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16 Pages Price 40,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 39th year No.13561 Monday DECEMBER 23, 2019 Dey 2, 1398 Rabi’ Al thani 26, 1441 Army, IRGC Iran seeks to keep Iranian rower Malaei wins Croatian Ambassador Drago commanders confer on all channels open second gold medal at 2019 Stambuk’s poem collection closer coordination 2 with Japan 2 Asian Rowing Cup 15 published in Persian 16

Palermo, CFT bills still on evaluation table: Expediency Council TEHRAN — The two FATF-related bills prove the two remaining FATF-related Iran-India ties are of Palermo and CFT have not yet received bills, namely the Palermo and CFT,” green light, the Expediency Council an- it added. nounced in a statement on Saturday, saying In mid-October, the Paris-based the bills are under accurate assessment. Financial Action Task Force (FATF) said “These bills are still being evaluated at that it had given Iran a final deadline the joint commission of the Expediency of February 2020 to tighten its laws Council,” the statement said. against money laundering in com- ancient, unbreakable “The commission has not yet reached pliance with the global watchdog’s a conclusion on whether to reject or ap- financial standards. 2 See page 2 Anti-Iran human rights resolution politically-tainted: minority MPs TEHRAN — The lawmakers, who rep- statement and serves as a tool to exert resent religious minorities in the Majlis, more pressure on Iran. censured on Sunday an anti-Iran reso- On December 18, the UN General As- lution by the United Nations General sembly passed the resolution calling on Iran Assembly, calling the move a “political- to stop committing human rights abuses. ly-motivated” stance. The measure proposed by Canada passed In their statement, the representatives on a vote of 81-30, with 70 abstentions. said the Canada-drafted UN resolution Part of the resolution called on Iran against Iran, although seemingly about to release prisoners detained during the human rights, is inherently a political November protests. 3

Ghani wins slim majority of presidential vote in preliminary results

Afghanistan’s incumbent President Ashraf Abdullah Abdullah, who currently shares Ghani won a slim majority of votes in a power with Ghani in a unity government. Sept. 28 election, delayed preliminary re- However, the head of IEC, Hawa Alam sults showed on Sunday, after a poll that Nuristani, told a press conference in Kabul

Maryam Kamyab plunged the country into political crisis that the outcome could change after final and was marred by allegations of fraud. results and was still subject to a review by The Independent Election Commission the election complaints’ commission. (IEC) said the total turnout in the presidential If a review showed Ghani’s vote falling election was over 1.8 million with Ghani below 50% and no other candidate with a securing 50.64%, enough to win the first majority, a second round of voting would Tehran Times/ Tehran Times/ round of voting, beating his main challenger be held, she said. 13 ARTICLE Western-Saudi media warfare against Diab PERSPECTIVE Hana Saada By Morteza Helali Saad Hariri, who resigned as prime minster is not popular among the Lebanese but that Faranak Bakhtiari Journalist from Algeria Since the very first moment that Hassan Diab in October after weeks of protests, has said he his leadership will exacerbate the situation Tehran Times journalist was designated as the new prime minister to will not join the Diab government. However, in the country. form a new cabinet, a media warfare has been protests in front of the new prime minister’s The Saudi-owned TV channels, including launched against him by the Western countries house by his supporters indicate that a plan Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath, have also taken Western Sahara, and Saudi Arabia, accusing him as a Hezbollah is being secretly carried out. the same approach and claimed that the next EB patients, the element. Saudi media outlets have given wide cov- government under Diab will be against the clear-cut conflict On Thursday, after several hours of con- erage to the protests by Hariri’s supporters in majority of the Lebanese people. most oppressed sultation, Diab won 69 votes in parliament different areas of Beirut and reported that the Following his selection as prime minister, of decolonization as prime minister and then was tasked by the supporters of the former prime minister and a senior U.S. State Department official, David victims of U.S. in Africa president to form a government. the Future Movement blocked some streets Hale, visited Lebanon on Friday. Many Leba- sanctions Diab is a university professor. He served in the capital. nese political groups have stated that the U.S. arge delegations are taking part in as education minister from 2011-2014 in the Many American and European media outlets official’s visit to Beirut is highly suspicious. lthough food and medicine are the 15th Congress of the Western cabinet of Prime Minister Najib Mikati and have officially called Diab a Hezbollah nom- Diab has said that he is not affiliated with claimed to be exempted from U.S. Sahara’s Polisario Front, being had a good relationship with Hezbollah. inee, whose premiership will cause political any group or party, so the media warfare by sanctions, financial and banking L The Americans wanted Nawaf Salam as the tensions in the country. Through various re- certain countries against him in fact reveals that A held from 19 to 23 December in the sanctions have limited the life-saving liberated territories, Tfariti. Different prime minister and view nomination of Diab as ports and analyses, these media outlets are a Western-Saudi plan is underway to weaken medicine trade which harshly targeted issues are on the agenda of the confer- prime minister as a coup against themselves. trying to portray this image that Diab not only the new Lebanese prime minister. the patients suffering from Epidermolysis ence comprising: speeches, documents Bullosa (EB), a rare genetic disease that presented by sub-committees, as well causes painful blistering of the skin. as deliberations. The Sahrawi Presi- Israel fears ICC could hunt its top leaders for war crimes Across the country, 700 people have dent of the Republic, Secretary-General A recent decision by the International Criminal However, an official in the Israeli prime min- alel Smotrich called on Netanyahu to give the been diagnosed with EB, but considering of the Polisario Front, Brahim Gha- Court (ICC) to launch a full investigation into war ister’s office said, “A decision will be reached after Palestinian Authority a 48-hour ultimatum to that EB is estimated to occur in 1 newborn li, delivered his speech, stressing his crimes in Palestinian territories has raised alarm the legal teams make their recommendations.” pull its ICC petition or see the Ramallah-based per 50,000 live births, it is suggested that country’s categorical refusal of new among current and former Israeli officials and On Friday, ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensou- authority “torn down.” in Iran 1,200 people are suffering EB. procrastinations or the prolongation military personnel, who may face global arrest da said a preliminary examination into war crimes, The ICC decision has been widely welcomed In Iran, these patients are known as of Moroccan occupation. warrants as a result of the probe. opened in 2015, had provided enough information by Palestinian officials, with President Mahmoud “butterflies” because their skin is as fragile The Algerian delegation, represent- Israel’s Channel 12 TV reported that Israeli to meet all criteria for opening an inquiry. Abbas calling it a “great” and “historic” day. as butterflies, EB patients are in desperate ing Algeria, an important actor in the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along There was a “a reasonable basis” to investi- “We have achieved what we want, and from this need of special bandages as even minor conflict given its constant principles with ministers of military affairs, army chiefs, gate the situation in Palestine, she said. “I am day on, the ICC machine will start accepting the frictions cause severe painful blisters. with regard to the right of the Sah- low-ranking soldiers and the heads of the Shin satisfied that ... war crimes have been or are cases that we have previously presented,” he said. Without the bandages, they face dif- rawi people to self-determination, a Bet security service in the past five years could being committed in the West Bank, including Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad ficulties even in their daily routine, in- principle advocated by the UN for all be vulnerable to international prosecution. East Jerusalem [al-Quds], and the Gaza Strip.” Shtayyeh stressed that the ICC announcement cluding walking, eating or even breathing, the settlement of this issue within Israel is not expected to cooperate with the The probe will apparently cover Israel’s set- “constitutes a stand for justice and truth.” and unfortunately there is no alternative the framework of its Charters and ICC’s pre-trial chamber in the coming 120 days. tlement policy in the occupied West Bank, crimes “We will make every possible legal effort to treatment for such pain. decisions as well as the African Un- “There will be no cooperation with the court… during the 2014 Gaza war, and crackdown on the try Israel for the war crimes it committed against Exemptions for humanitarian trade ion (AU), lauded the Polisario Front’s certainly not if it will eventually be decided to open Great March of Return protests in the besieged our people in the Gaza Strip, al-Quds and the (such as food, medicine and medical equip- commitment to all the UN decisions an official probe,” Channel 12 cited diplomatic Gaza Strip. West Bank,” he said. ment) have not been effective in protecting relating to the cessation of hostilities, sources as saying. On Saturday, transportation minister Bez- (Source: Press TV) Iranian patients from access to imported considering that the time has come medicine, such as the bandages used for for the United Nations to assume its EB patients’ treatment. responsibilities, while reiterating Al- Since U.S re-imposed sanctions, geria’s support for all UN efforts for a a Swedish medical product company just solution guaranteeing the Sahrawi Judiciary chief (Molnlycke Health Care) refused trade people the right to self-determination of Mepilex dressings with Iran, fearing and independence. highlights importance American sanctions. Participants from different coun- This has resulted in the heartbreaking tries reiterated with one voice, during death of a two-year-old girl named Ava this 15th edition of the Congress of of reviving public rights in Ahvaz city. the Polisario Front, their stable and TEHRAN — Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raeisi U.S. ambassador to UN unwavering position towards the right said on Sunday that public rights must be revived condoles Ava’s death of the Saharawi people to exercise its in urban management. During a United Nations Security right to self-determination. “I think it will be very useful to study such Council meeting on December 19, Iran’s Western Sahara is a Non-Self-Gov- subjects in university,” he said at a conference Ambassador to UN Majid Takht Ravanchi erning Territory of the UN that lies in on reviving public rights. had spoken about a two-year old girl during the Sahel region bordered by Algeria, During the meeting, which was attended by the his statement to the council. Kingdom of Morocco, and Mauritania. Tehran City Counicl chief, Tehran’s mayor, trasport “To avoid infection, EB children should This territory is home to the Sahrawis, a and housing minister and others, the top judge be covered by special bandages, the al- collective name for the indigenous peo- attached great importance to interaction between ternative is horrible as it peels kids’ soft ples living in and around the region. They skin at the time of removal. Nowadays,

Amin Jalali Amin universities and those who implement plans. speak the Hassaniya dialect of Arabic. Commenting on air pollution, he said it the importation of these special bandages Similarly, many others also speak Spanish is necessary to find solutions better than for EBs has become almost impossible, as a second language due to the region’s IRNA/ closing schools. endangering the lives of innocent children colonial past. 7 like Ava. 12 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS DECEMBER 23, 2019

Zarif: Iran-India ties are Iran seeks to keep all channels ancient, unbreakable

POLITICAL TEHRAN – Foreign Minister Mohammad deskJavad Zarif, who held talks with his Indian open with Japan: Araghchi counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Tehran on Sunday, described relations between Iran and India as “ancient” and POLITICAL TEHRAN — Deputy the Persian Gulf and said he had discussions “unbreakable”. deskForeign Minister Abbas on ways of “breaking” U.S. sanctions on his Araghchi has said that Iran is aiming to trip to Tokyo. strengthen its relationship with Japan, and “Japan has announced it will not take part keep all channels open the NHK said in a in the Americans’ plans for security in the report on its website on Saturday. region ... which is something we welcome,” Araghchi, who accompanied President Rouhani said. Hassan Rouhani to Japan, said there are “Japan is sending a surveillance vessel obstacles in the way of better ties between but not to the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Iran and Japan. Hormuz,” he said. The problem stems from “the unilateral, Rouhani also said his discussions in Japan illegal sanctions by the United States, included ways of “breaking” the U.S. sanctions. otherwise our relation is good,” NHK quoted “On breaking the sanctions, the Japanese Araqchi as saying. had a new proposal and we also had a new Araghchi also announced on Saturday that proposal and we discussed this and it was Tehran and Tokyo are resolved to continue decided to continue the consultations between their consultations over key international the two countries on this issue,” Rouhani and regional issues more closely than ever. said, without giving details. “Our ties are ancient, historic & unbreakable,” Zarif tweeted. Araqchi, who served as Tehran’s Following his meeting with Abe, Rouhani Zarif said he and Foreign Minister Jaishankar discussed bilat- ambassador to Tokyo in the second half of tweeted on Friday: “I welcome any effort that eral relations as well as regional and international developments. the 2000s, said Iran has been continuously could boost economic exchanges, especially “Excellent discussions on closer bilateral relations & regional holding diplomatic talks with Japan but in the energy sector, and increase oil exports.” & global issues affecting our respective countries,” Zarif wrote. consultations between the countries are now the world will work hard to help preserve the the meeting aimed to strengthen ties between According to Reuters, a Japanese official Jaishankar was in Tehran to attend a meeting of Iran-India of paramount importance as Iran has come 2015 nuclear agreement, officially known the two countries. who gave a briefing to reporters said crude joint economic commission. under “unfair pressures and sanctions” by as the JCPOA. “Substantive, friendly and frank summit oil purchases were not discussed at the “A pleasure to co-chair 19th Joint Commission Meeting w/ the United States. Abe, for his part, said, “Japan would like between President @HassanRouhani summit meeting. Japan was a leading buyer India’s External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar in Tehran,” “We have always had close diplomatic to do its utmost to ease tensions and stabilize and Prime Minister @AbeShizo: further of Iranian oil for decades before the U.S.- Zarif said. consultations with Japan. This year, due to the situation in the Middle East.” strengthening bilateral, regional and global led sanctions. Both sides signed agreements after the meeting. the current developments, including the U.S. “As for Iran, I strongly hope the country cooperation,” Zarif tweeted on Friday. Japan, a U.S. ally maintaining friendly ties In his two-day visit, the Indian chief diplomat plans to meet unfair pressures and sanctions on Iran, it will fully implement the nuclear agreement Rouhani wrapped up his two-day visit with Iran, is looking to launch its own naval President Hassan Rouhani and Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the was necessary to hold closer and tighter talks and play a constructive role for peace and to Japan on Saturday morning and flew for operation rather than joining the U.S.-led Supreme National Security Council. with Japan which are an old trade partner of stability in the region,” the Japanese prime home. The visit was the first by an Iranian mission to protect shipping in the region. Iran sees India as a great business partner. Before sanctions, Iran,” the deputy foreign minister remarked. minister noted. president in 19 years. The planned Japanese operation is set India enjoyed a favorable trading relationship with Iran under Rouhani met with Japanese Prime Minister Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif Talking to reporters at Mehrabad Airport to cover high seas in the Gulf of Oman, the which New Delhi paid for oil in rupees which Tehran used to Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on Friday. Rouhani said hailed the “substantive, friendly and frank” in Tehran, Rouhani said he welcomed Japan’s northern Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden, buy Indian goods. that he hopes Japan and other countries in summit between Rouhani and Abe, saying decision not to join a U.S.-led naval mission in but not the Strait of Hormuz. India cannot turn a blind eye on Iran’s crude which is suitable for many of its refineries, IRNA said. Army, IRGC commanders Abe briefs Trump over meeting with Rouhani: Kyodo In a phone conversation on Saturday, Japanese Prime confront the United States’ bid to wreck the 2015 nuclear confer on closer Minister Shinzo Abe briefed U.S. President Donald Trump deal with Tehran. coordination, cooperation about his meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Addressing a large number of senior Japanese managers A Japanese source told the Kyodo news agency that ahead of leaving Tokyo on Saturday, Rouhani said the POLITICAL TEHRAN — Army chief Major General Seyed Trump made a phone call to Abe to discuss the Iranian nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehen- deskAbdolrahim Mousavi and top commanders of president’s recent trip to Tokyo. sive Plan of Action (JCPOA), benefits the entire world. the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) held a coordination “Abe told Trump that Japan will continue diplomatic “We believe that the nuclear deal is to the benefit of meeting on Sunday. efforts to ease tensions in the Middle East by working all nations and governments. To solve the difference closely with the United States,” Kyodo cited the govern- there is no way but the U.S. realizes its mistake and ment source as saying. return to the correct path.” The report said that Trump had requested the phone The president called Iranians tough negotiators who call which came a day after Abe met Rouhani in Tokyo, do not easily accept an agreement but if they do they the first meeting in Japan between leaders of the two will not violate it. countries since 2000 and a major development that could “We Iranians are somehow hard to reach an agreement affect a current political stand-off between Iran and the but if we sign the agreement we will not violate it in any United States, the two countries with close ties to Japan. condition,” Rouhani underlined. During the phone call, which lasted for one hour and He pointed to two achievements of the nuclear deal 15 minutes, Abe explained the outcome of his talks with and said, “The first achievement was that we proved to Rouhani. the world that we have not been after possession of an to remain committed to it. However, Abe himself refrained from mentioning atomic weapon and voiced readiness to comply with “Of course, after a long time of patience, if we see Iran discussions when he briefed reporters about the any international monitoring. The second achievement that there is no benefit for us under the deal and we phone call shortly before Saturday midnight. was that we proved to the world that we are resolved to (alone) have to fulfill our commitments, naturally our Instead, the Japanese premier said he had discussed adhere to our commitments under the deal.” next decision won’t possibly be continuation of the with Trump the issue of North Korea and his upcoming Iran to revise policy if interests are not ma- undertakings.” According to military sources, promotion of interaction, co- visit to China. terialized Under the JCPOA, Iran agreed to put limits on its operation and cooperation in various planning and operational On Thursday, President Rouhani paid a two-day The president went on to say that if Iran cannot reap nuclear activities in exchange for termination of eco- fields was the core of the talks. landmark visit to Japan, calling on the country to help the benefits of the nuclear deal, there will be no reason nomic and financial sanctions. In mid-September, fighter jets of the Army’s Air Force (IRIAF) and the IRGC staged joint drills over the Persian Gulf waters, two days ahead of their massive joint parade. Various combat, tactical, reconnaissance, transport, and Palermo, CFT bills still on evaluation table: Expediency council tanker aircraft of the IRIAF and the IRGC were present at the “If before February 2020, Iran does Organized Crime (UNTOC), which is also Rezaee, the Expediency Council secretary. Friday morning drills. 1 not enact the Palermo and Terrorist Fi- called the Palermo Convention, a 2000 United Also, a member of the Expediency Council The exercises were aimed at increasing the preparedness of nancing Conventions in line with the FATF Nations-sponsored multilateral treaty against said on October 14 that the council had set the military units for massive drills on the anniversary of Sacred Standards, then the FATF will fully lift the transnational organized crime. aside studies to approve the Palermo bill. Defense Week, which marks the beginning of the eight-year war suspension of counter-measures and call The other action is to ratify the CFT, the “Palermo and CFT will help the United imposed by former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein on Iran in 1980. on its members and urge all jurisdictions convention combating financing of terrorism. States identify the ways we circumvent the to apply effective counter-measures, in line On October 7, 2018, the parliament voted sanctions. We will not tighten sanctions Russian FM calls US demands with recommendation 19,” the FATF said in in favor of the CFT. However, the oversight with our own hands,” Gholamreza Mesba- a statement at the time. Guardian Council rejected the bill by finding hi-Moghadam said. from Iran ‘nonsense’ “The FATF expects Iran to proceed swiftly 22 faults with it, which put the fate of the He added, “We are managing the country in the reform path to ensure that it address- bill at the hands of the Expediency Council. through circumventing the sanctions. Ap- TEHRAN (MNA) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov es all of the remaining items by completing international scrutiny of its banks. In October, the secretary of the Expedi- proval of these two bills is not wise.” described what the United States is demanding from Iran as and implementing the necessary Anti-Money However, the Paris-based body extended ency Council said the government was not The opposition to join the FATF rose af- ‘nonsense’. Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing the deadline until October in an announce- permitted to join the Palermo Convention. ter the Trump administration revoked the He made the remarks in an interview with Russia’s television reforms.” ment in June. “The bill to join the Palermo Convention 2015 nuclear deal in May 2018 and started Channel One on Sunday as reported by Tass News Agency. On February 22, 2019, the FATF gave Iran One of the actions Iran is required to take was rejected in the Supreme Supervisory imposing sanctions on Iran. Since that date, Lavrov warned against until June to fix its anti-money laundering and to appease the FATF is joining the United Board because it contradicted with the es- it has slapped multiple rounds of sanctions treating Tehran the way terrorism financing rules or face increased Nations Convention against Transnational tablishment’s general policies,” said Mohsen on Iran. Washington is trying to do. “Iran cannot be treated in a way Washington is trying to do … Not just flagrantly violating the United Nations Senior diplomat underlines enhanced all-out ties between Iran, Russia Charter, refusing to imple- TEHRAN (FNA) — Former Iranian Ambassador to Russia He described the development of Iran-Russia political ment the binding United Na- Mehdi Sanayee stressed that relations between the two and security relations after signing of the Joint Compre- tions Security Council reso- countries have flourished in all areas in recent years. hensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as unparalleled, adding lution but rudely addressing “The level of interactions between the two countries in that the bilateral ties have yet to use all the potentials to demands to Iran, a country all the political, security, regional, international, defense, further develop. with the millennia-old civi- scientific, academic and cultural arenas have enhanced and Sanayee first addressed the latest status of relations lization, traditions and im- different structures and dialogues have been launched to between Iran and Russia in political, economic and cul- mense self-esteem.” this end,” Sanayee wrote on his Instagram page on Sunday. tural fields, saying relations between the two countries “As a matter of fact, the He added that Tehran’s exports to Moscow multiplied have undergone a major transformation as a result of the Americans said they would within a few years, noting that implementation of several growth of mutual needs and regional conditions. not implement this resolution while Iran must continue to macro-scale projects in the nuclear, oil and railway fields According to Sanayee, since the signing of the 2015 implement what it is to do under this resolution,” Lavrov have been launched by Russia in Iran. nuclear deal also known as the JCPOA, economic rela- noted. “Moreover, they demand all others who have been “The economic relations between the two countries tions between Iran and Russia have multiplied, but the granted the right to freely trade with Iran in exchange for enjoy many intact capacities similar to contacts between developing relations have yet to reach the desired levels what it did in terms of curtailing its nuclear program stop the two states’ people and I hope that as grounds have been cooperation,” Sanayee said in Russia, addressing the 3rd using potentials. trading with Iran. While Iran must continue to implement paved and Iran has joined the Eurasian Economic Union, round of specialized talks between Iran and Russia. The Iranian diplomat also hailed Iran’s cultural activities what it undertook.” the trade and economic sectors of both countries will be “I believe that the ‘East’ policy will be strengthened in in Russia. Meanwhile, he described the development of US, under the Trump administration, has imposed uni- able to use these capacities,” Sanayee said. the world and international developments will move ahead Iran-Russia political, security relations as unparalleled. lateral sanctions on Iran’s economy after withdrawing from In a relevant development in late June, Sanayee stressed in a way that importance of cooperation between Iran and The two countries’ common approaches and perspec- the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in May the high importance of cooperation between Tehran and Russia will increase,” he added. tives towards global trends and shared regional interests, 2018. Washington hopes for a better deal with Tehran but Moscow in international arrangements and developments. Also, in January, Sanayee said that Tehran-Moscow especially in relation to the Middle East developments, Iran has always highlighted that there will be no negotiations “Cooperation between Iran and Russia is effective in ties became stronger and bilateral relations increased after were the most important force behind the development until unfair sanctions are removed and Washington fulfills the new regional and international arrangements and the the two countries saw common interests in regional and of political relations between the two countries, according its commitments under the UN-endorsed JCPOA. new global order will be influenced by the two countries’ international developments. to the Iranian ambassador. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 23, 2019 IRAN IN FOCUS 3

