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16 Pages Price 20,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 39th year No.13271 Thursday DECEMBER 6, 2018 Azar 15, 1397 Rabi’ Al awwal 28, 1440 Prayer can lift up 2231 resolution Iranian trio Blind artist to hold society’s virtue doesn’t limit missile appointed for workshop to erase doubts

2 program 2 2019 AFC Asian Cup 15 over her ability to paint 16 Anti-Iran consensus Macron confounding France fails at UN POLITICS TEHRAN – Attempts France seized the moment to wring deskto bring the United Na- an agreement against Iran’s missile As France faces worst riots, Paris sends rockets to terrorists tions Security Council into a consensus tests out of the session. against Iran’s missile tests failed to achieve The two European countries’ attempt to do chemical attacks in Syria the desired conclusion sought by the U.S., followed U.S. claim that Iran’s missile test France and Britain. was a violation of UN Security Council On Tuesday, the UN Security Resolution 2231 which endorsed the nu- See page 13 Council held a closed session whose clear agreement, officially known as the primary focus was the use of chem- JCPOA (the Joint Comprehensive Plan ical weapons in Syria. Britain and of Action). 2

Iran to carry out cloud seeding project by drones in weeks SOCIETY TEHRAN — A cloud Cloud seeding, a form of weather deskseeding project will modification, is a method to change the be carried out within the next few weeks amount or even type of precipitation. Rain- in some provinces of the country us- fall occurs when super cooled droplets of ing planes and drones in cooperation water – those that are still liquid but are with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard at a temperature below the usual freezing Corps Aerospace Force (IRGC AF), point of zero centigrade – form ice crystals. Farid Golkar, head of Iran’s National Now too heavy to remain suspend in the Cloud Seeding Research Center has air, these then fall, often melting on their announced. way down to form rain. 12

U.S. senators: ‘Zero chance’ MBS not involved in Khashoggi killing After a closed-door briefing by CIA Direc- at the Saudi consulate in the Turkish city tor Gina Haspel, some top U.S. senators of Istanbul in October. have said there is “zero chance” Saudi “I think Prince Mohammed gave the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman order, or at least he knew about it, to butcher (MBS) wasn’t involved in the murder of Khashoggi. Prince Mohammed ... he really journalist Jamal Khashoggi. was the original El Chapo, literally,” said Top Republicans in the United States Louisiana Senator John Kennedy on Tuesday are attacking Saudi Crown Prince Moham- as the U.S. President Donald Trump was

AP med bin Salman for ordering the murder under pressure for maintaining support of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi for the murderous prince. 13 ARTICLE Hypocrisy of U.S. and its Mid-East allies ARTICLE Hanif Ghaffari In return, Trump eased the diplomatic pres- Turki bin Bandar have disappeared. By Mahmood Khaghani Political analyst By Mudasir Sheikh There is no denying the fact that the U.S. is using sure on the Saudi regime and the young crown According to a BBC documentary, all three Oil expert Saudi oil card to damage the oil-based econo- prince got away with the brutal murder of Saudi of them were abducted by the Saudi regime on mies of Russia, Iran, and Venezuela as they are journalist Jamal Khashoggi. foreign land to crush dissent. unfailingly challenging Washington’s hegemony. Corrupting free market operations by artifi- Not only have the dissidents been eliminated West returns to But, it’s pertinent to note that the International cially lowering the oil prices and other prominent but any form of protest from the country’s Shia Iran at the Monetary Fund has warned that most Middle-East- fronts like crushing dissent explain the hypocrisy minority has been crushed brutally. 2007: Europe’s ern nations, including Saudi Arabia, would run of the U.S. and its allies Saudi Arabia and Israel. The Arab spring sent shockwaves in the crossroad of 1398 out of cash within five years if oil prices stands Saudi monarchy has always been intolerant Saudi fiefdom as protestors demanded an end anger over at $50 a barrel. to any form of dissent. The recent example is to decades of discrimination against country’s budget Amid the draconian U.S. sanctions against the murder of journalist “Turki Bin Abdul Aziz Shia minority. So Saudi regime resorted to incompetent Iran, Trump ordered the de-facto leader of OPEC Al-Jasser” just days after the killing of Khashoggi violent crackdown on protesters and detained journalist called me the other politicians Saudi Arabia to increase its oil production, be- for operating the Twitter account “Kashkool” scores of them. day and requested my opinion cause of which production from Saudi regime that highlighted the human rights violations by The world’s so-called ‘superpower’ has turned A with regard to the next Iranian Saudi regime. blind eye to the brutalities of Saudi regime against year 1398 budget that it seems the he anger and discontent of Eu- touched 11.3 million barrels per day in November 2018 despite the devastating effects of lower oil Since 2015, three Saudi princes Sultan bin religious minorities and backed the rulers in their government considers oil prices will ropean citizens over European be higher than 50 dollars per barrel. prices on every oil economy. Turki bin Abdul-Aziz, Saud bin Saif al-Nasr, and wrongdoings. 6 Tpoliticians is increasing day by I, in turn, asked a Senior Research day. While more than ten years have Fellow at University College London passed since the economic crisis in ‘Afghan women’s engagement in decision-making processes remains symbolic’ about his prediction with respect to Europe, we are still witnessing auster- oil market during 2019. He said: peace negotiations with the Taliban, and why it’s available on how the menace of corruption is ity plans in this block. France’ recent By Syed Zafar Mehdi “As a wise man said, “It is difficult important to meaningfully engage women in key being combated. round of demonstrations isn’t limited Last week, the world community gathered to make forecasts, especially about decision-making processes, including peace talks. The government has in the last year high- to this country anymore, and we’re now in Geneva to review the progress made by the future.” Following are the excerpts: lighted that some officials involved in corruption witnessing demonstrations in countries the Afghan government and the challenges I think he is right. Forecasting oil were caught up and prosecuted, however there is such as Belgium and the Netherlands. remaining in front of it. Many issues came Last week’s conference on Afghanistan in prices is notoriously difficult. However, no proper monitoring and reporting to find out Many European citizens spent the up for discussion including governance, rule Geneva sought to measure progress made by the some market trends are visible and what happens to those arrested and how they are years between 2007 and 2012 with the of law, fight against corruption, and ongoing Afghan government in using billions of dollars providing us with signals which we prosecuted. In most cases senior government hope that the austerity policies would peace talks with Taliban. in foreign aid since the last donors conference in need to notice. officials, parliamentarians and senators intervene affect the devastated economy of the Samira Hamidi is an Afghan women’s rights 2016. How do you see the ‘progress’ in terms of Firstly, the long term trend, where and support those who are found guilty. United Europe and the Eurozone. activist focusing on women, peace and security reconstruction efforts and fight against corruption? forecasters such as the International Economically, the situation has worsened for That’s why they tried to cooperate with as well as human rights and civil society. She A. Since Brussels conference 2016, the govern- Energy Agency and oil companies normal citizens in the country. The exchange rate their own governments (which were has been the former director for Afghan Wom- ment’s efforts in addressing the reconstruction have for years assumed continually was 1 US$ to 47 Afghanis in 2016, and now it is 1 mainly the far-right and social-dem- en’s Network as well as has chaired the board gaps and fighting corruption were highlighted rising demand, prices and produc- US$ to 75. With the jump in exchange, the prices ocratic administrations). However, of network. as big achievements in the Geneva conference. tion. But as Sheikh Zaki Yamani have skyrocketed where the ordinary citizens are after 2012, we witnessed the end of In an interview to Tehran Times, Ms. Hamidi While there have been a number of devel- said, the Stone Age did not end for deprived of basic needs. European citizens’ patience towards spoke about the Geneva conference on Afghanistan, opment initiatives, there is little information 6 lack of stones, and the Oil Age will politicians like Merkel. not end for lack of oil, by which he Part of this dissatisfaction revealed meant that where one barrel of oil itself in cases such as the European once fuelled extraction of maybe 50 Parliamentary Elections in 2014, where Swimmer barrels, now the ratio may be one to more than 100 right extremist man- ten or even less in the Canadian tar aged to enter the European Parliament. with Down’s sands. The outcome of this increasing Now, in 2018, we are witnessing the energy intensity of oil production, continuation of the economic crisis syndrome and hence energy return on ener- in Europe in the security, social and gy invested (EROEI) is that the oil political spheres. price has reached a ‘tipping point’, at It’s not without a reason that the breaks record perhaps $50-60/barrel or so, where number of nationalist groups’ support- sheer lack of affordability makes TEHRAN – On the International Day of ers has increased in the mentioned substitution for oil by renewable Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), Shaho areas. The security crisis is strongly felt energy, and investment in energy Mohammadi broke the record in disability in today’s Europe. Common policies efficiency (‘Fifth Fuel’) increasingly swimming. which were adopted by European au- compelling. The 13-year-old swimmer registered thorities couldn’t improve the security Secondly there are medium term a record for the longest distance ever crisis within the Schengen borders and market price cycles, where pric- swum in Urmia in West Azerbaijan other European borders. es rise to Seller’s Market levels at province. During 2015 and 2016 (and somehow which demand is choked off while He swum 2,483 meters in an hour time. in 2017), the Immigration and securi- new supplies come online until the ty crises in Europe caused other issues Down syndrome, also known as

Mehdi Zavar market is oversupplied, and then trisomy 21, is a genetic disorder such as the economic crisis to become collapse to Buyer’s Market levels, caused by the presence of all or part marginalized. But now it’s shadowed where supply is choked off and of a third copy of chromosome 21. It over the whole Europe. Under such demand rises until the market is is typically associated with physical circumstances, the main question of under-supplied and so on. As has growth delays, mild to moderate intel- European citizens is that what was the been said, the cure for high prices

Tehran Times/ Tehran Times/ lectual disability, and characteristic impact of austerity policies adopted for is...high prices and the cure for facial features. ten years inside the EU borders? 7 low prices is....low prices. 7 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS DECEMBER 6, 2018 MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS Prayer can lift Zarif says 2231 resolution doesn’t up society’s virtue: Leader limit Iran’s missile program POLITICS TEHRAN — Iranian test nuclear-capable missiles; it does not desk POLITICS TEHRAN — Prayers, if observed with Foreign Minister Mo- ban Iran to conduct missile tests. deskmodesty and mindfulness, will lead the hammad Javad Zarif said on Wednesday In a tweet on Saturday, U.S Secretary of society to virtue and resistance, Leader of the Islamic Rev- that the UN Security Council Resolution State Mike Pompeo claimed that Iran had olution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday. 2231 and the 2015 nuclear deal, officially just test-fired a medium-range missile “that “A big part of problems is due to ignoring this admonitory called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Ac- is capable of carrying multiple warheads.” fact,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in his message to the Muslim tion, do not restrict Iran’s missile program. In an interview with ICANA published prayers (Namaz) conference, IRNA reported. Talking to reporters after a cabinet meet- on Tuesday, Zarif said Pompeo needs to “Therefore, promoting prayers with all effective methods ing, Zarif reiterated Iran’s long-held policy study the resolution 2231. is among the significant duties that everyone should carry that Tehran does not seek to build nuclear ‘Europeans to announce SPV in out,” the message read. weapons and that the country’s missiles are near future’ The Leader also urged the schools to hold prayers in not designed to carry nuclear warheads. Zarif also said that Europeans will an- order to help the virtue in the society. He noted that the U.S. is levelling ac- nounce the special purpose vehicle (SPV) cusations against Iran in order to cover up in the near future. its action in violating international law by The chief diplomat said the process is Iran rejected 11 withdrawing from the JCPOA, which was being followed confidentially because of turned into a UN Security Council resolution. the U.S. pressure. U.S. calls for talks Also, on Tuesday Foreign Minister The SPV is a European Union’s financial Zarif said a “mockery” of the UN Security initiative intended to protect trade with Iran over two years: Council cannot cover up the violation of against newly reimposed U.S. sanctions. Rouhani the UN-endorsed nuclear agreement by President Donald Trump withdrew the Washington. bilities. Rather than undermining 2231, Iran, the 5+1 group, and the European U.S. unilaterally from the JCPOA in May POLITICS TEHRAN — The United States has “Making a mockery of the UNSC won’t better to work towards its adherence by Union. However, the United States, un- and ordered sanctions against Iran. The deskmade 11 attempts to enter talks with obscure failure to fulfill obligations & to all,” Zarif tweeted. der Donald Trump, unilaterally withdrew first round of sanctions went into force Iran over the last two years, all rejected by Tehran be- hold US to account over non-compliance. Resolution 2231, adopted unanimous- from the agreement in May and ordered on August 6 and the second round, which cause of the Iranian nation’s dignity, President Hassan Esp when even US admits that UNSCR2231 ly by the Security Council in July 2015, sanctions on Iran. targets Iran’s oil exports and banks, were Rouhani said on Tuesday. does NOT prohibit Iran’s deterrent capa- endorses the nuclear agreement between The resolution “calls upon” Iran not to snapped back on November 4. “We only have two options, either submit to the U.S. and accept their false and true claim so that sanctions are lifted, or stand up and resist,” said Rouhani said in Iran’s parliament reforms CFT Washington will soon ‘regret’ pressure a tour of Semnan, the Iran newspaper reported. Tensions have escalated between Tehran and Wash- on Iran, official says ington after U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from POLITICS TEHRAN — Iran’s POLITICS TEHRAN — Iran a multilateral nuclear agreement with Iran in May and deskparliament on Wednes- deskwill not give in to reimposed unilateral sanctions against Tehran despite day made changes to the CFT, a legislation U.S. pressure, says Foreign Ministry worldwide criticism. to combat financing of terrorism. spokesman Bahram Qassemi, assert- 125 MPs, out of 206 ones present in ing that the Islamic Republic will get the 290-seat parliament, voted for the through the current predicament. Leader was not reformed version; 59 lawmakers voted “By establishing headquarters and against it and 6 abstained. groups in different regions of the world, against reviewing The bill was referred to the Expediency especially in neighboring countries, the CFT: Larijani Council for further study. U.S. is trying to impede Iran’s econom- On October 7, the parliament voted ic cooperation,” IRNA on Wednesday in favor of the CFT. At the time, a total of quoted Qassemi as saying. 143 lawmakers, out of 268 ones present But through careful management, POLITICS TEHRAN — Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani in the parliament, voted in favor of the Iran will get through the current era desksaid on Wednesday that the Leader of the bill. However, the oversight Guardian easily and will not succumb to U.S. Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was not against Council rejected the bill by finding 20 that the faults with the bill were rectified measures, he added. and eventually, the situation turned the legal procedure of reviewing the CFT bill in the parliament. faults with it. at the presence of representatives from Qassemi also predicted that the in favor of us and America became The parliament (Majlis) on Wednesday passed the Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, chairman the Guardian Council and the Expedi- Americans will sooner or later enter isolated,” he added. reformed version of the CFT, a legislation to combat of the Majlis National Security and For- ency Council. the “regret stage”. Qassemi further said the majority financing of terrorism, with 125 votes in favor, 59 against, eign Policy Committee, told reporters on To become a law, the Guardian Council According to the spokesman, the of countries across the world, includ- and 6 in abstention, Mehr reported. Wednesday that approval of the CFT does should vet the bill for compliance with Americans were wrong to assume that ing European countries, China, Russia On October 7, the Majlis had voted in favor of the not mean “self-imposition of sanctions”. the Constitution. after withdrawing from the nuclear and Latin American countries, are in CFT, but the oversight Guardian Council rejected the He noted that Iran is not on black According to the constitution, in cases agreement, Iran would do the same, favor of the nuclear deal and want it bill by finding 20 faults with it. list of the Financial Action Task Force when the parliament and the Guardian which would in turn enable them to to survive. on Money Laundering (FATF). Council disagree on a bill the issue is reach a global consensus against Iran. “For this reason, America felt weak- MP Ali Najafi Khoshroodi said during referred to the Expediency Council for “But Iran did not exit BARJAM (the ened and as a result it increased pres- ‘EU failed to make the parliamentary session on Wednesday final arbitration. Persian name for the nuclear deal), sure against Iran,” he argued. tangible efforts to save nuclear deal’ Tehran says has no plan to have missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi offspring of Iranophobic policies and approaches pursued unilateralist policies and excessive demands. has rejected the “groundless” concerns raised by certain by certain countries and regimes in the world,” he noted. The spokesman also called on European countries to POLITICS TEHRAN — The European Union has not Western countries about Iran’s missile program, saying “We don’t see our missile defense program in violation behave in a more intelligent way than before. deskmade any tangible efforts to save the 2015 the country has no plan to have missiles that are capable of any UN Security Council resolution, and those who In Iran’s transparent missile and defense policies, he nuclear agreement while the Islamic Republic has remained of carrying nuclear warheads. claim otherwise are either unfamiliar with the UN Security said, there is no design and plan for having missiles ca- committed to its obligations under the international pact, In a Tuesday statement, Qassemi said there is no Council Resolution 2231, or just seek to create sensitivity pable of carrying nuclear warheads, and there won’t be a top lawmaker said on Wednesday. need to repeat that Iran’s missile program is totally and tension against Iran without paying any attention to any in the future. “We believe that this cooperative approach of Iran has deterrent in nature and is part of the country’s unstop- the resolution’s articles,” Qassemi explained. He also slammed Western countries for adopting been ignored by some countries,” said Heshmatollah Fa- pable defense program. In both cases, he said, the Islamic Republic condemns double-standard policies, saying it is a source of regret lahatpisheh, who chairs the Majlis National Security and He made the remarks in reaction to comments made by such an approach and considers it unconstructive and that they take such belligerent stances against Iran’s Foreign Policy Committee, IRNA reported. the officials of certain Western countries as well as a request ineffective. peaceful defense program while they have remained Falahatpisheh further called on European countries to by the UK and France for a meeting of the UN Security Qassemi addressed all the countries that have closed silent towards some of their allies which have for years remain committed to their obligations. He added Iran will Council to discuss the Islamic Republic’s missile program. their eyes to the realities and the transparent and stabi- spent tens of billions of dollars to buy military equipment get through the difficult circumstances of the sanctions. Iran definitely does not base its defense programs on the lizing policies of Iran by raising these wild assumptions and launch round-the-clock attacks on another country, He also emphasized that Iran pursues the policy of con- groundless, unfounded, and purposeful concerns of certain and groundless excuses, and urged them not to sacrifice lay siege on millions of women, children, and innocent structive interaction with the world. countries that are far from the region, Qassemi added. regional and international peace, stability, and security people suffering from drought and disease, and totally “We deeply believe the expression of such concerns is not for the goals of others who think Iran’s constructive rela- destroy their infrastructures. based on logical grounds, and is, more than anything, an tions with regional and world countries are against their (Source: mfa.ir) Iran rejects Anti-Iran consensus fails at UN arbitrary 1 However, the Security Council session JCPOA with Iran in the years to its conclu- missile test has violated the resolution, interpretation of ended without a consensus against Iran’s sion in 2015, tried to have Tehran’s missile in response Pierce said she needed to missile program, Kuwait’s Ambassador to program in the nuclear agreement. However, further study the information and then resolution 2231 the United Nations Mansour Ayyad Al-Otaibi Iran did not budge, insisting that the JCPOA express her opinion. told reporters after the session. was merely a nuclear pact. The Dutch representative to the UN, Karel POLITICS TEHRAN — In a statement on Tuesday, Tehran says that its missile program The French ambassador to the UN, Fran- J. G. van Oosterom, also confined himself to deskIran’s diplomatic mission in the United has not violated the UN resolution, since cois Delattre, expressed his concern regarding saying, “We believe the test does not conform Nations rejected any arbitrary interpretation of the UN Se- it is not of a nuclear nature and is not in- Iran’s missile testing activities and condemned to the nuclear deal.” curity Council resolution 2231, IRNA reported. tended to be so. them. However, he did not specifically assert The resolution 2231 endorsed the JCPOA “Iran firmly rejects any arbitrary interpretation of the During the session, Britain and France — that the missile test was a violation of the and canceled all the previous resolutions provisions of resolution 2231, according to which, Iran is with the help of the U.S. — tried to put Iran UN resolution. issued against Iran. The resolution calls on called upon not to undertake any activity related to ballistic under pressure by putting forward the issue Karen Pierce, the British ambassador to compliance with the UN Resolution 2231.” Iran not to test nuclear-capable missiles, missiles ‘designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weap- of Iran’s missile test. the UN, also followed a similar line, saying, When a journalist asked Pierce wheth- but it does not prohibit the country from ons,’” the statement reads. Western powers, who negotiated the “We believe that the missile test is not in er she could definitely say that Iran’s missile testing activities. “As a conventional defensive capability, Iran’s ballistic missile program is designed to be exclusively capable of delivering conventional warheads and, as a result, none of Disarmament: The forgotten premises of non-proliferation Iran’s ballistic missiles are designed to be capable of deliv- mutually assured destruction meant that the line of demarca- they have set agendas to enhance and modernize their nuclear ering nuclear weapons,” it added. By Seyyed Hossein Mousavian tion between victory and self-annihilation is extremely thin. capabilities at enormously high costs. For instance, modernizing In an interview with the daily Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung, Hence, observing the magnitude of the destructive ca- the U.S. nuclear arsenal will cost an estimated $1.7 trillion over German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas announced a Ger- pacity of nuclear weapons, both superpowers became in- the next 30 years, which is equivalent to the GDP of Canada! Foreign military man-led initiative on global disarmament, warning that creasingly aware of the importance of mutual reduction of Hence, the biggest violators of the core tenets of the NPT are attaches visit technologically advanced weapons can soon transform science their nuclear stockpiles. the five designated states who possess nuclear weapons. fiction into “deadly reality.” This announcement came a few Gloomy prospects for nuclear disarmament The NPT-designated countries are not the only ones who Shahid Sattari weeks after President Trump declared that the United States Prior to the implementation of the INF Treaty, another continue to violate the treaty. Those who have failed to join plans to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear crucial international instrument—the Treaty on the Non-Pro- the treaty in the first place have, with the exception of North University Forces Treaty (INF), which was ratified in 1988. State man- liferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty (NPT)—has served Korea, have escaped the repercussions of failing to join such an agers in the European Union recognize the crucial need to important international treaty. India, Pakistan, and Israel are POLITICS TEHRAN — 28 military attaches from as the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation embark on universal disarmament even if the current U.S. non-signatories of the NPT that possess nuclear weapons, but deskforeign embassies in Tehran visited new- regime. The NPT provides legal and technical mechanisms government remains oblivious. international efforts at disarming them have been largely in vain. est scientific achievements at Shahid Sattari University of to facilitate the pursuit of nuclear disarmament by the nu- For about five decades during the Cold War, a nuclear In July 2017, over 120 nations adopted the international Aeronautical Engineering (SSUAE) on Wednesday. clear-weapon states. More importantly, Article VI of the arms race between the Soviet Union and the United States treaty banning possession of nuclear weapons by the nine During the visit, General Mir Samiei, the university’s treaty legally obligates five nuclear states namely, United constantly threatened the peace and security of the world. nuclear weapon states. This attempt at getting such a historic chancellor, described the SSUAE’s latest achievements and States, Russia, China, France, and the UK to “complete dis- However, advances in the destructive capacities of military resolution approved in order to universally ban possession technological progress to the attaches, IRNA reported. armament under strict and effective international control.” technologies, which drastically raised the cost of nuclear wars of nuclear weapons by all UN member states was scuttled The military attaches also visited various departments of Over the past five decades, none of the NPT-designated nu- in economic and human terms, produced a mutual deterrence by the nuclear-weapon states themselves. the university and talked to the relevant authorities. clear weapon states has meaningfully engaged in negotiations between the two leading superpowers. This political reality of to complete disarmament of their nuclear weapons. Worse, Read more on Tehran Times website I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 6, 2018 INTERNATIONAL Turkish prosecutor seeks arrests of Saudi-backed Yemeni Saudis over Khashoggi murder delegates head to Sweden for Istanbul’s chief prosecutor has filed warrants U.S. pressure needed peace talks for the arrest of a top aide to the House of Wednesday’s announcement came hours Saud regime’s de facto ruler and the deputy after the United States Central Intelligence head of foreign intelligence on suspicion of Agency (CIA) director Gina Haspel briefed planning the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal the U.S. senators on new evidence in the Khashoggi. Khashoggi case. The prosecutor’s office concluded that there Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said is “strong suspicion” that Saud al-Qahtani he felt there was “zero chance” the crown and Ahmed Asiri, who were both removed prince wasn’t involved in Khashoggi’s death. from their positions following the murder, While several countries have taken steps were among the planners of the murder, two to put pressure on the kingdom, including in Turkish officials said on Wednesday. some cases suspending weapons exports, it “The prosecution’s move to issue arrest is felt that Saudi Arabia is unlikely to comply warrants for Asiri and Qahtani reflects the with Turkish demands without encourage- view that the Saudi authorities won’t take ment from the U.S. formal action against those individuals,” Also on Wednesday, United Nations hu- one of the officials told Reuters news agency. man rights chief Michelle Bachelet said that The official added that Saudi Arabia could an international investigation was needed to address the international concern by extra- determine who was responsible for Khashog- diting all suspects in the case to Turkey. Al-Qahtani is one of the highest-profile Khashoggi’s murder, although he did not gi’s murder. According to AFP news agency, the appli- figures implicated in the killing. Believed to travel to Turkey. “I do believe it is really needed in terms of cation for the warrants was filed on Tuesday. have been Prince Mohammed’s right-hand Nor did Asiri, who served as spokesperson ensuring what really happened and who are At the time of publication, Saudi Arabia man. for the Saudi regime-led coalition in Yemen the [people] responsible for that awful killing,” had not publicly responded to the request. The 40-year-old was removed as a royal before being appointed as an adviser to Prince she said at a news conference in Geneva. The Saudi prosecution has previously ac- court adviser following Khashoggi’s assas- Mohammed, who then promoted him to his Speaking in Brussels on Wednesday, Turk- A delegation from Yemen’s former Saudi-sponsored government knowledged that al-Qahtani and Asiri were sination. Prior to that, he served as a media intelligence position in 2017. ish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu urged has left Riyadh for Sweden to attend the United Nations-brokered part of the plot to kill Khashoggi. adviser to Prince Mohammed. Asiri frequently was the subject of con- Saudi Arabia to be transparent, saying Ankara peace talks with representatives from the Ansarullah (Houthi) The two men were both high-ranking Al-Qahtani is believed to have supervised demnation from rights groups over apparent would not hesitate to launch an international movement as a push by the world body to end a devastating officials with close ties to Crown Prince a 15-man hit squad that flew from the Sau- disregard for civilian casualties in the war probe if its investigation becomes deadlocked. Saudi regime-led war on Yemen gains steam. Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). di capital, Riyadh, to Istanbul to carry out in Yemen. (Source: agencies) The 12-member team headed by ex-foreign minister Khaled al-Yamani departed the Saudi capital Riyadh early Wednesday, a day after the Ansarullah delegation, accompanied by UN Israeli forces kill young Palestinian man during peace envoy Martin Griffiths, landed in Stockholm. The delegation represents the government of ex-Yemeni president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi. overnight West Bank raid The push gained momentum due to a global outrage directed at the Saudi regime over the gruesome assassination in early Israeli military forces have killed a young Palestinian man ered in central Tel Aviv to urge the Israeli administration October of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which is being and injured several others during an overnight operation in to address the issue. widely blamed on the architect of the Yemen war, Saudi Crown the northwestern sector of the occupied West Bank. “Today we made history,” the protest’s organizers told Prince and Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). Palestine’s official news agency Wafa reported that men- the crowd. “Today the silence on the violence against women Under growing international pressure, Riyadh and its allies tally-challenged Mohammed Hossam Abdel Latif Habali, has turned to screams.” ultimately submitted to Ansarullah’s demands and returned to 22, was hit with live bullets fired by Israeli forces in the head Some 200 pairs of women’s shoes, painted red, were also the negotiating table for the first time since 2016 in the hope and lower extremities after Israeli military vehicles rolled placed on display on Habima Square in central Tel Aviv in of finding a way out of the war, which has failed to achieve into the city of Tulkarm, and violently ransacked a number a sign of protest. its objectives of reinstalling Hadi and undermining the An- of houses there. In occupied al-Quds (Jerusalem), demonstrators chant- sarullah movement. Habali was rushed to the Thabet Thabet Hospital in ed for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “wake up,” Hadi had resigned as Yemen’s president and fled to Ri- Tulkarm, where he was pronounced dead. carrying signs that read, “Women’s blood is not cheap” and yadh months before the Saudi war began. In the absence of An unnamed Israeli military spokesperson said dozens “We are killed and the government is silent.” an effective government, Ansarullah has been both running of Palestinians hurled rocks at Israeli soldiers as they were Some women blocked the entrance to the city, holding state affairs and defending the country against the Saudi re- operating in the area. signs stating, “Enough with the murder of females.” gime-led aggression. The spokesperson added that Israeli troops responded Organizers of the protests demanded that a budget of The Houthis’ arrival in Sweden followed two major con- with live bullets, rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas to nearly a $70 million be allocated to combating violence fidence boosting measures -- a prisoner swap deal and the disperse the crowd. Palestinian inmates regularly stage hunger strikes in pro- against women. test at the administrative detention policy and their harsh transfer of 50 wounded Ansarullah fighters from Sana’a to The Palestinian Prisoner’s Society (PPS) announced in a The strike was called last week in the wake of the recent Oman for treatment. statement that Israeli forces rounded up 24 Palestinians in prison conditions in Israeli jails. murders of two teen girls, whose deaths brought the number According to reports, at least 13 Palestinian lawmakers On Tuesday, Mohammed Abdul-Salam, the spokesman overnight raids across the occupied West Bank. of women, who were killed over the past year in domestic and chief negotiator for the Ansarullah movement, wrote on Ten people were arrested in raids in the cities of Beit are currently imprisoned in Israeli detention facilities. Nine violence-related incidents to 24, the highest in years. of them are being held without trial under administrative his official Twitter page that the Ansarullah “will spare no Lahm (Bethlehem) and al-Khalil (Hebron) in the southern Over 300 institutions, municipalities, schools, and groups effort to make a success of the talks to restore peace and end West Bank. detention. joined the strike and the protesters observed a moment of Israeli woman hold mass rallies to protest the aggression.” Nine more Palestinians, including two children, were silence to mark the deaths. At the same time, Ansarullah officials called on its fighters detained in the cities of Nablus and Tubas and another five rising violence against women A day earlier, activists poured red dye in public fountains Elsewhere, tens of thousands of women have held a gen- to remain “vigilant against any attempt at a military escalation were arrested in the city of Ramallah and the town of Hizma, in several cities to draw attention to the protest. on the ground.” northeast of al-Quds (Jerusalem). eral strike as well as protests across the Israeli-occupied Shortly after the end of the rally, Netanyahu’s office an- territories to voice their anger at Tel Aviv’s failure to stem Meanwhile, Britain has presented a draft UN Security Council More than 7,000 Palestinians are reportedly held at Is- nounced that the prime minister would convene a meeting resolution on Yemen, and called on the parties involved to raeli jails. Hundreds of the inmates have apparently been a sharp increase in violence against women. of the ministerial committee on violence against women on On Tuesday, protesters staged separate rallies in several restart peace negotiations. incarcerated under the practice of administrative detention, Wednesday morning. The draft sets a two-week deadline for the Saudi-led co- a policy under which Palestinian inmates are kept in Israeli cities, calling on Israeli authorities to take action to stop the On Monday, the opposition’s Zionist Union brought a killings of females during domestic violence-related incidents. alition and the Ansarullah fighters to remove all barriers to detention facilities without trial or charge. no-confidence motion, denouncing the regime’s failure to humanitarian aid, halt attacks on civilian areas and allow Some Palestinian prisoners have been held in adminis- Dressed mainly in black with red hats, and carrying red curb such violence. balloons and torches, some 30,000 demonstrators gath- unhindered access to the strategic port city of Hudaydah. trative detention for up to eleven years. (Source: Press TV) The United States, however, said a vote on the measure should be put on hold until negotiations are held in Sweden. Washington and London have been two major sponsors Mueller probe recommends no jail time for former Trump aide Flynn of the Riyadh-led war, which is estimated to have left 56,000 The United States Special Counsel Robert for trying to influence public opinion about Yemenis dead. Mueller has recommended no prison time the failed coup attempt in Turkey. The Saudi-led offensive, coupled with a naval blockade, for former National Security Adviser Michael In this role, Flynn wrote an op-ed for a has destroyed Yemen’s infrastructure and led to famine in Flynn for lying to the federal investigators major U.S. publication in which he called the import-dependent state. during the investigation into Russian inter- for the U.S. to support Turkey, but he failed About 8.4 million Yemenis are now facing starvation. The ference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. to disclose he received money from Turkey number is likely to increase to 14 million. In court filings, Mueller said Flynn, a to do so. Back in June, the Saudi-led coalition launched an offensive former aide to President Donald Trump, So far, a total of 36 people have been in- on the port city of Hudaydah despite international warnings that had played a significant role in helping the dicted in the Mueller investigation, which it would compound the war-torn nation’s humanitarian crisis. investigation and therefore a sentence “at was started in May 2016 to investigate links The aggressors have, however, failed to seize the strategic the low end of the advisory guideline range or coordination between the Russian gov- Red Sea port city in the face of stiff resistance from Yemeni is appropriate and warranted”. ernment and individuals associated with the armed forces, led by the Ansarullah movement. The recommendation by Mueller comes Trump campaign. UN warns humanitarian crisis to deteriorate almost two weeks before Flynn’s sentencing, Flynn is one of five Trump aides who has next year on December 18. pleaded guilty so far in the Mueller inves- Meantime, the United Nations says the humanitarian crisis The documents, consisting of a sentencing tigation. in Yemen, already the worst in the world, will deteriorate recommendation and a partially redacted The other Trump associates are former in 2019, nearly four years after a military coalition led by addendum to protect ongoing investigations, campaign manager Paul Manafort, former Saudi Arabia invaded the impoverished country and began state that Flynn was an important cooperator team and Russian operatives, but he also garding [his] phone calls with the Russian campaign aide Rick Gates, foreign policy an intense campaign of airstrikes and ground attacks which after Mueller’s team reached a plea deal with provided information on two other criminal ambassador”. adviser George Papadopoulos and Trump’s are still ongoing. the former lieutenant general, who pleaded investigations, according to the document. Those conversations between Flynn and personal lawyer Michael Cohen, who pleaded “The country with the biggest problem in 2019 is going to guilty to lying to investigators in December The details of one of those investigations then-Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak guilty last week during a surprise appearance be Yemen,” said Mark Lowcock, the head of the UN Office for 2017. were completely redacted in the court filings. happened on the day the outgoing Obama in court. the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), in a press “The defendant’s decision to plead guilty Lying to the FBI administration imposed sanctions on Russia. Besides the five Trump aides, others that conference in the Swiss city of Geneva on Tuesday. and cooperate likely affected the decisions Last year, Flynn pleaded guilty to “willfully Flynn had initially told Trump advisers have been charged so far are Russian-Ukrain- He went on to say that last year the world body was pro- of related firsthand witnesses to be forth- and knowingly” making “false, fictitious and that he did not discuss those sanctions, but ian political adviser Konstantin Kilimnik, viding food assistance to three million Yemenis a month. The coming,” the court filings said. fraudulent statements and representations” he later told White House officials that he Dutch lawyer Alex van der Zwaan, the U.S. figure, however, rose to eight million per month this year and “The defendant deserves credit for ac- to the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) may have discussed sanctions with Kislyak. lobbyist Richard Pinedo and 25 alleged Rus- is expected to hit 12 million next year, Lowcock added. cepting responsibility in a timely fashion and in 2016. The former National Security Adviser, who sian intelligence officers and three Russian Save the Children says for every child killed by bombs and substantially assisting the government,” it Following the election of Trump, Flynn resigned on February 13 2016, only weeks companies directly involved in trying to bullets, dozens are starving to death amid the brutal war and added. Following his plea deal, Flynn partic- was appointed National Security Adviser, after Trump’s inauguration, also lied about meddle in the election. blockade led by Saudi Arabia. ipated in 19 interviews with Mueller’s team one of the more senior roles in the White registering as someone working for the Tur- Trump has so far denied all allegations Elsewhere in his comments, Lowcock said the UN was in and provided documents and communications House following Trump’s election victory. key government under the Foreign Agents made against him and his campaign, often an urgent need of $4 billion to help the suffering Yemenis in helpful to the investigation. In his guilty plea, however, he said he Registration Act (FARA). calling the investigation a “witch-hunt” de- 2019. Overall, 24 million people in Not only did Flynn help investigators with “inadvertently briefed the vice president-elect Flynn did not register, however, and in this spite the 36 charges brought forward so far. However, the OCHA head also stressed that the outlook their inquiry into ties between the Trump and others with incomplete information re- role, he and his company received $530,000 (Source: Al Jazeera) of Yemen could improve if progress is made at UN-brokered peace negotiations that are to begin in Sweden this month. Lowcock said that if the talks bear fruit, “It is possible that Israel gave no proof of border tunnels, says Lebanon’s Berri we could find by the second half of the year that the extreme Israel provided no evidence of cross-border attack tunnels in they did not function yet but posed “an imminent threat”. cited the speaker as saying after a meeting. edge could get taken off the suffering of those people who a meeting with UN peacekeepers on Wednesday, Lebanon’s “The Israelis did not present any information,” at the meeting Mechanical diggers, drills and other heavy machinery were have no form of income.” Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said. The Israeli military with the Lebanese army and the UNIFIL peacekeeping force, seen from south Lebanon throughout Tuesday, working on However, he added that diplomatic gains were difficult to launched an operation on Tuesday on its side of the border a statement from Berri’s office said, adding that geographic the Israeli side of the heavily-guarded border. Prime Minister predict. “The appeal we are making is based on our assess- to “expose and thwart” tunnels into its territory, which it said coordinates had been demanded but not received. Benjamin Netanyahu said late on Tuesday the operation ment of what the situation will actually be, rather than wishful originated from Lebanon. Israel accused Lebanon’s Hezbollah “This (Israeli accusation) is not based on any real facts at would continue for as long as necessary. thinking about what we would all like it to be.” movement of digging across the common frontier, saying all,” Ali Bazzi, a lawmaker from Berri’s parliamentary bloc (Source: Reuters) (Source: agencies) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY DECEMBER 6, 2018

