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16 Pages Price 40,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 39th year No.13532 Tuesday NOVEMBER 19, 2019 Aban 28, 1398 Rabi’ Al awwal 21, 1441 The Leader’s shrewd Zarif congratulates Tehran hosting international, University of Bologna remarks set the path Palestinian Islamic regional conference on to review Ahmad forward 2 Jihad on new success 3 climate change 12 Dehqan’s books 16

Southwestern Iranian port to be Raisi draws a line between connected to Syria through Iraq TEHRAN — Iran plans to connect its Iran is going to construct Shalamcheh-Bas- southwestern port of Emam Khomeini to ra railway between Iran and Iraq through Syria’s Latakia Port via a railway which which Iran’s southwestern Emam See page 3 passes through Iraq, IRIB reported, quot- Khomeini Port will later be connected protesters and rioters ing head of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Latakia Port in Syria. Railways (known as RAI). This would be a great step for boosting Mentioning a trilateral agreement transit to Commonwealth of Independ- signed with Iraq and Syria in July, Saied ent States (CIS) countries through Iran, Rasouli said according to the agreement, Rasouli said. 4

Italy violates Chicago Aviation Convention by banning Mahan Airliner TEHRAN — Italy’s ban on Iran’s Mahan time Mahan Airliner is falling victim to Airliner under the pretext of its regular sanctions under the accusation by the West flights to Syria lacks economic and political that it transports military equipment and logic. It is also a breach of the Chicago personnel to Middle East war zones. Fol- Convention on International Civil Aviation. lowing such accusations, Italy announced As the United States refuses to refrain in early November that it will also ban the from doing any action against Iran, this flights by Mahan. 2

IRGC warns to take tough line with rioters TEHRAN — The Islamic Revolution my-knowing and devoted nation,” the

Guards Corps (IRGC) has warned that statement read. “You have always made it will take a tough line with those who the deceitful, bullying enemy submissive foment unrest and disrupt the “comfort” to your endless greatness and you have and “tranquility” of the people. been the guarantor of social stability and In a statement on Monday, the IRGC tranquility in events of these days in most said it acknowledges the rightful demands of the country’s provinces and cities.” Asghar Khamseh of the people and thanked the Iranian The IRGC also condemned the “wicked nation for their insight and awareness U.S. officials” as leader of the anti-Iran in recognizing the enemy’s sinister plots, iniquity and spitefulness and slammed the emphasizing that the Guards is duty-bound evil group of “Monafeqin” (hypocrites – a to protect the country’s security and peace. term used in Iran to describe the MEK Tehran Times/ Tehran Times/ “Kudos to you – the valorous, ene- terrorist group), 3 EDITORIAL When Western supporters of terrorism worry about rioters in Iran! ARTICLE Mohammad Ghaderi By Hanif Ghaffari down as quickly as possible, because polls show Mahnaz Abdi Tehran Times editor-in-chief French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Agnes von that popularity of the two main parties in Germany Head of the TehranTimes @ghaderi62 der Muhl has claimed in response to recent events (the Social Democrats and Christian Democrats) Economy Desk in Iran that “Paris reaffirms its commitment to is less than 40%. On the other hand, the Merkel respect for freedom of expression and the right government’s tolerance for neo-Nazis in Saxony Riding wave of to peaceful demonstration.” is a sign of support for terrorism. Imposing duty on The German government has also called Finally, the United States, also the main people’s protest for “respect for legitimate protests”. symbol of state terrorism, has objected to Iran’s exports of iron ore a Germany called on Iran to negotiate with the legitimate confrontation with the rioters! It is in Iran: Devil protesters. The German authorities have stated ridiculous that officials in the U.S. and also in right decision? that the political and economic demands and Germany and France express such positions. disguised as savior also concerns of the people must be respected. Officials in Iran have repeatedly emphasized n a bid to prevent the exports of unpro- Beyond all that, U.S. State Department of- in the recent days that they are aware of people’s cessed minerals, creating more value fter the failure of their “maxi- ficials have also backed rioters in Iran in their concerns and respect their peaceful protests, but Iadded and meeting the requirements of mum pressure” policy against the interventionist positions. resting and killing Yellow Vest protestors, they stand against chaos, riot and sabotage. domestic producers for the raw materials, AIslamic Republic, the Americans There is one thing to note about the inter- which their movement has been continuing In such circumstances, the claims of con- Iran has levied a 25-percent duty on the have launched the project of “creating ventionist and outrageous statements of the for one year. cern by the three Western countries, that are exports of raw minerals (specially iron insecurity” in Iran, as they have done in United States, France and Germany. France If the authorities in Berlin really care about causing crisis and violence around the world, ore) since September 23. Iraq and Lebanon. itself has been accused of suppressing, ar- respect for the people’s votes, they should step is of no importance to Iran. While the new duty has satisfied steel Following interventionist statements producers in the country, it has provoked by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo severe criticisms from those active in the about protests in Iran that were turned mining sector, as they believe that such violent in some cases by some individuals, Foreign forces may be behind unrest in Iran: Russian Foreign Ministry sudden decision can be a big shock to the U.S. Department of State also took a By staff and agency tense, and, of course, the significant increase Protests have been sparked in some cities investment in this sector. similar stance. Zamir Kabulov, the head of the Russian Foreign in gasoline prices has added fuel to the flame. against the government’s measure to partially cut They say that the shock will be even In this regard, State Department Ministry’s Second Asian Department, said on Meanwhile, foreign forces are also working petrol subsidies. In some cases the protests have bigger for the SMEs investing in the mining spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus, in an Monday that the spreading protests in Iran may actively, so all [the factors] together [have con- turned violent with reports of clashes between sector, because under the current eco- interventionist statement, claimed, “The be fueled by foreign forces. tributed to the escalation].” Sputnik quoted security forces and certain elements vandalizing nomic condition of the country they are U.S. stands with the long-suffering Iranian “The situation there is already difficult and him as saying. public property. seriously in need of the liquidity secured people as they protest the latest injustice by from the exports. the corrupt regime in power. We condemn Small mines’ activity com- the attempted shutdown of the internet. ing to a halt Let them speak”. Kremlin confirms Putin to take part in Ukrainian peace summit in Paris Based on the statistics announced by These statements came hours after The Kremlin confirmed on Monday that Rus- eastern Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told re- the secretary of Iron Ore Producers & Ex- Pompeo’s tweet about unrest in Iran. sian President Vladimir Putin would take The French presidency said on Friday that the porters on Monday that Putin would attend, but porters Association of Iran (IROPEX), the Earlier, the U.S. secretary of state had part in a four-way international summit in leaders of France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine declined to discuss what Moscow’s expectations number of active iron ore mines in the claimed, “The U.S. hears you. The U.S. Paris on Dec. 9, an attempt to advance efforts would take part. But until Monday the Kremlin for the event were. country has fallen from 206 to 123 after supports you. The U.S. is with you.” for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in had failed to publicly confirm its attendance. (Source: Reuters) imposing the 25-percent duty on exports. On Sunday, the Supreme Leader of the Last week, Saeed Asgarzadeh said that Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei, of the 364 iron ore mines in Iran just 123 speaking to his theology students, pointed to mines are currently active. foreign inference in the unrest, saying, “All He said, “The Ministry of Industry, malicious centers in the world, which work Festival Mining and Trade has made an inexpert against us, have encouraged these actions. decision about imposing duty on the These centers – ranging from the sinister exports of raw minerals. Such decision and malicious Pahlavi dynasty to evil and showing contradicts their motto of activating small the criminal monafeqin terrorist cult – are mines. It damages production and has led constantly encouraging such actions though to stopping activity of some small mines.” social networks and other media outlets.” nomadic Profit should be distributed Through the new interventionist po- in the whole chain of steel sitions of the United States, the public Believing that the profit should be opinion once again noticed that Washing- rituals, crafts distributed in the whole chain of steel, ton is backing rioters and those who try to the vice chairman of IROPEX says that disrupt public security. Such statements and arts the steel producers should modify their revealed the U.S. hypocrisy more than ever. method of purchase from the mines. The United States, in its recent stance on Tribespeople from every corner of Iran are showing On November 16, Ali Safarian said, the unrest, has in fact shown that it has their nomadic rituals, lifestyle, cuisine, crafts and “Even if a 100-percent duty will be levied not given up creating chaos in Iran. It is arts in a four-day festival, which opened to the on iron ore exports, the condition will not the same project which the U.S. is trying public in Gonbad-e Kavus, northern Golestan change for the steel producers; in fact, they to carry out in Lebanon and Iraq. province, on November 17, 2019. should take another approaches for resolv- The plan of creating chaos and insecu- During the event, some one thousand artists ing their problems. They should modify rity in the countries which are supporters from all over the country present their works in their method of purchase and should not of the resistance movement, including the four fields of souvenirs, handicrafts, tribal impose their expenses on producers and IRNA Iran, has always been on the agenda of music, and rural tourism. exporters of iron ore or the whole chain Washington. 13 of steel.” 4 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS NOVEMBER 19, 2019

Larijani says the Leader’s shrewd remarks set the path Russia voices readiness to forward

POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali desk export weapons to Iran Larijani said on Monday that the MPs will follow the “insightful guidelines” by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei regarding the issues surrounding POLITICAL TEHRAN – Head of the permanent members of the UN Security, the gasoline price and its rationing. deskRussian Federation’s Germany and the European Union in July The government on Friday announced a cut in petrol subsidies Federal Service of Military-Technical 2015. The agreement was endorsed by the to fund support for the poor. Cooperation announced on Monday that UN Security Council Resolution 2231. According to a statement published by the National Iranian his country is ready to export arms and However, in May 2018, the United States Oil Products Distribution Company, the price for a liter of reg- ammunition to Iran after international under President Trump, unilaterally ular gasoline was increased to 15,000 rials (nearly 35 cents at arms embargo on Tehran would be lifted abandoned the deal, thereby violating the official rate of 42,000 rials per dollar) from 10,000 rials and in 2020. international law. the monthly ration for each passenger car was set at 60 liters. Dimitri Shugaev told Ria Novosti, “The Rouhani said, “(After the U.S. move) Additional purchases would cost 30,000 rials per liter. Russian side is ready to hold talks with Iran we had some choices. Some people told us Petrol in Iran still remains among the cheapest in the world. regarding expansion of cooperation (selling ‘you pull out from the deal immediately. Ayatollah Khamenei on Sunday expressed support for the weapons) provided that any possible Some others told us ‘you must stay in the decision. agreement between Tehran and Moscow pact in any case and some told us that ‘you The decision about gasoline was taken after months of de- would be implemented after removal of must pursue a middle path. We realized liberations and consultations with experts. international arms embargo on Iran.” that pursuing middle path will benefit us.” On Saturday, the Supreme Economic Coordination Council “Iran will possibly intend to purchase Rouhani, who serves as the head of called on all the country’s institutions and entities to cooperate military planes, helicopters, tanks, Supreme National Security Council, in implementing the plan. The council was attended by President warships, coastal defense sets, plane’s said, “Before the JCPOA, according to Rouhani, Larijani and Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raeisi. engines, armored passenger carriers and an United Nations resolution Iran was Protests have been sparked in some cities against the govern- submarines,” he added. not allowed to import or export arms. ment’s measure. In some cases the protests have turned violent Shugaev said that his country will Based on the said resolution as well as the with reports of clashes between security forces and certain ele- deliver a batch of defense weapons, President Hassan Rouhani announced thanks to continuation of the JCPOA we United Nations Security Council resolution ments vandalizing public property. including a set of radio-technical earlier this month that the UN arms will materialize a great diplomatic, defense 2231, if we manage to save the JCPOA, Speaking to his theology students, the Leader said he has reconnaissance packages to Iran. embargo on Iran would end in 2020, and security objective in the next year,” arms embargo on Iran will be lifted and previously announced that since he’s not an expert on the is- He went on to say that Moscow has which as the president said could be an the president told a crowd of people in the country will be easily capable of selling sue, he would support any decision made by heads of the three not engaged in any negotiations with the outcome of staying in the 2015 nuclear the city of Rafsanjan, Kerman Province. and purchasing weapons which is one branches of government and the experts. Iranian side over delivery of more S300 deal, officially called the JCPOA. Iran clinched an international of the most important outcomes of the Ayatollah Khamenei voiced sympathy with people who feel air defense missile system. “Dear Iranian people should know that agreement on its nuclear program with five nuclear deal.” the decision would harm them economically, but condemned any act of sabotage that has been carried out by some hooligans and supported by Iran’s enemies. “You see in the past two days, all the centers of evil in the world have been encouraging such acts against us. From the sinister Foreign Ministry: Iranians condemn Pompeo’s support for rioters Pahlavi dynasty to the vicious and criminal gang of Monafeqin POLITICAL TEHRAN — Foreign Mousavi added that the Iranian people Pompeo tweeted on Saturday, “As I said Pompeo is calling PIJ - Palestinian Islamic (the MEK terrorist group); they are constantly encouraging deskMinistry spokesman Ab- are well aware that such supports “are not to the people of Iran almost a year and a half Jihad – whose lands have been stolen by hooliganism via the internet and other means,” he added. bas Mousavi said on Sunday that the Iranian out of sympathy”. ago: The United States is with you.” Israel. The remarks by Pompeo shows that Larijani said, “The Leader cleared the path for the people people condemn U.S. Secretary of State Mike “Interesting! They are expressing sympathy He said in another tweet, “The way for- if if somebody rebel against occupation is and officials by his insightful guidelines about the events in Pompeo’s support for rioters. with the people who are under the United ward is clear: continued pressure until Iran terrorist. recent days.” “Actions being taken by a number of ri- States’ economic terrorism,” he noted. negotiates a comprehensive agreement that In remarks almost a year ago, Pompeo said The parliament speaker also said cooperation among the oters and saboteurs who are supported by Mousavi added that Pompeo is claiming includes halting its support to terror groups Iranian officials must listen to Washington three branches of government in such a condition is essential. someone like him [Pompeo] have nothing support for the Iranian people while he had like PIJ. Nations around the world can no “if they want their people to eat”. to do with the insightful Iranian people,” said before that Iran should surrender if it longer claim to want peace in the region yet U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew Mousavi said. wants its people to eat. allow Iran’s threats to go unchallenged.” Washington from the 2015 nuclear deal in Russian envoy says Moscow Protests have been sparked in some cities May 2018, restored the previous sanctions is concerned about fate of in Iran against the government’s measure “Interesting! They are expressing sympathy and ordered new ones. Trump has described in rationing gasoline and substantially in- his government’s sanctions against Iran as nuclear deal creasing gasoline price. The protests have with the people who are under the United the “maximum pressure”. turned violent with reports of clashes be- States’ economic terrorism,” Foreign Iranian officials describe Washington’s POLITICAL TEHRAN — Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s tween security forces and certain elements unilateral sanctions as an “economic war” deskpermanent representative to international vandalizing public property. Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi noted. and “economic terrorism”. organizations in Vienna, has said that Moscow is concerned about the fate of the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). In an exclusive interview with IRNA published on Sunday, Italy violates Chicago Aviation Convention by banning Mahan Airliner Ulyanov said the deal is very important and the parties have been working for more than 10 years to achieve it. Rome should revise policy towards Iran’s Mahan Airliner “It showed that difficult issues in the field of non-pro- 1 Italy’s air authority ENAC said on joining Washington’s sanctions on Iran. ency. Rome’s move can be considered as a ernment and its aviation organization’s liferation can be resolved in a statement at the time that the ban on For instance, the Americans, in line with message to global public opinion that Italy submission to the White House and the through diplomacy,” he noted. Mahan’s flights to Rome and Milan would their relentless pressure on Iran’s aviation is passive in face of Washington’s bullying. Department of Treasury regarding sanc- Iran has started to gradu- take effect in mid-December. industry, forced Italy to prevent Mahan The Western countries could, as a min- tions on Mahan will certainly affect Teh- ally reduce its commitments It is noteworthy that the White House Airliner from running flights to Rome and imum reaction to unilateralism, refuse to ran-Rome bilateral ties and will also prove to the JCPOA in response to is still continuing to spread its policy of Millan. comply with Washington’s anti-Iran sanc- that Rome is a dependent weak player on the United States which aban- unilateral illegal sanctions on Iran to other Based on the U.S. demand and an an- tions to which of course Italy has thus far the international stage. doned the landmark deal in countries. However, some nations, who enjoy nouncement by the Italian media sources, failed. Definitely, consequences of the Italian May 2018 and reinstituted independence and view the unilateral nature Mahan’s flights to Rome and Milan, after a In fact, the Italian officials have acknowl- government’s direct play in Donald Trump’s sanctions. of the U.S. sanctions on Tehran as illegal, two-month waiver, will continue till mid-De- edged lack of any legal documents against court will not be restricted to its mutual So far, the Atomic Energy are still resisting Washington’s pressures. cember and then Mahan won’t be allowed Mahan. In the meantime, Mahan’s discipline relations with Iran. Other international and Organization of Iran (AEOI) Unfortunately, some European coun- to send any flight to the two Italian cities. and qualified flights have blocked all path- regional players are monitoring Italy’s acts has taken four steps to cut back tries, while acknowledging illegality of the Ban on Mahan’s flights to Rome and Milan ways to making technical claims against it. and final decisions regarding its obedience commitments in accordance U.S. sanctions, have passively embarked testifies that Italy lacks enough independ- It is noteworthy that the Italian gov- or disobedience to Trump’s policies. to paragraph 36 of the JCPOA which “allows one side, under certain circumstances, to stop complying with the deal if the other side is out of compliance.” People have right to protest, but vandalism is not tolerated, Rouhani says On May 8, exactly one year after the U.S. abandoned the POLITICAL TEHRAN – President Hassan Rouhani was in addition to certain problems in buying and importing deal, Tehran announced that its “strategic patience” is over and desk began to partially reduce its commitments to the agreement said on Sunday that the people have the petrol,” he added. at bi-monthly intervals. right to protest, however, vandalism will not be tolerated. “Some households may not have a car while some others In the first stage, Iran announced that it will not limit its Late on Thursday, the government announced a partial may have 1-3 cars. Therefore, people’s petrol consumption stockpile of the nuclear fuel to 300 kilograms allowed un- cut in petrol subsidies. The decision went into force on Fri- is not the same,” he explained. der the deal. On that date (May 8) Iran’s Supreme National day morning. However, some groups of people in certain The president continued, “We had to create a kind of Security Council (SNSC) said if the remaining parties to the cities, including Ahwaz, Tehran, Sirjan, Karaj, poured into balance, in addition to the fact that because the low price JCPOA, especially Europeans, devise a mechanism to protect the streets protesting the move. In some cases the demon- of petrol and other energy resources in the country, a huge Iran from the sanctions’ effect in the two-month deadline it strations turned violent as hooligans took the opportunity amount is being smuggled out of the country…, and the will reverse its decision. to pillage stores, set government offices on fire and destroy smugglers gain the main benefit”. But since European parties missed the deadline, on July public and private property. “In our calculations, we came to the point that the needs 7 Iran announced that it has started enriching uranium to a According to the new decision, petrol is sold at two prices: of 60 million people in our society are more than the re- higher purity than the 3.67%, thereby starting the second step. 60 liters per month for every car owner with a price of 1500 maining 22-23 million people. Therefore, it is imperative Again, as Europe missed the second 60-day deadline, Iran (35 cents) tomans. Any amount beyond that figure is sold to help them, who account for 18 million households, by national TV. moved to take the third step, removing a ban on nuclear re- at 3000 tomans (70 cents). monthly aid,” he said. Rouhani said that decision to ration gasoline and increase search and development (R&D). The calculation is based on official rate of 4200 tomans The current Iranian population is about 83 million. petrol prices was taken in line with helping the lower-income In the latest step, which was done on November 6, Iran per dollar. Rouhani said the decision to increase petrol price was and middle classes of the society. started injecting uranium gas into 1,044 centrifuges at the The government has announced that all the revenues taken after expert talks. “We only had three ways [to benefit the lower-income Fordow nuclear site. It was done at the presence of inspectors from increasing petrol prices will be paid in form of cash to “We worked with economists in the government and people]. We should have increased taxes, export more oil from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). the 60 million people, which includes 18 million households. came to the conclusion that the issue of petrol requires or decrease subsidies,” he said. This happened again after the Europeans failed to take The government has also taken some compensatory consultation with all bodies and make a decision. We held “Our oil sales is facing limitations, and even if had not concrete step to save the JCPOA. measures by allocating more petrol to taxis and pickups several meetings with heads of the other two branches of faced any limitations, it would not have been appropriate to Iran has said lifting ban on its oil export and financial with a price of 1500 tomans. government and we reached a conclusion and sent it to the use oil money for this purpose… We also cannot raise taxes transactions are the main conditions to reverse its decision. Before the current decision, petrol was sold at 1000 to- Leader,” he stated. mans per liter. too much, because in the current economic situation of the He added, “We believed that this money has to be returned Speaking at the cabinet, Rouhani said, “Protest is different society taxes need to be balanced,” he stated. to people and those who have lower income. Therefore, Iranian deputy foreign from riot. Protest is the people’s right and they can protest. He added, “It has been for several months that experts we were discussing whether a portion of the petrol money The government accepts even harsh criticism. However, we have been discussing how to support the low-income people. should be returned to the treasury and give the rest to the minister heads for should not allow insecurity in the society.” In this administration, we have made efforts to increase people, or give it all to the people.” He added that the government will allow no one to cause production of petrol.” The government decided on Friday to cut petrol subsidies Netherlands insecurity or attack police stations and the offices of the “We used to spend billions of dollars to import petrol. It to fund support for the poor. TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Seyed Abbas Araqchi started his official visit to the Netherlands to participate in another round of political talks Next round of multi-national talks on Syria expected in early December: Kazakh FM between the two countries. Heading a high-ranking delegation, Araqchi left Tehran for NUR-SULTAN (Xinhua) — The next round of multi-national that “developments in Syria make it clear that the Astana and the opposition. Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and the United The Hague on Sunday to attend the third round of political talks talks on Syria can be held here in early December, Kazakh process is still relevant,” adding countries participating in Nations also sent representatives as observers. between the Iran and the northwestern European country. Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi told reporters Monday. efforts to resolve the situation in Syria “should come to the The process toward a peaceful settlement in Syria, also During his visit, the Iranian diplomat will meet with his Dutch The Kazakh side was expecting official requests from Russia, negotiating table and discuss the issue once again.” known as the Astana process, was launched in January 2017 by counterpart and the foreign minister of the Netherlands. Turkey and Iran, Tleuberdi was quoted as saying by Russia’s The 13th round of talks on Syria was held in the Kazakh Russia, Iran and Turkey in Astana, later renamed Nur-Sultan, The political talks are regularly held every six months at the Tass news agency. capital of Nur-Sultan on Aug. 1-2, and joined by Iran, Turkey to bring warring parties in the Syrian conflict to the table to capitals of the two countries. According to the Russian media, Tleuberdi said last month and Russia, as well as representatives of the Syrian government find a political solution to the crisis. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y NOVEMBER 19, 2019 IRAN IN FOCUS 3 Top reformist MP: Ill-wishers not MP calls for rise in people’s wage following hike in gas price allowed to meddle in Iran’s affairs POLITICAL TEHRAN — A parliamentarian suggested on desk POLITICAL TEHRAN — A top “However, the administration must Monday that freeing up prices should not be deskreformist lawmaker fulfil its commitment to the low-income just restricted to gas price and it should spread people’s income, says Iran would not allow ill-wishers to stratum,” ISNA on Monday quoted Borou- especially those with a fixed wage. interfere in its internal affairs, hinting at jerdi as saying. Washington’s meddlesome remarks in the Following the decision, a number of aftermath of the protests that erupted after Iranian cities saw protests that turned the government implemented an unan- violent in some cases, where a number nounced decision to ration gasoline and of banks and government buildings were increase its price. set ablaze by the rioters. “While pursuing and insisting on peo- Critics question the timing of the deci- ple’s rights, we will not allow any interfer- sion, which comes while Iranian people are ence in our internal affairs by ill-wishers, suffering from the reverberations of the foreigners and the promise-breaking he- inhumane economic sanctions imposed gemonic government of the U.S. that has by the United States, and also while neigh- disrupted the people’s livelihood through boring Iraq and Lebanon have been the its cruel sanctions,” Mahmoud Sadeqi, scene of widespread protests. an outspoken lawmaker, said in a tweet They also criticize the sudden announce- on Monday. ment of the measure, describing it as an It came after U.S. Secretary of State undemocratic way of making a decision Mike Pompeo voiced his support for that affects the entire nation. Touching upon the Leader’s support for the government’s Iranian protesters, right after he insist- In his remarks, Boroujerdi was critical decision in rationing and raising gas price, Gholamali Imena- ed “continued pressure” on Iran, which of the abrupt implementation of the policy badi said, “The Leader, in line with his ruling authority, has includes economic sanctions targeting the as well, advising the administration to take granted some authorities to the president, the Majlis speaker Iranian people. a lesson from its mistake. and the Judiciary chief. Possibly our Leader has nothing to “As I said to the people of Iran almost intended to fund support for the poor. The Leader voiced sympathy with people He also voiced sympathy with the af- say regarding gas price rise plan, but regarding hike in other a year and a half ago: The United States Petrol in Iran still remains among the who feel the decision would harm them fected people, saying they are entitled goods’ prices he has always been concerned.” is with you,” Pompeo said in his Twitter cheapest in the world. economically, but condemned any act of to protest. Imenabadi, who sits on the Parliament Planning and Budget account on Saturday, retweeting a Per- According to a statement published sabotage that has been carried out by some Meanwhile, Mohammad Reza Aref, Committee, went on to say that if the energy price in the coun- sian-language tweet he sent out in July by National Iranian Oil Products Distri- hooligans and supported by Iran’s enemies. chairman of the pro-reform Hope faction in try should rise up to its global level, the same story should be 2018 that attacked the Islamic Republic’s bution Company, the price for a liter of “You see in the past two days, all the the parliament, has urged the parliament applied to other things. policies. regular gasoline was increased to 15,000 centers of evil in the world have been speaker to invite President Hassan Rou- The MP called on government bodies to intensify their moni- Also, U.S. State Department spokesper- rials (nearly 35 cents at the official rate of encouraging such acts against us. From hani and Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raisi toring activities, because regardless of some claims, expenses of son Morgan Ortagus tweeted on Sunday 42,000 rials per dollar) from 10,000 rials the sinister Pahlavi dynasty to the vicious to the parliament to explain the process services and prices of goods have been increasing in different forms. that the United States stands “by the people and the monthly ration for each passenger and criminal gang of Monafeqin (the MEK of reaching the decision. Very late on Thursday, the National Iranian Oil Products Dis- of Iran as they demand accountability and car was set at 60 liters. Additional pur- terrorist group); they are constantly en- “The chairman of the Hope faction tribution Company (NIOPDC) issued a statement to recount transparency from their government.” chases would cost 30,000 rials per liter. couraging hooliganism via the internet has proposed to hold a closed session in details for new prices of fuels in the country, which was followed “Iran did not use the billions of dollars On Sunday, Leader of the Islamic Rev- and other means,” he added. the parliament with regard to the issue,” by another statement on Friday by Vice-President and Head of in JCPOA sanctions relief to build schools olution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei supported Alaeddin Boroujerdi, a member of the said Fatemeh Saeedi, the spokeswoman the Management and Planning Organization (MPO) Mohammad or hospitals, but to fund terrorist proxies the decision, saying he had previously an- Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy for the faction. Baqer Nobakht who said that the revenues will be allocated to throughout the Middle East,” she claimed. nounced that since he’s not an expert on Committee, said the Leader’s remarks The decision to raise the gasoline price offering subsidies to 60 million people. Contrary to the U.S. officials’ remarks, the issue, he would support any decision should end any disagreement among was made by heads of the three branches According to the new pricing echelon, the subsidized fee of the Iranian government’s decision on Fri- made by heads of the three branches of officials about the implementation of of government, namely Rouhani, Raisi and 10,000 rials (almost 8.3 cents) per liter is increased to 15,000 day to partially cut petrol subsidies was government and experts. the policy. Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani. rials (almost 12.5 cents) per liter, which is offered at a limited rate of 60 liters per month. However, the price for non-rationed supply of the gas is still subsidized and below the level of price offered in majority of IRGC warns to take tough line with rioters neighboring countries. The non-rationed price is set at 30,000 rials (almost 25 cents) per liter and there is no limitation for 1 the ominous Pahlavi dynasty and the Zionist-led eral Gholamreza Soleimani said his forces are ready to be buying non-rationed fuel. mainstream media for provoking riots in Iran. deployed to put an end to the unrest. The statement further added that the price for the compressed Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei General Soleimani said while the people’s voice should natural gas (CNG) and diesel gas will remain unchanged. made similar remarks on Sunday, saying, “You see in the be heard in Iran as a free country, the rioters who destroy past two days, all the centers of evil in the world have and loot people’s property should be dealt with. been encouraging such acts against us. From the sinister “On Saturday evening, centers for wickedness and looting Pahlavi dynasty to the vicious and criminal gang of Mon- of people’s property were created but the U.S. conspiracy So far 37 legislators have afeqin; they are constantly encouraging hooliganism via failed this time as well,” he explained. the internet and other means.” The general added that Monafeqin and monarchists as signed letter to impeach Widespread protests erupted in Iran after the government well as their mercenaries in Iran were trying to disrupt the on Friday partially cut petrol subsidies. Protests turned violent country’s security. Rouhani: MP in some cases, where a number of banks and government “Of course, all of these measures failed due to the peo- ple’s awareness and the people did not cooperate with these buildings were set ablaze by the rioters. cash subsidies to the poor and middle classes of society. POLITICAL TEHRAN — A sum of 37 legislators in the The move was intended to raise budget for hand-out Also, in remarks on Monday, Basij Chief Brigadier Gen- individuals and groups,” he added. deskMajlis have thus far signed an impeachment inquiry into President Hassan Rouhani, an MP announced on Monday, according to ANA news agency. Raisi draws a line between protesters Tehran felicitates Sri Lanka for and rioters successful election

