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Pages Price 40,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 39th year No.13487 Thursday SEPTEMBER 19, 2019 Shahrivar 28, 1398 Muharram 19, 1441 U.S. must stop all kinds Iran favors de-escalation, Iran Judo Tehran exhibit to display of pressure if it seeks but will respond strongly Federation works by 2018 IBBY talks with Iran 2 to aggression 3 suspended 15 Honor List illustrators 16

GDP growth at 0.4% in Q1 TEHRAN— Iran’s growth of gross do- The official also noted that the agri- mestic product (GDP) stood at 0.4 percent culture sector has also experienced an in the first three months of the current over six percent growth in the mentioned Iranian calendar year (March 21-June 21), time span. Iranian Minister of Finance and Economic Back in June, the World Bank (WB) Affairs Farhad Dejpasand announced on in its latest world economic outlook Wednesday. report “Global Economic Prospects” The minister said that despite the predicted a -4.5 percent growth for U.S. sanctions the country’s economy the country’ GDP in 2019 but expected is stable and moving forward, IRIB it to experience one percent of GDP reported. growth in 2021. Iran officially warns U.S.: Any act will face quick response TEHRAN — Iran has officially pre- it was not involved in the attack on the sented a letter to the Swiss embassy Saudi oil installations and that claims by in Tehran strongly warning U.S. of- U.S. Secretary of States Mike Pompeo and ficials against their claims that Iran President Donald Trump are sheer lies had a role in the attacks on the Saudi and condemned them. Aramco oil facilities. Iran has also insisted in the letter that The letter was submitted to the Swiss if “any moves” takes place against Iran, ambassador to Tehran whose country rep- they will face an immediate response by resents the U.S. interests in Iran. Iran and that the domain of the Iranian In the letter, which was presented on armed forces’ response will not be limited Monday afternoon, Iran has insisted that to the “source of threat”. Israel election: Netanyahu’s bloc fails to secure majority Arbaeen march TEHRAN — Benny Gantz’s Kahol Lavan yahu’s right-wing Likud is projected to is ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Net- garner between 31 and 32 parliament seats anyahu’s Likud Party, according to official each out of 120, while his main challenger Introduction to election results released on Wednesday. Benny Gantz’s centrist Blue and White Exit polls released by Israeli television alliance is leading with 32 Knesset seats.

channels show that Israeli Prime Minister In all three polls, the Joint List of Benjamin Netanyahu has failed to secure Arab parties is projected to have the See page 3 a ruling majority in the general election. third most seats, while far-right Yamina Meanwhile, three separate exit surveys party, led by Ayelet Shaked, is projected khamenei.ir new Islamic civilization released on Tuesday showed that Netan- to win 6-7 seats. 13

EDITORIAL ‘Iran never confuses Bolton’s firing with change of course in Trump’s foreign policy’ ARTICLE Mohammad Ghaderi Hana Saada By Javad Heirannia to do with policy differences toward Iran. In Tehran Times editor-in-chief Journalist from Algeria TEHRAN — Nader Entessar, Professor Emer- fact, the whole foreign policy team is composed @ghaderi62 itus of Political Science from University of of hawks. Iran should never confuse Bolton’s South Alabama says that Bolton’s firing was firing with a change of course in Trump’s for- A good suggestion: due primarily to personality conflicts in the eign policy towards Iran. There has been no Would Algerian upper-echelon of Trump’s foreign policy team change in this regard, nor there will be one in The Alms of and had very little to do with policy differences the future under Mike Pompeo’s management PM Bedoui resign, toward Iran. of the U.S. State Department. Century versus the He adds that “In fact, the whole foreign policy What effect will Bolton’s dismissal have paving way for vote? team is composed of hawks.” on U.S. foreign policy toward Iran? Deal of Century Entessar says “Iran should never confuse Bol- A: As I indicated in my previous answer, John lgerian Prime Minister Noureddine ton’s firing with a change of course in Trump’s Bolton’s firing will have minimal or no impact Bedoui will soon step down pav- ne of the most important goals of foreign policy towards Iran.” on U.S. foreign policy toward Iran. Bolton was Aing the way for the holding of the the Christian Zionism is to start Following is the full text of the interview: simply a bolt in the vast cog of the U.S. anti-Iran presidential elections, postponed by the Owar for eliminating great powers What is your assessment of John Bolton’s A: Bolton’s firing was due primarily to foreign policy machinery that has deep roots in Government on July 4, citing the lack of and dividing vast countries into smaller dismissal? Will the militant faction become a personality conflicts in the upper-echelon of various elements of the U.S. government, in- candidates amid ongoing protests against ones. The number of countries before the minority with this layoff? Trump’s foreign policy team and had very little cluding the U.S. congress. 11 the current government. World War was less than 100, but now The resignation is a development that there are 205 countries in the world along would mark a major win for protestors with newly-independent ones. After the who are piling into the streets every week, collapse of the Russian, Japanese, Ger- Middle East OSCE would be a major development to settle regional disputes: Logoglu calling for the departure of the remnants man, Austrian, Hungarian and Ottoman By Payman Yazdani line with the U.S. long term policy to grab Venezuela from the circle of oil suppliers of the old guard, including the Prime Min- empires during WWI, the U.S., France, and TEHRAN (MNA) — Turkish veteran pol- share of other oil producing countries by will surely have terrible consequences for ister Bedoui, and the prosecution of the Britain were victorious countries. With itician says creation of a Middle East OSCE, 2024 as Washington is planning to export the global economy, heightening political corrupted officials and oligarchs. Sykes–Picot Agreement (1917), which was led by Turkey, Iran and others of the region 9 million barrel of oil a day thanks to pro- tensions in the world.” Earlier, and after weeks of demon- in fact a confidential agreement between would be a major development to maintain duction of Shale oil which has changed Commenting on the U.S. and Russia’s strations, protesters were able to force, France and Britain benefiting from Rus- regional security. the oil consuming country to a major oil gains of recent tensions in Persian Gulf as in April, the long-time president Abdelaziz sian support, the Ottoman Empire became Saudi young prince is getting more fa- producing one. two major oil producing countries, he add- Bouteflika to step down after two decades Turkey. Then Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, miliar with the consequences of the illegal Dr. Osman Faruk Logoglu Turkish veteran ed, “The U.S. and Russia, even if they are in power, a major win that was unthinkable and Palestine divided between France and war he waged against Yemeni people in 2015 politician and a senior member of CHP was colluding to establish their hegemony over two months earlier. Britain. According to the agreement Pales- with the green light of the U.S. Yemenis interviewed on the issue. oil and gas, stand to make only short-lived Protests demanding an overhaul of tine should be governed by these countries. retaliatory drone attack on Saudi Aramco Touching upon the possible consequenc- gains, but are in the longer run poised to the ruling regime are showing no sign of While the geographical boundaries of oil installations cut Saudi oil production es of recent retaliatory Yemeni’s attack on suffer, while I do not believe that there is waning despite the April resignation of the European countries have been identi- seriously which is going to be replaced by Saudi Aramco plants and the U.S. efforts to such an American-Russian conspiracy at veteran leader Bouteflika and the launch of fied and recognized by WWl, WWll, and U.S. in global oil market. drive major oil producing companies out of work, particularly the U.S. must be called anti corruption onslaught targeting former tens of millions casualties, the aftermath of Pushing the Saudi Arabia to the quag- oil market, logoglu said, “Disrupting the oil on to ease its harsh rhetoric against Iran and current senior officials. These claims the war still continues to divide countries mire of Yemen by the U.S. is interpreted in flow from the Persian Gulf and removing and Venezuela.” 13 have been endorsed by Army Chief of Staff and create new borders, especially in west Ahmed Gaid Salah who urged magistrates of Asia. The battle of Armageddon or end and judges to act bravely while launching of the world battle, is the prediction of the anti-corruption probes against politicians Christian Zionists about the war against and businessmen who embezzled public the Muslims, and claims that the “Prom- funds. ised Land” should ultimately be created. Following Bouteflika resignation, The origin of the Promised Land is the Upper House Speaker Abdelkader Balfour Declaration for forming a greater Bensalah assumed the post of Head of Israel. In 1917, British Foreign Secretary Poet Shahriar State in application of the provisions of James Balfour in a letter to the British-Jew- the Algerian Constitution. One of his ish Lord Lionel Rothschild announced commemorated first actions was to call the country’s the British Government’s agreement for postponed presidential election for July formation a Jewish state in Palestine. 4, However, this announcement failed to Before the defeat of the Allies in WWl, the in Tabriz quell protesters, with thousands taking Christian Zionism in London sent the Balfour to the streets of the capital, Algiers, to Declaration to the powerful Rockefellers in A man lays flowers on a statue of Moham- call for a complete political overhaul and the U.S. to encourage it to enter the war in mad-Hossein Behjat Tabrizi (1906-1988) boycott of the election. Effectively, this favor of the Allies. The U.S. accepted the during a gathering to commemorate the election was latter scrapped, citing the war and subsequently the Britain forces in poet at his home in the northwestern lack of candidates. Egypt occupied Palestine. On 9 December Iranian city of Tabirz on September 18, Demonstrators have repeatedly 1917, General Edmund entered Quds and 2019. demanded the departure of a coterie finished Crusades after 450 years since its Iranians pay tribute to Shahriar every year on of individuals closely-linked to Boutef- beginning by defeating Ottoman Empire. his death anniversary, which is also Iran’s National

Maryam Yousefi lika’s administration, including the Theodor Herzl, in Basel, Switzerland, Day of Poetry and Literature. Prime Minister Bedoui, who was ap- also announced the creation of “Jewish The poet, who also composed works in Azer- pointed by Bouteflika days before he State” by completely occupying Palestine IRNA/ baijani, was mainly influenced by the poetry stepped down, before the holding of of Hafez. and forming a Jewish land. 13 any election. 13 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

End of war in Yemen U.S. must stop all kinds of pressure is the only solution for all, Zarif says if it seeks talks with Iran: Rouhani POLITICAL TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Mo- deskhammad Javad Zarif reiterated his-long held position on Tuesday that “ending the war in Yemen is the only POLITICAL TEHRAN – Iranian ‘World has launched campaign solution for all”, criticizing the United States for denying the fact deskPresident Hassan against dollar dominance’ that Yemenis would strike back against “the worst war crimes” Rouhani said on Wednesday that the United Elsewhere in his remarks, Rouhani said committed by Saudi Arabia with a logistical support by the U.S. States cannot achieve its objectives through that the world has launched a campaign to “The U.S. is in denial if it thinks that Yemeni victims of 4.5 applying policy of “maximum pressure” counter the dominance of dollar in global years of the worst war crimes wouldn’t do all to strike back,” against Iran, suggesting Washington must economic transactions. Zarif tweeted. stop all kinds of pressure if it seeks dialogue “Today, we are glad that Iran’s banking Yemenis launched drone attacks on Saudi Arabia’s Aramco oil with Tehran. relations with certain countries are being done installations on Saturday morning, causing a serious disruption “We announce to the United States’ without using SWIFT [Society for Worldwide to the Saudi oil production which lonely accounts for a third of officials that negotiations under maximum Interbank Financial Telecommunication]. the global oil supplies. pressure is impossible. If you are honest There was a time that the Westerners imagined Despite being equipped with modern weaponry bought from and seek talks, you must stop all pressure banking relations should be done through the U.S., Saudi Arabia failed to intercept the drone attacks. against Iran,” Rouhani said during a cabinet SWIFT… however, a replacement has been Zarif said the U.S. is angry over attacks on the Saudi oil facilities meeting. created and we cooperate with Russia and probably because the weapons that it has sold to the kingdom With an indirect reference to a claim by Turkey by this replacement and in future, we failed to track the drones. the United States that drones that struck will have interaction with Eurasian countries “Perhaps it’s embarrassed that $100s of blns of its arms didn’t Saudi Arabian oil facilities on Saturday with it,” he explained. intercept Yemeni fire,” Zarif pointed out. morning were flown from Iran, Rouhani Abdolnaser Hemmati, the governor of the Zarif added, “Blaming Iran won’t change that.” said the U.S. is seeking to increase pressure Central Bank of Iran (CBI), said on Monday In another tweet, Zarif said, “Just imagine: The U.S. isn’t against Iran through leveling “unfounded” that CBI’s financial telecommunications upset when its allies mercilessly BOMB babies in Yemen for over and “meaningless” accusations. system, known as SEPAM, has replaced the 4 years—with its arms and its military assistance. But it is terribly “Instead of leveling accusations, believe SWIFT in the country’s financial transactions upset when the victims react the only way they can—against the the people’s power. It is not the governments. with Russia. aggressor’s OIL refineries.” It is the people who have risen,” Rouhani Referring to Iran’s upcoming membership Washington has blamed Iran for the Yemeni drone attacks said in reference to the Yemeni people’s the region should learn from the Yemenis’ of Israel and certain European countries in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), on the Saudi oil installations. rebellion against the Saudi attacks on their response and put out fire in the region.” started the war and destroyed Yemen,” he Hemmati also noted that the system [SEPAM] U.S. Vice President Mike Pence reiterated the tone set by country. “It was not the Yemenis who started the lamented. can also be used for trade exchanges with President Donald Trump and said that “it’s certainly looking like On the Yemeni drone attacks on Saudis’ war. Saudi Arabia, the United States, the Elsewhere, Rouhani said that Iran seeks the union’s member states for developing Iran was behind these attacks,” according to Press TV. oil facilities, Rouhani said, “Enemies of United Arab Emirates, the Zionist regime to have good relations with its neighbors. trade ties. “As the president said, we don’t want war with anybody but the United States is prepared,” Pence said. Zarif said on Sunday that the United States’ failed policy of maximum pressure on Iran has turned into “maximum deceit”. “Having failed at ‘maximum pressure’, Secretary Pompeo is MP: U.S. ballyhoo against Iran is intended to dishearten Arabs turning to ‘maximum deceit’,” Zarif tweeted. Zarif said blaming Iran for the dangers ensuing the Saudi-led “Yemenis’ attack on Aramco was a response to Saudi crimes against civilians” war on Yemen “won’t end the disaster”. POLITICAL TEHRAN – An Iranian an unwinnable quagmire and have urged in the region. Iran’s four-point plan put forward in April 2015 is the remedy deskMP says Yemeni forces’ the Saudis for months to try to negotiate an By blaming Iran for the attack, the MP for the current situation, Zarif insisted. attack on Saudi oil installation is a result end to the fighting. But President Trump said, Washington wants to “strike more “Blaming Iran won’t end disaster. Accepting our April 15 of Saudi crimes against the Yemeni people. has repeatedly vetoed legislation cutting deals (with Arabs) and gain more money proposal to end war and begin talks may,” Zarif pointed out. According to the New York Times, off American support for the war. from regional Arab states”. In April 2015, Zarif submitted a letter to Ban Ki-moon, then drone attacks by Yemen struck two key The Iranian lawmaker called The MP said the reason behind UN secretary general, outlining Iran’s four-point peace plan oil installations inside Saudi Arabia on the Yemeni attack on the Aramco oil attributing attacks on oil facilities to for Yemen. Saturday, damaging facilities that process installations was a “unique act”, adding the Iran is that the Trump administration’s The plan calls for an immediate ceasefire and end of all for- the vast majority of the country’s crude Yemeni had already made drone attacks maximum pressure campaign against Iran eign military attacks, humanitarian assistance, a resumption output and raising the risk of a disruption on Saudi airports. has failed and therefore it tries to “justify of broad national dialogue and establishment of an inclusive in world oil supplies. On Yemenis’ capability to launch its failed policies by blaming Iran”. national unity government. “This was a response to Saudi crimes in advanced drones to hit Saudi oil facilities, “Today, Americans and the Zionists Iran’s chief diplomat went on to say that the United States Yemen and the massacre of civilians and he said, “Today technology is not just a have become disappointed of ‘maximum and its “clients” in the region are caught in the Yemen quagmire inattention to the requests of the Yemeni monopoly of the great powers.” pressure’ against Iran and they have because they suffered from the illusion that possession of so- people,” Assadollah Gharekhani told ISNA for them to get more money from them.” He added the transfer of technology has resorted to great deceits.” phisticated arms would lead to victory. in an interview published on Wednesday. The MP was indirectly referring to tens become possible and now the Yemenis, The parliamentarian went on to say “The U.S. and its clients are stuck in Yemen because of illusion However, the United States has blamed of billions of dollars in arms purchases by after more than four years of resistance, that through such clamors the Trump that weapon superiority will lead to military victory,” Zarif stated. Iran for the attack, claiming intelligence certain Arab countries, including Saudi have succeeded to produce modern administration is trying to bring Iran to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi also indicates Iran was the staging ground for Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, weapons and technologies. the negotiating table “but Iran is smart responded to Washington’s claims, saying, “Such accusations and a debilitating attack on Saudi Arabia’s from the United States. The MP also cast doubt on the Saudis’ enough and will not be swayed by such unfruitful remarks are meaningless within diplomatic framework.” oil industry. Congress passed legislation this year capability to defend themselves against outcries”. Mousavi said, “Even in the international relations, hostility Gharekhani, who sits on the Majlis demanding an end to United States drone attacks, asking, “Why Saudi Arabia He blamed the Trump administration has some logical framework which has been trespassed by the Energy Committee, said, “The United military support for the war, including which claims it has most advanced weapons for the tension between Tehran and U.S. officials.” States is seeking to dishearten the Arab arms sales to Saudi Arabia. Pentagon did not respond in time?” Washington, saying, “It was America Saudi Arabia launched military campaign against Yemen in sheiks and introduce Iran as a threat so officials, meanwhile, have concluded on The MP said these developments show that violated the JCPOA and unilaterally March 2015 with the aim of eliminating the Yemeni opposition that under the excuse of providing security their own that the war has degenerated into that the balance of power has changed withdrew from it.” groups who had toppled the government of President Mansour Hadi. Failing to achieve either of its goals, Riyadh has not stopped bombing Yemeni targets. Saudi Arabia has created a protracted conflict which has so far led to the killings of over 16,000 Yem- Zarif: U.S. must return to nuclear deal if it wants a place at negotiating table eni civilians, starved 14 million people, and the destroyed the country’s infrastructure. POLITICAL TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister He noted that the U.S. seeks to impose its demands desk The United Nations has called the humanitarian crisis in Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Wednes- through negotiations and prove that “policy of maximum Yemen the worst in recent history. day that the United States must return to the 2015 nuclear pressure” against Iran has worked. deal, known as the JCPOA, and implement its commit- “Policy of maximum pressure against the Iranian peo- ments, if it wants to have a place at the negotiating table. ple is quite worthless and all the officials of the Islamic “The United States has shown that it does not value Republic of Iran unanimously believe that there will be Recent anti-Iran claims agreements and even its own signature. Today, it decides no talks with the United States at any level,” he said. to invite someone to the White House and tomorrow it However, Ayatollah Khamenei said, if the U.S. “repents” meant to weigh Iran down: cancels the meeting or sanctions the same people. It shows and returns to the nuclear deal that it has violated it can the wrong politics of the United States which should be participate in the negotiations with Iran along with other analyst corrected. Otherwise it will be more isolated in the world,” parties to the nuclear agreement. Zarif told reporters. “If the United States backs off and repents, and im- (PRESS TV) — A political commentator says the United States’ Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei plements the nuclear deal from which they withdrew, move to falsely blame Iran for the recent attacks on Saudi Arabian said on Tuesday that there will be no negotiations between then it can also take part in and talk during negotiations oil facilities is in line with Washington’s policy of containing Iran and the United States at any level or any place. between Iran and the countries that are parties to this Iranian power and influence. “All officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran unanimously deal. Otherwise, there will be absolutely no negotiation Michael Springmann, a Washington-based author and former agree that there will be no negotiations with America between the officials of the Islamic Republic and the U.S. diplomat in Saudi Arabia, made the remarks on Press TV’s at any level either in New York or any other place,” the United States at any level; neither in New York and not The Debate show on Tuesday. Leader told his theology students. anywhere else,” he said. “American policy, Saudi policy, and Israeli policy is simply to stop, block, ruin, or wreck the economy and political influence of Iran. They feel that they can get away with this [recent episode] because they probably have the means of communication in the West [to do so],” he said. Japan says has no intelligence Iran was involved in Saudi attacks He noted that, by blaming Iran for the attacks — claimed by the Yemeni military — U.S. President Donald Trump “has straints and would instead pursue a diplomatic solution Service office in Birmingham Alabama, which tweeted dragged himself into a position where he can’t possibly get out to the current crisis. that Alabama would “NOT” see any effects from Dorian. of with grace and with dignity.” As a result, he said, Trump will Yemeni drone attacks hit oil installations in Saudi By crowd size, she was referring to Trump’s remarks have to continue to bluster. Arabia on Saturday. in August in which he boasted about the number of Springmann also said Saudi Arabia’s sophisticated weapons Washington has claimed Iran was behind the attacks. people at his rally in New Hampshire systems had failed, despite all their advanced capabilities, to Iran has categorically rejected the claim. Omar added, “We are not in a position to think about stop Yemeni attacks deep inside Saudi territory. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted, “The another endless war and I really hope that our colleagues “The Saudis have bought billions of dollars [of arms] from the United States will work with our partners and allies to in Congress are going to pressure this administration to United States, from Britain, from France, and from Germany, ensure that energy markets remain well supplied and take a step back and figure out how we use diplomacy and all these wonder weapons of 21st-century technology could Iran is held accountable for its aggression.” in de-escalating the situation.” not defend against this asymmetric attack... they penetrated the U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said on Tuesday “Congress has the constitutional right to declare Saudi defenses and their sophisticated radar systems,” he said. that “it’s certainly looking like Iran was behind these war. The president does not have it. Secretary of State Jonathan Fryer, an author and a broadcaster from London attacks.” [Mike Pompeo] does not have it,” she noted. and the other guest on the show, described the current situation “As the president said, we don’t want war with an- Wendy Sherman, the former undersecretary of state as “escalating.” ybody but the United States is prepared,” Pence said. for political affairs who led the U.S. negotiating team “It is interesting that [U.S. Secretary of State] Mike Pompeo U.S. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has said that Presi- that concluded the Iran nuclear agreement, noted on is on his way to Saudi Arabia,” he said. “Obviously, President By staff and agency dent Donald Trump administration’s information about Monday that Trump has not the authority to go to war Trump and Mike Pompeo are trying to use the incident for prop- Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono has said that Iran cannot be trusted. with Iran. aganda purposes, but the Europeans, particularly the French Tokyo has not seen any intelligence that shows Iran “I think we should make sure that the American “The Senate is considering language, similar to House and Germans, have been very clear that, ‘We should not try to was involved in the recent attacks on Saudi Arabian people understand that this administration that lies passed, affirming @realDonaldTrump does not have blame anyone at the moment,’ and what needs to happen is the oil installations. about weather maps or crowd sizes cannot be trusted authority to go to war w/Iran under existing AUMF. de-escalation and what is alarming is the escalating situation.” “We are not aware of any information that points to give us the full information we need to be able to Now would be a good time for the Senate and Congress Fryer also called the Saudi-led war on Yemen “an interna- to Iran. We believe the Houthis carried out the attack make a decision whether we should be going to war with to step up,” Sherman tweeted. tional disgrace.” based on the statement claiming responsibility,” Reuters Iran,” she told CNN in an interview aired on Monday. President Hassan Rouhani said on Monday that “It is a tragedy that apparently the White House and the quoted him as saying on Wednesday. Omar was referring to Trump’s wrong claim in Sep- the Yemenis’ drone attacks were merely for legitimate Trump administration in general find no problem in backing Kono on Monday said Japan cannot participate in tember that Alabama was set to be hit by Hurricane self-defense, and no one can expect the Yemenis to this merciless war,” he said. any military retaliation because of constitutional re- Dorian which was quickly refuted by the National Weather remain silent when their country is destroyed. TECHNOLOGY

I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y SEPTEMBER 19, 2019 IRAN IN FOCUS 3 Ayatollah Khamenei: Arbaeen march is Security chief: Iran favors de-escalation, but will respond introduction to new Islamic civilization strongly to aggression

Leader says the Arbaeen march is unique in history POLITICAL TEHRAN — The secretary of Iran’s Supreme deskNational Security Council (SNSC) has said POLITICAL TEHRAN — A group of sage, and this movement should be fortified Tehran’s strategic policy is to reduce tensions in the Middle deskIraqi mawkib organiz- day after day. Arbaeen went global, and East but the Islamic Republic will give a crushing response ers, who host and serve the pilgrims of the it will continue to grow in the world, and to any act of aggression. Imam Hussein shrine during the Arbaeen this is the blood of Imam Hussein that “Iran’s strategic policy is to reduce tensions, avoid any conflict ritual, met with the Leader of the Islamic is flowing after 1400 years and becomes and resolve regional crises through dialogue,” Ali Shamkhani Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on more alive day after day.” said on Wednesday, according to Mehr news agency. Wednesday. “We, the Shias, are proud to follow “However, the country is fully prepared to monitor any in- In the meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei Imam Hussein, but Imam Hussein does tention or attempt to attack the Islamic Republic or its interests thanked the sincere Iraqi people and offi- not exclusively belong to us. Shias, Sunnis and will surprise aggressors most severely through a crushing cials who dedicate themselves to serving and all the people are under the patron- and comprehensive response to possible evil actions,” he added. the pilgrims during Arbaeen. age of Imam Hussein. Even non-Muslims The remarks came after Saudi Arabia said it would show ev- “I express my and the Iranian nation’s take part in this massive march, and the idence linking Tehran to an attack on its oil industry and the heartfelt gratitude to you the mawkib keep- phenomenon will continue to grow,” the United States made veiled military threats against Iran. ers and organizers, who manifest utmost Leader noted. Iran has denied any involvement in the attack and described benevolence and compassion during Ar- He urged everyone to make efforts in U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s claims that the drone baeen; to the great Iraqi nation; to the order to bring more vitality and productivity attacks might have originated from Iran as “maximum deceit” Iraqi officials who prepare the grounds and to the Arbaeen event. “We should do our after “maximum pressure” on Iran. security; and especially to the honorable best to organize the Arbaeen ceremony The United States and Saudi Arabia have been repeatedly religious scholars and Marja (religious more fruitful and more spiritual than ever. claiming that Iran provides arms to Yemenis. However, Shamkhani scholars) in Iraq who have prepared the The intellectual and cultural leaders should said the Yemeni Army itself designs and produces its weapons ambiance of pilgrimage and brotherhood plan for the great ceremony.” and linking their weapons to other countries is intended to avoid among different groups of people and the Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader answering questions about the waste of the country’s resources two nations,” the Leader said, according said, “The goal of every Muslim must be for purchasing “modern but ineffective” weapons from the West. to khamenei.ir. creating the novel Islamic civilization. Is- The Yemeni forces on Saturday launched drone attacks on He described the Iraqi hospitality in- lamic nations have great capacities, which two plants at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s oil industry, including spired by the love for Imam Hussein as if exploited, the Islamic Ummah can reach “We, the Shias, are proud to follow Imam the world’s biggest petroleum processing facility. matchless in the world and said: “What an apex. Founding the Islamic civilization Since March 2015, Saudi Arabia and some of its Arab allies we hear about your tender attitude, dear Hussein, but Imam Hussein does not is our ultimate goal.” have been carrying out deadly airstrikes against the Yemenis to brothers, in the mawakib located on the exclusively belong to us. Shias, Sunnis and Expressing hopes for the future of the restore power to fugitive former president Abd Rabbuh Mansour path [of the Arbaeen march], toward the great Iraqi nation, Ayatollah Khamenei all the people are under the patronage of Hadi, a close ally of Riyadh. pilgrims of Imam Hussein’s shrine is unique asserted: “The honorable Iraqi people Official UN figures say that more than 15,000 civilians have in the world; just as the walk of Arbaeen Imam Hussein. Even non-Muslims take part can make their country achieve utmost been killed in Yemen since the Saudi-led bombing campaign began. is unique throughout history.” dignity. These potentials should develop in this massive march, and the phenomenon The Saudi war has impacted over seven million children in “You manifested the Islamic and Arab and lead to practice. If the capacity of Is- will continue to grow,” Yemen who now face a serious threat of famine, according to benevolence in your attitude, by love of lamic countries is integrated; if Iran, Iraq, UNICEF figures. Over 6,000 children have either been killed or Imam Hussein. You wash the feet of pil- nary phenomenon not only in our era but tionale of Imam Hussein is the rationale of and other West Asian and North African sustained serious injuries since 2015, UN children’s agency has grims, and give them massages when they also throughout history; we cannot find truth, resistance against oppression, and countries come together and join hands, reported. The humanitarian situation in the country has also are extremely tired, and you provide them such a gathering and movement that takes uprising against ignorance and arrogance.” then the Islamic Ummah will show to the been exacerbated by outbreaks of cholera, polio, and measles. with beds. This love for Imam Hussein is place every year more enthusiastic than the Ayatollah Khamenei defined the message societies around the world what Islamic Shamkhani reiterated Iran’s long-held policy that there is no an extraordinary phenomenon, with no previous years,” he went on to underline. of Imam Hussein as a message that can dignity means. The Arbaeen march can be military solution to the Yemen conflict, saying, “Only through similar example.” He then added, “Today we need to tell save the world, adding, “The magnificent a means to this end. Let’s enhance strong intra-Yemeni dialogue and without intervention of third parties “The Arbaeen march is an extraordi- the world about Imam Hussein. The ra- Arbaeen movement is spreading this mes- ties between Muslim brothers.” the war will come to an end.”

