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16 Pages Price 20,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 39th year No.13273 Sunday DECEMBER 9, 2018 Azar 18, 1397 Rabi’ Al thani 1, 1440 U.S. has turned ‘Strengthening rial, Mehdi Taj German director Walter region into supplying working capital nominated for AFC vice Steffen’s “Joy in Iran” to

‘gunpowder store’ 2 top priorities of banks’ 4 president post 15 screen at Cinéma Vérité 16 Iran blames regional spy services for Chabahar attack POLITICS TEHRAN — In- reported. desktelligence Minister “In their view, a terrorism which meets Mahmoud Alavi on Saturday con- their interests is good terrorism,” the min- demned the recent terrorist attack in ister remarked. Chabahar, southeastern Iran, saying On Thursday, a vehicle laden with Iran holds regional sponsors of ter- explosives went off close to a police rorism and spy services accountable headquarters in Chabahar, a port city in for the horrific incident. the southeastern province of Sistan-Bal- Alavi made the remarks in Tehran uchestan. Two soldiers were killed and at on the sidelines of an international least 43 individuals were injured during meeting of parliament speakers of Iran, the attack. Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, Chi- In a tweet on Thursday, Foreign Min- na and Russia on peace, connectivity ister Zarif said “Iran will bring terrorists and prosperity in the region, Mehr and their masters to justice”.

NIMA supplies €6.8b for imports of goods, services ECONOMY TEHRAN — Since be- (CBI), electrical, electronic and telecom- deskcoming online in early munication products with €353.1 million July, Iran’s domestic Forex Management and auto parts with €205.1 million were Integrated System (locally known as NIMA) the products with the greatest amount of Rouhani: Sanctions equal has earned €6.8 billion of foreign currency to foreign currency supplied for imports at be consumed for imports of goods and services the secondary market NIMA. into the country, IRIB reported on Saturday. The required foreign currency for According to the public relations imports of the following goods has been economic terrorism department of the Central Bank of Iran supplied by NIMA per se: 4 ICH appoints Iran as new observer

Mohammadreza Abbasi HEALTH TEHRAN — Iran be- country in the region to join ICH. deskcame the new observer ICH is a project that brings together the See page 2 of the International Council for Harmonization regulatory authorities of Europe, Japan and Parliament speakers of six Asian countries of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals the United States and experts from the phar- for Human Use (ICH), the Health Ministry maceutical industry in the three regions to

Tehran Times/ Tehran Times/ condemn chabahar terrorist attack announced in a report published on Saturday. discuss scientific and technical aspects of According to the report, Iran is the very first pharmaceutical product registration. 9

ARTICLE Political squabbles among OPEC members have weakened its efficacy: Entessar REPORT Ebrahim Fallahi By Payman Yazdani countries that account for a significant percentage of A: Qatar’s announcement of its intention to Ramin Hossein Abadian Tehran Times journalist TEHRAN — Touching upon the Qatar’s rea- the world’s oil production was confirmed by Qatar withdraw from OPEC took almost everyone, Mehr News Agency sons to withdraw from OPEC, Prof. Entessar Petroleum, the state oil company, last Monday. including many seasoned observers of Qatari journalist said political squabbles among its members have To know more about the issue we reached out politics, by surprise. Qatari government stated weakened OPEC’s efficacy. to Nader Entessar, Professor Emeritus of Polit- that it would like to concentrate on its natural gas Oil’s love triangle Qatar will withdraw from the Organization ical Science from University of South Alabama. sector, but this reason alone cannot really explain Tel Aviv’s fear of of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Here is the full text of his comments: why the country needed to withdraw from OPEC ends up with the Persian Gulf nation’s Energy Minister Saad What are the reasons behind Qatar’s de- to do so. Qatar already has a robust natural gas Hezbollah reaction Sherida al-Kaabi announced. cision to withdraw from OPEC? Is it politically industry and is the leading exporter of liquefied Trump in tears The decision to quit the bloc of 15 oil-producing and economically right decision? natural gas in the world. 7 against Operation

hese days whenever there is talks Northern Shield about oil market three names are Draft national budget bill is based on gasoline populism t seems that Israeli hostility against Tinevitably come to surface, the U.S. By M.A.Saki cial rate) have been allocated for aiding the poor to increase gasoline price by 50 percent, which resistant movement has no end in Gaza President Trumps, Russian President Pu- Some details of the national budget bill for the people and 35,000 billion tomans ($8.3 billion) was rejected by the parliament. nor in Lebanon. Deposit heavy fiasco, tin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed next Iranian fiscal year, which will start on March for the health reform plan. And why this time the budget organization I the Zionist has no intend to give up their Bin Salman. 21, 2018, were released on Thursday by the Man- These are the positive aspects of the budget. has not increased gasoline price for the next year foolish adventure that has clear outcome. This goes to an extent that some even agement and Planning Organization. But, according the draft budget bill, the price of is really unsettling. Most probably, the organ- The Zionist regime recently launched a say OPEC has lost “what control of the oil According to the Iran newspaper, the budget the heavily-subsidized gasoline has remained ization is arguing that since commodity prices new adventure on the northern axis of the market it ever had” and the whole mar- for environment protection has increased 84 untouched. have increased highly due to the reimposition of occupied territories on the Lebanese border ket is being controlled by these three and percent and for tourism industry 100 percent. Even last year, when the government submit- sanctions and the devaluation of national currency, claiming that Hezbollah enters weapons whatever goes on between them would Among other things, the newspaper also said ted the draft budget to the parliament for final an increase in gasoline price will exacerbate the and explosives to Israeli territory through eventually reflect on the oil prices and 7,000 billion tomans ($1.66 billion at the offi- approval for the current year, it had proposed situation. 13 the market in the future. tunnels set up on Lebanese border with This made me to take a look at the events Israel. The Operation Northern Shield of the oil market in the past few months up ‘Optimists see a Indo-Pakistani dialogue in post India’s general elections’ began on December 4, and the Zionist to the OPEC’s 175th meeting in Vienna in By Syed Zafar Mehdi to Tehran Times, she briefly touched upon the A. Relations between India and Pakistan are army has deployed a large number of its which once again the cartel stretched some Relations between India and Pakistan, the two relations between India and Pakistan, the logjam marred all the time, with periodic relief when military equipment and forces on the muscles to leave many in shock, pushing South Asian estranged neighbors, continue to over Kashmir, Modi’s handshake with MBS at governments on both sides exhibit political will. northern borders, and has declared the oil prices up near five percent. fluctuate. Kartarpur corridor project had opened G-20 summit, and what makes Iran important Since the current situation cannot continue for- area a closed military zone. After two days of meeting involving a window of opportunity for the two countries for India. ever, optimists do see a period of dialogue post The Zionist worried about tense discussions and persuasions, OPEC to bury the hatchet and strengthen ties, but the Following are the excerpts: India’s general elections. Lebanese resistant‘s reaction and oil-producing allies known as OPEC+ BJP government in India hasn’t shown much The relations between India and Pakistan Kashmir remains the bone of contention The fact is that the Zionist regime isn’t finally agreed on Friday to cut production enthusiasm. continue to be marred by various issues. Do you between the two countries. What steps need prepared to accept a heavier defeat of Leba- by 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) de- Seema Mustafa is a senior journalist and see the possibility of two sides reviving peace di- to be taken by the two countries and the in- non’s Hezbollah on the northern front after spite pressures from Trump to maintain commentator based in New Delhi. She is the alogue after general elections in India, since the ternational community to resolve the logjam its loss against Islamic resistance groups current output levels to keep prices low. founder editor of The Citizen. In an interview BJP government doesn’t seem interested this time? over Kashmir? 6 in the occupied territories of Palestine. Based on the OPEC+ announcement, The political authorities of Zionism and Saudi Arabia will shoulder most of the cut the military commanders of this regime that is 800,000 bpd while Russia, which are well aware of this fact, and of course, has been an important player in global oil Paris like a some of them have confirmed it. markets, and other non-OPEC producers In the same vein, the zeal of the concerns of will bear the rest. conflict zone the Zionist military commanders is heard from By agreeing on a level of cuts which any possible reaction by Lebanon’s Hezbollah was even deeper than expected, once as police, to the operation of the North Shield of Tel again OPEC succeeded to surprise the Aviv. For example, Amos Yadlin, former head market, a decision that definitely is not of the IDF Military Intelligence Directorate going to please the third musketeer which protesters clash revealed that the regime was worried about Hezbollah’s reaction to Operation Northern is probably already preparing his next An estimated 31,000 people joined “yellow Shield on the northern borders of occupied tweet cascade. vest” anti-government protests across Palestine. The former general added: “It is a Bin Salman and Trump scenario France Saturday, deputy interior minis- concern that Hezbollah considers the Operation When Trump decided to leave Iran’s ter Laurent Nunez said, adding that 700 North Shield a hostile act against Lebanon nuclear deal, his decision was like the people had been detained. and reacts to it.” sweetest of melodies to Saudi Crown “At the national level, including Paris, Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s ears. we’re at more than 700 detained with Lebanese Hezbollah’s reac- Trump was claiming to cut Iranian oil participation in the movement at 31,000 tion to the destabilizing move- exports to zero and his best buddy bin Salman nationwide including 8,000 in Paris,” he ments of Tel Aviv was Trump’s main chess piece to succeed in his told France 2 television. The Zionist fears of any possible re- game against Iran. Eager to hit his country’s French riot police fired tear gas and action to Lebanon’s Hezbollah once in- arch rival hard, the young crown prince ordered clashed with “yellow vest” protesters creased, when a senior member of the for an increase in oil production without any in central Paris on Saturday during group spoke about the operation of the hesitation; so that very soon Saudi Arabia’s the latest in a wave of demonstrations Shield of the North. Hassan Habullah, a oil output exceeded a record high of 11 million against the high cost of living that have member of the Lebanese Hezbollah political bpd. They even tapped into their strategic council, said that the resistance is in full

AP shaken President Emmanuel Macron’s resources to show Trump their full support authority. 13 swing and would monitor the movements for his plans. 4 of the Zionist enemy on all fronts. 7 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS DECEMBER 9, 2018 MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS 4 suspects UN has failed to fulfil duties arrested over Chabahar terror act in terror fight, Larijani says POLITICS TEHRAN – Zahedan prosecutor Ali Mova- POLITICS TEHRAN – Parliament Larijani also held separate meetings with desk hedi-Rad announced on Saturday that four deskSpeaker Ali Larijani said his Turkish and Afghan counterparts to dis- suspects have been arrested over the Chabahar terrorist attack. on Saturday that the United Nations Secu- cuss a range of regional and international Movahedi-Rad said the suspects have been arrested in rity Council has failed to carry out its duties issues, including ways to combat terrorism. different towns of Sistan-Baluchestan Province and the case is regarding the fight against terrorism, Mehr Meeting Turkish Parliament Speaker Binali due to be reviewed in the Special Assembly of Security Crimes reported. Yildirim, he said mutual cooperation to boost in Zahedan, the provincial capital, ISNA reported. Larijani made the remarks during a con- security in the Middle East has increased. “Investigating the suspects’ roles in the terrorist attack ference of six regional countries on ways to He blamed the U.S. government for region- as well as identifying other suspects will continue,” he said. combat the threat of terrorism. al instability, saying Washington’s behavior On Thursday, a vehicle laden with explosives went off close One of the main reasons for holding has created “an international disorder”. to a police headquarters in Chabahar, Sistan-Baluchestan this regional meeting is that the UN Secu- At the meeting with his Afghan coun- Province, killing two soldiers and injuring at least 43 individuals. rity Council is not performing its duties in terpart, Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi, Larijani said the campaign against terrorism, he told the there is no military solution to the Afghan ‘Iran pursuing participants including parliament speakers conflict. “Afghanistan’s issue can only be from Afghanistan, China, Pakistan, Russia, settled politically.” active interaction and Turkey. “Terrorism and drugs are the two blades He also denounced as “dangerous” the of a scissors and we hope these issues would with the world’ unilateral measures adopted by U.S. Pres- be resolved in Afghanistan as soon as possible ident Donald Trump, saying Washington’s through political means,” he emphasized. policies commercialize human rights and He further underlined the importance POLITICS TEHRAN – Hossein Amir Abdollahi- humanitarian values which have taken many terrorism, the U.S. and its allies in the region hope that the conference on counter-terror- of enhancing cooperation in various fields, deskan, a senior foreign policy advisor to the years to develop. have spread terrorism. ism would play an active role in promoting especially in combating drug smuggling and parliament speaker, said on Saturday that while U.S. Pres- He added despite their claims of fighting The parliament speaker expressed the regional security. terrorism. ident Donald Trump is igniting Iranophobia, the Tehran parliamentary conference showed that Iran is pursuing an active interaction with the outside world, IRNA reported. “The conference was held in line with the challenges of Rouhani: Sanctions are clear ‘example of economic’ terrorism terrorism and regional relations, and it is expected that the Rouhani warns that boycotting Iran undermines Tehran’s ability to fight drugs and terrorism legislatures of the participating countries approve more effec- POLITICS TEHRAN – Iranian President Hassan finding the roots of degeneration and collective effort for tive legislations in this regard and compel the governments desk to activate anti-terrorism centers in their countries,” Amir Rouhani said on Saturday that the U.S. drying out these roots. Poverty, corruption and inequality Abdollahian said. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal and reimposition are among the most important root causes of terrorist of sanctions against Iran are clear examples of “economic violence in this region. terrorism”. We need to think about how we can stop those who Navy unveils “Economic terrorism means causing fear about economy are willingly spending billions of dollars of oil incomes of a country and preventing others from doing business for deepening discords and proliferating intolerance; we blueprint for new with and investing in the target country,” he said dur- need to stand up to those who interfere and bully to leave ing a speech at a conference of parliament speakers from terror and assassination unsupported. vessel Afghanistan, China, Iran, Pakistan, Russia and Turkey Today, it is coordination and cooperation that create named “The Challenges of Terrorism and Inter-Regional security. To confront the common threats that do not rec- Connectivity”. ognize any boundary and territory, we need to take a new POLITICS TEHRAN – Iranian Navy on Saturday Rouhani also said, “We do not expect Westerners to approach towards boundary and territory. We need to have desk unveiled the blueprint for a new military pay their share for the security and stability that we have more flexible governances that are more compatible with trimaran, a multi-hulled watercraft with optimized naval provided to them, but they must know that boycotting fair division of labor against our common threats. capabilities, Tasnim reported. Iran undermines our ability to fight drugs and terrorism.” sympathetic and empathetic; but they need to know that we We are subject to a full-scale assault that not only pos- Visiting the Navy exhibition, Habibollah Sayyari, the “I warn all those boycotters that if our abilities in fighting are determined to join hands in overcoming this common es a threat to our identity and independence, but also is deputy army chief for coordination affairs, unveiled the drugs and terrorism in their origins is undermined, you enemy; but what this victory requires is that we should all determined to break our long-standing bonds. scheme for the new homegrown vessel, dubbed the “Saf- will not be able to survive the debris of drugs, refugees have a responsibility in drying out the roots of violence. The country that has started a trade war with China, ineh (ship) project”. and bombs and assassination,” the president pointed out. Our success requires continuous and tireless resolve in uses sarcastic tones with Pakistan, humiliates Afghanistan, The Iranian trimaran will have low hydrodynamic resist- Following is an excerpt of his speech published by the punishes Turkey, threatens Russia and imposes sanctions ance in high velocities, have appropriate hydrostatic balance, president.ir: “I warn all those boycotters against Iran, is the prime suspect for breaking the bonds. If the and enjoy a large deck, twice as big as a single-hull vessel Today, security has more dimensions than the past. It U.S. thinks that it can break us apart, it is gravely mistaken. of the same tonnage. includes areas such as economy, culture, politics, society that if our abilities in fighting When they put China’s trade under pressure, we all suffer With a speed of above 40 knots, the military vessel could and psychological domains, undermining of each can be drugs and terrorism in their losses; when the use sarcastic tones against Pakistan, we all be employed in guerrilla warfare on the coast and for rapid described as terrorism. take that insult serious; humiliation of Afghanistan means reaction operations. Our region is at a critical juncture in history today. The origins is undermined, you belittling us all; when Turkey is punished, we are all being juncture at which global terrorist, extremists and lawbreakers will not be able to survive the punished; whenever they threaten Russia, we all see our Aref calls are seeking to start a whirlpool made of terrorism, poverty, security threatened; when the boycott Iran, they deprive sanction, crisis, assassination and coup, from Pakistan to debris of drugs, refugees and all of us of the advantages of international trade, energy for avoiding Iran, from Afghanistan to Russia and from China to Turkey. bombs and assassination.” security and sustainable development, which means that ochlocracy They do not want us to gather, talk, sit together and be they have boycotted everyone.