POLITICAL TEHRAN — Judiciary line on Thursday midnight, a number of POLITICAL TEHRAN — Irani- [to do],” he said at the results announce- deskChief Ebrahim Raisi Iranian cities saw sporadic protests that deskan Foreign Ministry ment, flanked by his brother Mahinda, a has differentiated between the people turned violent in some cases. spokesman Abbas Mousavi has congrat- former two-time president. who protest the recent gas price hike and A number of banks and government ulated Sri Lanka for holding a successful “Especially, at this moment, I happily those who disrupt the country’s security, buildings have been set ablaze. presidential election on Saturday. say that I will carry out all that is in my asserting that damaging public and private In remarks on Sunday morning, Lead- In a message on Monday, Mousavi con- manifesto during my tenure,” he added, property would lead to harsh punishments. er of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah gratulated the Sri Lankan government and according to Al Jazeera. “Damaging public and private prop- Ali Khamenei warned that the unrest people after they voted to elect Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a former defense secretary erty, setting banks and different places and acts of vandalism in Iran would Rajapaksa as their new president. He also during Mahinda’s 10 years in power, based ablaze, harming people’s psychological create insecurity. expressed hopes that the Iran-Sri Lanka his campaign for Saturday’s election on peace and frightening women and children Describing insecurity as the worst ca- relations will further deepen in the new era. providing strong leadership on national Hossein Maqsoudi, who represent people of Sabzevar, Joqtai with any intention would lead to harsh lamity for a society, the Leader said “all Rajapaksa won the Sri Lankan presidential security issues, following coordinated and Jowin in the parliament, said, “37 Majlis members have punishments,” he said on Monday. evil centers in the world” have mobilized election after a closely fought race against bombings in April that killed 269 people. inked impeachment inquiry into President Rouhani till Monday.” The top judge also said, “Those who pro- efforts in recent days to incite unrest in Iran. ruling party candidate Sajith Premadasa, Rajapaksa secured victory with 52.25 However, Abdolreza Mesri, a member of the Majlis pre- voke individuals from outside the borders Ayatollah Khamenei also called on the with the country’s Election Commission percent of the vote, according to final results siding board, said there is no impeachment plan or inquiry do not comprehend their own weakness Iranian authorities to be careful that the declaring him the winner on Sunday. announced by Sri Lanka’s Election Com- in the parliament. nor the Islamic Republic’s firmness.” rise in the price of fuel would not lead to an “I would like to inform everyone that I mission, more than the 50 percent margin ANA, a news agency run by the Azad University, said Parlia- Following a hike in the price of gaso- increase in the price of other commodities. will execute everything you trusted in me needed to ensure a runoff was not required. ment National Security and Foreign Policy Committee Chairman Mojtaba Zolnouri had been trying on Sunday to persuade the MPs Civil defense chief: Organized anti-revolutionary groups present in riots to sign an impeachment inquiry into the president. TEHRAN (FNA) — Head of Iran’s Civil Defense Organization while over 100 banks and 57 big stores have been set on fire Brigadier General Gholamreza Jalali said that anti-revolu- or plundered in just one province. Zarif congratulates Palestinian tionary forces have organized groups in recent riots across The Iranian intelligence ministry announced in a state- Iran who threaten people with firearms to force them close ment on Sunday that it had identified several rioters who Islamic Jihad on new success their businesses and join the riots. misused the recent protest rallies against the gasoline price “The presence of organized anti-revolutionary groups in hikes to destroy public and private properties. TEHRAN (Tasnim) — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad recent gatherings could be seen very clearly. Which protestor “The main culprits behind the riots in the past two days Javad Zarif offered his congratulations to the Palestinian Islamic would go to a protest rally while fully equipped with tools to have been identified and proper measures are being adopted Jihad (PIJ) movement over the recent success in imposing its unscrew light poles and guardrails and to manace citizens and the honorable nation will be informed about its result conditions on the Israeli regime for a ceasefire. with cold weapons and firearms to force them to join the later,” the statement said. In a telephone conversation with Secretary-General of the riots,” General Jalali said on Monday. It added that the intelligence ministry will decisively Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PJI) Ziyad Al-Nakhalah on Sunday He added that destruction of public properties and plun- confront those who foment insecurity and disrupt tran- night, Zarif condemned the latest Israeli aggression on Gaza. dering the stores and banks is not called civil protest, stressing quility of people. The top diplomat further congratulated the movement on that security of the people is the Islamic Republic’s redline. “Certainly, the enemies who have pinned hope on these the success in imposing its conditions on the Tel Aviv regime General Jalali also said that the social media based in “The identical methods of the main core of violent rioters riots will have no achievements but shame and embarrass- for a ceasefire. foreign states have in the past few years paved the ground discloses that they are fully trained individuals who have ment like the past,” the statement underlined. Last week, the Israeli regime forces martyred Baha Abu for terrorist moves and riots in Iran. been prepared and looking forward for the situation to rise, In relevant remarks earlier today, Spokesman of Law Atta, a top commander of the PIJ, along with his wife in his He, meantime, said that although people might be angry at unlike most people who have been taken off guard by the Enforcement Police Brigadier General Ahmad Nourian house in Gaza city. certain officials’ undigested moves, the protests are an internal sudden hike in gas price,” the report said. announced that the police forces will not allow insecurity The Islamic Jihad retaliated by firing hundreds of rockets matter which would not last long or cause deep wounds. The report shows that gatherings have been comprised and disruption of the general order during the protest rallies towards the occupied lands and brought life in the Zionist set- Riots by a small number who have taken advantage of of 50 to 1,500 people held in 100 regions of the country out against the gasoline rationing. tlements and even Israeli major cities, including its commercial legitimate public protests against the government’s gas price of a number of 1,080 major towns and cities. The report “The Law Enforcement Police will act upon its nat- hub Tel Aviv, to a standstill for several days. hike plan in Iran are directed at sowing chaos through tar- says violent raids and damage inflicted on properties has ural and legal duty and will not compromise those who The PIJ fighters also inflicted casualties on the Israeli army, geted attacks on public and private properties, forcing law been larger than what happened in February 2018 unrests. disrupt the order and security and will identify and injuring several soldiers and destroying an advanced tank. enforcement to step in to stop saboteurs. Most cases of damage to properties has happened in confront the ringleaders and their field agents,” General According to local reports, Tel Aviv agreed to the Islamic Early estimates of an intelligence body showed that a Khuzestan, Tehran, Fars and Kerman provinces. The Nourian said on Sunday. Jihad’s key demands in exchange for the resistance group to sum of nearly 87,000 protesters and rioters have taken part report says most casualties have resulted from armed He referred to the Friday and Saturday rallies to protest stop firing rockets into the occupied territories and ensure in protest rallies and gatherings since Friday night, mostly outlaws’ attacks on oil storage and military centers, adding at the hike in prices and rationing of gasoline in Iran that Gaza rallies are peaceful. (over 93%) men. A large number of protesters have only been that a number of police and popular forces have been in some cases turned violent, and said the police will act On Wednesday night, Nakhalah said the resistance group present in the gathering centers and avoided joining the martyred in these attacks. upon its responsibilities to restore tranquility and security had laid out a list of demands for the ceasefire with Israel to rioters in sabotage attacks on public and private properties. Nearly 1,000 people have been arrested across the country based on people’s demands. Egyptian moderators. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY NOVEMBER 19, 2019

STOCK MARKET Iran, China form joint arbitration TEDPIX 302726.1 IFX 3866.17 Sources: tse.ir, Ifb.ir committee for trade ties

ECONOMY TEHRAN – Head of political relations and the two countries have CURRENCIES deskTehran Chamber of been taking steps to further expand their Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture relations in all areas especially in economic USD 42,000 rials (TCCIMA) said Iran and China have sectors. EUR 46,455 rials established a joint arbitration committee According to Khansari, the trade turnover to supervise the trade between the two sides. between the two countries reached $32 billion GBP 54,285 rials “Considering the high volume of trade in the past Iranian calendar year (ended on AED 11,437 rials between the two countries, it is necessary to March 20, 2019). resolve some issues that arise between the two Headed by Khansari, the Iranian Source: cbi.ir sides’ traders through this joint arbitration delegation visited China to explore avenues committee, without the need to referring of economic cooperation between the two them to the court,” Masoud Khansari told countries’ private sectors. IRNA on Monday. During their visit, the Iranian delegation COMMODITIES Khansari who visited northern China met with representatives of Shanghai Brent $63.13/b on top of a trade delegation last week, said International Cooperation Association of Tehran and Beijing commerce chambers are Small and Medium Enterprises (SME), WTI $57.57/b strong chambers and cooperation between wherein the two sides stressed expansion them could have very positive outcomes for of cooperation between their SMEs. OPEC Basket $63.00/b both sides. TCCIMA also signed a trilateral Gold $1,460.05/oz Mentioning the Iranian delegation’s two countries, so regular visits and meetings relations between the two countries have memorandum of understand (MOU) meetings with the Chinese sides, the official between the two sides are crucial. been particularly good in recent years, and for cooperation with China Chamber of Silver $$16.86/oz said China is Iran’s top trade partner and Further emphasizing the good economic we can increase the relations between the International Commerce (CCOIC) and the two countries’ private sectors even further.” Platinium $885.70/oz a large number of businessmen from both relations between the two sides, the TCCIMA Iranian Chamber of Commerce in the North Iran and China are doing business in the head said, “Despite sanctions, [economic] Iran and China have great economic and China region of Beijing on Wednesday. Sources: oilprice.com, Moneymetals.com

Southwestern Iranian port Imposing duty on exports of iron ore a right decision? to be connected to Syria 1 When the owners of mines sustain losses with have caused exports to take priority over domestic needs. the low prices, they prefer to set up iron ore pellet and Preventing exports of raw materials an im- through Iraq concentrate production units, but not sell the iron ore at portant issue any price to the steel producers, he commented. While there are many opponents of the new duty, the 1 Iran, Iraq and Syria held a tripartite meeting in Tehran Duty has not resolved steel producers’ problem decision is strongly supported by many officials in the on July 1, for discussing expansion of transportation cooperation Bahram Shakouri, the chairman of Mines and Mining government and parliament. among the three countries. Industries Committee of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Speaking to the media at the time when the duty was As reported, development of rail transport, increasing transit, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA), is of the imposed, the vice chairman of the parliament’s Industries development of exports and imports, and implementation of the opinion that imposing duty on the exports of raw materials and Mines Committee said that preventing exports of raw Shalamcheh-Basra railway were among the topics discussed in has not removed the problem for the steel producers. materials is one of the most important issues currently fol- the meeting. Last week, he said, “We oppose any duty on the export lowed up in the country, because sales of raw materials brings of any commodity, and it’s not just about the chain of profit less than selling the processed products. steel. It is logical that surplus of any product should be Reza Alizadeh said, “Export of iron ore accounts for the exported, for example we have a surplus of hematite in lion’s share of Iran’s raw minerals exports and therefore the country which should be exported without any duty.” it creates high income and job opportunities for the other “We surely need more iron ore in the future to mate- countries rather than our own country.” 2020), while the figure was 8.5 million tons in the past year. rialize our outlook of [the Iranian calendar year] 1404 Seyfollah Amiri, the director general of Mining In- According to the official, the country has exported 2.2 (March 2025-March 2026), but when the duty is imposed dustries Department of the Ministry of Industry, Mining million tons of the product worth $542 million during in the first stage of the steel chain, it will discourage the and Trade, is the other supporter of the mentioned duty. the first five months of the current Iranian calendar year investors which will definitely make the steel producers He predicts that through this duty, the annual export of (March 21-August 22), which was about 30-40 percent face problems for supply of the raw materials in the future”, unprocessed iron ore from Iran will be less than five million lower than the figure of the same period of time in the he commented and concluded that the wrong policies tons in the current Iranian calendar year (ends on March 19, previous year.

In the meeting, Rasouli expressed Iran’s readiness for start- Several dams, power plants to be Expansion of trade ties discussed ing the construction operations of Shalamcheh-Basra railway, inaugurated in Iran by Mar. 2020 between Iran, Georgia urging the Iraqi side to determine and introduce a representative company. ENERGY TEHRAN – Iranian ECONOMY TEHRAN – Head of According to the official, establishing a railway link and cre- deskEnergy Minister Reza deskIran Chamber of Com- ating transit corridors between the three countries were called Ardakanian said nine thermal power merce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture for by officials of all three sides. plants as well as 10 dams are going to (ICCIMA) Gholam-Hossein Shafeie met with In order to complete the Shalamcheh-Basra railroad route, go on stream across the country by the Head of Parliamentary Friendship Group of the 17-kilometer Khorramshahr-Shalamcheh railway project end of the current Iranian calendar year Georgia-Iran Shalva Kikenaveldezia on Sunday was completed in 2011 to connect the Iranian railways to Iraq, (March 19, 2020), the portal of Energy to discuss expansion of trade ties. however the Shalamcheh-Basra part is still unfinished and Iran is Ministry (known as Paven) reported As reported by the ICCIMA portal, in the waiting for the Iraqi side to take necessary measures in this regard. on Monday. meeting the two sides stressed removing of As reported, during the meeting, Iran and Iraq agreed on com- Speaking in the inauguration cer- barriers in the way of banking relations and such projects. ICCIMA Head Gholam-Hossein Shafeie mencing the construction operations of the Shalamcheh-Basra emony of an electricity project in the also bartering trade as ways of boosting trade The mentioned projects will be (2nd R) met with Head of Parliamentary railway project within three months. central province of Semnan, Ardaka- between the two countries. inaugurated as a part of a major pro- Friendship Group of Georgia-Iran Shal- Iran has close political and economic ties with both Iraq and nian said the mentioned projects are In the meeting, Shafeie pointed to deep gram called “A B Iran” [the acronyms va Kikenaveldezia (2nd L) in Tehran on Syria and the economic relations among the three nations have going to be inaugurated to ensure that historical and cultural relations between the A and B stand for water, electricity Sunday. significantly developed in the past few years. all Iranians have access to water and in Persian”, in which 10 trillion rials two counties, saying that development in Geor- electricity. (over $238 million) of projects will be gia’s economy and the country’s potentials for tunities for further cooperation between the According to the minister, the said inaugurated in each of the country’s foreign investment provide a great opportunity two sides,” he added. Christine Lagarde must dams are under construction in Teh- provinces, on average. for economic cooperation. Further in the event, Kikenaveldezia for resist pressure on the ECB’s ran, Ilam, Qom, Yazd, Kerman, West Iran’s current power generation “Development of free economy in Georgia his part emphasized the development of Azarbaijan and Semnan provinces and capacity stands at about 85 GW of has been well underway in recent years and in Iran-Georgia economic relations despite the inflation target when operational they will add 745 which nearly 80 percent is generated terms of reforming the business environment U.S. sanctions and restrictions, and called million cubic meters to Iranian dams’ by thermal power plants. Georgia is one of the successful countries in for the two governments’ support for their Unhappy colleagues know that the best chance they will ever water capacity. The capacity of Iran’s thermal power the region,” Shafeie said. private sectors. have to influence the new boss is right at the start. I am not He further stressed the important plants has increased by 9,000 mega- Underlining various areas for the two sides’ Criticizing the reduction in the trade turno- surprised, therefore, to read that national central bankers in role of water and electricity infrastruc- watts (9GW) over the past six years, economic relations, Shafeie emphasized the ver between Iran and Georgia in recent years, the eurozone see a unique opportunity to influence Christine tures in development of the country, according to Paven. importance of transit cooperation between Kikenaveldezia called on the two sides to take Lagarde. saying that every week 227 water and Since August 2013 up to August 2019 the two countries in the region, noting that necessary measures to boost the level of trade. As per ft.com, her predecessor as president of the Europe- electricity projects will be inaugurated a total of 69 thermal power plants have Iran can access Black Sea through Armenia Kikenaveldezia visited Iran on top of a an Central Bank, Mario Draghi, resisted doing what she has up to the end of the year and the gov- been constructed across the country and Georgia. delegation to hold talks with senior Iranian promised to do: undertake a full review of the ECB’s monetary ernment has allocated 330 trillion rials to add 8,991 MW to the capacity of the “Connecting the Iranian railway network officials and discuss expansion of all out ties strategy. He had other priorities. There is, of course, a strong (about $7.85 billion) for completing country’s thermal electricity output. to Azerbaijan would also provide new oppor- with the Islamic country. case for such a review. But beware of the traps. What speaks in favor is that the ECB persistently failed to meet its inflation target of close to, but below 2 percent. The inherent asymmetry of the target is one of the reasons why the Govt. to pay nearly $72b of cash subsidies next year: PBO head central bank prematurely raised interest rates in 2008 and ECONOMY TEHRAN – Head of Iran’s Planning and rials (over $19 billion) will be paid as direct subsidy to more from the price hikes would be used to fund additional subsidies for 2011, decisions that contributed to the eurozone crisis later. deskBudget Organization (PBO) estimated the than 90 percent of all Iranians, 300 trillion rials more than the 18 million underprivileged families, or about 60 million people. The reason Mr. Draghi avoided that review was in order not total direct and indirect subsides which the government is go- figure for the current year. As part of the Subsidy Reform Plan, the previous government to have the discussion we are having now: whether the ECB ing to pay to people in the next Iranian calendar year (March The Iranian government has started a plan for managing fuel removed some subsidies in 2010 and paid 455,000 rials (nearly should lower the target inflation rate to the actual rate, moving 2020-March 2021) to be 3.02 quadrillion rials (about $71.9 consumption by rationing the subsidized gasoline and increas- $10 based on the official rate of 42000 rials per dollar) to each the goal posts to where the ball is. billion), IRIB reported. ing fuel prices as it plans to pay the revenue to underprivileged and every Iranian on a monthly basis. The debate on inflation targets in the eurozone has a long Speaking on the sidelines of a budget planning meeting on families in the form of direct subsidy. The controversial plan has been retained by the adminis- history. Before the introduction of the euro, the governors of Monday, the official said of the mentioned figure 800 trillion Earlier this week, Nobakht announced that all the proceeds tration of President Hassan Rouhani. the ECB were divided between two different strategies, one focused mostly on monetary analysis and another based on model-based economic analysis. They agreed on a fudge: to have two pillars, a monetary and an economic one, and an inflation target that meant different things to different people. Italy’s industrial engine sputters on German economic malaise Inflation could be too high The tremors from Germany’s downturn frigeration systems to chemicals. tariff war between the U.S. and China, Draghi interpreted it as a symmetrical target — where devi- are reverberating in Italy — particularly The impact is tightly concentrated. and the Brexit issue.” ation on the downside and the upside are equally undesirable. in the country’s industrial heartland. Three-quarters of sales to Germany are A number of car-components makers German central bankers never really accepted that inflation According to hellenicshippingnews. produced in five north-central regions: are clustered throughout Lombardy and could ever be too low as long as it is firmly positive. But they com, companies big and small in the Lombardy, whose capital is Milan; Pied- Piedmont, whose capital Turin is birthplace reluctantly supported this compromise, not expecting that we prosperous northern regions have been mont; Tuscany; Emilia Romagna and of Agnelli family-founded automaker Fiat. would ever reach the point where the agreed fudge would be- hit by declining sales as Europe’s largest Veneto, the region surrounding Venice. Fonderia di Torbole, a disc brake come a problem. economy buckles under a manufactur- “Compared with the rest of Italy, the maker in Brescia, is among those with A near-decade of financial and economic crises has thrown ing slump. That’s a problem for Italy’s north is extremely exposed to the trend of an interest in a strong Germany, as it the eurozone economy so far off course that the relationship government, desperate to boost its own exports, and what’s happening at the global accounts for about a third of the group’s between output, interest rates and prices has broken down. We economic growth to help it get control of level,” said Giuseppe Pasini, president 160 million euros of annual sales. Clients do not know whether this is permanent or temporary. The very Europe’s largest public debt load. of the Industrial Association of Brescia, include German car giant Volkswagen concept of inflation targeting depends on a stable relationship Germany is Italy’s top export destina- of goods sold in 2018, mostly industrial near Milan. “It’s not only the German AG as well as Toyota Motor Corp. and between those variables. tion, with 58 billion euros ($64 billion) products, from auto components to re- problem, but also uncertainty about the Hyundai Motor Co. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y NOVEMBER 19, 2019 ENERGY 5