STOCK MARKET First platform of TEDPIX 166860.1 IFX 1844.62 Sources: tse.ir, Ifb.ir South Pars phase CURRENCIES 13 installed on USD 42,000 rials EUR 47,532 rials GBP 53,564 rials offshore spot AED 11,380 rials ENERGY Source: iribnews.ir TEHRAN — The first the operation for carrying the first platform gas per day. covers an area of 9,700 square kilometers, deskplatform of Iran’s South toward the offshore spot was not conducted Phase 13 is aimed at production of 56 3,700 square kilometers of which, called Pars gas field’s phase 13 of development due to the bad weather, Payam Motamed, mcm of gas, 75,000 barrels of gas condensate South Pars, are in Iran’s territorial waters was installed on its designated offshore the operator of phase 13, said. and 400 tons of sulfur per day in addition to in the Persian Gulf. The remaining 6,000 spot on Wednesday, Public Relations De- He put the production capacity of the one million tons of ethane and one million square kilometers, called North Dome, are COMMODITIES partment of Pars Oil and Gas Company, 2,200-ton structure, platform 13B, at 14.2 tons of propane and butane per annum. situated in Qatar’s territorial waters. WTI $53.23/b which is in charge of developing the gas million cubic meters (mcm) of gas per day South Pars is divided into 24 standard The field is estimated to contain a sig- Brent $61.87/b field, announced. and said production will begin in phase phases of development in the first stage. nificant amount of natural gas, account- Platform 13B and 13D of phase 13 had 13 when the two main platforms of this Most of the phases are fully operational ing for about eight percent of the world’s OPEC Basket $60.64/b been loaded at Sadra Yard in Bushehr Prov- phase, namely platforms 13B and 13D, at the moment. reserves, and approximately 18 billion ince, southwest of Iran, in late October, but start operation, extracting 28.4 mcm of The huge offshore field, shared with Qatar, barrels of condensate. Gold $1,238.40/oz Silver $14.52/oz Isfahan hosting intl. industry, Platinium $797.95/oz Int. exhibition of chemical, laboratory Sources: oilprice.com, Moneymetals.com industries running in Tehran tools, equipment expo ECONOMY TEHRAN – The ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iranian NEWS IN BRIEF desk2nd International deskcity of Isfahan is host- Exhibition of Chemical and Laboratory ing the 13th International Exhibition of Industry (CLIEXPO 2018) started Industry, Tools, and Industrial Cleaning Zanganeh operating at Tehran’s Shahr-e- Aftab Equipment (ISIEF 2018) during Decem- leaves Tehran International Exhibition Center on ber 4-7 at Isfahan International Exhibition Wednesday. Center, IRNA reported. for Vienna to As reported by IRNA, during this four- Over 197 exhibitors from provinces of participate in day event, exhibitors from nine countries Isfahan, Tehran, Semnan and East Azarbai- along with 85 domestic companies are jan are presenting products and services OPEC meeting showcasing their latest products and According to the organizers, from Iran, China, South Korea, Turkey and and industrial safety equipment as well as ENERGY TEHRAN — Iranian Oil Minister Bijan services in various areas including introducing products, services and sales, Germany in this year’s exhibition. industrial cleaning. desk Namdar Zanganeh left Tehran for Vienna on petrochemical industry, chemical communicating with current and potential ISIEF 2018 covers a variety of areas The exhibition aims to lead the compa- Wednesday afternoon to take part in the 175th Ordinary Meeting of products and laboratory equipment. customers, recognizing the customers’ including engineering services, mechani- nies to greater markets, create opportunities the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Germany, England, India, China, basic needs, and getting information cal tools and workshop supplies, indus- for the producers to introduce their latest Shana news agency reported. USA, Italy, Singapore, Hungary and about market conditions and trends in trial and workshop equipment, welding, products, to exchange views, and to increase OPEC meets on Thursday in Vienna, followed by talks with France are the foreign participants of order for planning to improve exports, are cutting, laser, hydraulic and pneumatic the volume of domestic and foreign trade allies such as Russia on Friday, amid a drop in crude prices this year’s event. among the main goals of this exhibition. systems, forklifts and industrial elevators, and to promote healthy competition. caused by global economic weakness and fears of an oil glut due largely to a rise in U.S. production, Reuters reported. Japan’s Q3 economic contraction seen London to lose $900b to Frankfurt due to Brexit, German finance group claims ‘Iran able to help S. Africa deepening as businesses cut spending Japan’s economy is expected to have “But there is no doubt that the economy London is predicted to lose up to 800 billion and that it expected job relocations to the tackle energy challenges’ contracted more sharply than initially is loosing momentum compared with last euros ($909 billion) of assets by March next city to continue until 2024. estimated in the third quarter, with ana- year because of weak exports.” year, as banks move their business opera- However, it’s slightly more complicated ECONOMY TEHRAN — In a meeting with head of Iran lysts in a Reuters poll forecasting a steep Worryingly, the poll predicted capital tions to other hubs before Brexit takes place. in many cases as some banks have opened deskChamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines drop in capital spending in a sign of rising expenditure to have slumped 1.6 percent Lobby group Frankfurt Main Finance or expanded existing European offices, but and Agriculture (ICCIMA), South Africa’s ambassador to Iran headwinds in 2019 as global demand ebbs. for the quarter, the fastest fall since 2014 (FMF) released the figure last week, which they have not announced massive plans to announced that regarding the two sides’ trade ties, Iran can The poll of 16 economists predicted and significantly down from the 0.2 percent it calculated based on a confirmation that shift staff from London to those locations. assist his country in overcoming its current energy challenges, the world’s third-biggest economy to have decline in the preliminary data. 30 financial institutions had applied to the Other banks are also looking into larger-scale the portal of ICCIMA reported. shrunk an annualized 1.9 percent in July- Analysts say companies are expected to European Central Bank to move their head- overhauls of European operations. September, worse than the preliminary invest in replacing ageing equipments and quarters to Frankfurt. It claimed this number Groups representing London and its fi- reading of a 1.2 percent contraction. boost spending to cope with labor shortages would be higher by March and continue to nancial sector told CNBC that the industry That would translate into 0.5 percent but the pace of growth in capital spending increase beyond Brexit. was preparing for the worst-case scenario but quarter-on-quarter fall in gross domestic will likely be modest. The 800 billion euros being moved out of was yet to feel a major impact of corporate product, compared with the initial estimate There are already signs the China-U.S. London relates to balance sheet assets such relocations. Catherine McGuinness, a policy of a 0.3 percent decline, the poll showed. trade row is shaking up global supply chains, as cash, inventory and prepaid expenses. chair at the City of London Corporation, The finalised data is set to confirm that and the worry is that Japan’s exporters FMF told CNBC via email that companies said she had not seen fears of substantial the economy was hobbled by a series of will be caught in the cross fire in a blow were moving those assets from London to job losses materializing. typhoons, a huge earthquake and slow to its economy. Frankfurt so that new offices could meet “Firms are, however, watching closely external demand. While China expressed confidence on minimum operational and regulatory re- to see how negotiations between the two And while analysts expect a rebound in Wednesday that it can reach a trade deal quirements. sides progress. This will play an important the current quarter, a weakening external with the United States, there is trepidation In the report, FMF Managing Director role in determining whether we see more environment points to a challenging 2019, among global investors that both sides Hubertus Vath said uncertainty was forcing jobs move to the continent after Brexit,” she as export-reliant Japan struggles to build won’t be able to bridge their differences banks to relocate selected business divisions told CNBC in an email. South Africa’s Ambassador to Iran Vika Mazwi Khumalo (L) momentum in the face of cooling global to secure a durable agreement. or their entire businesses out of the U.K. “As “London’s global financial hub cannot, and ICCIMA Head Gholam-Hossein Shafeie in Tehran growth, trade frictions and a slowdown President Donald Trump has already long as uncertainty persists, most institutions though, easily be replicated anywhere else on in corporate profits. warned that he would revert to more tar- are likely to prefer the minimum solution. In the continent. It is now in everyone’s interest Vika Mazwi Khumalo, who is the new South African ambas- “There is a high possibility that the iffs if the two sides cannot resolve their any case, it is clear that considerable second- to move towards a future agreement which sador to Tehran, underscored the vitality of expanding trade ties economy will grow at relatively high pace differences. round effects will follow,” he said. covers financial and professional services — between the private sectors of the two countries in this meeting in October-December led by production The Cabinet Office will announce re- Several large banks have said they will to fail to do so would undoubtedly damage held at the place of ICCIMA on Tuesday. recovery,” said Yoshiki Shinke, chief econo- vised GDP data at 8:50 a.m. on Monday shift jobs out of London before Brexit kicks both the EU and U.K. economies, limiting “The U.S. sanctions on Iran will definitely influence our business mist at Dai-ichi Life Research Institute Dec. 10 Japan time (2350 GMT on Dec. 9). in. FMF said it believed up to 10,000 jobs growth and risking jobs.” ties but there are also some opportunities yet,” Khumalo said. in a note. (Source: Reuters) would be moved to Frankfurt ahead of Brexit, (Source: CNBC) To improve mutual ties, the ambassador also invited an Ira- nian trade delegation to visit his country. During the meeting, ICCIMA Head Gholam-Hossein Shafeie, for his turn, called for planning expansion of mutual economic ties. China confident it can clinch U.S. trade pact, Trump demands ‘real deal’ “Iran and South Africa have implemented a joint telecom- China expressed confidence on Wednesday that it can reach Sources told Reuters that Chinese oil trader Unipec plans munication project and the cooperation can be developed to a trade deal with the United States, despite fresh warnings to resume buying U.S. crude by March after the Xi-Trump other sectors as well,” he said underlining the importance of from President Donald Trump that he would revert to more deal reduced the risk of tariffs on those imports. China’s crude making joint projects. tariffs if the two sides cannot resolve their differences. oil imports from the U.S. had ground to a halt. The remarks by the Chinese Commerce Ministry follow a Markets down period of relative quiet from Beijing after Trump and Chinese Global financial markets tumbled on Tuesday as doubts leader Xi Jinping reached a temporary truce in their trade war over what could realistically be accomplished in the tight Australia’s GDP growth slows at a meeting over dinner in Argentina on Saturday. negotiating window added to concerns about fading global to 2.8% as weaker spending In a brief statement on its website, the ministry said China growth. would try to work quickly to implement specific issues already The benchmark Shanghai stock index .SSEC closed down hits economy agreed upon, as both sides “actively promote the work of 0.6 percent on Wednesday. negotiations within 90 days in accordance with a clear timetable “Despite a temporary de-escalation of hostilities following Australia’s economy grew much more slowly than expected in the and road map”. the G-20 summit, the relationship between the U.S. and China past three months, dragging the annual growth rate down notice- “We are confident in implementation,” it said, calling the will remain contentious,” Moody’s Investors Service in a report. ably, as weaker household spending hit the national accounts. latest bilateral talks “very successful”. “Narrow agreements and modest concessions in the ongoing The economy has clearly lost momentum as property prices Trump, via Twitter, held out the possibility of an extension trade dispute will not bridge the wide gulf in their respective continue to slide in Sydney and Melbourne, amid tighter lending of the ceasefire but warned tariffs would be back on the table based on the consensus reached between the two countries’ economic, political and strategic interests.” standards and credit conditions. if the talks failed to bear fruit. leaders, strengthen consultations, and reach a mutually Officials from the U.S. and a number of other major The impact of the national drought has also started to hit the “The negotiations with China have already started. Unless beneficial agreement soon,” Foreign Ministry spokesman economies have often criticized China for its slow approach national accounts, with the agricultural, forestry and fishing in- extended, they will end 90 days from the date of our wonderful Geng Shuang told reporters. to negotiations and not following through on commitments. dustry sector registering negative growth of 1.6% for the quarter. and very warm dinner with President Xi in Argentina,” Trump The threat of further escalation in the trade war between China has said comparatively little about the Trump-Xi Bureau of Statistics figures show national output expanded tweeted. the world’s two largest economies has loomed large over agreement after senior Chinese officials briefed the media by 0.3% in the September quarter – the slowest quarterly growth He said he would place “major tariffs” on Chinese goods financial markets and the global economy for much of the following the meeting, and there have been some differences rate in two years – well below the market forecast of 0.6%. imported into the United States if his administration is unable year, and investors initially greeted the ceasefire with relief. between U.S. and Chinese accounts of what the deal entails. It means Australia’s economy is growing at an annual rate of to reach an effective trade deal with Beijing. But the mood has quickly soured on scepticism that the two “Officials now face the difficult task of fleshing out a deal 2.8%, down from 3.4% in the previous quarter. “We are either going to have a REAL DEAL with China, sides will be able to reach a substantive deal on a host of highly that is acceptable to the Chinese but also involves significant Just one day ago, the Reserve Bank was saying its central or no deal at all - at which point we will be charging major divisive issues within the short negotiating period agreed. enough concessions not to be torpedoed by the China hawks scenario was for GDP to grow by an average 3.5% over this year tariffs against Chinese product being shipped into the United Failure would raise the specter of a major escalation in in the Trump administration,” Capital Economics said in a and next, before slowing in 2020. That scenario may have to be States. Ultimately, I believe, we will be making a deal - either the trade battle, with fresh U.S. tariff action and Chinese note this week. revised down now. now or into the future,” Trump wrote in a post within minutes retaliation possibly as early as March. “We wouldn’t be surprised if no agreement can be reached It creates a complicated situation for the Morrison government. of the Commerce Ministry statement. The White House says China had committed to start buying within 90 days, with the higher tariff rate coming into force The unemployment rate is near a six-year low, at 5.1%, and China’s Foreign Ministry referred specific questions to more American products and lifting tariff and non-tariff barriers only a few months later than originally planned.” wages growth has picked up slightly in recent months, though the Commerce Ministry, which is due to hold its weekly news immediately, while beginning talks on structural changes A Chinese official told Reuters officials were “waiting for it is still anaemic. Crude oil prices have also fallen, which will briefing on Thursday in Beijing. with respect to forced technology transfers and intellectual the leaders to return” before publicizing details. feed through to lower inflation. (Source: The Guardian) “We hope the two working teams from both sides can, property protection. (Source: Reuters) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 6, 2018 ENERGY 5