ASEAN Day: Zarif calls on neighbors to ‘emulate successful experience’ Senior advisor describes KSA By Mehdi Sepahvand as sick man of Middle East TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has called on neighboring countries to put aside (FNA) — A senior adviser to Iranian Foreign Minister Moham- their differences and form a coalition like the Associ- mad Javad Zarif, in a tweet on Wednesday, said that Saudi Arabia ation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). cannot blame other countries for the troubles of war on Yemen, Speaking on ASEAN Day in a Wednesday cer- describing the kingdom as the sick man of the region. emony in Tehran celebrating the 52th anniversary Behzad Saberi, in a post on his Twitter page on Wednesday, of the association’s formation with ambassadors of referred to the Saudi kingdom as the “sick man” of the region, in the member states and the ASEAN organization, the an allusion to the term first used in the mid-19th century Nicholas Iranian minister said Tehran calls on its neighbors I of Russia describing the fall of the Ottoman Empire. to start working together instead of working against “After years of bloodbath in Yemen, David threw a mighty each other. stone at Goliath, and seems to be ‘locked and loaded’ for more,” Zarif started his address to the meeting by praising he tweeted. the ASEAN member countries as for their initiative to Riyadh “cannot blame oth- form the bloc, saying the ASEAN members are “people us have tried to purchase security from outside, some erence to Saudi Arabia, which U.S. President Donald ers for the mess it created it- who can think for themselves, who can plan for them- of us have tried to put their reliance on outsiders, it is Trump once called milking cow for their wealth. self,” he added, dismissing the selves, who can think ahead and think progressively important to show that that looking inward, working According to some reports, during his presiden- blame game of Saudi Arabia for a better future, not only for their own citizens, but with your own people, with your own neighbors is tial campaign, candidate Trump chose to describe the and the U.S. which are trying for the citizens of the globe at large.” always a much better success story.” Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a “milk cow” that will be to implicate Iran. “We in Iran have a lot of respect for the countries in the “I want to stress that the view of the Islamic Repub- led to slaughter when its milk runs out. “Cure is still possible, only ASEAN group. We respect your accomplishments. We lic of Iran is cooperation and positive engagement. Zarif reiterated his call for regional cooperation if the patient accepts the diag- respect your self-respect. If you want others to respect We continue to believe that through cooperation by saying, “We need to be partners with each other nosis,” the advisor concluded, you, you need to respect yourselves. And ASEAN is an and constructive engagement we can build a bet- in order to be respected as global partners. And this implying that the only solution example of self-respect. And we want to have greater ter world. My presence here today is a tribute to is our call. This is the Islamic Republic of Iran’s call for Saudi Arabia is to imme- cooperation with the ASEAN. That is why it was an the accomplishment of our friends in the ASEAN to all its neighbors - all its neighbors: Let’s come to- diately stop its 4.5-year war honor for me to go to Singapore and to announce the community,” Zarif stated. gether! Let’s put aside differences! All communities on Yemen. finalization of the process of Iran’s accession to the “And at the same time I want to ask our friends, that have come together have had differences, from On Saturday, the drone raids treaty on amity and cooperation. It is always a good our neighbors in this region that there is nothing that Europe to ASEAN. It’s not that countries that come by Yemenis, targeted Saudi Ara- sign that we get closer to our ASEAN friends.” prevents us from doing the same; nothing that prevents together have no differences. Differences are a fact bia’s key oil facilities in Abqaiq “ASEAN, now celebrating its 52nd anniversary, is us from establishing cooperation among ourselves. of life. But we come together because we should be- and Khurais. The attacks shut down about 50 percent of the a valuable lesson of coming together, of joining our Nothing prevents us from joining together rather than lieve that what binds us together is commonalities; kingdom’s crude and gas production, and cut the state oil giant’s forces, of synergizing in order to advance together,” working against each other. Others will never protect commonalities are much greater than our differences; crude oil supply by around 5.7 million barrels per day. A return he underlined. us. Others will never provide us security. Others will that the interests of our nations, the interests of our to normal production could take months, not days. “ASEAN has provided a good example to the rest of never provide us well-being. We need to have self-re- people are always better served through cooperation But, people familiar with the matter revealed that U.S. in- us that we could be doing better, both individually and spect. If we want others to respect us, we need to start and through engagement. So while we salute our telligence have tried to implicate Iran in the attacks on Saudi collectively, once we come together and work together respecting ourselves.” friends, our brothers and sisters in the ASEAN, we Arabia’s oil industry as oil prices soared. instead of working against each other.” “We cannot be considered as milking cows. Milking call on our neighbors to emulate this very successful American officials shared with Saudi Arabia the intelligence reports “Particularly for us in this region, where some of cows are never respected,” Zarif said, in apparent ref- experiment.” and their assessment that Iran launched more than 20 drones and at least a dozen missiles at the Saudi oil facilities on Saturday, the people familiar noted, as cited by The Wall Street Journal. Trump says he is ordering new Iranian president’s visit to UN meeting Yet, after several days of accusations against Iran, Riyadh has now come out to say that they have not been presented sanctions on Iran in New York may be canceled with any definitive data or intelligence by the U.S. to prove WASHINGTON (CNN) — President Treasury to substantially increase sanctions POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iranian According to the plan, Foreign Minister Tehran’s involvement. Donald Trump said Wednesday he›s or- on the country of Iran!» Trump tweeted. deskPresident Hassan Rou- Mohammad Javad Zarif is scheduled to Tehran, however, has dismissed the allegation since day one, dered new sanctions on Iran, the latest It wasn’t immediately clear to whom hani and his accompanying delegation leave Tehran for New York on Friday and saying Washington seems to be shifting from a failed campaign escalation in tensions between the two the sanctions would apply. The U.S. has may not be able to attend the annual UN the president on Monday. of “maximum pressure” to one of “maximum lying” and “deceit” countries following the attack over the ratcheted up sanctions on the country after General Assembly meeting in New York According to IRNA, if visas are not against the Islamic Republic. weekend on Saudi oil facilities. withdrawing from a multi-nation nuclear as the United States has so far failed to issued until several hours, the visit will Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Seyed Abbas Mousavi «I have just instructed the Secretary of the deal last year. issue visa for the visit. likely be canceled. blasted Pompeo for his big lies against Tehran, and categorical- ly rejected his allegations about Iran’s involvement in Yemeni attacks on Saudi Arabia. “Such allegations and blind and fruitless remarks are mean- ingless and not understood in diplomatic framework,” he said. Pakistan ambassador thanks Leader over Kashmir issue Foreign Minister Zarif also responded to Pompeo’s claim, POLITICAL TEHRAN — Pakistan’s Ambassador to minister of Pakistan were read out and a documentary law and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions to stressing that the American diplomat is now resorting to a cam- deskIran, Riffat Masood, has praised the stances on the ongoing “grave violations of Human Rights in suppress the popular aspiration of the people of Kashmir paign of “max deceit” against Tehran after the administration of Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Kashmir” was screened, according to the press release. to exercise their right of self-determination.” he serves failed to achieve the desired results from its anti-Iran Khamenei over the Kashmir issue. Speaking at the occasion, Defense and Army Attaché She added that Prime Minister Imran Khan had urged the “maximum pressure” policy — which has seen Washington impose In a press release sent to the Tehran Times on Tuesday, Brigadier Saqib Ali Cheema highlighted the significance of international community to play proactive role in defusing the toughest of economic sanctions against the Iranian nation. the embassy of Pakistan in Iran held an event in commem- the Defense Day and underlined that this year the Defense the situation as any conflict between the two neighbors, with “US and its clients are stuck in Yemen because of illusion that oration of Defense Day of Pakistan as Kashmir Solidarity Day was observed as Kashmir Solidarity day to express sol- nuclear capabilities, would entail grave implications for the weapon superiority will lead to military victory,” Zarif wrote on Twitter. Day under the theme of “Kashmir and Karbala”, which idarity with the peoples of Jammu and Kashmir “who were region and the world. On Monday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that the was held at the embassy of Pakistan in Tehran. fighting for their right of self-determination and are being The ambassador in particular underlined the kind Yemeni army’s drone attacks were merely for legitimate self-de- According to the press release, the event commemorated victimized by the Indian Armed Forces.” support of the Iranian leadership, especially the Leader fense, and no one can expect the Yemenis to remain silent when the harsh experiences of the peoples of Jammu and Kashmir For her turn, Masood apprised the audience of the plight towards the Kashmir issue. their country is destroyed. brought about by Indian Armed Forces. of Kashmiris after the revocation of the “Special Status” of She said the human rights violation in Kashmir and The people of Yemen “have to respond” to the foreign ag- Members of the diplomatic community based in Jammu and Kashmir under the presidential decree of 5 the brutalities by the tyrannical forces can be compared gression and the influx of U.S. and European weapons into Tehran, Pakistan diaspora, Iranian guests and media August 2019 by the Indian government. to that of the tragedy of Karbala. Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the Iranian president told a briefing representatives attended the event. She briefed the audience on the “illegal” measures taken In fact, Kashmir reflects the Karbala tragedy in the held in Ankara on Monday after his trilateral summit with his During the event, messages by the president and prime by the Indian government, “in contravention of international modern times, she was quoted as saying. Russian and Turkish counterparts. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

STOCK MARKET Privatization methods TEDPIX 294166.7 IFX 3886.55 Sources: tse.ir, Ifb.ir should be amended: fin. min.

ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iranian The law on implementation of the CURRENCIES deskFinance and Economic general policies of the Article 44 of Iran’s USD 42,000 rials Affairs Minister Farhad Dejpasand said Constitution on privatizing state-owned the government should amend its policies companies was declared in 2006 in a bid EUR 46,478 rials and methods of setting the prices and to downsize the government and promote GBP 52,452 rials transferring the shares in the process of the private sector’s role in the national privatization, IRIB reported. economy. AED 11,437 rials Making the remarks during a ceremony The government envisioned a large Source: cbi.ir on Wednesday for introducing the new privatization program in the Fifth Five-Year head of Iranian Privatization Organization National Development Plan (2010-2015), (IPO), Alireza Saleh, the minister said: aiming to privatize about 20 percent of the “We investigated the cases of blame on state-owned firms each year. Under the the privatization processes; all transferring present interpretation of the Article 44, COMMODITIES trends have been conducted based on the some state-owned companies have been Brent $63.24/b regulations and were complying the laws.” privatized to reduce their financial burden WTI $58.87/b In its planned budget for the current on the country’s budget and also increase Iranian year (ends on March 19, 2020), their productivity. OPEC Basket $66.43/b the Iranian government expects to earn Downsizing the government is on some 106 trillion rials (about $2.5 billion) the agenda, but a number of factors has Gold $1,502.70/oz of income from divesting shares of sate-run been hindering privatization trend in the Silver $17.89/oz companies to the private sector. making, job creation, promotion of trade management burden on the government country, among them government’s high In Iran, implementation of privatization balance, more competition in domestic has been under the spotlight over the past interference in the management of the Platinium $939.10/oz plan aimed at more productivity, investment economy, and reducing financial and decade. transferred companies is a challenging one. Sources: oilprice.com, Moneymetals.com Over 103,000 tons of aluminum ingots Mureza Auto Company to distribute Christine Lagarde gets produced in 5 months Iranian cars in South Africa European Parliament ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iran’s ma- ECONOMY TEHRAN — Mureza this gap with new models priced not much deskjor aluminum producers deskAuto Company, an above the cost of a used import, which are approval as next ECB chief produced 103,593 tons of aluminum ingots African car brand registered in Zimbabwe heavily taxed in certain markets,” Tatenda during the first five months of the current and South Africa, plans to assemble and Mungofa, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) With 394 MEPs in favor and 206 against Christine Lagarde won the Iranian calendar year (March 21-August 22), distribute Iranian developed vehicles in of Mureza Auto, said. European Parliament approval to lead the European Central Bank. IRIB reported citing the data released by Southern Africa through a joint venture The company has an ambitious product As reported by euronews, EU leaders will formalize her ap- Iranian Mines and Mining Industries De- with Iran’s SAIPA Group based in Tehran. plan starting with a rebadged SAIPA pointment at a summit in mid-October for an eight-year term. velopment and Renovation Organization As reported by IRNA, according to an Quick crossover/hatchback that will At the Economic Committee hearing she said “Primary man- (IMIDRO). announcement by Mureza, the company make its debut during Automechanika date is price stability, of course. But it has to be embedded that The IMIDRO data show that aluminum Iran produced 276,575 tons of aluminum initially will have a joint venture with SAIPA Johannesburg Exhibition which is being climate change and environmental risk are mission-critical.” ingot output during the first five months of this ingots in the past Iranian calendar year (ended Group for platform-sharing and the supply held at the Expo Centre, Nasrec during year has fallen 32 percent compared to that on March 20, 2019). of major components but the ultimate September 18-21. of the same period of time in the past year. IRALCO accounted for producing 53 per- objective is to design and manufacture According to Mungofa there is even South Korea’s fiscal boost is As reported, 75,763 tons of the product cent of the total production in the past year. vehicles in Africa for African drivers. a battery-electric platform for the X200 a model for others was produced by Iranian Aluminum Com- As the world’s 18th producer of alumi- The business is being backed by funders platform under development in South pany (IRALCO) during the five-month num, Iran plans to reach the annual produc- in the United Arab Emirates. Africa by Energy Doctors and the next How should an export-driven economy with a strong attachment period, which indicate one percent growth tion of 1.5 million tons of aluminum ingot “There is a void between the new step will be the local development of a to fiscal discipline, an ageing population and a bitter dispute from the figure of the same time span in the by the Iranian calendar year 1404 (March vehicles and used vehicles currently sold range of one-ton pick-ups and a panel with an island trading partner react when it is under economic previous year. 2025-March 2026). in African countries and we propose to fill van under the Tusker model name. pressure? As regional industrial powerhouses, South Korea and Germany both face similar challenges from the tensions in the global trading system: growth has collapsed, inflation is well below target and monetary policy has already done what it can. According to ft.com, yet there is one important difference. IMIDRO to hold mining exploration conference on Sept. 24 Despite ample space for easing in both countries, only South Korea ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iranian Mines and Mining great importance and so should be considered in every step has broken with orthodoxy and delivered a radically expansionary deskIndustries Development and Renovation from exploration up to the production processes. budget to boost its flagging economy. Germany, which is set to Organization (IMIDRO) is planned to hold a conference on “In all areas including human resources, this [efficien- make a big announcement on how to tackle climate change this Iran’s mining exploration development, opportunities and cy] should be taken into account. For example, we are far Friday, might take note of the speed with which South Korean challenges in Tehran on September 24. behind in employee education in the coal sector. Many of leaders have been able to adapt to new economic realities. Explanations of new exploration programs, goals, and the work-related accidents in this sector are due to the lack methods are also among the subjects which are going to be of education, that is why efficiency and productivity is a covered at this conference. priority in all the IMIDRO agreements,” he said. Back in August, head of IMIDRO announced that ex- In late May, Gharibpour had said that the country’s mining ploration operations have been started in 300,000 square sector currently requires 18 billion euros of investment. meters of lands. “The mining sector is one of the country’s most profitable Khodadad Gharibpour said the new exploration oper- areas for investment so that 30 percent of the profits in ation will be conducted by a consortium of IMIDRO and the capital market is pertained to the mining and mineral the country’s major mining companies. sector,” he said. The official also announced that over 11 trillion rials IMIDRO currently has $3 billion worth of projects un- (about $262 million) of investment has been made in IM- derway and it also intends to renovate 5,000 industrial units IDRO projects through contribution of the private sector. using 100 trillion rials (about $2.38 billion) of investment Gharibpour noted that in the framework of the country’s efficiency, productivity and maximum utilization of the ca- during the current Iranian calendar year (ends on March Sixth National Five-Year Development Plan (2016-2021), pacities of the country’s mining industry have been given 19, 2020). Seoul’s longstanding commitment to fiscal discipline could put even Berlin to shame. The overall budget for South Korea has been in surplus for more than 20 years. Loosening during the financial crisis was not large enough to tip the government into the red. No other major economy has such a lengthy record of prudence. Though Dutch economy ‘robust’ but Brexit, trade war clouds gather Germany has been consistently in the black since 2014, its deficit The Dutch economy is set to grow by 1.5 ling 305.5 billion euros ($337 billion) as the current bruising trade war between exceeded 3 percent of national income in seven out of the 10 years percent next year Finance Minister Wopke opposed to 302 billion euros in spending, the United States and China. from 2001 to 2010. Hoekstra said Tuesday, as officials warned official documents said. “Besides, Brexit is throwing its shadow South Korea’s smartphones of a slowdown blamed on Brexit and the Unemployment stood at 3.5 percent. over things,” the royal added. Now both countries face similar problems. German industry ongoing U.S.-China trade war. But Hoekstra warned: “After years of The Dutch government was set to capital- specializes in automobiles, South Korea’s in smartphones and sem- According to news.yahoo.com, speaking booming, economic growth is declining.” ize on low interest rates to borrow billions iconductors. Both these sectors face structural shifts as drivers look at the opening of the Dutch parliament, Earlier Tuesday, Dutch King Willem-Al- of euros to invest in “sustainable economic to electric cars and phone users fail to find newer models such a Hoekstra also announced that the Dutch exander, in his traditional speech, also said growth,” Finance Minister Hoekstra said. draw. The two countries are likewise both at the sharp end of the government was loosening its purse strings that although the country’s outlook was The government is to present a project trade war between the U.S. and China, as well as more localized to spend more on stimulating the economy, positive, dark clouds are gathering on the in early 2020 to create a national invest- disputes with Japan in the case of South Korea and the turmoil including the sluggish housing market, horizon. ment fund worth 50 billion euros to boost over Brexit for Germany. child care and defense. “Our internationally-focused economy the economy in less prosperous times by They may avoid a recession, but both countries are certainly heading “Despite all the upheaval, the Dutch is vulnerable to disturbances on the world pumping money into innovation, research for a slowdown. Low consumer confidence and falling investment economy remains robust,” Hoekstra told market, especially as a result of trade con- and infrastructure, Hoekstra said. Wopke Hoekstra have prompted economists to forecast the slowest rate of growth MPs at the presentation of the 2020 budget. flicts,” the King said in his speech, written by Its decision to relax fiscal discipline in South Korea for a decade. Germany, meanwhile, is expected to For the fifth year in a row a budget Prime Minister Mark Rutte and his cabinet. comes days after European Central Bank ernments to spend more to boost Europe’s register its most sluggish pace of expansion for six years because of surplus was expected with revenue total- However he did not refer directly to chief Mario Draghi urged eurozone gov- economy. falling export orders and a construction sector that is stagnating. In response to the deteriorating economic outlook, Germany has begun to flirt with a more expansionary stance but is yet to commit. Last week, finance minister Olaf Scholz said that if an economic crisis breaks out “thanks to our sound finances we will be able to Norway embraces weak krone as PM points to competition boost counter it with many, many billions”. Yet the planned 1 percent The prime minister of Norway has signaled that her half of global FX turnover. But in Norway, trading declined increase in spending still appears lackluster compared with the government is happy having a weak currency, which she by 25%. action taken elsewhere. says is supporting the country’s export industry. The krone has remained weak despite interest-rate In Seoul, fiscal conservatism has come to a decisive end. South As per news.yahoo.com, Erna Solberg, who leads a hikes by the central bank as Norway’s economy expands Korea has planned increases related to job creation, welfare payments center-right government in Western Europe’s biggest oil faster than much of the rest of Europe, keeping inflation and research and development. Spending is being increased by 8 producer, said Norway’s competitiveness in global trade close to the target. percent — on top of a supplementary budget passed in August — has been “greatly improved” by the krone’s steady decline “There’s much that indicates we will be able to maintain despite sluggish tax receipts. This means government borrowing is over time. good competitiveness,” Solberg said. expected to reach a record high. An overall deficit next year, which “There’s lower growth in a lot of other countries at the The weak currency is giving Norway’s central bank includes the social security fund, would mark a big shift from a 2018 moment,” Solberg said in an interview in Oslo on Friday. more scope to raise rates, with the next meeting of policy surplus of 2.8 percent of national income. The “krone is also developing rather weakly, which benefits makers set to take place on Thursday. Economists expect Fiscal easing will take longer to transmit to the real economy than everyone except those that are traveling abroad.” the bank to raise the rate to 1.5% by the end of this year, monetary policy, but that does not make it any less important. The The krone rallied at the beginning of the week thanks marking a fourth hike in just over 12 months. effects on business and consumer confidence may be meaningful to a surge in the price of oil, which boosted demand for the Bank for International Settlements. The prime minister’s comments come as she prepares as companies look to a new source of orders. Expectations for in- currencies of crude-producing nations. But in recent years, The average daily trading in April was up 29% from to present next year’s budget on Oct. 7. Her government flation and economic growth could improve. South Korea is right it has been hammered as investors have responded to global $5.1 trillion in the same month in 2016, the BIS reported has dialed up spending of the nation’s oil wealth to about to act swiftly before the outlook deteriorates further. The global risks by avoiding peripheral currencies and favoring the dollar. Monday in a triennial survey on the industry. 8% of the economy, or $26.5 billion this year, to fill a backdrop has changed: Berlin can learn from Seoul’s willingness Trading in the global foreign-exchange market has jumped The growth of FX derivatives trading, primarily swaps, budget shortfall amid tax cuts and big jump in spending to change, too. to the highest-ever level at $6.6 trillion, according to the outpaced the spot market and now accounts for almost on infrastructure. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y SEPTEMBER 19, 2019 ENERGY 5

