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16 Pages Price 20,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 39th year No.13319 Thursday JANUARY 31, 2019 Bahman 11, 1397 Jumada Al Awwal 24, 1440 Major defense CIA director says Iran Non-oil trade Warsaw Conference will exhibition opens has been in compliance balance at $678m in not have any practical

in Tehran 2 with nuclear deal 2 10 months 4 impact on Iran 7 Iran, Syria to set up joint bank in Damascus ECONOMY TEHRAN — Central “Based on the agreement, banking Leader pays tribute deskBank of Iran’s Gover- relations between the two countries nor Abdolnaser Hemmati announced that are established and the license to based on the agreement signed between establish a joint Iranian-Syrian bank Iran and Syria on Tuesday for develop- in Damascus is also to be issued. This ing and facilitating bilateral banking will enable the two sides’ banks to relations, the two countries will set up conduct transactions in their local a joint bank branch in Damascus, IRNA currencies.” Hemmati said in an In- reported. stagram post. 4 to Imam Khomeini See page 2 Yellowcake consignment transferred to Isfahan UFC POLITICS TEHRAN — Iran on of Iran, described the procedure as a “big deskWednesday trans- step” that Iran has taken. He also thanked ferred the second yellowcake consign- Iran’s nuclear experts for their efforts. ment, weighing 30 tons, from Arda- Back in April 2018, in a ceremony to kan, Yazd province, to the uranium mark National Day of Nuclear Technolo- conversion facility (UFC) in Isfahan, gy, President Hassan Rouhani issued an Mehr reported. order to transfer yellowcake produced in Speaking to reporters, Ali Akbar Salehi, Ardakan to a uranium conversion facility director of the Atomic Energy Organization in Isfahan.

Maduro accuses Trump of ordering his murder Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro Russia and China. accused Donald Trump of ordering neigh- Facing the biggest challenge of his six-year boring Colombia’s government to kill him, rule, the 56-year-old socialist leader also said but said he was open to the possibility his armed forces remained loyal and President of talks with the U.S. leader and his own Vladimir Putin was firmly behind him. domestic foes. Maduro’s comments were published In an interview with Russia’s RIA Wednesday as the fight for control of Ven- agency, Maduro rejected calls for an early ezuela escalated with the government pre- election, said an order to arrest his rival paring an investigation into self-declared Juan Guaido had not yet been given, and interim president Guaido, and new street khamenei.ir promised Caracas would honor debts to protests planned. 13

ARTICLE ‘Why U.S. DNI says Iran, China and Russia interfering in U.S. election?’ PERSPECTIVE Hanif Ghaffari Heshmatollah Rahnama I will not belabor my qualifications here, other combining ignorance about practical realities in Political analyst EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Latin American expert By Javad Heirannia than to observe that I was the opening speaker at the field of election processes with ideological Hackers on Planet Earth in 1994; a co-founder of biases. They are not serving the President or the TEHRAN — Robert David Steele, a former Ma- the original Information Warfare conference in public with integrity. rine Corps infantry officer and CIA spy who was 1994; and the author of the first warning letter to You are, in addition to being a U.S. intel- The second shock of recommended for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017, the White House on cyber-vulnerabilities, also in ligence reformer, the founder of #UNRIG, the The truth is British Parliament regularly answers questions by the Tehran Times. 1994. I wrote the book on information operations, Election Integrity movement in the USA. Can gradually emerging Following is the full text of the interview: and more. I am as well, with the Honorable Dr. you put the DNI’s accusations in context? to May Q. The U.S. director of National Intelligence Cynthia McKinney, the founder of #UNRIG and A. Below I offer a concise primer on the major n an undisclosed report, Mario has just testified that Iran, China, and Russia the architect – drawing on the work of hundreds “influencers” of US elections and will say clearly Cimadevilla, an Argentine law- or the second time in recent weeks, the are all seeking to interfere with – to affect the of others – for the twelve specific electoral reforms that anyone who asserts that Iran, China and yer, former senator, and AMIA outcomes of – the U.S. elections in 2020. What required to make every vote count and mandate Russia Iran can compare in the slightest with I Parliament of the United Kingdom (Argentine Israelite Mutual Associ- opposed British Prime Minister Tere- do you think of this? evidence-based decision-making in Congress, these internal – domestic – election “fixers” ation) accused the Maruricio Macri F A. I thought Jim Clapper and John Brennan instead of the rigged elections and “pay to play” and the one real foreign influencer – Zionist sa May’s proposed Brexit. The legislators government for lack of transparency of the House of Commons, while rejecting and Mike Hayden were a disgrace. It never oc- legislative system we have in place now. Israel – is either ignorant or lying for political and fraud in AMIA case. PM May’s plan to withdraw without an curred to me that their successors, ostensibly All of this is idiocy. Coats – perhaps finally effect. In an interview with the Radio 10, Ci- agreement from the EU, asked her to try appointed by President Donald Trump, would going senile and reading words he may not un- 1) Factor One: The Two-Party Tyranny En- madevilla said, “One of our responsiblities to re-negotiate with the European Union. turn out to be worse. derstand – should be fired. His staff is clearly abling the Deep State 7 was to act as a petitioner and to be a help- They urged the May government to re- ing hand for Attorney General Germán place the clauses relating to the agreement Garavano in the case. Therefore, after a about the borders of Northern Ireland on No link between delays in launching SPV with Iran’ missile program: Nephew while, it was important to bring up the Brexit with another understanding and accusations, and I as a plaintiff, brought to resume negotiations with the Euro- EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW be efficient and effective.” will be in charge, who will fund it, etc. the case against AMIA in the court of law. pean Union. This is while the European By Javad Heirannia He also says that there is no relation between Some believe that SPV won’t be launched However, Attorney General Strongly op- authorities have explicitly underlined delays in launching of the SPV with Iran’ missile as long as Iran pursues its missile program. What posed our standards and said Attorney the previous agreement reached with the TEHRAN — Richard Nephew, who served program. is your opinion on this matter? General Mullen and Barbaccia are friends English authorities on the issues and the as the lead sanctions expert for the U.S. team Following is the text of the interview: A: I do not think that’s true. I think that the and are not supposed to be convicted and clauses referred to therein. negotiating with Iran, is of the opinion that The “special purpose vehicle” or SPV was missile issue is being handled separately by the warned me that they are apprehensive of The President of the European Council “the main cause of the delay in SPV (special supposed to be registered on Monday but once EU and its constituent members, just as they Fino Palacios. Donald Tusk and other senior European purpose vehicle) has been to create a structure again it has been postponed to a later time. What have said they’d like to handle the nuclear issue Cimadevilla has accused Macri that he officials have stated that such talks will that avoids to the extent possible the risk of are the main causes of this delay? separately from the missile issue. I think that, was reluctant to pursue his commitment to not take place despite the recent vote by U.S. sanctions while at the same time providing A: I think the main cause of the delay has been ironically, only Iran and the United States see the truth in the case, and his objetive was the British Parliament on the election Iran with something meaningful.” to create a structure that avoids to the extent pos- these issues as directly linked. to support his friends from government and withdrawal of Britain from Europe. Nephew, the current fellow at the Center sible the risk of U.S. sanctions while at the same German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and to divert the case to the interests of It seems like, May is faced with a politi- on Global Energy Policy at Columbia Uni- time providing Iran with something meaningful. said SPV would be limited to humanitarian the U.S. and Israel. cal dead-end. On the one hand, the British versity, says that if the SPV is “linked only I think an important second cause has been the trade. What are the reasons behind this lim- He said there are a lot of obstacles in PM cannot implement the agreement with to humanitarian trade, then, I think it will normal discussions that always occur about who itation? 7 further research in this case. Additionally, Europe due to opposition from the parlia- he adds, “The government does not allow ment and, in particular, the Labor Party, the recruitment of specialists or experts on and on the other hand, she has lost the certain special issues.” “Macri’s govern- power of a hard withdrawal from Europe Fajr Film Festival ment is building a new covert” in the case. without a new parliamentary vote. Undoubtly, the Argentinean govern- There are only three ways ahead of opens with big ment, the U.S. and Israel have nothing Theresa. for clarification of truth of AMIA case, but The first is an attempt to negotiate with nostalgia for they are struggling to have no “accusations Europe, a difficult path that basically its against the government transparency and realization is ambiguous. Although some “days of snow and accountability.” European leaders like the German Foreign Mario Cimadevilla has been under Minister Heiko Maas have shown a green coldness” AMIA investigation during the two years light to the British government, most of and two months, so he received all the them, including French President Emmanuel ARTTEHRAN — The 37th information from the judiciary, the police Macron, have stressed on an irreversible deskedition of the Fajr and the intelligence agency. In his report agreement between Brussels and London. Film Festival, Iran’s major film event, to President of Argentina Mauricio Macri, Undoubtedly, one of the victorious opened at the Tehran Theater Complex he reached remarkable results. people of the recent developments in on Tuesday night during a ceremony In short, Cimadevilla initially ques- Britain is Jeremy Corbin, the leader of blended with filmmaker Masud Kimiai’s tioned all the investigations conducted the British Labor Party who has achieved nostalgia for “the days of snow, coldness by Judge Juan José Galeano and then the Mohammad Moheimani a major victory against the prime minister and SAVAK.” Attorney General of Elberto Nisman, who May. The British Parliament’s negative A highlight of the opening ceremony finds the results of the investigation to a attitude to May’s plans for leaving the was that Minister of Culture and Islamic preditermined position by geopolitics. European Union has made it difficult for Guidance Seyyed Abbas Salehi declined “The U.S. and Israel, instead of deeper her to move on. The 432 opposition voted host Mansur Zabetian’s call for making a research, prefer to remain uncertain about by the parliament, with 202 votes in favor, Tehran Times/ speech, which is always warmly welcomed Iran,” he told Trelew daily newspaper. left no room for maneuver for the British by Iranian officials in all meetings. 16 In this case, he believes that the Macri’s Filmmakers Masud Kimiai (L) and Bahman Farmanara attend the 37th Fajr Film Festival in Tehran. prime minister. 7 government as obedient to the U.S. 7 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS JANUARY 31, 2019 MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS Rouhani says the U.S., not his Nuclear chief lauds Russians for ‘delivering what government, is to blame for problems they promised’ POLITICS TEHRAN — President nomic war through resistance, he predicted. deskHassan Rouhani said on Behaving like a bully, the U.S. has threat- POLITICS TEHRAN — Ali Akbar Salehi, director of Wednesday that it is the U.S. and not his ened to punish any company or country that deskthe Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, has government or the Islamic Republic system do business with Iran. lauded Moscow for its nuclear cooperation with Iran, saying that should be blamed for the problems arising ‘Imam Khomeini’s power was the Russians have so far delivered whatever they had promised. from the restoration of sanctions. raising hope among people’ “In my opinion, they even delivered beyond what they had During a ceremony held to renew allegiance Rouhani also said that Imam Khomeini’s promised, but of course, within the framework of the [International to founder of the Islamic Republic Imam power was raising hope among the people Atomic Energy] Agency’s regulations,” Salehi said in a lengthy Khomeini, Rouhani said, “There should not which resulted in unity and integrity. interview with IRNA part of which published on Wednesday. be wrong interpretation. Today, our main “No power, neither the U.S. nor others, He also criticized other signatories to the 2015 nuclear problems are because of the U.S. and its allies’ can harm us as long as we follow Imam agreement for not making enough efforts with regard to their pressure. No one should condemn the serv- Khomeini’s path and policies of the Leader obligations under the deal, warning that Iran has different ing government or the great Islamic system [of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed options for dealing with any failure to fulfil their obligations. instead of the U.S.” Ali Khamenei],” he pointed out. President Donald Trump withdrew the The president said all should be unit- Larijani to Arabs: U.S. unilaterally from the 2015 nuclear deal ed against enemies and their “reactionary in May and ordered sanctions against Iran. allies” in the region in order to overcome Normalizing ties The first round of sanctions went into force the problems. on August 6 and the second round, which “This is the most intense economic pressure with Israel is targets Iran’s oil exports and banks, were Israel, Saudi Arabia and the UAE welcomed proach towards Iran. against the Iranian people over the past 40 disgraceful snapped back on November 4. the illegal move by the Trump administration. However, he said that the U.S. psycho- years since the Islamic Revolution. Hopefully, All the countries condemned the U.S. for Rouhani said all countries, except for logical war against Iran has failed. we will overcome these problems through POLITICS TEHRAN — Parliament Speaker Ali pulling out of the nuclear deal (JCPOA). Only certain ones, have condemned the U.S. ap- The Iranian people will defeat the U.S. eco- unity, integrity and hope,” he said. deskLarijani said on Wednesday the project of normalizing relations between Israel and Arabs has been launched, describing the move as “dark stain” on the Muslim countries’ dignity. Leader pays tribute to Imam Khomeini Larijani made the remarks in a meeting with Abdelhamid Si POLITICS TEHRAN — As the 40th anniversary the Holy Quran. Ayatollah Khamenei also paid tribute to those mar- Afif, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation deskof the Islamic Revolution approaches, The Leader then visited the burial ground of the mar- tyred on June 28, 1981, during a bomb attack staged by and Emigration of the National Popular Assembly of Algeria. Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei tyrs, where he prayed for the souls of the people who the notorious Mujahedin-e-Khalq Organization (MKO) The speaker also attacked the U.S. peace plan for the paid respect to late founder of the Islamic Republic Imam lost their lives either during the popular uprising that terror group in Tehran, Press TV reported. Israeli-Palestinian conflict known as “the deal of the centu- Khomeini on Wednesday. led to the Revolution or in the course of their struggle The Leader also offered his prayers at the tombstones ry”, saying by the “fake plan”, the Americans are seeking to Visiting Imam Khomeini’s mausoleum in southern to uphold revolutionary values afterwards, in Behesht-e of those who lost their lives during the 1980-88 Iraq’s reduce the Palestinian issue to the situation in the Gaza Strip. Tehran, he offered his prayers and recited verses from Zahra, Tehran’s main cemetery. war against the Islamic Republic. Envoy slams Europe starts registering company to CIA director says Iran has been in BBC Persian for trade with Iran compliance with nuclear deal legitimizing U.S. By staff and agency By staff and agency France, Britain and Germany are this CIA Director Gina Haspel has said that sanctions week executing their plans to set up a Iran has remained in compliance with POLITICS TEHRAN — Iran’s Ambassador to the special-payments company to secure the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint deskUK Hamid Baeidinejad on Wednesday some trade with Iran and blunt the Comprehensive Plan of Action. strongly criticized the BBC Persian for trying to “legitimize” impact of U.S. sanctions. During a session of the Senate Intelligence U.S. sanctions against Iran through revealing the names of “After months of delays, people famil- Committee held to study an annual “World- companies involved in circumventing the sanctions. iar with the plan said Tuesday the three wide Threat Assessment” released on Tuesday, In a series of tweets, Baeidinejad said America’s intelli- European governments had started the Haspel said that Iran has been committed to gence agencies have provided the BBC Persian with intel- process of registering the company to implementation of the JCPOA, but the Irani- ligence on some Europe-based companies which help Iran run a payments channel that would allow an leaders are considering steps that would Iran. The first round of sanctions went into in circumventing the sanctions. goods to be bartered between Europe- Council on Foreign Relations published “lessen their adherence” to the agreement. force on August 6 and the second round, He also advised the UK-based TV channel against cooper- an and Iranian companies without the on January 11, Mogherini said that the “They are making some preparations which targets Iran’s oil exports and banks, ating with the Trump administration in a “historic treason” need for direct financial transactions. United States cannot impose its policies that would increase their ability to take a were snapped back on November 4. against the Iranian nation and called for changes in the The company should be established by on the 28-nation bloc’s legitimate trade step back if they make that decision. So To blunt the sanctions, the European channel’s programs. Thursday or Friday,” the Wall Street relations with Iran. at the moment, technically they are in Union is set to register its special payment Journal reported on Tuesday. German Foreign Minister Heiko compliance, but we do see them debating mechanism for trade with Iran. Major defense The company is being registered in Maas said on Monday that the EU is amongst themselves as they’ve failed to German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas France and will be headed by a German on the verge of launching an alterna- realize the economic benefits they hoped said on Monday that the EU is on the verge exhibition official with the French, British and tive channel to send money to Iran that for from the deal,” she said. of launching the alternative channel to German governments as shareholders would sidestep U.S. sanctions against Director of U.S. National Intelligence send money to Iran that would sidestep opens in — an arrangement intended to ward the Islamic republic. Dan Coats also said that Tehran continued U.S. sanctions against the Islamic republic. Tehran off U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven “As far as the special purpose vehicle to comply with the deal even after the U.S. Trump: Haspel is “navie” Mnuchin’s threat of sanctioning the is concerned: it will be registered, it has withdrawal from it. Hours later, Trump came down on Haspel POLITICS TEHRAN — A major exhibition, dubbed entity by putting it under the aegis of not yet been registered, but I would say Despite warning by the international com- for her assessment, tweeting CIA officials deskEqtedar 40 (strength), opened at Tehran’s Washington’s traditional European that the implementation of our plan is munity, President Donald Trump withdrew were “passive and naive” in their take on Iran. Grand Mosalla on Wednesday, showcasing the latest defense allies. imminent,” according to AP, he told the U.S. unilaterally from the 2015 nuclear “Perhaps Intelligence should go back achievements of the Iranian Armed Forces, ahead of the In an interview with the European reporters in Brussels. deal in May and ordered sanctions against to school!” Trump added. 40th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution. The opening ceremony was attended by Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri and The U.S. has used every possible coercion policy against Iran - and it failed his deputy Major General Ataollah Salehi, Mehr reported. By Seyyed Hossein Mousavian ment, but also to possibly overthrow it. Islamic State group (IS). In Yemen, the U.S. and Saudi Speaking at the ceremony, Baqeri said over 500 home- The U.S. focus is now on garnering further international Arabia are bogged down in a costly war. grown defense products are on display for the general public, Shortly after Secretary of the State Mike Pompeo embarked support to confront Iran. It will host an international summit As analyst Jonathan Spyer said: “So far, the Iranians stressing that the Islamic Republic has the capability to mass on a Middle East tour to mobilise US allies to “confront” next month to promote stability and freedom in the Middle have effectively won in Lebanon, are winning in Syria and produce and export its military products. Iran, his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, East, focusing on Iran’s regional influence. “We’ll bring to- Iraq, and are bleeding the Saudis in Yemen.” The most recently developed item on show was “Kaman-12” tweeted that “whenever/wherever US interferes, chaos, gether dozens of countries from all around the world,” Pompeo Iran has been doing its best to minimise the deleterious drone, which can fly at 200 kilometers per hour and carry repression & resentment follow”. said in announcing the 13-14 February event in Poland. effects of the U.S. sanctions. Evading sanctions is an art that objects weighing 100 kg. From overthrowing the democratically elected government Moreover, top U.S. officials and their Arab allies in the Iran has perfected, as Zarif said. Still, there is no doubt that the of the late prime minister Mohammad Mosaddegh in 1953, region, along with Israel, hold regular meetings to hatch plots sanctions have been effectively hitting the Iranian economy. Eight to continuously supporting authoritarian states, to waging against Iran. This new strategy has economic, political and Iran’s Achilles heel comprises the U.S. sanctions, the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya, all U.S. interventions military dimensions. From violating the terms and conditions U.S.-Saudi-Israeli alliance and its confrontational strategy, environmentalists have led to the destruction of physical capital and demo- of the Iran nuclear deal, to impeding Iran’s European and and domestic economic problems, such as inflation, cor- cratic institutions, collateral damage, political instability, Asian trade partners, the U.S. has become the flag-bearer ruption, unemployment and political factionalism, which charged with displacement and the empowerment of autocratic rulers. of an economic war against Iran. undermine Iran’s internal social cohesion. spying go on trial Where direct military intervention may not be a viable Israel’s role Internal divisions solution, as seems to be the case with Iran, imposing illegal On the military side of this strategy, Israel has vowed Containing the current political factionalism and so- POLITICS TEHRAN — Eight Iranian environmental- sanctions has been a convenient strategy for the U.S. to to take action if necessary. Prime Minister Benjamin cial polarisation will be difficult, given upcoming Iranian desk ists accused of spying appeared in a court exert power and project its hegemony. “America’s economic Netanyahu recently said Trump was “acting against Iran parliamentary and presidential elections in the next two on Wednesday morning for the first session of a closed-door sanctions against the regime are the strongest in history, at the economic level, and we here in Israel are acting years, which may further divide the country’s social and trial, ISNA reported. and will keep getting tougher until Iran starts behaving like against Iran at the military level”. This is only part of political forces. Kazem Hosseini, an attorney for one of the accused, said a normal country,” Pompeo recently said in Cairo. Netanyahu’s warmongering strategy: he also invoked Meanwhile, the U.S. domestic Achilles heel, as noted during the trial, which was attended by all of the accused and U.S. coercion policy God to destroy the Iranian government. by Andy Surabian, the Republican strategist and former their lawyers, the charges were read out by the deputy prosecutor. From Carter to Reagan, and Bush to Obama, U.S. pres- Despite these collective effort to “contain” Iran’s special assistant to Trump, is “that the next two years are “Four of the accused in this case have been charged with idents have long viewed sanctions as an effective means of regional role, recent developments in the region have going to be nonstop political war”. corruption on the earth, and the other four with participat- achieving political gains with respect to Iran. Short of full- seemed to favour Iran, Russia and Turkey. The U.S. and On foreign policy, the major U.S. weakness is its strat- ing in espionage, cooperating with a hostile government fledged military action, the U.S. has deployed every possible its allies waged wars in Libya, Yemen, Iraq, Syria and egy of unilateralism, undermining international treaties, and gathering and colluding with the aim of acting against coercion policy against Iran - but thus far, it has failed. Afghanistan, with very mixed results. losing traditional allies and investing in palaces in the national security,” Hosseini said. In U.S. President Donald Trump’s era, however, these In Lebanon, Hezbollah played a key role in the establish- Middle East rather than nations. Pompeo’s Cairo speech He also said the second part of the trial will be held on pernicious policies are being pursued most comprehen- ment of a cabinet in 2016 headed by Saad Hariri and in the “praised dictators and ignored the aspirations of ordi- Saturday. sively and aggressively. A clique of notorious warmongers, appointment of Hezbollah ally Michel Aoun as president. nary people. But give the secretary of state this: he was including Pompeo and National Security Adviser John In Syria, Russian and Iranian support for the Syrian gov- honest,” noted an analysis in Bloomberg. 4 policemen Bolton, have taken key policymaking positions in the ernment undermined the U.S. regime-change strategy and In short, the U.S.-Iran duelling over next two years Trump administration. played a decisive role in preventing the country’s collapse. will have tremendous impacts on the region’s political injured after Representing the most radical and conservative fac- In Iraq, Tehran came to Baghdad’s aid to manage a trajectory. In the end, there will be no winner unless all sound bombs tions of the American polity, they have mobilised all their military force in the form of the 120,000-strong Popular parties divert from confrontation to cooperation. resources not just to put pressure on the Iranian govern- explosion Mobilisation Units to liberate Iraqi lands occupied by the (Source: Middle East Eye) POLITICS TEHRAN — Two sound bombs went deskoff in front of a police station in Iran’s southeastern city of Zahedan on Tuesday, injuring at least Jahangiri visits holy shrines in Damascus four police officers. POLITICS TEHRAN — Iran’s First Vice President “Heroine of Karbala”. Zeynab died in 681 CE, and her Sistan-Baluchestan provincial police chief, Brigadier Gen- deskEs’haq Jahangiri rounded up his three- Masjid is located in Damascus. eral Mohammad Ghanbari, told Mehr news agency that an day visit to Syria on Tuesday by visiting the holy shrine of Also on Monday, Jahangiri paid a visit to the holy shrine explosion rocked the city at 8:30 p.m. local time (1700 GMT), Zeynab bint Ali, the daughter of the first Shia Imam, Ali ibn of Imam Hussein’s daughter, Ruqayya bint Hussein, in Da- which was caused by a handmade stun grenade. Abi Talib, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency. mascus, according to Ahl ul-Bait News Agency. He added that a bomb disposal unit was dispatched shortly When her brother, Imam Hussein, stood up against Yazid The first vice president also visited the different parts of afterwards to the site of the explosion, where they found ibn Mu‘awiyah in 680 CE (61 AH), Zeynab accompanied Umayyad Mosque in the old city of Damascus. a suspicious package on the street and the second device him. She played an important role in protecting the life The Umayyad Mosque, also known as the Great Mosque blew up as they were trying to defuse it, slightly injuring of her nephew, Imam Ali ibn Al-Hussein, and because of Damascus, located in the old city of Damascus, is one of four members of the bomb squad. of her sacrifice and heroism, she became known as the the largest and oldest mosques in the world. Jahangiri (C) at Zeynab bint Ali’s holy shrine I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JANUARY 31, 2019 INTERNATIONAL