‘Gasoline rationing With LNG, it’s time to bury old myths and embrace the could bring Iran new reality By Justin Leverenz There is one commodity which we are excited about for the next $3b of exports 10 years, one where the super-cycle has only recently announced itself - liquefied natural gas (LNG). Two major structural shifts are happening at the moment: the globalization of natural gas - traditionally a local or, at best, regional commodity - and the political will in China and elsewhere revenue a year’ in Asia to secure affordable, reliable, and clean energy. Our search has been global, but we believe one of the most ENERGY TEHRAN — Deputy million liters and sell it to other Persian Gulf does not mean raising other commodity and distribution”, he explained. promising opportunities is Novatek, a Russian-listed private gas deskminister of economic neighbors, we would export about four billion services prices, adding “If gasoline prices rise Dehnavi further underlined some of the company. affairs and finance of Iran says the fuel rationing rials (about $952,000) a day….that would 50 percent, it does not mean that taxi and benefits of implementing the fuel rationing Commodities are rarely associated with explosive consumption plan would make the country able to export be 14 trillion rials a year,” Mohammad-Ali freight transportation fees will also rise by plan, saying “when fuel becomes expensive, growth. While the rise of China challenged this notion, the best 3.65 billion liters of gasoline every year and Dehghan Dehnavi told ILNA. 50 percent.” people are encouraged to buy cheaper cars, and days of the super-cycle in materials are clearly behind us. For earn about 14 trillion rials (about $3.3 billion) According to Dehnavi, the share of gasoline The government wants to distribute the automakers will also be encouraged to upgrade example, over the past three years, the world’s consumption of from the exports. in the Iranian households’ basket is only 2.5 proceeds of the plan among the people and their production lines to manufacture more copper rose just 0.6% per annum, and it is unlikely to expand “On average, 100 million liters of gasoline percent so the increase in gasoline prices is not it would be fairer if wealthier people pay fuel efficient cars, which will consequently much beyond this rate. However, there is one commodity which we is produced in the country on a daily basis. going to have a great impact on their livelihood. more while less privileged population get lead to less fuel consumption and less air are excited about for the next 10 years, one where the super-cycle If we could reduce fuel consumption by 10 He noted that increasing gasoline prices more subsidies, this is called “open income pollution.” has only recently announced itself - liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Oil prices edge up on trade-talk optimism, OPEC meeting Oil prices inched higher on Monday, extending steady up slowing growth, China’s Central Bank unexpectedly gains from the previous week, with investors awaiting trimmed a closely watched lending rate on Monday, the fresh clues over prospects for a trade deal between the first such cut in more than four years. United States and China and shrugging off concerns The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Coun- over steadily rising oil supplies. tries (OPEC) said on Thursday it expected demand for Brent crude futures LCOc1 were up 11 cents, or 0.2%, its oil to fall in 2020, supporting a view among market to $63.41 a barrel at 0751 GMT. The contract rose 1.3% participants that there is a case for the group and other last week. producers like Russia - collectively known as ‘OPEC+’ - West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude CLc1 were 21 to maintain limits on production that were introduced cents, or 0.4%, higher at $57.93 a barrel, having gained to cope with a supply glut. 0.8% last week. OPEC and its allies are expected to discuss output Early in the session, crude prices were mostly flat to policy at a meeting on December 5-6 in Vienna. Their The LNG market has been in the doldrums for some time. their previous close as the market consolidated after existing production deal runs until March. Between 2011 and 2016, total global consumption rose by just Friday’s rally, said Margaret Yang, market analyst at U.S. energy firms this week reduced the number of 17 million tons. But over the course of 2017 and 2018, demand CMC Markets. biggest economies has slowed growth around the world oil rigs operating for a fourth week in a row, cutting skyrocketed by 63 million tons. The size of the global LNG market Oil futures gained nearly 2% on Friday as comments and prompted analysts to lower forecasts for oil de- 10 oil rigs in the week to Nov. 15, energy services firm stood at 320 million tons last year, and we expect it to roughly from a top U.S. official raised optimism for a U.S.-China mand growth, raising concerns that a supply glut could Baker Hughes Co BRK.N said on Friday. The total count double by the end of the next decade. trade deal, but worries about increasing crude supplies develop in 2020. is now 674, the lowest since April 2017. Two major structural shifts are happening at the moment: capped prices. China and the United States had “constructive talks” Money managers raised their net long U.S. crude the globalization of natural gas - traditionally a local or, at best, “In the short term, U.S.-China trade talks and (the) on trade in a high-level phone call on Saturday, state futures and options positions by 39,995 contracts to regional commodity - and the political will in China and elsewhere OPEC meeting in early December are the two biggest media Xinhua said, but it offered few other details in a 169,386 in the week to Nov. 12, the U.S. Commodity in Asia to secure affordable, reliable, and clean energy. events oil traders are watching for,” said Yang. report released on Sunday. Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) said on Friday. Natural gas has long been viewed as the “fuel of choice,” a The 16-month trade war between the world’s two In a signal that policymakers are ready to act to prop (Source: Reuters) privilege confined either to producing countries like Russia and the United States, or to the domain of the economically devel- oped, like Europe or Japan. This old world view is now collapsing. Earlier last year, China became the largest importer of natural gas, overtaking Japan. Tankers: Oil market’s balancing act will require more cuts The fuel of necessity LNG specifically is becoming the “fuel of necessity,” and the With the next OPEC meeting soon un- and crude prices before making a pre- growth from here will be driven by China, other Asia ex-Japan derway, tanker owners are looking for mature decision”. countries, and eventually India. Our meetings with policymakers the next oil market’s direction. In its Meanwhile, “for the tanker market in China reconfirmed this outlook: fostering a healthy environ- latest weekly report, shipbroker Gibson OPEC cuts always tend to strike fear into ment is being viewed as critical to maintaining social stability, said that “in just a few weeks’ time OPEC the Owner’s hearts, however, all things and nurturing gas consumption, as well as finding substitution and its allies will meet again to discuss being equal the oil market has to find for low quality, are integral to both. the oil markets. a balance. The supply-side is shifting as well. Qatar, which accounted for As stated by hellenicshippingnews. Cuts from OPEC Middle East pro- nearly a third of the market in 2016, will likely be temporarily com, analysts are mixed on what the ducers should be more welcome than a overtaken by Australia next year. The United States, irrelevant on decision will be, with the next few weeks slowdown in production from the U.S., the LNG map until three years ago, could account for one-sixth having the potential to influence OPEC’s which is the only other real ‘swing’ pro- of global LNG production as soon as 2020. Finally, Russia will final decision. At this stage it would seem ducer. OPEC may have abandoned its challenge all three contenders for the LNG throne, securing at likely that the current agreement, which market share strategy in 2017 in favor least one-tenth of the market by the middle of the next decade, expires in March 2020, will be main- of one which supports prices and may and a credible chance to become the “next Qatar” in the long run. tained. However, several events taking well stick to this approach for the fore- The narrative becomes much more powerful considering place over the coming weeks could in- seeable future. that the LNG market may begin tightening in 2020 and could fluence the decision-making process”. the lack of progress will only add fur- confidence to maintain output. However, The future of OPEC may also be in move into deficit early in the next decade. We believe the world “Pricing signals will of course be key. ther downwards pressure on prices. The the group also must consider output question. Ecuador will leave at the end will need more liquefied gas than is currently being sanctioned With the meeting taking place on the 5-6 possibility of a Trump-Xi meeting just increases from other countries such of 2019, just 12 months after Qatar’s by the energy companies, which under-invested in LNG during December and Aramco’s IPO in early days before the OPEC conference creates as Brazil, Norway and Guyana, which withdrawal, further reducing the group’s the oil price debacle of 2014-2016. The energy companies lack December, Saudi Arabia will be keen to additional uncertainty”. contribute 800,000 b/d collectively. control on global oil output. And whilst a sufficient quantity of viable projects and are using their cash see stability in oil prices. If oil prices The shipbroker added that “eyes will All in all, without any OPEC cuts, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro sug- flow to channel dividends to their still wounded shareholders begin to slide in the weeks approaching of course be heavily focused on U.S. global crude production growth is ex- gested earlier this month that he would rather than invest. the meeting, then the rhetoric may well crude production and exports. The mar- pected to average 1.8 million b/d. Unless like to join OPEC, such a move is con- So, the race is on. The question is how to invest in such a powerful shift towards deeper cuts or stricter com- ket expectations for U.S. output have any major outages occur, U.S. produc- sidered unlikely, given Brazil’s desire to and structurally durable theme in an emerging market context? pliance. Likewise, any progress (or lack been pared back over the course of the tion growth stalls, or demand surprises expand production. And their lies the This is where the challenges begin. First, it is hard to find pure of) with regards to trade talks between year, although the latest forecast from significantly to the upside, OPEC will group’s core issue, how to grow produc- exposure outside of the United States. (It can now be found mainly the U.S. and China will be pivotal. the EIA is still expecting growth of 1 surely have to act eventually. tion and maintain prices in a mutually with the tolling companies rather than with the integrated gas A major breakthrough could of course million b/d for 2020 despite the ongoing OPEC’s decision may also be influ- acceptable range, whilst also tackling producers.) Second, the credibility of the major energy companies see demand expectations revisited up- decline in U.S. rig count. enced by the pending IMO2020 regu- slower longer-term demand growth …,” is extremely low. Wood Mackenzie, one of the leading research wards, giving the cartel and its partners Considering output increases lations, with the group waiting to see the shipbroker concluded. and consulting firms for the energy industry, recently estimated confidence to stay the course; equally, On the face of it, this may give OPEC+ the impact on demand, refining margins (Source: Shipbroker) that during the last decade, the “15 largest offshore projects were late and collectively $80 billion over budget.” Finally, we remain highly skeptical of the risk-reward profile in the next generation LNG provinces such as Mozambique. Investing in commodities Can we transition to renewables without tradeoffs? Hence, our approach to investing in commodity companies By Vitaliy Soloviy No matter how the future unfolds, au- is really no different from our approach with any other sector. thors suggest that geopolitics will be a crucial We look for companies with a unique and scalable asset base, Sustainable energy futures are a complex factor influencing the energy transition. As management/owners who are culturally inclined to consistently riddle. There are many ways to get there but competition remains a key driving force be- create value, and stock valuations that, for some temporary rea- each has its winners and losers, promises hind the transition, suboptimal results are sons, reflect neither of these strengths. and risks. highly likely. Meanwhile, scenarios driven Our search has been global, but we believe one of the most A new paper in WIREs Climate Change by collaboration are much more likely to promising opportunities is Novatek (OTCPK:NOVKY) (OTC:N- looks at the complexity behind possible en- generate win-wins, as well as peaceful and STKF), a Russian-listed private gas company. While the entire ergy futures. Building upon global reports just transitions. industry was suffering from a lack of capital discipline, Novatek and expert insights it looks at four “theories Significant changes in what matters launched its first and the world’s largest (non-government owned) of the future” and their potential to support may occur depending on the scenario. A LNG project - Yamal LNG - at the end of 2017. It did so on time, on Paris targets and sustainability goals. sustainable energy trajectory will feature budget, and in the harshest environmental conditions imaginable The “Big Green Deal” scenario suggests competition over access to clean technology. (the Russian Arctic). active international collaboration for imple- Fossil-based one will be all about resources. It is estimated that it will be bigger in size than the infamous menting the Paris Agreement. Fossil fuel di- And even though technology can deliver Australian Gorgon (Chevron (NYSE:CVX)) and built with less vestment would skyrocket and renewables necessary climate goals, the benefits to the than half of the price tag. providers would come to rule fast. The scenario general public would remain under question. Many of the firm’s future projects, in our view, will enhance also includes support to the Middle East for the globe. fast enough. Meanwhile, technologies like Focusing on the state-market-technol- its strengths. Novatek’s long-term strategy is to increase its LNG a soft transition, the achievement of all SDGs The third scenario takes the technology carbon capture and storage may allow fossil ogy tension, the paper doesn’t cover the production capacity target to 70 million tons per year by 2030, and a significant reduction in conflicts. promise seriously. Energy storage innova- fuels to stay in the game for a somewhat whole specter of possibilities, leaving action up from a previous target of 57 million. Hence, we were not sur- The second, “zero-sum anarchy” scenario tion and cheaper solar paired with favorable longer period. by cities, citizens and other actors largely prised last year when the French oil and gas company Total SA paints a different picture. Driven by nation- policies in China and the U.S. would make Finally, in the business as usual scenar- unnoticed. Thus, the inclusion of a wider (NYSE:TOT) had acquired a stake in its second future project alism, it presumes the spread of renewables renewables the new normal. Driven by io, the current pace of transition lags far range of actors and factors might have led (Arctic LNG-2) at a valuation of more than half of Novatek’s on a different premise: national security. corporate interests and regional economic behind the necessary targets. Still, many to more elaborate insights. market capitalization. However, little international pressure to alliances, the scenario might lead to con- fossil-based companies fail to adapt fast Authors conclude that a sustainable In May this year, Novatek announced that its third major LNG reduce fossil fuel use would lead to a much flicts over rare metals, uneven distribution enough. Both Africa and the Middle East energy future is the only endpoint we can plant in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District will be launched slower change. The absence of the neces- of the benefits and progress on some but may suffer greatly, with Europe, China, and expect. However, the roads ahead vary vastly in 2022 (Obsky LNG). Given the Russian government’s focus sary economies of scale would also lead to not all SDGs. the U.S. each pushing forward their own in terms of costs and benefits. Find common on developing LNG, and what we perceive as Novatek’s flawless higher renewables prices. Get ready for the Fossil fuels in the game agendas. Expect growing energy inequal- language beyond markets and technology execution over its 24-year history, and its strong partners like failure of both the Paris Agreement and the In this scenario, Europe becomes margin- ity, geopolitical clubs and little progress might be our best chance for success. Total and China’s CNPC, we see a bright future for this company. SDGs, paired with growing conflicts around alized and Russia ends up failing to transition on the SDGs. (Source: sustainability-times.com) (Source: seekingalpha.com) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 INTERNATIONAL NOVEMBER 19, 2019