POLITICS TEHRAN – Mohammad Reza Aref, chair- Rouhani holds talks with Zarif says U.S. has turned region deskman of the pro-reform Hope faction in the parliament speakers into ‘gunpowder store’ parliament, said on Saturday that resolving the country’s problems lies in promoting national unity and avoiding to POLITICS TEHRAN – President POLITICS TEHRAN – Iranian slip into ochlocracy. deskHassan Rouhani held deskForeign Minister Aref said the authorities should avoid demagoguery and separate meetings with top Afghan, Pakistani, Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Saturday instead focus on promoting rationality, empathy among dif- Russian and Turkish parliamentarians on that the U.S. has turned the Middle East ferent political groups and convergence of ideas among the Saturday, discussing relations and the fight region into a “gunpowder store”. elite, ISNA reported. against terrorism. “The U.S. has made the region a He added the decision-makers need to trust the people and The meetings were held on the sidelines gunpowder store, which shows that they the caring elites in resolving the problems, suggesting that of the conference of speakers of parliaments are seeking a very dangerous policy in in making decisions, they should listen to the independent of Afghanistan, China, Iran, Pakistan, Russia our region,” he told reporters on the and compassionate scholars. and Turkey titled “The Challenges of Terrorism sidelines of a conference titled “The and Inter-Regional Connectivity”. Challenges of Terrorism and Inter- In his meeting with Chairman of the Russian Turkish Parliament Speaker Yildirim (L) Regional Connectivity” attended by Tehran names State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin, Rouhani said shaking hand with Rouhani parliament speakers of Afghanistan, fired a medium-range missile “that is new ambassador Iran is ready to expand relations with Moscow president highlighted the importance of China, Iran, Pakistan, Russia and Turkey. capable of carrying multiple warheads” in various spheres. For his part, Volodin said comprehensive development of relations Zarif added, “The U.S. has turned in contravention of the UN Security to China that the friendly relations are developing. between Tehran and Islamabad, especially the region into a gunpowder store. The Council Resolution 2231. ‘Iran-Afghanistan ties should in the campaign against terrorism. amount of weapons that the U.S. sells the In response, Zarif said the UN Security develop’ “Today, collective and more serious efforts to region is unbelievable and much more Council Resolution 2231 and the 2015 POLITICS TEHRAN – Iran has named a new ambas- During his meeting with Afghan Parliament fight terrorism and extremism is very important,” than the region’s need, which shows that nuclear deal, officially called the Joint desksador to China at the suggestion of the foreign Speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi, Rouhani said it is Rouhani said. the U.S. is following a very dangerous Comprehensive Plan of Action, do not minister and approval of the president, Mehr reported on Sat- essential that Iran-Afghanistan ties to develop Qaiser also said, “Pakistan is ready to interact policy in our region.” restrict Iran’s missile program. urday, quoting Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi. and expressed Iran’s readiness for economic with Iran in the fight against terrorism and On the U.S. accusations against Iran Zarif reiterated Iran’s long-held Mohammad Keshavarz-Zadeh has been appointed as the cooperation. For his part, Ibrahimi called for development of regional security.” about its missile program, he described policy that Tehran does not seek to new ambassador to China. He will depart Tehran for Beijing expansion of relations. Rouhani also discussed cooperation and the accusations as “meaningless”. build nuclear weapons and that the in the coming days. In his meeting with Speaker of the National relations with Speaker of the Turkish Grand Recently, U.S Secretary of State Mike country’s missiles are not designed to Keshavarz-Zadeh has served as Iran’s ambassador to Ven- Assembly of Pakistan Asad Qaiser, the Iranian National Assembly Binali Yildirim. Pompeo claimed that Iran had just test- carry nuclear warheads. ezuela and Uzbekistan. He is currently serving as an aid to the foreign minister. Back in June, Abdolnaser Hemmati was named Iran’s am- Parliament speakers of six Asian states condemn Chabahar terrorist attack bassador to China, but was soon called back to Tehran to serve POLITICS TEHRAN – Parliament speakers of Af- 10 of whom were police forces and others were ordinary standards in countering terrorism. as central bank governor. deskghanistan, Pakistan, Russia, Turkey, China people. Women and children were also among the injured. “We agreed that fighting terrorism should not just be and Iran issued a joint statement at the end of an anti-ter- Ansar al-Furqan claimed responsibility for the attack. restrained to the removal of terrorists and terrorist organ- Duma chief: rorism conference in Tehran on Saturday condemning the The statement said, “We are determined to strengthen izations and networks.” terrorist attack in Chabahar, a port city in southeastern Iran. our collective efforts and initiatives to eradicate all sorts It must also address the roots and conditions which lead U.S. using terror In the terrorist attack on the police station in Chabahar of terrorism.” to emergence and spread of terrorism, the statement added. on Thursday morning two policemen were martyred. At The top parliamentarians also attached great importance The top officials agreed to hold the next conference in as pretext for least 43 individuals were also injured during the attack, to boosting “win-win cooperation” and abandoning double Istanbul, Turkey, in 2019. intervention POLITICS TEHRAN – Russian State Duma Speak- Envoy: Thailand to back ASEAN cooperation with Iran desker Vyacheslav Volodin said on Saturday that the United States is using terrorism as an instrument TEHRAN — Thailand’s Ambassador to and the fact that Thailand’s ASEAN on many fronts.” countries and peoples,” he said. to pressure and directly intervene in the affairs of sovereign Iran Kallayana Vipattipumiprates voiced chairmanship will commence on January He said several exchanges of high- The ASEAN officially ratified Iran’s states, Tasnim reported. his country’s readiness to promote effective 1, 2019, Thailand stands ready to continue ranking official visits between the two sides membership in the TAC in August. The “The geopolitical ambitions of the United States of America, cooperation between the Association of to further widen cooperation between the are another testimony of the longstanding treaty was signed by the ASEAN founding which continue to use terrorists and extremists as an instrument Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Islamic Republic of Iran and ASEAN to be as friendship. members of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, of pressure and direct interference in the affairs of sovereign Iran in future. effective and sustainable as those of ASEAN “There have been exchanges of visits at the Philippines, and Singapore in 1976 states, are interfering with well-coordinated work,” Volodin The Thai envoy’s remarks came on Dialogue Partners,” Vipattipumiprates said. all levels. The third Thai-Iranian Political to promote perpetual peace, everlasting told a regional conference on counter-terrorism in Tehran. Saturday as his country is going to assume Thailand’s ambassador, meantime, Consultation and Joint Consular Meetings amity and cooperation among the people He also said countries need to have a common under- chairmanship of the ASEAN for next term. pointed to close cooperation between have resulted in significant progress. A of Southeast Asia, which would contribute standing of terrorism, which requires a single list of terrorist “As the Islamic Republic of Iran has the two countries for more than four strong foundation has been laid to shape to their strength, solidarity, and closer groups as agreed upon by all. recently joined the Treaty of Amity and centuries, and said, “Our longstanding the future course of our relations in all relationship. Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), relations have continued to move forward aspects for the mutual benefits of our two (Source: Fars) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 9, 2018 INTERNATIONAL Top Houthi negotiator calls for main Merkel’s protege succeeds Yemen port to be neutral zone her as CDU leader Ansarullah movement rejects proposal to handover Hudaydah Yemen’s main port city should be declared Yemen in March 2015 in an attempt to rein- a “neutral zone” and the United Nations stall Hadi, who had resigned amid popular could play a role in Sana’a airport, the Hou- discontent and fled to Riyadh. this’ main negotiator said on Saturday on The imposed war initially consisted of the sidelines of talks aimed at ending the an airstrike campaign but was later coupled Yemeni war. with a naval blockade and the deployment Yemen’s Houthi Ansarullah movement of ground mercenaries to Yemen. has strongly rejected demands by its rival Since the onset of aggression, the Yemeni group, the country’s former Saudi-backed army, backed by fighters from the country’s government, to hand over the port city of popular Houthi Ansarullah movement, has Hudaydah and to inspect flights to Sana’a been defending the impoverished nation airport. against the invaders. The coalition is also The former government’s delegation made resolute to crush the movement as another the demands on Friday, the second day of goal in its war on Yemen, which is teetering Germany’s Christian Democrats elected Annegret Kramp-Karren- peace negotiations brokered by the United on the edge of famine. bauer Friday to replace Angela Merkel as party leader, a decision Nations in Sweden. The aggression is estimated to have left that moves her into pole position to succeed Europe’s most influ- Mohammed Abdulsalam, the head of 56,000 Yemenis dead. ential leader as the country’s chancellor. Kramp-Karrenbauer, the Houthi delegation at the peace talks, More than three and a half years into the 56, is Merkel’s protege and was the continuity candidate favored further said the port of Hudaydah must be war, Saudi Arabia has achieved neither of its by the party elite. She won the leadership with 517 votes out of kept apart from the military conflict, and objectives. Riyadh had declared at the start 999 votes cast by delegates. Her rival, Friedrich Merz, won 482 that a government should be formed first of the invasion that the war would take no votes in a runoff. before all parties are disarmed. more than a couple of weeks. A former state premier in Saarland, where she led a three- The so-called government, led by Yemen’s In a statement on Thursday, the World way coalition, Kramp-Karrenbauer has a reputation for uniting former president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, Food Programme (WFP), the world’s larg- support across the conservative Christian Democratic Union and a staunch ally of Riyadh, has tightly besieged est humanitarian organization addressing a talent for striking alliances with other parties. Hudaydah through its armed militia and hunger and promoting food security, said Sometimes dubbed “mini Merkel,” Kramp-Karrenbauer is mercenaries employed by the United Arab tion Abdul Malek al-Aajri said that Sana’a well as humanitarian supplies. The airport that its survey conducted in October found admired by the CDU upper echelons for her appeal across the party. Emirates since June, when they launched international airport, currently under an is an urgent and important humanitarian that more than 15 million Yemenis were in “I have read a lot about what I am and who I am: ‘mini,’ a copy, a full-scale offensive against the western imposed closure by the former govern- matter,” said al-Aajri. a “crisis” or “emergency” situation and that simply ‘more of the same.’ Dear delegates, I stand before you as port city. ment and a Saudi-led military coalition, The Hadi delegation had proposed that the number could hit 20 million without sus- I am and as life made me, and I am proud of that,” Kramp-Kar- Since the onset of the operation against was an important humanitarian matter for it would allow the airport in the Houthi- tained food aid. renbauer said in a passionate speech to the congress. Hudaydah, the humanitarian situation has the Houthis, who use it to transport sick held capital Sana’a to be reopened only if Furthermore, UN Spokesperson Stephane Playing up her experience in regional government, she added worsened in Yemen due to a broad economic people and food supplies, rejecting any all flights land in a government-held airport Dujarric said on Friday that nearly 1,500 to cheers and loud applause: “I learned what it is to lead - and collapse. More than 70 percent of Yemen’s form of inspection. for inspection. civilian casualties in Yemen were reported above all learned that leadership is more about being strong on imports used to pass through the docks of “Sana’a airport is an international air- The Saudi-led coalition, which has so in the period between August and October the inside than being loud on the outside.” the vital port. port which serves the trips to Sana’a from far bombed the airport several times, has this year. Merkel said in October she would step down as party chief The invaders have failed to achieve their the rest of the world. Yemen does not need tightly restricted access to the airport. It also “This means that means that an average of but remain chancellor, an effort to manage her exit after a series objective of overrunning Hudaydah and de- domestic flights, but we need international controls the air space. 123 civilians deaths and injuries every week of setbacks since her divisive decision in 2015 to keep German feating Houthi fighters. flights to transport those who are sick and Leading a coalition of its allies, including during this period,” he said. borders open to refugees fleeing war in the Middle East. Meanwhile, member of Houthi delega- others like travelers, students, prisoners as the UAE and Sudan, Saudi Arabia invaded (Source: agencies) During the leadership campaign, Merz delighted rank-and- file CDU members hungry for a more clearly defined party after 13 years of consensus-type leadership under Merkel by calling for tax cuts and a more robust approach to tackling the far-right. 6 dead, dozens hurt in nightclub stampede But the party delegates - many of them career politicians - preferred Kramp-Karrenbauer, often known by her initials, AKK. “She is a safe bet: a centrist candidate who does not threaten nasty surprises,” said Josef Joffe, publisher-editor of weekly Die Zeit. on Italy’s coast “Merz was just a bit too free-market, pro-American and pro-de- fense. Also, his pitch to the convention was wooden compared to A stampede at a rapper’s concert in an overcrowded disco knock down that possibility.” AKK’s passionate appeal. Still, he forced her into a runoff, which on Italy’s central Adriatic coast killed five young teenagers Fire commander Poggiali said it was too early in the suggests that AKK will preside over a divided party.” and a woman who had accompanied her daughter to the investigation to know if any safety violations might have There was jubilation as the result of the runoff was announced. event early Saturday, said police, who put the number of played a role. He said that when rescuers arrived, all the A tearful Kramp-Karrenbauer thanked her rivals and invited injured at 59. doors were open. them to share the stage with her in a show of party unity, which Video taken outside the concert venue in the town of Poggiali also said he didn’t have any immediately con- delegates applauded. Corinaldo, near Ancona, and shown on state TV RaiNews24 firmation about use of any irritating spray. The Social Democrats (SPD), junior partner in Merkel’s ruling showed scores of teenagers rushing outside from a disco door Firefighters had concentrated on giving first aid to sur- coalition, congratulated Kramp-Karrenbauer and offered to work and surging toward a low railing or wall near the exit. The vivors, stretched out on the road outside the club, before constructively with her. barrier then appeared to give way, and a cascade of teenagers starting their investigation, he added. “You’ve got big shoes to fill,” SPD leader Andrea Nahles wrote tumbled over it, falling on top of each other. Salvini vowed that responsibility would be determined on Twitter. “Good luck! Now it’s time to solve problems: shoring The “giving way of two parapets due to the crush of the for the “six broken lives – whoever out of nastiness, stu- up the future of pensions, recognizing the value of work, strength- young people getting out” probably caused the tragedy, In- pidity or greed transformed an evening of partying into ening cohesion in Europe. I offer good teamwork.” terior Minister Matteo Salvini told RAI. tragedy.” The hard-line Left party and the far-right Alternative for The bodies of the trampled victims were all found near a Italy’s head of state, President Sergio Mattarella, demand- Germany lamented what they saw as the dawn of “Merkel 2.0.” low wall near a disco exit, Ancona Firefighters Cmdr. Dino ed “full light be shone on what happened, ascertaining any Merkel, 64, has presided over Europe’s most populous country Poggiali had earlier told Sky TG24 News. News reports said in serious condition, he said. responsibility and negligence.” and powerful economy for 13 years. the wall was about 1 to 1.5 meters high. The radio report said most of the fatalities had suffered “Citizens have the right to safety wherever they are, in Party insiders say Kramp-Karrenbauer gets on well with Merkel. Overcrowding was also suspected. crushed skulls. workplaces as well as places of entertainment,” Mattarella “The chemistry is good,” one senior CDU official said. “From the initial investigation we have verified that Italian media said the woman who was killed had gone said in a statement. “Safety must be assured with special (Source; Reuters) more tickets were sold than the place could hold” in terms with her daughter to the Lanterna Azzurra (Blue Lantern) commitment in places where crowds gather, through rigorous of capacity, Col. Cristian Corrazza, commander of Ancona disco where rapper Sfera Ebbasta, who is very popular with inspection and checks. One cannot die this way.” province’s paramilitary police, was quoted as saying by the young teenagers, was set to perform. Italian high schools are usually open on Saturdays, but Italian news agency ANSA. The Italian news agency ANSA earlier had reported that schools were closed this weekend for the Dec. 8 national Salvini concurred that it is “probably true that there were someone had sprayed an irritant, which triggered the panic. holiday of the Immaculate Conception. That could have White House chief of staff ... more people inside than was permissible.” Minister Salvini said there possibly was a “stink” of some- made it more likely that young teenagers were at the disco State radio said about 1,000 people were inside the disco thing that could have been ammonia or another substance. in the wee hours. Kelly to resign in days when the stampede erupted. Some survivors were quoted by Italian media as saying Ancona Police Chief Oreste Capocasa said the dead teen- Carrozza said the dead teenagers’ ages ranged from 14 at least one fire exit was blocked when concertgoers tried agers were three girls and two boys. John Kelly is expected to resign as U.S. President Donald Trump’s to 16 and that the woman was 39. Of those injured, 13 were to get out. But Salvini said initial investigation “appears to (Source: AP) chief of staff in the coming days, CNN reported Friday, citing unnamed sources. Representatives for the White House did not be immediately respond to a request for comment on the report. UK cabinet minister floats ‘Plan B’ ahead of key vote on The rocky relationship between Trump and Kelly, 68, a retired Marine Corps general, has been widely reported. CNN, citing its sources, said their relationship was now worse than ever and that May’s Brexit deal the two were not on speaking terms, but added that no decision on Kelly’s possible departure was final until it was announced. A close ally of British Prime Minister Theresa Labour Party was seeking an alliance with rebel A source told Reuters last month that Trump was considering May on Saturday became the first cabinet Conservatives and the Democratic Unionist a replacement for Kelly. Vice President Mike Pence’s chief of staff, minister to float a possible Plan B if, as ex- Party, the small Northern Irish party which Nick Ayers, is a possible contender, the source said. pected, parliament next week rejects her plan props up the minority government, to call a Kelly had sought to bring more order and stability to a White to leave the European Union. vote of no-confidence in May’s premiership. House that has often been chaotic under the unpredictable Trump. With her own future in the balance, May That vote would not be binding but would (Source: Daily Star) insists her deal, laboriously negotiated with place enormous pressure on May to resign, the EU over many months, is the only one it added. on the table and that the alternatives are a Conservative lawmaker and former leader painful ‘no-deal’ exit from the EU or possibly Iain Duncan Smith was quoted in the Tele- no Brexit at all. graph as saying her leadership could come Trump picks Gen. Mark Milley However, members of parliament, includ- into question if she lost Tuesday’s vote. ing from May’s own Conservative Party, look “I believe that if (May’s) response is “we’ve as next top military adviser set to reject her deal, which envisages con- lost but we will do this all over again”, it will tinued close ties with the EU, in a move that become a leadership issue,” it reported him Donald Trump says he’s tapping Gen. Mark Milley as his next would pitch the world’s fifth-largest economy as saying. top military adviser. into even deeper uncertainty. The newspaper also said three ministers Milley is a battle-hardened commander who has served as While agreeing with May that her deal were considering resigning in opposition to chief of the Army for the last three years. If confirmed by the provides the best option for exiting the EU, adding it “seems plausible not just in terms of The Times also reported on Saturday that her deal, without citing sources. Senate, Milley would succeed Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford as Amber Rudd, the work and pensions min- the country but in terms of where the MPs are”. plans were being made across party lines to If the Brexit deal is rejected, ministers have chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. ister, said a Norway-style relationship with Norway is not an EU member but is in the vote against May’s leadership if she loses 21 days to state how they intend to proceed. Trump tweeted the announcement Saturday, thanking “both the bloc might also offer a way out of the bloc’s single market, which allows for free Tuesday’s vote. The Daily Telegraph quoted The government has previously said that if of these incredible men for their service to our country!” He said current deadlock. movement of goods, capital, services and a senior Conservative lawmaker as saying the agreement is rejected, Britain will leave the date of transition is being determined. “If it (May’s plan) doesn’t get through people. ‘Norway plus’ envisages Britain also she might be forced to resign. the EU without a deal. Dunford is a former commandant of the Marine Corps and anything could happen: people’s vote, Nor- staying in the EU’s customs union, which Rudd said she believed May should stay on May’s spokesman said on Friday the vote commander of coalition troops in Afghanistan. His term as Joint way plus, any of these options could come Norway is not in. as prime minister even if parliament rejects would go ahead next week despite calls from Chiefs chairman ends Oct. 1. forward,” she told BBC radio on Saturday. Some pro-EU lawmakers have also ex- her Brexit deal. some lawmakers for it to be delayed to avoid Milley commanded troops during several tours in Iraq and Rudd told The Times newspaper in an pressed support for a second referendum on “There is no question of her going,” Rudd a defeat so big that it might bring down the Afghanistan and has served as the Army’s top officer since Au- interview her own preferred option, if May’s EU membership, or ‘a people’s vote’. told the BBC. government. gust 2015. deal failed, was the “Norway Plus” model, May’s leadership questioned But The Times said the main opposition (Source: Reuters) (Source: AP) II NN TT EE RR NN AA TT II OO NN AA LL DD AA II LL YY 44 ADVERTISEMENTSECONOMY DECEMBERDECEMBER 9,9, 20182018 STOCK MARKET Oil’s love triangle ends up TEDPIX 167083.2 IFX 1858.34 Sources: tse.ir, Ifb.ir with Trump in tears CURRENCIES 1 The U.S. president on the other the prince into his corner, assuring his all- hand, happy with his success in the king- out support for him to defeat Trump and USD 42,000 rials dom, cheered for his country’s shale drillers announce the Kingdom’s decision on output EUR 47,532 rials which were going on full force flooding the cuts in the 175th OPEC gathering in Vienna. oil market. In Trump’s world everybody was However, during the meeting, the deal GBP 53,564 rials happy until warning alarms started to wail. was hung in the balance for two days. First because apparently Russia was expecting AED 11,380 rials Soon with Saudis on full capacity, Shale drillers on the clock and the rises in output the Saudis to shoulder all the cuts alone in Source: iribnews.ir from some other oil producers like Iraq and exchange for their support, and secondly Iran, Libya, the market was flooded by oil. whose crude exports have been depleted by On the other hand, China, India, South U.S. sanctions, objected to bear any cuts. Korea and Japan bewildered after being forced But, eventually Russia came to see the fact COMMODITIES to cut their Iranian oil imports temporarily that it would be more beneficial for them to both back Saudis against the U.S. and also WTI $52.61/b halted their oil imports while trying their best to convince the U.S. for granting them keep its ally Iran happy with the results. So Brent $61.57/b waivers over Iran sanctions. they agreed to collaborate with the cartel in The escalation of the U.S. trade war with any possible way. OPEC Basket $58.79/b China was also starting to show its impacts What about Iran Gold $1,249.65/oz on the world’s economy in the form of lower With all this drama going on around, Iran oil demand. was the one who finally caught the bouquet, Silver $14.68/oz All the above mentioned factors joined according to the latest reports from Vienna, hands and consequently, in less than few Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh Platinium $798.80/oz months the oil market headed toward a However to Saudis misfortune the Khashoggi Arabia’s de facto leader’s very presence in announced that the country has been ex- Sources: oilprice.com, Moneymetals.com state of shock so that the prices started to incident happened and turned all the tables the Argentinian capital seemed to be adding empted from any cuts. fall drastically. Oil which was traded near against the kingdom. a “toxic” touch to the reunion of the world’s Furthermore, removing 1.2 million bar- $87 in early October fell near 22 percent The murder of Jamal Khashoggi become powerful.” rels of oil from the world markets will help NEWS IN BRIEF only in November to drop under $60. The a leverage for Trump to pressure the crown on the day of G20 summit, footage and the prices to go up again and this would help oil market was starting to panic over the Prince to retreat from his position in wanting pictures went viral of the Saudi’s utter isola- offsetting the value of Iran’s lost barrels. ‘Strengthening situation. to cut his country’s oil output. tion at the Buenos Aires summit. As Reuters reported “an output curtail- Starting to see the consequences of his Soon after, feeling the Trump’s pressure However, finding the perfect situation ment also would provide support to Iran rial, supplying actions, in early November Trump announced Saudis postponed their final decision to the to take advantage, Putin came to rescue the by increasing the price of oil amid attempts working capital a decision to grant waivers to eight countries 175th OPEC meeting in Vienna. isolated crown prince from the awkward situ- by Washington to squeeze the economy of to continue importing Iranian oil. Putin and Bin Salman scenario ation he was drowning in. OPEC’s third-largest producer.” top priorities of Greece, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, After the Khashoggi incident, the market A simple “high five” was all needed to put On the other hand, the U.S. and China banks’ Taiwan and Turkey were exempted from the went into a phase of calmness and all eyes a huge smile of satisfaction on the wounded moving toward less tense relations, as well as U.S. sanctions on Iran’s oil industry. become fixed on the 175th OPEC meeting prince’s lips. the eight countries which are granted sanc- ECONOMY TEHRAN— In his periodical meeting As much as Trump’s decision calmed and the G20 summit which were going to This act of friendship changed everything tion waivers to continue buying Iranian oil deskwith directors from state-run and private the market it shocked the Kingdom to the be held with less than a week interval and around the crown prince, since, to quote FT, all and all are factors which point to a more Iranian banks, the governor of the Central Bank of Iran core. Feeling betrayed and played by Trump, in which all the key players were gathered. he managed to “escape diplomatic isolation desirable position for Iran’s oil industry in (CBI) called for the banks to have strengthening the national soon Saudi Arabia announced a decision Aside from its importance for oil market, and even enjoy some sort of international the future. currency and supplying the working capital of production for cutting its oil output by 1 million bpd the G20 summit was going to be a test for rehabilitation.” In the end what should not to be forgot- units while granting facilities among their top priorities, in December. the Saudi crown prince since it was his first Being a very smart politician, Putin is ten is “Trump”, the heartbroken musketeer IRIB reported on Saturday. Even though, it was just an expression of appearance on the international stage since known for his tactical behavior and keeping does not seem to be sitting on his thumbs “CBI will do its best to reinforce rial and would back Iranian anger toward Trump, the Saudi’s announce- the Khashoggi incident. both friends and enemies close. Maybe with- while his golden prince is off to a happily banks in this regard,” Abdolnaser Hemmati announced. ment further supported the oil prices which The test however was proved to be a real out this seemingly simple act, the Friday’s ever after with his Russian nemesis. “Banking facilities should be paid to production units once again rose the concerns over higher oil slap for the Saudi prince, so noticeable that OPEC+ meeting would have had a complete We should wait and see, what Trump is with higher level of productivity,” he recommended. prices for the U.S. BBC in a report wrote: different result. going to do to lure MBS back. Is the Khashoggi The situation grew tenser resulting in a “Not only did MBS’s traditional sartorial Putin successfully seized the moment to case still work? or the Prince has left the Representatives slight war of words between the two sides. taste stand out amid “a sea of suits,” , Saudi defeat his powerful rival Trump and pulled Kahshoggi shadow behind in G20 summit? from 5 Caspian Sea states to meet 1,370 industrial units resume activity Over 208m tons of commodities worth in Tehran on since March $214m traded in IME in a week Monday ECONOMY TEHRAN — Some ECONOMY TEHRAN — During ECONOMY TEHRAN — Representatives from five desk1,370 industrial units deskweekdays ending up desk Caspian Sea littoral states are to attend that had stopped their activity have re- to December 6, approximately, 208,424 the 4th meeting of Collaboration on Maritime Safety and sumed their operation since the beginning million tons (MT) of commodities worth Security in the Caspian Sea in Tehran on December 10-11, of current Iranian calendar year (March over $214 million were traded in Iran IRNA reported on Saturday. 21, 2018), Iran’s Industry Minister Reza Mercantile Exchange (IME). According to one of the deputies from Iran Port and Mari- Rahmani announced. According to the report from IME time Organization (PMO) Hadi Haqshenas, representatives The minister put the force work number of International Affairs and Public Relations from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan these units at 18,927 persons, ISNA reported. Department, last week, on the domestic are to make a trip to Tehran to take part in the event. Some 4,600 small and medium-sized and export metal and mineral trading floor “The meeting seeks providing security of Caspian Sea, units are under construction in the indus- of IME, 39,544 MT of various products as the largest lake in the world, as well as preserving its trial estates of the country, Sadeq Najafi, the during the first five months of the current worth close to $55.6 million were traded. million were traded. environment,” the official said. previous managing director of Iran Small Iranian calendar year (March 21-August On this trading floor, 32,844 MT of On this trading floor, 10,000 MT of Industries and Industrial Parks Organization 22), ILNA reported on October 20. steel, 2,040 MT of copper, 2,000 MT of VB feed stock, 45,488 MT of bitumen, (ISIPO), announced in August. Of the mentioned amount, some 119.728 aluminum, 66,000 MT of zinc as well as 44,461 MT of polymer products, 23,391 The official further said that when these trillion rials (about $2.085 billion) has been 2,000 MT of precious metal concentrates MT of chemical products, 700 MT of NIMA supplies €6.8b for units start operation 74,000 new jobs will paid by the banks and the rest was paid were traded by customers. sulfur as well as 2,150 MT of insulation be created in the industrial estates. through production flourishing plan. The The report declares that on domestic were traded. imports of goods, services Some 212.552 trillion rials (about $5.06 measure was to support small and medium- and export oil and petrochemical trading Moreover, on the agricultural trading billion) of loans has been paid to 29,000 sized entrepreneurs (SMEs) and also to help floors of IME, 124,514 MT of different floor of IME witnessed trading 44,000 MT of wheat was traded by customers. 1 Some €132.1 million for imports of rubber industrial units throughout the country completion of semi-finished projects. commodities with the total value of $142.8 and plastics besides cellulose and chemical products €677 million for imports of transportation equip- Second Announcement ment Aluminum €435 million for imports in mining industries SINGLE- STAGE INTERNATIONAL TENDER €253 million for imports in agriculture €254 million for food, beverage and tobacco products production by GOVERNMENT TRADING CORPORATION OF IRAN €179 million for petrochemical and liquefied gas €129 million for metal products and home appliances major companies €113 million for textile, leather and clothes And €966 million for imports of other products rises 3.2% in 8 Government Trading Corporation of Iran (hereinafter referred to as GTC), affiliated to the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad of the Islamic Republic of Iran, intends to purchase months yr/yr 2x30,000 M/Ts 10 pct M/L,crude degummed soybean oil on the basis of CFR Bandar ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iran’s major alu- Abbas, Chabahar or BIK by vessel, through single stage international tender. deskminum producers produced All qualified companies and suppliers who are interested to bid above tender are invited 231,031 tons of aluminum during the eight-month period from March 21 to November 21, which shows to receive tender documents from 8/12/2018 until 16/12/2018from Trades & Tenders 3.2 percent growth from the figure of the same period Committee located on the 4th floor of GTC building no 2 , at No 225 Fatemi Avenue Tehran- of time in the past year, according to the data released by the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Devel- Iran. along with an official letter of introduction. opment and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO). The biddersare required to submit stamped and sealed envelopes containing their offers latest on Tuesday 15/01/2019 at 13:00to the Tender secretariat located on the 7th floor. The bid’senvelope will be opened on Tuesday 15/01/2019 at 14:00in the presents of the bidder’s representative on the 2th floor of GTC building no 2, at No 225 Fatemi Avenue NIMA, which seeks to boost transparency, create competi- tiveness among exchange shops and a secure environment for Tehran-Iran. traders, is a new chance for importers to supply their required Bid bond: bid bond worth EUR345,590 or IRR 17,279,500,000for 30,000 M/T cargo foreign currency without specific problems and for exporters to re-inject their earned foreign currency to domestic forex Bid bonds may be deposited either cash in Rials or through an unconditional bank market. It was inaugurated to allow exporters of non-oil com- guarantee issued in INR or in Euros by renowned Iranian bank located in Tehran, with modities to sell their foreign currency earnings to importers of consumer products. IMIDRO data put the output of these producers three months validity and extendible for another three months. In mid-November, CBI issued the instructions on return at 223,877 tons during the eight-month period of Note: participates who wish to bid for more than one cargo are obliged to deposit the details of the hard currency earned by exporters back to the the past year, IRIB reported on Saturday. above mentioned bid bond for each extra shipment. domestic financial system. In September, the head of IMIDRO announced The instructions, aimed to lead the export revenues from that a large aluminum production plant will be put the non-oil exports back into the country’s economy through into operation in the south of the country by the end For more information, you may refer to our website WWW.GTC-PORTAL.COM or contact NIMA, mandate all the exporters of goods and services to of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20, 2019). guarantee bringing back to the country the foreign currency Mehdi Karbasian said that the 300,000-ton us by phone No.00982188957477 (Foreign Trade Department). amount allocated to them by the government at lower prices capacity plant will be the largest and most modern than the free market. aluminum production plant in Iran. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 9, 2018 ENERGY 5

