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16 Pages Price 10,000 Rials 38th year No.12908 Wednesday AUGUST 23, 2017 Shahrivar 1, 1396 Dhul Hijjah 1, 1438 IRGC denies military Iran’s daily gas exports Sweden Saman Ghoddos Iran’s “Colorful Dream operation with Turkey hit 42mcm interested in wearing of Silk Road” realized as against PKK 2 4 Iran jersey 15 Beijing book fair opens 16

Referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan Enrichment to 20% purity will not be helpful: AKP By Payman Yazdani key was “useful” in terms of border security and campaign against ter- TEHRAN — M. Mehdi Aker, the dep- rorism. possible in 5 days uty chief of the ruling Turkish Justice Following is the text of the inter- and Development Party (AKP), is of view: the opinion that a decision by the Ira- What is the importance of the qi Kurdistan Region to hold an inde- recent visit by the chairman of the pendence referendum will not solve Iranian armed forces to Turkey? any problems. A: The visit of Iranian Chief of See page 2 “The IKBY’s decision to set up an General Staff Mohammad Bagheri to independence referendum will not our country has been a useful visit to solve any of the problems that the develop cooperation between Turkey IKBY and Iraq face, but will deepen and Iran, especially in areas of com- these problems,” Aker tells the Tehran bating terrorism and border security. Times. This visit also provided an important Aker also said the recent visit by opportunity for our region to assess the Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff contributions of the two countries for Mohammad Hossein Bagheri to Tur- security and stability. 2

Trump vows U.S. will keep fighting in Afghanistan INTERNATIONAL The United States But since taking office, Trump said, deskPresident Donald he had determined that withdrawing Trump said the United States must could create a vacuum that groups continue fighting in Afghanistan to such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State avoid the “predictable and unaccept- in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Daesh) able” results of a rapid withdrawal could “instantly fill”. from the country where the U.S. has “I concluded that the security threats been at war for 16 years. we face in Afghanistan and the broader In a prime-time address to the na- region are immense,” Trump said. tion on Monday evening - his first as Trump warned that the approach commander-in-chief, Trump said his would now be more pragmatic than ideal- “original instinct was to pull out”, allud- istic. Security assistance to Afghanistan was ing to his long-expressed view before “not a blank cheque” he said, warning he becoming president that Afghanistan would not send the military to “construct was an unsolvable quagmire requiring democracies in faraway lands or create U.S. withdrawal. democracies in our own image”. 3 IATA: Global Economic theories detrimental to humanities in the West: Stuart Sim Erdogan vows to passenger By Jalal Heirannia society, although they would be more suited to thwart any ‘Kurdish a pluralist religious society, with several religions TEHRAN — Stuart Sim, a professor of critical state’ in Syria demand reached co-existing on equal terms. Theocracies tend to theory from Northumbria University, says be hostile to humanities subjects which start to 12-year high in H1 “the humanities help to create a climate of Recep Tayyip Erdogan Tuesday vowed explore too much into the prevailing religious liberalism and pluralism, and this has many Turkey would thwart any attempt by a belief, and it is in the nature of the humanities to Growth in the global air passenger benefits in terms of a country’s political Kurdish militia it deems “terrorists” to do exactly that. traffic market attained a 12-year high development.” carve out a Kurdish state in northern Syria. Why are some countries advanced in in the 2017 first half, as passenger traf- However,) Sim tells the Tehran times Ankara views the Kurdish Peoples’ terms of science and technology but not fic grew 7.9% compared to H1 2016 that the “domination of economic theories Protection Units (YPG) and the Kurd- in the humanities? and the load factor hit a record 80.7%, like neoliberalism is proving to be very ish Democratic Party (PYD) as a terror A: It is the advance of scientific knowledge according to IATA’s June Air Passenger detrimental to the humanities in Western group. But the United States is closely that drives technological development, and Market Analysis. countries.” allied with the groups’ fighters in the every country in the world is dependent IATA attributed the year’s robust Following is the full text of the interview: battle against jihadists in Syria. “The humanities on that process to at least some extent. It is start to an improving global eco- What is the relationship between the “We do not and will never allow a easier for governments to control scientific nomic backdrop and stimulus from prosperity of the humanities and political continually question so-called state to be established by research than the work going on in the lower airfares. The industry’s annu- development in a society? beliefs, and this has an the PYD, YPG in northern Syria,” Erdo- humanities, however, because the latter often alized growth pace remains ahead of A: The humanities help to create a climate gan said in a speech in Ankara. obvious beneficial effect challenges the prevailing ideology. It is also the average growth rate of both the of liberalism and pluralism, and this has “They want to establish a terror in keeping a country easier to demonstrate the economic benefits past five (6.4%) and 10 years (5.5%), many benefits in terms of a country’s political corridor in northern Syria reaching the of science and technology than it is with the IATA said. development. Respect for other opinions is open-minded.” Mediterranean,” the president said. humanities. The humanities have traditionally IATA observed, nevertheless, that critical if a society is not to dissolve into feuding The Syrian Kurdish groups have two In which society the humanities been strong in the West, but governments the upward trend in passenger traffic factions, and the humanities promotes that “cantons” in Syria’s northeast as well as grow better? are beginning to cut funding for humanities’ is slowing from its robust movement outlook. The humanities are also open to the Afrin region to the west. A: The humanities tend to develop more study in the university system, claiming that (about 12%) at the end of 2016 to change, to continually questioning beliefs and Erdogan added that Turkey would successfully in secular societies, as can be they do not contribute significantly enough around 7% since February. Business conventions, and this has an obvious beneficial continue to fight against terror organ- seen in the way that they have grown to to their country’s economic life. confidence, as measured in the- ser effect in keeping a country open-minded izations “wherever we find them”, re- prominence in the West from the Renaissance The domination of economic theories vices purchasing managers’ index and receptive to new ideas. Societies which ferring to the YPG which Turkey says onwards – and even more particularly, since the like neoliberalism is proving to be very (PMI), has flattened since January and refuse to change their beliefs and conventions is the Syrian affiliate of the outlawed Enlightenment period in the 18th century, when detrimental to the humanities in Western airlines have cut back on discounted – in response to intellectual, scientific, and Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). the process of secularization speeded up very countries, which are failing to recognize the air fares (aka “demand stimulation”) technological advances, for example – tend to The PKK is proscribed as a terror considerably. In principle, there is nothing to political and sociological benefits that the to about half of what they were in H1 fall behind in terms of their neighbors. group by Turkey, the U.S. and the Eu- 2016, a trend likely to continue into prevent the humanities developing in a religious humanities can provide. ropean Union. the second half of 2017. It has waged an insurgency against IATA’s analysis showed that the the Turkish state since 1984 during which Middle Eastern-North America inter- North Khorasan over 40,000 people have been killed. national passenger market is showing In August last year, Turkey launched a the adverse effects of a “combination the land of cross-border operation in northern Syr- of factors including the recently lifted ia, aimed at clearing the border zone of ban on personal electronic devices, as treasures of tribes both YPG fighters and extremists. well as the wider negative stimulation There has been speculation Ankara from the travel ban that has now been Following the separation of Khoras- may be planning to extend an opera- implemented for certain countries.” an province in the spring of 2014 tion against the YPG to clear it from the During the first half of 2017, inter- into three provinces, the North town of Afrin, where Erdogan has said its national traffic for Middle East carriers Khorasan province was added to presence is a “threat” for Turkey. grew 7.3% (in contrast to 11% growth the country’s administrative divi- The president indicated on Aug. 5 in H1 2016). sions with Boroujerd as its capital that Turkey was planning to expand Through June 30, the greatest in- city. Despite suffering from depriva- the operation with “new and important creases in international traffic demand tion and drought, the locals live in steps” but did not give further details. were seen by Latin American carriers harmony with nature and seek live- Erdogan Monday said a joint op- (up 9.4% year-over-year [YOY]) and lihood through endeavors. eration with Iran against Kurdish mil- African carriers (up 9.2% YOY).Inter- The province is considered itants which “pose a threat,” including national travel within South America among the lands of tribal treas- the PKK, is “always on the agenda.” has rose 13% YOY, slightly offset by ures where its main residents are He was speaking after a visit last