Failure to join FATF would New envoy to Moscow meets Zarif before departure benefit enemies: ex-ambassador POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iran’s new ambassador to Mos- deskcow, Kazem Jalali, met with Foreign Minister POLITICAL TEHRAN — Ali Majedi, they will not be able to work with the Iranian Mohammad Javad Zarif on Sunday. deskIran’s former ambassador banks if Iran refuses to join the FATF and it The meeting came ahead of Jalali’s departure to start his to Germany, has said that a failure to join will not be beneficial for us,” Mousavi said, the mission in the Russian Federation. the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) will Hamshahri newspaper reported on Tuesday. The two sides discussed various aspects of bilateral relations limit Iran’s economic interaction and this is In an interview with ISNA published on with Russia and Jalali’s mission in Moscow, Iran Press reported. what the enemies want. Tuesday, political analyst Mehdi Motahar- During the meeting, Zarif referred to the long-standing and “Failure to join the FATF or any other nia said if Iran refuses to join the FATF, an strategic relations between the two countries and made the nec- international agreement and group will international consensus would be formed essary recommendations to further develop and deepen the ties. increase limitations on our country’s econ- against it. He also wished Jalali success. omy and is somehow in line with what the “Currently, North Korea has been black- enemies seek,” he told ISNA in an interview listed and Iran will be the second country if it published on Sunday. is also blacklisted. If so, the first consequence He noted that refusing to join the FATF will be an international consensus against Iran will isolate the country. in the area of economic activities,” he said. “I believe, under the current situation, we Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas should join the FATF, otherwise, countries Araghchi said on December 16 that the Ex- such as Turkey and China will not continue pediency Council takes the final decision on economic interaction with Iran,” he said. the FATF, expressing hope its decision would In October 2018, the parliament voted be in line with the country’s “expediency”. to join the FATF. However, the Guardian Majid Ansari, a member of the Expedien- Council rejected it. Now the ball is in the cy Council, told IRNA on December 16 that Expediency Council’s court. the council is still studying the CFT and the When there is a dispute between parlia- Palermo bill. ment and the Guardian Council the issue is “Now the Expediency Council, by as- to join the FATF will limit Iran’s economic He declined to comment about wheth- Jalali is set to replace Mehdi Sanaei, Iran’s former ambas- referred to the Expediency Council for final sessing the country’s expediency, should interaction with the outside world. er the two bills would be finally rejected or sador to Moscow. arbitration. make decision in this regard and accept He said that intensification of pressure approved by the council. Jalali was named Tehran’s new ambassador to Moscow last MP Seyed Abolfazl Mousavi also told ISNA the consequences of its decision,” Mousavi against the country will do no good. The Expediency Council issued a state- month. He was a lawmaker at the time. on Sunday that both parliament and admin- pointed out.| Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousa- ment on Saturday announcing that the two Lawmakers voted last month to accept his resignation with istration favor joining the FATA and now In an interview with ISNA published on vi has said that joining the FATF will serve FATF-related bills of Palermo and CFT have 146 in favor and 58 against. Nine MPs also abstained from voting. the Expediency Council should decide about Wednesday, Ali Ebrahimi, a member of the the country’s interests. not yet received green light, saying that the Jalali has served as a lawmaker for five four-year terms. He it by assessing the country’s “expediency”. Hope parliamentary faction, said that a failure “Our friendly countries have announced that bills are under accurate assessment. was the chair of the Iran-Russia parliamentary friendship group in the seventh Parliament and the head of Iran-EU parliamen- tary friendship group in the eighth, ninth, and tenth terms. He also served as the head of the Parliament Research Centre from Time for filing election disqualification complaints ends Sunday 2012 to 2019. they were deemed eligible to run for parliament. said on Saturday that the council would not dismiss as Ambassador Sanaei had taken the post in 2013 at the beginning Disqualified candidates had four days to object. It ended ineligible the candidates who have criticized the Leader of President Hassan Rouhani’s first term in office. on December 22. of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Interior Ministry announced on December 18 “We have a free country and merely criticizing an that 91 percent of those registering have been confirmed individual or body would not lead to disqualification,” as eligible. Kadkhodaei told a press conference. Larijani: Iranians able The next parliamentary elections will be held on However, he added, insult, defamation and inflamma- February 21. tory remarks, which are clearly different from criticism, to turn hardships into To be able to run for parliament, the candidates must will be probed into when vetting candidates. opportunities be finally confirmed by the Guardian Council. Earlier this month, Kadkhodaei said that the council The candidates will have 8 days to spend on the cam- is the only body responsible to supervise the elections. paign trail, ending on February 19. “Sometimes questions arise over whether we are the POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iranians have the talent and The Iranian parliament has 290 members who are only supervisor of the elections or not,” Kadkhodaei said, deskability to turn hardships into opportunities, elected by the people for four-year terms. adding, “I emphasize that the Guardian Council is the only Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani has said, referring to the United States’ The parliamentary elections will be held in over 200 supervisor of the elections.” unilateral sanctions against Iran. POLITICAL TEHRAN — Sunday marked the last day constituencies across the country’s 31 provinces. He said the Judiciary is tasked with investigating offenses “This is an important point which the Americans should pay deskdisqualified parliamentary candidates The midterm elections of the Assembly of Experts will and the Interior Ministry has an executive responsibility. attention to,” Larijani said, according to IRNA. could object to their ineligibility. also be held on the same date in Tehran, Khorasan Razavi, “This separation of supervision and execution is very He made the remarks during the inauguration ceremony of Parliamentary hopefuls had until December 7 to register. North Khorasan, Fars and Qom provinces. important,” the spokesman remarked. “We should be able the first exhibition of Iran’s sport and equipment industry in On December 18, candidates were informed of whether Guardian Council spokesman Abbasali Kadkhodaei to implement our legal responsibilities properly.” Tehran On Sunday. Larijani also said the U.S. sanctions have activated Iran’s industry.U.S. President Donald Trump has adopted a maximum pressure policy against Iran since he walked away from the JCPOA. Anti-Iran human rights resolution politically-tainted: minority MPs The policy includes sanctions on Iran’s economy, especially its oil exports, and bans on top Iranian figures and organizations. At the 1 The representatives strongly con- Mousavi said an obvious reason proving standards’ on the status of human rights in media propaganda, and the disregard for same time, the U.S. president has pushed for talks with Tehran. demned the resolution for its instrumental illegitimacy of the resolution was that it had the countries and referral of the issue to the and silence on the widespread violation of Iranian leaders have openly rejected the notion of talks with use of fundamental human rights concepts been endorsed by the front of Zionism and international circles, particularly to the United the Iranian nation’s human rights as a result the U.S. as long as its illegal sanctions against Tehran are in place. and described it as a “one-sided” and “biased” the reactionary regional regimes, who ignore Nations. Accordingly, we deplore the fact of the cruel and illegal sanctions. Tehran has described the U.S. sanctions as “economic war” approach with double standards aimed at all kinds of human rights norms, sponsor that the UN mechanisms have been subject “The Islamic Republic of Iran is a demo- and “economic terrorism”. isolating Iran in the international arena. terrorism and extremism, and violate the to such abuses,” he added. cratic religious administration that has taken Iranian officials have also described the sanctions as an op- Also in a statement on Thursday, For- basic human rights. Mousavi also said the destructive approach steps to promote and advance human rights portunity to become self-sufficient. eign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi “The political and instrumental use of that supporters of the resolution have adopted at the national, regional and international Under the JCPOA, the official name for the 2015 nuclear agree- denounced the resolution as “political- human rights and the employment of double against Iran contains multiple errors and levels within the framework of the religious ment, Iran had agreed to put limits on its nuclear activities in ly-motivated”. standards in this area are in contravention of flaws, such as the instrumental and political and moral commitments and in conform- exchange for termination of economic and financial sanctions. Mousavi said the resolution was par- the sustainable promotion of human rights,” employment of human rights, ignoring the ity with its Constitution, normal regulations Since the U.S. withdrawal, Britain, France, Germany, Russia, tial, confrontational, based upon selective the spokesman said. values, the creeds, and the distinguishing and the international treaties, and also feels China, and Iran have been trying to salvage the pact, defying approaches, and meant to severe political “Despite this fact, the attitude of support- cultural features of various societies, ignoring practically obligated to observe them,” the Washington’s economic and political pressure. objectives. ers of the resolution is adoption of ‘double the facts under the influence of an anti-Iran spokesman added. The United States’ coercive unilateral measures against Iran have led to heightened tensions in the Middle East, especially in the Persian Gulf. Unilateralism and the U.S. hegemonic approach: Main reason for long-standing chaos in ME region By Chang Hua, the Chinese Ambassador to Iran history and national values. Today, this is the U.S. nature person is upper than the other. All civilizations should that makes these countries its political, economic and avoid bloodshed and narcissism, and through mutual Qom clerics slam Zakzaky’s TEHRAN (IRNA) — The Middle East is suffering from ideological subordinates by depriving them of the path respect should accept this principle that understanding unilateralism and the U.S. hegemonic approach which of self-development. beauty starts from seeing one’s own beauty, is completed imprisonment in Nigeria are the main reason for long-term chaos in the region. The theory of “War of Civilisations” is a basis to create by seeing the other’s beauty and finally through the in- Facing the U.S. unilateralism and its self-centered ap- divisions between religions and nations. Since the sitting teraction of these beauties. In this framework, emphasis POLITICAL TEHRAN — The Qom Seminary Teachers proach, all countries ask themselves if they keep silent U.S. government came into force, it has reiterated its on reconciliation, learning from each other, development deskSociety on Saturday denounced the illegal and sit still and leave the U.S. to continue doing what it is, “Islamophobic” policies and has errantly linked Muslims as the time goes by as well as creative progress are all on imprisonment of Sheikh Ibrahim al-Zakzaky, a top Shiite cleric will I be the next in line? The fact is that all Middle East and Islam with terrorism, barring Muslim countries’ from agenda. In this path, terrorism and radicalism are the and leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN). countries have been suffering from U.S. dominance. The entering the U.S. and has created rifts between nations common enemies of humanity and fighting terrorism and In a statement, the society pointed to reports that Zakzaky regional nations have been the biggest victims of the U.S. and religions. All these show the U.S. arrogance. eradicating radicalism is the international community’s was being transferred to prison despite the deterioration of his irresponsible policies towards the Mideast. The U.S. double standards have made it difficult to joint responsibility. physical condition, expressing grave concern over his health, In fact, the U.S. naked unilateralism that is on its agenda eradicate terrorism. The U.S. uses the issue as a tool to Today, the international community should confront Iran Press reported. suffices for the destruction of one country. In 2003, the serve its own purposes to interfere in other countries’ terrorism hand in hand taking actions against double “The responsibility for the consequences of the delay in the U.S. illogically invaded an independent country under the internal affairs. Serving its own purposes, the U.S. shows standards and confront those actions that undermine treatment of the Sheikh and his unlawful detention lies with the excuse that there are weapons of mass destruction (WMD) leniency towards some terrorist groups and sometimes anti-radicalism and anti-terrorism efforts. Recently, a Nigerian government,” the statement read. in Iraq. The U.S. has failed to find those WMDs but that supports them. On the other hand, it takes a very vague group of U.S. officials have alleged claims about China’s It also underlined that the Nigerian government must provide country’s people’s lives have been destroyed, its economy approach towards other terrorist groups and uses them relations with Middle East countries and have clearly made the necessary medical services to Sheikh Zakzaky by ending the has collapsed, its social system has gone, hundreds of as its agents and supports them behind curtains. The U.S. claims about One Belt, One Road initiative, 5G systems current situation. thousands of civilians have been killed, 3,400,000 people double standards towards terrorism and its self-centered of Huawei, Xinjiang regional issues and other cases are “It is not appropriate for a government that claims to defend have left their homes and are homeless and two million approach have posed big dangers towards the region and posing pressure on the regional countries. Such illogical freedom and the rights of its citizens, to persecute someone who others have sought refuge in other countries. What is the the international community. behavior will not only destroy China’s relations with the pursues nothing but a suitable life for the Nigerian state and U.S. seeking really? Today’s world isn’t a place for conflict and conflict, it’s a world countries but also put a brake on the global growth people,” it added. Today, the U.S. bullying means that humans’ primary space to emphasize multilateralism, a world in which global that regional countries will be part of and China vehemently Sheikh Zakzaky, who is in his mid-sixties, lost his left eyesight ethics and rights. The Palestinian issue is one of those management policies based on common consultations, opposes such positions and behavior. when Nigerian government forces raided the northern town of issues that are related to human ethics and rights, it’s joint construction and usage is stressed, a world in which Practical cooperation between China and the Mid- Zaria more than three years ago. His wife also sustained serious also important for the rights and sentiments of Muslims all affairs needs to be organized by all, a world in which dle East countries has a strong basis and a vast vision wounds while more than 300 of his followers and three of his all around the world. However, it’s seen that the U.S. international norms are the basis for all affairs and the ahead. Regional countries are completely aware that who sons were killed in the violence. unilaterally recognizes Quds as Israel’s capital, deviating necessity for a multi-polar world should be reiterated. In is their friend and companion and who is sowing discord. The cleric has been kept in custody along with his wife and a clearly from the global consensus on the issue. Then, the international affairs, we can’t say that the one with a bigger Mideast states have never changed their will to deepen large number of his followers ever since. U.S. is moving its embassy to Quds and okays settlement fist has the final say, on the contrary, we should agree on their ties with China due to the U.S. pressures. China’s Back in 2016, Nigeria’s federal high court ordered his uncon- construction in the West Bank of the Jordan River and and stress international norms and the correct path to cooperation with regional countries means taking a step ditional release from jail following a trial but the government has pushes its agenda of New Middle East Plan in a bid to resolve problems is through peaceful talks, consultations towards a shiny and vast path and it’s not possible to put so far refused to set him free. trade the legal rights of the Palestinians. This business-like and negotiations. There isn’t any model for similar devel- a stick in the wheel through lies, deceit, and embezzle- Earlier this month, Nigerian authorities transferred Zakzaky approach of the U.S. means clearly that it is violating opment in the world. The fact that which shoe fits what ment. Apart from the fact that international affairs are and his wife to a dilapidated prison, where many detainees have international, Palestinian and all Muslim rights. foot should be thought about by the people themselves. moving towards which direction, China is firm in its will so far died due to lack of medical attention. The U.S. constant interference in the internal affairs Today, all sides should respect all the paths that re- to develop cooperation with Middle East countries and A high court ordered the Department of State Services to of the regional countries has led to the catastrophes that gional states have adopted, mutual cooperation should be nothing will impede its movement. Also, China’s actions in transfer the two to the Correctional Center in Kaduna state, we are seeing today. The U.S. has long been using the tool used for economic prosperity and the new path towards this regard won’t be undermined and Beijing will always northwest of the country. of “color revolutions” under the name of “promoting de- the resolution of issues is based on the idea of “peace hope that regional and Chinese nations will achieve their Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) say any mocracy in the Middle East” and has shown deceitful and through development”. The difference between civilizations prosperity through deepening their practical cooperation attempt to take the couple anywhere other than a hospital will colonial policies ignoring and denying all these countries’ is a clear fact, but such differences don’t mean that one and useful interactions. put them in further jeopardy. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY DECEMBER 23, 2019

STOCK MARKET ‘Establishment of FTZs to prevent TEDPIX 356721.1 IFX 4610.8 Sources: tse.ir, Ifb.ir immigration from border cities’ ECONOMY TEHRAN — One of the in order to attract investors in the global CURRENCIES deskmajor objectives behind markets. establishment of new free trade zones On December 10, Iranian Free Zones High USD 42,000 rials (FTZs) in Iran is preventing migration Council Secretariat and Pardis Technology EUR 46,525 rials of the border cities’ population to other Park (PTP) signed a Memorandum of regions, something occurred in the past Understanding (MOU) with the aim of GBP 54,600 rials 40 years creating some empty cities and developing and enhancing innovation and villages in the border areas, the chairman technology in the country’s free and special AED 11,437 rials of Majlis Development Committee stated. economic zones. Source: cbi.ir Making the remarks in a TV program The signing ceremony was attended by on Saturday night, Sadif Badri said the Secretary of Iranian Free Zones High establishment of free zones at these areas Council Morteza Bank. in fact encourages their migrating population Back in August, Bank announced that COMMODITIES to come back to their cities, IRIB reported. domestic investment in the country’s free He also highlighted that the volume of economic, industrial zones increased nearly Brent $65.20/b imports through smuggling is noticeably 40 percent in the past Iranian calendar year WTI $60.44/b lower in the free zones compared to the of 1397 (ended on March 20). other border areas in the country. According to the official, domestic OPEC Basket $67.93/b Last week, Transport and Urban investment in the country’s free zones during Gold $1,480.30/oz Development Minister Mohammad Eslami the past Iranian calendar year stood at 67.9 announced that Jask Port in southern trillion rials Silver $$17.29/oz Hormozgan province has become a free Establishment of free trade zones in Iran trade zone. dates back to the Iranian calendar year 1368 Platinium $914.75/oz The minister said the program for turning government’s agenda. of the country’s ports into special economic (March 1989- March 1990) following the fall Sources: oilprice.com, Moneymetals.com the country’s ports into free trade zones Referring to some ports in the country that zones is also on the agenda.” in the country’s oil income in the preceding with the aim of facilitating investment enjoy the benefits of being free trade zones, The official stressed the need for year which prompted the government to and attracting foreign investors is on the Eslami noted: “The process of turning some increasing international communication promote the non-oil exports. ICCIMA plans to set up Iran- Romania Joint Trade Committee Budget bill envisages 10% more income for government-owned banks ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iran Chamber of Commerce, ECONOMY TEHRAN — The national budget bill for A 15-percent rise has been envisaged in the salary of the deskIndustries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) deskthe next Iranian calendar year (starts on governmental employees. plans to establish Iran-Romania Joint Trade Committee, ICCIMA March 20, 2020) has predicted a 10.2-percent more income The submitted bill has envisaged 2.61 quadrillion rials news portal published on Sunday. for the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) and the government-owned (about $62.14 billion) of incomes, while 3.67 quadrillion According to the latest data provided by the Tehran Chamber banks, IRNA reported. rials (about $87.38 billion) of expenses. of Commerce, Industries Mines, and Agriculture (TCCIMA), Ro- The income for the CBI and eight government-owned Revenues from exporting oil, gas, and gas condensate mania was among the five major importers of non-oil commodities banks of the country has been estimated at 1.16 quadrillion are estimated at 454.9 trillion rials (about $10.83 billion), from Iran among the European Union countries during the first rials (about $27.6 billion) for the next year, while the figure down 66 percent from 1.37 quadrillion rials (about $32.61 nine months of 2019. was 1.05 quadrillion rials (about $25 billion) in the current billion) approved in the current year’s budget. year’s budget. Tax incomes are predicted to be 1.95 quadrillion rials On December 8, President Hassan Rouhani submitted (about $46.42 billion), rising 27 percent from 1.72 quad- TEDPIX rises to 356,721 the administration’s draft of the national budget bill for the rillion rials (about $40.95 billion) envisaged in the present next Iranian calendar year 1399 to the Majlis. year’s budget. points The proposed budget amounted to about 1.988 quadril- The main characteristic of the next year’s budget bill lion rials (about $473.5 billion at the official rate of 42,000 which makes it different from previous years’ budget bills, ECONOMY TEHRAN — TEDPIX, the main index of Tehran desk rials), with a 14-percent rise from the current year’s ap- is the impact of the U.S. sanctions on the country’s economy Stock Exchange (TSE), gained 2,723 points to proved budget. and the consequent considerations which have been taken the resistance against the U.S. sanctions. stand at 356,721 on Sunday, IRNA reported. The bill has estimated the government’s budget at 5.63 into account in preparing it. In resources, the government has tried to have the least Some 4.239 billion securities worth 22.609 trillion rials (about quadrillion rials (about $134.04 billion), 8.2 percent higher The next year’s budget bill has been modified in terms of dependence on oil resources in the history of the country’s $538.3 million) were traded at TSE. than the figure in the present year’s budget. resources, expenditures, policies, and objectives, considering economy. Meanwhile, IFX, the main index of Iran’s over-the-counter (OTC) market known also as Iran Fara Bourse (IFB), gained 51 points to 4,610 on Sunday. Some 1.696 billion securities worth 13.583 trillion rials (about Stagnant economy a thorn in the FPCCI chief calls for using RMB as $323.4 million) were traded at this market. JSE’s side trading currency between Pakistan, China A stagnant economy that spurred foreign share-register business, Link Market Services President FPCCI said China is a trillion capital intensive mega investment projects Inflation rate down 1.1% investors to take their money out of the coun- SA, for R224.5m. It said R6m of the acqui- dollar economy, trillion dollar exports of CPEC and China Pakistan Free trade try, as well as depressed trading activity in sition price fell in the 2019 financial year. and imports, surplus in current account, Agreement (CPFTA) in implementing and ECONOMY TEHRAN — The Statistical Center of Iran (SCI) SA, has weighed on the Johannesburg Stock The JSE further incurred a R37m once-off high and growing per capita income with facilitating bilateral trade in RMB. deskannounced that the inflation rate in the twelve- Exchange’s 2019 profits. cost during a leadership transition, as Nicky low level of inflation, unemployment and CEO of ICBC Bank Airdy informed that month period ended on December 21, which marks the end of the The stock exchange released a trading Newton-King retired as its CEO at the end certainly lower interest rate. RMB is now approaching its final frontiers, ninth Iranian calendar month of Azar, stood at 40 percent. update on Friday morning warning share- of September. President Federation of Pakistan full convertibility and transformation into The SCI said that the inflation rate has fallen 1.1 percent in the holders that both its headline earnings and The exchange said as weak as the trading Chambers of Commerce and Industry a “normal” currency used by companies mentioned time span from the twelve-month period ended in the last earnings per share were expected to fall by environment is in SA now, it will continue (FPCCI), Engr. Daroo Khan Achakzai on and individuals in some countries especially day of the eight Iranian month of Aban, IRNA reported on Sunday. between 20% and 26% in the year ending investing in new technologies. More and Saturday underscored the need to use RMB southeast Asia and regions such as HK The center put the point-to-point inflation rate at 27.8 percent in on 31 December. more companies are closing their equities (Renminbi is the currency of China), as MACAU etc. TMB usage in trades and Azar, up 0.8 percent from its previous month. “These results are in line with expecta- trading desks in SA. trading currency between Pakistan and investment with China has opened the As reported, point-to-point inflation rose 0.6 percent to 27.6 per- tions,” said the JSE in a statement posted on Arqaam Capital announced earlier this China and said that Currency Swap would door to many new opportunities. cent in urban areas and 1.6 percent to 28.9 percent in rural regions the Stock Exchange News Services (SENS) month that it plans to close its SA office. be mutually beneficial and go a long way in He said that SBP has taken comprehensive in the past month. while adding that the stagnant local econ- Mazi Macquarie Securities is shutting down strengthening economic ties between the policy related measures to ensure that In the Iranian calendar year of 1395 (ended on March 20, 2017), Iran omy affected investors’ appetite to plough its local cash equities trading business and two neighboring countries. imports, exports and financing transactions could manage to experience a single-digit inflation rate after 26 years. money into SA. Vunani also said it is evaluating the future He said this in his welcome address to can be denominated in RMB. All public and The inflation rate stood at 9.8 percent in that year according to SA’s main bourse had a tough first half, of its stockbroking business. CEO Industrial and Commercial Bank China private sector enterprises (both of Pakistan the Statistical Center of Iran and at nine percent according to the recording an 11% decline in value traded in The JSE generates about 60% of its income (ICBC) Bank Airdy along with his team who and China) are free to choose RMP for Central Bank of Iran (CBI). the equities market. At the same time, the from trading of equities. As more local equity visited FPCCI here, said a statement. bilateral trade and investment activities. But since the last year’s calendar month of Khordad (ended on June exchange recorded over R30bn in divestment trading desks fall in trouble, the exchange has The CEO ICBC Pakistan held a meeting Chinese Commercial Counsellor Guo 22, 2018), when the inflation rate stood at 10.2 percent, as announced by foreign investors in the six months to June. realized that it needs to diversify its revenue with FPCCI members and apprised them of Chunshui in his multimedia presentation by the CBI, the country’s experiencing double-digit inflation rates again. On Friday, it said this decline in trading streams, hence the increased investments the benefits of under taking trade in RMB emphasized to create awareness on RMB activity, together with changes in its billing for in technology this year. currency. usage among business community. Pakistan’s current account equities trading and the hiring of new staff, “We remain confident in the JSE’s tar- Talking to them, Engineer Daroo Khan Referring to the first China-Pakistan FTA were behind the earnings decline. geted, strategic plans to grow and diversify said “China is a trillion dollar economy, he said the bilateral trade volume between slips into deficit once more Furthermore, it made more investments revenues, and to invest in key technologies. trillion dollar exports and imports, surplus China and Pakistan increased from $5.25 into the business and incurred some hefty These actions are necessary to maintain the in current account, high and growing per billion in 2006 to $19.08 billion in 2018. Pakistan’s current account slipped into deficit once more in No- once-off costs. One of these was technology long-term sustainability and competitiveness capita income with low level of inflation, He hoped that in the coming years, the vember, though the overall current account deficit remains 73 investment to improve the JSE’s trading and of the JSE as a critical component of the South unemployment and certainly lower interest Chinese Consulate General in Karachi will percent lower than its value a year ago, according to data released clearing system. African financial markets ecosystem,” the rate. focus its efforts on promoting the RMB usage by the State Bank of Pakistan. The exchange also agreed to buy a exchange said on Friday. The FPCCI President also appreciated the in Pakistan and to boost bilateral cooperation. The monthly report of the central bank showed that the current 74% stake in the country’s second-largest (Source: fin24.com) services rendered by ICBC in the backdrop of (Source: brecorder.com) account deficit last month stood at $319 million — a drastic drop from the $1,166 million it stood at in November 2018. However, month-on-month, the current account went from a surplus of $70 million in October — the first such surge in four years—to $319 Mexican stocks will lag Latam peers in 2020 amid sluggish growth million deficit in November. Similarly, the State Bank report reveals that during July-No- Mexican stocks are set to underperform emerg- Mexico’s economy is expected to mount unpredictable, and you have to take that into vember, the current account deficit was posted at $1.821 billion ing market stars next year amid worries about an anemic rebound with growth around account,” he said in a telephone interview. against the $6.733 billion from the same time period a year ago. domestic economic policy, sluggish growth 1.1% next year after teetering on the brink Analysts at Santander led by Daniel Observers say the sharp reduction has helped Islamabad buttress and U.S. trade ties. of recession in 2019, according to a Citiba- Gewehr said in a note on Thursday that Mex- its foreign currency reserves and start the process of stabilizing Mexico’s benchmark IPC index is project- namex poll this week. Citibanamex analysts ican stocks are trading at around 13.8 times the exchange rate against the U.S. dollar. ed to rise 7% next year to 47,800, according led by Williams Gonzalez said last week that 2020 estimated earnings, which is about a The major factor in the reduction of the current account deficit to the median of seven analysts surveyed by estimates show company revenue will rise 16% discount to their seven-year average. But appears to be a cut in the import bill, which was reduced by 21.79 Bloomberg. That growth would be in line with an average 6.1% and profits will grow 14% Gewehr said that was not attractive enough percent to $5.11 billion in July-November 2019. It stood at $6.53 the gauge’s performance so far in 2019 after in 2020, with communications, industrial to offset the risks from “uninspiring growth” billion during the same period last year. a deal on Mexico’s trade pact with the U.S. and discretionary sectors showing the best and the “lack of visibility regarding the new Meanwhile, the data shows a reduction in goods imports by 21.13 and Canada fueled a December rally. outlooks. Potential gains in the index were administration’s policies.” percent—to $18.311 billion from $23.218 billion last year. Services Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase & Co. not attractive given the risks, the bank said. While analysts are not recommending imports similarly dropped from $7.837 billion to $3.784 billion. are among banks that expect Latin America’s Among bright spots, a 20% minimum broad bets on Mexican stocks, they see op- Exports, increasing which has been a major goal of the incum- second-largest economy will continue to lag focused government resources on reviving wage hike next year will make consumer portunity for certain stocks. Both Santander bent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government, did not show a growth in Brazil and Colombia, where the state-owned oil company Pemex. Unless he stocks like Wal-Mart de Mexico a good bet, and Itau BBA said energy infrastructure com- substantial jump. According to the State Bank, they increased to main indexes are seen posting double-digit reverses his stance to allow more private in- said Rodolfo Navarrete, head of analysis at pany IEnova was a top pick, with Itau seeing $10.309 billion in the five-month period under consideration, a gains in 2020. Mexican stocks ranked eighth vestment in energy, analysts think Mexican Mexican brokerage Vector. potential for a 30% gain in the stock next year. mere 4.66 percent boost from $9.85 billion last year. in a Bloomberg survey of 57 global investors, stocks and the overall economy will remain Threats to slap tariffs JPMorgan favors Mexican stocks that Economic Affairs Minister Hammad Azhar hailed the 73 per- strategists and traders on their outlook for in the doldrums. But even with a free trade deal in place, are insulated from the local economy, like cent reduction in the current account deficit in a statement issued next year, behind China, India and Russia. “Energy remains the inflection point to Mexico could become a political punching industrial real estate developer Vesta, which on Friday. He said the economy was on the right track thanks to Investors remain wary of a slump in capital decide on a true sentiment shift,” JPMorgan bag for U.S President Donald Trump dur- records revenue in dollars, and Grupo Cemen- strenuous efforts of the PTI-led government and Prime Minister investment under President Andres Manuel analyst Nur Cristiani said in a research note ing next year’s election cycle, Navarrete said. tos de Chihuahua, whose U.S. business could Imran Khan. Lopez Obrador, who halted auctions of oil this week. The “key to truly unlocking inves- He warned that Trump could revive threats benefit from stronger construction growth. (Source: newsweekpakistan.com) drilling blocks to private companies and has tor confidence? Reopening the oil rounds.” to slap tariffs on Mexican goods. “Trump is (Source: business.financialpost.com) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 23, 2019 ENERGY 5