Oil not to be used as a weapon to The biggest winner in the Saudi oil supply crisis By Tsvetana Paraskova achieve political goals: Zanganeh The weekend attacks on vital oil infrastructure in OPEC’s largest producer and the world’s top oil exporter Saudi Arabia could ENERGY TEHRAN – Iranian Oil been increasing on a daily basis. be a boon to Brazil, a non-OPEC producer which is not part of deskMinister Bijan Namdar According to the official, the upward trend the OPEC+ production cut deal and which is set to boost its oil Zanganeh said oil should not be used as a of gas production will continue in the future production and access to some of its prized oil exploration areas. weapon for achieving political agendas, IRIB since National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) With security risks in the Middle East now higher than many — if reported. is following plans to stabilize production in not all — analysts thought possible just a week ago, investors and Referring to concerns about the security of new offshore fields. oil buyers could turn to oil producing nations far from the tensions oil supply in the market, Zanganeh said “This In early August, National Iranian Gas in the Persian Gulf, analysts and emerging markets investors say. has also been our concern, we believe that oil Company (NIGC) Dispatching Director Me- “I think people are beginning to think well maybe we should should not be used as a weapon to achieve hdi Jamshidi Dana had announced that the be looking to Brazil, for example, for their oil supply, to Mexico, political agendas because it is a requirement country’s daily gas production reached 810 to other countries in terms of where oil can come from,” veteran of all human societies. And it must be allowed million cubic meters (mcm). investor Mark Mobius of Mobius Capital Partners told CNBC on to flow freely in the marketplace.” According to Jamshidi Dana, currently with Monday, the first trading day after the attacks in Saudi Arabia Speaking to the press after a cabinet meeting over 39,000 kilometers of high pressure gas left 5.7 million bpd of its production offline. on Wednesday, the official mentioned the impact pipelines, 82 gas pressure boosting stations, “If you look at the reserves that Brazil has, you’ll see that they of Aramco attack on the global markets, saying 296 turbo-compressors and other gas facili- can produce quite a lot of oil,” Mobius told CNBC. “It [the attacks] will have a short-term impact ties, Iranian gas network is Asia’s biggest and After some delays in projects and heavy maintenance at the on the oil market, but it will affect everyone.” the world’s fourth largest network in terms start of the summer, Brazil has boosted its oil and liquids pro- Drone attacks claimed by Yemen’s armed of facilities. duction in the past two months and is set to be the second-largest forces on September 14, struck two of Saudi According to the official, currently 93.6 contributor to non-OPEC oil supply growth this year and next, Aramco’s major oil facilities in Khurais and percent of Iran’s population enjoy natural after the number-one growth driver, the United States. Abqaiq - the world’s largest oil processing facility gas. Gas is supplied to 97 percent of people in The attacks in Saudi Arabia could also spur more interest in in the country’s gas production, noting that and crude oil stabilization plant. Following the intraday surge to reach $71 per barrel. the urban areas and 82 percent of people in Brazil’s upcoming oil auctions slated to be held in the next few since last year the country’s gas output has attacks, Brent crude posted its biggest ever Zanganeh further underlined the increase the rural regions. months, analysts say. The oil price hike On the downside, the oil price spike at the start of the week could put additional inflationary pressure on the Latin American countries, while Brazil’s state-owned oil firm Petrobras may have EOGPC to boost oil production in northeastern Iran to carefully consider if, when, and how to potentially pass the oil ENERGY TEHRAN – Managing Director of East in northeastern Iran. price surge on to consumers at the pump, analysts and energy deskOil and Gas Production Company (EOG- EOGPC supplies gas to Khorasan Razavi, North Khorasan experts told BNamericas this week. PC), a subsidiary of Iranian Central Oil Fields Company and South Khorasan, Golestan, Mazandaran and partly Petrobras will not be raising fuel prices immediately, the com- (ICOFC) in eastern Iran, said with two new wells being Semnan provinces. By providing gas to these provinces, pany said on Monday, adding that it would continue to monitor the drilled, over 2.5 million cubic meters will be added to the the company is playing a prominent role in the economic market and “make timely decisions on future price adjustments.” company’s gas production in the region by the end of au- blossoming of the country in the energy sector. Although the rise in global oil prices will be positive for Petrobras’ tumn (December 21). The top priority of this company is production, par- share price, the Brazilian company should be careful how it will Speaking to Shana, Abolhassan Mohammadi noted that ticularly in cold seasons of the year, because the EOGPC manage a fuel price increase, in order to avoid another crippling his company’s production goals for the first half the current operating area is among cold areas in the country and strike of truck drivers who are highly sensitive to diesel prices, calendar year (March 22-Spetember 22) have completely therefore planning must be such that before cold seasons BB Investimentos’ equity team says, as carried by BNamericas. been realized and preparation plans like gas injection and of the year start all maintenance, overhaul, and preventive For future auctions offshore Brazil, slated for later this year, overhauls for maximum production during the cold season activities must have been finished. the attacks in Saudi Arabia could be ‘positive’ for Brazil in the are also being pursued seriously. According to the managing director, the reservoirs op- sense that oil companies “will want access to oil production far EOGPC is in charge of developing two gas fields namely erating under EOGPC administration are in the second from the tensions and will then start paying more attention to Khangiran and the jointly owned Gonbadly field in Sarakhs half of their lifecycle. the pre-salt area,” Edmilson Moutinho, a teacher at the energy institute of São Paulo University USP, told BNamericas. New exploration acreage New exploration acreage and new discoveries will be vital for Wind energy in Brazil: Piauí has largest wind Global renewables giant born says Brazil’s oil supply, which could potentially grow by 70 percent, to 4.4 million bpd in 2035, compared to 2018, McKinsey & Company farm under construction in South America RWE’s CEO Martin Schmitz said in a report in April this year. The “outlook for Brazil’s oil production to 2035 will depend The wind farm will have the capacity jobs were created with the company’s RWE will take ownership of fellow German report (PDF), the E.ON deal includes heavily on whether the country is able to open up for additional to generate 3.3 TWh per year and will installation in the region. For Atlantic utility E.ON’s project pipeline, building a 17-gigawatt portfolio of largely wind exploration and development in new fields and blocks. Companies prevent the emission of over 1.6 million company, which owns the structure of on its already-huge installed base. projects, though it’s unlikely all of that other than Petrobras are poised to have a big role in making these tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. Piauí the Lagoa do Barro Wind Complex, it According to greentechmedia.com, will end up getting built. investments happen,” McKinsey said. is among the largest clean energy pro- has already manufactured 65 towers, “this makes us one of the world’s leading Offshore wind in germany Brazil’s oil production is set to grow in the near term, organ- ducers in Brazil, ranking fifth among which has eight parks and an installed renewable energy companies,” says RWE The development portfolio includes izations and analysts say. the largest wind energy producers in capacity of 195 MW (megawatts), spread CEO Rolf Martin Schmitz. the 325-megawatt Kaskasi offshore wind According to OPEC’s Monthly Oil Market Report for Sep- the country. Just as the state produces over an area of 2,854 hectares. Officials in Brussels have approved project in Germany, which has been tember, Brazil will see an 180,000-bpd annual rise in pro- energy, it also generates jobs in several The prosperity of wind power in the RWE’s deal for fellow German utility awarded state subsidies at auction. A duction this year, and another 290,000 bpd annual supply areas and life improvement opportunities state has been changing the lives of Bruno E.ON’s global renewable energy project construction decision on that is due next growth in 2020. for the people of Piaui. The good winds Amorim, a resident of Queimada Nova, pipeline. The €40 billion ($44.1 billion) year. It also includes a 440-megawatt Crude oil output is expected to increase by between 320,000 from the northeast region, considered neighboring Lagoa do Barro, who is now asset swap has been under scrutiny by portfolio of U.S. solar projects taken to bpd and 360,000 bpd in the second half this year compared to constant and stable, have contributed a quality assistant at the factory. He says the European Commission’s competition various stages of progress by the devel- the first half of 2019, when delays and maintenance led to pro- to the excellent performance: Piauí he had only worked informally before and watchdog. oper Birdseye. duction declines. produces 1638,10 megawatts (MW) of was the first opportunity to work with a To simplify what is a very complex deal, Speaking in an interview within RWE’s More than 80 percent of the estimated additional production wind power. formal contract. “This wind project here RWE has passed the customer distribution own annual report, Schmitz said projects from new projects in 2020 is expected to come from the Búzios According to evwind.es, to make all in the region was my first opportunity business of its subsidiary Innogy to E.ON in the 17-gigawatt pipeline would still (x-Franco), Lara, and Lula fields, OPEC said. this energy production possible, thou- to work in a signed portfolio. I’m really in exchange for the development assets. have to meet RWE’s criteria if they are Regardless of the developments in the Middle East, Brazil sands of workers working in both wind enjoying working here, learning new The “new RWE” will focus on renewable to progress. has a chance to significantly boost its oil production if its own farms and factories of wind turbines that things that I wouldn’t learn, because power generation. “Of course, we can’t make this deci- regulatory and investment climate is attractive enough for major supply equipment are responsible for informal jobs often prevail in the city. “Today, Brussels paved the way for the sion until we have operational control. investments. moving the productive sector, generating From now on, I hope to finish this project ‘new RWE.’ This makes us one of the world’s However, we probably won’t implement a (Source: oilprice.com) economic growth in the municipalities and continue on others,” says Bruno. leading renewable energy companies,” said fair share of the projects in the pipeline,” where the companies are located, with Nordex / Acciona has been installed for Rolf Martin Schmitz, CEO of RWE. “We Schmitz said. Nordex / Triggers. over a year in the city of Lagoa do Barro intend annual net investments of €1.5 bil- “Only those that meet our return re- Oil steadies after Saudi pledges Inaugurated in 2018, the Nordex / and, in addition to producing equipment lion to consolidate and further strengthen quirements will be considered. Under no Acciona wind tower factory is located for the Atlantic company, also manufac- this position. Now we are putting all our circumstances will we make investment to restore output lost in attacks in Lagoa do Barro municipality, 540 tures inputs for the other state parks, energy into tackling this task.” decisions ’no matter what the cost.’ This km from Teresina, manufactures con- which will not need to import the 120m RWE already has 9 gigawatts of re- should really go without saying, but it Oil prices were little changed on Wednesday, steadying after Saudi crete towers and supplies equipment for towers that support the propellers. and newable energy assets up and running. probably isn’t a bad idea to come out Arabia said it will restore by the end of the month production lost use in Piauí wind farms. More than 400 the wind generator. According to the firm’s 2018 annual and reiterate it.” in weekend attacks on its facilities. Prices plummeted 6% on Tuesday after Saudi Arabia’s energy minister said the country had managed to restore oil supplies to customers to where they stood before the attacks on its facilities that shut 5% of global oil output by drawing from its huge inventories. Bangladesh solar power: lessons from Hawaii Brent crude oil futures LCOc1 were flat at $64.55 a barrel By Rashed Chowdhury the better off we’ll all be. Solar energy is a particularly prom- by 0732 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude CLc1 ising technology. Clean, quiet, reliable and requiring virtually futures were down 15 cents, or 0.1%, to $59.19 a barrel, after The state of Hawaii, an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean no maintenance, solar energy produces electricity during the sinking 5.7% on Tuesday. southwest of the continental United States and southeast of time of day when it is most needed. And unlike most energy “Considering limited spare (production) capacity outside Saudi Japan, was admitted to the American union on August 21, 1959, technologies, it has the advantage of producing power in the Arabia and a risk premium is likely to stay on oil prices in the making it the 50th state of the U.S. Its capital is Honolulu, on same place it’s consumed. foreseeable future,” analysts said in a note. the island of Oahu. The most recent census (2018) puts the Bangladesh is a perfect environment for solar power, as Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said on Tuesday state’s population at 1.42 million. the sun shines most of the time. Its local utility supports the that average oil production in September and October would be Hawaii, with lots of sun but no oil, has already stepped purchase and installation of solar systems with generous rebates 9.89 million barrels per day and that the world’s top oil exporter ahead of other U.S. states in the race toward clean energy. and solar tax credits from the government, as is done in Hawaii. would ensure full oil supply commitments to its customers this Legislation requiring all new homes to have solar water Solar panels month. heaters has been passed. The legislation goes beyond the re- Solar panels in the past used to be made of silicon but as Saudi Aramco has informed some Asian refiners that it will bates and tax credits that other states and cities are offering. silicon is becoming more expensive, research has turned to supply full allocated volumes of crude oil in October, albeit with Some conservatives say it is a heavy-handed government other materials. Lately, a whole new type of solar panel is being some changes. mandate to go green, but it will save people money – cutting energy sources. produced. They are made of plastic and the price is comparatively Relations between the United States and Iran have deteriorated about $1,000 a year from the electricity bill of an average home As energy prices increase and the world becomes more low. These plastic panels work just as well to power just about since U.S. President Donald Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear in Hawaii. For a state that has the nation’s highest electricity aware of the problems of global warming, rising sea levels and any appliance that is used in a home out in a remote location. accord last year and reimposed sanctions on its oil exports. rates and an abundance of sunlight, this move seems natural. air pollution, locations such as the islands of Hawaii with a good Solar panels are mostly placed on the roof. The power gen- Tehran on Tuesday ruled out talks with Trump. Given the state’s environmental and political problems, and free source of solar energy have an excellent solution to erated is transmitted to a battery for storage and household The oil market is facing challenging times. Oil price spikes are many people in Hawaii feel that the initiative for clean energy reduce the environmental effects of fossil fuels with residential power needs are drawn from this storage. Solar energy is also possible at any time,” an analyst said. is encouraging, as the per capita consumption of oil in Hawaii solar panels and solar power systems. Solar panels are mounted most suitable for heating water for household use, swimming Still, fundamental supply and demand balances in the oil market is more than in any other U.S. state. on a building or can be free-standing for any location where pools and hot tubs. are deteriorating, the analyst added, forecasting Brent oil prices There are other reasons for which the Hawaiians are happy a reduction in power bills are needed. Hawaii’s solar-power The best thing about solar power is that it does not release of $60 a barrel next year. – the use of solar panels minimizes their dependence on fossil incentives are excellent compared with many states, with im- harmful emissions or effluents leading to global warming, acid “Demand growth is weakening, oil supply outside OPEC is fuels imported from other countries. The fossil-fuel supplies on proving energy efficiency and reducing dependence on imported rain and smog. The utility of solar panels is great. Having solar rising significantly and OPEC+’s production discipline has re- which the U.S. relies for its energy are dwindling, and becoming oil firmly on the state government agenda. panels installed in the home, people can live anywhere, even in cently faded,” he said. increasingly expensive and politically costly. Emissions from power plants that run on fossil fuels are rural areas, without forgoing the conveniences of the city and The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Other fossil fuels a major contributor to global warming. Scientists tell us that without having to install expensive electrical-line extensions and a number of other producing nations including Russia agreed According to the Hawaiian legislature, the U.S. desper- a failure to respond to the climate crisis will lead to rising sea from noisy generators. last year to cut output by 1.2 million bpd to reduce global stocks ately needs to reduce its dependence on oil and other fossil levels, more severe weather patterns and increased rates of Bangladesh can therefore benefit from the experience of and prop up prices. fuels and move toward clean, renewable energy. Hawaii is the communicable diseases. The time for debate is over. Investing Hawaii’s solar systems – where a solar system has been proved U.S. crude inventories rose by 592,000 barrels in the week best-suited state in the U.S. to lead the change. The state ranks in renewable energy now will yield big dividends to our world’s to be the environmentally and economically sound choice for ended Sept. 13 to 422.5 million, data from industry group the third in annual sunlight, pays the highest electricity rates in the well-being in the future. power generation and heating water in residential complexes. American Petroleum Institute showed on Tuesday. Analysts had nation and relies primarily on imported and highly polluting The sooner our transition toward renewable energy happens, (Source: asiatimes.com) expected a decrease of 2.5 million barrels. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 INTERNATIONAL SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

U.S. state senator: No evidence of Iran’s involvement in Saudi France’s mission in new oil attack

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A US Republican state senator said there is no reliable evidence that Iran was involved in the recent drone round of talks over JCPOA attack on Saudi oil installations, which he described as an enormous loss of prestige for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. In an interview with Tasnim, Virgina Senator Richard H. Black By Ali Hassan Heidari ed the US to choose France for the new likened Saudi Arabia to a “school bully who cries when a small girl negotiations was the demonstration of punches him and gives him a bloody nose,” saying the neocons al- The world is currently experiencing Iran’s power in the physical confron- ways accuse Iran of involvement in attacks on Saudi targets because multiple political and security devel- tations that took place in the strategic they cling to the dream of starting a new war in the Middle East. opments, the fate of which can affect waterway of Persian Gulf. The West the political and security equation in understood that Iran is not a country like whole or in part. Gaddafi’s Libya or Saddam’s Iraq. They Each of these developments is in fact realised that Iran will not easily give in a unique one involving major actors to political and economic pressure and and their allies: cannot be defeated by a Trojan horse. Yemen developments, political and Iran’s authority at sea and air forces security developments between the so- France to play the role of a good cop. called resistance movements with ag- France, in fact, is a soldier working gressive and opposing actors, tensions for the United States and its mission created by regional and international is to make up for the strategic failures. powers in the Persian Gulf, trade war In scenarios designed by the US-led between China and the US, tensions Western front and supported by some between the US and North Korea, and Arab countries, destabilisation of Iran finally tensions between Iran and the was on the agenda. This front accepted What follows is the full text of the interview: West over the 2015 nuclear deal, offi- to pay a heavy political price, especially The over 4-year-old Saudi war on Yemen has claimed the cially known as the JCPOA. after it was disclosed that certain media lives of more than 10,000 civilians. The Yemeni Armed Forces on Among the issues mentioned, the outlets had been tasked with carrying Saturday carried out retaliatory drone attacks against Saudi Arabia, most important one is the negotiations out anti-Iran media operations. That hitting the kingdom’s oil heartland, Aramco. What is your take on of the Islamic Republic of Iran with is why in the atmosphere of psycho- the devastating strikes? the Western countries and the United logical and media operations, there A: Saudis used cruel bombardment and attacks by paid Suda- States over the fulfillment of mutual was always talk of a “hot summer” in nese mercenaries to force the people of Yemen to accept a puppet obligations under the JCPOA.Part of Iran, and they expected a nationwide reasons and the contents of the new ern and Arab scenarios have either come regime. They thought they could muscle the poor Houthi tribesmen this important and influential issue, uprising to happen, but the summer negotiations in the future, but in this to an end or are at their final stages; into bowing to their will, but they were wrong. The drone attack which is Iran’s commitments under came to an end and nothing happened. brief review we will discuss why France scenarios such as the crisis in Syria, knocked out half of Saudi oil production. This was a huge victory the deal, has been fulfilled. Iran has Just like all the other political, securi- came forward to negotiate with Iran Iraq, etc. Of course, none of these de- for the Houthis and an enormous loss of prestige for Saudi Arabia’s reduced enrichment from 20 percent ty and military assumptions, this one after Britain, Oman and Japan.The key velopments resulted in the objectives Prince Mohammed bin Salman. to three and a half percent, loaded the also failed and their chain of failures question in this regard is why France that Western and Arab countries were Later in the day, the spokesman of the Yemeni army warned Arak heavy water reactor with concrete completed. Therefore, they found the should assume the role of mediator pursuing. All of these crises ended as that more similar strikes will be conducted unless the Saudi regime and actually shut it down, removed cen- solution in approaching Iran, because between Iran and the United States Iran and its regional allies wanted. It stops its aggression against the impoverished Arab country. Do you trifuges in Fordow and changed the they realised that the only way to choke in the new situation. Is France in the means that the costly and damaging think Yemen’s military has the right to defend the country’s soil and facility from an enrichment centre to Iran is to get closer to it. So, negotia- position of an independent actor in strategies of the anti-Iran front totally sovereignty in the face of Riyadh? a research centre. tion was the best way to get closer to this period, or is it an actor which is failed. This failure means the collapse A: Saudi Arabia is outraged that Yemen is fighting back against In sum, Iran has fulfilled all its com- Iran. For Westerners, it is important to following the US policies and recom- of a US-led regional and global front Arabia’s war of aggression. The Saudis are like a school bully who cries mitments, and international inspectors bring Iran back to the negotiating table mendations and has entered the game against Iran. In fact, in the war of strat- when a small girl punches him and gives him a bloody nose. Saudi and observers have confirmed it, but after playing with Iran for years. They on behalf of the US? egies, it was Iran’s strategy that showed Arabia has murdered Yemen’s Houthis for years. Using American the US and European powers have not think if they can get Iran back to the In response to the question of why its power to the world. weapons and Sudanese mercenaries, they have done so without only failed to fulfil their obligations, negotiating table, Tehran will no longer France has accepted the role of mediator Tehran has adopted a revolution- suffering consequences. Now, they’re getting some of their own but the Trump administration withdrew be able to manage the talks, because in the negotiations at this juncture and ary and aggressive counter-strategy on medicine and they just can’t take it. Suddenly they are experiencing from this international agreement and they (Westerners) have learned in the is trying to force Iran to renegotiate the the issue of nuclear deal after years of some of the suffering that they have been inflicting on their neighbors. actually violated it.Notable among the first round that Iran can be managed deal, it should be noted that France is a strategic patience in face of the failure In a phone call, US President Trump told Saudi crown prince reactions was the reaction of the Euro- once it is dragged into the negotiating member of the European Union which of the US and European countries in that the US was ready to help protect the regime security following pean countries. Not only did they not table, and in the light of some similar has always played the role of a US ally. fulfilling their JCPOA commitments. the attack. Secretary of State Pompeo blamed Iran for the attack. condemn the US’ unlawful action, they JCPOA commitments the West can France has always entered the game In fact, the Islamic Republic showed But Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy, a member of the Senate Foreign also implicitly accompanied Trump in control Iran’s movements. on behalf of the US when it comes to a balance of pressure by adopting a Relations Committee, denounced Pompeo’s characterization of the setting forth new issues and his bid The final point is that the Iranians common interests and threats.France revolutionary approach in its diplo- actors involved in the attack. “This is such irresponsible simplifica- to redefine the JCPOA. The Islamic could not benefit from the nuclear deal used to play the role of bad cop during macy backed by its regional victories. tion and it’s how we get into dumb wars of choice. The Saudis and Republic of Iran, after several years or even force the other party to fulfill its previous negotiations that led to the The world saw the apex of this political Houthis are at war. The Saudis attack the Houthis and the Houthis of strategic patience and observing its obligations. In the new circumstances, JCPOA, but in the new circumstances, authority during the meeting of Iran’s attack back…,” he wrote. What do you think? Why does White House legal and ethical commitments under Iran has chosen a path that is not dif- it is trying to portray itself as a good leader with the Japanese Prime Minister. not rein in the kingdom to stop killing innocent people? the deal, has taken two steps to return ferent from the negotiations held for cop. A number of important factors have The steps taken by Iran to return to the A: As soon as Saudi Arabia and the UAE leave Yemen, the war to the pre-deal situation. the JCPOA. The West is trying to stop made Paris prefer the role of a media- pre-JCPOA situation also completed will end. The Houthis have no reason to pursue the war beyond Iran’s actions and its threat to take a Iran’s return to pre-deal situation in tor rather than the bad cop and enter this balance. This was an important their own borders once the war against them ends. The Saudis and third step prompted Western nations, the new round of talks. It means that by the game after numerous mediations. factor in destroying the assumptions Emiratis attacked Yemen in order to install Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi which had violated all of the provisions talking of returning Washington to the Most of the regional developments of the countries that were against Iran. as the president. But Hadi is a mere Quisling--a hated puppet who of the JCPOA, to launch new efforts to agreement they want to lead Iran into a designed within the context of the West- Another important issue that prompt- lacks any popular support. He doesn’t even live in Yemen. persuade Iran.We will elaborate on the new cycle of giving more concessions. Saudis and Emiratis live in opulent splendor while they bomb water purification plants to spread disease and death among the Yemenis. They are notorious for using US-built “smart bombs” to launch precise attacks on weddings, funerals, and children’s school buses. Their war against the Houthis is widely viewed as a litany of On Washington’s fake concerns about war crimes against the people. Reuters reports that the “US, France, Britain may be complicit in Yemen war crimes,” according to the UN. There’s no reliable evidence that Iran was involved in the attacks. Hong Kong protests But neocons always blame Iran because they cling to the dream of starting a new war there. However, the American people are sick TEHRAN (FNA) — The violent protest This is an internal matter and the people of propping up the brutal Saudi regime and they are tired of wars leaders and masked rioters in Hong of Hong Kong don›t want their sympathy. in the Middle East. Kong continue to show themselves as They have been paying a heavy price for Why has the West remained silent on the issue of human a popular pro-democracy movement to Washington›s meddling in Hong Kong›s rights in Saudi Arabia and its deadly war on Yemen? the outside world. However, they cannot internal affairs for too long. The last A: The West relies on Saudi Arabia to help the US control world change the fact that they have close thing they want is for American think currency through the petrodollar. In the 1970s, Saudi Arabia agreed ties to American think tanks like the tanks and cronies to take to the Twitter that all of their oil sales would be settled in US dollars. In exchange, Foundation for Defense of Democracies, to support their peaceful demands. The the US backs the Saudis militarily. The petrodollar system makes the National Endowment for Democracy, «sympathy» coming from Washington the US dollar the world’s reserve currency. It allows the United and the National Democratic Institute. is only designed to agitate for instability States to run persistent trade deficits, while exerting global eco- Together with soft-power outfits, the in Hong Kong from soft-power outfits nomic hegemony. flamethrowers are trying to influence that are pretending to care about people, Despite this important petrodollar arrangement, US congressmen the violence and the xenophobic protests their human rights, and their welfare. have become increasingly hostile toward Saudi Arabia. There is in a direction that will only benefit US Unlike what the flamethrowers would growing awareness of Saudi Arabia’s role in carrying out the night- interests in the region. That explains why like to suggest, criticism is not same as marish 9-11 attacks that killed 3,000 Americans in the Twin Towers the motives and aims of the protesters are violence or inflicting damage on public and Pentagon in 2001. vague; why right-wing media tycoons with property, and certainly it cannot and In 2016, Congress overrode a presidential veto to enable the close ties to hardliners in Washington shouldn›t be allowed to undermine families of 9-11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia in US courts for par- are backing their «democratic cause»; lives and security in the territory. They ticipating in that bloody horror. Enactment of the Justice Against why although leader of Hong Kong, Chief are in no position to sympathize with Sponsors of Terrorism Act, or JASTA, demonstrates that con- Executive Carrie Lam, formally withdrew people through outrageous and insulting gress concluded that Saudi Arabia is probably complicit in the the fugitive bill to allay public concerns, comments and bills. People attach no 9-11 attacks against the US.This June, the US Senate also voted the political crisis refuses to go away; value to their opportunistic remarks against selling arms to the Saudis. Although the senators could not and why the protests are now driven by from their governments. US policymakers nonsense the Bush administration and symbolic gestures. override the president’s veto, most of them were troubled by the a host of other objections. and officials have even nominated Hong believed in the lead-up to the Iraq To be sure, people know better than Saudi and Emeriti war against the people of Yemen. Others were This is not out of the ordinary. Of Kong protest leaders for peace prizes War in 2003. People may want change anyone else that a handful of those who aghast at the grisly murder and dismemberment of Washington all the various twists and turns of the and pumped their organizations with and a better life in Hong Kong, but the destroy public property in Hong Kong Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. unrests in Hong Kong in the past three money to «promote democracy». Iraq-style collapse of their economy are not peaceful protesters demanding The Washington Post reported on November 16, 2018, that, months or so, the effort by Washington - The policy of the Trump and system is surely not the kind of a better life for themselves and others. “The CIA has concluded (with a high level of confidence) that Saudi to marginalize and stigmatize Beijing is administration is not officially to call change they have in mind. Many peaceful They are anti-establishment and hostile Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the assassination of among the more preposterous: for protests, but top officials have often protesters have already distanced individuals or groups directed and funded journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul last month… according to people - US lawmakers have already made that clear in public too. Outlining themselves from violent protest leaders by external think tanks and soft-power familiar with the matter.” Khashoggi’s murder did enormous damage sponsored the Hong Kong Human Rights his approach in May, Secretary of State that are linked to outside powers. outfits to undermine China›s national to the reputation of the crown prince.The royal family’s reputation and Democracy Act of 2019 to back Mike Pompeo met with Hong Kong›s - The fact that American think tanks security and territorial integrity.With was not helped when the crown prince’s half-sister, Princess Hessa the anti-government rioters. Sponsors so-called pro-democracy leader Martin and local media tycoons are influencing all of this in mind, the people of Hong bint Salman, was found guilty of armed violence and complicity in and other advocates say the foreign- Lee, during which he expressed concern the Trump administration›s anti- Kong know just too well where they are holding a man against his will. She received a 10-month probated backed riots that have intermittently about the fugitive bill. This is while China strategy is further evidence headed, where they are in the region, sentence by a French court in September for ordering a bodyguard paralyzed transport links, shut street- Hong Kong›s matters are purely an that Washington is not acting alone what they should be doing to protect to detain and strike a plumber for taking photos at the Saudi royal level commerce, and slashed local internal affair for China and the central in supporting the rioters. The aim of themselves, and what they should never family’s apartment in the French capital. According to the French tourism revenue will soon prompt a government in Beijing. Pompeo had no their plan is not for China to pursue expect from violent protest leaders that news magazine Le Point, the workman reported that the princess «yes» vote. right to incite chaos there. internal reform and external dialogue, are photographed meeting with US shouted “Kill him, the dog, he doesn’t deserve to live.” Her bodyguard - US senators have also signed onto - The notion that part of the people but for the one country and two systems officials in Hong Kong, or for that matter, then bound the workman and forced him to kiss the woman’s feet an identical bill aimed at supporting the in Hong Kong are clamouring for the to collapse entirely so that it can no from American think tanks, lobbying at gunpoint.The cumulative effect of 9-11 revelations, the atrocities rioters in Hong Kong. Little wonder their fall of the one country and two systems, longer undermine their illicit interests groups, and soft-power outfits eager to in Yemen, the funneling of arms to Syrian terror groups, and the cronies keep marching in front of the US or welcome American assistance in and geostrategic designs in the South benefit from the carnage. It›s a formula atrocious misbehavior of the royal family have created a negative and British consulates in the city with precipitating that fall is the same kind China Sea. for catastrophe, as in all catastrophic impression of Saudi Arabia in the West. American and UK flags to call for support of «we will be greeted as liberators» The flamethrowers should take note: situations. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y SEPTEMBER 19, 2019 ANALYSIS & INTERVIEW 7 Reflection on Bolton’s expulsion Ditching the Dollar