Oil prices fall on swelling glut, OPEC/non-OPEC unlikely to agree on continuing oil cuts, economic growth concerns says Iran’s OPEC governor OPEC and its allies are unlikely to extend their production cut Oil fell on Wednesday as a swelling supply Yet the truce may not last. U.S. President agreement when they meet this week, a key Iranian oil official said glut and signs of an economic slowdown Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday to place Tuesday, with some members upset over recent output increases weighed on crude prices a day ahead of an “major tariffs” on Chinese goods imported into by Saudi Arabia and Russia. OPEC meeting at which the producer club the United States if his administration didn’t Hossein Kazempour Ardebili, Iran’s OPEC governor, said he is expected to decide supply cuts. reach a desirable deal with Beijing. expects some countries -- which he did not name -- to pull out of International Brent crude oil futures were China’s state council on Wednesday is- the agreement in protest over behavior that had sharply decreased at $61.16 per barrel at 0757 GMT, down 92 sued guidance to support employment as the oil prices. cents, or 1.5 percent, from their last close. economy slows, saying the country should pay “The cooperation agreement is unlikely to be renewed,” he said in U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude “high attention” to the impact on employment comments published by Iran’s oil ministry. “At least some member futures were at $52.40 per barrel, down 85 from increasing economic headwinds. states will not join it, in which case any renewal will be out of the cents, or 1.6 percent. Bank of America Merrill Lynch said in its question.” Oil prices were pressured by a weekly report 2019 economic outlook, published on Tues- In fact, some producers without the capacity to pump more from the American Petroleum Institute (API) day, that “most major economies are likely to may leave OPEC altogether, he said. Qatar on Monday surprised that said U.S. crude inventories rose by 5.4 see decelerating activity”, although it added OPEC by announcing it was withdrawing from the organization million barrels in the week to Nov. 30, to 448 that “a steady stream of monetary and fiscal from January 2019. million barrels, in a sign that U.S. oil markets stimulus measures” was expected to stem “Some producers have limited production capacity. Therefore, are in a growing glut. the slowdown. they may be faced with lower demand for production, while on the Official U.S. government oil production In Asian powerhouse Japan, the economy other hand, they lack any spare capacity for increased production, and inventory data is due on Thursday, de- is expected to have contracted more again in if need be,” he said in comments published by Iran’s oil ministry. layed by one day. gasoline refining margins have plunged to resolve their trade disputes. Washington and the third quarter, with the slowdown deep- “That strengthens the possibility of exit by minor member states. In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia produced their weakest levels in seven years - so low that Beijing announced a 90-day truce last week- ening, a poll showed on Wednesday, with Q3 That is not impossible.” a record 11.3 million barrels per day (bpd) in churning out this key motor fuel has become end, during which neither side will further annualized GDP expected to fall by 1.9 percent. OPEC meets Thursday in Vienna to discuss output strategy, with November, adding to the swelling glut. a loss-making business. increase punitive import tariffs. A slowing economy may further under- Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other members pushing for a cut that The supply overhang will be the focus of a Gloomy markets In a sign of easing tensions between the mine oil prices. they say will be needed to avoid a supply glut. Officials have cited meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum The slide in U.S. oil followed a tumble in world’s two biggest economies, Chinese oil Bank of America said it expected Brent market forecasts showing a surplus of 1 million to 1.4 million b/d Exporting Countries (OPEC) on Thursday, at global stock markets on Tuesday and Wednes- trader Unipec plans to resume U.S. crude and WTI prices to average $70 and $59 per in the months ahead. (Source: Platts) which the producer group is expected to decide day, with investors worried about the threat shipments to China by March after the Xi- barrel respectively in 2019. some form of supply cut aimed at supporting of a widespread economic slowdown. Trump deal at the G20 meeting reduced the Brent and WTI have averaged $72.80 and crude prices. Key to the global economic outlook will risk of tariffs being imposed on these imports, $66.10 per barrel so far this year. In the latest sign of a clogged market, Asian be whether the United States and China can people with knowledge of the matter said. (Source: Reuters) Qatar’s OPEC exit may just be the beginning

China’s Unipec to buy U.S. oil after Exxon, Chevron seek to exit Much has already been written over the last 24 hours by pundits and Azerbaijan’s oil after 25 years analysts alike about Qatar’s decision to leave the Organization of the Xi-Trump tariff truce Oil Exporting Countries (OPEC) by January next year. Some have chimed in, claiming that it’s an irrational move, while others have, perhaps correctly, attributed it to “toxic politics” in the always volatile Middle East. The latter view has much credibility given Qatar’s ongoing geopolitical rift with many of its Arab neighbors over allegations of financing terrorist groups, which led to a regional economic boycott of the country last year. Despite the tensions, Qatar is claiming that its exit from OPEC has no political overtones. Saad al-Kaabi, the country’s energy minister, told a news conference on Monday that the decision was not linked to the political and economic boycott imposed in June 2017 by Saudi Arabia and three other Arab states – the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt. The group also imposed a trade and travel embargo on Qatar over allegations of support for terrorism groups. Ending 57 years of membership Al-Kaabi added that the decision to withdraw had not been easy Chinese oil trader Unipec plans to resume It was unclear how much oil Unipec - Exxon Mobil and Chevron are seeking to sell British oil major BP (BP.L), it had received after 57 years of OPEC membership, but noted that the country’s U.S. crude shipments to China by March China’s largest crude oil importer - would their stakes in Azerbaijan’s largest oilfield, substantial U.S. government support and a impact on the cartel’s production decisions will be small. He stressed after the Xi-Trump deal at the G20 meeting order from the United States, but one of marking the retreat of the U.S. majors from total of five American companies initially that Doha would continue to abide by its global commitments like reduced the risk of tariffs being imposed on the sources said the company could lift a the former Soviet state after 25 years as they participated in the deal, including Exxon, any other non-OPEC oil producer. these imports, three sources with knowledge record volume of oil in January. re-focus on domestic production. Amoco, Unocal, Pennzoil and McDermott. At the end of the day, Al-Kaabi is right. The exit of Qatar, an OPEC of the matter said. China’s previous record for a month Exxon is hoping to raise up to $2 billion BP said it had no information about member since 1961, from the cartel will have scant impact on group The sources told Reuters that Uni- came in January 2018, when it imported from the sale of its 6.8 percent in the Azeri- Exxon’s or Chevron’s plans. since it represents just 2 percent of its total oil production. Qatar is pec - trading arm of state refiner Sinopec about 472,000 barrels per day (bpd) from Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) field in the Caspian The ACG project received particular the cartel’s 11th largest oil producer, producing only 600,000 barrels (600028.SS) - is looking to import U.S. the United States, according to Chinese Sea, according to industry sources. Western support due to hopes it would help of oil per day. In context, Saudi Arabia just reached a historic record oil by March 1, which marks the end of a customs data. Rival Chevron said in a statement to cut Europe’s reliance on Russian energy, but of pumping 11 million bpd. Moreover, it’s been gas that has made 90-day negotiating period agreed by the Before the trade dispute erupted in Reuters it had also decided to launch the those hopes faded as new large discoveries Qatar, per capita, one of the richest countries in the world, not its leaders of the world’s two biggest economies. mid-2018, China had become the largest sale of its 9.57 percent stake in ACG as well failed to materialize. oil exports. Natural gas is the cornerstone of Qatar’s economy and China’s crude oil imports from the United importer of U.S. crude. China imported as its 8.9 percent interest in the Baku-Tbilisi- Most U.S. companies sold out of the accounts for more than 70 percent of total government revenue, more States ground to a halt in October as this on average 325,000 bpd of U.S. crude Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline. project or were acquired by rivals, while than 60 percent of gross domestic product, and roughly 85 percent year’s trade war between the two countries in the first nine months of 2018 before Exxon spokeswoman Julie King declined U.S. support to the Azeri administration of export earnings. escalated. imports fell to zero in October, customs to comment, saying “we don’t comment on also shrank. OPEC cracks could deepen “Chinese buyers who want to buy U.S. data shows. market rumors or speculation”. A spokesman Azerbaijan also became more assertive The Qatari move could indicate, however, that cracks are growing crude will rush to import the oil during this Although crude oil was not included on for Azerbaijan’s state energy company Socar in controlling its energy wealth by building within OPEC amid Saudi Arabia’s decision to forge both increased window,” a senior executive from Asia’s Beijing’s import tariff list, Chinese buyers said: “The report is about Exxon and there up large stakes in its energy projects via geopolitical and energy relations with Russia. Though Qatar is a tiny largest refiner Sinopec said, adding that the started avoiding U.S. oil from mid-2018. is no need for Socar to get involved.” state company Socar. OPEC player, other cartel members, upset at Saudi Arabia’s will- oil has to arrive in China before March 1. U.S.-based trade and shipping sources For both companies, the sale would Other than Exxon and Chevron, BP holds ingness to bow to U.S. pressure to ramp up oil production as well “Oil prices are low, so it makes economic said Unipec is back in the market, looking mark the end of a 25-year involvement. a 30.4 percent stake in ACG and Socar a 25 as the Kingdom’s willingness to go outside the cartel for oil market sense to store some crude as commercial to buy U.S. crude and book ships for China. Exxon and Chevron were among five U.S. percent stake. management could follow Doha’s lead. inventories,” said the executive, who asked Unipec may have chartered VLCC Man- oil companies that helped create Azerbaijan’s The ACG fields still account for the lion’s LNG ambitions not to be named. ifa to load U.S. oil this month, one of the current oil industry soon after the collapse share of Azeri oil output. They produced Al-Kaabi also said that the move to leave OPEC was related to Sinopec said it has a policy not to com- sources said. Another said the company of the Soviet Union, and acquiring a stake around three quarters of overall Azeri crude its liquefied natural gas (LNG) ambitions, which should be taken ment on specific trade deals. Unipec did has provisionally booked a VLCC to load in ACG in 1994. output, or nearly 600,000 barrels per day, at face value. not respond to an email. U.S. oil in January and make the 45-50-day The deal was dubbed by Azerbaijan and in the first half of 2018. “Achieving our ambitious strategy will undoubtedly require focused Oil prices have slumped by around a voyage to China for $8.4 million. partners as the “the contract of the century” Other ACG consortium members include efforts, commitment and dedication to maintain and strengthen Qa- third since early October amid an emerg- While China is expected to maximize thanks to the field’s large reserves and hopes Japan’s Inpex with 9.3 percent and Norway’s tar’s position as the leading LNG producer,” he said in a statement. “I ing glut, triggering expectations that the U.S. oil imports during the 90-day window, of future major discoveries that would help Equinor with 7.3 percent. Turkey’s TPAO, would like to reaffirm Qatar’s pride in its international standing at the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting the overall outlook for this trade flow in Europe diversify away from Russian oil and Japan’s Itochu, and India’s ONGC Videsh forefront of natural gas producers, and as the biggest exporter of LNG.” Countries (OPEC) will agree to supply cuts 2019 remained murky. gas. have smaller stakes. Qatar is already the world’s largest LNG producer, with some 77 at a meeting this week. (Source: CNBC) Even though the project is operated by (Source: Reuters) million tons per annum of liquefaction capacity, though that lead is not being challenged by Australia as it finally completes its massive LNG project expansion boom. Saudi minister says premature to say if OPEC+ to cut output Yet, going forward, Qatar will far outpace any of its LNG exporting Three days after Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi ganization will be supportive to whatever requirements we rivals, both Australia, Russia and even the U.S. as the country enters Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent crude prices need to do to balance the market,” Al Mazrouei said. “The its so-called second phase of LNG project development. Last year, in a surging with an agreement to extend cooperation on oil, objective is to balance the market and currently we have surprise statement, not dissimilar to Monday’s statement that it would the kingdom’s top energy official made clear that the terms seen that there’s a requirement for an adjustment.” leave OPEC, Qatar announced that it would boost LNG production to of a deal remain unresolved. Moscow talks 100 mtpa within the next five or six years - a remarkable decision given In an interview with Bloomberg, Saudi Energy Minister Oil suffered the largest one-month drop in November LNG development in other parts of the world that will all be vying for Khalid Al-Falih said he saw an oversupplied market, but since the global financial crisis in 2008. The 20 percent the same market share. The new additional volumes will be secured cautioned that all the members of the OPEC+ group, which plunge was driven by a combination of rising supply from by doubling the size of the new gas project in the southern sector includes allies such as Russia and Kazakhstan, needed to U.S. shale regions, Saudi Arabia and Russia, slower demand of the North Field, which Qatar Petroleum had announced earlier. come together for a cut to go ahead. growth and American waivers on oil sanctions on Iran. Brent (Source: oilprice.com) Moscow backs output curbs “in principle,” but it’s “pre- crude, which hit a four-year high above $86 a barrel in early mature” to say what they will agree in Vienna this week, October, traded on Tuesday at about $63 a barrel. Al-Falih said. He also walked back previous statements about Saudi Arabia and Russia, the world’s two largest exporters, Saudi Arabia works on the size of any supply reduction, saying the group is likely have agreed to continue their cooperation into next year, to cut but still needs to “figure out what needs to be done Putin said at the weekend after meeting Prince Mohammed convincing Russia to join oil cut and by how much.” in Buenos Aires. But Saudi and Russian officials still differ Oil prices pared gains after his comments, which were less Dhabi last month, when he said the group should consider on how to share the burden of any cuts, people familiar with Saudi Arabia is seeking to persuade Russia to cut oil production bullish than previous statements and signaled that divisions reducing production by 1 million barrels a day. discussions said yesterday. substantially with OPEC next year in an attempt to arrest a with Russia remain unresolved. Crude was trading 1.8 percent “What we said in Abu Dhabi is that projections are that Moscow wants to reduce by a maximum of 150,000 bar- decline in the price of crude and prevent another global glut. higher at $53.88 a barrel in New York at 8:02 a.m. local time, there will be 1 million barrels a day of oversupply, and that rels a day, but with OPEC estimating global oversupply at OPEC meets today in Vienna, followed by talks with allies compared with an earlier increase of as much as 3 percent. we will wait until we get to Vienna and are certain what that more than 1 million barrels a day, Riyadh wants the burden such as Russia on Friday. The producer group’s de facto lead- “We need to get together and listen to our colleagues, hear number is,” he said. shared more evenly. Both countries are pumping near-record er, Saudi Arabia, has indicated a need for steep reductions about their views on supply and demand and their projec- OPEC, Russia and other allies meet in Vienna later this amounts of oil in excess of 11 million barrels a day each. in output from January but has come under pressure from tions of their own countries’ production,” Al Falih said in week to decide production policy for 2019. There’s consensus President Donald Trump is complicating deliberations. U.S. President Donald Trump to push oil prices even lower. an interview while attending United Nations climate talks the so-called OPEC+ group needs to rein in production to He’s waged a Twitter campaign against OPEC, demanding Saudi Arabia has indicated it wants the Organization of in Katowice, Poland. “The next road to cross is whether all prevent global inventories growing next year, but no agree- oil producers keep pumping to bring down gasoline prices the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies to cut output countries are willing to come on board and contribute to ment on the details. for U.S. consumers. Saudi policy makers may be reluctant by at least 1.3 million barrels per day, or 1.3 percent of global that cut.” United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei to go against Trump after the murder of Jamal Khashoggi production. Saudi Arabia is currently producing between 11 million told reporters in Vienna that he’s optimistic all countries unleashed a fusillade of criticism from American lawmakers, Riyadh wants Moscow to contribute at least 250,000-300,000 and 11.2 million barrels of oil a day, Al-Falih said. will join an OPEC+ agreement this week and that Qatar’s leaving the president as one of Prince Mohammed’s few bpd to the cut but Russia insists the amount should be only Wait and see exit from the group will not have a large impact. remaining allies in Washington. half of that, OPEC and non-OPEC sources said. His comments were less definitive than those made in Abu “I’m hopeful that everyone in and even outside the or- (Source: Bloomberg) (Source: Reuters) ساعت: 17:00 امضاء صفحه آرا: ساعت: امضاء مسئول صفحه: ساعت: امضاء ادیتور: ساعت: امضاء سردبیر:

I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 INTERNATIONAL DECEMBER 6, 2018 NEWS IN BRIEF Iran, Pakistan vow to expand bilateral trade, India, China review progress reaffirm support for Afghan peace process INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN — Relations Matters pertaining to United State’s with- in ties deskbetween Iran and Paki- drawal from the nuclear deal, conflict in the stan have improved considerably since the Middle East and violation of human rights INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN — India and China review the deskprogress made in bilateral relations since PTI government led by Imran Khan came in Kashmir were also discussed, according the informal summit between Indian Prime Minister Narendra to power in Islamabad, replacing PML (N) to reports. Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in China earlier this government, which was seen heavily tilted Both the countries have been affected by year. During a meeting between India’s Foreign Secretary towards Saudi Arabia. the protracted war and instability in Afghani- Vijay Gokhale and China’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kong After taking over as the premier of Pakistan stan. The two countries host vast majority Xuanyou in New Delhi on Tuesday, the two sides reaffirmed some months ago, Khan had spoken with of Afghan refugees who were driven out of their commitment to build on the gains made in recent years. conviction about his government’s foreign their homes by war. Xi hosted Modi for the informal summit in Wuhan to policy goals and the need to extend a hand The two sides noted that supporting the provide impetus to the bilateral relations of India and China, of friendship towards Iran. Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace and the two regional powers and the fastest growing economies. He even offered to mediate between Ri- reconciliation process was the best way to The relations between the two countries have seen ups yadh and Tehran, and more importantly, overcome the security and politico-economic and downs, especially due to the border dispute that has promised to revive the Iran-Pakistan gas challenges faced by Pakistan and Iran. often snowballed into military confrontations. pipeline project that had been shelved dur- A coordinated approach in this regard The armies of two countries were involved in a 73-day ing the previous government in Islamabad. was important to safeguard the core in- stand-off last year at Doklam on the India-Bhutan-China To carry the momentum built in recent terests of both Pakistan and Iran in this international trijunction. months, a high-level Iranian delegation led situation, the two sides noted in their The two sides agreed to enhance their cal Consultation between the two countries Tuesday’s consultations followed National Security Advi- by Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi deliberations. bilateral trade relations and improve railway was one of the several important institutional sor Ajit Doval’s meeting with Chinese State Councillor Wang held wide ranging talks with the Pakistani What has brought the two countries closer connectivity, sources said. mechanisms to regularly review and chart the Yi last month to resolve the decades-long boundary dispute delegation led by Foreign Secretary Tehmina in recent months is the fact that Pakistan Talks focused on measures to enhance way forward in various areas of cooperation. between the two countries. Janjua this week. The talks were held as part has backed Iran’s nuclear deal and resisted of the 10th round of Pakistan-Iran political bilateral trade to $5 billion, scaling down During the meeting, both sides expressed the U.S. pressure to cut ties with Tehran. consultations in Islamabad. of trade barriers and speedy progress on satisfaction at the continuing warmth in the Both Iran and the U.S. have been locked in UN chief pushes A working group comprising Pakistani facilitating preferential trade. bilateral relationship anchored in religious a bitter tussle in recent months with latter and Iranian officials stressed on peace and They also discussed ways and means to and socio-cultural affinities. . suspending financial aid to the former. for constructive reconciliation process in Afghanistan to facilitate the growing number of pilgrims Furthermore, the two sides agreed on a The efforts by the PTI government to re- Western Sahara overcome the “serious security and politico- travelling every year to Iran from Pakistan. coordinated approach pertaining to Afghan vive the Iran-Pakistan ‘peace pipeline’ has economic challenges” faced by the region, Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Monday conflict to safeguard interests of Islamabad also warmed many hearts in Tehran while talks Radio Pakistan reported. for the delegation-level talks. Bilateral Politi- and Tehran. raising eyebrows in Riyadh and Washington. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on all parties meeting to discuss the long-running Western Sahara ‘Afghan women’s engagement in decision-making dispute this week in Geneva to be constructive and avoid imposing preconditions for formal talks. In a Tuesday statement released by his spokesperson, processes remains symbolic’ Guterres “urges all to engage in good faith, without precondi- tions and in a constructive spirit in the discussions,” which 1 In a joint communiqué, the conference participants be massive fraud and irregularities in the presidential election were due to begin on Wednesday with the participation of agreed that peace in Afghanistan must be based on a broad next year. The election commission members who fail to ad- representative of Morocco, the Polisario Front, Algeria, and political consensus across the society. What is your take on dress these challenges should be immediately replaced with Mauritania, along with a UN envoy. this? And how can women be included in this process? those with extensive knowledge in election matters and strong The UN chief further expressed his backing for the UN envoy, A. The peace process in 2010 started after 1600 Afghans background on transparency and accountability. former German president Horst Koehler, who is seeking to from 34 provinces gathered at national peace consultative What has been your personal experience as a women’s revive talks to resolve the prolonged Western Sahara conflict. jirga and agreed on an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace rights activist in Afghanistan. Do you think women in Afghani- The two-day roundtable talks are aimed at relaunch- process. The political consensus for the peace process is a stan have reclaimed their space in political and social sphere ing negotiations on the persisting dispute that have been very sensitive issue. While the Afghan government claims that over the years? stalled since 2012 as the UN has repeatedly failed to broker it has consulted Afghans from a crosssection of society, the A. Women in Afghanistan have reclaimed their space in a a settlement in Western Sahara, where Morocco and the consultation has actually been limited to those groups that fair manner. It is good to witness presence of women in union Algerian-backed Polisario Movement fought for control from the presidential palace wanted. cabinet, parliament, senate as well as different ministries, in- 1975 to 1991.It additionally highlighted the Polisario’s de In terms of women’s participation, while 370 women partici- dependent commissions and embassies. facto authority over the Tindouf camps and concerns over pated in national peace consultative jirga, women were included It is also good to see a women representative in a body conference on Afghanistan, considering Taliban as an irrelevant rights abuses there.The SADR is a member of the African as members of high peace council (HPC) and provincial peace like High Peace Council. However, there is difference between Union but controls only 20 percent of its territory, mostly councils. There has been a huge gap in terms of their meaningful insurgent group between 2001 and 2007 and not addressing representation and meaningful engagement. empty desert. inclusion in discussions and decisions related to peace pro- the root causes of conflict at the national level. While women have physical presence, their engagement at (Source: Press TV) cess, finding solutions and addressing the community’s needs. At the international level, the U.S. and other international the national level, technical oversight as well as equal inclusion Women are usually consulted by President for the women’s actors shifted their priority very quickly from Afghanistan to in national programs, discussion and decisions has remained rights agenda. Women are not yet considered and respected Syria, Yemen and other conflicts. This enabled the Taliban to symbolic. Women recruitments have been mostly made based Fleeing as equal partners in key decision-making processes. In order grow back from strength to strength, find internal influence, on favoritism and influence in the presidential palace, rather Rohingya to include women, it is important to address it at different use opium for financial support and amass support among than merit, qualifications, experience and competence. The levels. In Geneva conference, three women were included with neighboring countries. recent appointment of three women in the peace negotiation detained in 9 men, as 12-member negotiation team for the talks. While The U.S. and other international actors also failed to sup- team is encouraging, however, all the three women are holding this marked a big achievement for women advocacy, it is also port Afghan National Security Forces technically and equip key government positions — as an acting minister, a deputy Malaysia important to push President and other actors to meaningfully them with the needed ammunition and equipment. After the minister and a member of parliament. engage women not only on women’s rights issues but on peace 2014 withdrawal of international forces, which was a very ir- I wonder how they will be able to deliver in both the jobs. INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN — With Rohingya Muslims responsible decision timed and choreographed wrongly, the desk process, conflict resolution, conflict analysis and post-peace While it is same for men, but they can get away with their attempting to flee Myanmar to escape negotiation effort. Taliban used all their leverage to up the ante, using the weak- failings, unlike women. Those women who join the govern- persecution, a boat carrying 20 men believed to be Roh- Recently we have seen ‘peace negotiations’ with the ness of the security forces. ment mostly become silent. They stop advocacy efforts that ingyas landed on Indonesia’s Sumatra Island on Tuesday, Taliban facilitated by Moscow and Washington even as the Some of the attacks in last few years like the attack in Sardar the women outside the government are engaged in. This is according to reports. insurgent group has upped the ante, carrying out attacks on Mohammad Daud Khan Military Hospital, the army base in another major reason where women are politically engaged It was not immediately clear if the boat had originated civilians across the country. Do you think dialogue and violence Balkh and Khost, the attack at Intercontinental Hotel or Ser- but unfortunately also paralyzed to question the government in Myanmar or Bangladesh, reports noted. The men were can go together? ena Hotel, have shown that the Taliban are fully aware of the in relation to its weaknesses and shortcomings. immediately detained. A. Afghanistan has entered a totally new phase of the peace weak intelligence system, have influence and support from Women have relatively found their social space. Presence of Thousands of Rohingya landed in Indonesia and Malaysia process where the Taliban has showed willingness to speak within the system. women in media, women’s movement, women NGOs as well in 2015 after they were left stranded in the Andaman Sea in to the United States and the government has come up with a All these attacks were never investigated. Despite huge as doctors, nurses, lawyers, judges, government employees is the wake of a crackdown on smugglers. roadmap to peace document and formed a negotiation team. number of human losses in each of these attacks, no one was encouraging. But Afghanistan is a diverse country where the Myanmar authorities have recently been stopping scores The current peace process in Afghanistan is at the pre-ne- held accountable or prosecuted. living situation, the cultural and traditional practices vary from of boats filled with Rohingya migrants attempting to sail gotiation stage. At this stage despite the fact that both Afghan Preparations are afoot for the presidential election next province to province. to Malaysia. government and Taliban have shown interest in entering peace year, but the fear of fraud and violence looms large as was wit- While women’s social presence is very strong in cities like Last month, authorities in Myanmar had seized a boat talks, the pre-conditions from both sides are dangerous and nessed in 2014 elections and more recently in parliamentary Kabul, Balkh and Herat, it is also important to highlight that carrying 93 people fleeing from Rohingya camps in Rakhine the reason for ongoing conflict. elections. What needs to be done to address concerns regarding women are hardly found in public sphere in provinces like state, one of several boats attempting the journey to Malaysia. Taliban by continuing their attacks, specifically on civil- fraud and violence? Khost, Kandahar and Kunar. The latest departures come as Myanmar prepares to take ians, are trying to use their leverage of violence to force Afghan A. The independence of the Afghanistan Election Commission While Afghan government has legislations and polices in some of the refugees back after agreeing with Bangladesh to government to accept their pre-conditions. is one of the biggest challenges ahead of presidential election. place, and is accountable to international treaties, there is a start repatriations on Nov 15, despite widespread opposition Any pre-peace negotiation effort, either facilitated by a third A couple of months back, an election commissioner re- complete lack of political will at the provincial and district level. from global aid groups, who say that the time isn’t ripe for party (here U.S.) or held directly must conditionalize ceasefire. signed and spoke of the reason for his resignation, citing Women are not considered equal members of the society, they their repatriation. Any effort without ceasefire will be in vain as the call of victims lack of independence and interference of President in the are not considered important to be consulted and they are not of conflict will be ignored and ordinary people will continue to commission’s work. Since President Ghani is planning to run given any decision-making role. ‘Pakistan pay the high price of their lives. for the second time, he can definitely use the commission in Increasing insecurity, lack of implementation of law on ending The war in Afghanistan has now stretched into its 18th his favor if drastic reforms are not immediately introduced violence against women, and continuous discrimination and wants year with no end in sight. Why has the U.S. led coalition that in the commission. harassment against women at work places and in society are peace in invaded Afghanistan in 2001 failed in its mission to bring peace Secondly, in the 2018 parliamentary election, the election also some of the problems that women in this country are facing. to the war-ravaged country? commission failed to address the technical challenges in Kabul, Where do you see Afghanistan 10 years down the line? Afghanistan’ A. There are many narratives regarding the failure of the which is the capital and where accessibility is not a major issue. A. With an accountable government that has a vision of U.S. led coalition post 2001. Some of the major reasons would If the international community does not put pressure on peace, justice and inclusion, ensuring all citizens are safe and INTERNATIONAL Pakistan wishes to see peace beyond its be, blocking the space for Taliban to participate in 2001 Bonn the election commission for institutional changes, there can enjoying their most fundamental rights. deskborders, especially in the war-ravaged Afghanistan, senior Pakistani military official has said. Maj. Gen. Asif Ghafoor, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), briefing the foreign media about Hypocrisy of U.S. and its Mideast allies the security situation in Pakistan said Pakistan’s security 1 In Yemen, instead of denounc- spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, the tragedy to Israel’s warmongering. It is busy watching than 57,000 lives of Yemenis in addition to situation had largely improved due to “successful clearance ing Saudis for committing horrendous war was a result of “erroneous, unprofessional propaganda of Netanyahu at UN to defame the destruction of schools, hospitals, and operations”, adding that the country was now heading to- crimes, the U.S. has been supplying arms to and cowardly” acts from Israel. It is clear that the Islamic Republic of Iran. other infrastructure. wards stability. them. In Syria, U.S. has played a key role in any military action from Russia against Israel Not only is Israel threatening Iran but The famine in Yemen is worst in its history “Matters related to Pak-Afghan border and situation along stoking the flames of war by blaming Assad coulde hav definitely dragged the U.S. into the warmongers in Washington are also in where 8.4 million Yemenis are in extreme Line of Control (LoC) were also discussed,” said a statement government for killing his people, which is the war and such a military confrontation favor of military offensive against the Islamic hunger and another 22.2 million are facing issued by his office. far from truth. coulde hav had dangerous ramifications. republic. food shortages. Still, tje Saudi-led coalition He said the release of senior Taliban officials from Pakistani The U.S. and its Middle Eastern allies like But still no one in the West seems to blame Recently “Brian Hook”, the US State De- with the help of U.S. is intentionally ignor- prisons, including a co-founder of the movement, Mullah Saudi Arabia and the illegitimate regime of Israel for such dangerous provocation but partment’s director of policy planning and ing the proposed four-point peace plan from Ghani Baradar, was part of the peace process. Israel funded and armed ISIS and Al-Nusra they keep blaming Iran’s nuclear program. head of Iran Action Group, stated that Trump Iran which includes an immediate ceasefire, He said peaceful Afghanistan was in the interest of Pa- terrorists to overthrow the Assad government Israel enjoys the nuclear immunity de- administration is considering war against Iran humanitarian assistance, resumption of broad kistan, adding that Afghanistan is one of the few countries but as we know, they have miserably failed spite the fact that it is the only country in the if sanctions failed to curb Tehran’s influence national dialogue and establishment of a stable with which Pakistan has a trade surplus. to achieve their goals. Middle East that has nuclear weapons and and so-called threats against Washington. and friendly government. The relations between the two estranged neighbours have The defeat of the U.S. and its proxies is has even threatened to use them. The statement came just a day after Tehran The regime in Riyadh that wanted to crush seen improvement since the Imran Khan led government so embarrassing for them that Israel tried to Iranian Foreign Minister Javaid Zarif re- asserted that it did not seek a war with any the Yemeni resistance is now on the brink of took over in Islamabad. Khan, in his maiden address as divert the Syrian war to another front that sponded to the nuclear threat from Israel other nation. As American political analyst defeat but still, they are reluctant to agree the Prime Minister, had expressed his desire to open a new may have unleashed a nuclear catastrophe. saying: ‘Iran, a country without nuclear and author Stephen Lendman puts it, the on any peace plan. window of engagement with Afghanistan. The downing of Russian IL-20 military weapons, is threatened with atomic anni- U.S. would pay huge price if it goes to war The question remains: how long the world Last week Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood aircraft in September 2018 could have become hilation by a warmonger standing next to with Iran. is going to tolerate the hypocrisy of the U.S. Qureshi also reiterated his government’s resolve to improve a new “Pearl Harbor” if Putin announced a an actual nuclear weapons factory. Beyond The humanitarian catastrophes in Yemen and its allies in the Middle East. ties with Afghanistan, terming it a ‘top priority’. military response against the coward act of shameless in the gall.” is the handiwork of the U.S. and its ally Saudi The author is a Kashmir based writer and Israel. According to Russian Foreign Ministry But the West led by U.S. is paying no heed Arabia. Till now the conflict has cost more researcher. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 6, 2018 ANALYSIS & INTERVIEW 7 Tel Aviv’s ‘northern shield’ operation’s West return to 2007: objective in Lebanon border Europe’s anger over incompetent politicians By Mohammad Ghaderi sought to uncover Hezbollah tunnels, and in southern Syria, the movements of this TEHRAN — As the Zionists fear of Leba- regime have not stopped in the occupied nese Hezbollah’s power increases day by day, the Golan Heights. But what’s significant they make military drills to practice the real is Netanyahu’s domestic situation, which is battle with the Lebanese resistance’s group. in deep crisis, due to the change of battle rule On December 4, 2018, Zionists launched an as his minister of defense’ resignation, and operation dubbed “Northern Shield” to dis- on the other hand because of the Netanyahu cover the Hezbollah cross-border tunnels. and his wife’s corruption scandal. On Tuesday, the Chief of General Staff of the In addition, in the regional and inter- Israel Defense Forces Gadi Eizenkot called off national affairs, the imposition of the US his trip to Germany due to Israel Prime Min- sanctions against Iran has failed. ister Benjamin Netanyahu’s special meeting The Zionist regime is aware of the dan- with the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo gerous changes in the conflict rules with the in Brussels, the Zionist media reported. resistance group in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, In fact, Netanyahu, who was scared of and it knows too well that in the case of war, the Palestinian resistance after his defeat, the three resistance groups will unite against 1 They can clearly see that the adoption of such policies has taken measures to restore his domestic their common enemy. has had no effects on improving their economic conditions. The image, especially since charges were brought Hezbollah has always proclaimed readi- existing economic crisis continues to be felt in everyday life of against him about corruption and bribery. ness to confront any Zionist adventure and European citizens. The rise of the signs of the financial crisis With the start of the Zionists military has a strategic capability that can complete in Europe, and the decline in credit ratings, and the growth of movements on their border with Lebanon, the deterrence equation and deter attacks unemployment in countries that continue to be affected by the the Lebanese army and the United Nations against the enemy. Hezbollah has also re- financial crisis, have created many social crises in Europe. Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, were UNIFIL troops are on standby in Lebanon. Lebanese security forces closely monitor cently revealed strategic objectives within The protests that are taking place today in France and other on standby. The Lebanese army issued a Israel’s threats do not change anything, es- the situation. the occupied Palestine that has the situation European countries are not merely an objection to rising fuel statement to the military movements of the pecially since residents of the border village Meanwhile, John Bolton, the US National under their nose. prices or tax increases for low-income groups. It is a protest Zionist regime near the occupied Palestinian are always threatened anyways.” Security Advisor defended the Zionist regime Expert’s view against the unstable economic structure of the European Union border with Lebanon. UNIFIL also released a statement that movement against the Hezbollah cross-bor- Rafat Badawi, Lebanese analyst told El- and the Eurozone. Lebanese army statement to Tel said, “The overall situation in UNIFIL’s area der tunnels. nashra, “The outcry of the Zionist enemy is a Emmanuel Macron, the young French president, as an econo- Aviv’s military movement of operation remains calm and peace-keeping The White House supports the illegitimate shout of fear and horror, and propaganda and mist, promised to redefine the existing economic structure in the The statement reads, “The situation on forces have boosted their patrols along the child of the Middle East media devices are not important for misleading Eurozone, with regard to the current economic crisis. However, the Lebanese side is calm and stable, and it is blue line alongside the Lebanese armed forces Bolton in a tweet message wrote, “U.S. public opinion on either side. What the Zionist Macron himself has now become the symbol of crisis in Europe! being scrutinized, despite the fact that Israel in order to maintain stability and prevent strongly supports Israel’s right to defend its regime was doing on December 4 in a search The economic crisis in European countries doesn’t limit to launched Northern Shield operation over any movement that could lead to tension. sovereignty, calls on Hezbollah to refrain of northern occupied Palestine, claiming the austerity policies! The external debt crisis in the European coun- the alleged Hezbollah’s tunnels in southern UNIFIL’s commander, Dick Cole, is in close from escalation and violence and to stop discovery of a tunnel linked to Lebanon was to tries should also be added to the economic and credit crises in Lebanon on Tuesday morning. The Lebanese contact with all the Lebanese armed forces digging tunnels into Israel’s soil. mislead the public inside Israel and misguide the West. The crisis is heavily extended in countries like Italy, army forces are stationed in the region for and the Israeli army, and wants all sides to He also asked Iran and its allies to stop the IDF from crises. Israel is not able and won’t causing a lot of trouble for other member states of the Euro- normal border missions, in cooperation maintain calm. UNIFIL watches the blue line taking provocative actions in the region that dare to confront Hezbollah. Since the Zionist zone. The economic cohesion of the Eurozone member states with UN forces in Lebanon, to prevent any around the clock and reports all violations of could threaten Israel. regime has always been the cause of instability has fueled this trend. tensions or instability in southern Lebanon. Security Council resolution 1701.” Exploring the objectives of Zi- in the region, it is unlikely that the green light In any case, it seems that the patience of European citizens The Lebanese army is ready to deal with any Lebanese President Michel Aoun also onist’s operation on Lebanon boarder of the U.S. will bring about moves aimed at has come to an end. As noted, according to the predictions, these possible incidents.” contacted Nabih Berri, the Speaker of the By looking at the Zionist military moves, disturbing the situation.” crises were to be resolved before 2012, and economic growth On the recent Israel’s movement, Ali Ram- Parliament of Lebanon, Saad al-Hariri, the we realize that Israeli’s operations are not a Given the strength of the Lebanese resist- symbols was to be replaced by austerity symbols. But at the mo- mal, mayor of Adaisseh village in southern Lebanese Prime Minister, and Joseph Aoun new issue or surprising change in terms of mil- ance, Hezbollah’s Secretary General Seyed ment, there is little indication of economic growth in European Lebanon said: “The situation of the settlements commander-in-chief of the Lebanese Armed itary and security affairs, because the Zionist Hassan Nasrallah has given a definite answer, countries, and austerity policies remain strong. and border areas is quite natural despite the Forces, and during these calls, he assessed military actions in the lines of confrontation “It is unlikely that the Zionists carry out a Finally, it should be concluded that the European countries, operation of the Israeli army on the other the situation with regard to the scope of the on the border of the occupied territories have stupid act, because they know they will have especially the EU member states, have no choice but to “self-de- side of the border. Lebanese army forces and Zionist operations and requested that the not stopped at all. In Gaza, Israel is always to face devastating consequences.” struct” their economic foundations and replace them with new patterns. If European officials continue to insist on existing methods and economic models, they will be doomed to failure in the near future. In this case, nationalist groups and far-right Free Bahraini women activists extremists will dominate Europe’s political, economic, social and security equations, and this would definitely be a terrible TEHRAN (FNA) — Despite so-called democratic reforms, The same is true about European governments. If they nightmare for those like Merkel and Macron. some 1,000 Bahraini women activists are still behind bars want to promote human rights and democracy in Bahrain in the Al-Khalifa regime’s prisons. then they must first stop weaponizing the Al Khalifa and other According to Bahrain’s Al-Wefaq party, some 994 women repressive regimes in the Persian Gulf. They face particular who demand the establishment of democracy, social justice criticism over their sales of weapons to Saudi Arabia, which and freedom in the country are currently in jail. is leading a dirty war against Yemen in alliance with other Iran at the crossroad of 1398 They are subject to the most repressive and discrim- Persian Gulf Arab states, including Bahrain. inatory actions. This includes the worst forms of torture To make things worse, the United Nations is yet to scruti- budget and incarceration. The regime has also stripped some nise arms exports, much less say it likely that American and mothers of their nationality without paying attention to European weapons have been used to violate International the situation of their children and families. Law in Bahrain. The Bahraini regime, and to a greater extent, The glaring absence of human rights from the West’s the Saudis stand accused of bombing civilian objects like arms sales to Bahrain and diplomatic support at the United international hospitals, as well as schools, wedding parties Nations has only embolden further such violations in Bah- and food factories in Yemen. So far, tens of thousands have rain where the regime flouts the rights of men and women and are encouraging reform. These are the same discus- been killed in Saudi-led, U.S.-backed air strikes. activists - its own people - in the name of security and in sions and reforms that have led to the imprisonment of All in all, Western arms trade and diplomatic support breach of International Humanitarian Law. so many women. These are the very same reforms that provide the destructive hardware and software used in human The regime imprisons women using counter terror- the Trump administration has used as an excuse to turn rights abuses, atrocities and conflicts in Bahrain in particu- ism as an excuse. It uses the same excuse to ruthless- a blind eye to Bahrain’s abuse of women activists. lar and across the Middle East in general. It undermines ly crush and persecute critics, peaceful dissidents and After all, this is a country where even the U.S. government democracy and reforms, contributing to the repression and human rights defenders. Even as protesters are killed, accepts that serious human rights abuses and atrocities are suffering of millions. detained and tortured, the Trump administration has taking place, yet it is still pushing arms to the regime. It It is high time for the United Nations to call for regulation approved multi-billion-dollar arms deals with Bahrain. is not that hard to know what atrocities and abuses these of arms sales to Bahrain and a resolution that demands the 1 I think market observers and participants have become This brazen disregard for human rights, people’s right arms may fuel, or who they will be used against. All the regime frees all women prisoners immediately. The world accustomed in the past decades to market power lying with the of sovereignty and international norms will only serve U.S. needs to do is go through various reports by human body needs to take action to stop a dictatorial regime that producer “sell-side”, and secondly, has come to believe that it is to further embolden the regime in Manama in its pursuit rights organizations that openly condemn rights abuses in has taken a nation hostage on a tiny Persian Gulf island, OPEC, rather than Wall Street, who controls prices. During the of “security” and “legitimacy” at the expense of its own Bahrain. The U.S. will no doubt tell the world how rigorous where people are getting killed and tortured only because financial crisis the oil price gyrated in 2 years from $80 to $140 to people’s basic rights. and robust its system supposedly is, but it is actively arming they demand true and geniune elections to exercise their $35 and back to $80 barrel while the physical oil supplies varied Meantime, Western governments insist that they are and supporting one of the most brutal dictatorships in the right of sovereignty to see respect for their human rights by less than 3%. While OPEC made increasingly panicked cuts, continuing to discuss human rights issues with Bahrain, Persian Gulf. and get rid of “an illegitimate regime”. the true reason for these movements was financial. The reason for the spike was a financial bubble in prices funded by Wall Street, and the reason for the 2008 collapse was quite simply that while physical demand existed buyers were unable to access Exploring U.S. military aggression against Syrian Al-Sukhnah trade finance from banks to pay for oil. By Ramin Hossein Abadian The U.S. also sent a message to Syrian What is now happening, according to Chris Cook, Senior Re- authorities with its recent aggressive attack search Fellow at University College London, is that once again TEHRAN – On Monday, The Syrian Arab on Al-Sukhnah that despite their diplomatic the oil market price has been inflated by finance capital, except News Agency (SANA) reported the U.S.-led efforts, Washington will not allow the Zionist this time we see consumers (the buy-side) react by attempting to coalition, once again, fired several missiles interests to be jeopardized as its principal seize market power. Mr. Cook points out that China saw their oil at Syrian army positions in the east of Syria ally in the region. costs rise from mid-2017 by well over $100bn a year, while other which claimed no life but caused damages. U.S. giving the cold shoulder to Asian buyers (and the EU!) suffered proportionally. More to the SANA said the positions targeted Sunday trilateral agreement point he observes that China has launched a new benchmark oil night are in the Ghorab Mountains south Perhaps the most important message of contract in Shanghai and has meanwhile built colossal storage of the eastern town of Al-Sukhnah. The the U.S. aggressive attack on the Syrian city capacity as well as very considerable export refining capacity. missiles were fired from the U.S. military of Al-Sukhnah in the Homs Governorate has He believes that China is essentially sanction-proof and hence base near Syrian border with Iraq and Jor- been addressed in the recent Astana Summit in a position to act as Buyer of last Resort, and then to undercut dan. American attacks on Syria are in the on the Syrian Crisis. Americans, who have global market prices in gasoline. form of a so-called anti-ISIL coalition since largely refused to attend the Astana Summit So I agree with Mr. Cook that we will, in the absence of U.S. 2014, the very beginning of the coalition’s to resolve the Syrian crisis, after each meeting adventurism in the Persian Gulf, see the market price of crude oil founding. have taken hostile action in Syria, as a way fall during 2019 below $50/barrel and stay there for some time. The fact is that U.S. has not bombed any of ignoring the organizers. How should Iran respond particularly with regard to its 1398 area in Syria, unless they were of great stra- This time round, Washington, by adopting budget? In my view, Iran should, like Qatar, leave OPEC and tegic importance. a hostile military policy, broke a trilateral commence to supply oil, (rather than sell it) to refineries in ex- Strategic importance of Al- between east and south of Syria. in favor of the resistance forces. agreement between Tehran, Ankara and change for a supply of oil products. Or better still, instead of Sukhnah It is also important to note that the city of The supporting massage for the Moscow. The U.S. message was sent to the taking delivery of products, to accept in exchange Energy Credit Al-Sukhnah is a town in eastern Syria Al-Sukhnah is located in an area where the Zionist in Syria participants at the Astana Summit, which, Obligation (ECO), which would be credits issued by refiners and under the administration of the Homs gov- most important Syrian oil and gas wells are, The U.S. attack on Al-Sukhnah occurred despite the three states’ agreements at the accepted by them from customers instead of U.S. dollars, euros ernorate, located east of Homs in the Syrian including Al Heel and Al-Sha’er. Undoubtedly, following the Zionist regime aggression on recent round of the Syrian peace negotiations, or domestic currency. Unlike Venezuela’s Petro such an ECO is Desert. The domination of the U.S. and Zion- the Americans and the West have kept an Syria on November 30, 2018. Syria’s air Washington imperiously has a military solu- not only based on useful products such as gasoline or diesel, but ist backed-Takfiri group can help the West eye on these fields. defense system not only was not affected tion for the Damascus government. may actually be used to pay for them. achieve their objectives there. Part of the The field equation is changing by the surprise Zionist attack but destroyed It is clear that Washington’s goals in Mr. Cook highlighted an important fact for me that, such strategic importance of Al-Sukhnah is due in favor of resistance group their missiles. Syria have failed, and after eight years of an ECO offers would be a simple but radical instrument for a to its proximity to Deir al-Zour and Tadmur Following an intense battle about 15 Following the Zionist aggression, the Syrian crisis in Syria, the U.S. has not been able to subsidy distributed to Iranians as an Energy Dividend rather (Palmyra) in the southwest. months ago, the Syrian army liberated the Foreign Ministry condemned the occupying implement its sinister projects in the coun- than current distributions of inflationary cash Rial. Therefore, this geographic location is town of Al-Sukhnah, which was the last power and sent out separate messages to the try. From now on, it does not seem that the In conclusion, I believe that a combination of energy swaps well illustrated by the fact that the city of major ISIS stronghold in Homs province. UN Secretary-General and chairman of the Americans, despite the continuation of their and ECOs could enable Iran to transcend sanctions and make Al-Sukhnah connects the city of Tadmur and The strategic achievement has changed the Security Council and requested their aid to aggression, would gain political or military the transition from the volatile & cyclical oil commodity market Deir al-Zour which themselves close the gap equation of battle against Takfiri terrorists stop the Zionist regime’s attacks. achievement in Syria. to a new global market in energy as a service. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 8 ADVERTISEMENTS DECEMBER 6, 2018