OPEC, Russia agree to slash oil Russia to start reducing oil production as quickly as output despite Trump pressure possible, says energy chief Russia will be reducing oil production as quickly as it technically OPEC and its Russia-led allies agreed on “We don’t know what will Iranian sanc- possible and it will take several months, Energy Minister Alexander Friday to slash oil production by more than tions picture look like. We don’t know the Novak told a press conference following the OPEC + meeting. the market had expected despite pressure Iranian volumes which will be coming off “The oil production will be reduced, just as two years ago, from U.S. President Donald Trump to reduce the market,” Croft said. at quickly as possible in terms of technology. I think it will take the price of crude. But Bob McNally, president of U.S.-based several months,” he said. The producer club will curb output from Rapidan Energy Group, said the details of Speaking at the press conference Novak also said that the January by 0.8 million barrels per day versus the cut were “fuzzy” and would likely result position of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the OPEC + deal October levels while non-OPEC allies contrib- in a lesser reduction than the headline figure. has become one of the main reasons for concluding an agreement. ute an additional 0.4 million bpd of cuts, in “President Trump will not be happy to “As for the Russian Federation, the decisive role here is played a move to be reviewed at a meeting in April. see today’s headlines, but how strongly he by the fact that the President clearly and consistently supports Oil prices jumped about 5 percent to more reacts depends mainly on whether crude cooperation and agreements between OPEC and non-OPEC than $63 a barrel as the combined cut of 1.2 prices rise strongly as a result in coming countries. Contacts between leaders of countries are very im- million bpd was larger than the minimum 1 days and weeks.” portant. They also discuss such scenarios and cooperation among million bpd that the market had expected. U.S. special representative for Iran Brian themselves,” he said. Saudi Arabia, de facto leader of the Organ- Hook met Falih in Vienna this week, in an On Friday, at the meeting in Vienna the OPEC ministers agreed ization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, unprecedented development ahead of an to reduce oil production under OPEC + deal by 1.2 million bar- has faced demands from Trump to help the OPEC meeting. rels per day. The counties members of OPEC are to ensure the global economy by refraining from paring Saudi Arabia first denied the Hook-Falih reduction of 800,000 barrels and the non-OPEC participants supplies. discussion took place but later confirmed it. will account for the remaining 400,000 barrels. An output curtailment also would provide “U.S. political pressure is clearly a dom- A source in OPEC told TASS that Russia has agreed to reduce support to Iran by increasing the price of oil prompt Washington to withdraw support, several months. inant factor at this OPEC meeting, limiting oil production under the OPEC + transaction by 2 percent from amid attempts by Washington to squeeze the but said Saudi-U.S. relations were based on The country’s energy minister, Alexander the scope of Saudi actions to rebalance the the level of October 2018, which is approximately 228,000 barrels economy of OPEC’s third-largest producer. shared values. Novak, said Russian President Vladimir Putin market,” said Gary Ross, chief executive of per day. (Source: Tass) Asked whether the decision to cut could Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak had discussed an output decrease with Saudi Black Gold Investors and a veteran OPEC sour Riyadh’s relations with Washington, and UAE’s Oil Minister Suhail Mohamed Prince Mohammed. watcher. Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih told Al Mazrouei attend a meeting in the OPEC Iraq, OPEC’s second-largest producer, The price of crude has fallen almost a reporters the kingdom was ready to pump headquarters in Vienna, Austria December pledged to cut 140,000 bpd. Falih said Saudi third since October as Saudi Arabia, Russia U.S. shale likes but doesn’t need more should a major supply outage occur. 7, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger production had dropped to 10.7 million bpd and the United Arab Emirates raised output “We will not squeeze consumers beyond Two-day marathon in December from 11.1 million in November to offset lower exports from Iran. OPEC cuts to keep on growing what they can afford,” he said, adding that The OPEC deal had hung in the balance and was set to decline to 10.2 million bpd Russia, Saudi Arabia and the United States U.S. shale’s response to OPEC’s decision to cut supply and boost given the United States had recently become for two days - first on fears that Russia would in January. have been vying for the position of top crude prices: We’ll take it, but we don’t need it. the biggest oil-producing nation, its energy cut too little, and later on concerns that Iran, Iran, Libya and Venezuela were effectively producer in recent years. The United States is In 2014, the U.S. oil industry’s fate seemed to rest in the hands companies were “breathing a sigh of relief”. whose crude exports have been depleted by given exemptions. Nigeria, which has been not part of any output-limiting initiative due of OPEC ministers who were flooding the market with cheap oil in Further complicating Riyadh’s decisions U.S. sanctions, would receive no exemption exempt since the previous round of cuts from to its anti-trust legislation and fragmented a push to obliterate them. Now, the cartel is in full retreat, agreeing this week was the crisis around the killing and block the agreement. January 2017, agreed to participate. oil industry. to cut output to keep their own economies healthy even as U.S. pro- of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi But after hours of talks, Iran gave OPEC Helima Croft, managing director at RBC On Thursday, U.S. government figures duction continues to surge. consulate in Istanbul in October. Trump has the green light and Russia said it was ready Capital Markets, said the deal exceeded ex- showed the country had become a net export- The move came in a week in which oil fell to near $50 a barrel, a backed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin to cut more. pectations. er of crude oil and refined products for the price that four years ago would have panicked U.S. drillers. But since Salman despite calls from many U.S. politi- Russia gave a commitment to reduce “Having the next meeting in April will be first time on record, underscoring how the then, shale explorers have cut costs, boosted fracking efficiency and cians to impose stiff sanctions on the kingdom. output by 228,000 bpd from October lev- important for planning purposes to speed surge in production has altered the supply made wells longer and more productive. The result: Break evens for Falih refrained from answering a ques- els of 11.4 million bpd, though it said the the cycle up a bit,” she said. OPEC normally equation in world markets. a 30 percent profit have been almost halved to just $45 a barrel in tion on whether the OPEC decision might cuts would be gradual and take place over meets once every six months. (Source: Reuters) the prolific Permian Basin. “The shale industry can now thrive in a $50 oil world,” David Deckelbaum, a New York-based analyst at Cowen & Co., said by phone. The OPEC decision to support prices over $50 in the U.S. Malaysia agrees to extend its oil output All Venezuelan oil will be sold in petro “underwrites most of the industry.” cut by six months cryptocurrency, Maduro says U.S. oil producers are now generating 11.7 million barrels of oil a day, about a third more than in 2014, with almost half the number Malaysia will extend its oil production cuts Petroliam Nasional Berhad, Malaysia Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro said El Petro, however, is seen by analysts and of rigs. And last week, the industry became a net exporter for the by another six months after the agreement announced that it would cut oil output on state television that Venezuela would experts as nothing but a scam and another first time in 75 years. between OPEC and other oil producers to by 20,000 barrels per day as part of its put in place in 2019 a program to sell all its effort by Venezuela to skirt sanctions and Shale’s breakeven boost reduce global supply ends this year. commitment to reduce supply following oil production in the Petro cryptocurren- mask the inability to overhaul the ailing To be sure, the breakevens companies often cite don’t necessarily OPEC and non-OPEC producers agreed an agreement between the Organization cy, which the leader is touting as the first domestic economy. mean producers will be pumping big profits at $50-a-barrel oil. They at a meeting in Vienna on Friday to a new of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) state-backed oil-backed digital currency. According to the International Mon- exclude corporate expenses and land acquisition costs, which can level of production cuts from January to and non-OPEC producers. Gradually, Venezuela will sell all its oil etary Fund (IMF), Venezuela’s economy be substantial. Still, they remain strongly indicative of the “drill or June 2019, setting it at 1.2 million barrels The initial agreement, led by Russia, production in Petro, Maduro said during will collapse by 18 percent this year, while no drill decision,” said Ian Nieboer, an analyst at RS Energy Group per day from the current rate of 1.8 million was later extended for another year till a visit to Russia. For 2019, Venezuela will inflation is expected to be at 1,370,000 who sees the U.S. pumping an extra 1 million barrels a day in 2019. barrels per day. the end of 2018. have a timetable to sell all its oil produc- percent. “The full pace and capability of the U.S. industry is not yet com- “Malaysia has agreed to continue its “Even though we are a small oil produc- tion in the cryptocurrency, its president Over the past months, Maduro has been pletely appreciated” by OPEC and its allies, Nieboer said in an in- voluntary commitment by reducing its to- ing country, Malaysia stands in solidarity said. In this way, Venezuela will free itself touting a new plan for economic recovery, terview. “Everybody is still catching up to how efficient this industry tal oil output by 15,000 barrels per day,” with oil producing countries in pursuing from the currency used by Washington “to which includes a new policy on gasoline has become.” Azmin Ali, minister of economic affairs, the strategic objective of achieving global create economic pain” to other countries, pricing that would raise Venezuela’s ul- Oil producers in the U.S. are “breathing a sigh of relief” as a result of said in a statement on Saturday. market stability in the interest of all oil and to “persecute countries, as it does with tra-cheap gas prices for the first time in the OPEC agreement, said Saudi Arabia’s oil minister Khalid Al-Falih Malaysia is not an OPEC member. In producers and consumers,” Azmin said. Venezuela, Cuba, Iran, and Russia”, Ma- two decades. said at a news conference in Vienna on Friday. Low oil prices are “not 2016, via its state-owned oil company (Source: Reuters) duro said. (Source: oilprice.com) good for the U.S. economy,”Al-Falih said, adding that America now has “more at stake” alongside Saudi Arabia because U.S. oil output has increased. Crushing costs Solar and wind energy shows potential to grow in Brazil In 2014, wells drilled in the Permian, home to a third of U.S. out- put and the world’s fastest-growing major oil field, needed a price of Solar and wind energy development is set to grow in Brazil and therefore not needing to be centralized. Elbia Gannoum, president of the Brazilian Wind Energy $86.10 a barrel to turn a 30 percent profit, according to Calgary-based over the next 5-10 years, and according to some reports, may The Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Association (ABEEólica), says that wind power will soon be RS Energy Group. Now that figure is $45 a barrel, giving producers account for 8.12 percent and 0.95 percent of the Brazilian Social (BNDES) Energy Superintendent Carla Primavera in second place in the electricity grid, surpassing the energy incentive to drill at current prices. The story is similar story for the electricity usage. confirms the growth potential and says that the renewable generated by biomass. Eagle Ford in south Texas and the Bakken in North Dakota. Solar power energy fixed in the Favelas of Rio and analysis energy market has attracted great interest from interna- One of the many wind farms in Brazil, which are ex- OPEC and their allies, including Russia, met in Vienna on Thurs- of solar PV utilization for electric power generation points tional investors. pected to become second place in the electricity grid, photo day and Friday. The agreement they made was to remove 1.2 million to this particular technology as having a cost advantage. BNDES was the first Brazilian bank to issue Green Bonds, internet recreation. barrels a day from the market, with OPEC itself shouldering 800,000 In a recent report by local media outlet O Globo, the cost bonds backed by wind and solar energy projects. It raised In the O Globo report, Já Rodrigo Sauaia, president of barrels of the burden. Following the announcement, oil in New York of solar power equipment is predicted to drop by fifty percent, $1 billion – equivalent to R$3.8 billion – for the sector, but the Associação Brasileira de Energia Solar (Brazilian Asso- jumped by as much as 5 percent to $54.22 a barrel. which in turn will boost the growth of the distribution from demand was five times higher. ciation of Solar Energy, or ABSolar), calls for the creation Oil at $50 is at the low end of what shale companies typically the consumers themselves. Antonio Bolognesi, of Opperman Engenheria e Consultoria of a policy for this energy source, for example in housing plan for, suggesting that they may trim 2019 capital budgets, which According to the World Energy Council’s 2016 report, (Opperman Engineering and Consulting) says, “In 2012, programs and government buildings. executives are currently planning. “There will still be growth but it “Global installed capacity for solar-powered electricity has there was only one photovoltaic power plant connected to He also calls for an industrial policy to manufacture pho- will be more restrained,” said Irene Haas, a Houston-based analyst seen an exponential growth, reaching around 227 GW at the system. Now we have 40,000 to 50,000 connections. In tovoltaic modules in the country. Today, the tax burden for at Imperial Capital Group LLC “It’s not party time.” the end of 2015. It produced one percent of all electricity the next 5 to 10 years, we will reach one million.” the industry reaches fifty percent, which makes it impossible Investors have been vociferous in their appeal for producers to used globally.” So far there are nearly 600 wind farms and more than to compete with the imported product. only spend what they earn rather than take on debt or sell new shares. “Germany has led PV capacity installations over last dec- 7,000 wind turbines in twelve different states. Demonstrat- It should also be taken into account that even though But so far, signs of austerity are mixed, with companies showing no ade and continues as a leader followed by China, Japan, ing that solar energy still has an emerging presence and is the conditions for solar PV are favorable, dissemination signs of retreating from their core areas. Italy and the United States.” All of Lating American and expected to have a major advancement. is restricted due to the high cost and lack of indigenous Chevron Corp. will hike spending on the Permian by 9 percent, the the Caribbean produced .09 percent in 2015, but Brazil has The advancement of solar and wind sources of energy development. company said in a statement Thursday, while Devon Energy Corp. great potential due to the wide availability of solar resource, raises discussions about the need to maintain subsidies. (Source: riotimesonline.com) also plans to spend more next year. That said, its capital expenditure range of $2.4 billion to $2.7 billion was below Bloomberg’s analyst estimate. Anadarko Petroleum Corp. plans to cut spending by about 3 percent next year. Permian oil reserves may be twice as big as we thought A pipeline bottleneck in the Permian will start to disappear next The U.S. Geological Survey has revised the So, the Permian is already a star, but now it year with three major projects slated to open, potentially adding technically recoverable reserves in the Wolf- will shine more brightly. The USGS numbers more than 2 million barrels a day of capacity. Coupled with higher camp Basin, in the Permian shale play, to mean it is the largest single reservoir of oil oil prices, that could provide ample opportunity for companies to 46.3 billion barrels of crude and 281 trillion and gas in the United States and one of the begin utilizing the almost 3,900 wells that have been drilled in the cu ft of natural gas. That’s up from 20 billion largest on a global scale. Permian but not yet opened. barrels of crude and 16 trillion cu ft of gas in The Albuquerque Journal quoted the head Ready to go recoverable reserves in late 2016. of the state’s Oil and Gas Association as say- Oil prices in New York opened the year at around $60 a barrel, It’s worth noting, however, the new esti- ing “Even for someone who understands the then climbed above $75 on Oct. 1, before plunging to near $50 since mate also includes the Bone Spring formation resources and potential of the Permian Basin, then. That run of higher prices prompted producers to offer stock that makes up part of the Delaware Basin I can’t help but be surprised by the sheer buybacks and award dividends, financial moves that can serve as a in the Permian. This is the first time this enormity of what the USGS has reported. “safety valve” if prices continue to stay low, said Sajjad Alam, senior formation is included in the USGS oil and Ryan Flynn added “The Permian resources analyst at Moody’s Investor Service. gas reserves assessment. shared by New Mexico and Texas make this Yet the recent plunge in oil prices did catch management teams Recoverable reserves are calculated based area one of the most important places in the off guard. Only about 7 percent of executive interviewed by the Dallas not just on exploration results and geology but world in terms of oil production.” Federal Reserve in September anticipated West Texas Intermediate also on the price level that makes the oil and While this is true, this rush to the Permi- prices falling below $65 a barrel by the end of the year. Currently the gas commercially viable for extraction. The an, aptly dubbed Permania, has led to some U.S. benchmark trades at about $53 a barrel. USGS carried out its revision earlier this year, problems, namely price discounts as there Moody’s is much less concerned about debt levels now than four so it must have reflected the improvement in are not enough pipelines to get the product to years ago. oil prices, notably West Texas Intermediate The national total hit 11.7 million bpd and also boasts the fastest rate of production refiners and export markets. However, these “Companies have done a lot of work to bring their cost structure that has now largely disappeared, sparking last month, an all-time high and also the growth: in November the Permian yielded problems are being addressed already and and capital structure to a position where they can live through a worry about the sustainability of production highest in the world and the Permian was 3.63 million bpd of crude and the Energy the Permania looks like it will only intensify volatile and low price environment,” Alam said. “At 50 dollar oil, growth, which has been steady throughout the major driver behind this growth. It is Information Administration expects this to unless prices slump below $50 a barrel for WTI. production is probably not going to slow down a whole lot.” the year. the shale play that produces the most oil rise further to 3.695 million bpd this month. (Source: oilprice.com) (Source: Bloomberg) 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 9, 2018 NEWS IN BRIEF In a rebuff to U.S., India, Iran agree on Pakistan expels 18 global aid rupee payment mechanism for oil trade groups INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN — In a signifi- between 2012 and 2016. Although the volume deskcant development that is of business was affected by the sanctions, INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN — Pakistan has ousted 18 in- likely to boost trade ties between India and the partnership did not weaken. deskternational aid groups from the country, Iran, the two regional allies have reached Although India did not publicly rebuff accused of deliberately spreading misinformation against an agreement to switch to rupee payment the U.S. this time, keeping everyone in sus- the Imran Khan government in Islamabad. mechanism to pay for Iranian crude imports. pense over its oil imports from Iran, it is Pakistan’s human rights minister, Shireen Mazari, in a According to a report in Reuters, quoting widely believed that the Indian government series of tweets defended the decision, suggesting that aid government source, India’s state-owned officials had clearly communicated to the groups are not registered with the government and have UCO Bank is expected to announce the Trump administration that it cannot stop “political agenda”. new payment mechanism in less than a oil trade with Iran. It has stirred a lively debate in Pakistan’s intelligentsia fortnight. Meanwhile, Indian President Ram Nath and media circles with many terming it government’s hard- “An agreement had been signed by the Kovind has called for expansion of relations ening stance toward organizations that provide health care, Indian and Iranian governments on November with Iran in various fields, in particular in education, food and work on human rights, women’s rights 2, 2018, for oil payment in rupees and 50 commercial and economic spheres. and free speech issues. Among the groups banned include percent of those funds had been earmarked President Kovind made the remarks during charities such as Catholic Relief, Plan International and for exports,” the report quoted an Indian a ceremony to accept credentials of Iran’s new World Vision. The AP reported that the organizations were government document. envoy to New Delhi Ali Chegini. He called mostly based out of the United States. The rest are based Russian and Chinese shipping companies for upgrading Iran-India trade value to more out of Britain and the European Union. have been making efforts to facilitate India- than $13 billion. Mazari, a firebrand and social media savvy minister, had Iran trade, the report said. He also strongly condemned Chabahar recently locked into war of words with the U.S. President Pertinently, the Reserve Bank of India terrorist attack which killed two and injured Donald Trump after the latter accused Pakistan of not doing and India’s Ministry of Finance had been 43 people and extended his condolences to enough to fight terrorism. tasked with exploring the viability of rupee the government and people of Iran, said a and barter-based trade agreements with report in IRNA. ‘Afghanistan crude oil producing nations such as Iran, of crude oil from Iran. “The step taken by India and Iran in this Indian president said the February visit Russia and Venezuela. The chorus against dollar has been get- regard can be a game-changer as it will en- of President Hassan Rouhani to New Delhi deadliest The move had raised many eyebrows in ting louder with many countries coming courage other countries to follow the suit will open a new chapter in bilateral relations. the U.S. as it was seen as a direct rebuff by forward with alternative measures, including and look beyond dollar for trade,” Anmol He further said that Iran-India cooperation country for American allies like India, which also shares Iran and Russia, to make dollar irrelevant Kumar, a New Delhi based strategic analyst, in transportation sector, especially in the good relations with Iran and Russia. and do business using the euro and other told Tehran Times. “It is time to make dollar development of the strategic Chabahar Port, terrorism’ India, which is the second biggest buyer currencies. irrelevant in global trade.” are signs of mutual cooperation. of Iranian oil, got an exemption from U.S. Ambassador Chegini, in his remarks, INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN — Earning another dubious Iran recently took the U.S. dollar off the Iran and India have shared age-old his- deskdistinction for itself, Afghanistan has now sanctions recently. Under the 180-day ex- website sanarate.ir, the Central Bank of Iran’s torical, commercial and cultural ties. Iran referred to very friendly and historical re- overtaken Iraq to become the world’s deadliest country for emption, Indian companies are allowed to (CBI) official currency rate website, replacing has been the main supplier of crude oil to lations between the two countries, terming terrorism, according to a report released earlier this week. import a maximum of 300,000 barrels a day it with China’s Yuan. India, even at the peak of Western sanctions the cooperation “long-term”. One-quarter of all worldwide terrorism-related deaths during 2017 occurred in Afghanistan, according to the latest Global Terrorism Index. It cited a surge in attacks by the Pakistan won’t fight anyone else’s war; can’t be treated Taliban and the ISIS. The security situation in Afghanistan has alarmingly deteriorated in past few years with insurgent groups upping the ante and carrying out deadly campaigns across the country. The United Nations mission in the country as ‘hired gun’, says PM Khan has recorded unprecedented civilian casualties since the war began in 2001. By Syed Zafar Mehdi a “hired gun”. According to the report published by Australia-based Commenting on the Twitter exchange between him and Institute for Economics and Peace, in total, Afghanistan TEHRAN — Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan, the the U.S. president, he said “it was just setting the record right. recorded 4,653 fatalities across 1,168 terrorist incidents last cricketer-turned-politician, was known on the pitch for his The exchange was about being blamed for deeply flawed US year. The Taliban was responsible for 77 percent of them. flamboyance and aggression. A fierce competitor, he always policies -- the military approach to Afghanistan.” However, worldwide deaths linked to terrorism fell for led his team by example and turned aggression into a lethal He said Trump was accusing Pakistan of being the reason the third consecutive year, the report notes. weapon to subdue his competitors and gain upper hand for these sanctuaries (for Taliban leaders). “There are no However, the experts believe the U.S. invasion of Af- over them. sanctuaries in Pakistan,” he emphasized. ghanistan has not only destroyed the country but led to Off the cricket field and in the political battleground, It is in place to mention that the Trump administration has thousands of civilian casualties and incalculable collateral he exudes same confidence and same aggression. After a repeatedly accused Pakistan of not doing enough to dismantle damage over the years. Dialogue and violence, they argue, long and eventful political innings, which saw him rise and terror sanctuaries like those belonging to Haqqani Network cannot go hand in hand. grow as a political leader, Khan finally accomplished his inside Pakistan. Even the Afghan government led by Ashraf long-cherished dream of becoming the most powerful man Ghani has made similar accusations against Islamabad. China’s trade in Pakistani politics. PM Khan he got a “complete briefing” from the security Known for speaking his mind, without fear or favor, he forces when he took over as the premier few months ago. “They surplus made strong statements against the U.S. before and after said that we have time and time again asked the Americans, becoming the premier of Pakistan. Some experts had opined ‘Can you tell us where the sanctuaries are, and we will go after with U.S. at that his stance against the U.S. would change with power, them?’ There are no sanctuaries in Pakistan,” he reiterated. but so far he has stuck to his guns. “Our border between Pakistan and Afghanistan has the $35.6 bn In recent weeks, the language has got harder and the bedfellows – have nosedived since the New Year tweet from greatest amount of surveillance. The U.S. has satellites and INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN — As the trade war between anger is quite apparent. PM Khan has responded to Trump’s Trump in which he threatened to withhold financial aid to drones. These people crossing would be seen,” PM Khan deskthe two countries intensifies, China’s trade hyperbolic tweets with equal fury and ferocity, which has Pakistan for not doing enough to dismantle terror sanctuar- said in the interview. surplus with the United States has ballooned to a record even led to the suspension of U.S. aid to Pakistan. ies in the country. Regarding Trump’s letter to him earlier this week seeking $35.6 billion in November, according to official data. On Friday, speaking at an event in Islamabad, PM Khan Since then, Trump administration has not only suspended help in the Afghan peace process, the PM said, “Peace in Af- Relations between the world’s two leading economies said Pakistan will no more fight anyone else’s war, nor will the aid but also accused Pakistan of not doing anything to ghanistan is in Pakistan’s interest. We will do everything,” the continue to be edgy despite a so-called ‘truce’ struck be- it be treated as a ‘hired gun’, and those who used to say help the U.S. in its so-called ‘war against terrorism’. PTI leader said. “We will try our best. Putting pressure on the tween U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President ‘do more’ are today seeking Pakistan’s help in Afghanistan. Just last week, while speaking to Fox News, Trump sought Taliban is easier said than done. Bear in mind that about 40 Xi Jinping during the G-20 summit last week. This was in reference to U.S. President Donald Trump’s to justify his administration’s decision to withdraw “military percent of Afghanistan is now out of the government’s hands.” The increasingly lopsided trade in goods between the statement a few days ago in which he asked Pakistan’s help aid” to Pakistan, which inflicted irreparable damage to their On the question of Pakistan’s relations with the U.S., he two nations threatens to further derail prospects for a trade in fighting against terrorism (in Afghanistan). Khan, who has bilateral relationship. said he would want to have a relationship where Pakistan was deal during a 90-day negotiation period. engaged in war of words with Trump on quite a few occasions “They [Pakistan] don’t do a damn thing for us,” the U.S. treated like a “hired gun” — given money to fight someone The ballooning trade deficit with China makes things dif- in recent weeks, was in no mood to hide his exasperation. president said, raising the issue of Osama bin Laden being else’s war. “We should never put ourselves in this position ficult for Trump, who made tall claims about turning around He reiterated that Pakistan wanted peace in the region, found in Pakistan’s garrison city of Abbotabad in 2011. again. It not only cost us human lives, devastation of our the situation. His tariff war with China has not gone down including in Afghanistan. However, he made it emphati- It triggered war of words between Trump and Khan, tribal areas, but it also cost us our dignity,” he emphasized. well with Beijing. cally clear that there would be no compromise on Pakistan’s which was also joined by Pakistani minister Shireen Mazari. As it appears, the relationship between the two countries China’s exports to the U.S. rose 9.8 percent for November national interest. Mazari called “Trump’s tirade against Pakistan” a lesson has sunk to a new low. Punitive actions against Pakistan on-year, while imports for the month fell 25 percent, the data “Today, I want to make it very clear that we will neither for those Pakistani leaders “who kept appeasing the U.S. — suspending security assistance, sanctioning Pakistani from China’s customs administration showed. fight someone’s war nor bow before anyone. Rather we especially after 9/11!” military officials with links to terror, cancelling Pakistan’s Meanwhile, China has taken serious umbrage to the arrest shall seek peace with others,” PM Khan said. “Whenever Meanwhile, in an interview to The Washington Post, non-NATO ally status, increasing drone strikes inside Pakistan, of the top executive and daughter of the founder of Chinese the Muslims rose, they rose while following the principles PM Khan dismissed the notion that he was involved in a instigating international financial institutions to suspend telecom giant Huawei in Canada this week following a U.S. laid down in the Holy Quran.” ‘Twitter war’ with Trump and asserted that he would never loans to Pakistan, and distasteful Twitter wars — will only extradition request. The relations between the U.S. and Pakistan – two strange want to have a relationship where Pakistan is treated like have uglier repercussions for their bilateral relationship . India ‘Optimists see a Indo-Pakistani dialogue post India’s world’s top recipient of general elections’ 1 A. Dialogue is the only solution. And two central ministers were deputed to India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lay out the red carpet. Reprehensible. So remittances Kartarpur corridor project has been attend the inauguration event. So far so good. was seen shaking hands with Saudi crown globally India is acting in sync. hailed as an important confidence building India remains an important strategic prince Mohammed bin Salman at G-20 sum- In India, Chief Minister of Uttar INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN — India will retain its position measure between India and Pakistan, even partner for Iran and the waiver from U.S. mit even when other world leaders clearly Pradesh, India’s most populated state, has desk as the world’s top recipient of remittances though the BJP government in India did not sanctions means the two countries can con- snubbed him. Do you think India, as an im- been changing the names of Muslim cities this year with its diaspora sending $80 billion back home, respond too warmly to Pakistan’s gesture. Do tinue their oil trade and work together on portant global player, should make its posi- into Hindu names, which has evoked wide- the World Bank said in a report on Saturday. you think it opens a window of opportunity the strategic Chabahar project. What makes tion clearer on Jamal Khashoggi murder? spread criticism. What do you think is the India is followed by China ($67 billion), Mexico and the for the two neighbors to come closer? their relationship so enduring? A. Well, globally everyone seems to be objective behind the move? Philippines ($34 billion each) and Egypt ($26 billion), ac- A. Actually to be fair, officially Prime Min- A. Geo politics and oil makes the relation- rushing to embrace the man. I mean the Saudi A. It is part of a larger agenda based on cording to the global lender. ister Narendra Modi welcomed the move. ship between the two countries enduring. crown prince. After Trump, it is Putin rushing his ideology. The Bank estimates that officially recorded remittances to developing countries will increase by 10.8% to reach $528 billion in 2018, against a 7.8% growth in 2017. Over the last three years, India registered a significant Malaysian Muslims rally to defend rights amid racial tensions flow of remittances, from $62.7 billion in 2016 to $65.3 bil- Tens of thousands of Muslims have staged a rally in the Ma- Malay privileges and threatened Islam’s status as the official Malays. As a Muslim, I want Islam to be the first (priority) lion 2017. In 2017, remittances constituted 2.7% of India’s laysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, calling for the protection religion in the southeast Asian nation of 32 million people. in Malaysia,” said another protester, Arif Hashim, 26. GDP, the Bank said. of their rights amid growing racial tensions in the multi- After weeks of pressure by pro-Malay groups, Malaysian The Malaysian premier said in a statement published late Remittances to South Asia are projected to increase by ethnic country. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s multi-ethnic government Friday that the government had no objection to the rally as 13.5% to $132 billion in 2018, a stronger pace than the 5.7% Malaysian Muslims – at around 50,000 by police esti- decided last month that it would not ratify the convention, long as it remained peaceful and orderly. growth seen in 2017. mates – gathered in downtown Kuala Lumpur after prayers without giving a reason why it was going back on an earlier “On behalf of the government, if the rally is held on the The upsurge is driven by stronger economic conditions in on Saturday afternoon to protest against a plan by the gov- commitment to sign. basis of thanksgiving, we are thankful for the support shown,” advanced economies, particularly the U.S., and the increase ernment to ratify a UN convention which aims to eliminate “We are here to defend our rights as Malays,” said Fari- he said in the video posted on his social media pages. in oil prices having a positive impact on outflows from some racial discrimination. dah Harun, a 59-year-old mother of seven, who travelled After Malays, the Chinese form the largest minor- GCC countries such as the UAE, which reported a 13% growth Large numbers of police forces along with security guards down from the northern state of Perak to join the rally with ity in the country with 24.6 percent of the population, in outflows for the first half of 2018. were deployed on the streets and major roads were closed. her husband. followed by 7.3 percent Indians and 0.7 percent from For 2019, it is projected that remittances growth for the Dressed in white, the demonstrators chanted “God is “We have ruled this country very well for a very long national origins. region will slow to 4.3% due to a moderation of growth in great” and waved banners that read “Long live the Malays.” time, but now there are people who want to take over and Muslim Malay majority generally appears to be feeling advanced economies, lower migration to the GCC and the Pro-government ethnic Malays, who account for around do things like shut down MARA,” she said, referring to a increasingly insecure under the new Malaysian government, benefits from the oil price spurt dissipating. 60 percent of Malaysia’s multi-ethnic population, expressed trust fund for Malays and indigenous people. which is claimed to be more representative of minorities. concern that signing the UN pledge could have undermined “I hope the other races don’t challenge the rights of the (Source: Press TV) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 9, 2018 ANALYSIS & INTERVIEW 7 Iran is able to export 1 million bdp of Tel Aviv’s fear of Hezbollah reaction against Operation oil despite U.S. sanctions: expert Northern Shield By Payman Yazdani OPEC affect the U.S. goals toward Iran? A: As I mentioned before in my interviews TEHRAN — Refereeing to withdrawal of and papers it is not easy to drop Iran oil export Qatar from OPEC, Omid Shukri says Iran to zero. Iran during sanction era will be able will be able to export 1 million barrels of to export average 1000000 bpd and 300000 oil despite Washington’s effort to cut Iran’s bpd condensate bpd. Iran oil export’s drop export to zero. is in favor of rest major oil exporters and Qatar will withdraw from the Organiza- all major exporters are satisfied with new tion of the Petroleum Exporting Countries sanctions imposed against Iran oil exports. (OPEC), the Persian Gulf nation’s Energy A: How will be possible reaction of Russia Minister Saad Sherida al-Kaabi announced. and China to Qatar’s withdraw? Will this The decision to quit the bloc of 15 oil-pro- decision affect China’s One road-One belt ducing countries that account for a significant project? percentage of the world’s oil production was A: Russia has a plan to be a key player in 1 Habullah said, Hezbollah never lets Zionist enemy rage confirmed by Qatar Petroleum, the state oil LNG market. Russia is careful about all major against one of the resistance factions and Hezbollah commanders company, last Monday. oil and gas producers, Russia wants them to are liable for such decisions. Following is an interview with Omid Shokri lose their share in world energy market and The reaction came after a Zionist military commander named Kalehsar is an Istanbul based Senior Energy plans to increase its own share. China as energy Yossi Kuperwasser in a threatening tone of voice in a speech against Security and Policy Analyst on the issue: costumer has its own strategy toward energy Hezbollah announced that Zionists had to be prepared to engage What are the reasons behind Qatar’s producer countries in the Middle East such in military fight with the group. decision to withdraw from OPEC? Is it po- as Qatar. China in promotion of its “Going Attempt to get bribe from Hezbollah leaders litically and economically right decision? out Strategy” encourages energy companies Perhaps one of the major reasons for the launch of the Operation A: It seems that Qatar is interested to to invest in Qatar’s energy sector mainly in of Northern Shield hostile act by the Zionist regime on the Lebanese be more active in LNG market and keeps natural gas fields. border is the possibility of reopening the Golan Heights front by the its place as world’s first LNG producer and Chinese officials have repeatedly stated Syrian resistance forces, with the powerful presence of Hezbollah. exporter. But it is possible for Qatar to export Omid Shokri Kalehsar, Senior Energy Security and Policy Analyst, Istanbul, follow that China’s common goal from One road Since the occupation of the strategic region of the Golan Heights, more oil if Qatar withdraw from OPEC. It him at @ushukrik One Belt project is to create dialogue, help Zionists have repeatedly shown that they will hold on to the oc- should be noted that there is a major chal- to bring peace and stability in the Middle cupied territory by any means necessary. Therefore, Hezbollah’s lenge between Qatar and Saudi Arabia as major challenge after a Saudi-led coalition the key factor in world oil market. Every East, link East and West Asia and joint de- readiness to reopen and liberate the Golan Heights has brought OPEC major producers and actor. It is pos- imposed blockade Qatar. country which has more production has a velopment, eliminate obstacles and biases. fear and terror to the Zionist. sible for Iran’s private sector to buy Iran Any relation between Trump’s an- power in OPEC. Arab Countries and Qatar has special posi- For this reason, the Zionist regime, with the onset of a North crude oil from Energy Exchange and sell it ti-OPEC policies and Doha decision? Cooperation and coordination between tion in this project. According to Wang Yi, Shia offensive on the Lebanese border, is actually requesting ransom to Qatar energy firms and Qatar firms after A: Stability in world oil and low price in oil major oil producers and non-major oil pro- Foreign Minister of China, Arab countries from the leaders of the resistance, particularly, Seyyed Hassan Nas- Qatar withdrawal from OPEC sell it oil to market is in favor of oil consumers and U.S. ducers is required. If OPEC members need cooperation in One Road One Belt will bring rallah, in order to prevent Hezbollah from entering the impending regional and world market. U.S. is against any country or organization to continue their role in world oil market, Peace in the Middle East. China is interested the Golan Heights’ liberation operation. This is while the Zionists Is there any relation between Qa- which decided to increase oil production or they require cooperation between themselves. to keep stability in the region to import oil have again made a gross strategic mistake and over the years have tar’s decision and the Saudi policy in the increase oil price. Trump administration can Without cooperation and mutual understand- and gas freely from the region. not realized that resistance is not under any circumstances a tribute organization? be expected to continue its policy toward ing between all OPEC members, there is no Energy security is key factor in China to the Zionist enemy. Therefore, it is clear that the Zionist plan for A: Some analysts believe that Qatar de- OPEC and will ask OPEC member states clear future for OPEC and this organization foreign policy. Last September PetroChina the Golan Heights won’t bear any fruit. cision to withdraw from OPEC is reaction to produce more oil to keep oil price down. may face serious challenges in the future. inked its biggest Qatar LNG deal as U.S. Unsettling the northern front through international to Saudi Policy in OPEC. Qatar is against How do you see the future of the 60 At the present moment which Iran is Trade at Risk and it seems that China will political turmoil Saudi Policy in the OPEC, Saudi Arabia after years old organization? under U.S. and its regional allies’ pressure increase its investment in Qatar energy sector The Zionist regime is not prepared to enter another battle with Khashoggi was under pressure. It should A: Major OPEC oil producers must solve such as Saudi Arabia and UAE to cut Iran’s to promote Qatari cooperation in One Road the resistance group and suffer another bitter defeat. Therefore, it be noted that Qatar-Saudi relations faced problems if they want OPEC to be one of oil export to zero, will Doha withdrawal from One Belt project. seems very unlikely that the Zionist authorities, at least now, intend to engage in a direct battle with Lebanese Hezbollah. On the other hand, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing for an international political turmoil against Lebanon’s Political squabbles among OPEC members have Hezbollah, which, in his opinion, marks two goals: to distract the public from Tel Aviv’s fiasco over the resistance in Gaza as well as his internal crises in the occupied territories, including military weakened its efficacy: Entessar security inefficiencies, and his involvement in corruption cases. 1 Is there any relation between Qatar’s decision heyday but its glory days are gone now. Of course, it still and the Saudi policy in the organization? does have influence but it no longer has the cohesiveness A: I think there is an element of truth to this argument. that it once had, and political squabbles among its members After all, the Saudis have become the single most important have weakened OPEC’s efficacy. ‘Saudi using cholera, dominant voice and player in today’s OPEC. Perhaps the At the present moment which Iran is under the U.S. Qataris decided that it did want to remain part of an organ- and its regional allies’ pressure such as Saudi Arabia and starvation as weapon against ization whose policies were driven by their Saudi nemesis. UAE to cut Iran’s oil export to zero, will Doha withdrawal Of course, we have to remember that Qatar is one of the from OPEC affect the U.S. goals toward Iran? Yemenis’ smallest oil producers in OPEC and has never been the or- A: No. Qatar’s oil production is not significant compared ganization’s driving force. to other major oil producers, and its withdrawal from OPEC TEHRAN (FNA) — Naseh Shaker, Journalist and Political Com- Any relation between Trump’s anti-OPEC policies will not affect U.S. policies towards Iran. As I had stated mentator, says the humanitarian crisis in the impoverished Arab and Doha decision? earlier, Qatar’s global energy influence is in the natural gas country is manmade and the Yemenis are being starved, not starving. A: No, I don’t think there is any link between Trump’s sector and not in OPEC and oil. Below is the full text of the interview. critical comments about OPEC and Doha’s decision to with- What will be the possible reaction of Russia and China Nearly half of Yemen’s population are on the brink of the draw from the organization. to Qatar’s withdraw? Will this decision affect China’s One worst famine in the past 100 years. Over 8 million Yemenis are in How do you see the future of the 60 years old or- road-One belt project? need of urgent food aid, as The UN states. These figures are too high ganization? A: Russia is more interested in coordinating its natural to be believed to be the case, all in the same country. What is the real A: Today, one-third of the world’s oil production is at- gas policies with Qatar than it is in Qatar’s oil production. picture of Yemen in terms of famine and diseases? tributable to three countries: Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Also, I don’t see any changes to China’s “Road and Belt” A: The real picture these days is that Saudi death machine con- the United States. Two of these countries are not OPEC policies as a result of Qatar’s announcement to withdraw tinues to claims lives. An instance of health-related issues is cholera. members, and Saudi Arabia has been increasingly coordi- from OPEC. China’s policies in this regard are multifac- According to Yemen’s Health Ministry, cholera victims have become nating its oil policy with these non-OPEC members. So, I eted and complex and are not affected Qatar’s decision to over 2500 since its breakout in April. The number of infected (and don’t believe OPEC today has the clout it once had in the global oil markets. OPEC served a useful purpose in its withdraw from OPEC. the suspected) are over 1,300,000. After almost 4 years of Saudi Arabia war on Yemen, it has failed to win the battle militarily. Saudi Arabia has been using cholera and starvation as a weapon to force Yemenis to surrender, but this won’t Iran – Syria rail connection is going to be renovated: happen. The humanitarian crisis in Yemen a manmade catastrophe; Yemenis are being starved, not starving. The Saudi regime uses starvation to humiliate people of Yemen. CEO of Syrian railways The UN must act to stop this tragedy. This is the only reason that possible. We have discussed this issue with Yemeni National Negotiating Delegation is attending UN-sponsored By Vahid Pourtajrishi & Azadeh our Iraqi brothers to construct this route by talks in Sweden. The delegation is demanding halt of the death Pour Saddami passing Al-Tanf. It will be a secure route and machine and stopping starvation, as well as an end to the full-scale vital artery between the three countries of sea, land and air blockade, to end the suffering of the civilians. Oth- TEHRAN — Ali Hasanain, the CEO of Syrian Iran, Iraq and Syria. erwise, there is no real consultations while the US-manufactured Railways announced renovation of Iran – Syria could be assumed as the com- Saudi terror warplanes continue to claims civilians lives. Syria under construction of rail connection. mercial hub of Middle East and linkage point Hudaydah, Yemen’s only conduit to the outside world, is Start of war in Syria and attacks by terrorist between the region and EU by passing Med- frequently targeted by Saudi Arabia and its allies. Why does Saudi groups to various numbers of civil structures iterranean Sea. How much time is required Arabia keep pounding the city? in this country is an issue that has not been to achieve such goal? A: Saudi Arabia has found it necessary to close the Hudaydah considered seriously by any significant or- A: We will do our best to connect Iran in port to starve all Yemenis. Saudi Arabia claims it attacks the port ganization. These destructions were such least time. But this issue depends on the end to stop smuggling Iranian missiles to Ansarallah fighters; but, it incredible which resulted in full-exploita- of war in Syria and full exit of the US forces allows the jet fighters to target Yemeni civilians. Saudi brutality is tion of many Syrian civil structures like rail from our soil. proven when it sent two jets full of murderers to kill Khashoggi in and road. Tehran – Damascus train has been Turkey, the same as it sends warplanes to kill Yemeni civilians on a This issue finally resulted in disconnect- one of the sweet and memorable trains for daily basis. But, the question is if the UN medications and food can ing Syria from Iran and its other neighbor tourists and Iranian pilgrims before war. How hardly be shipped to Hudaydah port, how can missiles be imported countries who had strong and remarkable much time is needed for re-run of this train? from the same path? volume of trade with Damascus. For in- Do you have any significant project for easy The UN and other international organizations claim they stance, we could refer religious tourism transport of pilgrims toward the holy shrine are working to import humanitarian aid to the Yemen. Food and industry between Shias of Syria, Iraq, Turkey of Sayyidah Zaynab (A.S)? medications are considered humanitarian aid; though access to and Iran which was as very fruitful and A: We are working on fully reconstruction them is highly restricted. Why are there famine and shortage of beneficiary kind of international commerce and rails. with rail institutions. of this rail route and hope for receive helps medications in existence in the country? for the both states. In this regard, we have talked to Ali Hasa- I have to mention that activities in many from Iran in this way. The travels between Iran A: There is no fair delivery of aid. What the UN does not want Role of rail in tourist industry is obvious nain, the CEO of the Syrian Railways that the parts of our rail routes like Tartus – Latakia and Syria will be started as soon as possible to let the world know is that none of its ships, nor others’ commer- for everybody and no one can decline this full text of this interview is given in continue: toward Homs are heading indefinitely. Re- from Al – Tanf rail route and we hope for cial ships, can enter Yemen except after being sent to the UAE for role. In Iran, religious tourists who went for Regarding achieve of success by Syrian construction of our leading to Damascus rail improvement of travel conditions for tourists inspection, then to Jeddah of Saudi Arabia for inspection, and the pilgrimage to Syria, never forget the sweet forces against terrorist groups in borders lines beside of Zobdani – Damascus route and increase of load volume between the last inspection by the Saudi coalition at Djibouti. Then the ships memories of such cheap, safe and comfort of Syria, has the government arranged any are almost completed. Also, we have started two countries even better than past. As we can head to Hudaydah port. This makes the food and medications travel which was done by train. But as we plan for reconstruction and development reconstruction of phosphate transport rail achieved victory against terrorist, hope to so expensive that people cannot afford anymore. For instance, as said before, emerge of ISIS and other ter- of the railways? line from Homs to Tartus. be successful in this field also. the WFP has confirmed, one simple plate of beans costs $62. The rorist groups in Syria disconnected these A: By efforts of the Syrian forces and co- It seems the rail connection between I would like to mention this point that WFP delivers only one package of food that costs $20 per month commercial rail and road relations between ordination of our Iranian brothers and the Iran and Mediterranean Region should be we have started to execute four vital elec- to each family the two nations. officials of the both states, the major parts created by Abou Kamal – Latakia route. Is trical rail projects in Syria that is including This creates famine, and people starve. Neither can people afford Achieved victories of the Syrian forced of our lands have been liberated from the there any clear landscape in front of this Damascus – Airport which passes the holy to reach hospitals. Saudi blocks import of oil and gas, making fuel against ISIS and liberating many of cities, hands of terrorists. The Syrian Ministry of project? How do you evaluate the security shrine of Sayyidah Zaynab (A.S), Damascus – too expensive. Salaries have not been paid for more than two years, have pushed Damascus into reconstruction Transportation has started the work of re- of this route? Sahnaya - Al-Dair Ali, Damascus – Elhameh and a majority of Yemenis, especially those residing in areas in of civil structures of this country like roads construction of our railways in coordination A: Yes. Creation of this rail connection is and the Damascus – Qatna. control of Ansarallah, are now dependent on humanitarian aids. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 8 ADVERTISEMENTS DECEMBER 9, 2018

