــرج میــاد برگــزار شــد. A: Umm. I think I’ll just stick to my old job and save myself ایــن مراســم تحــت عنــوان جشــن ازدواج معلــوالن »مهرانــه« همزمــان بــا .all the hassle of trying to start up a business! agency reported گرامیداشــت روز جهانــی معلــوالن در بــرج میــاد برگــزار شــد. Key vocabulary The ceremony called Mehraneh (literally meaning kindness) was held legal structure: organization of the business concurrent with the International Day of Disabled Persons. to execute: to put into effect; carry out financial analysis: report on financial stability and profitability return on one’s investment: profit made from one›s investment PREFIX/SUFFIX PHRASAL VERB IDIOM hassle: a great deal of trouble; difficulty; nuisance Supplementary vocabulary “bi-, bin-, bis-” Back something up Come clean entrepreneur: person who organizes, operates, and assumes the risk for a business Meaning: two or twice Meaning: reverse Explanation: to tell the truth venture credentials: evidence of authority, status, rights For example: Biscuit comes from the French mean- For example: You’ll have to back up your car so For example: The boy was encouraged to come clean vision statement: statement describing what you ultimately ing twice-cooked. that I can get out. and tell the authorities what happened. envision your business to be ساعت: 19:40 امضاء صفحه آرا: ساعت: امضاء مسئول صفحه: ساعت: امضاء ادیتور: ساعت: امضاء سردبیر:

I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 27, 2018 WORLD IN FOCUS 13 Syrian air defense systems shoot Second migrant Guatemalan down Israeli missiles child died in U.S. custody The United States immigration authorities have said an eight- Moscow accuses Israel of ‘gross violation of sovereignty’ in Syria strikes year-old boy from Guatemala has died in government custody. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) the boy died and that most of them were tice and Development Party’s (AKP/Adalet 1 early on Tuesday but declined to provide further details. He was downed before reaching their targets, without ve Kalk?nma Partisi) parliamentary group the second immigrant child to die in detention this month. specifying their location. meeting in the capital Ankara. The boy showed “signs of potential illness” on Monday and Three soldiers were injured in the attack, He noted that talks will be held with was rushed to a hospital in Alamogordo, New Mexico, according which caused damage to a munitions ware- US officials within the next few days on a to the agency said. house, according to the source. roadmap for Manbij. Earlier this month, Jakelin Caal Maquin, a 7-year-old Guate- Earlier, the state-run al-Ikhbariyah Syria “Work on the Manbij roadmap is contin- malan girl, died after being arrested by border agents. She died television news network said that air de- uing intensively,” Akar pointed out. of dehydration while in the U.S. custody. fenses had intercepted “hostile targets” in He said Turkish military officials are in Some U.S. lawmakers have called for a probe into the death the skies over the western outskirts of the contact with their United States counter- of Jakelin at a U.S. Border Patrol detention center in Lordsburg, capital, . parts, adding that further information on New Mexico. Lebanese media outlets reported that the roadmap’s timetable will be released The girl and her father had been detained by the U.S. im- residents near the border with neighbor- once it is finalized. migration authorities on December 6 as part of a group of 163 ing Syria said the sound of planes could be The northern Syrian town of Manbij, people who approached the U.S. agents to turn themselves in. heard in the sky. which lies in mainly Arab territory west of Early on December 7, the girl started having seizures, and There are reports that the explosions took the Euphrates, has been a major bone of emergency responders measured her body temperature at 105.7 place around the Mezzeh Military Airport contention between Ankara and Washington. degrees Fahrenheit (40.9 degrees Celsius). She was then taken west of the capital and in the areas of Kesawa Turkey has complained over the slow to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead the day after. and Jimraya, which are located northwest implementation of a deal reached with the According to the U.S. government officials, Jakelin had not of Damascus. United States in June, which would see the had anything to eat or drink for days, but lawyers for her family The development came only two days YPG ousted from the town and moved back have disputed the claim. after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin to the eastern bank of the river. (Source: Press TV) Netanyahu said that the United States allied fighters from popular defense groups. Syrian govt. forces march into Over the past few days, the Turkish President Donald Trump’s decision to Israel and the United States have even Arima village near Kurdish-held military has been sending reinforcements withdraw American troops from Syria put pressure on Russia, another close ally Manbij to frontline areas with YPG militants in will not affect Tel Aviv’s policy toward of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the Elsewhere, Syrian army soldiers, support- northern Syria. Palestine to apply for the war-torn country. war against terrorist groups, to force Iran ed by Russian troops, have marched into a The Turkish military, with support from “The decision to withdraw 2,000 U.S. out of Syria. village in the country’s northern province allied militants of the so-called Free Syrian full UN membership early troops from Syria will not change our con- In October, Russia equipped the Syrian of Aleppo, after the U.S.-sponsored and Army, has launched two cross-border oper- next year: FM sistent policy: We will continue to act against army with the advanced S-300 surface-to-air Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) ations in northern Syria, dubbed “Euphrates Iran’s attempts to entrench itself militarily Shield” and “Olive Branch”, against the YPG missiles, days after Israeli fighter jets used a decided to hand it over to government forces. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki says Palestine would in Syria, and to the extent necessary, we Russian surveillance aircraft flying nearby as A local source, speaking on condition and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant will even expand our actions there,” Ne- (ISIL/Daesh) Takfiri terrorists. “lodge an application to gain full state membership at the United a shield and misled the Syrian air defenses of anonymity, told Syria’s pro-government Nations” in January. tanyahu said. Syrian refugees enduring to shoot it down. Since then Israel has been and Arabic-language al-Masdar news agency Speaking in an interview with Ramallah-based Voice of Pal- On November 30, Syrian air defenses very careful with its operations over Syria. that Syrian soldiers entered Arima village, harsh winter in Lebanon camps were activated against several missiles, which estine radio station on Wednesday, Maliki said he would file the Russia’s reaction located 20 kilometers (12 miles) northeast The developments follow as Syrian ref- application upon Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ instruc- were aimed at the city of al-Kiswah, located Meantime, Moscow on Wednesday said of the city of al-Bab and 65 kilometers (40 ugees are facing up to making it through approximately 13 kilometers (8 miles) south tions in a bid to upgrade Palestine’s status from an observer state Israel had violated Syria’s sovereignty with miles) northeast of Aleppo, on Tuesday after another harsh winter in the camps of Lebanon to a full-member state to the United Nations Security Council of Damascus. airstrikes the day before, after Israel and Kurdish militants withdrew from the area. with the country’s rainy season and plum- They “were able to foil its goals despite (UNSC), when he visits New York next month. Damascus blamed each other for the hos- The source added that 40 pickup trucks meting temperatures adding to their woes. Palestinians need support from at least nine of the UNSC’s the intensity of the aggression,” Syrian state tilities. carrying Syrian army soldiers, two tanks, Due to limited resources and bitter media said at the time. 15 member states to secure full state membership. “We are very concerned by the attacks trucks carrying military equipment and conditions, most of the one million Syrian Maliki further noted that he would demand the implemen- Israeli