0.2% drop in North-South America Amin Berenjkar Farsi speaking population. week by the Iranian armed forces chief, travel. In June, Latin American car- The most popular languages of General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri. riers saw a 9.7% rise in international the province are Farsi, Tati, Kurman- Iranian security forces have also traffic while capacity increased 9.1%; ji, Turkmen, and Khorasani Turkic. fought the PKK’s affiliate, the Party of the load factor grew 0.4 points YOY Kurmanji people constitute the ma- Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK). Both groups to 82.1%. Times/ Tehran jority of the province’s population. have rear bases in neighboring Iraq. (Source: atwonline.com) (Source: AP) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS AUGUST 23, 2017 MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS Leader appoints Iranian official meets General Dehghan as advisor Hezbollah chief POLITICS TEHRAN — Supreme Leader of POLITICS TEHRAN — Iranian Deputy Foreign deskthe Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali deskMinister Hossein Jaberi Ansari met on Khamenei has appointed former defense minister Briga- Tuesday with Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, secretary general dier General Hossein Dehghan as his advisor in the field of the Lebanese Hezbollah movement, in Beirut. of defense industry. The officials discussed the latest political development in “Given your valuable experience in the field of de- the region, particularly the Syrian conflict. fense, particularly its industry, I appoint you as adviser to Jaberi Ansari, who started his tour of Lebanon on Mon- the commander-in-chief in defense industry and armed day, held talks with high ranking Lebanese officials includ- forces assistance,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in a decree ing President Michel Aoun, Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil issued on Monday. and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in the first day of his Dehghan served as the defense minister from 2013 visit. to 2017 during President Hassan Rouhani’s first term. He Jaberi Ansari had announced that his visit to Lebanon was replaced by Brigadier General Amir Hatami. was aimed at supporting the Labanese national unity and coordinating campaign against terrorism. Expediency Council’s During a meeting with a group of heads of various Leb- anese factions on Tuesday, Jaberi Ansari said that settling Strategic Studies the Palestine issue is a priority for Iran. Center to be He also said that continuation of crises in the region will abolished only serve the interests of the Zionist regime of Israel. The crises weaken the countries in the region, dwarf the Palestine issue and instead benefit Israel, he added. POLITICS TEHRAN — The Expediency Council’s He said that reaching agreement at regional level is the desk Research and Strategic Studies Center way out of the current crises. will be abolished soon, the council’s secretary Mohsen Elsewhere, he said that Iran’s policy is avoiding clashes Rezaei announced on Tuesday. among the regional countries. The center, established in 1989, is the research arm of Jaberi Ansari also said that Iran has always tried to coun- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Jaberi Ansari (left) held talks on Tuesday with Hezbollah chief Seyyed the Expediency Council. The current head of organiza- ter the expansionist policies of the Zionist regime. Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut on Tuesday. tion is Ali Akbar Velayati who replaced Hassan Rouhani, the current president of Iran. Rezaei said this will not be an end to the Expediency Iran can resume nuclear enrichment to 20% purity in 5 days: Salehi Council’s strategic research as the studies will continue under the council’s secretariat. POLITICS TEHRAN — Ali Akbar JCPOA, but not at any cost. If the other fect in January 16, 2016. ment in nuclear technology. deskSalehi, the director of side stands by the JCPOA, we will stand by Salehi said based on the nuclear deal On August 15, Rouhani said that Iran the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, it. If they seek to sabotage it [the deal], we many changes have been made to the will quit nuclear agreement “in hours” and Soldier killed in said on Tuesday that Iran can resume hope that would not happen, we will do Fordow plant, however, the changes are return to the previous stage if sanctions terror attack in uranium enrichment to the purity of 20 something that will surprise them,” Salehi, in a way that Iran can resume uranium are re-imposed on the country. percent in five days in the Fordow plant a nuclear physicist, told the IRIB, the na- enrichment to the level of 20 percent im- Rouhani’s comments were referring to southeast Iran if necessary. tional TV. mediately. sanctions imposed by the U.S. Treasury The remarks by the nuclear chief come Based on the nuclear agreement, Iran Salehi added this warning is not some- Department on six Iran-based satellite as U.S. President Donald Trump has as- agreed to put limits on its nuclear pro- thing “hollow” and is based on the data companies on July 28 after Iran launched POLITICS TEHRAN — A soldier was killed on signed, according to the Foreign Policy, a gram in exchange for the lifting of eco- that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has. the Simorgh (Phoenix) satellite carrier deskTuesday morning after gunmen at- team of his close aides to assess Washing- nomic and financial sanctions. The deal He also said, “Political credibility of the rocket into space a day earlier. tacked a government building in a small town in south- ton’s withdrawal from the July 2015 nucle- was signed between Iran, the European U.S. will be tarnished if the JCPOA is vio- Last month, the two houses of the U.S. east of Iran, Tasnim news agency reported. ar deal, officially called the Joint Compre- Union, Germany and the five permanent lated.” Congress ratified non-nuclear sanctions Provincial police commander, General Mohammad hensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). members of the UN Security Council in- Elsewhere, Salehi said that Iran has no against Iran. The sanctions were mainly Qanbari, said two unknown gunmen on a motorcycle “Our first priority is to protect the cluding the United States. It went into ef- limit in the area of research and develop- targeted at Iran’s missile capability. opened fire at the local county office building in Pishin, a small town located in Sarbaz County in the southeastern province of Sistan-Balouchestan. IRGC denies military operation with Turkey against PKK A soldier serving in the police was killed, Qanbari said, POLITICS TEHRAN — The Islamic Revolutionary On August 21, Turkey’s Daily Sabah, on the background last week between the chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces adding that the assailants have fled the scene. deskGuards Corps has refuted the possibility of positive remarks about a joint cross-border offensive, and Turkish leaders. of a joint military operation with Turkey against the PKK made by the officials of the both countries, estimated an “Joint action against terrorist groups that have become Lebanese president outside of the Iranian borders. increased likelihood of an Ankara-Tehran joint operation a threat is always on the agenda. This issue has been dis- In the statement issued on Tuesday, the IRGC an- against the PKK and its branch in Iran known as PJAK. cussed between the two military chiefs, and I discussed to visit Iran: nounced that it has no plan to conduct any operations Turkey has recently been trying to imply the existence more broadly how this should be carried out,” Erdogan Al Mayadeen outside Iran. of a unified front with Iran against the Kurds. said. Nonetheless, the Guards will continue to confront any President Reccep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that Iran has insisted on the need to respect the sovereign- individuals or groups endeavoring to infiltrate into the Turkey and Iran have discussed possible joint military ac- ty of countries and refrained from using a harsh tone as country to commit terrorist attacks, the statement read. tion against Kurdish militant groups, after talks in Ankara Ankara’s against Turkish, Iraqi, or Syrian Kurds. POLITICS TEHRAN — Lebanese television deskchannel Al Mayadeen on Tuesday an- nounced that President Michel Aoun will soon visit Iran. NASA astronaut: Iran attained sophisticated rocket The announcement came after a visit by Iranian Dep- A former NASA astronaut has described country has attained sophisticated rockets that the test was a breach of the UN Security signed to carry any nuclear warheads. uty Foreign Minister Hossein Jaberi Ansari to Lebanon, Iran’s most recent satellite-carrying rock- that would be capable of being used as a Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2231, which was In a tweet on July 28 Iranian Foreign during which he met with top Lebanese officials includ- et launch as a significant technological weapon, as well. This is why such an achieve- adopted to endorse Iran’s nuclear agree- Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said, “Iran ing president Aoun. achievement. ment would be an important development,” ment (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Actions) is not & will not be developing nuclear At the meeting, Aoun received President Hassan Rou- Leroy Chiao, former NASA astronaut and Leroy Chiao told Trend on Monday. with the world powers in July of 2015. weapons; so by definition cannot develop hani’s invitation for an official visit, saying he would travel International Space Station commander, The United States immediately described Tehran, however, says the rockets do not anything DESIGNED to be capable of de- to Tehran once diplomatic procedures are followed. He characterized Tehran’s latest move on July Iran’s rocket launch as “a provocative action” violate the resolution, stating instead that the livering them.” also highlighted the need to develop bilateral ties be- 27 as a proof of Iran’s possession of sophisti- and imposed a new round of sanctions on U.S. is trying to walk out of the JCPOA on In another tweet on the same day, he tween Tehran and Beirut. cated technology, which may be used either six Iranian firms with ties to Tehran’s ballis- account of Iran. also said, “Every word of JCPOA carefully ne- for civilian or military purposes. tic-missile program. Iranian officials believe that the country’s gotiated. Iran does not develop missiles that Talks underway to “Rocket and missile capability is signifi- In the meantime, Britain, France, Germa- missile tests and rocket launches do not are “DESIGNED to be capable of delivering unblock Twitter: cant for any country. The ability to launch ny and the U.S. issued a joint statement on breach any UN resolution, as they are sole- nuclear weapons”. satellites into Earth’s orbit means that a July 28, criticizing Iran’s actions and claiming ly used for defense purposes and not de- (Source: staff and agency) minister Iran attends Afghan Independence Day at ministerial level POLITICS TEHRAN — On Mon- Speaking at the ceremony, Rahmani Fa- is ready to play a more serious role in the to the expansion of trade, economic and POLITICS TEHRAN — Iranian Minister of Com- deskday evening, the em- zli, who also heads the Iranian side of a joint process of development and reconstruc- investment ties to meet mutual interests. deskmunications and Information Tech- bassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghan- committee with Afghanistan, underlined tion of Afghanistan in the future and in line Rahmani Fazli stated according to in- nology Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi has said that istan in Tehran held a ceremony to mark Tehran’s preparedness to help Afghanistan with accompanying the international com- ternational organizations, Afghan citizens negotiations were underway with Twitter to unblock the its Independence Day anniversary, where in the fight against terrorist groups. munity and the regional states.” living in Iran have the best conditions com- social media platform. Iran’s Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani “The Islamic Republic of Iran doesn’t “Iran is ready to play a more important pared to foreign nationals residing in other “(Twitter) has announced that it is prepared to nego- Fazli attended. spare any efforts to help the Afghan gov- role, along with the international commu- countries. tiate to resolve problems,” Iran newspaper quoted Azari Such high-ranking officials as Alaeddin ernment to annihilate the terrorists,” he nity and Afghanistan’s neighbors, in recon- He also said that about 450,000 Af- Jahromi as saying on Tuesday. Boroujerdi, chairman of the Majlis Nation- stated. struction and development of the country.” ghans are attending Iranian schools and “Considering the current situation there are grounds al Security and Foreign Policy Committee, Noting that Iran has allocated nearly Rahmani Fazli stressed that Iran doesn’t 17 thousand attending Iranian universities. for such negotiation and interaction. Twitter is not an im- and Ebrahim Rahimpour, the deputy for- $500 million to the reconstruction of Af- see any limit to the development