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ICH Iran, Turkey sign MOU on e-health development

HEALTH TEHRAN — Iran’s Salamat health insur- appoints deskance organization and Turkey’s Medofas Medical signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on developing their healthcare systems through the use of information technology and electronic infra- structures, IRIB reported on Saturday. Iran as new On the sidelines of the signing ceremony, Taher Mouhebati, the director of Salamat health organization, said Iran seeks the consultation and specialized knowledge of countries who have been successful in the health sector. observer “We started this collaboration because of Turkey’s suc- cessful experience in launching an electronic system for its health sector,” he said. 1 According to the ICH exports of medicine to other countries. Furthermore, applying The MOU will prepare the ground for both countries to tap report on November 23, over the into the engineering capacity of each other, he concluded. ICH meeting on 10-15 November the ICH standards to different in Charlotte, USA, Iran was stages of pharmaceutical product appointed as the organization’s registration including regulatory new observer while Iranian Food and industrial procedures will Is it possible to reverse and Drug Administration will enhance the quality of medicines ICH is a project that brings together the be the appointed National produced in the country. regulatory authorities of Europe, Japan ‘chemo brain?’ Regulatory Authority (NRA). Joining ICH will also lead to After this affiliation, ICH is now more effective communication and the United States and experts from the Chemotherapy can affect a person’s brain for years after coming constituted by sixteen Members with other regulatory agencies pharmaceutical industry in the three regions to an end. How does it actually change the brain, and is there and twenty-eight Observers. across the world and will initiate to discuss scientific and technical aspects of anything that scientists can do to reverse these effects? According to the Health new activities in medical sector Researchers are looking into ways of reversing the ‘chemo Ministry, joining ICH will facilitate both locally and internationally. pharmaceutical product registration. brain’ effect. Many people who undergo chemotherapy will notice cogni- tive impairment and behavioral changes. This might include difficulty with movement. Health inflation lower than general rate in H1 Some people refer to this effect as “chemo brain.” HEALTH TEHRAN — During the first half they want the allocated foreign currency to be spent It can last for months or years, impacting people’s quality of deskof the current Iranian calendar year on technical services rather than their own fees,” he life following cancer treatment. (March 21-September 22) healthcare inflation rate was further noted. Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine in at 19%, standing below general inflation rate which Supporting local production is among the main California recently conducted a study to find out exactly how and averaged 36%, announced Health Ministry Spokes- policies of Health Ministry, he said, adding that 70 why chemotherapy agents affect the brain, and to see whether or person Iraj Harirchi. percent of required medicine and 67 percent of raw not there is any way to block or reverse that effect. Over the last 30 years, healthcare inflation rate was pharmaceutical materials are produced locally. The results — which appear in the journal Cell — appear to on average 40% greater than general inflation but last One third of knowledge-based companies indicate that methotrexate, a common chemotherapy drug, affects year it ran at 9.6%, going for the first time below the are medical ones the normal functioning of three important types of cell present general inflation rate which was estimated at 10.1%, Some one third of the country’s knowledge-based in the brain’s white matter. IRINN quoted Harirchi as saying on December 3. companies, i.e. 1,211 out of a total of 3700 companies, Chemo brain’s impact “The society of physicians have been really coopera- are working in the health sector, said Harirchi, adding The scientists also report learning that a drug currently tive in helping us control the health sector inflation as that 225 of them work on medicine, 156 work on medical undergoing clinical trials for other uses can address these ill the surgeon’s fee has not increased at all and the cost equipment and 646 work on laboratory equipment. effects in a mouse model. of doctor’s visit has only grown by three to five percent “We have put in all our efforts to support medical “It’s wonderful that [people who have undergone chemother- which is below the healthcare inflation rate during industry; for example, last week nine new cancer drugs apy are] alive, but their quality of life is really suffering,” claims the first few months of current year,” he explained. production lines were lunched and this week six new lead study author Erin Gibson. “If we can do anything to improve $3.5b allocated to health sector sector to control the price of medicine and medical knowledge-based drugs were introduced,” said Harirchi. that, there is a huge population that could benefit,” she notes. According to Harirchi, the government has assigned equipment. According to him, 40 new knowledge-based drugs will “Cognitive dysfunction after cancer therapy,” explains $3.5 billion worth of foreign exchange to the health “Physicians understand the people’s condition as also be introduced over the next three to four months. senior study author Dr. Michelle Monje, “is a real and recognized syndrome.” “In addition to existing symptomatic therapies — which many patients don’t know about — we are now homing in on potential interventions Worldwide search for planet’s rarest Skin cancers can’t be safely ruled out to promote normalization of the disorders induced by cancer drugs.” Dr. Michelle Monje blood type for 2-year-old who needs with a visual exam alone, review warns “There [is] real hope that we can intervene, induce regener- ation, and prevent damage in the brain,” she adds. Specifically, chemo brain tends to severely affect children who have undergone cancer treatment. Dr. Monje and team believe that finding a way to address this problem could truly improve these children’s lives. The chemo drug that disrupts brain cells In the recent study, the researchers focused on three important types of cell that are present in the brain’s white matter. These are: * Oligodendrocytes. These generate and protect myelin, which is the substance that insulates axons. Axons are the fibers through which nerve cells communicate with one another. * Astrocytes. These help keep the neurons well-irrigated, and they maintain a healthy environment for these cells, allowing them to communicate properly. * Microglia. These are specialized immune cells that normally destroy any foreign agents that may be harmful to the brain. When the scientists compared frontal lobe brain tissue collect- ed postmortem from children who had received chemotherapy with tissue from children who had not, they saw that the former presented significantly fewer oligodendrocyte lineage cells. The parents of a toddler with an aggres- and I request it from my heart, so please Visually inspecting a mole is not enough The review is significant given the ris- To understand why oligodendrocytes were not doing well in sive cancer have launched a worldwide donate blood for my daughter.” to safely rule out skin cancer according ing rates of skin cancer worldwide. In the the chemotherapy-exposed brain, the researchers turned to young search to find some of the rarest blood Not-for-profit organization OneBlood to a review which calls for more techno- UK there are around 16,000 new cases mouse models that they injected with methotrexate. on the planet. has been working closely with Zainab’s logical assistance to guide GPs’ initial every year, a figure that has increased They aimed to replicate the dosage and practice performed Two-year-old Zainab Mughal, from family, other blood centers and the Amer- assessments. 128 per cent since the 1990s according in human cancer treatment, so they gave the mice three doses Tallahassee, in Florida, was recently ican Rare Donor Program (ARDP) to Researchers said around one in ten to Cancer Research UK. of the drug once per week. diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma. help find a match. melanomas would be missed with just a The Cochrane review looked at an After a period of 4 weeks, the mice that received methotrex- She needs ongoing blood transfusions So far three matching donors have visual inspection at the doctor’s, following array of diagnostic methods for skin ate had sustained damage to their oligodendrocyte precursor to help fight the disease – but her blood been found, including one ARDP tracked a review of evidence from the most well cancers to see how new technology can cells, which are the fresh cells that normally develop to replace is so rare that only three matching do- down near London and two from the conducted trials on the subject which was improve diagnoses. oligodendrocytes that can no longer function. nors have so far been found, including United States. led by the University of Birmingham. The study said GP diagnosis of skin can- Following exposure to methotrexate, more precursor cells one in England. It marks the first time OneBlood has Visual inspection alone was also unreli- cers could be improved by making greater began to start the maturation process, but they remained stuck What makes Zainab’s blood different ever received an international donor able when done by a specialist dermatolo- use of dermoscopes and by sending images in an undeveloped state, unable to actually reach maturity. is that it is missing a common antigen, for a local patient. gist, the review found, however virtually all to dermatologists for assessment to prevent This was the case even 6 months after the mice’s treatment called ‘Indian B’, which most people To support her long-term blood needs, specialists would use a magnifying device excessive referrals swamping services. with the chemotherapy drug. carry in their blood cells. Zainab’s family need to find between – a dermoscope – for their assessment and The review also tested whether public- This also impacted the thickness of myelin, and the mice even This means a donor must also be seven to 10 compatible donors. this improved diagnoses. ly available apps enabling people to take faced the same behavioral problems as people who undergo chemo- missing the Indian B antigen to be a So far, more than 1,000 local dona- “Error rates from visual inspection a picture of their melanoma and have it therapy often do. These include motor impairment, anxiety, and potential match for the little girl, oth- tions, as well as donations from other are too high for it to be relied upon alone analyzed were deemed to significantly problems with attention and memory. erwise her body will reject the blood. parts of the country, have been tested … other technologies need to be used to underestimate risks. Some of these effects also persisted for 6 months following The only people likely to be a match but sadly no additional matches have ensure accurate diagnosis of skin cancer,” Advanced systems using machine learn- treatment with methotrexate. for Zainab are those whose blood type been found. the report said. ing algorithms which were trained on a The importance of ‘intercellular crosstalk’ is ‘O’ or ‘A’ – and whose parents are Anyone who thinks they could be However researchers stressed that in library of thousands of dermoscope images When they tried injecting oligodendrocyte precursor cells both 100 per cent Pakistani, Indian or a match for Zainab or wants to help is a real world setting most patients would of moles to assist diagnosis identified more from the brains of healthy mice into those of the experimental Iranian. urged to visit www.oneblood.org/zainab. be referred where there was uncertainty, cancers than doctors. mice, the investigators noticed that these cells also started the Of these, less than 4 per cent will Neuroblastoma is a rare type of cancer or patients would be given instructions by However, such systems “also produce maturation process at higher rates, but they did not get stuck actually be missing the Indian B antigen. that mostly affects babies and young their GP to keep moles under inspection. far more false positive diagnoses than der- midway through this process. Zainab’s parents and family members children, according to the NHS. The success rates of different assess- moscopy and could lead to considerable This, the team suggests, meant that there were problems in have had their blood tested but sadly It develops from specialized nerve ment methods were assessed as part of a increases in unnecessary surgery”, which the cells’ environment following treatment, which stopped them none are compatible. cells, known as neuroblasts, left behind Cochrane review, a gold-standard appraisal could create more costs for the NHS. from completing their normal process. Her father, Raheel Mughal, said: “She from a baby’s development in the womb. of medical evidence to date. “Early and accurate detection of all The researchers next turned to study the microglia and found was first diagnosed about two months The cancer most commonly occurs “Of the studies that were very clearly skin cancer types is essential to manage that these were abnormally active for at least 6 months following the ago but this thing was growing in her in one of the adrenal glands situated conducted in primary care for visual in- the disease and to improve survival rates chemotherapy treatment, thus interfering with the normal function- stomach for almost 10 months. above the kidneys, or in the nerve tissue spection, we found the chances of missing in melanoma, especially given the rate ing of astrocytes and disrupting the healthy nutrition of neurons. “We were all crying; this was the worst that runs alongside the spinal cord in a melanoma were about one in ten,” lead of skin cancer worldwide is rising,” Dr However, when the researchers gave the experimental mice thing we were expecting.” the neck, chest, tummy or pelvis. author Dr Jac Dinnes told The Independent, Dinnes added. a drug whose effect was to selectively deplete microglia, this “They found out that she had a very It can spread to other organs such as although most of the research was done “We have found that careful consider- allowed the oligodendrocyte precursor cells to resume their nor- rare blood type,” he added. the bone marrow, bone, lymph nodes, in a specialist setting. ation should be given of the technologies mal process of maturation; it stopped astrocyte disruption and “That’s when it became more of an liver and skin. “It certainly was significant that just that could be used to make sure that skin renewed normal myelin thickness. alert, but luckily thank God they have It affects around 100 children each visual inspection with the naked eye alone cancers are not missed, at the same time Also, this approach reversed numerous cognitive impairment found a few donors so so far she has been year in the UK and is most common in was not fully reliable. ensuring that inappropriate referrals for symptoms in the mice that received the new drug. going through her normal treatment. children under the age of five. “But that’s just one check, and when we specialist assessment and inappropriate “The biology of this disease really underscores how important “We will definitely need more blood. The cause of neuroblastoma is un- talk about primary care people are going excision of benign skin lesions are kept intercellular crosstalk is,” says Dr. Monje, adding, “Every major “My daughter’s life very much de- known. to go back if they have concerns or things to a minimum.” neural cell type is affected in this pathophysiology.” pends on the blood. It’s a humble request, (Source: The Independent) are changing.” (Source: The Independent) (Source: medical news today) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 10 HERITAGE & TOURISM DECEMBER 9, 2018 Iranians get the Sadabad hosting “Iran’s Lady” show lion’s share of Azeri e-visas TOURISM TEHRAN — Iranian trav- the airports with international status under deskelers received the greater the decree of President Ilham Aliyev “On share of electronic visas that Azerbaijan has improvement of the process of issuing visas granted to its visitors as of May 15. to the foreigners and stateless persons at A total of 227,745 e-visas out of about the international airports of the Republic 900,000 have been granted to the Iranian of Azerbaijan,” the report said. nationals, said Elnur Niftaliyev, the head Azerbaijan applied electronic visa in order of the Public Relations Department at the to make the process of obtaining the entry State Agency for Public Service and Social documents cheaper and quicker. Today for- Innovations, Azer News reported. eigners can obtain electronic visa within three Amongst states that make up the top ten working days via “ASAN VISA” system in are Saudi Arabia (68,073), Pakistan (66,755), three steps (apply, payment and download). Turkey (56,546), India (52,759), Turkmen- According to IRNA, a total of 579 Azerbai- istan (34,044), Great Britain (31,147) and jani nationals visited Iran during the first half Germany (23,195), the official said. of 2018, which shows 22.8 percent increase HERITAGE TEHRAN — An exhibition of traditional hand- As of May 15, ASAN visas were issued at from a year ago. deskmade dresses titled “Iran’s Lady” is underway at the Museum of Fine Arts in the Sadabad Cultural-Historical Complex. Golestan Palace to exhibit Historical arcades to be East Azarbaijan exports Pouya Mahmoudian, the deputy director of the Cultural Her- itage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, on Thursday cut 19th-century cameras restored in Qom $4.3m of handicrafts the ribbon on the exhibit, which turns the spotlight on zarbaf (brocade) and termeh (a type of sumptuous handwoven cloth) techniques. The event also unveiled the “first” haute couture wedding dress made from with termeh cloth, CHTN reported. Termeh has for centuries manifested the artistic essence of the Iranian culture in clothing and décor. The handicraft, which is woven with silk and wool and sometimes with gold and silver, is mainly used for decorative purposes in important ceremonies and in making various items such as table-cloths, bed sheets, scarves, cushion covers, curtains, garments, waist bands, robes, royal headdress and even bags and shoes.

HERITAGE TEHRAN — A total of 29 historical HERITAGE TEHRAN — A number of histori- HERITAGE TEHRAN — Handicrafts exports from deskcameras, mainly (mostly) dating from deskcal arcades and passageways will be deskEast Azarbaijan province reached some Rich family wants to pay the 19th-century, will go on display at the UNESCO-reg- restored across Iran’s central Qom province, CHTN $4.3 million during the previous Iranian calendar year istered Golestan Palace in downtown Tehran. reported. 1396 (ended March 2018), CHTN reported. someone $141,000 a year to The three-day exhibition will put on show cameras Some 3 billion rials from the national budget has The country exported $280 million worth of handi- that were used to capture photos from Qajar-era kings been allocated to the project, said Hamid Yazdadi, the crafts in 1396, according to data compiled by the Cultural travel the world and courtiers within the palace, director of the World provincial tourism chief. Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization. Heritage site Masoud Nosrati said, CHTN reported. The arcades of Chehel Akhtanan, Haj Hossein, Traditional ceramics, pottery vessels, handwoven Do you like money? Do you like to travel? Can you take decent The exhibit will be held in winter, he said, without Bagh Panbeh, Shah Hamzeh, Joda, Panj-Ali will be cloths as well as personal ornamentations with precious photo? If so, have we got the job for you. mentioning a specific date. renovated within the framework of the scheme, the and semi-precious gemstones are among Iranian exports If travelling to exotic locations and getting paid $141,000 Golestan Palace became a center of Qajari arts and official explained. to Germany, Armenia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Russia, the a year to do it sounds like your dream job then you’re in luck. architecture which is an outstanding example and has “Since Qom is known as a cradle for the [1979] Is- Netherlands, France, Italy, South Africa, the Persian A British family is hiring a professional photographer to follow remained a source of inspiration for Iranian artists and lamic Revolution and it is also famed as a Shia center, Gulf littoral states, amongst others. them around the world for a year and the money and the travel architects to this day. It embodies a successful inte- preserving, reviving and introducing its historical texture Dozens of Iranian handicrafts have gained the experiences aren’t the only perks, The Sun reports. gration of earlier Persian crafts and architecture with is an essential step towards preservation of its historical UNESCO Seal of Excellence during the past couple The job, which will start from February 2019, will involve Western influences. identity.” of years. extensive travel around the world over a 12-month period. In addition to the salary, the family will also be covering all the food, travel and accommodation expenses for the lucky photographer. Thirty days holiday and full sick pay are also included. China’s ancient ‘pyramids’ reveal their stunning secrets While the benefits are good, the destinations you get to visit A researcher has uncovered fascinating new details about Instead, the study proposes that the ancient pyramid are perhaps even better. the construction of ancient “pyramids” in China. builders were accounting for the rotation of the Earth’s axis, Australia, Europe, America and South America are all on the There are over 40 “pyramid” mausoleums in China, which which, over long periods of time, alters the position of stars agenda as the family owns “a number of holiday homes and other are huge artificial earth hills. Only two of these sites have been in the night sky. residences” in those destinations. partly excavated, according to Giulio Magli of the Politecnico “The explanation proposed in the article is thus astro- You will get to accompany the family to events such as the di Milano in Italy, author of a new study on the pyramids. nomical: the emperors who built the pyramids of the ‘family Formula One Grand Prix in Monaco and Abu Dhabi, mardi gras The research, which examines the role of astronomy and 2’ did not want to point to the north celestial pole, which at in New Orleans and the Rio Carnival as well. Feng Shui in ancient Chinese necropolises, used satellite the time did not correspond to any star, but to the star to Plus, diving in the Maldives and skiing in Val d’Isere are also on data and field surveys to collect a wealth of information on which the pole would be approached in the future: Polaris,” the list of things that the family is planning to do in the coming year. the archaeological sites. One of the sites is the pyramid tomb he explained. So what exactly is involved in the job and how do you apply? of China’s First Emperor Qin Shi Huang, which is guarded Polaris, also known as the North Star or Pole Star, is Well, according to the job description posted on Perfocal, by the famous Terracotta Army. located in the constellation of Ursa Minor and has long been the exciting role will involve working for up to 10 hours a day, In a study published in the journal Archaeological Research used as an important guide for navigation. While modern taking lifestyle shots of the mystery family, who have chosen to in Asia, Magli notes that the ancient Chinese pyramids fall astronomers are used to identifying the north celestial pole remain anonymous for the time being, “due to the high-profile into two categories. One group of tombs is oriented “with with Polaris (although it is not a perfect alignment), at the nature of the father’s job”. good precision” to the cardinal points of north, south, east time of the ancient Han emperors in China, the pole was You could be away for three months at a time and may only and west. still far from Polaris, Magli explained. get a few days home in between trips. surprise. In a statement, the researcher explains that, like their Other discoveries are shedding new light on ancient (Source: news.com) However, the second group of pyramids is oriented away counterparts in Egypt, the ancient Chinese emperors saw from true north. Specifically, these tombs orient to the west China. In 2016, archaeologists revealed evidence that their power as “a direct mandate of the heaven, identifying of north, when looking toward the monument. “It is out of ancient Greeks may have helped design the Terracotta the circumpolar region as a celestial image of the imperial the question that this second family may have been due to Army, potentially offering fresh insight into China’s early ROUND THE GLOBE palace and its inhabitants.” As a result, the orientation of errors of the Chinese astronomers and architects,” Magli contact with the west. pyramids toward the cardinal points should come as no explained. (Source: The New York Post) Pyu Ancient Cities

The Pyu Ancient Cities in Peru provide the earliest testimony Want to take your pet on your next vacation? here is what of the introduction of Buddhism into Southeast Asia almost two thousand years ago and the attendant economic, socio-po- litical and cultural transformations which resulted in the rise you need to know of the first, largest, and longest-lived urbanized settlements Is it safe? What are the rules? What to pack? air travel, Ms. Wells said, but not being able require additional permits, and international terminals and not others. of the region up until the 9th century. The six questions you should ask before you to keep an eye on your pet for potential issues travel is even more complicated and may include But some airports are making travel easier The Pyu showed a striking capacity to assimilate Indic take your pup on a plane. during the flight can increase the risk. The air- a quarantine period when you land. for pet owners, so traveling a bit further beyond Here are some questions to ask before line crew “may not be as familiar with your Do I have the right carrier? your usual airport to locate one might be worth it. deciding whether or not your dog will also be particular pet’s medical history, or even know When booking, reserve a spot for your dog New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport was your traveling companion. how to recognize when your pet’s in distress,” as early as possible. Most airlines will only allow recently rated as the most pet-friendly airport Is it safe? Ms. Wells explained. “I never travel with my a certain number of pets in the cabin per flight. by upgradedpoints.com for having post-secu- As with most things, safety first. Always pets in cargo; I won’t risk it,” she added. You also need to confirm the airline’s animal rity relief areas at several different terminals. consult your veterinarian before planning Should I sedate my dog? carry-on rules for your specific itinerary, and pay Terminal 5 also has what’s known as the “woof- your trip, as certain breeds and dogs are at The I.P.A.T.A. does not recommend giving the inevitable extra fees associated with a pet. top,” a 4,000 square foot outdoor patio that’s a higher risk. tranquilizers to any pet during air travel. It “The actual under-seat dimensions will accessible to all passengers flying with pets. “Brachycephalic dogs, which have short said sedation suppresses respiratory and body vary by airline carrier, and things really get No matter the airport, get there early, “so noses, like Boston Terriers, are at an increased temperature regulation and can have other complicated when you consider the type of you have time to check-in for your flight, check risk of having an adverse reaction midflight negative effects on the animal’s physiology. pet carrier, airline class seat, and short-haul your bags, and give your pet a bathroom break influences and swiftly move into a significant degree of re-in- because they’re already prone to respiratory But other types of medications or natural or long-haul flights,” Ms. Wells said. before you even head through security,” Ms. vention. They created a special form of urbanization, the city issues,” Ms. Wells said. calming aids can make a big difference, from Ms. Wells personally swears by the Sherpa Wells suggested. of extended urban format, which subsequently influenced Also, only smaller dogs that can safely fit toys or treats to anything that has prescribed Original Deluxe Carrier. What do I bring? urbanization in most of mainland Southeast Asia. in a carrier bag and bestowed underneath the by your vet after a consultation about the up- “It’s soft-sided, which is more comfortable “When traveling with your pet, treat them These earliest Buddhist city-states played a seminal role seat in front of you can fly in the cabin. Large coming trip. for my pets and easier for me to carry, it is like a newborn and come prepared,” said Ms. in the process of transmitting the literary, architectural and dogs, as long as the breed is approved by the Do I have the right paperwork? flexible enough that I can fit it underneath the Wells. ritual traditions of Pali-based Buddhism to other societies airline, have to fly in cargo. While you’re asking your vet about health seat in front of me without squishing my pet, Keep in mind that your dog will most likely in the sub-region where they continue to be practiced up to The International Pet and Animal Trans- issues, you also need to fill out the necessary and it’s extremely durable,” she said. count as one of your carry-on items, so you may the present. portation Association, a trade association for paperwork for your trip. You don’t want your Is the airport pet friendly? have to pack light yourself. You’ll also need room Halin, Beikthano and Sri Ksetra together as a Serial professional pet shippers, said cargo travel pup to be detained at customs, do you? Large airports are only required by law to for items to keep your dog happy and healthy. Property jointly testify to the several aspects of the de- is safe when proper precautions are taken. Typically, you need an accredited veteri- provide pet relief areas for service animals — so Ms. Wells recommends bringing food and velopment of this new model of urban settlement for the It recommends that dogs be crate-trained narian to perform an exam before your trip to unless you do your research, Princess Poochy treats, a refillable water bottle, one or two toys, Southeast Asian region. before their trip, which helps them remain obtain a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection may have to hold it for awhile. a small blanket, some training pads and dog Together the three cities provide evidence for the entire comfortable during the flight. (CVI). But depending on your destination, “Some airports are more dog friendly than poop bags. sequence and range of Pyu urban transformation from ca. Cargo is an option for smaller dogs, too, but there are different admission requirements others, and not all of them have relief areas for “My dog Sutton always gets a Kong stuffed 2nd century BCE to the 9th century CE, Buddhist monastic that choice is up to the owner, unless you’re per state and country. animals,” Ms. Well said. with some dog-friendly peanut butter or cheese communities, distinctive mortuary practice, skilful water flying to a country that does not allow animals The United States Department of Agricul- She recommends mapping out where the whiz to keep her entertained on the flight, and management, and long distant trade. in the cabin at all, like the United Kingdom. ture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Ser- relief areas are in advance, as they’re not al- I pack a spare,” she said. (Source: UNECO) It is rare for pets to be injured or die during vice website is a good place to start. Some states ways easy to find and may be located in some (Source: UNESCO) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 9, 2018 SCIENCE 11 More bioplastics do not necessarily contribute Curiosity’s newly dust-free to climate change mitigation, research finds penny shows strength of Martian winds Bioplastics are often promoted as an amount that is later released at end-of-life. environmentally and climate-friendly Overall, their net greenhouse gas balance We often hear about the dust storms and wind on Mars, but it’s alternative to conventional petroleum-based is assumed to be zero. Bioplastics are thus hard to visualize conditions on the ground when the planet’s only plastics. However, a recent study suggests often consumed as an environmentally inhabitants are robots. Today, the Curiosity rover has provided that shifting to plant-based plastics could friendly alternative. a handy visual example of how the wind blows on the red planet. You probably didn’t know there was a penny on Mars, but have less positive effects than expected. In large amounts NASA didn’t send Curiosity out into the Solar System without Specifically, an increased consumption But at least with the current level of a little walking around (or rolling around) money. The penny of bioplastics in the following years is technology, this issue is probably not as was minted in 1909, the first year the coin depicted president likely to generate increased greenhouse clear as often assumed. The “production of Abraham Lincoln. NASA mounted the coin vertically on the front gas emissions from cropland expansion bioplastics in large amounts would change side of the rover. It’s there to help test the focus and sharpness on a global scale. land use globally,” explains Dr. Neus Escobar of Curiosity’s Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI), the camera on Under the assumption that a tax on from the Institute of Food and Resource the end of the rover’s robotic arm. The penny is next to a color conventional plastics will increase the Economics at the University of Bonn. “This and scale test panel that serves a similar purpose. It’s the only share of bioplastics relative to total plastic could potentially lead to an increase in the penny on Mars, which I suppose makes it a red cent. consumption to 5 percent. The darker the conversion of forest areas to arable land. Mars experienced a major planet-wide dust storm earlier coloring, the greater the loss of forest. However, forests absorb considerably this year. It engulfed the Opportunity rover first in June be- Bioplastics are often promoted as an more CO2 than maize or sugar cane annually, fore sweeping over Curiosity a few weeks later. Unfortunately, environmentally and climate-friendly if only because of their larger biomass.” Opportunity is a solar-powered robot. NASA put the rover into alternative to conventional petroleum-based Experience with biofuels has shown that this sleep mode in advance of the dust cloud, but it has not woken plastics. However, a recent study from the atmosphere by degradation or burning, global CO2 emissions. effect is not a theoretical speculation. The up since. Curiosity has a radioisotope thermoelectric generator University of Bonn suggests that shifting hence contributing to global warming. Bioplastics, on the other hand, are in increasing demand for the “green” energy (RTG) power source that is unaffected by a layer of dust. to plant-based plastics could have less This corresponds to about 400 million principle climate-neutral since they are sources has brought massive deforestation Curiosity snapped the first image of the penny (above) on positive effects than expected. Specifically, metric tons of CO2 per year worldwide, based on renewable raw materials such as to some countries across the tropics. September 4th, showing dust caked on the surface. Keep in mind, an increased consumption of bioplastics almost half of the total greenhouse gases maize, wheat or sugar cane. These plants get Dr. Neus Escobar and her colleagues this is a vertical surface — something horizontal like Opportunity’s in the following years is likely to generate that Germany emitted to the atmosphere in the CO2 that they need from the air through Salwa Haddad, Prof. Dr. Jan Börner and Dr. solar panels would have much more coverage. increased greenhouse gas emissions from 2017. It is estimated that by 2050, plastics their leaves. Producing bioplastics therefore Wolfgang Britz have simulated the effects Despite the thin atmosphere on Mars, the air can really get cropland expansion on a global scale. could already be responsible for 15% of the consumes CO2, which compensates for the of an increased demand for bioplastics in moving. NASA has expressed hope that wind could clear Op- Fossil fuel depletion major producing countries. They used portunity’s solar panels and let the rover wake up again. It’s Plastics are usually made from and extended a computer model that had It is estimated that by 2050, plastics could possible the rover’s batteries are irreparably damaged after so petroleum, with the associated impacts already been used to calculate the impacts long without active internal heating. Still, NASA has not given in terms of fossil fuel depletion but also already be responsible for 15% of the global of biofuel policies. It is based on a database up on Opportunity. climate change: The carbon embodied in that depicts the entire world economy. CO2 emissions. (Source: extremetech.com) fossil resources is suddenly released to the (Source: Science Daily)

