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16 Pages Price 40,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 39th year No.13567 Monday DECEMBER 30, 2019 Dey 9, 1398 Jumada Al Awwal 3, 1441 Syrians themselves U.S. dominance Mehdi Taj resigns as Iranian art curator must write their own in region is over head of Iran football Qabaian to receive French constitution 3 3 federation 15 Légion d’Honneur 16

Railway fleet receives 243 new domestically-made wagons, locomotives Festivities on eve of new TEHRAN — In a ceremony on Sunday (about $80.9 million), the mentioned wag- some 243 new domestically-made loco- ons and locomotives have been made by motives and wagons were added to the three different companies namely, Wagon railway fleet of Iran, IRNA reported. Pars, Iranian Rail Industries Development The ceremony was attended by Iranian Company and Foolad Derakhshan Arak Christian year Transport and Urban Development Min- Company. ister Mohammad Eslami and the Head of Back in September, RAI celebrated Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (known the addition of 213 domestically-made See page 3 as RAI) Saied Rasouli in Tehran. wagons and locomotives to the country’s As reported, valued at 3.4 trillion rials fleet. 4 Iranian researchers design nanofilters for diesel cars TEHRAN — As part of a national plan, while are being imported at a price three Iranian researchers have managed to times above the Iranian product. develop a new generation of nanofilters According to Rasoul Norouzian, the capable of absorbing diesel soot, IRNA product designer, the filter is capable of news agency reported on Saturday. absorbing particulate matter (PM 2.5), which The process of obtaining international can be efficient in curbing air pollution. standards for manufacturing the product According to a study conducted by is currently underway. JICA (Japan International Cooperation Currently, car manufacturers are us- Agency), about 75-85 percent of Teh- ing ceramic filters that do not meet the ran’s air pollution is related to cars and requirements of Euro 2 diesel engines, motorcycles. 12

Iraqi President Salih returns to Baghdad By Staff & agencies political party leaders. Salih’s departure

The Iraqi president Barham Salih returned would be a blow to the US, whose influence to Baghdad after spending two days in in Iraq is already diminishing, as he has Sulaymaniyah. strong ties to Washington. Salih sent a letter to parliament’s speak- Oil-rich Iraq is facing its most serious er on Thursday outlining his “willingness unrest since the ISIL terrorist group was to resign” rather than nominate Mr. Edani. militarily defeated in 2017, as official security Erfan Khoshkhoo While Salih has not formally quit, a person forces and pro-government militias have close to the president said it was likely killed up to 500 people during violence in ISNA/ that his resignation would be accepted by the capital and cities across the south. 13 ARTICLE Syria repels militant drone attack on army air base in Hama ARTICLE Maryam Khormaei Syrian air defense forces have reportedly managed launched by foreign-sponsored Takfiri militants On October 9, Turkish military forces and Quayyum Raja Mehr News Agency to foil an attack by foreign-sponsored Takfiri operating in the area, and was armed with six missiles. Ankara-backed militants launched a long-threat- East Asian analyst journalist militants against an air base in the country’s The projectiles were recovered by Syrian ened cross-border invasion of northeastern Syria west-central province of Hama. government forces and later defused. in a declared attempt to push militants from the Sham FM radio station reported that the coun- Unknown aircraft bombs Turk- Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) away The secret of try’s anti-aircraft defense systems intercepted ish-backed militants’ prison in Aleppo from border areas. A noble idea by unmanned aerial vehicles attacking Hama Military Meanwhile, an unidentified unmanned aerial Ankara views the U.S.-backed YPG as a terrorist tripartite drills: U.S. Airport, located more than 210 km (130 miles) aircraft on Saturday bombarded a prison run by organization tied to the homegrown Kurdistan Malaysia Islamic north of the capital Damascus, late on Friday. Turkish-backed Takfiri militants in northwestern Workers’ Party (PKK), which has been seeking an loses its influence The development took place less than a week Syria. Local sources said the unknown aircraft autonomous Kurdish region in Turkey since 1984. Summit after Syrian government forces captured and conducted an airstrike against the jail in the village On October 22, Russian President Vladimir am a very happy man today. Four in the region dismantled an unmanned aerial vehicle rigged of Sajou, which lies near the city of A’zaz and 43 Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip years ago, I had published a book with explosives in the same Syrian province. kilometers (26 miles) north of Aleppo. Erdogan signed a memorandum of understanding ith launching unprecedented titled: “An Islamic Approach to Syria’s official news agency SANA reported that The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human that asserted YPG militants had to withdraw from I drills alongside two world pow- Diplomacy & Human Rights.” In it, air defense units managed to intercept and shoot Rights later reported that the prison was run by the Turkish-controlled “safe zone” in northeastern ers, Tehran has shown that it can I described how the Prophet (PBUH) W down the drone as it was flying in the skies over the militants from the Levant Front terror group, and Syria within 150 hours, after which Ankara and overcome the efforts that aim to isolate conducted diplomacy and defined Hu- city of al-Suqaylabiyah on Tuesday morning. contained remnants of Daesh Takfiri terrorist Moscow would run joint patrols around the area. Iran and push regional calculations into man Rights. I had concluded that the The report added that the aircraft had been group and affiliated extremists. (Source: agencies) a new phase by resorting to the option Islamic world was in crisis because it of coalition. deviated from the basic idea of Islamic Since Friday, tripartite naval drills Justice and compromised its noble are going on in the Indian Ocean and U.S. mass killings hit new high in 2019 principles. the Gulf of Oman by naval vessels from The first one occurred 19 days into the new year tional news, failing to resonate among the gen- when responding police fatally shot the killer. I recommended far-reaching steps China, Russia and Iran. when a man used an ax to kill four family mem- eral public because they didn’t spill into public The perpetrator had had occasional run-ins for the Muslim states in general and The Gulf of Oman is a particularly bers, including his infant daughter. Five months places like massacres in El Paso and Odessa, with police over the years, but what drove him the people in particular to get closer sensitive waterway as it connects to the later, 12 people were killed in a workplace shooting Texas; Dayton, Ohio; Virginia Beach, Virginia; to attack his family remains unknown. He had to each other. One such recommen- Strait of Hormuz - through which about in Virginia. Twenty-two more died at a Walmart and Jersey City, New Jersey. just gotten a job training mechanics at an auto dation was the “Public Diplomacy” a fifth of the world’s oil passes - which in in El Paso in August. Most of the killings involved people who knew dealership, and despite occasional arguments successfully practiced by the Islamic turn connects to the Persian Gulf. A database compiled by The Associated each other — family disputes, drug or gang vi- with his relatives, most said there was nothing out Republic of Iran. It meant people to The three countries are holding the Press, USA Today and Northeastern Universi- olence, or people with beefs who directed their of the ordinary that raised significant red flags. people contact, which required re- four-day joint naval exercise, dubbed ty shows that there were more mass killings in anger at co-workers or relatives. In the months since, the self-described so- laxed visa rules to allow Muslims to Marine Security Belt, under the slogan 2019 than in any other year dating to at least In many cases, what set off the perpetrator cial butterfly steers clear of crowds and can only visit each other and learn each other’s of boosting international security and the 1970s, punctuated by a chilling succession remains a mystery. tolerate so much socializing. He still drives the languages, while adopting a common trade, especially in the Persian Gulf and of deadly rampages during the summer. That’s the case with the very first mass killing same car, still riddled with bullet holes on the educational syllabus and their own the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s main In all, there were 41 mass killings, defined as of 2019, when a 42-year-old man took an ax and side panels, a bullet hole in the headrest of the language of instruction to promote energy transit routes through which 18 when four or more people are killed, excluding the stabbed to death his mother, stepfather, girl- passenger seat and the words “evidence” scrawled Islamic culture and heritage. million barrels of oil pass per day. perpetrator. Of those, 33 were mass shootings. friend and 9-month-old daughter in Clackamas on the doors. His shoulder remains pocked with I also pointed out that the Muslims What is going on in the region›s waters More than 210 people were killed. County, Oregon. Two others, a roommate and bullet fragments. would never get their issues resolved from Friday to Monday can be seen as a Most of the mass killings barely became na- an 8-year-old girl, escaped; the rampage ended (Source: AP) through undemocratic international response to Europe and the U.S. that in the forum such the United Nations cap- past few months have formed two quasi-co- tured, controlled and run by the so alitions, under the pretext of securing energy called five permanent members of the transition, which were not welcomed by United Nations Security Council, who regional and trans-regional allies. National granted themselves a power to veto International reactions to any decision that may not suit their the Iran-Russia-China joint na- festival of toys political hegemony and economic val drills exploitation. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad I had proposed that Turkey, Iran, Javad Zarif stated in a tweet that the drills underway in Malaysia, Pakistan, Indonesia and the show the Islamic Republic’s commitment Arab states could play a decisive role. to secure vital waterways. Although I was optimistic, I didn’t Russia, meanwhile, described the Tehran think that one of the noblest Muslim drills as unprecedented and in line with leaders such as Dr. Mahathir Muham- The fifth national festival of toys opened at the mad would hold an Islamic Summit, cooperating and training navies. Institute for the Intellectual Development of Chil- where he would be joined by outspo- Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman dren and Young Adults in Tehran on Saturday. ken leaders such as President Recep Wu Qian confirmed that the country’s Xin- With the theme of “practicing life”, this year’s Tayyp Erdogan of Turkey, President ing, a guided-missile destroyer, would take event is participated by 160 manufacturers and part in the drills. Hassan Rouhani of Iran and Qatar’s

Maryam Kamyab more than 60 designers, presenting some 2,000 Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to However, China has made every efforts domestically-made toys. identify the causes of conflicts in the to dismiss the speculation that the drills as A promotional exhibition titled “play for all” Muslim world and their solution. Polit- “alarming”, so the Chinese defense minis- is also being held with the participation of 27 ical and economic crisis in the Muslim try spokesman stated that the drill was a government and private entities as well as NGOs. World has been identified as one of “normal military exchange” between the The festival will be running through January Tehran Times/ Tehran Times/ the causes and coining the common three armed forces and was in line with 3, 2020 from 9 a.m. till 7 p.m. international law and practices. 7 Muslim currency as a solution. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS DECEMBER 30, 2019

Zarif visits Moscow Tehran says French remarks on case of

POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Minister Moham- deskmad Javad Zarif, accompanied by a delegation, Iranian national is example of interference visited Moscow late on Sunday. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi told re- POLITICAL TEHRAN – Iran’s For- that the Islamic Republic of Iran would not porters that Zarif was scheduled to hold talks with a number of deskeign Ministry spokes- give in to the political and smear campaigns, Russian officials on bilateral ties and the latest international man Abbas Mousavi said on Sunday that and this Australian citizen is serving her developments. the French Foreign Ministry’s statement sentence while enjoying all legal rights, He also said Zarif has been invited to attend an extraordinary about Iranian national Fariba Adelkhah like any other convict.” meeting of the United Nations in New York early next month is a “meddlesome action”. Moore-Gilbert’s arrest was confirmed to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the inter- “The French Foreign Ministry’s state- in September. She was accused of “spying national body. ment about an Iranian national was a med- for another country”. dlesome action and we consider France’s The Foreign Ministry spokesman demand legally baseless,” Mousavi said. went on to say that the world has not The French Foreign Ministry issued a forgotten Australia’s mistreatment of Joint wargame is a response statement on December 27 saying, “The Iranian national Negar Qods Kani. to U.S. unilateralism, ambassador of Iran was summoned to the Ghods Kani arrested in Australia in Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs 2017 over claims of violating U.S. sanc- Russian analyst says today by the deputy secretary general. He tions on Iran. was reminded of France’s demand that “Public opinion would not forget the Aus- our compatriots Fariba Adelkhah and tralian government’s treatment of Ms. Negar POLITICAL TEHRAN — A senior member of the Rus- Roland Marchal be promptly released and Qods Kani, who was kept in custody without desksian Council on Inter-Ethnic Relations said that the Iranian authorities demonstrate committing any crime and was treated in an on Saturday that the joint drills by naval forces of Iran, Russia total transparency on their situation. inhuman manner for 28 months. Among and China proved that the U.S. unilateralist policy has no place As President Macron and the foreign the examples of treatment of Ms. Qods Kani in today’s world. minister have repeatedly emphasized, that were against the law and human rights Ismail Shabanov said the drill shows that the international their imprisonment is unacceptable.” were leaving her to have a delivery in prison, system no longer tolerates unilateralism. Iran does not recognize dual nationality. demanded Iran release Adelkhah. ‘Australian woman violated separating the infant from the mother, turn- The military exercise comes at a time that the United States Mousavi said that the detained Iranian In a statement, Mousavi said that national security’ ing down the request for house arrest in lieu is resorting to every illegal ploy to isolate Iran in the world. national has been charged with espio- France’s call for the release is an example On Saturday, Mousavi also told re- of imprisonment, barring her from seeing The drills, codenamed “Maritime Security Belt”, started on nage and her lawyer is informed about of interference. porters that Australian woman Kylie her baby regularly, and finally violating the Friday and will last until Monday. The military exercise, the first details of the case and the Judiciary is He said France’s interference in the case Moore-Gilbert is being held in Iran for consular commitments by extraditing her of its kind between Iran and the two global military powers of studying the case. was irrelevant and added that “this will not violating national security. to the U.S.,” Mousavi noted. Russia and China, is taking place in the Sea of Oman and north Adelkhah, 60-year-old anthropol- only fail to help resolve the issue, but rather “She has been arrested on a charge Ghods Kani gave birth in Australian of the Indian Ocean. ogist and researcher at Sciences Po’s make the legal process more complicated.” of violating Iran’s national security, and custody before being extradited to the Shabanov said the joint military drill by the three key powers Center for International Studies (CERI) Noting that Iran does not recognize dual the competent court has also issued the United States. She was sentenced in was in fact a response to security challenges posed by the U.S. in Paris, was reportedly arrested in nationality, Mousavi said “Mrs. Adelkhah appropriate ruling by observing all rel- the U.S. for violating sanctions against and NATO. June on charges of espionage. is an Iranian national and enjoys all the evant laws,” he said. Iran but was released in September and He added that the U.S. and the West are the root causes of In October, France’s Foreign Ministry citizenship rights of Iranian nationals.” Mousavi added, “Experience has shown returned home. instability in the Middle East. On the importance of such drills, he said maintaining mili- tary cooperation among Russia, Iran and China for preserving stability in the world is of prime importance. In comments on his official Twitter account on Friday, the Iran-China-Russia naval wargame ends in Indian Ocean Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said the world is living in the post-West era. POLITICAL TEHRAN — A join naval wargame by destroyer were displayed in the wargame. The joint military exercise was viewed by some an- desk “The fact is that in the current transitional era, not everything Iran, China and Russia ended on Sunday The Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King helicopters of the Iranian Navy alysts as a show of power and solidarity between Iran happens in, nor by the West. We are truly living in a #Post_West- in a region in north of the Indian Ocean. scrambling for reconnaissance also took part in the exercise. and the great powers of China and Russia in the face of ern_world in which all global players have their share in its Iranian Alborz and Bayandor destroyers, Neyzeh (Spear) Iran, Russia, and China launched the naval wargame, pressure by Washington. reality,” Abbas Mousavi said in regard to the joint drill. cruiser, Russian corvette Yaroslav Mudry and tanker Yelnya codenamed “Marine Security Belt”, in the Sea of Oman and Some media in Iran referred to the war game as a The joint military exercise is viewed by some analysts as a and the rescue towboat Viktor Konetsky, Chinese Xining the north of the Indian Ocean on Friday. “show of power by the Easterners”. show of power and solidarity between Iran and the great powers of China and Russia in the face of pressure by Washington. China has sent a guided-missile destroyer to the four-day Navies of Iran, Russia, China exercise anti-piracy, marine firefighting operations drills. Russia has also sent three ships from its Baltic Fleet - a frigate, a tanker, and a rescue tug boat. TEHRAN (Tasnim) — Military forces from Iran, Russia took control of the operation and commanded the Iranian, The Russian Defense Ministry has said it is the first time that and China exercised tactics to fight piracy and extinguish Russian and Chinese combat vessels to take action in the such drills are being held in such a format. vessel fires in joint naval drills in international waters war game zone. The Times of Israel also reported that the drill is the first such south of Iran. Afterwards, the special operation forces carried out air- trilateral exercise as Tehran seeks to boost military cooperation The third day of the large-scale naval drills of Iran, Russia borne and naval operations, captured the pirates and took with Beijing and Moscow amid unprecedented economic sanc- and China -underway in the Sea of Oman and the northern control of the hijacked ships. tions from Washington. parts of the Indian Ocean- included anti-piracy exercises The three countries also practiced a marine firefighting Global Times quoted Wu Qian, spokesperson of the Chinese and marine firefighting operations on Sunday. operation amid the anti-piracy exercise. Defense Ministry, as saying that the exercise aims to deepen the In one of the exercises, the naval and air troops from the A Russian military tugboat pulled one of the freed trade cooperation between the navies of the three countries. Wu also three countries practiced freeing two trade vessels that had vessels at the conclusion of the operation. said the wargame conveys a goodwill gesture. been hypothetically hijacked by pirates when traveling from The four-day joint naval exercise, dubbed Marine Se- He further said that the joint exercise will also exhibit China’s the Persian Gulf to international waters. curity Belt, kicked off in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of ability to maintain world peace and maritime security. As soon as the hijacked trade vessels sent distress signals Oman on Friday. to Iran’s southeastern port city of Chabahar, the Sikorsky The war game comes amid US efforts to woo countries into SH-3 Sea King helicopters of the Iranian Navy scrambled a maritime coalition for patrols in the Persian Gulf, which Tel Aviv repeats allegations for reconnaissance. The Iranian Damavand destroyer then have received lukewarm welcome from its allies. against Iran’s peaceful nuclear and defense missile programs Iran-Russia-China naval exercise shows that isolating Tehran isn’t possible In a powerful example of how the world All of this is illegal. The U.S. withdrew thermore, as Iran, Russia, China joint to be in exchange of the U.S. lifting all Israeli spy agency’s chief Yossi Cohen has said that Iran is his is increasingly becoming multipolar and from the Iran nuclear deal unilaterally, naval exercise shows, the U.S. can no sanctions against Iran and ratifying the department’s first priority, voicing concern over Tehran’s nuclear that Iran, despite U.S. pressure, cannot be despite Tehran following every stipulation longer unilaterally impose its will over same by the U.S. Congress — something technology and missile program. isolated, Iran, China and Russia are holding asked of it. This was an international ac- matters. There are forces today capable which is more than fair. In an address to Mossad’s agents, Cohen said the Islamic joint naval drills in the Indian Ocean and cord that was painstakingly put together of countering U.S. unilateralism and Iran However, Trump continues to believe Republic is “at the top of the Mossad’s work priorities,” Press Gulf of Oman. It will be recalled that ever after years of negotiations and approved won’t be without friends. On the other his maximum pressure tactic will pay TV reported on Saturday. since the U.S. pulled out of the Iran nuclear by the UN. Yet, U.S. President Donald hand, despite the injustice meted out off. But as the Iran, Russia, China joint “All Iranian nuclear, long-range missile and precision mis- deal last year, it has deployed a so-called Trump pulled out of the pact without to it, Iran has also indicated it is ready exercise shows, Washington’s hard power sile activities,” as well as its regional role “are a challenge to the maximum pressure strategy against the any real justification. And in reimposing to sign and ratify by the Iranian Parlia- options have their limits. It would be security of” Israel, he added. Islamic Republic that has involved slapping crippling sanctions on Iran he has tried ment an additional protocol that will best to resolve the situation through fair The remarks came one day after Israeli military chief of staff of sanctions, including secondary sanc- to starve the Iranian economy, thereby allow more intrusive inspection of the dialogue, respecting Iran’s rights and Lieutenant General Aviv Kochavi said Tel Aviv is preparing for tions, against Tehran. Additionally, the hurting the poorest of the poor Iranian country’s nuclear facilities at an earlier international protocols, and putting “limited confrontation” with Tehran. U.S. has now put together a naval coalition people. Many describe this as an economic date than set out in the 2015 deal. Plus, military options off the table. Most of “There is a possibility that we will face a limited confrontation force to patrol the Persian Gulf and Gulf genocide launched by the U.S. against Iran. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei all, the U.S. must junk its “isolate Iran” with Iran and we are preparing for it,” he said, stressing that it of Oman citing supposed threats to ships But sanctions in the past did not break is ready to enshrine a ban on nuclear plan. It clearly isn’t working. would have been better had Israel not been the only one engaged in the region. Iran. It is unlikely to do so now too. Fur- weapons in law. But this would have (Source: The Times of India) in the anti-Iran campaign. “We will not allow Iran to entrench itself in Syria, or in Iraq,” he added. In August, Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami underlined Tehran summons Kuwait envoy to protest anti-Iran meeting his country’s astonishing progress in producing different types of weapons and missiles, saying that Iran was able to protect its Iran’s Foreign Ministry says it has summoned Kuwait’s The Iranian official stressed the importance of The Foreign Ministry did not provide any more details security by conventional warheads. charge d’affaires to Tehran to strongly protest a recent observing the principle of mutual respect in bilateral about the group concerned or about which Kuwaiti officials Iran’s defense industry has arrived at a point where all its meeting of the Arab country’s officials with a representative relations and said, “Such a move is clear interference had met the group’s representative. missiles enjoy pin-pointing accuracy, General Hatami said, ad- of an anti-Iran terrorist group. in the internal affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran However, the speaker of the Kuwaiti National Assembly, dressing a ceremony to unveil the powerful indigenized missile The director general for the Persian Gulf Affairs of the and a breach of the principle of good neighborliness Marzouq al-Ghanim, has reportedly met with a member defense shield named Bavar 373. Iranian Foreign Ministry, Alireza Enayati, on Saturday as well as friendly remarks by the Kuwaiti officials.” of the al-Ahwaziya terrorist group on the sidelines of a “According to the strategic decision of the Islamic Repub- summoned the Kuwaiti envoy to also convey the Islamic He added that the measure was also in contravention of parliamentary conference calling for the breakaway of lic of Iran and based on the important and historical fatwas of Republic’s strong objection to the Arab state’s hosting of the principle of respect for territorial integrity and national the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz from the country. the Leader of the Revolution regarding missiles, we have not a conference against Iran. sovereignty of countries. (Source: Press TV) designed any missiles with unconventional warheads and we commit ourselves to maintain the deterrence power only with the conventional warheads. We are focusing on the effectiveness of missiles through improving their precision, maneuverability, The Association for Defending Victims of Terrorism speed and conventional explosive power to defeat enemy defense systems, and, thanks God, great progress has been made,” the defense chief explained. laments terrorist attacks on birthday of Jesus Christ “I proudly announce today that we have arrived at the edge of science and technology in many areas,” General Hatami said, The fact that hundreds of innocent people have been killed system revives and spreads terrorism to find access to stra- adding that the defense industry can also technologically support or injured in Afghanistan, Yemen, Burkina Faso, Nigeria tegic resources such as oil, prop up arms industry, and to non-military industries of the country. and Somalia on the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ (the hinder progress in developing countries The UN Security Council Resolution 2231 that confirmed messenger of kindness) are the best proof that terrorism under Asia and Africa are the center of this loot. the 2015 nuclear deal terminated the provisions of previous UN any title or ideology is merely an instrument for advancing Association for Defending Victims of Terrorism expresses resolutions against Iran, some of which had imposed restrictions the interests of hegemonic system and that nothing can its condolences with all the victims in Afghanistan, Yemen, on Iranian missile activities. It “calls on” Iran “not to undertake stop it from misusing sacred things for committing crimes. Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Somalia and prays for the health any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable Tragedies in recent days, from Asia to Africa, have proven of the injured and asks from elites in these countries and of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such again that terrorist groups have no belief in divine religions religious leaders to illuminate public opinion about the ballistic missile technology”. and that they use religion as a pretext to deceive public opinion. vicious agenda. Tehran has always said it has no nuclear warheads and that Roots of insecurity, genocide and crimes in the world The association wishes to celebrate victory over this vice none of its missiles have been designed to carry nuclear weapons. today can be tracked in the new world order. Hegemonic phenomenon before the next Christmas. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 30, 2019 IRAN IN FOCUS 3 Navy chief: U.S. dominance Syrians themselves must write their own constitution: Larijani

in region is over POLITICAL TEHRAN — Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said deskon Sunday that the Syrians themselves must Tehran invites all regional countries to join regional coalition draw up and approve their constitution far from any foreign interference or pressure. POLITICAL TEHRAN — Noting that drills,” he said, adding that good media “Now, the issue of constitution plays pivotal role in future of deskthe era of the U.S. dom- coverage came from both inside and out- Syria which must be prepared and approved by the Syria people. inance in the region has come to an end, side the country. The Syrians do not need any foreign interference and pressure Iranian Navy Chief Rear Admiral Hossein Naval forces of Iran, Russia and China and should be able to prepare the constitution,” he said during Khanzadi on Sunday invited all regional kicked off a large-scale maritime exercise in a meeting with a group of heads of the Syrian tribes. countries to join the Iran-Russia-China naval the northern part of the Indian Ocean and drill and the regional coalition. the Sea of Oman on Friday morning. The “The security of our region will be definitely joint military exercise is viewed by some established by regional countries and hereby analysts as a show of power and solidar- we invite all regional countries to join this ity between Iran and the great powers of convergence and regional coalition for the China and Russia in the face of pressure next rounds,” Khanzadi said, Mehr reported. by Washington. The era of dominance of the Americans Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad and their partners over the region has ended Zarif, in a post on his Twitter account on and they need to leave the region immedi- Friday, highlighted the importance of the ately, the navy chief suggested. naval drill, saying Tehran’s Hormuz Peace Khanzadi made the remarks on the side- Endeavor (HOPE) is still on the table. lines of the Iran-Russia-China joint maritime “Iran has long stated its readiness to work drill, codenamed “Marine Security Belt”. w/our neighbors to secure the Persian Gulf. He said various phases of the tactical drill #HOPE-Hormuz Peace Endeavour-is on have been successfully carried out so far. table right now,” the top diplomat wrote. Larijani said that Iran-Turkey-Russia cooperation within Iran believes that maritime security Addressing the UN General Assembly the framework of the Astana talks have proved very fruitful in is an issue that needs to be worked on late in September, President Hassan Rou- deescalating conflict in Syria. collectively by countries with maritime Navy chief Khanzadi says Iran, Russia and hani unveiled Iran’s new initiative for the In line with their security cooperation, Iran, Turkey and Russia capabilities, he stated. China set the bold lines for both the region and establishment of peace and security in the - three power brokers in Syria - launched the Astana peace talks The Navy chief emphasized that a new Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. on the Syrian crisis. The talks were launched in January 2017 level of the development of relations and the world by showing their cooperation not in “The goal of the Coalition for Hope is with the aim of putting an end to the Syrian conflict. cooperation between the three countries a separate movement but in a coalition. to promote peace, stability, progress and Kazakhstan has hosted multiple rounds of talks on Syria since at the highest level is being displayed by welfare for all the residents of the Strait January 2017 most of which involved delegations from the Syrian the naval exercise. countries have managed to cooperate suc- by showing their cooperation not in a sepa- of Hormuz region, and to enhance mutual government and opposition. Khanzadi said holding such naval exer- cessfully in other spheres. rate movement but in a coalition. understanding and peaceful and friendly Russian President Vladimir Putin said in August that Iran-Tur- cise, which is aimed at providing security He said Iran, Russia and China set the “Regional countries and our friends en- relations amongst them,” Rouhani told the key-Russia talks have been “most effective” in tackling crisis in Syria. in the region, indicates that the participant bold lines for both the region and the world thusiastically followed the joint military delegates at the UN. ‘U.S. is just after Syria’s oil’ Larijani also said that the United States is just after Syria’s oil which is “shameful”. “The person [U.S. President Donald Trump] who makes claims Festivities on eve of new Christian year about managing the world has just turned into a thief whose time POLITICAL TEHRAN — On the eve of the new Chris- to churches to give flowers to Armenians and Assyrians. begins on January 1. will not last,” he said. desktian year a celebration was held at Saint At Saint Sarkis Cathedral in Tehran some Muslims show- Such ceremonies provides an opportunity for more in- The parliament speaker also said certain countries have set Sarkis Cathedral in Tehran on Sunday. ered fellow Iranian Christians with flowers. teraction and unity between nations, the archbishop said. conditions to help reconstruct and support Syria, noting such The ceremony, called “the Appointment of the Cross The ceremony was held as a manifestation of friend- He also said Islam is the source of empathy and compas- moves are “shameful” which have caused harms to the country. and the Crescent”, was attended by top figures of different ship between Muslims and Christians on the advent of sion while Daesh (ISIS) is committing unspeakable crimes “It is the Syrian people who should set conditions,” he added. monotheistic religions including Armenian Archbishop the new Christian Year. under the name of Islam. The senior MP added, “The Islamic Republic of Iran oppos- of Tehran Sebouh Sarkissian as well as Foreign Ministry Speaking at the ceremony, Archbishop Sarkissian Daesh is committing crimes while all divine religions es any action against Syria’s territorial integrity and aggressive spokesman Abbas Mousavi. offered congratulations on the birthday of Jesus Christ have been inviting people to behave kindly, Sarkissian moves against the country. Iran supports fighting terrorism and To celebrate the occasion, scores of Muslims in Iran went (peace be upon him) and the New Christian year, which added. reconstructing Syria.”