‘Oil Ministry utilizing high Major missed opportunity on clean energy incentives to reduce carbon emissions scientific capacities of universities’ By Jeff Carter Congress just passed on a major opportunity to take action on ENERGY TEHRAN — Iran’s dep- ICOFC also inked another research-based clean energy incentives — and, thus, the climate crisis — before desk uty oil minister for engi- deal with Research Institute of Petroleum 2019 comes to an end. neering, research and technology affairs Industry on last Tuesday. Fossil fuels pour accelerants on the climate crisis. Our future said Oil Ministry is utilizing the scientific It was on improving the performance of depends on our willingness to embrace clean energy sources instead. capacities of the country for implementation the O-rings used in the centrifugal pumps Yet, when the House of Representatives approved a $1.4 trillion of its projects, Shana reported. through applying nanotechnology. The deal spending package on December 17, it declined to support several “Today, the Oil Ministry is conducting 26 is scheduled to be implemented within 10 clean energy tax incentives in the federal budget year-end spending research projects through cooperation with months. bill, including opportunities to spur investment and innovation in 16 top universities and research institutes Considering the challenges of exploring energy storage, offshore wind, and clean energy production like of the country, and given that these major hydrocarbon resources, NIOC’s Exploration solar, energy-efficient buildings, and electric vehicles. universities benefit from the contribution of a Directorate has identified various research Using the tax code to further promote clean energy would have network of universities, so research measures projects and created a roadmap based on the been an achievable victory, and it would have signaled that Congress of Oil Ministry are in fact applying a vast country’s Sixth Five-Year National Develop- is prepared to make addressing the climate crisis a priority next year. scientific potential in the country”, Saeed ment Plan (2016-2021) and in line with its Congress can and must do better. Mohammadzadeh said on Saturday. organizational strategies. The stakes could not be higher. The climate crisis is a health Through this cooperation, universities Operational exploration activities in the emergency. As reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate help development of oil industry and Oil oil and gas industry require structural studies Change and other expert analyses have concluded, time is running Ministry helps elevation of scientific status and up-to-date technologies in the field of out to avert the worst impacts of the climate crisis and limit global in the country, the official noted. geology and exploration. warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Last week, Iranian Central Oil Fields Com- In this regard, so far NIOC’s Exploration The impacts on human health will be catastrophic if we fail to pany (ICOFC), a subsidiary of National Iranian Directorate has signed several agreements enact bold, to-scale solutions that protect our communities and Oil Company (NIOC), inked a research deal with Iranian universities and knowledge-based build resilience. We can’t afford to wait. Our health, and our chil- with Amirkabir University of Technology. companies for research in various fields of dren’s health, depend on action now. The deal, which was signed on the side- oil industry dubbed “Petroleum Take-Off”, from the gas fields under development by geophysics, geochemistry, unconventional Safe renewable energy sources lines of Iran’s first innovation event in the is on boosting production of liquefied gas ICOFC during a period of 24 months. hydrocarbon resources and drilling. The United States can and should lead on efforts to curb climate change, and we should also become a leader on a rapid, just transi- tion away from fossil fuels to clean, safe renewable energy sources. There are key steps decision-makers in Congress can take today that would go a long way toward not only avoiding the worst im- CNG daily consumption at 800mcm in Iran pacts, but ensuring a better, healthier future for our communities. ENERGY TEHRAN —Managing director of Na- “The demand for converting single-fuel cars into du- Measures like devoting funding to clean energy tax incentives desktional Iranian Oil Refining and Distri- al-fuel ones has also grown due to the rationing and rising don’t just benefit our health: they also benefit our economy and bution Company (NIORDC) put the daily consumption gasoline prices,” Amir Vakilzadeh said in an interview uplift our communities. That’s something worth fighting for, and of compressed natural gas (CNG) at 800 million cubic with the state TV on Sunday night. this is a fight for the future. We must win. meters in Iran, complaining that it is a high amount, According to the official, since the implementation of Thanks to our broken political system, advancing climate change IRNA reported. the rationing program in mid-November, over 70,000 legislation has been a steep, frustrating uphill battle. It sometimes Making the remarks in a national conference titled people have registered their cars for dual-fuel conversion. seems like climate denialism will win the day, and we’ll be faced “CNG, Opportunity for Sustainable Development” on “Fortunately, in the past two years we have been pre- with an even bleaker future thanks to inaction. Sunday, Alireza Sadeqabadi said that energy consump- paring the infrastructure needed to implement such a Measures like clean energy tax incentives that have bipartisan tion is high and uncontrolled in all household, industrial, program and, using our previous experiences, we have support create a critical opportunity for decision-makers to make transportation, power plant, and commercial sectors of designed a system for this purpose,” Vakilzadeh said. significant steps forward. There is simply no excuse for not including the country. In the conversion program, we determine which ve- them in our must-pass spending priorities. The official further announced that about 1.5 million hicles are allowed to register so that they could obtain a Several members of Congress expressed “disappointment” last public transportation vehicles will become dual-fuel in certificate and get the traffic police approval for conversion week over the failure to include clean energy incentives in the must- the country by the next 12-15 months. into dual-fuel cars, he explained. pass year-end spending bill. Let’s encourage them to go further by Last week, head of National Iranian Oil Products Distri- In late November, the head of NIOPDC’s CNG pro- The Iranian government started, On November 13, pledging to advance bold measures to address the climate crisis bution Company (NIOPDC) said since the implementation motion program said CNG consumption in the country rationing of subsidized gasoline and increased fuel prices early in the coming year. of the gasoline rationing scheme and the increase in the increased by 10 percent since the implementation of the as it plans to use the revenue for supporting underpriv- After all, what better way to ring in the New Year than to make prices, people are leaning more toward dual-fuel cars. gasoline rationing scheme. ileged families. a strong commitment to tackle the climate crisis, which poses one of the gravest threats to human health and survival and whose effects on our communities will greatly impact the years to come? Saudi Aramco leads fight against methane (Source: commondreams.org) By Frank Kane alternatives to coal and oil. as a warming agent and takes longer to leave In the form of LNG Earth’s atmosphere. “Methane accounts for Regulatory win for coal Saudi Aramco has emerged as the most Aramco, the biggest oil exporter, has huge around 25 to 30 percent of all the warming could cost consumers, hurt effective energy company in the world at quantities of natural gas, which it has identi- occurring on the planet,” West said, while mitigating emissions of the atmospheric fied as a key area of expansion for domestic around a quarter comes from fossil fuel renewables pollutant methane from natural gas opera- supply and export in the form of liquefied production. tions, according to consulting firm Thunder natural gas. “We basically look at natural “Mitigating methane emissions is becoming The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ordered an overhaul Said Energy. gas as an area for growth for the company,” crucial for tackling net emissions.” of a massive electricity auction that power generators count on for A research survey put Aramco, the world’s Khalid Al-Dabbagh, Aramco’s chief financial While methane leaks at all stages of the more than $9 billion a year in payments. biggest listed company, at the top of a table officer, said in an investor call in the run-up natural gas production process, almost half is But the change could suppress new development of renewable that included all the big energy groups. important role. to its successful IPO this year. emitted during the upstream phase. Sensors, generation and would raise costs for consumers in an already The Saudi company was about six times Methane, a much more powerful green- Aramco spends a big proportion of its re- drones and even satellites are being increas- oversupplied market. It also hurts subsidized nuclear plants more efficient than U.S. energy giants Exxon house gas than carbon dioxide (CO2), is search and development budget on measures ingly used to detect these emissions. Aramco run by Exelon Corp., Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. and Mobil and Chevron, in both current emis- released in the gas production and trans- to counter the environmentally damaging stopped “flaring” gas years ago. FirstEnergy Corp. sions and targets for future reduction, as a portation process. effects of the oil and gas business, including The “world will need superior methods to proportion of its gas production. Saudi Aramco became the world’s most advanced technology to reduce pollutants in mitigate methane. In the developed world, Equinor, the state energy company of valuable public company this year with a energy products. this will be necessary for operators wishing environmentally conscious Norway, ranked stock offering launch in December. Although most environmentalists have to demonstrate low carbon credentials, and second in the survey. “Scaling up natural gas is the largest de- focused their attention on CO2 as the main preserve their access to customers and cap- Thunder Said’s Rob West, an expert in carbonization opportunity on the planet. But contributor to global warming, and hence ital markets,” West said. The “other way for energy economics, said that controlling this requires minimizing methane leaks. Ex- to damaging climate change, some experts investors to lower methane emissions may methane emissions was a crucial aspect of citing new technologies are emerging,” West regard methane as a far more serious threat. be to favor companies with low methane the move to decarbonize global energy sup- said. Global gas demand will treble by 2050 There is far more CO2 in the atmosphere, emissions and targets to improve.” plies, in which gas is playing an increasingly as producers and consumers seek cleaner but methane is up to 120 times more powerful (Source: arabnews.com)

Hydrogen markets need transparency; a price reporting agency looks to give it some “In no way is this meant to promote one fuel source over an- By John Kingston the highly opaque and controlled European fuels market, a other,” commission Chairman Neil Chatterjee told reporters. The major step in Platts current dominant position in the markets. change, he said, will level the playing field for generators that When looking out over alternative low-carbon energy sources Thorne said the current hydrogen market has some similarities. don’t receive state subsidies such as renewable energy credits. for the future of trucking and other forms of transportation, He said most hydrogen transactions are based on long-term Exelon, the biggest operator of nuclear plants and a recip- hydrogen plays an increasingly central role in the discussion. deals at a price negotiated by buyer and seller. ient of state zero-emission subsidies, said the changes would But what does hydrogen cost and what does it need to cost to The long-term deals raise consumer electricity bills by $2.4 billion a year and result be competitive with diesel? “There are substantial questions whether the mechanism in thousands of job losses. S&P Global Platts, already the leading producer of petroleum used to value those long-term deals are as relevant today as “By granting the request of fossil generators, this order com- and other benchmark price data, has launched what is believed they were a few years ago and whether the industry can benefit pletely undermines state clean and renewable energy programs,” to be the first daily price assessment for the value of hydrogen, from increased transparency and increased awareness about said company spokesman Paul Adams. with assessments in multiple locations and for hydrogen pro- the cost of production,” Thorne said. The commission ordered the changes Thursday as a condi- duced through different types of processes. He added that he sees hydrogen markets as being “not at tion of allowing grid operator PJM Interconnection LLC to move Platts earlier this year released a report that painted an a dissimilar moment” to what was occurring in LNG more forward with its power auction. The sale has already been post- optimistic scenario for hydrogen use in trucks. than 10 years ago. poned twice this year as federal regulators debated the future of Zane McDonald, a senior researcher with the Platts Analyt- The Platts assessments will actually be an indicator of the But Thorne also noted that he thinks hydrogen transparency America’s power mix. ics segment who studies alternative transportation fuels, laid cost of production rather than an estimate of where hydrogen will come sooner than it did in LNG. For example, he cited the PJM has 90 days to respond to the changes and submit a new out the price challenges hydrogen faces. In an interview with is trading in the free market, where, Thorne noted, it doesn’t Tokyo Olympics’ plan to run the Olympic Village on hydrogen timetable for the sale, which the grid operator uses to secure FreightWaves, McDonald said that using the current perfor- actively trade anyway. as being a boost to transparency. capacity three years in advance for more than 65 million people mance parameters of the Toyota Miria, a hydrogen car, hydrogen Platts will use its daily assessments for the price of electricity Roman Kramarchuck, the head of energy scenarios, pol- in 13 states and the District of Columbia. would need to be $3.50/kilogram to break even against a diesel and natural gas to estimate the cost of producing hydrogen icy and technology, cited the California LCFS and the Tokyo The unprecedented delay of the auction showed how heated price of $3/gallon. That figure, he said, assumes differences in from the steam methane reforming process as well as the pro- Olympics initiative as “niche policies” that can have an outsized the fight has become over where the U.S. should get its electricity. maintenance costs, weight and other aerodynamics that would ton exchange membrane electrolysis process. There will be influence on moving the market. “What Japan is doing and what States including New York and Illinois are promoting renewable come with a truck powered by hydrogen rather than diesel. assessments for California, where the state’s low-carbon fuel we’re doing is going to drive down the costs, which could mean energy and subsidizing zero-emissions nuclear power. Others are The current retail price of hydrogen at a distribution station standard (LCFS) provides a huge incentive to use hydrogen that in 2030 we’re at a much more level playing field,” he said. fighting to preserve coal and natural gas generators. in California? About $16/kg. in transportation, and the Netherlands. While they are not heavily part of the Platts base of sources Commissioner Richard Glick, the only Democrat at the energy But while that bridge may seem insurmountable, Platts A set of the assessments will factor in the value of the carbon and subscribers, the fact is that oil refiners and petrochemical commission, criticized the ruling as a handout to coal plants that officials said they believe transparency can work to bring prices allowances that are generated by the production of hydrogen, plants also produce hydrogen as part of their operations, and comes at the expense of consumers. “This is a bailout, pure and down. Simon Thorne, the global director of generating fuels a revenue stream that can often be the difference between prof- they very much are in the Platts network. simple,” he said. at Platts, noted that about a dozen years ago the price of LNG itability and red ink. “A lot of the hydrogen industry doesn’t have a lot of experience The Electric Power Supply Association, which represent fos- was opaque. The assessments will be in dollars/kg for California and in the hydrocarbon trade,” Thorne said. “We want to partner sil-fuel companies including NRG and Calpine, applauded the LNG was not transparent euros/kg for The Netherlands. with them to provide transparency and show what is possible.” order, saying it will “help bring us closer to building a durable “LNG was not transparent and LNG is not dissimilar to Platts does have a history of a cost-based approach to pro- Additionally, energy company investments that go out years and sustainable market design that meets the needs of the 21st hydrogen,” Thorne said. “It’s a combustible gas, it is a liquid ducing assessments for non-liquid markets. After World War need some sort of financing signal; bankers all but demand century.” when it is super cold and it can move on boats.” LNG prices are II, it began producing the Channel Index, derived by taking the it. What is the cost of hydrogen versus the cost of petroleum Two states that offer subsidies for zero-emission power, Illi- now highly transparent through a Platts assessment known open market price of gasoline and diesel in the Gulf of Mexico going forward? It’s that sort of question that Platts thinks it nois and New Jersey, have threatened to pull out of PJM’s power as the Japan Korea Marker (JKM), published daily, and they and netting it back to Europe using freight costs. This seemingly can provide data input for. market over past proposals to raise prices for fossil-fuel plants. have been trending downward for that decade. simple formula actually provided enormous transparency into (Source: freightwaves.com) (Source: detroitnews.com) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 INTERNATIONAL DECEMBER 23, 2019

Germany, EU decry US Nord Vision 2030 and poverty Stream sanctions

Berlin and Brussels have criticized White House sanctions against companies involved in building a Russian natural gas pipeline to Germany. They accused President Trump of in Saudi Arabia interfering in national and bloc sovereignty. US sanctions targeting the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline By Hana Al-Khamri on subsidies. between Russia and Germany became law on Friday evening Because it did not, there was no buffer after President Donald Trump signed off on a massive de- MBS’s Vision 2030 will not alleviate to protect lower-income households fense bill. poverty among Saudis and its austerity when cuts in public spending were The sanctions target companies involved in constructing plan could lead to upheaval. implemented that could muffle the the $11 billion (€9.93 billion) energy project, which will Growing up in Saudi Arabia in the reaction of the public. Growing transport Russian gas under the Baltic Sea and deliver it 1990s, I was acutely aware that Saudi dissatisfaction and the risk of social directly to Germany. society was divided along class lines. unrest forced MBS to roll back some of There was the royal family and the his plans, bring back bonus payments for super-rich, the middle class and the public sector employees and introducing poor masses - all strictly segregated a new Citizen Account Program socially and culturally. disbursing money to families in need. Like many other Saudi cities, These direct cash transfers may help Jeddah, where I lived and worked as some families cope with the sudden a journalist between 2005 and 2010, rise in prices of basic commodities and was divided in two: the northern part rent, but it will not help pull them out of of the city was reserved for royalty and poverty or provide them with financial upper middle-class families, while security in the long-term. the southern part was where migrant Charity did not alleviate Saudi workers, undocumented migrants and Arabia’s poverty problem in the past poor and middle-class Saudis lived. and it won’t now, either. These stop- Not being a member of the wealthy Vision 2030 aims to increase home ownership among Saudi citizens to 60 percent [Reu- gap measures do not address structural class, I too lived in the southern ters/Sultan Al Fahed] inequality. They may defuse tension in neighborhoods. the short term but will not stave off the bureaucratic hurdles. initiatives include privatizing important Every morning, on my way to the office storm that is coming. The World Bank Despite King Abdullah’s efforts, public service institutions, like hospitals of the daily al-Madina newspaper, where itself has warned that the country faces poverty persisted. In 2013, amid the and schools, slashing public sector I worked, I would pass by a street vendor, a “looming poverty problem”. Arab Spring, Saudi Arabia had its employment and increasing taxation. Om Mohammed, a widow and a mother Examples in other countries abound own public self-immolation incident. Currently two-thirds of employed Saudis of five. The death of her husband, the of how neoliberal policies, privatization Mohammed al-Huraisi, a watermelon work for the state; under Vision 2030, main breadwinner of the family, had of public services and austerity measures seller, set himself on fire after he was it is supposed to go down to 20 percent. forced her to start selling second-hand worsen structural poverty and lead to told he did not have permission to sell Soon after the project was announced, The Trump administration now has 60 days to identify clothes on the street in order to make social upheaval. Even if Saudi Arabia his produce at a street corner of a poor MBS started to implement some of its companies and individuals providing services for the pipe- ends meet. Two of her sons had had to manages to achieve economic growth neighborhood in Riyadh. harshest provisions. In September 2016, line. The sanctions allow Washington to revoke US visas and drop out of school because she could not under Vision 2030, this would not According to a 2017 UN report, the the government announced pay cuts block the property of these individuals. Those targeted by afford to support their education. While alleviate the socio-economic problems anti-poverty measures taken by the for public sector employees. In 2017, the sanctions would then have 30 days to wind down their public schools are free in the kingdom, the majority of Saudis (the poor and the Saudi government over the past decade it released a timetable for decreasing operations. the state does not cover additional costs middle classes) face. We already know were “inefficient, unsustainable, poorly subsidies for fuel, natural gas, electricity One of those companies, Allseas of Switzerland, which is for students, including school materials that the idea of wealth “trickling down” coordinated and, above all, unsuccessful and water over the next few years. In laying the pipeline, announced just hours after the sanctions and food. to the poorer layers of society without in providing comprehensive social 2018, the government introduced a were signed into law that it had «suspended its Nord Stream She herself had not received a proper major wealth distribution policies does protection to those most in need”. value-added tax of 5 percent on most 2 pipelay activities.» education and was semi-illiterate, which not work. At the same time, the Saudi authorities goods and services. On Saturday, the group behind the pipeline said it would made it difficult for her to go through the As lawyer Yahya al-Shahrani has continued to ignore the problem and These economic decisions sent prices aim to complete the project quickly in an effort to minimize heavily bureaucratic process of applying pointed out, if the government really keep public attention away from it. of basic commodities, including fuel, the damage of US sanctions. for financial aid from the Ministry of wanted to protect the poor, it would have Saudi officials would avoid using the soaring, which not only hit hard the «Completing the project is essential for European sup- Labor and Social Development. Another taxed the rich instead of imposing a flat word “poor” in public statements and Saudi poor, but also affected middle ply security. We, together with the companies supporting hurdle was that such payments could tax on everyone and cutting subsidies. substitute it for vulnerable or needy classes, who have been dependent for the project, will work on finishing the pipeline as soon as only be made into a bank account, which We have to remember that Vision persons or low-income families. generations on state largesse. All of a possible,» Nord Stream 2 said in a statement. she could not open because she did not 2030 is implemented in a society rife They would also clamp down on those sudden, middle-income households ‹A severe intervention in German and European internal have the money for the minimum deposit with patronage networks and by a state publicly criticizing the government for found themselves unable to pay for affairs› required to open one. In Saudi Arabia that does not have proper separation not taking adequate action. In 2011, housing and their basic necessities. This The bill describes Nord Stream 2 as a «tool of coercion some 7 million citizens do not have bank of powers. This means that wealth will bloggers Firas Buqna and Hussam al- caused a wave of public anger and capital and political leverage» that Moscow could use against Ber- accounts, almost 60 percent of whom not necessarily change hands with Darwish were arrested for posting a video flight; many Saudis decided not only lin — and says it risks significantly weakening US ties to are women. privatisation and the privileged few at documenting the tough living conditions to transfer money out of the country Germany and other European allies. Om Mohammed lived in the Kilo 6 the top of the Saudi society will continue in al-Jaradiyaa, a poor neighborhood but also to emigrate. US lawmakers in both houses of Congress overwhelmingly slum which had no proper sewage system to disproportionately benefit from the of Riyadh. In 2016, the government estimated approved the sanctions. or running water and flooded every economic transformation. In 2014, the government played that as many as one million Saudis had German Chancellor Angela Merkel›s government has time it rained. She, like her neighbors, And as Bu Haliqa has mentioned, in down a report by Sami bin Abdul Aziz left the country to seek livelihoods condemned the measures, urging the US not to meddle in was reduced to carrying water from the absence of labor protections, pushing Al-Damigh, a professor at King Saud abroad in a short period of time. European energy policy. «They affect German and other the ablution fountains of the nearby more Saudis to the private sector would University in Riyadh, on the poverty The crackdown on dissent that the European businesses, and we see the move as meddling mosques, to drink and wash with. expose them to even more exploitation problem in the kingdom. Al-Damigh government unleashed under the in our internal affairs,» a government spokeswoman said. Om Mohammed is one of millions of and abuse. Private companies already proposed setting a poverty line for the guidance of MBS further worsened Finance Minister Olaf Scholz called the sanctions «a severe Saudis stuck in a vicious circle of poverty pay on average 60 percent less than country, which the government rejected. the situation. intervention in German and European internal affairs.» on the peripheries of cities whom the public ones for the same job. Vision 2030 MBS’s anti-poverty measures The sanctions are also opposed by the European Union. world rarely sees or hears about. What Vision 2030 envisions is When King Salman came to power Despite purporting to transform A spokesman slammed «the imposition of sanctions against Although the government rarely dismantling the Saudi “rentier” state. in 2015, the Saudi economy was going Saudi Arabia, Vision 2030 does not EU companies conducting legitimate business.» releases statistics, it is estimated that While in theory, this may be a positive through the shock of a major oil price mention in any significant way the issue Russia: US pushing ideology around 20 percent or more of the 34 step, in practice, it undermines the basis slump. In a matter of months, the oil of poverty in Saudi Arabia. Among its Russian President Vladimir Putin has already vowed to million Saudi citizens live in poverty. of the unwritten social contract between price had gone done from $100 to $50 many different programs, there are only continue with the project and has threatened «reciprocal» Many of them are women or members the Saudi population and the house of per barrel, cutting in half oil export two which seem to focus to some extent measures. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria of female-headed households. Saud. Loyalty to the ruling family has profits, which accounted for about 87 on socio-economic ills. Zakharova accused the United States of pushing an ideology For decades, successive Saudi been predicated on redistribution of percent of Saudi budget revenues. The National Transformation that hindered global trade, adding on her Facebook page: governments have done little to alleviate the country’s oil wealth. The kingdom needed to take major Program (NTP) has a number of «Soon they will demand that we stop breathing.» the suffering of their country’s poor. If this contract has to change and austerity measures and the king decided declared goals, including “increase Ahead of the sanctions being signed into law, Swiss-Dutch They have been reluctant to openly talk wealth has to be extracted from the to empower his son, Mohammed the percentage of residential areas, company Allseas suspended its pipe-laying activities. The about their existence because recognizing population through taxation, then bin Salman (also known as MBS) to including peripheral areas, covered by company was hired by Russian state-owned energy giant poverty necessitates recognizing income political and social reforms will also spearhead them. In 2016, the then health service from 78% to 88%” and Gazprom to build the offshore section. inequality and the unfair distribution have to be undertaken. There will have deputy crown prince announced Vision “increase the percentage of population The pipeline was expected to become operational in the of wealth in the oil-rich country. to be transparency and accountability 2030, a reform project drafted by the with access to water services from 87% next few months, although the completion date for the project Under King Salman and the reform for how the taxpayers’ money is spent, controversial US-based consulting to 92%”. The Housing Program aims has now been thrown into doubt. project of his son, Crown Prince for taxation without representation is company McKinsey. to “increase the percentage of home (AFP, dpa, Reuters) Mohammed bin Salman, the situation tyranny. Vision 2030 is supposed to transform ownership among Saudi citizens to 60%”. is no different. Vision 2030 not only That of course is not part of Vision Saudi Arabia by weaning it off oil. It But, needless to say, none of these is unlikely to help uplift the poor, but 2030, which is why any criticism of its proposes ambitious steps to diversify measures can alleviate the structural EU ‘complicit’ in migrant the austerity measures it comes with provisions has been met with repression. its economy by growing the private causes of poverty in Saudi Arabia. And are likely to push parts of the middle Saudi economist Essam al-Zamil and abuse on Croatia-Bosnia sector and scaling down the public as Saudi economist Ihsan Bu Haliqa class into poverty. Al-Watan columnist Saleh al-Shehi, one. The main pillar of the project is pointed out in 2016 after the unveiling of Addressing poverty with among many others, have already been border: Amnesty International the privatization of Aramco, the Saudi Vision 2030, “there is an urgent need to charity imprisoned for their public criticism state oil company, which has garnered restructure the social safety net” in Saudi A rights group has accused EU governments of “fueling a Throughout Saudi history, charity has of the plan. In fact, anyone who has much attention internationally. Arabia which should have happened growing humanitarian crisis” on the bloc’s border with Bosnia. been the central approach to addressing dared express anything but praise for But the less-publicized economic before the reduction of public spending Many of the migrants stuck there face dire living conditions. the issue of poverty. Being a Muslim the crown prince has been pressured, country and the custodian of the two jailed or exiled. holy mosques, Saudi Arabia obliges For now, repression and monetary every individual and corporation to handouts might work to suppress public donate 2.5 percent of their wealth to anger but they will not do away with it. the government as part of the Islamic And there are already cracks showing. system of zakat. The government, in The Saudi middle class, which has long turn, is supposed to distribute it to been a supporter of the political status quo, poor families. is increasingly dissatisfied. The austerity Needless to say, this approach was measures could impact significantly its never successful in addressing the root political orientations, and lead to political causes of poverty in the kingdom. and economic unrest. One form this In 2002, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, dissatisfaction is taking is the increasing who at that time was crown prince, number of Saudis fleeing the country paid a visit to the poor neighborhood and some of them are already starting to European governments have supported Croatia’s unlawful of al-Shemaysi in Riyadh. The move was organize politically in exile. expulsions of migrants along its border with Bosnia, Amnesty unprecedented for a royal and marked If Vision 2030 is not revised to address International said Wednesday. the beginning of various initiatives by major socio-economic ills and poverty, Researchers found that Croatian police had used excessive the state to address poverty. inequality and injustice will continue to force to prevent asylum seekers from entering the country After he became king in 2005, grow and Saudi Arabia will likely face from Bosnia, where many of them lack access to medical Abdullah created the National major political instability in the future. care, food or adequate shelter. Some 5,500 men, women Poverty Reduction Strategy and the The views expressed in this article are and children are currently stranded in temporary accom- Supplementary Support Programs which the author’s own and do not necessarily modation camps in the northwest Bosnian towns of Bihac started to distribute monthly and one- reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. and Velika Kladusa. time payments to poor families through Hana Al-Khamri is a writer and Governments across the European Union partially fund- the labor ministry. It was this program analyst based in Sweden. She used to ed the Croatian border force and in some cases paid police that Om Mohammed was hoping to According to estimates, 20 percent of the Saudi population lives in poverty [Reuters/ work as a journalist in Saudi Arabia. salaries and gave them equipment, the rights group said. access but could not because of its Susan Baaghil] (Source:Aljazeera) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 23, 2019 ANALYSIS & INTERVIEW 7