media claimed that Iranian military and how they were made. This is a gross armored vehicles were seen crossing into refugees in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley find advisers as well as fighters from Lebanese tation of the UN Security Council Resolution 2334, and ask the violation of the sovereignty of Syria,” the the village, which lies northeast of Manbij. themselves in a difficult situation to cope International Criminal Court (ICC) to open an official inquiry resistance movement Hezbollah were the Russian ministry of foreign affairs said in The development came on the heels of Tur- with the cold weather. main targets in the attack. into Israeli settlement construction. a statement. key’s preparations for an anticipated military Munzer Hamad, an official at a local camp Less than a month before the United States President Donald Israeli officials argue that Iran’s presence Moscow’s defense ministry earlier said campaign against People’s Protection Units which holds about 750 people from more in Syria, which is part of an advisory mission Trump took office, the UNSC adopted Resolution 2334, calling Israeli strikes had endangered two passen- (YPG/Yekîneyên Parastina Gel), which is the than 100 Syrian families, said many of the on Israel to “immediately and completely cease all settlement requested by Damascus, poses a threat to ger planes. backbone of the SDF, in northern Syria. displaced people are struggling in the tough Tel Aviv’s security. activities in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East “The provocative actions of the Israeli air Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar environment due to a shortage of necessities. Jerusalem” al-Quds. The Israeli military, using this pretext, force... directly threatened two airliners,” said on Tuesday that preparations for an Hamad added that though the Syrian has pounded alleged positions of Iranian About 600,000 Israelis live in over 230 illegal settlements built ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said offensive in the eastern bank of the Euphrates crisis is entering its eighth year, the camp since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories of and Iran-backed forces across Syria over in a statement. River against Kurdish YPG militants are still sees many more refugees coming, placing the course of the seven-year conflict. the West Bank and East al-Quds (Jerusalem). He said the attack came from over proceeding as planned. a strain on the facilities. Palestinians want the West Bank as part of a future independent The attacks are usually viewed as attempts Lebanese territory and came as “two “Everything has been planned and pro- In addition to the coldness, continuous to prop up foreign-sponsored Takfiri terrorist Palestinian state with East al-Quds (Jerusalem) as its capital. airliners, not from Russia, were pre- grammed. Everything is going according to rain in winter only make things worse for The last round of Israeli-Palestinian talks collapsed in 2014. groups that have been suffering defeats at paring to land at the airports of it [the plan] and in line with the schedule,” the refugees seeking shelter in Lebanon. the hands of Syrian government forces and Among the major sticking points in those negotiations was Isra- and Damascus.” Akar told reporters ahead of the ruling Jus- (Source: agencies) el’s continued settlement expansion on Palestinian territories. Trump backtracked on Washington’s support for a “two-state solution” earlier this year, saying he would support any solution Arms sales to Saudis leave American fingerprints on Yemen’s carnage favored by both sides. When a Saudi regime F-15 warplane takes off from King President Obama gave the war his qualified approval to at high altitudes to avoid enemy fire, military officials said. “Looking at two-state or one-state, I like the one that both Khalid air base in southern Saudi Arabia for a bombing assuage Saudi anger over his Iran nuclear deal. President The tactic reduced the risk to the pilots but transferred it parties like. I’m very happy with the one both parties like. I can run over Yemen, it is not just the plane and the bombs Trump embraced Prince Mohammed and bragged of multi- to civilians, who were exposed to less accurate bombings. live with either one,” the U.S. president said during a joint press that are American. billion-dollar arms deals with the Saudis. Coalition planners misidentified targets and their conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in American mechanics service the jet and carry out repairs As bombs fell on Yemen, the United States continued pilots struck them at the wrong time — destroying a ve- Washington on February 15. on the ground. American technicians upgrade the targeting to train the Royal Saudi Air Force. In 2017, the United hicle as it passed through a crowded bazaar, for instance, (Source: Press TV) software and other classified technology, which Saudis are States military announced a $750 million program focused instead of waiting until it reached an open road. The not allowed to touch. The pilot has likely been trained by on how to carry out airstrikes, including avoiding civilian coalition routinely ignored a no-strike list — drawn up the United States Air Force. casualties. The same year, Congress authorized the sale of by the United States Central Command and the United And at a flight operations room in the capital, Riyadh, more than $510 million in precision-guided munitions to Nations — of hospitals, schools and other places where Boko Haram kills 13 soldiers, the Saudi regime commanders sit near American military Saudi Arabia, which had been suspended by the Obama civilians gathered. a policeman in Nigeria officials who provide intelligence and tactical advice. administration in protest of civilian casualties. At times, coalition officers subverted their own chain of American fingerprints are all over the air war in Yemen, Nearly 100 American military personnel are advising command. In one instance, a devastating strike that killed Boko Haram Takfiri terrorists ambushed a military convoy in where errant strikes by the Saudi regime-led coalition or assisting the coalition war effort, although fewer than 155 people in a funeral hall was ordered by a junior officer northeastern Nigeria, killing 13 soldiers and a policeman, the have killed more than 4,600 civilians, according to a 35 are based in Saudi Arabia. who countermanded an order from a more senior officer, army said on Wednesday. monitoring group. In Washington, that toll has stoked American support for the war met stiff headwinds this a State Department official said. But an officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the impassioned debate about the pitfalls of America’s alli- fall, when congressional fury over the murder of the Saudi The Americans offered help. The State Department militants had overrun an army base, and put the death toll at 18. ance with Saudi Arabia under Crown Prince Mohammed dissident Jamal Khashoggi combined with worries over financed an investigative body to review errant airstrikes An army statement said the attackers ambushed a military bin Salman (MBS), who relies on American support to civilian deaths in Yemen. and propose corrective action. Pentagon lawyers trained convoy late Monday on a highway linking Maiduguri, the capital keep his warplanes in the air. In response, the Trump administration ended Ameri- the Saudi regime officers in the laws of war. Military of- of Borno state, with Damaturu in neighboring Yobe state. The House of Saud regime waged the war in 2015, allying can air-to-air refueling of coalition warplanes over Yemen ficers suggested putting gun cameras on Saudi and Emiratis “Sadly, 13 military and a police personnel... paid the supreme price with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and a smattering in November but has otherwise continued to support the warplanes to see how strikes were being conducted. The while extricating themselves from the ambush,” said the statement, of Yemeni factions. Three years on, they have made little war. This month, the Senate voted to end American mili- coalition balked. signed by local military spokesman Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu. progress. At least 60,000 Yemenis have died in the war, tary assistance to the war altogether, a sharp rebuke to the In June 2017, American officials extracted new prom- The attack followed an attempted raid on a nearby military and the country stands on