China launches first-ever mission Researchers are harnessing the power World’s first insect vaccine to the moon’s farside of ‘spin orbit’ coupling in silicon could help bees fight off China has successfully launched its Australian scientists have investigat- deadly disease Chang’e 4 spacecraft toward the moon, ed new directions to scale up qubits a daring mission to land on the lunar — utilizing the spin-orbit coupling of Researchers say they’ve found a way to let queen bees pass on farside for the first time in history. atom qubits—adding a new suite of immunity to a devastating disease called American foulbrood. The launch took place from the tools to the armory. The infectious disease is so deadly, many states and beekeeping Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Spin-orbit coupling, the coupling of groups recommend burning any hive that’s been infected. Here, Sichuan Province on a Long March 3B the qubits’ orbital and spin degree of a frame from a normal hive is seen in a photo from 2017. rocket on December 7, at 01:23 P.M. freedom, allows the manipulation of Bees may soon get an ally in their fight against bacterial dis- Eastern time (2:23 am local time in the qubit via electric, rather than mag- ease — one of the most serious threats the pollinators face — in China). The spacecraft will now begin netic-fields. Using the electric dipole the form of an edible vaccine. That’s the promise held out by a three-day journey to the moon before coupling between qubits means they researchers in Finland, who say they’ve made the first-ever vaccine remaining in polar lunar orbit until a can be placed further apart, thereby for insects, aimed at helping struggling honeybee populations. landing attempt is made by the end of providing flexibility in the chip fab- The scientists are targeting one of bees’ most deadly enemies: the year at the earliest. “They are talking rication process. American foulbrood, or AFB, an infectious disease that devastates about around December 31 or January In one of these approaches, a team hives and can spread at a calamitous rate. Often introduced by 1,” says Bernard Foing, director of the ing to some –173 degrees C for about 14 of scientists led by UNSW Professor qubits in silicon, this time with phos- nurse bees, the disease works by bacteria feeding on larvae — and European Space Agency’s International days of night. These temperature swings Sven Rogge investigated the spin-orbit phorus atom qubits. The research was then generating more spores, to spread further. Lunar Exploration Working Group, who proved too much for Chang’e 4’s pre- coupling of a boron atom in silicon. recently published in npj Quantum was part of a European collaboration with decessor, Chang’e 3, which landed on “Single boron atoms in silicon are Information. the China National Space Administra- the moon on December 14, 2013. The a relatively unexplored quantum sys- The research revealed surprising tion (CNSA) on the mission. So far, the two missions are almost identical in tem, but our research has shown that results. For electrons in silicon — and in spacecraft appears to be in good health. design; the former was originally built spin-orbit coupling provides many particular those bound to phosphorus China will use the preceding three as a backup for the latter. Both include a advantages for scaling up to a large donor qubits — spin orbit control was weeks in lunar orbit to take images of large lander weighing about 1,200 kilo- number of qubits in quantum comput- commonly regarded as weak, giving the surface, and ensure the landing grams, and from this a smaller rover ing” says Professor Rogge, Program rise to seconds long spin lifetimes. site is clear of obstacles. Whenever it about one meter across and weighing Manager at the Centre for Quantum However, the latest results revealed occurs, the seven-step landing process 140 kilograms is deployed on the lunar Computation and Communication a previously unknown coupling of the —which will be entirely autonomous — surface. Technology (CQC2T). electron spin to the electric fields typ- will last just 11 minutes from the deorbit But the key difference this time is First read-out of the spin ically found in device architectures burn to touching down on the surface. Chang’e 3 landed on the moon’s near- Following on from earlier results created by control electrodes. The idea of a potential new weapon to fight AFB has generat- Chang’e 4 is intended to land in the side that always faces Earth. Chang’e from the UNSW team, published last “By careful alignment of the external ed excitement in the beekeeping community, along with some 186-kilometer-wide Von Kármán Crater 4 will instead head for the farside, long month in Physical Review X, Rogge’s magnetic field with the electric fields skepticism about the claim of a vaccine — which remains in in the South Pole – Aitken Basin on the seen as a scientific milestone for lunar group has now focused on applying in an atomically engineered device, we the testing phase. The news comes three years after the same moon; the latter feature is the moon’s exploration. A “farside landing is a big fast read-out of the spin state (1 or found a means to extend these spin researchers were hailed in Entomology Today as discovering largest-known impact crater at about deal, because nobody’s ever done it,” 0) of just two boron atoms in an ex- lifetimes to minutes,” says Professor the “key to bee vaccination.” 2,500 kilometers across. This scien- says Roger Launius, NASA’s former chief tremely compact circuit all hosted in Michelle Simmons, Director, CQC2T. Scientists Dalial Freitak and Heli Salmela of the University of tifically fascinating region could yield historian. A major challenge, however, a commercial transistor. The long spin coherence Helsinki say their new vaccine solves a vexing problem researchers invaluable data about how the moon is the farside is never in sight of Earth, “Boron atoms in silicon couple “Given the long spin coherence times have faced as they try to save bees from disease. formed and evolved, owing to exposed making direct communication impos- efficiently to electric fields, enabling and the technological benefits of silicon, Because insects’ immune systems don’t have antibodies, they mantle at this location. sible. So in May 2018 China launched a rapid qubit manipulation and qubit this newly discovered coupling of the essentially lack a “memory” for fighting diseases. Although located near the moon’s relay satellite called Queqiao to a gravi- coupling over large distances. The elec- donor spin with electric fields provides “When the queen bee eats something with pathogens in it, south pole, Chang’e 4’s target crater is tationally stable lunar synchronous orbit trical interaction also allows coupling a pathway for electrically-driven spin the pathogen signature molecules are bound by vitellogenin. still subjected to extreme temperature about 65,000 kilometers beyond the to other quantum systems, opening resonance techniques, promising high (Source: npr.org) changes as the moon rotates once every moon, where the gravity of both Earth up the prospects of hybrid quantum qubit selectivity,” says Simmons. 28 days. and the moon keep the relay satellite systems,” says Rogge. Both results highlight the benefits A large lander moving in a halolike motion that ensures Another piece of recent research by of understanding and controlling spin The crater experiences about 14 days it is continuously in sight of both the Professor Michelle Simmons’ team at orbit coupling for large-scale quantum Rare Hawaiian monk of sunlight with average temperatures up lunar farside and Earth. UNSW has also highlighted the role computing architectures. seals keep getting eels (Source: Scientific American) (Source: phys.org) to 110 degrees Celsius, before plummet- of spin orbit coupling in atom-based stuck up their noses

A relaxed-looking juvenile Hawaiian monk seal lounges near a Could algae help corals come back after bleaching? sandy white beach on some green foliage. Its eyes are half-closed, How much of the ability of a coral reef to the host anemone by two different species and it has a serene expression on its face. But the seal’s calm withstand stressful conditions is influenced of algae -- one native, the other a transplant demeanor is surprising. by the type of algae that the corals hosts? that’s not normally found in the anemone “It’s just so shocking,” Claire Simeone, a veterinarian and Corals are marine invertebrates from the host -- the team found that the native spe- monk seal expert based in Hawaii, told The Washington Post phylum called cnidarians that build large cies consistently provided more nutrition on Thursday. “It’s an animal that has another animal stuck up exoskeletons from which colorful reefs are to the anemone than the non-native one. its nose.” constructed. But this reef-building is only However, the transplanted “poor pro- Simeone wasn’t the only person stunned by the photo of the possible because of a mutually beneficial vider” algae used in this research, called seal and its unusual facial ornament that was shared earlier this relationship between the coral and vari- Durusdinium trenchii, is known to have a week on Facebook by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric ous species of single-celled algae called high heat resistance and it’s been observed Administration’s Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program. dinoflagellates that live inside the cells of to repopulate coral communities that have The picture — taken this year in the remote northwestern coral polyps. been damaged by bleaching and have lost Hawaiian islands — has since gone viral, drawing attention to The algae are photosynthetic -- meaning their original algal tenants. a rare phenomenon that continues to baffle scientists such as capable of converting the Sun’s energy into “Under normal conditions, coral or anem- Charles Littnan, who is now begging the endangered seals to chemical energy for food, just like plants. ones that host a species of algae that’s a “make better choices.” And the exchange of nutrients between the poor nutrient provider will be forced to burn It all began about two years ago when Littnan, the lead scien- coral and the algae is essential for healthy its own energy stores and take in nutrition tist of the monk seal program, woke up to a strange email from reef communities. The coral provides the from the surrounding water,” Grossman researchers in the field. The subject line was short: “Eel in nose.” algae with carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and explained. “But in the wake of a bleaching “It was just like, ‘We found a seal with an eel stuck in its nose. Do other compounds that they need to survive event, even a poor provider may be better we have a protocol?’ “Littnan told The Post in a phone interview. and perform photosynthesis. The algae, what this could mean for a coral’s ability to switch from hosting one symbiotic algal than no provider.” There was none, Littnan said, and it took several emails and in turn, can stimulate the growth of the survive under stressful conditions caused species to another,” Grossman said. “Having Further research that involves a greater phone calls before the decision was made to grab the eel and coral by providing them with sugars and by climate change. They did this by studying a long-term symbiotic relationship with a variety of algae and studies the flow of nu- try pulling it out. fats, which are created via photosynthesis. the anemone Aiptasia -- a cnidarian like native algal species is advantageous to the trients between the organisms in greater “There was only maybe two inches of the eel actually still An international research team based the coral -- which can also host symbiotic coral. But if the surrounding conditions are detail is necessary to fully understand if sticking out of the nose, so it was very much akin to the magician’s in New Zealand and including Carnegie’s dinoflagellates, but it grows much faster altered by climate change, could a different more heat tolerant but less generous algal trick when they’re pulling out the handkerchiefs and they keep Arthur Grossman set out to determine how and is easier to study than corals. algal species confer corals with improved species might help these fragile ecosys- coming and coming and coming,” he said. the abundance and diversity of sugars and Symbiotic algal species fitness and chances of survival?” tems survive a world in which the climate After less than a minute of tugging, a two-and-a-half-foot other carbon compounds shared with the “We’re very interested in what happens When comparing the sugars, fatty acids, is rapidly changing. dead eel emerged from the seal’s nostril. coral varies between species of algae and when external conditions force corals to and other metabolic products transferred to (Source: eurekalert.org) (Source: sciencealert.com) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 12 SOCIETY DECEMBER 9, 2018

Graywater reuse, a sustainable Will cloud seeding cause a blast of solution to water scarcity ENVIRONMENT TEHRAN — While graywater is being reused moisture in drought-stricken areas? deskin many countries as a solution to minimize the deficit between demand and supply of water, it has not been By Maryam Qarehgozlou satellites ? the first could be in orbit by yet operational in Iran due to high costs of wastewater treatment 2020. In addition, they are working on a and a lack of proper equipment, an official with the Water and TEHRAN — Cloud seeding projects are program to ground test tools for wringing Wastewater Company affiliated to the Ministry of Energy has said. planned to get off the ground in 10 prov- precipitation from the air. inces of Iran in a collaborative attempt Additionally in November, it was an- between the Islamic Revolutionary Guard nounced that Delhi›s air quality has de- Corps Aerospace Force (IRGC AF) and the teriorated to alarming levels and despite National Cloud Seeding Research Center efforts to better it, pollution levels have within the next few weeks. grown to hazardous and harmful levels. However, Iran’s Meteorological Organ- India Today reported the Indian govern- ization (IMO) has long been the outspoken ment, after discussing the matter with sci- opponent of the projects. entists, has decided to use cloud seeding IMO has voiced its concerns over the fail- method to induce artificial rainfall, if the ure of cloud seeding projects warning that situation worsens, that is if the air quality such projects are “futile” and “pointless”. index reaches 400-500. In an interview with Tasnim news agen- The United Arab Emirates, considered a cy in January, Hassan Lashkari, a faculty leader in rain enhancement, claims to have member at the geology department of the witnessed an increase in rainfall of about Graywater is all wastewater generated in households or office Shahid Beheshti University, had explained 10–35 percent following cloud seeding. buildings from streams without fecal contamination, i.e. all streams that managing current water resources as Russia started employ techniques to except for the wastewater from toilets. As greywater contains well as application of scientific methods disperse rain in the 1990s and continues fewer pathogens than domestic wastewater, it is generally safer that can enhance clouds’ ability to produce to use it even today. For instance, in 2005, to handle and easier to treat and reuse onsite for toilet flushing, precipitation, also known as cloud seeding, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered landscape or crop irrigation, and other non-potable uses. could help in facing the current challenges the Russian Air Force to prevent rains over “The Ministry of Energy has to prioritize research in the field of water shortage in the country. Moscow just before their military parade. of graywater reuse and wastewater industry to overcome water Lashkari said that cloud seeding was a Granted precipitation levels increased In May 2016, the Russian government tried shortages in different parts of the country, IRNA quoted Ahmad viable option that officials should seriously dramatically this year, but is it going to cloud seeding on International Worker›s Sayahi as saying on Saturday. consider noting that in a country like Iran continue next year? What about provinces Day to coax the rain clouds to rain elsewhere. “Wastewater treatment has not been properly performed cloud seeding can be very important and In 2008, China apparently fired a barrage in the country due to high costs and poor facilities,” he stated, with regard to the fact that the country will with low precipitation levels? For one, of 1,110 rockets to ensure that the Beijing adding, however, countries employ graywater reuse technique face severe water shortage in the near future provinces of Yazd, Isfahan, and Sistan Olympics opening ceremony was rain-free. as an efficient way to manage water resources. setting up a research center to implement Rockets with silver iodide reagents were A natural disaster expert, Amir Mahmoudzadeh, also said cloud seeding must be high on agenda. Baluchestan are still fighting drastic and fired from 21 sites in Beijing to intercept that in most countries, wastewater treatment is an economic However, he added, Iran is located long term droughts. any rain headed towards Beijing and to process, but in our country, we have not yet been able to attract in an arid and semi-arid region and any trigger premature showers. large domestic and private sponsors to reuse graywater. hopes for high precipitation amounts is to provide water. Experiments in cloud have collected show very promising results”, Big questions remain “Still, we have not been able to find foreign partners to pro- unrealistic, such climatic condition is the seeding suggest that it may be possible it›s the first use of cloud seeding technology Compared to long-term averages Iran’s vide services for rehabilitating and renovating sewerage system, inevitable fate of the country, so that sus- to artificially create rainfall. at this scale and some meteorologists have mean precipitation has doubled over the network of pipes, pumps, and force mains for the collection of tainable water management especially in According to physics.org rainfall occurs questioned both its likelihood of success current water year (September 23 to De- wastewater,” he added. agriculture sector is seriously important. when super-cooled droplets of water – those and the potential risks of dramatically in- cember 8) with the whole country receiving He went on to highlight that all projects in the Ministry of In April, Amin-Hossein Naqshineh, an that are still liquid but are at a temperature creasing rainfall in the target 1.6 million some 80 millimeters of rain which also Energy, Water and Wastewater Company must have economic expert with the Meteorological Organiza- below the usual freezing point of zero cen- square kilometer region. quadruples the last year’s average precip- report attachment in order to form an economic approach towards tion, said that employing proper techniques tigrade – form ice crystals. Now too heavy The plan, is an extension of a project itation in the same period. the country’s water resources. for cloud seeding can yield economic ben- to remain suspend in the air, these then called Tianhe or ‘Sky River’ developed by Granted precipitation levels increased The water and wastewater system suffers from the lack of cre- efits for the country, however, he warned fall, often melting on their way down to researchers in 2016 at China›s Tsinghua dramatically this year, but is it going to ativity and innovation; while millions of good ideas can be gained that inappropriate and ineffective meas- form rain. Even in dry areas the air usually University. continue next year? What about provinc- from students, universities, and experts; ideas on how to treat ures can result in abnormal precipitation contains some water. This can be made to However, in an article titled “Scientists es with low precipitation levels? For one, waste water to get back to the consumption cycle and economy, patterns and even flood. come together and form ice crystals by throw cold water on Chinese plan to wring provinces of Yazd, Isfahan, and Sistan or how to improve consumption patterns, he further explained. In August, chief of the Department of seeding the atmosphere with chemicals precipitation out of the air” published on Baluchestan are still fighting drastic and Moreover, in the field of technology, we must also step to- Environment Issa Kalantari also said that such as silver iodide or dry ice. December 2 in The Globe and Mail, Chi- long term droughts. ward innovative equipment that manages water consumption cloud seeding projects are carried out for Nonetheless, it is still hard to tell if nese scientists say it’s far-fetched to think But there are still key questions which of households, such as producing smart taps, he noted, adding propaganda purposes and based on the the increased precipitation is the result their country can fix a long-standing water should be answered like whether or not that we should also pay attention to the role of the public in statements made by IMO they will not of cloud seeding or it would have rained shortage by draining the heavens. the projects are cost-effective, or what if combating water shortages. affect precipitation levels in the country. it the clouds hadn’t been seeded. “This is an absurd fantasy project with the projects fail? Will cloud seeding cause Mahmoudzadeh went on to add that the idea that the gov- Kalantari also highlighted that based Worldwide experience neither scientific foundation nor techni- a blast of moisture in drought-stricken ar- ernments must provide water for the communities is wrong and on the data revealed by IMO cloud seeding Currently, more than 50 countries are cal feasibility,” Lu Hancheng, a scholar eas and bring life back to some dried up such problems can be solved with people’s participation. projects in Yazd province didn’t increase reportedly undertaking cloud seeding ef- at the National University of Defense wetlands in the country? “The government should offer people facilities, subsidies and rainfall in the area at all last year. forts worldwide. Technology, wrote as part of a scathing Despite advanced weather modification incentives, to encourage residents to use adequate amount of On the other hand, Deputy Energy Min- It was announced in April that Chi- review of the project recently published research since its discovery in the 1940s, water,” he concluded. ister Rahim Meydani said in January that na has begun construction of a network by ScienceNet, China’s most important scientists are unable to assert even today Iran is located in an arid and semi-arid area and is facing cloud seeding would increase precipitations of cloud-seeding chambers high on the hub for scientific discussion. whether cloud seeding truly brings rain water shortage caused by low precipitation, temperature rise by 15 percent which is good for some regions. mountains of Tibet, with the intention of Other scientists openly criticized the because of the immeasurability of treated and climate change. Low precipitation rate and drought in He also stated that while annually 40 increasing rainfall to the region by an es- spending of public funds devoted to the clouds and the highly variable dependency Iran has urged the responsible organizations to look for new billion rials (nearly $1 million) was allocat- timated 10 billion cubic meters per year. project ? at least $20-million, and counting. of rain on temperature, cloud composition, water resources. Almost all experts believe that facing water ed to cloud seeding projects this year the 500 of the chambers have been built, And they questioned whether it was rea- and other factors. challenge is not the mere discovery of new resources, rather, amount will increase to 90 billion (nearly burning solid fuel to produce silver iodide sonable to imagine that even the best tools Knowledge about crystallization of wa- refining water consumption patterns as well as recycling water $2.15 million). particles, which cause clouds to form around of modern science could shape something ter in clouds and balance of evaporation should be taken into account. How does cloud seeding work? them when swept into the atmosphere. as complex as meteorological systems. and precipitation in the atmosphere too During droughts water shortage However, although researchers tell The But Sky River backers are carrying on, remains limited. Heavy investments in this LEARN ENGLISH strikes but it is possible to make it rain South China Morning Post that «data we preparing for the launch of six monitoring technology, however, continue. Sending A Quote Via Whooper swans come to northern Iran two weeks earlier Tracy: Melanie, can you help me with something? We need ENVIRONMENT TEHRAN – Whooper swans, the while a lack of DOE forces makes it difficult to offer to finalize the account with the Mexican Embassy and, I need desklast group of migratory birds spending the birds the required care, so we call on locals and some advice on phrasing this letter correctly in English. winter in northern Iran, landed in Miankaleh wetland environmentalist for help. Melanie: Sure Tracy, let me just get my laptop. all set. in eastern part of Mazandaran province two weeks ear- As temperatures have drastically dropped in their Tracy: Okay, so… to Whom It May Concern, I am writing. lier, deputy director for the provincial department of main habitat in Siberia, Russia, over the past month, Melanie: Um, Tracy? I think that’s a little too formal. I environment (DOE) has said. thousands of whooper swans have started their mi- know you want to be polite but you’ve already made contact In the current season compared to past few years, gration south to warmer areas two weeks earlier this with them, so in English you can be more relaxed in the the number of migratory birds has increased in Mi- winter, he added. opening. . .. ankaleh wetland due to the appropriate nutritional The whooper swans are the last group of 90 migratory Tracy: Okay, more relaxed. Got it... Hey Sally, what’s up? conditions, IRNA quoted Zaman Ahmadi as saying bird species, but the most populated one having over It’s Tracy here, just. on Saturday. 1.5 million populations, which arrive at Mazandaran Melanie: Okay Tracy, now it’s too relaxed! You’ve still got Miankaleh wetland is home to over 60 percent wetlands annually in mid-December to early February, to show some respect. How about starting with “Dear Ms. of migratory birds flying to Mazandaran province and leave the country before the spring back to their Cooper, I’m writing to confirm…? to spend the winter, he further highlighted, adding habitats for egg laying, he further explained. Tracy: Great, okay. “Dear Miss Cooper, I’m writing to confirm the finalquotation for the full page back cover color advertisement you requested for the spring issue of ENGLISH IN USE Voila magazine. Melanie: That’s great… LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION Tracy: “The final costing, including advert design and production, comes to forty-five thousand six hundred RMB. We want payment ten working days before publication or we will cancel the ad. Thanks for...” Leopards spotted for first time in پلنگ نخستین بار در پارک ملی بختگان دیده شد Melanie: Woo, okay back up a second Tracy. That’s too direct. Can I suggest you say, “please note that final Bakhtegan national park مدیــرکل حفاظــت محیــط زیســت اســتان فــارس گفــت: بــرای نخســتین بــار، یــک قــاده ?payment is due two working weeks before publication You don’t want to offend her. For the first time, three leopards have been spotted at the Bakhtegan national پلنــگ بــه همــراه دو تولــه آن در ارتفاعــات پــارک ملــی بختــگان شهرســتان نــی ریــز دیــده Tracy: Oops okay. You are right. Then I can just end with park in Neyriz city located in southern Fars province, Saeed Mahmoudi, the شــده اســت. ”All the best, Tracy“ provincial department of environment chief has said. بــه گــزارش روز یکشــنبه اداره کل حفاظــت محیــط زیســت فــارس بــه نقــل از ســعید Melanie: Hmmm, maybe, but I’d play it safe and just محمــودی، از خردادمــاه پارســال، کارشناســان اداره نظــارت برامــور حیــات وحــش نســبت finish with “Yours Sincerely”. That’s more professional. Since June last year, wildlife experts have decided to install camera traps on Tracy: Oh, Melanie you are a life saver, thank you! one of the permanent springs of the Bakhtegan national park, which have بــه نصــب دوربیــن تلــه ای بــر روی یکــی از چشــمه هــای دائمــی پــارک ملــی بختــگان کــه Key vocabulary محیــط بانــان احتمــال وجــود پلنــگ را بــا توجــه بــه علیــم و آثــار مشــاهده شــده همچــون I am writing to: introduction been demonstrating signs of leopards living there, such as scratching on trees خــراش بــر روی درختــان و رد پــا مــی دادنــد اقــدام کــرده بودنــد. .quotation: a statement of the price of an item or service and footprints, Mahmoudi explained, IRNA reported on Sunday costing: charge, make someone pay please note that: being informed of something play it safe: go with the safest option Supplementary vocabulary PREFIX/SUFFIX PHRASAL VERB IDIOM cargo: freight of a ship, airplane link: a word icon, etc., on which a user may click to move “cryo-, cry-” Listen up Cloud cuckoo land to another part of or different website, document attachment: something attached, as a document added Meaning: freezing Meaning: used to get people’s attention so they can Explanation: an imaginary unrealistic place where to a letter, or a picture in an email etc. For example: Insulated gloves (cryoscopic hear what you are going to say everything is perfect and impossible things can happen etiquette: conventional requirements as to social behavior; gloves) should be worn when handling liquefied For example: Hey everybody, listen up! For example: Anyone who thinks these measures are proprieties of conduct as established in any class or gases or dry ice. going to solve the crisis is living in cloud-cuckoo-land! community or for any occasion 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 9, 2018 WORLD IN FOCUS 13