UAE used cyber super-weapon Trump pushes back against U.S. spy chiefs on NKorea, to spy on iPhones of foes Daesh

A team of former U.S. government intel- program, enabling the hackers to establish ligence operatives working for the United a connection with the device. Arab Emirates hacked into the iPhones of To initiate the compromise, Karma needed activists, diplomats and rival foreign leaders only to send the target a text message — the with the help of a sophisticated spying tool hack then required no action on the part called Karma, in a campaign that shows how of the recipient. The operatives could not potent cyber-weapons are proliferating be- determine how the vulnerability worked. yond the world’s superpowers and into the A person with direct knowledge of the deal hands of smaller nations. confirmed Karma’s sale to the Emiratis from The cyber tool allowed the small Persian an outside vendor, details of its capabilities Gulf country to monitor hundreds of targets and its reliance on an iMessage vulnerability. beginning in 2016, from the Emir of Qatar The Raven team successfully hacked into and a senior Turkish official to a Nobel Peace the accounts of hundreds of prominent Middle laureate human-rights activist in Yemen, East political figures and activists across the U.S. President Donald Trump Wednesday pushed back against according to five former operatives and region and, in some cases, Europe, accord- threat assessments offered to Congress by the nation’s top intel- program documents reviewed by Reuters. ing to former Raven operatives and program ligence officials a day earlier and defended his more optimistic The sources interviewed by Reuters were documents. assertions on North Korea and Daesh (ISIL). not Emirati citizens. Targeting the ‘iron woman’ of In a series of early-morning posts on Twitter, Trump said Karma was used by an offensive cyber Yemen Daesh “will soon be destroyed,” and that there was a “decent operations unit in Abu Dhabi comprised of In 2017, for instance, the operatives used chance of denuclearization” with Pyongyang. On Tuesday, the Emirati security officials and former American Karma to hack an iPhone used by Qatar’s intelligence officials broke with Trump in their assessments of intelligence operatives working as contractors Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, as the threats posed by North Korea and other nations. for the UAE’s intelligence services. The exist- well as the devices of Turkey’s former Deputy Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats joined the heads ence of Karma and of the hacking unit, code Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek, and Oman’s of the CIA, FBI, National Security Agency and other intelligence named Project Raven, haven’t been previously head of foreign affairs, Yusuf bin Alawi bin agencies Tuesday to deliver their annual assessments of the most reported. Raven’s activities are detailed in a unit comes amid an escalating cyber arms in detail but reporters didn’t inspect it. Reuters Abdullah. It isn’t clear what material was critical threats facing the United States in a public briefing with separate story published by Reuters today. race, with rivals such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia saw no evidence that the UAE leaked dam- taken from their devices. U.S. senators. The ex-Raven operatives described Karma and the UAE competing for the most sophis- aging materials discovered through Karma. SimSek, who stepped down from his po- Coats said North Korea is unlikely to give up its nuclear weap- as a tool that could remotely grant access to ticated hacking tools and personnel. Raven was largely staffed by U.S. in- sition in July, told Reuters the cyber intru- ons, while Trump has said the country no longer poses a threat. iPhones simply by uploading phone num- Tools like Karma, which can exploit hun- telligence community veterans, who were sion on his phone was “appalling and very Trump plans a second meeting next month with North Korean bers or email accounts into an automated dreds of iPhones simultaneously, capturing paid through an Emirati cyber security firm disturbing.” The Washington embassies of leader Kim Jong Un. On Daesh, Coats said the militant group targeting system. The tool has limits — it their location data, photos and messages, named DarkMatter, according to documents Qatar, Oman and Turkey did not respond to would continue to pursue attacks from Syria and Iraq against doesn’t work on Android devices and doesn’t are particularly sought-after, veterans of cy- reviewed by Reuters. The company did not multiple emails and calls requesting com- regional and Western adversaries, including the United States. intercept phone calls. But it was unusually berwarfare say. Only about 10 nations, such respond to numerous emails and phone calls ment about the targeting of political figures (Source: Reuters) potent because, unlike many exploits, Karma as Russia, China and the United States and requesting comment. The NSA declined to in their countries. did not require a target to click on a link sent its closest allies, are thought to be capable comment on Project Raven. Raven also hacked Tawakkol Karman, a to an iPhone, they said. of developing such weapons, said Michael The UAE government purchased Karma human rights activist known as the Iron Wom- In 2016 and 2017, Karma was used to Daniel, a former White House cyber security from a vendor outside the country, the op- an of Yemen. Informed by Reuters she had Britain, EU ‘running out of obtain photos, emails, text messages and lo- czar under President Obama. eratives said. Reuters could not determine been targeted, she said she believes she was cation information from targets’ iPhones. The Karma and similar tools make personal the tool’s creator. chosen because of her leadership in Yemen’s road’ on Brexit: Irish foreign technique also helped the hackers harvest devices like iPhones the “juiciest of targets,” The operatives knew how to use Karma, Arab Spring protests, which erupted around saved passwords, which could be used for said Patrick Wardle, a former National Security feeding it new targets daily, in a system requir- the region in 2011 and led to the ousting of minister other intrusions. Agency researcher and Apple security expert. ing almost no input after an operative set its Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. It isn’t clear whether the Karma hack A spokeswoman for UAE’s Ministry of target. But the users did not fully understand For years she had received repeated Brexit negotiators are “running out of road” to avoid a scenario remains in use. The former operatives said Foreign Affairs declined to comment. the technical details of how the tool managed notifications from social media accounts, where Britain crashes out of the European Union without a deal, that by the end of 2017, security updates Apple Inc declined to comment. to exploit Apple vulnerabilities. People famil- warning that she had been hacked, she told Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said on Wednesday. to Apple Inc’s iPhone software had made A flaw in Apple’s Imessage system iar with the art of cyber espionage said this Reuters. But the fact that Americans helped “We have less than two months to go now until Brexit hap- Karma far less effective. The former Raven insiders said Karma isn’t unusual in a major signals intelligence the Emirati government monitor her was pens on 29 March. We are, quite simply, running out of road,” Lori Stroud, a former Raven operative allowed the operatives to gather evidence on agency, where operators are kept in the dark shocking, she said. Coveney said in a speech in Dublin. who also previously worked at the U.S. Na- scores of targets — from activists critical of about most of what the engineers know of a Americans are “expected to support (Source: Reuters) tional Security Agency, told Reuters of the the government to regional rivals, including weapon’s inner workings. the protection of human rights defenders excitement when Karma was introduced in Qatar, and the UAE’s ideological opponent, Three former operatives said they under- and provide them with all protection and 2016. “It was like, ‘We have this great new the Islamic political Muslim Brotherhood stood Karma to rely, at least in part, on a flaw security means and tools,” she said, “not exploit that we just bought. Get us a huge movement. in Apple’s messaging system, iMessage. They to be a tool in the hands of tyrannies to list of targets that have iPhones now,’” she It also granted them access to compromis- said the flaw allowed for the implantation of spy on the activists and to enable them to I escaped Khashoggi-style said. “It was like Christmas.” ing and at times sexually explicit photos of malware on the phone through iMessage, even oppress their peoples.” killing: Saudi dissident The disclosure of Karma and the Raven targets. The material was described to Reuters if the phone’s owner didn’t use the iMessage (Source: Reuters) Afghan president accuses Pakistan of holding ‘keys to war’ Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said on Wednesday the “keys a former diplomat who is now senior fellow at the RAND to war are in Islamabad, Quetta, Rawalpindi”, accusing Paki- Corporation think-tank. stan of being a safe haven for cross-border militant activities. Dobbins, who was the Obama administration’s special Ghani said by contrast the “key to peace was in Afghan- representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2013, said istan” — at a time when peace talks to end the 17-year war it would take a long time to reach a deal that would be sus- between the Taliban and U.S. officials have gained momentum. tainable. A Saudi political dissident says he avoided a destiny similar to He was speaking at a national conference for youth and But however much time the talks took, the senior U.S. that of renowned journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed peace in Kabul. official privy to the talks, who did not want to be identified, in the Arab kingdom’s consulate in the Turkish city of Istanbul Roadblocks cast shadow over path to peace insisted: “We will not leave Afghanistan without a deal. We three and a half months ago. in Afghanistan want to leave a good legacy.” Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Arabic news outlet U.S. diplomats and the Afghan Taliban have seen cause Uncertain future Lebanon Debate, Maan al-Jaraba, the leader of the Saudi oppo- for hope in talks to end the United States’ longest war, Doubts have increased in recent weeks whether U.S. Pres- sition group Harakat al-Karama (Movement for Dignity), said but the pivotal issues of a ceasefire and the militants ident Donald Trump would stomach a protracted presence Saudi officials lured him into the country’s embassy in Lebanon sitting down with the Afghan government are far from in Afghanistan amid mixed signals from Washington. in September. Jaraba noted that he would have met a gruesome being resolved. U.S. officials told Reuters last month that Trump had end in case he had not been accompanied by bodyguards. Areas in which both sides have hailed progress - plans issued verbal orders to plan for a withdrawal of about half One source close to Jaraba, who requested anonymity, later for the withdrawal of foreign troops 17 years after the U.S.- of the 14,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan. However, they told Middle East Eye that the events occurred 10 days before led ouster of the Taliban and assurances that Afghanistan said he could reverse course. Khashoggi was killed in Turkey on October 2, 2018. won’t become a base for al Qaeda or ISIL- still need detailed de-legitimized the government we claim to support”. On Wednesday, Trump tweeted that talks “are proceeding The source highlighted that Saudi officials told Jaraba they negotiation, sources on both sides said. New negotiator well”. He did not address any possible pact with the Taliban wanted to speak with him to convince him to return to Saudi The withdrawal, for example, is contingent on a ceasefire The next round of talks will be held in Qatar on Feb. 25 or troop withdrawals. Arabia. that the Taliban have yet to discuss. when Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, a former mujahideen The U.S. troops in Afghanistan are part of a NATO-led “After years of being blacklisted, Sheikh Maan was contacted “We want to be absolutely sure that the U.S. is leaving fighter against the Soviet occupation of the 1980s, will head mission and a U.S. counterterrorism mission largely directed by Saudi embassy officials in Beirut. They said they were ready to before we call off the fight,” said a senior Taliban official on the Taliban side following his release last year from eight at groups such as ISIL and al Qaeda. engage in talks to bring him back into the fold,” the source said. condition of anonymity. years in a Pakistani jail. Some 8,000 troops from 38 other countries are partici- The official in charge of negotiations then suggested a face-to- But a senior U.S. official privy to the negotiations was U.S. officials told Reuters they hope he will have the au- pating in the operation, known as Resolute Support. face meeting with Jaraba following several phone conversations. clear a ceasefire had to come first: “How could we even do thority to negotiate on the ceasefire and the need for dis- Diplomats and military attaches from many of those coun- The Saudi dissident agreed, stipulating however that the meet- a withdrawal without a ceasefire?” cussions with the Afghan government. The Taliban have so tries describe an intense desire to leave. Italy is considering ing be held in a neutral public place, such as a restaurant or cafe. And the Taliban’s assurances on counter-terrorism also far refused to talk to the government which they dismiss as sending home its 900 troops within a year. “They talked about it at length and eventually scheduled a come with caveats. a puppet of the United States. The period after any deal and withdrawal is also fraught meeting in a building in Beirut belonging to the Saudi embassy,” They say they can guarantee the United States the security Baradar, a co-founder of the movement and a former with risks. Kabul-based Western envoys say little hard thought the source said. of the half of the country they now control, but they would military commander in western Afghanistan, will enter new has been given to how aid plans and other support would Jaraba drove to the meeting place with three armed bodyguards have to be in an interim government to be sure of stopping talks from a position of relative strength as its new political have to be intensified and tailored to fit a new era of peace, on the day of the appointment. A more substantial security force al Qaeda or ISIL from attacking anywhere else. chief, Taliban officials said. and possible power sharing. was also on call nearby. Left to watch the unlikely U.S. and Taliban tango as he For years, the Taliban have fought to expel foreign forces Some also warn of a spike in violence as fighters on both “The embassy officials who welcomed him were surprised to eyes a second term, Western-backed Afghan President and drive the government from power, so they can restore sides return to villages and start new lives. see the bodyguards,” the source said. “They thought the sheikh Ashraf Ghani refuses to accept an interim government as their version of hardline law across Afghanistan. Afghans and regional diplomats also fear a U.S. bid to would come alone, though they themselves were heavily guarded.” part of any deal. After intensifying attacks over the last two years, the cut a hasty deal with the Taliban could allow militia groups Jaraba’s interlocutors tried to induce him to return to Saudi “We want peace, we want it quickly, but we want a proper Taliban are more powerful than any at other time since they to exploit ethnic rivalries to usurp power. Arabia, where they claimed he would be “free” to pursue his work. plan ... so the mistakes of the past do not repeat,” Ghani were toppled by Western forces. Then there is the worry that the country’s nascent de- The dissident turned down the offer, and the meeting concluded said in a televised address on Monday, referring to a bloody And senior Taliban officials say they know the United mocracy and women’s rights could crumble in the absence with promises of further appointments and talks. history of failed governments, military coups and civil war. States and other foreign forces are tired and want out. of foreign forces. A few days later, Khashoggi was murdered at the Saudi con- Ghani mentioned the deaths of previous rulers, including While they, meanwhile, can sense victory and a future Ghani made clear this week they are worries he shares, sulate in Istanbul. former President Najibullah, who was hanged from a Kabul role in government. even if question marks remain over his ability to shape “After what happened in Istanbul, Sheikh Maan’s associates lamppost when Taliban guerrillas swept into the capital “If the Afghan government and the Taliban have an agree- events ahead. were convinced he narrowly escaped a similar fate,” the same in 1996. ment, it will involve altering government arrangements in “I, as an elected leader in charge of 35 million Afghans, source said. “He didn’t trust them, so he took the precaution of Former U.S. ambassador Ryan Crocker wrote in the some respect, creating a more inclusive government and ... know what are the probable dangers and threats after going to the meeting with bodyguards. This is probably what Washington Post that by negotiating with a Taliban that consolidating the Afghan security forces and the Taliban the peace deal.” saved him.” refused to talk to the Afghan leadership “we have ourselves in some new security architecture,” said James Dobbins, (Source: agencies) (Source: Press TV) II NN TT EE RR NN AA TT II OO NN AA LL DD AA II LL YY 44 ADVERTISEMENTSECONOMY JANUARYJANUARY 31,31, 20192019

STOCK MARKET Non-oil trade TEDPIX 160294.9 IFX 1932.04 Sources: tse.ir, Ifb.ir balance at $678m CURRENCIES in 10 months USD 42,000 rials EUR 47,051 rials ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iran’s IRICA data showed that gas conden- desknon-oil trade with other sate valued at $3.053 billion, LNG worth GBP 55,976 rials countries registered a $678 million posi- $1.815 billion, liquefied propane valued tive balance in the first ten months of the at $1.484 billion, methanol worth $1.229 AED 11,437 rials current Iranian calendar year (March 21, billion, low-density oils and their byprod- Source: cbi.ir 2018 – January 20, 2019), IRNA reported ucts except for gasoline valued at $1.223 on Wednesday citing the data released billion were the main exported products by the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs during the ten-month period with China, Administration (IRICA). Iraq, United Araba Emirates (UAE), Af- $35.672 billion, indicating 18.8 percent worth $975 million and soybean meal COMMODITIES As reported, the country exported ghanistan, and Turkey as the main export fall in terms of value compared to the same valued at $493 million were the major 94.875 million tons of non-oil goods worth markets of Iranian non-oil goods. period of time in the past year. imported products. Brent $61.82/b $36.35 billion during the mentioned time The country’s imports of non-oil prod- Corn as livestock food valued at $1.618 China, UAE, Turkey, Germany, and India WTI $53.90/b span, registering 2.21 percent growth in ucts during the first ten months of the billion, auto parts worth $1.266 billion, were the main exporters of non-oil goods to terms of value. present year stood at 26 million tons worth rice valued at $1.102 billion, soy bean Iran during the ten-month period. OPEC Basket $59.57/b Gold $1,312.60 /oz Silver $15.93/oz Platinium $820.40/oz Tehran hosting over 200 companies in furniture exhibition ECONOMY TEHRAN — The 12th trade exchange among the exhibitors and 227 percent growth compared to the same Sources: oilprice.com, Moneymetals.com deskedition of Iran’s Furniture visitors, helping domestic production, and period of time in the previous year. Exhibition, which kicked off on Tuesday, is offering products at proper prices are some Iraq, Afghanistan, and Oman were the NEWS IN BRIEF hosting over 200 companies and production of the main objectives of the five-day event. major importers of furniture from Iran during units at Imam Khomeini Grand Prayer As reported, furniture exports from Iran the nine-month period, while exports to ‘Iran among top Grounds (Mosalla), IRNA reported. during the first nine months of the current these destinations increased 241 percent, Showcasing the latest technology in Iranian calendar year (March 21 – September 157 percent, and 160 percent growth, 10 transformer furniture sector, expanding knowledge and 21, 2018), stood at $36 million which indicates respectively. manufacturers in world’

ENERGY TEHRAN — “Iran stands among the 10 top Iran, Syria to set up joint bank in Damascus desktransformer manufacturers in the world,” 1 The agreement is part of the two countries’ During this event, a 25-member trade delegation the secretory of Iran’s 5th International Transformer Confer- efforts aimed at boosting trade and investment between headed by Gholam-Hossein Shafeie, the chairman of ence and Exhibition announced on the sidelines of the event, the two sides as Damascus looks to its ally Tehran to ICCIMA, gathered with Syrian counterparts to explore Tasnim news agency reported on Wednesday. help rebuild from war. ways of developing trade ties between the two countries. As Arash Aghaiefar said Iran seeks transfer of transformer- The document was one of the 11 long-term cooperation Jahangiri and Hemmati as well as Mahmoud Hamsho, knowledge to other countries and is capable of exporting the agreements Iran and Syria signed on Tuesday during a the secretary general of the Federation of Syrian Chambers electricity generated by its transformers to other countries. two-day visit of a high-ranking Iranian delegation led of Commerce, were also among the participants of the The international event was held on January 29-30, 2019 by First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri to Syria. business gathering. in Tehran. Also, during the Iranian delegation’s stay in Syria, On the sidelines of the forum, the two countries’ an Iran-Syria business forum was held in Damascus chambers of commerce signed an agreement to establish 1st intl. date on Tuesday which was attended by senior officials and a joint economic committee. businessmen from both sides, the portal of Iran Chamber The joint committee is comprised of 10 Syrian members An Iran-Syria business forum was held in Damascus on exhibition to be of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) as well as 10 Iranian businessmen and the Syrian members Tuesday attended by senior officials and businessmen from held in Shiraz reported. are due to visit Tehran in the upcoming months. both sides.

ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iran’s First International deskExhibition of Date, Processing and Related U.S., China face Industries is to be held in the capital city of the southcentral Iranian province of Fars, Shiraz, Trade Promotion Organiza- tion of Iran (TPO) announced. deep trade, IP The exhibition is to be held at the Fars International Perma- nent Fairground from February 12 to 16, 2019, the report added. Some B2B and specialized meetings and seminars, with differences in participation of Iranian and foreign commercial attachés and experts, are to be held on the sidelines of the exhibition. IN THE NAME OF GOD Related MOUs on establishment of exports consortiums in high-level talks Second Announcement Oman, Georgia, and Kyrgyzstan are also planned to be inked The United States and China launch a critical during the exposition. ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN BROADCASTING round of trade talks on Wednesday amid deep differences over Washington’s demands for structural economic reforms from Beijing that will make it difficult to reach a deal before a INTERNATIONAL TENDER NO. 97/121-57/10 Europe stays in gloomy March 2 U.S. tariff hike. mood as Germany slashes The two sides will meet next door to the Tender Holder: White House in the highest-level talks since ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN BROADCASTING (IRIB) its 2019 outlook U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed a 90-day truce in Subject of Tender: Euro-area confidence extended its worst losing streak in a decade their trade war in December. Purchasing of one set of Diesel Generator 1500 KAV and 26 sets of low power Pressure Plates and and Germany’s government added to the pain by slashing its People familiar with the talks and trade instalation & Commissioning in accordance with the technical specifications and other terms and forecast for the region’s largest economy. experts watching them say that, so far, there conditions mentioned in the tender documents. With countries across the 19-nation currency zone facing a has been little indication that Chinese officials range of domestic risks and trade uncertainties, sentiment tumbled are willing to address core U.S. demands to to the lowest in more than two years in a report Wednesday. protect American intellectual property rights Deadline and How to Receive the Tender Documents: nd th Germany predicted its economy will only grow 1 percent in and end policies that Washington says force U.S. From 02 Feb. 2019 (1397/11/13) by 4 p.m. on Tuesday 07 Feb. 2019 (1397/11/18) with presentation 2019, the least in six years. companies to transfer technology to Chinese of introductory letter by company or its representative and the receipt of paying the documents fee. firms. The U.S. complaints, along with accusations Place of Receiving the Tender Documents: of Chinese cyber theft of U.S. trade secrets and a th systematic campaign to acquire U.S. technology Interested participants may refer to purchasing (KALA) Dept., 4 Floor of IRIB Administration Complex, firms, were used by the Trump administration Hotel Esteghlal St., Vali-e Asr Ave., Tehran Iran. to justify punitive U.S. tariffs on $250 billion worth of Chinese imports. The Fee of the Tender Documents and How to Deposit it: Trump has threatened to raise tariffs on $200 billion of goods to 25 percent from 10 Submission of payment receipt for the amount of 2,000,000 Rials to Account No. 4101029171204273 percent on March 2 if an agreement cannot be (IBAN: IR310100004101029171204273) with CENTERAL BANK OF IRAN in the name of IRIB. reached. He has also threatened new tariffs on the remainder of Chinese goods shipped to the Type and Amount of Guarantee for Participation to Tender: United States. The amount of deposit for participant in tender is USD 30,000 fixed or its equivalent in 2,900,000,000 “Clearly on the structural concerns, on forced The euro area has turned into a weak spot of the world technology transfer, there remains a significant Rials which should be in the form of Bank Guarantee. economy. The European Central Bank acknowledged risks gap if not a wide chasm between the two sides,” have “moved to the downside,’’ and when the IMF cut its global a person familiar with the talks told Reuters. Time and Place of Delivering Priced Bid: growth forecast this month, Germany and Italy had the biggest Chinese officials deny that their policies The sealed A, B & C packages/envelopes should be submitted no later than 10 a.m. on Sunday 10th Mar. downward revisions. coerce technology transfers. In its German outlook, the government in Berlin downgraded They have emphasized steps already taken, 2019 (1397/12/19) and at the address mentioned in the 4th clause. its 2019 prediction to 1 percent from 1.8 percent, citing in part including reduced automotive tariffs and a the deteriorating global trading environment. draft foreign investment law that improves Time and Place of Opening Envelopes: German gloom access for foreign firms and promises to outlaw The date of opening the envelopes A&B is on Sunday 10th Mar. 2019 (1397/12/19) at 3 p.m. in the Economic growth is set to weaken to the slowest pace in “administrative means to force the transfer of office of Financial Vice President and opening of envelope C will be after technical evaluation. six years in 2019. technology.” The report will fuel the pessimism about Europe after an China is fast-tracking that new law, with almost non-stop deluge of disappointing economic indicators the country’s largely rubber-stamp parliament For more information, please see: recently. And it may continue on Thursday, with figures forecast likely to approve it in March. www.iriboffice.ir/tenders and http://iets.mporg.ir/ Tel: 00982122167463 to show Italy probably slipped into recession at the end of 2018. A crucial component of any progress in the GDP figures for Spain and the euro area are also due. talks, according to top administration officials, Purchasing (Kala) Dept. of IRIB Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell will offer his view of is agreement on a mechanism to verify and the U.S. outlook when he holds a press conference on Wednesday. “enforce” China’s follow-through on any reform He’s also had to take note of a changed global backdrop and is pledges that it makes. This could maintain the expected to emphasize patience in raising interest rates. threat of U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods long term. (Source: Bloomberg) (Source: Reuters) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JANUARY 31, 2019 ENERGY 5 Oil prices steady, torn between Europe to become an increasingly important Venezuela sanctions and gloomy economy LNG market