Commander says Iran to give decisive Enemies were trying to ‘Syrianize’ U.S. claims ‘Maritime Security response to any misadventure Iran: civil defense chief Belt’ wargame by Iran, Russia and China is provocative

Acting U.S. Navy Secretary Thomas Modly reacted on Friday to the maritime joint drills by Iran, China and Russia in the Sea of Oman and north of the Indian Ocean, claiming the wargame is a provocative action. The joint naval drill, codenamed “Marine Security Belt”, started on Friday and will last until Monday. “I think they’re going to continue to perform provocative ac- tions over there... and I think they’ll look at every opportunity they can do that,” Modly told Reuters.

POLITICAL TEHRAN — Major against increasing gasoline price. In cer- POLITICAL TEHRAN — Enemies of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali deskGeneral Mohammad tain cases, the protests turned violent as deskwere after throwing Iran Khamenei supported the government’s Hossein Baqeri, the Armed Forces Chief some rioters clashed with police, using into disarray and making it like Syria in decision and condemned any act of sabo- of Staff, says his forces will give a “decisive” knives and guns. the mid-November protests, chief of Iran’s tage carried out by some “hooligans” and response to any misadventure by the en- Rioters damaged public and private Civil Defense Organization said on Sunday. supported by Iran’s enemies. emies, making them regret their actions. property and put banks and state buildings “The goal of the Aban (November) unrest “You see in the past two days, all the In a message on Sunday to mark the on fire. Some rioters even tried to set fire was to Syrianize Iran,” Gholamreza Jalali centers of evil in the world have been en- December 30 pro-establishment rallies, to pipelines carrying oil and gas. said, according to Mehr. couraging such acts against us. From the The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month that Presi- Baqeri said the occasion shows the Iranian The protests ended after a few days. He added that the Iranian people quickly sinister Pahlavi dynasty to the vicious and dent Donald Trump is considering deploying nearly 14,000 more nation’s insight, awareness and bravery Iranian officials have distinguished realized the difference between protest and criminal gang of Monafeqin (the MEK ter- troops to the Middle East, which could include dozens more in the face of the enemy’s plots. between peaceful protesters and rioters. riot, which ended the unrest in 48 hours. rorist group); they are constantly encourag- ships and equipment. Dey 9 (December 30) marks the day in “The Islamic Republic of Iran has al- Jalali was addressing a session held in ing hooliganism via the internet and other The deployment of 14,000 additional troops would double the which hundreds of thousands of people ways listened with open ears to peaceful Tehran to study different aspects of the means,” the Leader stated at the time. forces U.S. officials already announced were deploying in the region. took to the streets in Tehran in 2009 to protesters; the authorities must respond recent unrest across Iran. Other officials also blamed Monfaeqin Modly further suggested that the U.S. reactions to the Ira- show their strong protest against those to the people’s rightful demands,” said Protests erupted in Iran on November and the Pahlavi dynasty in addition to the nian actions could take away from the Pentagon’s focus toward who claimed vote rigging in the presiden- Abbasali Kadkhodaei, the spokesman for 15 after the government announced an U.S. and Israeli governments. priorities like countering China. tial election. the Guardian Council. increase in the price of gasoline, a subsi- In his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei “As they start creating mischief over there... our reaction is Baqeri said the enemies, led by the U.S. “But naturally, when there are dis- dized commodity that is still cheaper in urged the authorities to take good care sending an aircraft carrier over there for 10 months,” he said. and the Zionist regime, once again tried turbances – vandalism, attacks against Iran than other countries in the world. of the affected people and assuage the Modly’s warning on future actions coincides with China, Iran to foment unrest in Iran last month, but government centers and the destruction Rioters damaged public and private hardship caused by the move. and Russia beginning joint naval drills in the Indian Ocean and failed miserably. of people’s property – it is the duty of property and put banks, gas stations, and He also called on the people to take the Sea of Oman. He said economic pressure and sanc- security forces and police to take action, state buildings on fire. note of the enemies’ plots to disrupt Iran’s On Saturday, Rear Admiral Gholamreza Tahani, the deputy tions as well as propaganda campaigns and naturally, during these operations, To control the situation, Iran blocked security and take a separate path from commander of the Iranian Navy, highlighted the importance of are the enemies’ tools to dishearten the it is possible that incidents can happen,” access to the internet for days. the rioters that try to foment insecurity establishing security in the Indian Ocean, saying it would guar- Iranian nation. Kadkhodaei told France 24 in an interview In his remarks, Jalali pointed to the role in the country. antee economic interests of countries. The commander also said the Iranian published on Wednesday. of social media in the unrest, criticizing The Leader quoted officials as saying Tahani said that north of the Indian Ocean is one of the most armed forces will not allow the mercenaries He continued, “We have to be able to some officials for supporting free access that they would not allow the gasoline price important waterways in the world and plays an important role of the “evil triangle” of America, Israel and separate those who were protesting for to foreign social media networks. hike lead to increase in prices of other in international trade. reactionary states of the region to show their livelihood – they have to be honored, Shutting the internet down acted like “water commodities.This is important because “Ensuring full security of shipping lines in the region, especially off their power. we must listen to their concerns and see on fire” and proved that the unrest was being a further increase in commodity prices in the area between the Strait of Hormuz, the Strait of Malacca The remarks came a month after what their problems are – and those who organized by the social media, he argued. creates many problems for the people, and the Bab al-Mandab Strait… safeguards economic interests protests erupted in some cities in Iran committed terrorist acts and sabotage.” Soon after the protests erupted, Leader Ayatollah Khamenei said. on the global stage on the one hand and necessitates cooperation and convergence among different navies on the other hand,” Tahani remarked. He also said common maritime threats facing Iran, China Tehran condemns terror attack in Somalia and Russia have helped their navies boost trilateral cooperation. POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Ministry It came after a bomb-laden truck exploded at a check- Authorities, including Mogadishu Mayor Omar Muham- According to Tahani, the exercise covers 17,000 square kilo- deskspokesman Abbas Mousavi has denounced point in Mogadishu. oud, blamed al-Shabaab, a notorious terrorist group linked meters and consist of “various tactical exercises,” which include a terrorist attack in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, which has Many students, some 17 police forces and foreign nation- to al-Qaeda, for the attack although there has been no claim target practice and rescuing ships from assaults and fires. killed and injured dozens of people. als were among those killed in the attack, authorities said. of responsibility from the group, Press TV reported. It is the first time since the victory of the Islamic Revolution In a statement on Saturday evening, Mousavi offered his Other sources suggested the toll could be much higher Al-Shabaab was forced out of Mogadishu in 2011, but in 1979 that Iran is staging such a large-scale drill with Russia condolences to families of the victims of the terrorist attack, than 90 as the attack occurred during the morning rush violence still rages around the city and in other parts of and China as the second and third greatest military powers in according to the Foreign Ministry website. hour and in a busy day in Somalia, a country in the Horn the country. the world respectively. The attack, the deadliest in more than two years in So- of Africa region. The group has also been responsible for high-profile at- Tahani said certainly those countries that share security, eco- malia, took place earlier in the day in Mogadishu. It killed Hospital sources said more than 100 wounded people tacks in Kenya mainly because the neighboring country has nomic, political, and defense interests try to restore collective at least 90 people and injured dozens more. had been referred to the health facilities after the attack. launched a military intervention in Somalia. security in the region together. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY DECEMBER 30, 2019

STOCK MARKET Italians persistently TEDPIX 369719.4 IFX 4823.22 willing to preserve Sources: tse.ir, Ifb.ir

CURRENCIES trade with Iran USD 42,000 rials EUR 46,934 rials under sanctions GBP 54,911 rials By Mahnaz Abdi tries’ trade turnover is currently more than AED 11,437 rials 4 billion euros” Conciatori said. TEHRAN— Although the U.S. renewed sanc- “We are currently in the process of “con- Source: cbi.ir tions against Iranian economy are preventing templating” to plan better future relations, Iran’s European trade partners to do business and I’m sure we will have a bigger jump for- with the Islamic Republic, Italian traders and ward after this era”, he added. Expressing his satisfaction over the eagerness ties with Iran, every month four or five Italian businessmen seem strongly determined to According to the data released by European of Iranian and Italian private sectors for coop- companies visit Iran to hold trade talks. COMMODITIES preserve their trade ties with Iran. Union’s statistics agency Eurostat, among eration, the envoy said Italian embassy is ready The official says that the two sides have Brent $66.87/b They did not leave the Iranian market the European importers of Iranian products for offering any kind of cooperation in this due. on the agenda to boost their mutual trade even in the previous round of the sanctions. in 2018, Italy was the biggest one through “We are in a special condition created to $13 billion. WTI $61.72/b During a number of meetings between purchasing €2.9 billion of goods from Iran. as the result of sanctions pressure on both Meanwhile, in an interview conducted by ILNA on Saturday, Lida Shahabi, the secre- OPEC Basket $67.93/b Iranian and Italian officials and business- The country’s imports from Iran in 2018 sides and under the current condition Iranian people after the imposition of the new round was 31 percent of the total of European coun- and Italian governments and private sectors tary general of Iran-Italy Joint Chamber of Gold $1,513.00/oz of sanctions, the Italian side has repeatedly tries’ imports from the Islamic Republic. have a double responsibility to remove the Commerce, said that Italian private sector expressed its eagerness and determination However, the figure registered an annual barriers”, he stressed. is pressuring the government to set up a Silver $$17.84/oz to preserve and even expand economic and decrease of 13 percent in 2018 from its pre- According to Chairman of Iran-Italy Joint financial channel to boost economic ties Platinium $949.90/oz trade cooperation with Iran. vious €3.36 billion in 2017. Chamber of Commerce Ahmad Pourfallah, between the two countries. In a meeting with Head of Iran Chamber During another meeting participated despite the U.S. sanctions Italian companies “Italy cannot ignore the attractive market Sources: oilprice.com, Moneymetals.com of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agri- by the ICCIMA head and the new Italian are still willing to engage in trade with Iran. of Iran”, the official further emphasized. culture (ICCIMA) Gholam-Hossein Shafe’i Ambassador to Iran Giuseppe Perrone in The official says that despite the U.S. She went on to say, “SMEs are very im- in Tehran in mid-June, the previous Italian early July, the Italian envoy said the ground pressures, small and medium-sized Italian portant in the Italian economy. 90 percent Ambassador to Iran Mauro Conciatori em- is prepared for cooperation between Italian enterprises have not cut their ties with Iran of Italian SMEs are active with less than 10 Railway fleet receives 243 phasized that the cooperation between Iran and Iranian companies. and Italy still holds the first place among employees and have no ties with the U.S., so and Italy will be maintained at all levels. Making the remarks in a meeting of Iran’s European trade partners. they do not fear the sanctions. These SMEs new domestically-made Mentioning the growth of trade turnover Iran-Italy Joint Chamber of Commerce at “In the post-sanctions era when the sanc- express high willingness to have trade with between Iran and Italy in recent years and the place of ICCIMA, the ambassador said tions were removed from Iran’s economy, Iran as they consider the high potential of wagons, locomotives the interest of Italian businessmen and en- that the activities of the joint chamber in over 1000 business firms and more than Iranian market.” trepreneurs in investing in Iran, he stressed, fact show that there is high interest for co- 300 companies from Italy came to Iran,” Therefore, the officials of the two sides 1 During the ceremony for unveiling the mentioned “We should not worry about the future of operation between the two countries and according to Pourfallah. should lay the ground for expansion of bi- locomotives and wagons, Rasouli said the number of do- Iran-Italy economic relations.” based on the available data, Italy is one of He says that Italian companies are still look- lateral cooperation and in fact they should mestically produced locomotives and wagons was increased “Despite the U.S. sanctions, the two coun- the major trade partners of Iran. ing to find ways to continue their economic act as a catalyst in this due, she commented. by 58 percent, adding that according to a memorandum signed last year with the Budget and Planning Organiza- tion (BPO), by the end of the next Iranian calendar year ‘Over $2.8b needed annually for ‘Iran exploiting only 1% of its mineral (March 2021) another 974 locomotives will be added to maintaining roads’ reserves’ the country’s rail fleet. ECONOMY TEHRAN — Deputy ECONOMY TEHRAN — Vice Chair- According to the official, deskHead of Iran Road Main- deskman of Iran Stone Asso- a total of 1791 locomotives tenance and Transportation Organization ciation (ISA) said Iran is extracting only and wagons worth 20 trillion (RMTO) says the country’s roads need 120 one percent of its mineral reserves while rials (about $476.2 million) trillion rials (about $2.8 billion) of annual the figure should be five percent based on are planned to be added to budget to be properly maintained, IRIB international standards. the county’s railway fleet. reported on Saturday. “If Iran exploited its mineral reserves Back in June, Rasouli had According to Heidar Mataie, RMTO has according to world standards, the revenues announced that 20 trillion tried to use the Pavement Management from this sector would have been several rials (about $476.2 million) System (PMS) for collecting systemic data times more than that of oil,” Malek Rahmati has been allocated for ren- about the country’s roads in order to ob- told IRNA on Sunday. ovation of 1000 passenger tain a more scientific look and a better transport minister for resource plan- Iran has one percent of the world’s pop- Iranian calendar year (March 19, 2020). and freight wagons and also understanding of the state of the roads. ning and management said the county ulation, one percent of the world’s area and “Mines of Iran will not only meet the locomotives in the current photo: Iranian Transport and Referring to the PMS’s last year’s report, needs over 1.8 quadrillion rials (about one percent of the world’s mineral reserves. needs of the country’s industrial plants and Iranian calendar year. Urban Development Minister Mataie said: “According to the report, 32 $42.8 billion) of financial resources for According to the Statistical Center of construction industry but will also export He said this amount has Mohammad Eslami (L) and percent of the country’s arterial roads are completing its transportation infrastruc- Iran, Iran’s mineral reserves currently about $9-$10 billion of minerals and other been allocated by the Plan- the Head of Islamic Republic of in perfect condition, 35 percent are a lit- ture projects. amount to 25.7 billion tons, of which 67 products by the end of the year,” Sarqini ning and Budget Organiza- Iran Railways (known as RAI) tle damaged, 24 percent suffer moderate Speaking on the sidelines of the 4th percent or 17 billion tons is limestone, while said on the sidelines of a gathering of the tion. Saeid Rasouli (R) unveil 243 new destruction, and nine percent have severe International Exhibition of Transportation, 10 percent or 2.5 billion tons is the share country’s supreme council of mining in the In this year, which is domestically-made locomotives conditions.” Logistics, and Related Industries, Amir of iron ore, Rahmati said. city of Zanjan, west-central Iran. named as the year of “Pickup and wagons on Sunday, to be “Of the 88,000 km of arterial and Mahmoud Ghaffari said: “In this regard, The official put the total value of the Development of the country’s mining in Production” by the Leader added to the country’s fleet. none-arterial roads except for roads in rural the Transport Development Fund has country’s mineral output in the Iranian industry and especially expanding mineral of Islamic Revolution Ayatol- areas, 35 percent are in good condition, 30 been established as the only specialized calendar year of 1396 (March 2017-March exploration has become one of the main lah Seyed Ali Khamenei, all efforts of RAI are for renovat- percent are a little damaged and 11 percent and financial institution in the field, for 2018) at $1.3 billion, accounting for 0.7 strategies of Iran’s Industry, Mining and ing the railway fleet of the country by relying on domestic are in severe conditions,” he concluded. supporting the Transport Ministry’s infra- percent of the country’s total gross domestic Trade Ministry in recent years. producers, the official further stressed. He said that in order to carry out main- structure projects and the modernization product (GDP). Back in August, Head of Iranian Mines According to Saeed Mohammadzadeh, the previous head tenance operations for 36,000 kilometers of the transport fleet.” “Last year [March 21, 2018-March 20, and Mining Industries Development and of RAI, development of Iranian railways requires more than of arterial roads in the country, 120 trillion In the past two decades, Iran’s trans- 2019] the value of the country’s minerals Renovation Organization (IMIDRO) an- 32,000 wagons and locomotives in the next four years when rials is needed annually. portation infrastructure has gone through and mining industry’s exports amounted nounced that exploration operations were the railway infrastructures are developed in the country. In the most optimistic case, credits and major transformation and every year the to more than $9.2 billion, accounting 21 started in 300,000 square meters of land allocations will provide about 35 percent country is advancing more in this area. percent of the total non-oil exports. across the country. of the required fund, so maintaining roads Currently, more than 80 percent of Last week, Deputy Industry, Mining According to Khodadad Gharibpour, Iran, Afghanistan to link rail have been prioritized in order to optimize the country’s roads are paved and the and Trade Minister Jafar Sarqini said the the country’s private sector has invested the costs, in this regard, transit corridors government is also hugely planning on country’s mining sector is expected to export 11.3 trillion rials (about $269.04 million) networks by March 2021 are the top priority, according to the official. expanding and developing the country’s up to $10 billion of minerals and mining in the mining sector since last December Earlier this month, Iran’s deputy railway network. industry products by the end of the current up to August. ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iran’s Deputy Minister of deskTransport and Urban Development for Construction and Development of Railways, Ports and Iran budget deficit expected to top $13b next year Airports said that Iran and Afghanistan’s rail networks ECONOMY TEHRAN — Director of the Supreme (NDF), a part (16 percent) of which the government has lion rials (about $473.5 billion at the official rate of 42,000 will be connected in near future, Mehr News Agency deskAudit Court of Iran (SAC) said the country’s considered as frozen. This part should be revised and rials), with a 14-percent rise from the current year’s ap- reported. budget deficit for the next Iranian calendar year (March returned, the official added. proved budget. According to Abbas Khatibi, the 139-Killometer Khaf-Herat 2020-March 2021) is expected to reach about 550 trillion Iran’s next budget bill has been set based on the predic- The bill has estimated the government’s budget at 5.63 railway project which connects the rail networks of the two rials (over $13 billion). tion of selling one million barrels of oil at $50 per barrel, quadrillion rials (about $134.04 billion), 8.2 percent higher countries will come on stream by the end of the next Iranian “If we put the “spending credits” component of the budget however, many believe that due to the U.S. sanctions on the than the figure in the present year’s budget. calendar year (March 2021). at the 15 percent which the government has estimated, con- country’s oil industry Iranian government will not be able According to the submitted bill, revenues from exporting Connection of rail network of the country to neighbor- sidering the performance of the government in the past two to realize this prediction, so many predict a great budget oil, gas and gas condensate are estimated at 454.9 trillion ing countries is one of the main policies of the Ministry of years, we believe that the actual budget deficit of the next deficit for the next calendar year. rials (about $10.83 billion), down 66 percent from 1.37 Transport and Urban Development, the issue of which has year would be about 550 trillion rials,” Adel Azar told the Earlier on Saturday, Mohammad Amirzadeh, deputy quadrillion rials (about $32.61 billion) approved in the been put atop agenda of the ministry, Khatibi said. state TV on Saturday night. head of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and current year’s budget. He pointed to some of the ministry’s prioritized projects Speaking about the budget sources, Azar said: one of Agriculture (ICCIMA), said the government can compensate The government has envisioned various strategies for and added, “up to the present time, five rail projects have the government’s basic sources of revenue is tax, for which the probable deficits in the next year’s development budget compensating the next year’s budget deficit due to the fall been put into operation in the country.” the government has a somewhat realistic estimation in the by selling stocks and assets. in oil revenues. Efforts are underway to put Bostanabad-Khavaran railroad next year’s budget bill. Earlier this month, President Hassan Rouhani submitted Transferring government’s assets, using forex reserves, in Tabriz, East Azarbaijan Province, into operation before Another source is the oil revenues, for which once the administration’s draft of the national budget bill for the selling Islamic bonds, and withdrawing 450 trillion rials the end of the next year, he emphasized. again the estimated figures are appropriate, however, next Iranian calendar year 1399, which starts on March 20, (about $10.714 billion) from National Development Fund Elsewhere in his remarks, the deputy minister of transport the important point regarding the oil revenues is about 2020, to the Majlis. were among the strategies approved by the country’s Su- pointed to Rasht-Astara Railway project and said, “Effective the withdrawals from the National Development Fund The proposed budget amounted to about 1.988 quadril- preme Council of Economic Coordination. and constructive talks have been made in this regard in line with completing construction operation of this giant project.” He also revealed the development of rail lines of the country towards Eurasia and added, “In construction of TEDPIX, IFX jump on Sunday railway projects, technical specifications are taken into consideration, so that the trains are transited and exited ECONOMY TEHRAN— TEDPIX, the past week, with a two-percent rise from while 71 percent rise in the number of deals. from the country in appropriate time.” deskthe main index of Tehran its previous week. Iran’s over-the-counter (OTC) market Khaf-Herat is part of Iran-Afghanistan rail corridor. The Stock Exchange (TSE), rose 2,086 points to As previously announced, TEDPIX rose known as Iran Fara Bourse (IFB), also wit- project, started in the fiscal year of 2007-2008, connects 369,719 on Sunday, IRNA reported. 49,000 points, or 16.7 percent, to stand at nessed growth of its index on Sunday. Iran’s eastern city of Khaf to Afghanistan’s western city Some 5.996 billion securities worth 34.229 353,997 points at the end of the past Iranian IFX, the main index of IFB, jumped 49 of Ghoryan. trillion rials (about $814.9 million) were re- calendar month of Azar (ends on December 21). point to 4,823. Some 1.889 billion securities Although the Afghan side of the project has not yet portedly traded at TSE. Reportedly, some 82.215 billion securities worth 15.14 trillion rias (about $360.4 million) been implemented, Sputnik announced in August that TSE’s index had risen 10,766 points, or worth 432.151 trillion rials (about $10.29 bil- were traded at IFB on Sunday. The index stood at 4,559 points at the Afghanistan has been in talks with Italian companies three percent, to stand at 361,088 points in lion) were traded through 10.153 million deals IFX rose 15 percent in the past Iranian end of the past month. to build the fourth section of the railway, and Afghans the past Iranian calendar week. at TSE during the previous month, with growth calendar month of Azar, while experienc- The value of trades at IFB rose 16 percent appear to be more determined to commence their part The worth of trades at this market stood at of 61 percent and 76 percent in the number ing a 102-percent rise since the beginning in the previous month and 85 percent since of the project this year. 13.38 trillion rials (about $318.5 million) in and value of traded securities, respectively, of current Iranian calendar year (March 21). the year start. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 30, 2019 ENERGY 5