of rela- “Many Afghan experts have been schooled moral environment needing to be blocked,” he added. eign minister for Asia and Pacific affairs, ghanistan in the past decade after the top- tions with neighbors, especially Afghan- in Iran and now can help build the future Iran blocked Twitter, along with Facebook and You- also were present at the event. pling of the Taliban regime, he said, “Tehran istan, and wants removal of all obstacles of their country,” the Iranian minister said. Tube, in 2009. Referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan will not be helpful: Turkey’s AKP deputy chief No need for acting 1 It is also a remarkable visit in ing in the border with Iran is also an impor- tion in order to ensure that no more difficult Tehran mayor: terms of being the first visit made at the level tant project that will increase border security. problems arise in Iraq. Mohsen Hashemi of chief of general staff among our countries This project aims to combat terror an I think that the leadership of the IKBY after many years. effectively fight smuggling of people and should work for a united, prosperous, united The developments in our region require goods. This issue has also come to the fore and prosperous Iraq, ending the referen- us to concentrate our consultations with our in the negotiations held during the visit. dum decision, which could have very neg- POLITICS TEHRAN — Moshen Hashemi, the neighbors and regional countries at different The wall construction will contribute to ative consequences. deskonly candidate for chairman of Tehran’s levels and areas. the border security of both countries; it will Q: How will the visit affect devel- new city council, has said that the 21-member council Mr. Bagheri’s visit to our country will also benefit both Turkey and Iran. opments in Syria? will not appoint an acting mayor for Tehran. be evaluated in this framework. Q: Iran and Turkey both oppose A: The visit has given Iran, one of the As the council has chosen Mohammad-Ali Najafi for Q: One of the issues discussed Iraqi Kurdistan independence referen- three guarantors of the ceasefire initiative, mayor of Tehran, there’s no need to appoint an acting during Bagheri’s visit was border co- dum, one of the issues discussed by The IKBY’s decision to set up an inde- will help accelerate the political process in mayor, Hashemi told Tasnim news agency on Tuesday. operation. What can be the essence of the two sides during General Bagheri’s pendence referendum will not solve any of order to find a final solution to the Syrian He added that Najafi will be officially elected as Teh- this cooperation? Is the construction of visit. What joint measures can Iran and the problems that the IKBY and Iraq face, but conflict. ran’s mayor at the same time the council elects its chair- wall by Turkey in the border with Iran Turkey take to this end? will deepen these problems. We hope that the visit will contribute to man and presiding board. part of this? A: Our two important countries, Turkey In this context, we urge both the central the struggle that we support for the elimi- On 10 August, Najafi was unofficially elected as the A: Border security has various dimen- and Iran, are adversely affected by the un- government and IKBY leadership to resolve nation of the conflict environment altogeth- new mayor of Tehran. sions. stable environment that has been going on the problems between Baghdad and Arbil er by the arbitration of the declared truce The modular concrete wall we are build- for years in Iraq. within the framework of the Iraqi Constitu- in Syria. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y AUGUST 23, 2017 INTERNATIONAL

Trump vows U.S. will keep China warns U.S. ahead of Taiwan defense minister’s fighting in Afghanistan brief visit China warned the United States on Tuesday against any mil- itary contacts with Taiwan ahead of brief visits by the self-ruled Taliban: Afghanistan would become a ‘graveyard’ for the U.S. island’s defense minister to the United States on his way to and from Central American allies. 1 “We are not nation building The United States is Taiwan’s main source of weapons and again. We are killing terrorists,” he said. Taiwan has been pressing for sales of more advanced equip- Though his speech was billed as an ment to deal with the rapidly modernizing military of China, announcement of his updated Afghan- which claims Taiwan as its own. istan policy, Trump offered few specific details. He did not provide the number of additional troops that would be sent to the war, though U.S. officials said before the speech they expect him to go along with a Pentagon recommendation for nearly 4,000 new troops. Trump said the American people were “weary of war without victory”. Still, he insisted that “in the end, we will win”. Tougher approach to Pakistan Trump also laid out a tougher ap- Defense Minister Feng Shih-kuan would make brief transit proach to the U.S. policy towards Pa- stops in New York and Los Angeles on his Aug. 23-Sept. 8 trip, kistan which he accused of giving “safe and had nothing else on his agenda in the United States, the haven to agents of chaos, violence and ministry said. terror”. Feng would visit Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, El Sal- “We can no longer be silent about vador and the Dominican Republic to “further deepen bilateral Pakistan’s safe havens for terrorist or- friendly relations”, the ministry said in a statement. ganizations,” Trump said, outlining the Speaking in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman strategy in South Asia. Hua Chunying said China had noted the reports. “Pakistan has much to gain from “China consistently insists on using the ‘one China’ principle partnering with our effort in Afghani- in handling the issue of the Taiwan region’s exchanges, and firm- stan. It has much to lose by continuing ly opposes country’s with which China has established relations to harbor criminals and terrorists.” own complex society. We are not nation more than $800 billion. iticians have commended Trump for conducting any type of official contact or military exchanges Trump suggested that military building again. We are killing terrorists.” There is no official figure of the num- making a commitment to a prolonged with Taiwan,” Hua told reporters. and other aid to Washington’s nucle- Taliban responds to Trump’s ber of Afghan civilians killed but esti- military presence in Afghanistan. “Our position is clear and consistent. I believe the United ar-armed ally is at stake. Afghan strategy mates range between 25,000 to 30,000. Trumps position was welcomed by States is extremely clear on this.” “We have been paying Pakistan bil- Meantime, the Afghan Taliban has According to the United Nations Assis- Senators John McCain and Lindsey Gra- Taiwan presidents and other senior officials frequently stopo- lions and billions of dollars at the same warned Trump is “wasting” American tance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), ham as well as House Majority Leader ver in the United States while visiting Taiwan’s dwindling number time they are housing the very terrorists soldiers’ lives after the U.S. president ap- at least 1,662 civilians were killed be- Kevin McCarthy, some of Trump’s fierc- of allies in Latin America and the Caribbean, always drawing that we are fighting,” he said. “That will proved sending thousands more troops tween January 1 and June 30 this year. est Republican critics. China’s ire. have to change, and that will change to the war-ravaged country. While Trump has refused to offer de- McCain described the new strategy Taiwan now only has official diplomatic ties with 20 coun- immediately.” Taliban spokeman Zabiullah Muja- tailed figures, senior White House offi- as a “big step in the right direction” but tries. Panama dropped its diplomatic ties with Taiwan to instead Trump said the U.S. wanted India to hid said Afghanistan would become a cials said he had already authorized his said it was “long overdue.” recognize China in June. China says Taiwan is merely a province help more with Afghanistan, especially “graveyard” for the U.S. on Tuesday after James Mattis, the defense secretary, to McCarthy had a similar reaction, say- with no right to diplomatic ties with other countries. in the areas of economic assistance and dismissing Trump’s strategy as vague and deploy up to 3,900 more soldiers. ing Trump’s strategy “will help produce The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Tai- development. offering “nothing new”. Prior to Trump’s announcement, the a more secure, stable, and sovereign wan to China in 1979, acknowledging that China takes the po- A commander from the Taliban-al- “If America doesn’t withdraw its Taliban had written an open letter warn- Afghanistan.” sition that there is “one China” and Taiwan is part of it. But the lied Haqqani network told the AFP news troops from Afghanistan, soon Afghan- ing him not to send more troops and Opposition hits back United States is also duty-bound by legislation to help the island agency that Trump’s speech was proof of istan will become another graveyard for calling for the complete withdrawal of Despite the outpouring of support defend itself. (Source: Reuters) “a Crusade”. this superpower in the 21st century,” he foreign forces from Afghanistan. from war hawks, Trump’s opponents on “His statement has proved that he said. Afghan ambassador to the both sides of the aisle blasted the de- wants to eliminate the entire Muslim In his first formal address to the U.S. U.S.: Trump’s policy will lead to sta- cision. Iraqi forces retake oil refinery, [community],” he said. as commander-in-chief, Trump back- bility House Minority Leader Nancy Pe- Open to Taliban deal tracked from his election pledge to end The developments follow as Al Ja- losi said Trump had no idea “what he two villages in Tal Afar America’s longest war that has dragged zeera spoke to Hamdullah Mohib, the was getting into.” She warned that the Trump also left the door open to an Security forces in Iraq have retaken two villages and an oil on for nearly 16 years. Afghan ambassador to the U.S., on the Republican commander-in-chief was eventual political deal with the Taliban in refinery in the northern city of Tal Afar, where an operation is The U.S. currently has around 8,400 reaction from Kabul. Mohib said: we basically “declaring an open-ended his address. underway to liberate the city from the Daesh (ISIL) terrorists. troops in the country, down from a peak welcome Trump’s decision. It was a re- commitment of American lives with no “Someday, after an effective military The commander of the Tal Afar Liberation Operation said of about 100,000 troops in 2010 and sult of intense deliberations that took accountability to the American people.” effort, perhaps it will be possible to have in a brief statement on Tuesday that Iraqi forces had liberat- 2011, with around 5,000 from NATO into account both of our countries’ Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown a political settlement that includes ele- ed the al-Kask oil refinery from the control of Daesh, Iraq’s (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) needs and considerations. of Ohio said Trump was putting extra ments of the Taliban in Afghanistan,” he al-Sumaria news website reported. allies assisting a much larger Afghan It’s the first time that such a tremen- pressure on the U.S. military forces and said. Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Yarallah further said the force in the war against the Taliban and dous amount of focus has been put their families without “a plan to transfer “But nobody knows if or when that will villages of Tishtia and Tal al-Samn had been purged of the other armed groups. on Afghanistan to succeed and we are power to the Afghan government or a ever happen,” he added, before vowing Takfiri terrorists. A senior Taliban commander told grateful for this outcome. plan to leave the country.” that “America will continue its support A day earlier, Iraqi government forces had managed to the AFP news agency that Trump was Mohib also said we welcome Trump Republican Senator Rand Paul said for the Afghan government and military retake five villages near Tal Afar. Members of the Counter-Ter- perpetuating the “arrogant behavior” breaking of the silence over Pakistan the war in Afghanistan “has lost its pur- as they confront the Taliban in the field”. rorism Service (CTS) liberated the villages of Tal Rahal, Jab- of previous U.S. presidents, such as sheltering and providing sanctuary to pose” and sending more troops there It was for the people of Afghanistan bara, Hussein Idris, Mullah, and Majid southwest of the city, George Bush. terrorists. was a “terrible” idea. “to take ownership of their future,” the which is located 63 kilometers west of Mosul, on Monday. The war in Afghanistan, which began Trump’s new Afghanistan Ohio’s Republican Governor John Ka- president said. On Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi an- on October 7, 2001, after the Septem- strategy wins praise from war sich also called for a reduction of troop “We are a partner and a friend, but nounced the commencement of the major offensive to liber- ber 11 attacks, has claimed the lives of hawks levels in Afghanistan “without reigniting we will not dictate to the Afghan peo- ate Tal Afar from Daesh. more than 2,200 U.S. troops and cost Elsewhere, pro-war American pol- civil war in that country.” ple how to live or how to govern their In late June, Commander of Nineveh Liberation Oper- ations Major General Najim Abdullah al-Jubouri said there Abbas threatens to slowly cut funding to Gaza Strip over row with Hamas were between 1,500 and 2,000 Daesh militants holed up in Tal Afar, and predicted a relatively easy victory for govern- Palestinian Authority (PA) President opposition lawmakers said. ment forces in the operation as the terrorists were “worn out Mahmoud Abbas has threatened to Abbas told a delegation of Israeli and demoralized.” (Source: Press TV) gradually cut financial support to the im- lawmakers from Israel’s left-wing Meretz poverished Gaza Strip “by 100 percent” party that he had proposed rolling back until the Palestinian resistance move- his month-old suspension of security Ex-Yemeni president stresses ment Hamas agrees to reconcile with his coordination with Israel, according to a ruling Fatah Party. statement issued by the lawmakers. unity with Ansarullah against The Palestinian leader made the re- Israeli authorities, however, didn’t re- Saudi-led war marks in a meeting with the Israeli pol- spond to the proposal, the Palestinian itician Zehava Gal-On, the chairperson president told the lawmakers. Yemen’s former president Ali Abdullah Saleh says he will con- of the Israeli left-wing Meretz political On July 21, Abbas announced that tinue to cooperate with the Ansarullah (Houthi) movement in party, in the occupied West Bank city of the Palestinian leadership would freeze the country to counter the Saudi regime-led war on Yemen. Ramallah on Monday. all contact with Israel, as mass protests Saleh also said on Monday that the House of Saud regime “We transfer $1.5 billion a year [to over new Israeli security measures at had been targeting Yemen’s sovereignty and independence Hamas in Gaza],” Abbas further said, ac- the al-Aqsa Mosque compound turned with the military campaign, the Lebanon-based Al Mayadeen cording to a statement released by his deadly. TV channel reported. office later in the day. He added that he On July 25, Israeli authorities removed He also emphasized that the Yemeni nation would not had already slashed 25 percent of that metal detectors installed at the gates of surrender or accept any parties’ dictates. amount. the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, but Saleh and the Ansarullah have been in alliance almost The Fatah, chaired by Abbas, and Ha- kept surveillance cameras to monitor since the Saudi regime-led war began on their country in mas are at loggerheads over a number Muslim worshipers. March 2015. The war was launched in an attempt to elimi- of issues, which ultimately led to a split Palestinian officials rejected Israel’s nate the Ansarullah and reinstall Saleh’s Riyadh-friendly suc- in the Palestinian Authority in 2007. A ing Israel to drastically cut its electricity ployment and poverty there. moves in occupied East al-Quds (Jerusa- cessor, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, who resigned from office. year earlier, Hamas had won parliamen- supply to the coastal sliver to less than Israel has also launched several wars lem), saying Tel Aviv should lift all restric- The Ansarullah fighters, allied Yemeni army factions, and tary elections and since June 2007 it has four hours a day. on the Palestinian sliver, the last of which tions on the compound. forces loyal to Saleh have been jointly fighting back the Sau- been ruling over the Gaza Strip. During Abbas further warned on Monday began in early July 2014. The last Israe- The occupied Palestinian territories di-led invaders. The House of Saud regime has attained nei- the past decade the movement has re- that Hamas’s purported actions could li military aggression, which ended on have witnessed new tensions ever since ther of its objectives despite spending billions of dollars on fused to reconcile with the Fatah and the drive a wedge between Gaza and the August 26, 2014, killed nearly 2,200 Pal- Israeli forces introduced restrictions on the war and enlisting the cooperation of dozens of its vassal row between the two still persists. West Bank, adding that the absence of estinians. Over 11,100 others were also the entry of Palestinian worshipers into states as well as some Western countries. The PA has recently been under fire reconciliation between the two sides had wounded in the war. the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East The Saudi regime-led war, which has been accompanied for imposing “punitive measures” against created distrust in the Palestinian lead- Tel Aviv ignored Abbas propos- al-Quds in August 2015. by a naval and aerial blockade on Yemen, has so far killed the Gaza Strip to squeeze the Gaza- ership. al on resuming security ties: Israeli More than 300 Palestinians have lost over 12,000 people in the impoverished state, left 70 percent based Hamas to relinquish control of the The Gaza Strip has been under an lawmakers their lives at the hands of Israeli forces in of the country’s 27 million population in desperate need of enclave. Among a series of stiff econom- Israeli siege since June 2007. The block- Elsewhere, Abbas said Tel Aviv au- tensions since the beginning of October humanitarian aid, and caused the worst cholera outbreak in ic sanctions over Hamas is the reduction ade has caused a decline in living stand- thorities have rejected his proposal on 2015. the world. (Source: Press TV) of electricity payments to Gaza, prompt- ards as well as unprecedented unem- resuming security ties, a group of Israeli (Source: Press TV) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY AUGUST 23, 2017

India to put Chabahar rail Iran’s daily gas exports link on fast track Questioning the seriousness of India’s intent, Iran has sought a firm commitment from New Delhi that the construction of hit 42mcm the $1.6 billion rail link from Chabahar port will be taken up expeditiously, two people aware of the development said. ENERGY TEHRAN — National that neighboring countries and India are India has promised to remove hurdles to fast track the deskIranian Gas Company Iran’s top priority for gas exports and project, which will connect the port on the southern coast of (NIGC) Managing Director Hamid Araqi Europe is not one for now. the Persian Gulf nation to the eastern city of Zahedan on the announced that the country’s gas export The deputy minister believes that border with Afghanistan. has hit 42 million cubic meters (mcm) since Europe receives gas even more The issue came up for discussion during the visit of minis- per day, Shana reported on Tuesday. than its demand, so for the time being ter for road transport and highways and shipping Nitin Gad- The official said Iran reached this it is not considered a good market for kari to Iran for the swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President amount of gas export after starting ex- Iran. Hassan Rouhani, the two people said, requesting anonymity. port to Iraq (in late June). “Of course as the country with the “The minister has ordered to take up the matter with IR- Referring to the NIGC’s plans for the most natural gas reserves in the worlds CON (IRCON International Ltd, the state-run company to next Iranian calendar year (to begin on we should have a long term plan for which the contact was given) on priority and sort out the March 21, 2018), Araqi said exports to gaining some share in Europe’s market,” matter,” an Indian government official, one of the two cited the neighboring countries will continue Zamaninia noted. above said. based on their contracts , while the Iran has the world’s largest natural India plans to develop the Chabahar port, which would amount of gas export and also target gas reserves holding around 18 per- give it access to landlocked Afghanistan and energy-rich countries are planned to increase. cent of total proven natural gas reserves Central Asia through its Jawaharlal Nehru and Kandla ports Iranian Deputy Oil Minister for Inter- globally, according to British Petroleum’s on the west coast, circumventing Pakistan. national Affairs and Trading Amir-Hos- (BP) Statistical Review of World Energy But the agreement to build the 500-km rail link lapsed in sein Zamaninia told IRNA in early July 2017 report. April. “During deliberations, the Iranian government asked the Indian delegation if it was serious about building the railway Rosneft inherits Essar Iran sells light crude link as no efforts seem to have come up,” said the second oil’s $2.4b debt to Iran oil at $51.39 in a week person, also an Indian government official. (Source: livemint.com) ENERGY TEHRAN — Rus- ENERGY TEHRAN — The troleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)’s desksian oil major deskprice of Iran’s light basket price stood at $50.22 per bar- Rosneft and its partners - global crude oil stood level at $51.39 dur- rel in the mentioned week. These billions in deals can trader Trafigura and Russian fund ing the week ended on August 11, a OPEC’s basket price was reported UCP – sealed a $12.9 billion deal range similar to the previous week, $49.77 on average since the begin- help Iran counter Trump with India’s Essar oil on Monday IRNA reported on Tuesday. ning of 2017 until August 11. based on which the Russian side By Ladane Nasseri According to the report, the coun- In line with the country’s new oil purchased a 98.26 percent stake in try has sold its light crude at $48.94 policies, alongside increasing the It hasn’t been the investment bonanza Iran hoped for, but the the Indian company. on average since the beginning of production, Iran is conducting new billions of dollars unlocked by its 2015 nuclear deal with world Consequently, based on the 2017 up to August 11. projects to make its crude oil more powers might help cushion the impact of any future U.S. assault deal, Essar Oil’s new owners will The prices for Iranian heavy crude attractive for global oil markets. on the accord. be responsible for repaying over were reported to be $49.35 in the The oil ministry is developing new