Oil prices held steady on Wednesday, boost- Rodriguez-Masiu, an analyst at consultancy Europe has long been considered as the ‘sink’ of the liquefied ed by concerns about supply disruptions Rystad Energy. natural gas (LNG) market, absorbing the cargoes that don’t get following U.S. sanctions on Venezuela’s oil With the United States dropping out as sold on the booming Asian market. industry but pegged back by a bleak outlook a customer for Venezuelan oil, she added LNG analysts and industry officials, however, expect Europe to for the global economy. that “China and India ... will be able to pick become a genuine LNG demand market after 2021, as natural gas U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) up these oil volumes at great discounts”. production in northwest Europe is set for a decline and as global crude futures were at $53.34 per barrel Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro LNG supply growth is set to likely outstrip Asian demand growth. at 0950 GMT, up 3 cents or 0.06 percent. said on Wednesday he was ready for talks This winter’s LNG trade patterns have highlighted the role of International Brent crude oil futures with the opposition although he ruled out Europe as a ‘last-resort’ LNG market for suppliers. were at $61.45 per barrel, up 13 cents or snap elections the opposition is demanding. Asian LNG prices have been at their weakest in three years 0.21 percent. Beyond Venezuela, analysts pointed so far this winter. So U.S. cargoes have found home in Europe, Washington announced export sanctions to economic weakness as countering sup- which has been the top buyer of U.S. LNG this winter season. against state-owned oil producer Petroleos ply-side troubles. Meanwhile, Asian LNG spot prices fell last week for a fifth de Venezuela SA (PDVSA) on Monday, lim- “Another major risk event for the oil mar- consecutive week amid above-average temperatures and ample iting transactions between U.S. companies ket will be U.S.-China trade talks which get supply. Major Asian buyers—especially China—had stockpiled that do business with the firm. underway today,” said Stephen Brennock, gas well ahead of the winter. Milder winter weather in some “The sanctions so far have been mostly analyst at London brokerage PVM Oil. parts of Asia and high stockpiles mean that there is currently disruptive for refiners on the U.S. Gulf Coast, “Both sides are now faced with a now or little appetite for spot cargoes. who are being forced to seek alternative never moment in settling their trade spat.” With weak Asian prices, Europe has been acting as the ‘dump’ heavy crude supplies, and have stepped up Global economic growth is slowing amid a for LNG cargoes, but experts at the ongoing European Gas Con- purchases from Canada,” said Vandana Hari trade dispute between the United States and ference in Vienna believe that the European market will start to of Vanda Insights, an energy consultancy. China, the world’s two biggest economies. show ‘genuine’ demand in a year or two. The sanctions aim to freeze sale proceeds Officials from Washington and Beijing “Europe will not just play the balancing role… Europe will from PDVSA’s exports of roughly 500,000 seen panicked buying as a result of the U.S. supply only to the United States. are set to launch a new round of trade talks become more dependent on LNG,” S&P Global Platts quoted barrels per day of crude to the United States. decision to target Venezuela’s oil output. “The (Venezuelan) export volumes will on Wednesday. The two sides have slapped the head of LNG at OMV, Elena Sidorochkina, as saying at the World oil futures rose by more than 2 Its output was already near seven-decade not be eliminated from the market, but rath- hefty import tariffs on each other’s goods. conference. percent on Tuesday, but the market has not lows and the sanctions affect Venezuelan er rerouted to other countries,” said Paola (Source: Reuters) Natural gas production in northwest Europe is set for a decline in coming years, as the Netherlands is reducing production at the huge Groningen field, aiming to terminate production by 2030. The UK and Norway may also see drops in natural gas exports Libyan oilfield ‘won’t reopen Oil group OMV to create Middle to nearby countries in northwest Europe. At the same time, global LNG supply is expected to continu- until occupiers leave’ East refining and trading hub ously grow, likely outpacing Asia’s LNG demand growth, analysts and officials say. Libya’s biggest oilfield El Sharara will OMV is creating a refining and trading According to energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie, this year remain shut until an armed group and hub in the Middle East as the Austrian could be a record year for LNG projects approved, with more than protesters occupying the site leave, the oil and gas company seeks to bolster its 60 mmtpa of capacity likely to reach final investment decision head of the National Oil Corp. (NOC) downstream sector and target sales in (FID). This will be well above the previous record of 45 mmtpa said on Tuesday, more than a month after Asia amid rising demand for fuels and sanctioned in 2005 and triple the 21 mmtpa projects sanctioned the field was closed because of a protest. petrochemicals. last year. The oilfield, with a capacity to produce The company, alongside Italy’s Eni, “Frontrunners in the race to hit FID include the US$27 billion 340,000 barrels per day (bpd), has been paid nearly $6bn for a 35 percent equity Arctic LNG-2 in Russia, at least one project in Mozambique and under force majeure since December. stake in Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’s three in the US. Our picks in the US are Golden Pass, Calcasieu Libya now produces more than 900,000 refinery subsidiary, as part of a part- Pass and Sabine Pass Train 6,” WoodMac said in its 2019 outlook. bpd, below average production in 2018 of privatization that values the company At the same time, the consultancy noted that “Asian LNG 1.1 million bpd, NOC Chairman Mustafa at $19.3bn. demand growth will not keep pace with LNG supply and Europe, Sanalla said in London. Rainer Seele, chief executive, told northwest Europe in particular, will have to absorb the surplus, capacity. “The armed group attempting to hold the west and home to the internationally the Financial Times that the thinking especially during the summer.” Mubadala Investment Company, Abu NOC and Libya’s economic recovery to recognized government. behind OMV’s 15 percent share for around European natural gas import demand will grow, while Russia’s Dhabi’s $200bn sovereign wealth fund, ransom must leave the field before NOC Referring to the LNA initiative, Sanalla $2.5bn was part of a push to create a pipeline gas capacity is limited by infrastructure bottlenecks in has an almost 25 percent stake in OMV. will consider restarting production,” San- said the effort to restart the field “has been more integrated energy player that would Europe, especially at the Baumgarten gas hub in Austria, according OMV together with Adnoc and Eni will alla told a Chatham House conference. complicated further by the launch of an withstand downturns better. to Wood Mackenzie’s Hadrien Collineau, Senior Research Analyst, spend a further $1.9bn on building capacity Libya’s oil industry has faced disrup- international counter-terrorism mission ExxonMobil, Royal Dutch Shell and BP EMEARC Commodity Analytics for Gas and LNG. at Adnoc’s existing three refineries in the tion since 2011 when the nation plunged which has expanded into an attempt to are among global majors with significant It’s not that Russia doesn’t have the natural gas or the capacity emirate, with one eye on building a fourth. into conflict that led to rival power centers seize control of territory, including po- exploration and production divisions as to export that gas, rather, it will be infrastructure bottlenecks “We want to diversify our sales market,” in west and east. Protesters and armed tentially, national oil infrastructure.” well as refining, marketing and trading that could limit volumes to Europe. Seele added, when asked about the new groups have often targeted oilfields and “It is my concern that a sequence arms that can provide a buffer when oil “Wood Mackenzie believes Europe’s LNG requirements will global trading venture set up between the energy infrastructure. of events has been set in motion with prices fall. more than double by 2025. Europe’s growing gas import de- three companies, that will export two- Libya’s oil industry has faced disrup- unknowable consequences for Libya, Seele said the latest investment was pendency, coupled with constraints on Russian pipeline exports, thirds of the products refined by Adnoc. tion since 2011 when the nation plunged and NOC,” he said. a “natural hedge”, while it enabled the mean that LNG imports will have to increase,” Collineau said. Seele said the global oil market was into conflict that led to rival power centers He said the preferred solution for company to invest in refining infrastructure “For some time, northwest Europe has been regarded as the grappling with geopolitical crises from in west and east. Protesters and armed securing the field involved deploying a that would cater to fast-expanding regions “sink” of the global LNG market,” the analyst added. the U.S.-China trade spat, to sanctions groups have often targeted oilfields and Petroleum Facilities Guards (PFG) force, in Asia such as India. However, northwest Europe will have to compete for LNG against Iran and turmoil in Venezuela. energy infrastructure. managed by NOC. Different factions of the “We are going to see more stagnating imports on the global market after 2020, Collineau noted. As traders assess the effectiveness General Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan Na- PFG have previously been responsible for and declining margins in Europe,” he Europe may have been seen as the one picking up the leftover of supply curbs from OPEC and Russia, tional Army (LNA), which is based in shutdowns at oil facilities in the country. said. “OMV is preparing now to invest supply from Asia, but analysts believe that the European market he said Brent crude, the international east Libya, launched a campaign this He said NOC has suggested that “a mixed in capacity that is supplying the growth will soon start to play a more important role in LNG demand. oil price, would probably stay between month in southwest Libya that it says force might provide a solution within a market.” (Source: oilprice.com) aimed to combat militant groups and negotiated security framework” led by OMV’s existing refineries are able to $60-$70 a barrel. secure oil facilities in the area, including the Government of National Accord in produce 17.8m tons of petroleum product “I don’t see any change in the picture El Sharara. Tripoli and with the support of the UN. annually and the Adnoc investment will right now,” he added. NOC is based in the capital Tripoli, in (Source: Arab News) create another 7.1m tons of additional (Source: Financial Times) Oil major Total plans biggest exploration drive in years

Total is launching its biggest exploration campaign for years in 2019 as part of a turnaround plan that is ditching the company’s Russia plans to defend interests in Venezuela, including in oil focus on risky long-shots in favor of areas known to contain The Kremlin will defend Russian interests analyst said. commercial levels of oil or gas. in Venezuela using “all available” legal Rosneft did not reply to a request by The French major aims to drill 23 wells this year, its senior mechanisms, with Russia’s top oil producer S&P Global Platts to comment but analysts vice president for exploration, Kevin McLachlan, told Reuters, in Rosneft facing heightened risks to its believe the Russian company is unlikely to waters off Mauritania, Senegal, Namibia, South Africa, Guyana major investments in the troubled Latin see major disruptions if PDVSA defaults. and Brazil. American country. “The worst-case scenario -- which is While the company declined to say how many wells it drilled The U.S. on Monday announced unlikely to materialize -- under which in 2018, McLachlan said 2019 sanctions against PDVSA, Venezuela’s Rosneft loses all the money it invested would be Total’s largest program state-owned oil company and Rosneft’s in Venezuela, would be biting but not in years. The 23 wells planned partner, in a move aimed at cutting off the critical for the company, with quarterly represent about a trebling of the regime of President Nicolas Maduro from free cash flow at over $4 billion,” an oil levels of 2017 and 2016, and is oil revenues and diverting those revenues analyst with Western bank said. higher even than the 20 drilled in to the fledgling alternative government He estimated Rosneft’s assets in 2013, before the oil price crash. of opposition leader Juan Guaido, who Venezuela at around $2 billion-$2.5 The company’s new game the U.S. formally recognized last week billion, with an additional $2.5 billion plan is to concentrate efforts as the legitimate president. of prepayment loan that is yet to be on emerging and mature basins, Russia, however, does not recognize covered with oil supplies. In November, which offer a greater chance of the opposition leader, claiming the U.S. Rosneft said that Venezuela was meeting exploration success. It is moving sanctions against Venezuela are illegal. its obligations and that it expected that away from its higher-risk, high- “We do not consider this to be correct. deals between Rosneft and PDVSA reached take any action that threatens Rosneft, to continue. er-reward strategy of targeting We consider this... a sign of unfair between 2014 and 2016. Under those deals, analysts believe. Venezuela cleared $1.5 billion of “frontier” areas that have not competition, in this case it is open the Venezuelan company received $6 “Venezuela’s economy depends heavily prepayments in the first nine months of been commercially exploited, interference in the internal affairs of billion to be fully redeemed by the end on oil revenues, up to 90 percent,” said 2018, and a total of $3.1 billion remained an approach which yielded scant Venezuela,” Russian President Vladimir of 2019. PDVSA’s 49.9 percent stake in Ekaterina Grushevenko from the Skolkovo outstanding, according to the company’s rewards and saw outlier Total fall behind rivals. Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said U.S. refiner Citgo is collateral on part of Energy Center. “The new government will presentation at the time. As a result the proportion of its exploration capital the Afri- Tuesday, as quoted by Prime news agency. this loan. Other creditors, though, have need petrodollars to restore the economy In December, Russia and Venezuela can-focused company is spending on frontier areas has dropped “We will defend [Russia’s interests] laid claims to the company over unpaid and its oil sector... In this respect, the also inked a number of contracts to to 15 percent, from 40 percent five years ago. within the framework of existing debts as well. authorities are likely to welcome the the tune of $6 billion during a visit by “We were spending a lot of money in frontier,” said McLachlan, international law, using all mechanisms The latest sanctions by the U.S. further presence of Russian companies in the Maduro to Moscow, including in the a Canadian geophysicist who joined Total in 2015 to lead the five- available to us,” he said. highlighted difficulties for Rosneft should country.” telecommunications sphere. At the time, year revamp of its exploration strategy. “Now we want balance.” Russia has built close ties with it try to claim the Citgo stake. The U.S. Rosneft and PDVSA are jointly Maduro said Russia would invest $5 billion Most of the wells it aims to drill this year will target known Venezuela’s President Maduro, investing administration said PDVSA-owned Citgo developing five upstream oil projects in to raise Venezuela’s oil production by 1 giant fields, he added. billions of dollars into the country’s assets in the U.S., which include refineries Venezuela -- PetroVictoria, Petromiranda, million bpd but no further details on the Total has broken ranks with some rivals in recent years and economy, including in its oil sector. in Louisiana, Texas and Illinois and Petromonagas, Boqueron and Petroperija. deal were provided. largely ignored the rush to U.S. shale. It is looking to eke out con- Caracas could face problems with three pipeline systems, will be allowed Combined production amounted to around Venezuela’s crude output fell to 1.17 ventional resources, particularly in Africa where it has the biggest servicing its debt to Moscow, Russian to continue to operate at least for three 234,000 bpd on average in 2018, Patricia million bpd in December, according to the industry presence. The strategy carries risks though, and has left deputy finance minister Sergei Storchak months, although revenues also will be Ventura Nicolas, senior analyst with IPD latest S&P Global Platts OPEC survey. The the company exposed to the kind of political instability that has admitted, estimating current debt at over required to be held in blocked accounts. Latin America, estimated in December. country’s output is forecast to decline by deterred others. $3 billion. Venezuela is due to pay more ***Rosneft interests in Venezuela Those barrels are used for supplies 350,000 bpd through 2019, but, depending McLachlan said Total’s exploration budget would remain broadly than $100 million in two months under Whatever the outcome of the current under the prepayment deal and the on sanctions and other risk factors, could in line with 2018, when it was $1.2 billion, and 2017, when it was the debt redemption schedule, he said, political turmoil, which heightens political deliveries are likely to continue as it is fall by as much as 800,000 bpd by late $1.1 billion. That is still less than half the level of 2014, when the as reported by local media. risk for companies involved in the country, hard to see the projects being shut down this year, according to Barclays. price crash forced all majors to cut spending. This debt does not include prepayment Venezuela’s authorities are unlikely to any time this year, a Moscow-based oil (Source: Platts) (Source: Reuters) ساعت: 17:00 امضاء صفحه آرا: ساعت: امضاء مسئول صفحه: ساعت: امضاء ادیتور: ساعت: امضاء سردبیر:

I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 INTERNATIONAL JANUARY 31, 2019 War on Yemen aims to restore Saudi hegemony Trump could be the new Clinton if Democrats with complicity of western countries impeach: Sympathetic and A French newspaper said that four-years of war of the beginning of violent hostilities, which on Yemen aim to restoring Saudi hegemony, did not lead to a peaceful solution. stronger than ever where this war would not have been launched As usual, the civilian population pays the or continued without the complicity of West- high cost of these wars. In addition that a ern countries, which receive billions of arms large part of the civilian population, who sales for a few million dollars to Yemenis in live under the imposed siege by Saudi Arabia the name of aid. and its allies, suffer from a lack of medical Mediapart newspaper pointed out that supplies, limited access to clean drinking the silence applied by Western policymak- water and scarcity Food, it confirmed. ers about what is happening in Yemen is The newspaper mentioned that the dealing deafening, because it can not be useful or in of European Union has always been working the interest of resolving the Yemeni crisis “. through dual diplomacy to provide humani- The European silence is because the lead- tarian aid and arms sales,” , adding that the ers of the European Union are still engaged value of European aid to Yemen during the in continuing arms deals with Saudi Arabia war amounted 166 million euros, From £ 6 and the United Arab Emirates, as these deals billion, with a net profit rate of nearly $ 600 allow the Saudi monarchy and its allies to million since the beginning of the conflict. launch a fierce war, killing and destroying The report concluded that many people the lives of millions of civilians in Yemen, see that this war have not been launched By J.T. Young the newspaper added. without the support and complicity of the The report said that the only objective European leaders, and the Saudi monarchy, Democrats risk burning themselves if they fan the flames of Trump behind the military campaign of restoring The Mediapart newspaper mentioned that that never recognize or deal with human rights impeachment. Caveat igniter: Roasting someone at the stake the absconder President, Abd Rabu Mansour the dealing of European Union has always , can hush the Europeans who have been is hotter than it appears. Political winds can change suddenly Hadi , is to strengthen the Saudi hegemony been working through dual diplomacy to tempting brutality by the black gold and their and blow the flames back on those who set them. No one knows over Yemen, noting at the same time that unlimited dependence on the petrodollars.” this better than the Republicans who impeached Bill Clinton. this campaign stalled after thirty months provide humanitarian aid and arms sales. (Source: Yemen Press) The parallels between the Clinton and Trump presidencies are closer than Democrats would care to admit, and the consequences of impeachment are something Republicans would care to forget. Arguably, President Clinton was in a weaker position than Trump is. Both were dogged by personal scandal suspicion. Both How seriously should the world take Trump’s Venezuela threat? won the presidency by unusual means — Clinton by seeing third- By David A. Graham ouster is one of the least Trumpy things that the president party candidate Ross Perot split the opposition and Trump won has done, from the support for regime change to the inter- one of America’s greatest upsets — and with well less than popular On Monday, as Donald Trump’s administration ratcheted national cooperation involved. The president has no obvious vote majorities (Bill Clinton with just 43 percent and Trump up its pressure on the Venezuelan government of Nicolás reason for being so focused on the country. Though he’s used with 46 percent). Maduro, the White House wanted Maduro to know that Venezuela as a shorthand for what he sees as the failings In office, both had major policy failures. Clinton raised taxes sanctions on the state-owned oil company, PDVSA, might of socialism, Trump has otherwise evinced little interest in too much (and admitted it) and spectacularly botched health care not be the end of the road. Latin America outside of immigration. reform. Trump failed to replace ObamaCare. Both also suffered “Look, the president has made it very clear on this matter So why would the threat that Bolton delivered Mon- midterm defeat: Clinton lost 54 House seats, nine Senate seats, that all options are on the table,” National-Security Adviser day be any different? One factor is that Trump has just and Congress; Trump lost 40 House seats and the House. And John Bolton said during a White House briefing. He also said suffered a humiliating defeat at home, on the shutdown, both have been preoccupied by scandalous accusations in the that violence against not only U.S. personnel in Venezuela that involved his folding. When presidents are stymied at White House. but also the National Assembly and Juan Guaidó, whom home, they often look overseas for a chance to accomplish With all his negatives and aided by independent counsel Ken the U.S. has recognized as the country’s legitimate leader, something quickly and without the pesky limitations of Starr’s findings, Republicans felt they had just cause to impeach would be “met with a significant response.” the legislature and judiciary. They often see a quick and Clinton in 1998. They did, taking him before the Senate — on two Bolton declined to say quite what that meant. “We’re This isn’t the first time the decisive military action abroad as a good way to bolster charges: perjury and obstruction of justice — only the second not going to define it, because we want the Venezuelan se- sagging poll numbers, another constant Trump bugaboo. president so tried. And although Republicans had accumulated curity forces to know how strongly we think that President president has threatened And while Trump has lamented American deployments animosities and congressional majorities, they lacked the votes Guaidó, the National Assembly, the opposition, and most military force against the to the faraway Middle East, he himself noted Venezuela’s to remove him. More im- importantly American personnel [should not be] harmed.” country, but now he is proximity in 2017. portantly, they lacked Unlike (In either an elaborate mind game or a stunning display The other big factor is personnel. When Trump made his support in the court of of absent-mindedness, Bolton also allowed photographers surrounded by regime- threat in 2017, he was flanked by Secretary of State Rex Till- public opinion. Republicans of to see a legal pad on which was scrawled, “5,000 troops to change advocates. erson, UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, and National-Security The parallels do not 20 years ago, Colombia.”) Adviser HR McMaster, all of whom looked on uneasily as yet extend to impeach- This was, on the one hand, a remarkably blunt intimation Trump has sometimes followed through. He pulled out of he spoke. All three are gone now; Tillerson and McMaster ment. However, vocal Democrats lack a of military action, especially coming from the administration the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Iran nuclear deal, and the were unceremoniously fired, and Haley left of her own ac- Democrats believe they Senate majority, of Donald Trump, who ran for president while criticizing Paris climate accord. After several flinches, he eventually went cord. Tillerson has been replaced by the more hawkish Mike have cause for it. And like so reaching foreign military adventurism. On the other hand, it was forward with the trade war with China that he wanted. And Pompeo, but the real changes are at the National Security Clinton, Trump has an yet another threat from an administration that has often his threats have on occasion appeared to work. He seems to Council. Bolton, McMaster’s replacement, has long favored untethered investiga- the two-thirds failed to follow through on them. The question is whether have rattled NATO enough to make other nations worried regime change, most famously in Iraq. tion — Robert Mueller’s threshold appears Venezuela will be different, and whether the presence of about their contributions to the alliance. His threat of “fire In an echo of the case that George W. Bush’s admin- probe — that only further veteran regime-change advocates such as Bolton and Elliott and fury” in North Korea arguably helped bring Pyongyang istration, in which Bolton served, made for the Iraq War. fuels these Democrats’ impossible. And Abrams will make the difference. to the negotiating table, though the material results since Assisting Bolton is another veteran of the Bush team, Elliott fire. even getting there As I’ve noted before, Trump has a long pattern of talking then have been basically nothing. Abrams, who was just named special envoy for Venezuela. All this adds up to would require a big game and then caving. Most recently, he agreed to end This is also not the first time Trump has threatened mili- Abrams has ample experience in Latin American regime Democratic leaders’ the government shutdown on Friday with no promise of tary action against Venezuela. In August 2017, he suggested change dating back to the 1980s, when he helped support impeachment prob- tough votes for funding for his border wall, despite having previously said it publicly, with little warning. the Contras, a right-wing group attempting to topple the lem. With a new House many House that he would not reopen the government unless Congress “They have many options for Venezuela — and, by the Nicaraguan government. majority — populated by Democrats holding agreed to wall spending. (In earlier cases, Trump had folded way, I’m not going to rule out a military option,” Trump The simple presence of Bolton and Abrams doesn’t mean many who feel it is due on funding for the wall as well.) After vowing to do so, he said. “We’re all over the world, and we have troops all over that military intervention is a lock. Trump might decide to strenuous Trump op- districts Trump decided not to brand China a currency manipulator. He said the world in places that are very, very far away. Venezuela is against intervening directly for any number of reasons. position — impeachment won in 2016. he’d go after the NRA on gun control, then didn’t. He an- not very far away, and the people are suffering, and they’re Threats might also help erode support for Maduro, ending is now within their grasp. nounced he would withdraw funding to countries that voted dying. We have many options for Venezuela, including a his government and obviating a U.S. deployment. If Trump How to keep firebrands against the U.S. at the UN, then didn’t. He has threatened possible military option, if necessary.” does follow through on threats of military force, though, the from inflaming their caucus and burning it at the same time? full-scale military action against Iran, Syria, and North Korea, Trump’s focus on Venezuela is perplexing. As my col- fresh faces around the president are likely to be a major factor. Republicans’ impeachment experience is a cautionary tale of and has not made good on any of those threats. Of course, league Uri Friedman has written, the support for Maduro’s (Source: The Atlantic) playing with fire. Instead of Clinton’s, they began his rehabili- tation. Clinton became for the first time a sympathetic figure. Despite having evidence Clinton had lied under oath, along and other past actions fitting within what many considered the broad gamut of “high crimes and misdemeanors,” Americans When anti-corruption protests succeed were uncomfortable with removing him. Senate Democrats The latest ranking of nations by corruption provide lessons for the majority of countries therefore felt no real political pressure when it came time to levels shows a link to levels of democracy. that remain below average in the TI rankings. vote. Republicans did not get close to the needed two-thirds Popular demands for leaders with integrity Anti-corruption reforms in Senegal and threshold and Clinton remained. are also demands for accountability and Ivory Coast, for example, are a result of a That a repetition could occur for Trump should give today’s transparency. new “political will ... demonstrated by their Democrats ample reason to reconsider taking action on red-hot In its latest survey of 180 countries by levels respective leaders.” In Argentina, Ecuador, rhetoric — especially considering that while Trump’s position of corruption, Transparency International and El Salvador, reform is led by better in- is similar to Clinton’s, theirs is weaker than Republicans’ two tried something different. For the first time, vestigations in corruption cases against high- decades ago. Trump does not have strong poll numbers; neither the global watchdog group measured links profile individuals, including some former did Clinton — even winning re-election he failed to get 50 percent between public-sector corruption and each presidents. Estonia’s progress is a result of of the popular vote. Like Clinton, Trump has a strong economy country’s basic freedoms, rule of law, and radical reform of the courts and public ad- to fall back on. And unlike Clinton, Trump does not have — at democracy. The researchers need not look ministration, a relatively clean privatization least yet — a damning outside counsel’s report. too far to find current negative examples. of state enterprises, and digital transparency Unlike Republicans of 20 years ago, Democrats lack a Senate In recent weeks, the world has witnessed in government dealings. majority, so reaching the two-thirds threshold appears impos- mass protests in two of the most-corrupt Among its own recommendations, TI sible. And even getting there would require tough votes for many countries, Sudan and Venezuela, which are researchers cite the need for a broad soci- House Democrats holding districts Trump won in 2016. also among the most nondemocratic. Each etal consensus in favor of integrity in public However, more important than raw congressional numbers country could be on the brink of regime change. institutions. “Engagement of citizens in over- is the American public’s reaction. Can Democrats be sure they In each country, demonstrators demand the sight of government decisions and spend- will not encounter the same backdraft effect from a public again kind of honesty and accountability in govern- ing, particularly at the local level, not only uncomfortable with a political process attempting to circumvent ance that they see in healthy democracies. in the elected legislature and led to popular was clear. crowd-sources accountability but promises an electoral one? In Sudan, which is Africa’s third-biggest demands for an end to a culture of impunity. In the past seven years, 20 countries have to re-invigorate the democratic process,” the Two decades ago, Americans were comfortable in their politi- country, the regime chose to balance its budget The report found full democracies scored made such progress. They include Estonia in report states. cal dissonance of having elected both Republican congressional by raising bread prices rather than by reducing an average of 75 out of 100 on the corrup- Europe, Senegal and Ivory Coast in Africa, and So while watching protests like those in majorities and a Democratic president. Americans are again corruption. The move brought people into tion index. Flawed democracies averaged Guyana in South America. None are perfect. Sudan or Venezuela, it is helpful to view them in that position, are Democrats sure it would change in their the streets in unprecedented unity across 49 while autocratic regimes averaged 30. Even Denmark, a strong democracy that is as simply an outbreak of citizen engagement favor this time? ethnic divisions. In Venezuela, the siphon- Yet the real value in the survey lies in a list also ranked as the least corrupt, saw its larg- in favor of integrity. Many other countries Democrats’ final concern should be timing. Republicans ing of oil wealth for the political elite and of countries that have reduced corruption est bank caught in a huge money-laundering have been there, done that. attacked Clinton after his re-election — Democrats would be military brass finally united the opposition by improving their democracies. That link scheme last year. Yet nations on the list can (Source: The CSM) attacking Trump before his. Certainly, an argument could be made that the proceedings would undercut Trump in 2020. However, it could also be more cogently argued, based on the Clinton experience, that the likely Theresa May’s disastrous dithering acquittal would equate to innocence to most Americans. A re- habilitated Trump could then be even more formidable than On Tuesday night, the UK sent a resounding message to the and which May supported, was a kind of ultimatum. In ef- some renegotiation — as in fact they should be — asking them incumbent presidents seeking re-election already are. Make no European Union: “We demand that you give us what we fect, it tells the EU to reopen the agreement the two sides to rip up the most contentious provision of the hard-fought mistake: Failure to remove Trump from office would amount want.” Don’t expect the audience to be receptive. reached in November, do away with the so-called backstop agreement in favor of an entirely unspecified alternative is to personal exoneration — regardless of the facts faced — and Parliament was considering changes to Prime Minister that avoids a hard border with Ireland, and replace it with absurd. If May has a more detailed plan that could feasibly political vindication that the effort was a witch hunt gone awry. Theresa May’s Brexit deal, which it rejected by a spectacular ... well, something else. satisfy them, and mollify all 27 EU countries that would wield (Source: The Hill) margin two weeks ago. One measure that carried the day, EU officials have said they won’t. Even if they were open to a veto over it, she has kept it to herself. 13 ساعت: امضاء صفحه آرا: ساعت: امضاء مسئول صفحه: ساعت: امضاء ادیتور: ساعت: امضاء سردبیر:

I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JANUARY 31, 2019 ANALYSIS & INTERVIEW 7 ‘Why U.S. DNI says Iran, China and The second shock of British Russia interfering in U.S. election?’ Parliament to May 1 It is a fact – documented incontro- bottom-up economic stimulus, and the begin- vertibly – that in the U.S. the Republican and ning of arrests and military tribunals – from Democratic parties comprise a two-party Dick Cheney to the Clintons, Brennan, and tyranny that systematically suppresses fifty Comey, justice will be done. Robert Mueller percent of the eligible voters to the point that could find himself indicted for 3,000 counts they do not vote, and marginalizes another of obstructing justice and 3,000 counts of twenty percent. Elections are generally de- complicity after the fact in murder, since he termined by the thirty percent of the voters covered up the Zionist planning and execution that are mobilized and manipulated by the of 9/11 throughout his term as Director of two parties. The two parties work in concert the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). with one another to “rig the system” so that The grotesque failure of the DNI with his Independents and small party candidates lame national intelligence strategy and his pa- (Constitution, Green, Justice, Libertarian, thetic and terribly incomplete and inadequate Reform, Working Families) have absolutely testimony to Congress is an indictment of the no serious chance of being placed on the ballot entire U.S. secret intelligence community. or if – by extraordinary effort they make it The time has come for President Donald to the ballot as a candidate – of winning. Trump to eliminate the office of the DNI, 2) Factor Two: Electronic and Party Vote reduce the size of the U.S. secret intelligence Fraud community by up to 70%, consolidate the 1 Second, the British Parliament’s emphasis on the lack It is a fact – documented incontrovert- salvageable pieces in a new Consolidated of withdrawal from the United Europe has led PM May to the ibly – that the electronic voting machines Classified Central Intelligence Agency (CCIA), political abyss. In this case, Jeremy Corbin could pursue his idea were designed to allow for the selection of and establish the Open Source Agency (OSA) of holding an early election in England and holding new talks a winner before a single vote is cast – they as I have been recommending – against un- with Europe (on behalf of the next government). are “officially rigged.” “Fractional voting” is yielding CIA sabotage – for thirty years. There is also a third option which is holding a referendum a proven method – many books have been The time has also come for President again on election, an idea that is pursued in a particular way by written about this – to simulate an active Trump to introduce his own #UNRIG – Elec- some members of the conservative party and the Labor Party voting process but ensure that the desired cannot be elected – at least 80% of the time A, Domestic actors including Sheldon tion Integrity Act – so as to achieve 100% and people like Tony Blair and John Major. outcome is achieved. Hillary Clinton used – without swearing allegiance to the Deep Adelson, an unregistered agent of the Zionist citizen participation in the 2020 election, However, the realization of this option means the Brit- this method to steal thirteen primary elec- State generally and Zionists particularly. As genocidal apartheid state of Israel, spent $6.5 and raise his own standing from the 27% ish official should forget the previous referendum and the tions from Bernie Sanders in 2016, and was President Donald Trump has stated so clearly, billion dollars on the 2016 election. Russia is who voted for him in 2016 to 70% -- a Trump count on people’s vote. In this case, we will witness a sharp prevented from repeating the theft against “the system is rigged.” President Trump is reported to have spent as little as $5,000 on Triumph. controversy in the British political and social equations, a Donald Trump in the general election. I will an “accidental” President in this context – or ads, but by some accounts as much as $1.5. Our President is doing hundreds of good conflict that will be held in particular between supporters mention that HR 1, For the People Act, is perhaps given to us by the hand of God in Let’s agree on a high end estimate of Iranian, things that are not addressed by the Zion- and opposition leaders. probably a reaction to the righteous work the face of a constellation of Satanic forces Chinese, and Russian expenses at the $6.5 ist-controlled media; he has a $100 million of Dr. McKinney and myself, and it is also a quite certain that Hillary Clinton would be million level. That is 1% of 1%! campaign fund that will only grow larger; and fraud – it seeks to federalize and privatize the “elected” by the rigged system – and it will As someone who champions evi- the Democrats are self-destructing. drawing of Congressional district boundaries, be his responsibility, in his second term, to dence-based decision-making, I find it utterly Allow me to challenge you on a small and it sets the stage for voting by non-citi- finish the job of taking down the Deep State reprehensible for the DNI, the Members of point. You clearly identify the Zionist state of The truth is gradually zens. It does not provide for paper ballots and eradicating the parasitic influence of Congress, and the U.S. media – including Fox Israel as the only foreign influencer of note, counted on site, instant run-offs to achieve Zionists on the U.S. economy, the U.S. Gov- News now known to be desperately beholden yet you say nothing about when and how emerging a true majority choice, and more. ernment, and U.S. society. to Zionist funding – to put forward the idea they will be expelled as a parasite. Would 3) Factor Three: #GoogleGestapo – Crime The Zionist control of Congress, so fa- that China, Russia, and Iran are in any way you care to comment? by Facebook, Google, MeetUp, Twitter, and mously stated with clarity on Fox News by serious players in any U.S. election. A. Fair question. It is obvious to everyone 1 As late as last year, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor YouTube Congressman James Trafficante, only to have I am reminded of a U.S. president in the that as along as Jared Kushner and John Bolton Lieberman said to Secretary of State Hector Timerman, “That’s It is a fact – documented incontrovert- his host Sean Hannity scream and shout 1960’s asking a Mexican president to please are in the White House, the Zionists control enough, for what more?” ibly – that the social media ecology in the the usual “anti-Semitic” canards (Zionism declare Cuba a threat to Mexico’s national U.S. national security policy at a superficial Cimadevilla, the former head of the AMIA research unit, dis- USA, many of its elements receiving start-up evil, Judaism good, they are not the same security. The Mexican president politely level. Let me just point to what Q – which I closed that foreign intelligence experts who were in the country funding from the Central Intelligence Agency thing), is matched by the Zionist control of declined to do so. Asked why not, the Mex- believe is managed by my respected colleague in 2016 said that the case had to be changed. They believed that (CIA), is dominated by the Zionists, with the Mainstream Media (MSM), with Sean ican president is reported to have replied Michael Flynn – has said: the Zionists come behind these cases there was a smuggling of weapons. the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the Zi- Hannity of Fox as the perfect example of a “Mr. President, if I declared Cuba a threat last. First the President must increase his base In a 50-page text, Mario Cimadevilla former chairman of the onist secret police, serving as the “trusted cowed obedient tool. to Mexican national security, forty million and end Deep State control of the economy, Amy Special Branch from the Department of Justice, discovers flagger” deciding who lives and who dies in Add to that the vast numbers of “dual-cit- Mexicans would die laughing.” and start the military tribunals. Then we can that foreign intelligence services arrived in Argentina in 2016, cyber-space. Each element, with the ADL as izens” – at least 10% of the Senior Executive So here we are today. The DNI, the Mem- begin the difficult job of cleaning out the Zionist and that Iranian agents, Hezbollah’s involvement and suicide a common element, has been censoring and Service in the Executive – who are unreg- bers of Congress, and the U.S. media are parasite from the U.S. economy, U.S. govern- attack were questioned. in some cases digitally assassinating (“de- istered agents of a foreign power – Zionist asking us to believe that China, Russia, and ment, and U.S. society. Howard Schults, the One conclusion presented in the text to Macri is that the at- platforming”) conservative and progressive Israel – and the thousands of sayonim not Iran somehow represent an existential threat alleged Independent candidate, is actually a tack on the Israeli embassy, the AMIA bombing and the Rio voices that dispute the official narrative. Polls counting pedophile entrapment expert Jeffrey to the integrity of the U.S. electoral process, Zionist – this is a Zionist gambit to explore an Tercero blast should be analyzed together. We guess that there or surveys have been manipulated to favor Epstein – and you have a “captured” country. a process so deeply and broadly corrupt in anti-Trump option if and when Trump starts is a in weapons trafficking and illicit trade of firearms behind Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump, and in- There is indeed a foreign nation that ma- every possible respect that it shames every taking them down. America has woken up. the attacks. There was not a huge conspiracy to carry out an ternal algorithms have been manipulated to nipulates U.S. elections but it is not China, American who still has a modicum of in- The traditional Zionist defense – using charges attack, but the reason for this should be to search for a massive radically reduce – to take one prominent Russia, or Iran. It is the Zionist genocidal telligence and integrity. At the same time, of anti-Semitism to block all criticism of the business framework. example – the reach of President Donald apartheid state of Israel, working through its they maliciously avoid stating the obvious: Zionist genocidal apartheid state of Israel and This is in line with the judgment of the Rodolfo Canicoba Corral Trump with his tweets – fewer retweets, agents – U.S. citizens who are unregistered the only serious foreign influencer of U.S. its global criminal network that carries out judge, who has repeatedly said that the evidence is intelligence fewer likes, fewer recommendations. This but well-known agents of a foreign power, election is the Zionist genocidal apartheid assassinations and kidnappings for dictators reports and do not have legal value.. entire ecology is deeply and persistently ma- such as Sheldon Adelson, Michael Bloomberg, state of Israel utilizing bribery, blackmail, world-wide – is no longer working. In addition, It is clear why the Argentinean government, the U.S. and nipulated against the President and in favor Howard Schultz, Chuck Schumer, Debbie and lies to get its way (the nine million decent with help from myself and others, I believe we Israel are trying to ratify the court without the presence of of the extremists opposing the President. Wasserman Schultz, Jared Kushner, John Jews in the USA are 5% of the total voting now have processed all of the videos and guest the defendants (which are not legal in Argentina), or because 4) Factor Four: Deep State and Zionist Bolton, and Elliott Abrams, among others. population – the power of Israel in the USA lists turned over by Jeffrey Epstein in return of the implementation of the truth-clarifying committee be- Money in Politics & Media, Dual Citizens In combination with their penetration of all is not based on Jewish voters). for his very light sentence for pedophilia, and tween Iran and Argentina, since they have no evidence at all. & Sayonim federal, state, and local communications and How does all this affect President we are close to finishing the processing of all As this is not a legal case, it’s just a political case that is full of It took Justice Lewis F. Powell, Jr. and computing systems, the Zionists are the par- Donald Trump as he moves toward 2020? National Security Agency (NSA) data on the unimportant reports from U.S. intelligence agencies, Israel the U.S. Chamber of Commerce almost a asite that “owns” the host. Let me say first that I continue to support Zionist network of traitors, elite pedophiles, and Argentina. quarter century to buy and lie their way This is an excellent analysis of the our President, and I also believe he will be and white collar criminals that are the backbone A month after the departure of Mario Camidevilla from the into a Supreme Court decision (CITIZENS reality – the context within which the DNI introducing some stunning economic and of the Deep State. Justice will be done; may AMIA Special Unit, a group of masked men broke into his house, UNITED) that allows unlimited corporate claims foreign powers are interfering – having legal initiatives in February, to include a gold- God have mercy on their souls, and may God he denounced it as a robbery, saying, “The situation was like money to be used to lie to the public about an effect – on U.S. election. What are the backed dollar, the virtual nationalization of Bless America the Beautiful as it expels this nothing stolen.” everything. It has gotten to the point that one relative expenditures and impacts? the Federal Reserve, a multi-trillion dollar Satanic parasite from its body. Mario Cimadevilla, leader of the UCR party, said that his domestic worker was questioned: “where does your boss keep his tools of job?” “They did not carry a notebook; they did not take my son’s game player or my new cell phone. They checked EU committed to finalize SPV: Finaud Warsaw Conference will not have any the folders and envelopes, everything was very strange: they did not ask for valuable items, they only looked for the means practical impact on Iran: Fitzpatrick of my activity.” By Javad Heirannia ton’s isolation on the The police chief had the same viewpoint as he had and didn’t Iran Nuclear Deal. By Javad Heirannia consider it as robbery case. Cimadevilla said that it was surely TEHRAN — Marc Finaud, the former If Warsaw’s the fabrication of government and intelligence services. French Foreign Ministry spokesman, says Conference been an- TEHRAN — Mark Fitzpatrick, director of that the position of the European Union and ti-Iranian, whether International Institute for Strategic Studies its Member States regarding support for the presence of Eu- says that the name of the Warsaw’s Con- full implementation of the JCPOA has been ropean countries ference had to be changed when it was clearly reaffirmed on several occasions and in this summit will clear that few EU states would participate will not be changed even if some EU coun- Undermine Joint in an event that was clearly identified as There is no relation between tries participate in Warsaw’s Conference. Comprehensive Plan Iran bashing. Former Senior Resident Fellow at the of Action with Iran “I do not expect the Warsaw Conference delays in SPV with Iran’ United Nations Institute for Disarmament (JCPOA)? will have any practical impact on Iran,” Research (UNIDIR) adds “At this stage, it A: The position of the European Union Fitzpatrick told the Tehran Times in an missile program: Nephew is not even sure that the conference will and its Member States regarding support exclusive interview. Action with Iran (JCPOA)? take place or if it does, at which level and Following is the full text of the interview: A: Whatever the name of the conference, for full implementation of the JCPOA has 1 A: Ultimately, it is because while the Europeans oppose with which results.” The United States has announced participation by EU states would not change been clearly reaffirmed on several occasions the U.S. decision to reimpose sanctions on Iran, European com- A senior member of Geneva Centre for that it will hold a meeting in Poland on the their strong support for the JCPOA. But it and will not be changed even if some EU panies and banks remain unwilling to do business with Iran that Security Policy also says that “The EU is issue of stability in the Middle East, but would have given a misleading impression, countries participate in this event. might contravene sanctions. committed to finalizing the entry into force the name of the meeting is still vague and so it was wise to change the name. Do you think that the presence of Humanitarian trade does not have this same set of problems of the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in a unclear. Although the Warsaw’s Confer- Do you think that the presence of European countries in Warsaw’s Confer- and, so, it is far easier to begin with humanitarian trade than near future and will not be distracted by ence was initially announced against Iran, European countries in Warsaw’s Confer- ence will mean that Europe surrenders to to try -- and probably fail -- to entertain a wider, deeper set of the attitude of the U.S. Administration.” Acting Representative of the United States ence will mean that Europe surrenders to trump, and then the SPV mechanism with economic connections. Following is the full text of the interview: to the United Nations, Jonathan Cohen, trump, and then the SPV mechanism with Iran will no longer work? The ex-member of the US nuclear negotiating team Rob- The United States has announced recently announced that the Polish sum- Iran will no longer work? A: The EU is committed to finalizing ert Malley recently told Euronews that EU is not fully united that it will hold a meeting in Poland on the mit would not be to defame Iran. Why the A: No, it would buy signal a surren- the entry into force of the Special Purpose behind the SPV because some countries in the European Union issue of stability in the Middle East, but the goals and the name of the Polish meeting der to Trump, only a diplomatic way of Vehicle (SPV) in a near future and will not are more sensitive to the US argument or pressure. With regard name of the meeting is still vague and unclear. is Ambiguous and unclear? fending off his demands. The conference be distracted by the attitude of the U.S. to this matter, do you think that SPV will be efficient enough Although the Warsaw’s Conference was initially A: The name of the conference had to has no impact on the SPV, which will go Administration. once launched? announced against Iran, Acting Representative be changed when it was clear that few EU ahead as planned, although there has been Whether Warsaw’s Conference A: If it is linked only to humanitarian trade, then, yes, I think of the United States to the United Nations, states would participate in an event that some delay. will has a practical achievement against it will be efficient and effective. Breaking down the barriers to Jonathan Cohen, recently announced that was clearly identified as Iran bashing. Whether Warsaw’s Conference will Iran? humanitarian trade would be beneficial in its own right and there the Polish summit would not be to defame Pompeo should have realised this before has a practical achievement against Iran? A: At this stage, it is not even sure that is a glaring need of financial services in this area. Companies Iran. Why the goals and the name of the Polish he announced the conference. A: I do not expect the Warsaw Conference the conference will take place or if it does, are less reluctant to do this business than banks are to do any meeting is Ambiguous and unclear? If Warsaw’s Conference been will have any practical impact on Iran. It at which level and with which results. Iran business with Iran under U.S. sanctions. A: This initiative seems part of a U.S. anti-Iranian, whether the presence of may be like the Security Council meeting should maintain its consultations with its The real question is whether this is enough of a benefit for Iran campaign to rally support to the American European countries in this summit will on Iran that Trump called last autumn, JCPOA partners to preserve the agreement to convince it to remain in the JCPOA. I hope so but I fear not. policy towards Iran and overcome Washing- and avoid responding to provocations. Undermine Joint Comprehensive Plan of where he ended up finding himself isolated. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 8 ADVERTISEMENTS JANUARY 31, 2019

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II NN TT EE RR NN AA TT II OO NN AA LL DD AA II LL YY JANUARYJANUARY 31, 2019 HEALTHADVERTISEMENT 99

8% diagnosed with HPV National scheme for birth defects management to in sample population be launched HEALTH TEHRAN — A national scheme for man- HEALTH TEHRAN — Eight per- on detecting three cancers: cancers of the deskagement of birth defects will be launched deskcent were diagnosed with breast, cervix and colon. It was first start- all around the country by the next one or two years, said human papillomavirus (HPV) in Health ed in 2014 and it was piloted in 2015 and Hamed Barakati, the director general for population, health Ministry’s pilot program for early detection 2016 in four cities. After the pilot projects and family office at the Ministry of Health. of cervical cancer, said the ministry’s head and recognition of their shortcomings, the A birth defect, also known as congenital disorder, is a con- of cancer department. new round of examining people for early dition present at birth regardless of its cause. Birth defects “In our opinion, eight percent is an diagnosis of cancer began and in 2018, may result in disabilities that alarming number, so we recommend that 50,000 people in every medical science may be physical, intellectual, all people receive the HPV vaccine,” ISNA university were examined. or developmental. quoted Ali Qanbari-Motlaq as saying. What happened to HPV vaccine? According to Barakati, the The right age for receiving the vaccine for “Currently we can’t initiate a national scheme is currently being girls is usually between 9 and 26, he added. program for HPV vaccinations, but we rec- piloted in East Azarbaijan The results were derived from a pilot pro- ommend people to receive the vaccine on province and still needs some gram for early detection of cancer that also their own,” Qanbari-Motlaq explained. time before its large-scale im- included examinations for cervical cancer. “Our biggest challenge in producing the plementation, IRNA reported According to World Health Organization HPV vaccine is the costs. Currently, two on Wednesday. (WHO), HPV is a group of viruses that are organizations have started doing research “First and foremost, the extremely common worldwide. about HPV vaccine production and if we plan is focused on preven- According to WHO: can come up with a cost-effective plan to tion of congenital disorders. * There are more than 100 types of HPV, produce the vaccine or import it we would Next steps are registration of of which at least 14 are cancer-causing (also certainly do it,” he said. all birth defects as well as mak- known as high risk type). “In our opinion, eight percent is an He went on to say that a “Specialized ing early intervention in treating them and giving adequate * HPV is mainly transmitted through HPV Laboratory” has been set up and is supports to the patients,” he noted. sexual contact and most people are in- alarming number, so we recommend that ready to be inaugurated. According to Barakati, registration of people’s birth defects fected with HPV shortly after the onset all people receive the HPV vaccine.” The laboratory has the capacity of run- should continue until they are 18 or 20 years old as many con- of sexual activity. ning at least 1,500 tests per day, he added. genital abnormalities are revealed in the second decade of life. In * Cervical cancer is caused by sexually * There is also evidence linking HPV developed regions with an estimated “This laboratory was designed based some countries, the process could last even up until the age of 30. acquired infection with certain types of HPV. with cancers of the anus, vulva, vagina, 570,000 new cases in 2018 (84% of the on the global medical experience, and will “Accumulating all the necessary information is quite vital * Two HPV types (16 and 18) cause penis and oropharynx. new cases worldwide). enable us to detect cases suspicious with in management of birth defects as many of them are caused by 70% of cervical cancers and pre-cancerous * Cervical cancer is the second most According to Qanbari-Motlaq, the early HPV with high precision and with a very local environment such as the composition of food or water. cervical lesions. common cancer in women living in less cancer detection plan was mainly focused low cost,” he further explained. Besides, some genetic disorders only exist in certain geographical areas,” Barakati explained. “The scheme also includes giving genetic consultation, but it would not be enough as many congenital disorders are revealed Elder abuse in Iran at 56.4%: survey after birth. For example, more than 70% of cardiovascular birth HEALTH TEHRAN — A research surveying ing them, the lack of proper methods and equipment to Elder abuse is predicted to increase as many countries defects are only detectable three to five days after the birth. An- desk3,436 Iranian elders over a ten-year better care for the elderly as well as difficulty of collecting are experiencing rapidly ageing populations. other example is the symptoms of digestive system disorders period from 2005 to 2015 revealed that elder abuse in statistics are among the main reasons of the prevalence The global population of people aged 60 years and which are usually revealed at the age of two.” the country stands at around 56.4%, the Iranian Research of the senior abuse in the society, the research concluded. older will more than double, from 900 million in 2015 “Consequently, registering the demography of congenital dis- Center on Aging reported. According to World Health Organization (WHO), elder to about 2 billion in 2050. orders and analyzing them is certainly not limited to the time The research was conducted by Maziyar Mollaee from abuse is “a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate In October 2018, the deputy health minister for nursing of birth, but it is an ongoing process that must be applied over a Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. action, occurring within any relationship where there is announced that they are developing and implementing long period of time,” he further explained. The results showed that the abuse was of different an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress various short-term and long-term plans to respond to In September, an official with Welfare Organization an- types including emotional abuse (30.7%), psychological to an older person. the needs of elderly citizens. nounced that some 25 to 30 thousand children are being born abuse (25.4%), neglect (25.1%), financial abuse (19.7%), Around 1 in 6 people 60 years and older experienced In June 2018, Anoushirvan Mohseni-Bandpey, the with congenital disabilities in the country annually; so it is physical abuse (13.1%) and abandonment (11.7%). some form of abuse in community settings during the then caretaker of cooperatives, labor and welfare minis- decided to make genetic counselling a mandatory requirement According to the research, elder abuse is often a ne- past year. try, said that some 7.3 million people in Iran are ageing, for couples before officiating their marriage. glected and under-researched subject; however, it is quite Rates of elder abuse are high in institutions such 3.7 million of them are women and 3.6 million are men. According to the head of Iran’s genetic foundation, some widespread in the society. as nursing homes and long-term care facilities, with Also, First Vice-President Es’haq Jahangiri said that 400 genetic disorders are diagnosable in Iran and genetic Not having a single and clear definition of “the elder 2 in 3 staff reporting that they have committed abuse the population of senior citizens standing at 7.4 million testing can help to prevent 50 percent of genetic disorders abuse”, not reporting the abusive incidents or conceal- in the past year. in Iran is projected to increase to 30 million by 2050. before pregnancy.