The Clean Energy Finance Value of IRENEX trades exceeds Corporation: Lazarus with a triple bypass $7.8b since March By Anthony Klan The $10 billion Clean Energy Finance Corporation has survived ENERGY TEHRAN — The value IRENEX Amir Hossein Tebyanian, IRENEX years of merciless attacks from the Coalition, including two deskof trades at Iran Energy was initially founded in an attempt to permit attempts to abolish it and underhanded “mandate” changes Exchange (IRENEX) has reached 330 trillion the Iranian private sector to export crude oil which threatened to render it useless. Now it has become a rials (about $7.84 billion) since the beginning since Washington aims to cut Iran’s oil sales. darling of PM Scott Morrison, is under the control of Angus of the current Iranian calendar year (March NIOC offered light crude oil at IRENEX Taylor — and is staring at one of the biggest crossroads of its 21), Mehr News Agency reported on Satur- first on October 28, 2018 just few days before existence. Anthony Klan’s two-part investigation uncovers some day, quoting the head of Iran’s Securities new U.S. sanctions on Iran’s petroleum sector questionable investments, a string of satisfied Liberal donors, and Exchange Organization (SEO). took effect (November 4). In the first round, a Coalition with a fossil fuel problem and a Macquarie Banker “The figure has risen significantly com- NIOC could sell some 280,000 barrels of crude at almost every turn. This is part one. pared to the previous year and the year before oil at $74.85 per barrel. With the daily supply that, and this is an indication that the Energy amount of one million barrels, the market Exchange is in the right path for growth,” wrapped up by selling eight 35,000-barrel Shapour Mohammadi said. cargos of oil on the day. According to the official, the country’s Offering gas condensate at IRENEX came long-term economic policies should con- after the successful offering of crude oil at tribute to the boom in the energy stock this market. The first offering was done on market, as the stock market has sufficient February 13, which failed to attract customers. transparency and it will offer equal oppor- And then the turn came to heavy crude. tunities for everyone since people enter Offering heavy crude at IRENEX came after the field competitively. NIOC offered light crude at this stock market Since the U.S.’s withdrew from Iran’s in eight round. nuclear pact in May 2018, vowing to drive Recently, foreign buyers have also ex- Iran’s oil exports down to zero, the Islamic Head of Iran’s Securities and Exchange Organization (SEO) Shapour Mohammadi. pressed willingness to engage in IRENEX In just the past two weeks, a string of government agency Republic has been taking various measures One of the main strategies that Iran chose of oil sales, one of which is offering oil at the oil offerings and welcoming the idea, NIOC reports has given a ringing endorsement to renewable energy to counter the U.S. actions and to keep its oil to execute to help its oil exports afloat has been country’s stock market. is preparing necessary bases for them to be and underscored its integral role in Australia’s future wellbeing. exports levels as high as possible. trying new ways to diversify the mechanism According to NIOC’s representative in able to do so. The Australian Energy Market Operator released a detailed, 20-year energy infrastructure map declaring the “domination” of renewables essential to meeting “cost, reliability and emissions” expectations of the public, the Department of Environment released Is Russia hinting OPEC+ discipline could crack in 2020? data showing the government’s boast of meeting 2030 targets By Gaurav Sharma aggregators are anything to go by. was almost entirely predicated on the shift to renewables, and According to Bloomberg, Russia produced 11.244 million the competition regulator called for more homes to be fitted with There have always been question marks over how OPEC and bpd on average in November, despite promising to keep its solar panels as it released figures showing household electricity non-OPEC oil producers would exit their strategy of joint quota at or below 11.191 million bpd. Number crunchers at bills had eased and wholesale prices in the eastern states had production cuts that have been in place since December Reuters, using a ton/barrel ratio of 7.33 to convert official slumped by up to 40% in November and December. 2016, in some form or the other with the participation of Russian government production data, said the country Yet when Prime Minister Scott Morrison surfaced on Monday 14 OPEC and 10 non-OPEC producers described as the actually pumped 11.25 million bpd, but should cap output he was singing from a very different song sheet. The Federal Gov- OPEC+ group. at around 11.17-11.18 million bpd under its OPEC+ pact. ernment would underwrite two new fossil fuel emitting gas-fired Instead of answering those questions, OPEC+ producers OPEC+ target power stations, one in south-east Queensland’s Gatton and one actually deepened their ongoing cuts of 1.2 million barrels Russia’s production trend has continued in December, in Dandenong Victoria. per day (bpd) by another 500,000 bpd on December 6, with the country pumping 11.252 million bpd so far in De- Further, despite AEMO’s detailed and highly regarded Draft following the conclusion of their meeting of ministers in cember, ~62,000 bpd above target, according to Bloomberg. 2020 Integrated System Plan, which is backed by the states, coal Vienna, Austria. Only in May, June and July, was Russia’s output anywhere is still very much on Scott Morrison’s agenda. That market surprise has brought about three weeks need to make a decision on exiting,” Novak said in an in- below its pre-December OPEC+ target, and that too was “You need the whole mix, there is no doubt about that,” the of price upticks for both Brent and WTI futures since, terview with Russian state television channel Rossiya24. largely down to the Druzhba oil-contamination crisis. PM told talkback listeners on Sydney’s 2GB radio station. bringing the former benchmark close to nearly $70 per The issue is as vexing for Novak, as it is perhaps for But what Russia actually is doing is imparting market “Firstly, there is a proposal for coal still up in North Queens- barrel. Bulk of the burden falls largely on Saudi Arabia’s every single one of his OPEC+ counterparts, i.e., where credibility and lending its weight to the cuts agreement land which we are accepting a report on very, very soon, there are shoulders, with the kingdom “voluntarily” cutting output do their priorities lie – defending the price or their mar- by going along for the ride, at least on paper, if not in some others in New South Wales and we will see where that goes.” by 400,000 bpd. ket share, given that price supportive actions continue terms of physical barrels, and even agreeing to deepen After years of delays, false claims and piecemeal policy – all That’s an increase of 167,000 bpd and would keep Ri- to benefit non-OPEC+ producers, including U.S. shale its cuts as it did earlier this month, albeit with a loophole pickled with an unusually robust strain of climate-change denialism yadh’s headline production at 9.744 million bpd, kicking players, who gain advantage from it but continue pumping of excluding condensates. – the Coalition’s addiction to fossil fuels is poised to have some the can of working out an exit strategy further down the without restraint. Nonetheless, Novak’s quip that the production cuts very real and long-term consequences for the nation’s bottom line. road. Russia, the biggest of the 10 non-OPEC producers, Novak’s verdict is that Moscow needs to protect its cannot go on forever is a very valid one. When, and not if, The resolve to quit the junk said it would be cutting 70,000 bpd. market share and let its oil and gas companies “develop Russia breaks ranks with OPEC+, the agreement’s cred- It has been suggested that an inability by the Morrison Gov- The country’s oil minister Alexander Novak said at the new projects.” However, the Russian minister stopped ibility will be shattered and along with the discipline of a ernment to find the resolve to quit the junk may be the thing that time that Moscow wants to avoid any “oil market turbulence short of saying when his country would withdraw from number of its participants. ultimately kills it. Be that may, or not, Canberra’s desperate binges in 2020.” But on December 27, the very same minister OPEC+, diplomatically insisting it is matter for discussion Were that to happen, the unquestionable impact on and sunset hits in the interim will have all Australians footing expressed the very concern on exit strategy that analysts with his counterparts. oil price sentiment would be net bearish regardless of the bill — and for long into the future. have been pondering over for years - just how exactly will OPEC+ meets next in Vienna, Austria on March 4-6, where global demand is at the time, and whether or not Renewables are cheaper, more efficient and endless. Building the cuts end given that they cannot go on forever? 2020. A moot point in all of this remains - what is Russia there is a flood of OPEC+ barrels that are currently being new coal plants, or upgrading existing ones, just don’t stack up, Oil production cut actually contributing to the headline cut? The country has kept off the market. either environmentally or economically. “Oil production cuts can’t be eternal; we will gradually failed to meet its end of the bargain, if calculations by data (Source: forbes.com) “When the Matt Canavans and the Angus Taylors (Coalition ministers) say we need energy 24/7, what they are really saying is we need nuclear and coal,” international energy analyst Tim Buckley tells michaelwest.com.au. The future of energy is being shaped in Asia “But that baseload argument is totally flawed and outdated, we don’t need nuclear or coal anymore because we have really cheap solar.” By Francois Austin quarter; and the U.S. accounts for 14%. China Buckley is the Australia and South Asia director of energy also leads in the generation of hydropower. finance studies at global think tank the Institute for Energy A Frenchman is credited with being the first As the electrification of transportation Economics and Financial Analysis. He is also a former invest- to discover the photovoltaic effect that pro- advances and demand grows for renewable ment fund manager and before that spent 16 years at Citigroup duces electricity from sunlight. The first solar energy storage solutions, China looks likely to where he was the national head of equities research — so he is panel was built in the U.S. But when Abu monopolize here, too. China produces at least no soft-headed wishful thinker. Dhabi decided to build the world’s largest two-thirds of the world’s production capacity Buckley says the central flaw in the Coalition’s argument individual solar power project, they looked for lithium-ion batteries, which are used in is that it fails to comprehend how “deeply destructive” solar east for help. electric vehicles (EVs), mobile phones and now is to the entire fossil fuel model. Once your infrastructure The country partnered with Chinese and laptop computers (some estimates put their is up and running, it costs next to nothing to pump out more Japanese companies to construct a facility, share at closer to 70%), and it looks likely to electricity — sunlight’s free. which opened this year, with a peak capacity hang on to that lead through at least 2028. “Cheap solar is parasitic, it destroys the competition because of 1.18 gigawatts generated by 3.2 million And besides being the largest market for EVs, it has zero marginal cost,” Buckley says. solar panels. That’s because Asia, more than China also controls the bulk of production. The long-standing argument that grid reliability depends on any other region on the planet, and China, China is the third-largest miner of the coal and gas, because of the intermittent nature of solar and wind, more than any other nation, currently rep- primary raw material used to produce those is a now a nonsense, Buckley says. resent the future of solar energy, and are batteries, lithium — often referred to as white Pumped-hydroelectricity, and to a lesser extent battery and at the heart of the ensuing industrywide petroleum because of its mounting economic other technologies, provide the storage and on-demand energy transformation from fossil fuels to renewable importance. Chinese producers are also buy- needed for grid reliability. Pumped-hydro involves pumping water and nuclear energy. ing up lithium reserves in Chile, the world’s uphill and holding it there until it’s required. Decarbonization is changing the face of second-largest lithium miner (Australia takes Tuning turbines for electricity energy and the world economy in more ways the top spot). When energy is needed by the grid, some of the water is re- than most consumers — and even most ex- in places like Malawi and Bangladesh where the Partnering for Sustainable Energy Inno- Of course, climate change is forcing the leased, turning turbines and creating electricity. The water is ecutives — appreciate. Besides the transition farmers and villages use solar panels and small vation, the Future of Electricity, the Global energy industry to undergo an existential pumped up the hill at times of low energy demand, using cheap from molecule to electron, as this move toward generators to provide their own electricity. Battery Alliance and Scaling Renewable Energy transformation that may eventually see the electricity such as solar. electrification suggests, it is also shifting the What’s the World Economic Forum doing to encourage and enable innovative energy elimination of fossil fuels entirely. While most The Australian Energy Market Operator is clear: new or re- industry’s economic base from West to East about the transition to clean energy? investments, technologies and solutions. executives at oil companies will be dead or at furbished coal plants play no role in Australia’s energy future. Its and reconfiguring the hierarchy of companies Moving to clean energy is key to combatting Is your organization interested in working least retired before that transition proceeds Draft 2020 Integrated System Plan details an essential long-term and geographies that define energy. climate change, yet in the past five years, the with the World Economic Forum? Find out to what seems its inevitable end, the slowing strategy for providing a “least-costs-and-regret” infrastructure Asia is the 800-pound gorilla in the energy energy transition has stagnated. Energy con- more here. of demand is already being felt. strategy over the next two decades. story. First, its continued economic growth sumption and production contribute to two- Yet despite the urgency of climate concerns Worldwide, demand for oil will peak in Almost two-thirds of Australia’s coal-fired generators will and rising standard of living will make its thirds of global emissions, and 81% of the global and the rapidly falling cost of renewable ener- around 2034, according to Vitol, a Switzer- reach the “end of their technical lives and so likely retire” by 2040. constituent nations pre-eminent energy energy system is still based on fossil fuels, the gy, the speed at which this existential energy land-based energy and commodity trading To deliver “low-cost, secure and reliable energy” to eastern Aus- consumers for the foreseeable future. same percentage as 30 years ago. transition will happen is uncertain, as pre- and company. Wood Mackenzie, a commercial tralia during the “transition phase”, in the interim (and to minimize A study by BP indicates that Asia, including Effective policies, private-sector action post-tax subsidies on fossil fuels remain in place, intelligence consultancy, reckons demand “regrets”), the system needs to continue moving heavily into wind China and India, will represent 43% of global and public-private cooperation are needed discouraging consumers to make the change in the developed world has probably already and solar, and to invest in storage, grid technology and “dispatch- energy demand by 2040, and through that to create a more inclusive, sustainable, af- to a more environmentally beneficial and fre- topped out, with the OECD expected to move able” – or on-demand – energy sources such as pumped-hydro. year, the region will account for more than fordable and secure global energy system. quently cheaper source of energy. into structural decline by next year. The glob- Gas projects could play a role, but they are largely an after- 50% of the growth in demand. In contrast, Benchmarking progress is essential to a The International Monetary Fund (IMF) al demand for liquid fuel is about to see its thought. “Flexible gas generators could also play a greater role if energy demand among the 36 nations in the successful transition. The World Economic estimates post-tax subsidies on fossil fuels growth rate take a dramatic dip over the next gas prices materially reduce,” AEMO says. Globally, gas prices have OECD, which includes most big economies Forum’s Energy Transition Index, which ranks like coal and petroleum — a result of unpriced five years. plunged. Here, prices are starting to fall and reliability standards in the Americas and Europe, will be flat. 115 economies on how well they balance en- externalities, such as societal costs from air Fossil fuel-generated power won’t be breached in the coming few years. Non-fossil fuel-based energy ergy security and access with environmental pollution and global warming — totaled $5.2 By contrast, the demand for electricity AEMO’s sober and reasoned infrastructure plan is viewed as Second, places like China are already sustainability and affordability, shows that trillion in 2017. seems insatiable. Electrification rates continue a vitally important bulwark against the Federal Government’s among the most important suppliers of the biggest challenge facing energy transition Regardless of the speed of transformation, to rise across the globe, with Asia expected to bumbling and piecemeal energy policy. non-fossil fuel-based energy and technology. is the lack of readiness among the world’s there’s no doubt it is already well under way. be close to 100% coverage by 2030. Much of It’s the adult in the room, according to energy industry experts. By 2017, China owned 72% of the world’s solar largest emitters, including US, China, India That’s why places like the United Arab Emir- that growth in demand may be supplied by “We really need AEMO. Without it we’re completely stuffed,” photovoltaic module production; in com- and Russia. The 10 countries that score the ates (of which Abu Dhabi is the largest) are renewables and nuclear power rather than one energy expert tell us. parison, the U.S. has 1% and Europe 2%. Of highest in terms of readiness account for only building solar power and nuclear facilities, fossil fuel-generated power, although natu- The power of AEMO comes from the states. It’s operated by the eight top producers, six are Asian. Not 2.6% of global annual emissions. despite being the world’s eighth-largest oil ral gas is expected to play a role for years to the Council of Australian Governments, whose members include including hydropower, China has somewhere To future-proof the global energy system, producer — and making the transition with come. It also may be accomplished through all state and territory premiers as well as the PM, and so isn’t around one-third of the world’s installed re- the Forum’s Shaping the Future of Energy Asian partners. They see the future. a decentralization of generating capacity, beholden to the blind fossil-fuel ideology of the federal Coalition. newable capacity; the EU has a little over a initiative is working with projects including (Source: europeansting.com) such as recent rural electrification projects (Source: michaelwest.com.au) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 INTERNATIONAL DECEMBER 30, 2019

India and China may have border disputes, but they find Before Sanna Marin came common ground on dealing with protests By C. Uday Bhaskar Benazir Bhutto Is having a female leader definitive proof that a country has reached gender equality? NEW DELHI — India and China held the 22nd round of bound- ary talks on December 21 in New Delhi and, predictably, the By Malja Liuhto birth while in office would hinder her ability to carry out her duties. In Pakistan, Bhutto meeting between Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval ISLAMABAD — On December 10, Fin- and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi concluded cordially had a baby while in office back in 1990 without land’s left-wing Social Democrats, who lead any significant controversy. with little tangible progress. a five-party coalition government, picked Familiar platitudes were reiterated to maintain peace and While Finland continues to be celebrated as 34-year-old Minister of Transport and Com- some kind of paradise for women, the alarm- tranquility along one of the world’s longest undemarcated munications Sanna Marin as the country’s borders – almost 3,500km – and this masked the various ingly high rates of rape and domestic violence new prime minister. in the country are often ignored. Nearly 50 areas of discord and dissonance between the Asian giants, The decision made the relatively unknown including China’s support of Pakistan’s opposition to India’s percent of women and girls above the age politician an international celebrity overnight of 15 have experienced physical or sexual decision to strip the state of Jammu and Kashmir, a territory - after all it is not every day that a woman Pakistan claims, of its special violence, according to a recent report. In as young as Marin gets the chance to lead fact, a 2014 study foundFinland to be the status and to bifurcate it into The Indian a country. Countless articles and news re- two union territories. China also second-most violent country in the EU for government’s ports published and broadcast across the women. claims parts of the territory. world celebrated her sudden rise to power The official statement from authoritarian Moreover, Finland did not actually elect as a “feminist victory” and praised Finland Marin as prime minister. She was selected the Indian foreign office noted approach for its “progressiveness”. that both sides “should respect for the post by her party following the resig- to dealing Marin’s premiership has clearly been nation of Antti Rinne. Had there been an each other’s sensitivities and perceived by many in Finland and beyond concerns”. The unstated subtext with protests actual election in Finland, there would most as a manifestation of Nordic gender equality. probably now be an anti-feminist, nation- here is non-interference in each against a But is Finland really that unique for having a other’s internal affairs. alist government in power. Marin’s Social young, female leader? And more importantly, Democrat Party would not have won as it India is currently dealing recently is having a woman leader definitive proof that with a large student-led na- introduced did in April this year. a country reached gender equality? Much like everywhere else in the West, tionwide protest against the According to this measure, Pakistan, a controversial Citizenship citizenship anti-immigration sentiment has been on country often branded “deeply conservative” the rise in Finland in recent years. The Amendment Act (CAA) that bill, including and “patriarchal” and even considered one of was enacted by parliament on Pakistanis elected 35-year-old Benazir Bhutto as their prime minister more than 30 years Islamophobia exhibited by such political shutting down the most dangerous in the world for women, before 34-year-old Sanna Marin’s ascent to power in Finland [Reuters]. forces usually goes hand-in-hand with December 11. The act is being for example, was seemingly as progressive as seen as a transgression of the the internet opposition to feminism or even outright Finland over 30 years ago when Pakistanis lead the struggle for the reinstatement of None of this, however, means Finland is a spirit of the Indian constitution hatred of women. In the last parliamentary in parts of the elected a 35-year-old woman, Benazir Bhutto, democracy in the country. But if not for her feminist utopia and Pakistan is a dangerous because it links the award of elections, the highest number of votes as their prime minister. political family, elite status and the feudal country where women can never feel safe. citizenship to refugees to re- country, has went to Jussi Halla-aho, leader of the Back then, Bhutto was not only the young- nature of the Pakistani society, she may never The situation in both countries is a lot ligion – and excludes those of found support Finns Party, which is known for its an- est prime minister in the world but also the have made it as far. more complex than that. the Muslim faith. ti-immigration stance. in China first Muslim woman to hold a country’s highest Bhutto undeniably faced additional ob- Despite all the stereotypes, not all Student protesters in India The party’s youth wing has declared office. In contrast, Finland got its first and stacles during her two terms in office because sections of Pakistan’s diverse society are have been inspired by their peers in Hong Kong, with the Hong itself to be anti-feminist because it be- only female president a decade later in 2000 of her gender and had to navigate pressure hostile to women. There are pockets of lib- Kong protests strengthening Indian protesters’ resolve to stand lieves feminism is harmful to society, and the first female prime minister in 2003. from conservative forces that did not want eralism in the society that are rarely seen up for their democratic rights. The stark contrast between the and Halla-aho himself has openly hoped And Pakistan was not the only “conserva- to submit to a woman’s authority. But was in the West - the lifestyle of the educated demography of India and Hong Kong had many students in that supporters of the green left would be tive”, predominantly Muslim nation to beat Bhutto’s election as prime minister a real elite is strikingly similar to the West and Delhi thinking that if the much smaller student community targeted by rapists. His party is now the “progressive” Finland to electing a female victory for women in Pakistan? Did she use there are families even in the lower ranks in Hong Kong can remain resolute, they should too. most popular one in Finland, according head of state. Khaleda Zia became the first her status as leader to elevate and empower of the society that believe in educating their Indian law enforcement agencies have dispersed the pro- to recent polls. female prime minister of Bangladesh in 1991 women in the country? daughters and giving them the freedom to tests, which have at times involved violence and arson. There This, perhaps more than Marin’s premier- and Tansu Ciller was elected Turkey’s prime Not really, if we are to go by legislation control their own lives. Many Pakistani have been 25 deaths in different parts of the country and many ship, should tell us something about the political minister in 1993. enacted by her governments. Repressive women are also breaking stereotypes by more have been injured. climate in Finland. It is a patriarchal society Other nations that are part of the glob- laws from Zia ul-Haq’s time remained un- working in male-dominated professions Some states have deployed the police in a visibly muscular in which more and more people there seem to al south, and that are similarly perceived touched throughout Bhutto’s tenure, much such as the police. manner and local governments have invoked various security think that feminism has gone “too far”. But all in the West as “dangerous” or “hostile” to to women’s rights groups’ dismay. Moreover, These may be exceptions to the rule but provisions, including a shutdown of the internet. This was of this somehow gets buried in the celebratory women, had female leaders even earlier. Sri she arguably contributed to the oppression the entire country should not be painted with initially enforced in the north-eastern states and later imposed news coverage surrounding Marin. Lanka’s first female Prime Minister Sirimavo of women in neighbouring Afghanistan by the same brush. in other parts of India for limited periods, including in parts Undoubtedly, during such times in Fin- Bandaranaike was elected to office in 1960, choosing to recognise the repressive, an- Meanwhile, Finland’s fight for gender of the national capital Delhi. land, Marin’s premiership is symbolically while Indira Gandhi became India’s prime ti-women Taliban regime there. equality is most certainly not complete and Among those around the world expressing concern over important, given that she embodies almost minister in 1966. Marin, on the other hand, comes from a the country is not free of gendered oppression, how the Indian government has been dealing with the pro- everything parties like the Finns love to hate. Unlike Marin, whose ascent to power was working-class background. She managed to violence and discrimination. tests was the United Nations secretary general. Indian Prime She is bound to face fierce opposition and widely seen as a consequence of her country’s rise to the top because her country offers free, First of all, its political history is dom- Minister Narendra Modi’s government has been accused of it remains to be seen what her government’s feminist values, Bhutto’s tenure was seen quality education to every child living there inated by men - it was only in the late being increasingly authoritarian towards the protesters and actual contributions to gender equality and as an anomaly. and has a political system (unlike Pakistan) 1990s and early 2000s that the number discriminatory towards the country’s Muslim minority com- anti-racism will be. As the daughter of former Prime Minister where a lack of money and connections do of female ministers in the country started munity, which comprises almost 200 million of India’s total The symbolical importance of having young Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Bhutto hailed from a not hinder one’s chances of becoming prime to slowly climb up from almost zero. And, population of 1.3 billion. female politicians come to power deserves to political dynasty and was groomed from an minister. earlier this year, the pregnancy of a fe- India has often taken recourse to shutting down the in- be celebrated, but context matters. Having a early age for a career in politics. Her family’s Moreover, Finland has an excellent track male minister, Annika Saarikko, while ternet as a precautionary measure against social disorder. woman lead a country does not automatically wealth and status allowed her to study at record when it comes to women’s presence in in office in Finland became a hot topic The most extreme was the total communication shutdown mean that women are faring well there. Harvard and Oxford. the workforce, access to education and political of discussion. in Kashmir on August 5 which continued for two months. Maija Liuhto is a Finnish journalist cur- After her father was hanged by military representation. Pakistan, on the other hand, Even in a so-called progressive society Internet services have not yet been restored. rently based in Islamabad, Pakistan. dictator Zia ul-Haq in 1979, she started to remains abysmally low in these rankings. such as Finland, some thought that her giving India, the world’s largest democracy, tops the global (Source: AlJazeera) rankings of nations that have shut down the internet. Ac- cording to a global review, in 2018 there were a total of 196 documented internet shutdowns across 25 nations in Asia and Africa. India accounted for 134, or 68 per cent, of these shutdown. What will happen in 2020? Predictions for the biggest news stories next year This measure has been justified by the law enforcement agencies because there have been tragic instances of mob From the Olympic Games and U.S. presidential election to Beethoven’s anniversary violence, leading to the lynching of innocent people, trig- US election Oil prices, meanwhile, have been largely steady this gered by fake news and false alarms, especially related to There are dozens of elections due to take place around the year owing to weak global demand and buoyant supply child abductions, that spread like wildfire on social media world next year, but the one that is likely to dominate the from U.S. shale fields. “However, it doesn’t pay to get platforms. front pages is the U.S. presidential poll on 3 November. complacent,” says Stepek. “If the global economy turns Indians have resisted restrictions on their access to Expect months of caucuses and primaries, as the large field out to be stronger than expected, or supply less abundant, the internet. A college student in the southern state of of Democratic candidates is whittled down to one. prices could rise significantly. Higher oil prices tend to Kerala moved the courts in early 2019 to protest ?against “In the race for the White House, President Donald Trump be correlated with economic havoc and political unrest.” restrictions on the use of mobile phones during cer- can lose up to 36 electoral [college] votes and still win. But his All of which leads us to... tain hours ?in her hostel. In a significant judgment, low approval ratings make this race a toss-up,” says Politico. Geopolitical instability the Kerala High Court in September held that access 2020 Olympics Games Protests raged around the world in 2019, from Hong Kong to the internet is a fundamental right tied to the right Tokyo will host the world’s largest sporting event next and Chile to Lebanon and Iraq. And experts are predicting to education and the right to privacy guaranteed by the year, from 24 July to 9 August, with more than 200 nations further unrest next year. Constitution of India. and 11,000 athletes competing in 33 sports. The Olympic Matthew Bradley, regional security director for risk While India’s frequent shutdown has earned the dis- Games is followed by the Paralympics from 25 August to services company International SOS, believes geopolitical approval of liberals globally, the Modi government has 6 September. shifts will be the number one danger next year. His com- received endorsement from an unexpected quarter – In a forecast released a year ahead of the Games, data pany has released its 11th annual Travel Risk Map, which Beijing. service Gracenote Sports predicted that the US would win predicts the most dangerous countries in terms of security Peoples Daily carried an opinion column “India’s internet the most medals (126 overall), followed by China (81) and in 2020. Unsurprisingly, it includes Syria, Yemen, Libya shutdown shows normal practice for sovereign countries” by then host nation Japan (67), reports The Guardian. Great and Afghanistan, as well as eastern Ukraine, Somalia and Qing Qiu, in which the author argued that India’s shutdown Britain is predicted to come fifth, with 43 medals in total. South Sudan. of the internet to control the protests “means that shutting Brexit Other anniversaries and key dates down the internet in a state of emergency should be standard The UK is due to leave the EU on 31 January 2020. The Five years on from the Paris climate agreement, practice for sovereign countries”. two Article 50 extensions in March and October 2019 left 2020 is seen as a key year for environmental ac- The article pointed to the Western double standard on the British public somewhat sceptical about “firm” depar- Here are The Week’s tion. Countries that signed up to the deal to cut the issue with regard to India and China, noting “since the ture dates. carbon in 2015 will meet in Glasgow in November 1950s, America has seen India as an example of democracy in But that was before Boris Johnson stormed to victory with predictions for the main to assess how far they have come and what they Asia” but that when China carried out a similar clampdown a 80-strong majority in the general election in December, on headline-grabbing stories of need to do next. in the Xinjiang region a few years ago to deal with a national the back of a campaign to “Get Brexit Done”. This enabled 2020. Meanwhile, the UK’s May Day bank holiday has been security threat “it attracted sharp criticism from mainstream the government to comfortably pass the second reading of moved to Friday 8 May 2020 to mark 75 years since the media in Europe and the US”. the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, which is on course to be- will be a wider adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) by guns fell silent at the end of the Second World War. Expect a Regulating people’s access to the internet in such a manner come law in January – but that will not be the end of Brexit. businesses to improve customer experience and to stream- three-day international celebration of VE Day, with parades that the balance between the security concerns of the state, The Leave date will mark the beginning of another set of line their operations. and concerts aplenty. the basic rights of the citizen and the imperatives of the mar- detailed negotiations on how to reconstruct the UK’s entire Global economy Next year is also the 250th anniversary of composer Bee- ket is appropriately and equitably maintained is a complex relationship with the EU. John Stepek, executive editor of MoneyWeek, says there thoven’s birth and the 500th anniversary of Renaissance governance challenge. Tech world are two economic indicators he will be watching closely in master Raphael’s death, with a series of international shows There is no single template that can be held up as ideal but While the fifth generation of mobile internet connectivi- 2020: wages and oil. expected to take place in their honor. the paradox of an authoritarian state like China endorsing the ty is already available, 2020 is likely to be the year when “5G “We’ve been at virtually full employment in most of A few other events that look set to grab the headlines experience of a democratic India in curtailing citizen access really starts to fly”, according to Forbes. More affordable the developed world for a few years now. This year we include New Zealand’s autumn referendum on whether to to the internet is symptomatic of the unlikely contradictions data plans and greatly improved coverage will mean su- started to see signs that wages are rising more rapidly legalize the personal use of cannabis, Expo 2020 in Dubai in that have punctuated the political landscape of 2019. per-fast speeds and more stable connections for everyone, than inflation. If that continues or accelerates in 2020, October and the July launch of Nasa’s Mars 2020 Mission, Commodore C. Uday Bhaskar is director of the Society says the magazine. it would be good news, but central banks will also find it which hopes to answer key questions about the potential for Policy Studies (SPS), an independent think tank based It also predicts that autonomous cars will continue to increasingly tricky to justify keeping interest rates low,” for life on the red planet. in New Delhi. (Source: South China Morning Post) “generate a significant amount of excitement”, and there he says. (Source: The Week) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 30, 2019 ANALYSIS & INTERVIEW 7