A New generation of vets: America’s arms sales Ending endless war from the right By Maj. Danny Sjursen addiction They sure didn’t look the part. These weren’t a bunch of stere- otypical hippie peaceniks. As I surveyed the room in the beau- By William D. Hartung and Tom Engelhardt tiful DC brownstone which hosted the BringOurTroopsHome. us opening night reception, I saw well-built, well-dressed men ANTIWAR — Honestly, if a single corporate entity con- and women, many still sporting military-style haircuts (though trolled three-quarters of the global market in a product, often with a well-groomed beard). Instead of tie-dye shirts, I you’d call it a monopoly, right? Well, in 2011, that was spied some flag-lapel pins, a few Trump 2020 ball caps, and the situation of the United States when it came to the even a big old cowboy hat. Yet all these relatively young combat arms trade. This country sold more than three-quarters veterans were gathered in the nation’s capital last week with a of the weapons on the global arms market (a significant common cause: ending America’s endless wars! The very wars, proportion of them into the already violent Middle of course, that they had fought, the wars they could still smell, East). And that should still be stunning. But I’d bet top the wars that killed their friends. dollars that, while you could read about it then, that remarkable fact wasn’t a front-page story. It wasn’t, in fact, much of a story at all. In the intervening years, as the arms trade has grown back to near Cold War levels, especially in the Middle East, the U.S. has solidified its position as the planet’s major arms salesman, sending weaponry to at least 98 countries. In 2018, for instance, 54% of the weaponry going into the Middle Eastern arms market was ours and yet while this information is available, in a world where the cheers, boos, and chants that now greet any public appearance by Don- ald Trump are a top news story, America’s role in the global weapons trade is, at best, an afterthought. (It matters little that, in polls, 70% of Americans oppose our selling arms to any other country at all as a danger The entire event was remarkable, and, even a few years ago, to the world.) would have seemed unthinkable. What I witnessed, and took Don’t you consider it just a tad strange that the media part in, represents a profound pivot point in America’s post- of the nation that – no matter the president in these 9/11 forever wars. As those hopeless, countless, conflicts enter years – continues to flood the world with weaponry their 19th year, the nation’s veterans have finally had enough. of just about every imaginable sort, pays remarkably promoting stability and security, historically it’s been fighters” from Afghanistan to Nicaragua sparked the I’d noticed the first rumblings of this over the last coupe of years, little attention to that fact? another story entirely. Iran-Contra scandal. At its heart lay a bizarre and elab- when texts and phone conversations with old military buddies, Fortunately, TomDispatch has Pentagon expert Wil- Washington’s role as the Middle East’s top arms orate covert effort led by National Security Council staff and still serving officers, took on increasing frustrated, even exas- liam Hartung, author of Prophets of War: Lockheed supplier has its roots in remarks made by Richard Nixon member Oliver North and a band of shadowy middlemen perated, tones. Then, this past summer, came empirical evidence Martin and the Making of the Military-Industrial Complex, half a century ago on the island of Guam. It was the to supply U.S. weapons to the hostile regime of Ayatol- of what many had suspected, in the form polls which indicated to fill the void. For this website at least, Washington’s Vietnam War era and the president was on his way to lah Khomeini in Iran. The hope was to gain Tehran’s nearly two-thirds of veterans felt the wars they’d once fought urge to constantly supply the planet with devastating South Vietnam. Casualties there were mounting rapidly help in freeing U.S. hostages in Lebanon. North and were “not worth it.” Coming from a caste of volunteers that tend kinds of weaponry (often used on innocent civilians) with no clear end to the conflict in sight. During that company then used the proceeds from those sales to to be slightly more rural, conservative, and likely to have a family in grim wars that shouldn’t be fought remains a story stopover in Guam, Nixon assured reporters accompanying arm anti-government Contra rebels in Nicaragua in legacy in the military, that’s a significant statement. of the first order. him that it was high time to end the practice of sending violation of an explicit Congressional ban on such aid. It must be said, of course, that BringOurTroopsHome.us is not It’s no secret that Donald Trump is one of the most large numbers of U.S troops to overseas battlefields. Worse yet, the Reagan administration transferred a partisan organization. After all, the gathering was rather diverse: aggressive arms salesmen in history. How do we know? To “avoid another war like Vietnam anywhere in the arms and provided training to extremist mujahedeen including veterans of different races, genders, and regions. In Because he tells us so at every conceivable opportunity. world,” he was instead putting a new policy in place, factions in Afghanistan, acts which would, in the end, fact, the next afternoon, the organization set up meetings with It started with his much exaggerated “$110 billion arms later described by a Pentagon official as “sending arms help arm groups and individuals that later formed these veterans’ congressmen and senators from 24 states. Still, deal” with Saudi Arabia, announced on his first foreign instead of sending troops.” al-Qaeda (and similar groups). That would, of course, the attendees clearly leaned in a rightward, libertarian direction. trip as president. It continued with his White House The core of what came to be known as the Nixon prove a colossal example of the kind of blowback that In a sense I, a vaguely liberal sort, initially felt the odd man out. photo op with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Doctrine was the arming of regional surrogates, coun- unrestricted arms trading too often generates. When Dan McKnight, a founding member, called and invited me, which he brandished a map with a state-by-state rundown tries with sympathetic rulers or governments that could The embarrassment and public criticism generated I confessed my political differentiation. He immediately assured of American jobs supposedly tied to arms sales to the promote U.S. interests without major contingents of by the revelation that the U.S. and other major suppliers me that all veterans opposed to these wars were welcome, and I kingdom. And it’s never ended. In these years in office, the American military being on hand. Of such potential had helped arm the Iraqi military created a new opening decided in that moment to attend. I’d long surmised that there’s in fact, the president has been a staunch advocate for his surrogates at that moment, the most important was for restraint. Leaders in the U.S., Great Britain, and other a natural potential alliance budding between progressive and good friends at Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and the Shah of Iran, with whom a CIA-British intelligence arms-trading nations pledged to do better in the future libertarian antiwar activists. Perhaps I’d found an organization General Dynamics – the main corporate beneficiaries coup replaced a civilian government back in 1953 and by increasing information about and scrutiny of their in the vanguard of this powerful nexus. of the U.S.-Saudi arms trade (unlike the thousands of who proved to have an insatiable appetite for top-of- sales to the region. This resulted in two main initiatives: Featured speakers over the two day event included a lieutenant American soldiers the president recently sent into that the-line U.S. weaponry. the United Nations arms trade register, where member governor and state majority whip, both from the Mountain West, a country’s desert landscapes to defend its oil facilities). In the Nixon years, Saudi Arabia, too, became a states were urged to voluntarily report their arms im- retired special operations brigadier general, a few retired lieutenant All the American arms sales to the Middle East major weapons client of Washington, not so much be- ports and exports, and talks among those five Security colonels, as well as young former sergeants and corporals. All have had a severe and lasting set of consequences in cause it feared its regional neighbors then, but because Council members (the largest suppliers of weapons to were committed, regardless of their personal angles or strategies, the region in, as a start, the brutal Saudi/United Arab it had seemingly limitless oil funds to subsidize U.S. the Middle East) on limiting arms sales to the region. to the belief that endless war erodes republican institutions and Emirates war in Yemen, which has killed thousands of weapons makers at a time when the Pentagon budget However, the P-5 talks, as they were called, quickly inappropriately churns up the nation’s servicemen and women. civilians via air strikes using U.S. weaponry and pushed was beginning to be reduced. In addition, Saudi sales fell apart when China decided to sell a medium-range The event was carefully organized and highly professional, in millions of Yemenis to the brink of famine. And don’t helped recoup some of the revenue streaming out of missile system to Saudi Arabia and President Bill Clinton’s keeping with the military backgrounds and experiences of the forget the recent Turkish invasion of Syria in which the U.S. to pay for higher energy prices exacted by the administration began making new regional weapons group’s leadership. Media had been coordinated, and several both the Turkish forces and the Kurdish-led militias newly formed OPEC oil cartel. It was a process then deals at a pace of more than $1 billion per month while dozen congressional visits scheduled. they attacked relied heavily on U.S.-supplied weaponry. quaintly known as “recycling petrodollars.” negotiations were underway. The other suppliers con- It was unfortunate, then, that the very day of the event, as these Donald Trump has made it abundantly clear that he The freewheeling arms trade of the Nixon years even- cluded that the Clinton arms surge violated the spirit esteemed national servants gathered in Washington to protest cares far more about making deals for that weaponry tually prompted a backlash. In 1976, for the first (and of the talks, which soon collapsed, leading in the pres- the most important issue of the times, most of the press and the than who uses any of it against whom. It’s important last) time, a presidential candidate – Jimmy Carter idency of George W. Bush to a whole new Iraqi debacle. country’s legislators were busy – distracted by the impeachment to note, however, that, historically speaking, he’s been – made reining in the arms trade a central theme of The most important series of arms deals during the charade on Capitol Hill. Here were decorated veterans, who’d anything but unique in his obsession with promoting his 1976 campaign for the White House. He called for George W. Bush years involved the training and equipping done all the nation asked of them, prepared to oppose the endless such weapons exports (though he is uniquely loud about imposing greater human-rights scrutiny on arms ex- of the Iraqi military in the wake of the invasion of Iraq wars crippling this ostensible democracy, and all the political doing so). ports, reducing the total volume of arms transfers, and and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. But $25 billion and media class cared about was the aimless Ukraine-gate affair, Despite its supposedly strained relationship with the initiating talks with the Soviet Union on curbing sales in U.S. arms and training was not enough to create a a partisan parody almost certain to amount to nothing. As such, Saudi regime, the Obama administration, for example, to regions of tension like the Middle East. force capable of defeating the modestly armed militants most of us received audiences of staffers rather than the legislators still managed to offer the royals of that kingdom a re- Meanwhile, members of Congress, led by Democratic of ISIS, when they swept into northern Iraq in 2014 themselves. Our flood of congressional visits was still a powerful cord $136 billion in U.S. weapons between 2009 and Senators Gaylord Nelson and Hubert Humphrey, felt and captured large swaths of territory and major cities, statement, but our representatives mostly owed us better. 2017. Not all of those offers resulted in final sales, but that it was long past time for Capitol Hill to have a role including Mosul. Iraqi security forces, short on food Personally, I met with two representatives – a Democrat from striking numbers did. Items sold included Boeing F-15 in decision-making when it came to weapons sales. Too and equipment due to corruption and incompetence, New York City and a Republican from Kansas – both veterans combat aircraft and Apache attack helicopters, General often Congressional representatives found out about were also short on morale, and in some cases virtually themselves, and a senator from Kansas. Rep. Steve Watkins, of Dynamics M-1 tanks, Raytheon precision-guided bombs, major deals only by reading news reports in the papers abandoned their posts (and U.S. weaponry) in the face Kansas, a fellow West Point graduate, did give me some unex- and Lockheed Martin bombs, combat ships, and missile long after such matters had been settled. Among the of those ISIS attacks. pected and unscheduled face time. He was cordial, personable, defense systems. Many of those weapons have since major concerns driving their actions: the Nixon-era Donald Trump has carried on the practice of offering and refreshingly informal, even though our politics diverge in been put to use in the war in Yemen. surge of arms sales to Saudi Arabia, then still an avowed weaponry in quantity to allies in the Middle East, es- almost every way. Nonetheless, the staffers with whom I spoke To its credit, the Obama administration did at least adversary of Israel; the use of U.S.-supplied weapons by pecially the Saudis, though his major rationale for the in each office had few answers to my desperate pleas to front have an internal debate on the wisdom of continuing such both sides in the Greek-Turkish conflict over the island deals is to generate domestic jobs and revenues for the load foreign policy and take tangible action – repeal the 2001/02 a trade. In December 2016, late in his second term, the of Cyprus; and covert sales to extremist right-wing forces major weapons contractors. In fact, investing money AUMFs, wield the War Powers Act to end, or at least legally sanc- president finally did suspend the sale of precision-guided in southern Africa, notably the South African-backed and effort in almost anything else, from infrastructure tion these conflicts – on the the national disgrace of forever war. bombs to the Royal Saudi Air Force due to a mounting Union for the Total Independence of Angola. The answer to renewable energy technologies, would produce more Most pointed to, and defended, aspects of their bosses’ records toll of Yemeni civilian deaths in U.S.-supplied Saudi was the passage of the Arms Export Control Act of 1978, jobs in the U.S. No matter though, the beat just goes on. on these issues. And admittedly, some had opposed the Yemen air strikes. This was, however, truly late in the game, which required that Congress be notified of any major One notable development of the Trump years has war, and one backed – at least in principle – the president’s given that the Saudi regime first intervened in Yemen sales in advance and asserted that it had the power to been a revived Congressional interest in curbing weap- (unfulfilled) proposal to end the U.S. military presence in Syria. in March 2015 and the slaughter of civilians began soon veto any of them viewed as dangerous or unnecessary. ons sales, with a particular focus on ending support for Still, when asked about inconsistencies in their war votes and after that. As it happened, though, neither President Carter’s the Saudi-led war in Yemen. (Watching Turkish and positions, and their (thus far) unwillingness to lead on this issue, By then, of course, Washington’s dominance of the initiative nor the new legislation put a significant dent Kurdish forces face off, each armed in a major way by I was treated to mostly excuses. These ranged from the partisan Mideast arms trade was taken for granted, despite an in such arms trafficking. In the end, for instance, Carter the U.S., should certainly add to that desire.) Under variety – Republican reps can’t achieve much while the Dems occasional large British or French deal like the scan- decided to exempt the Shah’s Iran from serious hu- the leadership of Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), Sen- control the House – to the structural and bureaucratic. House dal-plagued Al Yamamah sale of fighter planes and other man-rights strictures and his hardline national security ator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), and committee leadership, it seems, have too much power and equipment to the Saudis, the largest arms deal in the advisor, Zbigniew Brzezinski, undercut those talks with Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA), and Representative often stifle bold, especially bipartisan, positions. Nonetheless, history of the United Kingdom. According to the Stockholm the Soviet Union on reducing arms sales. Ted Lieu (D-CA), Congress has voted to block bomb with young men and women born after September 2001 cur- International Peace Research Institute, from 2014 to Carter also wanted to get the new Rapid Deploy- sales and other forms of military support for Saudi rently training for a war older than they are, the national debt 2018 the United States accounted for more than 54% of ment Force (RDF) he established – which eventually Arabia, only to have their efforts vetoed by President skyrocketing, and civil liberties at home increasingly eroding, known arms deliveries to the Middle East. Russia lagged morphed into the U.S. Central Command – access to Trump, that country’s main protector in Washington. the time for political excuses is long past. And I told them so. far behind with a 9.5% share of the trade, followed by military bases in the Persian Gulf region and was will- Still, congressional action on Saudi sales has been un- The veteran activists of BringOurTroopsHome.us are just the France (8.6%), England (7.2%), and Germany (4.6%). ing to use arms deals to do so. The RDF was to be the precedented in its persistence and scope. It may yet start of what may well be a deluge of antiwar former soldiers, China, often cited as a possible substitute supplier, should centerpiece of the Carter Doctrine, a response to the prevail, if a Democrat wins the presidency in 2020. sailors, airmen, and marines finally ready to speak out against the U.S. ever decide to stop arming repressive regimes 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the fall of the After all, every one of the major presidential contenders endless conflict in the Greater Middle East. They’ll be, I promise like Saudi Arabia, came in at less than 1%. Shah of Iran. As the president made clear in his 1980 has pledged to end arms sales that support the Saudi you, on the right side of history. Their congressmen – imbued The U.S. government’s stated rationales for pouring State of the Union address: “An attempt by any outside war effort in Yemen. with the constitutional duty to fund, sanction, and oversee war arms into that ever-more-embattled region include: forces to gain control of the Persian Gulf region will Such deals with Saudi Arabia and other Mideast – I’m not so sure of. That they’ve allowed these aimless forever building partnerships with countries theoretically will- be regarded as an assault on the vital interests of the states may be hugely popular with the companies that wars to gather an inertia all their own, and have yet to unite to ing to fight alongside U.S. forces in a crisis; swapping United States. It will be repelled by use of any means profit from the trade, but the vast majority of Americans stop the madness, is – in the words of that retired general who arms for access to military bases in Kuwait, the United necessary, including the use of force.” Selling arms in the oppose runaway arms trading on the sensible grounds gave the organization’s keynote speech – “unforgivable.” Arab Emirates, Qatar, and other Persian Gulf states; region would prove a central pillar of his new doctrine. that it makes the world less safe. The question now is: As I warned each of the three staffers assigned to politely creating “stability” by building up allied militaries to be Meanwhile, most major sales continued to sail through Will Congress play a greater role in attempting to block hear me out, the issue is urgent; potential tragedy imminent. stronger than those of potential adversaries like Iran; Congress with barely a discouraging word. such weapons deals with the Saudis and human-rights Take action, be a leader, and stop these wars now, I repeated, and generating revenue for U.S. weapons contractors, Who Armed Saddam Hussein? abusers or will America’s weapons-sales addiction and or something even more dreadful will be partly on their hands: as well as jobs for American workers. Of course, such While the volume of those arms sales didn’t spike its monopoly position in the Middle Eastern arms trade the inevitable death of a soldier born after the 9/11 attacks in the sales have indeed benefited those contractors and se- dramatically under President Ronald Reagan, his de- simply continue, setting the stage for future disasters nation’s longest ever war. Now that’s unforgivable cured access to bases in the region, but when it comes to termination to weaponize anti-communist “freedom of every sort? I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y NOVEMBER 19, 2019 ANALYSIS & INTERVIEW 7 Polls that do not benefit Trump! A nightmare called Ukraine Gate Recent polls in the United States show Still, Warren has a 7.3 percentage point investigations into Biden and Burisma. Security Council official, testified that that President Donald Trump is not in a lead over Trump nationally in the Real The details also raise questions about Sondland gave repeated assurances that good position. Here’s a look at the latest Clear Politics average of polls. Sanders how Sondland will perform in his public he was acting with the president’s back- news and analysis on Ukraine Gate and has a 7.9 percentage point lead over the testimony in front of House impeach- ing.“Ambassador Sondland believed and its impact on Trump’s popularity: incumbent. ment investigators Wednesday. He is at least related to me that the President Trump’s Ukraine scandal rooted in But in the New York Times survey of slated to appear this week along with a was giving him instruction,” Morrison fear of Biden swing states, no Democrat can match slew of other top U.S. officials, several said. “He related to me he was acting— Juan Williams wrote in The Hill that Biden’s performance against Trump. of them from the State Department, to he was discussing these matters with the “Why is President Trump so nervous about Sanders is ahead of Trump in three of answer questions about what he knew President.” the 2020 race?”He has a record amount the six states but loses in three others. of the efforts to oust U.S. Ambassador Sondland told Andriy Yermak, one of of campaign cash. Russian bots are still Warren wins in only one, loses to Trump Marie Yovanovitch and Rudy Giuliani’s Zelensky’s top aides, during a “sidebar” working for him. And he still has the back- in three and is even in two.And among campaign to convince Ukraine to launch meeting in Warsaw that “what could help ing of more than 80 percent of his party. independent voters, who gave Trump a certain investigations. them move the aid was if the prosecutor So, how do I know he’s so nervous?As 46-42 percent win in 2016, Biden is now Out of eight witnesses, Sondland is general would go to the [mic] and an- Trump loves to say: Read the transcript. ahead of Trump by 17 percentage points, likely to face the most intense scrutiny, nounce that he was opening the Burisma At the heart of the phone call that has according to the Post/ABC poll. especially because of his direct communi- investigation,” Morrison said. led to impeachment hearings is Trump These polls explain why Trump decided cation with President Trump. Last week Hill also talked about the Ward Room going out on a shaky limb to ask Ukrainian it was worth the risk to resort to treachery the top diplomat in Ukraine, William meeting, which she attended in July. She President Volodymyr Zelensky for a “favor.” to sink Biden. Taylor, told lawmakers his aide heard said her director for Ukraine was “com- That “favor” included a request for If Zelensky acceded to Trump’s requests Sondland on the phone with Trump in pletely alarmed” by Sondland’s behavior Zelensky to investigate former Vice Pres- — we have since learnt there were plans a Kiev restaurant talking about “the in- as were the Ukrainians in the room, par- ident Joe Biden and Biden’s son, Hunter. for the Ukrainian president to give a CNN vestigations.” On Friday, David Holmes, ticularly Danylyuk. The only reason for Trump to risk asking interview to this effect — then Trump would a State Department aide in Kyiv, told Both Hill and Vindman told House a foreign leader for help getting political have a 2020 version of Hillary Clinton’s by Congress to help the Ukraine fight off Bolton immediately cut the get-together House investigators during a closed- investigators, too, that Sondland had dirt on an opponent is that he feared that emails and he could revise chants of “Lock Russian military incursions.But Trump’s short, witnesses said, in an attempt to door deposition that he was one of the communicated to them and others that rival’s power. And that November 2020 Her Up,” into chants of “Lock Him Up.” nervousness about Biden convinced him save what had until then been a normal individuals that overheard the president he was working with White House Chief powerhouse in Trump’s mind is Biden. By using Zelensky as a pawn, Trump he had to damage Biden at any cost. meeting. But what’s been less clear—until ask Sondland: “So, is he going to do the of Staff Mick Mulvaney on a plan to press Recall that in June, Trump’s anxiety was could force baseless talk of corruption by If Trump knew in July that by November now—is what happened moments later, investigations?” Sondland replied by Ukraine to launch investigations in ex- on display when he insisted his campaign Biden onto the front pages of American his party would lose big in Virginia legis- when Sondland guided the Ukrainians saying Zelensky “loves your ass” and change for a meeting in Washington with fire some its pollsters after internal polls newspapers, television and Facebook. lative elections, lose big in Pennsylvania into the White House’s Ward Room. Three said the president would pursue the President Trump. showed him losing in Michigan and Wis- If Zelensky announced an investigation suburban elections, and see 20 House individuals familiar with the conversation investigations. In his deposition, Vindman told inves- consin to Biden. the news outlets would report it as news. Republicans announce they are leaving described what happened next.Sondland Lawmakers are likely to hone in on tigators that “Sondland relatively quickly Trump’s shaky nerves went public again Bill Taylor, the acting U.S. ambassador before the 2020 election, he might have continued to not just relay, but demanded what else Sondland and Trump dis- went into outlining how the—you know, in July when a Fox News poll showed him to Ukraine, has testified that he was told skipped the phone call. ferociously, that the Ukrainians open the cussed on that call and other calls, and these investigations need to—on the de- losing to Biden — by a lot. Trump went that Trump’s political strategy was to He would have fired up Air Force One Biden investigations, saying it was the what pressure the president put on the liverable for these investigations in order ballistic and attacked Fox. put Zelensky “in a public box” by forcing for a trip to Kiev and personally put Zelen- only chance for Washington and Kyiv to Ambassador to relay the investigation to secure this meeting.” The president still has every reason him to announce a probe into Biden that sky in front of that CNN camera. develop any further meaningful relation- demands to Kiev. When asked how Sondland came to to be nervous about a possible match- would compel Ukrainian prosecutors to Gordon Sondland Stepped in ‘And ship, two individuals with knowledge of Several other witnesses in the impeach- believe the “deliverable” was neces- up with Biden because polls continue to take action. Things Went Really Off the Rails’ Sondland’s overtures said. ment inquiry testified about Sondland’s sary, Vindman said: “I heard him say show the Democrat beating him badly. Note there is no evidence that Biden and Also MSN reported that Ukrainian Sondland raised his voice several times involvement in the Ukraine portfolio that this had been coordinated with… If Biden, a well-liked moderate, is the his son did anything wrong in Ukraine.So, officials arrived at the White House on in his attempt to persuade the Ukrainian during their depositions with House in- Mulvaney.” nominee the election becomes a referen- with that July phone call, Trump made the July 10 expecting something approaching officials sitting across from him, including vestigators. National Security Council Other witnesses set to appear next week dum on Trump. With an approval rating risky gamble that he could make Zelensky normal. They were in Washington for a Andriy Yermak, a close aide to Zelensky, official Lt. Colonel Alexander Vindman, could offer more precise details about the hovering in the mid-to-low 40s, that is do his dirty work by dangling U.S. military scheduled meeting with then-National and Zelensky’s then-national security ad- Hill and the former lead on Ukraine ne- timeline of the withholding of U.S. military not good news for the president. assistance as the carrot to get Zelensky to Security Adviser John Bolton with a plan viser Oleksandr Danylyuk. One individ- gotiations Kurt Volker all provided details aid and its connection to investigations And a New York Times/Siena College smear Biden.In fact, Trump placed two to propose a new path for U.S.-Ukrainian ual told The Daily Beast that Sondland about Sondland in their testimonies and in Biden and Burisma. Volker and Hale poll has Biden beating Trump in four of other bets that day. relations under the umbrella of energy “got very emotional,” adding that “there spoke in particular detail about the Ward have offered varying versions of when they the six swing states that are key to control The first side bet was that blind loyalty and security cooperation. All seemed to was lots of yelling.” Another individual Room meeting. learned of a quid pro quo. Volker said he of the Electoral College — Pennsylvania, would prevent White House officials, Na- go well—until U.S. Ambassador to the Eu- called the meeting “erratic” and said the In her previous, closed-door testimony, learned about the hold up as early as June. Wisconsin, Florida, and Arizona. That poll tional Security aides, and State Department ropean Union Gordon Sondland stepped Ukrainians began to ignore Sondland and Hill told investigators that Sondland told In her deposition, Pentagon official had Biden and Trump tied in Michigan. diplomats — especially people on the call in. “That’s when things really went off instead turned to Fiona Hill, who ran the her in late June that he was “in charge” Laura Cooper said she learned of the Why is Biden a special foe for Trump?He or who later learned of the call — from the rails,” one person in the room said. National Security Council’s Russia desk at of the Ukraine portfolio. “And I asked, hold up of aid as early as July 18. She has the backing of black voters and is well- blowing the whistle on him. It’s been widely noted in testimonies by the time, for clarification on Washington’s ‘well, on whose authority?’ And he said, also said the Pentagon received a series liked by white, working-class voters.Other The second side bet was that his aides multiple House impeachment witnesses messaging. ‘the President,’” Hill said. of mysterious questions that originated Democrats do well against Trump but none could hide a transcript of the phone call in that Sondland interrupted the conversation Sondland has previously tried to claim On Saturday, the Intelligence Commit- from the White House regarding details of them shows Biden’s power at the polls a classified server at the White House to between Bolton and the Ukrainians when he didn’t know much about a quid pro tee released more testimony suggesting of the military aid, including which U.S. against Trump. If Sen. Elizabeth Warren prevent anyone else from reading it and he suggested that the Kyiv officials open quo with Ukraine—until he suddenly told the president was actively involved and companies were involved in supplying (D-Mass.) or Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is seeing his crooked political play. investigations into Hunter Biden and the Congress he now recalls the deal. But the briefed on Sondland’s discussions with equipment to the country. the nominee, Trump has a better chance to Trump continued down that high- gas company he worked for if they wanted details of Sondland’s behavior in the Ward senior officials in Ukraine regarding the The deposition transcript for Under shift the focus to attacks on their agendas risk road even after it went public that President Volodymyr Zelensky to land a Room underscore the intensity in which U.S. hold on military aid to the country. Secretary of State for Political Affairs — for example, higher taxes on the rich. he was withholding the money approved White House meeting with Donald Trump. the EU Ambassador advocated for the Tim Morrison, a senior Trump National David Hale has yet to be released. 11

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Realigning magnetic fields may drive Physicists detect strange electron pairs acting as the sun’s spiky Plasma tendrils a brand new state of matter Tendrils of Plasma near the surface of the sun emerge from realignments of magnetic Under the right circumstances, individual electrons can form fields and pump heat into the corona, the sun’s partnerships that allow them to zip effortlessly through special tenuous outer atmosphere, a study suggests. materials called superconductors - letting them conduct The new observation, described in the Nov. electrical current without resistance. 15 Science, could help crack the century-plus That in itself is pretty impressive. But now physicists mystery of where these Plasma whiskers, have found evidence these quantum partnerships - known called spicules, come from and what role — as ‘Cooper pairs’ - are also capable of acting as a brand new if any — they play in heating the corona to state of matter. millions of degrees Celsius. Spicules undulate like a wind-whipped field of wheat in the chromosphere, the layer of hot gas atop the sun’s surface. These Plasma filaments stretch for thousands of kilometers and last for just minutes, shuttling ionized gas into the corona. Astronomers have long debated how spicules form — with the sun’s turbulent magnetic field being a prime suspect — and whether they can help explain why the corona is a few hundred times as hot as the sun’s surface. To look for connections between spicules and magnetic activity, solar physicist Tanmoy Counterpointing magnetic fields create at the same time by NASA’s orbiting Solar “Their observations are amazing,” says Samanta of Peking University in Beijing a tension that gets resolved when the fields Dynamics Observatory. Those data revealed Juan Martínez-Sykora, a solar physicist at and colleagues pointed the Goode Solar break and realign, and the team postulates a glow from charged iron atoms directly over the Lockheed Martin Solar & Astrophysics Telescope, at Big Bear Solar Observatory in that the energy released in this “magnetic the spicules. That glow, Tian says, means the Laboratory in Palo Alto, Calif. California, at the sun. They snapped images reconnection” creates the spicules. “The Plasma reached roughly 1 million degrees Capturing this level of detail is difficult, A collaboration of researchers from China and the US of spicules forming, while also measuring magnetic field energy is converted to kinetic Celsius. Whether that’s enough to sustain Martínez-Sykora says, because individual spotted the strange electron activity in an experiment the surrounding magnetic field. The team and thermal energy,” says study coauthor the scorching temperature throughout the spicules are relatively small and come and go designed to solve a long-standing question on whether discovered that thickets of spicules frequently Hui Tian, a solar physicist also at Peking corona, however, remains to be seen. so quickly. He does caution, though, that the there’s some middle ground between free roaming and emerged within minutes after pockets of University. “The kinetic energy is in the form Tiny, wispy jets of Plasma called spicules magnetic reconnection story needs to be checked locked-up Cooper pairs. the local magnetic field reversed course and of fast Plasma motion — jets, or spicules.” undulate in the lowest level of the sun’s with computer simulations or more observations. It was traditionally thought that Cooper pairs had just pointed in the opposite direction from the To see if this energy made it into the corona, atmosphere in this video captured by NASA’s As it stands, it remains a postulation, he says. these two states - either they’re gliding effortlessly to create prevailing field in the area. the team pored through images acquired Solar Dynamics Observatory. (Source: Sciencenews.org) a superconducting state, or they’re creating an insulating state by getting jammed up in a material and not letting any current pass at all. Now these quantum marriages have also been found to Serious new health risk to human spaceflight have an in between state - not superconducting current but We’re still learning about the potential effect that extended stroke volume, and decreased plasma volume,” write also not blocking it, either. Sort of like normal, individual periods spent in space could have on the human body. Now the researchers. electrons. a new health threat has been identified, one which could put Medical experts used readings and images gathered on And while that sounds like a loss of superpowers, this in lives at risk on long journeys through the cosmos. board the ISS to identify the potential issue with the IJV, between state is actually like nothing we’ve seen before. In The problem lies in the internal jugular vein (IJV), a while the astronaut who developed an occlusive thrombus fact, it’s attracting attention as a brand new state of matter. major blood vessel running down the neck from the brain. was treated with anticoagulants for the remainder of the To understand this, we have to go back a little bit. A study of 11 astronauts who spent time on the International mission (the identities of the astronauts are being kept Usually electrons, like any other ‘fermion’ type particle, Space Station (ISS) found that six of them had developed back for privacy reasons). have their own identity embedded in a quantum signature, stagnant or backwards blood flow in this particular vein, More research is needed to work out how big of a problem which means they can’t ever occupy the same space. within a period of just 50 days. this actually is, and how we might mitigate against it in It’s why two fermions can’t occupy the same space, while One crew member was found to have developed thrombosis, future spaceflights; but the high number of astronauts who particles called bosons can slip through one another like or blockage in the internal jugular vein, the first time that developed some kind of blood flow issue is worrying. ghosts. And this is what causes resistance when electrons this has been recorded as a result of spaceflight. We already know that time in space can reduce bone travel through a material - they end up bumping into each According to the team behind the new findings, this issue density, change the make-up of our gut bacteria, and other and losing energy as they travel. needs to be investigated before we start sending astronauts on Down here on Earth of course, gravity takes care of the put a squeeze on our brains. At least we’re working But in the 1970s, an American physicist named Leon Cooper long trips to Mars. It’s not yet clear just what the consequences job of pulling blood down from the head to the rest of the to discover these effects before we try to get farther worked out that electrons in the right kind of conductive of this kind of thrombosis might be, but the implications body – it’s one of the reasons you’d start feeling very strange than the Moon, so there’s a better chance of developing material can form partnerships with one another at a sufficiently could be severe and perhaps even fatal. if you stood on your hands for an extended period of time. potential solutions. low temperatures. “Exposure to a weightless environment during spaceflight Up in the microgravity environment of the ISS, it’s “[These] are novel findings that may have significant They were named Cooper pairs, and a remarkable result results in a chronic headward blood and tissue fluid a different story – and bloodflow issues aren’t the only human health implications for civilian spaceflight as well of this pairing is a loss of a clear quantum identity, giving shift compared with the upright posture on Earth, with health risks we need to worry about. as future exploration-class missions, such as a mission to them a ghost-like nature similar to bosons. This helps them unknown consequences to cerebral venous outflow,” write “Headward fluid shifts during prolonged weightlessness Mars,” conclude the researchers. slip easily through the lattice of atoms making up a material, the researchers in their published paper. result in facial puffiness, decreased leg volume, increased (Source: sciencealert.com) creating a superconductive state. Superconductors are prized by engineers for their efficiency in carrying energy, losing little – if anything – as heat. Unfortunately the practicality of superconductors New Mars rover will visit perfect spot to find signs of life is rather limited, requiring either extreme cold or extreme On some sunny day next summer, in front of of scum that forms where water meets the pressure to work. a crowd at Kennedy Space Centre, a rocket sides of a bathtub (scientists have even taken One of the major goals of modern physics is to determine carrying NASA’s next, best hope at finding to calling the region “the bathtub ring”). exactly how Cooper pairs function, and how we might be life on Mars will launch into the sky. “What makes this so exciting is able to create them without needing to squeeze hard or Seven months later, the car-size Mars [carbonate] traps anything that it precipitates drop the temperature. 2020 rover will touch down near Jezero around,” Dr. Horgan said. “It mimics the Back in 2007, a small team of physicists from Brown Crater, a dried-up lake in Mars’ northern structures of the microbes, so you get University in the US found out that Cooper pairs also had a hemisphere. With its six wheels and suite preserved textures . . . but it also traps the second state - that it was possible to create a material that actually of high-tech instruments, it will scour the organic material in there as well.” trapped these ghostly electron pairs on tiny superconducting surrounding rocks for evidence that alien If microbes had been living on Jezero’s islands, effectively freezing them in their tracks. microbes once lived on the Red Planet. lakeshore, there’s a decent chance the That meant Cooper pairs could either run full-steam ahead Decades of surveying Mars with orbiting carbonate could have captured them. through a conductor, or sit relatively still in an insulator. probes, landers and rovers has revealed the Some of the oldest fossils on Earth were In the latest experiment, researchers from that same team planet once harbored a thick atmosphere and entombed in carbonate. Scientists have found wanted to make a material that allowed Cooper pairs to move water on its surface. Researchers have even stromatolites - layered structures formed at a leisurely pace, just like single electrons might as they discovered traces of complex organic molecules from carbonate-encased mats of bacteria travel through any garden variety metal at room temperature. - possible building blocks for living cells. - dating back as far as 3.7 billion years. “There had been evidence that this metallic state would Now, two new studies offer a tantalizing Jesse Tarnas, a planetary scientist at arise in thin film superconductors as they were cooled down suggestion that Mars 2020 could find even Brown University, also relied on CRISM toward their superconducting temperature, but whether or stronger evidence of Martian life - if it maps for his research. His paper, published not that state involved Cooper pairs was an open question,” ever existed. in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, says Brown University physicist Jim Valles. The rocks around Jezero show evidence describes hydrated silica near Jezero’s delta, “We’ve developed a technique that enables us to test of carbonate and hydrated silica - molecules where water from a long-gone river fed into that question and we showed that, indeed, Cooper pairs are that are known on Earth to help preserve the ancient crater lake. responsible for transporting charge in this metallic state.” microscopic fossils over billions of years. Hydrated silica, better known as opal, molecular “sniffers” known as spectrometers “What we’re really trying to do with this The technique centered on a wafer of material similar to “It’s a big glaring road sign saying ‘look can form in volcanic eruptions and at the will map out the composition of rocks at rover is look for ‘potential biosignatures,’” one used in the 2007 experiments on Cooper pair insulation. here, look here,’” said Briony Horgan, a edges of hot springs. But when it is created an elemental level. Dr. Horgan said. But only if “we verify it back A thin strip of superconducting yttrium barium copper planetary scientist at Purdue University from sediments settling on a sea floor, it “It’s going to be able to do the kind of here with all our incredible lab equipment,” oxide peppered with hexagonal arrays of nano-sized pits and the lead author of a study in the can form strong, sturdy crystals that are astrobiological investigations we’ve been she continued, “can we turn a ‘potential (shown below) was exposed to magnetic fields while a journal Icarus reporting the carbonate exceptionally effective at preserving signs of wanting to do on Mars for decades,” Dr. biosignature’ into a ‘biosignature.’” current ran through it. detection. “Jezero Crater is an incredibly life. On Earth, scientists have found samples Horgan said. The 2020 mission is only the first step According to their models, the magnetic field should cause mineralogically diverse place, with lots of of hydrated silica containing ancient organic The Curiosity rover, which has been of a proposed four-part program. Once it the flow of electrons to run laps around the pits. To test whether paths forward to search for biosignatures, material and even fossilized cells. cruising around Gale Crater since 2012, identifies the most compelling rocks around they were running solo or as Cooper pairs, the researchers which means we have a lot of chances to Because the Martian hydrated silica is so can only measure molecules “in bulk,” Ms. Jezero Crater, the rover will use a specially just needed to measure their frequency. understand exactly what happened with close to a delta, it’s possible that it contains Morgan said. Though it has found organic developed drill to collect and cache samples “In this case, we found that the frequency is consistent with the history of life here.” material from the river system. And if Mars’s molecules, it cannot pinpoint them to of the material. there being two electrons going around at a time instead of But what would Mars 2020 have to find rivers ever harbored life, remains of ancient particular rock layers, or associate them Some day (if all goes according to plan) just one. So we can conclude that the charge carriers in this for scientists to be certain there once were organisms might still be trapped within with microscopic structures. scientists will launch follow-up missions to state are Cooper pairs and not single electrons,” says Valles. Martians? those crystals. “With 2020 we can go there and we can retrieve the samples and bring them home. That means, it’s nothing like other known metallic states Both studies published this week relied Hydrated silica “is not something that’s say we’re seeing a concentration of element or Finally, in an ultra-secure facility that hasn’t where electrons individually run a marathon or sprint in on the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging been found before,” said the Jet Propulsion mineral associated with this very particular been built yet, they will analyze the rocks at pairs. This third state shows there are degrees of control Spectrometer (CRISM), an orbiting camera Laboratory’s Katie Stack Morgan, deputy fine scale texture,” Ms. Morgan continued. an elemental scale to determine, definitively, for boson-like electrons. capable of scanning the Martian surface in project scientist for the 2020 mission. “Those very subtle textural differences whether they contain evidence of life. The physicists are yet to come up with an explanation for infrared and visible light. From 250 miles Ms Morgan, who was not involved in Mr. are what people look for and have kind of The entire process will take years, if not the strange behavior, but given this particular superconductor high, CRISM produces colorful maps of Tarnas’s research, said that the mineral sharpened their eyes to when making a case decades. It may never happen. The necessary can operate at a relatively balmy -181 Celsius (-294 Fahrenheit; minerals on the Red Planet. will likely be a prime target for the rover for biosignatures.” follow up missions haven’t been approved better than near absolute zero!), they shouldn’t have trouble Carbonates, which form when carbon once it lands. But even in scientists’ dream scenario yet, let alone funded and developed. And running more experiments. dioxide interacts with rock and water, have “It’s really exciting to have the thought - one in which there was life on Mars, and voyages to Mars are notoriously difficult: Beyond the interesting aspects of finding a new state for been found all over Jezero Crater. But CRISM that there are deposits in Jezero like we its remains were preserved, and the 2020 About 50 per cent of all attempts to reach metals, it could be the basis of new kinds of future technology. showed a particularly high concentration have on Earth,” she said. “We’re going rover is able to find the fossils - it’s unlikely the Red Planet have failed. “The thing about the bosons is that they tend to be in of the mineral along the crater’s inner rim, to be thinking about ways to get as close that mission alone will prove whether “There’s this tantalizing evidence that more of a wavelike state than electrons, so we talk about right where the shoreline of the lake would to them as we can.” Martians ever existed. maybe [life] was there but you won’t know them having a phase and creating interference in much the have been over three billion years ago. The 2020 rover will be armed with a The discovery of life beyond Earth is until you get the samples back,” Mr. Tarnas same way light does,” says Valles. To Dr. Horgan, this suggests they could wide array of tools for examining these such an extraordinary claim, as Carl Sagan said. “And you really just gotta have the “So there might be new modalities for moving charge around have been left behind by waves lapping at the minerals. Cameras could capture images would say, it requires extraordinary evidence patience and fortitude to hold out for it.” in devices by playing with interference between bosons.” rock. She compared the deposits to the line of stromatolites, if they exist. Lasers and - evidence that only a human can deliver. (Source: The Independent) (Source: sciencealert.com) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 10 HERITAGE & TOURISM NOVEMBER 19, 2019