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Tehran to host major A peek into crafts exhibit HERITAGE TEHRAN — The 3rd Fajr handicrafts festival, Iranian art and deskwhich brings together works from all over Iran, will be held at the Iranian Artists Forum in downtown Tehran from February 1 to 12. Organized by the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism architecture Organization, the event will showcase woodwork, illuminated manuscript, miniature, textile printing, enamel, leatherwork, calligraphy, metalwork, mirrorwork, and marquetry, among others. under Sassanids HERITAGE TEHRAN — In many language of the Sassanians. deskways, Iran under Sassa- Among the most distinctive products of nian rule witnessed tremendous achieve- Sassanian art, according to Iran Chamber ments of Persian civilization. Experts say Society, are the plaques of molded and carved that during Sassanid era (224-651 CE), the stucco which covered the crude masonry art and architecture of the nation experi- of brick or rubble. enced a general renaissance. However, excavations in villas sur- Rock-carved bas-reliefs are widely rounding the royal palace of Ctesiphon deemed as the most impressive and best- showed that rich stucco decoration was known works of Sassanians, of which about used only in the principal hall and perhaps thirty are known from the first two centuries in the room directly adjoining it, while of Sassanian rule. The largest number is in other rooms had merely a covering of plain Fars, in the majestic silent valley of Naqsh-e gypsum plaster. Rostam, in the small bay of rocks at Naqsh-e Of all the material remains of the era, only Rajab, on the steep inclines of a gorge at coins constitute a continuous chronological It will also feature potteries, ceramics, personal ornamenta- Bishapur. There are also other examples sequence throughout the whole period of tion, rugs and kilim carpets. across the country. the dynasty. Such Sassanian coins have the A select of handicrafts are due for completion, whose winners In 2018, UNESCO added “Sassanid name of the king for whom they were struck will be announced on February 6, CHHTO Deputy Director Pouya Archaeological Landscape of Fars Re- inscribed in Pehlevi, which permits scholars Mahmoudian said, Fars reported. gion”, which is an ensemble of Sassanian to date them quite closely. Iran’s handicrafts exports reached $107 million in the first half historical cities in southern Iran, to its The legendary wealth of the Sassanian of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21, 2018), World Heritage list. The property com- court is fully confirmed by the existence growing 9.5 percent year on year. prises eight archaeological sites, including of more than one hundred examples of fortified structures, palaces and city plans bowls or plates of precious metal known in Ctesiphon, Firuzabad, and Sarvestan, at present. One of the finest examples is all located in modern Fars province. the silver plate with partial gilding in the A couple visit Sassanid-era bas-relief carvings at Taq-e Bostan, Kermanshah province. EU air traffic passengers UNESCO says that the archaeological Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. landscape reflects the optimized utilization Encyclopedia Britannica states that a Rock-carved bas-reliefs are widely deemed benefit as completed SESAR of natural topography and bears witness to revival of Iranian nationalism took place as the most impressive and best-known the influence of Achaemenid and Parthian under Sassanid rule. Zoroastrianism be- deployment projects reach cultural traditions and of Roman art, which came the state religion, and at various times works of Sassanians, of which about thirty the 100th milestone had a significant impact on the architecture followers of other faiths suffered official are known from the first two centuries of of the Islamic era. persecution. The government was cen- Sassanian rule. In that era, crafts such as metalwork and tralized, with provincial officials directly Air traffic passengers across Europe are benefitting after the gem-engraving grew highly sophisticated, responsible to the throne, and roads, city the empire stretched from Sogdiana and west to the upper Tigris and Euphrates number of completed modernization aviation projects being de- as scholarship was encouraged by the state; building, and even agriculture were financed Iberia (Georgia) in the north to the Mazun river valleys. ployed by SESAR Deployment Manager (SDM) and supported many works from both the East and West by the government. region of Arabia in the south; in the east The dynasty was destroyed by Arab by all operational stakeholders, reached the 100th milestone. were translated into Pahlavi, the official At the time of Shapur I (reigned 241–272), it extended to the Indus River and in the invaders during a span from 637 to 651. The total number of fully completed air traffic modernization projects now stands at 105 - the first 100 representing an invest- ment of 403 million euros - with a further 225 ongoing and 19 more planned, bringing new operational efficiencies as well as Millennia-old relief unveiled in Shiraz environmental and capacity benefits to Europe’s aviation industry. Nicolas Warinsko, General Manager, SESAR Deployment Man- HERITAGE TEHRAN — A millennia-old bas-re- tains valuable information about the archives of Persepolis. desk ager, said: “These expected results indicate that the deployment lief inscription which has been dis- It will add to our discoveries and previous knowledge of of SESAR delivers actual contributions to the performance of covered from Naqsh-e Rostam, a royal necropolis the Achaemenids (550–330 BC), he stated. aviation in Europe. in southern Iran, was officially unveiled in Shiraz Meaning “Picture of Rostam”, the site is named after “The modernization projects not only provide operational on Tuesday, Mehr reported. mythical Iranian hero which is most celebrated in Shahnameh solutions to meet the growing capacity demand, but also make The event was attended by tens of local officials, archaeol- and Persian mythology. Back in time, natives of the region air travel in Europe more cost effective, greener and safer for all ogists, and academia. One of speakers, Wouter Henkelman, had erroneously supposed that the carvings below the tombs EU passengers and citizens. a France-based scholar who addressed attendees via video represent depictions of the mythical hero. “And this is just the result of the first 100 completed projects, conference, called the discovery as unprecedented occasion Naqsh-e Rostam embraces four tombs are where Persian the aviation industry is - with another 225 projects ongoing and over the past half a century. Achaemenid kings are laid to rest, believed to be those of 19 planned - clearly boosting ATM modernization.” Henkelman is an associate professor at the Ecole Pra- Darius II, Artaxerxes I, Darius I and Xerxes I (from left (Source: Travel Daily News) tique des Hautes Etudes (Paris), where he is responsible to right facing the cliff), although some historians are for Elamite and Achaemenid studies. still debating this. Named D.N.F., The relief was hidden from view by Beneath the funerary chambers are dotted with seven ROUND THE GLOBE large amount of algae and sediments for over 2,500 years, Sassanian era (224–651) bas-reliefs cut into the cliff the report said. A bas-relief carving at Naqsh-e Rostam depicts the depict vivid scenes of imperial conquests and royal The discovery is also important in the arena of ancient triumph of Shapur I over the Roman emperors Valerian ceremonies; signboards below each relief give a detailed Archaeological Site of linguistics, Henkelman said, adding that the inscription con- and Philip the Arab. description in English. Mystras Mystras, the ‘wonder of the Morea’, lies in the southeast of Cats in ancient Egypt didn’t look the way you think the Peloponnese. The town developed down the hillside from Our perceptions of the ancient world are are good representations of our ancestors’ cated cats. The commonality of this form, the fortress built in 1249 by the prince of Achaia, William II shaped by the way surviving relics appear past behaviors or interests. Circumstantial and the dark coloration of the metal, lends to of Villehardouin, at the top of a 620 m high hill overlooking in the present day. The cool white marble evidences suggests, for example, that the the popular impression of ancient Egyptian Sparta, Greece. beauty we attribute to Classical Greek and rulers of the ancient Maya cities kept nu- cats as black furred. The Franks surrendered the castle to the Byzantines Roman statues arises from the long faded merous bark paper books. The humid jungle If we turn to the less well-known record in 1262, it was the center of Byzantine power in southern lifelike paint these statues once bore. environs of these cities, however, ensured of Egyptian tomb paintings, however, we Greece, first as the base of the military governor and from The bright limestone of Maya pyra- that those books could not survive in a read- find cats of a distinctly different appear- 1348 as the seat of the Despotate of Morea. mids today shines against the surround- able form. Similarly, the durable stone and ance. The facsimile image below presents ing background of deep jungle green, yet metal sculptures of ancient Egyptian cats a cat with a distinctively tabby coat from these buildings were once painted from top has shaped our assumptions of what those the walls of the Tomb of Sennedjem at the to bottom in deep reds, blues and greens. cats looked like. site of Deir el-Medina in Upper Egypt. The As for the imposing and regal black cat of The iconic image of an Egyptian cat arises fantastical nature of the image with the ancient Egypt, those cats didn’t look the from objects such as the leaded bronze stat- cat decapitating a serpent using a blade is way you think either. uette from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, an often-repeated visual reference to The The objects of the ancient world that pictured below. Numerous statuettes such Cat Killing a Serpent, Tomb of Sennedjem, Egyptian Book of the Dead; wherein a cat happen to survive to the present are inevi- as this were made during Ancient Egypt’s Egyptian, Facsimile, 19th Dynasty, The Met- is depicted defeating the divine enemy of tably the most durable objects. Durability, Ptolemaic and Late periods as vessels to ropolitan Museum of Art, New York (30.4.1) the sun god. however, is no guarantee that these objects hold the mummified remains of domesti- METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART (Source: forbes.com) What Adam Conover can’t travel without By Nell McShane Wulfhart more turbulence and it was a lot more dangerous. People Drawing materials Captured by the Turks in 1460, it was occupied thereafter were much more likely to die in a plane crash. But the cabins “My domestic partner, Lisa Hanawalt, is a cartoonist by them and the Venetians. After 1834 the inhabitants of The comedian Adam Conover has made a name for were also full of the smell of cigarette smoke and fuel fumes and the designer of BoJack Horseman. I’ve noticed when Mystras gradually started to move to the modern town himself by upturning cultural norms and assump- because they weren’t as good at separating the fuel fumes. she’s in a situation where she’s trying to distract herself of Sparta leaving only the breath-taking medieval ruins, tions. His myth-busting television show, “Adam Ruins “The main reason that barf bags are on planes today with her hands, she just has a sketchbook to draw in, standing in a beautiful landscape. Everything,” is in its third season on TruTV. is because the cabins were constantly full of the smell of and I started doing that too. Now the problem is that Mystras, as the center of Byzantine power, quickly attracted Mr. Conover’s episode on air travel led him to some inter- jet fuel and cigarette smoke, and there was so much more I’ve run out of stuff to draw on a plane, so I’ve drawn inhabitants and institutions; the bishopric was transferred esting findings. “I, like so many people, a few years ago got turbulence, so people were just constantly throwing up.” the back of the head of the person sitting in front of me there from Sparta, with its cathedral, the Metropolis or sucked into the frequent flier-mile game,” he says. “I started Here’s what he can’t travel without: about five or six times. Those are some of my best pieces. church of Hagios Demetrios, built after 1264. getting credit cards and trying to figure out how to maximize Nintendo switch Lisa looks at these and goes, ‘Oh my God, you’re a very Many monasteries were founded there, including my miles. And now I’m switching to all cash-back because I “There is nothing better than getting to just dig in and good artist.’ Maybe I’ll do a gallery show one day of the those of the Brontochion and the monastery of Christos have recognized what a labyrinthine scam it is. The airlines seriously play a video game for a six-hour flight from drawings of the backs of people’s heads.” Zoodotes (Christ the Giver of Life). Under the Despots, have devalued all of their miles for economy travelers to such New York to L.A. ‘Into the Breach’ is a wonderful strategy Audiobooks Mystras reached its zenith with the building of churches, an extent that if you’re just the average person going to visit game where you play that you are trying to stop an alien “I find that a really restful, relaxing way to spend time outstanding examples of Late Byzantine church architecture, your family a couple times a year on an economy ticket, you’re invasion. But of course, ‘Zelda: Breath of the Wild’ and on a plane is to listen to an audiobook while drawing. such as Hagioi Theodoroi (1290-1295), the Hodegetria (c. going to earn so few miles it would take you decades to ever ‘Super Mario Odyssey’ are just two of the most superlative I use the Libby app to check out audiobooks from my 1310), the Hagia Sophia (1350-1365), the Peribleptos (3rd earn one of those mystical free first-class flights.” games ever made, and so when I have time to completely public library. Right now, I’m listening to “Evicted,” quarter of the 14th century), the Evangelistria (late 14th – Another thing he learned while researching the episode lose myself in those, it’s really, really a joy.” by Matthew Desmond, which is a really incredible set early 15th century) and the Pantanassa (c. 1430). is the illusion of the so-called Golden Age of flying. “Every- Fidget spinner of stories of poverty in Milwaukee, and about the un- The city was a major piece on the political chessboard one uses ‘Mad Men’ as an example. You know: Don Draper “I find that I have a lot of suppressed energy when I’m derreported epidemic of eviction that is contributing of the time and was developed and beautified as befitted taking his elegant cross-country flights, and the stewardess on a plane for a long period so when I’m holding a fidget to the cycle of poverty. The cool thing is, it’s the rare its role as a centre of power and culture. The city’s complex bringing him a neat scotch, and he looks all classy. spinner, being able to play with it and just sort of run my piece of nonfiction that isn’t just dumping the policy history is clearly evident in its fortifications, palaces, churches, “We dispel that image by sharing what flying really looked hands over it helps me out quite a lot; it helps me relax. problem on you. It’s incredibly, beautifully reported convents, houses, streets and public squares. like back then. In the ’60s planes flew a little lower than they I’ve gotten into an Uber and then said, ‘Oh wait, hold on personal accounts of individual families and what their (Source: UNESCO) do now. In the ’30s and the ’40s, they flew much lower to one second,’ and run back in to get the fidget spinner lives are like on a day-to-day basis.” the ground. It was a horrible experience. There was a lot because I knew I would need it on the plane.” (Source: The New York Times) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JANUARY 31, 2019 SCIENCE 11

For some whales, sonar may This AI-powered brain implant can turn thoughts provoke suicidal behavior: study into speech For the first time, scientists have captured information directly from Scientists have long known that some beaked Zealand, when more than 200 pilot whales the brain cortex and used artificial intelligence to reconstruct in- whales beach themselves and die in agony beached themselves together. telligible speech, opening a path towards direct brain-to-computer after exposure to naval sonar, and now Rather, a handful or more beaked whales interfaces. they know why: the giant sea mammals would wash ashore within a day or two, and Until now, scientists have been suffer decompression sickness, just like no more than few dozen kilometers apart. able to identify simple things by scuba divers. The most deadly episode, in 2002, saw analyzing people’s mind activity Millions of years of evolution have 14 stranded over a 36-hour period in the Ca- from inside of a fMRI brain scanner. turned whales into perfectly calibrated nary Islands during a NATO naval exercise. Showing these people photos of diving machines that plunge kilometers Animals on the beach famous people or different objects, (miles) below the surface for hours at a “Within a few hours of the sonar being the computer was able to analyze the stretch, foraging for food in the inky depths. deployed, the animals started showing up fMRI data and recognize what they So how could the ocean’s most accom- on the beach,” Bernaldo de Quiros said. were looking at. But these scanners plished deep-sea diver wind up with nitrogen Outwardly, the whales showed no signs are giant machines, which make this bubbles poisoning its veins, like a scuba of disease or damage: they had normal body method impractical for daily usage. novice rising too quickly to the surface? weight, and no skin lesions or infections. Last year, neurosurgeon Dr. “In the presence of sonar they are stressed Starting around 1960, ships began Ashesh Mehta at the Feinstein In- Nima Mesgarani and swim vigorously away from the sound emitting underwater signals in a range of stitute for Medical Research on Long source, changing their diving pattern,” lead about 5 kilohertz (kHz) which is when the Island placed a flat array of electrodes on a patient’s brain, right over author Yara Bernaldo de Quiros, a researcher mass beaching of beaked whales began. NATO allies. and place with naval activities. the parts of the brain dedicated to speech and hearing. He was also at the Institute of Animal Health at the Internally, it was another story. Nitrogen Between 1960 and 2004, 121 of these These were not individual strandings of working on creating a system to enable speech on people with a University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, gas bubbles filled the veins, and their brains so-called “atypical” mass strandings took old or sick animals, nor en masse strand- variety of paralyzing conditions, from spinal cord injuries to ALS. Spain, told AFP. were ravaged by hemorrhaging. place, with at least 40 closely linked in time ings such the one last November in New The team working at Columbia University’s Neural Acoustic Pro- Animals accumulate nitrogen As with altitude sickness, reactions — cessing Lab has been able to solve this challenge by using temporary The “stress response, in other words, in humans, and probably in whales — to implants that connect directly to a patient’s cortex too. overrides the diving response, which makes Millions of years of evolution have turned nitrogen bubbles in the blood vary in type the animals accumulate nitrogen,” she add- whales into perfectly calibrated diving and intensity. ed. “It’s like an adrenalin shot.” A 2003 study in Nature on the possible Developed in the 1950s to detect subma- machines that plunge kilometers (miles) link between sonar and whale deaths led to rines, mid-frequency active sonar (MFAS) below the surface for hours at a stretch, Spain banning such naval exercises around is used today in naval patrols and exercis- foraging for food in the inky depths. the Canary Islands in 2004. es, especially by the United States and its (Source: phys.org)

Deforestation tied to changes in New measurement of the universe disease dynamics, scientists discover suggests we need to update our physics According to the researchers, their objective is to create an implant that could be permanent so people that currently use keyboards to When a malaria outbreak erupted in Ma- For the first time, astronomers have talk to others (think the late Stephen Hawking) could synthesize laysian Borneo in 2002, researchers were used supermassive black holes from speech on the fly, just by thinking. Like researcher Nima Mesgarani surprised to find that the culprit wasn’t Plas- just after the Big Bang to measure the told New Scientist, “speech is much faster than we type. We want modium malariae, the main mosquito-borne expansion rate of the Universe. Now, to let people talk to their families again.” parasite known to infect humans in the area. we have a bigger mystery on our hands After training the AI by reading 30 minutes of continuous speech Instead, the parasite’s DNA turned out to than the answer this effort provided. to five patients, the AI was then able to decode new words — the stem from P. knowlesi, colloquially known It turns out the Universe is growing digits zero to nine — and synthesize them. Independent listeners as “monkey malaria,” which is specialized faster than expected. This could mean were able to recognize three out of every four numbers. to infect and proliferate in forest-dwelling that the dark energy thought to drive the It’s not perfect, but it’s an amazing feat for a first version. As macaques. acceleration of this expansion, also some- implants and dedicated AI processors keep increasing in power, A few accidental cases had been record- times interpreted as the cosmological it’s not hard to imagine a near future in which people could regain University, UK, the ratio of these two ed in people over the years, but such an within a kilometer of the clearance, the re- constant described by Albert Einstein, is full speech abilities by just thinking. wavelengths produced by a quasar varies outbreak was unusual. And it didn’t stop searchers found. The “evidence we have from not so cosmologically constant after all. The applications don’t stop there. When this finally happens, depending on the ultraviolet luminosity. there: P. knowlesi has since become the this and other studies strongly supports the The Universe’s rate of expansion is people would be able to willingly get brain implants to interact with Once this luminosity is known, as most common cause of malaria in Malaysia, association between deforestation and P. called the Hubble Constant, and it’s been computers using the same technology. calculated from that ratio, the quasar and human infections are steadily rising knowlesi in this setting,” writes coauthor incredibly tricky to pin down. Every test (Source: tomsguide.com) throughout Southeast Asia. Kimberly Fornace, an epidemiologist at the seems to come up with a different result; can be used just like any other standard It’s one of several instances of vec- London School of Hygiene and Tropical recently, data from the Planck satellite candle. tor-borne pathogens that have popped up Medicine, in an email to The Scientist. that measured the cosmic microwave And that means we can measure far- Curiosity snaps new Mars in humans in areas that are undergoing Proving cause and effect background set it at 67.4 kilometers ther back into the Universe’s history. widespread deforestation. The forests of Catherine Moyes, a spatial ecologist at (41.9 miles) per second per megaparsec, Earlier epochs selfie before setting course Borneo are being felled at a rapid rate, fore- the University of Oxford’s Big Data Insti- with less than 1 percent uncertainty. “Using quasars as standard candles most to make way for palm oil plantations. tute, cautions against making claims about Other methods typically involve the has great potential, since we can observe for new location Researchers have long suspected that causal links between deforestation and P. use of ‘standard candles’, objects with them out to much greater distances from the process may play a role in human out- knowlesi, noting that the algorithm the known luminosity such as cepheid var- us than Type Ia supernovae, and so use The Curiosity rover has already made history after covering the breaks of vector-borne diseases, including team used isn’t capable of proving cause iable stars or Type Ia supernovae, from them to probe much earlier epochs in most ground on another planet and helping scientists reconstruct malaria, dengue, and others, and evidence is and effect. Nevertheless, there is evidence which distance can be calculated based the history of the cosmos,” Lusso said. the geological history of Mars. While it’s moved more than 12 miles increasingly mounting in support of that idea. for an association. on their absolute magnitude. The researchers compiled UV data (almost 20 kilometers), Curiosity has been hanging around the Disturbing the natural habit Through a similar approach in 2016, her Star calculation on 1,598 quasars from just 1.1 billion Vera Rubin Ridge for over a year. It’s getting ready to move out, The “more we’re disturbing this natural model predicted that some of the mosquito Last year a cepheid variable star cal- to 2.3 billion years after the Big Bang, but NASA took the time to snap a selfie first. habitat, the more we’re shaking the pot,” vectors that carry P. knowlesi are likely to culation of the Hubble Constant returned and used their distances to calculate the Curiosity’s new selfie shows the rover sitting on the rust-colored says Amy Vittor, an epidemiologist at the occur in areas with forest disturbance. a result of 73.5 kilometers (45.6 miles) expansion rate of the early Universe. terrain, looking at the camera with its “head.” What we commonly University of Florida’s Emerging Pathogens A separate statistical analysis by For- per second per megaparsec. So you can They also cross-checked their re- think of as the rover’s head is actually a housing for the Mastcam and Institute. With a range of diseases, “the nace and her colleagues also found that P. see why astronomers keep poking this sults against the Type Ia supernova ChemCam instruments. The haze on the horizon is thanks to a local links are becoming clear that disturbance knowlesi cases in humans were positively weird cosmic bear. results that cover the more recent 9 dust storm — nothing as severe as the global event that probably leads to downstream emergence events” associated with forest loss over time. But a few years ago, astronomers billion years, and found similar results doomed the Opportunity rover last year. NASA took the selfie on in humans, she says. The mechanisms that drive this rela- realized that the distance to another where they overlapped. But, in the early January 15th, but this is actually a composite of many images like A string of recent reports has bolstered tionship are unclear. Deforestation may object could be calculated accurately, Universe, where only quasars provide all of Curiosity’s selfies. the link between forest removal and P. know- simply be bringing humans into contact too. Enter quasars, along with their measurements, there was a discrepancy The image shows Curiosity still looking rather good after more lesi outbreaks. In a study published this with forest-dwelling macaques and infected black holes. between what they observed, and what than six years on the red planet. It’s a bit dusty, and you can see month (January 16) in the Proceedings of mosquitoes, as people move into cleared Quasars are among the brightest was predicted based on the standard damage on its wheels from the unexpectedly sharp Martian rocks. the Royal Society B, a group of researchers areas and macaques closer to human set- objects in the Universe. Each is a gal- cosmological model. Still, NASA expects Curiosity to keep on trucking for years to come. investigated whether the association holds tlements. In addition, the clearing of trees axy that orbits a supermassive black “We observed quasars back to just NASA uses the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) to take these true for a small patch of rainforest in Ma- may shift the locations of breeding sites hole actively feeding on material. Its a billion years after the Big Bang, and photos. It captures true color images at a resolution of 1600 x 1200. laysian Borneo, where locals fell trees for for mosquitoes that thrive at forest edges. light and radio emissions are caused by found that the Universe’s expansion The image released by NASA is much larger than that because it’s small-scale agriculture. The team used sat- These mechanisms are thought to play a material around the black hole, called rate up to the present day was faster stitched together from 57 different frames. That’s why the final image ellite data to document the change in forest role in a range of vector-borne diseases. an accretion disc, which emits intense than we expected,” said Risaliti. has such amazing detail, and you can’t see the MAHLI arm anywhere. cover over four years, and had a machine And as tropical forests are being felled light and heat from friction as it swirls We don’t really know what dark en- NASA just uses all the frames to crop the arm out, making it look learning model analyze the data to see if worldwide at an alarming rate, scientists like water circling a drain. ergy is - we can’t see it or detect it. It’s like someone stood next to the rover and took a picture. forest loss could explain the pattern of P. are becoming increasingly concerned that They also emit X-ray and ultraviolet just the name we give to the unknown (Source: extremetech.com) knowlesi infections. future pandemics may arise from humans’ light; and, as discovered by astronomers repulsive force that seems to be acceler- The proportion of cleared land was a destruction of forests. Guido Risaliti of Università di Firenze, ating the Universe’s expansion over time. strong predictor of P. knowlesi occurrence (Source: the-scientist.com) Italy, and Elisabeta Lusso of Durham (Source: sciencealert.com) Study says fluid-inspired material self-heals before Prairie strips transform farmland conservation, research team finds your eyes Modern agriculture’s large monoculture fields grow a lot of of promising scientific results, five years later the research- Engineers have developed a new coating strategy for metal that self- corn and soybeans, planted annually. The outputs from row ers began working with farmers to introduce prairie strips heals within seconds when scratched, scraped or cracked. The novel crops can be measured both in dollars paid in the market onto commercial farms. While the research results have material could prevent these tiny defects from turning into localized and also in non-market costs, known as externalities. Soil, been more variable in these more complicated settings, the corrosion, which can cause major structures to fail. nutrients, groundwater, pollinators, wildlife diversity, and findings are encouraging and cooperating farmers are liking It’s hard to believe that a tiny crack could take down a gigantic habitat (among other things) can be lost when crop yields what they see. metal structure. But sometimes bridges collapse, pipelines rupture are maximized. Treatment of weeds and fuselages detach from airplanes due to hard-to-detect corrosion A prairie strip is much what it sounds like: a strip of The plantings require a modest investment in site prepa- in tiny cracks, scratches and dents. diverse herbaceous vegetation running through a farm’s ration and seed planting. Maintenance tasks include some A Northwestern University team has developed a new coating rowcrops. In the American Midwest, chances are the soil mowing in the establishment years and spot treatment for strategy for metal that self-heals within seconds when scratched, that now supports crops was once covered in prairie before weeds. So far, the researchers have not seen competition scraped or cracked. The novel material could prevent these tiny de- cultivation. Prairie plants are a mixture of native grasses, between the prairie plants and crops that impact yield. fects from turning into localized corrosion, which can cause major wildflowers, and other stiff-stemmed plants. They have deep Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts through structures to fail. roots that draw water and nutrients from far below the sur- the USDA’s Farm Service Agency can greatly reduce the cost “Localized corrosion is extremely dangerous,” said Jiaxing Huang, face. They are perennials, returning to grow each spring. insects, pollinators such as bees and monarch butterflies, of establishing prairie strips. Overall, Schulte Moore said, who led the research. “It is hard to prevent, hard to predict and hard “Research shows that areas of native prairie planted in and birds. Going from zero to 10% prairie provided far more this is one of the most economical best-practice conservation to detect, but it can lead to catastrophic failure.” the right places in a farm field can provide benefits that far than a 10% increase in the measured benefits. steps farmers can take. When damaged by scratches and cracks, Huang’s patent-pending outweigh losses from converting a small portion of a crop field “Some of these benefits can impact our pocketbooks but Still, lack of stable financial rewards for establishing and system readily flows and reconnects to rapidly heal right before the eyes. to prairie,” said Lisa Schulte Moore of Iowa State University. are not accounted for by typical financial markets,” said maintaining prairie strips is a barrier to widespread adop- The researchers demonstrated that the material can heal repeatedly The prairie strips Schulte Moore. These include ecological benefits such as tion. “Finding ways to return economic value to farmers -- even after scratching the exact same spot nearly 200 times in a row. “For example, when we work with farmers to site prairie flood control, cleaner water, and carbon from the atmos- and farmland owners is crucial,” Schulte Moore said. She The study was published on Jan. 28 in Research, the first Science strips on areas that were not profitable to farm, we can lower phere stored. is now focused on developing marketable products from Partner Journal recently launched by the American Association for their financial costs while creating a wide variety of benefits.” Market benefits also exist: more productive soil in the prairie strips, such as renewable energy sources from prai- the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in collaboration with the China STRIPS showed that converting just 10% of a row-cropped fields can, in time, translate into better yields, fiber and rie biomass. That would help make what is already a solid Association for Science and Technology (CAST). Huang is a professor field to prairie strips: honey production, forage for livestock, and hunting leases. investment into a can’t-lose proposition. of materials science and engineering in Northwestern’s McCormick It also leads to greater abundance and diversity of beneficial The STRIPS research began in Iowa in 2007. Because (Source: eurekalert.org) School of Engineering. (Source: sciencedaily.com) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 12 SOCIETY JANUARY 31, 2019