More than a military show: What The secret of Iran’s tripartite drills: U.S. loses its influence are behind China, Russia & Iran? in the region 1 The region has witnessed blasts at the port of By Paul Wang As a result, China, Russia and Iran have Fujairah, attacks on Aramco oil facilities and the formation a responsibility to secure the strategic re- of parallel coalitions. MODERNDIPLOMACY — On December gions together. Secondly, the joint naval It should be mentioned that in late November, China 27, 2019, China, Russia and Iran began joint drills enforce regional order and balance also launched a naval exercise with Saudi Arabia, indicating naval drills in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of consistent with the United Nations’ 1982 Beijing’s effort to flaunt its power to the U.S., without the Oman. This is an unprecedented military Convention. As per this convention and as partial support of the regional states. cooperation among the three powers, which signatories, China, Russia and Iran reject In response to the joint Iran-China-Russia naval drills, are all regarded by the United States as either the unilateralist idea that the U.S. is the the U.S. claimed that “we know and observe”. The Penta- rivals or enemies. The military exercise are region’s dominant naval power. Freedom gon spokesman also reiterated the need for safeguarding interpreted variously, yet, given that the Gulf of Navigation also says ships flying the flag freedom of navigation in the region. of Oman is a highly sensitive waterway as it of these sovereign states shall not suffer China’s importance for Iran and the reason connects to the Strait of Hormuz, through interference from the U.S. navy at will. Ac- for its participation in the drills which about a fifth of the world’s oil pass- cordingly, under the 1982 Convention and During these years that Iran has been under sanctions, es, the drill serves to maintain stability and Freedom of Navigation, Iran can hold naval China showed that it was willing to maintain a strate- security of the region along with a message drills with China and Russia for training gic relationship with Tehran, despite all the threats. It that Iran is not isolated in foreign affairs. cross military coordination, readiness, and should be kept in mind that Beijing will never cooperate Last year, the United States absurdly pulled information gathering. As Russian media with Tehran at the expense of its lukewarm relation itself out of the Iranian nuclear deal. Since argues that the drills likewise adhere to with Washington, unless there are national interests. then, waters around Iran have become the International Maritime Law by helping However, Tehran is confident of China’s support, and focus of regional tension as the United States Russia, Iran and China to reinforce col- the continued purchase of Iranian oil also implies this has imposed sanctions against Iranian crude lective security. There is nothing wrong matter. oil sales with other trade ties to be cut off. with the three powers regarding the joint The fact is that China seeks to take power to challenge Yet, as the strongest ally of Iran, Russia drills as essential to their own security, the U.S. global position and balance the distribution of has sent three warships from its Baltic Fleet particularly if it uses naval forces to curb power internationally. largely fallen flat to create the peace and to demonstrate their pragmatic approach – a frigate, a tanker and a rescue tug boat terrorism threats. China’s most bold move in the recent years is the stability according to the resolution first to the region en bloc. For example, Beijing – to take part in the drills, which were the In summary, China, Russia and Iran can establishment of its first overseas military base in approved by the United Nations Security and Moscow are not taking sides in the first time being held in such a format. Now have their own reservations for the drills as Djibouti, which has a strategic position as it neigh- Council (UNSC). Most other countries, ex- Persian Gulf dispute, simultaneously selling as Russia’s most valuable strategic partner, well. Tehran seeks to resist Washington’s bors the Bab al-Mandab strait and the Gulf of Aden cept Israel, have expressed their concerns weapons to the local Kingdoms while also China also decided to join the game, as it maximum pressure approach. The naval and has a short distance to the Strait of Hormuz. The or even worries that their participation in holding joint drills with Iran. This pragmatic sent a guided-missile destroyer to the naval exercise serves to argue that the U.S. has base is officially used as China’s logistics supporter the U.S.-led sanctions against Iran will only policy could even be taken to a higher level drill. True, joint military exercise is a routine failed to isolate Tehran diplomatically and in anti-piracy operations. heighten tensions in this geo-strategic but whenever China and Russia can encourage exchange with any other country since it is militarily. Russia says regional security has China, on the other hand, is the largest exporter of extremely vital region from which a siza- all parties to resolve their disputes through in line with related international laws and to be provided by regional states. The joint goods and transports most of its cargo through sea, ble share of the world’s oil originates. No political means instead of military ones. practices. But the naval drill of China, Russia drills are in line with the concept of Rus- thus it insists on the security of its shipping lanes. responsible member of the international Yet, for Moscow and Beijing, the potential and Iran is sure to go beyond the normal sia’s collective security efforts. Further still, Launching drills along with Iran not only provides community wants to risk interfering with stakes are both geopolitical and economic military cooperation. Although China claims China relies on regional suppliers for its China the opportunity to carry out is anti-piracy plans, the free flow of oil, particularly those which because of the presumed division of labor that joint drill has no connection with regional energy needs. The economic superpower but also allows it to showcase its military capabili- depend on resource sales to finance the vast between the two Eurasian powers under situation, it affirms the will and capability has no plan to be vulnerable to any volatility ties in the fields of resources and control of energy majority of their state budget. In addition, which Russia takes responsibility for security of the three powers to jointly safeguard the in the region. Echoing the United States transmission lines. China and Russia’s military ties with Sau- in the region while China concentrates on peace and maritime security of the region attempting to curb China’s development At the same time, China’s presence in the Persian Gulf, di Arabia and the United Arab Emirates’ economic development. and beyond. in a long run, Beijing necessarily takes ac- while the U.S. navy has repeatedly challenged Beijing’s (UAE) are not secret any more, with China It is noted that China and Russia both As the two largest Eurasian powers, Chi- tion to rebut the U.S. Cold War mentality ownership claim over the South China Sea can be seen opening up a drone factory in Saudi Arabia, want to project their high-level strategic na and Russia’s participation in the joint and hegemonic logic which were written as a retaliation. naval drills surely signify the emergence of Moscow making an arms deal with Riyadh partnership to a broader range. First of into the National Defense Authorization Russia and a continued strategic competi- a so-called “counter-coalition” to confront following King Salman’s trip to Russia in all, the triple naval drills which is code- Act (NDAA). In reality, the United States tion the one that the U.S. envisages creating. 2017, and both China and Russia having named “Marine Security Belt” is aimed at has failed to apply a triple containment In the face of the US-European parallel coalitions in the Some alarmist reaction in the West have participated in prestigious arms expos in enforcing regional order and balance. To policy toward China, Russia and Iran. It Strait of Hormuz, Russia has presented a plan for collec- already tried to portray this joint naval drill the UAE. Due to this fact, it is ridiculous to this end, the whole drills are being prac- couldn’t hinder the presence and influence tive security in the Persian Gulf aimed at establishing a and their potential military cooperation portray triple drills as being aimed against ticed: curbing terrorism threats, carrying of their naval forces throughout the region. security organization in the region with the participation as a threat to the peace and the balance any third party when they’re really just an out rescue operations and defense against In contrast, the joint naval exercises bring of neighbors and the observation of permanent members of power in the region. In effect, the U.S. exercise of what could be described as a attacks from pirates. The goal is to learn as a counterbalance against the U.S. with a of the Security Council. and its allies regularly hold joint military part of normal diplomacy, or put it simply, much as possible, especially when it comes message that in the year of 2020 and be- The Russian plan has many similarities to Hor- exercises all across the world at any given pursuing diplomatic ends through military to safeguarding the security of international yond, the three powers would be able to muz Peace Endeavor (HOPE) Initiative proposed time of the year, which thus makes such means. trade in the strategic regions and share engage in similar joint military exercises by Iran, as it emphasizes the non-interference events commonplace. Yet, Washington has Strategically, China and Russia are eager experience in maritime rescue operations. if necessary. of the trans-regional states in the affairs of the Persian Gulf. Since the Syrian crisis, Moscow has introduced itself as a key trans-regional power in resolving Middle East dis- Experts shed light on role of ongoing trilateral naval drills on security in vital waterways putes, while expanding its influence to Yemen and Libya. At the same time, Russia, along with Iran and China, has TEHRAN (MNA) – As the joint maritime maneuvers, Ocean and Gulf of Oman aims to cope with the US policy shows the importance of establishing the security of been described as one of the challenges facing the U.S. in involving the Russian, Chinese and Iranian Navies, enter of containment.” the shipping lines for these three countries due to the 2020, especially in the Middle East, and this is a matter their second day in the Indian Ocean and the Sea of Oman, Dr. Luciano Zaccara, Research Assistant Professor at significant role of the regional developments on the that David Schenker, U.S. assistant secretary of state for experts underline the significance of such drills in securing Qatar University, believes the joint military drill is a clear world economy. Yazdani also says the drill is supporting Near Eastern affairs affirmed. international trade routes in strategic waterways. message to the US and the [P]GCC states about the strong the regional balance of power. The Russians have essentially taken a series of meas- The naval drills, the first of their kind, were launched ties between Iran, Russia and China in terms of security, in The three countries have sent some of their most advanced ures to expand their confrontation (deployment) against on Friday with the aim of promoting the security of inter- case a military option is still considered by the White House vessels to take part in the four-day exercises. the U.S., which stretches from Syria to the Persian Gulf, national trade in the strategic regions, as well as sharing to deal with the Iranian file. Rear Admiral Gholamreza Tahani, Iranian flotilla chief, and not to allow the U.S. influence spread to the north experience among participants against piracy and marine He also said, “It also shows the Russian will to play a said the maneuvers cover 17,000 square kilometers and con- of the Persian Gulf. Therefore, holding this exercise terrorism. significant role in the Indian Ocean security, far beyond sist of “various tactical exercises,” including target practice can be a way for Moscow to play a role and to highlight The joint maneuvers with China and Russia can be con- their main area of interest in the Levant.” and rescuing ships from assaults and fires. its presence. sidered as one of the greatest achievements of Iran’s defense Javad Heirannia, an Iranian political analyst, also says the The United States has been trying to persuade its al- It can be concluded that holding the drills, under the diplomacy, sending messages to the West amid US efforts unprecedented drill shows Iran’s different options to tackle lies into an international coalition with the declared aim of current circumstances that the U.S. and its regional to woo countries into a maritime coalition for patrols in the anti–Iran threats from US-led coalition in the Persian providing “security” for merchant shipping in the Strait of allies are trying to isolate Iran, could be a real turning the Persian Gulf. Gulf. He also says holding the second session of Regional Hormuz and other strategic Middle Eastern shipping lanes. point for the Islamic Republic. The new position that Dr. Bilgehan Alagoz, an international relations pro- Security Dialogue in Tehran participated by Russia, China Washington claims Tehran played a role in two separate Iran has defined for itself was created months ago by fessor at Istanbul Marmara University says, “I think the and India recently and also the formation of a block by Iran, attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman in May and June, downing U.S. drone and then seizing the British-flagged main goal of the US maximum pressure policy on Iran is Turkey, Qatar and Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur all indicate without providing any credible evidence to support the ac- tanker Stena Impero, and will now be strengthened to contain China’s emerging power in World politics and that Iran has many options to confront the US efforts to cusations, which Iran has categorically dismissed. with such advanced drills. What political, security, to limit Russia’s influence in the Middle East. Because corner Tehran. The US has sent troops and missile systems to Saudi and economic achievements await each of the three China relies on Iran to diversify its energy supply and Payman Yazdani, another Iranian political analyst, Arabia following escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf. countries participating in the exercise will be deter-

Russia is dependent on Iran to penetrate in the Middle believes the joint naval military drill of Iran, Russia Iran has always reiterated that foreign military presence mined over time. East. In this context, the four-day exercise in the Indian and China in the northern part of the Indian Ocean brings insecurity to the region.

نوبت اول First Announcement N.I.S.O.C1398.6027 A noble idea by Malaysia Islamic Summit 1398.6027

1 It is unfortunate that Paki- N.I.S.O.C stan, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia did NATIONAL IRANIAN SOUTH OILFIELDS COMPANY AHVAZ-IRAN not attend the Malaysia Summit, but if NATIONAL IRANIAN SOUTH OILFIELDS COMPANY AHVAZ-IRAN TENDER NO. : 01-31-9280037 we compare how the European Union TENDER NO. : 01-31-9280037 National Iranian South Oilfields Company(NISOC) intends to purchase the following goods pioneers made a start, then the Malay- National Iranian South Oilfields Company(NISOC) intends to purchase the following goods sia Summit is certainly a success. We hope that not only Pakistan, Indonesia items Material Description Quantity and Saudi Arabia, but all Muslim states would sooner rather than later join the 26 PARTS FOR "COPPER-BESSEMER" GAS TURBINE TYPE COBERA 182 SERIAL NOS. SN 401.2.3.4.5 AND 6 RT RP 2797 idea and make important contributions REF.COOPER-BESSEMER S.A PARTS FOR "COOPER ROLLS" POWER GAS TURBINE TURBINE TYPE RT 48 SERIAL Nos to this noble cuase. NOS.884 RT.885 RT AND 886 RT REF. COOPER ROLLS LTD When the idea of EU was proposed by European Coal and Steel Industry Vendors who intend to participate in aforesaid tenders are requested to send their “ Intention to participate” letter in 1950, it was initially supported only via Fax to the following number along with their resume according to Qualitative Assessment Form no. 2, available at: by Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, France WWW.nisoc.ir , not later than 14 days after the second announcement, otherwise, their requests for participation in the and Luxemburg. These states were and .tender will be disregarded FOREIGN PURCHASING DEPARTMENT are much smaller in size and number than those who attended the Malaysia The applicants should have Bldg. relevant No. 104, background Material in Procurement supplying the Managementrequired goods Complex and capability to provide and submit Islamic Summit totaling 20 or so OIC laysia, Turkey, Iran and Qatar deserve justice and accountability in the system .a bid bond of 90,820 EURO or Kouy4,277 -,288,808e-Fadaeian RIAL, Islam in favor (New of NISOC Site), Ahvaz, Iran members. congratulations and praise for such a of government. Tender documents including the Tel. materials No.: 061 thorough 341 23455 technical Fax specificationsNo.: 061 3445 and7437 Qualitative Assessment Forms can be It has taken the European Union about praiseworthy initiative. If they are able to do this, I am sure, accessed via: WWW.nisoc.ir-material procurement Public Relations management WWW.shana.ir www.nisoc.ir tab http://iets.mporg.ir 70 years to get 28 members. Some of them However, what they need is patience, the Muslim World would acquire much ONLY ACCEPTABLE DELIVERY TERM IS D.D.P. NISOC’S WAREHOUSE, AGHAJARI.IRAN PAYMENT TERM IS C.O.D. SUBSE- BE PAID روابط عمومیWILL شرکت ملی PAYMENTمناطق نفت خیز جنوبhave still not been allowed to join Schengen persistence, constant co-ordination and earlier what the EU has achieved in 70 QUENT TO NISOC’ S MATERIAL APPROVAL NO ADVANCE with a single visa and joint currency, but committed and experienced experts and years. I just hope and pray for wisdom, FOREIGN PURCHASING DEPARTMENT تهران تایمز : نوبت اول 9/10/98 نوبت دوم the efforts continue with different cate- researchers to work on this noble cause. The peace and stability in the Muslim World. 98/10/12 gories of the member states. pioneers of the joint Muslim Currency and I hope the Muslims would have one day Bldg. No. 104, Material Procurement Management Complex In comparison, the Malaysia Islamic peace and stability in the Muslim World their own League of Muslims and In- Kouy-e-Fadaeian Islam (New Site), Ahvaz, Iran Summit has had a better start with 20 should locate committed experts from ternational Court of Justice to settle E.MAIL: [email protected] Tel. No.: 061 341 23455 Fax No.: 061 3445 7437 member states with bigger and histor- each Muslim country and community to their disputes and no Muslim will need Public Relations www.shana.ir www.nisoc.ir ically more powerful Muslim countries work together to bring about understand- to escape to Europe for Life, Liberty تهران تایمز : نوبت اول 09/10/98 نوبت دوم with strong political personalities. Ma- ing between the Muslims and a sense of and Security. 98/10/12

I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 8 ADVERTISEMENTS DECEMBER 30, 2019 TEHRAN TIMES Iran’s Leading International Daily Advertising Dept