Chinese arrivals on the Esfahak rural landscape rise in Iran

TOURISM TEHRAN — The number of Chinese arrivals deskin Iran has increased as of late June since the nominated for TO DO Award country allowed visa-free entry for visitors from China, deputy TOURISM TEHRAN — Esfahak tourism minister has said. deskrural landscape and its cultural heritage has become a nominee for the TO DO Award, which is presented by the German Institute for Tourism and Development. The award is aimed at taking into ac- count the various interests and needs of the local population in the planning and implementation of tourism projects, meas- ures, products and services. Involvement and co-determination ensure broad-based participation – e.g. through information, surveys and discussions among the pop- ulation when finding ideas and making An undated photo shows a Chinese traveler (L) touring a bustling decisions, according to its website. traditional bazaar during her visit to Iran. Last week a German assessor from the “Monthly observations show that Chinese arrivals in Iran ex- Institute for Tourism and Development paid periencing a rise since Iran officially waived visa requirements for a visit to Esfahak, Ali Shariatimanesh, a Chinese nationals,” Vali Teymouri said on Saturday, ISNA reported. provincial tourism official, said on Sunday, “Some 14,000 Chinese nationals visited Iran during the [Ira- IRNA reported. nian] months of Mordad, Shahrivar and Mehr (July 23 – October “This village is one of the seven nominees 22), which shows 12 percent growth year on year.” shortlisted for the award,” the official noted. The ancient land welcomed some 13,000 Chinese people The original texture of Esfakak was com- during the same period last year, the official noted. pletely brought down to Earth in 1978 Tabas “Chinese travels to the Islamic Republic slumped after the U.S. earthquake, [which occurred on Septem- [in May 2018] pulled out from the nuclear deal (known as the ber 16 at 19:05:55 local time], the official Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) but the situation changed explained. after Iran [unilaterally] abolished visas for the Chinese,” the The shock, measured 7.4 on the mo- official explained. ment magnitude scale, affected a total of So far, some 100 Iranian agencies have announced their readi- 85 villages and was felt in Tehran, about ness to cooperate in this regard, Teymouri said, adding “Given the 610 kilometers away. A view of Esfahak, a rural landscape in Tabas county, South Khorasan province, eastern Iran. volume of demand, we hope that a good link to be built between After that a new village was built next to the private and tourism sectors of the two countries.” the old one with participation of the people agriculture and animal breeding. It enjoys a houses were often built by the means of Performing local songs and playing Tar is Last November, the Trump administration reinstated sanc- who have now refurbished it be a tourist mild climate that is perfect for growth of any bricks and mud and are mostly one-story. inseparable in celebrations in the village. tions on Iran, mainly the ones that had been lifted under the destination with [abundant] eco-lodge unites. crops so while visiting it almost everywhere Traditional bathrooms, locally called Khaz- Dates and saffron from Esfahak village 2015 nuclear deal, in order to batter Iran’s economy, however, Esfahak is a village located about 38 km looks magnificently lush. inehs, are still standing tall in the corners are tasty make sure not to miss trying them. according to official data, they have so far failed to lessen foreign away from Tabas with hardworking and Village houses are often built on a floor of the village. Local music is particularly You can also test different types of local arrivals to the Islamic Republic because the country does its best diligent people who are mostly engaged with with domed roofs and small windows. Old important for the people of the village. soup and potage while in Esfahak. to attract more from neighboring states. Iran welcomed some four million foreign nationals during the first five months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21 – August 22), which shows 30 percent hike, compared with Explore tastes of Italy in Tehran the same period last year, according to official data compiled TOURISM TEHRAN — The Ex- Italy a meal is a leisurely sequence of events by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts. desk Under the 2025 Tourism Vision Plan, the country aims to traordinary Italian Taste served in courses on separate plates, each increase the number of tourist arrivals from 4.8 million in 2014 Week opened during a special ceremony at appearing in the appropriate sequence. to 20 million in 2025. the Ketab Elahieh (a cultural complex and Americans often find it frustrating for a bookstore) in northern Tehran on Sunday, meal to be so lengthy, but, for Italians, opening an opportunity for enthusiasts and dinner is often the main event and the foodies to explore another tastes of Italy in focus of celebrations. Virgin Islands to introduce the Iranian capital. The cooking style is usually quite simple. Organized by the Italian embassy in Teh- There are no really elaborate sauces, and Airbnb Tax Legislation ran, the event is traditionally aimed on the what sauces do exist are used only in small one hand to help promote Italian cuisine amounts, just enough to moisten pasta or Virgin Island Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert is proposing leg- across many countries and on the other to delicately anoint meat or fish. Italian chefs islation where property owners who already lease their homes aid the support of ideas of improving qual- claim, with some justification, that the secret for rent through Airbnb and pay a hotel accommodation tax will ity of products, advocating environmental to Italian cooking is sapori e saperi (flavors be subject to a further tax. sustainability, reducing food wastage, and and skills), which implies doing little to The Gov. says the new Airbnb Tax Legislation will soon be promoting a balanced diet. excellent fresh ingredients. introduced. He made the announcement on Thursday during Cooking masterclasses by Chef Giuseppe While there are many differences be- his annual ‘Speech from the Throne.’ Peluso (form Italian Federation of Pizza tween regions, and between households “On an immediate priority basis, our Government will give the Chefs – FIP) and a seminar on biological within a region, the concept of Italian food tourism sector the attention and level of priority it deserves and agriculture by Italian expert Dr. Alberto would not exist unless there were many focus on strengthening the accommodation sector, bringing new Bergamaschi are amongst various programs similarities as well. There is a tendency hotel investment, and supporting the marine sector,” he said. on the timeline of the event, which runs for food experts to stress the differences (Source: MSN) until November 22. instead of the similarities within the Italian Tradition in Italian cuisine A sample of Italian cuisine food tradition. But there is much that links Italian food is more than just pizza and it as a single cuisine. Some examples are ROUND THE GLOBE spaghetti. There’s a wide range of ingre- groups of people and places, historically Italian cuisine without the introduction of the structure of the meal, the pasta course, dients, flavors, and dishes to experiment and in modern times. The Americas, for tomatoes, maize (corn), and peppers—all and potatoes used as a vegetable rather Kunya-Urgench with in your own home. instance, had a huge influence on Italian plants native to the Americas. than as a staple source of carbohydrates. According to encyclopedia.com, Italian cuisine. Tomato sauce, polenta, and an- The world has adopted parts of Italy’s There is also the ubiquitous antipasto of Kunya-Urgench is located in the territory of Dashoguz velayat cooking has been influenced by diverse ything piccante (hot) would not exist in cuisine, but not the structure of its meals. In sausages and cheeses. of Turkmenistan. It is situated in the north-western Turk- menistan, on the left bank of the Amu-Daria River. Urgench was the capital of the Khorezm region, which was part of the Asian airlines slash flights to Hong Kong as unrest escalates Achaemenid Empire. SYDNEY (Reuters) — Several Asian airlines have On Monday, Routes Online showed Garuda has budget carrier has cut flights from Cebu through De- cut flights to Hong Kong for the coming weeks, an reduced weekly flights to Hong Kong to four from 21 cember and Clark through January. However, the airline industry scheduling publication showed, as anti-gov- through mid-December, SpiceJet has suspended its launched its Puerto Princesa-Hong Kong route on Sunday ernment protests in the city grow increasingly violent Mumbai-Hong Kong route through Jan. 15 and AirAsia as scheduled, she said. and disrupt daily life. has cut flights from Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu A Jeju Air spokesman said the low-cost carrier has Routes Online said the latest schedules showed in December and January. reduced daily flights from Seoul to Hong Kong to one cancellations from PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, As of November, Garuda Indonesia adjusted its flight from two through Dec. 17. A spokesman for rival Jin Air India’s SpiceJet Ltd, Malaysia’s AirAsia Group Bhd, frequency from Jakarta to Hong Kong from 14 flights to said the budget airline had suspended Seoul-Hong Kong South Korea’s JejuAir Co Ltd and Jin Air Co Ltd and two flights per week, and from Denpasar to Hong Kong flights through Dec. 24. the Philippines’ PAL Holdings Inc and Cebu Air Inc. from seven to two flights, Ikhsan Rosan, a spokesman for Last week, Hong Kong’s biggest carrier, Cathay Pacific The cuts come as Hong Kong police on Monday fired the company said in a statement. Airways Ltd, said its business outlook was “challenging tear gas at protesters trying to escape a besieged uni- “The change is an effort to adjust with the market de- and uncertain” and that it has cut capacity and delayed versity, while others armed with petrol bombs awaited mand,” he said, adding that Garuda will monitor market four plane deliveries. an expected operation to oust them. needs, especially for Christmas and New Year. Major mainland Chinese carriers also reported dou- The unrest, raging for almost six months, and an esca- AirAsia said passenger numbers have been lower over ble-digit declines in demand on so-called regional routes lating Sino-U.S. trade war has pushed the Asian financial the past few months and it is adjusting capacity accordingly. in September and October amid protests in Hong Kong and The old town area contains series of monuments mainly hub into recession for the first time in a decade. SpiceJet did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment. travel restrictions to Taiwan, monthly traffic reports showed. from the 11th to 16th centuries. This area has remained a On Sunday, Airport Authority Hong Kong reported A spokeswoman for PAL Holdings’ Philippine Airlines Routes Online on Monday said several Chinese carriers, vast deserted land with some remains of ancient fortified declines in October of 13% in passengers and 6.1% in the said the carrier was using smaller planes than usual for including Air China Ltd, China Eastern Airlines Corp Ltd and settlements, including a mosque, the gates of a caravanserai, number of inbound and outbound flights - the steepest Hong Kong as passengers were postponing travel due to China Southern Airlines Co Ltd had filed for fresh capacity fortresses, mausoleums and a 60-m high minaret. falls since the unrest began. It said a growing proportion safety concerns. It has also cut daily flights from Manila to reductions to Hong Kong since late October. On the sample of Kunya-Urgench monuments one can of travelers were using Hong Kong as a transit point rather four from five, she said. China Eastern declined to comment. Air China and China see all variety of methods and décor of Islamic architec- than a destination. A spokeswoman for Cebu Air’s Cebu Pacific said the Southern did not respond to requests for comment. ture of Central Asia. There are constructions from adobe and burned bricks, plain unicameral dome constructions up-going to ancient chartak and buildings with complicated Ancient Egyptians may have corralled millions of wild birds to sacrifice and turn into mummies compositions, sometimes with ? long history of development, New DNA evidence suggests that Egyp- But when a team of geneticists took a clos- powerhouses that generate energy for each chicken farms nowadays,” co-author Sally repair and reconstruction. tians captured wild birds for millions er look, they determined that Egyptians cell and contain their own special DNA. Wasef, a paleogeneticist at Griffith Univer- These monuments also demonstrate the evolution of methods of ritualistic sacrifices, rather than probably plucked wild ibises from their The authors compared this ancient genet- sity in Australia, told National Geographic. of treatment of inner surface of domes from cellular sails to farming the animals. natural habitats. ic material to that of 26 modern African Wasef and her colleagues suggested that stalactite those times called “muqarnas” and brought to the Ancient Egyptians captured and tempo- The research, published Nov. 13 in PLOS sacred ibises to see which set appeared priests likely corralled the wild birds in lo- highest perfection by local masters. The best monuments of rarily tamed wild birds by the millions in One, drew DNA samples from 40 mum- more genetically diverse, which could re- cal wetlands or temporary farms and then this city are distinguished by high degree of decorativeness. order to mummify the animals in ritualistic mified ibises excavated from six different veal clues about the ancient birds’ origin. tended to the animals for a short time just They provide prominent examples of classical arabesques in sacrifices, new research suggests. Egyptian catacombs. The mummies were If Egyptians had raised the ancient ibises before their sacrifice. monochrome terra-cotta and bright colorfulness of enamel. Egyptian catacombs contain troves of interred around 2,500 years ago (about on farms, inbreeding among the birds would But not all Egypt experts agree. The monuments testify to outstanding achievements in mummified birds, specifically African sa- 481 B.C.), the researchers reported in their have caused the animals’ DNA to look more “We are still talking millions of animals architecture and craftsmanship whose influence reached Iran cred ibises, stacked atop each other in tiny paper. That means the birds met their fate and more similar through time, the authors at different sites all over Egypt, so relying and Afghanistan, and later the architecture of the Mogul Empire jars and coffins. But how did the ancient when ibis sacrifice was common practice noted. But the DNA analysis instead revealed just on the hunting of wild ones does not of 16th-century India. The Islamic sacred objects concentrated people collect all those birds to begin with? in Egypt, between about 650 B.C. and 250 that the ancient and modern birds showed convince me,” Francisco Bosch-Puche, an in this city are exceptionally popular places for pilgrims and Given the sheer number of avian mummies, B.C. From 14 of the ancient birds, the re- similar genetic diversity. archaeologist at the University of Oxford, serve attractive objects for the international tourism. scholars have long theorized that Egyptians searchers obtained complete genomes “The genetic variations did not indicate told National Geographic. (Source: UNESCO) must have farmed ibises to meet demand. from the animals’ mitochondria, the tiny any pattern of long-term farming similar to (Source: Live Scienrce) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y NOVEMBER 19, 2019 INTERNATIONAL 11

By Hunter DeRensis

ANTIWAR — Two weeks ago the Virginia State Senate switched hands from the Republicans to the Democrats, another step in the state’s leftward turn. One of the Democratic pick ups Combat Vet Senator Richard was in the 13th district, where incumbent State Senator Dick Black is retiring from public service. Black is a Vietnam vet- eran and former colonel in the US army, a former delegate in the Virginia House, and he has served in the state senate since 2012. Black Fighting the War Party Senator Black, who has been a vocal opponent of the United “Now ostensibly we were doing it to prevent Gaddafi from States’ overseas wars, spoke to Antiwar.com for an exclusive killing all these people in Benghazi. But you know I’ve been interview covering his military career, candid rejection of around this business for a long time, and you know when the Washington foreign policy consensus, and his activism something like this is just a fabrication. And so, I thought, against regime change in Syria. ‘What’s driving this?’” Military Service and the Vietnam War After eliminating oil as a primary motivation, Black con- Black was born in northern Virginia in 1944, and spent cluded (and maintains) that the Libya intervention was a his young formative years being raised in Miami, Florida. purposeful preparation for US involvement in the then-bur- After attending the University of Miami for one year, Black geoning Syrian Civil War. The Libyan government was toppled was compelled to leave due to financial distress. He enlisted “in order to capture their large stores of weapons so we could in the Marine Corps and began a “miserable existence” in the then overthrow Syria.” aviation cadet program. Senator Black described his frustrations while watching the “From there I remember at one time during flight training congressional investigations into the 2012 attack in Benghazi we were in the cadet recreation room and guys were playing that killed Ambassador Chris Stevens, where no one was ask- pool and throwing darts and there was a television screen, ing the obvious question of what the ambassador was doing. and they were playing The Man from U.N.C.L.E., an old spy “Well it turns out that what we had done under this no-fly show,” recalls Black. “And all of a sudden, they interrupted, zone as the terrorists advanced, [calling themselves] the Libyan they said, ‘We have an important bulletin.’ They said that there Islamic Fighting group – but they were essentially Al Qaeda were PT boats that had attacked an American destroyer in in Libya organized by the CIA – and what we did at a certain the Gulf of Tonkin and there’d be more information to come. point was we turned over a captured air field to the Turks. And every pilot in the rec room immediately knew we were The Turks were given control of it and then the Qataris – they going to war. It was a very sobering moment.” have a pretty substantial fleet of modern aircraft – began “At the time we had a lot of faith in our government. We flying aircraft into this airfield in Libya and then flying the thought whatever they told us was reasonable.” weapons into Turkey and then they were crossing the bor- In 1965 Dick Black was commissioned as a Second Lieu- der into Syria where we were organizing with the CIA under tenant and was one of the first two marine helicopter pilots Project Timber Sycamore, we were preparing to overthrow to be sent to Vietnam. During his first six months in country the government of Syria.” Black flew 269 combat missions, four of those which came Senator Black was supportive of President Donald Trump’s under direct enemy fire, puncturing his helicopter. “Then announced withdrawal from northern Syria last month but can I volunteered to fight with the 1st Marine Regiment on the already see it being reversed. “I think that President Trump ground as a full air controller. And during that time we took did a very good job initially of setting this thing up in such a tremendous casualties along the way,” Black describes in detail. way where we would be out of there and couldn’t go back in… At a ridge line named Nui Loc Son, he participated in a fight But then the Deep State is very deep.” Black sees the recent against an entrenched battalion of heavy North Vietnamese declare that we’re going to write a constitution for them and with Iran, Iraq – everything was settled. Whether the way we seizure of the oil fields around Deir ez-Zor as part of a pur- troops. Out of 190 American GIs, 34 were killed and around everything will be fine,” Black says, contrasting the war he did it was right or not it was settled. And all of a sudden here poseful plan to impoverish the Syrian people. “Basically, it’s 75 were wounded. As one of only two officers left alive, Black fought in versus the wars he’s opposed while in office. we were doing the most insane thing imaginable, which was just modern-day piracy. There’s no difference between what helped reorganize the company. After returning from Southeast Asia, Dick Black worked to destroy that calm balance of power that we had created. we are doing in Syria by seizing those oil fields and what the “But we held the ground. They could never overrun us as a flight instructor, teaching other pilots who would in turn And I found it really difficult to believe that anyone could be pirates did hundreds of years ago when they would get a letter even though they attempted to,” he says. This was one of 70 be sent to Vietnam. Around this time he married and left so stupid as to do this.” of marque and that would give them authority to go out and combat patrols he participated in on the ground.Black says the marines in 1970. He went back to school, earned his law While politicians on the national level cheered on the “Shock capture ships of other nations and steal whatever they could. he was preparing to return stateside along with his chief radio degree, and returned to active duty in 1976 as a prosecutor and Awe” of the 2003 invasion, Delegate Dick Black shook It’s simply thievery.” operator, Corporal Henry Smith, affectionately nicknamed in the US Army JAG Corps. Black began his legal career as his head at the needless destruction. “[I]t was an unbridled This author first met Senator Dick Black at the annual Smitty. “Then one night they started firing an artillery mission the lead trial counsel at Ford Hood, Texas, and managed law application of force to every aspect of life and civilization Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity conference in way off in the distance, there were parachute flares glowing, offices at Ford Leonard Wood, Ford Ord, and Fort Lewis. in Iraq. We destroyed their water production, we knocked August. Black has also been a guest on the weekday airing and there was sort of a yellow glow over the horizon. Even During the 1980s Black was stationed in Europe, leading out their electrical grid, everything. The place was utterly, Ron Paul Liberty Report. “I’ve known of him [Ron Paul] since though Smitty and I were both getting ready to go back to the five legal offices in Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium, totally destroyed. And we were boasting…this was a small, the time he was in Congress. And I always appreciated what states (we were just waiting for a plane out), we both decided and as a “side job” he was responsible for all military justice weak country. It was not a militarily powerful country. And he was doing,” Black says. “It’s pretty clear that we’re on a that we weren’t going to let Fox Company go off on the mission matters in North Africa and the Middle East. He ended his of course they had never taken any hostile action against the trajectory to bankrupt the United States. There’s no question without us. So we both went out.” career as the Chief of the Army’s Criminal Law Division at United States at all.” that that’s going to happen. And a third of our national debt Fighting their way across a river in rubber boats and un- the Pentagon, where he helped prepare executive orders for Black recollects hearing complaints immediately after the is related to wars in the Mideast. But no one can point to der enemy fire, Black and his men landed on the other side. the president’s signature, and “sort of oversaw the whole invasion from Iraqis that there was no electricity. This meant any significant benefit that has come from any of these wars. He walked first, with his two radio men immediately behind system.” Dick Black retired in 1994 as a full colonel after 32 no air conditioning or other modern conveniences to beat They’ve all been a failure.” him. “Smitty stepped on a bouncing betty landmine, and it years in the military. the desert heat. Fast forward over sixteen years, and one of Describing his other interactions with members on Capitol exploded, killed both of my radiomen. I was wounded,” Black Kosovo War the causes of the protests wracking Iraqi cities is the lack of Hill, Black finds that most of them are ignorant of international remembers. He was awarded the Purple Heart. As a Virginia Delegate, Black opposed US intervention in electricity, despite over $60 billion of US reconstruction in- relations, or anything that is occurring outside of their dis- “It turns out the great mistake we made in Vietnam was Kosovo in 1999. “I thought when we went in, first of all it was vestment. “[Y]ou know it is astounding the amount of money tricts. “They just are clueless. That’s one category. The other to assassinate President Ngo Diem, who was the legitimate in violation of international law. There was no legal basis, no that we have flooded into that country, and I think that most of category are people who know something, but they’re scared, president of the country. Ngo Diem was most opposed to foundation for us going in there. And we were using NATO in it has gone into Swiss bank accounts. Some of them our Swiss and they know they better keep their mouths shut. And then the United States getting in the war,” explains Black, who an aggressive capacity. It had been a defensive alliance up until bank accounts, some of them Iraqi Swiss bank accounts, but you’ve got the key leaders, the hawks, who are determined singles out the CIA for facilitating the assassination. “And the then, and this was the beginning of breaking that mold and all very little has ever reached the people,” avers Black. that we’re going to be at war. And they don’t care about what’s principle reason was there was a very strong anti-colonialist of a sudden NATO was becoming a sort of predator alliance.” “And the fact that we could never reconstruct the electric right, what’s wrong, or anything. They just want us at war.” philosophy both in North and South Vietnam. They had come “[T]here was a major bridge in the center of one of the big grid that we destroyed is just an example of the pathetic nature Between announcing his first electoral campaign in 1997 out of Japanese rule, they had come out from under French cities. And in broad daylight we just deliberately bombed ci- of American foreign policy in the Mideast.” and his imminent retirement, Dick Black has not been afraid rule, and the idea they would somehow be under American vilian traffic there, dropped the span of the bridge and people Libyan War to criticize the warfare state and the destructive policies of domination was a problem.” fell to their death in cars and that kind of thing…I was very, Regarding the regime changes wars of the past decade, his government. His passion for foreign affairs goes far be- “Now the difference we had in South Vietnam was that the very disappointed with what we did in Kosovo.” Black says his interest was first piqued during the NATO im- yond that of almost any person in Congress and might leave people, by and large, supported the government. You certainly Iraq War posed no-fly zone over Libya and the subsequent overthrow some wondering why a state politician would get so involved. had ones who did not, and were willing to use violent means Having closely followed the course of the Iran-Iraq War of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. “I became curious because I “It’s important to remember, whether you’re a state to overthrow the Republic of Vietnam, but at least we had (including the West’s funneling of poison gas to Hussein’s knew that we had settled all outstanding disputes with Libya. senator or not, we’re all still Americans. We have respon- an ally in South Vietnam, which was much different that the government), Black couldn’t comprehend the Bush adminis- I knew they were [a] very staunch anti-terrorist [government]. sibilities to our nation that go beyond whatever political wars we’re fighting the Mideast where basically we’re just tration’s strategy in 2002. “I was so stunned that after all we I knew that they were cooperating very closely with the United role that we fill,” Black explains.And the antiwar movement an invader, and we go in and tear the country to shreds and had done to establish a balance of power in that particular area States. And I thought, ‘Why did we attack them?’” is grateful for it.