Flash flood hits southwestern Tehran air pollution incurs Iran, villages evacuated

ENVIRONMENT TEHRAN — Heavy rainfalls in northern and deskeastern parts of the province of Khuzestan, annual loss of $2.8b southwestern Iran, have led to devastating flood hitting the region ENVIRONMENT TEHRAN — Air pollution mandating vehicle inspection, to reduce emis- over the past three days leading to evacuation of some villages, deskbrings heavy economic sions went into effect in the capital on since Khabaronline reported. burden amounting to $2.8 billion for the past three months, he said, adding, there is Due to the excessive rain Karun, Karkheh and Dez rivers Iranian capital, Tehran, head of the national still no strict measures for the vehicles not overflew their banks and inundated many cities and villages in working group for air pollution mitigation referring to the inspection centers. Ahvaz, Shush, Dasht-e Azadegan, affiliated to the Department of Environment The first phase of the scheme started in Howeyzeh, Dezful and Shushtar, (DOE) has announced. Tehran on September 5, 2016, aiming to mit- the report added. Vahid Hosseini made the remarks on the igate air pollution in the metropolis, which Three levees in cities of sidelines of the 7th national conference on was running from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day Dasht-e Azadegan, Rafi, and air and noise pollution management held in except for holidays, while the second phase Howeyzeh were damaged and Tehran on January 28-29. is set up to run for 24 hours a day. breached and the area was flood- The vehicle cycle consisting of manufactur- Elsewhere in his remarks, he said that ed. Agricultural lands as well as ing process to scrapping due to being clunker scrapping clunker vehicles is an important houses were inundated by flood. is the highest contributor to air pollution, as way to curb air pollution, and as long as it According to the data pub- some 70 percent of the emission are generated depends on car import, it will not go into lished by Iran’s Meteorological by mobile sources, he lamented. effect, so that we should remove the old ve- Organization the precipitations The economic consequences of air pol- hicles from the transport fleet regardless of of the past few days were unprec- lution haunting the metropolis of Tehran decreased import. edented for the past 40 years in equal $2.8 billion per year, as estimated in He further emphasized on bikes based the province.

2018, he highlighted. Times/ Majid Haghdoust Tehran on Internet of Things (IoT) placed for Forecasts predicted heavy rainfalls for the province on January Referring to a proposal on halting pro- the first time in Tehran, and said that 26 to 29 so that the water stored behind the dams were released duction of the pollutant carbureted-engine Vehicle manufacturers are running busi- to achieve good results is constant monitoring we must invest on bike sharing system to the rivers in order to stop dams from overflowing, however, motorcycles, he noted that according to the ness enterprises whose only purpose is to and seriously enforcing the rules. to reduce the emission and come to an old infrastructure and levees didn’t stand the flood and villages proposal approved by the cabinet since 2016, earn money, however, serious punishment He went on to say that for instance, in effective solution. located in the basins of the rivers were flooded. no license plate for carbureted-engine mo- must be imposed on car manufacturers or any the Iranian calendar year 1392 (March World Health Organization (WHO) asserts Khuzestan province rescue and relief organization deputy torcycle should be issued. source contributing to pollution, to ensure 2013-March 2014), Tehran City Council has that Tehran is one of the most air polluted director Sadeq Salamat told ISNA news agency that so far some Pointing out that we have fought to stop that they comply with the environmental approved the proposal to equip the buses cities in the world. Tehran is ranked 12th 2,830 families received relief services in the area, levees are being issuing license for carburetor motorcycles standards, he explained. with diesel particulate filters, while it has among 26 megacities in terms of ambient retrofitted and the flood victims are accommodated. for 2 years, he lamented that while 400,000 As of the Iranian calendar year 1401 (March not been yet enforced. PM10 levels. In 2016, the annual ambient He also explained that villages and cities in Shush, Shushtar, motorcycles are produced in a year, 700,000 2022), all the vehicles must be Euro 6 com- Motorbike owners do not refer to inspection level of PM10 was estimated at 77 micrograms Dasht-e Azadegan, Dezful, and Howeyzeh were evacuated. motorbikes have been given license plate dur- pliant to reduce levels of harmful car and van centers to receive quality inspection labels due per cubic meter. This is almost four times According to data released on Wednesday by the National ing seven months when the proposal approved exhaust emissions, Hosseini said, adding, this to no strict law in this regard, he regretted. the WHO’s recommended threshold of 20 Drought Warning and Monitoring Center since the beginning of till went into effect as of September 2016. also might not come efficient, as the only way The low emission zone (LEZ) scheme, micrograms per cubic meter. summer the province of Khuzestan received 369.2 millimeters of rain while last year’s precipitations in the area amounted to 61.6 millimeters. Persian leopard to receive artificial Euphoria in Isfahan as water insemination next week flows into Zayanderud ENVIRONMENT TEHRAN — For the first time, a Persian in addition to the country, which requires cooperation deskleopard will undergo artificial insemi- of all the related organizations. ENVIRONMENT TEHRAN — While water is released nation in Tehran Zoological Garden next week. Responding to the artificial insemination of Persian deskinto Zayanderud river, central province “The precious female leopard has lost a hand be- leopard in Tehran success rate, Memarian noted that of Isfahan, the citizens are exhilarated by seeing the river ing injured in a hunting trap in Golestan province, while there are only few attempts resulting in successful alive again. who is being kept in the Garden,” Mehr quoted Iman insemination in the world, we will try hard to achieve the Water has filled the area once again bringing back the glory Memarian, Tehran Zoological Garden director, as best results using all capacities and facilities. to the area, and people have gathered around it to take pictures saying on Monday. The Persian leopard is listed as Endangered on the as the river will be alive only for 20 days. Referring to European Endangered Species Programs International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red According to Tasnim news agency the water was released (EEP), he noted that EEP is a population management List; the population is estimated at fewer than 871–1,290 tain chain are considered as one of the most important from Zayanderud dam on Monday for agricultural purposes. program aiming at endangered species reproduction by mature individuals and considered declining. habitats for leopards in the country. the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). According to the Department of Environment, 156 Persian leopards are mainly threatened by poaching, “A captive breeding program has been established leopards have been killed in Iran from 2005 to 2014, depletion of their prey base due to poaching, human LEARN ENGLISH for the Persian leopard along with the EEP,” he added. nearly 20 leopards a year. Studies indicate that currently disturbances, habitat loss due to deforestation, fire, For artificial insemination, sperm of a male leopard there are less than 500 leopards nationwide. agricultural expansion, overgrazing, and infrastructure named ‘Rika’ is being kept in liquid nitrogen, he said, The Persian leopard was most likely distributed over development. Skiing adding, also a male leopard has been sent to the Garden the whole Caucasus, except for steppe areas. During sur- In Iran, primary threats are habitat disturbances from Portugal through the EEP, which can help the process. veys conducted between 2001 and 2005 no leopard was followed by illegal hunting and excess of livestock in A: Welcome ski lovers of all ages! My name is Rick Fields and here Memarian went on to say that German experts are recorded in the western part of the Greater Caucasus; it the leopard habitats. The leopards’ chances for survival with me is the man that needs no introduction, Bob Copeland. lending a hand in implementing the artificial insemi- probably survived only at a few sites in the eastern part. outside protected areas appear very slim. B: Thank you, Rick! What a beautiful day here in Aspen, Colorado nation techniques. The largest population survives in Iran. In September 2018, three leopards for the first time where the sun is shining, and we’ve got twelve inches of fresh In the field of artificial insemination for the Persian Leopards are more abundant in the northern part of were spotted at the Bakhtegan national park in Neyriz powder. It doesn’t get much better than this. leopard, there have been very few successes in only one the country. During surveys conducted between 2002 and city located in southern Fars province. A: That’s right, Bob, but today we have a special treat for our of the zoos worldwide, which is cooperating with us in 2011, they were found in 74 protected and non-protected Moreover, In October, a leopard was spotted for the third viewers. We’re joined here by Ian Roussy, the four-time giant this regard, he stated implying that there is hope that areas, of which 69 percent are located in northern Iran. time within two years in Taleqan, a rural district located we will achieve successful results for the first time in They are mainly found in the Alborz and the Zagros in Alborz province, north-central part of the country. slalom champion. And on this special edition of the show, Ian Iran and in the region. mountain ranges and throughout the northwestern region, In January 2017, locals took pictures of a leopard in is going to teach us the basics of skiing! So, let’s hit the slopes! He further highlighted that Tehran Zoological Garden which crosses these mountain chains. The Hyrcanian the protected area of Taleqan for the first time, and a C: Well, first off, let’s get those boots on. You’re going to want to can become a source of Persian leopard gene in the world forests located in the north and along the Alborz moun- year later a leopard footprint was spotted. make sure your boots fitsnugly . That’s right; now snap them into your bindings. And you’re also going to want a good pair of goggles to protect your eyes. It’s a bright day today, so there’s going to be a lot of glare out there on the slopes. We don’t want Environmental assessment a must for artificial islands in Persian Gulf you hitting any of those moguls! ENVIRONMENT TEHRAN — Construc- She further called on the related or- transportation. A: Bob, since you’re a beginner skier and might take a few spills, desktion of artificial islands ganizations to join hand in conducting Artificial island construction brings it is a good idea to have a good warm pair of dry ski gloves. off the southern coasts of the Persian Gulf researches for preventing the Persian about many changes in the sea ecosystems, C: Easy there, Rick! Well, let’s head on over to the chairlift, and must undergo environmental impact Gulf from bearing the man-made islands as well as shoreline erosion, change in test your skills! All right, we’re up here on the bunny hill, so, Bob, assessment to avoid negative repercus- consequences, insisting on setting up a water currents causing pollution within why don’t you do a few snow-plow turns. Gnarly run, Rick! sions on the ecosystem, which requires national committee for environmental the islands, and an impact on marine life. Nice carving! You’ve got some mad skills! That was sick! cooperation of responsible bodies, deputy impact assessment of marine environment. High temperatures in the area also A: You want to see gnarley? Well, see that bump over there, Department of Environment (DOE) chief “A special working group also must causes high evaporation rates which, for marine affairs has said. be formed as a subcommittee to prepare coupling with desalination plants that I’m going to catch some major air. Parvin Farshchi made the remarks researches and scientific documents for pump extra salt and minerals into the C: Butt plant! on the sidelines of a meeting held on identifying how building islands leads to water, increase the overall salinity of the B: Ha ha ha! He lost his skis! Yard sale!!! Wednesday to address environmental of the Armed Forces, Ports & Maritime drying up seas,” she highlighted. sea. Marine life in the area have to adapt A: Ahem, well. Thanks for joining us here today, I think that impacts of artificial island construction Organization, and National Institute for She also proposed to determine par- to harsh condition changes in addition to about does it. and related laws, with representatives from Oceanography and Atmospheric Science, ticular areas in the Persian Gulf in or- anthropogenic (human) influences like C: We’re off to grab some freshies!!! Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Staff in attendance. der to provide new routes for maritime water travel and fishing. Key vocabulary slalom: a skiing race where you must go through flags champion: winner ENGLISH IN USE hit the slopes: start skiing snugly: fitting very tightly LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION snap: make something attach by pressing down binding: a bottom part that attaches the boot to a ski goggles: a pair of glasses used to protect one›s eyes glare: bright light that is reflected by the snow Rare hunter Caracal killed in car crash کاراکال گرب هسان کمیاب در تصادف ج ادهای کشته شد slopes: a space on the mountain which is used for skiing رئیــس محیــط زیســت اســتان فــارس گفــت: گربــه ســان کمیــاب از گونــه کاراکال بــر ,mogul: a bump on a ski hill A Caracal, an endangered wild cat also called the desert’s black-ear take a spill: fall has lost life in a car accident on Shiraz-Kazeroon road, southern اثــر تصــادف در جــاده کازرون تلــف شــد. ski glove: a covering of hands with each finger separated Fars province, YJC reported on Sunday. chairlift: a line of chairs through moving cable that carries people بــه گــزارش گــروه اجتماعــی باشــگاه خبرنــگاران جــوان، ســعید محمــودی در ادامــه ,The precious specie has been spotted for the first time in the area بیــان داشــت: ایــن نــوع گربــه ســان کمیــاب بــرای نخســتین بــار اســت کــه در منطقــه snow-plow turn: a slow, easy turn where you make a V with the skis carving: turn on your skis with your edges the provincial department of environment (DOE) chief Saeed مشــاهده شــده اســت. .gnarley: awesome, cool (used by ski lovers) Mahmoudi said bump: small hill catch some major air: used to describe a skier jumps really high yard sale: falling so hard that you lose all your ski equipment PREFIX/SUFFIX PHRASAL VERB IDIOM grab some freshies: ski on the area that has never been skied before Supplementary vocabulary “-cracy” Mock something up A tough cookie lodge: the building that has restaurants and stores on the ski hill pow: (powder) soft, light snow Meaning: government or power Meaning: to make a full-size model of something Explanation: someone with a strong and determined avy: (avalanche) lots of snow falling on the mountain For example: It appears to be completely dominated so that it looks real character who is not easily intimidated, discouraged or liftie: a person who operates the chairlift by the bureaucracy. For example: We mocked up a prototype of the defeated bowl: a steep hill with high sides, shaped like a bowl new irrigation system. For example: I’m not worried about Jason’s future (Source: irlanguage.com) - he’s a tough cookie! I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JANUARY 31, 2019 WORLD IN FOCUS 13 Maduro accuses Trump of U.S. warns Israel against keeping up strikes on Syria ordering his murder The top U.S. intelligence official has warned Israel of 1 Venezuela plunged further into armed forces still loyal despite an opposition the consequences of keeping up its military strikes on turmoil last week after the United States push to lure their support by proposing am- Syrian soil, saying the attacks could eventually trigger a recognized Guaido, 35, as acting president, nesty for anybody who supports Guaido’s response from Iran, which has its military advisors based while Russia, which has lent Caracas an es- transitional government. in the Arab state. timated $17 billion since 2006, continued Maduro accuses the United States of Speaking at a hearing of the U.S. Senate Select Commit- to back Maduro. leading an open coup to oust him and ex- tee on Intelligence in Washington on Tuesday, Director of “Donald Trump has without doubt given ploit Venezuela’s oil reserves, the largest National Intelligence Dan Coats said that Israel’s continued an order to kill me and has told the govern- in the world. aerial assaults against Syria would increase the risk of Iran’s ment of Colombia and the Colombian mafia The U.S. Monday hit Venezuela’s state- retaliation. to kill me,” Maduro told RIA. owned oil company with sanctions aiming to “We assess that Iran seeks to avoid a major armed conflict Though the Venezuelan was reprising increase pressure on Maduro to leave office. with Israel,” Coats said. “However, Israeli strikes that result in an old allegation that critics scoff at as a Guaido said in an interview with CNN Iranian casualties increase the likelihood of Iranian conventional smokescreen, there was speculation of mili- in Spanish Monday that Venezuela’s oppo- retaliation against Israel.” tary plans after Trump adviser John Bolton sition-controlled congress had approved a Coats also raised concerns about “the long-term trajectory appeared Monday with a pad showing the measure asking foreign nations to ensure the of Iranian influence in the region and the risk that conflict will words “5,000 troops to Colombia.” country’s assets weren’t “looted” by Maduro. escalate.” “If something happens to me one day, Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Finance He further claimed that Iran pursues “permanent Donald Trump and Colombian President Minister Sergei Storchak told Russian military bases” in Syria and probably wants to main- Ivan Duque will bear responsibility,” Maduro state news agencies Tuesday that “there tain a network of “fighters” there despite the Israeli said of his right-wing foes. will probably be problems” for Venezuela aerial assaults. Despite their increasingly militant op- in paying its debts. Storchak said Venezuela The American official was presenting the views of the U.S. position to Maduro, whom they regard as a owed Russia $3 billion, with repayments Intelligence Community to the congressional committee as part dictator, both Washington and Bogota have won’t rush, we’ll wait.” The move comes as pressure mounts twice a year of around $100 million, with of the annual Worldwide Threat Assessment. repeatedly denied accusations of plots to Russia calls on Venezuela’s op- against Maduro’s government from the Unit- the next due in March. Tehran has been offering military advisory assistance to the kill him. position to start talks with Maduro ed States, which earlier in the day handed Russia also has extensive commercial Syrian army at the request of the Damascus government. Iran Maduro, who survived what he called an Meanwhile, Russia Wednesday called control over Venezuela’s U.S. bank accounts interests in Venezuela, including state oil says it is not operating any military bases there. assassination attempt in August last year, said on the opposition in Venezuela to set aside to Guaido. Russia announced it expected company Rosneft’s partnership with Petroleos The Israeli military has on multiple occasions launched air he was well protected, guaranteeing him a any pre-conditions it may have and to start Venezuela to have problems paying its debts. de Venezuela SA, which was placed under raids against targets inside Syria, some of which it claims be- long life. He declined to comment on reports talks with President Nicolas Maduro. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo U.S. sanctions Monday. longed to Iranian forces. Russia sent private military contractors to The call was issued by Russian Foreign certified that Guaido, the congressional Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Israel – which has been backing the terror groups operating help guard him. Minister Sergei Lavrov who said Moscow leader who has declared himself interim that the Kremlin shared the view of the Ven- against Damascus -- views Iranian advisors in Syria as a threat He also dismissed calls for a snap presi- wanted to help create the conditions for president, has authority to take control of ezuelan government that the sanctions were and has openly pledged to target them until they leave the Arab dential vote, saying his re-election last year dialogue between the authorities and the bank accounts that Venezuela’s government “illegal” and saw them as a tool of unfair country. was fair despite widespread allegations of opposition. has in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York competition on part of the United States. Earlier this month, the chief commander of the Islamic Rev- fraud and the barring of two opposition rivals. Lavrov said any international mediation or any other U.S.-insured banks. In Spain, state-owned shipbuilder Navan- olution Guards Corps (IRGC) responded to Israeli Prime Minis- “I won 68 percent of the vote,” he told in such talks should be impartial and involve Pompeo said the certification would tia said that it had called back four Spanish ter Benjamin Netanyahu’s “ridiculous” threat of strikes against RIA. “I won legitimately. ... If the imperi- a broad spectrum of countries. Russia was “help Venezuela’s legitimate government technicians from Venezuela who were read- Iranian advisors. alists want a new election, let them wait in talks with China and Latin American safeguard those assets for the benefit of the ying for final delivery a navy patrol ship sold Major General Ali Jafari vowed that the Islamic Republic until 2025.” and European countries to further such Venezuelan people.” Guaido has been recog- 14 years ago to the Venezuelan government. will protect its military advisory mission against the regime’s Despite alleging Trump wanted him dialogue, he said. nized as the nation’s rightful leader by two A company spokesman said the recall acts of aggression. dead, Maduro said he was ready to meet Venezuela prosecutor moves dozen nations that contend the re-election didn’t change the shipbuilder’s plan to deliver Just days ago, Iran’s chief military commander raised the him “wherever he wants,” but thought the on Guaido of socialist Maduro was a sham, in part be- the vessel, which is called Eternal Commander possibility of Iran adopting offensive military tactics to protect prospect unlikely given what he described as Venezuela’s chief prosecutor Tuesday cause his strongest opponents were barred Hugo Chavez. It is the last of eight similar its interests: attempts by Trump’s advisers to prevent it. asked the country’s top court to ban oppo- from running. ships that the former Venezuelan leader In April 2018, an Israeli airstrike against the T-4 airbase in He said Mexico, Uruguay, Bolivia, Russia, sition leader Juan Guaido from leaving the Violent street demonstrations erupted bought from Spain in 2005 for $1.4 billion. Syria’s Homs Province killed more than a dozen people, reportedly the Vatican and several unnamed European country, launching a criminal probe into last week when Guaido, during a massive The U.S. State Department, meanwhile, including seven Iranian military advisors. countries wanted talks between him and his anti-government activities while inter- opposition rally in Caracas, declared that said that Americans shouldn’t travel to In May of the same year, Israel conducted its most in- the opposition. national pressure builds against President he had assumed presidential powers and Venezuela, warning of unrest, the threat tensive airstrikes on Syria in decades. According to Russia’s “I am ready to sit at the negotiation table Nicolas Maduro. Attorney General Tarek planned to hold fresh elections, ending of being arbitrarily arrested and of mass Defense Ministry, Israel had used 28 warplanes in its Syria with the opposition for us to talk for the William Saab made his request to the gov- Maduro’s “dictatorship.” demonstrations occurring with little notice. strikes and fired 70 missiles. Both Damascus and Moscow benefit of Venezuela,” Maduro was quoted ernment-stacked Supreme Court, and also The United States, Brazil, Canada, Colom- Opposition leaders have called for an- said that the Syrian army had managed to shoot down over as saying. asked it to block Guaido’s financial accounts. bia, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador and Paraguay ti-government demonstrations this week. half of the missiles. Regarding the investigation and possible Saab didn’t specify what crimes Guaido is have officially acknowledged Guaido as the The announcement raises the travel ad- The Tel Aviv regime, at the time, claimed that its assault was arrest of Guaido, he said: “As far as I know, being investigated for, but said that the probe legitimate interim head of Venezuela, while visory to its highest level, putting Venezuela in response to a barrage of 20 rockets that had been fired from this measure has not yet been taken. Let’s was tied to unrest sparked by his decision to countries including Russia and China back on a no-travel list that also includes Syria, Syria at Israeli military outposts in the occupied Golan Heights, wait for the internal constitutional and legal declare himself interim president last week Maduro. Afghanistan, Iraq and South Sudan. and it blamed the rocket attack on Iran. processes to see what the results will be. We in a direct challenge to Maduro’s authority. Maduro holds the reins of power, with the (Source: agencies) (Source: Press TV)