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‘More budget needed for Health ministry envisages raising subsidies for special supporting HIV/AIDS patients’ diseases HEALTH TEHRAN — the health ministry plans to deskraise the budget reserved for special and severe HEALTH TEHRAN — The head Positive clubs are tasked to teach the diseases by 20% to increase the amount of subsidies for such deskof AIDS committee at patients techniques for living positively with diseases’ medicine, said Food and the Welfare Organization has called on HIV, creating jobs, conducting recreational Drug Administration Director the Ministry of Labor, Welfare and Social activities and partially covering the patient’s Gholamreza Asghari. Security to help increase the budget for medical expenses, Barati-Sadeh highlighted. “By the fluctuations of foreign HIV/AIDS patients. “This year, we were supposed to provide currency rate, the price of special Farid Barati-Sadeh said that it is not 4,500 patients with services, but due to diseases’ drugs have risen, so we possible to provide HIV patients with budget shortage we covered around 4,300 have to take new measures to adequate services with current allocations people. Next year, we have to give service compensate for the added pric- amounting to around $1.4 million, Tasnim to 5,000 according to the AIDS strategic es,” he said. news agency reported on Tuesday. national plan, and we hope we’ll be able to According to Asghari, the “According to the five-year AIDS strategic do it,” said Barati-Sadeh. proposal to raise the budget national plan, around $11.9 million was “Out of the total population diagnosed for special diseases’ medicine supposed to be appropriated for the purpose, with HIV, only 5 to 6 thousands have is not yet approved, but upon but unfortunately, it was not assigned,” said approached the Welfare Organization for its approval, the current budget which stands at around $3.8 Barati-Sadeh. receiving services; the rest, were fortunate million will extend to $4.7 million, IRNA reported on Wednesday. “Over the last year which was the third enough not to need the services or were In November, The Iranian Medical Council (IRIMC) called year of the AIDS strategic national plan, unable to approach the organization,” on United Nations Secretary General António Guterres to lift only $700,000 was allocated, and over he added. sanctions hampering medicine importation to Iran. the current year only a small amount was On November 21, Deputy Health According to the letter, Illegal economic sanctions imposed appropriated,” he said. Minister Alireza Raeisi announced that against Iran by the U.S. which is limiting international trade in “The AIDS strategic national plan has annually 2,000 new AIDS/HIV patients pharmaceutical industry has seriously reduced Iran’s accessibility 15 clauses and has defined all the services, are diagnosed and the diagnosis rate is to medical services, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment. activities and expenses attributed to the expected to double in future years. patients, but the plan is not being carried According to Raeisi, the annual costs out because no organization has officially “The AIDS strategic national plan has 15 incurred by every AIDS/HIV patient is undertaken the task,” he added. clauses and has defined all the services, around $14,000 to $16,000. Liver health in HIV: This gene Barati-Sadeh announced the “positive The ministry of health’s center for clubs” affiliated to the Welfare Organization activities and expenses attributed to the communicable diseases management indicates new therapeutic targets in various provinces are still offering services patients, but the plan is not being carried has announced that by the end of the to people with HIV/AIDS and their family previous Iranian calendar year (March A gene that helped protect our ancestors from a devastating plague members, but some of them are on the verge out because no organization has officially 2018) some 37,650 had been diagnosed outbreak may also help protect liver health in people with HIV, of closing down due to budget shortage. undertaken the task.” with HIV/AIDS in Iran. a new study finds. Researchers look to a key genetic mutation to find better treatments for liver scarring in HIV. 300 new home care centers to start operation The bubonic plague, or the “black death,” most likely wiped HEALTH TEHRAN — There are 704 licensed the statute passed in July but small changes will be made. out about half of the population of Medieval Europe. deskhome health care centers operating in 30 “The home care services will be delivered in the form of Some studies have shown that people who survived outbreaks provinces and 300 new centers have received authorization to some packages. For example, a stroke patient will receive of the plague in the past most likely had a mutation, called the start work, the deputy health minister for nursing announced. its own specific package. There are four different packages CCR5-delta 32, in the CCR5 gene. Three provinces of Tehran, Khorasan Razavi and Kerman for stroke, heart defects, cancers and respiratory diseases,” Now, researchers at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio, have the largest number of such home care centers, said Hazrati added. the University of Maryland in College Park, and the Research Maryam Hazrati. “Many patients don’t need prolonged admission in the Triangle Institute near Bethesda, NC, are looking at whether the According to Hazrati, these services were not funded hospital and only require some special cares that can be same genetic mutation could help protect people with HIV and by the insurance, but with the recent statute passed in July provided at home. Hospitalization of such patients, will hepatitis C from life-threatening liver damage. by Salamat health insurance organization, the services are not only lead to the exceeding number of occupied beds in The investigators — led by Dr. Kenneth Sherman — worked now covered by insurance, IRNA reported on Thursday. hospitals, but it will also raise the risk of hospital-acquired with two groups of participants: the first cohort had enrolled “The insurance companies may have to cope with some infection in patients,” Hazrati further noted. in the Multicenter Hemophilia Cohort Study, and the second pressure at first, but with the implementation of this plan, According to World Health Organization, home care cohort was taking part in a clinical trial for an experimental less people will go to the hospitals, reducing unnecessary could be a sustainable approach to prevent the need for drug treating HIV. tests and health consultations,” said Hazrati. unnecessary acute or long-term institutionalization and The new study’s findings appear in the journal Clinical Infectious The insurance coverage of home care agencies will be first security insurance and medical science universities, she to maintain people in their homes and communities Diseases. piloted for six months by Salamat health insurance, social said, adding that the coverage amount is generally based on as long as possible. A genetic mutation with surprising benefits In the first part of the study, the team analyzed data from participants in the Multicenter Hemophilia Cohort Study, which included people who, in the 1980s, received treatment for hemophilia Latest heart disease treatment technology Efforts of 1b volunteers in the world to (a bleeding disorder). introduced at CTO, CASPIAN meetings leave no one behind: Guterres At that time, these people came into contact with improperly sanitized medical objects that carried HIV and the hepatitis C virus. HEALTH TEHRAN — The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio desk “If [these individuals] did not succumb to complications of latest technology ap- Guterres in his message on the International HIV early on, many of them went on to have rapidly progressive plied in treatment of heart diseases is Volunteer Day for Economic and Social liver disease that we now know occurs in the setting of untreated introduced at the 2nd Iran Coronary Development, 5 December 2018, while hepatitis C and HIV infection,” explains Dr. Sherman. Total Occlusion (CTO) meeting and emphasizing on the diverse and dynam- “This is a group that has a rapid progression of liver fibrosis. the 2nd International Congenital and ic role of volunteerism in promoting the The question we asked,” he says, “Is there is a subset of people who Structural Percutaneous Interventions Sustainable Development Goals, thanked carry the gene that leads to a defect in CCR5, which is a receptor Annual Meeting, also known as CAS- 1 billion volunteers in the world for their for some key elements of the immune system that modulate PIAN meeting. efforts to leave no one behind. inflammation?’” The two CTO, CASPIAN meetings which The full text of his message reads: Looking at this cohort, the researchers focused on the data are underway in the city of Mashhad, Kho- There are approximately 1 billion vol- of those who had provided all the relevant health information rasan Razavi province, are held in collab- unteers across the globe, who dedicate their for a period of 4 years. oration with Euro CTO Club, European time, skills and passion to make the world In this group, the scientists tried to find those who showed Bifurcation Club (EBC) and TOBI as well ed on Wednesday, Tasnim news agency a better place. They are often the first to women and youth to participate in peace- signs of liver fibrosis (scarring) — which indicates damage in as CSI Foundation and is organized by quoted Shabestari as saying. act in moments of crisis. They create social building efforts. In Tuvalu, UN volunteers this organ — and whether or not they carried the CCR5-delta Razavi International Hospital. Some 30 treatment methods will be bonds and give a voice to marginalized and have collaborated with the Ministry of Health 32 genetic mutation. The director of Astan Qods Razavi also discussed at the meetings, he added. vulnerable groups. And as the theme of this to strengthen community safeguards against CCR5-delta 32, the team explains, supports the health of people health foundation, Mahmoud Shabestari, Reza Saeedi, chief of Razavi Interna- year’s observance highlights, they help build tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. with HIV because it affects the CCR5 receptor. This is the main explained that representatives from 21 tional Hospital, also said that the pres- resilient communities, equipping people The diverse and dynamic role of vol- “gateway” that the virus uses to enter specialized immune cells countries will introduce the latest tech- ence of international guest from Europe against natural disasters, political instabil- unteerism in promoting the Sustainable and destroy them. nology available in treatment of heart de- is signifying that sanctions imposed on ity, economic shocks and other pressures. Development Goals merits strong support “Our belief was that this gene mutation would confer an fects in association with 20 Universities Iran are not “serious”. In Malawi, UN volunteers have worked from Governments and other stakeholders. advantage to individuals who have it in terms of their lowered of medical sciences nationwide. The main objective of the meetings are as interpreters, connecting refugees to insti- On this International Day, I thank volunteers risk of developing progressive liver fibrosis,” Dr. Sherman says. Specialists will deliver more than 300 knowledge exchange so that live angiog- tutions that provide assistance. In Sri Lanka, for their efforts to leave no one behind. He adds, “We matched patients with and without the lectures over the 2-day meeting which start- raphy will be performed, he concluded. they have helped develop a project to empower (Source: UNIC) gene mutation and used measures of hepatic fibrosis that involved the use of a biomarker panel called the ELF Index (enhanced liver fibrosis).” Researchers find new drug combo to challenge cancer “It turned out that the patients who had the mutation appeared to have less fibrosis progression by the measure that we used Researchers have discovered that a particular drug Coming up with a new drug investigators found that they had additional phosphate groups, than those who did not have the mutation.” combination may have a more significant effect against Prof. Raines and the researchers working in his laboratory which attach through a process known as “phosphorylation,” “That was evidence that the presence of a CCR5 mutation melanoma, a type of cancer that typically occurs in the have been studying ribonucleases for about 20 years, with and which seemed to give them the extra strength. was possibly altering the rates of fibrosis progression in patients skin, than other medications. the aim of producing a new cancer drug. Moreover, the phosphorylation occurred thanks to the infected with hepatitis C and HIV.” New research finds that a novel drug combination may be At the same time, the research team has also been studying action of protein kinases, which form part of a signaling Promising clinical trial results more effective against some cancers than previous therapies. the “ribonuclease inhibitor,” which is the protein that blocks pathway dubbed “ERK,” which also happens to be overactive The participants in the second cohort included people with According to recent studies, one of the best ways of ribonucleases. These proteins negatively affect cells if their in many cancer cells. HIV but no known liver disease. These had joined a clinical trial blocking melanoma is by administering protein kinase activity is not limited. Two protein kinase inhibitors used in the treatment of testing Cenicriviroc, an experimental drug that can block the inhibitors, which prevent the action of certain specialized The ribonuclease inhibitor bound to ribonuclease had a melanoma — trametinib and dabrafenib — can block this CCR5 receptor and so potentially stop HIV’s activity. enzymes. half-life (measurement of how long a substance can maintain pathway. These observations allowed the researchers to Cenicriviroc is also able to block another, similar receptor The main downside of treating people with this type its activity) of at least 3 months, Prof. Raines explains. find the link between ribonucleases and protein kinases, called CCR2. of cancer with protein kinase inhibitors is that they often “That means that should ribonuclease invade cells, there which suggests a new, double line of attack against cancer. After 1 year of taking the experimental drug, the participants acquire resistance to the drugs, making them ineffective. is an unbelievable defense system,” he adds. “This was a fortuitous intersection of two different strategies who had taken higher doses showed fewer signs of liver fibrosis, However, researchers from the Massachusetts Institute To create a ribonuclease anti-cancer drug that they could because we reasoned that if we could use these drugs to deter suggesting that they had become less exposed to liver failure. of Technology in Cambridge, believe they may have found test in trials, the researchers altered ribonuclease so that the phosphorylation of ribonuclease inhibitor, then we could “If CCR5 and/or CCR2 lead to a decrease in fibrosis regardless a way to boost the effect of protein kinase inhibitors and its inhibitors would bind less tightly to it, giving the bound make the ribonucleases more potent at killing cancer cells.” of the source of it, we can prevent the consequences of liver injury,” prevent resistance to them. molecules a half-life of just a few seconds. A promising new approach notes Dr. Sherman. The specialists suggest that combining protein kinase The team explains that in a phase I clinical trial, the When testing this hypothesis in human melanoma cells, “Medications that people take for HIV treatment sometimes inhibitors with ribonuclease drugs could improve melanoma ribonuclease drug has successfully stabilized cancer in the researchers found that they were on the right path. A cause fatty liver, and other forms of liver injury,” he warns. treatment. approximately 20 percent of participants. combination of kinase inhibitors and ribonuclease was more “We don’t have agents that protect the liver from nonspecific Ribonucleases can “unravel” RNA, a molecule that helps to ’Fortuitous intersection of 2 strategies’ effective against cancer cells, and the researchers administered injury at this time,” Dr. Sherman adds, saying, “If CCR5 and CCR2 encode and decode genes, as well as regulate gene expression. In the current study, the researchers decided to develop them at lower concentrations. are central to the pathways that lead to liver scarring then perhaps They also put up a “shield” against viral RNA, which is the the ribonuclease inhibitor in human cells rather than in The kinase inhibitor stopped the phosphorylation of that injury can be modulated through CCR5 and CCR2 blockade.” genetic material of certain aggressive viruses. Escherichia coli (E. coli), which had been their approach ribonuclease, both facilitating its activity against RNA, and If future research offers additional evidence about the effec- “We discovered that this ribonuclease drug could be paired up until that point. rendering it less potentially harmful to cell health. tiveness of drugs targeting the two key receptors, this may change favorably with other cancer chemotherapeutic agents, and The researchers found that this version could establish Eventually, the investigators aim to test this approach the face of HIV treatments in order to better protect liver health. not only that, the pairing made logical sense in terms of the bonds that were 100 times stronger than the inhibitors in people with cancer, hoping that the new drug combo will “It is possible that someday all patients with HIV may be underlying biochemistry,” explains Prof. Ronald Raines, produced in E. coli, though the proteins were structurally prevent cancer tumors from becoming treatment-resistant. treated with a blocking agent as part of their HIV drug cocktail senior author of the new study. identical. The first step, however, will be to test the combination designed to protect the liver and regain and maintain liver health,” The researchers report their findings in the current issue When they looked into why the ribonuclease inhibitors in a mouse model. Dr. Sherman suggests. of the Molecular Cancer Therapeutics journal. produced in human cells established such tight bonds, the (Source: Medical News Today) (Source: SG Talk) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 10 HERITAGE & TOURISM DECEMBER 6, 2018 ‘Iran medical services could Systematic analysis begins on Tappeh Borj findings serve Lithuanians’ TOURISM TEHRAN — Head of neighboring countries into Iran,” he added. deskHonorary Consulate of “Like any other European country, I am Lithuania in Iran has said the Iranian medical sure that Lithuanian tourists will be excited industry could attract patients from Lithuania to see Iranian cities such as Shiraz, Kerman or other European countries. and Isfahan,” he explained. The level of medical equipment and knowl- Talking about foreign arrivals in Lithuania, edge of Iranian physicians can be considered Karimi Tabbasi said the European country as a good factor for attracting medical tourists hosted 2.5 million tourists in 2017. from Europe, especially from Lithuania, Mehr Establishing non-stop flights was another quoted Mohsen Karimi Tabbasi as saying issue he touched upon, saying, “There is still on Tuesday. no direct flight between the Islamic Republic “Last year, India managed to earn $400 of Iran and Lithuania but we are negotiating million worth of revenues … the Islamic Re- with the Iranian Civil Aviation Organization public of Iran can also earn high revenues to launch [flights] if possible.” in in this lucrative industry due to its high Iran’s medical tourist arrivals has nearly level of medical and healthcare services espe- doubled in the first three months of the cially in its equipped hospitals and medical current Iranian calendar year, correspond- HERITAGE TEHRAN — A team of Iranian archaeologists treatment centers.” ing to spring 2018, from a year earlier, an desk has commenced an in-depth systematic anal- For the time being, a majority of medical official with the Ministry of Health said ysis on Tappeh Borj, an archaeological site in and health travelers to Iran are from Iraq, in September. northeast of the country. Azerbaijan, Armenia and the Persian Gulf The 2019 Travel Risk Map, which shows Tens of experts of various historical periods are contributing littoral states. the risk level around the world, has considered to the survey which embraces the Neolithic, the Chalcolithic, the “Focusing on health tourism is of our main Iran as safe as the UK, Denmark, Switzerland, Bronze Age, prehistoric and Islamic eras as well, ILNA reported. priorities … and we are going to bring medical Norway, Finland and some other countries The survey covers some 13 ha of land and findings it had tourists from Lithuania and then from its in its “insignificant risk” category. yielded before, the report added. It is the initial stage of a long-term project being pursued [and carried out] by the University of Neyshabur under close supervision of the Research Center for Iranian Cultural Herit- Seminar discusses geometric patterns “L’Artigiano in Fiera”: Iranian crafters age Handicrafts. Back in November, a human skeleton, which dates from some 5,500 years ago, was put on show at a museum in Islamic art show skills in Milan of archaeology in Neyshabur. The skeleton was unearthed in 2004 while archaeologists were digging a trench in Tappeh Borj. Neyshabur, situated 74 km west of Mashhad, has shifted its position repeatedly in historical times. American excavations in 1934–40 disclosed rich remains of both the Seljuq and pre-Seljuq periods in the locality.

Yel Suyi relics under restoration

HERITAGE TEHRAN — The Is- CHTN reported. HERITAGE TEHRAN — A select ceramics, potteries, precious stones & desklamic Azad University, Geometric patterns occur in a variety deskof Iranian artisans are semi-precious gemstones will be amongst Kerman branch, turned the spotlight on of forms in Islamic art and architecture in Milan, Italy, demonstrating skills at the Iranian offerings. geometric patterns and designs in Islamic including stained glass, kilim carpets, 23rd International Craft Selling Exhibition The Touring & Automobile Club of the art during a two-day seminar held on De- Persian girih, tilework, ceramics, leather, (L’Artigiano in Fiera), which is running Islamic Republic of Iran runs the coun- cember 4 and 5. The seminar was attend- woodwork, and metalwork. from December 1 to 9. try’s pavilion that covers over 240 square ed by Jean-Marc Castera, an established Such decorations are often created on 26 crafters from Iran are attending meters in area. French expert in Islamic geometric art, who combinations of repeated squares and the event making various handicrafts The fair shows the best of Italian and scrutinized connections between math- circles, which may be overlapped and in front of live audiences, CHTN re- worldwide handicraft and artisan work. ematics, arts and geometric arabesques. interlaced, to form intricate and com- ported. The distinctive feature of this event is the Professional workshops and field studies plex patterns. These may constitute the Woodcarving, needlework, leather- variety of products on display that come across the southcentral Iranian city were entire decoration or may retreat into the work, and glassware productions along from all over the world and cover an infinite amongst programs embedded in the event, background around other motifs. with traditional jewelries, miniatures, range of categories. HERITAGE TEHRAN — A team of local restores has deskstarted working on relics, which have so far been excavated from a ruined fortress in Yel Suyi, northwestern Ardebil province. Meet the designers behind some of the world’s The relics that are in both metal and earthen forms will go on display at an archaeology museum after being rehabilitat- ed, Karim Lotfi, a provincial tourism official, said on Tuesday, most beautiful hotels CHTN reported. “Restoration processes are being carried out The dazzling mosaic-bar of Bar Trigona at the Four Seasons there that will last for maybe another few decades. I think in accordance with the defined principles and instructions…. Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, the Italian-chic, cinema-themed that is something quite unique, but also quite a challenge.” And up to the moment, work on 80 objects has been completed.” Paper Moon Giardino restaurant in Milan, the beach resort Restaurants are also stimulating projects for AB Concept. Last month, an Iron Age tomb was unearthed in Yel Suyi during chic of the Rosewood Sanya in China. In London, the agency’s stylish touch can be seen in the a survey aimed to probe history of the ancient site. They’re all the work of a Hong Kong duo, interior design- marble pillars and blossom-accented interiors of Mei Ume, Located in Germi county, Yel Suyi is mostly associated with er Ed Ng and architect Terence Ngan, who founded their in the Four Seasons Hotel at Ten Trinity Square in London. the early Islamic era. business AB Concept 20 years ago and have forged a career This sushi fushion spot was AB Concept’s first project creating some of the swankiest hotel spaces around the globe in the British capital. To celebrate two decades of work, the pair’s greatest Restaurants are collaborative projects, which is why ROUND THE GLOBE hits have been compiled into a new book, “AB Concept: A they’re particularly appealing to the design duo. cultural journey through light, form and space,” published “In most of the cases, I mean almost in all cases, a great by Assouline. chef is a very creative, another creative mind. So you always Jongmyo Shrine Ng tells CNN Travel his work with Ngan began two decades find some very interesting chemistry with them,” says Ng. ago, as students in Hong Kong, when they were introduced When creating a design for a restaurant, there are specific Jongmyo is a shrine housing the spirit tablets of the former through a mutual friend. considerations at play. kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty. “We realized we see a lot of things in common,” Ng says. “The culture, the building itself, all the food concepts,” Located in South Korea, the shrine is a symbolic structure “We have common aesthetics.” Paper Moon Giardino, Milan, Italy is a Milanese restau- Ng adds. that conveys the legitimacy of the royal family, where the king They were both keen to have their own businesses and rant has been serving classic Italian food for 40 years. AB Those references, however, are always filtered through visited regularly to participate in the ancestral rites to wish decided to partner up. Since then, their inimitable style has Concept redecorated the space for the 40th anniversary. AB Concept’s particular point of view. for the safety and security of the people and state. transformed bars and restaurants at Four Seasons, Rose- “People are looking for us to design a space, to take leaps Jongmyo is the oldest and most authentic of the Confucian wood, Mandarin Oriental and Shangri-La hotels worldwide. to work on very unique projects, destinations and to interact as the spatial designer,” says Ng. They’ve worked on private residences too, but Ng says with the local team,” he says. “I always explain that we are here not to tell my story, that creating hotels is a particularly dynamic experience. Ng says he often finds himself designing a hotel in a but I am telling the story of that restaurant, telling the story “It’s something very culturally specific [...] It will also location he’s never visited before. of that hotel, just through my aesthetics.” bring you the opportunity to go to many different countries “In the end you actually have a hotel, you have a presence (Source: CNN) Ancient tools found in North Africa could ‘rewrite human origin story’ The story of humankind may need some of humankind. Actually, the whole of Africa carcasses,” she adds. Some of the bones featured cut marks, editing. was the cradle of humankind,” he added. East Africa hasn’t yet lost its status as the indicating an early form of butchery, the A collection of 2.4-million-year-old stone The findings were made at the Ain cradle of humanity -- earlier tools dating back authors wrote. tools has been found in Algeria, throwing into Boucherit site near the city of Setif, about at least 2.6 million years have previously been The discovery could indicate a “multiple royal ancestral shrines, with a unique spatial layout that has question the long-held theory that humanity 200 miles east of Algeria’s capital, Algiers. found in that part of the continent. origin scenario,” where humans were making been preserved in its entirety. It was originally built in the late emerged in East Africa. They resemble similar tools, known as But the authors made the tantalizing pre- and using tools in different locations across 14th century, but was destroyed during the Japanese invasion The discovery of the 250 tools, found Oldowan, which had previously only been diction that even older relics could still be the continent at the same time, they added. during the 16th century, and was rebuilt in the early 17th cen- alongside 296 animal bones, suggests early found in the east of the continent, and predate uncovered near the site in Algeria, potentially Alternatively, it could mean that a “rapid tury with a few expansions made to the buildings thereafter. humans were butchering meat in North Africa other tools found nearby in the north by at opening up new avenues in the search for expansion of stone tool manufacture” took Jongmyo and its grounds occupy a 19.4 ha oval site. The about 600,000 years before scientists had least 600,000 years. the origin of our species. place in the early days of humankind’s ex- buildings are set in valleys and surrounded by low hills, with thought they arrived in the region. Researchers from Algeria, France, Spain “Now that Ain Boucherit has yielded Old- istence. artificial additions built to reinforce the site’s balance of natural It was previously believed that early hu- and Australia were involved in the project, owan archaeology estimated to 2.4 million Stone tools were found in China earlier elements, in accordance with traditional pungsu principles. mans, known as hominins, originated and which involved 25 years of excavations. years ago, Northern Africa and the Sahara this year that dated back 2.12 million years. Jongmyo was built faithfully abiding by the Confucian stayed in East Africa for hundreds of millions Further discoveries possible may be a repository of further archaeological The archaeologists behind that project ideology of ancestral worship and its ritual formalities under of years, before beginning to move across “The effective use of sharp-edged tools at materials,” they write. said their finds suggested that early humans strict royal supervision, and still maintains its original form the continent. Ain Boucherit suggests that our ancestors were “We suggest that hominin fossils and Old- moved out from East Africa and into what dating from the Joseon Dynasty. But the new discovery “shows that our not mere scavengers,” says Isabel C?ceres, of owan artifacts as old as those documented is now Asia. Traditions of ancestral worship rites – Jongmyo Jerye, are ancestors ventured into all corners of Africa, Spanish archaeological organization IPHES, in East Africa could be discovered in North The latest findings could tell a similar still carried out, together with the accompanying ritual music and not just East Africa,” Mohamed Sahnouni, who was involved with the project. Africa as well,” they add. story, if earlier remains in North Africa are dance performance. Construction and management of Jongmyo, who led the project and detailed the findings “It is not clear at this moment whether ‘Multiple origin scenario’ not found. But they would imply that humans and the operations of Jongmyo Jerye rituals, are all meticulously in the journal Science, said in a statement. they hunted, but the evidence clearly shows While no human remains were found at were moving west, as well as east, from their recorded in the royal protocols of the Joseon Dynasty. “The evidence from Algeria changes the that they were successfully competing with the dig, the tools and animal bones showed birthplace. (Source: UNESCO) earlier view that East Africa was the cradle carnivores and enjoyed first access to animal strong evidence of human activity. (Source: CNN) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 6, 2018 SCIENCE 11 Darwin’s finches have developed a taste for junk Scientists measure the total food, and it may be impacting their evolution brightness of the universe Our local star is very bright by human standards — just looking A professor and his colleagues have pub- When they repeated the same set of meas- at it for a few seconds can wreck your vision. That’s just an in- lished new research showing that feeding on urements at a nearby urban site, the distinction finitesimal fraction of the total brightness of the universe. How human junk food may be altering the course between the two beak sizes was not present. bright is it? Well, we finally have an answer to that. Using new of evolution in Darwin’s finches. Studying data collected by other researchers measurement techniques, researchers have counted almost all Assistant Professor of Evolutionary Biology in the 1970s, the researchers could see the two the photons ever emitted in the universe. The final tally is 4 x 10, Luis De León says feeding on human foods is types of medium ground finches had been or a four followed by 84 zeros. In short: it’s a lot of light. weakening natural selection on ground finch present in the area before, but something Measuring the brightness of the universe isn’t as simple as beaks, which is what drives the formation had changed in the last 40-50 years. pointing a telescope upward and counting photons. The light of new species in the wild. These findings, Increasing human population from local sources will interfere with any attempt to recording published in the journal Evolutionary Appli- They hypothesized that the change might the so-called Extragalactic Background Light. If you filtered out cations, suggest that the seemingly harmless have to do with urbanization and the rapidly all the light from Earth, the sun, and other stars in the Milky activity of feeding birds might be altering the increasing human population in that area. In Way, the sky would only be as bright as a 60W light bulb as soon course of evolution in the iconic Darwin’s particular, the introduction of novel foods from 2.5 miles away. finches in the Galápagos islands. brought by humans. The team led by Clemson University astrophysicist Marco “If we continue to feed finches, we’re not Using egg crates filled with natural seeds Ajello instead turned to a phenomenon called blazars. These only affecting the individual species, but the and human junk food — chips, cookies, and objects are a specific class of quasars, active galactic nuclei with processes that lead to the formation of new rice — the researchers tested to see if the black holes spewing out streams of particles. The only difference species,” De León said. “We’re getting in the finches were in fact feeding on human food between a regular quasar and a blazar is that the latter is pointed way of evolution.” and what their preference was, weighing at Earth. It turns out, that gives us a window into light emissions Darwin’s pioneering work de Quito, McGill University, and Norwegian forms of medium ground finches — a small the food before and after to see how much in faraway corners of the universe. Galápagos finches are famed for being University of Science and Technology were and large version — while studying beak size was eaten. By staring into these giant galactic particle accelerators, the the inspiration behind Charles Darwin’s on Santa Cruz Island when they found two at an isolated, pristine site. De León said they found that finches in the team managed to glean data about the local environment around pioneering work on evolution. They are urban area were almost exclusively feeding the stream of energy. Researchers examined nine years of data an example of adaptive radiation, an Using egg crates filled with natural seeds on human food. When the experiment was from the Fermi Space Telescope, which records gamma-ray emis- evolutionary process that produces new repeated at an isolated site in nature, the sions from distant sources like blazars. The signal from blazars species from a single, rapidly diversifying and human junk food — chips, cookies, finches ignored the trays. drops off as it plows through light on its way to Earth. Therefore, lineage. Their common ancestor arrived and rice — the researchers tested to see if They found that “urban” finches feed on we can measure the brightness along the signal’s path just by on the Galápagos about two million years human junk foods, and in fact prefer these knowing where the blazar is and its apparent intensity at Earth. ago, and since then Darwin’s finches have the finches were in fact feeding on human foods over their natural diet. This indicates (Source: extremetech.com) evolved into more than a dozen recognized food and what their preference was, that ongoing urbanization in the Galápagos species differing in body size, beak shape, is eroding the ecological differences that and feeding behavior. weighing the food before and after to see originally drove the formation of species in De León and fellow researchers from how much was eaten. Darwin’s finches. NASA’s OSIRIS-REx UMass Amherst, Universidad San Francisco (Source: phys.org) spacecraft arrives at asteroid Bennu New theory could explain missing Swift parrot polyamory a new threat to critically NASA’s Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, 95 percent of the cosmos endangered species’ survival, say researchers Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft completed Scientists at the University of Oxford may A study by researchers at the Australian its 1.2 billion-mile (2 billion-kilometer) journey to arrive at the have solved one of the biggest questions in National University, published in the asteroid Bennu Monday. The spacecraft executed a maneuver modern physics, with a new paper unifying Journal of Animal Ecology, has found that transitioned it from flying toward Bennu to operating around dark matter and dark energy into a single that a chronic shortage of female swift the asteroid. phenomenon: a fluid which possesses ‘neg- parrots caused by intensive predation NASA’s Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identi- ative mass’. If you were to push a negative by sugar gliders has wreaked havoc on fication, Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft mass, it would accelerate towards you. This the bird’s usually monogamous breeding completed its 1.2 billion-mile (2 billion-kilometer) journey to astonishing new theory may also prove habits and lowered the survival rate for arrive at the asteroid Bennu Monday. The spacecraft executed right a prediction that Einstein made 100 young hatchlings. a maneuver that transitioned it from flying toward Bennu to years ago. Lead researcher Prof Rob Heinsohn operating around the asteroid. Our current, widely recognized mod- said the unusual behavior was caused Now, at about 11.8 miles (19 kilometers) from Bennu’s Sun-fac- el of the Universe, called LambdaCDM, ulation of the properties of negative mass, by a significant disparity in the number Heinsohn said the pressure from ing surface, OSIRIS-REx will begin a preliminary survey of the tells us nothing about what dark matter which predicts the formation of dark matter of males and females in the parrots’ bachelor males distracted the breed- asteroid. The spacecraft will commence flyovers of Bennu’s north and dark energy are like physically. We halos just like the ones inferred by obser- breeding grounds of the blue gum forests ing pair from feeding, which reduced pole, equatorial region, and south pole, getting as close as nearly only know about them because of the vations using modern radio telescopes. in south-east Tasmania. Surplus bach- survival rates. The number of eggs being 4 miles (7 kilometers) above Bennu during each flyover. gravitational effects they have on other, Albert Einstein provided the first hint elor males were pressuring paired-up produced has not fallen but fewer were observable matter. of the dark universe exactly 100 years females for sex and getting into fights making it out of the nest. This new model offers a new expla- ago, when he discovered a parameter in with paired males. Affecting their ability nation. Dr. Farnes says: ‘We now think his equations known as the ‘cosmologi- Heinsohn said that predation by “They are spending so much of their that both dark matter and dark energy cal constant’, which we now know to be sugar gliders, which were introduced time, the male in defending the female can be unified into a fluid which possesses synonymous with dark energy. Einstein to Tasmania from mainland Australia and the female avoiding being harassed, a type of ‘negative gravity’, repelling all famously called the cosmological constant in the 1800s, had changed the gender that it’s affecting their ability to get other material around them. Although his ‘biggest blunder’, although modern as- ratio in the swift parrot population from food,” he said. this matter is peculiar to us, it suggests trophysical observations prove that it is a a roughly equal number of male and Swift parrot numbers have declined that our cosmos is symmetrical in both real phenomenon. female birds to three males to every significantly in the past four years. It positive and negative qualities.’ The modification of theory female. is estimated only 1,000 breeding pairs The primary science goals of this survey are to refine estimates of Bennu’s mass and spin rate, and to generate a more precise The negative matter In notes dating back to 1918, Einstein Females at most risk remain. model of its shape. The data will help determine potential sites The existence of negative matter had described his cosmological constant, writing Females are at more risk from sugar ANU researcher Dejan Stojanovic, for later sample collection. previously been ruled out as it was thought that a ‘modification of the theory is required gliders because the marsupials attack who co-authored the most recent pa- OSIRIS-REx’s mission will help scientists investigate how this material would become less dense as such that “empty space” takes the role of their tree-hollow nests while the females per, said he had been hopeful of a more planets formed and how life began, as well as improve our un- the Universe expands, which runs contrary gravitating negative masses which are dis- are incubating their eggs. successful breeding season this year derstanding of asteroids that could impact Earth. Asteroids are to our observations that show dark energy tributed all over the interstellar space.’ It The gender imbalance was “really because the majority of the wild pop- remnants of the building blocks that formed the planets and does not thin out over time. However, Dr. is therefore possible that Einstein himself causing havoc with their love lives and ulation settled on Bruny Island, which enabled life. Those like Bennu contain natural resources, such Farnes’ research applies a ‘creation ten- predicted a negative-mass-filled universe. their usual mating system”, Heinsohn is free of sugar gliders. . as water, organics and metals. Future space exploration and sor’, which allows for negative masses to Dr. Farnes says: ‘Previous approaches said. Conservationists have introduced economic development may rely on asteroids for these materials. be continuously created. It demonstrates to combining dark energy and dark matter “Usually they would be quite con- measures to control sugar gliders, such “As explorers, we at NASA have never shied away from the that when more and more negative masses have attempted to modify Einstein’s theory servative, boring even, with their mat- as installing light sensitive nest boxes most extreme challenges in the Solar System in our quest for are continually bursting into existence, of general relativity, which has turned out ing habits, they are just monogamous that close off at night, locking out the knowledge,” said Lori Glaze, acting director for NASA’s Plane- this negative mass fluid does not dilute to be incredibly challenging. This new ap- pairings,” he said. “At the moment there nocturnal gliders, and working with the tary Science Division. “Now we’re at it again, working with our during the expansion of the cosmos. In proach takes two old ideas that are known are all these bachelor males … they turn Tasmanian government on possible partners in the U.S. and Canada to accomplish the Herculean fact, the fluid appears to be identical to to be compatible with Einstein’s theory - up at the nests of the breeding pairs methods of reducing glider numbers. task of bringing back to Earth a piece of the early Solar System.” dark energy. negative masses and matter creation - and and they harass the females endlessly. Logging of blue gum forests in south- (Source: Science Daily) Dr. Farnes’s theory also provides the combines them together. Heinsohn said the females usually ern Tasmania has reduced appropriate first correct predictions of the behavior The outcome seems rather beauti- gave in “but they do it sneakily behind the breeding habitat by one-third over the of dark matter halos. Most galaxies are ful: dark energy and dark matter can resident male’s back”. Breeding males past 20 years and conservationists have rotating so rapidly they should be tear- be unified into a single substance, with spend their time fighting off bachelors. warned that a decision in August to extend ing themselves apart, which suggests that both effects being simply explainable as Researchers took blood samples from the regional forest agreement allowing Stunning opals turned out an invisible ‘halo’ of dark matter must be positive mass matter surfing on a sea of hatchlings to conduct a DNA analysis that logging for another 20 years had to be a previously unknown holding them together. The new research negative masses. and found that more than half the nests effectively condemned the species. published today features a computer sim- (Source: eurekalert.org) had more than one father. (Source: The Guardian) species of dinosaur: study