TEHRAN (FNA) — The US has employed economic sanctions on Russia and Iran in hopes of crippling them financially, mak- from the White House ing it more difficult for them to compete for trade in the region. However, Russia and Iran are working together to ditch By Saeed Sobhani the dollar to weaken the effects of US sanctions. The two are TEHRAN — The expulsion of U.S. National Security Ad- working to develop a new financial transfer system to replace viser John Bolton from the White House has sent a clear the US-controlled SWIFT. This system would circumvent third message to the world: that Trump has failed in his pursuit country sanctions. According to Russian presidential adviser for of extremist policies in the world. There has been a lot of international affairs Yuri Ushakov, “In order to protect bilateral analysis in recent days, some of which we will review here: trade and economic ties from third country sanctions, measures As Maj. Danny Sjursen wrote in Antiwar,All wars require are taken on the expansion of direct payments, the use of national casus belli, ostensible justifications. After all, despite hu- currencies, the improvement interactions between the Russian manity’s long history of vicious warfare, interstate combat financial transfers system and the Iranian Sepam, as an alternative often requires a government distant from its working class for payments to SWIFT.” to motivate its people to kill and die for distant institutions The international SWIFT interbank communication system, used and esoteric ideologies. That said, Washington doesn’t ex- by more than 10,800 organizations in more than 200 countries, actly have a strong track record of honesty regarding its said in October 2014 that it was under pressure from several states rationales for war. Few Americans know or care much for which had sanctions against Russia, but did not plan to capitulate their own history, of course, but consider just a few incidents to their demands.However, the Bank of Russia created its own (in reverse order) spanning 207 years. transaction system as an alternative to ensure financial services Many probably remember the ill-fated, illegal, and go on in the event SWIFT decides to end its working relationship immoral 2003 invasion of Iraq, with its euphemistic (and with Russia. In conjunction with moving away from SWIFT, the Orwellian) military mission title: Operation Iraqi Freedom. Russian Ministry of Finance reported that the country will not Oft-forgotten is the scale of government failure and deception borrow in US dollars anymore until at least 2021. that led to a costly regime change operation. Similarly, the Earlier this year, it was also revealed that Moscow and Beijing Gulf of Tonkin incident – whereby North Vietnamese ships are working on a way to reduce US dollar dependency as Russia ostensibly fired on U.S. Navy vessels – turned out to have plans to issue its first yuan-denominated bond. These are aimed questionable evidence and context. In 1898, a purported at helping Russian and Iranian economies deal with US tariffs Spanish attack on the USS Maine in Havana harbor stirred and sanctions, and also help Russia expand its list of foreign up national war fever and created the conditions for the that’d be the miniature Pearl Harbor needed to bomb and levers of power, the trail of flames he has left behind will have lenders.Russia was sanctioned by the US following the country’s Spanish-American War. Before a serious investigation was invade the Islamic Republic. He must’ve then been heart- lasting damage. alleged involvement in the Ukrainian conflict and its annexation completed, Uncle Sam fought a “splendid little war” which broken by Trump’s subsequent (and sensible) decision for Yes he wasn’t successful in convincing Trump to attack of Crimea. Iran meanwhile is sanctioned because of its pursuit gobbled up most of Spain’s overseas colonies. Only it turns restraint. Three months later, Bolton was out. Iran, but Bolton helped create the conditions for war by of nuclear energy and support for anti-Israel resistance groups out that Spain was not behind the explosion, which was very Which leads me to this author’s prediction (always, ad- pushing Trump to finally withdraw from the Iran nuclear like Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad. likely accidental. mittedly, a tricky matter) that this event, an attack on Saudi deal mere weeks after assuming the top national security Because the US dollar is the de facto currency of the world, In one of the more openly aggressive wars in US Histo- liquid gold, is more likely to lead to war than previous alleged job. As predicted (even by the CIA), that policy has turned sanctions can have a devastating effect on a country. However, ry, President Polk brazenly lied to the American people in attacks on US equipment or military personnel. Destruc- out to be a complete disaster, with the US isolated from its as sanctions are being increasingly placed on states that resist US 1846, claiming falsely that a bloody skirmish with Mexican tion of a multimillion dollar spy/assassination drone didn’t European allies, Iran’s nuclear program less constrained, economic hegemony, they can collaborate to counter the effects troops had unfolded on U.S. soil. As a result, Washington do it; nor did alleged (if questionable) Iranian-sponsored and the Trump administration failing miserably in its quest of such sanctions. One solution to end the dollar dominance seized one-third of Mexico and occupied its capital. What’s Iraqi militia attacks on US troops, which killed more than to rein in Iran’s nefarious regional behavior or to spark would be to use a global cryptocurrency. Iranian Minister of more, after spending this past weekend in San Antonio, 600 service members. See, the over-adulated troops are a internal strife toward the regime. Communication Technology and Information Azari Jahromi in Texas, it struck me that even the justification for the mythol- political prop, and a few million dollars is chump change And even though Bolton’s departure gives New Start a 2018 called a meeting with the board of the main banks of Iran ogized defense of the Alamo was motivated as much by the for the Pentagon. What Washington does care about is eco- new lease on life, he convinced Trump to ditch diplomatic and several state institutions, to discuss the creation of a “digital perpetuation of black slavery – which Mexico had already nomic control, and U.S.-benefiting economic “stability,” efforts at saving the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces currency based on Blockchain”. banned – as some yearning for “democracy.” Finally, but which – even in the age of fracking – is inextricably linked Treaty with Russia and instead shepherded a US withdraw- Meanwhile, the CryptoRuble is a digital currency currently far from comprehensively, the War of 1812 – rationalized with Saudi and other States oil. al, which officially went into effect last month. Experts are in development and commissioned by Russian President Vlad- as a response to the British seizure of US sailors on the high Rational analysis and historical precedent clearly demon- already citing the move as the catalyst for a renewed cold imir Putin, demonstrating that the Eurasian giant is prioritizing seas – was declared after London had already agreed to cease strate that neither the Yemeni Houthis nor Iran pose any war-esque arms race. de-dollarization.Although getting rid of the dollar is not a sim- the practice. This was further evidenced when Washington serious – nor certainly existential – threat to the US home- Mere months before joining the Trump administration, ple task, Russia and Iran have already taken some measures to – rather than wage war on the oceans – opened the war with land. Not that that’s ever stopped America from going to war Bolton attempted to make a legal argument for an unprovoked move away from the greenback, and more importantly, replacing an immediate invasion of British Canada meant to conquer before. What has always mattered to Washington is even first strike on North Korea, and he made sure to preserve SWIFT together. (again) the province. minor assaults on its empire, or on its primary imperial that option by standing in the way of Trump’s diplomatic With Russia and Iran occupying a shared space in the Caucasus, Why, then, should the people buy the government’s lies collaborators Israel and Saudi Arabia. Which is exactly what efforts to reduce tensions (Trump himself created) with Kim Caspian Sea and Central Asia, they are natural partners. Moreover, next time the war drums begin “a beatin.” After all, false makes this latest attack seriously distressing. Jong-un. Bolton’s efforts became so intrusive that Trump as they are both sanctioned by the US, their relationship has only pretenses are the norm in American war-making. And it’s So, wherever Bolton was when the Saudi oil strike occurred apparently banished him to Mongolia when he decided to intensified so they can work in a partnership to overcome the effects a fully bipartisan phenomena, as the shady wars named – whether binge watching Fox News, shuffling through the pay a visit to Kim at the demilitarized zone between North of the economic attack. It is for this reason that they have no other above were kicked off by commanders-in-chief from the corridors of some neoconservative think tank, or count- and South Korea. choice but to cooperate together to circumvent the US-led sanctions. Democratic-Republican, Democratic, and Republican par- ing cruise missiles to drift off to sleep – he most certainly It’s unclear whether we will be able to reverse Bol- And as things are developing, they are most likely to be joined by ties. Americans should keep that in mind regarding the now cheered. That’s because Bolton knows a discomfiting truth ton’s path of destruction, as it probably also depends China, Venezuela, Cuba, North Korea and many others. years’ long era of war scares with Iran, and most certainly in that most Americans don’t: that attacks on Riyadh or Tel on whether Trump wins the presidential election again. the wake of recent devastating attacks on the U.S.-backed Aviv are just as likely (if not more so) as assaults on New But the tragic subplot to the Trump-era Bolton debacle Saudi oil industry. With US intelligence – the same folks York, to trigger a military response from the US war machine. is the persistence of the constant revolving door of fail- Iran and CPEC who lied, deceived, and misanalyzed regarding Iraqi WMD Consequences be damned. ure in Washington that is fueled by deep pockets and an – now having informed the public that Iran was behind the Also Guardian reported that Our long international night- insider media environment that is incapable of holding TEHRAN (FNA) — Iranian Ambassador to India, Ali Chegeni, attacks, and that the “West” is now weighing a “response,” mare of John Bolton is over. For now.Did Bolton resign? Was anyone to account. was reported by India’s The Hindu newspaper on September 10 war seems more likely than ever. he fired? It doesn’t matter. John Bolton is now no longer in Bolton’s disastrous ideas have been thoroughly dis- as telling members of the Indian Association of Foreign Affairs All this unfolds just weeks after Trump fired former Na- charge of US national security policy and thus, we can all credited and his political and policy career should have Correspondents that “Iran is now discussing a Liquefied Natural tional Security Adviser John Bolton, the gold standard in breathe a little easier. been cast aside long ago, perhaps even after the Senate Gas (LNG) pipeline to China along the China-Pakistan Econom- a Washington chock full of Iran hawks. Some speculated Indeed, Bolton’s top priority has always been to go to war declined to bless his nomination as US ambassador to ic Corridor (CPEC), as India is not expected to retain its prior after Bolton’s departure that war with Iran might finally with Iran. One of the biggest concerns among those of us who the United Nations back in 2005 because of his extremist interest in LNG imports from Iran”. become less likely. Then Tehran was accused of temporarily understand that going to war with Iran is a bad idea was that views.But instead, his post-Bush administration career This remark hasn’t received the attention that it deserves, crippling the Saudi oil industry – crude being the one “red Bolton, an experienced bureaucrat, would take advantage flourished, presiding over a grotesquely anti-Muslim however, despite it being a visionary proposal for strengthening line” resource it’s unacceptable to attack – the sort of event of a naive commander-in-chief and use innocuous enough “thinktank”; landing a lucrative gig as a Fox News con- regional integration.First things first, it’s important to explain the Bolton could only dream of. Indeed, he’d tried just about policy decisions to slow-walk Donald Trump into a corner tributor; regularly calling for war on the op-ed pages context in which it was made. Ambassador Chegeni was talking everything else to trigger such a war: penning a New York where war was the only way out. of, for example, the Wall Street Journal and the New about the consequences of India’s decision to comply with the Times OP-ED titled, “To Stop Iran’s Bomb, Bomb Iran;” Bolton – who has made a career of scuttling arms control York Times; generally hanging around Washington US unilateral sanctions against his country’s energy industry, speaking before gatherings of the fringe Iranian dissident agreements – also had his sights on cancelling the Obama-era undeterred from, as Media Matters put it, establish- which he was understandably displeased with. Still, he remained group, MEK, a veritable Islamist terror cult; and, finally, New Start Treaty, an agreement between the US and Rus- ing “a record of warmongering, bigotry and pushing very professional when addressing this issue, even saying that (for now, unsuccessfully) whispering sweet nothings of sia that placed limits on the number of deployed nuclear conspiracy theories”; and then ultimately becoming one “We love the Indian people. But we cannot force somebody to bellicosity into President Trump’s ear. warheads, missiles, bombers and launchers. of the most powerful national security officials in the love us. The government of India has to decide according to its Still, Bolton’s life’s work and dream had yet to come Bolton has spent the better part of his tenure in the Trump US government.It’s likely then that we have not heard national interest. Just as the Chinese have”. to fruition, despite the suffering and death wielded upon administration disparaging the treaty, repeatedly signaling the last of John Bolton. He will probably return to Fox It’s here where one can better understand why the diplomat the Iranian people by U.S. sanctions that always ultimately that the US wouldn’t put much effort toward renewing it before News or the rightwing machine will give him piles of decided to reveal the existence of hitherto unreported discussions target the poorest citizens. When, in June, a US drone was it expires in February 2021.But while our collective outlook cash to continue his quest to kill American diplomacy, between his country and China over the proposal to build an LNG allegedly shot down by Iran, Bolton undoubtedly hoped going forward is promising without Bolton anywhere near the and perhaps even run for president. pipeline to the latter via CPEC. China, unlike India, only complies with international law and not the dictates of any individual country like the US whose demands run contrary to the aforesaid, which is rightly respected by Iran.Furthermore, there has previously Give international peace efforts a chance in Afghanistan been news about connecting the Iranian port of Chabahar with TEHRAN (FNA) — The international likelihood, multilateralism must prevail, The foremost priority when it comes to CPEC’s terminal one of Gwadar. It therefore makes sense for Iran civil society is once again calling for an and that means engagement with Russia, the Taliban should not be just Afghanistan to consider how it could take ties with China to the next level by all-inclusive, resilient, and sustainable China, Iran, Pakistan, and other players in but the whole region too. including an energy dimension into its plans to integrate with peace deal in Afghanistan. peace efforts. They should organize a real If the message isn’t already clear enough, CPEC, which is the flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative This comes after the United States and diplomatic partnership to erode support let’s summarize: The war in Afghanistan (BRI), as India is no longer regarded as a reliable customer of the Taliban reached a near-finalized agree- for war and violence in Afghanistan, and has always been open-ended, but it seems its enegy supplies. A CPEC-parallel pipeline (E-CPEC+, with the ment in principle. President Donald Trump promote the benefits of regional dialogue to be getting even more in recent weeks. On “E” referring to “energy”) would be the natural outcome of the even agreed to a secret meeting at Camp and security cooperation without bombs the 18th anniversary of the 11/9 attacks, unfortunate situation that Iran has found itself forced into and David with the Taliban and the Afghan and troops on the ground. In the absence that’s bad news for international efforts to thus help turn a regrettable situation into a positive one for all. government. He, however, backed out of of foreign intervention and bombs, a real kick-start peace talks in the war-ravaged Strengthening regional integration is the embodiment of the win- the peace deal over a car bombing last coalition as such could provide the best country.President Trump - just like his win outlook on international relations, yet doing so in the manner week that killed an American.Still, peace hope of restoring peace and security to predecessors - has defined the objectives, proposed by the Iranian Ambassador to India might cause some in Afghanistan is not dead as far as the in- the war-torn country. variously, as “eliminating Al-Qaeda and concern among his hosts who remain opposed to CPEC because of ternational civil society is concerned. The Instead of coming up with corny excuses other extremist networks so they cannot their claims to the Kashmir disputed territory that have resulted in only acceptable course of action is a total “to stay the course” for “real soldiering” come and attack us, reverse Taliban gains, them holding the official position that the project transits through end to the US-led war and occupation in and reshuffling of military priorities, the itary. From experience, the military build- and promote a more capable and account- disputed territory that they consider to be their own.Being aware of Afghanistan, as more war and more troops US government should take a good look up will only ensure more violence, attract able Afghan government.” He has even this backdrop, it’s more newsworthy that it was Ambassador Chegeni on the ground would cause further desta- in the mirror, because all they are trying more armed opposition, and postpone the talked about further training the Afghan who revealed the existence of these pipeline discussions and not any bilization in a distinctly bloody fashion. to do is white-mask their never-ending day of reckoning among political factions army so he could get the U.S. troops out other Iranian official because it shows how seriously the country is The first escalation failed to yield the war in that anguished land. This is not in Afghanistan. It won’t fare well and that safely and quickly. None of these objectives considering this, but also that it cares about not offending India’s desired results. There is no reason to think about forcing the US government to apol- shouldn’t be a shock.The United Nations have materialized and the likelihood of sensitivities too. That’s why it was Iran’s top representative to India the second one won’t go poorly. Ameri- ogize and make condolence payments to and the international civil society should mission accomplishment is still nil. who broke the news and explained why his country was pursuing ca’s occupation and doubling down on a Afghan people; the US government often wisely turn against such a destructive pol- Now that Trump has canceled peace talks that possible course of action, chiefly in response to India’s voluntary doomed obsession must be dreaded. The claims adherence to international law that icy that will only cost the US many more with the Taliban, he should do the next best compliance with the US sanctions regime. policymakers at the UN should initiate a are really tragic lies. The US should call lives and hundreds of billions of dollars, thing: Calculate the moral responsibility In the event that the negotiations are a success and eventually new search for broader diplomatic solutions it quits in Afghanistan as the campaign while only making a desperate situation of the US for its actions, extricate the US lead to E-CPEC+ entering into activity sometime in the future, at the United Nations. That means the UN undermines the right to life and security. worse for the Afghans. The world commu- from Afghanistan, and give international then it would represent a pragmatically reliable form of indefinite building a true coalition aimed at using The argument by those in favor of in- nity has the power to stop this folly they peace efforts a chance. Doing so would sanctions relief for Iran, the strengthening of regional integration diplomatic and financial measures at the creasing the American troops is largely the know is irresponsible and unpopular. It help more than a new military surge. It processes, and ultimately an exemplary form of South-South international level in Afghanistan.The pol- same throughout the war, that the Afghan falls to them to demand diplomacy and would help Trump settle a restive public cooperation among the three countries involved. In addition, icymakers in Washington must realize that government isn’t capable of beating the not an escalation. They could start doing at home and save many American lives in these positive outcomes might convince India to moderate its there is no military solution to America’s Taliban on their own, and that a US pullout so by making an all-inclusive peace deal Afghanistan. This is a safe option for the uncompromising position against both CPEC and BRI and there- “longest war.” One way or another, in all would add pressure to that struggling mil- in Afghanistan a top priority at the UN. Pentagon planners and their NATO allies. fore accept that both of them are here to stay. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 8 ADVERTISEMENTS SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