the brink of a calamitous famine. Trump administration, but the bill died when the House ises of safeguards, including stricter rules of engagement base along the highway in Kukareta village, 20 kilometers (12 For American officials, the stalled war has become a stra- refused to consider it. and an expansion of the no-strike list to about 33,000 tar- miles) from Damaturu, Nwachukwu said. tegic and moral quagmire. It has upended the assumptions The civilian toll is still rising. According to the Armed gets — provisions that allowed the secretary of state, then That attack was “repelled” by troops who “engaged and over- behind the decades-old policy of selling powerful weapons Conflict Location and Event Data Project, November was Rex W. Tillerson, to win support in Congress for the sale powered the terrorists, killing several of them”, Nwachukwu said, to a wealthy ally that, until recently, rarely used them. It has the most violent month in Yemen since the group began of more than $510 million in precision-guided munitions adding that a soldier was injured. raised questions about complicity in possible war crimes. tracking casualties in January 2016. There were 3,058 to the kingdom. Other security sources said fighters travelling in eight trucks And the civilian toll has posed a troubling dilemma: how war-related fatalities in November, it said, including 80 But those measures seemed to make little difference. Just fitted with anti-aircraft guns had overrun the base. to support Saudi allies while keeping the war’s excesses civilians killed in airstrikes. over a year later, in August 2018, a coalition airstrike killed “The terrorists killed 17 soldiers in the attack, which lasted for at arm’s length. For decades, the United States sold tens of billions of at least 40 boys on a packed school bus in northern Yemen. more than an hour,” an officer told AFP on condition of anonymity. In interviews, 10 current and former United States offi- dollars in arms to Saudi Arabia on an unspoken premise: Still, American leaders insisted they need to keep helping “They took over the military base after overpowering troops cials portrayed a troubled and fractious American response that they would rarely be used. the Saudi regime coalition. and burnt it down. A policeman was killed when their vehicle to regular reports of civilians killed in coalition airstrikes. The Saudis amassed the world’s third-largest fleet of What the U.S. Knows which was heading to Damaturu ran into crossfire but the driver The Pentagon and State Department have denied know- F-15 jets, after the United States and Israel, but their pilots In March, Prince Mohammed paid a visit to Washing- escaped unhurt,” the military source said. ing whether American bombs were used in the war’s most almost never saw action. ton, where he was feted by President Trump. As the two A medic in Damaturu hospital said 18 bodies were taken to notorious airstrikes, which have struck weddings, mosques The United States had similar expectations for its arms leaders sat in the White House, Trump held aloft a chart the morgue late Monday. and funerals. However, a former senior State Department sales to other Persian Gulf countries. with price-tagged photos of warplanes and other weapons. A civilian militiaman in the area gave a similar account and official said that the United States had access to records of “There was a belief that these countries wouldn’t end “$3 billion,” Trump said, pointing to the chart. “$533 said the fighters withdrew after torching the base. every airstrike over Yemen since the early days of the war, up using this equipment, and we were just selling them million. $525 million. That’s peanuts for you.” “They burnt the base and two military vehicles. They also burnt including the warplane and munitions used. expensive paperweights,” said Andrew Miller, a former The prince chuckled. two primary schools in Kukareta and neighboring Ngaurawa At the same time, American efforts to advise the Sau- State Department official now with the Project on Middle But in Congress, the mood was souring. In the March village,” said the militiaman. dis on how to protect civilians often came to naught. The East Democracy. hearing, senators accused the Pentagon of being complicit Boko Haram extremists have carried out dozens of attacks Saudis whitewashed an American-sponsored initiative to Then came Prince Mohammed bin Salman. in the coalition’s errant bombing, and pressed its leaders on military bases in recent months. Scores of soldiers have been investigate errant airstrikes and often ignored a volumi- When the prince, then the Saudi regime defense min- on how directly the United States was linked to atrocities. killed or listed as missing. nous no-strike list. ister, sent fighter jets to Yemen in March 2015, Pentagon General Votel said the military knew little about that. The 120-kilometre (75-mile) Maiduguri-Damaturu highway “In the end, we concluded that they were just not will- officials were flustered to receive just 48 hours-notice of The United States did not track whether the coalition jets has seen repeated attacks, including raids on military bases and ing to listen,” said Tom Malinowski, a former assistant the first strikes against Yemen, two former senior American that it refueled carried out the airstrikes that killed civilians, markets. secretary of state and an incoming member of Congress officials said. American officials were persuaded by Saudi he said, and did not know when they used American-made In September 2013, Boko Haram terrorists disguised as sol- from New Jersey. “They were given specific coordinates regime assurances the campaign would be over in weeks. bombs. At a briefing in Cairo in August, a senior United diers barricaded the highway and killed 167 people, in the worst of targets that should not be struck and they continued to But as the weeks turned to years, and the prospect of States official echoed that assessment. attack targeting motorists. strike them. That struck me as a willful disregard of advice victory receded, the Americans found themselves backing “I would assume the Saudis have an inventory system The nine-year-long insurgency has killed 27,000 people and they were getting.” a military campaign that was exacting a steep civilian toll, that traces that information,” said the official, who spoke displaced two million more, creating a dire humanitarian crisis. Yet American military support for the airstrikes continued. largely as a result of the Saudi regime and Emirati airstrikes. anonymously to discuss diplomatically sensitive relations. The conflict has spilled over into Nigeria’s northern neighbors While American officials often protested civilian deaths American military officials posted to the coalition war “But that’s not information that is available to the U.S.” Chad, Niger and Cameroon. in public, two presidents ultimately stood by the Saudis. room in Riyadh noticed that inexperienced Saudi pilots flew (Source: NY Times) (Source: AFP) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 14 WORLD SPORTS DECEMBER 27, 2018 Shiffrin dominant, Osaka Celtic hand 15-year-old Dembele first professional contract breakthrough: Women’s sport in 2018 Mikaela Shiffrin and Alina Zagitova starred in the 100 and 200 respectively. Karamoko Dembele is aiming to get first-team experience with Pyeongchang to claim Olympic golds, before September 8: Osaka stuns Serena Scottish champions Celtic after he signed his first professional Naomi Osaka announced her arrival at the Japanese youngster Osaka announced contract at the age of 15. top echelon of tennis in style as gymnast herself on the world stage by lengthening The highly-rated midfielder joined Celtic aged 10 and made Simone Biles rediscovered her best. ’ wait for a record-equalling headlines when he made his under-20 debut against Hearts in Here, we takes a look at ten great moments 24th tennis singles title. The October 2016. from women’s sport in 2018: 21-year-old overpowered the home favourite The Scottish club announced on Monday Dembele signed a February 12: Groundbreaking 6-2, 6-4 to take her first major tournament deal to stay at Celtic Park until at least 2021. Kim victory, although the match was overshadowed “It means a lot to me to start my professional career at Celtic,” American Chloe Kim, then only 17, went by Williams’ infamous outburst at umpire he told the club website. into the women’s Olympic snowboarding Carlos Ramos. “I came here at a young age and, after all the stuff me and family halfpipe competition