You only wish you could be this fabulous millions of years after you die. Precious stones recovered from the opal fields of Australia Bacteria harbor geometric “organelles”, scientists find have turned out not just to be opalized fossils - but the opalized Microbes, traditionally thought to lack first described larger structures called fossils of a dinosaur previously unknown to paleontology. organelles, get a metabolic boost from microcompartments — 100 – 600 nm in It’s called Weewarrasaurus pobeni - named for the Wee War- geometric compartments that act as caul- diameter — that appeared in micrographs ra opal field near the small country town of Lightning Ridge, drons for chemical reactions. Bioengineers of cyanobacteria, though researchers are where it was found, and opal buyer Mike Poben, who donated are eager to harness the compartments only building a detailed understanding the specimens to science. for their own purposes. of those compartments today. “It’s be- This creature lived nearly 100 million years ago in the Cre- The cultures reminded him of Swiss coming accepted, a lot, in the last 10 or taceous, when what is currently the Lightning Ridge desert was cheese, says Egbert Hoiczyk. It was 2009 20 years that the prokaryotic cytoplasm still a lush, green space. and the microbiologist and his colleagues is highly organized,” says Cheryl Ker- It’s also the first new dinosaur species to be named in the at Johns Hopkins University were growing feld, a structural biologist who splits her Australian state of New South Wales in nearly a century. the motile bacterium Myxococcus xan- time between one lab at Michigan State The only fragment of Weewarrasaurus that was recovered thus on agar plates. “What we observed University and another at the Lawrence was its lower jaw, was something quite bizarre,” recalls Berkeley National Laboratory. but with teeth intact - and that’s been able to reveal a lot. Hoiczyk, now at the University of Shef- Preliminary studies suggest that nano- For a start, it wasn’t a big dinosaur, only about the size of a field in the UK. Isolating the virus science, having been described for the first compartments assist with stress responses, medium-sized dog. Bacteria had grown out in a yellow- Hoiczyk, undergraduate Alan Lam, and time just a year earlier in the bacterium while microcompartments often have roles Based on its teeth and the shape of its jaw, paleontologist Phil ish smear coating the plates, but then graduate student Colleen McHugh set out Thermotoga maritima.1 At 25 – 66 nm in metabolism. And although the details Bell from the University of New England in Australia determined holes appeared in the microbial film. to isolate the virus. But something was across, they are typically too small to notice remain murky, it’s becoming clear that that it was a small species of ornithopod, a group of bipedal graz- The empty spaces looked like plaques off. When the researchers attempted to unless you’re looking for them, Hoiczyk these structures create a specialized mi- ing herbivores that includes Iguanodon and Parasaurolophus. created by bacteria-killing viruses, so purify the phages by centrifuging them in explains. But in recent years, thanks to croenvironment for a specific purpose, says When the inland sea started disappearing 100 million years Hoiczyk’s team concluded there must be standard cesium chloride gradients, where modern genomics and bioinformatics, Kerfeld: “I would define them as organelles.” ago, acidity in the drying sandstone increased. This, in turn, a viral invader in their cultures. When viruses usually show up in the middle, the scientists have found nanocompartments A growing number of researchers are now released silica from the rock, which collected in hollows and the researchers scraped the cleared ar- particles always dropped to the bottom of across a range of bacterial phyla. working to understand what these organelles pockets - such as those left behind by decayed bones, for instance. eas and examined the material under the columns. The investigators eventually It’s not the first time researchers have do. Kerfeld predicts that eventually, the As acidity levels then decreased, these silica pockets hard- an electron microscope, they observed realized they weren’t purifying viruses, identified what is essentially an orga- population of people studying bacterial ened into opal, resulting in perfect shimmering rainbow molds 32-nanometer-wide structures resem- but tiny, iron-laden nanocompartments nelle in Bacteria, a kingdom traditionally compartments “is going to be as big as any of ancient remains. Nowhere in the world did this opalization bling 12-sided dice — the right size and native to the bacteria. thought to lack subcellular compart- eukaryotic organelle community.” occur so abundantly as Lightning Ridge. shape for a bacteriophage. The structures were relatively new to ments. Decades earlier, scientists had (Source: the-scientist.com) (Source: sciencealert.com) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 12 SOCIETY DECEMBER 6, 2018

Tehran mayor meets Leader Iran to carry out cloud seeding SOCIETY TEHRAN — Mayor of Tehran, Pirouz Hanachi, deskvisited the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday, ISNA reported. project by drones in weeks “Using experts for managing the Municipality is the main strategy to organize the city. 1 Even in dry areas the air usually con- measures, such as the signing of MOU Yesterday, when the opportuni- tains some water. This can be made to come between the Ministry of Energy and the ty came up to meet the Leader, together and form ice crystals by seeding the Aerospace Corps, he further stated. as he also emphasized the need atmosphere with chemicals such as silver Referring to social reactions and rumors for the use of specialists and iodide or dry ice. They work to promote about the harmfulness of this method, he experts [for properly managing rainfall by inducing nucleation – what little highlighted that cloud seeding technique the city] and attention to the water is in the air condenses around the has been confirmed by valid scientific in- cultural identity and Iranian-Is- newly introduced particles and crystallizes stitutes such as the World Meteorological lamic architecture, I became to form ice. The ‘seeds’ can be delivered by Organization and is performed based on more resolute in my decision,” plane or simply by spraying from the ground. climatic conditions in accordance with climate Hanachi wrote in Persian on his Last year, due to lack of funds along with characteristic of an area, so using weath- tweeter account on Tuesday. equipment preparation problems, the cloud er surveillance radars is rather beneficial, Hanachi, was elected by seeding plan has not been performed, he said, which has no adverse effects on air quality. Tehran City council as the adding this year, despite the shortcomings, it Pointing to the development of technol- mayor of the capital of Iran will begin, while must have been performed ogy for extracting water from atmospheric on November 13 and Interior Ministry confirmed him on No- earlier in November, Golkar said. resources in over 60 countries worldwide, vember 29. After signing a memorandum of coop- Golkar noted that there is a great potential in Since the first session of the fifth Tehran City Council held eration with the IRGC Aerospace Force this regard to compensate for water shortages on August 23, 2017, the council had to elect two mayors. First and Ministry of Energy, the cloud seeding and producing a renewable water resource. Mohammad Ali Najafi was named as the mayor who kept the post project will be launched across the country, Cloud seeding projects have been for almost 7 months and then resigned due to his deteriorating he added, IRNA reported on Wednesday. practiced in Iran over the past 20 years, health caused by prostate cancer. Due to limited budget and inaccessi- targeting some provinces in central, west- After Najafi, Samiollah Hosseini Makarem became the care- bility of appropriate seeding materials as ern, northwestern and northern part of taker and finally a month later in mid-May Afshani secured the well as some of the equipment and aircraft South Africa, Russia, the United Kingdom, and drones will pave the way for the cloud the country, namely, Gilan, Zanjan, West seat as the mayor who is banned from keeping office as he is required, the IRGC AF proposed to carry India or Australia, which is hoped to gain seeding developments. Azarbaijan and Kermanshah, Yazd, Cha- retired following a law passed by Iranian parliament in September out the plan using their planes. importing permissions. Initially, the operations will be performed har-Mahal and Bakhtiari, Kohgiluyeh and putting ban on employment of the retirees. He further explained that some seeding Due to the different flight conditions, by planes in the provinces of Fars, Chahar- Boyer-Ahmad, Golkar stated. equipment have been produced domestical- such as high altitude restrictions and at- mahal and Bakhtiari, Isfahan, Kohgiluyeh Employing this technique appropriately ly with our expert’s great efforts, however, mospheric conditions, aircraft’s structure, and Boyer-Ahmad, Kerman and Yazd, he can lead to increased precipitation by 15-20 Snow removal drill construction of some airborne sensors and and different seed delivery methods, cloud noted, adding drones will be flown for cloud percent per season, he also added. other atmospheric equipment and param- seeding in some provinces will be conducted seeding in the provinces of South Khorasan, Earlier in January, IRGC Aerospace Force performed at Imam eters due to its complexity and high cost, for the first time by a drone, he stated. East and West Azarbaijan. Commander Amirali Hajizadeh expressed Khomeini Intl. Airport as well as being time-consuming, is not Golkar went on to add that after re- Despite preparations and pilot oper- readiness to dispatch four aircrafts and some economically profitable and we decided sult evaluation and pilot operations, the ations, we are still waiting for the issu- forces to help the Energy Ministry to carry to purchase and import them from China, method will undergo necessary reforms ance of flight permits and administrative out cloud seeding operations. ENVIRONMENT TEHRAN — A snow removal drill was carried deskout at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Intl. Airport on Tuesday, IKACNews reported. Pollutants hit unhealthy levels in Tehran Imam Khomeini Airport Town Company caretaker Ali Ros- ENVIRONMENT TEHRAN — Tehran’s air quality index orological Organization, told ISNA that while PM concentra- tami said that with regard to last year’s heavy snowfall (in late desk(AQI), exceeding 150 microgram per cubic tions have increased in industrial provinces, five province of January) this year “we are determined to be fully prepared for meter, has been unhealthy at nine meteorological stations Zanjan, Tehran, Qazvin, Alborz and Semnan are forecasted across the city, spokeswoman for Tehran Air Quality Control to receive rainfall. Company has said. “It is anticipated that southern areas of the country will It is anticipated that the pollution level will increase in experience rainfall, winds and cloudy weather, while moun- all parts of the capital within next hours, Fars quoted Leila tainous part of the country is likely to receive snowfall from Nazari as saying on Wednesday. Wednesday to Friday (December 5-7),” he added. AQI at nine air quality control stations of the total 18 He went on to explain that rainfall is projected also for stations has reached unhealthy levels, which is considered parts of the south, center, west of the Caspian Sea and the an emergency condition and the pollution is causing dis- provinces located on the southern slopes of Alborz such comfort for sensitive groups, Nazari added. as Zanjan, Qazvin, Alborz, Tehran and Semnan during The particle size index below 2.5 microns now stands at she highlighted. the aforesaid period. 144 micrograms per cubic meter in some parts of Tehran, Tehran’s air quality also got unhealthy on Monday. On Friday, the central parts, northeast, east, and the while the standard limit is 100 micrograms per cubic meter, Meanwhile, Ahad Vazifeh, a weatherman with the Mete- south-east of the country will also have rainfall, he concluded. snow-clearing operations by using the experience of other in- ternational airports located in mountainous areas.” “By identifying our weak points as well as increasing the num- Tehran’s drastic sinking exposed by satellite data ber of snowplows and snow removal machines we are planning on giving the best services at the time of heavy snow this year,” Parts of Iran’s capital city, home to 13 million people, are subsiding by 25 centimeters each year Rostami highlighted. By Kate Ravilious “These are amongst some of the highest Urban sprawl He went on to say that “we have prepared guidelines for better current rates of subsidence in the world,” says Motagh and Haghshenas Haghighi’s prediction of weather conditions and taking timely measures at Tehran, western Asia’s largest city by pop- Roberto Tomás, an engineer at the University data show how the subsidence has marched the time of crisis.” ulation, is sinking. of Alicante in Spain. steadily eastwards since 2003, starting with Integrity and full cooperation play a key role in snow Now, detailed satellite images reveal the Losing ground agricultural land and encroaching on the ur- clearing operations on runways, taxiways, access roads and extent of the problem, including that some Subsidence, caused by growing popu- ban fringes of the city. Another subsidence parking lots, he added. parts of the Iranian capital are falling by lations and increased extraction of under- zone is creeping towards Tehran’s airport. Azar Movahedi deputy director at Imam Khomeini Airport as much as 25 centimeters a year, and that ground water, oil and gas, is a problem in A combination of population growth — Town Company also explained that 100 snowplows and snow the collapse is spreading to encompass the cities globally. For example, previous satellite the city’s population has doubled in the past removal machines are located the airport. city’s international airport. measurements have shown that some areas 40 years — droughts and large dams, which The growth of underground cracks sometimes Moreover, operation for de-icing of roads will be performed Geoscientists Mahdi Motagh and of Jakarta are sinking at more than 20 cen- capture rainwater and prevent aquifers from produces sudden sinkholes in the ground. after snow removal on road linking cities to the airport, Mahmud Haghshenas Haghighi, both at timeters per year, and the San Joaquin Valley recharging, has exacerbated the problem. Credit: Building and Housing Research Movahedi added. the GFZ German Research Centre for Ge- in California — home to several cities — by The authorities are fighting a losing bat- Center in Tehran osciences in Potsdam, used satellite data up to 60 centimeters per year. tle as they try to regulate water extraction. to monitor subsidence across the Tehran The new study, which has been accepted farmer I met was locked up for hours when Beitollahi believes that some 100,000 illegal LEARN ENGLISH region between 2003 and 2017. for publication in Remote Sensing of En- the ground gave way beneath him and he wells have been blocked across Iran, but Previous work had shown that Tehran vironment, estimates that around 10% of fell into a six-meter-deep crack,” says Ali an estimated 30,000 are still in operation Investing in Emerging Markets is sinking and had linked the sinkage to the the urban area of Tehran is affected, along Beitollahi, head of engineering seismology across Greater Tehran. depletion of groundwater aquifers, which with many satellite towns and villages to at the Building and Housing Research Center The sinking that has already happened A: Dad, I’d like to borrow some money. are being sucked dry to irrigate nearby the city’s southwest. “When walking around in Tehran. Such farmland is becoming unvia- might be irreversible, the study hints. By B: Sure, Johnny, how much do you need? Five bucks? farmland and serve greater Tehran’s 13 these areas, we see uneven street surfaces, ble, because the cracks drain irrigation water looking at water depth measurements from A: Come on, Dad, I need thirty thousand. I want to get into million or so residents. shifted curbs, cracks in the walls and even from the surface and leave crops parched. wells in the affected areas, the researchers the market. You know, I’m tired of hearing all this news The latest data put new figures on the tilted buildings, some of which have had to Surveys carried out over the past year found that the ground is failing to bounce about the economic downturn, the inevitable recession, problem. The western Tehran Plain — a mix be demolished,” says Motagh. by Beitollahi and his colleagues estimate back, even after rainfall, which suggests that people stuffing their money in their mattresses. of Tehran’s urban sprawl, satellite cities and Huge fissures — several kilometers in length that the areas with significant subsidence the porosity of the rock has been permanent- B: I don’t know about that; with all the uncertainty in the agricultural land — is subsiding at a rate of 25 and up to four meters wide and deep — have in and around Tehran host 120 kilometers ly lost. That loss could lead to more flash market right now, it would be a very unwise decision to centimeters per year, and the Varamin Plain, opened up in the land to the southeast of Teh- of railway, 2,300 kilometers of road, 21 flooding, says Linlin Ge, an engineer at the invest. I don’t know if you’re aware son, but there has been an agricultural region to the southeast of the ran, some of which are threatening to topple bridges, 30 kilometers of oil pipeline, 200 University of New South Wales in Sydney, a lot of turmoil in the markets recently, so don’t try to city, is subsiding at a similar rate. The city’s power-transmission lines and buckle railways. kilometers of gas pipeline, 70 kilometers Australia, because without pores, the water waste my nest egg. international airport — located southwest of And the growth of underground cracks of high-voltage electricity lines and more no longer has anywhere to go. A: But look at it this way, every challenge is an opportunity. Tehran — is sinking 5 centimeters annually. sometimes produces sudden sinkholes. “One than 250,000 buildings. (Source: Nature) And anyway, I’m not talking about investing in the domestic market. There are emerging markets that promise great returns. Look at China, for example, uses stimulus package. ENGLISH IN USE B: Come on son, you’re looking at this too naively, the Chinese market has exhibited a great deal of instability, LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION and their currency has been devalued by almost a whole percentage point. A: Fine, then! If that’s the way you feel, so be it. But you’re losing out on a great opportunity here. I’m going to go hit Bill on mandating use of car seats الیحه الزام صندلی کودک در خودرو به مجلس رفت .up Mom for the cash Key vocabulary for children brought before Majlis رئیــس پلیــس راهنمایــی و رانندگــی نیــروی انتظامــی گفــت: پیشــنهاد پلیــس بــرای الــزام inevitable: unavoidable turmoil: a state of confusion, disorder, disturbance While the cabinet of ministers gave approval to a bill on mandating the use اســتفاده از صندلــی کــودک در خــودرو بــرای کــودکان زیــر 10 ســال در دولــت تصویــب شــد. nest egg: money that is saved to pay for something in the of car seats for children under 10 proposed by the traffic police, it is now ایــن الیحــه بــرای تصویــب نهایــی بــه مجلــس رفتــه اســت. .future, usually a house, or retirement brought before the Majlis [the Iranian Parliament] for the final approval ســردار تقــی مهــری در گفــت وگــو بــا خبرنــگار انتظامــی ایرنــا، افــزود: اســتفاده از صندلــی emerging market: nations undergoing quick industrialization The Traffic Police Chief Taqi Mehri said that “using car seats is considered a stimulus package: amount of money the government requirement for children under the age of 10, but implementing it as a legal کــودک در خــودرو بــرای افــرادی کــه دارای کــودک زیــر 10 هســتند یــک الــزام تلقــی مــی uses to improve the economy شــود امــا اجــرای ایــن طــرح نیازمنــد مصوبــه مجلــس شــورای اســامی اســت. .instability: state of not being stable, being likely to change act requires the parliament approval,” IRNA reported on Saturday devalue: reduced in value hit up: ask for money Supplementary vocabulary PREFIX/SUFFIX PHRASAL VERB IDIOM depreciation: an decrease in the value of something appreciation: an increase in the value of something inflation: a continual increase in price “alti-, alto-, alt-” Link up Close to home developing economy: growing economy rapidly developing country: countries undergoing Meaning: high Meaning: to connect with something or to make a Explanation: a true and direct remark which makes quick industrialization For example: High altitude has its most pronounced connection between things you feel uncomfortable industrialized nation: nations that have developed effect on the rising time of bread. For example: The next stage is to link the film up For example: Alan looks embarrassed. Bob’s comment factories and businesses with the soundtrack. must have been close to home. ساعت: 19:40 امضاء صفحه آرا: ساعت: امضاء مسئول صفحه: ساعت: امضاء ادیتور: ساعت: امضاء سردبیر:

I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 6, 2018 WORLD IN FOCUS 13

Macron confounding France No Israeli aggression against Lebanon will go unanswered, Trump mocks Macron again over French protests Hezbollah warns