7 Wall Street Journal: deposition later in the day with David Sondland kept Trump administra- Holmes, a U.S. embassy official in Kiev, tion officials briefed on Ukraine could prove more consequential.Holmes dealings Polls that do not benefit Trump! told lawmakers he overheard a phone call The US Ambassador to the European were going to “do the investigation,” one security aid to Ukraine was in our vital the Republican president misused U.S. House investigators on Saturday between Trump and Gordon Sondland, Union kept several Trump administra- day after Trump has asked his Ukrain- national interest and should not have foreign policy to undermine former Vice also heard closed-door testimony from the U.S. ambassador to the European tion officials briefed on his attempts to ian counterpart to investigate Biden, been delayed for any reason.” President Joe Biden, one of his potential a White House budget official about the Union, in which the president inquired get Ukraine to launch investigations according to a copy of Holmes’ opening The House’s fast-moving impeach- opponents in the 2020 election. holdup of military aid to Ukraine. Mark about Ukraine’s willingness to carry out later discussed in Trump’s July call statement obtained by CNN. ment inquiry is rooted in a whistleblower The House of Representatives on Sandy, a career official of the Office of investigations of Biden and his son. with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Holmes explained that Sondland had complaint alleging that Trump abused his Saturday also released a transcript of Management and Budget, was the first The phone call occurred on July Zelensky, emails reviewed by The Wall placed the call to Trump, and he could official powers “to solicit interference” an earlier closed-door deposition by person from OMB to testify before the 26, one day after the now-infamous Street Journal show. hear Trump because the call was so loud from Zelensky in the upcoming 2020 Tim Morrison, a former White House inquiry after three political appointees phone conversation between Trump The emails reviewed by the Journal on the terrace of a restaurant, where election, and the White House took steps aide with the National Security Council defied congressional subpoenas to appear. and Zelenskiy. show Gordon Sondland -- who testified they dined with two others. to cover it up. focusing on Europe and Russia policy, Sandy spoke about how unusual it “So, he’s gonna do the investigation?” last month he was directed by Trump “While Ambassador Sondland’s Even before the whistleblower com- who was also on the call. was to have a political appointee come Trump asked Sondland, referring to to work with Rudy Giuliani on Ukraine phone was not on speakerphone, I could plaint was made available to lawmakers, Morrison, who resigned a day before in and place a hold on military aid to Zelenskiy, according to Holmes’ testimo- -- kept acting White House chief of staff hear the President’s voice through the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declared his deposition last month, and Williams Ukraine, CNN quoted a source familiar ny.“He’s gonna do it,” replied Sondland, Mick Mulvaney and Energy Secretary earpiece of the phone. The President’s Trump had betrayed his oath of office both expressed concerns about Trump’s with the testimony as saying.Democratic adding the Ukrainian president would Rick Perry informed of his push for the voice was very loud and recognizable, and and announced she was opening a formal remarks to Ukrainian President Volod- Representative Jamie Raskin, a member do “anything you ask him to,” according country to launch investigations in the Ambassador Sondland held the phone impeachment inquiry into the President. ymyr Zelenskiy. Williams and Morrison of the Judiciary and Oversight Commit- to Holmes. weeks leading up to Trump’s July 25 call away from his ear for a period of time, Pence aide said Trump’s are scheduled to testify publicly next tees, said Sandy was brought in to shed The testimony by Holmes, an aide with his Ukrainian counterpart. presumably because of the loud volume,” Ukraine phone call was ‘unusual week.“I was not comfortable with any light on whether military aid was held to Taylor, ties Trump more directly A rough transcript of the call released Holmes testified. and inappropriate’ idea that President Zelenskiy should allow up for political reasons. to a pressure campaign in Ukraine to by the White House shows Trump re- Sondland’s text messages with the top As Reuters reported, The phone call himself to be involved in our politics,” “This is a technical part of our inves- investigate the Bidens led by Trump’s peatedly pushed Zelensky to investigate US diplomat in Ukraine, Bill Taylor, are between U.S. President Donald Trump Morrison told lawmakers. He also said tigation,” Raskin told reporters outside personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani.Holmes’ former Vice President Joe Biden, Trump’s a key data point for the impeachment and his Ukrainian counterpart at the found Zelenskiy’s tone in the call with the interview room.“We want to know statement appears to contradict Sond- potential 2020 political rival, and his son investigation, in which Sondland told center of Congress’ impeachment in- Trump to be “obsequious.” exactly how the president translated his land’s previous sworn testimony about Hunter Biden. There is no evidence of Taylor there was “no quid pro quo” after vestigation was “inappropriate,” an Morrison declined to say he thought political objective to shake down the his interactions with Trump, in which wrongdoing by either Biden. speaking to Trump about the matter. aide to Vice President Mike Pence told the call was illegal or improper, stressing Ukrainian government for the favors he did not mention his July 26 phone News of Sondland keeping top Trump Sondland’s testimony says that he lawmakers, according to a transcript instead that he thought it would leak, he wanted (into) the budget process.” call with the president. officials apprised of his efforts with Ukraine knew of no arrangement tying US security released on Saturday. damaging relations with Ukraine. He On Friday, Trump used Twitter to Sondland, who has already revised comes just days before he is set to testify assistance to Ukraine with an investi- Jennifer Williams, a foreign policy said he only learned later that the aid criticize a former U.S. ambassador to his testimony once, is scheduled to tes- publicly in the House impeachment in- gation into the Bidens -- but also that aide to Pence who was listening to the to Ukraine was conditioned on the in- Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch, while she tify publicly on Wednesday.Morrison vestigation. State Department aide David it would be wrong to do so. call on July 25, testified that Trump’s vestigations. was testifying to an impeachment hearing, said he understood that Sondland and Holmes testified last week he overheard a “Let me state clearly: Inviting a for- insistence that Ukraine carry out politi- In the first public hearing last week, an extraordinary moment that Democrats Trump had spoken “half a dozen times” phone conversation where Sondland told eign government to undertake investi- cally sensitive investigations “struck me acting ambassador to Ukraine William said amounted to witness intimidation. between mid-July and mid-September, Trump that Zelensky “loves your ass” and gations for the purpose of influencing as unusual and inappropriate.” Taylor pointed to Trump’s keen inter- Trump defended his attack on Yova- adding that he, National Security Adviser that Ukraine was going to move forward an upcoming U.S. election would be She said the discussion was “more est in getting the eastern European ally novitch, saying he had the right to free John Bolton and other officials viewed with the investigation Trump had asked wrong,” Sondland said, according to the political in nature” than phone calls with to investigate Biden and reiterated his speech.Yovanovitch, a career diplomat, Sondland’s involvement as “a problem.” Zelensky for a day earlier. statement. “Withholding foreign aid in other foreign leaders, and included what understanding that $391 million in U.S. testified on the second day of televised Representative Eric Swalwell, a Dem- Holmes told lawmakers that Sond- order to pressure a foreign government she viewed as specific references to the security aid was withheld from Kiev un- impeachment hearings, which will re- ocrat on the House Intelligence Com- land had told Trump that Zelensky would to take such steps would be wrong. I president’s “personal political agenda.” less it cooperated.Morrison said he had sume next week. mittee, told reporters on Saturday that do “anything you ask him to” and that did not and would not ever participate Trump’s call is at the heart of the reviewed Taylor’s testimony and did not While Yovanovitch’s testimony domi- House leaders were considering bringing Sondland had confirmed the Ukrainians in such undertakings. In my opinion, Democratic-led inquiry into whether dispute it on any significant points. nated headlines on Friday, a closed-door Holmes in for a public hearing. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 12 SOCIETY NOVEMBER 19, 2019

Black-throated finch wins Tehran hosting international, 2019 bird of the year regional conference on climate change The black-throated finch has been voted Australian bird of the year for 2019, beating the tawny frogmouth in a landslide. ENVIRONMENT TEHRAN — The sixth inner-city travel, and expand parks and green The highly endangered finch, which is under threat from the deskinternational, regional spaces,” he concluded. expansion of the Adani Carmichael coalmine, was backed by a conference on climate change opened in Climate change needs strict laws highly organised online campaign linking it to deforestation, the Tehran on Monday with the participation and regulations climate emergency and opposition to the mine. of representatives from World Meteorological Asadollah Abbasi, a member of the Majlis It won with 11,153 votes (35% of the total), and 7,802 votes Organization and several countries. (Iranian Parliament), for his part said: “Like clear of second. Overall, including first- and secon- round votes, Training courses and workshops on rel- many countries that have a single climate 18,387 people voted for the black-throated finch. evant issues will be held on the sidelines of change law, we can combine scattered laws the 2-day event, Mehr news agency reported. to have an effective law.” Drought highly threatens food Since industrialization began in the world, security industrial pollutants have increased green- Sahar Taj Bakhsh, head of Iran’s Meteoro- house gas emissions, he stated. logical Organization (IMO), said that drought He went on to say that glaciers are melting, threatens food security in countries around which affected the Caspian Sea and rivers the world. across the country; floods and droughts are Today, climate change is one of the impor- caused by human-caused climate change, tant issues in our country that needs serious which is threatening the lives of millions of attention; climate change has increased the people. incidence of extreme events, she said. “When it comes to sustainable develop- However, air transportation is one of the ment, it will be backed by all the principles we issues that plays a very significant role in need to consider, including public education, generation of greenhouse gas and carbon level rises as well and causes disasters in flects the wisdom and maturity of the people, participation and research, he highlighted, dioxide emissions, she lamented. coastal countries. however, in recent decades, we have gone emphasizing, we cannot wait to see what The small passerine held a huge lead from early in the poll, She went on to say that climate change and Since 1970 to 2018, carbon dioxide emis- further to copy foreign urban development happens, we must take action to adapt to winning the first round with 7,234 votes, more than 3,000 clear the occurrence of extreme weather events are sions have increased sharply, and climate patterns which ended up in increased envi- climate change.” of second – and then extended that lead in the final round. among the most dangerous economic issues risks will continue to increase, also heat waves ronmental problems,” he explained. Today, the country is facing a lack of Fewer than 800 individuals now exist of the southern in the world, as 4.5 billion people in the world have also increased sharply over the past 18 “We must definitely move towards sus- water resources that resulted in excessive black-throated finch subspecies, making it the most endangered are affected by natural hazards, 96 percent of years, with transport sector contribution of tainable development and avoid indefinite withdrawal of ground water, which have dire bird in the final 10. The northern subspecies is more abundant whom are affected by atmospheric hazards. 14 percent, she also explained. development that results in climate change consequences in addition to rising migration and less threatened. Casualties of weather events have been In recent years, 30,000 kilometers of new intensification.” to urban areas, he lamented. The tawny frogmouth briefly held hopes of becoming the first on the rise since 1980 to 2018; which is air routes have been set up in Iran, and the “One of our priorities was the creation of Elsewhere in his remarks, Abbasi said that nocturnal bird to win the poll, but came a distant second with basically the result of global warming that length of our air routes has increased from new air routes to reduce fuel consumption, once agricultural development around Lake 3,351 votes. caused December, January, and February to 60,000 kilometers to 94,000 kilometers, as well as changing energy consumption Urmia was suggested and began that affected The magpie, which won the inaugural Guardian/BirdLife be the hottest months ever, causing a change resulting in shorter routes, which reduces patterns in the households. the whole climate of the region, and posed Australia 2017 bird of the year, slumped to fourth, with 2,725 in precipitation throughout the world, she fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emis- “We have also put in place the use of low threats to people’s lives, so plans without votes, and the ibis, which came second in 2017, dropped all the explained. sions, she stated. sulfur fuel in the fleet so that we can comply environmental assessment should not be way to 10th, and only 1,147 votes. Parts of the Middle East and North Afri- By transforming the country’s space into with the required percentages. implemented. The superb fairy-wren came third, with 2,875 votes, the mag- ca are affected by droughts severely, which an airway within the framework of economic, And we have increased the railways from “We are deeply concerned about the issue pie fourth (2,725) and the laughing kookaburra fifth (2,650). has a significant impact on Gross Domestic environmental and sustainable development 4,700 km to 14,400 km, also it is scheduled to of the Caspian Sea water transfer,” he regret- The wedge-tailed eagle (2,402), the sulphur-crested cockatoo Product (GDP), she regretted, adding, if rising can take steps towards green transportation, build some 15,000 railways throughout the ted, adding, Hyrcanian Forests also play an (2,341), the willie wagtail (1,970), the rainbow lorikeet (1,711) temperature continues, it will lead to food Taj Bakhsh concluded. country, to get the most out of the minimum important role in the climate change of the and the ibis followed. insecurity in countries that are among the Natural resources not managed energy efficiency and direct our transporta- region and must be protected. Sean Dooley from BirdLife Australia paid tribute to the finch most affected by drought. properly tion to green standards,” Eslami highlighted. The sixth development plan insisted on and said the victory was well-deserved. Warnings of a three-degree rise in global Mohammad Eslami, Minister of Transport Another aspect is urban planning which saving water and preventing over-harvesting, “As someone who has gone out and seen that bird in nature, temperatures mean that most of the countries and Urban Development, for his part said: “We requires a particular attention to maximize but no measures have been done due to lack they are subtly stunning. No illustration I have seen has done will suffer from food insecurity, Taj Bakhsh did not treat our natural resources properly the resilience capacity of the cities and set- of coordination of related bodies, he added. justice to the beauty of the bird in real life. They are a literal lamented. so that environmental hazards increased.” tlements, while focusing on environmental It seems that legislating a single climate breath-taker when you see them.” If we experience a two degrees raise in “During the past centuries, people have issues and smart urbanization, he said. change law that urges all the related organ- The black-throated finch’s win struck a different kind of note. temperature, tropical storms will increase always chose a region for living based on the “We can minimize traffic jam, relocate ization and people to employ it, can come “People could be cynical and say nobody had heard of this around the world, she noted, adding, sea climate characteristic of the area, which re- industrial units and businesses, minimize highly efficient, he concluded. bird five years ago, and that is exactly the point,” he said. “That just shows how the awareness of Australian birds is growing. “When we did the first poll in 2017 we essentially focused on birds we thought people would recognise. But the sad reality Aq-Gol wetland hosts flocks of migratory birds is that many of our birds are becoming iconic for all the wrong reasons, they are now emblematic of the extinction crisis. ENVIRONMENT TEHRAN — Aq-Gol wetland in west-cen- species, he said, adding, it is mainly frequented by water desk “They have become characters of how we can express our tral province of Hamedan is filled with birds including ducks, heron, goose, cormorant, crane, grief in what we are losing in nature.” water due to heavy rainfall and now plays host to flocks Eurasian teal, and avocet. Earlier, the poll was rocked by scandal after the discovery of migratory birds once again. Some of them nest in the area and spend the whole of a sophisticated voter fraud operation in favour of the sul- Last year, the wetland was dried and migratory birds winter there, while some others migrate to south after a phur-crested cockatoo. refused to land in the area, IRNA quoted Mehdi Safi Khani, short period, he noted. Thousands of votes were added in minutes for the cockatoo – all provincial department of environment deputy chief, as DOE forces constantly monitor the area and pursue automated and from the same origin – with other votes added to the saying on Monday. any illegal hunting or probable disease breakout, he high- finch and the rainbow lorikeet in an attempt to disguise the ruse. However, above-normal precipitation covered the lighted, concluding, “To prevent poaching, we increased All fraudulent votes were promptly identified and removed. wetland with water and caused the migratory birds to fly the number of forces in the region.” Drama also erupted on the final day of round one voting after a their wings to the area, he stated. Aq-Gol wetland stretching to 600 hectares, provides nail-biting three-way tussle between the wedge-tailed eagle, the ga- The wetland has become one of the bird wintering an eye-catching view and offers an ideal condition for wa- lah and the willie wagtail came down to a handful of write-in votes. ground for birds due to favorable water resources and terfowls such as, flamingos, ducks, geese, storks, common Under a new two-round structure, this year’s poll had a first nutrition, which welcomes a number of migratory bird shelduck, gulls and etc. round of voting between 50 birds, with the top 10 progressing to a final round to crown the winner. With three hours left in the first round, a huge surge for both Scientists prove Amazon wildfires were caused by deforestation the eagle and galah meant the wagtail, in ninth, was suddenly Fires raging across the Amazon this summer Deforestation is almost always followed fire month in the Amazon.” aro’s two-month moratoria on fires or not. at risk of dropping out of the top 10 altogether. were not “normal” new research shows, counter- by fire as the cut vegetation is left to dry Researchers used evidence collected from the Dr Erika Berenguer, a Brazilian researcher In the end, the galah missed out by only four votes. acting claims made by the Brazilian government before being burned. Brazilian government’s DETER-b deforestation jointly affiliated with Lancaster University Dooley said the biannual competition was “a fantastic cel- that they were “below the historical average”. Scientists found deforestation in July was detection system which calculates deforestation and the University of Oxford, said: “Our ebration”, a joyous event and a way to raise awareness of bird Amazonian fires can occur in a number four times higher than the average in the by analysing images taken by Nasa. paper clearly shows that without tackling conservation. of ways but there is strong evidence this previous three years. They also found that The fires also occurred at a period when deforestation, we will continue to see the (Source: The Guardian) year’s wildfires were linked to an increase the number of active fires was three times there was not strong drought. They say the largest rainforest in the world being turned in deforestation, according to the paper pub- higher than they were in 2018, reaching their ‘enormous’ plumes of smoke that reached to ashes. We must curb deforestation. WORDS IN THE NEWS lished in Global Change Biology Deforestation. highest levels since 2010. high into the atmosphere could only have “Brazil has for the past decade been an More than 72,000 fires were detected Professor Jos Barlow, lead author of the been caused by the combustion of large environmental leader, showing to the world Venezuelan President across Brazil between January and August paper said: “The marked upturn in both ac- amounts of biomass. that it can successfully reduce deforestation. – the highest number since records began tive fire counts and deforestation in 2019 Fires decreased by 35 per cent in Sep- It is both economically and environmentally (April 15, 2002) in 2013 and an 83 per cent increase on the therefore refutes suggestions by the Brazilian tember and researchers were not clear on unwise to revert this trend.” Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has been returned to power same period last year. government that August 2019 was a normal whether this was due to President Bolson- (Source: The Independent) by junior army officers. He was briefly removed from power by the military during a strike in the oil industry. This report from Adam Easton: ENGLISH IN USE Oil managers said Mr Chavez’s decision to accept the resignations of the company’s board of directors was a platform for normalizing LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION relations. The appointment of Mr Chavez’s supporters to the board sparked four days of turmoil which ended in the deaths of more than forty people. الیحه حقوق کودک در مجلس از کمیسیون Mr Chavez’s return caused widespread celebrations among his Bill on children’s rights to be supporters. But many people have said they are concerned about a قضایی به صحن آمد possible government crackdown against the Venezuelan leader’s brought before Majlis: MP opponents. The celebrations have been marred by a second day After months of discussions the bill on rights of children will be brought محمدرضــا بادامچــی نماینــده مــردم تهــران، ری و شــمیرانات در مجلس شــورای اســالمی گفــت: پس ازمــاه ها تالش of looting of shops and supermarkets in the capital, Caracas. So before Majlis [Iranian parliament], MP Mohammad Reza Badamchi ، در روزهــای گذشــته، الیحــه حمایــت از حقــوق کــودکان از کمیســیون قضایی به صحــن آمد. .far, Mr Chavez has called for conciliation Pedro Carmona, who was installed by military leaders as interim has said. بــه گــزارش خبرآنالیــن، بادامچــی روز پنجشــنبه در صفحـ ـهشــخصی توییتــر خــود در خصــوص الیحــه حمایــت از president for forty-eight hours, was still in custody however, “Finally after days of putting in considerable effort in legislative group حقــوق کــودکان نوشــت: باالخــره بــا پیگیر یهــا و تال شهــای بســیار، در روزهــای گذشــته، الیحــه حمایــت از حقوق while the authorities decided whether to bring charges against him. of Majlis we have managed to bring the bill on children’s right before the کــودکان، از کمیســیون قضایــی بــه صحــن آمد. Interior minister Ramon Rodrigues Chacin took a harder line. He warned that the coup leaders would have to take responsibility for parliament,” Badamchi wrote in Persian on his twitter account on Thursday. پیگیر یهــا را ادامــه م یدهیــم تــا ایــن الیحــه، هــر چــه زودتــر در دســتور کار جلســه علنــی قــرار گیــرد. امیــدوارم بــا bringing the country to the brink of civil war. “We keep on following up on the subject to stop violation against children’s تصویــب آن، از تضییــع حقــوق کــودکان و آزار آنــان و مهــم تــر از همــه آزار جنســی کــم شــود. .Words rights and child abuse, most importantly sexual abuse,” the MP added a platform: a starting point, a basis for discussion sparked: directly caused, but probably not deliberately turmoil: a state of disorder and confusion crackdown: strong action by government, the military or police PREFIX/SUFFIX PHRASAL VERB IDIOM to punish people who break laws marred: spoiled “-logy, -ology” Hold something against Business as usual looting: stealing from shops during a riot or other disturbance conciliation: the process of ending a disagreement and making peace Meaning: knowledge or collection somebody Explanation: after an unpleasant or unexpected event, interim president: a temporary president who is in office for For example: Our biology requires us to breathe air. everything is continuing in a normal way, in spite of the a short time until a permanent one is found Meaning: to continue to dislike someone or not forgive difficulties in custody: if someone is in custody they have been arrested and them because of something bad they have done in the past For example: It was business as usual at the super- are being kept in prison until they can be tried For example: You can’t still hold no grudge against market the day after the hold-up. the brink: if a country is on the brink of war it is very near to war him, surely? (Source: BBC) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y NOVEMBER 19, 2019 WORLD IN FOCUS 13