as a red-hot favourite November 1: Biles back to her best have been through together, it’ll be good to make them proud. and did not disappoint. She finished almost Over two years since winning four gold “My goal is to play for the first team. As soon as I can, I’m 10 points clear of China’s silver medallist medals at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, pock- going to try to get into the first team, 100 percent. In the reserves, Liu Jiayu, becoming the youngest woman et dynamo Biles claimed four titles at the every training session, every game – it’s all to prove myself to to land two consecutive 1,080-degree spins artistic gymnastics world championships. the manager that I can play in the first team.” at an Olympics. The American, who took a one-year hiatus in The London-born youngster has featured for Scotland under-16s February 23: Zagitova dazzles 2017, suffered with kidney stones the night and England under-15s on the international stage. Figure skater Zagitova produced a series before the qualification rounds in , but (Source: Reuters) of jaw-dropping displays in the 2017/18 brushed that aside to clinch a record fourth season, culminating in a magnificent all-around world crown. gold-medal winning performance in Py- November 24: Australia back eongchang at the age of just 15. The Russian on top Ex-Watford boss Sanchez broke the world record in the short pro- Australia’s women’s cricket team won a gramme and narrowly held off compatriot record-extending fourth World Twenty20 Flores moves to Shanghai Evgenia Medvedeva after a dramatic free title in the Caribbean, ending a brief barren skate competition. spell. They avenged their 2016 final loss to the Shenhua March 17: Shiffrin dominates victory over Wolfsburg in Kiev. The French closing holes, only to edge out South Korea’s West Indies in the last four, before thrashing Alpine skiing star Shiffrin sealed her sec- side were held to a goalless draw in 90 min- Kim Hyo-joo in a play-off. Ariya will end the England by eight wickets to lift the trophy. ond straight overall World Cup title in style, utes, but Norwegian star Ada Hegerberg was year as the world number one. December 3: Hegerberg wins signing off with a 12th victory of the season among the scorers as they netted four times August 12: Asher-Smith’s flying Ballon d’Or in the closing slalom in Are, Sweden. The in the extra half-hour to add to their 2016 treble The 23-year-old Hegerberg was reward- 23-year-old Olympic giant slalom champion and 2017 titles. Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith delivered on ed for her excellent season and Champions has already opened up a 501-point gap in the June 3: Ariya hangs on her undoubted potential with a stunning treble League exploits by being named the inaugural new campaign after taking her staggering Thai golfer Ariya Jutanugarn overcame a of 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay golds at the women’s Ballon d’Or winner. She had to bat haul of World Cup career wins to 50. back-nine collapse to grab her second major European athletics championships in Berlin. away a question from host Martin Solveig May 24: Lyon’s third in a row title at the US Open. The 23-year-old led The then 22-year-old set new world leads asking her if she knew how to ‘twerk’ at an Lyon won their third straight women’s by seven shots at the halfway stage of the and national records in both the individual awkward awards ceremony in Paris. Champions League crown with a 4-1 extra-time final round before dropping five shots in the events, clocking 10.85sec and 21.89sec in (Source: AFP) Arsenal boss breaks his silence after isn’t enjoying tennis a

Former Watford, Benfica and Atletico Madrid boss Quique Sanchez stars filmed going on hippy crack binge lot, says Robin Soderling Flores has been named head coach of Chinese Super League (CSL) Shanghai Shenhua. Shenhua issued a statement welcoming the Spaniard and his coaching team, who are due to arrive in Shanghai on Friday to prepare for the new CSL season beginning on March 1, 2019. “(We) hope they will get familiar with the team as soon as possible through winter training, instil their football techniques and tactics in the players and help the young players in the team grow faster,” Shanghai Shenhua said in a post on China’s Twit- ter-like Weibo Tuesday. The club’s former Chinese coach Wu Jingui will move to the role of sporting director at the club. Wu led the team to win the Chinese FA Cup in 2017. Sanchez Flores, 53, was sacked by Espanyol in April. In the 2016-17 season he led the Catalans to eighth place in , as high as they have finished in a decade. The former Valencia right-back previously managed Watford, and reportedly rejected a return to the English Premier League earlier this season with Stoke City. Sanchez Flores will bring a five-strong backroom team to Shang- ARSENAL boss Unai Emery has finally In the video, German star Ozil, 30, can In an interview with Tennis with an Accent So it simply reveals how good they’re, hai, including assistant coaches Antonio Diaz and Dean Austin. broken his silence after his stars were filmed be seen with his eyes rolling around as Podcast, the 2009 and 2010 nevertheless it’s additionally good to see (Source: AFP) going on a hippy crack binge. he falls semi-conscious with a gas-filled finalist Robin Soderling commented on a number of the younger gamers are be- The likes of Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emer- balloon in his mouth. today’s tennis that features Novak Djok- ginning to make an affect. ick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette French forward Lacazette, 27, looks ovic as the world no. 1. Soderling praised The way in which Zverev performed were seen at a wild party taking hits from oblivious to his surroundings as he inhales the Belgrade native, who will start his new in London was nice. I used to be actually a balloon in August. deeply from a balloon while lying back on ATP season in Doha. shocked he beat Noval however the way Timothy Weah confirms loan But now the boss has finally spoken a plush sofa. ‘If he continues to play the way in which in which he performed, on that day, he out about the incident, being remarkably Aubameyang, 29 — the Premier League’s he performed for the final six months he’s was simply higher than Novak and that from PSG amid Celtic links calm about the shocking scenes. current top goalscorer — and Bosnian de- going to be extraordinarily tough to beat,’ doesn’t occur fairly often. Emery said: “The best and the greatest fender Sead Kolasinac, 25, also appear with said Soderling. It’s additionally good to see Coric, United States phenom Timothy Weah will leave Paris Saint-Ger- urgency as soon as a news item comes out balloons in their mouths. ‘Roger (Federer) isn’t enjoying as Khachanov and that’s precisely what main to spend the next six months on loan, the 18-year-old an- is that it does not alter our day to day.” And French whizkid Matteo Guendou- nicely proper now, or I might say he tennis wants. We had unbelievable nounced on Christmas Day. In August - just days before the start of zi, 19, appears to lose consciousness after didn’t play as nicely this 12 months as gamers with Federer, Rafa and Djok- His destination has not been confirmed, but French radio RMC the 2018-19 season - Arsenal’s stars enjoyed being egged on to join the binge on nitrous he did in 2017. ovic who’ve been nice ambassadors and reported Weah would join Scottish giants Celtic, after former themselves at a champagne-fuelled party oxide gas. Final 12 months coming again get- they’re going to play a number of extra defender Kolo Toure helped convince him to make the move in London. Hippy crack can cause coordination ting back from harm he performed years in the event that they keep harm over interest from Premier League clubs in England. Matteo Guendouzi was also spotted problems, heart attacks and even death. extraordinarily nicely. Now Novak is free however eventually they may re- Weah also recently followed over a dozen Celtic players on Insta- at the heart of the dangerous binge on Henrikh Mkhitaryan, 29, and German enjoying higher however I wouldn’t be tire and it’s a problem for the game to gram, adding further fuel to the speculation he is headed to Glasgow. nitrous oxide. defender Shkodran Mustafi, 26, also appear shocked if we discuss once more on the get new gamers developing and make “I just want to take the time to talk to everyone about the Following our revelations, Arsenal vowed in the footage but neither of them are seen finish of subsequent 12 months and new profiles.’ decision my family and I made about going on loan this winter,” to haul players in to warn them over their using the balloons. we see these guys being the highest Federer has won 20 Grand Slam sin- Weah wrote in French on Instagram. “First of all, I want to thank conduct in the future. Around 70 girls were invited to join the three on the planet once more which gles titles—the most in history for a male the fans for their constant support, as well as the coaching staff A spokesman said: “The players will stars for their private bash in the exclusive is loopy. player—and has held the world No. 1 spot and my teammates for making me feel part of the family. be spoken to about this and reminded of Tape club in London’s West End — where Roger is popping 38, he’s practically in the ATP rankings for a record total of “I love you and I know you will go to the end and you will take their responsibilities as representatives the stars ran up a bill of nearly £30,000. 40 and each Novak and Rafa (Nadal) are 310 weeks. the cup this year, God is with you all. I will miss the fans as well as of the club.” (Source: The Sun) nicely over 30. (Source: Tennis World) the energy you bring to each game. I love you and God bless you. I hope that after these six months, I will be ready to return to the Parc des Princes and give everything to make you proud to be Parisian.” Weah made a handful of appearance for PSG’s first team in LeBron James exits blowout of Warriors with groin injury August, scoring in the season-opening Trophée des Champions super cup win over Monaco and again in their opener LeBron James strained his left groin Tuesday night during “I went in there and checked on him,” Lakers coach Luke against Caen. He started the following game at Guingamp, but the Los Angeles Lakers’ 127-101 victory over the Golden Walton said after talking to James following the victory. “He since then has served time with the reserves. State Warriors, and he will undergo an MRI on Wednesday said he was looking forward to getting home and seeing his (Source: Soccernet) to determine the severity of the injury. kids. We all are. But he was in good spirits. He was happy The initial feeling is positive, with James “in good spirits” the team won. He’s been through a lot. He’ll be fine.” in the locker room afterward and a source telling ESPN’s James, 33, tried stretching the injury and immediately Dave McMenamin that the All-Star’s timeline for recovery got treatment in the locker room before being ruled out is considered day-to-day, pending the MRI results. later in the game. The Lakers were able to hold on against Pressure mounts on Gattuso James was hurt in the third quarter when he said he the Warriors without their leader, but it was the first time “overextended” his groin as his right leg slipped while Dray- this season they had to play for an extended period of time as Milan hit 34-year low in mond Green poked the ball away from him. James said he without James. “overextended” it further when he went back on defense “I’ve never really seen him injured,” said second-year front of goal immediately afterward. forward Kyle Kuzma, who led the Lakers with 19 points on When play returned to the other end of the court, James Tuesday. “If he has to go to the locker room, you know it’s Pressure on AC Milan manager Gennaro Gattuso continues to grow didn’t attempt to follow his teammates and remained close to something serious, because he does a hell of a job taking after his team ensured their longest period without a Serie A goal the Los Angeles bench. James then told the Lakers’ medical “I don’t know,” James added later when asked if he ex- care of his body. You can count on one hand the number of since 1984 with a 0-0 draw against newly promoted Frosinone. and coaching staff that he “felt a pop.” pects to miss time. “See what the MRI says and see how I times he’s been hurt.” The Rossoneri lie fifth in the table following the result, 21 After the Christmas Day game, James told McMenamin: feel for the rest of the day today. And I will be all around the Any long-term injury to James would be devastat- points behind league leaders Juventus, and five points behind “The good thing is the muscle is intact.” clock tomorrow on rehabbing. And we will see how I feel on ing to the Lakers (20-14). James came into Tuesday city rivals Inter in third. Both sides also have a game in hand “With me with injuries, I am never too concerned about Thursday when we go to [Sacramento].” averaging 27.6 points, 8.2 rebounds and 7.2 assists over Gattuso’s men. them,” said James, who had an electric stimulation device The Lakers, who next play the Kings, were up 71-57 with while playing in every game this season. He has played Failure to find the back of the net now means that Milan have attached to his hip before he and the Lakers flew back to 7 minutes, 51 seconds remaining in the third quarter versus in 116 consecutive regular-season games, one shy of not scored in their previous four league matches - a barren spell Los Angeles. “I was able to walk off on my own power. I felt Golden State when James departed. He had his way with his personal best, and 156 straight regular-season and that surpasses any they have endured in the past 34 years. a pop and see if I could stretch it a few times and see if it the Warriors at times during the first half, and he left with postseason games combined. (Source: ) will relieve, but it didn’t.” 17 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists. (Source: ESPN) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 27, 2018 SPORTS 15

Best is yet to come from Iran announce final squad for AFC Asian Cup

SPORTS TEHRAN — has named deskIran’s 23-man squad for the 2019 AFC Persepolis: Branko Ivankovic Asian Cup on Wednesday. 1 Following is the full text of the interview with Reading defensive midfielder and Char- Branko Ivankovic. leroi winger Ali Gholizadeh have been ruled out of the Persepolis can sign new players after the transfer competition due to foot injury. bans finishes in January. The strategy has both pros Iran have been drawn in Group D of the 2019 AFC Asian and cons. The team has accomplished much so far Cup alongside Vietnam, Iraq and Yemen. that injection of new players can negatively impact Team Melli will start their journey with a match against the team’s adjustment. Yemen on January 7 before facing Vietnam on January 12 A. I completely agree with you because signing the new and Iraq on January 16. players should be done with a lot of accuracy. It takes time Squad: for a new player to adjust himself with a team. Soroush Goalkeepers: Rafiei, who is one of our new players, has previously (Persepolis), (Maritimo), played in Persepolis. Mehdi Sharifi loves Persepolis and Payam Niazmand (Sepahan) has preferred to be without a team for six months to join Defenders: us. And we have also signed Saipa striker (Al-Shahania SC), (Akhmat who has already showed everyone how good he is. We Grozny), Vouria Ghafouri (Esteghlal), Mohammadhossein have already investigated about the players who have Kananizadegan (Machine Sazi), () joined us. The character of a player is very important to Ehsan Haji Safi (Tractor Sazi), (Esteghlal), us. We need three more players but I have to say find- (KAS Eupen) ing the new player is not an easy job. We need time to Midfielders: find our options. In addition to technical skills, we need (Qatar’s Al Ahli), (Tractor players with good character. In the past three years, we Sazi), (Esteghlal), (Tractor have worked together to achieve a common goal. The Sazi), (Persepolis), (Trabzonspor) most important thing is no player is bigger than the club. Strikers: Godwin Mensha played a major part in Persepolis (Al Gharafa), (Rubin Kazan), reaching the final of the Champions League for the first Mehdi Torabi (Persepolis), (Amiens) , Alireza time since the tournament started in 2003. He also was an Jahanbakhsh (Brighton), (Nottingham Forest) important player for your team in finishing the first half of the season as one the leaders. However, the Nigerian Love is the greatest gift of life and can be the greatest striker has failed to meet the expectations since he has legacy. Both getting love from other people and giving hopes reached 1,000 minutes without scoring for Persepolis. love to them. In football also love can be the legacy. A. I don’t like to talk about the performance of a player Tractor Sazi’s fans give him separately. Each player has his own task onto the field Love