Western Sahara, clear-cut conflict U.S. sanctions prove to be spent force of decolonization in Africa GLOBALTIMES — US President Donald Trump Friday signed the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2020. The act shows US unscrupulousness interfering in China’s internal 1 Their 50-year dispute broke out when the affairs with policies related to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and territory was first occupied by Morocco since Novem- Huawei. It is also worth noting that companies that participat- ber, 1975, as thousands of Moroccan civilians, flanked ed in Nord Stream 2 which links Russia and Germany will be by the Moroccan military, crossed into the Western sanctioned according to the act. The interests of Germany and Sahara in defiance of Spain, which ruled the region the European Union will also be harmed. Turkey and Syria were since 1884, a step denounced by most countries and also listed as targets for sanctions in this act. institutions, including the International Court of Justice which stated, few days before, that there was no “legal tie of territorial sovereignty between Western Sahara and the Moroccan State”. According to Adala UK, on the 6th of November 1975, Morocco organized what it called a “Green March” to officially invade the North of Western Sahara moving 350,000 Moroccan settlers to the territory. This occupation coincided with the termination of the Spanish status as Administrative Power, creating a vacuum which imposed on the UN to assume its responsibility there. Subsequently, the United Nations Security Council called on Morocco to withdraw from the territory; how- ever, its effort was in vain. It was obvious that Morocco was violating not only the UN Charter’s principles, such as abstention from “the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state”, but also the African Union Constitutive Act’s sacred principle of “respect of borders existing Russia, Germany, Turkey and Syria either denounced or opposed on achievement of independence”. the act. German officials said that US sanctions were a “serious The International Court of Justice’s opinion of interference in the internal affairs of Germany” and “the German 1975 indicated, also, that the native Sahrawi people government rejects such extraterritorial sanctions.” Russia also of Western Sahara are the only sovereign power in responded that what US did was against global trade and “they Western Sahara. It also considered that it “has not will soon demand that we stop breathing now.” found legal ties of such a nature as might affect the The sanction list of the act includes not only major powers like application of resolution 1514 (XV) in the decolonization China and Russia, but also US allies such as Germany and Turkey. of Western Sahara and, in particular, of the principle This indicates the width of US sanctions. As an unconstrained of self-determination through the free and genuine he reaffirmed Algeria’s steadfast stance on the issue ican Center for Policy, in further instability that could superpower, the US has now turned into a troublemaker. It seems expression of the will of the peoples of the Territory.” of Western Sahara, considering it an issue of decolo- allow terrorism and criminal activities on its southern to be obsessed with carelessly sanctioning other countries. (para. 129, 162) (Adala UK). nization in the hands of the United Nations and the border. In addition, there are many other factors as The act is bound to be resolutely resisted as it impacts the core This status quo did not please the Sahrawi people; in African Union. Western Sahara is extremely rich in minerals and offers interests of many countries. China won’t concede in any aspects response to the Moroccan occupation, they mobilized For its part, the African Union (AU) remains con- nearly 700 miles of Atlantic coastline for fishing and mentioned in the act. If the Trump administration acts exactly for armed struggle under the leadership of the Polis- stantly committed to resolving this conflict, notably offshore oil drilling, making it potentially valuable. as the law suggests, it will undoubtedly be counter-attacked. ario Front, successor of the liberation movement of through its supreme mechanism. The Pan-African According to President of the Sahrawi Petroleum The Nord Stream 2 pipeline is related to large German and Seguia el-Hamra and Oued ed-Dahab of Mohammed Organization has further strengthened the mandate and Mining Authority, Ghali Zbeir, Morocco has been Russian interests and they will not sit back. The Trump adminis- Bassiri, created on May, 10, 1973. This Frente has been of its Special Envoy for Western Sahara, and set up a plundering of the Sahrawi resources, notably phos- tration is not friendly to Berlin, pressuring it on issues including recognized by the UN General Assembly Resolution troika as a monitoring mechanism to back AU’s efforts phate and fishery products since the beginning of the the pipeline and Huawei. German economic sovereignty is being 34/37 of 1979 as the sole legitimate representative of and the UN process. occupation, with the continuing complicity of certain challenged. If Germany compromises, then the entire continent the Saharawi people. Two months ago, Security Council extended the foreign companies despite the binding ruling of the of Europe will find it “difficult to breathe.” Years later, precisely in 1991, the warring parties mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). He But actually the US won’t have enough strength to intervene concluded a ceasefire agreement, culminating in the Western Sahara (MINURSO) for 12 months, until 31 stressed that Moroccan occupation has exploited and in the domestic affairs of so many countries as long as everyone establishment of the UN Mission for the Referendum October 2020 in a resolution adopted with 13 votes. exported the phosphate extracted from the occupied involved fights back. But if a country concedes regardless of its in Western Sahara (MINURSO), which is assuming The resolution emphasized the need to achieve “a Sahrawi territories, notably from mine Boukraâ, adding own principles, it will encourage the US to develop unilateralism its responsibility till nowadays. realistic, practicable and enduring and compromise that 2.1 million tonnes of phosphate has been export- into a habit. Despite a cease-fire in 1991 that put an end to the based political solution to the Western Sahara ques- ed in 2014 and that 2000 tonnes of phosphate were The Trump administration is de facto bullying the weak but fears armed combat, Western Sahara remains a disputed tion. Committed to renew the negotiation process, the transported every hour. the strong. Over the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, Washington territory. Nowadays, Morocco controls parts of the Personal Envoy expressed intention to invite Morocco, Fisheries resources, he continued, are also largely has repeatedly showed respect to Pyongyang but suppressed its territory. However, the United Nations refers to the the Frente Popular de Liberación de Saguía el Hamra y plundered as Western Sahara Coast is one of the world’s ally Seoul. It is hard to maintain dignity in interaction with the Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory and Río de Oro (Frente Polisario), Algeria and Mauritania richest in fisheries resources. US if one dares not refuse the latter’s irrational demands. maintains a stance favoring self-determination for to meet again, both committed to remaining engaged Among other resources plundered, the Sahrawi of- Moscow obviously didn’t coerce Berlin in terms of the Nord its people. throughout the process in a spirit of realism and com- ficial mentioned renewable energies. With the help of Stream 2 pipeline and Beijing hasn’t pressured Berlin regarding UN body is attaching great interests to the Sahrawi promise, with a view to resume negotiations without foreign companies, especially from France and Italy, Huawei. Take US Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell, who cause, expressing willingness to find a solution ensur- preconditions and in good faith, and cooperate fully Morocco built solar and wind power plants, which has spoken rudely various times toward Germany. Or take the ing the self-determination of the Sahrawi people, in with MINURSO, including through the Mission’s free produce and export energy to Morocco. The German new act in which the US treats Germany in a totally different way accordance with the relevant resolutions of the Council. interaction with all interlocutors to achieve a just, lasting, Investment Bank contributes to the financing of these from the way it is treated by China and Russia. Several important judicial decisions concerning West- mutually acceptable peace in Western Sahara, based companies, he said. It is unrealistic and unnecessary to unite countries and boy- ern Sahara have been issued to assure Sahrawi’s full on principles of the Charter of the United Nations. For his part, the President of British NGO Adala UK, cott US bullying. But every country should resist unilateral US right to self determination. To wit; Resolution 1514 of Globally, as of 2019, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Sidi Fadel, noted, according to SPS, that “Saharawi pressure in the service of its own interests. This would be a better December 14, 1960, also known as the “Declaration on Republic has been recognized by 84 UN member states. resources, which rightly belong to the Saharawi people, choice than easy surrender to the US. the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries Those countries advocate the lasting and mutually cannot be controlled by any foreign country; not Morocco US sanctions consume time and resources. Every newly sanc- and Peoples” amplifies the anti-colonial struggles of acceptable solution that will provide for the self de- nor the European Union, because Western Sahara’s tioned country should believe it is the final straw leading to the peoples and their full sovereignty. The declaration termination of the people of Western Sahara, while land does not fall under either of their sovereignty”, collapse of US sanctions. states: “Subjection of peoples to alien subjugation, welcoming the momentum spurred by the two round referring to a series of policies of illegal means and an domination and exploitation constitutes a denial of table meetings, the last held in March, with the lead agreement that was made without consulting MEPs. fundamental human rights”. negotiator Horst Köhler, Germany’s ex-president and “For 43 years of Moroccan invasion into the region In December 2016 the European Court of Justice UN special envoy for Western Sahara and the dele- of Western Sahara, Moroccan forces have made more N. Korea threat looms as affirmed that a Non-Self-Governing Territory has a gations of the warring parties, namely; Morocco and than 250,000 Saharawi citizens abandon their homes separate and distinct status from that of the admin- the Polisario Front and, as well as the neighboring and move into neighbouring countries, making it the China, Japan, South Korea istering state. countries, Algeria and Mauritania, in attendance. biggest forced displacement in North Africa since 1975. On December, 23rs, 2016, UN General Assembly They were held under the aegis of UN Special Envoy The continued policy of repression and impoverishment leaders meet Resolution 71/103 stated that any economic or other Horst Kohler in a spirit of openness and a climate of of the Saharawi people on their land, which boasts so activity that has a negative impact on the interests mutual respect. During the meeting, the delegations many riches, has forced a large number of Saharawis The spectre of new confrontation between Pyongyang and Wash- of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories had in-depth discussions on how to reach a politi- to migrate to other parts of the world. A lack of sup- ington hangs over meetings between China, Japan and South and on the exercise of their right to self-determina- cal and mutually acceptable solution to the Sahrawi port for international law from the European Union, Korea this week, with growing risks North Korean actions could tion is contrary to the purposes and principles of the question. A solution that is realistic, achievable, sus- alongside the inability of the international community end an uneasy detente and upend recent diplomatic efforts. Charter” of the United Nations, referring to EU trade tainable and founded on a just, lasting compromise, to fulfil the Saharawi people’s right to self-determi- South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime agreements with Morocco that includes the Sahrawi and ensuring the self-determination of the Sahrawi nation, as established by numerous UN resolutions, Minister Shinzo Abe are expected to meet Chinese President territory which has significant phosphate reserves and people, in accordance with the UN Security Council is another cause of impoverishment and migration Xi Jinping separately on Monday. They will then travel to the offshore fishing. resolution 2440 (2018), while stressing on the need for the Saharawis.” southwestern city of Chengdu for a trilateral meeting with Chi- In 2017 the High Court stated that the territory of to identifying the points of convergence. In conclusion, Western Sahara is located in a very nese Premier Li Keqiang. Though they are expected to discuss Western Sahara is Africa’s last colonized territory, Russian Federation, for its part, supports the direct sensitive region, affected by a bunch of scourges, in- various economic matters, North Korea appears likely to dom- vesting control of the natural resources of Western talks between the parties to the conflicts; Morocco cluding terrorism, cross-border crime, drug dealing inate the agenda. Sahara in the Saharawi people. and the Frente Polisario. Noting that the Russian mil- and illegal migration. The failure to achieve a peaceful, Pyongyang has grown increasingly frustrated that its halt of Moving to the territory’s neighbors, namely Algeria, itary observers are deployed to the Mission, it always just, lasting, realistic and mutually acceptable solution nuclear and long-range missile tests has not ended the crippling it is playing a crucial role in the conflict, providing stresses that it is unacceptable to dilute previously and in respect of international law will likely plunge economic sanctions against it. It set a Dec. 31 deadline for the huge supports to the Sahrawi cause. In addition to agreed parameters and thereby undermining the core the North African region into turmoil and total chaos United States to make concessions, but Washington has been providing shelter, financial and humanitarian aids to principles that could pave the way to a mutually ac- . This solution would, also, allow the Sahal region to unmoved. Sahrawi refugees, the Algerian government has always ceptable settlement. coordinate its efforts with a view to launching intensive Some experts believe North Korea may be readying to test an voiced its recognition to the Polisario Front as the Solo China, Angola, Peru, Indonesia, Equatorial Guinea programs of economic and social investments in the intercontinental ballistic missile launch soon, which would likely representative of the Sahrawi people. in addition to other countries from all the continents border zones that lack development in addition to end the 2018 agreement struck by its leader, Kim Jong Un, and For Algeria, Western Sahara is a question of decolo- of the World, on different occasions, underline the im- stronger coordination in terms of security. U.S. President Donald Trump. nization between the Polisario Front and the Kingdom portance of resuming negotiations as soon as possible Internationally, depriving the Saharawi people “Safeguarding the stability and peace of the Korean Peninsula of Morocco given that this territory is inscribed on on the basis of Charter principles and previous Security from freely deciding over their future and the fail- and pushing for a political solution to the Korean Peninsula issue the list of Non-Self-Governing Territories, pending Council decisions, while calling upon all stakeholders ure to convince Morocco to immediately withdraw are in the interests of China, Japan and South Korea,” Chinese the implementation of the historic resolution 1514 to remain committed to the process and to work for a from the territory, respect its internationally recog- Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui told reporters on Thursday of the General Assembly, which establishes the right just and mutually acceptable solution. nized borders and allow the Saharawi Republic, the at a briefing on the trilateral meetings. of colonized peoples to self-determination and inde- South Africa has always voiced its support and founding member of the AU, to exercise full control U.S. special envoy for North Korea Stephen Biegun met with pendence, and Algeria will always remain peace patron honorable positions in defending the liberation of the over all its territory would also entail a dangerous two senior Chinese diplomats during his two-day visit to Beijing at the regional and international levels. Algeria has African continent in international forums, in particular precedent in international law where strong nations this week, following similar meeting in South Korea and Japan always reiterated its keenness to continue to support the issue of the Sahrawi people, noting that Africa will can violate the territorial integrity and freedom of days earlier, as diplomats make last-ditch attempts to prevent the Saharawi people to realize their right to self-deter- not be free as long as Western Sahara, the last colony weaker ones. new confrontation. mination and independence, considering this position in Africa, is occupied. To this end, any proposed solution to this clear- North Korea has not responded to his public call to resume as an international obligation, and Algeria will always Earlier, the Southern African Development Commu- cut conflict of decolonization must be discussed, dialogue, however. assume its role as negotiations’ supervisor. nity convened a Solidarity Conference with the Saha- decided and approved by the Sahrawi people and “The silence, even after Biegun’s speech in Seoul, makes me Despite the fact that the United Nations officially rawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in Tshwane. them alone. No other country, organization or entity concerned,” Jenny Town, managing editor at the North Korea considers Morocco and the Polisario Front as the main The conference confirmed the region’s support for the is entitled to decide over the future of the territo- monitoring website 38 North, said on Twitter. parties to the conflict, former UN Secretary-General decolonization of the occupied territory and for the ry. A free vote in a long-promised referendum on Beijing, jointly with Russia, proposed on Monday that the Mr. Kofi Annan viewed Algeria as a stakeholder in the holding of a referendum on self-determination for self-determination must be organized under the United Nations Security Council lift some sanctions in what it Western Sahara conflict, stressing in its presence in the Saharawi people. supervision of both the UN and the AU, in which the calls an attempt to break the current deadlock and seeks to build all discussions and negotiations. Strategic Importance people of Western Sahara should make a decision support. But it’s unclear whether Beijing can convince Seoul After the swearing-in ceremony on Thursday, the Morocco argues that the Western Sahara is too sparse between various choices, namely; independence, free and Tokyo to break ranks from Washington, which has made newly-elected Algerian President Abdelmadjid Teb- to control an independent government, which may association with another entity or the integration its opposition clear and can veto any resolution. boune delivered his first presidential address, in which result, according to the claims of the Moroccan Amer- into an existing entity. (Source: Reuters) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 8 ADVERTISEMENTS DECEMBER 23, 2019

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The ‘cores’ of massive galaxies had already Pilot who spotted famous Tic Tac UFO breaks silence formed 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang after 15 years A distant galaxy more massive than our According to Valentino, astronomers Milky Way — with more than a trillion believe that massive galaxies are the first to A U.S. fighter pilot whose plane filmed the famous – and still stars — has revealed that the ‘cores’ of die in the history of the Universe and that they unexplained – “tic tac” UFO footage has spoken for the first time massive galaxies in the Universe had formed hold the key to understanding why quenching about his close encounter. already 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang, occurs in the first place. Chad Underwood broke 15 years of silence on the subject, about 1 billion years earlier than previous “We also found that the ‹cores’ of massive describing the object he recorded over the Pacific Ocean as “not measurements revealed. galaxies today seem to be fully formed in the behaving within the normal laws of physics”. Researchers published their analysis early Universe,” Tanaka said. How stars move He said: “It was going from like 50,000 feet to 100 feet in like on November 6, 2019 in The Astrophysical within a galaxy depends on how much mass seconds, which is not possible.” Journal Letters, a journal of the American that object contains. Tanaka and his team The tic tac – so-called because of its rounded shape and white Astronomical Society. found that the stars in the distant galaxy color – was caught on video as the U.S. Navy attempted to identify “If we point a telescope to the sky and take seem to move just as quickly as those closer a series of objects spotted on radar flying off America’s west coast a deep image, we can see so many galaxies out to home. “The previous measurement of this in November 2004. there,” said Masayuki Tanaka, paper author kind was made when the Universe was 2.5 The authenticity of the film – which was first made public in and associate professor of astronomical science billion years old. We pushed the record up to 2017 – was finally confirmed by the Pentagon earlier this year. in the Graduate University for Advanced 1.5 billion years and found, to our surprise, Officials said they still had no idea what the recorded object Studies and the National Astronomical that the core was already pretty mature.” was. Weather phenomenon, manmade craft and birds have all Observatory of Japan. “But our understanding The researchers are continuing to been ruled out. of how these galaxies form and grow is still investigate how massive galaxies form and Speaking to the New York Magazine, Mr. Underwood said: quite limited — especially when it comes to when observing the Universe. which the human eye cannot see, but it how they die in the early Universe, and they “The thing that stood out to me the most was how erratic it massive galaxies.” The researchers used the telescopes at confirmed that the light from the galaxy are searching for more massive quenching was behaving. And what I mean by erratic is that its changes in Galaxies are broadly categorized as dead the W.M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii to was emitted just 1.5 billion years after the galaxies in the far distant Universe that may altitude, air speed, and aspect were just unlike things that I’ve or alive: dead galaxies are no longer forming observe a quenching galaxy in what is called Big Bang. The team also confirmed that the shed light on earlier phases of the process. ever encountered before flying against other air targets. stars, while living galaxies are still bright with the Subaru/XMM-Newton Deep Field. This galaxy’s star formation was suppressed. “When did the first dead galaxy appear in “It was just behaving in ways that aren’t physically normal. star formation activity. A ‹quenching’ galaxy region of the sky has been closely observed “The suppressed star formation tells you the Universe?” Tanaka asked. “This is a very That’s what caught my eye. Because, aircraft, whether they’re is a galaxy in the process of dying — meaning by several telescopes, producing a wealth of that a galaxy is dying, sadly, but that is exactly interesting question for us to address. To do manned or unmanned, still have to obey the laws of physics. They its star formation is significantly suppressed. data for scientists to study. Tanaka and his the kind of galaxy we want to study in detail so, we will continue to observe the deep sky have to have some source of lift, some source of propulsion. The Quenching galaxies are not as bright as fully team used an instrument called MOSFIRE on to understand why quenching occurs,” said with the largest telescopes and expand our tic tac was not doing that.” alive galaxies, but they’re not as dark as dead the Keck I telescope to obtain measurements Francesco Valentino, a co-author of the paper search as more advanced facilities become And he added: “You’re up there flying, like, ‘Okay. It’s not galaxies. Researchers use this spectrum of of the galaxy. They obtained a two-micron and an assistant professor at the Cosmic Dawn available.” behaving in a manner that’s predictable or is normal by how brightness as the first line of identification measurement in the near-infrared spectrum, Center in Copenhagen. (Source: Science Daily) flying objects physically move’.” The sighting came during a fortnight in which the USS Princeton had noted unknown aircraft intermittently passing across its radar systems off the US west coast. The contact was considered Dogs, humans use similar parts of brain to interpret numerical quantities so inexplicable that the system was shut down and restarted to Dogs don’t get numerical symbolism, they don’t know that anatomical differences, as the dogs in the present study check for bugs — but operators continued to track the mysterious the number four is greater than the number two, but they were of varying breed.” object afterwards. can appreciate numerical quantities. Now, new research The differences also may reflect the fact that humans and Then on 14 November, Commander David Fravor was flying suggests canines and humans process numerical quantities dogs utilize a diversity of neural patterns to process numbers. a mission off the USS Nimitz when he eyeballed the object. It using similar parts of the brain. The new research, published Wednesday in the journal seemed, he later said, to dive below the water, resurface, and Most research into numerical cognition involves humans Biology Letters, suggests the ability to interpret numerical speed out of sight when he approached. and non-human primates. Scientists at Emory University quantities is present throughout the animal kingdom. As Fravor landed, he told Underwood – just preparing to wanted to better understand how numerical cognition plays “Although some behavioral research had suggested that dogs take off on his own mission – to be aware of unusual activity. out inside the brains of other mammals. can discriminate stimuli on the basis of numerosity, research to “Dave Fravor was like, ‘Hey, dude. BOLO,’ like, be on the “When non-primate species have been studied, the date has been mixed,” Lourenco said. “Other work had suggested lookout for just something weird,” Underwood said in his experiments typically involved extensive training in order dogs cannot discriminate on the basis of numerosity when interview published on Thursday. “So, we go out to where to get the animals to perform a task designed to assess their other visual features, such as total area, were incongruent.” our designated training area is. We’re not necessarily looking numerical abilities,” Stella Lourenco, an associate professor with processing of numerosity is the intraparietal sulcus, a Previous studies examining dogs and their choice between for something, but the Princeton had a specific object that of psychology at Emory, told UPI in an email. “As a result, sub region of parietal cortex,” Lourenco said. food bowls showed dogs prefer food with a greater volume of they wanted us to hunt, for lack of a better word. And all of a we know very little about what numerical capacities non- The research showed dogs use similar parts of the brain to food, even if there are a greater number of treats in the other bowl. sudden, I got this blip on my radar.” primates exhibit spontaneously, in the absence of training.” process numerical quantities. However, the neural processes “It may be the case that dogs can tell that one bowl has He said he did not see the object with his own eyes because Lourenco and her colleagues used functional magnetic weren’t exactly the same. five treats and the other has 10 treats, but if the five treats he was focused on capturing video footage for intelligence resonance imaging, or fMRI, to study activity in dogs’ “We did observe more variability in the particular constitutes a greater volume of food, they select that bowl to analyze later. brains as they watched different numbers of dots flash on location of activation in each dog, compared to the variability because, when considering food, volume is more relevant. But he added: “The thing that was the most interesting to a screen. The images revealed heightened activity in the commonly observed across adult participants, however, Because of these difficulties, we wanted to study dogs’ numerical me [was] how erratic this thing was. If it was obeying physics dogs’ parietotemporal cortex. as we also observed significant activation in temporal abilities outside the context of food choice.” like a normal object that you would encounter in the sky – an “In humans, the area of the brain most commonly associated cortex,” Lourenco said. “We believe this may in part reflect (Source: UPI) aircraft, or a cruise missile, or some sort of special project that the government didn’t tell you about – that would have made more sense to me. The part that drew our attention was how it wasn’t behaving within the normal laws of physics.” 385-million-year-old tree root reveals Short-lived light sources discovered Unusually, he was never fully debriefed on his sighting but world›s oldest modern forest in the sky had to take a phone call about the incident so soon after landing, he was still in his flight gear at the time. “Probably within about 20 minutes or so, I spoke to someone that I assume was from NORAD [North American Aerospace Defense Command],” he revealed. “I have no idea like what level up to who I was talking to. I just wanted to answer them. I was just basically handed a telephone and said, ‘Hey, answer these questions’.” In the 15 years since, he said he has not speculated on what it might have been and had not previously given interviews because he did not want his name “attached to the ‘little green men’ crazies that are out there.” He added: “I do not want to be part of that community. It is just what we call a UFO. I couldn’t identify it. It was flying. And it was an object. It’s as simple as that. I’ll let the nerds, like, do the math on what it was likely to be. I just happened to be the person that brought back the video.” (Source: The Independent)