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+9821 430 51 450 www.tehrantimes.com I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y SEPTEMBER 19, 2019 SCIENCE 9 Astrophysicists say one space elevator Deepest optical image of first concept is possible with today’s technology neutron star merger The final chapter of the historic detection of the powerful By David Nield could imagine telescopes, particle accelerators, merger of two neutron stars in 2017 officially has been gravitational wave detectors, vivariums, power written. After the extremely bright burst finally faded to Getting spacecraft into orbit is incredibly generation and launch points for missions black, an international team led by Northwestern University costly and difficult, and so scientists keep to the rest of the Solar System.” painstakingly constructed its afterglow -- the last bit of the returning to the idea of a space elevator that The counter weight of a base camp would famed event’s life cycle. can lift people and equipment out of Earth’s also help keep the long cable anchored and Not only is the resulting image the deepest picture of atmosphere more easily. Now researchers stable – it will need to stretch more than the neutron star collision’s afterglow to date, it also reveals have come up with a twist on the concept 300,000 kilometers (186,411 miles), after all. secrets about the origins of the merger, the jet it created and that - in theory at least - is doable with As an added bonus the risk of getting hit the nature of shorter gamma ray bursts. today’s technology. by space objects (like meteors) is low, and the Rather than building a space elevator up cable could be manufactured to withstand from Earth, build a ‘spaceline’ down from the small hits, the researchers suggest. Moon, say astrophysicists Zephyr Penoyre The idea of a lunar spaceline isn’t from the University of Cambridge in the brand new, but this latest study shows UK, and Emily Sandford from Columbia that it’s now feasible in terms of cost and University in New York. practicality. It’s worth bearing in mind Based on their calculations, the researchers that this is only a proof-of-concept though, say such a construction is technically and and the work has yet to appear in a peer- economically feasible with the tools and needed up into the further regions of space. polymer, would work in this scenario. reviewed journal. materials we have today – something that “By extending a line, anchored on the By hitting what’s known as the Lagrange In other words, work on a spaceline can’t be said for the space elevator concept. moon, to deep within Earth’s gravity well, point – where the gravitational forces of isn’t going to get underway anytime soon, The benefit of a spaceline over a space we can construct a stable, traversable cable the Earth and Moon would come close to unfortunately. But it might give us a more elevator is that it would orbit Earth just once allowing free movement from the vicinity of balancing each other out – the researchers viable alternative for low-cost space a month – because it would be attached to Earth to the Moon’s surface,” write Penoyre think enough stability for operations can be exploration than the space elevator – and the Moon, not Earth – and that means less and Sandford in their paper. achieved. at least the maths checks out. of a strain coming from centrifugal forces. “It would reduce the fuel needed to reach There would be some kind of ‘base camp’ “We have calculated the tension and It wouldn’t actually touch our planet, but the surface of the moon to a third of the here, the researchers say: stresses on the spaceline, and showed dangle down into geostationary orbit – some current value.” “Such a base camp would allow that with modern materials it could be “This is the deepest exposure we have ever taken of this 42,164 kilometers (26,199 miles) above the Crucially, super-strong materials that we construction and maintenance of a new constructed within the fundamental limits event in visible light,” said Northwestern’s Wen-fai Fong, surface – ready to transport whatever was already have, including the Zylon carbon generation of space-based experiments – one of the materials,” conclude the researchers. who led the research. “The deeper the image, the more information we can obtain.” The study will be published this month in The Astrophysical Immune response depends on Hello, world! A new approach for physics Journal Letters. Fong is an assistant professor of physics and astronomy in Northwestern’s Weinberg College of Arts and mathematics of narrow escapes in de sitter space Sciences and a member of CIERA (Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics), an endowed research center at Northwestern focused on advancing studies with an emphasis on interdisciplinary connections. Many scientists consider the 2017 neutron-star merger, dubbed GW170817, as LIGO’s (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) most important discovery to date. It was the first time that astrophysicists captured two neutron stars colliding. Detected in both gravitational waves and electromagnetic light, it also was the first-ever multi-messenger observation between these two forms of radiation. The light from GW170817 was detected, partly, because it was nearby, making it very bright and relatively easy to find. When the neutron stars collided, they emitted a kilonova -- light 1,000 times brighter than a classical nova, resulting from the formation of heavy elements after the merger. But it was exactly this brightness that made its afterglow -- formed from a jet travelling near light-speed, pummeling the surrounding The way immune cells pick friends from foes cell receptors. Unlike most cells, which For decades, physicists have been fields to explore what happens when environment -- so difficult to measure. can be described by a classic maths puzzle have relatively smooth surfaces, T cells attempting to reconcile quantum those fields interact.” “For us to see the afterglow, the kilonova had to move out known as the “narrow escape problem”. are covered in ruffles, bumps and other mechanics, the physics of the very A “Hello, World!” is a computer of the way,” Fong said. “Surely enough, about 100 days after That’s a key finding arising from an protrusions. small, with gravity, the physics of the program that displays this simple the merger, the kilonova had faded into oblivion, and the international collaboration between Scientists have known for a long time very large. While many academics are message as an output. It is a test used afterglow took over. The afterglow was so faint, however, biologists, immunologists and that T cell receptor molecules sit on the working on quantum gravity, they by software developers to confirm that leaving it to the most sensitive telescopes to capture it.” mathematicians, published in the journal surface of the cells to recognize enemies often use models that don’t consider the underlying programming language Starting in December 2017, NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope Proceedings of the National Academy and trigger a hostile response. certain aspects of our own universe, is properly working. Developers usually detected the visible light afterglow from the merger and of Sciences. The receptors contain molecular patterns like its accelerated expansion. A team perform this sanity check before using revisited the merger’s location 10 more times over the course The narrow escape problem is a that mirror those found on the surfaces at the Okinawa Institute of Science and the language in more complex settings of a year and a half. framework often applied in cellular of bacteria, tumors, and other dangerous Technology Graduate University (OIST) with useful outputs. The free S-matrix At the end of March 2019, Fong’s team used the Hubble to biology. It posits randomly moving interlopers. But exactly how the process reports a new approach to quantum is like a “Hello, World!” program used obtain the final image and the deepest observation to date. particles trapped in a space with only a of recognition and triggering works - and gravity using a model that more closely to the math in a simple context. Over the course of seven-and-a-half hours, the telescope tiny exit, and calculates the average time particularly how it works so quickly and matches our reality. “Like a sanity test in computer recorded an image of the sky from where the neutron-star required for each one to escape. accurately - has been a mystery. Writing in Physical Review D, the team programming, the output ‘Hello, collision occurred. The resulting image showed -- 584 days “This is a new application for some The researchers believe the unusually reports their progress on the scattering World!’ message is less interesting after the neutron-star merger -- that the visible light emanating familiar equations,” says co-author lumpy shape of the T cell plays a vital role. matrix for massless fields, or S-matrix, than the underlying language used to from the merger was finally gone. Justin Tzou from Macquarie University’s The protrusions on the surface mean that an expression that predicts what will create it,” says David. “Likewise, the Next, Fong’s team needed to remove the brightness of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. its area of contact with a potential enemy happen when particles at infinitely far free S-matrix is less interesting by itself, surrounding galaxy, in order to isolate the event’s extremely Tzou worked with colleagues at the cell is very small - only a couple of hundred distances comes together, interact, and go but more in the questions it might allow faint afterglow. universities of Oxford and Cambridge in nanometers across, or a thousand times about their business. In other words, the us to answer.” “To accurately measure the light from the afterglow, you the UK, the University of British Columbia smaller than the width of a human hair. S-matrix uses starting points to predict “We are in a universe that is expanding have to take all the other light away,” said Peter Blanchard, a in Canada, and the University of Skövde in And according to the new theory, T cell outcomes. Importantly, this concept can at an accelerating rate, a de Sitter space, postdoctoral fellow in CIERA and the study’s second author. Sweden to analyze how potential pathogens receptors follow a two-second rule: if they apply to a de Sitter space, a universe and it appears that these conditions “The biggest culprit is light contamination from the galaxy, are probed by T cells, which identify and spend more than two seconds in the small that is expanding at an accelerating rate are now permanent,” says Professor which is extremely complicated in structure.” attack invaders. The researchers discovered contact zone, a chemical process begins -- just like our own. Yasha Neiman, head of the Quantum Fong, Blanchard and their collaborators approached the that the equations used in the narrow escape to sound the alarm and trigger an attack. In this paper, the team calculates Gravity Group. “This information must challenge by using all 10 images, in which the kilonova was problem play a key role in determining The size of the contact zone depends the S-matrix in de Sitter space for the be incorporated as a cornerstone in our gone and the afterglow remained as well as the final, deep whether an immune response is triggered. on the size of the bumps on the surface simplest scenario, involving free, non- description of reality.” Hubble image without traces of the collision. The team overlaid “The narrow escape problem turns out of the T cell. interacting particles. This expression is For now, the team will work on the their deep Hubble image on each of the 10 afterglow images. to be a close cousin of the situation with “The smaller the zone, the less likely known as the free S-matrix. next step of the problem applying the Then, using an algorithm, they meticulously subtracted -- T cell receptors,” Justin says. “It is about the T cell receptor is able to stay in that “The free S-matrix is more than just free S-matrix to more complicated pixel by pixel all light from the Hubble image from the earlier determining how long a diffusing particle zone by chance, triggering an attack,” elegant math -- it has the potential to scenarios that echo reality. Then, they afterglow images. remains in a certain region before escaping.” Justin says. “It looks like the size of these explain more realistic scenarios,” says might gain a better understanding is The result: a final time-series of images, showing the faint The unique shape of T cells creates protrusions keeps the process sensitive Adrian David, one of the authors of the this simply gorgeous math, or more than afterglow without light contamination from the background what has been termed a “close-contact to the presence of the invader.” study. “We will now start thinking about just a pretty face? galaxy. Completely aligned with model predictions, it is the zone” for triggering molecules called T (Source: eurekalert.org) such scenarios, moving beyond individual (Source: Science Daily) most accurate imaging time-series of GW170817’s visible- light afterglow produced to date. “The brightness evolution perfectly matches our theoretical Antibiotic resistance in Florida dolphins increases, study says models of jets,” Fong said. “It also agrees perfectly with what By Paul Brinkmann which 77.3 percent of bacteria were resistant, and cephalothin, the radio and X-rays are telling us.” 61.7 percent. Ampicillin is used to treat illnesses such as With the Hubble’s deep space image, Fong and her Dolphins in Florida waters are carrying potentially deadly meningitis or infections of the lung, throat and sinuses, while collaborators gleaned new insights about GW170817’s bacteria that show increased resistance to antibiotics, according cephalothin is used frequently in surgeries to treat various home galaxy. Perhaps most striking, they noticed that the to new research published this weekend. infections of the blood, bone and other tissue. area around the merger was not densely populated with The presence of the resistant germs in the Indian River Resistance to ciprofloxacin among E. coli found in the star clusters. Lagoon, which stretches from central to south Florida along dolphins had more than doubled since 2009. According to “Previous studies have suggested that neutron star pairs can the Atlantic Coast, means human waste or antibiotics, or the report, that mirrors human trends. form and merge within the dense environment of a globular both, are entering the waterways and are potentially harmful “One of the things we found so interesting was how some cluster,” Fong said. “Our observations show that’s definitely to marine life and humans. resistance patterns we were seeing are very similar or the same not the case for this neutron star merger.” Eating fish from the area could become more risky, to what we’re seeing in humans,” Schaefer said. “What it tells us According to the new image, Fong also believes that distant, according to the study, which said the bacteria that causes is these animals are impacted by the same things affecting us.” cosmic explosions known as short gamma ray bursts are seafood poisoning, Vibrio alginolyticus, showed a significant says antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest public health The bacterium with highest resistance was one that actually neutron star mergers -- just viewed from a different increase in resistance. challenges of our time. At least 2 million people develop causes respiratory or urinary tract infections, pseudomonas angle. Both produce relativistic jets, which are like a fire hose “If humans are swimming in the same area, they could antibiotic-resistant infections each year, and at least 23,000 aeruginosa. of material that travels near the speed of light. Astrophysicists be acquiring a resistant bacteria that would be difficult people die from them, the agency says. All bacteria showed significant increased resistance to typically see jets from gamma ray bursts when they are aimed to treat,” said Adam Schaefer, epidemiologist at Florida Antibiotic-resistant pathogens were reported in 2009 cefotaxime, ceftazidime and gentamicin. directly, like staring directly into the fire hose. But GW170817 Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic after a similar shorter study. Schaefer said the findings were The study’s results were published in the September 2019 was viewed from a 30-degree angle, which had never before Institute in Fort Pierce, Fla. a big surprise at the time. The new study, published in the issue of the journal, Aquatic Mammals. The journal says it been done in the optical wavelength. He said antibiotics should never be disposed flushed journal Aquatic Mammals, builds on 13 years of data. is the oldest peer-reviewed journal publishing papers on “GW170817 is the first time we have been able to see the down a toilet or sink. “Our sewage treatment plants do not Teams of researchers were able to sample 171 dolphins marine mammal science. It is sponsored by the European jet ‘off-axis,’” Fong said. “The new time-series indicates that break down antibiotics,” Schaefer said. over the years and isolated 733 bacteria cultures from them. Association for Aquatic Mammals, the Alliance of Marine the main difference between GW170817 and distant short Some antibiotics listed in the study also are used in A great majority of those bacteria, 88.2 percent, showed Mammal Parks and Aquariums, and the International Marine gamma-ray bursts is the viewing angle.” agriculture and veterinary medicine. resistance to at least one antibiotic. Animal Trainers’ Association. The study was primarily supported by the National Science The new data on pathogens in the lagoon comes as the area Resistance was highest to erythromycin at 91.6 percent, Research was done by taking swabs from dolphin mouths, Foundation (award numbers AST-1814782 and AST-1909358) sees growing problems with toxic cyanobacteria, known as which the U.S. National Library of Medicine says is used to blowholes and feces in the lagoon. Collaborators on the and NASA (award numbers HST-GO-15606.001-A and SAO- blue-green algae blooms, and massive fish kills in recent years. treat bronchitis, pneumonia, certain skin and infections. study include Georgia Aquarium , the Medical University G09-20058A). The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Other antibiotics noted in the study included ampicillin, to of South Carolina and Colorado State University. (Source: Science Daily) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 10 HERITAGE & TOURISM SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

Relics relating to Kingdom of 20 attractions Urartu found in northwest Iran

HERITAGE TEHRAN — Archaeological relics relat- desking to Kingdom of Urartu (860 BC – 590 BC) has recently been found in Anaqizli mount, Chaypareh you must see county, northwest Iran. in Iran TOURISM TEHRAN — Iran, glob- a Khurramite leader who fought the Abbasid deskally renowned for having Caliphate, this citadel, surrounded by deep warm and hospitable people, is an amazing gorges, sits at the height of 2,300–2,600 destination for cultural travelers who bring meters (7,546–8,530 feet). Those with a only themselves and their desires to become strong case of acrophobia might choose to part of the culture during their stay. Such a admire it from afar. journey salutes transformation in way of life! Nasir ol-Molk Mosque Earlier this year, the New York Times Walking inside Nasir ol-Molk is like walk- A local official on Monday announced that a team of Iranian included Iran in its 2019 edition of Places ing inside a kaleidoscope. Nicknamed “the and foreign archaeologists has discovered some architectural to Go list, noting the country takes “the top Pink Mosque” for its rosy-hued tiles, you’ll and other remains, which are associated with the Kingdom of spot.” The inclusion came, however, among love discovering the hidden nooks of arguably Urartu in a trench they had dug on Anaqizli mount of Chaypareh, escalating tensions between Iran and the Iran’s most beautiful mosque. CHTN reported. United States as Prescient Donald Trump Anzali Lagoon The official added that pieces of potteries and bones have also pulled America out of the Iran nuclear deal Located in the northern port city of Ban- been discovered during the survey. in May 2017 and restored sanctions against dar Anzali, a boat ride on Anzali Lagoon is “The excavated layers have been carefully documented,” he the Islamic Republic. a must to witness the houses built on stilts, said, adding that the surface of excavated trench was fully covered Meanwhile, the 2019 Travel Risk Map, various bird species, and, of course, the water with plastic [shields] for further protection.” which shows the risk level around the lotuses emerging to blossom through the The kingdom rose to power in the mid-9th century BC, but it world, has put Iran among countries with dark waters. went into gradual decline and was eventually conquered by the “insignificant risk”, a category where the Chalus Road Iranian Medes in the early 6th century BC. The Urartians were UK, Denmark, Switzerland, Norway, and Are you traveling to the north? Then defi- succeeded in the area in the 6th century BC by the Armenians. Finland are placed in. nitely take the famous Chalus Road. Steep Urartu, ancient country of southwest Asia centred in the moun- The ancient land embraces hundreds of roads snaking down the mountainside, tunnels A woman sits in the prayer hall of the Nasir ol-Molk Mosque, which is nicknamed tainous region southeast of the Black Sea and southwest of the historical sites such as bazaars, museums, carved in solid rock, and natural springs and “the Pink Mosque” for its rosy-hued tiles, in Shiraz, southern Iran. Caspian Sea. Today the region is divided among Armenia, eastern mosques, bridges, bathhouses, madrasas, bodies of water make this one of the most Turkey, and northwestern Iran. Mentioned in Assyrian sources mausoleums, churches, towers, and man- scenic routes in Iran. ent areas such as a library, mosque, school, it must be Hafez. Stroll around the garden from the early 13th century BC, Urartu enjoyed considerable sions, of which 22 being inscribed on the Naqsh-e Jahan Square and mausoleum make up this site, and the and tomb in the evening as tourists and lo- political power in the Middle East in the 9th and 8th centuries BC. UNESCO World Heritage list. Once a royal polo field, Naqsh-e Jahan architecture is in keeping with the principles cals come to pay their respects and recite a Here is a list of 20 must-see attractions Square in Isfahan holds Ali Qapu Palace, of Sufi mysticism. few lines of his poems. You can even have selected by Culture Trip, a global startup Imam Mosque, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Pigeon Towers your fortune read to see what the great poet operating in travel, media and entertainment: and the Imperial Bazaar. You’ll need the While people usually see pigeons as mere predicts for you. Thai tourism takes hit, “Steeped in history, culture, and nature, better portion of a day to see it all properly. nuisances, especially for city dwellers, they Hurmuz Island Iran is home to a wealth of attractions and Shushtar Historical Hydraulic were quite valuable in Iran about five centuries For such a small island, Hurmuz is brim- Chinese visitor numbers drop things to do and see. It might be difficult System ago, namely for their droppings. These towers ming with dreamy nature and tranquility. to figure out which places should be your A feat of engineering, the Shushtar Histor- were built as pigeon homes, each holding as Shades of red, yellow, and orange color the Thais are indeed facing tough times, as recently released figures priority,” the startup wrote. ical Hydraulic System, an ancient irrigation many as 14,000, where the droppings could land area, which contrasts beautifully with show that the economy grew by just 2.3% in the year ending in Persepolis system dating back to the 5th century BC, is be collected and used as fertilizer. the Persian Gulf’s blue water. A dream for June. Its slowest rate in almost five years, last year the economy Once the capital of the first Persian Em- sure to leave you awe-struck. Climb the hill Chak Chak geology and nature enthusiasts, this island expanded by 4.1%, the Chiang Rai Times reported. pire and birthplace of Persian civilization, behind it to marvel at the view from above Literally “drip-drip,” Chak Chak is a Zo- is also home to deer and other fauna. Exports are limp because of the U.S.-China trade war and it’s vital that you visit Persepolis. In fact, before exploring the details of the mechanism roastrian temple located just outside of Yazd. Lut Desert the strength of the baht, the local currency. It has risen by more you haven’t seen Iran unless you’ve walked and the many bird species living here. The most important Zoroastrian pilgrimage Iran’s first natural UNESCO site and than 5% against the U.S. dollar this year, making it the best-per- in the footsteps of the ancient kings. Bridges of Isfahan site in Iran, many Zoroastrians visit the tem- hottest place on earth for seven years, the forming currency in Southeast Asia. Farmers, meanwhile, are Valley of the Stars Whether it’s Si-o-seh Pol, the Khaju, or one ple every year. Once you’ve seen the similar barren Lut Desert offers an unusual tran- cursing the feeblest monsoon in a decade despite flooding in Qeshm offers pristine nature and a world of the other nine bridges, a romantic stroll sites in Yazd, a visit here gives further insight quility. The sand ridges, known as yardangs, northeastern Thailand. of mystery, but if there’s one attraction not along the marvelous architecture of Isfahan’s into this religion. continuously change their shape, so if you On top of all that, tourism in Thailand is another source of to miss, it’s the Valley of the Stars. Marl and bridges on the Zayandeh River is a must. The Rudkhan Castle visit the same spot at a later time, it might concern, the report said. sandstone make up the other-worldly rock Persian poetry often recited in these locales This military complex was initially built look completely different! The industry, which has grown by leaps and bounds in recent formations, and with a little imagination, echo through the arched chambers and will on two mounts during the Sassanid era and Bisotun and Taq-e Bostan years, generates more than a fifth of gross domestic product. But you can see animals, faces, and hands among seem like Scheherazade’s 1001 Nights. rebuilt a few centuries later. Known as the Bisotun and Taq-e Bostan are two his- China’s slowdown and the weakness of its currency seem to be other things. Kashan’s historical homes “castle of a thousand steps” because that’s torical sites located near each other in discouraging its citizens to visit Thailand. Chogha Zanbil (Tchogha Zanbil) Exquisite ceilings, magnificent frescoes, how many you have to climb to get to the top, the Kermanshah province. Rock reliefs Chinese tourists made up more than a quarter of the 38 million The first Iranian site registered with and grand courtyards filled with pomegranate Rudkhan Castle is worth the effort. and the statue of Hercules are fascinating foreign visitors to Thailand last year, yet the number of Chinese UNESCO, Chogha Zanbil is a 13th-centu- trees are what you’ll get in one of the breath- Katale-khor Cave remnants of Bisotun, as is the prehistoric holidaymakers dropped by nearly 5% in the first six months of ry BC ziggurat in the Khuzestan province. taking historical homes in the desert city of Discovered less than a century ago, the “hunter’s cave” said to have been inhabited this year, a trend that seems to be worsening, the report said. Baked bricks with cuneiform inscriptions Kashan. This city is best seen in the spring formations in Katale-khor Cave are said to 40,000 years ago. “I think we are still holding our own,” maintained Yuthasak are layered in the structure, and a centu- before it’s too hot and while you can catch date back to the Jurassic period. This cave Rock reliefs are also under the archway Supasorn, the governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. ries-old footprint of a child in the stone is the rosewater festival. sits outside of Zanjan, and though it is less of Taq-e Bostan, the most notable image of But the strong baht means Thailand isn’t as cheap as it used to be. roped off towards the back. Sheikh Safi al-din Khanegah and visited than Ali Sadr Cave, the two are thought which depicts the last king of the Sassanid Not all the industry’s problems are external. Last year the Babak Castle Shrine to be connected. Empire with Ahura Mazda (the creator in sinking of a boat off Phuket killed 47 Chinese tourists, horrifying A bit of athleticism and no fear are required Located in Ardabil, this shrine is the tomb Hafez Tomb Zoroastrianism) and Anahita (a Zoroas- prospective holidaymakers. to reach Babak Castle. Once the stronghold of of Sufi mystic leader Sheikh Safi al-din. Differ- If you’re going to visit one Persian poet, trian deity). (Source: Asia Times) ROUND THE GLOBE Dar ul-Funun: Iran’s first modern university HERITAGE TEHRAN — Photos Historic center of Salvador deskdepict Dar ul-Funun, a mid-19th century scholastic center in de Bahia downtown Tehran, which marks the start of modern education in Iran. Founded in 1549 on a small peninsula that separates Todos Established in 1851, Dar ul-Funun is os Santos Bay from the Atlantic Ocean on the northeast coast renowned as Iran’s first modern univer- of Brazil, Salvador de Bahia became Portuguese America’s sity. Parts of the property have recently first capital and remained so until 1763. been handsomely restored with the aim of making it into a museum on education. Its courtyard houses an atmospheric garden that is hemmed by walls featuring Persian poetry inscribed on decorative tiles. According to Encyclopedia Iranica, the number of students in its first year reflected an immediate popularity of Dar ul-Funun, with about 105 students enrolling in seven main subjects. The center was opened by Mirza Taqi Khan Farahani (1807-1852), who was nicknamed ‘Amir Kabir’ who was chan- cellor under Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, appearing to be one of the most capable Founding and historic role of Salvador de Bahia as colonial and innovative figures in the whole Qajar capital associate it with the theme of world exploration. Salvador period. de Bahia’s historic center – an eminent example of Renaissance urban structuring adapted to a colonial site – is the Cidade Alta (Upper Town), a defensive, administrative and residential neigh- borhood perched atop an 85-m-high escarpment. Revealed: The most stressful aspects of airport travel This densely built colonial city par excellence of the Brazilian Going on vacation is, by its very nature, supposed to be a security and waiting for transfers with 47% of the vote each. mon problem is actually overweight luggage, with 19% of northeast is distinguished by its religious, civil and military relaxing, recuperating experience. But inevitably in life, Interestingly, any actual of fear of the flying itself ap- travelers admitting they’ve been caught out in the past. colonial architecture dating from the 17th to the 19th centuries. to get to the good stuff there has to be some stress first peared further down the results with one in three saying Just one in ten say they’ve actually missed a flight with Salvador de Bahia is also notable as one of the major points – namely, traveling to reach that sundrenched beach or during the flight was when they were most stressed and 16-24 year olds being the most common culprits. of convergence of European, African and American Indian metropolis of urban and cultural cool. 35% citing the landing as their moment of greatest stress. Men are more than twice as likely to forget their pass- cultures of the 16th to 18th centuries. Airport travel in particular can induce astronomical Boarding and finding a seat were seen as largely stress- port as women – 8% compared to 3.78%, while business The settlement of Salvador de Bahia, strategically situated stress levels, from simply getting there to navigating the free experiences (not I’d have to say something I entirely travelers, male or female, are the worst with 16% having overlooking an immense bay on the Brazilian coast, was aimed maze of passport control and security, duty free, restau- agree with, considering the usual chaos I see with people left that vital document behind at least once. at centralizing the activities of the metropolis in Portuguese rants, shops, bars and of course the often lengthy walk fighting to stuff oversized cases into undersized compart- The average Brit gives themselves one hour 14 min- America and facilitating trade with Africa and the Far East. to get to the far flung airport gate in good time. Not to ments directly above where they’re sitting!) utes in the departure area, with 65% of families quoting The city grew quickly, becoming Brazil’s main seaport and mention the waiting. The single thing that worries 63% of travelers the anything from 30 minutes to two hours. Despite this, an important center of the sugar industry and the slave trade. With this in mind, airport lounge access specialist Pri- most is simply getting to the airport – with traffic and one in five families ends up having to sprint to the gate There are many streets lined with brightly colored houses, ority Pass has taken a look into the most stressful parts public transport significant factors. At 57%, three in to catch their plane. often decorated with fine stucco-work, that are characteristic of the airport experience to uncover the black spots and five people actively worry about losing their passport On the bright side, at least there’s a relaxing vacation to of the colonial city. Salvador de Bahia was also, from 1558, help us navigate our travels with a little more serenity. or missing the plane altogether. And while 61% are con- look forward to on the other end – once you’ve navigated the first slave market in the New World, with slaves arriving A survey of more than 1,700 Brits found that almost half cerned about somehow losing their luggage, only 41% that foreign airport, collected your luggage and made it to work on the sugar plantations. (49%) agree that baggage collection is the most stressful worry about losing a child! to your final destination. (Source: UNESCO) part of airport travel, closely followed by passing through Convert those stresses into reality and the most com- (Source: Forbes) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y SEPTEMBER 19, 2019 INTERNATIONAL 11 Why American political, media class are bent Media bias is OK – if it’s honest By Nathan Robinson on associating Yemeni oil attacks with Iran? Most people distrust the media, and most people are right. It’s healthy to question what you’re being told – that’s the mark of an intelligent and independent populace. And the media in the By Alireza Hashemi forces have managed to orchestrate a pin- United States are, in fact, “biased” in many ways. Not always point accurate attack into the Saudi oil toward the left or right, but frequently toward reaffirming the TEHRAN – “Iran has launched an heartland from hundreds of miles away is worldview of an insular establishment, as Edward Herman unprecedented attack on the world’s militarily embarrassing for the US. and Noam Chomsky pointed out years ago in Manufacturing energy supply.” It is also a shame for the Saudi Consent. The words above, made by US Secretary government, who initially planned to end It should be obvious that there can’t be such a thing as a of State Mike Pompeo, were the opening the Yemen war in three months. neutral journalist. We all have moral instincts and points of salvo in an intensive propaganda campaign Another reason for levelling accusations view. Those points of view will color our interpretations of the by Washington and the US-aligned against Iran is convincing the world Iran facts. The best course of action is to acknowledge where we’re mainstream media to implicate Iran in has become just too dangerous and it needs coming from. If we show an awareness of our own political drones attack against two major Saudi to be stopped. leanings, it actually makes us more trustworthy than if we’re oil installations on Saturday. Israeli forces have long been willing to in denial about them. From that day onwards, the warmongers attack Iran, with WikiLeaks files showing Two recent controversies show how supposedly neutral in Washington D.C. and mainstream media the Israeli planes were to hit Iran in 2010. journalists deny their biases. The Washington Post’s have went to great lengths to portray Iran Besides, Saudi Arabia has for years factchecker gave Bernie Sanders a “mostly false” rating as the one to blame. been agitating for military actions against for claiming that there are half a million medical-related Look at this uncritical headline from Iran, with the former Saudi king Abdullah bankruptcies a year. It was quite obvious that Sanders was MSNBC, based on three anonymous arguing for attack against Iran in a meeting relying on published research, and the claim was not in fact sources: “U.S. intelligence shows Saudi with the US general David Petraeus in “mostly false”. But the Post has a history of these sorts of oil attack was launched from Iran.” April 2008. fact-free “factchecks” – when Sanders claimed that “millions Washington and its allies have stepped Even If it doesn’t result in a pretext for of Americans” work multiple jobs, Glenn Kessler labeled up their rhetoric against Tehran and as clear cut as officials suggested.” information shared by the Americans American attack, at least Europeans and the statement “misleading”, even though it was completely Republican Senator Sen. Lindsey Graham US toning down rhetoric wasn’t definitive.” other governments pursuing a softer line on true. Ryan Grim has compiled a list of the appalling record is already urging an attack on Iran’s oil The US officials seem to have backed The remarks suggests the Saudis, too, Iran could be bounced into toeing the line of the Post’s unfair attacks on claims from the political left. refineries to “break the regime’s back.” off from initial threats, with Marine Gen. are reluctant to have a direct military clash for increased economic warfare on Iran. Whatever this is, it isn’t factchecking. The western-run Persian-language Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint with Iran. This could in turn push Iran to the outlets like the Voice of America and BBC Chiefs of Staff, saying on Thursday that So, the accusations made by Pompeo and negotiating table, allowing the US to extract televisions have also been emphasizing the the attack was not aimed at the US so no others are increasingly seen as assertions more and more concessions from Tehran. allegations, providing rolling coverage of steps were being taken to beef up the US in place of substantiated claims. There are also a number of other reactions to the attacks with the Iranian military presence in the region. Why so serious? reasons, such as containing Iraq’s popular role taken for granted. He was echoing remarks by US President The course of developments lefts one mobilization forces. The US and Saudi This is while there are plausible reasons Donald Trump on Monday, who toned wondering why the US officials rushed into officials have raised the possibility the to believe Iran was highly unlikely to be down his administration’s rhetoric by judgment in the first place, blaming Iran attacks might have come from “Iranian- where the attacks were orchestrated, and saying the US “would certainly like to despite they lacked definitive evidence. backed” groups operating in the Iraqi there are almost no public evidence of avoid” war with Iran. Several reasons comes to mind. soil. Although the Iraqi government has any Iranian involvement. Trump does seem hesitant to go to war, The top reason might be that the US vehemently rejected the accusations, The US officials have published vague as he is heading into an election year. seeks to save face. The US has to scapegoat raising such allegations alone could allow images as proof to further bolster their Interestingly, the Wall Street Iran for the latest assault on Saudi Arabia for further pressure on Iraq to dismantle narrative fitting into their agenda of Journal reported that “Saudi officials because to admit the tribal Yemeni the PMF. confronting Iran. said they haven’t yet reached the same forces were behind the attack would be Anyway, the machinery behind a military The evidence, in the form of satellite conclusion that Iran was the staging ground a confession of American inadequacy. strike on Iran is apparently once again in It’s not just an anti-Sanders bias. Donald Trump has pictures the U.S. government claimed for the attacks, and indicated that the Acknowledging the fact that the Yemeni motion, one that was already being readied some legitimate complaints about the press, too. Because he would establish Iran as the direct culprit, with allegations of Iranian assaults on tells whopping lies all the time, journalists are predisposed to has not convinced many people. Acknowledging the fact that the Yemeni maritime shipping in the Persian Gulf and believe the worst about him and his administration. Recently, The direction of the assault, it is claimed forces have managed to orchestrate a pin- the shooting down of an innocent US drone. a Bloomberg Law reporter accused a labor department official by US sources, was from the north or Apparently, criminal regimes are doing of antisemitic Facebook posts. It was obvious the posts were northwest, suggesting the direction of point accurate attack into the Saudi oil all in their capacity to lie the globe into a sarcastic, and the reporter’s work was heavily criticized and Iran or Iraq. heartland from hundreds of miles away is potentially disastrous war in the region. the coverage amended. Because of past stories involving But even the New York Times has Let’s hope the world is smart enough administration ties to antisemites, and Trump’s own use suggested the evidence “did not appear militarily embarrassing for the US. to be deceived. of language about Jewish people that would be considered scandalous if it came from Ilhan Omar, the reporter was inclined to think the worst. But if we automatically assume that Trump is the one in the Agreement with Iran increases Trump’s chance to win 2020 presidency: Shireen Hunter wrong, we may end up with egg our faces. For example, when Trump claimed that millions of non-citizens voted illegally By Javad Heirannia pursue what they consider destabilizing activities in in the 2016 election, the Washington Post called him out in the Middle East. Dispute over Iran’s weapons programs a “factcheck”. But it turned out the Washington Post itself TEHRAN — Shireen Tahmaasb Hunter, a professor have always been more a symptom of these deeper had published an article making this very same claim. The of political science at Georgetown University, tells the disagreements about regional politics. By contrast, factcheckers were so sure Trump invented the lie that they Tehran Times that “Europe shares U.S. concerns about Iran sees its weapons program as defensive and for the didn’t notice they had spread it themselves. aspects of Iran’s foreign policy, especially regarding purpose of deterrence. If there is no prior agreement I’m not inclined to defend Trump – I wrote a whole book the Arab-Israeli conflict and its relations with groups on the most contentious issues then talk between about him called Anatomy of a Monstrosity that accused such as Hamas and Hizbollah.” President Rouhani and Trump would not able to solve him of being one of the worst people in the world. But I also “If there is no prior agreement on the most U.S.-Iran problems. know that if my feelings about Trump lead to my making contentious issues then talk between President The direct talk with Iran seems to be beneficial factual misstatements about him, his supporters will pounce, Rouhani and Trump would not able to solve U.S.- for Trump’s reelection campaign. But Rouhani backed and claim that my bias destroys my credibility. If I state my Iran problems,” Hunter says. off the idea of direct talks, saying Washington must prejudices up front, people will see me as more honest than She adds “Clearly, if Trump manages to reach an first lift sanctions. What kind of concessions may he if I pretend to be a mere “fact checker” when I’m clearly an agreement with Iran, its electoral chances to win the offer to convince Iran? opinion writer. presidency in 2020 would be enhanced.” A: Clearly, if Trump manages to reach an agreement My personal experience is that conservatives are far more Following is the text of the interview: with Iran, its electoral chances to win the presidency in open to leftwing arguments when they come from people who What objectives does French President Emanuel 2020 would be enhanced. However, historically with are honest about their politics, and don’t pretend not to have Macron pursue in mediation between Iran and the few exceptions, the role of foreign policy in American a point of view. I run a small magazine called Current Affairs, U.S.? Are these efforts made in coordination with presidential elections has always been relatively which operates from an unabashedly leftwing perspective. Washington? insignificant. Economic concerns and security issues The letters we get from conservative readers indicate that A: Macron pursues several goals through his are more important to the so that American people. many of them find the honesty refreshing, and it makes them mediation efforts. First, his role in reducing Iran-U.S. Therefore, i doubt that Trump would be willing to more likely to hear us out. tensions, if successful, would enhance his prestige the possibility simultaneously. offer significant concessions to Iran so that he could One reason conservatives hate the “mainstream media” is domestically and internationally, including within the In a Joint press conference with his American meet with Rouhani, especially that many in his own that it pretends to be something it isn’t. Conservatives think European Union. France wants to play a leadership role counterpart, Macron hoped for a new deal with Iran government and in congress are against reducing the press has a “liberal” bias; I tend to agree with Herman and in Europe and this enhanced prestige would enable in exchange for more economic benefits. It seems that pressure on Iran. Therefore, Iran should not count Chomsky that it would be better described as a “corporate” it to achieve its goals. Second, Macron is genuinely French President agrees with Trump on a new deal on the forthcoming presidential elections to obtain bias reflecting the elitist centrism that has come to dominate concerned about a potential conflict in the Persian Gulf which includes Iran’s missile program as well as sunset concessions from Trump. the Democratic party. But few at MSNBC or CNN would admit resulting from U.S.-Iran tensions. Thirdly, France, too, provisions and greater access for IAEA inspectors. As Since Trump has a really bad reputation in pulling that they’re partisan networks. is concerned about what it sees as the shortcomings these issues are among the Iran red lines, how do you the U.S. out of international deals, will any potential Rebuilding trust requires embracing bias of the JCPOA in ensuring that Iran sometime in the evaluate the prospect of any potential talks between deal have an executive guarantee? Trump dropped That’s what they do in Great Britain, though – the major future would not pursue a nuclear weapons program. Iran and the U.S.? JCPOA despite the fact that it is part of resolution 2231 newspapers are open about having a political leaning. The Finally, he wants to portray the image of a seasoned A: By and large, Europe shares U.S. concerns about voted by every member of the UN Security Council. Guardian, for example, is an explicitly left-leaning paper and responsible leader in contrast to Trump’s erratic aspects of Iran’s foreign policy, especially regarding A: Iran is right in doubting Trump’s, or any other and everybody knows it. By contrast, the New York Times and impulsive behavior. the Arab-Israeli conflict and its relations with groups U.S. administration’s reliability. In general, most is clearly inclined toward Democratic centrism, but it won’t Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif surprise visit such as Hamas and Hizbollah. Anxiety regarding Iran’s states when it comes to their interests ignore their admit it. The editor of the op-ed page says that they strive for to Biarritz (G7 summit) raised the speculation over weapons programs derives from the fact that Europe contractual commitments. Lenin’s famous saying that “viewpoint diversity”, but it’s clear that he doesn’t mean it. Iran-U.S. talks. Macron even hoped a meeting between --and U.S.--fear that Iran might use these weapons to “treaties are made to be broken” applies to nearly all After all, they don’t have columnists from the far right, and the Iranian President Rouhani and his American states. In the case of the U.S., those agreements that they don’t have Marxist columnists. At least Fox News has counterpart Trump could occur on the sidelines of In general, as long as Iran do not pass through the process of ratification by the been honest enough drop its old “Fair and Balanced” motto. the UN General Assembly. Was it Macron’s personal Senate are the most vulnerable. In general, as long as If your paper is liberal, just embrace it – and then you can idea or promoted as a result of his meeting with Zarif? and the U.S. disagree on Iran and the U.S. disagree on basic regional matters, fire “viewpoint diversity” conservatives like Bret Stephens. A: It is hard to say who, Macron or Zarif, suggested basic regional matters, agreements on narrow and specific issues will always be Paradoxically, rebuilding trust requires embracing bias. the possibility of a meeting between President Rouhani agreements on narrow and rather fragile. However, as Macron suggested, perhaps Not embracing untruthfulness, but admitting your politics and Trump at the margins of the UN general assembly. a compromise such as Iran returning to enrichment so that both writer and audience can be critical. I think the But the United Nations’ annual session offers the specific issues will always be levels mandated by the JCPOA in exchange for America’s hope for media is in outlets like the Intercept, Jacobin and most logical opportunity for such a meeting should rather fragile. easing Iran’s oil related and some banking restrictions my own little magazine, because readers like transparency. it occur. Therefore, both men might have thought of could be both possible and useful. (This is also one reason why people respect Bernie Sanders even when they disagree with him: they don’t think he’s trying to appear to be something he isn’t.) The salesman who tells you what he wants you to buy is more trustworthy than Iran never confuses Bolton’s firing with change of course the one who insists he isn’t trying to sell you anything at all. It’s a perilous time for journalism, and small outlets need all the help we can get in order to survive. Corporate owners in Trump’s foreign policy towards Iran: Entessar are shuttering great outlets all the time, and the only way 1 With Bolton fired, it was in the Trump administration’s Iran policy from being fired. The only exception Given the change of personality like we’re going to have viable media institutions is through an speculated that Trump would be on a and that the pro-war hawks in the U.S. are to this rule is the case of his immediate Bolton, are Israeli policies in the U.S. State outpouring of popular support. diplomatic course with Iran. On the other still very much in charge. relatives, like his daughter Ivanka and Department going to fade or shift? Unfortunately, the public doesn’t trust us, and we need to hand, Yemeni attacks on Aramco have Since Pompeo has a Bolton-like his son-in-law Jared Kushner. So far, A: No. Israel has a staunch and think about how to slowly get people to see journalists as their prompted Washington to declare that it is approach, can Trump change Pompeo as Mike Pompeo has been an obedient soldier unflinching supporter in Mike Pompeo allies instead of as duplicitous, faux-neutral propagandists. ready to fight Iran. What is your assessment well? and has not challenged any of Trump’s and his entire U.S. State Department’s The first step is to be up front about where we’re coming from of this situation? A: As Trump has demonstrated major foreign policy moves. AS long he upper echelon. Pompeo is the most loyal and how we see things. We’ve got to acknowledge that everyone A: This incident clearly demonstrates throughout the course of his presidency, continues to play this role, Pompeo is Likud supporter who has headed the State is biased, and that it’s OK. that Bolton’s dismissal didn’t make a dent nobody in his administration is immune probably safe. Department in many years. (Source: theguardian.com) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 12 SOCIETY SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