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For more information contact: tehrantimesdaily Tel: 021 - 430 51 450 tehrantimes79 [email protected] I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 30, 2019 SCIENCE 9 Astronaut Christina Koch breaks women’s Physicists just achieved conduction of electricity at record for longest time in space close to the speed of light Astronaut Christina Koch has made history Valeri Polyakov in 1995. by conducting the longest space flight ever Speaking as 28 December arrived When it comes to data transfer and computing, the faster we by a woman. and her record was set, Koch said that can shift electrons and conduct electricity the better – and The NASA astronaut has now spent she hoped her achievements would be scientists have just been able to transport electrons at sub-fem- 289 consecutive days in space, breaking inspiring to others who hoped to follow tosecond speeds (less than one quadrillionth of a second) in the record that was set by Peggy Whitson, her. And she said that she hopes her record an experimental setup. who came back to Earth after 288 days. is broken as soon as possible again, as During that unprecedentedly long humanity looks to push more boundaries journey, Koch has already set another further in space. record. She and fellow astronaut Jessica “Do what scares you. Everyone should Meir conducted the first ever all-female think about what intrigues them and what spacewalk from the International Space draws them in,” she said during a live Station in October, in another breakthrough interview with CNN from the space station. that was watched around the world. “Those things can kind of be scary By the time she returns, Koch is expected a little bit, but they usually mean to have taken part in six spacewalks, as that you’re interested. And if it’s just well as conducting vital research while on outside what you think is attainable board the space station. for you and you reach it, it really pays But she is not set to come down for dividends in more ways than one. It some time yet. Her return is scheduled can be rewarding for you personally, The trick is manipulating the electrons with light waves that for February 2020, meaning that she will and it usually means that you’re giving are specially crafted and produced by an ultrafast laser. It might have been on board the ISS for just 12 days Whitson is still the holder of the record days away from Earth over the course of five something back to the world in the be a long while before this sort of setup makes it into your laptop, fewer than the US record of 340 days that for the longest time spent in space over a flights. The all-time record for one space maximum way possible.” but the fact they pulled it off promises a significant step forward her colleague Scott Kelly was in space. series of missions, having spent nearly 666 flight is 438 days and was set by cosmonaut (Source: The Independent) in terms of what we can expect from our devices. Right now, the fastest electronic components can be switched on or off in picoseconds (trillionths of a second), around 1,000 times slower than a femtosecond. Lasers learn to accurately spot New nano-barrier for composites could With their new method, the physicists were able to switch space junk strengthen spacecraft payloads electric currents at around 600 attoseconds (one femtosecond is 1,000 attoseconds). “This may well be the distant future of electronics,” says physicist Alfred Leitenstorfer from the University of Konstanz in Germany. “Our experiments with single-cycle light pulses have taken us well into the attosecond range of electron transport.” Leitenstorfer and his colleagues were able to build a precise setup at the Centre for Applied Photonics in Konstanz. Their machinery included both the ability to carefully manipulate ultra- short light pulses, and to construct the necessary nanostructures. The laser used by the team was able to push out one hundred million single-cycle light pulses every single second in order to generate a measurable current. Using nanoscale gold antennae in a bowtie shape (see the image above), the electric field of the pulse was concentrated down into a gap measuring just six na- nometers wide (six thousand-millionths of a meter). As a result of their specialist setup and the electron tunne- ling and accelerating it produced, the researchers could switch electric currents at well under a femtosecond – less than half an oscillation period of the electric field of the light pulses. Chinese researchers have improved the methods improved laser ranging The University of Surrey has developed reported is a significant improvement Getting beyond the restrictions of conventional silicon semicon- accuracy in detecting space junk in earth’s pinpointing of debris but only to a a robust multi-layed nano-barrier for over similar methods and materials already ductor technology has proved a challenge for scientists, but using orbit, providing a more effective way to 1-kilometer level. ultra-lightweight and stable carbon fibre on the market. These encouraging results the insanely fast oscillations of light to help electrons pick up speed plot safe routes for spacecraft maneuvers. Application of neural networks— reinforced polymers (CFRPs) that could suggest that our barrier could eliminate the could provide new avenues for pushing the limits on electronics. “The possibility of successfully algorithms modeled on the human brain’s be used to build high precision instrument considerable costs and dangers associated And that’s something that could be very advantageous in the navigating an asteroid field is approximately sensory inputs, processing and output structures for future space missions. with using carbon fibre reinforced polymers next generation of computers: scientists are currently experiment- 3,720 to one!” exclaimed C-3PO as Han levels—to laser ranging technologies has CFRP is used in current space missions, in space missions.” ing with the way that light and electronics could work together Solo directed the Millennium Falcon been proposed previously. However, Ma’s but its applications are limited because the Christian Wilhelmi, Head of Mechanical in all sorts of different ways. into an asteroid field in “Star Wars: The study is the first time a neural network material absorbs moisture. This is often Subsystems and Research and Technology Eventually, Leitenstorfer and his team think that the limitations Empire Strikes Back.” Earth’s orbit is has significantly improved the pointing released as gas during a mission, causing the Friedrichshafen at Airbus Defense and of today’s computing systems could be overcome using plasmonic nowhere near as dangerous, but after accuracy of a laser-ranging telescope. material to expand and affect the stability Space, said: “We have been using carbon- nanoparticles and optoelectronic devices, using the characteristics more than half a century of space activity, Ma and colleagues trained a back and integrity of the structure. Engineers fibre composites on our spacecraft and of light pulses to manipulate electrons at super-small scales. collisions between jettisoned engines and propagation neural network to recognize try to minimize this problem with CFRP instrument structures for many years, “This is very basic research we are talking about here and may disintegrated spacecraft have formed a space debris using two correcting by performing long, expensive procedures but the newly developed nano-barrier take decades to implement,” says Leitenstorfer. planetary scrapheap that spacecraft need algorithms. The Genetic Algorithm such as drying, recalibrations and bake- together with our ultra-high-modulus The next step is to experiment with a variety of different set- to evade. and Levenberg-Marquardt optimized out- all of which may not completely resolve CFRP manufacturing capability will ups using the same principle. This approach might even offer Scientists have developed space junk the neural network’s thresholds for the issue. enable us to create the next generation insights into quantum computing, the researchers say, although identification systems, but it has proven recognition of space debris, ensuring In a paper published by the journal of non-outgassing CFRP materials with there’s a lot more work to get through yet - we can’t wait to see tricky to pinpoint the swift, small specks the network wasn’t too sensitive and Nature Materials, scientists and engineers much more dimensional stability for what they’ll achieve next. of space litter. A unique set of algorithms could be trained on localized areas from Surrey and Airbus Defense and Space optics and payload support. Reaching (Source: sciencealert.com) for laser ranging telescopes, described of space. The team demonstrated the detail how they have developed a multi- this milestone gives us the confidence to in the Journal of Laser Applications, has improved accuracy by testing against layered nano-barrier that bonds with the look at instrument-scale manufacturing significantly improving the success rate three traditional methods at the Beijing CFRP and eliminates the need for multiple to fully prove the technology.” of space debris detection. Fangshen laser range telescope station. bake-out stages and the controlled storage Professor David Sampson, Vice-Provost China hits major milestone with “After improving the pointing accuracy The observation data of 95 stars was required in its unprotected state. Research and Innovation at the University of the telescope through a neural network, used to solve the algorithm coefficients Surrey engineers have shown that their of Surrey, said: “This research project launch of Long March 5 rocket space debris with a cross sectional area from each method, and the accuracy of thin nano-barrier -- measuring only sub- continues the University of Surrey’s long of 1 meter squared and a distance of detecting 22 other stars was assessed. micrometers in thickness, compared to and close partnership with Airbus. Advanced China’s oft-delayed Long March 5 rocket program hit a major 1,500 kilometers can be detected,” said The new pointing correction algorithms the tens of micrometers of current space materials for spacecraft is a further excellent milestone on Friday when it sent a communications satellite Tianming Ma, from the Chinese Academy proved the most accurate, as well as mission coatings -- is less susceptible to example of how Surrey supports the Space into Earth orbit. The rocket is expected to play a major role in of Surveying and Mapping, Beijing and easy to operate with good real-time stress and contamination at the surface, Sector. We have been doing so for decades, China’s space exploration ambitions going forward, though it’s Liaoning Technical University, Fuxin. performance. keeping its integrity even after multiple and we are fully committed to strengthening had a rocky road throughout its development. Laser ranging technology uses laser Ma aims to further refine the method. thermal cycles. our support for the sector going forwards. reflection from objects to measure their “Obtaining the precise orbit of space Professor Ravi Silva, Director of the I look forward to more brilliant advances distance. But the echo signal reflected debris can provide effective help for the Advanced Technology Institute at the from the Surrey-Airbus relationship in from the surface of space debris is very safe operation of spacecraft in orbit.” University of Surrey, said: “We are confident years to come.” weak, reducing the accuracy. Previous (Source: phys.org) that the reinforced composite we have (Source: Science Daily) Powder, not gas: A safer, more effective way to create a star on Earth Scientists have found that sprinkling a type of powder a constant source of electricity, future fusion facilities into fusion plasma could aid in harnessing the ultra-hot will have to run for long, uninterrupted periods of time. gas within a tokamak facility to produce heat to create “This is one way to get to a steady-state fusion machine,” electricity without producing greenhouse gases or long- Lunsford said. “You can add more boron without having term radioactive waste. to completely shut down the machine.” A major issue with operating ring-shaped fusion There are other reasons to use a powder dropper to facilities known as tokamaks is keeping the plasma that coat the inner surfaces of a tokamak. For example, the After multiple false starts and issues shortly after launch in fuels fusion reactions free of impurities that could reduce researchers discovered that injecting boron powder has earlier test flights, China appears to have finally nailed it on the efficiency of the reactions. Now, scientists at the U.S. the same benefit as puffing nitrogen gas into the plasma its third attempt. Ultimately, the country hopes the rocket will Department of Energy’s (DOE) Princeton Plasma Physics -- both techniques increase the heat at the plasma edge, provide it with the power needed to launch missions to the Moon Laboratory (PPPL) have found that sprinkling a type which increases how well the plasma stays confined within and even Mars in the not-so-distant future. of powder into the plasma could aid in harnessing the the magnetic fields. When it comes to launching a mission to Mars, space programs ultra-hot gas within a tokamak facility to produce heat The powder dropper technique also gives scientists an are forced to work within some pretty strict windows. Missions to create electricity without producing greenhouse gases easy way to create low-density fusion plasmas, important are launch to the Red Planet with both the Earth and Mars are in or long-term radioactive waste. because low density allows plasma instabilities to be the right positions, and those launch windows are relatively short. Fusion, the power that drives the Sun and stars, Scientists want to keep the plasma as hot as possible -- at suppressed by magnetic pulses, a relatively simple way China had hoped that it would be able to launch its first rover combines light elements in the form of plasma -- the least ten times hotter than the surface of the Sun -- to to improve fusion reactions. Scientists could use powder to Mars in 2020, and planned to do so with a Long March 5 rocket. hot, charged state of matter composed of free electrons maximize the fusion reactions and therefore the heat to to create low-density plasmas at any time, rather than With this week’s successful launch, those ambitions now seem and atomic nuclei -- that generates massive amounts create electricity. waiting for a gaseous boronization. Being able to create a much more realistic, and China will prepare to send its Mars of energy. Scientists are seeking to replicate fusion on Using powder to provide boronization is also far safer wide range of plasma conditions easily in this way would hardware on its way in mid-2020. Earth for a virtually inexhaustible supply of power to than using a boron gas called diborane, the method used enable physicists to explore the behavior of plasma more Going forward, China’s plans for a new space station will also generate electricity. today. “Diborane gas is explosive, so everybody has to leave thoroughly. be impacted by the progress of the Long March 5 rocket. The “The main goal of the experiment was to see if we the building housing the tokamak during the process,” In the future, Lunsford and the other scientists in rocket will be used to send space station components skyward, could lay down a layer of boron using a powder injector,” Lunsford said. “On the other hand, if you could just drop the group hope to conduct experiments to determine and China currently expects to have its space station up and said PPPL physicist Robert Lunsford, lead author of the some boron powder into the plasma, that would be a lot where, exactly, the material goes after it has been injected running by 2022. paper reporting the results in Nuclear Fusion. “So far, easier to manage. While diborane gas is explosive and toxic, into the plasma. Physicists currently hypothesize that Sending stuff into space is hard. That’s just the way it is. NASA the experiment appears to have been successful.” boron powder is inert,” he added. “This new technique the powder flows to the top and bottom of the tokamak learned that, SpaceX is still learning it, and China, which has been ¬The boron prevents an element known as tungsten would be less intrusive and definitely less dangerous.” chamber, the same way the plasma flows, “but it would forced to play catch-up after sitting out the space race for decades, from leaching out of the tokamak walls into the plasma, Another advantage is that while physicists must halt be useful to have that hypothesis backed up by modeling is learning it, too. Now, with the Long March 5 performing as where it can cool the plasma particles and make fusion tokamak operations during the boron gas process, boron so we know the exact locations within the tokamak that planned, we’ll expect to see China’s space ambitions ramp up in reactions less efficient. A layer of boron is applied to plasma- powder can be added to the plasma while the machine are getting the boron layers,” Lunsford said. the coming months and years. facing surfaces in a process known as “boronization.” is running. This feature is important because to provide (Source: Science Daily) (Source: msn) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 10 HERITAGE & TOURISM DECEMBER 30, 2019

Urmia-Mashhad passenger Ancient Iranian wall among top 10 train route launched

TOURISM TEHRAN — The Islamic Republic of Iran deskRailways launched a passenger train route archaeology discoveries of 2019 on Sunday, stretching some 1,650 kilometers from the northwestern city of Urmia to the holy city of Mashhad HERITAGE TEHRAN — The discovery of a mas- in the northeast. desksive ancient wall in western Iran has been announced by Live Science as one of the top 10 biggest archaeology findings of 2019. The wall stretching for about 71 miles (115 kilometers), running north-south between the Bamu Mountains in the north and an area near Zhaw Marg village in the south, took an estimated one million cubic meters [35,314,667 cubic feet] of stone to build. While local people and a few archaeologists had known about the existence of the wall, it had never been described in a journal until this year when an ar- ticle in the journal Antiquity, written by Sajjad Alibaigi, an assistant professor of Iranian archaeology at Razi University in Kermanshah, Iran, was released. “Remnants of structures, now destroyed, are visible in places along the wall. These may have been associated turrets [small towers] or buildings,” Alibaigi wrote. He noted that the wall is made from “natural local materials, such as cobbles and boulders, with gypsum mortar surviving in places.” It’s not clear when the wall was built, who built it or why. Pottery found beside the wall suggests that it was With a capacity of 440 passengers, the direct train is constructed between the fourth century B.C. and sixth launched to facilitate [rail] travels from Urmia and its century CE, Alibaigi wrote. The Parthians (who ruled neighboring areas to Mashhad, particularly for pilgrims between 247 BC and CE 224) and the Sassanians (224- visiting the Imam Reza (AS) [holy shrine], CHTN reported 651 CE) are two empires that flourished in the area, and on Sunday. either one of them could have built the wall. The weekly service takes some 25 hours to cover the The shortlist also includes 17 decapitated skeletons, distance, the report said. their heads resting between their owner’s legs or feet, in Mashhad, the capital of Khorasan Razavi province, a 1,700-year-old Roman cemetery in the village of Great attracts thousands of domestic pilgrims each day. The Whelnetham in Suffolk, England; a 2,200-year-old grave raison d’être is the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS), the containing the remains of a man who died in his 40s and eighth Shia Imam. The metropolis embraces dozens of who was buried with an intricate bronze shield, a chariot five-star hotels, hotel apartments and hostels. It has the and two horses in a “leaping” pose, in the United Kingdom; highest concentration of water parks in the country, and and two infants, buried about 2,100 years ago at the site Photo depicts parts of a newly-discovered stone wall, which is stretched about 115 kilometers, in Sar Pol-e Zahab it is also home to a variety of cultural and historical sites, of Salango, on the coast of central Ecuador. county, western Iran. which are generally crowded. Tehran, Kabul discuss ways to broaden medical tourism co-op The Netherlands Nixes TOURISM TEHRAN — Iranian and ized facilitators for the booming business, eral practitioners and anesthesiologists in According to officials, Iranian hospitals deskAfghan officials on Sat- Asadi-Lari said. the holy city of Mashhad.” admitted 70,000 foreign patients over the ‘Holland’ as a Nickname urday exchanged views on ways to deepen The official also noted that Iran has Admissions are not limited to [medical and last [Iranian calendar] year (March 2018 – health cooperation in a wide-ranging arenas, launched a special system in this regard health travelers from] the neighboring countries March 2019). Some 90 percent of foreign With the dawn of 2020, the Dutch government is pre- including medical tourism, education and to facilitate traveling, medical treatments as the Islamic Republic has so far received patients in Iran are from Afghanistan, Iraq, paring to officially launch its €200,000 rebrand of the student scholarships. and accommodation, adding more than 150 requests from Central European and North Azerbaijan, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and other country’s overall tourism strategy, and a big part of that The follow-up session was attended by specialized centers are offering services to African countries requesting for treatment. countries around the Persian Gulf. means the dropping of ‘Holland’ as a moniker to refer to Mohsen Asadi-Lari, the director of interna- medical travelers across Iran. The Afghan envoy for his part said devel- Iran hosted a record high of nearly the entire country. tional cooperation office of Iran’s Ministry of Talking about medical trade and educa- opment of relations and cooperation in the 600,000 medical travelers during the first From January 2020 onward, the Northern European Health, Afghanistan’s ambassador to Tehran tion, Asadi-Lari said, “So far, 500 scholar- field of health tourism is one of the priorities four months of the current Iranian calendar nation’s nickname will be struck from all literature and Abdul Ghafoor Liwal, and several physi- ships have been granted to Afghan students for cooperation between the two countries. year (March 21-July 21), nearly equal to the marketing materials. Embassies, ministries, universities cians and experts from the two neighboring in all fields of medicine, and currently 590 Experts say that medical tourism in Iran figure for the whole past year. and companies will all need to refer to their country using countries, IRNA reported. Afghan students are studying at medical produces win-win outcomes as the country The country has set its goals to exceed only its legitimate name, the Netherlands, reported the The Iranian health ministry has so far universities across Iran.” yields considerable benefits to international its yearly medical travelers to around 2 Sydney Morning Herald. granted licenses to over 50 medical tourism “Iran has also held specialized training health-care seekers, offering affordable yet million in [calendar year] 1404 (March In reality, Holland is a region that encompasses only companies with the aim of organizing author- courses for more than 40 cardiologists, gen- quality treatment services. 2025-March 2026). two of the nation’s twelve provinces: North Holland, which is home to such favorites as Amsterdam and Haarlem; and South Holland, where The Hague, Rotterdam and Leiden are located. Over $950,000 allocated for Portuguese Castle restoration in Persian Gulf With overtourism choking its historic capital city of HERITAGE TEHRAN — On Friday, History of the fortress goes down in time Amsterdam, whose one million residents host 17 million deskIranian tourism minister when Commander Afonso de Albuquerque visitors per year, the Dutch tourism board announced Ali-Asghar Mounesan visited the Portuguese ordered the construction of a fortress in earlier this year that it would stop actively promoting the Castle in the Persian Gulf island of Hormuz, 1507 after his troops captures the island Netherlands as a destination. allocating 40 billion rials (some $952,000) for in early 16th century. (Source: MSN) restoration of the 16th-century monument. Made from reddish stones on a rocky “The tourism ministry gives a special promontory at the north end of the island, attention to this historical monument the stronghold was cut off from the rest of ROUND THE GLOBE which is one of tourist attractions of Hor- the island by a moat, traces of which still muz Island,” CHTN quoted Mounesan remain. It involves arms depot, water res- as saying on Saturday. ervoir, barrack, prison, church, command San Pedro de la Roca Castle The castle, better to be called the fortress center and central hall. San Pedro de la Roca Castle, a multi-level stone fortress built that is one of the last surviving monuments Muscular-looking walls, chambers and into a rocky promontory (El Morro) at the south-eastern end of the colonial rule in the Persian Gulf, un- archways as well as sets of rusting cannons of the island of Cuba, has guarded the entrance to Santiago derwent some vital rehabilitation works in the courtyard still give the area a scenic de Cuba Bay since 1638. earlier this year with sealing the cracks, beauty. In addition, upper levels of fort offers This exceptional fortress and its associated defensive replacing worn-out stones with new ones, wonderful views of the island, its village, works were constructed in response to the aggressive and clearing away the debris among meas- rugged mountains all surrounded by the commercial and political rivalries that menaced the Car- ures being taken. A view of the 16th-century Portuguese Castle in the Persian Gulf island of Hormuz. blue waters of the Persian Gulf. ibbean during the 17th and 18th centuries; today, they constitute the largest and most comprehensive example of the principles of Renaissance military engineering Is technology ruining travel? adapted to the requirements of European colonial powers With many of us unlocking our phones almost 50 times a I am old enough to recall the days when climbing aboard making it harder to socialize while aloft — ironically, at the in the Caribbean. day and devoting five hours of our day to screens, I suppose a long-haul flight meant hours of uninterrupted glee. I’d front of the airplane, where people pay the most money to it was inevitable that revenue-hungry airlines would enable be completely out of reach from workaholic bosses or tem- sit. I’m seeing the proliferation of more privacy barriers our smartphone and social media addictions by offering peramental editors and oblivious to breaking news on the between seats in premium cabins, especially on long flights. Wi-Fi in the skies. ground. I’ve watched more movies in the air than on the The pod seats on JetBlue Mint Suite and Delta One cabins Quickly disappearing is what many of us road warriors ground, gazed at stunning sunrises over the Arctic snows, now have doors, along with other means of isolation. For- regarded as one of the last bastions of calm — the airplane cabin. done some of my best writing in the air, and have forged tunately for mobile socialites, some airlines, like Emirates, In the wild west days of Wi-Fi, as it was making its first lifelong friendships. have an open area where you can grab and snack and chat appearance on airplanes, I recall boarding the business class Connect with those around you instead of Wi-Fi with fellow passengers. cabin of a long-haul Turkish Airlines flight between Istanbul Nowadays, I evangelize to friends and colleagues on the Of course, technology can be a godsend, especially when and North America. A group of young men nearby logged on benefits of limiting screen time while on the road. Think of things go wrong. I’ve developed the practice of powering up to the Wi-Fi as soon as it was switched on — and proceeded it this way: While you’re staring at that screen in the airline certain travel booking apps at the first hint of a disruption. It’s to spend the first hours of the flight chatting away loudly lounge, the love of your life or the job offer of a lifetime allowed me to skip congested airline customer service coun- on Skype to their buddies on the ground. could stroll by and you wouldn’t notice. I often ask, what ters and avoid extortionate airport hotel prices when waves Thankfully, many airlines have now banned Skype and kind of society have we become when two people can sit of sudden cancellations trigger huge price spikes. FaceTime in the air, sparing those of us who prefer a quiet next to each other on a 13-hour flight and not trade even Travel and the selfie culture in-flight experience (although voice calls aren’t entirely off one word or glance? It isn’t only in airports or airline cabins where technology the table). Besides general discomfort, there are privacy One of the most incredible experiences I’ve had at 30,000 has hijacked what used to be an almost romantic experience. implications. With precious elbow space between seats dis- feet was on a four-hour flight between Toronto and Edmonton Living where I do near the Pacific Northwest, tourist flock A classic bastioned fortification in which geometrical form, appearing, staying out of your seatmate’s pre-departure with an off-duty Air Canada flight attendant sitting next to to our waters in the hopes of capturing a glimpse of our symmetry and proportionality between sides and angles pre- FaceTime call is becoming increasingly difficult. me. Soon after I said hello, I learned that she was the airline’s magnificent killer and humpback whales, as well as our dominate, the Castle is an outstanding representative of the Low-cost airlines have made flying available for millions lone Afghan flight attendant. Things unexpectedly turned deep stunning views and exceptional biodiversity. Clayoquot Spanish-American school of military architecture. of first-time travelers who have yet to learn in-flight etiquette, when she volunteered to read my soul. She closed her eyes Sound’s Ocean Outfitters encourages its guests to bring San Pedro de la Roca Castle and its associated batteries so it is not uncommon to be roused midflight by smartphone tightly, clasped my hands for what seemed like an eternity, along a mobile phone “to capture an ocean loving selfie.” of La Estrella, Santa Catalina and Aguadores protect the en- videos blaring at top volume. In Asia, the practice is so common and proceeded to reveal aspects of my relationship with my But are nature seekers really getting their fix watching trance to the bay and port of San Diego de Cuba, which was that I have seen flight attendants struggling to keep the calm. father to which I was only privy to. We chatted the entire flight nature reveal itself from behind the screen of an iPhone? of great importance because of its geographical situation, its Which brings me to travel best practice No. 1: Give some and kept in touch afterward. Are we wasting our time taking selfies or is the practice favorable currents and its protected anchorages. thought to the weary traveler next to you. And when faced Instead of connecting to Wi-Fi, maybe we should connect worthy of what Google’s Abigail Posner describes as our As conflicts between Spain and England grew in the 17th with this situation, ask the cabin crew to request the pas- with those around us. This summer in Milan, the city was hit human need to share “our everydayness?” century, the town’s governor ordered the construction of a senger use earphones or turn the volume down. by a lightning rail labor strike. By the time the departure board One of the most stunning discoveries of my book re- stone fortress on a strategic point where an earlier ravelin In the past year or so, while working on my forthcoming turned red, I had already become acquainted with the Italian search is one of the saddest — at least as far as humanity is existed, following the designs of the renowned Italian military book on the digital age, I’ve become an undocumented so- businessman standing next to me on the train platform — so it concerned. Strolling after class one day at California State engineer Juan Bautista (Giovanni Battista) Antonelli. ciologist, observing up close how the travel experience has was a no-brainer to organize a group rescue taxi to the airport. University, Dominguez Hills, Larry Rosen, a research psy- The fortress was built into the promontory’s steep cliffs been transformed, for better and for worse, by technology. That brings me to travel best practice No. 2: Take a mo- chologist and professor emeritus, told me that humans are in a progression of terraces, one above another, linked by a Our screens are diminishing the overall travel experience, ment to at least share a glance or greet your fellow traveler. the only species on the planet with the ability to daydream series of stairways. and airlines and other travel operators share part of the If things go sideways, they could be a lifesaver. with creative thoughts — something he calls “slack time.” (Source: UNESCO) blame for enabling our dependence. The people who brought the dreaded Wi-Fi to the air are (Source: CNN) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 30, 2019 INTERNATIONAL 11 Trump’s “Space Force”: A predictable future of war and chaos