By Brooks Hays species was also found at the Gilboa site, A project lead by an international team a star to harness its energy. suggesting the tree was an adaptable, of researchers use publicly available data “As a by-product, VASCO has the potential The discovery of ancient tree roots in the weed-like species. with images of the sky dating as far back to discover rare extremely-variable objects. Ethiopia launches first Catskills, near the town of Cairo, New Researchers also found the roots of as to the 1950s to try to detect and analyze These can shed light on fast hard-to-observe satellite into space York, suggests modern forests emerged Archaeopteris, a species that reproduced objects that have disappeared over time. phases of stellar evolution and active galactic earlier than scientists thought. Researchers using spores but featured seed-like structures. In the project “Vanishing & Appearing nucleus’,” says co-author Sébastien Comerón, described the 385-million-year-old root Archaeopteris is the earliest plant species Sources during a Century of Observations” Oulu University, Finland. Ethiopia launched its first satellite into space on Friday, as more system in a new paper, published this week known to form leaves and woody tissue. (VASCO), they have particularly looked The researchers have carefully sub-Saharan African nations strive to develop space programs in the journal Current Biology. “Archaeopteris seems to reveal the for objects that may have existed in old examined about 15% of the 150,000 to advance their development goals and encourage scientific Though seed plants wouldn›t arrive for beginning of the future of what forests will military sky catalogues from the 1950s, not candidate objects in the available data innovation. another 10 million years, the roots suggest ultimately become,” Stein said. “Based on to be found again in modern sky surveys. and found approximately a hundred red Before dawn on Friday, senior officials and citizens gathered trees with leaves and wood were growing what we know from the body fossil evidence Among the physical indicators that they transients — very variable objects or events at the Entoto Observatory and Research Centre just north of the nearly 400 million years ago, during the of Archaeopteris prior to this, and now from are looking for are stars that have vanished in the sky. Some of these objects appear to capital Addis Ababa to watch a live broadcast of the satellite’s middle of the Denovian Period. the rooting evidence that we›ve added at in the Milky Way. have flared up at least ~ 8-9 magnitudes, launch from a space station in China. “The Devonian Period represents a Cairo, these plants are very modern compared “Finding an actually vanishing star — or several thousand times brighter, in a time in which the first forest appeared to other Devonian plants. Although still or a star that appears out of nowhere! — very short time. on planet Earth,” lead study author dramatically different than modern trees, would be a precious discovery and certainly “We are very excited about following up William Stein, professor of biological Archaeopteris nevertheless seems to point would include new astrophysics beyond the on the 100 red transients we have found,” sciences at Binghamton University, said the way toward the future of forests.” one we know of today,” says project leader says Beatriz Villarroel. in a news release. “The effects were of first Scientists also found a third species Beatriz Villarroel, Stockholm University and “But we are clear that none of these order magnitude in terms of changes in belonging to the class Lycopsida, one Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, Spain. events have shown any direct signs of being ecosystems, what happens on the Earth›s researchers previously thought didn›t arrive When a star dies it either undergoes ETI. We believe that they are natural, if surface and oceans, CO2 concentration until the Carboniferous Period, which lasted very slow changes and becomes a white somewhat extreme, astrophysical sources,” in the atmosphere and global climate. So from 359.2 to 299 million years ago. dwarf or it dies with a sudden bright says Martin López Corredoira, co-author many dramatic changes occurred at that “What we have at Cairo is a rooting explosion i.e. supernova. A vanishing of the paper, Instituto de Astrofísica de time as a result of those original forests structure that appears identical to great star can be an example of an “impossible Canarias, Spain. “This will be a foundation for our historic journey to prosperity,” that, basically, the world has never been trees of the Carboniferous coal swamps phenomenon” that could be attributed The researchers are now looking for deputy prime minister Demeke Mekonnen said in a speech at the same since.” with fascinating elongated roots. But no either to new astrophysical phenomena the possibility to arrange a citizen science the launch event broadcast on state television. In 2012, Stein and his research partners one has yet found body fossil evidence of or to extra-terrestrial activity. Indeed, project, one that is aided by artificial The satellite was designed by Chinese and Ethiopian engineers discovered the ancient footprints of what this group this early in the Devonian.” Stein the only non-ETI (extra-terrestrial intelligence. In order to be able to examine and the Chinese government paid about $6 million of the more than became known as the world›s oldest forest, said. “Our findings are perhaps suggestive intelligence) explanation for a vanishing all the 150,000 candidates that have been $7 million manufacturing costs, Solomon Belay, director general of the Gilboa forest. The newly discovered that these plants were already in the forest, star would be exceedingly rare events identified from the material, they must speed the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute, told Reuters. roots, however, found not far from the but perhaps in a different environment and called “failed supernovae.” A failed up the process of identifying anomalies “Space is food, space is job creation, a tool for technology... Gilboa site, are even older. earlier than generally believed. Yet we only supernovae is theoretically predicted in the images. sovereignty, to reduce poverty, everything for Ethiopian to achieve The Cairo forest is not only older, but have a footprint, and we await additional to occur when a very massive star “We hope to get help from the community universal and sustainable development,” he said. quite different. The ancient root system fossil evidence for confirmation.” collapses into a black hole without to look through the images as a part of a The satellite will be used for weather forecast and crop boasts three unique components, reflecting While researchers hope to continue any visible explosion. Other physical citizen science project. We are looking at monitoring, officials said. a heterogeneous composition — the type of uncovering more details about the makeup indicators of ETI activity that the ways to do that right now and that will be The African Union adopted a policy on African space development diversity that characterizes modern forests. and evolution of ancient forests in the authors are looking for are signs of something we will be able to talk more in 2017 and declared that space science and technology could One of the three different root systems Catskills, they expect studies elsewhere red interstellar communication lasers about at a later date,” says Lars Mattsson, advance economic progress and natural resource management in the Cairo forest anchored a palm tree- in the world to reveal additional secrets and and Dyson spheres. A Dyson sphere is a Stockholm University. on the continent. like species called Eospermatopteris. The provide important context to their work. hypothetical giant structure surrounding (Source: Science Daily) (Source: Reuters) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 10 HERITAGE & TOURISM DECEMBER 23, 2019

Zanjan assessed for becoming Iranian provinces tasked to expand a ‘world city of filigree’ HERITAGE TEHRAN — World Crafts Council-Asia Pacific own overseas tourism markets deskRegion Director Ghada Hijavi along a fellow TOURISM TEHRAN — In order expert arrived in Zanjan on Friday to follow up on their assessment deskto promote decentrali- to name the Iranian city a “world city of filigree”. zation in the domestic tourism industry, The experts were scheduled to visit various handicraft each Iranian province is tasked to develop workshops, stores and exhibits and associated bazaars of its own tourism market abroad, particu- the city in a two-day itinerary. larly for visitors from nearby countries. The Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Ministry on Saturday has instructed provincial tourism depart- ments to establish mutually beneficial relationships with different target coun- tries, ISNA reported. In a video conference, Mohammad-Ebra- him Larijani, the ministerial director of advertising and marketing office, and provincial tourism authorities discussed a 21-paragraph directive, which mainly focus- es on attracting tourists from neighboring countries and its associated infrastructure, The team previously visited Shiraz to decide whether it de- preliminaries and policies, the report said. serves being a “world city of handicrafts”. From the beginning of this [Iranian WCC delegation are also planning to tour Malayer as of Mon- calendar] year (March 21, 2019), each prov- day to follow up on their assessment to name it “a world city ince has been commissioned to develop its of woodcarving”, the same title it granted to Abyaneh in 2018. own international tourism market based Filigree, delicate, lacelike ornamental openwork composed on the directive. of intertwined wire threads of gold or silver, widely used since According to the directive, each province antiquity for jewelry. The art consists of curling, twisting, or is fully awarded of its own target markets, Foreign travelers tour Iran’s UNESCO-registered Lut Desert. plaiting fine, pliable metal threads and soldering them at their providing promotional products using tar- points of contact with each other and, if there is one, with the get countries’ languages, updating the office as city twinning agreements, joint confer- Republic, who receive plastic, cosmet- Iran welcomed some 7.8 million foreign metal groundwork. tourism websites with relevant, practical ences, exhibits and seminars, community ic, open-heart and orthopedic surgeries nationals last year, achieving 52.5 percent It is probable that in India, Iran (in Zanjan, this handicraft is called material, the report said. membership and related networks, the amongst other treatments. increase year on year. According to the World malileh) and various parts of central Asia filigree has been worked Installation of foreign-language direc- official explained. The country has set its goals to exceed Travel & Tourism Council, Iraq was the main from the most remote period without any change in the designs. tion signs, operating fam tours, training Many domestic experts say that med- its yearly medical travelers to around two source of tourism for Iran in 2018, constitut- According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the ancient Greeks courses for travel agencies, hoteliers, ical tourism in Iran produces win-win million in [calendar year] 1404 (March ing 24% of all inbound visitors. Azerbaijan used filigree with great elegance; a necklace of pendant flowers tour guides and other related businesses outcomes as the country yields consider- 2025-March 2026). with (17%), Turkey (8%), Pakistan (4%) and and tassels in a trellis of finely plaited ropes is an example of the to identify tourists’ interests and pref- able benefits to international health-care Some 6.7 million foreign nationals Bahrain (2%) constituted other major sources delicacy filigree work can attain. The use of filigree was also wide- erences, were amongst other points in seekers, offering affordable yet quality have visited the country since the be- while the remaining 46% came from the rest spread during Roman times, extending throughout the empire. the directive. treatment services. People from the Per- ginning of the current Iranian calendar of the world. The directive, which enters to partner- sian Gulf littoral states, Iraq and Syria year, Mojtaba Karimi, who presides over The Islamic Republic expects to reap a ship with municipalities, Foreign Ministry as well as Iranian expatriates residing Foreign Ministry’s visa and passport de- bonanza from its numerous tourist spots, and other executive bodies, also aims to in Canada and Germany constitute the partment, was quoted by IRNA as saying including 22 ones that have been placed on Egypt seeks to inscribe deepen international collaborations such majority of medical travelers to the Islamic on December 4. the UNESCO World Heritage list. papyrus making on UNESCO World Heritage List Tehran’s tourist street to become more accessible for people with disabilities TEHRAN — A follow-up is named after the date of the massive In Qaramos village of Sharqiya province north of the Egyptian capital TOURISM deskplan is being formulat- pro-Mossadegh uprising against the Shah Cairo, people of different ages can be seen around carrying papyrus ed to ensure Tehran’s Si-e Tir historical in 1952 in which dozens of people were killed. sticks from the farms to their workshops to process them until they street and its surrounding museums, travel This cobblestone street intersects Imam finally become in the shape of ancient-like papyrus souvenirs. destinations and historical monuments Khomeini Street between Imam Khomeini The village is the main source of papyrus in Egypt and perhaps will be more accessible for the physically Square (better known as Toop Khuneh to the whole world, which prompted the Egyptian authorities to work challenged people. the locals) and Hasan Abad Square. It con- on inscribing papyrus making in Qaramos on the United Nations So far, access to parts of the stone-paved tinues north to Nofel Loshato Street near Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s street have been made easier for people with the Embassy of France, although once you World Heritage list, particularly under the List of Intangible disabilities as a pilot project, which would pass the intersection of Jomhuri Avenue, Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. be a role model for other places across the the name mysteriously changes to Mirza “After the Pharaohs, Qaramos people are the only papyrus country, Mehr reported on Sunday. Kuchak Khan (named after an early 20th makers in the world,” Abdel-Rahman Mostafa, one of the village’s However, the follow-up plan, which is century Gilani revolutionary). papyrus makers, told Xinhua. supervised by the tourism ministry, calls for One of the most striking and curious fea- He pointed out that the craft was revived in Qaramos in late extending facilities to all travel destinations tures of Si-e Tir is the fact that a synagogue, 1970s by Hassan Ragab, Egypt’s former ambassador to China, around the one-way street with the partici- two churches, a mosque, and a Zoroastrian noting that in ancient Egypt papyrus grew on the Nile River pation of all relevant bodies and businesses. fire temple harmoniously coexist along this banks, but Qaramos is the only village in Egypt that grows it in Introduced by the United Nations World street. Moreover, there’s a lot of culture to agricultural lands away from the river. Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the creation explore on and nearby this street; most no- Qaramos used to plant more than 500 feddans (about 2.1 square A view of Si-e Tir St. in downtown Tehran of the international “Accessible Tourism Des- tably, the National Museum of Iran, which kilometers) of land of papyrus and now they are limited to 50 tination” aims to make sure that a destination said in May that Si-e Tir St. is suitable for street can be equipped for the use of hand- explores 30,000 years of habitation in the feddans, and there were about 600 papyrus making workshops can be enjoyed by all tourists, regardless of being an “Accessible Tourism Destination”, icapped and veterans according to the UN- region through primitive art, tools from the that declined to 30, according to Ahmed al-Nimr, member of the their physical, sensory or cognitive abilities. saying “Hotels, travel agencies, museums WTO specifications.” Stone Age, pottery, coins, remnants of Perse- scientific office of Egypt’s minister of antiquities. Deputy tourism minister Vali Teymouri and, in general, all tourist centers of this Si-e Tir corresponds with July 21 and polis, and other excavated treasures. (Source: Xinhua) ROUND THE GLOBE United cancels Boeing 737 Max flights until June United Airlines has become the first U.S. carrier to pull 346 passengers and crew. Boeing said last week it was Bahla Fort its use of the troubled Boeing 737 MAX jets until early suspending production of the plane in January. June, the carrier said on Friday. Without the 737 MAX, United said it will cancel about The immense, ruined Bahla Fort, with its walls and towers Previously, American and Southwest had announced 56 flights a day in January and February, 80 in March and of mud brick on stone foundations and the adjacent Friday cancellations involving the aircraft through March and April. April and 108 in May and the early part of June. Mosque with its decoratively sculpted prayer niche (mihrab) But United’s announcement represents the longest that “With the MAX return to service date still unknown, dominate the surrounding mud brick settlement and palm grove. any airline is making schedules without the use of the ground- pushing our timeline back to early June is what is best The fort and settlement, a mud-walled oasis in the Omani ed 737 MAX – a troubling development for Boeing, which for our customers and our operation. By moving the desert, owed its prosperity to the Banu Nebhan tribe (Naba- was hoping for re-certification for the plane by early 2020. return to service date back more than just a month - as hina), who dominated the central Omani region and made As Reuters first reported, the decision follows comments from we have done previously throughout 2019 - it allows us Bahla their capital from the 12th to the end of the 15th century. the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that it still has to have more certainty by providing our customers and From there they established relationships with other nearly a dozen steps to complete before approving the jets for flight. our operation a firmer and more definitive timeline,” tribal groups of the interior. The entire fleet of 737 MAX aircraft was grounded United spokesman Frank Benenati told Reuters. after two fatal crashes within months of each other killed (Source: travelandleisure.com) France transport strikes threaten to sow chaos during holiday travel season Continuing transport strikes over pen- half the usual number of high-speed TGV 16 metro lines remained shut on Saturday. turnover losses of 30 to 60 percent from a sion reforms in France are threatening trains, as passengers began heading out Only lines 1 and 14, which are automated, year earlier, in a period that is usually the to disrupt the busy holiday travel season as of the French capital on the last weekend have been offering regular services. busiest of the year. thousands flock to see friends and family before the Christmas holiday. Unions oppose Macron’s plans to stream- Some 615,000 people took to the streets for the end-of-year festivities. At Saint-Lazare station, one of the busiest line France’s state pension system and to across France on Tuesday, the third day Two weeks of nationwide strikes against in Paris, Sylvain de Pierrepont and Cathy push people to work until 64 instead of the of mass demonstrations since the strike President Emmanuel Macron’s planned overhaul Walters were en route to Normandy with current retirement age of 62. The reform began on December 5. of the pension system have disrupted railways their two children to visit family when their includes provisions to end the special ac- The moderate CFDT union has called for and roads, shut some schools and brought more train was delayed. comodations made for people working in members to observe a pause in strikes during The extensive wall (sur) with sentry walk and watchtowers than half a million people onto the streets. “It’s a bit stressful because we don’t sectors such as railways, some of whom are the holiday season but its rail section voted to enclosing the labyrinth of mud brick dwellings and cultivat- After inconclusive talks with the gov- know if the train will be running or not,” allowed to retire as early as 52. pursue the stoppages. The rail section of the able land has several gateways. The oasis is watered by the ernment on Thursday, hard-line unions de Pierrepont said. About 62 percent of respondents to UNSA union also called for a holiday truce. falaj system of wells and underground channels bringing called for the strikes to continue over the Half of Paris metro lines shut an opinion poll published Tuesday by the Negotiations over the pension reform groundwater from distant springs, and by management of holiday period while railway members of As well as competing for limited seats broadcaster RTL said they supported the are due to resume in January, after which the seasonal flow of water. more moderate unions also rejected calls on nationwide rail services, travelers also strike, but 69 percent said they wanted a the government wants to bring its proposal Bahla is an outstanding example of a fortified oasis set- for a Christmas truce. endured transport chaos in and around Par- Christmas “truce”. before parliament and have legislation passed tlement of the medieval Islamic period, exhibiting the water National rail operator SNCF continued to is with metro and suburban train services Businesses are already feeling the im- by next summer. engineering skill of the early inhabitants for agricultural run reduced services on Saturday, including crippled by the strikes. Half of the capital’s pact, with industry associations reporting (Source: FRANCE 24) and domestic purposes. The pre-gunpowder style fort with rounded towers and castellated parapets, together with the perimeter sur of stone and mud brick technology demon- strates the status and influence of the ruling elite. Bones found in monastery atop ‘all-male’ mountain may belong to a woman The remaining mud brick family compounds of traditional A so-called all-male “holy mountain” in northern most of the other remains found at the site. In fact, some Seven individuals — possibly more — were buried in vernacular houses (harats) including al-Aqr, al-Ghuzeili, Greece has hosted Christian monasteries for nearly experts are claiming that these diminutive bones once the chapel; their bones appear to have been relocated al-Hawulya and the associated mosques, audience halls 2,000 years, with women strictly prohibited. But one belonged to a female, according to the Greek Reporter. there from other graves, The Guardian reported. The (sablas), bath houses, together with the dwellings of the woman may have somehow found a home there — at “As far as I know, this is the first case that bones people must have been important for their bones to fort guards (askari) demonstrate a distinctive settlement least in death. belonging to a woman have been discovered on Mt. have been placed in a site of worship, anthropologist pattern related to the location of the falaj. During a recent restoration in the Pantokratoros Athos,” architect and restorer Phaidon Hadjiantoniou, Laura Wynn-Antikas, who examined the remains, told (Source: UNESCO) Monastery on Mount Athos, archaeologists unearthed the project leader for the excavation, told the Greek the Guardian. bones under the chapel floor that were smaller than Reporter. (Source: Live Science) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 23, 2019 INTERNATIONAL 11