By staff & agencies blamed the proposed delay, which was to be A Hezbollah official has warned Israel against invading Lebanon, As France faces worst riots in decades, a Leb- discussed at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, saying the resistance movement is strong enough to block any anese media outlet reported on Wednesday on the mass demonstrations which have military aggression and retaliate against it. that the missiles used by the terrorists in convulsed the country since Nov. 17. “The days when Israel could simply attack Lebanon are over, their recent chemical attack on residential “This was postponed because of other even though the initiative to attack is in Israel’s hands,” Hassan areas in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo issues,” Guillaume told CNews TV, referring Hoballah, a member of Hezbollah’s political bureau, said on had been armed with chemical capability to the widespread protests over fuel taxes Tuesday. by French experts. which have dominated the government’s The remarks came hours after the Israeli army launched an Al-Mayadeen quoted a source in Idlib agenda. operation along Lebanon’s border under the pretext of “cutting off” disclosing that the chemically-armed missiles The minister said the decision would what it claims are Hezbollah tunnels near the occupied territories. were manufactured and modified by French now be implemented by the government Chief of Staff of Israeli military, Lieutenant General Gadi Eizen- experts and were handed over to the Hosrras in January or February, before the end of kot, claimed that the so-called Operation Northern Shield had al-Deen, Turkistani Islamic Party and Tahrir annual price negotiations with supermarkets been launched before the tunnels were operational and “became al-Sham Hay’at (the Levant Liberation Board that started last month. an immediate and direct threat to northern communities and or the Al-Nusra Front) groups. The measures, which also include limit- army bases.” The report also said an Operation Room ing bargain sales, were originally taken in a Elsewhere in his comments, Hoballah stressed that Hezbollah that is supervising 650 non-Syrian ter- “field-to-fork” review of the food sector, are fighters are capable of blocking any Israeli assault and launching rorists from different nationalities, could aimed at raising farmers’ income. counter-attacks on the enemy. cover activities of these French weapons An important constituency in French The resistance forces, he added, are on “a constant state of experts. It said the Operation Room has politics, farmers have long complained of alert and surveillance, and are assessing the situation.” started work only 3km away from border being hit by a price war between retailers, The official also noted that Hezbollah’s course of action will with Turkey. which has benefited consumers but hurt depend on developments in the field. Hezbollah was formed following the Israeli regime’s invasion In late November, Syria’s government Trump wrote in the tweets. Initially backed by people in small towns producers - and they have sought to have TV channel reported that the chemical the regulations brought in straightaway. of Lebanon and the ensuing occupation of its southern parts in The U.S. president also retweeted con- and rural France where most get around by the 1980s, and currently constitutes Lebanon’s de facto military shelling targeted a crowded Nile Street, servative pundit Charlie Kirk, who falsely cars, the protests snowballed into a wider France’s largest farm union FNSEA, which Al-Khalidiyah and Jam’iyat al-Zahra neigh- says higher minimum food prices will help power. claimed France is a socialist country, the movement against Macron’s perceived bias Since then, the movement has helped the national army retake borhoods. Police blamed al-Nusra Front riots in the country did not receive any media in favor of the elite and well-off city dwellers. farm producers struggling on low incomes, for the attack. warned that farmers would see a delay in the occupied regions from Tel Aviv and thwart two Israeli acts of attention and that protesters shouted: “we At the same time, the government pro- aggression in 2000 and 2006. It has also been playing a significant Last month, Sputnik quoted informed want Trump”. posed a wealth tax that eased the tax bur- the adoption of the measures as a “disas- sources close to the terrorist commanders in trous signal.” role in the Syrian army’s fight against Takfiri terrorist groups. Trump’s tweets come as the French gov- den for many of the country’s wealthiest Since the end of the 2006 war, Israeli forces have regularly Idlib province as saying that French experts ernment mulls changes to a wealth tax that citizens, leading to criticism that Macron FNSEA President Christiane Lambert were assisting Tahrir al-Sham Hay’at to arm said farmers would take to the streets next violated Lebanon’s sovereignty, with the regime’s officials even partially led to massive protests across the was a ‘President of the Rich’. threatening another offensive against the country. their missiles with chemical warheads to country over the last weeks. The French government on Tuesday sus- week to ask the government to “keep its launch a false-flag chemical operation among promises” and stop imposing excessive Separately on Tuesday, President Michel Aoun called on Leb- Government spokesperson Benjamin pended the planned increases to fuel taxes anon’s military and security agencies to “closely monitor” the the civilian population with the help of the Griveaux told local media on Wednesday for at least six months, saying no tax was taxes on farmers. White Helmets. The government intends to raise the situation in the country’s south. that the changes to the wealth tax could be “worth jeopardizing” the country’s unity. Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) reported that Trump mocks Macron again turned back if not successful. Increases in the cost of fuel and electric- minimum price threshold on food prod- ucts by 10 percent and limit discounts to Aoun had held several phone calls with government officials over French protests “If a measure that we have taken, which ity, which were also set to take effect from and the army commander regarding the new Israeli operation. The United States President Donald is costing the public money, turns out January 1, 2019, would also be suspended 34 percent of a product’s price and to 25 percent of available volumes, with aim of “During President Aoun’s phone calls, the situation was eval- Trump has criticized his French counter- not to be working, if it’s not going well, for three months during the winter. uated in light of the available information about the objectives of part Emmanuel Macron in the wake of the we’re not stupid - we would change it,” The protests eventually led to violence rebalancing trade relations for the financial benefit of farmers. the Israeli operation and security agencies were asked to closely recent large-scale anti-government protests Griveaux said. between demonstrators and the authorities, monitor the situation,” the report said. over high taxes. The protests, which started November with shops looted and cars torched in plush Analysts say the measures, to be applied for a two-year trial period, would reduce Additionally, the Lebanese army command said that it is watch- Trump posted several messages about 17, were mostly about record prices at the neighborhoods around the famed Champs ing the situation closely, reiterating its readiness to confront any the demonstrations on his Twitter account, pump, with the cost of diesel increasing by Elysees Avenue in the capital, Paris. aggressive price competition among French retailers and accelerate food inflation. emergency situation. claiming the protests were a direct result about 20 percent in the past year to an av- In all, four people were killed and hun- “The situation is under close follow-up,” read an army com- of the Paris climate agreement of which erage of 1.49 euros ($1.68) a liter. dreds injured in clashes or accidents stem- However, many retailers said the final impact on consumers’ total spending would muniqué. France is a signatory, but the United States Despite the protests, President Macron ming from the protests. It further pointed out that the Lebanese army units are carrying is not. then announced further taxes on fuel, set to Food price rise delayed be minimal. The broad protests, led by the so-called out their usual missions near the occupied lands in cooperation “I am glad that my friend @Emmanuel- take effect on January 1, 2019, in a move he France, reeling from violent protests over with the United Nations peacekeeping force, known as UNIFIL, Macron and the protestors in Paris have said was necessary to combat climate change the cost of living, said on Wednesday it will “yellow vest” movement, began last month with the aim of highlighting the squeeze to prevent any escalation or destabilization in the region. agreed with the conclusion I reached two and protect the environment. delay until early next year minimum food (Source: Press TV) years ago. The Paris Agreement is fatally The decision sparked the so-called yellow price rises, incurring the wrath of the main on household spending brought about by flawed because it raises the price of energy vest protest movement, which takes its name farmers group which called on its members increased taxes on fuel but have tapped for responsible countries while whitewashing from the high-visibility jackets participants to take to the streets next week. into a growing discontent over President some of the worst polluters in the world,” adopted as a symbol of their complaint. Agriculture Minister Didier Guillaume Emmanuel Macron’s leadership. Dubai’s ruler snubs Kuwait request to release frozen U.S. senators: ‘Zero chance’ MbS not involved in Khashoggi killing funds Dubai’s ruler has resisted efforts by Kuwait to release nearly Trump’s friends adopt tougher tone on MbS $500 million in frozen funds at the heart of a money laundering 1 Other senators emerging from a briefing with that after the briefing, “the sentiment to continue this effort probe straining relations between the two Persian Gulf allies, CIA Director Gina Haspel also blame the Saudi de facto is stronger now than ever.” according to correspondence seen by Reuters. ruler for the murder despite Trump’s unwavering support There were also complains from some senators, who The investigation is taking place as the United Arab Emirates for the prince in the wake of his arms deal with Riyadh. were not allowed into the briefing. tightens financial regulations to fight a perception among some “There’s not a smoking gun, there’s a smoking saw,” “While I will not discuss the content of the Haspel briefing, foreign investors that it is a hot spot for illicit money flows owing South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham said, referencing it reinforced the need for a strong response to the murder to its free trade zones and proximity to Iran, the target of U.S. Trump administration comments that there is no “smoking of Jamal Khashoggi,” Schumer said Senate Democratic sanctions. gun” showing bi Salman ordered the killing. leader Charles Schumer in a statement. “CIA Director Haspel The frozen funds belong in part to the Kuwait government “You have to be willfully blind not to come to the con- should brief the full Senate without delay.” and have been frozen at Dubai’s state-owned Noor Bank since clusion that this was orchestrated and organized by people Haspel reportedly did not try to change the lawmakers’ late 2017, when the emirate’s public prosecutor, in collaboration under the command of MBS and that he was intricately mind about the matter, yet the hearing led to a more out- with Kuwait’s prosecutors, started probing the lawfulness of their involved in the demise of Mr. Khashoggi,” Graham added. spoken stance from the senators. transfer to Dubai from the Philippines. There was “zero question” that the young prince was “All evidence points to that all this leads back to the crown Executives involved deny wrongdoing. behind the assassination, according to Senate Foreign Re- prince,” said, Alaska Republican Senator Richard Shelby, “I am fully confident the joint efforts of Kuwait’s Public Pros- lations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, a Republican calling the murder a “reprehensible conduct.” ecutor Office and Dubai’s Public Prosecutor Office will result in from Tennessee. Senator Graham is also introducing a separate resolution fair solutions to this case and utilize the legal system to address “I have zero question in my mind that the crown prince to officially blame the Saudi crown prince for Khashoggi’s Khashoggi’s murder prompted international outcry damages incurred by shareholders,” Dubai ruler Sheikh Mo- directed the murder and was kept apprised of the situation death. and forced many countries to reassess their ties with hammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum said in a letter dated Nov. 3. all the way through. I have zero question in my mind,” said Saudi Arabia has acknowledged the murder, yet left the kingdom. He was responding to a letter sent by Kuwaiti Prime Minis- the lawmaker. “I think temperatures are up by all involved many questions unanswered. After weeks of repeated denials that it had any involvement ter Sheikh Jaber al-Mubarak al-Hamad al-Sabah in September … so figuring out something that can pass overwhelmingly Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an also maintains with his disappearance, Riyadh eventually acknowledged asking for help to release the funds. still is going to be difficult because some people want to tie that the crown prince and other top Saudi leaders should that Saudi officials had planned and executed the killing. “In light of the severe damages to government agencies and the Yemen piece into the Khashoggi piece.” be held accountable for Khashoggi’s assassination. The whereabouts of his remains are still unknown. other investors due to the continued freeze on these funds, we ask The Senate could take a vote on proceeding to the Yemen Jamal Khashoggi, a United States resident and columnist Khashoggi, 59, a one-time royal insider, had recently your highness to direct your relevant entities to swiftly release resolution next week. for the Washington Post, was killed shortly after entering been critical of Mohammed bin Salman. the funds,” Sheikh Jaber had written. Illinois Republican Senator Dick Durbin also predicted the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. (Source: agencies) Reuters obtained a copy of both letters. The correspondence is the latest twist in a case between two of the richest countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council. The $496 million in question belong to Port Fund, a Cayman May’s Brexit deal under fire as legal advice stiffens opposition Islands-registered fund that is part of a Kuwaiti private equity Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit and the clear intention of the parties that a five-day debate in the British parliament leave the European Union after all. group. Two government entities, Kuwait’s port authority and the deal came under fire from allies and it should be replaced by alternative, per- on May’s Brexit deal, a top law official at the In the June 23, 2016 referendum, 17.4 country’s pension fund, had invested in the fund and are owed opponents alike on Wednesday after manent arrangements, in international European Court of Justice (ECJ) said Britain million voters, or 52 percent, backed Brexit around $200 million. the government was forced to publish law the Protocol would endure indefinitely could pull back its formal divorce notice. while 16.1 million, or 48 percent, backed Kuwait’s prosecutors have charged two Port Fund directors legal advice showing the United King- until a superseding agreement took its “The UK now appears to have the option staying in the bloc. for allegedly embezzling funds that the Kuwait Port Authority dom could be locked indefinitely in the place,” the advice said. of revoking unilaterally and taking a period If parliament rejects her deal, May has and the Public Institution for Social Security had invested in Port European Union’s orbit. “In the absence of a right of termination, of time of its own choosing to decide what warned Britain could leave without a deal Fund. The executives deny that. After a string of humiliating parliamen- there is a legal risk that the United Kingdom happens next,” J.P. Morgan economist Mal- or that there could be no Brexit at all. A spokeswoman for the Dubai government said: “UAE judicial tary defeats for May the day before cast new might become subject to protracted and re- colm Barr wrote in a note to clients. Supporters of Brexit have said that if authorities are awaiting a final judgment from Kuwaiti courts on doubt over her ability to get a deal approved, peating rounds of negotiations.” He placed a 10 percent probability on Brexit is reversed, the United Kingdom the funds frozen in Dubai to transfer them back to Kuwait based U.S. investment bank J.P. Morgan said the Brexit, the United Kingdom’s biggest a no-deal Brexit, down from 20 percent, will be thrust into a constitutional crisis on international standard laws and procedures.” chances of Britain calling off Brexit altogether economic and political shift since World and a 50 percent probability on an orderly as what they say the financial and political The office of Kuwait’s prime minister did not respond to a had increased. War Two, has repeatedly plunged British Brexit, down from 60 percent. The chance elite will have thwarted the democratic will request for comment on Kuwait’s demands and on the content As investors and allies tried to work out politics into crisis since the shock 2016 vote of no Brexit at all doubled to 40 percent of the people. of the letter sent in September. the ultimate destination for the world’s to leave the EU. from 20 percent, in a sign of perhaps the While May’s Conservatives and the main Kuwait had followed up that letter a month later with a fifth largest economy, the Northern Irish Now May is trying to get her deal approved biggest shift in perception since the 2016 opposition Labor Party both say they respect renewed request from the attorney general to his counterpart party which props up May’s government by a parliament which shows every sign of vote to leave. the 2016 vote to leave, a growing number in Dubai, which detailed how the funds should be distributed said legal advice about the deal was “dev- striking it down in a vote on Dec. 11. It is Britain’s pro-Brexit trade minister Liam of backbench members of parliament say to the Kuwaiti government entities, as reported by Reuters astating”. unclear what happens if the deal is rejected Fox said it was now possible that Brexit would the only solution may be a new referendum last month. May was forced by parliament to publish as Britain is due to leave on March 29. not happen. There was a real danger that giving voters an option to stay in the EU. The money was frozen at the behest of the UAE central bank advice from the government’s top lawyer Nigel Dodds, the deputy leader of the parliament would try to “steal” Brexit from If the deal is voted down, some members in November 2017 to determine if the funds sent from a bank in about the fallback mechanism, or backstop, Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party, the British people, Fox told a parliamentary of parliament from both main parties have the Philippines to an account of Port Link, which manages Port to prevent the return of border controls be- said the legal advice proved that Northern committee on Wednesday. said they would act to stop a Brexit with no Fund, constituted money laundering. tween British-ruled Northern Ireland and Ireland would be treated differently to the Sterling, which has see-sawed on Brexit agreement, which business chiefs and in- U.S.-based law firm Crowell and Moring, which represents the EU-member Irish Republic. rest of the United Kingdom. news since the referendum, traded well off vestors fear would weaken the West, spook Port Fund, told Reuters the money was a legitimate payment “Despite statements in the Protocol Brexit reversed? the 17-month lows it hit on Tuesday, lifted financial markets and block trade. after Port Fund sold its investments in the Philippines. that it is not intended to be permanent On Tuesday, just hours before the start of by suggestions that Britain may opt not to (Source: Reuters) (Source: Daily Star) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 14 WORLD SPORTS DECEMBER 6, 2018

Serena confirmed for The world’s best player won’t be at Australian Open return Serena Williams will resume her quest for a record-equalling the Women’s World Cup 24th grand slam title at the Australian Open in January after organisers on Wednesday confirmed her entry to the tourna- To make history, to be the first, but to have “It depends how you look at the situation,” ment she won for a seventh time on her last appearance in 2017. the world focusing elsewhere. The talk is adds the articulate Hegerberg. “I didn’t feel The 37-year-old American achieved her victory over sister not about what has been achieved; of the in an awkward position. Venus in the final two years ago while eight weeks pregnant with goals scored or records broken. The ques- “Obviously, the question could’ve been her daughter Alexis Olympia, who was born the following Sep- tions asked are not about outrageous talent asked in another way. When you’re on stage tember. Williams reached the Wimbledon and U.S. Open finals or phenomenal performances but twerking. you want to get questions about how you feel after her return last year but lost both, leaving her one short of That is what it is like to be the best female winning such an award.” Australian Margaret Court’s tally of grand slam singles titles. footballer in 2018. Equality Her final match last season was the final at Flushing Meadow, “Obviously, I was expecting a question Hegerberg moved to France in 2014 to where her loss to Naomi Osaka was overshadowed by her row about my football skills, how [I was] feeling join women’s football heavyweights Lyon, with umpire Carlos Ramos. to stand there and win, but in the end I was but says she was fortunate to grow up in Williams is scheduled to play an exhibition tournament in Abu really happy to get the award and wasn’t Norway, a country she describes as giving Dhabi in the final week of the year before heading to Australia quite thinking about what’s going on in the men and women an equal chance to succeed. to warm-up for her assault on the Melbourne Park title at the media and social media,” Ada Hegerberg, The Norwegian and her elder sister, An- Hopman Cup in Perth. Also among the 102 women and 101 men the winner of the inaugural women’s Ballon drine, who currently plays in midfield for to have confirmed they will compete in the first grand slam of d’Or, tells CNN Sport, attempting to cause Paris Saint-Germain, grew up in a home 2019 is five-times runner up Andy Murray, who missed three of as few ripples as possible. “where equality was important.” the four majors last year because of a hip injury. Hegerberg is a gifted footballer. She has Her mum, she says, gave her confidence, The 31-year-old Scot has entered the tournament with his won a hattrick of Champions League trophies, encouraged her to use her voice, which is why protected ranking of number two after sliding down to 259th in scored 33 goals in 21 games last season in the world’s best female footballer is prepared the world in the wake of surgery on his injured joint. helping French club Lyon to a fourth league to sacrifice her own career so that the next Reigning champion Roger Federer will be gunning for a re- title and broke the record for the number of generation of female footballers “have better cord seventh men’s single crown from Jan. 14-27, while Caroline goals scored in a single Champions League conditions when they grow up.” Wozniacki will embark on her maiden grand slam title defence campaign. Aged 23, her best years are still Hegerberg is as extraordinary off the pitch at Melbourne Park. ahead of her. There is greatness to be achieved as she is on it. In 2017 she stepped away (Source: Reuters) for a striker who has already nearly amassed from the Norwegian national team because 300 career goals. of frustrations with the way women’s football It was expected that the first female winner note, an aside about DJ Martin Solveig and still needs to be made. was treated within the country. With just of what is regarded as the most prestigious how he asked her to twerk on stage. Hegerberg did not feel harassed, she says. seven months until the Women’s World Cup Washington Redskins decide individual prize in football would make On a night which was supposed to be a The striker was too overcome with joy at in France, the prolific striker is not about to headlines. The Norwegian will now always great leap forward for the women’s game, being the recipient of an award which has reverse her decision. not to sign Colin Kaepernick be remembered. But there will also be a foot- the spotlight highlighted the progress which been presented to men since 1956. (Source: CNN) The Washington Redskins “discussed” signing quarterback Colin Southampton appoint Hasenhuttl as Serena, Nadal and Murray all Kaepernick but decided to go in a “different direction”, says head coach Jay Gruden. manager confirmed for Australian Open The Redskins have lost their two senior quarterbacks to injury. Kaepernick has not played since January 2017 after protesting against racial injustice and police brutality by kneeling during the US national anthem. He has filed a grievance against NFL team owners he claims conspired not to hire him because of his protests. Kaepernick has been without a team since he opted out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers in March 2017. He was the first player to kneel during the US national an- them. Other players followed suit, leading to criticism from US President Donald Trump. The Redskins lost starter Alex Smith when he broke his leg in November and back-up quarterback Colt McCoy broke his leg against Philadelphia Eagles on Monday. “He’s been discussed for sure,” Gruden said of Kaepernick. “There’s not a lot of time to get a brand-new quarterback and system installed in a couple of days,” Gruden said. “He’s been talked about, but we’ll probably go in a different direction.” Gruden insisted it was purely a sporting decision, adding: “Just football, strictly football. When you’re talking about a back- up quarterback this late in the game, you want someone with a similar skill-set to the quarterback you have. “Not that Colin can’t do some of the things we’ve talked about, Ralph Hasenhuttl has been tasked in re- at home to Manchester United last Sat- Serena Williams will make her return to in 2017 when eight-weeks pregnant with but we want someone with a little more familiarity.” viving Premier League strugglers South- urday -- although it was too late to save the Australian Open for the first time since baby Alexis Olympia,” said tournament (Source: BBC) ampton’s fortunes after being named their Hughes’s job. winning in 2017 when eight-weeks preg- organiser Craig Tiley. new manager on Wednesday. Southampton, who parted ways with nant, it was confirmed Wednesday, with The evergreen Federer will be back to The 51-year-old Austrian -- who comes long-serving head of football development virtually all the world’s top 100 players defend his title, along with long-time adver- into the role on the back of Mark Hughes Les Reed earlier in the season, are third from due at Melbourne Park. sary Novak Djokovic. Caroline Wozniacki being sacked on Monday -- has signed a bottom of the Premier League ahead of a That includes injury-prone Rafael Nadal defends the women’s crown. Disabled Man United fans two-and-a-half-year contract with the club. tough match away to Tottenham Hotspur and Andy Murray. Organisers said the world’s top 102 want netting to protect them Hasenhuttl attracted Saints’ interest on Wednesday. Williams returned from giving birth women and top 101 men have all confirmed through his success at his previous club Krueger said the qualities Hasenhuttl to her first child to reach the 2018 Wim- they will be playing. from missiles RB Leipzig, guiding them to second in the displayed in taking unheralded German bledon and US Open finals, but suffered The only top-100 absentee from the Bundesliga in the 2016/17 season and the side Ingolstadt from the foot of the second upset losses in both to leave her stuck on women’s draw is 74th-ranked Agnieszka Europa League quarter-finals last term. tier to promotion to the elite augured well 23 major wins. Radwanska of Polandwho recently an- Disabled Manchester United fans have called for netting to be He left Leipzig after they finished sixth for Saints’ future. Australian Open organisers said she was nounced her retirement. put up at Old Trafford to protect them from missiles hurled by in the 2017/18 Bundesliga campaign. “We have been aware of Ralph since his among the entries for the opening Grand “It’s always special to see our defending away fans. “The urgency to find a path back to days at FC Ingolstadt, where he showed Slam of the year as she attempts to equal champions -- Caroline had her first Grand The disabled supporters’ section is below where visiting fans our potential and to the results that we the qualities that we believe we need at Margaret Court’s record of 24. Slam win here last year so will be keen to are housed. Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association expect cannot be underestimated,” said the club,” said Krueger. Her appearance will mark her first major start 2019 on a high,” said Tiley. (MUSDA) says flares, bottles filled with urine, coins and pies Southampton chairman Ralph Krueger “He has since gone on to develop those since her controversial rant at an umpire “And of course Roger Federer has special thrown by travelling supporters have landed in their section. in a statement. attributes with a track-record of success during the US Open final loss to Naomi memories of Melbourne, having won here Netting was used for Champions League games against Ju- “For that reason, we are extreme- in the Bundesliga and with a progressive Osaka, which overshadowed the Japanese six times, something only Novak (Djokovic) ventus and Young Boys. ly pleased that Ralph Hasenhuttl has and ambitious club in RB Leipzig,” added star’s biggest ever win. and Roy Emerson have done in the past. Now MUSDA is pressing to make that permanent. agreed to become our new manager and the 59-year-old Canadian, a former coach In the aftermath, Roger Federer said “I’ve been in touch with Rafa and he’s A recent fans’ forum meeting was told: “If granted, it would do all he can to help guide us back on of the Swiss ice hockey team. Williams “went too far”. back to full fitness after cutting his season come as a great relief to all those who have suffered over the years that path.” Krueger said Hasenhuttl represented “Serena Williams, currently ranked 16, short after Paris and can’t wait to arrive from the various items that have been thrown in our direction.” Hasenhuttl takes over a side that did an ideal match for the club. will make her highly anticipated return to in Australia,” he added. It is understood the club have the procedure under review show some improvement in a 2-2 draw (Source: AFP) Melbourne for the first time since winning (Source: Eurosport) and are making decisions on a case-by-case basis. (Source; BBC) IAAF upholds Russia’s doping suspension Badminton official banned for Track and field’s world governing body has decided keep its Russia over doping. Unlike the IAAF, the World Anti-Doping suspension of the Russian Athletics Federation in place. The Agency (WADA) and the International Olympic Commit- life over corruption claims IAAF is demanding that the Russians meet two conditions tee (IOC) have both reinstated Russia. However, WADA’s before they are reinstated. reinstatement held the condition that Russia recognize the Badminton’s world governing body Wednesday banned former The International Association of Athletics Federations findings of it s report and allow WADA access to stored council member Raj Gaya from the sport for life and hit him with (IAAF) Council agreed at a meeting in Monaco on Tuesday Russian anti-doping agency samples. Failure to provide a fine of $50,000 over alleged misuse of funds. to accept the recommendation of its Russia Taskforce not to this access by the end of the calendar year could lead to Gaya, from Mauritius, had since 1999 held positions with the reinstate the Russian Athletics Federation (RusAF). WADA reinstating its suspension of Russia. Badminton World Federation (BWF), the Badminton Confeder- The head of the Taskforce, Rune Andersen, said that before The last Russian track and field team to formally compete ation of Africa and the Mauritius Badminton Association (MBA). RusAF could be brought back into the fold it must meet two at a major international event was at the 2015 World Cham- The BWF Ethics Hearing Panel began investigating the official conditions: First it needs to grant the Taskforce access to data pionships in Beijing. At the 2016 Olympics, long jumper in June last year after former MBA president Bassir Mungroo from the testing of samples at a Moscow laboratory between Darya Klischina was the sole Russian athlete represented, “raised several allegations” of corruption against him, it said in 2011 and 2015; and second, it needs to pay the costs Taskforce’s competing under a neutral flag. In most other Olympic dis- a report. The ethics panel said their probe revealed Gaya had costs and those incurred in bringing or defending Russian We will have to rely on receiving the data from WADA.” ciplines, Russian players and teams were accommodated diverted funds meant for the MBA to his personal bank account cases at the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS). As for the IAAF’s second condition, Andersen said that in greater numbers and with fewer restrictions. and used them “for his own benefit”. “I hope they’ll deliver the data by the end of this year,” while Russia has promised to pay the costs, so far, it hadn’t A team of 19 Russians competed under a neutral flag It also said he had exaggerated or falsified expense claims, Andersen said of the IAAF’s first demand. “We have received actually paid them. at the 2017 World Championships, and most recently 72 forged official documents and refused to cooperate with the inves- no assurances that it will be delivered to us directly. The “We need to receive the money,” he said. were at the European Championships in Berlin this year, tigation. Gaya told officials he had used the funds for “badminton assurances have been given to WADA (World Anti-Doping The IAAF has maintained a tough stance on Russia from again in neutral colors. related expenses”, as well as “political reasons” including “to get Agency) and WADA has set a deadline of December. 31. the start, being among the first sports federations to sanction (Source: Deutche Welle) African people on his side”, according the report. The three-member panel chaired by Sylvia Schenk two weeks ago said it would ban Gaya from “performing any function in badminton for life” and ordered him to pay the fine -- a decision Robben targeted by PSV Eindhoven upheld by the BWF on Wednesday. PSV Eindhoven and Groningen are interested 10 years with the Bundesliga champions. were to join us and retire from football here,” two years later. “We are always interested In recent years, BWF has embarked on a mission to root out in bringing winger Arjen Robben back to the He has yet to decide whether he will end Groningen CEO Hans Nijland told Dagblad in good players and Arjen is a good player,” corruption, match-fixing and illegal gambling from the sport. Netherlands when he leaves Bayern Munich his playing career or continue at another club, Noorden. “We should at least dream of it.” Eindhoven coach Mark van Bommel, a former In May, two Malaysian badminton players received career-end- at the end of the season.Former Netherlands and Groningen and Eindhoven, two of his Eindhoven have also confirmed they are teammate of Robben’s at Bayern, said at a ing bans for match-fixing. captain Robben, 34, said at the weekend that former sides, have set their sights on a move. interested in Robben, who joined them from fans’ meeting this week. (Source: AFP) this would be his final season at Bayern after “It would be the ultimate dream if he Groningen in 2002 before leaving for Chelsea (Source: ESPN) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 6, 2018 SPORTS 15