Paris like a conflict zone as U.S. prosecutors name Trump in hush payments, police, protesters clash detail Russian contacts U.S. prosecutors said President Donald Trump directed his per- 1 Hundreds of protesters were mill- looting and street furniture and construction sonal lawyer to make illegal hush payments to two women ahead ing around the Arc de Triomphe monument, site materials have been removed to prevent of the 2016 election, and also detailed a previously unknown which was defaced with anti-Macron graffi- them from being used as projectiles. attempt by a Russian to help the Trump campaign. ti last Saturday, when rioters also torched Tourists were few and residents were In court filings, federal prosecutors in New York and those dozens of cars and looted shops in the worst advised to stay at home if at all possible. working for Special Counsel Robert Mueller made the case for rioting in Paris since May 1968. Dozens of streets were closed to traffic, why Trump’s former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, and his A police spokeswoman told reporters while the Eiffel Tower and world-famous former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, deserved prison time. there were about 1,500 protesters on the museums such as the Musee d’Orsay, the The documents turned up the heat on Trump by confirming Champs Elysees boulevard. Large groups Centre Pompidou and the Louvre were shut. prosecutors’ belief of his involvement in a campaign finance of people spilled into other areas and “Tourists are a bit disoriented - no sub- violation, while adding to a growing list of contacts between heading to eastern Paris, where a march way, no shopping, no museums... but they campaign aides and Russians in 2015 and 2016, legal experts said. against climate change was scheduled seem to take it in their stride,” said hotel “In total, the prosecutors seem to be saying the president was for the afternoon. Some also temporarily receptionist Pascal, who declined to give more aware than he has claimed to be,” former federal prosecutor blocked the ring road circling central his surname. Michael Zeldin said. Paris. The protests, named after the high-visi- Prosecutors in both of the Cohen cases were required to submit “We took the train for 11 hours just to bility safety jackets French motorists have to separate memos on Friday on his cooperation to U.S. District protest today. We feel scorned by these tech- keep in their cars, erupted in November over Judge William Pauley in Manhattan, who will decide on the former nocrats that govern us,” said Gilles Noblet, the squeeze on household budgets caused lawyer’s sentence on Dec. 12. a demonstrator from the southwest region by fuel taxes. While Cohen implicated the president in the hush payments of Ariege. Demonstrations have since swelled into to two women — adult film actress Stormy Daniels and former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe ap- a broad, sometimes violent rebellion against Playboy model Karen McDougal — in his guilty plea in August pealed for restraint. Macron, a challenge made more difficult to in New York, the filing on Friday marked the first time federal “We will do all we can so that today can be “Troublemakers” Grac, 28, who works in a slaughterhouse in handle since the movement has no formal prosecutors officially concurred. a day without violence, so that the dialogue “We have prepared a robust response,” the town of Guingamp in Britanny. leader. It said Cohen made the payments in “coordination with and that we started this week can continue in Interior Minister Christophe Castaner told Protesters, using social media, have billed Authorities say the protests have been the direction of” Trump. the best possible circumstances,” he said online news site Brut. He called on peaceful the weekend as “Act IV” in a dramatic chal- hijacked by far-right and anarchist elements Democrats jumped on that assertion and called for steps to on French television. protesters not to get mixed up with “hoo- lenge to Macron and his policies. bent on violence and stirring up social un- protect Mueller’s probe into possible collusion between Russia On Tuesday, Philippe announced the ligans”. Small groups of riot police moved quickly rest in a direct affront to Macron and the and Trump’s presidential campaign. government was suspending planned in- “The troublemakers can only be effective among protesters and clamped down on security forces. “These legal documents outline serious and criminal wrong- creases to fuel taxes for at least six months when they disguise themselves as yellow anyone trying to damage shops or public Despite the government’s climbdown over doing, including felony violations of campaign finance laws at to help defuse weeks of protests, the first vests. Violence is never a good way to get amenities. the fuel tax, the ‘yellow vests’ continue to the direction of President Trump,” Senator Diane Feinstein said U-turn by Macron since he came to power what you want. Now is the time for discus- Much of Paris looked like a ghost town, demand more concessions, including lower in a statement. 18 months ago. sion,” he said. with museums, department stores closed on taxes, a higher minimum wage, lower energy The president has denied any collusion with Russia, and ac- About 89,000 police were deployed “We have come here for a peaceful march, what should have been a festive pre-Christ- costs, better retirement benefits and even cuses Mueller’s prosecutors of pressuring his former aides to lie across France on Saturday, some 8,000 of not to smash things. We want equality, we mas shopping day. Macron’s resignation. about him, his campaign and his business dealings. Russia has them in Paris. want to live, not survive,” said Guillaume Le Many shops were boarded up to avoid (Source: agencies) denied interfering in the election to help Trump. In new tweets on Friday, Trump accused federal investigators and senior officials of having conflicts of interest, without offering evidence. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders called Cohen U.S. seeks to whitewash terrorists’ gas attack in Syria: Russia a liar and dismissed the filings as insignificant. Russia has rejected fresh U.S. accusations regarding a chem- ally been “synched” with Washington, warning that the “The government’s filings in Mr. Cohen’s case tell us nothing ical weapons attack in Syria’s Aleppo, saying Washington U.S. is ready to conduct another large-scale missile strike of value that wasn’t already known,” Sanders said. is trying to whitewash terrorists’ gas attacks and distract in Syria under the pretext of the alleged use of chemical Russian contacts public opinion from American crimes. arms by the Syrian government. Last week, Cohen admitted to lying to congressional investigators U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Robert The Russian Defense Ministry further said the “hyster- in an attempt to minimize his efforts to secure the Kremlin’s help Palladino claimed Friday that Moscow and Damascus ical” U.S. statement is meant to divert the public attention for a Trump skyscraper in Moscow. He has said he did so to stay were behind the Aleppo gas attack on November 24 and from the killings of civilians by the U.S. military in east- in sync with Trump’s political messaging, and that he consulted cautioned them against “tampering with the suspected ern Syria and hinder an “unbiased investigation” into the with the White House while preparing to testify to Congress. attack site.” Aleppo attack by the Organization for the Prohibition of Mueller said on Friday that Cohen repeated his false state- He also claimed that Russia and Syria had “falsely ac- Chemical Weapons (OPCW). ments about the project in his first meeting with Mueller’s office, cused the opposition and extremist groups of conducting According to Syrian media reports, more than 100 people admitting the truth only in a later meeting in September after he a chlorine attack in northwestern Aleppo.” were injured as a result of the November 24 attack, which had pleaded guilty to the separate New York charges. The Russian Defense Ministry denounced the allegations, is believed to have been launched from an area controlled On Friday, Mueller said Cohen’s false statements to Congress saying it has “irrefutable evidence of the use of munitions by al-Nusra Front terrorists in Idlib Province. had “obscured the fact” that the skyscraper project held the po- filled with toxic agents against the civilian population” in Immediately after the attack, Damascus called on the tential to reap “hundreds of millions of dollars from Russian the incident. OPCW to send a fact-finding mission to Aleppo. security services of Western governments. sources” for the Trump Organization. “The statement by the U.S. State Department is nothing Russian experts say they have recovered samples of soil Syria surrendered its entire chemical stockpile in 2013 Mueller said that discussions about the potential Moscow more than an attempt to whitewash the international terrorists and fragments of buildings to determine the toxic agent to a mission led by the OPCW and the UN. development were relevant to the investigation because they operating in Idlib and associated with the White Helmets used in the assault. The U.S. has already attacked Syrian army and govern- occurred “at a time of sustained efforts by the Russian government pseudo-rescuers, who have put their Western patrons in a The Russian Defense Ministry said over the past six ment positions following alleged chemical spread which to interfere with the U.S. presidential election.” bad spotlight with their provocation,” the ministry said. months it has been informing the public about deliveries Washington has blamed on Damascus. In addition to coming clean on the Moscow project, Cohen pro- It said the deliveries of chemicals to militants have usu- of toxic chemicals to terrorists and the White Helmets by the (Source: Press TV) vided information to Mueller about several attempts by Russians to contact the Trump’s campaign, according to Friday’s filing. In November 2015, Cohen spoke with a Russian national who said he could offer the campaign “political synergy” with Russia China calls on Canada to free Huawei CFO or face consequences and repeatedly proposed a meeting with Putin. Cohen did not China warned Canada on Saturday that there to immediately release the detained person, follow up on the offer, the filing says. would be severe consequences if it did not and earnestly protect their lawful, legitimate Mueller also said in the filing that Cohen had provided “relevant immediately release Huawei Technologies rights, otherwise Canada must accept full and useful information concerning his contacts with persons Co Ltd’s [HWT.UL] chief financial officer, responsibility for the serious consequences connected to the White House” in 2017 and 2018. calling the case “extremely nasty”. caused.” Mueller also detailed alleged lies told by Manafort during Meng Wanzhou, Huawei’s global The statement did not elaborate. interviews with prosecutors and the FBI. Last month Mueller chief financial officer, was arrested in Meng’s arrest was on the same day that voided Manafort’s plea agreement because, they said, he was Canada on Dec. 1 and faces extradition U.S. President Donald Trump met in Argen- not telling the truth. to the United States, which alleges that tina with China’s Xi Jinping to look for ways They said Manafort told “multiple discernible lies,” including she covered up her company’s links to a to resolve an escalating trade war between about his communications with a political consultant will alleged firm that tried to sell equipment to Iran the world’s two largest economies. ties to Russian intelligence, and about interactions with Trump despite sanctions. The news of her arrest has roiled stock administration officials even after Manafort was first indicted The executive is also the daughter of the markets and drawn condemnation from in late 2017. founder of Huawei. Chinese authorities, although Trump and Pushing for time If extradited to the United States, Meng his top economic advisers have played down The filings followed a sentencing memo earlier this week re- would face charges of conspiracy to defraud its importance to trade talks after the two garding Trump’s former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, multiple financial institutions, a Canadian leaders agreed to a truce. who Mueller praised for providing “substantial” cooperation and court heard on Friday, with a maximum A Huawei spokesman said on Friday argued for no prison time. sentence of 30 years for each charge. the company has “every confidence that Cohen had been hoping prosecutors would make a similar No decision was reached at the extradition Le Yucheng had issued the warning to plane in Vancouver was a serious breach of the Canadian and U.S. legal systems will recommendation in his case. But the New York prosecutors were hearing after nearly six hours of arguments release Meng to Canada’s ambassador her lawful rights, Le said. reach the right conclusion.” The company unsparing in their descriptions of his conduct, saying he was and counter-arguments, and the hearing in Beijing, summoning him to lodge a The move “ignored the law, was unreason- has said it complies with all applicable motivated by “personal greed” and that he “repeatedly used his was adjourned until Monday. “strong protest”. able” and was in its very nature “extremely export control and sanctions laws and power and influence for deceptive ends.” In a short statement, China’s Foreign Canada’s arrest of Meng at the request nasty”, he added. other regulations. (Source: Reuters) Ministry said that Vice Foreign Minister of the United States while she was changing “China strongly urges the Canadian side (Source: daily Star) Draft national budget bill is International conscience foiled U.S. scheme to condemn Hamas movement: Haniyeh gasoline-populist Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh says the international con- Moreover, Spokesman for the Palestinian Islamic Jihad science thwarted the United States-sponsored resolution resistance movement, Daoud Shihab, said the failure of the 1 Giving heavy subsidies to gasoline, which is about to condemn the Palestinian resistance movement at the American resolution at the United Nations represents a slap 60,000 billion tomans - 1.5 times more than the direct cash sub- United Nations General Assembly. to the U.S. administration of President Donald Trump as sidy – has been proved as a flawed cycle. Haniyeh, in a statement said the majority of world coun- well as the Zionist regime (of Israel). Mohammad Baqer Nobakht, the MPO director, as the main tries stood with Palestinian rights, including the right of Shihab, in a post published on his official Twitter page, architect of the budget bill, must know that this huge amount our people to resist the Tel Aviv regime’s occupation and noted that Israel and the U.S. continue to spread lies by of indirect subsidy to gasoline means production of more fuel salvation from it, against a resolution that sought to de- means of international bodies and meetings. inefficient cars, more air pollution, more pollution-related health nounce the legitimate resistance of the Palestinian nation. He thanked Kuwait, the Islamic Republic of Iran and problems, and more consumption of gasoline, etc. He then extended his gratitude to all countries that have all countries that rejected the resolution, saying, “Shame There is no doubt that increasing gasoline price will lead to taken a principled stance against the Israeli regime’s occu- on all those who tend to please Israel.” higher inflation but much less than the one that resulted from pation and its aggressive policies, and rejected Washington’s Shihab concluded that all those states that voted in fa- reimposition of illegal sanctions. However, at a time that Iran narrative and its biased support for Tel Aviv. vor of the resolution will eventually be ashamed of their has come under tough economic pressure by President Donald The Hamas leader further noted that the vote against hypocrisy, fear and denial of truth. Trump’s administration, a failure to reduce more wastages of the U.S.-drafted resolution is a tremendous achievement Separately, Vice President of the Palestinian Legislative national resources is somehow playing at the hands of that mad for the Palestinian people and all brotherly countries. Council Ahmed Bahr said the failure of the U.S.-drafted society to unite, end division and vigorously support re- person at the White House. Haniyeh also appreciated the efforts put in by the Pal- resolution against Hamas marks the fall of American ar- sistance movements. We should wait to see what the parliamentarians decide about estinian Authority through its ambassador to the United rogance and underscores the legitimacy of the Palestinian On Thursday, the U.S.-sponsored resolution against the budget. It will naturally undergo some changes in the parlia- Nations Riyad Mansour, pointing out that the rejection of nation’s anti-Israel resistance. Hamas failed to cross the threshold, with 87 nations ment. We should pin our hopes on the parliament, even though the U.S.-drafted resolution strongly indicated that national He termed the vote against U.S.-sponsored resolution as voting in favor and 57 voting against, while 33 countries parliamentarians have mostly proven to follow more populist concern is capable of uniting the Palestinian nation in facing a victory in defiance of forces of tyranny in the world. abstained. The resolution needed a two-thirds majority policies than administrations. of ongoing challenges. Bahr then congratulated Palestinians and Hamas resist- to pass. At the end, it is the masses who have endured the conse- Islamic Jihad: Vote against U.S. resolution slap to U.S., ance movement for the great victory on the international Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon said the countries quences of gasoline-populist policies and it seems they are going Israel level, calling on people from all strata of the Palestinian that rejected the draft resolution should be embarrassed. endure more. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 14 WORLD SPORTS DECEMBER 9, 2018 Rebooted Libertadores final a treat for Salah scores hat-trick as Liverpool thrash Bournmouth Madrid soured by regret Mohamed Salah scored his first hat-trick since March to help Six thousand miles away and 15 days later which finished 2-2, not to mention economic Liverpool to an emphatic victory over Bournemouth and send than planned, the Copa Libertadores final benefits, despite CONMEBOL pledging to Jurgen Klopp’s side above Manchester City at the top of the between Boca Juniors and River Plate will compensate them for any revenue missed. Premier League table. be concluded. “It was the security system that failed, Salah was in an offside position when Roberto Firmino hit a There have been refusals, complaints and absolutely and totally,” River’s club president 30-yard shot that home keeper Asmir Begovic carelessly pushed threats to go to court, but the players of Boca Rodolfo D’Onofrio told El Pais on Friday. out in the direction of the Egypt forward. and River, Argentina’s two greatest football “River are the victims.” Salah’s eighth top-flight goal of the season was allowed to rivals, landed in Madrid and all indications Most deprived, however, are perhaps the stand by the officials to break the deadlock in a game the visitors are the second leg will be played. thousands of fans let down and then left at dominated for long spells. Both teams trained on Thursday, Boca at home in Argentina. Some have travelled, There was nothing fortuitous about the Liverpool forward’s the Spanish national team’s base at Las Rozas including Agustin Giacone, one Boca sup- second though, a composed finish after driving at the Bourne- and River at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas, with porter who arrived in Madrid on Wednes- mouth defence, while Steve Cook back-heeled the ball into his the players appearing in good spirits, laughing day. “It’s going to be a great party,” he said. own net while attempting a clearance to make it 3-0. and joking, jumping on each other’s backs. “Argentinians don’t want to spoil the name Salah then completed his hat-trick after rounding Begovic, There was even a smattering of fans waiting of Argentina anymore.” cutting back to beat the Bournemouth keeper for a second time, outside, some holding flags or notebooks Tickets still available and poking the ball past Nathan Ake on the line. open for autographs, even if it was a world For each club, the 20,000 tickets allocated (Source: BBC) away from the rocking Bombonera, packed to fans in Spain and elsewhere sold out within out for an open training session before the hours but some of the 5,000 for residents in original fixture was due last month. Argentina remain available. The cost, and That game had to be postponed, three short notice, is likely to have put them off. Paris Saint-Germain hits back times, after River fans injured Boca players once of Manchester United and Manchester the Copa Libertadores was named after those Inside the stadium, a vacant block of during an attack on their team’s bus. It could City, and now a striker for Boca. “To play a that secured independence from countries seats will act as a buffer between the two at ‘erroneous’ Financial Fair have been cancelled, or awarded to Boca, but match between Boca and River in Madrid, like Spain in the early nineteenth century. sets of supporters. Outside, the Paseo de la CONMEBOL, the South American football it’s weird.” “Unfortunately for me, this match has lost Castellana, the road that runs from the city Play report federation, chose to relocate to Spain. ‘Lost importance’ importance in my heart,” said Real Madrid’s Ar- centre to the stadium, will be closed off from A final at the Santiago Bernabeu should CONMEBOL pointed to Madrid as a “neu- gentinian coach Santiago Solari on Wednesday. 9am local time, as police seek to keep them be something to savour, particularly when it tral” host city, with the largest Argentinian Boca and River had initially refused. Boca separate. Around 2,500 police officers are Paris Saint-Germain criticised a report from French newspaper is the Copa Libertadores at stake on Sunday, community outside Argentina, and a long believe River should have forfeited the trophy expected to attend. L’Equipe that stated that the Ligue 1 champions could sell either the most prestigious prize in South American and successful tradition of football. It will and have said they will take the case to the If the match goes off peacefully, CONME- Brazil international Neymar or France star Kylian Mbappe to club football. host the Champions League final in June too. Court of Arbitration for Sport. Depending BOL will claim success, not least as broad- comply with Financial Fair Play rules. Instead, as players finished training and For many, however, this was the most on the result this weekend, they still might. casters all over the world will have shown L’Equipe published the report online on Friday that detailed spoke to journalists, the sense of regret became important match in Argentina’s history and its River, meanwhile, have lost the home the fixture they paid for. that the club might have to offload one of their star players. clear. “It is a weird final,” said Carlos Tevez, removal a national embarrassment. After all, advantage enjoyed by Boca in the first leg, (Source: Sportskeeda) “[The club denies] in the strongest form these totally erro- neous and ridiculous allegations, and with the sole purpose of creating a climate of great tensions ... PSG questions, once again, Solari: Real Madrid will fight for the Lindsey Vonn delays injury comeback the honesty of L’Equipe and their hidden editorial motives,” the club said in a statement released on Friday. league title until the end in farewell season Neymar joined the French champions in a world record £200 million deal in 2017 from Barcelona while Mbappe became the second-most expensive player of all time when he arrived from Monaco for a rumoured £166m after having initially spent a year on loan at the Parc des Princes. PSG’s denial over L’Equipe’s story comes amid reported inter- est in another high-priced acquisition. Sources have told ESPN FC’s Julien Laurens that PSG would have to pay €75m to sign Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong with the Dutch club not taking anything less than that amount. The Dutch youngster has interest in making the jump to Paris, according to sources, with PSG manager Thomas Tuchel report- edly keen on bringing in the versatile midfielder. (Source: ESPN)

Ex-Germany star claims wife Barcelona may hold a five-point advantage “I don’t believe in having a fixed XI.” She is desperate to begin her farewell season, Delayed retirement did training for him over fifth-place Real Madrid in the LaLiga Gareth Bale is one player who’ll be aiming but Lindsey Vonn has been forced to put Vonn announced recently that, despite Santander table, but coach Santiago Solari for a place in the team after overcoming her return from injury on hold. her impending retirement, she will return Retired Bayer Leverkusen attacker Stefan Kiessling has admitted has insisted that Los Blancos are still in the discomfort he felt during the Valencia Vonn, who needs five more World at the beginning of next season to race one to cheating his coaches ahead of preseason, claiming his wife with a chance of winning the championship. game and Solari praised the Welshman’s Cup wins to pass Ingemar Stenmark’s last time in Lake Louise. completed some of his summer training sessions for him. They take on Huesca on Sunday and determination to make himself available. record of 86, injured her knee in training The Canadian venue has been so suc- In an interview with Bild, the former Germany international he’s hoping for a three-point haul that will “I said to him in English that I was last month. cessful for Vonn it has earned the nickname revealed that he was not interested in doing the holiday training keep his side in the running. happy with his ‘commitment’,” Solari told The 33-year-old missed her beloved Lake “Lake Lindsey” -- she has won 18 of her programs designed to get him into shape for preseason. “I have no doubt that the máximum will reporters.“Sometimes things don’t happen Louise event and had hoped to start her 44 starts on the Alberta track. “Not once, I never completed 100 percent of the runs before be demanded of us from the first minute,” So- despite the effort put in. “I have nothing to campaign in St. Moritz, Switzerland this Vonn said in a video posted on social preseason,” Kiessling said. “I guess I can disclose it now: You get lari said in the pre-match press conference on criticise him for and he also scored a great weekend but admits she is still not ready. media that missing the Lake Louise stop was a heart rate watch which saves all the runs. But since my wife’s Saturday. “We must have effort, be serious in goal against Roma.” “Despite a positive check-up with my “Hopefully, I break the record this season very athletic she did a couple of runs with that heart rate watch defence and intense and aggressive in attack. Finally, he was asked about the River doctor I still need a little bit more time and can have fun,” she added. on the cross trainer. “I don’t think there’ll be a need to stir up mo- Plate vs Boca Juniors match being held before I can race again,” she wrote on “I don’t want the record to determine “They were that good that nobody noticed. But when it’s time tivation. “We’re going to fight for the league atthe Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. Instagram. the level of success I’ve had in my career. to get back on the pitch, I was always leading the pack.” title to the end.” Solari was asked about his “It’s an honour to host this match, al- “I feel good and I am training as hard as I want to push out of the starting gate (at Kiessling, 34, ended his impressive career in May 2018. At selection choices and about whether or not he though it would have been better to not possible but I’m not going to return until Lake Louise), even if I’m not there to win. senior level, the attacker only played for two clubs, Nurnberg has a set starting line-up. “The line-ups vary have it here,” he said. “I hope it lives up to I feel strong enough to win. “Lake Louise is just really special to me. and Leverkusen, but despite severe hip problems, he made 403 according to the match,” the coach stated. the billing and that nothing bad happens.” “So the hunt for Stenmark’s record will It’s not about the record. It’s not about, ‘Oh, top flight appearances and scored 144 goals. “There are lots of things to consider, The Copa Libertadores match kicks off have to wait just a little bit longer.” well you said you retired.’ I really don’t care “I am proud to have reached the 400. Even though it was such as the situation, moments of form, at 20:30 CET on Sunday, a few hours after Her next target could be a downhill and what people think. I really don’t. I want to quite a struggle,” Kiessling added. “But these days, I can’t carry injuries and decisions of the opponent. Real Madrid’s clash at Huesca at 16:15 CET. super-G in Val Gardena, Italy on December do it for myself.” around my six-year old daughter. I can lift her, but not more. “There are lots of factors. (Source: Marca) 18 and 19. (Source: CNN) The pain kicks in. It goes into the back, into the legs. “I am currently looking at whether it makes sense to get an artificial hip. I don’t think I have another choice.” (Source: Soccernet) Sports world hopes for level playing field after Brexit With the fate of Brexit shrouded in uncertainty, Britain’s It is also the day when the quarter-finals of European sporting world is increasingly concerned about the impact club rugby’s competitions get underway, which could mean for players, fans and investors. travel chaos for teams and supporters alike. New restrictions on immigration from the EU after Brexit For the moment, the competition’s organisers, Switzer- Boca file appeal with CAS is a particular issue for football, although some see this as land-based European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), told a positive for British players. AFP “they are closely monitoring the terms of the United over Libertadores final Access to top European talent such as Chelsea’s Belgian Kingdom’s exit from the European Union.” playmaker Eden Hazard is particularly important for the Premier Simon Keogh, the CEO of Rugby Players Ireland, said Boca Juniors filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for League, the world’s most lucrative domestic football league. Brexit could prove costly to the Irish Rugby Football Union Sport (CAS) on Friday asking for the club to be awarded the Copa The Premier League said earlier it has had “positive dis- (IRFU) or for Ulster players like Ireland captain Rory Best. Libertadores after violence by River Plate fans forced the second cussions with government about the importance of access “They are paid in sterling but that and their bonuses, leg of the final to be postponed, club sources have told Reuters. to European players for our clubs, and the many cultural which are negotiated in euros, will be affected if sterling Boca and River drew the first leg 2-2 on Nov. 11 but the second and economic benefits a globally popular Premier League spikes,” Keogh told AFP. leg at River’s Monumental stadium was postponed after Boca brings to the UK”. “This more than the travel issue is potentially more volatile. players were hurt when their coach was attacked by River fans Just like in Britain as a whole, however, football team “It isn’t that the boys are too motivated by the money as it approached the ground. owners are divided on the pros and cons. English football and supports a second referendum. but they still have to pay their mortgages.” The match is now scheduled to take place in Spain on Sunday Steve Lansdown, the billionaire owner of second-tier side “Ending freedom of movement will make it much more A negative impact on incomes would be particularly at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium. Bristol City, was one of the most high-profile business figures difficult for teams to attract the right talent, if the govern- unwelcome for Irish players at the moment. Boca’s move comes a day after the South American Football to support exiting the EU and believes football can benefit. ment brings in more restrictive conditions for work visas Irish rugby is experiencing an annus mirabilis with Irish Confederation (CONMEBOL) rejected a similar appeal to be “Fewer people from abroad will come in,” he told AFP. for players from Europe,” he has said. province Leinster the current European champions while awarded the trophy. “Clubs will be more selective and the prospective players Travel chaos? the national side swept the Six Nations Grand Slam and “We had 10 days to lodge our appeal with CAS but we did it the from abroad will have to pass a test. Though less reliant on foreign players, rugby is also fol- beat world champions New Zealand in November. first day,” the Boca official told Reuters, speaking on condition “It will give more opportunity to English players to come lowing the political wrangling closely because of the potential Britain boasts a Formula One world champion in Lewis of anonymity. through.” implications for European tournaments. Hamilton and is home to several teams including Renault, Boca based their appeal on a similar situation three years ago Phil Garlick, chairman of Premier League side Burnley, The first major test will come on March 29, 2019, the Williams and McLaren which also employ many foreign staff. when they were kicked out of the Libertadores, South Ameri- instead has warned Brexit could be “hugely damaging” to day Britain is due to exit the European Union. (Source: AFP) ca’s top club competition, after their fans attacked River players with pepper spray at halftime during the first leg of their last 16 showdown. FFF announce profit for fifth straight year The club now had several weeks in which to prepare their case, a second official told Reuters, also on condition of anonymity. The French Football Federation (FFF) an- euros ($10,2000) increase compared to Speaking at the FFF’s winter meeting in explained by a big increase in tickets and The official said the six-time Libertadores champions would nounced on Saturday a fifth successive year the previous year. The association’s yearly Paris, Treasurer Lionel Boland said it was hospitality sales, income from sponsorship continue with the appeal regardless of what happens in Sunday’s of profit with their accounts up by 821,000 income grew from 236.45m euros ($269m) mainly helped by holding the Europa League partners and television rights.” match in Madrid. euros ($935,000) for the season 2017-2018. to 267.39 million euros ($304.3m). final in Lyon as well as other sources. The accounts were agreed on by 93.54% (Source: Reuters) Their annual financial report, which It doesn’t take into consideration France’s “It takes into consideration the cashflow of the National Assembly. concluded on June 30, showed a 9,000 World Cup victory in Russia. from hosting the Europa League final. It’s (Source: AFP) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 9, 2018 SPORTS 15