for football, love for sports, love for young people but I have to say Mensha needs the goals which help him and love for teaching them. good reception end his scoring drought. Persepolis are favorites to win three cups. You have Iran Olympic Committee President Reza Salehi of team preparation program are important: physical, Former Celtic and Hibs forward Anthony Stokes is on his way won back-to-back Iran league title and want to claim it Amiri has recently met his Croatian counterpart Zlatko tactical, and technical. We worked on all of them. We did back to Iran after coming to an agreement with Tractor Sazi and for the third successive year. Persepolis will take part Matesa. Have you played a role in arranging this meeting? not make any special change to the diet of the players, hopes that the fans give him a good reception. at the Asian Champions League as runners-up and can A. No, I didn’t organize the meeting, but I think the because most of Iranian foods are of high quality and Irish international Stokes and ex-Kilmarnock and Motherwell win the prestigious continental cup for the first time as cooperation between Iran and Croatia can be helpful have the necessary vitamins or proteins. In addition, forward Lee Erwin both signed for Tractor Club in the summer, well as the Hazfi Cup. for both countries. Iran and Croatia should exchange sudden changes in food habits of players may have a but the pair left earlier this month. A. We reached the semifinals of the AFC Champions experience in the sports field and exchange of athletes, negative effect. But we always insist that players manage Stokes cited family problems and Erwin insisted he was League for the second year in a row and it’s while Saudi coaches, teachers and sports knowledge, especially in their lifestyle. homesick, but that severely irked the Iranians, who reported Arabia’s Al Hilal failed to qualify for the knockout stage football and water sports. Our water polo and handball Which one is more important: a defensive game the pair to FIFA. as the competition’s runners-up. As you said, we are are among the world’s best teams. Croatia has also 10 or offensive attack? However, the 30-year-old has performed a U-turn and has favorites to win the Iran league title for the third year in players in NBA. Discus thrower Sandra Perkovic is a A. I want both of them in my team because neither decided to return to Tractor Sazi. a row. We also want to win Iran’s Hazfi Cup. Persepolis two-time Olympic champion as well. Mr. Salehi Amiri can be separated from the game. A team must be strong And he insisted he will fulfill his contract there. has won Super Cup so far and will try to win trophies. has also held a meeting with President of the Croatian in all areas. Besides, through training I always try to Stokes said: “I had a very good meeting with the team coach, All of us know what we are searching for. Unfortunately, Football Federation Davor Suker. He is my close friend make a team play with creativity and beauty but without Mohammad Taghavi and he now has a very good understanding we narrowly missed the chance to win the ACL title, but and wanted me to take charge of Croatia national football individual show-off by players. All the players should of my situation. we want to win it in the upcoming season. We lead the team, but I turned down the offer. work for the team and not for themselves. I prefer to “Unfortunately, I had major family problems this month which table in the league and want to win Hazfi Cup, these are One-fourth of the current coaches in the Iranian get the ideal result by mastering the game. That’s my meant I had to return home,” he added. our goals for this season. league, namely , , Yahya Gol- philosophy and my way of football. “During my first spell at the club, these problems meant I mohammadi and have been your players in Johan Cruyff once said that in a game if plan A couldn’t concentrate fully on my football and I could not con- the past years. It seems they follow in your footsteps in didn’t work he tried to perfect that plan and wouldn’t centrate. Hopefully, the fans will give me a good reception too,” their coaching program. go to plan B. What is your opinion? Stokes concluded. A. I am very happy they have chosen the coaching and A good team must have a basic method of play, as (Source: Scottish Sun) want to pass on their experience to the players. Saipa well as an alternative method. Of course, this alternative coach Ali Daei is a great player who can be president of plan should not be such that it differs180 degrees from Iran football federation and also head of Asian Foot- the basic team plan. For example, in one game Bashar ball Confederation. However, he has decided to coach Resan (the Iraqi midfielder) was out, and we played with Iran to host 2019 Asian the players. Ali Karimi, Javad Nekounam and Yahya a linear midfield formation, but in the next game we Golmohammadi were also great players. I congratulate shifted to a midfield diamond. These are some of the Paraskiing Cup them and wish them all the best. I know that coaching tactical details that we change, but the main style of the is a very tough job with a lot of bumps in the road. game would not change. I will train my players so that MNA — Iran will host 2019 Asian Paraskiing Cup, attended by What made you decide to coach Persepolis they can play at least two positions. Now in Persepolis Asian countries in the slalom and giant slalom divisions, to be Football Club? Shoja’ Khalilzadeh, Mohsen Rabikhah, staged between February 1 and 5. A. The main reason was that I had earlier and other players play in two and even more positions. The forthcoming tournament will be held in Dizin ski re- worked in Iran as national team head coach You have worked in Croatia, Saudi Arabia, the United sort, located about 70 kilometers north of the Iranian capital and figured that in four years we could Arab Emirates, China and Iran. What differences and city of Tehran. get the best results with Team Melli. similarities have you seen in these countries’ football? Back in November this year, Iranian paraskiiers won six medals We qualified for the World Cup 2006 A. Of course, there are some differences. What’s clear at 2018 World Para Snowboard World Cup that took place at an and came third in the AFC Asian Cup is that Iranian players have great talent and are very indoor ski resort at Ski Dubai. 2004 while we deserved to go to the valuable players and are interested in working hard and Sadegh Kalhor won four medals in Dubai, one silver in the final of that tournament. Since I left they show their enthusiasm in training and in the games. Asian division and two gold and one silver in the World Cup; Iran, we have had several negotia- Iranian players have huge potential to get the best results. Javad Sologhani and Seyed Ahmad Jafari also won two bronze tions with Persepolis during those In countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emir- medals for Iranian delegation. years, and they sent some offers to ates and China, the quality of football teams are largely convince me to come to Persepolis, dependent on foreign players. Some of those players cost I think it was two or three times. about $20 million. In those countries the budget of one Of course, there were logical reason club is more than the total budget of several Iranian clubs. Iranian referee to officiate in to refuse offers every time, because I There is also a budget problem in Croatian football, and was under contract with other clubs, players prefer to play abroad and leave Croatia. Asian Champions League and I did not want to cancel my contract, How far do you want to go with the Persepolis team? because I believe that I should do my best When you arrived the team’s ranking was 12 and now it is a IRNA — The chairman of the panel of Iran football federation wherever I am. Finally, the last time that champion in Iran and runner-up in AFC Champions League. judges announced on Wednesday an Iranian referee, Mo’ud Bon- we negotiated, we could sign a contract, and A. I believe that the best is yet to come from Persepolis, yadifar, is to officiate in 2019 Asian Champions League. I think they chose me because of my successful and we can improve many aspects of our game. We still Davoud Rafati said Alireza Faghani was the only Iranian ref- career with Croatia and Iran national teams, have a lot of work ahead to build the club structure, as eree to officiate in the Asian Champions League, but from now and also as a successful club head coach who well as