Trump says Afghanistan Yemenis free ill Saudi soldier on humanitarian grounds talks ‘proceeding well’ Yemen’s Houthi Ansarullah movement has set free an ail- western province of Hajjah. ing Saudi prisoner on humanitarian grounds, in a move Saudi warplanes also launched five airstrikes against Negotiations in Afghanistan are going well, U.S. President Don- that could boost ongoing UN-led efforts to end the bloody an area in the al-Qaflah district of the northwestern Yem- ald Trump said Wednesday, after U.S. officials earlier this week Saudi-led war against the country and broker peace there. eni province of ‘Amran. There were no immediate reports said there had been significant progress in talks to end 17 years Head of Yemen’s National Committee for Prisoners’ about possible casualties and the extent of damage caused. of war in the country. Affairs, Abdulqader al-Mortadha, said on Tuesday that An- Moreover, scores of Saudi-backed militiamen loyal to Talks “are proceeding well,” Trump wrote on Twitter. He did sarullah leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi had ordered the Hadi were killed and injured when Yemeni army soldiers not address any possible peace accord with the Taliban or the release of the Saudi trooper, identified as Musa al-Awaji, and allied fighters from Popular Committees targeted them presence of U.S. troops in Afghanistan. “on compassionate grounds” due to his deteriorating health with bombs near al-Sadis military base in Saudi Arabia’s On Monday, U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad told the condition. southern region of Najran. New York Times that the United States and the insurgent group The soldier was repatriated by a plane by the Interna- Saudi Arabia and a number of its regional allies launched had sketched the outlines of an eventual peace deal. Analysts, tional Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), according to a devastating military campaign against Yemen in March however, said there was no sign that the Taliban had agreed to the official. 2015, with the aim of bringing Hadi’s government back to U.S. demands. Mortadha highlighted that the United Nations officials power and crushing Ansarullah. A U.S. State Department spokesman said this week the in addition to a number of tribal and social figures had According to a new report by the Armed Conflict Location talks had been “positive” but that no agreement had been approached Saudi authorities over the past two weeks in and Event Data Project (ACLED), a nonprofit conflict-re- porting Yemeni oil to the Arabian Sea through a pipeline reached. the hope of securing an urgent exchange of the sick Saudi search organization, the Saudi-led war has so far claimed which extends from the Rub’ al-Khali desert to Hadhramaut The Trump administration has moved toward withdrawals soldier with a group of wounded Yemeni fighters, but to the lives of around 56,000 Yemenis. and Mahrah in the south of the country. It also called on of U.S. forces after years of overseas deployments. A U.S. official no avail. The Saudi-led war has also taken a heavy toll on the the United Nations and other international organizations said last month that Trump planned to withdraw more than Ansarullah, having witnessed the Saudi regime’s utter country’s infrastructure, destroying hospitals, schools, to counter through legal mechanisms the Saudi aggression, 5,000 of the 14,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan. disregard for the soldier and his worsening condition, de- and factories. The UN has already said that a record 22.2 occupation and looting of Yemeni resources. But Trump’s fellow Republican U.S. Senate Majority Leader cided to free him as a humanitarian gesture, the Yemeni million Yemenis are in dire need of food, including 8.4 Elsewhere in the statement, the ministry demanded Mitch McConnell Tuesday offered legislation urging the United official pointed out. million threatened by severe hunger. According to the world that the international community increase pressure States to keep troops in Afghanistan as well as Syria, although it Ansarullah’s move was praised by the United Nations’ body, Yemen is suffering from the most severe famine in on Riyadh and Abu Dhabi authorities to “respect and was uncertain whether it would become law. special envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, who expressed more than 100 years. preserve territorial integrity and sovereignty of the (Source: Daily Star) hope on Twitter for “more similar humanitarian gestures A number of Western countries, the US and Britain in Yemeni nation.” from the parties” to the conflict in Yemen. particular, are also accused of being complicit in the ongoing A series of documents obtained by some media outlets The UN official also said he looked forward to the im- aggression as they supply the Riyadh regime with advanced in August last year pointed to Saudi Arabia’s intention to plementation of a prisoner exchange agreement reached weapons and military equipment as well as logistical and develop the port, which would extract and export petro- Theresa May’s disastrous between Yemen’s Houthi movement and the Saudi-backed intelligence assistance. leum. In a letter addressed to the kingdom’s ambassador regime of ex-president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi during Houthis blast Saudi regime’s plundering to Yemen, a Saudi-based marine construction company, dithering UN-brokered peace talks in Sweden last month. of Yemeni oil resources Huta Marine, thanked the official for trusting the company’s The two warring parties have not yet agreed full terms Yemen has denounced exploitation of the country’s oil capabilities by asking it to present a technical and financial 6 This latest vote means weeks more of theatrical dith�- of the prisoner swap deal. resources by the Riyadh regime in the provinces of Hadh- proposal for the port’s design. ering — before, you guessed, another vote. It might be comical The United Nations is working to facilitate the exchange ramaut and Mahrah, where troops from Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s southern areas are controlled by Saudi-backed if it wasn’t so costly. By one estimate, Brexit has already cut 2.3 as well as the implementation of a landmark truce deal, the United Arab Emirates are present. officials of the former Yemeni government. Saudi Arabia percent from UK output and is reducing public revenue by some which was signed between the warring sides in Sweden for The Yemeni Foreign Ministry affiliated with the Houthi has taken control over the provinces’ seaports and airports, 320 million pounds ($419 million) a week. The government’s the main port city of Hudaydah, to set the stage for a new Ansarullah movement said in a statement on Tuesday that using them to deploy hundreds of troops in the region. farcical no-deal planning has demanded billions more, not to round of negotiations between the two sides. Saudi Arabia was “desperately attempting” to take advantage Experts say the pipeline would allow the kingdom not to mention the attention of more than 10,000 civil servants. Many More Saudi bloodshed of the “ongoing state of insecurity by plundering oil resources be constrained to the Strait of Hormuz or the Bab el-Mandeb businesses have fled, and others are issuing dire warnings. Talk of Separately on Tuesday, a civilian lost his life and anoth- and pursing its illegitimate interests across the region.” Strait, both strategic choke points that affect its current oil martial law hasn’t helped. All this, remember, is before anything er sustained injuries when Saudi military aircraft struck The statement further explained that Saudi Arabia was shipping routes. has actually happened. al-Mandala area in the Kushar district of Yemen’s north- committing a blatant violation of international law by trans- (Source: agencies) Perhaps May is hoping that the ticking clock, and the looming disaster of a no-deal exit, will be enough to get a majority back on board with her original bargain, maybe with some cosmetic embellishments. But ponder, for a moment, what that would mean. The prime minister would be asking Parliament to affirm Philippines: Mosque in Zamboanga hit by deadly grenade attack an agreement that it first rejected by a historic margin, that she herself had then ripped up in an effort to run out the clock, and At least two people have been killed and volatile southernmost region. order situation in Mindanao. said regional leader Mujiv Hataman. that has no redeeming qualities or benefits of its own. And this, four others wounded in a grenade attack “A grenade was lobbed inside a mosque “Terrorism has once again reared its “We call on people of all faiths... to come by the way, is her best-case scenario. on a mosque in the southern Philippines, killing two persons and wounding another barbaric and ugly head,” Panelo said. together to pray for peace.” Eventually, reality will intrude. The Brexit extremists in May’s say local officials. four,” regional military spokesman Lieutenant The victims were reportedly sleeping in- The Ulama Council of Zamboanga Pen- party should accept that they’re in no position to impose their will The attack in Zamboanga city took Colonel Gerry Besana told AFP news agency side the mosque at the time of the attack, insula condemned what it called a “devilish, at this late stage. May should concede that no prime minister could place in the early hours of Wednesday, of the attack in Zamboanga. which drew immediate condemnation from irrational and inhumane act” and urged willingly accept a no-deal exit, and that the Brexit countdown just days after deadly twin blasts at a In a statement, President Rodrigo local officials people to be vigilant. must be stopped. Parliament should debate alternatives that the Roman Catholic cathedral in the island Duterte’s spokesman, Salvador Panelo, “There is no redeeming such blasphemous There was no immediate claim of re- EU could realistically accept. And the government should start of Jolo and a vote backing wider Mus- said the attackers are “taunting” the gov- murder. It is the highest form of cowardice sponsibility. planning to give the public another say. lim self-rule in Mindanao, the country’s ernment in its handling of the peace and and obscenity to attack people who at prayer,” (Source: Al Jazeera) (Source: Bloomberg) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 14 WORLD SPORTS JANUARY 31, 2019 Sala: Touching tributes to missing footballer Conor McGregor banned for six months following post- during poignant match at Arsenal fight brawl On nights like this soccer can be a comfort, France against Germany in the international acting as a balm during life’s tragedies, offering friendly which was the target of a terrorist Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov have received 90-minutes of respite when the emotional attack in November 2015, admitted it was back-dated bans for their part in the ugly scenes that followed fallout is taking its toll, while at the same time difficult to play under “tragic circumstances.” their fight in Las Vegas in October 2018. providing a reminder of how inconsequential “You have to be professional, but you also The Irishman was handed a six-month suspension and fined the beautiful game is. feel the emotion, the sadness around you. $50,000, while his opponent Nurmagomedov was banned for nine Under the floodlights in north London, There are things far more important than months and fined $500,000 by the Nevada Athletic Commission. Arsenal were the victors, beating Cardiff City football and you don’t know what tomorrow The post-fight brawl came after Nurmagomedov scaled the 2-1 in the Welsh club’s first game since the will bring,” the Frenchman said. octagon to launch an attack on McGregor’s team after defeating aircraft carrying record signing Emiliano Sala Speaking publicly Monday for the first the Irishman to maintain his unbeaten 27-0 record last year. disappeared from radar last week. time since it emerged that Sala was on board Members of the Russian’s team were also involved in a fracas Yet a Cardiff win would have been of little the plane that disappeared near the Channel with the beaten McGregor. consolation anyway for those red-eyed with Islands, Warnock said he had considered Both bans have been back-dated to the night of the fight. grief. After the Premier League match, Cardiff retiring during “by far the most difficult week McGregor posted two messages on Twitter following the news. manager Neil Warnock admitted there had in my career by an absolute mile.” “I am thankful for the Nevada Athletic Commission’s fair been occasions over the last seven days when With Warnock revealing that several assessment and handling of the brawl incident,” he wrote. he did not want to get out of bed. players had undergone counseling over the “It was not my intention to land the final blow of the night on “What’s gone on this week is unprece- last week, Cardiff -- a club in the relegation my opponent’s blood relative. It’s just how it played out. I look dented, really. I can’t explain really how it’s zone -- still needs time to heal before the forward to competing again soon. Thank you all.” been,” he told reporters, keeping his gaze on placed floral tributes on the pitch before the beautiful Bluebird we will love you forever.” focus returns fully to the battle to remain Moments later, the 30-year-old tweeted another message the desk in front of him. match though, at the request of the family, A minute’s silence grew into applause as in English football’s top flight. explaining the incident. “You’ve not really wanted to get out of black armbands were not worn as the Ar- both sets of fans paid their respects to Sala But under the circumstances, Warnock’s “The final blow of the night UFC 229 in association with bed because everything was really miserable. gentine striker has not been confirmed dead. and pilot David Ibbotson. Head bowed on men performed stoically at the Emirates Sta- McGregor Sports and Entertainment,” he wrote. Nobody could do anything about it. It’s been Instead, Cardiff staff and fans wore yellow the sidelines, Cardiff manager Neil Warnock dium and in the first half particularly posed Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov tweeted “politics forever” as two really difficult. daffodils, the national flower of Wales and also closed his eyes. problems to an Arsenal side fresh from an members of his team were also banned for their involvement in “I know we’ve lost a game of football but of significance to Sala’s former club Nantes. Warnock would later praise the fans. “On FA Cup defeat by Manchester United. the incident. The Russian’s suspension will be reduced by three there are more important things.” A corner of the Emirates Stadium turned a night like tonight you’ve got to say well done Bobby Reid went close with a header in the months if he partakes in an anti-bullying campaign in Nevada. There was no escaping the poignancy of yellow as visiting supporters held aloft daffo- to them,” said the Englishman. first half and Oumar Niasse had a penalty claim However, Nurmagomedov’s manager Ali Abdelaziz argued the occasion, a match which would likely dil-colored cards prior to kick-off. Argentina Throughout the week managers and players turned down. Arsenal may have dominated his man was not the bully in this situation. have been the 28-year-old’s first for the club flags and Nantes scarves were also raised reiterated how futile their profession seemed possession, but they did not overwhelm the “He bullied all his opponents in the past but on Oct 6 he got he joined from French club Nantes for $19.3 and, covering the first few rows of the Cardiff on such desperately sad occasions like this. visitors who ended the match with 19 shots humbled and bullied. Justice was served and the bully got bul- million less than a fortnight ago. section, one banner read: “We never saw you In the matchday programme, Arsenal on target, though just two were on target. lied. Simple as that,” tweeted Abdelaziz, referring to McGregor. Even the sky was weeping as both captains play and never saw you score but Emiliano our captain Laurent Koscielny, who played for (Source: CNN) (Source: CNN) Guardiola wary of Man City’s difficult Manchester United proved point with Forward Wagner leaves Bayern run of league fixtures Burnley fightback - Solskjaer to join China’s Tianjin Teda

Bayern Munich forward Sandro Wagner is leaving the German champions with immediate effect and will join China’s Tianjin Teda, the Bundesliga club said on Wednesday. The 31-year-old former Germany international, who is a Bay- ern Munich youth academy product, had rejoined the Munich club a year ago after spells as Werder Bremen, Hertha Berlin and Hoffenheim among other clubs. A 2009 European champion with Germany’s Under-21 team that included a string of subsequent worlds champions, including current Bayern teammates Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng and Manuel Neuer, Wagner had a less illustrious career. He earned his first senior cap for Germany in 2017 but he failed to make the cut for the 2018 World Cup squad, prompting his international retirement. “Sandro Wagner came to us and asked to be released (from his contract running to 2020),” Bayern sports director Hasan Pep Guardiola said his Manchester City It was the champions’ fourth league Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says his Manchester of the ball in midfield in the buildup to Salihamidzic said in a statement. “He has a very attractive offer side have to overcome the “challenge” of defeat of the season and Guardiola’s men United team have ticked another box after Burnley’s first goal. from China. We thank Sandro and wish him all the best and lost a difficult run of fixtures as they seek to have now conceded as many goals in this battling back from 2-0 down to earn a point The caretaker manager also opted to of success in China.” get their title defence back on track after campaign as they did in the entirety of against Burnley in a 2-2 draw on Tuesday. pick Romelu Lukaku as the striker with Wagner spent 11 years in Bayern’s junior teams before making a 2-1 loss at Newcastle. the last. A late Paul Pogba penalty and a stop- in-form Marcus Rashford, who had scored his professional debut with the senior team in 2007. He left in Leaders Liverpool could move seven The former Barcelona and Bayern page-time equaliser from Victor Lindelof in four straight league games, moved out 2008 only to return last January. points clear of the champions if they win Munich boss added: “I love these players. ensured Solskjaer’s unbeaten start as United wide but the 45-year-old was adamant he He has scored 10 goals in his 34 games in all competitions at Leicester on Wednesday. “They gave me all the prestige I have boss continued and the Norwegian said had picked the right team. with Bayern but failed to earn regular playing time under current “Next week will be tough with Arsenal, in England. I will try to be here to help afterwards his players had proved a point “It was the right decision to make,” coach Niko Kovac this season. Everton and Chelsea,” he said. them. I know how they feel right now and with the fightback. said Solskjaer. In his 180 Bundesliga matches for all clubs Wagner has scored “If we want to go up as a club we have I am beside them, close to them. It is an “Now you’ve got your answer can they “We had a couple of niggles and un- a total of 44 goals, winning two Bundesliga titles with Bayern. to accept that challenge. There are a lot of incredible group of players, group of guys. come back if they go one down or two down,” fortunately he [Pereira] was involved in (Source: Reuters) titles and points to play for.” “Sometimes things go your way and said Solskjaer, who watched his team fall the first goal but that’s the whole team. Jurgen Klopp’s Reds appear to have sometimes they don’t - we had won eight behind in a game for the first time since “We played our way into trouble there. an easier run with matches against West games in a row and scored 30 goals with- taking over from Jose Mourinho. Instead of starting off with the forward Ham and Bournemouth to follow after their out reply.” “On the way up here I was stopped so pass we ended up back to the keeper game against the Foxes. When asked about his side’s display many times by the staff, so many people and it’s just another thing we have to PSG’s Neymar out for 10 City took the lead after only 24 seconds at St James’ Park, Guardiola said: “Our saying great spirit, fighting spirit and the learn from. when Sergio Aguero scored his 17th goal of game was slow, we didn’t commit. They way they came back was fantastic. “Rom’s done really well against Burnley weeks and will miss Man Utd the season, but that was only one of four shoot for the first time and it’s a goal, the “Of course, happy with a point but we before. He’s a handful and with Anthony efforts they managed on target in the match. second was a penalty. But congratulations could have got three even at the end but [Martial] injured we thought that was the Champions League ties Newcastle hit back in the 66th minute to Newcastle. we just ran out of time. We started too late. best option with Rashy out there.” when Salomon Rondon fired home before “It was not our best night. We lost sec- That’s a learning curve.” “I’ve been busy all day so I don’t know Matt Ritchie scored the winner from the ond balls, we were not aggressive enough, Solskjaer handed Andreas Pereira his the latest update on that one so just wait spot after Fernandinho had fouled Sean that’s why we could not win.” first Premier League start since August and see,” he said. Longstaff in the area. (Source: BBC) and it was the Brazilian who was robbed (Source: ESPN) Plucky Pelicans shock Rockets, Bucks bounce back in Detroit The New Orleans Pelicans shrugged off multiple injuries and to strong second-half performances from D’Angelo Russell uncertainty surrounding star Anthony Davis on Tuesday, and Shabazz Napier. rallying for a 121-116 NBA victory over the Houston Rockets. Napier’s three-pointer with 5:07 remaining in the third One day after Davis requested a trade, and with five of the quarter put them up 71-67 and he drained a jump shot to team’s top six scorers -- Anthony included -- absent because make it 75-70. of injury, the Pelicans withstood a 37-point performance Chicago cut the deficit to 107-104 with 2:54 to play, but Joe from Rockets star James Harden to triumph. Harris drained a three and put in a layup as the Nets held on. Paris-St-Germain forward Neymar will be out for 10 weeks with Jahlil Okafor scored 27 points for New Orleans. Jrue Napier scored 17 of his 24 points in the second half, while a broken metatarsal, which means he will miss both legs of the Holiday added 19 and Ian Clark chipped in 15 off the bench Russell led all scorers with 30 points. club’s Champions League tie against Manchester United. for a New Orleans team that used its 20th different start- Suns ‘robbed’ The Brazil forward suffered the injury in a 2-0 French Cup ing lineup of the season thanks to injuries to Davis, Nikola Rudy Gay’s buzzer-beating jump shot lifted the San Antonio victory over Strasbourg on Wednesday, 23 January. Mirotic, Julius Randle and Elfrid Payton. Spurs to a 126-124 victory over the lowly Phoenix Suns -- a The French champions say they have opted for a “conserv- New Orleans took the lead for the first time in the game win that Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said he didn’t think ative treatment”. with 2:06 left in the third quarter on Kenrich Williams’ his team deserved. PSG travel to Old Trafford for the first leg of their last-16 tie basket -- and they never trailed again. to a 115-105 victory over the Pistons in Detroit. “We had no respect for them or for the game,” Popovich on 12 February, with the return on 6 March. Holiday played a key role with six blocked shots, helping The Bucks, who lost to Oklahoma City on Sunday, un- said after Phoenix, last in the Western Conference at 11-42, In a statement, the Ligue 1 side said: “Paris St-Germain gath- slow scoring juggernaut Harden just enough to get the job derscored their bounce-back credentials with the win. They connected on 60 percent of their shots from the field and ered together a group of world-renowned medical experts at the done. Harden notched his 24th straight game of at least are the only NBA team that hasn’t lost two in a row at any 44.8 percent from three-point range.” Ooredoo Training Centre to carry out a thorough review of the 30 points, but his 17 in the fourth quarter weren’t enough point this season. “It was a pathetic performance and Phoenix got robbed,” injury to Neymar Jr.’s right foot. to turn the tide. Brook Lopez scored 12 of his 14 points for Milwaukee Popovich said. “After detailed analysis by the specialists, a consensus was Davis, sidelined by a finger injury, watched from the bench in the first quarter as foul trouble limited Antetokounmpo. Devin Booker scored 38 points but it wasn’t enough as reached of a conservative treatment of Neymar Jr.’s injury to hours after he was fined $50,000 by the NBA because his Eric Bledsoe added 20 points, reserve Pat Connaughton the Suns endured their ninth straight defeat. the fifth right metatarsal.” agent’s public revelation of his desire to be traded violated scored 16 and Khris Middleton chipped in 15 for the Bucks, In Orlando, Paul George did his damage early and Dennis They also said that Neymar “agreed” with the decision and league rules. who have won seven of eight games and stretched their Schroder came on late to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder “is expected to return to the field within 10 weeks”. “That’s going to play out the way it plays out,” Pelicans league-leading record to 36-13. to a 126-117 victory over the Magic. The club added: “Paris St-Germain sends its strongest support coach Alvin Gentry said before the game. “I think everything In Brooklyn, the Nets shook off the fatigue of the second George scored 31 of his 37 points in the first half and and encouragement to Neymar Jr. to overcome this injury, with that needed to be said has been said.” night of a back-to-back, grinding out a 122-117 victory over Schroder scored 18 of his 21 in the fourth quarter as Oklahoma the courage and determination that the player has always shown.” Milwaukee’s MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo the Chicago Bulls. City handed the Magic a fourth straight defeat. (Source: Mirror) scored 21 points and handed out 11 assists to lead the Bucks The Nets overcame a nine-point second-half deficit thanks (Source: AFP) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JANUARY 31, 2019 SPORTS 15

Call in Iran for footballers to Ravshan Irmatov to officiate Asian Cup final

SPORTS TEHRAN — Ravshan Irmatov of Uzbekistan be punished over Japan melee desk has been chosen to officiate the AFC Asian A prominent Iranian politician called for logical and ethical weaknesses,” added Cup UAE 2019 final. players in the country’s national football the reformist politician. The final match will be held at the Zayed Sports City Stadium team to be punished for clashing with Team Melli, as the Iran national team in Abu Dhabi, where Qatar meet Japan. their Japanese opponents after losing are known, were widely criticized for their in the Asian Cup semifinals. performance against Japan on Tuesday. In the dying minutes of Iran’s 3-0 de- Vatan-e Emrooz daily published feat to Japan on Monday, striker Sardar an article about them titled “Parjam,” Azmoun slapped Japan midfielder Gaku which is a play on the Farsi term for the Shibasaki in the face, sparking a melee JCPOA (Barjam) and translates as “the that also involved his teammates Ehsan cup is lost”. Hajsafi and Ramin Rezaeian. It described a protest by Iran’s play- Ali Motahari, deputy speaker in Iran’s ers over an edge-of-the-box challenge parliament, called for them to be dis- as “childish” and said it distracted them ciplined. and opened the way for Japan to score “When we’re accused of terrorism their first goal and gain the momentum and violence by America and Israel, the that took them to victory. attitude that Messrs. Azmoun, Hajsafi The Iran Football Federation steered and Rezaeian showed before the eyes of clear of the controversy, however, praising the world was a fatal blow to the Iranian the team’s “sincere efforts and endeav- Irmatov also officiated Iran and Iraq match in Group D, where nation and they must be punished,” Mot- or” and thanking outgoing coach Carlos the neighbors played out a goalless draw. ahari wrote on his Instagram account. Quieroz of Portugal for his eight-year An international official since 2003, the 42-year-old ref has “The team that could have been Asia’s tenure. officiated in three World Cups in a row. champions failed due to spiritual, psycho- (Source: AFP) He was also involved in the London 2012 Olympics, the FIFA Club World Cup on three occasions and the Confederations Cup. Irmatov has been named the Best Referee in Asia in four consecutive years (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2014). Japan’s protector Gonda embraces the Records not history man Ravshan Irmatov will be assisted by Abduhamidullo Rasulov responsibility Ali’s priority and Jahongir Saidov. The reserve referee will be Ma Ning of China. Video assistants will be Paolo Valery (Italy), Muhammad Taki Bin Jahari (Singapore), Christopher Bit (Australia).