By Prof. Louis René Beres country’s military strategy from one untenable represent a corollary violation of US law. In the posture of belligerent nationalism to another. sober words of Mr. Justice Gray, delivering the MODERNDIPLOMACY — On December 20, What the proponents of Space Force ignore, inter judgment of the US Supreme Court in Paquete 2019, US President Donald Trump signed the alia, is that all national security options should be Habana (1900): “International law is part of our National Defense Authorization Act, creating the examined from the standpoint of their cumula- law, and must be ascertained and administered by newest military service since the US Air Force was tive impact. Accordingly, if the credible effect of the courts of justice of appropriate jurisdiction….” established in 1947. Although the United States this new America First policy initiative will be to (175 U.S. 677(1900)) See also: Opinion in Tel-Oren Space Force is intended to bolster this country’s spawn various reciprocal postures of belligerent vs. Libyan Arab Republic (726 F. 2d 774 (1984)). overall power in an expanding geostrategic com- nationalism among principal foes (e.g., Russia and The specific incorporation of treaty law into US petition with Russia – the usual or orthodox sort potentially China) the net effect will prove sorely municipal law is most expressly codified at Art. 6 of national response amidst our structural global and comprehensively negative.[10] of the US Constitution, the so-called “Supremacy anarchy – its plausible effects will likely be dest- Far better for President Trump to consider the Clause.” abilizing. At its core, the critical US policy error relevant insight of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin of- [6] Both Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung thought committed here is both conceptual and historic; fered in his masterwork, The Phenomenon of Man: of “soul” (in German, Seele) as the intangible es- that is, it consists of failing to recognize that literally “No element can move and grow except with and sence of a human being. Neither Freud nor Jung millennia of Realpolitik-generated competitions by all the others with itself.” While not conceived ever provided any precise definition of the term, have ended in more-or-less catastrophic forms with any particular reference to global chaos[11] but it was not intended by either in some ordinary of war. In essence, therefore, by creating Space or national military strategies, this elucidating religious sense. For both, it was a still-recognizable Force, Donald Trump will merely have passed fragment of the French Jesuit philosopher’s wis- and critical seat of both mind and passions in this America’s most basic military posture “from one dom applies here with substantial purpose and life. Interesting, too, in the present context, is that untenable position to another….” Apropos of this an altogether exquisite perfection. Summing up, Freud explained his already-predicted decline of flawed transmittal, this article by Professor Louis Space Force, in all its apparent detachment from America by various express references to “soul.” Rene Beres will further clarify certain assorted historical experience, represents a move in the Freud was plainly disgusted by any civilization details and informed expectations. wrong direction, a determinative step “forward” so apparently unmoved by considerations of true “What is the good of passing from one untenable into another dimension of prospective interna- “consciousness” (e.g., awareness of intellect, lit- position to another, of seeking justification always tional conflict, but a consequentially retrograde erature and history), and even thought that the on the same plane?”-Samuel Beckett, Endgame step nonetheless. crude American commitment to perpetually shallow Significantly, US President Donald Trump’s structive inter-state competitions. rapidly dissembling correlates. In this regard, [1] See, by this author, Louis René Beres, Reason optimism and material accomplishment at any cost newly announced “Space Force” represents an Here, on this irremediably interdependent planet, Trump’s Space Force is the foreseeable result of and Realpolitik: US Foreign Policy and World Or- would occasion sweeping psychological misery. ironic reaffirmation of past policy failures. More the national tribe, in one belligerent manifesta- a much deeper societal pathology, a know-nothing der, Lexington Books, 1984; and Louis René Beres, [7] From the standpoint of classical political and precisely, when understood as a witting extrapolation tion or another, has long undermined all needed American populism that drives out intellect and Mimicking Sisyphus: America’s Countervailing legal philosophy, such a national policy would be from core Trump policies of “America First,” the opportunities for creating a durable and authentic reason in favor of deliberate mystifications and a Nuclear Strategy, Lexington Books, 1983. Regarding the diametric opposite of the statement by Emmer- operational role of this newest US armed service world order. collective self-delusion. philosophical foundations of Realpoliitk: “Right is ich de Vattel in The Law of Nations (1758): “The will be to extend Realpolitik[1] or power politics Still, it is exactly this latest expression of corro- Jefferson and America’s other Founding Fathers the interest of the stronger,” says Thrasymachus first general law which is to be found in the very “vertically,” into space. Prima facie, at best, the sive national tribalism that is championed by Mr. had already understood: There is always a neces- in Bk. I, Sec. 338 of Plato, THE REPUBLIC (B. end of the society of Nations is that each Nation predictable result will be the same as it has always Trump’s Space Force. When all cumulative policy sary and respectable place for serious erudition. Jowett tr., 1875). “Justice is a contract neither should contribute as far as it can to the happiness been here on earth. At worst, this result could be impacts are taken into careful account, this “soul- Learning from history, Americans may yet learn to do nor to suffer wrong,” says Glaucon, id., Bk. and advancement of other Nations.” utterly baneful and uniquely catastrophic. less”[6] derivative of America First will inevitably something from “America First” that is useful to II, Sec. 359. See also, Philus in Bk III, Sec. 5 of [8] International law remains a “vigilante” sys- Space Force will be founded upon certain con- emerge as anything but patriotic. What else should opposing any actual iterations of a planned Space Cicero, DE REPUBLICA. tem, or “Westphalian.” This latter reference is to spicuous failures of the past. It will project entire we reasonably conclude about a planned military Force. They may learn, even during this nation- [2] According to Article 53 of the Vienna Conven- the Peace of Westphalia (1648), which concluded centuries of intellectually vacant policy expectations posture that injures this country and various others al declension Time of Trump, that a ubiquitous tion on the Law of Treaties: “…a peremptory norm the Thirty Years War, and created the now still-ex- into still another dimension. Accordingly, Amer- abjectly, and at the same time?[7] mortality is far more consequential than any glit- of general international law is a norm accepted and isting decentralized, or self-help, state system. See: icans should now be inquiring: What conceivable Though counter-intuitive, Space Force represents tering administration promises of “supremacy,” recognized by the international community of states Treaty of Peace of Munster, Oct. 1648, 1 Consol. T.S. “good” can be expected from such a persistently a US security posture that is badly misconceived “advantage” or “victory.”[9] as a whole as a norm from which no derogation 271; and Treaty of Peace of Osnabruck, Oct. 1648, injurious military posture? and prospectively lethal. Left unchallenged, it will In The Decline of the West, first published dur- is permitted and which can be modified only by 1., Consol. T.S. 119, Together, these two treaties The answer is plain. Instead of “America First” further exacerbate the deliberate Presidential choice ing World War I, Oswald Spengler asked: “Can a subsequent norm of general international law comprise the Peace of Westphalia. or any of its prematurely celebrated derivatives, a of endless belligerence as a favored medium of a desperate faith in knowledge free us from the having the same character.” See: Vienna Convention [9] See by this author, at Oxford University rational and well-intentioned American president American military well-being. What is required, nightmare of the grand questions?” Assuredly, on the Law of Treaties, Done at Vienna, May 23, Press: https://blog.oup.com/2016/04/war-po- should reject all zero-sum derivatives or corollaries instead, is the readily decipherable opposite of this remains a vital query, but one that will never 1969. Entered into force, Jan. 27, 1980. U.N. Doc. litical-victories/ of “classical” belligerent nationalism. Any Ameri- Space Force. What is needed, immediately, is a be adequately raised in our universities, on Wall A/CONF. 39/27 at 289 (1969), 1155 U.N.T.S. 331, [10] Included in this assessment must be the can policy that intentionally seeks to maximize its markedly broadened US awareness of human and Street or anywhere in the Trump White House. Still, reprinted in 8 I.L.M. 679 (1969). expanding risks of US Presidential nuclear deci- own national well-being at the expense of others societal interconnectedness. we may learn something productive about these [3] In expressly political science terms, positing sion-making. By this writer, see Louis René Beres, will be acting against certain peremptory norms Always, history is instructive. From the 1648 indispensable “grand questions” by more closely the influence of “Cold War II” means expecting The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists https:// of international law[2] and against its own dom- Peace of Westphalia to the present fragmenting studying American roles and responsibilities in a that the world system is becoming increasingly thebulletin.onuclear rg/2016/08/what-if-you- inant security interests. By definition, any such moment, world politics has been shaped by a con- changing world politics. bipolar. For early writings, by this author, on the dont-trust-the-judgment-of-the-president-whose- policy – especially in the midst of “Cold War II” tinuously shifting balance of power and by variously At that point we might finally come to understand global security implications of just such an expand- finger-is-over-the-nuclear-button/ [3]– could prove incoherent, indefensible or even relentless correlates of war, terror and genocide.[8] that the most suffocating insecurities of life on earth ing bipolarity, see: Louis René Beres, “Bipolarity, [11] Although composed in the seventeenth altogether irrational. Ideally, of course, hope should continue to exist. To can never be undone by further militarizing space Multipolarity, and the Reliability of Alliance Com- century, Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan still offers Nothing could be more apparent to anyone be sure, there is no rational alternative. But now and abrogating pertinent international treaties. mitments,” Western Political Quarterly, Vol. 25, an illuminating vision of chaos in world politics. who bothers to take the trouble to think logically it should sing much more softly, unobtrusively, In the end, even in American foreign policy No.4., December 1972, pp. 702-710; Louis René Says the English philosopher in Chapter XIII, “Of and historically about such serious matters.[4] in an aptly prudent undertone. decision-making, truth is exculpatory. In what Beres, “Bipolarity, Multipolarity, and the Tragedy the Natural Condition of Mankind, as concern- In candor, the requisite analyses are by no means For Americans increasingly endangered by amounts to a uniquely promising paradox, Space of the Commons,” Western Political Quarterly, Vol. ing their Felicity, and Misery:” During chaos, a dense or esoteric. Indeed, on such long-documented seat-of-the-pants Trump foreign policies, however, Force can help illuminate a blatant lie that may still 26, No.4., December 1973, pp, 649-658; and Louis condition which Hobbes identifies as a “time of matters of policy, history is unambiguous. more will be required than sotto voce modulations. help us see the underlying truth. This peremptory René Beres, “Guerillas, Terrorists, and Polarity: War,” it is a time “…where every man is Enemy to To clarify further, the world is a system. Always, Merely to survive on this imperiled planet, all of truth is not really mysterious or unfathomable. New Structural Models of World Politics,” West- every man… and where the life of man is solitary, everything is interrelated. Inter alia, no American us, together, will have to rediscover an individ- Americans require, after all, a substantially wider ern Political Quarterly, Vol. 27, No.4., December poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” At the time of foreign policy success can ever be achieved at the ual human life, one consciously detached from consciousness of unity and relatedness between 1974, pp. 624-636. writing, Hobbes believed that the condition of sacrificial expense of other countries and peoples. ritualistic patterns of conformance, mindless individual human beings and (correspondingly) [4] But one should be reminded here of Bertrand “nature” in world politics was less chaotic than And absolutely no such presumptive success is entertainments, shallow optimism, or any other between adversarial nation-states. Russell’s trenchant observation in Principles of that same condition existing among individual sustainable if the rest of the planet must thereby disingenuously contrived expressions of some There is no more urgent requirement. Social Reconstruction (1916): “Men fear thought human beings -because of what he called the expect a consistently more violent and explosive retrospectively imagined tribal happiness. At a None. more than they fear anything else on earth – more “dreadful equality” of individual men in nature future.[5] minimum, such survival will demand a prompt Though seemingly oriented toward great- than ruin, more even than death.” being able to kill others – but this once-relevant Here, on earth, the basic story is always the and full-scale retreat from what Donald Trump er American power and security, building an [5] To the extent that any such American for- differentiation has effectively disappeared with same; it is always about certain inane and self-de- has termed “America First” and from all of its American Space Force would merely propel this eign policy violates international law, it would also the spread of nuclear weapons.

Growing Fascination for Expos in the present-day Gun ownership, deaths out of control in U.S. Internet age By Dr. Sunod Jacob time feature a dedicated speaking platform for providers GLOBALTIMES - In 2019, the US saw more mass kill- The website of the World Expo 2020 scheduled to be held of logistics services, in particular the use of artificial intel- ings - four or more people in one incident - than any year. in Dubai for six months on the broad theme of “Connecting ligence. The other major element will be data security.In A total 41 incidents and 211 deaths were recorded this year. minds, creating the future” proudly mentions that it will be recent years defense expos have acquired much importance. Excluding suicides, gun deaths reached 14,800. Whether the first time the major event will be held in the region defined UK’s Defense& Security Equipment International (DSEI) defined as a human rights issue or a public safety issue, mass as Middle East, Africa and South Asia. The sub themes of connects governments, national armed forces, industry shootings are shocking in a US allegedly governed by law. the Dubai Expo 2020 are opportunity, mobility and sus- thought leaders and the global defense& security supply The right to bear arms is enshrined by the US Constitution. tainability. The concept of World Expo found expression chain. DSEI 2021 will have five key domain-focused Zones: No official statistics are on record counting how many guns in 1851 at Hyde Park in London which showcased at the Aerospace, Land, Naval, Security & Joint, all showcasing there are among the US people, but the number is generally global stage, the industrial prowess of Britain. At present the latest equipment and systems. Sea-Air-Space – USAs estimated to be hundreds of millions. Who own these guns? the World Expo is based on an international treaty called largest maritime expo – will, in April next year, bring the U.S. Are certain people prepared to use them as murder weapons? the BIE. Created by the 1928 Paris Convention, the Bureau defense industry and key military decision-makers together These issues have not been tracked or supervised effectively. International des Expositions (BIE) is the Paris-based in- for high quality interactions. The biennial IMDEX Asia is Various criminal motives exist in American society. From tergovernmental organization in charge of overseeing and Asia Pacific’s premier international maritime defense show the perspective of gun murders, the US is beset with crises. regulating World Expos. The BIE governed Expos last more and the next one will be held in Changi in Singapore in May Private gun ownership is a tradition from the early days than three weeks and are of non-commercial nature. Today, 2021. The 11th biennial edition of DefExpo India- 2020 is at the founding of the US. In a modern society, the problems 4 main types of Expos are organized under its auspices: scheduled to be held for the first time in Uttar Pradesh’s created by this tradition have already exceeded the benefits. World Expos, Specialized Expos, Horticultural Expos and capital Lucknow with the main theme of ‘India: The Emerging Crime is one of the increasingly prominent modern diseases the Triennale di Milano. India is not a party to this treaty Defense Manufacturing Hub’ and focus on ‘Digital Trans- in several societies in the 21st century, and the spread of which currently has 170 member states including China, formation of Defense’. guns enables crime to unleash greater killing energy. he or she will encounter a shooting. Germany and the USA. Very few people would miss the opportunity to go to these American society has already seen serious problems caused US gun policies are laissez-faire. Those who lost their Since 2018, China has been hosting the CIIE also called Expos and trade fairs. Their relevance for enterprises has by the private ownership of guns, but their massive number loved ones or who are scared of shootings are helpless. They China International Import Expo with the clear aim of ad- been demonstrated through increasing participation with has contributed to an enormous inertia. Many interest groups have no way to request their country solve this problem. dressing the huge trade imbalances that exist with her trade each passing year. For instance, earlier this year Huawei have benefited from it and some ordinary people have truly Everyone must accept the risk that a shooting may occur partners. In his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of used the platform of the Mobile World Congress 2019 in gained a sense of safety. To change this habit which has at any time anywhere. the second edition of the CIIE on 5 November 2019, Chinese Barcelona to push hard for its narrative on 5G. Closer home lasted hundreds of years, tremendous political courage and This is the US, the most powerful Western country with President Xi Jinping recalled the efforts taken by his govern- in India media reports carried a quote of an unnamed top a rearrangement of interests is required. unique global soft power and discourse power. The US rein- ment to further open up to the world and in particular for official from the Department of Telecom to the effect that Facts have proved that the US system is unable to handle forces the impression that shootings, including the one in greater global integration of Shanghai and its nearby region. Huawei’s participation in the October 2019 Indian Mobile the intricacies of countless issues around guns including Las Vegas on October 1, 2017 in which 59 people died, are However in a critical assessment, a survey released on 4 Congress is not an indication of Government of India’s consent politics, economics, law and order and public psychology. the price a democratic country must pay and should not be November 2019 by the Shanghai Chapter of the European to the company’s 5G trials or deployments. Governments The country can neither manage the safe storage and use of viewed as a serious governance flaw. Union Chamber of Commerce in China revealed that while at multiple levels-national, provincial and even cities have so many guns owned by ordinary people, nor can it establish Massacres and shootings should be deemed a serious a good proportion of its members that attended the CIIE in become enthusiastic participants in these fairs and expos. a new national system that bans or strictly restricts guns. violation of human rights. In the world’s most modern 2018 will be returning this year, there is an expectation that Similarly international institutions have become a staple It cannot even form an overwhelming opinion regarding society, people’s lives are threatened by unregulated guns. the event must produce more tangible outcomes. presence at these events and speak clearly to the transnational gun issues. Isn’t this the most severe human rights flaw? The US In the area of industrial technology, the Hannover Messe resonance of these gatherings. Especially in the context of Politically, the US is in fact letting gun issues go unchecked. acts as the world’s guard but turns a blind eye to its own occupies the pole position. It is acknowledged as a trend smart cities and industry 4.0 these types of engagements It is a matter of probability for the country whether anyone human rights defects. People are forced to get used to a barometer and innovations driver for a globally and digitally are future oriented and hence a pertinent enabler for the will use a gun to vent personal grievances and take revenge US where both modern and barbarous elements entangle integrated industrial sector. The 2020 fair will for the first next stage of globalization. on society. For individuals, it is also a matter of luck whether in a weird way. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 12 SOCIETY DECEMBER 30, 2019

Alaska set for record- Iranian researchers design breaking warm season despite tumbling temperature nanofilters for diesel cars Bettles, Alaska hasn’t climbed above 0 degrees in nearly 10 days. 1 Air pollution haunting Iranian capital Sunday’s high temperature was minus 47 degrees. And at mi- Tehran air quality index (AQI) reached an unhealthy nus 56 degrees this morning, the quiet community of roughly level of pollution for 59 days since the beginning of this a dozen year-round residents set a daily record low. The frigid year (March 21), according to a report published by the temperature rivalled the average winter temperatures found on Tehran Air Quality Control Company. the surface of Mars. An AQI is used to communicate to the public how Bettles is not alone. Much of Alaska’s interior and far north polluted the air currently is or how polluted it is fore- are enduring lows of 35 to 55 degrees below zero. During the cast to become. daytime, it doesn’t get much better. Highs of around minus 40 The index categorizes conditions according to a are pretty common. measure of polluting matters into excellent (0-50), Fairbanks, meanwhile, was forecast to “warm” into the minus good (51-100), lightly polluted or unhealthy for sensitive 20s on Friday, with a chance of snow flurries and freezing fog. groups (101-150), moderately polluted (151-200), heavily The cold is courtesy of an encroaching, strong dome of high polluted (201-300) and severely polluted (301-500). pressure banked to the west of Alaska, while a series of lows During the aforementioned period, heavily polluted looms to the east. The flow of air between these two weather air haunted the capital for 5 days which was almost systems has allowed a persistent tongue of cold to sweep down dangerous for all the residents. from the Arctic, lapping at the frigid tundra. Clear skies induced This is while, last year over the same period 44 days by high pressure has permitted radiational cooling, plummeting were unhealthy for sensitive groups, and Tehraners temperatures even more. did not breathe a single day of heavily polluted air. Elsewhere in Alaska, Kotzebue started their day at minus 15, Some of the air control stations in the capital exceeded Anaktuvuk Pass at minus 27, and even Utqiagvik – the United States’ the 210 level, including the southern city of Shar-e Rey northernmost community – ended their work week at a brisk minus 11. and the southwestern city of Shadabad. Temperatures will finally start to moderate some into the Polluted air also resulted in the closure of schools weekend, recovering towards more seasonable norms to ring in and universities for five days. the new year. However, there are indications the pattern thereafter The leading cause of air pollution in the capital is will favour renewed shots of Arctic air. PM 2.5, PM 10 and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2). Cold of this magnitude is not that unusual for Alaska, although it’s actually becoming more rare as the climate warms. Bettles, for instance, averages 11 nights a year that drop below minus 40. Woman’s 8kg abdominal mass removed Wildlife trafficking band busted in However, in 1950, Bettles averaged closer to 20 nights a year with minus 40 degree lows. successfully northeastern Iran It’s not an isolated trend. Across Alaska, the frequency of ultra-cold nights has been dwindling in recent years. In most places, they’re about a third less common. Alaska is warming faster than any other state in the country. Climate Central, a nonprofit climate research and journalism organisation, estimates the na- tion’s largest state has spiked by more than 4 degrees just since 1970, rapidly melting ice and redefining life for Alaska residents. Thus far, it appears the only temperature records set or tied were in Bettles. Other weather stations may technically have set record values, but long-running weather and climate observations are only available at 20 different sites across the state. Allakaket did hit minus 60 this morning, the state’s coldest observed temperature during this Arctic outbreak. And yet it still didn’t even claim a local daily record, the village northwest of Fairbanks had dropped to minus 67 degrees on December 27, 1954. Alaskans also are dealing with ice fog. In the Lower 48, there’s freezing fog, which occurs when supercooled water droplets remain in the air at temperatures below freezing. These droplets freeze upon contact with objects – depositing an icy glaze on any untreated surface or vegetation. It’s a sneaky way to ice over the landscape. Ice fog, however, is even more extreme. SOCIETY TEHRAN — An for treatment but misdiagnosed, was ENVIRONMENT TEHRAN — Members and keeping of hunting birds will face “It only forms at 35 degrees below or lower,” explained Alex deskeight-kilogram tumor eventually scanned and the mass was deskof a wildlife trafficking imprisonment and a fine. Young, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Fair- was removed successfully from the revealed. She underwent a surgery in band who were smuggling birds of prey from The poachers caused the DOE a loss banks. “All the particulates are actually frozen.” left ovary of a 43-year-old woman in which both ovaries and uterus were Sabzevar county, northeastern province of of 12 billion rials (about $285,000), Because the air can hold so little moisture, any additional mois- Saveh county, central Markazi prov- removed due to the high likelihood Khorasan Razavi, were arrested, director Hemmati noted. ture at temperatures near minus 50 immediately results in ice fog. ince, ISNA news agency reported on of cancer.” of provincial department of environment The traffickers smuggled wildlife through The ice fog is most common near population centres. That’s Sunday. Referring to the dangers threatening (DOE) has announced. the southern borders of the country to the because it’s so dry up there that most of the moisture in the air comes Such a surgery has been done for the patient’s life, Maghsoodloo noted Following police’s inspection of two Persian Gulf after alive capturing of en- from human activity – automobiles, generators, or even breathing. the first time in Saveh, Farhood Magh- that there was a possibility of rupture, passenger cars, five valuable birds of prey dangered birds of prey, including Kestrel, At temperatures this frigid, that moisture freezes and lingers. A soodloo, the surgeon said. on the other hand, any indication of were discovered and four members of the Barbary falcon, Saker falcon and Falcon, walk to the mailbox could technically deposit a floating ice cloud After enduring a year of pain, the cancerous cells would have been a hunting and smuggling gang were arrested, he further explained. behind you. It’s a big problem with vehicle exhaust on roadways. woman was barely able to eat or lie threat. three of whom were from a Persian Gulf Previously, members of several hunting “We can have some issues because [of] really, really strong down properly because of the excru- Now the patient’s general and clin- littoral state, IRNA quoted Touraj Hemmati and smuggling gangs of such valuable inversions,” Mr Young said. An inversion results when the tem- ciating pain the tumor caused her. ical condition after surgery is satis- as saying on Sunday. birds were arrested in Khorasan Raza- perature increases with height, meaning it’s coldest near the “The patient, who had referred to factory and is under the hospital’s According to the hunting law, any ille- vi province and handed over to judicial surface (typically, the air gets colder with height). “There’s an many gynecologists and surgeons treatment for further treatment. gal hunting, buying, selling, transporting authorities, he stated. extreme temperature increase with height in maybe tens to even just 100 meters above the surface.” (Source: The Independent) Education minister congratulates new year WORDS IN THE NEWS to Christian students SOCIETY TEHRAN — Iranian Education and families on the birth anniversary of the Jesus Palestinian MPs meet deskMinister Mohsen Haji Mirzaei Christ (PBUH). congratulated Christian students and teachers He appreciated students, teachers and parents for (September 09, 2002) on the new year during a ceremony held in a their efforts and expressed hope that all the students Members of the Palestinian legislative council have begun an school in Tehran on Sunday, IRIB news agency would achieve success. important meeting in the West Bank town of Ramallah, but not reported. The minister urged the Christian teachers to en- all Palestinian MPs can attend because Israel has forbidden twelve Haji Mirzaei also expressed his congratulatory hance the students’ knowledge by being more aware of them from the Gaza Strip from travelling to the West Bank. This message to all Iranian Christian students, teachers of the Jesus Christ’s teachings. report from Peter Biles. Palestinian MPs, as well as foreign diplomats and other international observers, began arriving in Ramallah in mid-morning. The meeting had been moved from the offices of the Palestinian legislative council, ENGLISH IN USE to Yasser Arafat’s battered compound where he’s been under virtual siege for much of this year. In his speech today, Mr Arafat is expected to renew his call for LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION an end to suicide bomb attacks, because they’re seen by many Palestinians as counter-productive to the Palestinian cause. This was to have been the first time that all the members of the Relief foundation plans to provide ۲۰۰ هزار فرصت شغلی برای مددجویان کمیته امداد امام ایجاد میشود Palestinian parliament had met in person since the start of the Intifada nearly two years ago. But last week, Israel warned that 200,000 jobs for the deprived anyone involved in terrorism would not be allowed to travel to the معــاون اشــتغال و خودکفایــی کمیتــه امــداد امــام خمینــی )ره( گفــت: در صــورت تأمیــن بــه موقــع منابــع مالــی meeting in Ramallah, a town that is still under Israeli occupation Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation plans to create 200,000 jobs in order to م یتــوان بــا توجــه بــه برنامــه ریــزی هــای انجــام شــده ۲۰۰ هــزار فرصــت شــغلی تــا پایــان ســال ایجــاد کــرد. and regular curfews. facilitate income generation for the deprived, as soon as the required budget حجــت اهلل عبدالملکــی روز جمعــه در گفــت وگــو بــا خبرنــگار ایرنــا افــزود: از ایــن تعــداد فرصت شــغلی ۷۰ هــزار مورد On Sunday, the Israelis announced that twelve Palestinian MPs is provided, Hojjatollah Abdolmaleki, deputy director of the Foundation از طریــق راهبــری شــغلی کارآفرینــان ایجاد خواهد شــد. .from Gaza would be barred. The majority of their colleagues in has said the Gaza Strip are staying away too in protest over the Israeli ban. He went on to say that some 70,000 job opportunities will open up through وی بــا اشــاره بــه اینکــه هــم اکنــون ۴۰۰ هــزار کارآفریــن حرفـ ـهای در کشــور فعالیــت دارنــد، تصریــح کــرد: بــه لحــاظ They’ll all be participating in the Parliamentary session by راهبــری اگــر هــر یــک از ۴۰۰ هــزار نفــر کارآفرینــان حرفـ ـهای موجــود در کشــور بتواننــد بــرای ۱۰ نفــر بیکار اشــتغال .means of a video link between Ramallah and Gaza, as they entrepreneurs who started their own businesses using the Foundation’s loans ایجــاد کننــد، م یتــوان گفــت کــه در مجمــوع چهــار میلیــون فرصــت شــغلی ایجــاد م یشــود کــه بــه صــورت کامــل ,have done in the past. Currently, there are about 400,000 entrepreneurs in the country, he said مســئله بیــکاری حــل خواهد شــد. Words adding, only if each of them employ 10 job seekers, the country’s unemployment international observers: people from other countries who watch problem will be solved. معــاون اشــتغال و خودکفایــی کمیتــه امــداد در خصــوص تســهیالت قانونــی اشــتغال نیــز گفــت: بــرای ایجاد مشــاغل an activity or event to see what happens, but they do not take part “A total budget of 60 trillion rials (nearly $1.4 billion) is planned to be بودجــه ای بــه میــزان ۶ هــزار میلیــارد تومــان اختصــاص داده خواهــد شــد، کــه بتوانیــم ۲۰۰ هــزار فرصــت شــغلی را battered: damaged by hitting, or after an attack earmarked for job generation and employment opportunities which can provide تــا آخــر ســال ایجــاد کنیــم. under...siege: if a town or group of people is under siege, it is surrounded by an army so that people cannot enter or leave some 200,000 jobs by the end of this year (March 2020),” he further noted. to renew his call: in a speech or formal statement, to ask for something again counter-productive: something that leads to the opposite result from the one that you want to achieve PREFIX/SUFFIX PHRASAL VERB IDIOM in person: if you meet, see or talk to someone in person, they are “cerebro-, cerebr-” Think something up Give somebody a (good) actually with you in the same place, not on the telephone or television curfews: a law which says that people must stay inside their Meaning: brain Meaning: to produce a new idea, name etc. run for their money houses after a particular time at night For example: Passive smoking is considered a by thinking barred: stopped officially from doing something or going somewhere major cause of cerebrovascular disease, which causes For example: She was trying to think up an Explanation: to make your opponent in a competition ban: an official statement that something must not be done strokes. excuse. use all their skill and effort to defeat you a video link: a connection between two or more places so that the For example: They’ve given some of the top teams people in those places can communicate with each other by video a run for their money this season. (Source: BBC) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 30, 2019 WORLD IN FOCUS 13