Chemical Weapons watchdog U.S. exploiting S.China Sea differences to contain China By Shi Tian GLOBALTIMES — The South China Sea has been rough in is just an American Lap Dog recent days. Malaysia filed a formal submission on December 12 to the By Scott Ritter UN seeking to clarify the limits of its continental shelf in the northern area of the South China Sea. The country’s Minister of ANTIWAR — A spate of leaks from within the Organisation Foreign Affairs Saifuddin Abdullah further criticized China and for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the called China’s claim that “the whole of South China Sea belongs international inspectorate created for the purpose of to China” “ridiculous” on Friday. implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention, has The South China Sea has been Chinese territory since ancient raised serious questions about the institution’s integrity, times. China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime interests in objectivity and credibility. The leaks address issues the waters brook no infringement under any circumstances. pertaining to the OPCW investigation into allegations Malaysia’s move “seriously infringed on China’s sovereignty, that the Syrian government used chemical weapons to sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the South China Sea,” China’s attack civilians in the Damascus suburb of Douma on permanent mission to the UN stated in a diplomatic note to the April 7, 2018. These allegations, which originated from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. such anti-Assad organizations as the Syrian Civil Defense For years, China has exercised great restraint on the South (the so-called White Helmets) and the Syrian American China Sea issue, actively promoted the China-ASEAN South China Medical Society (SAMS), were immediately embraced Sea Code of Conduct and positively carried out cooperation with as credible by the OPCW, and were used by the United all stakeholders in politics, economics, trade and many other States, France and the United Kingdom to justify punitive fields. This is essential to enhance mutual trust and lay a solid military strikes against facilities inside Syria assessed foundation to settle disputes over water areas. With China’s ef- by these nations as having been involved in chemical forts, the South China Sea situation has started to show a trend weapons-related activities before the OPCW initiated of easing off. any on-site investigation. However, to the US, this is not an encouraging tendency. The The Douma incident was initially described by the last thing Washington hopes to see is that China keep on good White Helmets, SAMS and the U.S., U.K. and French terms with Southeast Asian claimants and that the South China governments as involving both sarin nerve agent and Sea situation develops in the right direction. chlorine gas. However, this narrative was altered when As a result, the US has repeatedly stirred up trouble in the OPCW inspectors released, on July 6, 2018, interim waters since last year and attempted to contain China through findings of their investigation that found no evidence its Indo-Pacific strategy. Its fundamental purpose is to impede of the use of sarin. The focus of the investigation quickly cooperation and development between China and the states shifted to a pair of chlorine cylinders claimed by the White surrounding the South China Sea. Helmets to have been dropped onto apartment buildings For instance, US Navy warships sailed near China’s islands in in Douma by the Syrian Air Force, resulting in the release Under Pfirter’s leadership, the OPCW became a regarding chlorine. This report was released on July 6, the South China Sea twice in November. And John Aquilino, the of a cloud of chlorine gas that killed dozens of Syrian compliant tool of U.S. foreign policy objectives. By 2018. Later that month, both Üzümcü and Fairweather US Navy’s Pacific Fleet commander, accused China of “bullying” civilians. In March, the OPCW released its final report completely subordinating OPCW operations through were gone, replaced by a Spaniard named Fernando Arias Southeast Asian nations. on the Douma incident, noting that it had “reasonable the constant threat of fiscal ruin, the U.S. engaged in a and a French diplomat named Sébastien Braha. It would grounds” to believe “that the use of a toxic chemical as a continuous quid pro quo arrangement, trading the financial be up to them to clean up the Douma situation. weapon has taken place on 7 April 2018,” that “this toxic solvency of an ostensible multilateral organization for The situation Braha inherited from Fairweather was chemical contained reactive chlorine” and that “the toxic complicity in operating as a de facto extension of American unenviable. According to an unnamed OPCW official chemical was likely molecular chlorine.” unilateral policy. Bolton’s actions in 2002 put the OPCW who spoke with the media after the fact, two days prior Much has been written about the OPCW inspection and its employees on notice: Cross the U.S., and you will to the publication of the interim report, on July 4, 2018, process in Syria, and particularly the methodology pay a terminal price. Fairweather had been paid a visit by a trio of U.S. officials, used by the Fact-Finding Mission (FFM), an inspection When Üzümcü took over the OPCW’s reins in 2010, the who indicated to Fairweather and the members of the body created by the OPCW in 2014 “to establish facts organization was very much the model of multinational FFM responsible for writing the report that it was the surrounding allegations of the use of toxic chemicals, consensus, which, in the case of any multilateral U.S. position that the chlorine cannisters in question reportedly chlorine, for hostile purposes in the Syrian Arab organization in which the U.S. plays a critical role, meant had been used to dispense chlorine gas at Douma, an Republic.” The FFM was created under the direction of that nothing transpired without the express approval assertion that could not be backed up by the evidence. Ahmet Üzümcü, a career Turkish diplomat with extensive of the U.S. and its European NATO allies, in particular Despite this, the message that Fairweather left with the experience in multinational organizations, including the United Kingdom and France. Shortly after he took OPCW personnel was that there had to be a “smoking service as Turkey’s ambassador to NATO. Üzümcü was office, Üzümcü was joined by Robert Fairweather, a career gun.” It was now Braha’s job to manufacture one. Under such conditions, many regional countries have been the OPCW’s third director general, having been selected British diplomat who served as Üzümcü’s chief of Cabinet. Braha did this by dispatching OPCW inspectors to forced to take sides between the US and China. And with US from a field of seven candidates by its executive council (While Üzümcü was the ostensible head of the OPCW, the Turkey in September 2018 to interview new witnesses support, certain forces in this region have seized the opportunity to replace Argentine diplomat Rogelio Pfirter. Pfirter had daily task of managing the functioning of the OPCW was identified by the White Helmets, and by commissioning and fermented troubles against China. Malaysia’s submission held the position since being nominated to replace the that of the chief of Cabinet. In short, nothing transpired new engineering studies that better explained the presence is an example. OPCW’s first director general, José Maurício Bustani. within the OPCW without Fairweather’s knowledge and of the two chlorine cannisters found in Douma. By The South China Sea issue is rooted in history. It can be resolved Bustani’s tenure was marred by controversy that saw concurrence.) March, Braha had assembled enough information to only through negotiations between all relevant regional claimant the OPCW transition away from its intended role as an Üzümcü and Fairweather’s tenure at the OPCW was enable the technical directorate to issue its final report. countries. At the current stage, it is particularly important for independent implementor of the Chemical Weapons dominated by Syria, where, since 2011, the government of Almost immediately, dissent appeared in the ranks of all parties to promote the Code of Conduct. Convention to that of a tool of unilateral U.S. policy, President Bashar Assad had been engaged in a full-scale the OPCW. An engineering report that contradicted the Meanwhile, regional nations must be vigilant against external a role that continues to mar the OPCW’s work in Syria conflict with a foreign-funded and -equipped insurgency findings published by Braha was leaked, setting off a forces, especially the US. Since Washington adjusted its policy today, especially when it comes to its investigation of whose purpose was regime change. By 2013, allegations firestorm of controversy derived from its conclusion that toward China, it has always made an issue of the South China the alleged use by the Syrian government of chemical emerged from both the Syrian government and rebel the chlorine cannisters found in Douma had most likely Sea. Regional countries should be fully aware that Washington’s weapons against civilians in Douma in April 2018. forces concerning the use of chemical weapons by the been staged by the White Helmets. real aim is to contain China’s rise, instead of helping them to Bustani was removed from his position in 2002, following other side. In August 2013, the OPCW dispatched an The OPCW, while eventually acknowledging that the pursue their interests. an unprecedented campaign led by John Bolton, who inspection team into Syria as part of a U.N.-led effort, which leaked report was genuine, explained its exclusion from The key to settling the South China Sea problem lies in the at the time was serving as the undersecretary of state included specialists from the World Health Organization the final report on the grounds that it attributed blame, regional members themselves. All parties should join hands to for Arms Control and International Security Affairs in (WHO) and the U.N. itself, to investigate allegations that something the FFM was not mandated to do. According eliminate external interference and explore their own solution. the U.S. State Department. What was Bustani’s crime? sarin had been used in attack on civilians in the town of to the OPCW, the engineering report in question had been Only then can the basis for an independent Asian security ar- In 2001, he had dared to enter negotiations with the Ghouta. While the mission found conclusive evidence submitted to the investigation and identification team, a chitecture be laid. government of Iraq to secure that nation’s entry into the that sarin nerve agent had been used, it did not assign newly created body within the OPCW mandated to make OPCW, thereby setting the stage for OPCW inspectors to blame for the attack. such determinations. Moreover, Director General Arias visit Iraq and bring its chemical weapons capability under Despite the lack of causality, the U.S. and its NATO allies stood by the report’s conclusion that it had “reasonable Lavrov says Trump told Putin OPCW control. As director general, there was nothing quickly assigned blame for the sarin attacks on the Syrian grounds” to believe “that the use of a toxic chemical as U.S. will continue looking for untoward about Bustani’s action. But Iraq circa 2001 was government. To forestall U.S. military action against Syria, a weapon has taken place on 7 April 2018.” not a typical recruitment target. In the aftermath of the the Russian government helped broker a deal whereby the Arias’ explanation came under attack in November, when arms treaty solutions Gulf War in 1991, the U.N. Security Council had passed a U.S. agreed to refrain from undertaking military action if WikiLeaks published an email sent by a member of the FFM resolution under Chapter VII requiring Iraq’s weapons of the Syrian government joined the OPCW and subjected the team that had participated in the Douma investigation. In Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Sunday that mass destruction (WMD), including its chemical weapons totality of its chemical weapons stockpile to elimination. this email, which was sent on June 22, 2018, and addressed U.S. President Donald Trump had sent a short letter about the capability, to be “removed, destroyed or rendered harmless” In October 2013, the OPCW-U.N. Joint Mission, created to Robert Fairweather, the author noted that, when it Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty to Russian President under the supervision of inspectors working on behalf of under the authority of U.N. Security Council resolution came to the Douma incident, “[p]urposely singling out Vladimir Putin, the Interfax news agency reported. the United Nations Special Commission, or UNSCOM. 2118 (2103), began the process of identifying, cataloging, chlorine gas as one of the possibilities is disingenuous.” “U.S. President Donald Trump sent a short letter in which he The pursuit of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction led removing and destroying Syria’s chemical weapons. This The author of the email, who had participated in drafting said that they are ready to continue looking for ways to overcome to a series of confrontations with Iraq that culminated process was completed in September 2014 (in December the original interim report, noted that the original text the problems in our relations,” Interfax cited the minister as in inspectors being ordered out of the country by the 2013, the OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for had emphasized that there was insufficient evidence to saying on a TV talk show. U.S. in 1998, prior to a 72-hour aerial attack—Operation its disarmament work in Syria). support this conclusion, and that the new text represented The letter was in response to Putin’s offer to introduce a mora- Desert Fox. Iraq refused to allow UNSCOM inspectors to If the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons was an “a major deviation from the original report.” Moreover, torium on the development of missiles banned by the Intermediate return, rightfully claiming that the U.S. had infiltrated example of the OPCW at its best, what followed was a the author took umbrage at the new report’s conclusions, Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, Interfax cited Lavrov as saying. the ranks of the inspectors and was using the inspection case study of just the opposite. In May 2014, the OPCW which claimed to be “based on the high levels of various The U.S. formally left the INF treaty with Russia in August process to spy on Iraqi leadership for the purposes of created the Fact-Finding Mission, or FFM, charged with chlorinated organic derivatives detected in environmental after determining that Moscow was violating the treaty and had facilitating regime change. The lack of inspectors in Iraq establishing “facts surrounding allegations of the use of samples.” According to email’s author “They were, in most already deployed one banned type of missile, an accusation the allowed the U.S. and others to engage in wild speculation toxic chemicals, reportedly chlorine, for hostile purposes in cases, present only in parts per billion range, as low as 1-2 Kremlin denies. regarding Iraqi rearmament activities, including in the the Syrian Arab Republic.” The FFM was headed by Malik ppb, which is essentially trace quantities.” In short, the Nord Stream 2 will be launched despite sanctions field of chemical weapons. This speculation was used to Ellahi, who served as head of the OPCW’s government OPCW had cooked the books, manufacturing evidence Lavrov said on Sunday that the Nord Stream 2 and Turk Stream fuel a call for military action against Iraq, citing the threat relations and political affairs branch. The appointment of from thin air that it then used to draw conclusions that gas pipeline projects would be launched despite U.S. sanctions, of a reconstituted WMD capability as the justification. someone lacking both technical and operational experience sustained the U.S. position that chlorine gas had been adding that Russia planned to respond to the new measures, the Bustani sought to defuse this situation by bringing Iraq suggests that Ellahi’s primary role was political. Under used by the Syrian government at Douma. Interfax news agency reported. into the OPCW, an act that, if completed, would have his leadership, the FFM established a close working Arias, while not addressing the specifics of the U.S. President Donald Trump signed a bill on Friday that derailed the U.S. case for military intervention in Iraq. relationship with the anti-Assad Syrian opposition, allegations set forth in the leaked email, recently included legislation imposing sanctions on firms laying pipe for Bolton’s intervention included threats to Bustani and including the White Helmets and SAMS. declared that it is “the nature of any thorough inquiry Nord Stream 2, which seeks to double gas capacity along the his family, as well as threats to withhold U.S. dues to the In 2015, responsibility for coordinating the work of the for individuals in a team to express subjective views,” northern Nord Stream pipeline route to Germany. OPCW accounting for some 22% of that organization’s FFM with the anti-Assad opposition was transferred to a noting that “I stand by the independent, professional Meanwhile, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on budget; had the latter threat been implemented, it would British inspector named Len Phillips (another element conclusion” presented by the OPCW about the Douma Sunday that Russia was prepared to include the heavy Sarmat have resulted in OPCW’s disbandment. of the FFM, led by a different inspector, was responsible incident. This explanation, however, does not fly in missile and the Avangard hypersonic missile in a new START Bustani’s departure marked the end of the OPCW as an for coordinating with the Syrian government). Phillips the face of the evidence. The OPCW’s credibility as strategic arms reduction treaty, should it be extended, Interfax independent organization. Pfirter, Bolton’s hand-picked developed a close working relationship with the White an investigative body has been brought into question reported. replacement, vowed to keep the OPCW out of Iraq. In an Helmets and SAMS and played a key role in OPCW’s through these leaks, as has its independent character. If Russia is also ready to demonstrate the Sarmat missile to the interview with U.S. media shortly after his appointment, investigation of the April 2017 chemical incident in Khan an organization like the OPCW can be used at will by the United States, Interfax cited Lavrov as saying on a talk show on Pfirter noted that while all nations should be encouraged Shaykhun. By April 2018, the FFM had undergone a U.S., the United Kingdom and France to trigger military Russian state television. to join the OPCW, “We should be very aware that there leadership transition, with Phillips replaced by a Tunisian attacks intended to support regime-change activities in U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell says the new are United Nations resolutions in effect” that precluded inspector named Sami Barrek. It was Barrek who led the member states, then it no longer serves a useful purpose sanctions aimed at derailing the construction of the German-Russian Iraqi membership “at the expense” of its obligations to FFM into Syria in April 2018 to investigate allegations of to the international community it ostensibly serves. Nord Stream 2 pipeline are beneficial to Europe, while chiding the Security Council. Under the threat of military action, chemical weapons use at Douma. Like Phillips, Barrek To survive as a credible entity, the OPCW must open Berlin for not being “pro-Europe” enough. Iraq allowed UNMOVIC inspectors to return in 2002; maintained a close working relationship with the White itself to a full-scale audit of its activities in Syria by Grenell, who has courted controversy in Germany with his by February 2003, no WMD had been found, a result Helmets and SAMS. an independent authority with inspector general-like frequent attempts to meddle in Berlin’s sovereign matters, said that did not meet with U.S. satisfaction. In March 2003, Once the FFM wrapped up its investigation in Douma, investigatory powers. Anything short of this leaves the in an interview with Bild and AP that he was swamped with mes- UNMOVIC inspectors were withdrawn from Iraq under however, it became apparent to Fairweather that it had OPCW, an organization that was awarded the Nobel Peace sages of gratitude from European diplomats after U.S. President orders of the U.S., paving the way for the subsequent a problem. There were serious questions about whether Prize for its contributions to world peace, permanently Donald Trump signed a defense spending bill envisioning biting invasion and occupation of that nation that same month chlorine had, in fact, been used as a weapon. The solution, stained by the reality that it is little more than a lap dog sanctions on the companies involved in the construction of the (the CIA later concluded that Iraq had been disarmed of brokered by Fairweather, was to release an interim report of the United States, used to promote the very conflicts $11 billion pipeline. its weapons of mass destruction by the summer of 1991). that ruled out sarin altogether, but left the door open it was designed to prevent. (Source: Ifax) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 12 SOCIETY DECEMBER 23, 2019

Tehran to host Technology EB patients, the most oppressed Investment Meeting 2020

SOCIETY TEHRAN — The 2nd Technology Investment deskMeeting (TIM 2020) will be held in Tehran’s victims of U.S. sanctions 1 Pardis Technology Park on February 4-5, 2020. Now butterflies are feeling the pain Investors from 11 countries from around the world will attend of the U.S. inhumane sanctions with their the meeting to evaluate Iranian technology-based projects and hearts and souls. In June this year, Ava was products for potential investment. relieved of pain forever and passed away. Her story only reflects the tip of the iceberg, as children and adults with cancer and rare diseases are struggling in silence with death. Killing children and patients takes no cour- age!” he said in his statement. After the meeting, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Kelly Craft walked over and expressed her condolences to Ravanchi. Sanction effects wounded Ava Ali Rabiei, government spokesman, said that although Ava has been deprived of wound dressing because of the sanctions, she was either wounded by the sanctions which de- liberately targeted patients. They labeled each Iranian citizen as a terrorist, and the international banks have Good opportunities, such as abundant manpower alongside internalized such fear as if they face a terrorist cheap knowledge-based and technological products, have attracted in each ordinary transaction, he lamented. foreign investors, despite unilateral sanctions, to consider the The lack of a meaningful sanctions strat- Iranian knowledge-based ecosystem. egy is nothing more than a disregard for the During the event, investment opportunities in other countries citizens’ pain, he added. will be also discussed by the participants, IRNA news agency Humanitarian goods should not reported on Sunday. be subject to sanctions Investors in the meeting will discuss proposals and opportu- Seyyed Hamid Reza Hashemi Golpay- who died of infection and lack of skin care, baby boy in the city of Qom, named Ali Akbar to life-saving medicines. nities in a variety of areas such as financial technology, health, gani, head of EB Health House, has said that he lamented. Khorshidi, unfortunately due to the sanc- There obviously are solutions to cut threat- tourism, computer games and the food industry. “As an advocacy group, we have objected to “We discussed the problem with the Swedish tions and lack of medication and dressing, ening the lives of many oppressed people Special panels, workshops and recognizing international America’s unilateral ban of medicine and company but they refused to continue trade he regretted. suffering rare diseases, one of which could investment opportunities courses will be held on the sidelines have repeatedly announced that food and due to sanctions despite being aware that we “Our dressing supplies are only meeting be appointing or launching some financial of the event. medicine should not be on the list of outra- are an NGO helping EB patients to survive.” the needs of one month of covered patients,” institutions in the country to be allowed to geous sanctions.” “If the Europeans and the Americans do he said. have international transaction for human- Two or three years ago, access to wound not reconsider their decision on humanitarian Is there a solution to stop endan- itarian or educational purposes. dressing was relatively easier for EB patients, trade, we will lose more of the EB patients gering people’s life? Or even a third country banking can 2020 to be one of hottest years but with the return of sanctions, over a year who are often babies and children in dire The overboard sanctions are not only be designated to conduct similar transac- (May 2018-May 2029), 15 patients covered need of dressing,” he highlighted. harming the Iranians’ economy but also tions under supervision and in line with on record, Met Office says by EB Health House lost their lives like Ava Three days ago, we lost an eight-day-old their right to health through limiting access the regulations.

Next year is likely to be another of the hottest on record, with global temperatures forecast to be more than 1.1C above the Number of males using tobacco globally on the decline: WHO report pre-industrial average, according to estimates from the Met Office. For the first time, the World Health Organization projects females aged 15 years and over, but the trend is projected The forecast for 2020 is based on observations of trends over that the number of males using tobacco is on the decline, to decline rapidly to similar levels seen in the European recent years that have seen a series of years more than 1C above indicating a powerful shift in the global tobacco epidemic. and Western Pacific regions of around 25% by 2025. The pre-industrial levels, and bearing what meteorologists said was The findings, published today in a new WHO report, demon- Western Pacific Region, including China, is projected to the “clear fingerprint” of human-induced global heating. strate how government-led action can protect communi- overtake South East Asia as the region with the highest That trend is likely to continue in 2020, the Met Office pre- ties from tobacco, save lives and prevent people suffering average rate among men. dicted on Thursday, barring unforeseeable events such as a major tobacco-related harm. * Trends in the Americas: Fifteen countries in the Americas volcanic eruption, which would have a cooling effect from the “Declines in tobacco use amongst males mark a turning are on track to reach the 30% tobacco use reduction target by dust thrown into the atmosphere. point in the fight against tobacco,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom 2030, making it the best performing of WHO’s six regions. Next year is also unlikely to see a strong natural warming Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “For many years now * Policy action: more and more countries are implement- event, with no El Niño predicted. El Niño is the weather system we had witnessed a steady rise in the number of males using ing effective tobacco control measures, which are having in the Pacific that can result in unusually high temperatures, as deadly tobacco products. But now, for the first time, we are the desired effect of reducing tobacco use. Tobacco taxes it did in 1998, which until 2005 held the crown of the warmest seeing a decline in male use, driven by governments being not only help reduce tobacco consumption and health-care year since records began in 1850. For years, that fuelled false tougher on the tobacco industry. WHO will continue working costs, but also represent a revenue stream for financing for claims from some quarters that climate science was wrong and closely with countries to maintain this downward trend.” development in many countries. global heating was not occurring. During nearly the past two decades, overall global tobacco Director of Health Promotion at WHO. Every year, more than 8 million people die from to- The hottest year on record currently is 2016, when there was an use has fallen, from 1.397 billion in 2000 to 1.337 billion in Despite such gains, progress in meeting the global target bacco use, approximately half of its users. More than El Niño effect, and the years since have all been close to the record. 2018, or by approximately 60 million people, according to set by governments to cut tobacco use by 30% by 2025 re- 7 million of those deaths are from direct tobacco use “Natural events, such as El Niño-induced warming in the the WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco mains off track. Based on current progress, a 23% reduction while around 1.2 million are due to non-smokers being Pacific, influence the climate system,” said Prof Adam Scaife, use 2000-2025 third edition. will be achieved by 2025. Only 32 countries are currently exposed to second-hand smoke. Most tobacco-related head of long-range prediction at the Met Office. “In the absence This has been largely driven by reductions in the number on track to reach the 30% reduction target. deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, areas of El Niño, this forecast gives a clear picture of the strongest of females using these products (346 million in 2000 down However, the projected decline in tobacco use among that are targets of intensive tobacco industry interference factor causing temperatures to rise: greenhouse gas emissions.” to 244 million in 2018, or a fall over around 100 million). males, who represent the overwhelming majority of tobacco and marketing. If the forecast is correct, the world will come even closer to the Over the same period, male tobacco use had risen by users, can be built on and used to accelerate efforts to reach The WHO report covers use of cigarettes, pipes, cigars, brink of climate breakdown next year. Scientists have warned around 40 million, from 1.050 billion in 2000 to 1.093 to the global target, said Dr Vinayak Prasad, head of WHO’s waterpipes, smokeless tobacco products (like bidis, che- that warming of more than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels would billion in 2018 (or 82% of the world’s current 1.337 billion tobacco control unit. roots and kretek) and heated tobacco products. Electronic have damaging effects on the world’s climate. tobacco users). “Fewer people are using tobacco, which is a major step cigarettes are not covered in the report. The first year in which temperatures were certified to be more But positively, the new report shows that the number of for global public health,” said Dr Prasad. “But the work is not The report supports the monitoring of Sustainable De- than 1C above the average from 1850 to 1900 was 2015, so the male tobacco users has stopped growing and is projected to yet done. Without stepped up national action, the projected velopment Goal (SDG) target 3.a, which calls for strength- rate of change has been rapid. If current trends continue, we decline by more than 1 million fewer male users come 2020 fall in tobacco use still won’t meet global reduction targets. ening implementation of the WHO Framework Convention could breach the 1.5C threshold within two decades. (or 1.091 billion) compared to 2018 levels, and 5 million less We must never let up in the fight against Big Tobacco.” on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). The WHO “MPOWER” (Source: The Guardian) by 2025 (1.087 billion). Other key findings of the report included: measures are in line with the WHO FCTC and have been By 2020, WHO projects there will be 10 million fewer * Children: Approximately 43 million children (aged 13-15) shown to save lives and reduce costs from averted healthcare WORDS IN THE NEWS tobacco users, male and female, compared to 2018, and used tobacco in 2018 (14 million girls and 29 million boys). expenditure, including: another 27 million less by 2025, amounting to 1.299 billion. * Women: The number of women using tobacco in 2018 * Monitoring tobacco use and prevention policies. Global weather problems Some 60% of countries have been experiencing a decline was 244 million. By 2025, there should be 32 million fewer * Protecting people from tobacco smoke. in tobacco use since 2010. women tobacco users. Most gains are being made in low- and * Offering help to quit tobacco use. middle-income countries. Europe is the region making the (August 14, 2002) “Reductions in global tobacco use demonstrate that when * Warning people about the dangers of tobacco. slowest progress in reducing tobacco use among females. Natural changes in the climate are probably to blame for the governments introduce and strengthen their comprehensive * Enforcing bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and * Asian trends: WHO’s South East Asian Region has the unusual weather conditions in many parts of the world, according evidence-based actions, they can protect the well-being of sponsorship. highest rates of tobacco use, of more than 45% of males and to climatologists. In recent days there have been floods in Central their citizens and communities,” said Dr Ruediger Krech, * Raising taxes on tobacco. Europe, parts of Russia, the Philippines, India and China. But the exact cause is leading to much debate amongst scientists. This report from Ania Lichtarowicz: ENGLISH IN USE The weather effect known as El Niño occurs every few years and causes warming of the Pacific Ocean near South America. It can LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION have severe, often detrimental, effects on rainfall. Some sci- entists are blaming this particular climate phenomenon for the current freak weather conditions around the world. However others say that El Niño hasn’t properly started yet and Camera traps picture Asiatic تصویر برداری همزمان از سه پلنگ و یک only affects the Southern Hemisphere - so there is no way it can explain the heavy rains in Europe. cheetah, Persian leopards in Semnan یوزپلنگ در شاهرود Another theory is that the Asian Brown Haze which has been مدیــرکل حفاظــت محیــط زیســت اســتان ســمنان از تصویربــرداری ســه پلنــگ ایرانــی و یــک یوزپلنــگ recently reported may be affecting weather over countries like An Asiatic cheetah and three Persian leopards have been observed through Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and camera traps in Shahrood county in north central Semnan province, Amir آســیایی در پــارک ملــی تــوران شــاهرودخبر داد. Sri Lanka. But again the brown cloud has been around for many امیــر عبــدوس در گفتگــو بــا خبرنــگار مهــر، تاکیــد کــرد: تصاویــر ضبط شــده از ســه قــاده پلنگ توســط .years - its presence being highlighted in the media following a Abdous, the provincial department of environment chief, has announced دوربیــن تلـ ـهای در کنــار یکــی از آبشــخورهای ایــن پــارک ملــی تهیــه شــده اســت، تصاویر شــاهد ســامت report by the United Nations Environment Program - so it can’t “Cameras have recently captured photos of an Asiatic cheetah and three Persian و وضعیــت جســمی مناســب ا ینگونــه دارد. .be blamed for what is happening now. leopards around watering troughs,” he said مدیــرکل محیــط زیســت اســتان ســمنان گفــت: نصــب ده دوربیــ ن تلــ های توســط یکــی از عکاســان و It’s not unusual for monsoon rains to be delayed, and flooding in All are mature and physically healthy, which is so precious, Abdous further دوســتداران طبیعــت در تــوران همچنیــن ثبــت تصویــر یــک قــاده یوزپلنــگ آســیایی را نیــز بــه دنبــال .Europe is also not uncommon. Only a few years ago the River Oder on highlighted, Mehr reported on Wednesday the Polish-German border caused huge amounts of devastation. Referring to ten camera traps installed in the area by the environmentalists داشــت، تاکیــد کــرد: پویایــی جمعیــت جانــوران وحشــی در یــک زیســت بــوم در گــرو حفــظ گون ههــای -Dr David Viner from the Climatic Research Unit at the Univer شــاخص آن زیســت بــوم ب هخصــوص گون ههــای چتــر و پرچــم اســت و پلنــگ بــه عنــوان گونــه چتــر و sity of East Anglia in Britain says that natural variability in to determine the exact distribution of the species, he said that Asiatic cheetah یوزپلنــگ بــه عنــوان گونــه پرچــم در ایــن پــارک ملــی نقــش بســزایی در پویایــی جمعیــت ســایر گونههــا the weather is probably to blame but human influence can’t and Persian leopard are two invaluable species which are endangered despite بهخصــوص طعمههــای خــود دارنــد. .be ruled out. being among umbrella and flagship species Words detrimental: damaging or harmful climate phenomenon: an event caused by the weather current: something that is happening or being done at the present PREFIX/SUFFIX PHRASAL VERB IDIOM time freak weather conditions: unusual weather “-ish” Pick somebody/something out Dab hand at something Southern Hemisphere: the southern half of the world Asian Brown Haze: a brown cloud affecting Asia Meaning: sort of or similar to Meaning: to choose or recognize someone or some- Explanation: If you’re a dab hand at something, highlighted: brought to attention For example: One of the twins is athletic while the thing from a group you’re very good at doing it huge amounts: a large quantity other is more bookish. For example: She was able to pick out her father For example: Why don’t you call Suzy? She’s a dab natural variability: changes caused by nature at the other side of the room. hand at planning parties. can’t be ruled out: may be possible I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 23, 2019 WORLD IN FOCUS 13