select good players for the team. We are going on Bonyadifar will also whistle in the matches. had good experiences in Saudi Arabia, the to train players who originated from inside Persepolis The 33-year-old referee is among Iran’s prominent umpires UAE, China and Croatia. Now, it is four and for this goal, we want to build a professional and who as of 2013 has joined the country’s international referees. years that we have cooperated with each powerful youth academy for the club. In fact, this is a other and it is continued. process that continues and is unstoppable. Did change the players’ exercise What is the second thing you like most after foot- regimen as well as their nutrition ball? What would you do if you couldn’t teach football Pahlavani wrestling added program? any longer? A. Yes. When a new coach A. I am a football coach as well as a fitness coach. to nomads’ competitions in comes in, he sees the problems of In addition, I’ve been teaching in school for five years. Saudi Arabia the team from his own point of Anyway, I would stay in sports and work with kids as a view. Each and every manag- skiing or swimming specialist. I don’t see myself out of er has his own benchmarks sports even if there would be no football in my life. IRNA — The International Pahlavani Wrestling Federation agreed for preparing the team. I You talked about kids. When you look back at Branko’s to add the sport to the World Nomad Games in Saudi Arabia. don’t want to talk about childhood especially when he was a teenager what do you The head of the International Pahlavani Wrestling Federation the coaches before see? How much of him is still left in you? Ali-Reza Heydari agreed to add the sport to the World Nomad Games. myself, but I set my A. Sports and street games. Sport is something that Pahlavani wrestling, along with Pankration, Belt wrestling, own standards, and I has stayed with me from my childhood till now. Mean- grappling, and African wrestling, is one of the Associated Styles always try to raise while, I was also a professional chess player and became that is recognized by the United World Wrestling. these standards. the champion of our city two or three times. Generally Pahlavani wrestling dates back to ancient Iran. It was originally I think all parts speaking, my entire life has been around and about sports. used to train warriors. This Iranian style of wrestling features Today, my best friends share a history of over 50 years of two competitors trying to throw the opponent to his back. friendship between us. We are all sportsmen. Pahlavani wrestlers wear pants which extend from their waist The best is yet to come from Persepolis, and we can improve What would you like your legacy to be, as a football to below the knees and a belt that can be grabbed and used with many aspects of our game. We still have a lot of work ahead coach, and as an individual? trips and holds to lift and throw an opponent. to build the club structure, as well as select good players A. Love. This is the greatest gift of life and can be The World Nomad Games is the international sports com- the greatest legacy. Both getting love from other people petitions in ethnic sports, which was based on the folk games of for the team. We are going to train players who originated and giving love to them. In football also love can be the the nomadic peoples of Eurasia. from inside Persepolis and for this goal, we want to build a legacy. Love for football, love for sports, love for young Through strengthening of cultural ties between the partici- people and love for teaching them. pating countries, the games try to preserve, revive and introduce professional and powerful youth academy. the culture of the nomadic peoples to others. Prayer Times Noon:12:05 Evening: 17:18 Dawn: 5:43 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 7:13 (tomorrow) DECEMBER 27, 2018 ART&CULTURE I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y www.tehrantimes.com Managing Director: Ali Asgari Editor-in-Chief: Mohammad Ghaderi Painter Sara Ashrafi showcases new Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 [email protected] Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051450 Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 collection at Danish library Public Relations Office: Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 ARTTEHRAN – Iranian surrealist painter www.eshterak.ir Distributor: Padideh Novin Co. deskSara Ashrafi is displaying her latest Tel: 88911433 collection in an exhibit at the Mon Public Library in Webmaster: [email protected] Printed at: Rooztab - ISSN: 1017-94 Denmark, the Persian service of Honaronline reported on Wednesday. No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran The exhibition entitled “Tonality Means Advance P.o. Box: 14155-4843 Zip Code: 1599814713 without Fight” opened on November 30 and will run through January 5. The title came into her mind when she was looking down to the earth during her air travel to Denmark. “From the up there, the borders and the fences created by men seem like wounds on the skin of the earth,” Ashrafi said. “Wars, killings and homelessness are clearly visible in the borders and the fences. Most of the differences GUIDE TO such as the diversity of human races, which cause SPIRITUAL AWAKENING wars on the earth, are just part of the beauty of life,” she added. She called painting a means or medium to describe There are two kinds of people who are greedy; peace and simplify the story of politics, and added, and never satisfied: seekers of learning, and “Art can easily wield influence on politics, and an artist can be unconsciously a peace envoy.” lovers of the world. “I’m not a political person, but I feel that it is possible Imam Ali (AS) to enter an unknown complexity by art. Therefore my exhibition has been warmly received and newspapers have published articles about it.” Ashrafi is frequent visitor to Denmark. Earlier in September, Ugebladet newspaper in the southeastern Iran to cooperate with Danish island of Mon hung her paintings in an exhibition. Japan’s National Museum In addition, the Naestved Library and Citizens’ Service in the town of Naestved showcased a collection of Ethnology on cinema of Ashrafi’s works in an exhibition. A painting by Iranian surrealist artist Sara Ashrafi.

ARTTEHRAN – Iran plans to collaborate with deskJapan’s National Museum of Ethnology on Domenico Starnone’s “Ties” Asia Pacific Triennial displaying works cinema, Iran’s Islamic Culture and Relations Organization announced on Wednesday. at Iranian bookstores by Iranian artists

A view of Japan’s National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka. The plan has recently been discussed in Iranian cultural attaché Hossein Divsalar’s meeting with Kenji Kuroda, the curator of the Front cover of the Persian version of Italian writer Domenico Starnone’s novella “Ties”. An artwork by Iranian artist Iman Raad. Middle East section of the museum in Osaka. ART They agreed that the museum will provide the necessary sup- CULTURE TEHRAN – Italian The book tells the story of Vanda TEHRAN – Works until April 28, 2019. desk desk port for Iran to screen a selection of films with Japanese subtitles writer Domenico and Aldo, a couple who are trapped in by Iranian artists Textile-collages by painter at various events in the country. Starnone’s 2014 novella “Ties” has their routine life. Their marriage is a Iman Raad and Zahra Imani are on and illustrator Imani and sets of Based on the agreement, a lineup of Iranian films will be recently been published in Persian by cracked vase that may shatter at the display at the 9th Asia Pacific Triennial installation and mixed media works screened at the Osaka Asian Film Festival, which is scheduled Vara Publications in Tehran. slightest touch. of Contemporary Art (APT9). by Raad have been selected for the to be held from March 8 to 17. Yalda Belarak has rendered “Ties” The English version of the book was The exhibition opened on November triennial. Among the films is filmmaker Masud Taheri’s latest docu- into Persian from the English translation published in 2017. 24 at the Queensland Art Gallery and The exhibition is displaying over mentary “The Eastern” that is about Japanese expert on religions of the book by Pulitzer Prize-winning The book is also the winner of the Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) 400 artworks by 80 artists from Asia Toshihiko Izutsu (1914–1993). author Jhumpa Lahiri Bridge Prize for Best Novel 2015. in Brisbane, Australia and will run and Australia.