The mood has shifted since this time last year, when following €2 billion($2.4 billion) owed to Iran mentioned period, registering a 42- technologies in crude oil mixing to the January 2016 lifting of sanctions trade delegations crammed for past oil purchases. sia’s largest outbound one. It also cent increase compared to the pre- make new blends suitable for differ- Tehran’s hotels as investor interest peaked. Now, with President According to Reuters, The deal deepens Russian and Indian eco- ceding week. ent refineries all around the world. Donald Trump adding new sanctions and expressing frustration is the biggest foreign acquisi- nomic ties that stretch back to the Meanwhile, with $0.31 rise from its Iran exported some 2.6 million that his administration continues to find the Islamic Republic in tion ever in India, as well as Rus- Soviet era. previous week, Organization of Pe- barrels of crude oil in July. compliance with the accord, the talk is of whether it can survive. Of critical importance will be the support flowing from other parties -- China, Russia, France, Germany and the U.K. -- whose Ceylon tea: A journey to the land of green magic companies have put up much of the money invested in Iran so hectares or approximately 4 percent of the country’s land far. By Ebrahim Fallahi area is covered with tea plantations. “There is pressure coming from the business establishment When earlier this month I got an invitation to attend the The Island of Serendipity, with its unique geographi- in these countries to maintain access to the Iranian market,” said 150th anniversary of Ceylon tea industry in Sri Lanka, I cal and climatic characteristics showcases special qualities Sanam Vakil, an associate fellow at Chatham House’s Middle didn’t know much about the country. which are authentic to different regions in the island and East & North Africa Program in London. At the same time, most Despite the fact that “Ceylon” has always been a very therefore at different altitudes and under different climatic of their governments “recognize that marginalizing and isolating popular brand of tea among Iranians and the idea of Cey- conditions, the produced teas feature different character- Iran is not in their interest,” she said. lon tea was very familiar to me, I was really surprised by istics. Nowadays, there are seven main regions that pro- There’s a lot at stake: Iran says it wants to sign oil and how little I knew about “Ceylon” itself. duce tea in Sri Lanka namely Uda Pussellawa, Sabaraga- gas contracts worth as much as $60 billion in the Iranian year During my weeklong journey I learned so much about muwa, Ruhuna, Nuwara Eliya, Dimbula, Uva, and Kandy. that ends in March 2018. Here are some of the agreements -- the country and its tea industry. I think I was really blessed Since the altitude plays a crucial role in forming soil final or preliminary -- reached in the last 18 months. to get such an invitation to the land of green magic. characteristics and hence tea quality, there is a general Energy and power What comes below is a description of the knowledge categorization for the tea produced on the island, on Total SA along with China National Petroleum Corp. signed I acquired during the short but definitely fruitful visit. First this basis there are three main types of tea grown in They believe since the women’s hands are more deli- a 20-year agreement valued at $5 billion to develop phase 11 of and foremost, a look into the history and development of Sri Lanka; there are high-grown, mid-grown and low- cate than men so the tea leaves plucked by their hands the South Pars offshore gas field. the tea industry in Sri Lanka. grown teas. will be addressed to less stress and consequently have a South Korea’s SK E&C signed a 1.6 billion euro ($1.8 billion) Part one: History of Ceylon tea Generally, low-grown tea mainly originates from higher quality after value addition. preliminary agreement with National Iranian Oil Engineering When in 1867, the 17-year-old Scottish merchant southern Sri Lanka, these teas are grown in plantations Ceylon tea undergoes restrict quality and mainte- and Construction Co. to upgrade the Tabriz refinery in north- James Taylor arrived in Sri Lanka to establish his very first nance testing and research processes by the Tea Research west Iran. tea plantation in Kandy (a city in central Sri Lanka), he Institute (TRI) of Sri Lanka and the Tea Analysis Laboratory Turkey’s Unit International signed a $4.2 billion deal with would have never even imagined that this small farm of both during the cultivation and after production. The lab- Iran’s energy ministry to build 7 natural gas plants throughout his will be the foundation of a great industry in a not too oratory conducts a variety of physical, chemical, microbial Iran far future. and quality tests on the tea before it enters auction to be China’s Sinopec reached a $1.2 billion agreement with Before the tea era, coffee was the main agricultural- sold and exported. National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Co. on develop- industrialized food item being grown in the island by the For the time being, Ceylon tea is exported to several ment of phase 1 of the Abadan refinery in southwest province British, but due to some fungal diseases it never reached countries all around the world and it is a very well-known of Khuzestan. the commercial production that they expected. There brand among tea consumers especially in the Middle Royal Dutch Shell Plc signed an agreement to assess three were also some herbs and fruits which served just as food East. of Iran’s largest oil and gas fields, including the Azadegan and and/or to some extend traded for other goods inside the Sri Lanka holds 18 percent of the global tea exports Yadavaran oil fields near the Iraqi border. island. share and the country is at the time the biggest exporter Transportation Short after starting the plantation, it was clear that the of black tea in the world accounting for seven percent of Renault SA signed a 660 million euro pact with the Indus- island was one of the best places on earth for growing the world’s tea production. During 2016, the country ex- trial Development & Renovation Organization of Iran and Parto tea. In 1872 Taylor established his first tea factory in Lool- ported 288.7 million kilograms (m/kgs) of tea with a total Negin Naseh Co., an importer of Renault products, to set up a kandura estate (in Kandy) and one year later in 1873, the from sea level up to 2,000 ft (610 m), mid-grown tea is value of about $1.2 billion to the world markets. joint venture and boost car manufacturing in Iran. first shipment of Ceylon tea, a consignment of 10 kg, was produced at elevations of 2,000 to 4,000 ft (610 to 1,219 According to Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), Volkswagen AG reached an agreement with Iran’s Mammut sent to London. m) and finally above 4000 ft is considered high-grown the export value of Ceylon tea has contracted in last three Khodro to sell two car models, marking the company’s return to Soon after, plantations near Kandy began switching tea. years due to several reasons including macroeconomic the Iranian market after more than a decade. from coffee to tea and Kandy became the first tea - es All the mentioned seven regions fall under these three instabilities and structurally lower oil prices in key export PSA Peugeot Citroen and long-time partner Iran Khodro tate established on the island. Nowadays over 188,000 categories based on their height above the sea level. The markets. signed a joint venture contract to invest 400 million euros to tea produced in Kandy and Uva is considered mid-grown, However, there has been some improvement in ex- upgrade their auto plant. The French company also signed Nuwara Eliya, Udapusselawa and Dimbula tea is high ports to non-traditional markets such as China lately; an agreement with local manufacturer Saipa to invest 300 mil- grown and Sabaragamuwa and Ruhuna are considered Sri Lanka is exporting about 7 million kg of black tea to lion euros in five years in manufacturing and R&D. low-grown regions. China. Boeing Co. and Iran’s Aseman airline signed a $3 bil- Of course, it should be mentioned that currently ac- Sri Lanka recently celebrated the 150th anniversary of lion agreement for 30 737 Max jets; the U.S. company also cording to the market demand, various types of tea could its tea industry which is marked by the establishment of struck a $16.6 billion deal with national carrier Iran Air for 80 be blended to obtain the required flavor and color. the James Taylor’s tea plantation. The celebration comes aircraft. Tea cultivated in Sri Lanka goes through several pro- at a time when the removal of West-imposed sanctions ATR sealed a deal with Iran Air worth $536 million for 20 cess to get ready for export or consumption. For com- on Iran once again brings back a main trade partner for ATR turboprop aircraft. mercial manufacture, generally two leaves and a bud on Sri Lanka and this could be a turning point for Ceylon tea, Airbus Group SE signed off on a contract with Iran for 100 top of the plant which have the most flavor and aroma helping it back to its top position in the world’s black tea jetliners worth about $19 billion at list prices. are plucked mostly by women. Sri Lanka is one of the few market. Alstom SA, the Industrial Development & Renovation countries where each tea leaf is picked by hand rather (Photos: Hurriyet/Hasim Sezgin Kiliç) Organization of Iran and Iranian Rail Industries Development than by machines. To be continued… reached a preliminary agreement to build train and metro cars. Russia’s Transmashholding signed a $3 billion with the Industrial Development & Renovation Organization of Iran to China’s ‘big four’ banks raise billions for Belt and Road deals: sources jointly produce railway carriages. HONG KONG (Reuters) — China’s Belt and Road investment. by China’s central bank to use onshore The four banks and the People’s Bank Siemens AG signed a contract worth at least 1.5 billion eu- largest state-owned commercial banks The people added CCB was raising yuan capital for offshore investments, of China did not immediately respond to ros to build rail coaches and upgrade tracks. are raising tens of billions of dollars to cash onshore and offshore, and has al- including Belt and Road deals, accord- Reuters’s requests for comment. Industries fund the country’s Belt and Road invest- ready been running roadshows with in- ing to one of the people. Chinese President Xi Jinping in May China’s CREC reached an agreement valued at $2 billion ment push, according to people familiar vestors. The other two of China’s “big four” pledged a $124 billion funding boost with Iran Aluminium Co., known as Iralco, to start operations at with the matter, bolstering Beijing’s am- Bank of China (BOC), another major banks - Industrial and Commercial Bank to help his plan to build a modern a unit in Markazi province, south of Tehran. bitions as private capital pulls back. state bank, aims to raise around 20 bil- of China Ltd and Agricultural Bank of Silk Road, connecting China with new Telecommunication The people said China Construction lion yuan for a similar fund, according to China Ltd - are considering similar fun- and old trading partners. He also said MTN Group Ltd. agreed to buy a 49 percent stake in an Bank Corp (CCB), the country’s second- two of the people. draising plans, two of the people said. China would encourage financial insti- Iranian state-owned internet provider for 540 million rand ($40 biggest bank by assets, was raising The cash, raised via banks’ private The people could not be identified as tutions to expand their overseas yuan million), it’s also seeking to invest $750 million in an Iranian fiber- at least 100 billion yuan (11.6 billion equity or other investment platforms, they are not authorized to speak to the fund businesses to the tune of 300 bil- optic project. (Source: Bloomberg) pounds) for a fund to specifically finance is part of a broader push sponsored media. lion yuan. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y AUGUST 23, 2017 ENERGY 5