Trump impeachment probe set to pick ‘Worse than Richard Nixon’: Pelosi raises specter of Trump up speed with eight more witnesses resignation The impeachment inquiry of U.S. President proach. Some Democrats have accused him Donald Trump shifts into higher gear this of witness intimidation but most Republican US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is amplifying her unfavorable week when a parade of officials will face lawmakers have joined him in declaring the comparison of President Donald Trump to fellow Republican questioning by Democratic lawmakers seeking inquiry unfair. Richard Nixon, saying that the disgraced former president details that could link Trump to a pressure Several witnesses testified last week that at least cared enough about the country to leave office before campaign against Ukraine potentially for they were alarmed over the pressure tactics his impeachment. his political benefit. used against Ukraine, as well as the role of The top Democrat in Congress told reporters last week Eight more witnesses are due to testify Trump’s personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani. that Trump’s pressure on Ukraine to investigate one of his in Week Two of the televised hearings. They At the heart of the inquiry is a July 25 potential opponents in the 2020 election “makes what Nixon include Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambas- phone call in which Trump asked Ukrainian did look almost small.” sador to the European Union, whose direct President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to open a In a CBS interview broadcast on Sunday, she alluded interactions with Trump are likely to be a corruption investigation into Biden and his to Nixon’s resignation after the Watergate scandal involv- main focus in the investigation of whether son, Hunter Biden, and into a discredited ing a break-in at Democratic Party headquarters and the the president made security aid to Ukraine theory that Ukraine, not Russia, meddled subsequent cover-up. contingent on it agreeing to dig up dirt on in the 2016 U.S. election. “I mean, what the President did was so much worse than a political rival, former Vice President Joe Among this week’s witnesses are several even what Richard Nixon did, that at some point Richard Biden. who listened in on the call. Nixon cared about the country enough to recognise that this The latest round of hearings will stretch Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman, could not continue,” Pelosi said on CBS’ Face the Nation. from Tuesday to Thursday before the House a Ukraine expert at the National Security Nixon, whose name has become synonymous with scan- of Representatives Intelligence Committee. Council, testified behind closed doors last dal and ignominy for many Americans, resigned in 1974 Seeking to build on last week’s testimony month that he was so concerned about after the House Judiciary Committee approved articles of by three key witnesses, Democrats leading efforts to push Ukraine to investigate a impeachment against him but before the full House voted the inquiry - the first public impeachment power of his office. proceedings and attacked witnesses by name Trump rival that he reported it to the on the issue, and he was not impeached. drama in two decades - will continue trying Denying any wrongdoing, Trump, who last week and over the weekend, has shown NSC’s lawyer. He is the only U.S. president to have resigned from office. to make the case that Trump abused the railed on Twitter and elsewhere against the no sign of a let-up in his confrontational ap- (Source: Reuters) Pelosi for months resisted calls from her more liberal Democratic lawmakers to initiate impeachment proceed- ings, but said Trump’s call with Ukrainian President Volo- dymyr Zelensky compelled her to open the inquiry against Lebanon is a sinking ship, parliament UK govt. covered up the President. speaker warns war crimes Since launching the proceedings on September 24, Pelosi has not been in the room as the House Intelligence Committee held public hearings on Trump’s impeachment. However, Lebanon is like a sinking ship that will go On Sunday, banks, which have The UK government and military covered and the BBC’s Panorama program that her voice is loud and clear on the outside, where she drives under unless action is taken, Parliament mostly been closed since the protests up credible evidence of war crimes by British senior commanders hid it “for political messaging in a nuanced but sharp manner. Speaker Nabih Berri was quoted as saying began, announced temporary measures soldiers against civilians in Afghanistan and reasons.” Her Nixon comparison came amid the trial of longtime on Monday, referring to the country’s deep including a weekly cap of $1,000 on Iraq, according to an investigation by the “The Ministry of Defense had no inten- Trump ally Roger Stone, a self-proclaimed “dirty trickster” economic and political crisis. cash withdrawals and restricting trans- BBC and The Sunday Times. Leaks from tion of prosecuting any soldier of whatever who worked for Nixon’s re-election campaign and has Nixon’s Berri, an ally of the powerful Shia group fers abroad to cover urgent personal two government-ordered inquiries into the rank he was unless it was absolutely nec- face tattooed on his back. Stone was convicted on Friday Hezbollah, told visitors that efforts to spending only. conduct of troops in the conflicts implicated essary and they couldn’t wriggle their way of lying to Congress, obstruction and witness tampering form a new government were “completely A bank staff union will decide later on troops in the killing of children and torture out of it,” an investigator told the BBC. during the investigation into Russian interference in the frozen” and awaiting developments at any Monday whether to lift a strike that has of civilians, the investigation found. The ministry said the allegations were 2016 U.S. election. moment, the newspaper al-Joumhuria kept the banks shut for the past week. The allegations include murders by a “untrue” and that the decisions of prosecutors Trump and his supporters have attacked the impeach- reported. Efforts to form a new government, soldier from the elite SAS unit, as well as and investigators were “independent” and ment probe as politically motivated. Trump says his call Struggling with a massive public debt needed to enact urgent reforms, hit a deaths in custody, beatings, torture and involved “external oversight and legal advice.” with Zelensky was “perfect” while Republican lawmakers and economic stagnation, Lebanon has setback at the weekend when former sexual abuse of detainees by members of The accusations emerged from two war criticise the impeachment process as unfair. sunk into major political trouble since finance minister Mohammad Safadi the Black Watch infantry unit. crimes inquiries - the Iraq Historic Alle- “Do you have any evidence at all that the president did protests erupted against its ruling elite a withdrew his candidacy for the post Military detectives who unearthed ev- gations Team and Operation Northmoor, anything criminal or illegal? And the answer is no,” Republican month ago, leading Prime Minister Saad of prime minister, sparking bitter re- idence of the alleged war crimes told the which dea U.S. Representative Chris Stewart said on ABC’s This Week. al-Hariri to quit on Oct. 29. criminations. yearlong investigation by the newspaper (Source: AFP) The President has “every opportunity to present his case,” Pelosi told CBS, including coming before the intelligence panel. “If the President has information that demonstrates his innocence in all of this, which we haven’t seen,” she said. “If North Korea will not hold ‘useless’ summits with US: KCNA he has information that is exculpatory - that means ex, taking Another summit between North Korea and the US would “We will not give anything to the US president to brag away, culpable, blame -then we look forward to seeing it.” be “useless” unless Washington offers new concessions in about when we have received nothing in return,” he added. She accused Trump of bribery last week in having his aides their nuclear negotiations, Pyongyang said Monday, hours The implied criticism of Trump by name is a departure dangle a White House meeting, then $U.S.400 million in after Donald Trump hinted at the prospect. for Pyongyang, which has long limited its frustration to suspended U.S. security assistance, if Zelensky announced an “You should act quickly, get the deal done,” Trump other administration officials. investigation into a Democratic 2020 political rival, former tweeted Sunday, referring to North Korean leader Kim Last month, adviser Kim declared: “Contrary to the political vice-president Joe Biden. Bribery is one of three articles of Jong Un. “See you soon!” judgment and intention of President Trump, Washington impeachment in the U.S. Constitution. Kim and Trump have met three times since June last political circles and DPRK policy makers of the US admin- (Source: Sydney Morning Herald) year, but talks have been gridlocked since their Hanoi sum- istration are hostile to the DPRK for no reason, “using the mit in February broke up in disagreement over sanctions initials of North Korea’s official name. relief, while October’s working-level talks rapidly broke In September he was fulsome in his praise for the US down in Sweden. leader, saying that Trump was “different from his prede- Egypt at risk of US sanctions Pyongyang has set Washington a deadline of the end cessors” and that he placed his hopes in “President Trump’s of the year to come forward with a fresh offer, and foreign wise option and bold decision”. over purchase of Russian ministry advisor Kim Kye Gwan said the US was “buying But as the North’s deadline approaches it has issued fighter jets time while acting as if it has achieved progress”. a series of increasingly assertive statements -- while also Trump’s tweet came after Washington and Seoul agreed He interpreted Trump’s tweet as a “signal” for a new carrying out a number of weapons launches. to postpone annual joint aerial exercises to create space for Egypt’s purchase of Russian fighter jets puts it at risk of summit, he said in a statement carried by state news agency Washington should withdraw its “hostile policy” if it diplomacy with Pyongyang, which condemns such drills U.S. sanctions and endangers future acquisitions of U.S. KCNA, but declared: “We are not interested in such useless wants dialogue to continue, Kim said Monday, without as preparations for invasion. equipment, a U.S. state department official said Monday. talks any more.” elaborating further. (Source: AFP) Egypt is aware of those risks, U.S. Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs R. Clarke Cooper said at the Dubai Airshow. (Source: Daily Star) Riding wave of people’s protest in Iran: Devil disguised as savior 1 To implement the project, they was ultimately foiled by wisdom and the Iranian nation and rights by applying Jan. 2018 and now in 2019 represent a do not hesitate to back rioters who show vigilance of the Iranian nation. Ignoring the same interventionist policies. This total failure of “maximum pressure” policy Kuwait PM declines no mercy on people and their properties. its defeats, especially the one during desperate effort is being carried out by against Iran. Since the policy of imposing reappointment, emir removes Therefore, U.S. officials consider the unrest the 2009 sedition, the U.S. has again the U.S. while the country has imposed heavy sanctions and forming anti-Iran in some parts of Iran as the best chance chosen the same method. any kinds of sanctions, including med- international coalitions has failed, the ministers to take action against the Islamic Repub- Following the uprising in December icine sanctions, on Iranians over the U.S. is trying to reach its goals through lic, which is the leader of the resistance 217-January 2018, the U.S. has launched past four decades. The sanctions aim to backing the rioters. Kuwait’s caretaker prime minister Sheikh Jaber al-Mubarak movement in the region. the project of creating chaos in Iran. At hurt the same people that Washington To meet their anti-Iran goals, the declined to be reappointed as premier Monday, the state This is a policy that the U.S. has been the time, the U.S. supported some van- claims that hears their voice! These are U.S. has used all its affiliated media, news agency KUNA reported, rebuffing the offer from the pursuing toward Iran over the past dec- dals and those who tried to undermine the dichotomous measures that have including the BBC, Al-Arabiya, Al-Ha- ruling emir after submitting the government’s resignation ade, especially after the 2009 sedition, public security, but its support did not always been observed in U.S. foreign dath, Reuters, and Sky News Arabia to last week. which followed claims of vote rigging in lead to a breakthrough, just like the 2009 policy toward Iran. magnify scattered unrest in Iran among The cabinet resignation came after lawmakers sought a the presidential election. At that time, unrest. Another failure was added to The truth is that the U.S. interventions public opinion. This matter is also an- no-confidence vote against the interior minister over alleged U.S. officials made every effort to in- the U.S. history by an early end to the in Iranian affairs and also its continued other evidence of the failures that the abuse of power and as a feud emerged between senior mem- cite rioters and used all of their media unrest. Now, the Americans are trying to support for sporadic chaotic moves in some U.S. has suffered in its various policies bers of the ruling family, including the interior and defense outlets, however, Washington’s plot introduce themselves as the supporter of parts of the country in 2009, Dec. 2017- toward Iran. ministers, over alleged mishandling of military funds. The interior minister has rejected lawmakers’ charges against him. Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah earlier Monday removed his son, Defense Minister Sheikh Nasser India ‘makes advance payment’ for Russian S-400 missile system Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, and Interior Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah from their posts in the current India has made an advance payment of $800m threats to Turkey over a planned purchase of the missile caretaker cabinet. for Russia’s S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems, defense system. Cabinet resignations in the U.S.-allied, OPEC oil pro- the head of Russian conglomerate Rostec, Sergey Under a US law, known as the Countering America’s ducer happen frequently when elected lawmakers are set Chemezov, said. Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), the pur- to question or submit a no-confidence vote against senior Chemezov told reporters on Monday that negotiations chase of defense equipment from Russia can be subject to government officials. were under way and a contract with India will be completed sanctions. However, the president can opt to issue a waiver. The emir sought to reappoint Sheikh Jaber as premier, in 2025. Shukla, the Indian analyst, said that despite concerns, a post he has held since 2011, and asked him to form a new The development comes amid threats of U.S. sanctions, the move is unlikely to negatively affect India’s relations cabinet. but New Delhi has pinned its hopes on a waiver from Wash- with the US, as it has Turkey’s. “I decline this appointment and ask that you accept that,” ington. “India has been buying arms from Russia for decades. It Sheikh Jaber said in a letter to the emir, citing media cam- India signed a $5bn deal to buy the long-range surface- has only recently switched over to buying arms from America. paigns against him in the feud. It was carried by KUNA. to-air missile systems in October 2018 during a visit to New “America is quite happy that it is selling a large number The defense minister had issued a statement two days Delhi by Russian President Vladimir Putin. of arms to India and it realizes that it cannot stop India after the government resignation, saying the cabinet had At the BRICS summit in Brazil on Thursday, Putin from having a defense relationship with Russia because stood down to avoid addressing mismanagement of some said the S-400 deliveries to India were going “according that is a historical pact,” he said. 240 million dinars ($790 million) in military funds before he to plan”. equipment to India - accounting for 62 percent of “The India-Russia relationship is a very old and tested assumed office. He said the defense ministry had submitted “This was very much on the cards. The United States its total weapons imports during the last five years, relationship.” the case to the public prosecutor. has more or less signalled that it’s ok with this project according to the Stockholm Peace Research Institute. India’s relations with the US have also been hit by trade Kuwait has the most open political system in the six-nation and it is not likely to invoke sanctions against India as However, in recent years, New Delhi has inched closer frictions, with New Delhi imposing higher import tariffs Gulf Cooperation Council, with a parliament that has the a result of this,” Ajai Shukla, an Indian defense analyst, to the US and Israel for weapons supply. on some US goods in retaliation for the U.S.’s refusal to power to pass legislation and question ministers. told Al Jazeera. The US has warned that India could face sanctions if exempt India from steel tariffs. (Source: Reuters) Moscow has long been the main supplier of military it goes ahead with the S-400 deal, it has issued similar (Source: al Jazeera) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 14 WORLD SPORTS NOVEMBER 19, 2019

Ex-UEFA chief Platini slams New era or false dawn? VAR as ‘load of crap’

Former UEFA president Michel Platini has slammed the use of VAR technology, the introduction of which he has always opposed, as a total nightmare, in an interview on Italian television. Tsitsipas win invites caution “It would take half an hour to explain why it doesn’t solve prob- Stefanos Tsitsipas said he was ready for no hope for the younger players, who now lems,” the former France international told the “Che tempo che fa” a breakthrough Grand Slam victory after appear to be getting closer. late-night talk show on Rai on Sunday. winning the ATP Finals in London -- but Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, 23, pushed “It shifts them. I’m against VAR. I think it’s a load of crap and a glance at recent history invites caution. Nadal all the way in the US Open final in unfortunately we will not go back.” The 21-year-old Greek was in bullish September, and should have avenged the The 64-year-old has always been against the use of VAR which he mood after he beat Dominic Thiem, having loss at the ATP Finals but he collapsed from refused to consider after he became UEFA chief in 2007. ousted Roger Federer in the semi-finals, to an seemingly impregnable position against European football’s governing body has now also introduced the become the season-ending event’s youngest the Spaniard. use of the video replay technology in this year’s Champions League. winner since 2001. Zverev demolished Nadal to reach the Meanwhile, the former Juventus star believes he could still play “I believe I’m really close to being semi-finals in London, but was disappointing a role in football after his four-year suspension from the sport ended crowned a Grand Slam champion,” he in a straight-sets defeat against Thiem. in October. said, after his 6-7 (6/8), 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) Tsitsipas’s impressive win against “At 64, I have the opportunity for one last adventure, but I have triumph in London on Sunday. “I know Federer in the semi-finals also felt like a no room for error and I have to think about it,” he said. these are strong words that I say but I do statement of intent -- backing up his victory A triple Ballon d’Or winner, Platini had been expected to succeed feel I belong there.” against the Swiss at the Australian Open. Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016 but fell spectacularly from But although Tsitsipas’s victory feels Zverev, 22, predicted next year will bring grace a few months earlier. significant, he is the fourth first-time a new Grand Slam champion, saying the The former France captain was suspended by world football’s champion in as many years at the season “young guys are playing incredible tennis”. governing body in 2015 over a controversial payment of two million finale, which has proved a poor predictor But Tsitsipas warned that it was crucial Swiss francs (1.8 million euros, $2 million) that he received from Blatter. of future success. to dislodge Federer, Nadal and Djokovic in Platini has always insisted he did nothing wrong. Last year, young German Alexander the early rounds as they tend to improve “At FIFA, they did not want me as president,” he continued. Zverev pummelled Novak Djokovic in the as tournaments progress, adding that the “I wanted to defend football and I was the only footballer who final but he had a miserable time at this champion to go on to win a major title. Grand Slam title in 2003, the Big Three five-set format also played into their hands. could become FIFA president.” season’s Slams -- while the Serb, 32, picked Injury-plagued Andy Murray has won have collected an astonishing 55 out of the “For the young guys it’s all about time,” Platini added that he no longer had any contact with either Blatter up the Australian Open and Wimbledon only two trophies since he secured his 66 majors on offer, with Murray and Stan he said. “I don’t know. We will have to beat or current FIFA president Gianni Infantino. titles to take his overall tally to 16. sole ATP Finals title in 2016, crowning Wawrinka also winning three apiece. them or wait for them.” (Source: Goal) Rafael Nadal, 33, won a barely credible his strongest season. There has long been speculation over who Federer says he has heard it all before, 12th French Open title and added the US And the lavishly gifted but inconsistent would have the guts and talent to overthrow although even he senses a possible shift at ‘Kawaii!’ Olympic robot Open, underlining the fact that the old guard Grigor Dimitrov has not won a tournament the established order. the top of the men’s game. were still very much in charge. since his 2017 success at the season finale. Players such as Milos Raonic, Dimitrov “It’s the same question every year at the mascots thrill Tokyo students No member of the “Big Three” -- also The fact remains that despite all the and Kei Nishikori -- members of a previous end of the year, and I feel like I’m answering featuring Federer -- has won the season- razzmatazz surrounding the ATP Finals, it is supposed “next generation”, consistently it the same way,” he said. Robot versions of Japan’s Olympic and Paralympic mascots thrilled ending ATP Finals since 2015, when Djokovic the Grand Slams that are the true yardstick failed to challenge the dominant trio. “But does it feel like this year might be hundreds of school children in Tokyo on Monday, striking sporting picked up his fifth title. in tennis. Incredible tennis’ the best (closest) year yet? Possibly.” poses and displaying hearts in their electronic eyes. Djokovic was also the last ATP Finals Since 38-year-old Federer won his first However, that is not to say that there’s (Source: AFP) The event at a local elementary school was billed as a chance to showcase some of the technology Japan hopes will wow visitors at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Some 600 pupils clapped and shouted “kawaii (cute)!” as the Vettel, Leclerc summoned to Ronaldo reveals he has been playing toddler-sized versions of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic mascots were unveiled. explain collision while injured for Juventus and Portugal The futuristic-looking pair, Miraitowa and Someity, can show “feelings” in their gleaming eyes by displaying hearts or stars. School principal Jun Ninomiya told children the “robots will play active roles behind the scenes” at the summer games. “Have fun and find out what functions they have and what they can do,” he told the children at Hoyonomori Elementary School in Tokyo. Blue-and-white Miraitowa is the mascot for the Olympics and pink-and-white Someity is for the Paralympics. With huge eyes and pointy ears, the mascot robots have multiple joints and arms which can be remotely controlled. The robots, paired with regular, full-sized mascots, demonstrated different poses representing various Olympic sports for the children to guess. The pint-sized pair can’t talk but cameras inside their heads enable them to recognize expressions on the face of the person standing in front of them and respond. They can also mirror each other’s moves, meaning one at a pub- lic viewing place could pass moves onto the other one at an actual Olympics venue, helping spectators feel like they were cheering at the venue, organizers say. Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto has called fractious relationship between their drivers. Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed he has club and the national team, I do full of (Source: Mirror) drivers Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc “I have not reviewed yet, I don’t want to been carrying an injury while playing for pride. I knew there were many things to a clear-the-air meeting after their collision do it yet,” insisted Binotto. “I think doing Portugal and Juventus in recent weeks. involved in these games. wrecked the team’s hopes at the Brazilian things in the heat of the moment, we may Ronaldo scored his 99th international “As you know, Inter are putting some Mainz announce Cologne reject Grand Prix. have the wrong conclusion. goal on Sunday as Portugal beat Luxem- pressure on Juventus. We are two points Beierlorzer as new coach The pair, who collided while fighting for “I heard both drivers, but they will come bourg 2-0 to secure their qualification ahead and we can’t slip up. If we draw fourth place on Sunday, were forced to retire as well together to discuss again what hap- for Euro 2020. or lose, they will go ahead of us. So I Bundesliga relegation candidates Mainz have announced Achim Bei- from the race, leaving Ferrari embarrassed pened and there will be time for the team to After the match, he admitted he has sacrificed myself for the team. erlorzer as their new head coach, just nine days after the 51-year-old and pointless and the drivers arguing about analyse all the video and the data. been playing hurt, clearing up the con- “Here in the national team, you know was fired by fellow strugglers Cologne. who was to blame. “Whatever will be the judgement, more troversy surrounding his 55th-minute that in case we had lost one of these Beierlorzer, who led Cologne to promotion as caretaker coach last “There will be time (for us all) together at important is we are disappointed and sorry substitution by Maurizio Sarri in Ju- last two matches, we could be out [of season, was sacked earlier this month after a three-game losing run Maranello to understand what happened,” for the team. ventus’ 1-0 win over AC Milan on No- automatic qualification]. which started with defeat to Sandro Schwarz’s Mainz side on October 25. said Binotto, in the wake of a tempestuous “But first, the two drivers should be sorry vember 10. “As you know, I never had big injuries Yet he now replaces Schwarz, who was dismissed by Mainz after a race won with authority by Red Bull’s Max for the team -- as it has been a very small “Obviously, talking about your ques- throughout my career. If you look, the 3-2 home defeat to promoted side Union Berlin a week ago. Verstappen. crash with big consequences... tion, everyone has been saying that I number I always play 50, 60 games per “Achim Beierlorzer is a typical coach for Mainz,” sporting director “It’s not for me to blame them, it’s for “They are silly things that should not was playing with some limitations in season. And that’s no coincidence. It’s Rouven Schroeder told the club’s website. them to recognise it.” happen. the past three weeks,” he said. rare that I’m injured, but it can happen “He is a meticulous and informed football expert and has a talent Speaking to reporters in the aftermath of “t’s a matter of recognising eventually “There was no controversy. You sometimes. for developing a special team spirit.” a costly race for the scarlet scuderia, Binotto what have been the actions and mistakes. [the media] want controversies. You “It’s a minor injury, a minor pain Mainz, a former club of both Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said he needed time to take stock and review It’s important, because that can only make obviously know that I don’t like to be that prevents me being 100 per cent. and Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel, now sit third from the crash, on lap 66 of the 71-lap race. you better.” substitute, but I have been playing with But as I said before, I always try to help bottom in the German top flight. Both cars were damaged and forced to He said the Maranello meeting would not some limitations. my club and the national team.” Cologne, who sit a place below them, are expected to announce retire in the incident, which came after a be about apportioning blame and punishment. “I tried to help Juventus even playing Ronaldo vowed to break the record former Hoffenheim and Hamburg boss Markus Gisdol as their new Safety Car restart when Vettel ‘closed the “It’s not a matter of fining or blaming,” injured. Nobody likes to be substituted, for the most international goals after coach later today. door’ on a challenging Leclerc. he said. “They were free to fight, we let them but I understand the substitutions be- scoring his 99th for Portugal on Sunday. (Source: AFP) It resulted in Ferrari’s first scoreless race race and the reason for that is that we have cause I wasn’t fit. “It’s difficult to say (how I want to since the 2017 Singapore Grand Prix and the second place in the constructors’ (cham- “As well as in the last two games for score the 100th goal). As I always say, refocused criticism on the team’s habit of pionship) ... Portugal, I wasn’t 100 per cent. When my goals come naturally,” he said. Sponsorships help bump up Man generating self-inflicted damage -– and the (Source: Eurosport) it’s needed to sacrifice myself for my (Source: Sky Sports) United first quarter core profit

Manchester United on Monday posted a jump in first-quarter core earnings, boosted by increased revenue from sponsorship deals and LeBron James, Lakers Nation laud Kobe Bryant in return to Staples as player wages fell after the English soccer club failed to qualify for As much as the on-court product this season has been can’t- what’s up? You’re playing good,’” Howard said, changing the UEFA Champions League. miss fodder for Los Angeles Lakers fans hungry for a winner, his voice to a deep baritone to imitate Bryant. “I said, ‘OK.’ The 20-time English champions saw their revenue flat line in the it was a courtside fan rooting on the Lakers’ 122-101 win But it was cool. I was glad he came to the game. It was a lot quarter but stood by their annual revenue and core profit targets. over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday who stole the show. of fun having him in the building.” The club had warned in September that annual revenue would The fan just so happened to be Kobe Bryant. The crowd ate it up whenever Bryant was on the video fall for the first time in five years and profit would also drop, as they “That’s one of the greatest players to ever play this game, screen -- or really, when he did just about anything. When will not be able to capitalize on UEFA’s broadcasting revenue dis- taking time out of his day on a Sunday,” said LeBron James, James shook hands with Bryant midway through the first tribution system. who put up 33 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds. “So I’m quarter and then shot a 3 to put L.A. up 24-5, the fans cheered. “We have a clear vision in terms of football philosophy and re- just trying to put on a show for him and give him a reason, When highlights from Bryant’s 81-point game were cruitment,” Executive Vice Chairman Ed Woodward said. “We are like, ‘OK, we might come to another game.’” shown, immediately followed by Bryant being introduced particularly optimistic regarding the considerable young talent cur- Bryant, in the building to promote “Epoca: The Tree of by Lakers P.A. announcer Lawrence Tanter, they cheered. rently coming through.” Ecrof,” the children’s fantasy novel he created with author When Bryant stood up to snap photos of Gigi with co- Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has had to rely on players com- Ivy Claire, played the dual role of proud Laker alumnus and median Kevin Hart and Quavo and Offset from the hip-hop ing through the youth academy to try and turn the team’s fortunes proud papa, as he attended the game with his 13-year-old group Migos, they took photos of Bryant taking photos and around, putting the spotlight on academy graduates including Marcus daughter, Gianna Maria “Gigi” Bryant. purple and gold, would have been unheard of. But Howard cheered. Rashford, Scott McTominay and Mason Greenwood. “He’s got one of the greatest female players that’s about was one of the first Lakers to greet the future Hall of Famer. When James hit a 3-pointer to beat the shot clock in the United are competing in the less lucrative Europa League this to come up sitting next to him in Gigi,” James added. “Were there ever any hard feelings? It doesn’t matter,” fourth quarter and immediately turned to shoot Bryant a look season and have endured a stuttering campaign so far in the Premier Hawks star Trae Young was delighted to hear that though said Howard, who has taken to wearing Bryant’s signature as he ran back on defense, they cheered even more loudly. League, occupying seventh in the standings after 12 matches. Kobe was there for the Lakers, Gigi was there for him. Nike sneakers this season because he likes how they feel. “I got chills when the crowd started going nuts,” Lakers Revenue from broadcasting dropped by nearly a quarter, and the “It was crazy because he told me his daughter is a huge “That’s the past. This is a new age, a new day. We’re all coach Frank Vogel said. “His presence -- and he deserves club said the majority of the full-year impact from missing out on the fan of mine, and I’m one of her favorite players,” Young said. about positive vibes.” it. One of the greatest Lakers of all time and one of the Champions League would occur in the second quarter. “It’s kind of crazy because I’ll be watching her highlights, Even though it ended up being a warm encounter, Howard greatest players of all time, and we’re very lucky to have Their core profit rose 18.4% to 34.8 million pounds ($45.05 million) too. They pop up on my timeline.” was surprised by Bryant’s presence at first. him here in attendance, and [he] definitely energized the for the three months to Sept. 30, as employee costs fell nearly 9%. There was a time when the idea of Bryant in Staples “I didn’t even know who he was. Slapped me on the back crowd and our team.” (Source: Reuters) Center in 2019, embracing Dwight Howard back wearing the of the neck. I was about to elbow him. But then he said, ‘Hey, (Source: ESPN) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y NOVEMBER 19, 2019 SPORTS 15