Kristin Hannah’s “The Great “Vice” movie explores U.S. Vice President Cheney’s shadowy rise to power LOS ANGELES (Reuters) — Shortly into an ill-conceived war in Iraq after the sequences including an imagined scene “Anyone that says it’s a liberal bias, I Alone” published in Persian after the release of his 2015 Wall Street Sept. 11 attacks. But the film also tells the where Dick and Lynne Cheney break into would love for them to point out what’s not drama “The Big Short,” writer and director love story of Cheney and his wife, Lynne Shakespearean-style dialogue to plot his accurate. We clearly invaded Iraq, clearly CULTURE TEHRAN – Celebrated American writer Kristin Adam McKay was home sick with the flu (Amy Adams), and shows tender moments next career move. the intelligence was questionable, clearly deskHannah’s 2018 book “The Great Alone” has and picked up a book about former U.S. with his two daughters. “Vice” earned six Golden Globe Cheney did X, Y and Z,” he said. recently been published in Persian in Tehran. Vice President Dick Cheney. “We really tried to make it a character nominations, more than any other film, Representatives for the Cheneys did Tandis Publications is the McKay was fascinated by the power that portrait more than about right versus left, and is considered a contender for the not immediately respond to requests for publisher of the book translated Cheney quietly amassed behind the scenes really trying to understand the path that Academy Awards. comment. McKay said he believes Cheney by Afaq Zargarian. of the George W. Bush administration, and America took,” McKay said. Some conservatives have attacked would not object to “the first 99 percent The book is about a former he was inspired to write and direct “Vice,” “It was a story that went from humble the film as a liberal Hollywood spin on of the movie.” Vietnam POW in 1974, who which opens in movie theaters on Christmas, American ambition into power into Cheney’s ascent. The National Review’s Kyle “At the end, there’s definitely an decides to take his wife and to show how that happened. something darker,” he added. Smith said McKay, a donor to Democratic implication that things have come undone,” teenage girl to Alaska to have “How did this guy who was so McKay, whose credits include wacky Will candidates, crafted “left-wing fantasy McKay said. “He wouldn’t agree with that, a better future away from the uncharismatic and so shadowy affect Ferrell comedies such as “Anchorman,” dialogue” to make a point. but I would think up until that point he’d just noise and nightmares that history to this degree?” McKay said in an won a screenwriting Oscar for using McKay said “Vice” underwent rigorous watch and go ‘Yeah, that’s what happened.’” plague him. But they are not interview. unconventional tactics to describe the U.S. fact-checking and some Cheney fans “still Said Bale of Cheney: “He’s a thick- prepared to face the reality In “Vice,” Christian Bale portrays Cheney housing meltdown in “The Big Short.” In can’t admit they were wrong” in backing skinned individual. I don’t think he’s going of Alaska with the long, cold as a conniving opportunist who steers Bush “Vice,” he intersperses drama with fantasy the Iraq war. to give a damn.” winters and isolation. Hannah has won numerous awards, including the Golden Chicano author, illustrator collaborate on animal adventure Heart, the Maggie and the 1996 ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The 81-year-old author from a self-designed tattoo on the artist’s upper arm. Other Front cover of the Persian version National Reader’s Choice is often called a dean of Chicano literature. The illustrator characters include a young raven and crow who prefer video of American writer Kristin award. is a younger muralist steeped in the visual traditions of games to school. There are positive role models, too — a Hannah’s “The Great Alone”. A Persian translation of Mexican-American pop culture and low-rider cars. disciplined roadrunner who drives a dazzling low-rider her 2015 historical novel “The Together, novelist Rudolfo Anaya and painter Moises car and a loving grandmother “Nana” owl. Nightingale” by Zargarian has previously been published by Salcedo — who goes by El Moises — have created a bilingual El Moises and Anaya already are working on a sequel that Tandis. children’s book with parallel texts in Spanish and English explores concerns about childhood bullying — something about the adventures of a tiny owl named Ollie who longs the illustrator and a 13-year-old son have been grappling to read on his own, even as he skips school and tangles with recently in Albuquerque, culminating in the decision Prosecutors close Steven with a cast of conniving animal characters in the hills and to do home schooling. Seagal sex assault inquiry skies of northern New Mexico. Anaya, a widower who lives in Albuquerque with a dachs- Anaya achieved lasting literary fame with the novel hund at his side, continues to work steadily on essays and without charges “Bless Me, Ultima” in 1972 about a boy’s coming of age in novels for grown-up readers. post-World War II New Mexico under the guidance of a He said “Owl in a Straw Hat” is an outgrowth of his LOS ANGELES (Reuters) — Los Angeles prosecutors said traditional spiritual healer. The book became a movie — enduring concern for children — including children living on Friday they were declining to bring a criminal case against and recently an opera. far away in war-torn countries. actor Steven Seagal stemming from an allegation that he sexually The new children’s book from the Museum of New Mex- “Maybe that’s why I write books for children, to get In this Thursday, April 5, 2018 photo artist Moises Salcedo of assaulted a minor in 2002, citing California’s statute of limitations. ico Press— titled “Owl in a Straw Hat,” or “El Tecolote a lift, to think there is something positive on Earth that Albuquerque shows an early rendition of the lead character The decision marked the second time this year the Los Angeles del Sombrero de Paja” — is chocked full of references to might offset the evil that we see,” Anaya said, on a day for the bilingual children’s book “Owl in a Straw Hat” County District Attorney’s Office decided against charging Seagal northern New Mexico geography and homespun Hispanic where violence in Syria dominated news headlines. “As at his home and studio in Albuquerque, N.M.(AP Photo/ with a crime in connection with an accusation of sexual assault tradition — from posole soup and pinon nuts to the “acequia” I’m writing, I’m speaking to a child, to children. I’m kind Morgan Lee) from more than a decade in the past. organizations that help irrigate fields and lend a special of telling them, ‘Look at Oli and Raven and Crow.’ The In the most recent case, a woman whose name has not been order to local rural life. The 45-year-old illustrator is a father of five who often children are always there, they’re always there wanting released by prosecutors reported to Los Angeles police that Sea- Anaya said the work is a heartfelt effort to encourage paints at a weathered living-room table amid the bustle to hear a story.” gal sexually assaulted her in 2002 when she was a minor, the shared family reading in English or Spanish, with eye-grab- of family. El Moises says people call him a Chicano artist, The English text of the new book contains a smattering District Attorney’s Office said in a document released on Friday. bing imagery. but it’s really just his take on everyday life. of colloquial Spanish words and phrases — such as “mi’jito” Prosecutors said the investigation found insufficient corrob- The book’s illustrations spring from the brush of Mex- “Bold and bright has always been my thing,” he said. “I for my little son. A Spanish-English glossary at the back orating evidence for a sexual assault allegation dating back that ican-born, Arizona-raised El Moises — who made New love low-riders because I grew up around them. ... I just of the book resolves any mysteries. far in time. Mexico his adopted home nearly a decade ago. His other think that I’m an artist who is narrating his life.” That aims to help young readers from various cultures “Therefore, the case is declined due to the expiration of the recent commissions include urban murals, a tequila logo, One of the new book’s characters — a hungry and untrust- feel comfortable, according to Enrique Lamadrid, who statute of limitations,” it said. CD covers and more. worthy wolf in sunglasses named Luis Lobo — is adapted wrote the book’s full Spanish translation.