Georgian defender Roma Chachua joins Sepidrood Rasht

TASNIM — Georgian defender Roma Chachua has joined Iranian football club Sepidrood Rasht on Tuesday. The 21-year-old defender is a member of Georgia U-21 football team. Chachua has joined his countryman Luka Nozadze in the Rasht-based football team. Ali Karimi’s Sepidrood sit second bottom of the Iran Profes- sional League (IPL) table. Furthermore, Sepahan striker Sasan Ansari joined Tractor Sazi on a 2.5-year contract. Esteghlal striker Jaber Ansari penned an 18-month contract After a decade waiting in the wings, Shuichi with Japan going on to record an emphatic After making history by equalling Ali Daei’s are bigger than just scoring a beautiful goal. with Paykan. Gonda is Japan’s number one goalkeeper victory with three second half goals. longstanding record for most goals in an “I have to keep my head down and work as they chase a fifth AFC Asian Cup title, It was a performance which showed AFC Asian Cup, Qatar striker Almoez Ali so I can reach my objectives.” and it’s an opportunity he is taking with the capabilities of Hajime Moriyasu’s immediately turned his attention to Fri- Beyond Ali’s individual achievement, both hands. side, but not one to completely satisfy day’s final against Japan. the match will be remembered as the night Iran Hazfi Cup: Damash For a decade, Gonda has been Japan’s its goalkeeper. Ali, who was born four months before Qatar stormed into their first ever Con- goalkeeping nearly man. “I’m happy. Of course I’m happy we Daei set the record in the 1996 edition of tinental final, with Boualem Khoukhi, march into final He was part of the AFC Asian Cup-win- won, but personally I think there are a the tournament, drew level with the Islamic Hassan Al Haydos and Hamid Ismaeil ning squad of 2011, and earned a call up lot of things I need to reflect upon and so Republic of Iran legend eight minutes before also getting on the scoresheet for Felix’s IRNA — Damash Gilanian football team defeated Saipa 2-1 to the FIFA World Cup in Brazil three it’s one of those games where I feel happy half time, scoring superbly from the edge Sanchez’s rampant side. and booked a place in the final match of the 2019 Iran Hazfi Cup. years later, but didn’t appear in either “but”...,” he reflected. of the penalty area to put his side 2-0 up They have maintained a perfect win- Milad Safshekan gave Damash the lead with a header just 50 tournament as Eji Kawashima held down “All of us had the feeling that even against the United Arab Emirates. ning record, becoming the first team in seconds into the match. the position. though this was a big game we wanted Speaking to the-AFC.com after his side’s tournament history to keep clean sheets Sadegh Barani equalized the match in the 35th minute in Having made his international debut to play our way. Of course, there was the eventual 4-0 win, the in-form Al Duhail in the first six matches of the tournament Rasht’s Sardar-e Jangal Stadium. way back in 2010, the 29-year-old had opponent to contend with too, but first of front man expressed his joy, before turning in the process. Substitute Morteza Heydari scored the winner in the 75th just five caps to his name coming into all we came into the game with a strong his attention to the tournament decider. Ali took a moment to take in the achieve- minute.Another Rasht-based football team Sepidrood will host UAE 2019, but he has made the position feeling of doing everything we could. “I wasn’t thinking about equaling Ali ments of a national team which lost all Persepolis on Thursday in the competition’s Round of 16. his own, making five appearances and “The best approach is to think that Daei’s record,” he said. “No, I just left it to three matches in Australia 2015, before The Hazfi Cup is the Iranian football knockout cup competi- producing four successive clean sheets. everything is dependent upon us.” fate, and thankfully I managed to score a refocusing his gaze to the challenges ahead. tion, run by the Iranian Football Federation. His efforts have helped Japan secure a Eight years and three days after watch- goal and bring joy to my parents, the Qatari I would like to congratulate the Qatari Esteghlal are the title-holders and most decorated team with place in the final against Qatar, and Gonda ing on from the bench as Tadanari Lee people and my teammates. people back home who supported us since seven titles. says he has a duty to perform. scored in extra time to give Japan their “This is what I was thinking about, the start of the tournament and my team- “When it comes to protecting the goal, fourth continental title, Gonda is now in a to score for the fans and I did it. Now mates who gave their all on the pitch and that’s my job,” the Sagan Tosu shot-stopper position to help guide them to their fifth. we have to focus on the next match and proved their worth,” he beamed. told the-AFC.com. After a long road, he makes his return study Japan very well.” “We achieved a dream of all Qataris, Benoit Huot announces “I feel a sense of responsibility to do that to the AFC Asian Cup Final as one of his Ali’s eighth goal was memorable for and hopefully we will do even better in and think I am doing okay in that regard. side’s key contributors, but insists nothing its historical significance, but it was also the future.” retirement The most important thing is that every- has been achieved until the trophy is in a beauty, as he delivered an inch-perfect “We don’t look at the statistics: You body is putting their bodies on the line.” Japan’s possession. curling low drive across Khalid Eisa and in could win 1-0 today and lose 3-0 tomor- After more than two decades of Para swimming, Canadian nine- One of Gonda’s most telling contribu- “All we have done is progressed to the off the bottom of the right upright. row. Everything we did so far is one thing, time Paralympic champion Benoit Huot is announcing his re- tions during the campaign was the close final,” he declared. Understandably, it was a goal the pacey but what’s coming up is more important. tirement from the sport. range stop he made to deny Iran’s Sardar “We won’t know anything until we take hitman was delighted to score, but he in- “The final needs patience, so if we “It’s time to hang up my Speedo. It was the greatest of honors Azmoun in the semi-final in Al Ain. on our opponent. Football starts at 0-0 sists he remains focused on bigger things. are patient, play well and forget about to represent our country and I’m proud to have been able to fulfil With the score at 0-0, he denied the so we just have to make sure we prepare “Of course, I was really happy with the everything we did so far, only then will all my competitive dreams. Sport is the most amazing school of Iranian front man with an excellent reflex ourselves properly.” goal,” he said. “It was a beautiful strike, but we win the final.” life and I had the privilege of being its student for the past 25 save using his left leg before half-time, (Source: the-afc) it means nothing, because our objectives (Source: the-afc) years,” Huot said. Born with a malformation in his right leg, commonly called club foot, Huot started swimming at the age of eight. A member 5 players who can lead Iran after their AFC Asian Cup disappointment of the Canadian National Para Swimming Team since 1998, he is one of the most decorated Paralympic athletes with 20 medals AFC Asian Cup contenders Iran were given a reality check, #4 Ali Alipour (24; Persepolis) won at five Paralympic Games. after they were dumped out of the competition by Japan. Another talented player who was left out of Iran’s AFC “Benoit is one of the most celebrated Paralympians worldwide Fans had touted 2019 to be Team Melli’s best chance in Asian Cup was forward Ali Alipour. The 24-year-old had but he is so much more than all the accolades and achievements years to win the entire thing, only to be let down in the end. made the initial squad for the tournament but dropped out I could list. The reality is that Benoit has transcended sport and And with a lot of stars of this generation nearing their end, when the final-23 were announced. will leave a legacy of sportsmanship, courage and dignity,” said we take a look at who could lead them in the future; with a Nevertheless, there is still enough time for Alipour to Swimming Canada CEO Ahmed El-Awadi. view to the 2022 FIFA World Cup. make his name at the international level; something which “He was and will always be an ambassador for swimming, Interesting – one word which perfectly describes has been doing with ease for his club. the entire Paralympic movement, and an inspiration to anyone Azmoun’s international career so far. The 24-year-old The Persepolis man was in stunning form throughout who feels they can’t do or achieve something. This is not just a striker had announced his retirement post-2018 FIFA the 2017-18 season and scored Twenty-six goals for his side retirement but a celebration of Benoit’s swimming career, a story World Cup but made a U-turn soon. He then starred for across all competition. His nineteen goals in the Persian Gulf which I believe has not reached its end, but is just entering a new Team Melli in the Asian Cup, where he added four more Pro League were also enough to help him win the Golden chapter,” El-Awadi added. goals to his international tally, taking it to Twenty-eight Boot, while his four in the AFC Champions League helped Huot’s phenomenal career also included claiming 32 medals in Forty-five appearances. Persepolis reach the final. at six world championships. Looking at those stats, one can summarise that Azmoun #5 Omid Noorafkan (21; Charleroi) “Throughout his long career as an athlete, Benoit embodied has been absolutely lethal for Team Melli. However, there Cup cycle starts, Beiranvand will be in his prime and will The youngest star on the list is 21-year-old midfielder determination and the desire to win, but always carried himself are still concerns about his temperament in big matches, be looking to keep the Iranian goal safe. Omid Noorafkan, who recently made the switch to Belgian with dignity and class. He was such an incredible ambassador during which he is often accused of ‘not turning up’. #3 Saeid Ezatolahi (22; Reading) side Sporting Charleroi. for swimming, for Para sport and for Canada. To our friend, I Nevertheless, the young striker is yet to hit his peak Both Sardar Azmoun and Alireza Beiranvand were a part In 2018, Noorafkan was first brought to attention af- wish you a happy retirement, to the champion, I say mission and still has enough ability to lead Iran from the front for of Team Melli’s AFC Asian Cup squad. However, if one is ter website outsideoftheboot.com names him in their 100 accomplished, and to the hero, I say carry on,” said Marc-André years to come. to look closely, one would find ample talent to lead them players to watch series. Fabien, president of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. #2 Alireza Beiranvand (26; Persepolis) through the next decade. “He boasts great stamina, with great tactical awareness A member of the Order of Canada since 2016, Benoit was One of Iran’s breakout performers at the 2018 World One such talent is 22-year-old midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi. and discipline which is rare for such a young midfielder,” honoured last year as a Chevalier de l’Ordre national du Québec. Cup was goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand. The custodi- The youngster currently plays for Reading in the sec- stated the website. Big things are expected of the young- He was also Canada’s flagbearer at the Closing Ceremony of the an put on some brave displays to limit heavyweights ond tier of English football. However, injury concerns have ster, who after spending half a season with Charleroi, has London 2012 Paralympic Games, and is a multiple recipient of Portugal and Spain, while also saving a spot-kick from limited him to make just four appearances for the Royals, returned to his previous club Esteghlal on loan. However, the “Person with a Disability of the Year” King Clancy Award. Cristiano Ronaldo. while also ruling him out of the Asian Cup. he still is on the periphery of the national team and has only Working as a swimming commentator for ICI Radio-Canada The 26-year-old kept his good form going into the AFC When fit, however, Ezatolahi is a hard-working central been able to muster up one appearance. Tele and as a contributor to Les Eclaireurs on ICI Premiere, Huot Asian Cup and managed to keep a clean sheet in five straight midfielder, who even got a thumbs up from Atletico Madrid However, a change in coach might see a change in fortune now intends to continue his mission with youth with disabilities games, while also saving a penalty. coach Diego Simeone for his work ethic. And with Iran’s for Noorafkan, who had previously captained his national through various initiatives including the Canadian Tire Jumpstart It is known that goalkeepers have the most longevity current midfields entering their twilight years, the 22-year- team at the youth level. Foundation and the Canadian Paralympic Committee. across all positions. By the time the next World and Asian old can be the perfect man to step up. (Source: Fox Sports Asia) (Source: Paralympic.org) Prayer Times Noon:12:18 Evening: 17:49 Dawn: 5:39 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 7:05 (tomorrow) JANUARY 31, 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: Ali Asgari Editor-in-Chief: Mohammad Ghaderi Fajr Film Festival opens with big Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 [email protected] Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051450 nostalgia for “days of snow and coldness” Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 www.eshterak.ir Distributor: Padideh Novin Co. Tel: 88911433 Webmaster: [email protected] Printed at: Hamshahri No. 3 - ISSN: 1017-94

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GUIDE TO SPIRITUAL AWAKENING

God has given man intelligence to deliver himself from distress and anxiety. Imam Ali (AS)

Iranian director to stage “Death and the Maiden” at Fajr festival Left to right, this combination photo shows filmmaker Azizollah Hamidnejad, film editor Abbas Ganjavi, voice actor Khosro Khosroshahi, actress Fatemeh Motamed-Arya, and graphic designer Ebrahim Haqiqi after receiving their lifetime achievement awards during the opening ceremony of the 37th Fajr Film Festival at the Tehran Theater Complex ARTTEHRAN – Iranian director Sina Rastgu plans on January 29, 2019. (Photos by Babak Borzuyeh) deskto stage Chilean-American playwright Ariel “I asked the minister to deliver a speech, but “Gavaznha” and several other movies “Hoor on Fire” and said, “They encourage award from his colleagues Manuchahr Dorfman’s “Death and the Maiden” during the 37th Fajr International he said, ‘we should be a listener during the he produced before the 1979 Islamic me to make my next movie.” Vaalizazdeh, Nasser Mamduh and Theater Festival in Tehran, the organizers have announced. meetings, at which artists are in attendance,” Revolution, and said “He is marvelous. Graphic designer Haqiqi said that his Manuchehr Esmaeili. “Death and the Maiden” is about a political activist who is convinced Zabetian addressed the audience, which We spent many hard days with each other; collaboration with the Fajr festival began in Khosroshahi who has given his voice to broke into loud applause. days of snow, coldness and SAVAK [the 1982 when he created a poster for the second film stars such as Alain Delon, Al Pacino The ceremony went on with honoring Shah’s intelligence services].” edition of the event. He is the designer of and Amitabh Bachchan also lamented that actress Fatemeh Motamed-Arya, filmmaker Farmanara also pointed to an Instagram the festival’s Simorgh trophy. dubbing has always been ignored in Iran Azizollah Hamidnejad, film editor Abbas video that depicts several persons mocking Actress Motamed-Arya also criticized and asked the culture ministry to regard Ganjavi, voice actor Khosro Khosroshahi, veteran actress Shahla Riahi who is suffering certain people, which lash out at cinema the profession. and graphic designer Ebrahim Haqiqi with from Alzheimer’s disease and asked people and accuse it of laxity, “The Iranian cinema The organizers also paid tribute to lifetime achievement awards. to be respectful of their elders and cultural community is a lovely respected family Ezzatollah Entezami, the veteran actor Farmanara and Kimiai came to the stage luminaries. that believes in all values.” of stage and screen who died in August to present Ganjavi the award. In his acceptance speech, Hamidnejad “Our cinema is viewed in the world as 2018 at the age of 94, during the opening In his short speech, Kimiai pointed thanked film critics Hushang Golmakani, the greatest cultural herald, as a result it ceremony. to his collaboration with Ganjavi in Masud Mehrabi, Khosro Dehqan and Hamid is increasingly under attack,” she stated. The Fajr Film Festival will run until “The Soil”, “The Journey of the Stone”, Sediqi who acclaimed his 1991 war drama Voice actor Khosroshahi received his February 11. Members of Iranian director Sina Rastgu’s troupe perform “Death and the Maiden” at Tehran’s Paliz Theater on March 3, 2018. (Honaronline/Sharareh Samei) that her guest is a man who once tortured her for anti-government measures. Theatrical interactions between Earlier in 2018, Rastgu staged in Tehran with the same cast, which includes Zahra Behruzmanesh, Mansur Nasiri, Mohammad Mesgari, Mohammad Habibi, and Reza Davudvandi. Iran, France discussed in Tehran The 37th Fajr International Theater Festival will be held in Tehran ARTTEHRAN – The Theater Forum was He said that he wrote his play “The Conference of the desk from February 11 to 23. playing host to a session on Tuesday to Birds” under the influence of the great inspiring work from discuss the theatrical interactions between Iran and France. the Persian classical literature. The Tehran-based French writer and actor Jean-Claude The Theater Forum also planned to honor Carrière Carrière was invited to deliver a speech, but he could not for his lifetime achievements with a medal but his illness Laurent Chétouane stages attend the meeting due to his illness. thwarted the plan. “Situation #1” with Iranian However, he sent a video recorded at a Tehran hospital, Theater Forum director Shahram Gilabadi said that he in which he said that he was familiar with Iran by his Iranian along with a number of his colleagues will visit Carrière at performers in Tehran wife, Nahal Tajaddod, and Persian poet and mystic Farid the hospital to present him the medal. Theater Forum director Shahram Gilabadi speaks during ud-Din Attar Neyshaburi’s magnum opus Mantiq at-Tayr Iranian National Commission for UNESCO director a session held at the center in Tehran on January 29, 2019 ARTTEHRAN – The Berlin-based French (The Conference of the Birds) which has been translated Hojjatollah Ayyubi and stage directors Qotbeddin Sadeqi to discuss the theatrical interactions between Iran and deskchoreographer Laurent Chétouane staged the into French. and Mohammadreza Khaki also made speeches. France. (ILNA/Mehdi Nasiri) performance “Situation #1” along with a number of Iranian performers at Iranshahr Gallery in Tehran on Wednesday. Oppression and its opponents shape John Malkovich to play disgraced a political Berlinale movie mogul in new Mamet play BERLIN (Reuters) — Abuse of power, LONDON (Reuters) — Actor John state oppression and the struggle faced by Malkovich will take the starring role in a those who seek to challenge it in countries new play by Pulitzer Prize winner David from Russia and Brazil to the United Mamet about a disgraced Hollywood studio States are key themes in this year’s Berlin head, a story he said was written partly Film Festival, for which the final line-up in reaction to the scandal engulfing film was announced on Tuesday. producer Harvey Weinstein. This year’s edition of the festival, Speaking to BBC Radio on Tuesday, which has never been shy of broaching Malkovich described “Bitter Wheat”, which sensitive political themes, highlighted opens in London in the summer, as “a black Brazilian films in the program that had Berlinale International Film Festival di- farce about a very badly behaved movie American actor John Malkovich attends Choreographer Laurent Chétouane in an undated photo. anticipated the country’s hard swing rector Dieter Kosslick poses for the media mogul”, who he said was “not particularly” a photocall to promote the film “The before a news conference to present the Swedish choreographer Mikael Marklund also collaborated with right in last year’s presidential election. Weinstein. The producer will go on trial in Casanova Variations” during the 62nd program for the upcoming Berlinale the troupe in the performance, which will be held today and tomorrow, “Sometimes art has to be political,” New York in May on charges of sexually San Sebastian Film Festival in San International Film Festival in Berlin, Iran Theater, a Persian website for theater news, announced. said director Dieter Kosslick, who bows assaulting two women. Sebastian, Spain September 22, 2014. Germany, January 29, 2019. (Reuters/ Mahsa Ranjbarian, Mohsen Khedri, Raheleh Bahrami and out this year after his 18th Berlinale. “It’s a great deal about that business (Reuters/Vincent West) Fabrizio Bensch) Mehraveh Mokhtarian are the Iranian performers, while Amir- “In the case of Brazil we see how films and a great deal about how people in that that we watch but what can I do about that?” Hossein Mashaherifard and Shahab Anusha collaborate in this project. took a seismographic reading of the China is also strongly represented business, in positions say as studio heads Malkovich said. Chétouane held a choreography workshop during the 20th mood of the country before the current in the main competition, with Wang have behaved really for more or less a century “I am sure a lot of people will laugh and International Iranian Festival of University Theater in Tehran in president was elected,” he added. Xiaoshuai’s “So Long, My Son” exploring now. So many of them were so notoriously a lot of people will be upset and a lot of April 2017. Brazilian director Wagner the lives of two couples living through badly behaved,” he said. people may not like it. Personally I think He has produced numerous productions in Hamburg, Munich, Moura’s “Marighella”, screened out the revolutionary economic changes that “The idea...maybe started as reaction it’s a terrific piece of writing.” Weimar, Cologne, Stuttgart, Athens, Oslo, and Zurich. of competition, tells the story of have transformed China since the 1980s. to all the news that came out last year, in Malkovich, most recently seen on screens In addition, France, Belgium, Austria, Turkey, Norway, Switzerland, writer Carlos Marighella’s resistance Also screening outside the particular about Harvey Weinstein but in Netflix thriller “Bird Box” and on British Italy, Japan and Russia have hosted many dance performances directed to and 1969 death at the hands of a competition is United States director actually about many many people, some television as legendary detective Hercule by Chétouane. military dictatorship that toppled a Adam McKay’s “Vice”, about the reign of of whom were also higher ups in various Poirot in “The ABC Murders”, said he democratic government, in a story that Dick Cheney as the U.S.’s most powerful studios. I think David kind of took the idea met Weinstein when making 1998 drama uncomfortably echoes President Jair vice-president. from there and went with it.” “Rounders” but “didn’t really have any Jake Gyllenhaal finds art can Bolsonaro’s rise. “This is the film you have to see in More than 70 women, mainly young connection with him”. French director Juliette Binoche, order to understand the presidency,” said actresses and others working in film, have In “Bitter Wheat”, the 65-year-old actor kill in “Velvet Buzzsaw” herself a Silver Bear winner, chairs the Kosslick, before recommending, to laughs accused Weinstein, 66, of sexual misconduct, will play Barney Fein, described in a press main competition jury in the festival, from the audience, a festival screening including assault, dating back decades. release as “a bloated monster- a studio head, LOS ANGELES (Reuters) — Actor Jake Gyllenhaal plays a snooty which owes its political sensibility to its of Charles Ferguson’s documentary Weinstein, who pleaded not guilty who, like his predecessor, the minotaur, art critic in Netflix Inc movie “Velvet Buzzsaw,” a satirical thriller 1951 birth in a divided city that straddled “Watergate - Or How We Learned to after his arrest last May, has denied all the devours the young he has lured to his cave. that turns bloody when he and others try to profit from the work of the front lines of the Cold War. Stop an Out of Control President” about accusations, saying any sexual encounters “His fall from power to shame is a mythic a recently deceased artist. Squarely in that tradition lies Polish the fall of Richard Nixon. were consensual. journey which has been compared to ‘The Gyllenhaal portrays Morf Vandewalt, a critic who starts seeing director Agnieszka Holland’s Mr. Jones, The festival also includes for the first The scandal helped kick off the #MeToo Odyssey’ by people who claim to have read bizarre images in the paintings he is writing about. telling the story of Welsh journalist time works produced by the streaming movement, in which dozens of powerful that book.” “He is a pretty wacky character,” Gyllenhaal told Reuters on the Gareth Jones, whose 1930s reports services that are a rising force in the men in Hollywood and beyond have been Mamet, known for plays such as “ red carpet at the movie’s premiere in Los Angeles. from the Soviet Union exposed the film world, including Spanish director accused of sexual misconduct. “Glengarry Glen Ross”, has written about The film, which debuts on Netflix on Friday, was written and di- horror of famine in Ukraine, despite Isabel Coixet’s Netflix production “Elisa y “Of course it might upset people who’ve sexual misconduct before, namely in rected by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Dan Gilroy, who also wrote governments and rival reporters who Marcela”, about a woman who disguised experienced the kind of treatment that the “Oleanna” about a female student and and directed Gyllenhaal’s widely praised 2014 movie “Nightcrawler.” tried to silence him. herself as a man to marry her lover in 1901. play contains and shows and describes and her professor.