Ex-Team Melli coach Mayeli Kohan Mousavi collects silver in Intl. Suleymanoglu hits out at Iran football chief weightlifting competition SPORTS TEHRAN — Former Iran nation- MNA – Iranian lifter Ayoub Mousavi snatched a silver medal deskal football team coach Mohammad in the 2019 edition of International Naim Suleymanoglu Tour- Mayeli Kohan has criticized head of Iran Football nament in Turkey. Federation Mehdi Taj, saying the federation needs In men’s 96kg category competitions on Sunday, Mousavi anti-nepotism policy. hoisted 169kg in snatch and 211 in clean and jerk to win the silver Taj is under pressure for Team Melli’s current sit- with a total of 380kg. Faris Ibrahim Hassouna El-Bakh of Qatar uation in Group C, as Iran sit third in Group C of the won the gold medal of this category with a total of 394kg (171kg 2022 World Cup qualification, four points adrift of Iraq. in stanch and 226kg in clean and jerk). Last week, the contract’s details of Marc Wilmots and 2019 edition of International Naim Suleymanoglu Tournament his coaching staff with Iran national football team were was held in Turkey from Nov. 14 to 17. The event was a qualifying disclosed and media reports suggest that the Belgian tournament for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. has agreed to earn an annual salary of USD 3.6 million, Earlier in the competition, Elham Hosseini made history by however the Iranian federation had announced that it gaining Iran first international medal in women’s weightlifting. will pay him and his staff USD 1.2 million. She won the bronze medal of 76kg. The Belgian replaced Carlos Queiroz in Iran but has failed to meet expectations so far. “I think it’s not Wilmots’s fault but Taj is to blame for the situation. Taj, as the person who sits on top of Iranian karate referee Salimi the pyramid, is responsible for what happened,” Mayeli Kohan said in an interview with ISNA. invited to Tokyo Olympics “Taj has displayed a lack of knowledge in football over the past years. His deputy Mohammadreza Saket TASNIM — Javad Salimi, Head of Referees Committee at Iran’s really doesn’t deserve to be here. Taj was supporting Karate Federation, has been chosen to officiate at the Tokyo Carlos Queiroz when he was leading Team Melli but 2020 Olympic Games. the Portuguese coach has shown that he is not a re- Salimi, who is a member of Referee Commission of World liable coach since he took charge of Colombia,” the Karate Federation (WKF), will officiate in the Games along with former coach added. the 13 other referees. Mayeli Kohan replaced Stanko Poklepovic in 1995 Karate will make its debut appearance at the Summer Olym- and led Team Melli in 1996 AFC Asian Cup, where pics in 2020 in Tokyo, Japan. the Persians ranked in third place. He invited players Olympic karate will feature two events, Kumite and Kata. Sixty such as Farhad Majidi, Khodadad Azizi and Ali Daei competitors from around the world will compete in the Kumite to the national team which team became Iran›s best competition and twenty will compete in the Kata competition. players in next years. Ronaldo promises to beat Ali Daei’s world record Tehran to host Olympic Council of Asia meeting It’s 99 international goals and counting for Cristiano Ron- would have fancied Ronaldo to get at least two more goals. and that was enough to book their place in next summer’s aldo who added one more Portugal goal to his stunning Ronaldo was forced to settle for one though – but he tournament. collection on Sunday. was quite lucky to get that anyway. Ronaldo is now just 10 goals behind the highest in- IRNA — Tehran, capital of Iran, will host the Olympic Council The Juventus star, 34, took his total up to 98 when he Bernardo Silva clipped the ball into Diogo Jota’s path ternational goalscorer of all time – Iran legend Ali Daei. of Asia (OCA) meeting in May 2020. bagged a hat-trick during Portugal’s 6-0 win over Lithu- whose scuffed effort hit the Luxembourg goalkeeper before And he insists breaking Daei’s record is on the cards. The meeting was originally scheduled to be held in Kish Island ania earlier in the week. Ronaldo helped it in on the goalline, essentially taking “All records must be broken and I will beat that record,” but the Iranian National Olympic Committee (NOC) announced And given their final Euro 2020 qualifier was at Luxem- the Wolves frontman’s goal! said Ronaldo after the match. that the meeting will be held in Tehran. bourg, a nation not known for its footballing prowess, many That put the reigning European champions 2-0 up (Source: Talk Sport) The members of council will discuss various initiatives and how to implement these plans and activities for the coming year and how best to execute its mandate. OCA is a governing body of sports in Asia, currently with 45 Brazil claim U-17 World Cup title with S. Korean football to face stern test vs. National Olympic Committees. The current president is Sheikh dramatic win over Mexico Brazil in friendly Fahad Al-Sabah. The oldest NOCs are from Japan and the Phil- ippines, recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1911; whereas East Timor is the newest, joining in 2003. The headquarters of the OCA is located at Kuwait City.

MD6 Preview - Group C: Iraq host Bahrain with top spot at stake

After sensationally beating Iran last time out, Group C leaders Iraq host second-placed Bahrain on Tuesday eager to further reinforce their position at the top of the standings. Elsewhere, and with the Iranians not scheduled to play again until next March, Hong Kong take on Cambodia as both teams look to register their first win of the Asian Qualifiers. IRAQ vs BAHRAIN Iraq head coach Srecko Katanec has warned his players that A 93rd-minute goal secured more Under-17 opening match against Paraguay before ABU DHABI, Nov. 18 (Yonhap) — tacking ace Son Heung-min, South Korea they must guard against complacency following last week’s sen- glory for the Selecao on Sunday ending the group stages with an emphatic Coming off a disappointing draw against will look to bounce back from a scoreless sational 2-1 victory over the Islamic Republic of Iran. Brazil have clinched their fourth Un- 8-0 win over Solomon Islands. an underdog opponent in a World Cup draw against Lebanon last Thursday in Having taken the lead through Mohanad Ali’s 11th minute der-17 World Cup trophy in thrilling and They then required penalties to dispatch qualifier last week, South Korea will face the second round of the Asian qualifying strike, a last gasp header from substitute Ali Abbas ultimately controversial circumstances against Mexico. Netherlands in the semi-finals and will be an even tougher task in a friendly match for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. helped seal Iraq’s third win of their Asian Qualifiers campaign World Cup hosts Brazil triumphed gutted to have let a lead slip so late against against Brazil on Tuesday. The match in Beirut was played behind – one which has left Katanec’s high-flying charges leading the 2-1 thanks to Lazaro Vinicius Brazil in the decider. The match at Mohammed Bin Zayed closed doors for safety reasons amid nation- Group C table by three points from Bahrain. Marques› 93rd-minute winner on Dutch striker Sontje Hansen ended the Stadium in Abu Dhabi will kick off at 5:30 wide anti-government protests in Lebanon. Nevertheless, with an unbeaten Bahrain looming large on the Sunday at the Bezerrao. World Cup with the golden boot for his six p.m. (local time), or 10:30 p.m. (Seoul time). It was the second straight away World Cup horizon, Katanec has declared that there remains plenty of work Mexico – winners of the showpiece goals, while Selecao star Gabriel Veron was It will be part of the global tour for world qualifying match that South Korea played still to do for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup champions. tournament in 2005 and 2011 – looked voted the best player of the tournament. No. 3 Brazil, which lost to Argentina 1-0 with no spectators -- the first one being in “We must concentrate on our next match against Bahrain,” on track to add a third title to their collec- France claimed bronze in Brazil after last week in Saudi Arabia. Pyongyang against North Korea on Oct. 15 explained the Slovenian whose side drew 1-1 away to their West tion when Bryan Alonso Gonzalez Olivan beating Netherlands 3-1 in their third-place South Korea, ranked 39th, have one -- and also the Taeguk Warriors’ second Asian rivals on Matchday One. headed home the opener in the 66th minute. match with Arnaud Kalimuendo-Muinga victory and four losses against Brazil, the straight 0-0 draw. “We are only midway through qualifying and we should have But Brazil, playing in front of legends netting a hat-trick for the victors. lone win coming in March 1999 in Seoul. Son will once again be looked upon as an overall look at the group and not stop competing because we Ronaldo and Cafu, rallied courtesy of Kaio England, who won the U-17 World The most recent showdown came the key piece to the offense. Though Son defeated Iran. We must concentrate on the next matches as we Jorge›s questionable penalty with six min- Cup in 2017, failed to qualify for the in Seoul in October 2013, when South has been scoring at a decent pace with the still have four matches to play and things could change.” utes of regulation time remaining. tournament after being eliminated in Korea lost 2-0. Spurs, he has just two goals in his 11 inter- Meanwhile, Bahrain head to the Amman International Sta- Brazil then completed the comeback deep the group stages of the U-17 European Neymar, perhaps the biggest Brazilian national matches in 2019. dium in Jordan intent on making amends for their 0-0 draw into stoppage time when Lazaro volleyed Championship earlier this year. star today, is not on the team for the tour, as At the other end, South Korean de- with Hong Kong last time out and knowing that a win would see home a last-gasp winner. Peru, who last competed in the U-17 he’s nursing a hamstring injury. But other fenders will have to step up to keep the them leapfrog Iraq at the top of the standings. The victory added to Brazil›s successes World Cup in 2007, are set to host the big names, such as Philippe Coutinho of Brazilians at bay. “We should forget the match against Hong Kong and concentrate in 1997, 1999 and 2003 as they moved next tournament in two years time with Bayern Munich, Gabriel Jesus of Manchester South Korea have not yet allowed a on the match against Iraq,” said forward Komail Al Aswad. “We within one of Nigeria›s record of five 24 nations to compete across six cities. City and Roberto Firmino of Liverpool, goal in four matches in the World Cup know, though, that it will be a difficult test because Iraq are going championships. While they now have a record fifth will make the trip to Abu Dhabi. qualifying campaign. But then again, South into the match on the back of an important victory against Iran.” The Selecao won all eight of their games World Cup in their sights, Brazil will And South Korea will be up against a Korea have yet to take on a top-10 oppo- HONG KONG vs CAMBODIA at the tournament with Kaio Jorge the side›s be focused on simply qualifying for the hungry Brazil team, which has gone five nent in 2019, and Colombia, currently Hong Kong and Cambodia head into their Matchday Six top goal scorer with five strikes to his name. tournament with the past two winners matches without a win, with three draws No. 10, were in 12th place in the FIFA encounter desperate to record a win that would revive their Mexico meanwhile, who recently won failing to do so. and two losses. rankings when South Korea beat them qualification hopes. the U-17 Concacaf tournament, drew their (Source: Goal) Captained by Tottenham Hotspur at- 2-1 in a March friendly. Both sides have struggled to pick up points since their 1-1 draw in September, with Cambodia losing their next three matches and Hong Kong being beaten on Matchdays Two and Three Tagovailoa slated to undergo hip surgery on Monday before drawing 0-0 with Bahrain last time out. Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is scheduled to this season. He was intercepted three times. this is not so serious it has any long-term effect on his That sharing of the spoils against a talented Bahrain team undergo hip surgery, team orthopedic surgeon Dr. Lyle Overall, Tagovailoa threw for 7,442 yards with 87 touch- future as a player.” has hinted at brighter things to come for head coach Mixu Paate- Cain said in a statement on Sunday night. down passes and only 11 interceptions in 684 attempts Tagovailoa guided the Crimson Tide (9-1) to touch- lainen and his team, starting potentially with their first win of Tagovailoa dislocated his right hip during Saturday’s during three college seasons. downs on their first five drives before beginning the last the campaign against a Cambodian outfit which has conceded victory over Mississippi State. The junior was carted off Tagovailoa has been expected to declare for the NFL possession with 3:42 remaining in the second quarter. 20 goals in four matches. the field due to the season-ending injury. Draft after the season and compete to be the top pick. They were leading 35-7 at the time of the injury. By way of contrast, struggling Cambodia arrive at the Hong “For the past 24 hours our medical team has consulted Tagovailoa, last season’s Heisman runner-up, was “We can second-guess ourselves all we want,” Saban Kong Stadium needing all three points to inject some much-needed with multiple orthopedic experts across the country, who injured while being sacked and slammed to the ground said after the game. “We told Mac (Jones) to warm up. life into their qualifying campaign. specialize in hip injuries and surgeries,” Cain said in the by two defenders. The training staff helped Tagovailoa We were going to go two-minute before the half, and Tua Despite gaining a creditable point at home to Hong Kong on Match- statement. “Based on that research, Tua is being flown off the field in Starkville, Miss., as the quarterback was wanted to go in the game. So I don’t really make a lot of day One, Cambodia have since been beaten 1-0 by Bahrain, 14-0 by to Houston tonight to be evaluated and is scheduled to unable to put any weight on his right side. His nose decisions about guys getting hurt. ... We had total confi- the Islamic Republic of Iran and, most recently, 4-0 by table-topping have hip surgery Monday. also was bleeding. dence in Mac, and Mac did a good job when he went in.” Iraq – results that have left them rooted to the foot of the Group C table. “As previously stated, we anticipate a full recovery. “We hate it that he got injured. We hate it for him. Tagovailoa had surgery on his ankle on Oct. 20 and re- With tricky trips to Bahrain and Iraq still to come for the The main focus has been, and will remain, on Tua, his We hate it for his family,” coach Nick Saban said after turned to play in the previous week’s 46-41 loss to No. 1 LSU. Southeast Asians, there appears little doubt that nothing but a family, and making sure we are providing them the best the 38-7 win. “I hate it when any player on our team Alabama hosts Western Carolina on Saturday before win against Hong Kong will suffice if Félix Dalmás’ men are to medical care possible.” gets injured. So Godspeed to him and his entire family finishing the regular season at Auburn on Nov. 30. remain in contention heading into 2020. Tagovailoa passed for 2,840 yards and 33 touchdowns and our thoughts and prayers are with them and hope (Source: Reuters) (Source: the-afc) Prayer Times Noon:11:50 Evening: 17:17 Dawn: 4:15 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 6:45 (tomorrow) NOVEMBER 19, 2019 ART&CULTURE I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y www.tehrantimes.com Managing Director: Mohammad Shojaeian Editor-in-Chief: Mohammad Ghaderi Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 University of Bologna to review [email protected] Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051450 Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 www.eshterak.ir Distributor: Padideh Novin Co. Ahmad Dehqan’s books Tel: 88911433 CULTURE TEHRAN — Iranian Webmaster: [email protected] deskwriter Ahmad Dehqan’s Printed at: Jame Jam Bartar Borna - 44197737 books “A Vital Killing” and “Bearing 270 Degrees” will be reviewed in a session at the Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimesdaily University of Bologna, Italy today. An Italian translation of “Bearing 270 No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran P.o. Box: 14155-4843 Degrees” (“Viaggio in direzione 270°”) by Zip Code: 1599814713 Michele Marelli was published in Italy by Mimesis and Jouvence in 2018. Simone Cristoforetti, a professor in the Department of Asian and North-African Studies at the Ca Foscari University of Venice who wrote a preface to the Italian edition, along with Dehqan and Marelli, will attend the session, Candle and Fog director Afshin Shahnetabar told the Persian service of FNA. The session at the University of Bologna GUIDE TO will be organized in collaboration with Candle SPIRITUAL AWAKENING and Fog, the London-based Iranian-British publishing house, which has published some When you begin to turn your back to the world, death is of Dehqan’s books in English, including “A turning to you. Oh, how soon this meeting takes place. Vital Killing”. “Bearing 270 Degrees” is about a young Imam Ali (AS) Iranian volunteer fighting on the war fronts during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war. An English translation of “Bearing 270 Degrees” by U.S. translator Paul Sprachman was released in 2006. Ebrahim Hassanbeigi’s “A Vital Killing” is a highly acclaimed “Muhammad” published in Spanish collection of Iranian short war stories. Earlier in March, Dehghan, one of the CULTURE TEHRAN — A Spanish translation of few Iranian writers who fought in the Iran- deskIranian writer Ebrahim Hassanbeigi’s novel Iraq war, said that he completed his new “Muhammad” has recently been collection titled “War Celebration”. published in Colombia. “I have many ordinary ideas to write about, The book has been translated but I’ve been a war writer and will remain a This combination photo shows Iranian writer Ahmad Dehqan and the front cover of an Italian translation of into Spanish by Angelica Maria war writer,” he said at that time. “Bearing 270 Degrees” (“Viaggio in direzione 270°”) by Michele Marelli. Rojas, the El Faro International Publishing House in the Colombian capital of Bogota has announced. Photos of Iran by Russian photographer The novel was introduced at the venue of the publishing house on November 15. Dimitri Ermakov published in book In the novel, a Jew presents ARTTEHRAN — Photos by Russian The ceremony was attended by Irina Koshoridze, a himself as a scientist, chosen deskphotographer Dimitri Ermakov chief curator of the Georgian National Museum who is by the Sanhedrin, the supreme depicting scenes of daily life in different Iranian cities, also a professor of art history and theory at the Ivane council of Jews that controlled including Tehran, Rey, Qazvin, Isfahan, Tabriz, Rasht Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Iran’s cultural attaché civil and religious law, to go to and Qom, during the late 19th century has been published Hamid Mostafavi and groups of Iranian and Georgian Front cover of the Spanish Saudi Arabia to kill the Prophet in a book in Tbilisi, Georgia. cultural officials, scholars, photographers and artists. version of Iranian writer Muhammad (S) and to challenge “Dimitri Ermakov in Iran”, which carries over 100 In her brief speech, Koshoridze expressed her hope Ebrahim Hassanbeigi’s novel his ideology. photos, was introduced during a special ceremony at the for publishing more books on Islamic and Eastern arts “Muhammad”. “Muhammad” consists of Tbilisi History Museum on Sunday, the Persian service in Georgia with the support of Iran. 15 chapters and has been translated into Arabic, English, of IRNA reported. Mostafavi also said that Iranian and Georgian Turkish and Tajik. The collection also contains photos representing museums can help boost cultural relations between “Musicians” by Russian photographer Dimitri Ermakov. Iranian lifestyles, traditional events and costumes. the two countries. Indian festival picks Iranian films Iranian singer Mehran Mokhtarpur’s French-language album “Identite” released ARTTEHRAN — Iranian singer and publish this album,” noted Mokhtarpur, who is the singer desk ARTTEHRAN — A lineup of three Iranian movies composer Mehran Mokhtarpur said on of the Iranian rock band, Piclavier. deskwill go on screen in the various sections of Monday that his new album titled “Identity” (Identite) “I began to work on the songs a few years ago in France the 50th edition of the International Film Festival of India has been released in the French language. and wanted to show that there are all types of music styles (IFFI) in Goa on Wednesday. The album, which contains Mokhtarpur’s 15 rock in Iran. I actually wanted to make use of a non-Iranian songs, has been released by Avaye Suteh Delan, a record language to present all Iranian and Western styles of label in Tehran. music, and at the same time to show my Iranian identity,” “I was working outside Iran for several years, and my he added. foreign friends did not believe that music was something Mokhtapur is also a writer whose “My Little Secrets” usual in Iran and that concerts are being held in the (“Mes Petits Secrets”) was introduced at the Paris Book country,” Mokhtarpur said in a press release published Fair in 2018. by Honaronline on Monday. The Candle and Fog Publishing, a London-based Iranian- “Even when I showed them the videos of performances British company, is the publisher of “My Little Secrets”, and concerts in Iran, they told me there is no sign of Iranian which contains two short stories and a collection of poetry identity in these works. This was a good motive for me to Cover of the album “Identity” (Identite) by Mehran Mokhtarpur. all written in French. Terry O’Neill, whose images captured Award-winning film “Atlantics” offers ’60s London, dies at 81 haunting take on life in Senegal DAKAR (Reuters) — To capture A scene from “The Warden” by Nima Javidi. LONDON (AP) — British photographer Terry O’Neill, whose images captured the harsh reality of life in Senegal, film “Just 6.5” by Saeid Rustai and “The Warden” by Nima London’s Swinging ’60s and who created director Mati Diop chose young people Javidi will be screened in the World Panorama section, while iconic portraits of Elton John, Brigitte Bardot she met at building sites, bars and in “Old Men Never Die” by Reza Jamali will be competing for and Winston Churchill, has died at age 81. Dakar’s poorer suburbs as the stars of the ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal. O’Neill died Saturday at his home in ‘Atlantics’, a ghost story about migrants “Just 6.5” shows a police group under the leadership of London following a long battle with cancer, and those they leave behind. Samad who was assigned to arrest Nasser Khakzad, a major according to Iconic Images, the agency The coming-of-age tale has already drug trafficker in Tehran. that represented O’Neill. won critical acclaim, securing the “The Warden” tells the story of an Iranian prison warden “Terry was a class act, quick witted and Grand Prix award at the Cannes Film who is assigned to transfer prisoners to a new building filled with charm,” the agency said in a Festival in May, and it will reach a wider during the 1960s. statement posted to its website. “Anyone audience this month when it hits U.S. “Old Men Never Die” tells the story of an Iranian village where who was lucky enough to know or work cinema screens and debuts on screening nobody has died for 45 years, and only the aged remain. 100-year- with him can attest to his generosity platform Netflix. old Aslan and his friends begin to think suicide is the solution. and modesty. As one of the most iconic The film centers on Ada, a young Director Mati Diop, Grand Prix The International Film Festival of India will be running photographers of the last 60 years, his woman facing a forced marriage whose award winner for her film “Atlantics” until November 28. legendary pictures will forever remain life unravels after her secret lover Terry O’Neill poses in front of a picture (Atlantique) poses at the 72nd Cannes imprinted in our memories as well as in Souleiman drowns at sea. Like thousands of Mick Jagger during an exhibition Film Festival in Cannes, France, May our hearts and minds.” of West Africans in recent years, he had in Madrid in 2013 [EPA] 25, 2019. (Reuters/Regis Duvignau) Born in London in 1938, O’Neill was risked his life on the Atlantic route via Baltimore museum to working as a photographer for an airline McQueen, Diana Ross and Audrey Hepburn. the Canary Islands to Europe in search cast members were found outside night acquire only works by at Heathrow Airport when he snapped a He photographed many other big of a better future. clubs or in the streets where the film is set. picture of a well-dressed man sleeping names over the course of a career that But rather than focusing on the Traore’s character decides to women in 2020 on a bench. The man turned out to be the spanned decades, including model Kate migrants’ fate, Franco-Senegalese brave the ocean after not being paid British home secretary, and O’Neill was Moss, Queen Elizabeth II, singers David Diop highlights the challenges and for months for his building work - hired by a London newspaper. Bowie and Amy Winehouse and former struggles faced by many young people a common issue in Senegal where BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Museum of Art In the early 1960s he photographed the first lady Laura Bush. inside Senegal, where around half the underemployment is widespread. will add only artwork created by women to its permanent Beatles during the recording of their first O’Neill’s photos of Elton John remain population live below the poverty line. “Everything that was covered in the collection in 2020. hit single, and he captured the image of among his most recognizable. One shows “It was very delicate to make a movie movie exists in Senegal,” said Amadou Museum director Christopher Bedford announced the policy former Prime Minister Winston Churchill the singer, exuberant and sparkling in about this because you take the risk Mbow, who plays a police officer who ends Thursday, saying something radical must be done to rectify centuries clutching a cigar as he was carried to an a sequined baseball uniform, with an of locking an entire youth and an up being possessed by Souleiman’s ghost. of imbalance. The Maryland museum acquired its first work by ambulance after a 1962 hospital stay. audience of thousands in the background. entire country within the theme of “It’s really Senegal’s reality: forced a female artist in 1916, two years after it was founded and three O’Neill later said that when “He was brilliant, funny and I absolutely immigration, and that was everything marriage and exploitation of the youth.” years before women gained the right to vote in the U.S. Today, photographing the Beatles he placed loved his company,” John tweeted Sunday. which I did not want to do,” said Diop, The number of Senegalese risking the only 4% of the 95,000 pieces in its permanent collection were John Lennon in the foreground because Another iconic O’Neill photo, this one the first black female director to win Atlantic route has fallen sharply from its created by women. he thought that “it was obvious John was from 1977, depicted actress Faye Dunaway the jury prize in Cannes. mid-2000s peak, when tens of thousands News outlets report each of the museum’s exhibits will be the one with the personality.” after winning a best actress Oscar for her To preserve authenticity, Diop chose reached the Canary Islands or died trying. strongly tied to women. Nineteen will showcase art solely by Soon O’Neill was photographing the performance in “Network,” the statuette not to employ professional actors in key But the lack of opportunities is a growing women. Bedford says the museum is working to “correct our hottest stars of the mid and late ’60s: sitting on a table and newspapers strewn roles. She met Ibrahim Traore, who plays issue in a country where more than 40% own canon” and address historical blind spots. Bardot, Raquel Welch, Michael Caine, Steve on the ground. Souleiman, on a construction site. Other of the population is under 15.