Flood emergency response Flocks of migratory birds came to maneuver performed in Tehran

SOCIETY TEHRAN — The flood emergency response deskmaneuver held in the most flood-prone areas winter in northern Iran of the capital on Tuesday, Tehran Disaster Mitigation and Man- ENVIRONMENT TEHRAN — The first Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) agement Organization director has announced. deskgroup of migratory Red List have also headed to the country birds landed in northern Mazandaran last year with an enhancing population province to spend the winter, director of 17.4 percent compared to past two for the provincial department of envi- years, the highest number of which was ronment (DOE) has said. common pochard and the two species of Eurasian teal, herons and sandpipers Siberian crane and red-breasted goose are birds which have started their mi- had the lowest proportion,” Kharra- gration to warmer areas of the country zian-Moqaddam explained. as temperatures drastically dropped in What pushes migratory birds their main habitats, Kooros Rabi’ei told toward disappearance? IRNA on Wednesday. Bird migration is the regular seasonal These migratory birds inhabiting movement, often north and south along a in western parts of the country come flyway, between breeding and wintering to northern areas every year before grounds. Many species of bird migrate. autumn (starting on September 23), Migration carries high costs in predation Rabi’ei added. and mortality, including from hunting Although these are the first group of by humans, and is driven primarily by winter-spending birds which fly their availability of food. Reza Karami-Mohammadi said the aim of the maneuvers is ways to northern provinces, this year Unsustainable development in Iran to evaluate the organization’s actions, roles and responsibilities started their migration two weeks earlier has resulted in habitat fragmentation in response to a flood as well as improving its ability to withstand due to good condition of wetlands and posing a serious threat to the migratory possible flooding due to the beginning of the rainy season. food availability, he highlighted. birds; also anthropogenic disturbance The maneuver identifies strengths and weaknesses, along Flocks of migratory birds from Sibe- such as agricultural expansion has re- with empowering the forces to deal with the unexpected events, ria, Russia also take flight to spend the consisting of 150 species; is the first in 483 sites across the country, which sulted in dramatic global habitat loss he added, Fars reported. cold season in Iran which will enter the province with the highest sufficient re- demonstrates a 26.5 percent rise com- and fragmentation. Initially, the public relations unit of the organization informed country by Late-October, said Rabi’ei. sources, as movement of migratory birds pared to the same period a year earlier Moreover, poaching, overgrazing, and the citizens about the performance to be aware of the details He went on to note that with in- is closely linked to seasonal availability (March 2016- March 2017). long-standing drought spells have also and prepared for the real situation, said Karami-Mohammadi. creased rainfall averages, accordingly, of resources. “Among the various groups of migra- impacted habitat destruction which ulti- Then we trained the residents on how to identify the fake bird migration reaches its peak, and it Majid Kharrazian-Moqaddam, head tory birds wintering in Iran, the largest mately results in birds’ total extinction. news or misinformation in such incidents and reach accurate is expected that the number of aquat- of aquatic animals and wildlife affairs at population belongs to the group of geese, Dalmatian pelican, Siberian crane, information through the press releases, he further highlighted. ic birds wintering in the country grow the DOE said in December 2018 that in swans and ducks amounting to 781,499 lesser white-fronted goose, and The maneuver performed in 2, 5, 9 and 18 Districts of Tehran substantially this year. Iranian calendar year 1396 (March 2017- and the smallest population of 7 are the white-headed duck are among the en- which are located along the river bed. Mazandaran province hosting a March 2018), some 914,914 migratory long-tailed ducks or oldsquaw. dangered migratory birds which migrate population of 699,130 migratory birds birds of 161 species have been located Migratory birds on the International to Iran. 70% of Britons back single-use 20,000 traffic police forces on duty Crimean-Congo fever claims 10 plastic ban, poll claims during Arbaeen pilgrimage lives in Iran Seven in 10 people polled for a new survey think there should SOCIETY TEHRAN – During SOCIETY TEHRAN — At least be a complete ban on single-use plastic items such as water deskthe Arbaeen pilgrim- desk10 persons have died of bottles and straws. age, some 20,000 traffic police forces Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) An overwhelming majority of respondents believed retailers will stand guard to ensure the pilgrims’ in the country since the beginning of the should no longer stock or supply these items due to the devas- safety, traffic police chief Seyed Kamal current Iranian calendar year (March 21), tating effect they have on the environment. Hadianfar has announced. Mohammad-Mehdi Gooya, an official with One in 10 respondents said it was “too hard” to buy products Volunteer teams of police forces the Ministry of Health has announced. made from recycled materials and refillable beauty products. stand guard in Kermanshah, Ilam, and The highest rate of death toll was re- The poll also found two thirds of its 18-24 age group were Khuzestan provinces as the pilgrims ported in the southeastern province of more concerned about climate change and sustainability issues mainly cross these provinces to reach Sistan-Baluchestan, said Gooya. compared to a year ago. four borders, said Hadianfar, IRNA the end of the 40-day mourning period He went on to say that 106 people have Ministry of Health said that some 10 per- Half of the 2,000 adults polled said they would be put off reported on Wednesday. of Imam Hossein (AS). been diagnosed with the disease but survived cent of the people who are diagnosed with buying from a shop or business that was not environmentally This year, visa requirements are Every year pilgrims start their walk death undergoing treatment, IRNA news Crimean-Congo fever and receive proper friendly or stocked brands that were such. removed for the pilgrims as a “posi- from various cities to the holy shrine of agency reported on Wednesday. medical care may die, while this number “This survey data supports our understanding of our young- tive step” toward paving the way for Imam Hossein (AS) in Karbala days or The disease also put 10 individuals increases to 50 percent for the people who est adult fashion shoppers, for whom there is no compromise Iranian pilgrims visiting the neigh- even weeks before Arbaeen- 40th day to death, last year, according to Fars do not get any treatments. when it comes to seeking out style that doesn’t harm the planet,” boring country. of Imam Hossein (AS) martyrdom- to news agency. According to Health Ministry, some said Daniella Vega, head of sustainability for Selfridges which According to the latest official data, grieve the doleful passing of the Imam Behzad Amiri, head of zoonotic diseases 100 to 150 cases of Crimean-Congo fever commissioned the research as part of its wider sustainability pro- some 373,000 Iranians have so far reg- and his loyal companions at the Battle department at the ministry of health said are annually reported in Iran. gram, found. istered to participate in the pilgrimage. of Karbala on Muharram 10 in the year in July that over the last 20 years, 851 cas- According to World Health Organi- “We are committed to buying better and inspiring change so Arbaeen pilgrimage, also known as 61 AH (680 CE). es of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever zation, the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic that our customers can do the same.” Arbaeen trek, is a rituals participated According to Hajj and Pilgrimage have been reported in Sistan-Baluchestan fever virus causes severe viral hemorrhagic Choosing second-hand fashion is most popular with 18-24 year by hundreds of thousands of Shia and Organization more than 1.8 million Ira- province alone. fever outbreaks. olds, with more than half shopping for second-hand and vintage Sunni Muslims as well as Christians and nians have applied for visa to attend Mohammad Nabavi, deputy director for CCHF outbreaks have a case fatality clothing - far more than those aged 45 or older, the poll found. Zoroastrians, etc. every year to mark Arbaeen pilgrimage 2018. communicable diseases department of the rate of up to 40%. (Source: The Independent) WORDS IN THE NEWS Antibiotic resistance rising among dolphins, study reveals Antibiotic resistance is rising in dolphins, researchers have least 2 million people get an antibiotic-resistant infection in Berlusconi apologizes said, mirroring the trend seen in humans. the US each year, and at least 23,000 people die as a result. Scientists examined disease-causing organisms, or path- “In 2009, we reported a high prevalence of antibiotic (October 3, 2001) ogens, found in samples from the blowholes, gastric fluid resistance in wild dolphins, which was unexpected,” Schaefer Italy›s Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, has met ambassadors and faeces of bottlenose dolphins from the Indian River said. “Since then, we have been tracking changes over time from Muslim countries at his office in Rome to try to calm relations Lagoon in Florida. The samples were collected between and have found a significant increase in antibiotic resistance after they had protested strongly over his controversial remarks 2003 and 2015. in isolates from these animals. The area has a large human population on the coast and “This trend mirrors reports from human healthcare set- last week claiming that western civilization is superior to Islamic significant environmental problems. “They include septic tings. Based on our findings, it is likely that these isolates culture. This report from David Willey. tanks, runoff from the land, freshwater discharge from ca- from dolphins originated from a source where antibiotics Last week the Italian Prime Minister apologized to parliament in nals, to name a few,” said Adam Schaefer of Florida Atlantic were regularly used.” Rome for his alleged remarks about the superiority of western University, the study’s lead author. Schaefer said the resistant bacteria enter the lagoon from culture over that of Islam, claiming his words had been taken Of the 733 samples from 171 dolphins analysed, 88% terrestrial sources including sewage discharge. “Once in out of context. On Tuesday night he faced an even more hostile contained a pathogen resistant to at least one antibiotic. the lagoon, the antibiotics create selective pressure on the and critical audience - a delegation of ambassadors from Saudi The antibiotic to which the pathogens were most commonly roring trends in human infections. normal bacteria that are present. Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, Pakistan, Indonesia resistant was erythromycin, which is commonly used to treat “Antibiotic resistance is one of the most significant risks “The bacteria that are not resistant die, and resistant and the Palestinian Authority. The three-hour meeting ended chest infections, acne and sexually transmitted infections to public health,” said Gregory Bossart, the chief veterinary bacteria remain and proliferate, essentially creating a popu- with a statement in which the Italian Prime Minister expressed including chlamydia and syphilis. officer at Georgia Aquarium and a co-author of the study. “As lation of resistant pathogens that dolphins are exposed to.” his profound respect for the Islamic religion, which he said Resistance to the antibiotic ciprofloxacin among E coli resistance increases, the probability of successfully treat- The study was published in the journal Aquatic Mammals. preaches tolerance and respect for human rights. pathogens more than doubled over the period studied, mir- ing infections caused by common pathogens decreases.” At (Source: The Guardian) For their part, the ambassadors expressed appreciation for the Italian Prime Minister›s efforts to make it clear that terrorism is absolutely separate from Islam. Sources who attended the ENGLISH IN USE unusually long three-hour meeting said that Mr Berlusconi claimed he had been misquoted by the left-wing press. The incident now LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION appears to be closed but it has left a sour taste among senior Italian diplomats responsible for relations with the Arab world. Words 90,000 clunker taxis are plying the roads 90 هزار تاکسی فرسوده در جادههای کشور تردد میکنند alleged remarks: comments were apparently made taken out of context: interpreted incorrectly Some 90,000 clunker taxis are plying the roads in Iran, an official رئیس اداره حقوقی پلیس راه گفت: ۹۰ هزار تاکسی فرسوده در ایران وجود دارد. .a delegation: a group of people representing an organization with traffic police has said expressed: spoke of بــه گــزارش باشــگاه خبرنــگاران جــوان ســرهنگ محمــد ترحمــی گفــت: profound: deep, sincere The old taxis are being used 8 times more than private cars, YJC میــزان تــردد ایــن تاکســ یها هشــت برابــر خ ودروهــای عــادی اســت. .for their part: their point of view or opinion quoted Mohammad Tarahhomi as saying on Monday وی افزود:یــک میلیــون و ۵۰۰ هــزار خــودروی فرســوده و ۹ میلیــون absolutely: totally appears to be closed: seems to have come to an end There are 1.5 million clunker vehicles and 9 million clunker موتورســیکلت فرســوده در کشــور وجــود دارد. متاســفانه حیــات اســقاط بــه a sour taste: an unpleasant feeling motorcycles in Iran, he regretted, adding that unfortunately واردات گــره خــورده اســت و از آنجــا کــه واردات ممنــوع شــده اســت، اســقاط Source: BBC) scrappage of old, high-emission vehicles is linked with importation) نیــز صــورت نمی گیــرد. .of vehicles which is now banned