Yemen’s Houthis list 6 targets Iraqi President Salih returns to Baghdad in Saudi, 3 in UAE 1 Iraqis are protesting against the country’s failing polit- Houthis said six “sensitive” locations and much of the north. ical system, largely established by the US and its allies after the in Saudi Arabia and three in the United But there was no immediate claim 2003 US-led invasion which toppled dictator Saddam Hussein. Arab Emirates are on a list of strike of responsibility from the Iran-allied The mostly young protesters are demanding sweeping changes, targets, the group’s al-Masirah TV re- rebels, whose forces are present in the including a new election law which they hope will dislodge political ported Sunday, quoting a Houthi military mountains just 60 kilometers north of parties they accuse of unfairly monopolizing power and putting spokesman. Ad-Dali. foreign interests ahead of Iraqi ones. The Houthis in September said they In August, 36 Security Belt soldiers Both Abdul Mahdi and Salih have submitted election reform would stop attacking Saudi Arabia with were killed in a drone and missile attack bills to parliament, both of which could — if enacted — challenge missiles and drones if their adversaries by the Houthis on a passing out cere- the entrenched political class, dominated by figures linked to attacking Yemen did the same. mony just outside the main southern Shia paramilitaries and Shia Islamist movements. Yemen missile strike kills city of Aden. Rioters shut down Iraqi oilfield as unrest continues five southern separatists The security forces in the south have In another devlopment, protesters have shut down a southern Meanwhile, a missile struck a passing out also come under repeated attack by both oilfield, cutting off electricity to the facility in the latest wave of ceremony in southern Yemen on Sunday, Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group. riots which have overshadowed peaceful protests and crippled killing at least five southern separatists, There has also been a war within a war the country. security officials said. between rival unionist and separatist ele- Rioters broke into the Nassiriya oilfield on Saturday and forced The ceremony in the town of Ad-Dali was ments of the loyalist security forces. employees to cut off electricity from its control station, taking for new recruits to the separatist-dominated The Security Belt Forces seized Aden the field offline until further notice, Reuters quoted a security Security Belt Forces, a formation trained in deadly fighting with unionists in Au- source and two oil sources as saying. and equipped by the United Arab Emirates gust and a fragile truce reached in Saudi The protesters chanted “No homeland, no oil” as they forced to patrol territory retaken from northern Arabia last month has so far failed to the closure of the oilfield, which produces 90,000 barrels a day rebels or Al-Qaeda, its spokesmen Majed produce a promised power-sharing of crude. al-Shuaibi said. wounded when the missile hit the reviewing Shuaibi told AFP the missile was fired by government. The incident marks the first time rioters have shut an entire Five soldiers were killed and nine others stand during the march-past. the Houthis who control the capital Sana’a (Source: agencies) oilfield, though they have blocked entrances to refineries and ports in the past. Last week, protesters blocked access to the main ports company in the southern Basra province after blocking the main roads to N. Korea’s Kim convenes party plenary as Taliban attack kills 17 militia in northern Basra oilfields and preventing employees from going to work. Mass protests, which began on October 1, have been pressing the government to bring in reforms that would root out corruption deadline looms Afghanistan and alleviate the country’s economic woes. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un con- Talks on denuclearizing the Korean A Taliban attack in northern Afghani- The Taliban shura, or ruling council, The rallies, however, have frequently turned violent, in which vened a meeting of top governing party Peninsula have been largely deadlocked stan killed at least 17 local militiamen, is currently debating whether to accept hundreds of people have been killed, including members of the officials, ahead of a year-end deadline set since the second summit between Kim and an Afghan official said Sunday. the U.S. ceasefire proposal, the Taliban security forces. by Pyongyang for Washington to shift its U.S. President Donald Trump collapsed The attack apparently targeted a officials said. The officials spoke on condi- Earlier this month, a mob lynched a 16-year-old teenager in stance on stalled nuclear talks, state media in Hanoi at the start of this year. local militia commander who escaped tion of anonymity because they were not his home and cut his throat before hanging him by his ankles reported on Sunday. Pyongyang has repeatedly asked Wash- unharmed, said Jawad Hajri, a spokes- authorized to speak to the media, but were in Baghdad, in a brutal attack typical of ISIL (Daesh) terrorists. The plenary session, which opened on ington to meet its year-end deadline and man for the governor of Takhar province, familiar with the ongoing U.S.-Taliban Two years after being eliminated by the Iraqi army with the Saturday, follows widespread speculation to offer a new initiative to iron out their where the attack took place late Saturday. negotiations. help of popular counter-terror groups, Daesh has been rearing that North Korea is preparing to test an differences over the North’s nuclear weap- Local Afghan militias commonly op- On Monday, an American soldier was its in the Arab country, staging sporadic attacks in some towns intercontinental ballistic missile. ons program. erate in remote areas, and are under the killed in combat in the northern Kun- and cities. Kim, who is chairman of the governing It warned Washington earlier this command of either the defense or interior duz province. The Taliban claimed they Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), presided month that failure to meet Pyongyang’s ministries. were behind a fatal roadside bombing over the first day of the party meeting expectations could result in an unwanted Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Muja- that targeted American and Afghan forces U.S. envoy urges Europe to “discuss important matters arising ... “Christmas gift”. hid claimed responsibility for the attack. in Kunduz. in the building of the state and national Pyongyang carried out a series of The attack came even as Taliban of- The following day, a Taliban attack to blacklist Lebanon’s defense”, the official Korean Central News static tests at its Sohae rocket facility ficials have told The Associated Press on a checkpoint killed at least seven Af- Agency (KCNA) reported. this month after a number of weapons that a temporary nationwide ceasefire ghan army soldiers in the northern Balkh Hezbollah “The immediate orientation of the launches in recent weeks - some of may be in the works. province. The U.S. ambassador to Germany has called on European coun- struggle of the WPK and the state and them described as ballistic missiles The Taliban have previously refused Another six Afghan troops were killed tries to outlaw Hezbollah in its entirety after pointing the finger important policy issues for new victory in by Japan and others. all offers of a ceasefire by the Afghan in the same province Thursday in an at- at the Lebanese resistance movement for a recent rocket attack our revolution under the present situation North Korea is banned from carrying government, except for a three-day tack on an army base. At least 10 Afghan on an Iraqi military base housing American forces. were brought up as agendas of the plenary out such tests under UN sanctions. truce in June 2018 over the Eid al- soldiers were killed Friday in a complex “Now would be a good time for our European allies to follow the meeting,” it added. In response to the North’s warning, Fitr holiday. attack on a checkpoint in the southern lead of the German parliament and move to designate a terrorist KCNA did not provide further details Trump said last week the United States The current cease-fire proposal would Helmand province. organization,” Richard Grenell tweeted on Saturday. of the meeting but said it would continue. was ready to deal with any “surprises” last a week to 10 days. During that time, a The Taliban frequently target Afghan The call came one day after a “U.S. civilian contractor” was from North Korea. peace deal with the United States would and U.S. forces, as well as government Stalled nuclear talks killed and several US and Iraqi military personnel were wounded The party plenary comes a week after “Everybody’s got surprises for me, but then be signed, the Taliban officials said. officials. But scores of Afghan civilians are in a rocket attack on K1 military base in Iraq’s northern Kirkuk Pyongyang held a high-level meeting of let’s see what happens. I handle them as Talks between Afghans on both sides of also killed in the crossfire or by roadside Province. the armed forces to discuss boosting the they come along.” the conflict would follow to decide on the bombs planted by militants. A US official told CNN that Washington was reviewing the country’s military capability. (Source: al Jazeera) shape of a post-war Afghanistan. (Source: AFP) involvement of Kata’ib Hezbollah in the incident. The fac- tion is part of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces or Hashd al-Sha’abi - an umbrella paramilitary body that has actively Libya: Pro-gov’t forces target Haftar’s LNA near Tripoli airport cooperated with the national army in sweeping counter-ter- rorism operations. Forces affiliated with the UN-recognized Libyan Government 10 LNA soldiers south of the capital. “There are a lot of similarities to some of the other 10 rocket of National Accord (GNA) have launched a new attack on Oil refinery considers closure attacks in the last two months which we have linked to” Iraqi the Libyan National Army (LNA) south of Tripoli. Meanwhile, Libyan state oil firm NOC is considering pro-government forces, the US official claimed, adding, “We are The Libya Observer reported that the forces carried out the closure of its western Zawiya port and evacuating staff looking into a possible link to Kata’ib Hezbollah in particular.” the offensive on renegade military commander Khalifa from the refinery located there due to clashes nearby, a On Saturday, Israel’s Jerusalem Post claimed that the rockets Haftar’s forces in the vicinity of Tripoli airport on Saturday. statement said on Saturday. used against U.S. forces in Iraq were of the same type Israel had The media office of Volcano of Rage Operation said NOC might also shut down the El Sharara oilfield, found in 2009 allegedly being shipped to Hezbollah. the forces seized several buildings and destroyed tanks whose crude is exported via Zawiya port, the statement The Israeli daily claimed that the photos of the recent attack and a military vehicle. said, adding that in the last 48 hours, three bombs hit posted online showed 107mm rockets, the same type of muni- “We made progress today ... the enemy [LNA] has been close to its oil storage tanks. tions intercepted in 2009 purportedly destined for Hezbollah. defeated, they have fled,” a fighter for the GNA Ashraf Zawiya is Libya’s biggest functioning refinery, serving (Source: press TV) al-Mahjoubi said before adding that soldiers from the Tripoli as well as regions in the west and south of the country. United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Russia were fighting Mustafa Sanallah, the chairman of the Libyan Oil alongside the LNA. Corporation’s board of directors, said that stopping the Since the overthrow of late leader Muammar Gadd- operations in the port of Zawiya would lead to a reduc- Ukraine, eastern rebels swap afi in 2011, two seats of power have emerged in Libya: tion in Libyan oil production by no less than 300,000 forces loyal to Haftar of having tried to attack the oil port prisoners in move to end war One in eastern Libya supported mainly by Egypt and the barrels per day. complex. Haftar’s forces have been trying to take the capital UAE, and the GNA in Tripoli, which enjoys international In recent days, Zawiya has been the site of clashes Ukrainian forces and rebels in eastern Ukraine began exchang- Tripoli, which lies 40 kilometres (25 miles) east of Zawiya, recognition. between armed groups, during which a missile almost ing scores of prisoners Sunday in a move aimed at ending their in a campaign since April. On Friday, the GNA forces announced that they had hit the oil complex. Forces allied to Libya’s internation- 5-year-long war. (Source: al Jazeera) made progress in the Tripoli airport area and captured ally-recognised government on Friday accused eastern The move was part of an agreement brokered earlier this month at a summit of the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France. A rebel government official and the Ukrainian president’s Turkey says Libya risks ‘sliding into chaos’ office confirmed that the swap at a checkpoint near the rebel-held Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, to prevent Libya from being divided Ankara the right to deploy troops to Libya and searched a Turkish vessel, suspecting city of Horlivka had started. whose country is preparing for troop de- and sliding into chaos, and that is what if asked by Tripoli. that it was carrying weapons for the UN- The total number of people freed was not immediately ployment to Libya, says the prolongation of we are doing. It is the legitimate gov- On Thursday, Turkish President Recep backed government. They released the ship known, though authorities said earlier that 142 were expect- the Libyan conflict could plunge the North ernment there that we deal with,” he Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara had received afterwards, however. ed to be involved in the exchange - 55 released by the rebels African country into “chaos” and turn it added, stressing Turkey’s commitment that request and that the Turkish parlia- Libya was wracked by chaos in 2011, and 87 by Ukraine. into another Syria. to agreements signed with Libya’s in- ment would soon authorize the dispatch when a popular uprising and a NATO in- Those to be released by Ukraine included five former “If today Libya becomes like Syria, then ternationally-recognized government of troops to Libya. tervention led to the ouster of long-time members of the now-disbanded special police force Berkut the turn will come for the other countries last month. The Libyan government has been fighting dictator Muammar Gaddafi and his exe- who were charged in the killing of protesters in Kiev in 2014, in the region,” Cavusoglu said at a meeting The accords — one on security and mil- an offensive by militia under the command cution by unruly fighters. Ukrainian news site Hromadske quoted their lawyer, Igor of the governing AK Party in the capital, itary cooperation and another on maritime of renegade General Khalifa Haftar near The Libyan government has been at- Varfolomeyev, as saying. Ankara, on Saturday. boundaries in the eastern Mediterranean the capital for nine months. tempting to establish order. Ludmila Denisova, human rights envoy for the Ukrainian “We need to do whatever is needed — were inked on November 27 and granted Haftar’s forces have previously seized (Source: Press TV) parliament, said the first group released by the rebels included Ukrainian soldiers. The last major prisoner swap between separatist rebels and Indian govt. issues ‘Red Warning’ for Delhi as capital & adjacent states shiver in ‘extreme cold’ Ukrainian forces took place in December 2017, with 233 rebels exchanged for 73 Ukrainians. The government’s meteorological office issued the high- To make matters worse, the air quality in Delhi was Local media also reports that at least 28 people may The conflict in eastern Ukraine has killed more than 14,000 est-level warning for the capital as Indians continue to also described as “severe.” Officials predict that low have died due to the cold in Uttar Pradesh, which is ex- people since 2014. It began about two months after Ukraine’s struggle through what has been described as the second temperatures coupled with high humidity, as well as periencing the coldest days of December this weekend. Russia-friendly president fled the country amid massive pro- coldest December in a century. a lack of surface winds, have led to an accumulation The severe cold wave will last at least two more days, tests in Kiev. Russia’s annexation of the Crimean Peninsula The recent “red warning” by the Indian Meteorolog- of pollutants. but the weather may improve a little around New Year’s, soon followed. ical Department (IMD) came as temperatures in Delhi Worsening weather has caused massive delays for meteorologists say. Hopes for ending the fighting have risen since the spring elec- plummeted to 2.8 Celsius (37.04 Fahrenheit) and is likely several trains bound for Delhi and flights at the capital’s “We are expecting a marginal rise in temperature on tion of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who has been to drop further. ‘Red’ usually means “extreme weather international airport. Bus lines have also experienced December 31 and January 1, and rains from December more amenable to negotiations with Russia on ending the war. conditions,” according to the agency. disruptions and traffic jams. 31 night, which is likely to relieve severe cold day con- But prospects for peace are still troubled by questions over It warned that “severe cold wave conditions,” dense People across India have gathered around bonfires ditions,” Kuldeep Shrivastava, the head of the Regional allowing local elections that would ensure the rebel regions more fog, and hailstorms may hit the capital, but also the states near streets and other public places. To cope with the Weather Forecasting Centre in Delhi, was quoted by local autonomy and about Ukraine regaining control of its border with of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Ra- emergency, local authorities have also made sure that media as saying. Russia in the rebel areas. jasthan during the last days of 2019. shelters and firewood are provided to the population. (Source: RT) (Source: AP) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 14 WORLD SPORTS DECEMBER 30, 2019

Shiffrin cleans up in Lienz The top earning Instagrammers of 2019: with slalom triumph

Resurgent American ski star Mikaela Shiffrin made it a clean Cristiano Ronaldo tops list with £38.2million sweep in Lienz after winning Sunday’s alpine World Cup slalom, Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was LA Galaxy at the end of the Major League a day after charging to victory in the giant slalom. the biggest earner on Instagram this year - Soccer season. Shiffrin posted the fastest time on both descents for the sec- netting an incredible £38.2m. Ibrahimovic, 38, posted 38 paid partner- ond day in a row, leaving Slovakia’s exasperated Petra Vlhova The 34-year-old Juventus ace pocketed ships this year including his Zlatan fragrance 0.61sec back in second, while third-placed Michelle Gisin cried an average £780,000 per sponsored post - as well as chewing gum brand, mind the gum, tears of joy to be on the podium. beating his long-standing rival Lionel Messi which promises to help concentration and The two clear victories at Lienz marks a return to form for the into second spot. mental energy. nervy American who had bombed to 17th in her previous performance Cristiano Ronaldo The footballer regularly posts pic- in Courchevel before taking a week off to concentrate on training. The Portuguese footballer has 194 mil- tures of his sporting successes to his 40 Defending overall champion Shiffrin finished her first run lion followers on Instagram and shares million followers and earned £160,000 0.26sec ahead of Vlhova, who produced a dynamic second de- pictures of his sporting success, family ($200,000) per post. scent to throw down the gauntlet. and workouts earning him £38.2million Ronaldinho “I needed to give it 110 percent to beat her and that’s what ($47.8million) in 2019. Former professional footballer Ronaldinho I did,” said Shiffrin, whose dextrous negotiation of the gates The father-of-four signed a four-year secured number nine of the list after earning made the difference. contract with Italian Juventus Football a reported £2million ($2.6million) this year. As Shiffrin swept over to hug her awaiting mother, Vlhova’s Club last year and captains the Portuguese The sports star has 50 million followers disappointment was written all over on her face. national team. on the social media platform and earned an This was in stark contrast to the Swiss Gisin, who had burst Ronaldo earns £28million-a-year average of £205,000 ($256,000) per post, into tears earlier as she realized she would finish at least third ($36.6million) in wages at Juventus, af- brand Jacob & Co. and the American crisp Santos Júnior, known most commonly according to Buzz Bingo. as she watched Katharina Liensberger take a gate wide. ter taxes, making his Instagram platform brand Lays and has posted 36 sponsored as Neymar, plays as a forward for French The 39-year-old played for European Sunday’s win extends Shiffrin’s lead at the top of the overall a lucrative business. posts this year. club Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazil clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, Barce- rankings to 295 ahead of Italian Federica Brignone, who finished He had a total of 49 ad posts this year David Beckham national team. lona, and A.C Milan as well as representing over three seconds back in 13th. where he promoted Nike football boots, his David Beckham has become the high- He had an income of £5.8million his national team. It also consolidates her lead in the slalom classification and own fragrance, CR7 Play it Cool, and even a est earning British star on Instagram for a ($7.2million) from Instagram posts this He has promoted Ronaldinho wine on extend her number of individual World Cup wins to 64. hair loss consultation site. second year. year with a reported average of £578K his Instagram page for Duty Free Americas Her triumph in the giant slalom on Saturday put her out on Last year he became the first player to score The former footballer, 44, can reportedly ($722,000) per post. and online sports betting site Betcris. her own in second place for women’s wins, one ahead of retired 400 goals across Europe’s top five leagues. make up to £286,000 ($357,000) for post- The 26-year-old has a net worth of £141mil- Gareth Bale Austrian Annemarie Moser-Proell. Lionel Messi ing a single sponsored image and uploaded lion ($184.4million) and has 130 million Welsh footballer Gareth Bale plays for (Source: AFP) Argentinian footballer Lionel Messi 30 ad posts this year totalling £8.6million followers on Instagram where he has posted Spanish club Real Madrid and the Wales came in at number two on the rich list with ($10.7million). ten sponsors this year. national team. a total earning this year of £18.7million The staggering amount is an increase His sponsored posts include his collabora- The 30-year-old has 42.8 million followers ($23.3million). on his earnings from last year, when the tion with Nike which promote his collection and is one of three UK stars on the rich list. West Ham’s Pellegrini sacked, The FC Barcelona forward, 32, raked in star reportedly commanded £228,000 of football boots. In 2019 he earned a reported £872,000 Leicester back on track £518,000 per post to his 139 million follow- ($298,224) per post. Zlatan Ibrahimovic ($1.09million) which worked out at £174,000 ers where he goes by the handle leomessi. Among David’s 30 sponsored posts this Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic se- ($218,000) per picture and posted across The sporting star has done paid part- year were adverts for wristwatches com- cured number seven in the highest earner five sponsored snaps this year. West Ham United sacked manager Manuel Pellegrini on Saturday nerships with Adidas and regularly posts pany Tudor Watch and menswear brand, list after raking in £3.2million ($4million) His paid partnerships include Adidas after a 2-1 home defeat by Leicester City put the Foxes’ distant pictures of exotic holidays with his wife and Kent & Curwen. this year. Originals and he regularly shares posts of pursuit of Premier League leaders Liverpool back on track. three sons. Neymar Jr The former Manchester United striker is his football success. Tottenham Hotspur’s hopes of moving into the top four stalled Messi has also collaborated with jewelry Brazilian footballer Neymar da Silva in talks to return to AC Milan after leaving (Source: Daily Mail) in a 2-2 draw at bottom club Norwich City, while Manchester United moved within a point of the Champions League places after a 2-0 win at Burnley. ‘Gutted’ Murray to miss Australian Moreno given Monaco opportunity Carlo Ancelotti and Nigel Pearson continued to revive their respective new clubs with Everton and Watford claiming their Open after injury setback after Jardim sacked second Christmas wins, but once again the use of VAR domi- nated the airwaves and social media with further controversies. The day’s major drama came at the London Stadium where West Ham’s loss proved the final straw for the club’s owners, who announced Pellegrini’s dismissal after the Leicester defeat. After the result left the Hammers one place above the relega- tion zone in 17th place, joint chairman David Sullivan announced in a statement: “It is with great disappointment that we’ve had to make this decision. “We felt it was necessary to act now in order to give the new manager as much time as possible to try and achieve that goal.” After second-placed Leicester’s heavy defeats by Manchester City and Liverpool, manager Brendan Rodgers made nine changes to his side for the trip to West Ham — the most by a Premier League manager so early in the season since 2010. (Source: Reuters)