China about to replace U.S. as Afghanistan’s Ghani wins slim majority of presidential strongest naval power vote in preliminary results China might soon shift the world naval that it mostly depends on “how far China 1 According to the tally released by the IEC on Sunday, balance and unseat the U.S. as the modern is willing to go.” the total turnout was 1,824,401 with Ghani winning 923,868 votes master of the seas. The process appears to Meanwhile, the RAND Corporation – a while Abdullah finished second with 39.5% and 720,099 votes. already be under way, and there is little premier U.S. military think tank -- showed in The United States, Afghanistan’s biggest donor, reacted cau- that Washington can do about stopping it. its research that China’s rapid military de- tiously to the result. Visibly shaken by what it has seen on velopment program has already allowed “It is important for Afghans to remember: these results are a photo showing just one of China’s mili- it to drastically close the gap in power and preliminary. Many steps remain before final election results are tary shipyards near Shanghai, the business technology, and even to put the U.S. at a certified, to ensure the Afghan people have confidence in the magazine Forbes recently told its readers disadvantage in certain scenarios. results,” John Bass U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan said in a an alarming story about the “impressive The think tanks and the media appar- post on Twitter. rate” and “vast scale” of Chinese naval ently believe it is high time Washington In a statement on Sunday, Abdullah’s office said he did not modernization. started worrying about losing its military accept the preliminary results and that the commission had failed The shipyard in question indeed appears superiority to the Chinese dragon, which to tackle election fraud. to be an impressive sight to behold. There, seems to be just spreading its wings. But “The result that stands is based on fraud and without con- one can see a total of nine newly constructed when it comes to naval power, it might sidering our legitimate demands, will never be accepted,” the destroyers lined along the quay and docked already be too late. statement said. in an inner shipyard basin. By contrast, the ’Unprecedented program With 9.7 million registered voters, according to IEC, Afghanistan’s entire UK Royal Navy has a total of just six Americans cannot even dream of’ 1.9 million voter turnout for the presidential election was low. similar-class vessels, Forbes notes. Beijing has made its naval forces the Last month, IEC began recounting thousands of votes due to As if it was not enough, the same cornerstone of its military modernization, what it described as discrepancies in its system. Abdullah’s side shipyard is also building China’s new- analysts tell RT. China is actively pursuing objected to the recount and called it an attempt to add more votes est aircraft carrier – the third in a row. the role of a global military power able to in favor of Ghani. IEC dismissed those allegations. The second one, called the Shandong, warns its readers. much less overcome, America’s technolog- project its force to any corner of the earth, In protest, Abdullah’s supporters blocked IEC offices in seven was commissioned by the People’s Lib- ’Good reason’ to worry ical superiority. The same may not be true and the U.S. may not have the sheer indus- northern provinces to prevent the recount, creating delays in the eration Army Navy (PLAN) earlier this What might have come as a surprise for China,” warns the CNAS paper, adding trial capacity to compete. results’ announcement. week. Designed to carry 36 J-15 fighter for Forbes has been occupying the minds that Beijing “strives to achieve technolog- Political scientist and military expert Last week, Abdullah allowed the recount but warned that he jets, it is China’s first fully domestically of all sorts of analysts for quite some time. ical parity, and eventually technological Aleksandr Khramchikhin, deputy head of the would not accept a tainted result. produced carrier. The U.S. media and think tanks alike are dominance.” Institute of Political and Military Analysis, The situation echoes 2014 when both Ghani and Abdullah The one under construction at the Shang- all united in their concerns about Beijing’s Similarly, a whole range of media outlets described the Chinese navy development alleged massive fraud by each other, forcing the United States hai shipyard is expected to be even bigger growing military power. from The Diplomat to the National Inter- program as “totally unprecedented.” to broker an awkward power-sharing arrangement that made and better. In particular, it will have an In June, the Center for a New American est spared no efforts telling their readers Khramchikhin believes that Beijing might Ghani president and Abdullah his chief executive. electromagnetic catapult – just like the U.S. Security (CNAS), a Washington-based think that China’s military modernization poses “a be able to rival Washington in terms of the Aides close to Ghani, a Western-educated former World Bank Navy’s newest carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford. tank, argued that China’s industrial and challenge” to the U.S. and gives Washing- sheer fleet size in a decade or so. He par- official, said the incumbent was not ready for another power More importantly, this one shipyard is technological capabilities might help it “beat ton “good reasons” to worry. Harvard Policy ticularly noted that China has been able to sharing deal with Abdullah, a former medical doctor. but a sneak peek into China’s real capabili- the Americans at their own game” and get Review made a step further and wondered build frigates, corvettes and even destroyers Without a unifying leader accepted by all sides, Afghanistan ties as there are “many yards across China, an edge in the new arms race. whether Beijing’s strategy could put it on by the dozen over the past decades. could split further along tribal and ethnic lines. which are similarly impressive,” Forbes “The Soviets were never able to match, a “path to hegemony,” eventually admitting (Source: RT) (Source: Reuters) Modi says law not anti-Muslim as California homelessness ‘at crisis level’ protests continue across India with uptick of 16.4% this year – HUD Cuba names first prime

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has “People who are trying to spread lies The US has seen a 2.7 percent increase in HUD Secretary Ben Carson noted that minister in over 40 years defended a contentious citizenship law and fear, look at my work. If you see any the homeless population this year, and California has been lagging behind the Manuel Marrero Cruz has been named Cuba’s prime minister, his government passed as protesters con- trace of divisiveness in my work, show it California is leading the way, adding more rest of the country, urging the state and taking a political post that had been abolished more than four tinued to demonstrate against the new to the world,” he said. to the homeless population than all oth- municipal authorities to step up their decades ago. legislation that excludes Muslims. Modi accused India’s main opposition er states combined, a new government game in dealing with the crisis before it President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Saturday named 56-year-old Modi took the stage at a rally in New Congress party of conspiring “to push not report has found. spirals out of control. Marrero — who served as Cuba’s tourism minister for almost 16 Delhi on Sunday to launch his Bharati- only New Delhi but other parts of the coun- The report by the Department of Hous- The primary reason for the spike in years — as head of the government for a five-year term. ya Janata Party (BJP)’s campaign for the try into a fear psychosis”. ing and Urban Development (HUD) re- homelessness on the West Coast is that The post was last held by charismatic leader Fidel Castro capital legislative assembly elections in “They are trying every tactic to push leased Friday has laid bare the problem of the cost of housing there remains “ex- in 1976. But it was abolished when Castro transitioned to the February. But he quickly turned to address me out of power,” he said. rising homelessness that has been plaguing tremely high,” Carson said. California presidency, taking over from Osvaldo Dorticos after the country’s the contentious law and the ensuing na- The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), an array of states, but none of them has is also home to a peculiar phenomenon constitution was restructured. tionwide protests that have left at least 23 that was passed in Parliament earlier this experienced a crisis of the proportions known as ‘working homeless’, brought A newer constitution was recognized in Cuba late last year, people dead. month, allows Hindus, Christians and oth- that one of the wealthiest states in the forth by exorbitant rent prices fue- reviving the prime ministerial position and delegating some of “The law does not impact 1.3 billion er religious minorities who are in India country, California, is now facing. led by the burgeoning tech industry. the president’s responsibilities to the prime minister. Indians, and I must assure Muslim citi- illegally to become citizens if they can 21,306 more people have been home- The inability to afford rent drives not The premier has the power to hire and fire state employees and zens of India that this law will not change show they were persecuted because of less on at least a single night in Califor- only the vulnerable population, such is in overall control of provincial governors — another position anything for them,” said Modi, adding their religion in Muslim-majority Bang- nia than last year, which amounts to an as veterans and single mothers, to the restored under the new constitution. that his government introduces reforms ladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. It does increase of 16.4 percent, the report says. streets, but also employees who are He is nominated by the president and approved by the Na- without any religious bias. not apply to Muslims. California’s “contribution” to the report not well off enough to cover the costs tional Assembly. “We have never asked anyone if they go Critics have slammed the legislation as has effectively rendered null the progress of housing. The revival of the prime minister’s post in Cuba is seen as to a temple or a mosque when it comes to a violation of India’s secular constitution noted around the country, as the homeless California’s homelessness crisis has part of a process of decentralization and generational change. implementing welfare schemes. Brothers, and have called it the latest effort by Modi’s population has plummeted in 29 states prompted U.S. President Donald Trump (Source: AFP) since this law has been passed, some polit- government to marginalize the country’s and Washington, DC. to accuse the government of the tradition- ical parties have been spreading rumors. 200 million Muslims. Modi has defended Overall, HUD reported an increase of ally Democratic state of being too inept These people are misleading the public, the law as a humanitarian gesture. 14,885 people from last year, which brings to tackle the problem. they are inciting the public. (Source: al Jazeera) the total in the U.S. to about 568,000. (Source: RT) Netanyahu rejoices as UAE FM supports Israel-Arab Colonialism was a ‘grave mistake’, Macron says during Ivory Coast visit alliance Colonialism was a “grave mistake” and a “serious fault” the presidential scheme to bring it into line with the The UAE minister of foreign affairs and international coop- made by the French Republic, French president Emma- wider overhaul of France’s retirement system, his of- eration has tweeted an article supporting an alliance between nuel Macron declared on Saturday during a joint press fice said, confirming an earlier report by French daily Arab countries and Israel, receiving an immediate welcome from conference with the president of the Ivory Coast, Alassane Le Parisien. prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Ouattara. The 42-year-old president will be years away from In a post on his official Twitter account on Saturday, Sheikh “Too often, France is perceived as taking a supremacy France’s legal retirement age of 62 when he leaves office Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan tweeted a link to a stance and to dress itself in the rags of colonialism, which even he serves two full five-year terms. story in The Spectator, a weekly British magazine, titled, “Is- has been a grave mistake, a serious fault of the Republic”, “The President of the Republic will converge ... with the lam’s reformation: an Arab-Israeli alliance is taking shape in Macron said. universal points system planned for all French people,” the Middle East.” He added that he hoped “a new page” of the story could Macron’s office said. The article argued that an Israeli-Arab alliance is taking shape be written. “It is a question of being exemplary and coherent.” in the region and that many Arab figures are currently considering Macron to give up presidential pension in Two weeks of nationwide industrial action against Tel Aviv an important ally against Iran as well as a partner for reform gesture Macron’s pension reform, which would scrap special re- trade and security. Meanwhile, Macron, whose plans to reform the pension gimes for sectors like the railways and make people work “A new narrative is emerging in the Middle East. New continuing stoppages as travelers head off on holiday. system have run into fierce public opposition, will forego to 64 to draw a full pension, have crippled train services. maps of the Muslim mind are being drawn and old hatreds National rail operator SNCF continued to run reduced a special presidential pension payout when he eventually Speaking on Saturday during a visit to Ivory Coast, are on the run,” the article wrote. “Sunni Arab neighbors are services on Sunday, including half the usual number of steps down, his office said on Sunday. Macron called on transport unions to suspend strikes changing course.” its high-speed TGV trains. Under a law dating back to 1955, France’s presidents are during the Christmas holidays to avoid disrupting travel It referred to Netanyahu’s visit to Oman in October 2018 and But faced with an outcry over the cancellation of holiday entitled to draw a pension of about 6,000 euros ($6,650) for families. Bahrain’s attempts to normalize ties with Israel. services for children traveling without their parents, the per month before tax as soon as they leave office. But despite calls by some unions to suspend strikes It further claimed that Israel and many Arab states “were SNCF laid on several trains for kids on Sunday. Macron will waive these pension rights and change during the festive season, several rail workers’ groups are united” in what it called “an uproar” over the 2015 nuclear deal (Source: agencies) between Iran and world powers. “Finally, and most intriguingly, Israel is being seen by mod- erate Arab governments as a trade and security partner as the Haftar’s forces capture Turkish ship after defense pact signed by Libya rivals West sends mixed signals,” the story read. Forces loyal to Libyan renegade military LNA spokesperson Ahmed Mismari said “The ship was taken to have its cargo to Libya in support of the GNA, but no “There are enough historical and scriptural narratives of Mus- commander Khalifa Haftar have towed a without giving further details. checked,” Hami Akosy said, confirming request has been made. lim-Jewish fraternity to form the basis for rapprochement,” it Grenada-flagged ship with Turkish crew The eastern forces provided Reuters that three Turkish nationals were onboard. Ankara has sent military supplies to added. off the Libyan coast, a spokesman said. News Agency with a video that shows It was not immediately clear what the Libya in violation of a UN arms embargo, Netanyahu responded to the top Emirati diplomat, wel- Saturday’s move came hours after the Libyan navy forces stopping the ship and ship was carrying. according to a report by UN experts seen coming close relations between Israel and Arab countries in Turkish Parliament approved a security questioning three crew members. They On Saturday, Ankara signed the security by Reuters last month. the region. and military cooperation deal with Libya. also published copies of passports of three and military agreement with the United Turkey has been backing the GNA, led Israel has full diplomatic ties with only two Arab states, Egypt A naval combat vessel belonging to Turkish nationals. Nations-recognized Libyan Government by Fayez al-Sarraj, as it fights off a months- and Jordan, but latest reports suggest Tel Aviv has been working Haftar’s self-styled eastern Libyan Na- A Turkish foreign ministry spokesperson of National Accord (GNA). The agreement long offensive by Haftar’s forces. behind the scenes to establish formal contacts with other Arab tional Army (LNA) stopped the ship in told Al Jazeera the ship developed “technical came just weeks after concluding a con- Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Libyan territorial waters off the eastern problems” and could not dock properly, troversial deal on maritime jurisdiction. and Saudi Arabia are seen as aligned Bahrain. city of Derna and towed it to Ras El Hilal leading the ship to ask for help from Libya’s Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo- with Russia in backing Haftar. In October 2018, Israel’s culture and sports minister Miri port “for inspection and to verify its cargo”, coastguards. gan has said Turkey could deploy troops (Source: agencies) Regev traveled to the UAE for the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam judo tournament, where the regime’s anthem was played for the first time. During the visit, she also toured Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Russia ready to include ‘super weapons’ in arms control treaty: Lavrov Grand Mosque accompanied by Emirati officials. Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Sunday START strategic arms reduction treaty, should it be ex- to the United States, Interfax cited Lavrov as saying on a Israel has recently been invited to participate at the Expo that Russia was prepared to include the heavy Sarmat tended, Interfax reported. talk show on Russian state television. 2020 in the UAE city of Dubai. missile and the Avangard hypersonic missile in a new Russia is also ready to demonstrate the Sarmat missile (Source: Ifax) (Source: press TV) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 14 WORLD SPORTS DECEMBER 23, 2019

Ajax defender Blind Liverpool head home hungry for more undergoes successful heart procedure after being crowned world champions Dutch-born Ajax Amsterdam defender Daley Blind has un- dergone a successful heart operation, the Eredivisie club has said. Liverpool have made winning trophies a habit There was more good news for them on Blind who previously played for Manchester United in 2019 and Jurgen Klopp’s side return to Saturday as nearest rivals Leicester City lost between 2014 and 2018, suffered from dizziness in Ajax’s England and to their push for the Premier 3-1 at Manchester City, leaving Liverpool 10 Champions League match against Valencia this month, but League title galvanized after being crowned points clear at the top with a game in hand. continued playing. world champions in Qatar on Saturday. Klopp’s squad have little time for celebra- The 29-year-old has been fitted with a subcutaneous It is an honor the Anfield side had never tions, however, as they return to England implantable cardioverter defibrillator, the club confirmed before claimed but which is now theirs after to prepare to visit Leicester on Thursday. on Saturday. Roberto Firmino’s extra-time goal secured a But while a week in Qatar might have “The most important thing is that I’m feeling good at the 1-0 victory over Flamengo in a hard-fought seemed like an unwanted distraction for moment and trying to come back as soon as possible,” Blind Club World Cup final in Doha. some in a busy schedule, Klopp was keen to said in a video posted on Twitter. The latest piece of silverware is Liverpool’s point out that his team have still played the Blind, who was a regular starter in Ajax’s incredible run third in little over six months, after they won same number of games as their challengers. to the Champions League semi-finals last season, will miss the Champions League in June and began “If we hadn’t played here tonight we would the club’s January training camp in Qatar, and will continue this season by winning the UEFA Supercup have played at West Ham, so the same num- his recovery in Amsterdam. on penalties against Chelsea. ber of games, the same situation, and the (Source: Reuters) “The year 2019 for the club has been difference is the climate, even if it was not outstanding,” said defender Virgil van Dijk. as warm as probably Europeans would have “But we shouldn’t be satisfied with it. We expected at the moment,” said the German. Val d’Isere women’s downhill should keep going, keep striving for more, “It is still something we have to adapt and keep wanting more trophies.” to. But that is the only thing that is special, scrapped again Van Dijk returned against Flamengo after so it’s all good, and we need to make sure illness kept him out of the 2-1 semi-final that we come home safely, and recover in Strong winds and more heavy snowfall forced World Cup victory against Monterrey and that deter- the plane already, and then prepare the organizers to cancel Sunday’s rearranged women’s downhill mination to be back playing summed up said we were wasting our time or whatever,” host local rivals Everton in the FA Cup third Leicester game.” at Val d’Isere. Liverpool’s attitude towards the competition. acknowledged Andy Robertson. round on January 5. With several players already out, how- The downhill was originally pushed back from Saturday The Club World Cup is not held in the “But for us even if we did lose it was all However, the Premier League is the one ever, the downside was seeing Alex Oxlade- at the expense of the scheduled combined, but continuing highest regard in Europe, coming in the worthwhile because we had a chance to win a they really have in their sights as they seek Chamberlain go off hurt in the second half poor conditions prompted officials to again call off the race. middle of a busy club season. trophy that the club had never won before.” a first English title since 1990. against Flamengo, and the midfielder may It marks the second year in a row the women’s events That is in contrast to South America, He added that “2019 has been incredible, Leicester beaten be set for another spell on the sidelines. have been cancelled at the French resort. with Flamengo’s huge support in Doha we have won three trophies and hopefully in As well as the trophies in 2019, Klopp’s “When he was landing he got a kick and Last year, the three women’s races were called off be- showing just how much Saturday’s game 2020 there is a couple more for us.” team have not lost a league game since their rolled over. It is far away from being per- cause of a lack of snow and the men’s slalom was cancelled meant to them. Liverpool will continue their defense of very first outing of the year, at Manchester fect, but we will see if the ligament is only because of high wind. “It might have been different had we got the Champions League with a last-16 tie City. They have won 25 and drawn one of stretched, or ruptured partly,” Klopp said. This year the wind has already got the better of the beat, then maybe some people would have against Atletico Madrid in February, and their last 26 in the Premier League. (Source: AFP) men’s giant slalom, a race rescheduled for Hinterstoder in Austria on March 1. The women’s circuit heads to Lienz, Austria, next week- end for a giant slalom and slalom. Bayern make Flick head coach until ‘at Lionel Messi: 2020 will see the greatest (Source: AFP) least’ end of season of all records fall Zlatan statue vandalized again, has nose sawn off

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s statue in Sweden has been vandalized once again, with the nose sawn off on Sunday. The statue outside Malmo’s stadium was set on fire in November and saw marks were found on its feet earlier in December. The incidents of vandalization to the statue have been apparent responses to the former LA Galaxy striker be- coming part-owner of Hammarby -- rivals to Malmo, with whom Ibrahimovic, 38, started his career. The last incident caused police to erect a fence around the statue, which was described by Malmo vice chairman Kaveh Hosseinpour as “completely worthless” and a “piece of junk” after news emerged of Ibrahimovic’s involvement with Hammarby. “He basically stuck a knife in our backs, and then he Bayern Munich on Sunday confirmed interim and successful football.” Barcelona’s mercurial Argentine continues in his sights. His two goals on Saturday came along with a sword and chopped off our heads,” Hos- boss Hansi Flick will remain head coach “until Flick got off to a flying start by winning his to perform at the highest possible level against Alavés sent the Argentine off for seinpour said. at least” the end of the season after winning first four games at a canter last month with and, after another impressive year, targets his Christmas celebrations just 25 from Malmo supporters also started an online petition for eight of his 10 games in charge. Bayern scoring 16 goals and conceding none. a previously unimaginable feat. drawing level. The year 2019 comes to an the statue to be removed. “FC Bayern and Hansi Flick have agreed” However back-to-back league defeats, both Edson Arantes do Nascimiento, better end with the Barça man’s total at 618 from (Source: ESPN) that he “will remain head coach... at least by a 2-1 margin, at home to Bayer Leverkusen known as Pelé, must surely have spent the official matches. until the end of the current season,” the club and away to Borussia Moenchengladbach last fifty years unconcerned that any player, Given that the Argentine’s average is said in a statement. dampened the mood before Bayern won their certainly in his lifetime, would come close running at more than 40 goals per year at Atalanta hand AC Milan their “A continuation of Hansi Flick as head last three games of 2019. to reaching his record tally of goals with Barcelona, the idea that 2020 will overtake coach beyond that is a conceivable option Several key Bayern players, most notice- a single club. As he, and the rest of us, the 46-year record seems inevitable, barring heaviest Serie A defeat for FC Bayern.” ably Thomas Mueller and Philippe Coutinho, look ahead to the year 2020, that peace of serious injury. And if we can assume that he mind must now have been swapped with Alejandro Gomez scored a stunning individual goal and Josip The 54-year-old, an assistant with the who has rebooted his career on loan from will pass that, it is then very possible that a resigned acceptance that a boy born in Ilicic notched a second-half brace as Atalanta thrashed a Germany team that won the 2014 World Cup, Barcelona, have flourished under Flick. he will reach a figure that would be three Rosario and molded in La Masia is going to rudderless AC Milan 5-0 on Sunday, handing their oppo- took charge after Niko Kovac was sacked in “Hansi deserves our trust,” said sports times the amount of the second highest do what no other forward has been able to. nents their joint-heaviest Serie A defeat. early November. director Hasan Salihamidzic. scorer in the history of the Catalan club, Over the past decade it has felt like Lionel Former Milan player Mario Pasalic rubbed further salt Saturday’s 2-0 home win over Wolfsburg “The fact that our players have presented César. The forward, who passed away in Messi has been determined to shatter all into their wounds by also scoring. It was the fourth time kept Bayern third in the Bundesliga heading themselves so convincingly in the past few the 1995, finished his playing career with records available to him. In terms of his Milan have lost a Serie A match by a five-goal margin and into the four-week winter break, four points weeks shows that we are on the right track 232 goals and it does not seem too far- goal scoring, many legendary names have the first since 1998. behind leaders RB Leipzig. with Hansi Flick. fetched now to suggest that Messi exceeds already been picked off: from César Rod- Gomez opened the scoring in the 10th minute, nutmeg- Under Flick Bayern reached the last 16 “I am convinced that we can achieve 696 before he hangs up his boots. ríguez and Torpedo Muller, to the likes of ging a hapless Andrea Conti before firing a right-foot shot of the Champions League and became the our sporting goals with him, whether in the The 618 goals to date have been dis- Johan Cruyff, Cristiano Ronaldo, Alfredo past Gianluigi Donnarumma in the 10th minute. first German club to win all six matches in Bundesliga, German Cup or the Champions tributed as follows: 432 in LaLiga, 114 in Di Stefano and Diego Maradona. But Pelé Pasalic, who clipped the crossbar before half-time, di- the group stage. League.” the Champions League, 51 in the Copa del was still missing from his collection. verted Robin Gonsens’ cross-shot into the net in the 61st “FC Bayern is very satisfied with the work Bayern face Chelsea in the last 16 in Europe Rey, 18 in the Spanish Super Cup, five in The best player in Brazil’s history, and minute, then Ilicic scored twice in an nine-minute spell to of Hansi Flick,” said club chairman Karl- in a repeat of the 2012 final won by the Blues. the Club World Cup and three in the Eu- for many in the entire history of football, turn it into a humiliation for Milan as their defence fell apart. Heinz Rummenigge. After the Christmas break Flick will take ropean Super Cup. has treasured his record since 1974, one There was more to come as Luis Muriel ran onto a through “Under him as head coach, the sporting his squad to Doha from January 4-10 for a His personal accolades have seen him that seemed unattainable for any mortal, ball, outran a Milan defender, evaded Donnarumma as the development is outstanding, both in terms training camp before their first league game pick up six Ballons d’Or, six Golden Boots, scoring 643 goals for the same club. In goalkeeper rushed out of his area and added the fifth. of the quality of our game and the results of 2020, against Hertha Berlin on January 19. four Champions League and ten Spanish his case, it was achieved with Santos, the Milan are 10th in the table with 21 points while Atalanta achieved. “I am happy that FC Bayern continue league titles. He already has a very special Brazilian club in which he performed so climbed to fifth with 31. “In the Champions League group stage, to place their trust in me as head coach,” place in the history of the beautiful game, consistently for 17 years (from 1956 to 1974) (Source: Soccernet) we set a new record. said Flick. and can look ahead to the new year with “I am convinced that FC Bayern will “I really enjoy working with the team and while also representing his national team thoughts of breaking a record that most continue next year where it left off in the the coaching staff. so proudly. thought could never be touched. Olympic great Kitajima to last few games, namely playing attractive (Source: Deutsche Welle) Messi now has that incredible tally (Source: AS) head new Swim League team in 2020 Giannis triple double leads NBA-best Bucks over Knicks Four-time Olympic gold medallist Kosuke Kitajima will Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered his third triple-double of the The Clippers improved to 22-9 and remained hot on the heels head a new Tokyo-based International Swimming League season and Khris Middleton scored a game-high 23 points to of the Lakers in the West. team that will join the fledgling series in 2020. power the NBA-leading Milwaukee Bucks over New York 123- Joel Embiid and Josh Richardson each scored 21 points to The Tokyo club, which has yet to be named, was unveiled 102 on Saturday. lead six double-figure Philadelphia scorers as the 76ers ripped on Saturday in Las Vegas, Nevada, where the ISL capped Greek star Antetokounmpo had 22 points, 11 rebounds and Washington 125-108. its inaugural season with a glitzy finale at the Mandalay 10 assists for the Bucks, who improved their league-best record Cameroonian Embiid grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds while Bay event center. to 26-4 with an eighth consecutive road victory. Australian guard Ben Simmons had 14 points, 11 assists and eight The Japanese outfit and a new club in Toronto will expand Antetokounmpo made 8-of-10 shots from the floor, 2-of-4 rebounds for the Sixers (21-10) and Bradley Beal had 36 points the ISL’s number of teams to 10 for the 2020-2021 season. from 3-point range and went 4-of-8 from the free throw line for in a losing cause. “I’m very happy to be given this chance to be part of a the Bucks, who were coming off a Thursday triumph over the Croatian forward Bojan Bogdanovich scored 26 points and big opportunity for swimming in general,” said Kitajima, Western Conference-leading Los Angeles Lakers. Frenchman Rudy Gobert added 17 points and 19 rebounds as the who said he felt a little left out when he wasn’t approached “I’m not into stats,” Antetokounmpo said. “I’m here to get Utah Jazz won 114-107 at Charlotte. Terry Rozier led the Hornets before the start of the first season. the job done. Stats are going to be there if you are on the court with 29 points. After watching the two-day final, he said he was im- and doing your best. Brooklyn’s Spencer Dinwiddie scored 39 points and the host pressed not only by the energy of the event but also by the “The hard part is making your stats count. I just want to be Harden hit 15-of-27 shots from the floor, including 9-of-19 Nets beat Atlanta 122-112, outscoring the Hawks 37-14 in the smiles of the swimmers themselves. on the court and help my team win.” from 3-point range, and 8-of-9 free throws as well as contributing fourth quarter for the victory. “I hope that a lot of Japanese swimmers will be able to Kyle Korver had 17 points off the bench as Milwaukee produced six rebounds and seven assists for the Rockets. Zach LaVine scored 33 points to lead the Chicago Bulls over the participate in this ISL next season,” said Kitajima, who seven double-figure scorers while the Knicks, who slid to 7-23, Russell Westbrook added 30 points and 10 assists while Clint host Detroit Pistons 119-107 while Jae Crowder had 17 points and retired in 2016 after a groundbreaking Olympic career were led by Julius Randle’s 20 points. Capela had 17 rebounds and 14 points for Houston. 10 rebounds to lead Memphis over visiting Sacramento 119-115. that included double breaststroke golds in the 2004 and NBA scoring leader James Harden, whose 38.5-point per game Kawhi Leonard scored 26 points, passed out nine assists, pulled Damian Lillard scored 29 points to lead the Portland Trail 2008 Games. average is the only one ahead of Antetokounmpo’s 31.8-point aver- down seven rebounds and made four steals to power the Los Blazers over visiting Minnesota 113-106. (Source: Eurosport) age, poured in 47 points in Houston’s 139-125 victory at Phoenix. Angeles Clippers to a 134-109 victory at San Antonio. (Source: France 24) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 23, 2019 SPORTS 15