Without water, PREFIX/SUFFIX PHRASAL VERB IDIOM everything “dia-” Tell of somebody/something Find (one’s) feet withers Meaning: through or across Meaning: to describe an event or person Explanation: to reach a level of comfort in a new situation For example: This lesson is designed to help students For example: The poem tells of the deeds of a fa- For example: It took a while, but I’ve finally found identify and measure the diameter of a circle. mous warrior. my feet in my job. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y SEPTEMBER 19, 2019 WORLD IN FOCUS 13 Saudi, allies must pay the price for spilling Middle East OSCE would be a major development to settle Yemenis’ blood: Ansarullah regional disputes: Logoglu TEHRAN — Yemen’s Houthi Ansarul- as 10 drones to bomb Abqaiq and Khurais lah movement has censured support for oil facilities run by the Saudi state-owned 1 Raising a way out of regional problems, Turk- the Saudi-led coalition of aggressors in oil company Aramco before dawn Saturday. ish politician said, “In this vein, I believe if there is the wake of Yemeni retaliatory drone at- The unprecedented attack knocked out the opportunity for the proposed meeting to take tacks on Aramco oil facilities in eastern Saudi more than half of Saudi crude output, or 5% place, President Rouhani would do well to meet Pres- Arabia, stressing that those who have no of global supply, prompting Saudi and U.S. ident Trump at New York and reveal bare the facts of reservations at all about the bloodletting officials to claim without any evidence that American policy for the whole world to see. On the in the war-ravaged country must bear the it probably originated from Iraq or Iran. other hand, if there is a chance to move forward after consequences of their actions. Two sources briefed on Aramco’s opera- such an encounter, then Iran and the region would “Peace in the region can be restored only tions told Reuters it might take months for all stand to benefit.” through dialogue and understanding, and Saudi oil production to return to normal. He added, “On a wider scale, the situation calls for a away from the clatter of weapons. Yemeni Earlier estimates had suggested it could more coordinated effort on the part of the regional states people hope to see security and peace pre- take weeks. to address the problems of their region and to reduce vail across the Arabian Peninsula. They will According to Press TV, Saudi Arabia and the intervention and interference of outside powers in never surrender to oppression and others’ a number of its regional allies launched a their affairs. Regional ownership is the step to take. domination,” Mohammed Abdul-Salam, devastating campaign against Yemen in To this end, the creation of a Middle East OSCE, led spokesman for the Houthi movement, said March 2015, with the goal of bringing the by Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and in a string of tweets on Tuesday. government of former president Abd Rabbuh others of the region would be a major development, an He added, “Those condemning the Sep- Mansur Hadi back to power and crushing idea now being publicly floated by the main opposition tember 14 operation have indeed denounced Ansarullah movement. party CHP in Turkey.” themselves as they have exposed their blatant The U.S.-based Armed Conflict Location bias in favor of the aggressor. In fact, their and Event Data Project (ACLED), a nonprofit condemnation would embolden the criminal He pointed out that those who wish stabil- Abdul-Salam said. conflict-research organization, estimates that regime to continue its criminal acts against ity in international crude oil markets, must He underlined that members of the the war has claimed more than 91,000 lives Israel election: Netanyahu’s our people.” compel the Saudi-led military alliance to coalition of aggression, Saudi Arabia in over the past four and a half years. bloc fails to secure majority The senior Houthi official noted that stop its aggression and blockade on Yemen. particular, must realize that their bet on The war has also taken a heavy toll on “Saudi oil is not more precious than Yemeni “Yemeni people will spare no effort to the United States for protection is a losing the country’s infrastructure, destroying hos- 1 Former minister of military affairs Avigdor Lieberman’s blood,” emphasizing that those who have relentlessly confront aggression and siege one, adding that Yemenis will not remain pitals, schools, and factories. The UN says Yisrael Beitenu party is expected to receive between eight and no respect whatsoever for the Yemeni peo- by all legitimate means. The next defen- silent in the face of injustice. over 24 million Yemenis are in dire need nine seats, according to the polls. ple’s lives must embrace all consequences sive operations will be harsher and more Yemeni army forces and allied fighters of humanitarian aid, including 10 million With neither Netanyahu nor Gantz appear to have of their actions. painful if aggression and siege continue,” from Popular Committees deployed as many suffering from extreme levels of hunger. gained a 61-seat majority, the two are likely to head to deliberations with President Reuven Rivlin, who will de- termine which of them gets the mandate to try and form U.S. consular staffer to stay in Turkey Pakistan PM to urge Trump to restart a governing coalition. Speaking to a half-empty hall at the Likud campaign head- jail on spy charges Afghan peace talks quarters in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu vowed to form a “strong and Zionist” administration, warning his supporters of a “dangerous TEHRAN — A Turkish court ruled Wednes- But the court said he would stay in jail TEHRAN — Pakistan Prime Minister Afghanistan for the last 40 years”. and anti-Zionist” regime. day that a US consular staffer would remain until the next hearing on December 11, Imran Khan said on Wednesday that he “We will put our best (effort) that these The Israeli prime minister added he already began negotia- in jail while his espionage trial continued, while they tried to locate a witness. Defense would urge U.S. President Donald Trump talks are resumed again,” he said. tions with Likud’s potential coalition partners on the right wing. in a case that has added to tensions with lawyers said he gave a fake address in Milan. next week to revive Afghanistan peace talks Khan said Pakistan had directed Taliban “They all committed to pursue our goals together. This election Washington. “I cannot understand the court extending with the Taliban militant group. leaders to participate in earlier peace talks has been one of the toughest we’d known,” he said. Metin Topuz, a Turkish citizen and the jail sentence to wait for an individual Trump abruptly canceled secret talks in Qatar and only discovered too late that Gantz said Tuesday overnight he would work to establish a liaison for the U.S. Drug Enforcement who is currently abroad,” lawyer Halit with the Taliban at his Camp David retreat talks had broken down. He said his next role unity administration. Administration (DEA), was arrested in 2017. Akalp told reporters. that were planned for Sept. 8 and has since would have been to convince the Taliban “We stuck to our mission and to our path,” Gantz said at his He was accused of ties to U.S.-based Topuz said he had 3,000 meetings in his said the talks are “dead”. to open talks with the Afghan government. party’s headquarters in Tel Aviv, hours after exit polls show his Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen, who 25 years with the DEA, and that prosecu- “It will be a big tragedy if these talks Khan is scheduled to address the United party has secured a lead over Likud. Ankara says ordered an attempted coup tors had simply cherry-picked those with don’t make headway,” Khan said at a Nations General Assembly while in New York. Gantz went on to say that exit polls show Netanyahu failed in in 2016. members of Gulen’s movement. ceremony at Pakistan’s Torkham border The PM also said there was “no chance his reelection bid. “This is the start of the journey to mend the In court Wednesday, Topuz again begged Gulen had sympathizers across all crossing with Afghanistan. of talks” with India about its clampdown Israeli society,” he commented. the court for his release. branches of Turkish society and govern- Khan said he would meet Trump in New on the disputed territory of Kashmir until Lieberman, for his part, called for a unity administration with “What is my crime? Being an employee ment until the coup triggered a massive York on Monday, and would emphasize that it lifted a curfew for people there, Reuters his party, Likud and Blue and White as he addressed supporters, of the US consulate?” he said. purge, AFP reported. there had been “destruction and chaos in eported. saying Israel was facing an “emergency”. “There is only one option for us,” he said, adding the administration should exclude the country’s ultra-Ortho- dox religious parties, which he accuses of having undue influence on politics A good suggestion: The Alms of Century versus the Deal of Century Hamas condemns Israel’s general election Meanwhile, the Palestinian Islamic resistance movement, 1 In the world order after WWl that was followed tainment” plan of the U.S. diplomat George Kennan ian population in Jordan. To this end, a vast area on the Hamas, has strongly slammed Israel’s snap polls, stating that by the Allied victory, the Balfour Declaration applied against the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Saudi south of Amman is considered to be a new capital. This the election guarantees further expropriation of occupied Pal- and the Zionists occupied Palestine with the help of Arabia and the UAE, with $ 100 billion investment, area is supposed to be a large economic and commercial estinian lands. Britain in 1948. should establish a security belt to counter Iran’s influ- area supported by investors of multinational companies. The movement said those contesting in the vote have been Trump’s hidden intention is also to recognize the ence against Israel and to meet the U.S. interests. In Israel, in contrast, has promised Jordan to create a channel encouraging the Israeli regime to intensify its attacks on the Jewish land, which is spreading from Nile to Euphra- the process of implementing the plan, Palestine should between Al-Bahr al-Mayyit and Gulf of Aqaba and make besieged Gaza Strip, and violate the rights of Palestinians. tes. The transfer of the U.S. embassy to Quds and the gradually disappear in the future development of the it a tourism hub in the region. It also described Israeli voters as alien settlers, who have presentation of the Deal of the Century project is the Middle East, and its territory would be handed over to The second project is carrying out in the Sinai Pen- stolen Palestinian territories. beginning of the complete occupation of Palestine and foreign investors affiliated with the World Bank and insula. Kushner plans to create a free industrial zone The Palestinian resistance movement finally denounced Is- other Islamic countries to create the Promised Land. International Monetary Fund. These organizations are near Gaza, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE investments. rael as a usurper entity which owes its existence to the illegal Recently, the Zionist Regime passed the “nation-state” supposed to bring prosperity to the Palestinians who He aims to move the Gaza strip population to this area, occupation of Palestinian territories. law at the Knesset, which introduced the whole Palestine are now entering the labor market as cheap workers of which currently has the highest unemployment rate in and Golan Heights as part of the “Jewish land’. multinational companies. the world. President of Egypt Sisi has also launched the In the Deal of the Century, Trump changed the condi- Kushner represented the Deal of the Century project project, and transferred the Egyptian population of the tions for Arabs in the Deal of the Century. At first Arabs in Manama in line with Trump’s restrictive actions. He northern Sinai Peninsula with the excuse of fighting Israeli forces kill Palestinian were supposed to make peace with the Zionist regime by believes that by financially supporting of investors and with ISIL. taking their lands, and it was assumed that after solving strengthening economic and commercial infrastructures The third project is about Neom, Saudi Arabia, which woman Palestine’s problem, Arabs relations with the Zionists around Palestine, this political and security dispute can lies along the Red Sea coast and near Jordan’s borders. would be normal. Now, these countries must normalize find an economic solution to Palestinian youth welfare Neom will be the first smart city in the Middle East. It TEHRAN — Israeli forces have killed a Palestinian woman fol- their relations with The Zionist regime, and also offer projects. will have various tourist facilities along with the Red Sea lowing what they alleged was a stabbing attack at a checkpoint Palestine to Israel to solve the country’s problem. The Kushner said, “Our discussion in the Deal of the Cen- tourism zone project, and will attract lots of Palestinian in the occupied territories. difference is that this time there are no Palestinian cit- tury was not about politics. We aim to create a great youth who are looking for a job. With this $ 50 billion The victim, whose identity was not immediately known, was izens in this country. business and tourist center in Gaza and West Bank where project, we can push the boundaries. killed at the Qalandia checkpoint between Jerusalem al-Quds In 2018, Trump cut funding to UNRWA (the United the entrepreneurs, engineers, scientists, and CEOs of Despite all the discussion about the Deal of the and the north of the West Bank on Wednesday. Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees multinational companies can work. At the same time, Century, and given Mahmoud Abbas’s absence from An Israeli official claimed the Palestinian woman had in the Near East) from $ 360 million to $ 60 million, the region’s economy would be more integrated and the Manama summit, it is not clear that who or which approached forces at the vehicle passage of the checkpoint, after moving the U.S. embassy to Quds, closing the PLO people would be more advanced.” groups should negotiate with the U.S. about Palestine. ignoring calls to stop and pulling out a knife before being office in Washington, and blocking their bank accounts. He even avoid saying the Palestinian economy would The project will certainly increase the complexity of shot in the leg. In Trump’s view, gradual cutting of facilities or torturing be more integrated and the Palestinian people would Israeli-Palestinian crisis. Medics allegedly treated her at the scene and then evacuated should make the Palestinians to abandon their country be more advanced. Kushner referred to Palestinians The most effortless way for solving Palestine’s problem her to Hadassah hospital in Jerusalem al-Quds for further treat- considering work incentives. as fool and uncultured people. He emphasized that in is to give $104 billion to the U.S., Brazil and their allies ment, a police statement said. Trump’s actions violate Resolution 242 and Arab recent years, instead of innovating, the Palestinians have to make the Zionists emigration possible to the U.S. or She was later pronounced dead, however. League resolutions in 1983 and 2002, which claim that received greatest financial support in the world, with any countries that recognize Quds as the capital of Israel, The cause of her death was not clear. there should not be any relations with countries that no plans and no goals. within 10 years. This amount of money can be raised The Israeli military regularly opens fatal fire on Palestini- recognize Quds as the capital of Israel. In the first project of the Deal of Century, He also un- by collecting alms from Muslims during this period of ans, accusing them of attempting to carry out stabbing attacks Trump’s peace plan known as the Deal of the Century derlined that the problem of Palestinian refugees could time. Surely the Zionist emigration brings peace to the against its forces. for ending Israel-Palestine conflict, is similar to “Con- be solved by settling the West Bank displaced Palestin- region and the world. According to Press TV, human rights groups have repeatedly criticized the Tel Aviv regime for its shoot-to-kill policy as a large number of the Palestinians killed at the scene of the alleged attacks did not pose serious threats to Israelis. Israeli troops have on numerous occasions been caught on Would Algerian PM Bedoui resign, paving way for vote? camera brutally killing Palestinians, with the videos going viral online and sparking international condemnation. 1 This claim is advocated by the authorities from the organization “Today, based on our mission, man- a continuity with the old system. the Mediation and Dialogue Panel set of the elections. It called, also, for the date and respect for the constitution and In this sense, Talaïe El Houriet party by the interim president Bensalah to departure of Prime Minister Bedoui as the laws of the Republic, we find it best considered that the institutional and oversee a national dialogue, consult, the only solution to convince protesters to summon the Electoral Commission on legal conditions for the organization Trump names Robert C. communicate and hold talks with civil to return to the poll ballot. 15 September,” Salah said, as reported of an inclusive and transparent presi- society actors, political parties, national The handover of the Panel’s proposals by the official news agency APS. dential election were brought together; O’Brien as national figures, young people and activists from comes days after Army Chief of Staff “I have decided... that the date of the however, the Government must resign security advisor all over the country in order to develop a Lt. Gen. Ahmad Qaid Saleh called for presidential election will be Thursday, and be replaced by a Government of clear vision of ways to end the country’s presidential elections before the end December 12,” said Bensalah, following national competences. This dismissal, TEHRAN— U.S. President Donald Trump said he’ll appoint Rob- months of political crisis and enable it of 2019. A call adhered by the Head of army chief of staff Lieutenant General according to them, would create the ap- ert O’Brien to replace John Bolton as his White House national to hold Presidential Elections as soon State who inked, this week, a decree Ahmed Gaid Salah announcement. propriate environment to guarantee a security adviser. as possible. The Panel, in its final report convening the electorate on September Opposition parties, for their part, are strong participation during the next O’Brien is the special envoy for hostage affairs at the State submitted to the Head of State, following 15 so that elections could be held within still calling for deep political reforms presidential election to give the next Department, Bloomberg News reports. Trump announced his consultation with 5670 associations of 90 days (on December 12), in addition to avoid electing a new president with president sufficient legitimacy to launch appointment in a tweet on Wednesday. different categories within two months, to two Organic Laws; the first one on the same mechanisms that allowed political, economic and social reforms. Robert C. O’Brien is an American lawyer who has worked during which they met with various the Independent National Authority in Bouteflika to remain in power for 20 The resignation of Noureddine Bedoui privately and with the United States government. He is currently spectrums and components of society, Charge of Elections and the second one years, stressing on the need to dismiss would ease the political deadlock, speed serving as the United States National Security Advisor and is an called for the formation of a high electoral amending and supplementing Organic the current government of Prime Min- up the election process and calm down ambassador with the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Hos- commission and amendments to the Law 16-10 dated August 25, 2016 on the ister Noureddine Bedoui, appointed by protesters determined to achieve their tage Affairs, as well as a partner at Larson O’Brien LLP, a Los election law in an attempt to distance electoral system. Bouteflika before his departure, seen as claims at any costs. Angeles-based boutique law firm. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 14 WORLD SPORTS SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

I deserve more Ballon Schools, airports closed as Indonesia d’Or awards than Messi, says Ronaldo fires spark fears for Singapore F1 Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo said he deserves to end his soccer career with more Ballon d’Or awards than Barcelona Toxic haze from Indonesian forest fires closed The fires have sparked tensions between counterpart Lionel Messi and hopes to establish himself as the schools and airports across the country and Indonesia and Malaysia. greatest player of all time. in neighbouring Malaysia Wednesday, while Indonesia’s environment minister initially Ronaldo, 34, has won the renowned France Football magazine air quality worsened in Singapore just days suggested the haze was from Malaysian fires trophy for the world’s best player five times - as many as Messi - before the city’s Formula One motor race. despite satellite data showing hundreds of but is eager for more as he moves into the twilight of his career. Illegal fires to clear land for agriculture are blazes in Indonesia and only a handful in “Messi’s in the history of football,” Ronaldo told broadcaster blazing out of control on Sumatra and Borneo its neighbour, prompting anger from her Piers Morgan in an interview with Britain’s ITV on Tuesday. “But islands, with Jakarta deploying thousands of Malaysian counterpart. I think I have to have six or seven or eight to be above him,” he security forces and water-bombing aircraft Indonesia later sealed off dozens of planta- said, referring to the Ballon d’Or awards. to tackle them. tions where it said fires were blazing, includ- The Portugal captain said he was no friend of the Argentine but Indonesian blazes belch smog across South- ing some owned by Malaysia-based firms, credited his rival for helping push him further in his own career. east Asia annually, but this year’s are the worst deepening the row. “My relationship with him is, we are not friends, but we have since 2015 and have added to concerns about But Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, shared this stage for 15 years,” Ronaldo said. “I know that he has wildfire outbreaks worldwide exacerbating who has struck a diplomatic tone throughout pushed me to be a better player and I have pushed him to be a global warming. the crisis, said Malaysia may pass legislation better player as well.” On Wednesday, air quality deteriorated to forcing its companies to tackle fires on plan- Ronaldo, who also played for Manchester United and Real “very unhealthy” levels on an official index in tations abroad. Madrid, has five UEFA Champions League winners’ medals and many parts of peninsular Malaysia, to the east Malaysia wants its firms with sites overseas led Portugal to victory at the 2016 UEFA European Champion- of Sumatra, with the Kuala Lumpur skyline to put out blazes contributing to the haze, he ship and 2019 UEFA Nations League tournaments. shrouded by dense smog. said, adding: “Of course, if we find they are “I don’t follow the records, the records follow me. I’m addicted Nearly 1,500 schools were closed across unwilling to take action, we may have to pass to the success, and I don’t think it’s something bad, I think it’s Malaysia due to the air pollution, with over a law to make them responsible.” good,” Ronaldo said. one million pupils affected, according to the Borneo is shared between Indonesia, towers and boat-shaped top level. The Indonesian government has insisted “It motivates me. If you’re not motivated, it’s better to stop.” education ministry. Malaysia and Brunei. The worsening pollution increased fears it is doing all it can to fight the blazes. But this (Source: Goal) A growing number of Malaysians were Poor visibility closed seven airports in the that this weekend’s Formula One race may year’s fires have been worsened by dry weather suffering health problems due to the haze, Indonesian part of Borneo, the transport min- be affected. Organisers say the possibility of and experts believe there is little chance of with authorities saying there had been a sharp istry in Jakarta said. Scores of flights have haze is one of the issues in their contingency them being extinguished until the onset of Police across Europe raid increase in outpatients at government hos- already been diverted and cancelled in the plan for Sunday’s showpiece night race, but the rainy season in October. illegal streaming service pitals -- many suffering dry and itchy eyes. region in recent days due to the smog. have not given further details. Indonesia’s meteorology, climate and geo- Indonesian authorities said hundreds of Singapore smog race? The city-state’s tourism board said specta- physics agency said Wednesday that over 1,000 platforms schools in hard-hit Riau province on Sumatra Air quality in Singapore worsened to un- tors would be able to buy masks as protection hotspots -- areas of intense heat detected by were shut, without providing a precise num- healthy levels and a white smog obscured from the haze if conditions did not improve and satellite that indicate a likely fire -- had been Police forces across Europe are carrying out raids against illegal ber, while about 1,300 were closed in Central the striking waterfront skyline, featuring the assistance would be provided for those who sighted, most of them on Sumatra. video streaming service platforms, the Italian postal police said Kalimantan province on Borneo. Marina Bay Sands casino resort with its three feel unwell, the Today news portal reported. (Source: AFP) in a statement on Wednesday. Coordinated by European Union agencies Europol and Eurojust, the raids are taking place in France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Greece and Bulgaria, in a joint effort to curb an illegal market Russian anti-doping chief attacks Three killed in Venice offshore that threatens media groups’ subscription businesses such as his own athletics federation racing accident pay-TV and video-on-demand. The Italian postal police said it had located hubs across Eu- rope that had pirated and illegally distributed pay-TV content through web-streaming platforms. In a separate statement, the Italian tax police said it had shut down an illegal platform, dubbed Xtream Codes, which had more than 700,000 users. (Source: Reuters) Barca defender Alba sidelined with hamstring injury

Barcelona defender Jordi Alba injured his hamstring in the 0-0 draw at Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, his team said in a statement on Wednesday, with Spanish media reporting that the Spain international will be out for around two weeks. The left back was forced off in the 40th minute of Tuesday’s Group F game and replaced by Sergi Roberto. Barca’s statement did not say how long Alba would be out, but newspaper AS said he would be sidelined for two weeks, Russia’s anti-doping agency chief on Wednes- no fewer than 11 times. Three people have been killed in Venice sees everything from tiny gondolas to ruling him out of Barca’s La Liga games at Granada, at home to day launched a scathing attack on Russian The IAAF will consider the Russian fed- after a powerboat attempting to break an speedboats and vast cruise ships cross Villarreal and away to Getafe. athletics bosses ahead of this month’s world eration’s latest request when its top officials offshore record slammed into an artificial its waterways. He is expected to return in time for Barca’s next Champions championships in Doha, accusing them of meet in Doha on Monday. spit of land in the dark, Italian firefighters In June, the giant 13-deck MSC Opera League game at home to Inter Milan on Oct. 2. obstructing testing. Despite the ban, athletes subsequently and media reports said Wednesday. rammed into a dockside in Venice and Alba’s injury hands an opportunity to Junior Firpo, the left “I’m calling on all the federation’s direc- deemed clean have been allowed to compete Italian champion Fabio Buzzi and knocked into a small tourist boat, injuring back who joined Barca from Real Betis for 18 million euros (15.9 tors to resign,” RUSADA director general Yuri as neutrals and if Russia is rejected for a two British racers died in the crash late four people and sending others on the million pounds) in the close season but who has only played nine Ganus told France’s L’Equipe sports daily. 12th time then -- just as at the London 2017 Tuesday while another Italian racer pier running for safety. minutes of first team football so far. Russia was barred from international world championships -- Russian athletes survived, the reports said citing Giampaolo A month later, the 12-deck Costa Barca are fifth in the La Liga standings on seven points after competition in 2015 over a vast state-run who have met the criteria will be allowed to Montavoci, president of the national Deliziosa, nearly 300 metres long, narrowly four games. doping conspiracy. take part as so-called Authorised Neutral offshore and endurance commission. missed a yacht while being towed out of (Source: Mirror) While Russia’s anti-doping agency RU- Athletes. The accident happened as the vessel, Venice in stormy conditions. SADA is now under new leadership, Ganus In June RUSAF was rocked by fresh al- some 20 metres (65 feet) long and able But the hugely costly array of mobile claims that the old guard at the country’s legations, with reports that Russian coaches to travel up to 130 kilometres (80 miles) barriers at the mouth of Venice’s lagoon Ex-Rangers player Ricksen dies athletics federation (RUSAF) is hindering suspended for involvement in doping were an hour, tried to break the Monte Carlo has suffered years of delays, and is now progress in cleaning up the sport. continuing to train athletes. to Venice record. only expected to be finished in 2021, local after motor neurone battle “We (RUSADA) are cooperating with the British newspaper The Sunday Times Firefighters said they pulled three daily La Nuova di Venezia said. Former Netherlands and Rangers player Fernando Ricksen has died IAAF, we are conducting investigations,” ran a story alleging that RUSAF officials bodies from the submerged boat while According to Il Corriere, Maurizio at the age of 43 following a battle with motor neurone disease, the he told L’Equipe. had fabricated documents to show that the survivor had been thrown clear. Darai, who witnessed the crash alongside Scottish Premiership club announced on Wednesday. “The scale of the backlog is crazy. It’s Danil Lysenko, the 2017 world silver high The vessel was nearly at the finishing timekeepers and race officials, said: “We Ricksen, who spent six years at Rangers until 2006, announced the problem of the system, because there jump medallist, was too ill to provide his line when it hit the Punta Sabbioni spit, saw them arrive and they were heading he was suffering from the disease in October 2013. is proof of intervention from a higher body. whereabouts after failing to make himself built to protect the city’s “Mose” flood slightly towards land. “Rangers is deeply saddened to announce that former player “There are those who are against my available for out-of-competition drug testing. barrier, reports said. Speedboat racer Mr Buzzi has won Fernando Ricksen passed away this morning following his battle work, for example the Sports Minister (Pavel Ganus said: “As long as we’re not honest Large boulders piled up on one another 10 world championships over a 40-year with motor neurone disease,” the Scottish club said on their official Kolobkov) has defended and continues to with ourselves, the international community from the sea floor run the length of the spit. career and set the world speed record for website. support (RUSAF chief Dmitry) Shlyakhtin cannot lift the ban on Russia. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is diesel-powered boats in 1978. “Fernando spent six trophy- at the head of the athletics’ federation.” “We will end this disaster only when we slowly sinking -- something the “Mose” The boat which crashed in Venice laden seasons at Ibrox, having Since the initial ban, the International admit that punishment is inevitable and that (Moses) system is designed to combat. is understood to have been capable of initially joined a number of other Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) nobody can escape their responsibilities.” The crash was the latest in a string reaching 80mph. Dutch players under manager has rejected Russia’s efforts to be reinstated (Source: AFP) of accidents in the floating city, which (Source: Independent) Dick Advocaat in the summer of 2000.” Ricksen, who won 12 caps for the Netherlands and was signed Teenager emerges as soccer’s next potential superstar by Rangers from AZ Alkmaar for Erling Braut Håland received a standing ovation from the Red league win against Wolfsberger. £3.75 million ($4.7m) in 2000, Bull Salzburg fans after scoring a first-half hat-trick on his Håland became the first teenager to score more than once raised awareness and funds to UEFA Champions League debut Tuesday, where he became on his Champions League debut since Rooney scored a hat- help other sufferers of motor the third youngest player to score a Champions League treble trick against Fenerbahce in September 2004 and his ability neurone disease through the -- behind only Raul and Wayne Rooney. to consistently raise his game has impressed his teammates. Fernando Ricksen Foundation. The 19-year-old’s heroics helped Salzburg thrash Belgian “His goalscoring run is incredible,” Salzburg midfielder A benefit match for the Dutch- side Genk 6-2 in their group-stage opener and sees his elec- Zlatko Junuzovic said after the win over Genk. man, held at Ibrox in January trifying start to the new season continue. “I’m so happy he scored three today. People said: ‘okay 2015, saw more than 41,000 fans Prior to Tuesday’s match, Håland had scored 17 times in he’s scoring for fun in the league but wait until he comes to attend Ibrox and raised £320,000 with the proceeds split between nine appearances for the Austrian side and his latest hat-trick the big stage’. Then he goes and scores another hat-trick!” Fernando, his daughter Isabella, MND Scotland and the Rangers is his fourth treble of the season. A new superstar? Charity Foundation. It comes after a summer in which he scored nine goals in When asked to describe Håland in three words, Salzburg’s Ricksen left Rangers to join Zenit St Petersburg on a permanent a single game for Norway, as his national side beat Honduras American coach Kesse Marsch said: “Positive, energetic, elec- deal in 2007 before returning to the Netherlands to join Fortuna 12-0 at the Fifa Under-20 World Cup in Poland. trifying. Or maybe electrifying!” Sittard. It appears such form has Håland’s teammates buying into ‘Håland’ -- he is the son of former Nottingham Forest, Leeds Although the Norwegian is 1.94m-tall and possesses all the Peter Lovenkrands, who also joined Rangers in 2000 and spent the hype surrounding the youngster who has emerged as a and Manchester City defender Alf-Inge Håland, who played physical attributes to take him to the top of the game, it his six years with the Scottish club, paid tribute to his former teammate potential superstar for the future. soccer in England for over a decade. character that suggests Håland is destined for great things. on social media. “He is phenomenal. With his height, to be so nimble and The Salzburg striker was born in Leeds during his father’s “He works hard and takes nothing for granted,” Marsch told The 39-year-old posted on Instagram: “You looked after me when have such command of the ball,” Maximilian Wöber said spell with the Yorkshire club but spent his early footballing UEFA.com. “Of course, he’s talented, but when you combine we signed at Rangers together, taking me back and forward to train- after the 6-2 victory. career at Norwegian side Bryne before moving to Molde, it with his personality, that’s what makes him really special. ing because I didn’t have a car, great memories on and off the pitch! “It’s really hard to play against him in training, you just where he was managed by current Manchester United boss He’s only going to get better.” “A true warrior and leader on the pitch! You’ll be truly missed. have to foul him. Ole Gunnar Solskjær. As for Håland himself -- who became the eighth player RIP my friend.” “Once again, he proved why he’s definitely going to become He moved to Salzburg in Austria in January 2019, and to score a hat-trick on his Champions League debut -- he is Fortuna, currently second bottom in Eredivisie, and Zenit, one of the best strikers in the world.” started the new season in red hot form, scoring a hat-trick in hoping Salzburg can emulate Ajax’s remarkable run to the second in the Russian top flight, both paid tribute on Twitter. Runs in the family his first game of the season -- a 7-1 Austrian Cup win against Champions League semifinals last season. (Source: AFP) There’s a good reason you might recognize the surname SC-ESV Parndorf --and in his fourth game -- a 5-2 Austrian (Source: AFP) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y SEPTEMBER 19, 2019 SPORTS 15