The next oil price spike may The 1st Invitation for Prequalification of EPC+F cripple the industry Contractors for Shiraz Metro Line 2 Two diametrically opposed views dominate happen that would prevent such an oil Shiraz Municipality (Shiraz Urban Railway Organization) intends to award a project based on Act No. 1068618 the current debate about where the oil supply crunch, and thus an oil price spike. price is heading. On the one hand, there is For example, oil demand growth could turn dated 02/03/2017 of Iran Planning & Management Org. with the following specifications to the companies the view that the price of oil will be “lower out to be less than expected at present, as qualified by Iran Planning & Management Org. observing Item C of Article 12 of tendering law approved by the for longer”, or even “lower forever”, as the energy demand growth already disappoint- parliament of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 2004 as well as the executive regulation of the aforesaid item (Act electrification of transport will eat away at oil ed in 2014, 2015 and 2016 and could well No. H33560T/84136 dated 8/10/2006 of the Board of Ministers) and the addendum No. H37194T/22225 dated demand more and more while, at the same disappoint again in 2017. On the supply 7/5/2007: time, technological innovation (shale in par- side, BP and Statoil have also proven that ticular) will greatly increase economically project re-engineering can slash substan- 1- Client - Name & Address: recoverable resources. On the other hand, tial amounts of off greenfield development Shiraz Municipality- Shiraz Urban Railway Organization, Dehbozorgi Shahidan Bridge, Shahid Avini St., however, there is the view that the price of costs, as a consequence of which more pro- Khabarnegar St., Shiraz, Iran. Post Code: 71936-89711 oil is set to explode, primarily due to under- in the US, $18,500 in Germany and $13,200 jects could end up receiving the go-ahead Tel.: 071-36292111-15, Fax: 071-36272092 , investment in the upkeep of brownfields, in France, despite Tesla and GM reportedly than presently is held possible. 2- Client's Consultant for Tender Procedure, Name & Address: development of greenfields, and explora- selling their main EV models at a loss. But again, other “risks” such as the U.S. Mahab Ghodss – Rahsaz Tarh, J.V. tion for new resources. The second is that under the best of cir- shale “growth over profits” mindset coming No.17, Takharestan Alley, Vahid Dastgerdy St., Tehran, Iran. Post Code: 19187-81185 Our view is that most likely, both will cumstances it will take the EV industry close to an end, support the oil price spike theo- happen. How it is possible for the price of oil to another decade to close this cost of own- ry, which leads us to conclude that in all, a 3- Tender Subject: to go both up and not up, and what would ership gap. (Why it is not a given that this tightening of the global oil market is indeed Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Commissioning and Trial Operation of Shiraz Metro Line 2 via Foreign that mean for the oil industry? We will ex- will be achieved we explained here.) the most realistic expectation for the near Financing under EPC+F contract with partnership of Iranian and international contractors so that minimum 65% plain. Based on this, our assessment is that future. of the work to be accomplished through the Iranian internal capacities. The project includes a subway line with the Why the price of oil actually isn’t the electrification of transport will only slow Why an oil price spike would be approximate length of 15 km and 13 stations consisting of tunnels, stations, parking and depot area, pavement, track- that low down oil demand growth during the 2020s. bad for the industry laying, specific equipment, etc. By and large, all activities required for the construction, operation and financing Contrary to general perception, the cur- It is after that, during the 2030s and 2040s, If indeed the price of oil were to break of Shiraz Metro Line 2 (except for the rolling stock procurement) are included in the contractor's responsibilities. rent price of oil is not very low. In fact, at a that the oil industry should expect to expe- through $60 per barrel again during 2018, little over $50 per barrel, oil is trading slight- rience the really painful impacts. and spike in the years thereafter ($80 per 4- Minimum Estimated Required Financing: about 550 million USD ly higher than its historic, inflation adjusted Why the price of oil could spike barrel? $100 perhaps?), the “cost of opera- 5- Location: Fars Province – Shiraz before that average of $47 per barrel, which in and off tion” benefit of EVs would be strengthened 6- Construction Duration: 36 months itself calls into the question the “spike” view: That leaves the period until the end of further, closing (at least part of) the ICEV 7- Qualification Certificate of the Contractor and Consultant: If the period 2001 – 2014 was a clear histor- the 2020s, during which we believe overall advantage in “cost of ownership”. In other ic abnormality, why should one expect the oil demand will continue to grow (albeit words, an oil price spike would speed up • Constitution of Iranian (to possess Grade I certificate of design and construction for rolling stock transportation price to return those levels? slower than before). the electrification of transportation, in par- with credible name record in SAJAR) and qualified foreign contractors Furthermore, we agree with the people Supply forecasts developed on this basis ticular in the Passenger Vehicle segment, as • Or constitution of contractors and consultants partnership group under the following (1) and (2) conditions: in the lower for longer / forever camp that hold that more 20 million barrels per day of a consequence of which oil demand would (1) Constitution of Iranian (to possess Grade I certificate of construction for rolling stock transportation with electric vehicles (EVs) will eventually offer new production will need to be brought on peak earlier – not towards the end of the credible name record in SAJAR) and qualified foreign contractors better overall value to consumers than in- stream until 2026 for natural production de- 2020s but perhaps during the middle of the (2) Consultant possessing Grade I certificate of consultancy services for rolling stock transportation or introduce ternal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) clines and demand growth to be properly 2020s already. a qualified foreign consultant can, and that this will have a big impact on addressed. According to WoodMackenzie, Those with an interest in a long term fu- oil demand. (In fact, we have been high- only half that quantity can be delivered by ture for the oil industry, such as the nations 8- Date, Deadline, Price and the Place to Receive the Qualification Documents: lighting this threat to the energy industry projects that are currently underway. The that own most of the oil still in the ground, The qualified companies may deposit 1,000,000 Rials in bank account no. 67879278/68 – SHEBANo. in articles since 2015, for example here, other half will need to come from still-to- therefore have an interest in preventing the IR710120000000006787927868 – Mellat Bank – Vahid Dastgerdi Branch – in the name of Mahab Ghodss here, here and here.) However, two impor- be-launched projects (Pre-FID). But, Wood- oil price from going up too much. (Which Consulting Engineering Co. within official hours since 26/08/2017 till 30/08/2017 to purchase/ receive the tant things need to be considered in this Mackenzie says, many of these still-to-be- in a way is ironic, since many of them are documents from the contract office of the aforesaid client's consultant. The qualification documents would only be regard. launched projects are uneconomical at oil the ones working the hardest to push up The first is that at present EVs do not yet prices in the $50s per barrel, meaning that the price.) submitted to the representatives having a credible letter of introduction from contractor company with authorized outperform ICEVs comprehensively. While they should not be expected to get the all- For a future oil price spike would not in- stamp and signature, mentioning the subject of tender. they offer a smoother ride, more passenger clear anytime soon. Since (non-U.S. shale) dicate a sign of recovery of the oil industry. and storage space per square foot, and less oilfield development projects can easily re- It would more of a “last gasp” by the indus- 9- Date, Deadline and the Place to Submit the Qualification Documents: noise and environmental pollution at a lower quire 5 to 8 years to be completed, all this try, establishing not much more than a last Having received and studied the qualification documents, the contractors shall complete, stamp, sign and “cost of operation” (fuel and maintenance), means that the seeds for a supply crunch in opportunity for those who do not own the envelop the documents and submit them to the secretariat of the Client's Consultant and get a receipt until in terms of “cost of ownership” EVs can yet the period 2020 – 2022 are currently being lowest cost resources to offload their oil re- 14/10/2017, 4:00 p.m. compete with ICEVs. Excluding subsidies sowed. lated assets for a favorable price. the difference is said to be about $16,000 Of course, a number of things could (Source: oilprice.com) ADVERTISEMENTS

I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 INTERNATIONAL AUGUST 23, 2017

Failing all tests of the For Trump’s generals, presidency By Charles M. Blow this is personal We are leaderless. America doesn’t have a president. By Peter Bergen America has a man in the White House holding the spot, and wreaking havoc as he waits for the day when a real The seriously deteriorating situation in president arrives to replace him. Afghanistan -- and what to do about it -- Donald Trump is many things — most of them despic- is a deeply personal issue for Trump’s top able — but the leader of a nation he is not. He is not a national security advisers and generals. great man. Hell, he isn’t even a good man. In the months after the 9/11 attacks, Donald Trump is a man of flawed character and a Trump’s secretary of defense, retired Ma- moral cavity. He cannot offer moral guidance because rine four-star General James Mattis, led he has no moral compass. He is too small to see over his the deepest assault from a ship in Marine inflated ego. Corps history near the key Taliban city of Trump has personalized the presidency in unprec- Kandahar in southern Afghanistan. edented ways — making every battle and every war Trump’s National Security Adviser Lt. about his personal feelings. Did the person across the General H.R. McMaster served in Af- street or around the world say good or bad things about ghanistan, leading an anti-corruption him? Does the media treat him fairly? Is someone in his task force there in 2010. coterie of corruption outshining him or casting negative Trump’s top military adviser, the Chair- light on him? man of the Joint Chiefs Marine Gen. Jo- His interests center on the self; country be damned. seph F. Dunford, was the commanding What some have always known about Trump, others general in Afghanistan in 2013. are slowly coming to realize, and with great shock and And General John Kelly, the retired horror. The presidency is revealing the essence of the four-star Marine general who is now man and that essence is dark. Trump’s chief of staff, lost a son in Af- What America saw clearly in Trump’s disastrous han- ghanistan, 29-year-old Marine 1st Lt. dling of the violence in Charlottesville was a Nazi/white Robert Kelly who was killed by a land- nationalist apologist if not sympathizer, a reactionary mine there in 2010. rage-aholic, a liar, and a person who has absolutely no Four days after his son’s death, in a sense or understanding of history. speech in St. Louis, Kelly said that the Unit- Accommodation of racists ed States’ war against terrorists will go on By claiming that there were some “very fine people” for a very long time. “The American mili- among the extremists marching in Charlottesville, the tary has handed our ruthless enemy defeat president made a profound declaration: The accommo- after defeat, but it will go on for years, if not Trump’s national security advisers and generals with deep dation of racists is his creed. decades, before this curse has been eradi- experience in Afghanistan had advised against the complete As Susan Bro, whose daughter, Heather Heyer, was cated,” he said at the time. withdrawal that was Trump’s first instinct and also against the killed in Charlottesville, said last week, “You can’t wash A new strategy notion of using contractors as substitutes for U.S. soldiers. this one away by shaking my hand and saying, ‘I’m sorry.’ So when it came to developing a new ” Heather Heyer was killed when James Alex Fields Jr. strategy for Afghanistan, the generals campaign that began there in 2009 to agents of chaos, violence and terror.” cussed the options in Afghanistan. used a speeding car to mow down a crowd of protest- brought a degree of commitment to and ended in 2014. The American commitment Those options were being pushed, in ers who had gathered to rebuke the Nazis and white the longest war in U.S. history that their Now 300 Marines are back in Hel- Trump also made clear the American part, by Trump’s chief strategist Stephen nationalists. commander in chief, at least initially, did mand because the Taliban have recently commitment to Afghanistan will be con- Bannon, who was forced out of the White According to The Chicago Tribune, one of Fields’s high not share. regained territory the Marines had seized ditions based: “A core pillar of our new House on Friday. school teachers said he once “wrote a three-page home- In 2013, for example, Trump tweeted, there several years ago. The Taliban also strategy is a shift from a time-based Bannon didn’t attend the final war work paper that extolled Nazi ideology and the prowess “Let’s get out of Afghanistan. Our troops control or contest about a third of the approach to one based on conditions. cabinet meeting on Afghanistan that of the Führer’s armed forces,” and that even before then, are being killed by the Afghanis we train Afghan population, around ten million I’ve said it many times how counterpro- Trump hosted at Camp David on Friday. the teacher said, “he had been well aware of Fields’s rac- and we waste billions there. Nonsense! people. ductive it is for the United States to an- A decision to use American contrac- ist and anti-Semitic beliefs from private discussions he Rebuild the USA.” Monday night President Trump de- nounce in advance the dates we intend tors in battlefield roles would face a num- had with Fields during his junior year.” The generals had a different view of livered an unusual prime-time address to begin or end military options.” ber of legal obstacles, not least that they And even worse, The Tribune reported: what was at stake. from Fort Myer in Arlington, Virginia This was an implicit criticism of the would be subject to Afghan laws. “At least four times when the boy was in the eighth Generals Mattis, Kelly and Dunford about what his Afghanistan and larger Obama administration’s approach to Af- For these reasons, privatizing the Af- and ninth grades, Florence police were summoned have fought alongside each other since South Asia strategy will be. ghanistan. President Obama surged tens ghan war and outsourcing it to contrac- to his home, mostly by his frantic mother, Samantha the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The well-delivered, well-written and of thousands of additional U.S. troops tors or withdrawing completely were re- Bloom, an I.T. specialist. It was just the two of them liv- Then-Major General Mattis, then- well-argued speech largely reflected into Afghanistan in 2009, but he also ally non-starters during the war cabinet’s ing together, and young James, among other incidents, Brigadier General Kelly and then-Colonel the consensus views of the generals simultaneously announced their with- deliberations on Afghanistan. was reported to have spat in her face, smacked her Dunford led the Marine force that went and of the American national security drawal date. The Trump administration The United States’ key strategic goal head with a phone and frightened her with a foot-long into Iraq in March 2003 during the initial apparatus. isn’t planning to repeat what it sees as a in Afghanistan is to prevent the country knife, according to records of the 911 calls. Neighbors, U.S. invasion of the country. As President Trump conceded in the grave mistake. from being taken over by terrorist groups in interviews, similarly described a troubled youth who All of them experienced the visceral speech, “My original instinct was to pull But he also said, “America will work such as the Taliban, al-Qaeda and ISIS, al- treated his mother cruelly.” sense that U.S. forces leaving Iraq at the out. And historically, I like following my with the Afghan government as long lowing the country to be once again used This was no fine person, and no person who walked end of 2011 helped pave the way for the instincts.” as we see determination and progress. as a launching pad for attacks against the shoulder-to-shoulder with him is a fine person. There are collapse of the Iraqi army in the face of But Trump acknowledged that “a hasty However, our commitment is not unlimit- United States and its allies, as it was on no good Nazis. There are no good white nationalist ac- ISIS’s campaign in Iraq in 2014. withdrawal would create a vacuum for ed, and our support is not a blank check.” September 11, 2001. commodators. There are no good people who see rac- None of them wanted the same sce- terrorists, including ISIS and Al Qaeda, Trump’s national security advisers So far, that goal has cost the lives of ists and don’t want to retch. nario to play out in Afghanistan, where would instantly fill just as happened be- and generals with deep experience in 2,403 American soldiers. But somehow, the person we now call “president” saw the Taliban is at its strongest point since fore Sept. 11. And as we know, in 2011, Afghanistan had advised against the Trump’s top national security advisers what happened in Charlottesville, saw that a car had 9/11 and a virulent local affiliate of ISIS America hastily and mistakenly withdrew complete withdrawal that was Trump’s and generals understand both the stakes been used to kill Heyer, and still found it appropriate to has established itself. from Iraq. As a result, our hard-won gains first instinct and also against the notion and the costs of the Afghan War well, be- say that there were bad people on “both sides.” These Marine generals also know slipped back into the hands of terrorists.” of using contractors as substitutes for cause they have been personally deeply He cleaned that up in a teleprompter speech, but the how hard-fought were the battles in Trump also had stern words for Paki- U.S. soldiers. affected by it. In the end, Trump came next day returned to the defense of the indefensible, this the southern Afghan province of Hel- stan, a common theme of the American Both these options were on the table around to their view. time with even more verve and venom. mand, where 349 Marines died in a military: “Pakistan often gives safe haven as the Trump national security team dis- (Source: CNN) He apparently felt that the media had unfairly con- demned him for his orig- inal remarks and he was going to be the counter- Donald Trump is Britain’s one-sided special relationship with America puncher and strike back a man of flawed at the media. Again, it character and The UK has little to show for its flattery of President Trump was all about him, not a moral cavity. By Janan Ganesh tion of American orthodoxy, especially in foreign affairs, us. But when he lashed then Britain might be the one western nation with little to out at the media, the He cannot offer When Theresa May visited Washington in January, she celebrate. It has nothing to show for its flattery of Trump, cameras were rolling. moral guidance mentioned the special relationship more times than including that promised state visit to London, than some There were no prepared because he her hosts spelt her name right in the official schedule. reputational damage. It will then also have to reckon with remarks. There was no Fielding questions on President Donald Trump’s refugee the pragmatism of old-fashioned U.S. statecraft without re- teleprompter. Trump has no moral ban in Ankara later in the week, she equivocated and course to its own continental bloc. It will have to reckon with stood exposed and in compass. He is seemed to freeze. The prime minister was still six months the America that put Britain on the naughty step when it the raw, the deepest, tru- too small to see from an electoral fall but history will record those back- invaded the Suez Canal. est thoughts of his soul over his inflated to-back trips as the first telling clue to her inadequa- The America that favored Bonn and then Berlin over erupting from his face, cies. But what, she is entitled to ask, was she meant to London as its point of European contact as the cold war and what came out were ego. do? Once Britain voted to leave the EU — against her ended. The America that urged British commitment to bitterness and bile. wishes, however quietly asserted — it could not contem- the European project and did what it could to influence He was not there to heal the nation or to uplift it. He plate a rupture with the U.S. president, too. There was the referendum in favor of membership. The America was there for personal exoneration and redemption. He something distasteful about the fringe Eurosceptic who that has sectoral interests in agriculture and industry that wasn’t there to plead the case that America could rise cheered Trump’s rise as a vindication of their cause, but British diplomats always backed should bring Mr Fox out in a cold sweat. This is Britain’s on the wings of its better angels. He was there to defend something hard-headed as well. America’s policy establishment bind: Trump is not the cash cow that some had hoped, the demons. If he saw a world tilting from globalist technocrats to sov- but the alternative is no soft touch either. We face a fight But, when one attempts to do a thing that can’t be ereign nations, with Britain at the leading edge, the least we to win in the end, if only for relevance. If any good comes from this, it should be a done — that shouldn’t be done — one must employ could do is humor him for the sake of a trade agreement. because — unlike Brexit — the loss of illusions: a willingness to see America as a normal the tools of deception: obfuscation, revisionism and There was no shame in the UK’s mission to profit from the country, not as a benefactor. flat-out lying. Trump presidency. There is some shame, with eight months Trump presidency is time- There is something creepier about the phrase “special Trump said that he had