Iran wastes time choosing Iranian rower Malaei wins second gold medal at 2019 the new head coach Asian Rowing Cup SPORTS TEHRAN — Iran foot- SPORTS TEHRAN — Iranian rower and national team deskball federation has yet to deskmember, Nazanin Malaei, won her second choose the new head coach for Team Melli gold medal in the 2019 Asian Rowing Cup in Pattaya, Thailand. and it seems to be such a waste of time. Molaei gained the gold medal in the final of lightweight single With three months remaining until the sculls on Sunday. The rowers from Kazakhstan and Vietnam restart of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qual- came second and third, respectively. ification, the Iranian federation has not She also had received another gold medal on Saturday in introduced the new head coach. women’s single sculls. Marc Wilmots left his role as coach of In Men’s Single Scull, Bahman Nassiri won gold on Saturday, Team Melli in early December, just seven followed by rowers from Thailand, Vietnam, and Uzbekistan. months after replacing Carlos Queiroz at the The 2019 Asian Rowing Cup was held in Pattaya, Thailand helm of the three-time Asian champions. from December 18 to 22. Iran football federation and Wilmots’s con- tract is considered to be ambiguous and the deal will only serve the Belgian coach’s interests. The football federation has yet to answer Iran Claims Two Medals at the questions and has not yet appointed the Vovinam World Championship new head coach as well. Branko Ivankovic, who led Iran to the TASNIM — Iran claimed two medals at the 6th WVVF Vovinam 2006 World Cup finals in Germany, has been World Championship underway in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. heavily linked with a return to the post but Amir Khosh Kalam grabbed a gold medal after beating a rival two parties have remained silent. from Indonesia in the 77kg final. Iran will have four must-win matches in Soheil Nouri also won a silver medal, losing to an opponent late March and early June. from Algeria in the 82kg. Team Melli will entertain Hong Kong on The competition has brought 24 countries together at Phnom March 26 in Tehran and will meet Cambodia Penh’s Olympic Stadium from December 16 to 22. five days later in an away match. Vovinam, which first entered the scene in the late 1930s, is a Iran will face Bahrain and Iraq on June Vietnamese martial art that involves both armed and unarmed 4 and 9 in Tehran. combat. From Vietnam, the sport spread to other parts of the Team Melli sit five points behind leaders Iraq world. The sport is played and has a following in more than 70 in Group C but having played one game fewer. countries. The eight group winners and four best The tournament is being run by the World Vovinam Federa- runners-up will advance to the AFC Asian tion and Cambodia Vovinam Federation headed by Oknha Rat Cup China 2023 Finals and the final round of Sokhorn. The tournament is held every two years. qualifying for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The next best 24 teams from the second round of the joint qualifiers will compete in a separate competition for the remain- Hassan Yazdani will reach 2020 ing 12 slots in the 24-team AFC Asian Cup China 2023. Olympics, assures the surgeon

MNA— World and Olympics wrestling champion, Hassan Noorafkan: ‘We’re a big team with a big Iran’s Olympic qualification amongst Yazdani will undergo surgery on Monday, said an experienced knee surgeon who is going to perform the surgery. heart and a great dream’ ‘the top 10 moments in Asia for 2019’ “Yazdani suffers from an outer meniscus injury and he can start upper body training one week after the surgery,” Dr Sohrab Keyhani told Mehr News Agency on Sunday. Yazdani was injured during training for the 2019 World Wres- tling Clubs Cup held in Bojnurd, northeast of Iran, raising concern over his ability to participate in the 2020 Olympics. Keyhani assured that Yazdani will certainly reach the Olym- pics, noting that the wrestler will start full training six weeks after the surgery. “Fortunately, his cruciate ligament is fine and this will lead to a speedy recovery and return to training,” he said. Keyhani went on to say that the medical team will put all its efforts to prepare the renowned wrestler for the Olympics. Yazdani won the gold medal of 74kg freestyle wrestling in the 2016 Olympics. A year later, he changed his weight to 86kg and won the two world titles in 2017 Paris and 2019 Nur-Sultan. He is considered one of Iran’s main hopes to win a gold medal at the upcoming Olympics.

Omid Noorafkan believes desire best performance to date. The year 2019 will soon be behind us but the and fans never doubted their chances. They Iran Wins Asian Muaythai can help the Islamic Republic of But Noorafkan remains confident many big moments that happened over the beat the Chinese, 86-62, and then turned Iran achieve their dream at the AFC that when Thailand 2020 comes past 12 months will live strong in the memory. the Prince Hamza Arena into a big party Championships 2019 U23 Championship Thailand 2020 around in a little under three weeks’ Here is our top 10: with 86-80 triumph over the Tall Blacks. as Team Melli prepare to return to time, his side will be ready to chal- Japan win fourth consecutive Japan overcome superstar the tournament for the first time lenge the Continent’s best and fight FIBA Women’s Asia Cup Cambage and Australia TASNIM — Iran claimed the title of the International Fed- since 2016. for the title. With one stirring performance after an- Some might not have placed much val- eration of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) Asian Champi- The midfielder skippered the Cen- “Iran has always had good players, other, Japan won all five of their games in ue on Japan’s title wins at the FIBA Asia onships 2019. tral Asians as they advanced from a good staff and good coaches for their Bengaluru, including an impressive 74-64 Women’s Cups of 2017 and 2019 since giant The competition was held in in Abu Dhabi, the UAE from qualifying group that featured Iraq, U-23 teams, but the most important triumph over Australia in the Semi-Finals center Liz Cambage was not with Australia December 17 to 21. Turkmenistan and Yemen after finish- things are discipline and organiza- and a 71-68 victory over China on September at the events. Well, she was with the Opals Iran claimed the title for the first time with 15 gold medals, ing as one of the best-placed runners tion,” noted Noorafkan. 29 in the title game. at the Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament 10 silvers and eight bronzes. up in March to book their ticket to the “I’m sure this current team has Alvark Tokyo get redemption in Kuala Lumpur on November 17 against Kazakhstan became runner-up, winning 14 gold medals, three Continental competition, which also that and we’re going to Thailand to in Champions Cup the Japanese and the Far East team didn’t silvers and five bronzes. acts as the Olympic Games qualifiers. try and win all our games. Just one year after falling to Petrochimi blink, winning 82-69. Thailand finished in third place with nine gold medals and Four years ago in Qatar, when “Uzbekistan, Korea Republic and in the Final, 68-64, Alvark Tokyo celebrated China stun Australia 70-69 at four bronzes. Olympic qualification was also on China are all good teams. Uzbekistan the title themselves. Edged by Al Riyadi FIBA Women’s Asia Cup Over 600 representatives from 35 countries participated in the line, Iran progressed to the quar- are very strong on the counter-attack on Day 2, 77-75, the Japanese club struck In what most assuredly was one of the the 5-day competition. ter-finals before defeat at the hands and play with good wingers, while we back with a vengeance and beat the same best and most thrilling games in FIBA of Japan. After missing out on the expect Korea Republic and China to opponents in the Championship game on Women’s Asia Cup history, China and U-23 showpiece in 2018, they return play a fast game. But they also know September 29, 98-74. Australia traded blows on Day 3. Getting looking to go at least one better this all about Iran.” First-Ever Asia Cup Qualifiers a vintage Shao Ting spinning layup with Unfair US sanctions affecting time round a give themselves a chance Noorafkan has been on fine form Draw 5.9 seconds remaining, China edged it. Iran’s football: Sports Minister of appearing at Tokyo 2020. for Sepahan in his homeland during a The FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers A 17,000-strong crowd roars “Our target is to qualify for the loan stint from parent club Charleroi, Draw that took place in Bengaluru, India, China to victory Olympics because we know this is a who he joined in 2018 after impressing on June 8 was an historical moment for The Wukesong Arena had had some MNA— Iran’s Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, Masoud huge opportunity in our lives,” said with Tehran giants Esteghlal. basketball in the region. It was the first electric atmospheres when hosting big Soltanifar condemned the US sanctions against Iran which Noorafkan, who is currently on loan The 22-year-old is one of a num- time for such an occasion and it created a basketball games at the 2008 Olympics have led to FIFA’s failure to pay Iran its revenues. at Iranian league leaders Sepahan ber of players in Iran’s U-23 squad big buzz as the 24 teams discovered how and it sure was loud on the night of Au- “Unfortunately, due to unfair sanctions, FIFA cannot from Belgian side Charleroi. that have left Iran at a young age tricky their paths to the big event would be. gust 31, when China charged back from pay Iran’s revenues without the permission of the US De- “To make a big step such as reach- to join European sides and their Philippines basketball great Jimmy Alapag an early 6-point deficit and crushed Cote partment of the Treasury and the Iranian federation was ing the Olympics you have to first aim is to emulate those who have of the Philippines and Japa legend Asami d’Ivoire, 70-55. forced to borrow money from a domestic company to pay think about the short steps, which represented their country at youth Yoshida assisted with the draw. Japan overcome nightmare the salary of the [former] Team Melli head coach [Marc for us is the opening match [at the level and gone on to play at the Iran punch ticket for 2020 start to reach World Cup Wilmots],” said Soltanifar on Sunday in a meeting with AFC U23 Championship] against highest level. Olympics Japan’s hopes of making it to the FIBA Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani at the opening Uzbekistan. “I have already played some games A couple of heartbreaking defeats - Basketball World Cup looked dead in the ceremony of a sports exhibition in Tehran. “At tournaments, the first game in the Belgian league and there are 83-81 to Puerto Rico and 73-65 to Spain water they lost their first four games in He said that the Iranian football federation had always is always so important, so I have al- others such as Allahyar Sayyadmanesh (Iran had led in the fourth quarter) - and the Asian Qualifiers yet they came to life paid salaries of coaches via its revenues at FIFA but after ready spoken with my teammates at Fenerbahce, Mehdi Mehdikhani a 79-67 setback to Tunisia left Iran with with a 79-78 victory over Australia. That imposition of US sanctions, this path has been blocked. about it and we are already looking [in Croatia] and Younes Delfi, also an 0-3 record heading into the Classifica- sparked an eight-game winning streak that The root of problems with payments to foreign coach- forward to it. at Charleroi,” said Noorafkan. tion Round. With their eyes on the prize culminated with a 96-48 win at Qatar on es including Marc Wilmots and Andrea Stramaccioni is “We are a big team with a big heart “In the past we’ve had good players of Olympic qualification, Hamed Haddadi February 24, the final victory needed to unfair US sanction ‘which have targeted football and the and a great dream. We will do our at youth level, such as Sardar Azmoun, and Co first beat Angola, 71-62 and then, seal a spot at China 2019. youth’, he said. best to become heroes.” Mehdi Taremi, Alireza Jahanbakhsh on September 8, thumped the Philippines, Thailand stage FIBA U19 Wom- It’s been some two weeks that Esteghlal coach Andrea In addition to the defending cham- and Kaveh Rezaei, and we can follow 95-75, to clinch a spot in the Tokyo Games. en’s Basketball World Cup Stramaccioni has left Tehran because of the inability of the pions Uzbekistan, Iran have been in their footsteps if we do well. Jordan upset New Zealand in last Thailand grabbed the opportunity to club to transfer money to his account. Although, reports drawn in a tough group alongside “This is the target of all the play- Asian Qualifier to reach World Cup host a world event for the first time since indicate that the problem has been solved and he may soon Korea Republic and China PR. ers and we think about these steps, Jordan had last played at a FIBA Basket- 2009 (when the country also put on the U19 travel back to Tehran. Team Melli have continually been but the first mission is the AFC U23 ball World Cup in 2010 and their chances Women’s Basketball World Cup) and put The same payment problem was seen in the case of Marc among the top teams in Asia at senior Championship and the Olympics. of making it to China in 2019 looked bleak on a great show, one that was capped by a Wilmots who eventually stepped down as Team Melli’s level in recent years, although they “We have a good team and are very when they entered the last window of the remarkable Final between Australia and the coach. According to the football federation, the coaching have failed to scale the same heights confident for this tournament. We Asian Qualifiers mired in a four-game losing United States. The USA claimed a 78-74 team’s salary has been cleared for one year. The federation at age group levels, with the quar- are ready for Thailand.” streak and needing to beat both China and overtime victory to win this year’s event. and the Belgian coach’s lawyers are still negotiating on ter-final appearance in 2016 their (Source: AFC) New Zealand in Amman. Jordan’s players (Source: FIBA) termination of the contract. Prayer Times Noon:12:03 Evening: 17:16 Dawn: 5:41 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 7:11 (tomorrow) DECEMBER 23, 2019 ART&CULTURE I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y www.tehrantimes.com Managing Director: Mohammad Shojaeian Editor-in-Chief: Mohammad Ghaderi Croatian Ambassador Drago Stambuk’s Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 [email protected] Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051450 Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 poem collection published in Persian Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 CULTURE TEHRAN — Croatian www.eshterak.ir Distributor: Padideh Novin Co. deskAmbassador Drago Tel: 88911433 Stambuk’s poem collection entitled Webmaster: [email protected] Printed at: Jame Jam Bartar Borna - 44197737 “Damavand Beyond the Sea” (“Damavand, s onu stranu mora”) has recently been Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimesdaily published in Persian. The book was introduced during a meeting No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran organized in collaboration with the Persian P.o. Box: 14155-4843 literary monthly Bokhara at the House of Zip Code: 1599814713 Humanities Thinkers in Tehran on Saturday, the Persian service of IRNA reported. Speaking at the meeting, Stambuk said that it is a great honor that his poems have been translated into Persian, the language in which the great poets such as Ferdowsi, Rumi, Attar, Sanai, Sadi and Hafez composed their poems. He praised Persian mysticism and Iranian philosophy, and expressed his thanks to GUIDE TO Damavand and called the snowy mount a SPIRITUAL AWAKENING lighthouse in the turbulent nights of his life. He dedicated his book to those people The most admirable act of a magnanimous man who are affectionate toward Iran and is to shut his eyes to others’ faults and not those people who seem far removed from speak of them. worldly concerns. Imam Ali (AS) Stambuk also called the dormant volcano Damavand a sacred celestial mount that has concealed the salvation secrets in itself from those people who wish to return to the eternal unity. Beirut embellished with The collection has been translated into Persian by Ebtehaj Navai who also attended Iranian sculptures the meeting. This combination photo shows the front cover of the Persian version of “Damavand Beyond the Sea” and a poster for the introduction of the poem collection by Croatian diplomat Drago Stambuk. ARTTEHRAN — Three stone sculptures made In his brief speech, Navai said that deskby three Iranian sculptors were set up in the Stambuk was introduced to him during a “Stambuk’s interest in Iranian culture received by Persian readers,” he added. as an Iranophile poet to the Iranians. Ghobeiry neighborhood of Lebanese capital of Beirut on Saturday. literary session a year before he was appointed led him to compose the collection and the Navai said that the translation of the Stambuk, 69, who is also a physician, has as Croatian ambassador to Tehran. Persian version of the book has been warmly collection is an effort to introduce Stambuk served as ambassador to Iran since February. Lebanese, Iranian narrators top at 40 women artists paint Yalda Night for Tehran Intl. Storytelling Festival Tehran showcase

A sculpture made by Iranian artist Shahriar Rezai is seen set up in Beirut’s Ghobeiry neighborhood in Lebanon. The sculptures were created by Iranian artists Mohammadreza Zabiholahzadeh, Shahriar Rezai and Mehdi Salahshur during the 2nd International Sculpture Symposium co-organized in Beirut in October by the University of Beirut, Iran’s Visual Arts Office and Iran’s cultural office in Beirut, the Persian service of IRNA reported on Sunday. According to Zabiholahzadeh, his sculpture is named “Solar System” and it means that the Sun is situated inside this solar system and gives light to all its planets. Lebanese storyteller Sara Kasir (R) receives her prize at the 22nd International Sto- Watercolors on Yalda Night by 40 women artists are on display in an exhibition “This sculpture means that the Sun, which is the cradle of rytelling Festival at the IIDCYA in Tehran on December 21, 2019. (YJC/Nasim Aqai) at Tehran’s Avaye Honar Gallery. the Earth, distributes energy and light to other creatures, giving ARTTEHRAN — Sara Khatibi, all from Iran, did not announce any ARTTEHRAN — the birth of Mithra, the goddess of light. them life,” he added. deskKasir, an experienced winner for second place in the international deskWatercolors by 40 It is also known as the Chelleh Night. He added that the second sculpture made by Rezai is the symbol storyteller from Lebanon, and Iranian competition. women artists on the theme of Yalda “I am also participating in the exhibit of human beings, highlighting the message that man needs to be storyteller Mehdi Mohammadian shared Third prize was shared by Iranian Night, the last night of the fall season with one work displaying a broken bowl strong and resist the social unpleasant events. first prize at the 22nd International storytellers Maryam Fahimpur, Kimia and the longest night of the year that with pomegranate seeds scattered all “This third sculpture, which is in shape of a snake, represents Storytelling Festival in Tehran on Saturday. Yaqubi and Solmaz Sadeqzadeh. is celebrated in Iran, are on view in an around,” Niku said. fluidity and the fluid movement of human beings,” he said. Winners in various categories were In the national competition, Hossein exhibition at Avaye Honar Gallery in “This resembles that our traditions The symposium took place on the campus of the University honored during the closing ceremony Kazemi took first place, while Zahra Tehran. are in danger of being forgotten and I of Beirut. of the event, which was organized at the Dehestani and Farideh Mahmudi received The works are created by the students meant to remind the visitors to try to Three Italian sculptors, Michele Sassi, Luca Prandini and Institute for Intellectual Development of second and third prizes respectively. of Bahman Niku and the exhibit is named regard their traditions,” he added. Pierluigi Portale, were also among the participants. Children and Young Adults (IIDCYA). First prize in the grandparents “My Yalda from a New Window”. The exhibit will be running until The jury composed of children’s TV section went to Fatemeh Seyyed-Rezai Yalda Night, which falls on December December 30 at the gallery located at 1 programmer Giti Khameneh, writer who was followed by Zahra Rezai and 21, is considered the longest night of the Panahi Alley, Bosnia and Herzegovina Culture minister visits Morteza Sarhangi and actor Ashkan Mohammad Kargar. year when the ancient Iranians celebrated St. off Fereshteh St. exhibition by disabled artists Iranian films line up for Dhaka festival ARTTEHRAN — Minister of Culture and Islamic deskGuidance seyyed Abbas Salehi visited an ex- ARTTEHRAN — A lineup of 28 Iranian films by Yasser Talebi and “Patio” by Maryam Bahrololumi. hibition displaying works by the physically-challenged artists deskwill go on screen in various sections of “Driving Lessons” by Marzieh Riahi, “The End of a at the Iranian Academy of Arts on Saturday. the 18th Dhaka International Film Festival, which will Doll’s Dream” by Mahbub Molai, “My Paintings Have “I was deeply moved by works of these artists who suffer be held in the Bangladeshi capital from January 11 to 19. No Color” by Hedyeh Khosravi and “The Feast of the physical disability but enjoy high spiritual ability,” Salehi said. “Castle of Dreams” by Reza Mirkarimi, “Amir” by Nima Goat” by Saeid Zamanian will be screened in the short A collection of 160 works by 160 artists is on view at the exhibit Eqlima, “The Oath” by Mohsen Tanabandeh, “Tala” by film competition. named “Honorable”. Parviz Shahbazi and “Finding Farideh” co-directed by The festival will also screen the co-productions “The exhibit provides the chance for the disabled, which in- Azadeh Musavi and Kurosh Atai are among the films. between Iran and Afghanistan “Hava, Maryam, Ayesha” clude 11 percent of Iranians,” the curator of the exhibit, Karim The lineup also includes “Axing” by Behruz Shoeibi, “Life by Sahra Karimi, “Seven and a Half” by Jamshid Pashazadeh, said. Again” by Reza Fahimi, “Takhti” by Bahram Tavakkoli, and Navid Mahmudi and “Elephant Bird” by Amir- “It also aims to encourage the disabled people to upgrade A scene from “Amir” by Nima Eqlima. “A Man without Shadow” by Alireza Reisian, “Beloved” Masud Soheili. their skills and raise their hopes and self-esteem,” he added. The exhibition opened on December 17 and will come to an end today by honoring a number of top works. Acclaimed author and journalist “Rise of Skywalker” battles to Ward Just dead at 84 $40 million domestic opening night NEW YORK (AP) — Ward Just, a highly Nixon and published a book that openly LOS ANGELES (Reuters) — The highly and centered around a young hero named Doc on Isfahan theater regarded political and war correspondent questioned the war, “To What End? Report anticipated movie “Star Wars: The Rise of Luke Skywalker. The latest episode stars history to hit silver screen for The Washington Post who later drew from Vietnam.” Skywalker” collected $40 million in U.S. Daisy Ridley, John Boyega and Oscar Isaac upon his experiences for such acclaimed Bradlee had also worked with Just at and Canadian ticket sales on its opening as a trio taking up the fight against the ARTTEHRAN — “Laughter in the Dark”, a doc- novel as “An Unfinished Season” and “Echo Newsweek, and in his memoir “A Good night, the fifth-highest debut of all time, evil First Order. deskumentary about the history of theater in Isfa- House”, has died. He was 84. Life” would remember him as “bright, Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) said on Friday. While “Rise of Skywalker” has divided han, will be screened at Iran’s Just’s wife, Sarah Catchpole, told The full of ideas and energy, and a wonderful Longtime fans of the celebrated science- critics, Disney said fans have embraced it. Art and Experience Cinemas, Associated Press that he died Thursday in writer.” Bradlee had been looking for a fiction franchise packed theaters Thursday Eighty-six percent of ticket buyers surveyed which are dedicated to screening Plymouth, Massachusetts. He had been “new Hemingway,” who could “write like evening for the ninth installment in the story of by website Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie documentary and art films, on suffering from Lewy body dementia. an angel” but never lose sight of the facts. a fabled Jedi warrior in a galaxy far, far away. a positive score, Disney said.At a theater January 1. A native of Michigan City, Indiana, He believed Just was the right man. In international markets, “Rise of in Hollywood, costumed fans turned out Directed by Mojgan Kha- and the son and grandson of newspaper “(He) found drama everywhere he Skywalker” brought in an additional $59.1 for a 24-hour marathon of all nine films. leqi, the film features inter- publishers, he had covered overseas looked — the drama that turned details million, Disney said. “I started this when I was five, the views with some of veteran conflicts for Newsweek before becoming into truth and isolated events into history,” The debut in the United States and adventure,” moviegoer Mark Masaoay stage directors and actors from one of the first hires by the Post’s managing Bradlee wrote. “Sometimes Just would get a Canada, the world’s latest film market, said. “And 42 years later here we are. It’s Isfahan, including Ali Rafiei, editor Ben Bradlee, who started his job in single quote that would tell an entire story.” came in lower than the last two “Star Wars” been an amazing journey and just to be here Reza Arham-Sadr, Nosratollah 1965. Assigned to cover the Vietnam War, Over the next 50 years, Just was a prolific films. “The Force Awakens”, released in with all the like-minded people, the fans, Vahdat, Kiumars Purahmad, Just wrote hundreds of stories and survived author of politically and socially conscious 2015, hauled in $57 million on its first it just makes it all the more worthwhile.” Jahanbakhsh Soltani and Nas- wounds sustained from a grenade thrown fiction, his influences including Hemingway night in theaters, and 2017 installment The record for a Thursday night opening ser Kushan. during an attack by the North Vietnamese. and Henry James. “Echo House” was a “The Last Jedi” took in $45 million. belongs to Disney’s April release, “Avengers: Veteran actor Parviz Pur- He returned to the United States in National Book Award finalist in 1997 and The movie directed by J.J. Abrams is Endgame,” which pulled in $60 million A poster for Mojgan Khaleqi’s doc- hosseini did the narration for 1967 and the following year covered the “An Unfinished Season” was a Pulitzer billed as the final episode in a 42-year-old in its debut on its way to $357 million for umentary “Laughter in the Dark”. “Laughter in the Dark”. presidential election won by Richard Prize finalist in 2005. film saga begun by George Lucas in 1977 the weekend, also a record.