Iranian trio appointed for Zob Ahan goalie Mazaheri on Persepolis’s radar

TASNIM — Zob Ahan goalkeeper Mohammad Rashid Mazaheri 2019 AFC Asian Cup has been linked with a move to Persepolis football team. Persepolis goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand will likely leave SPORTS TEHRAN — Three Ira- the team in January transfer window. desknian officials have been Mazaheri, 29, was a member of Iran national football team appointed to the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, in the 2018 World Cup but was an unused substitute in three which is scheduled to kick-off in one month’s matches against Morocco, Spain and Portugal. time on January 5, 2019. Mazaheri spent seven years in the youth academy of Fajr Se- Alireza Faghani and assistant referees pasi before joining the youth teams of Esteghlal Ahvaz in 2009. Reza Sokhandan and Mohammadreza Man- He started his senior career with Esteghlal Ahvaz in 2010 and souri, who refereed England’s World Cup Joined Foolad a year later. third-place play-off against Belgium, have Mazaheri penned a deal with Zob Ahan in 2014 and helped been assigned to officiate in the competition. the Isfahan-based football team win Hazfi Cup twice in 2014–15 With the expansion of Asia’s most pres- and 2015–16 seasons. tigious tournament from 16 to 24 teams, a record 60 match officials – comprising 30 referees and assistant referees each Iran attends Olympic Council – have been appointed to the AFC Asian of Asia women’s meeting Cup UAE 2019. The largest-ever contingent, which will also be supported by four reserve officials, IRNA — The women’s meeting of the Olympic Council of Asia will see a diverse range of nationalities, kicked off in Tokyo on Wednesday. with 19 Member Associations represented Robab Shahrian participated in the event as Iran’s representative. across the five AFC zones. During the meeting, members of the council ratified a request The Continent’s best referees and assis- for the thirty-percent presence of the field of management and the tant referees were selected based on their necessity of its implementation by the National Olympic Committees skill, technical knowledge, management of Asian countries and holding of women’s and sports seminar competence and physical fitness. was further underlined when a record enhancing the opportunities for our referees program dating back to the conclusion of in coordination with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the They will be expected to perform var- 16 match officials were appointed to the to shine on the biggest stages.” the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015. International Olympic Committee IOC) was adopted in 2019. ious roles including Additional Assistant FIFA World Cup in July. As part of the main cast, the AFC also Since then, ten seminars have been or- The Olympic Council of Asia is a governing body of sports in Referees, Reserve Assistant Referees as “Today, we announce the largest-ever appointed a guest trio from Concacaf, led ganized to ensure optimum consistency Asia, currently with 45 members National Olympic Committees. well as Video Assistant Referees (VAR), contingent to the UAE and I would like by FIFA World Cup Russia referee Cesar and uniformity and the highest level of The current president is Sheikh Fahad Al-Sabah. which will come into force from the quar- to congratulate all our match officials on Arturo Ramos from Mexico, as part of refereeing standards. ter-final stage. their appointments to the biggest and best the existing exchange program between As the Continent shifts its attention AFC President Shaikh Salman bin AFC Asian Cup in history. the two Confederations with an Asian to the UAE, a final preparatory course is Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “The AFC’s “The expansion of the AFC Asian Cup trio set to feature in the Concacaf’s Gold scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi five Tabriz to host 2019 AFC U20 Vision and Mission underlined our de- was a strategic decision which benefitted Cup later this year. days prior to the competition, which has sire to be leaders of the global game and not only the teams and players, but in all The appointments are a culmination of been designed specifically to focus on the Futsal C’ship: official the world-class stature of AFC referees areas of football development, including a robust and comprehensive preparation seamless implementation of the VAR system. MNA — The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has appointed Tabriz, East Azerbaijan province, to host the 2019 edition of AFC Iran’s Tavasoli nominated for the Iran’s Etedadi nominated for the U20 Futsal Championship, said the head of futsal department of Iran’s Football Federation. world’s best female goalkeeper world’s best female futsal player Leila Yarmohammadi said Wednesday that the AFC has an- nounced the appointment of Tabriz as the host of 2nd AFC U20 Futsal C’ship final tournament through an official letter to the Iranian federation. 12 countries will participate in the event which is going to be held from June 12 to 25. The first edition of the competition was held in 2017 in Thai- land where Iran claimed the title by defeating Iraq in the final contest while Thailand and Uzbekistan ranked next. Yarmohammadi also went on to say that since Iranian cities of Isfahan and Ardebil have proposed to host 2019 AFC Futsal Club Championship in the coming year, the AFC representative Raymond Bhaskaran is visiting Iranian cities to evaluate their capabilities for organizing the event. Asian Women’s Handball Championship: Iran earn SPORTS TEHRAN — Iran RUSSIA N.T. SPORTS TEHRAN — After hav- Flavia Lorena Benítez (ARG) first win deskfutsal custodian has Jhennifer Aparecida De Oliveira desking released the list of Kimberley (ARG) - ARGENTINA N.T been nominated as the Best Female Camargo (BRA) ten names in contention as best female - ARGENTINA N.T. U20 Goalkeeper in the World. São José Futsal Feminino (BRA) - goalkeeper in the year 2018, Futsal Plan- Diana Santos De Oliveira Mendes TASNIM — Iran earned the first win at the 2018 Asian Women’s Tavasoli was a member of the Irani- BRAZIL N.T U20 et announced the nominees for the Best (BRA) Handball Championship on Wednesday. an team won the AFC Women’s Futsal Pannipa Kamolrat (THA) Female Player in the World. Leoas da Serra (BRA) - BRAZIL N.T. Team Melli defeated New Zealand 38-19 at the Yamaga Gym- Championship in May for the second Bangkok Futsal Club (THA) - Amazon Fatemeh Etedadi from Iran along with Fatemeh Etedadi (IRN) nasium in Yamaga, Japan in Group A. successive year. BlueWave Chonburi (THA) - THAILAND N.T. nine other stars of international women Daneshgah Azad Tehran (IRN) - Mes Team Melli had already lost to Kazakhstan (41-26), Australia She helped Team Melli win back-to- Maria Antonia Mascia (ITA) futsal will try to reach the top. Rafsanjan (IRN) - IRAN N.T. (29–24) and Japan (31-8). back AFC Women’s Futsal Champion- Ternana Calcio Femminile (ITA) - Etedadi was named as the top goalscorer Ana Sofia Gonçalves “Fifó” (POR) The Iranian woman handball team will meet Hong Kong for ship titles. Futsal Futbol Cagliari (ITA) - ITALY N.T. of the second edition of the AFC Women’s Sport Lisboa e Benfica (POR) - PORTU- 5th to 8th place on Friday. The Best Female Goalkeeper in the v Silvia Aguete Outón (ESP) Futsal Championship in Thailand in May GAL N.T. - PORTUGAL N.T. U18 The 2018 Asian Women’s Handball Championship is the 17th World nominations are as follow: Poio Pescamar F. S. (ESP) - SPAIN N.T. with nine goals. Renata Adamatti “Renatinha” (BRA) edition of the Asian Women’s Handball Championship, is being Ana Catarina Silva Pereira (POR) Farzaneh Tavasoli (IRN) The Best Female Player in the World Ternana Calcio Femminile (ITA) - Futsal held from 30 November to 9 December 2018 in Kumamoto, Sport Lisboa e Benfica (POR) - POR- Palayesh Naft Abadan (IRN)- Namino nominations are as follow: Florentia (ITA) Yamaga and Yatsushiro, Japan. TUGAL N.T. Isfahan (IRN) - IRAN N.T. Amanda Lyssa de Oliveira Crisosto- Alexandra Samorodova (RUS) The tournament is held under the aegis of Asian Handball Ana Etayo Garde (ESP) Ayaka Yamamoto (JPN) mo “Amandinha” (BRA) Zapsibkolledzh Tyumen (RUS) - RUSSIA N.T. Federation and will act as the Asian qualifying tournament for Jimbee Roldan (ESP) - SPAIN N.T. SWH Ladies Futsal Club (JPN) - JA- Leoas da Serra (BRA) - BRAZIL N.T. Vanessa Cristina Pereira (BRA) the 2019 World Women’s Handball Championship. Bianca Castagnaro Moraes (BRA) PAN N.T. - BRAZIL University N.T. Pescara c5 (ITA) - Jimbee Roldan (ESP) Futsal Breganze 2011 C5 (ITA) The winner of the UMBRO Futsal Amelia Romero De La Flor (ESP) - Ternana Celebrity Femminile (ITA) Anastasia Ivanova (RUS) Award 2018 will be announced on Jan- C.D. Futsi Atlético Navalcarnero (ESP) Débora Vanin “Miuda” (BRA) FK Aurora Sankt-Peterburg (RUS) - uary 10. - SPAIN N.T. Kick Off C5 Femminile (ITA) The remarkable rise of Asia’s greatest showpiece The ‘friendly’ rivalry between Nottingham Forest’s strikers Karim Ansarifard on joining the club and waiting for his country while waiting for work permit approval to seal his Abu Dhabi: Rising from humble beginnings, the transformation first start for the Reds. move to the City Ground. of the AFC Asian Cup is undeniably one of the greatest success Karim Ansarifard is chomping at the bit to make his first Now it has all gone through, he says he is enjoying his stories in modern day football. start for Nottingham Forest. first taste of English football. Next month’s showpiece is poised to be the biggest and most However, the striker accepts it is going to be tough to “It was good, a fantastic experience for me. I am still thrilling edition to date as a record 24 nations land in the UAE unseat Championship top scorer Lewis Grabban from the learning and I hope that I can get used to this league even in the coming days to compete for Continental glory. Reds’ starting XI. more,” Ansarifard said. Ansarifard has been restricted to four substitute appear- “When I went away with the national team I played ances for the club so far, after penning a one-and-a-half-year there, but as a club player my last game was when I was deal a month ago. at Olympiacos. He says there is plenty of “friendly competition” with “After almost three months, to get out on the pitch fellow forwards Grabban and Daryl Murphy, with the for- was great. mer’s 14 league goals leading the way in the scoring charts. “It was a brilliant feeling. I had been waiting for a while But regardless how long he gets out on the pitch for, the to play, but I am really happy now that I can play.” Iranian says he will continue to give his all for the cause. And the front man adds his new team-mates immediately “For sure, it would be great for me to do that (start a “It is friendly competition. That makes us work harder to made him feel welcome as they all work towards achieving game) but it is the choice of the manager,” Ansarifard told do well, even in each training session and then to perform their promotion dream. AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “The the club’s matchday program. well in the games.” “They are really nice guys and lovely people,” he added. AFC Asian Cup has grown from strength-to-strength since its first “We have to respect that and all I can do is make sure Ansarifard has so far come off the bench in the games “From the beginning, they have been helpful to me and edition in 1956. This is a result of the unity and commitment of the that I keep on working hard and when my time comes I have against Sheffield United, Hull City, Aston Villa and in Sat- I really like them. AFC and all our Member Associations working together towards our to try my best, whether it is for one minute or 90 minutes. urday’s 2-0 triumph over Ipswich Town as Aitor Karanka’s “I am really happy that I joined this club. I can achieve Vision and Mission to raise the standards of competitions in Asia.” “He is a brilliant player, so is Murph, and all of the players side moved up to fifth in the table. my goals here in my own life. The world’s second-oldest continental football competition has here are very good. The 28-year-old made one substitute appearance for “Nottingham Forest are one of the historic and good come a long way since its first edition in 1956 - two years after the “We have a lot of quality and it gives us lots of competi- Olympiacos early on this term, against Burnley in the Eu- clubs and we are all working hard, doing well in the games formation of the Asia Football Confederation (AFC) – with Korea tion, lots of friendly competition and everyone is working ropa League, before his contract was terminated in August. to get promoted to the Premier League.” Republic prevailing when just four teams competed in Hong Kong. for the team, which is really important. Otherwise, he had been limited to the odd match for his (Source: Nottinghamshire Live ) The Taeguk Warriors successfully defended their crown on home soil in 1960 before the Islamic Republic of Iran stamped their mark with three successive titles, a feat that remains un- matched in the competition’s history. FIBA praises Iranian basketball players The most memorable of Team Melli’s treble was on June 13, IRNA — International Basketball Federation FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qual- Mohammad Jamshidi and Behnam players turned the 52-60 loss to the 78-70 win. 1976, when Ali Parvin’s 73rd minute strike sent a record 100,000 (FIBA) praised Iran’s national basketball ifiers second match of the fifth window, where Yakhchali recieved 26 and 21 points for Iran Iran currently sit in the second place of capacity home crowd - another landmark that still stands today - into team players for their shining appearance Iran defeated the rival with a late 78-70 win. respectively to greatly help Iran in the win. the Group F of the qualifiers round after euphoria at the Aryamehr Stadium (now Azadi Stadium), confirming against the Philippines. “Jamshidi and Yakhchali stun Philip- Iran did not take the lead until the fourth Australia to host Japan and Australia in Feb- the Central Asians status as Asia’s greatest side of that era. Iran and the Philippines encountered in the pines,” said FIBA in its website. quarter where the fine performance of its ruary 2019 in the final window of this round. (Source: the-afc ) Prayer Times Noon:11:55 Evening: 17:11 Dawn: 5:31 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 7:01 (tomorrow) DECEMBER 6, 2018 ART&CULTURE I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y www.tehrantimes.com Managing Director: Ali Asgari Editor-in-Chief: Mohammad Ghaderi Blind artist to hold workshop to erase Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 [email protected] Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051450 doubts over her ability to paint Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 www.eshterak.ir Distributor: Padideh Novin Co. ARTTEHRAN — Visually- desk Tel: 88911433 impaired artist Maryam Webmaster: [email protected] Heidarzadeh who is also prolific songwriter Printed at: Rooztab - ISSN: 1017-94 announced on Wednesday a plan to organize No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran a workshop in response to people doubting P.o. Box: 14155-4843 her ability to do a painting all by herself. Zip Code: 1599814713 The workshop will be held on Friday evening at Tehran’s Mojdeh Gallery, which has been hosting an exhibition of her paintings since November 30. “I will hold a workshop to assure everybody that I do my paintings without any help from other people,” Heidarzadehw said in press release. “I think people have the right to doubt GUIDE TO my work, but I hope this workshop will SPIRITUAL AWAKENING eliminate all ambiguities,” she added. Thirty acrylic paintings by Heidarzadeh are on display in the exhibition she titled A trouble that saddens you is better than a blessing “After All Those Regrets…” that rouses your selfishness and loses you God’s “I chose this titled because I was 3.5 favor; for, the former grinds your body like a rasp, years of age when I lost my sight in an and the latter burns your spirit little by little. operation as result of a medical error,” she Imam Ali (AS) previously said in a statement published during the opening ceremony of her exhibit last Friday. “Painting was an art that I have always loved, but I could not do it due to the Iranian movies line up for disability until nine years ago when my teacher, Mr. Qasemi, helped me move Jordan festival towards it,” explained Heidarzadeh, who Maryam Heidarzadeh accompanies Budget and Planning Organization director Mohammad Baqer Nobakht in a visit to her exhibition organized the first showcase of her paintings at Tehran’s Mojdeh Gallery on November 30, 2018. (Honaronline/Siamak Zomorodi-Motlaq) ARTTEHRAN – Four Iranian films are competing at Shirin Gallery in 2013. desk at the 9th Karama Human Rights Film Festival Nature is the central theme of her autumn. In fact, this season is the beginning The exhibition will come to an end with 27, 18th Alley off North Allameh Blvd. in now underway in Amman, Jordan. collection. “This was rooted in my love of of my inclination to painting,” she said. the workshop at the gallery located at No. the Saadatabad neighborhood. “The Fog” co-directed by Ali Shurvarzi and Hossein Mahruqi and “Return” by Shahriar Purseyyedian will be screened in the short film competition of the festival, which opened on Wednesday. Iranian filmmakers to attend Kamal Tabrizi selected for jury workshops at Tampere festival of Istanbul filmfest

“Return” by Shahriar Purseyyedian is competing in the 9th Karama Human Rights Film Festival in Amman, Jordan. “Ballsy: Story of A Revolution” by Seyyed Mohsen Purmo- hseni-Shakib and “Power to the People” by Andia Afsar Keshmiri are competing in the animated film section of the festival that will run until December 10. “You’re Are Not Alone” is the motto of this year’s festival, which aims to contribute to the understanding of the general situation of women around the world and in the Arab world in particular, the organizers have announced.

ARTTEHRAN – Ten classes. Iranian director Kamal Tabrizi in an undated photo. desk Cinéma Vérité unveils Iranian filmmakers will Selected filmmakers are allowed to ARTTEHRAN – Kamal director Tevfik Baser and U.S.-based Iranian lineup for intl. be selected by the Iranian Youth Cinema introduce their short films during review deskTabrizi, the Iranian Jordanian writer and actor Najwa Society (IYCS) to attend workshops, which sessions, which will be organized at the director of acclaimed films such as “A Najjar are the other members of the competition are scheduled to be organized during the event. Mother’s Love” and “Leili Is with Me”, jury. Tampere Film Festival in the Finnish city, Over seventy filmmakers from Iran, has been selected as a member of the The festival, which aims to ARTTEHRAN – Cinéma Vérité has announced the the IYCS announced on Wednesday. China, Germany, Estonia and Finland are jury for the International Amity Short traditionalize the notion of “being a deskIranian lineup for the international competition The program entitled Bootcamp offers expected to attend the Bootcamp workshops Film Festival in Istanbul, Turkey. friend to a fellow man; one’s own body; of Iran’s major documentary film festival. young filmmakers an intensive five-day and master classes of the festival, which Turkish actors Yuksel Aksu and and to everything else, visible or not”, training course of workshops and master will run from March 6 to 10, 2019. Sezin Akbasogullari, Turkish-German will be held from December 14 to 16. “Black Panther,” “Star is Born” among AFI’s top films of 2018 LOS ANGELES (Reuters) — Musical “Mary Poppins Returns,” as well as historical the Academy Awards in February. the world. drama “A Star is Born,” superhero movie dramas “BlacKkKlansman,” “If Beale Street The group also gave a special award The AFI also named its top 10 TV series “Black Panther” and horror flick “A Quiet Could Talk,” “The Favourite,” “Green Book” to black-and-white family drama “Roma,” of the year. They were “The Marvelous Mrs. Place” were named as some of the 10 best and “First Reformed.” which did not meet criteria for the top 10 Maisel,” “Succession,” “Atlanta,” “Pose,” films of 2018 by the American Film Institute The honors are among the first to be list of American films. “Roma” was shot “The Americans,” “The Assassination of on Tuesday. handed out during Hollywood’s awards in Mexico and the dialogue is in Spanish. Gianni Versace: American Crime Story,” The top movies also included coming- seasons, which continues with Golden The movie is being shown on Netflix and “Barry,” “Better Call Saul,” “This is Us,” of-age tale “Eighth Grade” and family film Globe nominations on Thursday through in a limited number of theaters around and “The Kominsky Method.”

A scene from “Beloved” by Yasser Talebi. Kevin Hart says 2019 Oscars host job is “opportunity of a lifetime” Eight documentaries from Iranian filmmakers will compete LOS ANGELES (Reuters) — Comedian Kevin Hart will have to navigate the expectations of the A-list audience with 26 documentaries from across the world in the various cat- host next year’s Oscar ceremony for the first time, the “Ride in the theater and millions tuning in on television, with a egories of the event, the organizers announced on Wednesday. Along” actor said in an Instagram post on Tuesday. combination of topical and insider jokes. “Exodus” by Bahman Kiarostami and “Beloved” by Yasser Talebi “I am so happy to say that the day has finally come for Hart, who is African-American, is one of just a handful have been selected for the full-length films section. me to host the Oscars,” Hart wrote. The Academy Awards of black Oscar hosts over the past 90 years, including Chris “Shouting at the Wind”, co-directed by Siavash Jamali and Ata are the film industry’s highest honors. Rock, Whoopi Goldberg and Sammy Davis Jr. Mehrad and “Asak” by Mehdi Zamanpur will go on screen in the “So are we,” the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and His selection comes at a time when the Academy is under mid-length film section. Sciences, which organizes the Oscars, responded on Twitter. pressure to increase diversity among its own membership, “Ashang” by Mohammad-Sadeq Esmaeili, “Persepolis- Chicago” “Welcome to the family.” and among the films and performers nominated for Oscars. by Orod Attarpur, “The Season of the Hot Winds” by Hossein Rigi Hart, 39, who also starred in 2017 film “Jumanji: Wel- Viewership of the annual ceremony has fallen in recent and “Ichthyosis” by Farah Zare’ will compete in the short film section. come to the Jungle” follows talk show host Jimmy Kimmel years, prompting the Academy to pledge earlier this year The Documentary and Experimental Film Center is the organ- who took on the gig in 2018 and 2017. to shorten the show by about 30 minutes to three hours izer of the Cinéma Vérité festival, which will take place at Tehran’s “I am blown away simply because this has been a goal on and to hand out some of the technical awards, like sound Charsu Cineplex from December 9 to 16. my list for a long time,” Hart wrote on his Instagram page, editing, during commercial breaks. calling the job “the opportunity of a lifetime.” The U.S. television audience for the 2018 Oscars hit an “To be able to join the legendary list of hosts that have all-time low of 26.5 million viewers. BOOKSHELF graced the stage is unbelievable,” he added. 2017 Kids’ Choice Awards – Show - Los Angeles, California, Oscar nominations will be announced on Jan. 22, with Book: Geometry of Concepts The job of hosting the Oscars is one of the most prestig- U.S., 11/3/2017 - Actor Kevin Hart accepts his Favorite the 2019 televised ceremony taking place live in Hollywood ious but also the most difficult in show business as hosts Villain award. (Reuters/Mario Anzuoni) on Feb. 24. in Rumi’s Thought Author: Mohammad-Ali Tirandaz “Wizard of Oz,” Miyazaki to star in LA Motion Picture museum Publisher: Negahe Moaser This book intends to study the spiritual LOS ANGELES (Reuters) — An immersive Cafe from the movie “Casablanca” and the the Oscars and has been years in the planning. capacity of concepts in the works of poet and “Wizard of Oz” exhibit will greet visitors to typewriter used to write Alfred Hitchcock’s Plans were first announced in 2012 with mystic Molana Jalal ad-Din Rumi (1207- the Motion Picture museum in Los Angeles “Psycho.” a projected 2016 opening but the project was 1273), the writer of the Persian masterpiece when it opens after a long delay in late 2019, Museum director Kerry Brougher told plagued by building delays. the Masnavi-ye Manavi. organizers said on Tuesday. reporters on Tuesday that the museum had The 300,000-sq-foot museum, with two It also surveys the similarities between A pair of the ruby slippers worn by Judy several goals. movie theaters and sweeping views of the Rumi’s perspective on edification of man Garland in the classic 1939 musical, along “We want to convey the emotional and Hollywood Hills, is now expected to open and the principles of logotherapy, the Third with costumes, props and exhibits about the imaginative power of film... We want to explore in about a year, museum officials said on Viennese School of Psychotherapy, which behind the scenes making of “The Wizard the impact of cinema on society and culture Tuesday. The “Dorothy” dress worn by Judy Garland was developed by the Austrian-Hungarian neurologist and of Oz”, will be installed in the lobby of the at large and most importantly, we need to The work of Japanese master animator in The Wizard of Oz is seen during a media psychiatrist Viktor Frankl (1905-1997). Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. ensure film’s history and its legacy for future Hayao Miyazaki will be the subject of the preview of Bonhams and Turner Classic The research also delves into Rumi’s perspective on the Hundreds of other movie memorabilia on generations.” museum’s first temporary exhibit, followed Movies Treasures from the Dream Factory structure and virtue of art. show in the main “Where Dreams Are Made” The $388 million museum in mid-town Los by one on African-American cinema from 1900 at Bonhams in New York November 19, 2015. exhibit will include a pair of doors from Rick’s Angeles is spearheaded by the organizers of to 1970 that is scheduled for the fall of 2020. (Reuters/Shannon Stapleton)