Iran Judo Federation suspended Bonyadifar to referee SPORTS TEHRAN — Following Tehran derby deskwhat happened during the last World Judo Championships Tokyo 2019, SPORTS TEHRAN — Mooud Bonyadifar has been the International Judo Federation suspended desk Iran Judo Federation from all competitions, chosen to officiate Tehran derby between administrative and social activities organized Esteghlal and Persepolis foot- or authorized by International Judo Feder- ball teams. ation and its Unions. The match will take place The International Judo Federation (IJF) has in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium on been informed that the August 28th 2019, during Sunday. the last 2019 World Championships in Tokyo, Bonyadifar, 34, has been of- a judoka from Iran Saeid Mollaei (-81kg) lost ficiating in Iran Professional to his Belgian rival to avoid a potential contest League (IPL) for five seasons and against an Israeli athlete, ijf.org reported. has been on the international These facts and actions are in gross con- list since 2013. tradiction with the content of the letter sent He will be assisted by Mo- to the IJF on May 8th, 2019 under the signa- hammad Reza Mansouri and ture of Presidents Seyed Reza Salehi amiri, Hassan Zahiri in this match. President of the I.R. Iran National Olympic Persepolis sit at the fourth Committee and Arash Miresmaeili, President, place in the table with six I.R. Iran Judo Federation, which categorically points from three matches confirms that “…by means of this letter, we and Esteghlal are 11th with would like to confirm that the I.R. Iran NOC two points. shall fully respect the Olympic Charter and its Tehran derby is arguably the most important derby in Asia. non-discrimination principle and the I.R. Iran Federation shall fully comply with the Olympic Charter and the IJF Statutes…”. Sardar Azmoun scores first Mollaei will fight fight under a refugee flag at Tokyo 2020. goal of UEFA Champions The Iran Judo Federation can submit an ap- peal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) League Season against the decision taken by IJF. The time limit The honor of scoring the first goal of the 2019-20 UEFA Cham- for appeal shall be twenty-one days from the pions League season went to Russia’s Zenit St. Petersburg and receipt of the decision appealed against. its Iranian striker Sardar Azmoun. Azmoun handed his team the lead at Lyon in the 41st minute of its Group G clash, playing a lovely one-two with strike partner Iran Greco-Roman team come 4th at Asian Volleyball Championship: Iran Artem Dzyuba on the edge of the box before slotting past Anthony World Championships ease past India Lopes with the outside of his boot. The goal from the 24-year-old Iranian international meant Russian champion Zenit headed in 1-0 to the good at half-time at Parc Olympique Lyonnais. The second half started badly for Zenit and Azmoun, however, as he was forced off injured shortly after the break. His replacement Magomed Ozdoev then fouled Lyon winger Memphis Depay to concede a penalty just three minutes after coming on, with the Dutchman converting the spot-kick to level the scores. But Zenit weathered some late Lyon pressure to earn a cred- itable draw, in what was its first game back in Europe’s premier club competition after a three-year break, rt.com reported. (Source: RT)

IWF congratulates Iran for sending women weightlifters to World C’ships

SPORTS TEHRAN — Iran Gre- and three silvers. SPORTS TEHRAN — Iran de- after the match. International Weightlifting Federation has congratulated the desk desk co-Roman team finished Uzbekistan, with a silver, two bronzes feated India in straight The event is a biennial international Iranian federation for sending four female weightlifters to the in fourth place at the 2019 World Wrestling and two fifth places, finished second at 90. sets (25-16, 25-21, 25-21) at the 2019 volleyball tournament organized by the 2019 IWF World Championships. Championships in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. Georgia, which had two champions and Asian Men’s Volleyball Championship at Asian volleyball governing body, the The competition will take place on 18-27 September in Pat- Iran won three bronze medal in the com- a bronze medalist, was third with 79, just the 12,000-seater Azadi Sports Complex Asian Volleyball Federation (AVC). The taya, Thailand. petition. Saeid Abdvali bagged a bronze medal edging Iran with 75. here on Wednesday. tournament is being held from Sept. At the IWF Congress, which took place in Pattaya with rep- in the 82kg weight class in the first day. Iran national team coach Aziz Naghousi Iran had already defeated China 3-0 13 to 21. resentatives from 100 Member Federations, Special congratu- Alireza Nejati and Mohammad Ali Geraei said he was neither happy nor sad at missing in Pool E. Top eight teams of this tournament lations was reserved for the Member Federation of Iran which also won two bronze medals in the 60kg and out on the top three, noting it was quite an “I am very satisfied with our team’s will qualify for the 2020 Asian Olympic has sent female athletes to this year’s World Championships 77kg respectively. improvement from the 11th-place finish in performance against India. The Indi- Qualification Tournament, which will for the first time. In the team standings, Russia was unable Budapest. He also pointed out that nine an team played well but we could beat be held in Jiangmen, China from 7 to Poupak Basami (55kg), Abrisham Arjomandkhah (64kg), to match its six golds from Budapest 2018, of the team members were competing at them in front of our fans. I hope we can 12 January 2020, where the winners Elham Hosseini (71kg) and Parisa Jahanfekrian (87kg) are the but still comfortably topped the standings their first world championships, and six continue our good run in the compe- will qualify to the 2020 men’s Olympic Iranian women participating in the competition. with 132 points after capturing two golds of them are under 23. tition,” Iran coach Igor Kolakovic said volleyball tournament. On Friday Basami will make history by becoming the first Iranian woman to compete at the World Weightlifting Cham- pionships in the 55kg division. Guangzhou Evergrande end Kashima Antlers’ reign While the nation has been a powerhouse in men’s compe- tition for several years, it was not until 2017 that the Iranian Kashima Antlers’ reign as Asian champions came to end to clear Ryota Nagaki’s free-kick with an overhead attempt Weightlifting Federation allowed women to compete officially. on Wednesday as last year’s winners exited the 2019 AFC that flew narrowly past Zeng’s right post. Basami was the first Iranian woman to take part in a ma- Champions League on the away goals rule at the hands of Evergrande, however, gained the upper hand five minutes jor senior event, lifting at April’s Asian Championships in Guangzhou Evergrande after being held to a 1-1 draw by the before the break when the Kashima defence was unable to Ningbo, China. Chinese Super League leaders at Kashima Soccer Stadium. keep Talisca at bay as he stormed through the penalty area (Source: IWF.net) With the first leg in Guangzhou having ended scoreless to power home Huang’s corner. last month, Anderson Talisca’s 40th minute goal proved to That goal sparked a response from Kashima and, within be decisive despite Seringho’s equaliser six minutes into six minutes of the restart, the champions were level. Leo the second half as Fabio Cannavaro’s side progressed to Silva’s curling strike from inside the area was destined to Iranian duo to compete at the semi-finals. go to the left of Zeng, only for Serginho to divert the ball There they will meet fellow two-time champions Urawa to the other side of the goalkeeper as the Brazilian gave Chile Karate 1-Series A Red Diamonds next month, with the winners meeting either Kashima a lifeline. Al Sadd from Qatar or Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal in November’s But with Guangzhou holding an away goal, Oiwa’s TASNIM — Two Iranian karate athletes Zabihollah Poorshab two-legged final. team needed to score again, forcing the holders to con- (-84kg) and Amir Mehdizadeh (-60kg) will participate at the Wei Shihao started on the bench for Guangzhou Ever- tinue to push. Zeng did well to block Jung Seung-hyun Chile Karate 1-Series A. grande while Zhang Linpeng did not make Cannavaro’s But while the Chinese Super League leaders were mak- at close range while Serginho went closer still to adding The competition will be held in Santiago, Chile from Sep- matchday squad as neither Ryohei Shirasaki nor Kento ing their presence known, Kashima were the team looking a second, only to see his left foot strike from outside the tember 20-22. Misao were considered fit enough to be selected by Kashima more likely to score. area crash against the crossbar. Shanghai in China is scheduled to stage the last of four events coach Go Oiwa for his 18-man squad. Sho Ito steered his header off target just after the three Try as they might, though, Kashima were unable to find a in 2018, from December 7 to 9. Guangzhou adopted a robust approach in the opening minute mark while Leo Silva’s deflected attempt from the way past a resolute Guangzhou defence and the seven-time The Karate 1-Series A is a world-class competition that provides exchanges and, in addition to taking the lead late in the edge of the area forced Zeng Cheng into a fine flying save, Chinese Super League winners held on to advance to the karatekas across the globe with more competitive opportunities first half, the former winners racked up four bookings, with the goalkeeper pushing the ball wide for a corner. semi-finals at the expense of the champions and keep their to shine at the highest level. Huang Bowen, Zheng Zhi, Talisca and Deng Hanwen all Serginho went close two minutes after the half hour mark, hopes of a record third title alive. Presented in an open format, thus allowing every athlete in entering referee Ahmed Al Kaf’s notebook. almost capitalising on the Guangzhou defence’s inability (Source: the-afc) the world to compete, the Karate 1-Series A is framed under the umbrella of Karate 1 to bring together the best compet- itors in a series of open championships of unprecedented Barca teenage sensation Ansu set for Spain call scale and quality. In addition to this, the Karate 1-Series A offers karatekas the Barcelona forward Ansu Fati wants to rep- World Cup. Although I have not spoken to Gordo said he wouldn›t be surprised if chance to increase their ranking position as the universality of resent Spain and will do so in next month›s him personally, because he is not a player we there are calls for Ansu to feature next year the sport’s top tournaments is showcased. Under-17 World Cup provided the paperwork can select yet, I am told he really wants to play for Spain›s senior team but the youngster arrives on time, coach David Gordo has said. for Spain and go with his Barca teammates must be protect from the hype. Ansu, 16, who became Barca›s young- to the national team.» «He›s had such a spectacular and brilliant est player to feature in a UEFA competi- Ansu has enjoyed an extraordinary start that it may cross people›s minds that Iran chess team wins tion when he started in Tuesday›s goalless rise since making his Barca debut on Aug. that possibility [of Ansu being selected for draw at Borussia Dortmund, was born in 25. He marked his first senior start with a senior team] could exist,» he said. Shanghai tournament Bissau-Guinea but is in the process of ob- second-minute goal as Barca cruised past «But we have to be calm and let Ansu taining Spanish nationality. Valencia on Saturday. cover all the stages that correspond him. «Ansu has the possibility of representing Spain›s interest in the teenage forward, Tuesday›s game was another experience to IRNA — Iranian chess players ranked first at Shanghai Coop- another national team but he has chosen however, is not new. «We have followed him add [to his career] and a very positive one. eration Organization International Team Championship 2019 Spain,» U17 Spain manager Gordo told in recent seasons,» Gordo said. «We like him. He is quickly covering stages. We have to which kicked off on September 15 in Jiaozhou, China. Spanish radio Cadena Ser. «We are doing His profile fits in perfectly with the Spanish assimilate what he is achieving.» The event was held with the attendance of Belarus, India, everything possible for that to happen and national team. I believe he not only has a Gordo will give a pre-selection of 50 Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan as we are eager to have him available as soon as future in this [U17] national team but also players for next month›s U17 World Cup on well as China. possible.»The federation has been working in the U19, U21 and of course, the senior Sept. 25 with Ansu expected to be included. Pouria Darini, Pouya Idani along with Arian Gholami rep- for a while on having Ansu play at the [U17] team when the time comes.» (Source: espn) resented the Iranian team at this competition. Prayer Times Noon:12:58 Evening: 19:50 Dawn: 5:26 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 6:24 (tomorrow) SEPTEMBER 19, 2019 ART&CULTURE I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y www.tehrantimes.com Managing Director: Ali Asgari Editor-in-Chief: Mohammad Ghaderi Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 [email protected] Iran’s Art for Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051450 Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 www.eshterak.ir Distributor: Padideh Novin Co. Tel: 88911433 Peace Festival Webmaster: [email protected] Printed at: Jame Jam Bartar Borna - 44197737

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No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran P.o. Box: 14155-4843 to open on Zip Code: 1599814713 Friday ARTTEHRAN — Iran’s Art during the festival at the Farhang Theater deskfor Peace Festival will Hall in Tehran for four days on September open in Baroque Gallery in Tehran on 23, 25, 28 and 30. Friday. The theater will offer free admission GUIDE TO The motto of this year’s festival is on these four days. However, members SPIRITUAL AWAKENING “The World Is Colorful”, the director of of the audience need to register on the the festival, Fereidun Farbud, said during festival website. Do not seek something which does not exist, and a press conference held at the gallery on The Art for Peace Festival is a non- Tuesday. competitive event. However, two films make use of what is accessible. Do not follow Artists from 20 countries will be selected by the organizers and the audience far-fetched ideas, and engage in something displaying 200 works in the media of will be honored with special awards on easy and at hand. painting, photo, sculpture, motion graphic, the closing day. installation, video art, cinema and theater The festival was established in 2013 by Imam Ali (AS) during the seventh edition of the festival. the Iran Art for Peace Group, an independent Art centers from France and India ensemble led by graphic designer Farbud. are among the 12 galleries that will be The festival is organized every year in participating in this year’s festival, which Tehran to promote world peace as well as will be running until October 4. to attract attention to the environmental Troupes from Iran to perform The artworks are also coming from Italy, issues in the country. Germany, Australasia, Spain, South Korea, The organizers also honor an individual at Armenia High Fest Brazil and several other countries. who has made a significant contribution A lineup of 23 films will be screened to peace with a medal every year. A poster for the seventh edition of the 7th Art for Peace Festival. ARTTEHRAN — Seven Iranian theater troupes deskwill compete in the 17th HIGH FEST International Performing Arts Festival, which will be held in Yerevan, Armenia from October 1 to 8. “Hendi and Hormoz” to screen at two Tehran exhibit to display works by intl. events 2018 IBBY Honor List illustrators

A poster for the 17th HIGH FEST International Performing Arts Festival. Director Amir Asani will stage “Ilion, The History of Destruction” and “Woyzeck” will be directed by Qasem Tangsirinejad and Mahsa Rahsepar, Albert Beigjani, an Iranian member of the festival’s selecting board, told the Persian service of MNA on Tuesday. Magical Dolls led by director Zahra Moridi will perform “Deep in the Ocean”, while Deemak led by Beigjani will stage “Marshmallow”. A poster for “Peace Should Be Learned in Childhood”, an exhibition illustrations Director Zahra Moridi’s troupe Magical Dolls will perform Zohreh Eslami acts in a scene from “Hendi and Hormoz”. from the 2018 IBBY Honor List in Tehran. “Deep in the Ocean”, while Beigjani’s theater group Deemak will stage “Marshmallow”. ARTTEHRAN — Iranian jobless and lives in poverty like most ARTTEHRAN — A books, honoring writers, illustrators Directors Sohrab Khajenejad and Firuzeh Modir Khorasani deskdirector Abbas of the rest of the island’s inhabitants. deskselection of works by and translators from the members of from Mashhad along with their troupe Namik will stage “Stories of Amini’s film “Hendi and Hormoz” about When Hendi becomes pregnant, Hormoz illustrators of the 2018 IBBY Honor List the International Board on Books for My Homeland”. Meisam Moradi’s troupe Darya from Nahavand an arranged marriage will be screened turns to a drug smuggler in an effort to will be on view in an exhibition at Laleh Young People. will perform “Dream”. at two international events in Italy and ensure his family’s livelihood. Gallery in Tehran under the title “Peace The poster for the exhibition has been Oynar, a troupe led by director Mehdi Salehyar from the Ireland during October. As a co-production between Iran Should Be Learned in Childhood”. designed based on an illustration by the northwestern Iranian city of Tabriz, is scheduled to perform “Yashil”. The Queen’s Film Theatre, a small and the Czech Republic, “Hendi and The Children’s Book Council of Iran Czech-born American illustrator and Over 50 troupes from countries across the world including independent cinema at Queen’s Hormoz” was honored by the NETPAC and the Iranian Illustrators Society are the writer of children’s books Peter Sis. Sis Korea, Russia, the U.S., Brazil, Italy, the UK, Sweden and Poland University Belfast in Northern Ireland (Network for the Promotion of Asia organizers of the exhibit, which will open on received the Hans Christian Andersen will attend the festival, which will be held in the two sections of will screen the movie on October 19. Pacific Cinema) at the 36th Fajr Friday to commemorate the International Award in 2012. stage and street performances. The film will also be reviewed at the International Film Festival in Tehran Day of Peace that is annually observed The organizers are planning to host the 1st UNICEF Innocenti Film Festival in April 2018. around the world on September 21. exhibit annually and display a selection (UIFF), which will be held in the Italian It was also selected as best film at the The illustrations are by artists from of works by artists from the IBBY Honor city of Florence from October 25 to 27. 4th CineIran Festival in the Canadian 21 countries, including France, Spain, List and the Biennale of Illustrations “Yeva” to hit silver screens The story of the film is set on the city of Toronto in November 2018. Argentina, Italy, Mexico, Denmark, Russia, Bratislava (BIB). in U.S. hematite-rich island of Hormoz where In addition, the 1st Iranian Film Norway, Finland and Belgium. The exhibit will be running until October Hendi, a 13-year-old girl, is married off Festival New York in January honored The IBBY Honor List is a biennial 8 at the gallery located on Fatemi St., off ARTTEHRAN — Iranian-Armenian filmmaker to Hormoz, a 16-year-old boy who is the movie with a special jury award. selection of outstanding, recently published Laleh Park. deskAnahid Abad’s acclaimed drama “Yeva” will go on screen in New York, on October 25, Iran’s Farabi Cinema Foundation announced on Wednesday. Iranian shorts honored at Canberra film festival Venera Films, a U.S.-based film distribution company, is the ARTTEHRAN — Several Iranian movies The German movie “Extra Sauce” written and directed international distributor of the film, which will be screened in deskwon awards at the 23rd Canberra Short Alireza Qasemi won the best screenplay award. Los Angeles on November 1. Film Festival (CSFF), which is currently underway in the German actors Antonio Lallo and Ben Janssen shared Produced by Farabi and the National Cinema Center of Australian capital. the best actor award for their roles in the movie. Armenia, the film tells the story of Yeva, a young woman “You Are Still Here”, co-directed by Katayun Parmar and The film is about Hans, a mediocre, heartbroken actor, who escapes her influential in-laws with her daughter Nareh Mohammad Ruhbakhsh, brought the best sound design who is greeted by an Angel of Death after attempting suicide after her husband’s tragic death, and takes refuge in one award to sound engineer Ramin Abolsedq. an hour before his play’s premiere. A sarcastic conversation of the villages in the Karabakh region. She is a complete Farshad Mohammadi received the best cinematography begins as Hans tries to convince the angel that he should stranger in this ballgame and is obliged to live her daily award for his collaboration in the film. be brought back to the world of the living while the angel life in disguise. The film is about the life story of a young couple, which enjoys delicious cheeseburgers and lemonade, and gives “Yeva” was Armenia’s submission to the 90th Academy Awards, is on the verge of collapse due to the sudden blindness of the actor relationship advice. but it did not make the shortlist. the man. They try to hold on to their common past to save “Portraitist” by the Iran-born Luxembourgish director The film has been awarded in several international festivals, their lives. Cyrus Neshvad was crowned best film, while Lily Landecy including best film awards at the Arpa International Film Festival Iranian films “Sleepless” by Sudabeh Kamrani, about from Switzerland was named best director for her movie in Los Angeles last November and the Golden Apricot Yerevan a woman who wakes up every night with a child’s cry, and “La Chrysalide”. International Film Festival in Armenia last July. “Greyish” by Eqbal Shirazei, an animation about a woolen A scene from “You Are Still Here” co-directed by Katayun The film screenings in various sections of the CSFF will old man, also received honorable mentions. Parmar and Mohammad Nurbakhsh. continue until Sunday.

Spanish Bazinga! HBO Max wins U.S. streaming rights for “The Big Bang Theory” NEW YORK (Reuters) — HBO Max, the Winning rights to hit shows has become traditional television network NBC, which channel TBS till 2028, WarnerMedia said festival picks upcoming streaming service from AT&T expensive in a crowded streaming industry features a peacock in its logo. on Tuesday. “Stairs” Inc’s WarnerMedia, has secured exclusive dominated by Netflix Inc, Hulu and Amazon. Netflix Inc, poised to lose “The Office” The show about four brilliant but socially five-year streaming rights in the United com’s Prime Video. Walt Disney Co and to Peacock in 2021, said on Monday it had inept scientists that made geeks and comic from Iran States to all 12 seasons of comedy hit “The Apple Inc have also announced their own landed the global streaming rights for classic book nerds pop culture cool, began in 2007 Big Bang Theory”. streaming services. TV sitcom “Seinfeld.” and went on to win 10 Emmy awards, four of ARTTEHRAN — Iranian animation “Stairs” Ranked as the No. 1 comedy on U.S. Comcast Corp’s NBCUniversal said “The Office” was the most-watched show them for Jim Parsons as quirky theoretical deskby Siamak Vahed will be competing in television for the past seven years, the on Tuesday it would name its upcoming on Netflix in the United States, followed physicist Sheldon Cooper. Prime the Animation, a festival running in the Spanish show has garnered an audience of some streaming service “Peacock” and offer a by “Friends”, when measured by minutes Over the years, the series featured city of Valencia from October 3 to 6, Iran’s Experimental 20 million people. broad slate of original content, including streamed, according to Nielsen data for 2018. cameos by celebrities including British and Documentary Film Center (EDFC) announced on The rights for the show cost HBO Max “Dr. Death” starring Emmy and Golden HBO Max, which is expecting a slate of theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, Wednesday. between $500 million and $600 million, a Globe winner Alec Baldwin. 10,000 hours of premium content at launch, Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk, Apple “Stairs” will be competing with movies from Mexico, source familiar with the matter told Reuters. Peacock will also offer classic sitcoms got here the rights to stream U.S. reruns co-founder Steve Wozniak, astronaut Germany, Estonia, India and several other countries. All 279 episodes will be available on “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation” of “Friends” from 2020 in July. Buzz Aldrin, “Star Trek” actors William The event is a student festival looking for new talents. HBO Max when it launches in the spring and is scheduled to be launched in 2020, Television rights for “The Big Bang Shatner and George Takei, and Marvel of 2020, WarnerMedia said in a statement. NBCUniversal said. The company owns Theory” will remain with cable television comics legend Stan Lee.