Iran risks Mehdi Taj nominated for AFC vice president post

SPORTS TEHRAN — Football Federation Islamic deskRepublic of Iran (FFIRI) president Mehdi Taj FIFA ban has been nominated for the Asian Football Confederation’s SPORTS TEHRAN — Iran could the AFC Champions League. (AFC) vice president post. deskbe banned from in- The AFC has already said that they were This was confirmed by the Asian governing body on Saturday, ternational football ahead of the 2019 “closely monitoring the current issues” with the elections scheduled for April 6, 2019. AFC Asian Cup over a law interfering and that the Iranian Football Federation “In accordance with Article 32.1 of the AFC statutes (Edition in the national football federation’s (FFIRI) stressed that it was a non-gov- 2018), the member associations were notified that the election independence. ernmental organization. for members of the AFC Executive Committee (term 2019-2023) Football Federation Islamic Republic “All Member Associations must fulfil would be held at the congress in Kuala Lumpur on April 6. of Iran (FFIRI) president Mehdi Taj must their duties without any third party in- “Member associations were given until midnight (Malaysia leave his post due to the law barring the terference either from the Government time) on Dec 6 to submit their nominations as per the requirement employment of retirees in government, or the Parliament,” said the statement. set out in the AFC statutes (Edition 2018) and its electoral code state or public institutions which use Football world governing body FIFA (Edition 2018),” read the statement by AFC. state funds or facilities. has previously suspended Iran in No- There are five vice president spots up for grabs with Taj being BUT, Taj is not going to withdraw his vember 2006 from participation in one of the nominees, representing Central Asia. presence at the Iranian federation’s head- international football on the grounds For the AFC’s top post, incumbent Shaikh Salman Ebrahim quarters in Tehran and the AFC and FIFA of governmental interference in the Al Khalifa was nominated again. He will be challenged by two will back him because they have a zero national football association. The ban other nominees - Saoud A Aziz Al Mohannadi from Qatar and tolerance policy towards any third party was lifted after less than a month. Emirati Mohamed Khalfan Matar Saeed Alromaithi. interference in their Member Associations. Iran, the best Asian team at No. 29 in AFC are also expected to select six names to be on the FIFA According to the AFC and FIFA, the FIFA’s rankings, have been drawn with council and nine AFC executive committee members at the Congress. FFIRI must maintain its independence Yemen, Iraq and Vietnam. to avoid any sanctions. Team Melli will open their campaign Furthermore, Iranian football clubs with a match against Yemen on Jan. 7 Persepolis, Esteghlal, Zoba Ahan and in Abu Dhabi. Carlos Queiroz among Saipa are in danger of knocking out of Reporting by Masoud Hossein World’s Best National Team Iranian teams nominated for the Hamid Bigham nominated for the Coaches in 2018 The world’s best national team coach in 2018 has been announced, and world’s best national futsal teams world’s best club coach Iran coach Carlos Queiroz was named among the top coaches worldwide. The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) has announced its annual list of the world’s top national team coaches, and Carlos Queiroz was among the names on it. The 65-year-old, who took Iran to the 2018 FIFA World Cup, appears on the list for a second year running after finishing in seventh position in 2017. This year, the Portuguese tactician ended in joint-11th position after earning as many points as Germany’s Joachim Low. Last year’s winner and Queiroz both received two points from the IFFHS jury, which consists of football experts from 90 countries. Didier Deschamps was named World’s Best National Team Coach in 2018 after guiding France to its second World Cup trophy. Deschamps received 304 points, beating Croatia’s Zlatko Dalic, who got 198 points, and Belgium’s Roberto Martinez (84 points) to the yearly accolade. (Source: Soccerladuma)

Faghani chosen to officiate at SPORTS TEHRAN — Iran’ the strongest Asian team and one of the SPORTS Hamid Bigham Tabrizi Jesús Velasco Tejada (ESP) AFF Suzuki Cup deskmen’s and women’s best teams in the world according to the deskhas been nominated for Movistar Inter FS (ESP) futsal teams have been nominated for the Futsal World Ranking. the best futsal club coach in the world. Marcos “Marquinhos” Xavier Andrade best national team in the world. The Best National Team in the World Bigham inspired Mes Sungun to win (BRA) TASNIM — Iranian international referee Alireza Faghani has The Iranian outfits won the AFC Futsal nominations are as follow: the 2018 AFC Futsal Club Championship Associação Carlos Barbosa de Futsal been chosen to officiate at the second leg of the AFF Suzuki Championship and are vying with eight (in strict alphabetical order!) in August. (BRA) Cup final match. other teams to win the UMBRO Futsal Brazil The Best Club Coach in the World Miguel Rodrigo Conde Salazar (ESP) The first leg will be held in Kuala Lumpur’s Bukit Jalil National Award 2018. Brazil Under 18 nominations are as follow: Thai Son Nam (VIE) Stadium between Malaysia and Vietnam. Iran’s women’s futsal team defeated Brazil Women Under 20 (in strict alphabetical order!) Nuno Sérgio Dos Santos Dias (POR) The second leg will be held in Hanoi’s M? Ðình National Japan 5-2 in May. Iran Hamid Bigham Tabrizi (IRN) Sporting Clube de Portugal (POR) Stadium four days later. The Iranian women claimed the title Iran Women Mes Sungun Varzaghan (IRN) Ricardo Di Izeppe “Ricardinho” (BRA) Faghani will be assisted by countrymen Mohammad Reza for the second time in a row. Japan Anderson Machado De Menezes “Es- Magnus Futsal (BRA) Mansouri and Reza Sokhandan. Iran’s men’s national futsal team also Portugal querda” (BRA) Sergio Lacerda Livramento (BRA) The 2018 AFF Championship is the 12th edition of the AFF won the title after beating Japan 4-0 in Portugal Women Under 18 Leoas da Serra (BRA) Pato Futsal (BRA) Championship, the football championship of nations affiliated February. Russia Paulo Ricardo Figueiroa Silva “Kakà” (BRA) Faustino “Tino” Pérez Moreno Gómez (ESP) to the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF), and the 6th under the The “Kings of Asian Futsal” are by far Spain Gazprom Ugra (RUS) - Kairat Almaty (KAZ) Acqua&Sapone Unigross (ITA) name AFF Suzuki Cup. Iran’s Pourrahnama top name in the men’s middleweight division Taekwondo will debut at the Paralympic Games at Tokyo fighters to claim silver in 2018. Asian Women’s Handball 2020. Athletes will contend in six medal events and Paralym- The Asian qualifier looks to be wide open with no Asian Championship: Iran come sixth pic.org is profiling each ahead of those Games. fighter ranked in the top 15 in K44 or top 5 in K43. Mongolia’s The division’s most athletic fighters are chasing Iran’s Mahdi Enkhtuyshinzaya Olyunsuren (No. 28) leads the way in the K44. Pourrahnama, the favorite in the men’s up to 75 kg K44/K43. If Mexico’s Garcia Lopez or the USA’s Felix Sabates TASNIM — Iran finished in sixth place at the 2018 Asian Wom- He is one of 12 fighters looking to earn qualification do not qualify through the world rankings, they will be en’s Handball Championship on Saturday. spots for their countries for Tokyo in this division: six the ones to beat in the Americas. Sabates’ teammate Team Melli lost to Australia 30-24 at the Kumamoto Prefec- via world rankings (four from K44, two from K43), five Michael Kacer (No. 10) also has desires in qualifying tural Gymnasium in Kumamoto, Japan. through continental qualification tournaments (Africa, out of the Americas. On Sunday, hosts Japan will face South Korea in the final Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania), and one from the While there is no clear frontrunner in Europe, Serbia’s match, while China and Kazakhstan battle for the bronze. host country or special invitation. Nicola Spajic (No. 9) does seem to be in the driver’s seat with a The 2018 Asian Women’s Handball Championship is the 17th World Rankings Route nearly 25-point lead over Great Britain’s Joseph Lane (No. 14). edition of the Asian Women’s Handball Championship, is being All eyes will be on the ‘Iranian Hurricane’ Pourrahnama. The clear favorite to represent Oceania is Australia’s held from 30 November to 9 December 2018 in Kumamoto, Just 22 years old, he already has six World Championship three-time Oceania champion Steven Currie. The veteran Yamaga and Yatsushiro, Japan. medals, lost only once in the last six years and has a formidable fighter is ranked No. 23 and is Oceania’s best hope for a The tournament is held under the aegis of Asian Handball 102-point lead over his nearest rival in the world rankings. K43 division. Dombayev bested the frontrunner at the last Para taekwondo medal in 2020. Federation and will act as the Asian qualifying tournament for Russia* looks assured of securing one of the other positions Worlds, while Shvets took the 2017 IWAS World Games title. Host Country Route the 2019 World Women’s Handball Championship. assigned to top-ranked K44 fighters. Vladimir Feofanov and Continental Qualification Route Two middleweight Japanese fighters hope to secure the Magomedzagir Isaldibirov are currently ranked No. 2 and All remaining fighters who have not qualified through host position in the men’s U75 division. No. 3, respectively, separated by just 37 points. Feofanov got the world rankings will have one last chance at the con- Mitsuya Tanaka (No. 5 in K43) emerged as Japan’s the best of his compatriot at the European Championships tinental qualification tournaments in early 2020. Only newest star by claiming four medals in 2018, including Daegu seal FA Cup, ACL spot this year. But Isaldibirov handed Pourrahnama his one loss countries that have secured less than four fighters through gold at the Pan Americans and Kim Un Yong Cup. Team- since 2012 at that competition. the world rankings route will be able to send fighters to mate Shunsuke Kudo also claimed a Kim Un Yong Cup Daegu FC powered to a 3-0 win over Ulsan Hyundai FC in the Turkey’s Fatih Celik is ranked No. 4, and his 115 ranking these tournaments where, for the first time, K43 fighters title to move to No. 19 in the K44 rankings. second leg of the 2018 Korea Football Association (FA) Cup, points is enough to put him ahead of the pack hoping to will face their K44 foes. Should Japan choose three fighters from other divi- clinching the title 5-1 on aggregate on Saturday. claim the final spot allocated to K44 fighters. Morocco’s Mohammed Aatif (No. 11) claimed African sions, the remaining qualification spot will be awarded Three second half goals secured Daegu their first ever honor Ukraine’s Anton Shvets (No. 1) and Kazakhstan’s Nurlan Championship silver in 2017, while Niger’s Isamael Oumarou by special invitation. since being founded in 2002. Dombayev (No. 2) are the early favorites to make it out of the Gouzae (No. 15) bested three of the division’s top-11 ranked (Source: Paralympic) Daegu, led by Brazilian head coach Andre Luiz Alves Santos, will now make their debut appearance in the 2019 AFC Champions League. They will be in Group F, facing Chinese Super League Cuper: Our goal is to win the title runners-up Guangzhou Evergrande, Australian A-League final Despite disappointing results from their recent showed us the areas we need to work on,” ing camp in Turkey, but our decision will series winners Melbourne Victory and a winner from the play-offs. training camp in Australia, Uzbekistan coach said the Argentine, who helmed Egypt at be decided according to all three training Ulsan, managed by head coach Kim Do-hoon, were hoping Hector Cuper still believes the White Wolves the 2018 FIFA World Cup. camps in October, November and December.” to defend the FA Cup. They secured a playoff spot in the 2019 can go all the way at AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 “The aim of friendly matches is not the At UAE 2019, Uzbekistan are in Group AFC Champions League by finishing third in the K League 1 this On paper, a 4-0 defeat against Korea results, but to help us trial our strategies, F along with four-time champions Japan, season but could have advanced directly to the group stage if Republic and a goalless draw with Leba- tactics, formations and new players. Oman and Turkmenistan. they had won the FA Cup. non last month in Australia does not look “We tried to play good football against Cuper’s men open their campaign against After finishing scoreless in the first half, Daegu opened the the best preparation for Uzbekistan’s AFC Korea Republic. The spirit was good, the the Omanis in Sharjah on January 9, before scoring through Kim Dae-won’s strike in the 59th. Following Asian Cup next campaign. desire was good, but the result was poor.” they face their southern neighbors in Dubai a bad clearance from Ulsan’s Lee Chang-yong in the box, Kim However, coach Cuper insists there are “I see our players have enough quality, on January 13 and conclude their Group “All three opponents, Japan, Turkmen- blasted a left-footed shot in for the lead. still positives to be taken from the training strength and ability to execute our plans Stage campaign against the Samurai Blue istan and Oman are strong,” said Cuper. Cesinha then doubled the advantage for the hosts in the 76th. camp and remains convinced the Central on the pitch. in Al Ain on January 17. “But their rankings are just on paper and Ulsan midfielder Park Yong-woo failed to control a goal kick Asians have what it takes to challenge the “We have alternative tactics, which means And, with a team that has at its foundation we are preparing for three important group from Jo and the ball went to Cesinha, who easily found the back best the continent has to offer. that we can show defensive and offensive a hugely successful young generation that stage matches. of the net with his right-footed shot. “Of course, many questions have arisen football that both styles we may use in any lifted the 2018 AFC U23 Championship and “Our main goal is not only to reach the Edgar stepped up to seal victory for Daegu in the closing after the unsuccessful match results dur- single match. excelled at the 2018 Asian Games, Cuper final in 2019 AFC Asian Cup, but win the title seconds, with the 31-year-old Brazilian striker dribbling past ing our Australia training camp, however “Our final 23-men squad for AFC Asian is still confident that the team can make in UAE and return home as champions.” Park and chipping the ball home from a tight angle in the 89th. we found this experience was helpful as it Cup 2019 will be announced after our train- history in the UAE. (Source: the-afc) (Source: Yonhap News) Prayer Times Noon:11:57 Evening: 17:11 Dawn: 5:33 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 7:03 (tomorrow) DECEMBER 9, 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 German director Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 [email protected] Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051450 Walter Steffen’s “Joy Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 www.eshterak.ir Distributor: Padideh Novin Co. Tel: 88911433 Webmaster: [email protected] Printed at: Rooztab - ISSN: 1017-94 in Iran” to screen No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran P.o. Box: 14155-4843 Zip Code: 1599814713 at Cinéma Vérité

ARTTEHRAN – “Joy in Iran”, German director Walter Steffen’s deskdocumentary that recounts a group of German clowns’ visit to Iran, will be screened at the 12th edition of the Cinéma Vérité festival, which will open at Tehran’s Charsu Cineplex today. The documentary, which had its world premiere at the Fünf Seen Film Festival in GUIDE TO Starnberg in November, will go on screen in a special program dedicated to reviewing SPIRITUAL AWAKENING films from German-speaking nations, the organizers announced on Saturday. In “Joy in Iran”, Susie, Toni, Matthias and Monika from the Clowns Without Borders travelled to Iran in 2017 to visit hospitals and social centers, orphanages, One who is satisfied with himself faces people’s kindergartens, as well as street kids on public squares and streets in the country wrath; charity is a salutary drug which removes where they hope to bring children and adults fun and happiness. The Clowns Without Borders go to crisis areas of the world to help people there every evil, and creatures’ deeds in this world forget their problems for moments by their funny performances. are a mirror of their next world. Documentaries from Austrian and Swiss filmmakers will be screened during the Imam Ali (AS) program. Cinéma Vérité, Iran’s major documentary film festival, is annually organized by the Documentary and Experimental Film Center (DEFC). Dozens of films from across the globe are scheduled to compete in the various categories of the event, which will end on December 16 with the announcement of Tehran to host Intl. winners. A poster for “Joy in Iran” by German director Walter Steffen. Storytelling Festival Majid Majidi receives lifetime ARTTEHRAN – the 21st edition of the Interna- Director stages puppet show to satisfy desktional Storytelling Festival will be held at the children’s curiosity about baby making award at Kerala festival Institute for Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults (IIDCYA) in Tehran next week, the organizers announced on Saturday. Storytellers from Iran and several other countries are sched- uled to take part in the festival, which will be organized from December 17 to 20.

Puppeteers Mohammad-Hadi Atai (L) and Elka Hedayat perform the puppet Majid Majidi holds an award he received for his lifetime achievements during the show “Where Do We Come From?” at Tehran’s Honar Hall on November 11, 23rd International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) in Thiruvananthapuram, India, A poster for the 21st International Storytelling Festival. 2018. (Tiwall/Sara Saqafi) on December 7, 2018. Celebrated Iranian children’s writer Hushang Moradi Kermani, ARTTEHRAN – Director “Children show wonderful reactions ARTTEHRAN – Oscar- Starring Javier Bardem and Penelope actors Ehteram Borumand and Leili Rashidi, and literary scholar deskMohammad Aqebati is to the issue as they sit and watch the desknominated Iranian Cruz, the film is about Laura, who lives with Ali Khanjani will judge the national section of the festival. staging a puppet show at Tehran’s Honar puppet show,” he added. director Majid Majidi was honored with a her husband and children in Buenos Aires. The storytellers in the international section will be judged Hall to placate children’s natural curiosity The puppet show’s target audience lifetime achievement award at the opening When they return together to her native by actress Mahtab Keramati and writer and journalist Mansur about the mystery of baby making. is preschoolers and children between 7 ceremony of the 23rd International village in Spain for a family celebration, Zabetian, both from Iran, and Kasper Sorensen from Denmark. Speaking to the Persian service of and 11 years old. Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) in an unexpected event changes the course The festival is organized by the IIDCYA every year to promote MNA, Aqebati said that he has consulted He said that children’s theater is rarely Thiruvananthapuram, India, on Friday, of their lives. storytelling traditions among the younger generations. the Rah Society, a non-governmental taken seriously by the cultural officials the organizers announced. Six more Iranian films are also competing organization providing safe sex education, while Iranian parents always regard it Majidi, the director of acclaimed movies in the various sections of the IFFK. to stage the play “Where Do We Come highly. such as “Muhammad (S), the Messenger of “Tale of the Sea” by Bahman Farmanara, “Colchicum” to go on screen From?”. Aqebati’s stage adaptation of famous God”, “Children of Heaven” and “The Color “The Dark Room” by Ruhollah Hejazi and “The play has a dual function i.e. it is Iranian writer Samad Behrangi’s short of Paradise”, is the president of the jury of “The Graveless” by Mostafa Sayyari are at Sofia MENAR festival both amusing for children and answers story “The Little Black Fish” won him the official competition of the festival. competing in the official section of the festival. one of their most important questions,” the award for best director at the 25th Majidi’s latest movie “Beyond the Clouds” “Three Faces” by Jafar Panahi, ARTTEHRAN – Iranian director Mohammadreza he stated. International Theater Festival for was produced in India. The film, which is “Dressage” by Puya Badkubeh and “Rona, deskRasuli’s “Colchicum” will go on screen at Aqebati, 43, said, “The younger Children and Young Adults in Hamedan set in the slums of Mumbai, represented Azim’s Mother”, a co-production between the 11th edition of the Sofia generation’s outlook on the birth issue in November. India at several international film festivals. Afghanistan and Iran by Jamshid Mahmudi, MENAR Film Festival, Iran’s and this question ‘where do we come The play was also performed at the In addition, Iranian director Asghar are on screen in the World Cinema section. Art Bureau announced on from’ is really different from what our Triskelion Arts in Brooklyn, New York Farhadi’s latest movie “Everybody Knows” The 23rd edition of the IFFK will be Saturday. generation had years ago.” for three nights in April. was the opening film of the festival. running until December 13. The film tells the story of two couples and old classmates who meet after a long time in Politics, race, music dominate diverse Belgium’s Africa Museum reopens a mysterious home. Each of them has some secrets from Golden Globe film nominations to confront its colonial demons the past and tries to keep them. LOS ANGELES (Reuters) — Movies TERVUREN, Belgium (Reuters) — MENAR stands for the about race, politics and music dominated Belgium’s Africa Museum will reopen to Middle East and North nominations for the Golden Globe awards the public on Sunday after five years of Africa Region, and the on Thursday, setting the stage for a lively renovations designed to modernize the festival spotlights top cinema Hollywood awards season leading up to the museum from an exhibition of pro-colonial productions from these areas. Oscars in February. propaganda to one that is critical of Belgium’s The festival will be held Dark comedy “Vice,” a scathing look at the imperialist past. in the Bulgarian capital from rise to power of former U.S. Vice President The museum, full of artefacts and stuffed A poster for “Colchicum”. January 15 to 31, 2019. Dick Cheney, led all comers with six nods. wildlife, was often criticized for ignoring the It was followed by the Lady Gaga musical brutalities of King Leopold II’s fiefdom, remake of “A Star is Born,” British historical Actor Christian Bale arrives on the red whose troops collected the hands of those comedy “The Favourite” and road trip movie who resisted slave labor at a time when Belgium’s Africa Museum is seen before Sandra Oh, Andy Samberg carpet during the 41st Toronto Interna- its reopening to the public on December through 1960s segregated America “Green tional Film Festival (TIFF), in Toronto, millions of Congolese people are estimated Book” with five nods apiece. to have died. 9, 2018, after five years of renovations to named as Golden Globe hosts Canada, September 11, 2016. (Reuters/ modernise the museum from pro-colonial Several expected contenders, including Mark Blinch) Many of the artefacts remain, but there is LOS ANGELES (Reuters) — Canadian actress Sandra Oh female-led heist thriller “Widows,” were more commentary from African people on propaganda exhibits to one that condemns and U.S. comedian Andy Samberg will co-host the 2019 Gold- left out in the cold, while moon landing The movie line-up includes two films video screens, displays by Congolese artists, colonisation, in Tervuren, Belgium De- en Globe Awards in January, organizers said on Wednesday. movie “First Man” was snubbed in the best about racial injustice - “If Beale Street Could one including a 120-member family tree, cember 6, 2018. (Reuters/Yves Herman) The two celebrities will be first-time hosts for the Golden drama race and had to settle for just two Talk,” director Barry Jenkins’ follow-up to in a bid to centralize Africans rather than Many Belgians remain ignorant of their Globes, which honor both television and film. Nominations nominations. his 2017 Oscar best picture “Moonlight,” and Europeans. country’s harsh rule in what is now Democratic for the awards were announced on Thursday and the televised “Vice” director Adam McKay described director Spike Lee’s “BlacKkKlansman.” Walt Colonial history is now concentrated in Republic of Congo (DRC) in the late 19th ceremony on NBC will take place in Beverly Hills, California, his film, which will be released on Dec. 25, Disney Co black empowerment superhero one gallery, rather than dominating the whole century. It became the setting for Joseph on Jan. 6. as “an amazing portrayal of power.” movie “Black Panther” also got a best drama museum, which also deals with current issues Conrad’s influential 1899 novella “Heart The Golden Globes, chosen by members of the Hollywood “What we tried to do was reflect the times nomination. facing Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) of Darkness”. Foreign Press Association, are the first major ceremony in that we are living in, which can be pretty “Green Book” star Viggo Mortensen, who and its diaspora. Belgium’s colonial past made the small Hollywood’s awards season culminating with the Oscars on absurd and pretty dramatic and tragic at the was nominated along with Mahershala Ali, “We also assume our responsibility that European country one of the world’s most Feb. 24. same time,” McKay told Reuters on Thursday. said in a statement that the Universal Pictures for more than 60 years, we’ve diffused, we’ve successful trading economies. Oh is best known for her former role in the long-running “Vice” also won nods for actors Christian film asks audiences to “think profoundly about disseminated an image of a superior, western The 66 million euros ($75.1 million) television hospital drama “Grey’s Anatomy,” and is now starring Bale, as Dick Cheney, Amy Adams as Lynne our society’s past and present.” way of thinking to African cultures,” said renovation to the Africa museum, set in a in BBC America’s acclaimed murder-mystery “Killing Eve.” Cheney, and Sam Rockwell as former U.S. “Crazy Rich Asians,” the first big museum Director Guido Gryseels. palatial, neoclassical building in a landscaped Samberg is a former “Saturday Night Live,” cast member and President George W. Bush. The film is Hollywood movie in 25 years with an all- In the large rotunda, a statue remains park just outside the capital Brussels, hopes a previous Golden Globe winner for television comedy series distributed by independent Annapurna Asian cast, further diversified the Globes of a European missionary with an African to confront Belgians with their colonial past. “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” Pictures, which led studios with 10 contenders with nods for best comedy and boy clutching his robes with a plaque that But activists says that by containing The duo won praise for their chemistry when they were nominations overall. best actress for Constance Wu. reads: “Belgium brings civilization to Congo”. stolen artefacts it represents a continuation presenting at the Emmy Awards for television in September. The Golden Globes, chosen by the small “Not in my wildest dreams did I ever But now the room is dominated by a giant of colonialism. Oh and Samberg will “bring wit, charm and style to a room Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), think our movie would be embraced to wooden sculpture of an African man’s head, “There is no decolonization without filled with the very best of film and television,” Paul Telegdy will be handed out at in Beverly Hills on Jan this magnitude by the audience and now sculptured by an artist born in DRC. restitution,” said Mireille-Tsheusi Robert, and George Cheeks, co-chairmen of NBC Entertainment, said 6 in the season’s first major show business the HFPA,” “Crazy Rich Asians” director The museum also features a new entry who was born in the DRC before moving to in a statement. awards ceremony. John Chu said in a statement. pavilion. Belgium, where she authored a book on racism.