Borussia Dortmund beat Britain’s Andy Murray has pulled out of coach Jamie Delgado, fitness coach Matt Former Spain coach Robert Moreno was and declared he no longer wanted to work next month’s Australian Open because of Little and physio Shane Annun - decided named as AS Monaco manager on Saturday with Moreno due to a personal falling out. Manchester United to a pelvic injury. he should not rush back for the start of the after Leonardo Jardim was sacked by the Luis Enrique claimed in a news con- The three-time Grand Slam champion, 2020 season next month. Ligue 1 team for the second time, offering ference that Moreno had wanted to take Haaland signing 32, was aiming to play in his first Grand Slam That has ruled out a remarkable re- the long-time assistant his first shot at club charge of the team at Euro 2020 before singles event since Melbourne 12 months turn to the Australian Open in Melbourne management. allowing his former boss to return to the Borussia Dortmund have signed Erling Haaland, beating Man- ago, when he announced that his career where, little under a year ago, Murray broke “AS Monaco announces the end of its role, describing his long-time colleague chester United and Juventus in the race to secure the 19-year- might be over because of injury. down in tears during an emotional pre- collaboration with coach Leonardo Jardim. as “disloyal”. old’s signature. He will also not play for Great Britain tournament news conference and admitted Former Spain national team coach Robert Moreno, an international relations Haaland joins the Bundesliga club from Austrian side RB in next month’s inaugural ATP Cup. he thought an ongoing hip injury would Moreno takes over first-team duties in an graduate who did not play football profes- Salzburg, with his deal set to keep him at Dortmund until 2024. “Unfortunately I’ve had a setback and force him to quit. agreement that runs until 2022,” said a sionally, worked alongside Luis Enrique at Haaland’s move is a coup for Dortmund, with the striker as a precaution need to work through that However, he had a “life-changing” club statement. AS Roma, Celta Vigo, Barca and with Spain enjoying a stunning season so far. He has scored 28 goals in 22 before competing,” the Scot said. operation to resurface his hip later that Moreno has spent the bulk of his career as well as having a short stint at Celta as games this season, with eight coming in the Champions League, “I’ve worked so hard to get myself into a month - in which a metal cap is put over as an assistant to Luis Enrique but became assistant to Juan Carlos Unzue. and he also became the first teenager to score in the first five situation where I can play at the top level and the femur head - allowing him to return Spain coach in June after the Barcelona Jardim led Monaco to the Ligue 1 title matchdays of the competition. I’m gutted I’m not going to be able to play.” to the doubles court last summer. great stepped down from the role after his and a remarkable run to the Champions Sources told ESPN that United made an enquiry over Haaland, who Murray has not been in action since Murray made a competitive comeback daughter Xana was diagnosed with cancer. League semi-finals in 2017 but was relieved was also linked to Leipzig and Juventus, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Britain’s opening tie at the Davis Cup finals in the singles in August, going on to win She tragically passed away in August. of his duties in October 2018 following a also travelled to Salzburg to meet with the 19-year-old’s advisors. last month because of the pelvic issue. the Antwerp Open title two months later Moreno led Spain to Euro 2020 qualifica- disastrous start to the season. “I had intense talks with the club hierarchy, especially with The former world number one, who in just his seventh tournament back. tion as runaway Group F winners, earning The Portuguese coach was appointed Hans-Joachim Watzke, Michael Zorc and coach Lucien Favre,” underwent hip surgery 11 months ago, Since that victory over fellow three-time four victories and two draws as head coach as again little more than three months later, Haaland said. did not travel to Miami for his scheduled Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka, he well as three wins while in temporary charge however, after his successor Thierry Henry “I had the feeling from an early stage that I really wanted December training block. has only played one more singles match of the team while Luis Enrique was on leave. was dismissed. to join this club and play in front of over 80,000 supporters. I Murray has been on court over the past - a laboured three-set victory over little- The 42-year-old was expected to re- He departs once more with the prin- can’t wait to get started.” week, but the injury has not cleared up as known Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor at main in charge of Spain until the end of cipality club seventh in Ligue 1, 17 points Dortmund sporting director Zorc said: “We can expect an ambi- quickly as the world number 125 had hoped. the Davis Cup finals. next year’s tournament until Luis Enrique adrift of leaders Paris St Germain. tious, athletic and physical centre forward with a proven nose for goal. Murray and his team - consisting of (Source: BBC) decided to return to the role in November (Source: Mirror) “At 19, Erling is still at the start of what will hopefully be a massive career.” (Source: Soccernet) LeBron James scores 21 as Lakers snap losing streak LeBron James scored a team high 21 points and equalled his their five-game winning streak halted. season best of 16 assists as the Los Angeles Lakers snapped “We beat those guys two times already (this season), a four game losing streak with a 128-120 win over Portland and obviously a few days ago on Christmas,” Walker said. Boateng: ‘Money a curse’ on Saturday. “They definitely remembered that, of course. But those are “We just wanted to play well,” Jame said. “We just try the defending champs. They’ve got a target on their back, Fiorentina’s Kevin-Prince Boateng claims “all this money is a curse” to play the right way, sharing the ball on offence. Win, lose, you know? They’re the team to beat.” in football, which is “now just a business and we’re only numbers.” or draw we did that tonight.” The injury-hit Raptors managed to slow down Jaylen Boateng once typified the lavish lifestyle of a young footballer James was a late addition to the lineup because of a groin Brown, who finished with 17 points. Gordon Hayward (13), for many, and he admits he has grown disillusioned with the injury that has hampered his play of late. James said treat- Jayson Tatum (12) and Enes Kanter (11) also reached double direction in which the game is heading. ment for the injury includes plenty of ice packs. figures in scoring. “All this money is a curse,” the former Sassuolo attacker told “I am doing all right. I am playing on it. I let the ice take McCaw got a layup in the first quarter to give the Raptors Bild am Sonntag. care of it’s business,” he said. the lead and start a quarter ending 19-8 run. “Football is now just a business and we’re only numbers. If Kyle Kuzma scored a team-high 24 points and Anthony Terence Davis’ putback gave the Raptors an 89-79 lead your face doesn’t fit, you’re replaced, period. There’s no more Davis added 20 points, nine rebounds and five assists heading into the fourth, and Ibaka’s layup with 10:11 remain- loyalty and it’s sad. in the win. ing lengthened the lead to double digits for good. Toronto a 118-102 loss to Boston on Wednesday, as the two Eastern “There should be a survey to see how many players are happy Coach Frank Vogel said the Lakers needed to clean up led by as many as 17 over the final 12 minutes. Conference contenders were playing for the second time to go to training and how many have fun. the mistakes that caused them to suffer their longest losing The Raptors were playing without forwards Norman in less than 72 hours. “Obviously football is a job for professionals, but it’s so well- streak of the season. Powell (shoulder) and Pascal Siakam (groin), as well as Patrick McCaw had 18 points, seven rebounds and eight paid that it becomes a source of stress. “We got a win and we are all happy about it,” he said. centre Marc Gasol (hamstring). assists, while a resurgent Fred VanVleet also scored 18 points “The pressure is huge and so it’s easy to talk about things like “We made some adjustments to things that were hurting Also, Luka Doncic tallied 31 points, 15 assists and 12 in the win for the defending NBA champs. Lowry also had depression. There are times when I have fun and moments I don’t. us the last couple of games.” rebounds to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 141-121 victory seven assists in front of the crowd of 19,100 at the Boston “I always had fun before. I get annoyed when I see lads who Damian Lillard recorded 31 points and nine assists for over the hapless Golden State Warriors. Garden arena. don’t show their talent. I know what it’s like to throw [talent] away. the Trail Blazers, who lost their third straight game. The triple-double was the ninth of the season for Doncic “It didn’t sit well with me on Christmas Day,” McCaw “Some 19-year-olds drive a Mercedes, receive their salary Elsewhere, Kyle Lowry scored 30 points as the Toronto and ties the franchise record set by Jason Kidd in 1995- said. “We definitely didn’t give it our best effort and I think and are happy. They have all that talent and do nothing, no Raptors avenged a Christmas Day loss to Boston with a 96. Doncic also made five three-pointers as Dallas set a tonight guys took it personally. It wasn’t talked about. Guys extra training, nothing. 113-97 rematch victory over the Celtics. franchise record by making 24 from behind the arc. The just went out and gave it their all.” (Source: Football Italia) Serge Ibaka finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds as old mark of 22 took place three times. the Raptors snapped a two-game losing skid which included Kemba Walker scored 30 points for the Celtics, who had (Source: AFP) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 30, 2019 SPORTS 15

We learned from Mehdi Ghaedi Linked with Fulham

Fulham are keen on Esteghlal forward Medhi Ghaedi, according Qatar match: Hamid Estili to the club’s former manager Andrea Stramaccioni. 20-year-old Ghaedi, a forward who can play on either wing SPORTS TEHRAN – Iran U23 football team but is currently operating in a central role, has clearly shown deskcoach Hamid Estili says that they enough to impress the Championship side. learned from friendly match against Qatar. Iran were held to a 2-2 draw by Qatar on Saturday in Doha as part of preparation for the 2020 AFC U23 Championship. Reza Shekari and Mehdi Ghaedi scored for Iran in the first half. Qatar turned the 2-0 deficit to draw 2-2, thanks to a brace from Abdulrasheed Umaru Ibrahim in the final minutes of the match. “It was a good test and Qatar match gave us the chance to evaluate our team for the competition. We wanted to prepare for the Uzbekistan match,” Estili said. “The match against Qatar was very important to us because we wanted to practice style of attacking and defensive football,” he stated. “Two Qatar players were sent off but we let them to stay onto the field because we wanted to test our team They are currently fifth in the table, nine points outside of in the equal conditions,” Estili concluded. the top two but firmly in line for a play-off place under Scott Iran have been drawn in Group C along with defend- Parker’s leadership. ing champions Uzbekistan, China and South Korea. Additions may arrive in the January transfer window to help The competition will be held in Thailand from Jan. with a push for a top-six finish, and according to Stramaccioni, 8 to 26. Ghaedi is one they are looking at. The top three teams qualify for the 2020 Tokyo The Italian boss has just returned from six months in charge Olympics in July, although should Japan emerge as of Eseghlal after a disagreement over the transfer of his salary one of them, the fourth-placed side will advance. brought a premature end to his spell at the club. Iran have not been in the Olympics since the 1976 Speaking to Corriere Dello Sport, he was discussing his time games in Munich. at the Iranian club and his most significant achievement, Medhi Hamid Estili’s team will start the campaign on Jan. Ghaedi. 9 with a match against Uzbekistan. “One of my greatest satisfactions is having contributed to the growth of Mehdi Ghaedi,” he told the newspaper. “He is a twenty-year-old boy, last year he played only four games. He was the left-winger, I changed his role, convincing Mehdi Taj resigns as head of Iran football federation him to make the second striker. “It was not easy: he’s a niche player. The captain came to me SPORTS TEHRAN — Mehdi Taj resigned on accordance with the regulation by the vice president,” to say: mister, leave it alone. deskSunday as head of Football Federa- Alavi said. “Instead I insisted, thinking of players of his size like Papu tion of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) due to Taj was elected as head of Iran football federation in Gomez, Di Natale or Giovinco. the heart problems. May 2016, replacing Ali Kafashian, who held the position “If they see the goal they become devastating. He was rushed to hospital last week and the doctors for eight years. “Now he is the top scorer of the championship and Fulham recommended him stepping off from his role. Taj previously was First Vice President of Iranian want him.” Taj has suffered heart problems related to the stress Football Federation (2008–2012), President of the Iran (Source: Sportwitness.co.uk) of management twice in one year. Football League Organization (2013–2016), Secretary of Iran football federation spokesman Amir Mehdi Alavi the Board of Sepahan (1992–1994, 2002–2006) and pres- has confirmed that Taj has resigned from his role. ident of the club (1994–1999). He was also editor-in-chief “The activities, from now on, will be carried out in of Jahan Varzesh sports daily from 1991 until 2001. Iran’s Firouzja runner-up in world chess Japan send warning to rivals with big Russia, in letter to WADA, disagrees IRNA — Iranian chess player Alireza Firouzja stood on the win over Jamaica with decision to ban its athletes: RIA second place in rapid category in the world with eight victories and five ties. Firouzja who had attended the world competitions under FIDE flag, received 10.5 points in rapid category and ranked second. After defeating Azeri rival, the Iranian player ranked second. Belgian chess player ranked first. For the first time in the history of Iran’s chess, Alireza Firouzja received the grand master title and is among 30 top players in the world. Meanwhile, Sara Sadat Khadem al-Sharieh received two silver medals in rapid and blitz categories.

Hooman Afazeli appointed Pars Jonoubi coach

TASNIM — Hooman Afazeli has been named the new head coach of Pars Jonoubi football team. The 48-year-old coach replaced Faraz Kamalvand in the Bushehr-based football team. Pars Jonoubi sit 12th in the Iran Professional League, eight Japan flexed their muscles ahead of Hatate (16th, 19th) and Maeta Daizen (19th) MOSCOW/MONTREAL (Reuters) — appeal a four-year ban WADA’s executive points above the relegation zone. the AFC U23 Championship Thailand giving them a comfortable lead. The Russian Anti-Doping Agency sent a committee had imposed on Dec. 9 over Afazeli started his coaching career in Shahab Zanjan in 2001 2020 with a 9-0 win over Jamaica in a Abe Hiroki scored their fifth in the letter to the World Anti-Doping Agency doping that bars the country from com- and has coached Steel Azin, Saba Qom and Naft Tehran. friendly at the Transcosmos Stadium 28th minute but Japan didn’t let up in (WADA) formally stating that it disagrees peting under its flag at top international He had also been head coach of Iran U-23 football team in 2010. in Nagasaki on Saturday. the second half as Shunki Higashi (51st), with the decision to ban Russian athletes sporting events. Japan were on the front foot from the Kazunari Ichimi (82nd), Kaoru Mitoma from major sporting events, RIA news agen- “WADA remains convinced that it first blow of the referee’s whistle and their (88th) and Yuto Iwasaki (90+5) completed cy reported on Friday, citing RUSADA head. made the right decision on 9 December,” early pressure saw Yuta Nakayama putting a resounding win. WADA said later on Friday it had re- WADA president Craig Reedie said in a Mohammad Tayyebi joins the 2016 AFC U23 Championship winners Japan open their AFC U23 Champi- ceived the letter and would shortly file a statement on Friday. Sepahan side ahead in the fifth minute. onship Thailand 2020 Group B campaign formal notice with the Court of Arbitration “The proposed consequences are tough Japan, also preparing to impress in the against Saudi Arabia on January 9. They for Sport (CAS) where the dispute will on the Russian authorities while robustly 2020 Tokyo Olympics, continued pressing meet Syria three days later and Qatar on be resolved and the outcome binding on protecting the integrity of clean sport around IRNA — Naft Masjed Soleyman defender Mohammad Tayyebi and scored three goals in four minutes to January 15. all parties. the world. We will defend that decision joined Sepahan for an undisclosed fee on Sunday. blow Jamaica’s challenge away, with Reo (Source: Japan Football Association) RUSADA said earlier this month it would with the utmost vigor at CAS.” The 33-year-old center back is Sepahan’s first signing in the January transfer window. Tayyebi started his football career in Naft Omidiyeh in 2011 Jahanbakhsh reveals why he was so emotional after his goal for Brighton and has also played in Esteghlal Khuzestan, Qatar SC, Pars Jonoubi and Tractor. A well-taken strike after just two minutes against Bourne- well day in day out and every time I get my chance I want Sepahan are going to win Iran Professional League after five mouth saw Jahanbakhsh net his first ever goal in a Brighton to make an impact. years. and Hove Albion shirt. “It has been a very tough time for me and my family. The Isfahan-based football team sit second in the table, three It was the Iranian’s first Premier League start of the season Last season was not the best season for me. This time, half points adrift of Persepolis. and it helped Albion to an impressive and much-needed the season I did not play. But now I’m settling down, I like 2-0 victory against Bournemouth at the Amex Stadium. the city and I have a very good relationship with the boys. Jahanbakhsh, a £17m signing from Dutch club AZ “I had ups and downs last year, trying to settle,” Ja- Alkmaar in 2018, was overcome with emotion following hanbakhsh said. “This season it felt good with the new Gabriel Calderon says his early opener. manager. He wanted to use different players, but I’ve His teammates were delighted for him and tears were been doing well in training and was ready for my chance.” goodbye to Persepolis fans in his eyes as he fell to the floor and attempted to gather Jahanbakhsh’s strike took the visitors by surprise. his thoughts as the home crowd were finally able to cel- Mooy broke quickly from midfield and found Maupay Persian Football – Gabriel Calderon thanked the Persepolis ebrate with him. in the box. Maupay held up the ball well and rolled it back fans for their continued support over the past six months but Jahanbakhsh did compose himself and went on to for Jahanbakhsh who cracked a low right-footed drive criticized the club’s officials. deliver a fine overall performance as an excellent second beyond Aaron Ramsdale. The Argentine coach left Tehran for Buenos Aires Saturday night. half goal from Aaron Mooy sealed victory for Albion who “Neal (Maupay) held the ball up,” said the Iranian “I didn’t like to leave Tehran without saying goodbye to the move up to 13th. international. “I just tried to shoot as hard as I can. It was Persepolis fans, because I think they are the best fans in the The 26-year-old joined Brighton 18 months ago and a good goal I think. The early goal helped the team get world. I also thank my players since they trusted me and tried was the Dutch golden boot winner with AZ Alkmaar having confident and for the rest of the game we almost domi- hard,” Calderon wrote on his Instagram. notched 21 goals before playing at the World Cup for Iran. nated all of it. “I would like to thank the Iranian people because of their The Premier League however proved much harder as “I always felt we had control of the game. We have had hospitality. I am going but I am disappointed with the club’s Jahanbakhsh failed to score or claim as assist in 25 ap- some good performances recently and been a bit unlucky. behavior. They have said I am angry because of money but I am pearances last campaign. Against Bournemouth he was At home, with our fans behind us, I thought we did a actually sulky because of lack of respect,” he added. one of seven changes from Albion’s Boxing Day loss at season and I was determined to grab it,” added Jahan- great job as a team. Every individual helped each other, “The club didn’t respect me. For example, we paid airport Tottenham. bakhsh, who was told he would be starting for the first we created chances and defensively we were very good.” formalities out of our own pockets. However, I’m happy with “It took longer than I expected to get my chance this time under Graham Potter on Friday. “I’ve been training (Source: brightonandhoveindependent.co.uk) our fans,” Calderon wrote. Prayer Times Noon:12:07 Evening: 17:20 Dawn: 5:44 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 7:14 (tomorrow) DECEMBER 30, 2019 ART&CULTURE I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y www.tehrantimes.com Managing Director: Mohammad Shojaeian Editor-in-Chief: Mohammad Ghaderi Postmodern play “Vertical Flight of Smoky Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 [email protected] Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051450 Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 Shearwater” to delve into life in exile Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 www.eshterak.ir Distributor: Padideh Novin Co. ARTTEHRAN — A Tel: 88911433 deskpostmodern play named Webmaster: [email protected] “The Vertical Flight of the Smoky Shearwater Printed at: Jame Jam Bartar Borna - 44197737 on the Cold and Temperate Waters of the Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimesdaily Atlantic Ocean” is scheduled to go on stage at Tehran’s Sepand Theater on January 5 No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran to look into the lives of Iranian expatriates P.o. Box: 14155-4843 living in various countries. Zip Code: 1599814713 Puya Pirhosseinlu is the writer of the play, which features 30 characters, 24 out of which are selected from the audiences who choose their own roles in the performance when they are buying tickets. Due to their roles in the play, they are given passports, which carry their new identities. The passports also provide a description of the characters, their background, and those people with whom the passport holders will connect during the GUIDE TO performance. SPIRITUAL AWAKENING Due to a variety of dialogues and reactions between the characters, the story of the play A covetous man is always fettered by abasement. may have over 15 endings. Imam Ali (AS) Those audience members who do not want to play a role in the play can apply for asylum. They are granted a temporary paper to sit in different places in the theater to watch the performance. Sima Sheibani is director of the play and Iranian art curator Anahita Yahya Golnesai, Mahdokht Molai, Nafiseh Zare, Keyvan Saketof, Davud Pejmanfar and Qabaian to receive French Masumeh Beigi are main members of the cast. Earlier in July 2016, Sheibani staged the Légion d’Honneur play for eight nights at the Qashqai Hall of Cast members perform “The Vertical Flight of the Smoky Shearwater on the Cold and Temperate Waters of the Tehran’s City Theater Complex. Atlantic Ocean” Tehran’s Qashqai Hall on July 8, 2016. (Tiwall/Zia Safavian) ARTTEHRAN — Iran art curator Anahita deskQabaian who is in charge of Tehran’s Silk Road Gallery said on Sunday that she will be decorated with France’s Chevalier of the Legion of Honor (Chevalier de la Commander Gholamreza Salehi’s diaries of operations Karbala Légion d’honneur) medal early in 2020. 4 and 5 ready for publication CULTURE TEHRAN — Martyr commander “This is a rare source from the history of the war, which deskGholamreza Salehi’s diaries of can reveal many secrets and untold events about the war,” operations Karbala 4 and 5 during the 1980-1988 he added. Iran-Iraq war will be published in a book named “Final “It is interesting to know that martyr Salehi used to Attack” in the near future. write his notes in a diary every day and used to give it to The book has been compiled by Ahmad Dehqan, one his family at the end of each year saying that they are his of the few Iranian writers who fought in the war, and will greatest legacy and must be preserved carefully,” he noted. be published by Fatehan Publications. Salehi was martyred on July 13, 1988 and was buried According to Dehqan, Salehi had begun writing diaries in his hometown Najafabad in Isfahan Province on the since the beginning of his presence on the frontline. same day that Iran accepted UN Resolution 598, which “The book had already been completed years ago, but ended the war on July 20, 1988. right after its completion some organizations disagreed Operation Karbala-4 was launched by Iran under the with its publication and the book was banned,” Dehqan cover of darkness in late December 1986, and was intended told MNA on Sunday. to give Iranian forces a foothold along the Arvand Roud He said that the book will therefore be published with waterway in southwest Iran. The Iranian troops would certain modifications and added, “However, I still believe go on the offensive once across the waterway. However, Art curator Anahita Qabaian in an undated photo. the notes are so rich and important, since they are able to the operation did not go as planned. present a new and non-stereotyped narration from the The operation led to a high number of casualties on Qabaian, who has managed the gallery for over 18 years, told 8-year history of the war,” he added. : Ahmad Dehqan in an undated photo. (Tasnim/Erfan the Iranian side. the Persian service of ISNA that she was greatly surprised by Dehqan noted that many memories of the war are being Kuchari) According to some reports, about 1,000 were martyred France’s decision to give her the honor. published these days from the major decision-makers of in the operation, 3,900 went missing and 11,000 were “I don’t know why the organizers decided to honor me with the war, but they show three decades after the war, that the war and added, “Martyr Salehi wrote his diaries during injured. this medal. But I know that I’ve always wanted to expand Iran’s is, many events match today’s events.” cultural ties with other countries, especially with France, as I lived and was educated there,” she said. She also noted that the gallery has held several art and photo exhibitions in France to introduce Iranian art to the youth. Safavid-era carpet fetches bout $1.2 million Awarded by the French government, the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor medal is one of the most coveted trophies in at Iran’s National Auction the world of art and culture. It has been awarded to over 30 Iranian artists, including painter ARTTEHRAN — A Safavid- the auction held at Khaneh Hamayesh, a The painting went for 34.5 billion rials Aidin Aghdashlu, actress Leila Hatami, calligrapher Gholamhossein deskera silk carpet from the convention center in northern Tehran, the (over $820,000). Amirkhani, cartoonist Kambiz Derambakhsh, vocalist Shahram school of master of carpet weaving Maqsud Persian service of IRNA reported on Sunday. A rare copy of the Holy Quran dating back Nazeri and filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami. Kashani fetched 50 billion rials (about $1.2 The second-highest grossing item was a to the Qajar era, which was sold at 9 billion Employees present a Safavid-era silk carpet In 2014, Iranian composer and tar virtuoso Hossein Alizadeh million) during the fifth edition of Iran’s portrait of Iranian politician Hossein Pirnia rials (over $214,000), stood third. during the 5th Iran’s National Auction at declined to accept the award, stating that he doesn’t need decorations National Auction on Friday. (1875–1948) by Kamalolmolk, a court painter The auction grossed 130 billion rials (over Khaneh Hamayesh in Tehran on December and that he derives satisfaction from his good name. A collection of 38 Iranian traditional during the reign of Qajar king Nasser ad-Din $3 million). 16 items failed to find buyers 27, 2019. The artwork was the top seller artworks went under the hammer during Shah (1821-1900). at the auction. fetching about $1.2 million. Art house film “Chicheka “Mame,” “Hello, Dolly!” composer Jerry UK honors recipients’ addresses Lullaby” chronicles life of Herman dies at 88 accidentally leaked online musician Ebrahim Monsefi NEW YORK (AP) — Tony Award-winning LONDON (Reuters) — The British composer Jerry Herman, who wrote the government accidentally published online ARTTEHRAN — Iranian director Raha Faridi has cheerful, good-natured music and lyrics the addresses of the New Year’s Honors deskmade a documentary named “Chicheka Lullaby” for such classic shows as “Mame,” “Hello, 2020 recipients, it said on Saturday. about Ebrahim Monsefi, a prominent singer and songwriter from Dolly!” and “La Cage aux Folles,” died The New Year Honors 2020 list, in which the southern Iranian province of Hormozgan. Thursday. He was 88. Britain recognized its film-directing and The musical is currently on screen at the Art and Experience His goddaughter Jane Dorian cricketing stars, with a damehood for Olivia Cinemas, which are dedicated to screening art films. confirmed his death to The Associated Newton-John and knighthoods for Sam Monsefi created hundreds of lyrics and recorded over 200 Press early Friday. He died of pulmonary Mendes, Steve McQueen and cricketer songs with a small cassette player. complications in Miami. Clive Lloyd, was published late on Friday. The creator of 10 Broadway shows The initial version posted online contained and contributor to several more, Herman the home or work addresses of more than 1,000 won two Tony Awards for best musical: recipients, including singer Sir Elton John, and “Hello, Dolly!” in 1964 and “La Cage was visible for around an hour, according to BBC. aux Folles” in 1983. He also won two The Cabinet Office said the addresses Grammys — for the “Mame” cast album had been published in error and taken down and “Hello, Dolly!” as song of the year — from the website “as soon as possible”. and was a Kennedy Center honoree. He “We apologize to all those affected had three original Broadway productions and are looking into how this happened. playing at the same time from February In this Nov. 19, 1996, file photo, We have reported the matter to the ICO Olivia Newton-John performs before the 1969 to May 1969. composer Jerry Herman displays (Information Commissioner’s Office) and 85th annual Hollywood Christmas Parade Tributes poured in Friday from his book “Showtune” in New York. are contacting all those affected directly,” in Los Angeles, California, U.S. November Broadway royalty, including from Harvey (AP Photo/Jim Cooper) the Cabinet Office said. 27, 2016. (Reuters/Phil McCarten) Fierstein, who wrote the book of “La Cage and material. Just a few of his song titles Honors also go to Ashes hero Ben Stokes, Oscar for his film “12 Years a Slave.” He aux Folles” alongside Herman’s songs. “We revealed his depth of hope: “I’ll Be Here his captain Joe Root and footballer Jill Scott. becomes a Knight Bachelor, awarded by the lost one of the greats,” Fierstein tweeted. Tomorrow,” “The Best of Times”, “Tap Your Elton John, who was knighted in 1998, Foreign Office in recognition of outstanding “A collaborator and friend for almost 40 Troubles Away”, “It’s Today”, “We Need a becomes a Member of the Order of the service to Britain internationally and overseas. years. I cannot thank him enough for his Little Christmas” and “Before the Parade Companions of Honor for services to music. Lloyd, 75, was a middle-order batsman A poster for “Chicheka Lullaby” by Raha Faridi. love, trust, encouragement, support and Passes By.” Even the title song to “Hello, British-born Australian singer and actress and captain of the West Indies between Dolly!” is an advertisement to enjoy life. He died in 1995 in poverty and complete isolation but his laughter.” Writer and host Seth Rudetsky Newton-John, 71, is probably best-known 1974 and 1985 at a time when the team Herman also had a direct, simple sense music and lyrics are still alive and being performed today by honored Herman for writing “quintessential for the 1978 musical “Grease” in which she reached the peak of its powers. of melody and his lyrics had a natural, the new generation. Broadway songs. Beautiful melodies and sang the duet “You’re the One that I Want” CBEs - Commander of the Order of unforced quality. Over the years, he told The film also provides a deep insight into the life of the people fantastic lyrics.” with John Travolta which became one of the British Empire - go to “Butterflies” the AP in 1995, “critics have sort of tossed living in southern Iran. Herman wrote in the Rodgers and the world’s best-selling singles. and “Not in front of the Children” sitcom me off as the popular and not the cerebral “Chicheka Lullaby” has been screened in various international Hammerstein tradition, an optimistic Mendes, 54, directed the “Skyfall” actress Wendy Craig, 85; England limited- writer, and that was fine with me. That festivals and cultural centers in Canada, Germany, Egypt, Sweden composer at a time when others in his and “Spectre” James Bond movies while over cricket captain Eoin Morgan, 33, and was exactly what I aimed at.” and several other countries. profession were exploring darker feelings McQueen, 50, won the 2014 Best Picture broadcaster Annie Nightingale, 79.