not initially condemned both of evidence, in the pretense that it is going anywhere. Those limited and reversible. relationship” than the asymmetry of its usage. It is the sides because he wanted to wait to get all the facts, be- Eurosceptic assumed two things of the new president: a co- amount of store it puts in bloodlines, as though earthly cause that’s what he likes to do. Lies. herent view of the outside world and the political wherewith- America from trade. Where does that leave Britain and its differences must yield to shared ancestry. (Hence the On Saturday, when tens of thousands of protesters al to impose it on a reluctant American establishment. Time neo-Elizabethan dream of seafaring commerce? You can- term “cousins”, again more common in Westminster than turned out to counter a small group of radical racists, has exposed both as wishful thoughts. His worldview is a far- not eat a pat on the back. If the first of Britain’s two bets in Washington). The largest ethnic group in America are Trump’s first response was to tweet: “Looks like many rago of irreconcilable instincts: autarky but also commercial flopped quickly, the second has taken a while. Last week, the Germans. If Angela Merkel, Germany’s chancellor, anti-police agitators in Boston. Police are looking tough pragmatism; America-first but also action in Syria. The mix Pippa Malmgren, an official under President George W built her Atlantic policy on that fact, we would question and smart! Thank you.” makes him hard to court, even for diplomats as steeped in Bush who now advises Liam Fox, the British trade secre- her grip on reason. This man doesn’t wait for facts. This man doesn’t care ambiguities as the British. His one consistency — the worship tary, said Trump “does not know how to operate the U.S. Yet Britain still makes a fuss of lineages that involve about facts, or much else for that matter. He only cares of strength — does not help a medium-sized nation with a government”. Her bluntness is corroborated by events: his a small share of the American population. Some of the about himself, his image and his positioning. frail prime minister. Where there is coherence, it is of a na- loss of staff, the growing assertiveness of more convention- most stone-faced in their dealings with the British were America is functioning, barely, without a functioning tionalist strain that is not much easier to work with. al voices. British diplomats always backed America’s policy Wasps: John Foster Dulles, Dean Acheson, George Bush president. Trump is failing every test of the office. How Brexit’s biggest admirers establishment to win in the end, if only because — unlike senior. We hold a candle in the face of all these rebuffs. frightening is that? Brexit’s biggest admirers in the Trump team, says one Brexit — the Trump presidency is time-limited and revers- And we call the Americans emotional. (Source: The NYT) member of May’s cabinet, are also the keenest to screen ible. But if we are in the first phase of a gradual restora- (Source: FT) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y AUGUST 23, 2017 ANALYSIS 7

The Saudi-Israeli Alliance Another Palestinian deported from U.S.: By Eric Zuesse No homeland Two of the U.S. government’s supposed allies are supposedly not allies of each other but enemies of By Barbara Nimri Aziz each other, but, away from the glare of the ‘news’me- dia, they actually work together with each other to Rasmea Odeh is either on a plane out of her country. control, by means of their secret actual alliance with Or she’s in a federal holding cell in Detroit or New York one-another, a substantial, if not the major, part of awaiting deportation from the USA. U.S. foreign policies — especially regarding Iran, Odeh’s departure marks the end of a bizarre life, yet Russia, Syria, Israel, Palestinians, Iraq, Afghanistan, one that can evoke admiration. As a young Palestinian Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Odeh fought against Israeli oppression. Now after a val- and Turkey, but much else besides. These two secret iant legal battle with many supporters in this, her new allies of each other, who largely determine U.S. for- homeland, she is departing (by force). eign policies, are the Saud family, and the govern- Some Americans may recall with satisfaction their sup- ment of Israel. port for Russian dissidents in the 1950s and 1960s when Saudi Arabia is a fundamentalist-Sunni dictator- the Soviet Union exiled its critics. If they were not sent to ship in which the royal Saud family actually own Siberia, opponents of the USSR were denied residence in the country including its oil company, which is the their own country, involuntarily banished. However much world’s largest, and in which country the nation’s the U.S. and UK welcomed them and even lionized them, center of its Shia population is bombed to smither- banishment is a hard punishment to bear. Today’s Russia eens if and when that ruling family’s appointed king no longer metes out such penalties; which is not to say gets the whim to do so, which he recently did — but Russia is completely tolerant of dissent. the U.S. press didn’t even report it, because ‘Saudi In the U.S., one hardly hears of Americans being ban- Arabia is an ally of the United States.’ ished from these hallowed shores. However rare, it does Israel is the apartheid regime of official Jews occur. Often Palestinian Americans are the target of this against official Palestinians (non-Jewish native Ar- injustice, with Israeli authorities (somehow, usually) in- abs in that land), and it’s ruled on behalf of U.S. and volved in legal cases brought against those Palestinians American billionaires, some of whom aren’t even Israel is the apartheid regime of official Jews against official in US courts. Jewish themselves but merely far-rightwing Ameri- Palestinians (non-Jewish native Arabs in that land), and it’s can billionaires (some of whom call themselves liber- als, even while they support their own selective type ruled on behalf of U.S. and American billionaires of racism). Those billionaires (regardless of their reli- gy to eliminate Shia Islam, that aggressive intent of the Liberty’s firefighters and stretcher-bearers as gion) own the ‘news’media and most of the success- exists today, and is now clearly being spread even they struggled to save their ship and crew; the Israe- ful politicians, not only in Israel, but also in America. outside the Islamic world, and so it affects big-power li torpedo boats later returned to machine-gun at Some of them have dual citizenships, they’re citizens relations, especially between U.S. and Russia. close range three of the Liberty’s life rafts that had simultaneously in both countries — something that Both the Saud family who own Saudi Arabia, and been lowered into the water by survivors to rescue shouldn’t even be allowed, anywhere, because it the Israeli aristocracy who control Israel’s govern- the most seriously wounded; means, by definition, split loyalties, which makes any ment, are obsessive in their shared hatred of Iran. 4. That there is compelling evidence that Israel’s such person an alien agent; and any refusal by such (The origins and reasons behind those hatreds are attack was a deliberate attempt to destroy an Amer- a person to cancel the other citizenship ought to be vastly different in Israel than in the Saud family, but ican ship and kill her entire crew; evidence of such taken to constitute a hostile act. Every nation has the hatreds have the same target: Shia. This shared intent is supported by statements from Secretary of legitimate national-security concerns — especially obsession is sufficient in order to unite them.) State Dean Rusk, Undersecretary of State George when a dual citizen is a billionaire and consequently The Saud family have one essential tool to control Ball, former CIA director Richard Helms, former NSA Perhaps the most widely publicized case is that of Pro- far more powerful than a mere regular citizen is: the the U.S. federal government, and it’s their ally Israel’s directors Lieutenant General William Odom, USA fessor Sami Al-Arian. Starting in 1993, after a long, noble billionaire can buy favorable press-coverage for any government, which controls the U.S. government to (Ret.), Admiral Bobby Ray Inman, USN (Ret.), and struggle against false accusations, years in jail, support political agent he chooses. do everything possible to weaken if not obliterate Marshal Carter; former NSA deputy directors Oliver from a campaign determinedly led by his own family, The Saud family and the Israeli government are Iran. Whereas European nations aren’t rabidly an- Kirby and Major General John Morrison, USAF (Ret.); continued harassment from the US government, Al-Arian deep allies of one-another, especially because both ti-Iranian, the U.S. government is, and one big rea- and former Ambassador Dwight Porter, U.S. Ambas- finally succumbed and left the country in 2015. Before of them aim to conquer or destroy the Shia nation son for that is Israel’s control over the U.S. Congress, sador to Lebanon in 1967; him, his associate Mazen Al-Najjar also spent years at- of Iran and Shia Muslims in general, such as in Iraq, and over most of America’s ‘news’ media. 5. That in attacking the USS Liberty, Israel com- tempting to secure justice before he too was deported. Syria, and Lebanon. The control of the U.S. government that’s exer- mitted acts of murder against American servicemen [I myself interviewed both men on several occasions be- The alliance between the Saud family and the Is- cised by Israel’s government has been amply demon- and an act of war against the United States; tween 1993 and 2003 on Radio Tahrir. While Al-Arian’s raeli government has an enormous impact shaping strated in many ways: 6. That fearing conflict with Israel, the White case is well documented, Al-Najjar’s history is almost U.S. foreign policies toward Iran and toward any ally In 1967, Israel unprovokedly attacked the USS Lib- House deliberately prevented the U.S. Navy from completely scrubbed from the public record.] Both men of Iran such as Syria, and even toward allies of allies erty, slaughtering 34 of our sailors and injuring 172 coming to the defense of the Liberty by recalling were brave advocates for U.S. justice and for Palestinian of Iran, such as Russia (which is allied with Syria). others; here, with my emphasized parts highlighted Sixth Fleet military rescue support while the ship rights. Also affected, but to a lesser extent, are U.S. policies in boldface, is an excerpt from the long-suppressed was under attack; evidence of the recall of rescue Rasmea Odeh’s treatment is a troubling reminder that regarding allies and enemies of the countries that official investigation into it: aircraft is supported by statements of Captain Joe this happens to U.S. citizens who have never committed are within the circle of those nations of first concern; Findings Of The Independent Commission Tully, Commanding Officer of the aircraft carrier USS a crime in this country and never threatened anyone in for example, Pakistan is very tightly allied with Sau- Of Inquiry Into The Israeli Attack On The USS Saratoga, and Rear Admiral Lawrence Geis, the Sixth the U.S. di Arabia, while in the neighboring and increasingly Liberty Fleet carrier division commander, at the time of the Odeh is the latest Palestinian banished from this coun- fundamentalist-Hindu nation India, “educated, well 1. That on June 8, 1967, after eight hours of aerial attack; never before in American naval history has try. Now 69, she moved to the U.S. (where her father re- off/cultured Hindus are falling easy victims to Islam- surveillance, Israel launched a two-hour air and na- a rescue mission been cancelled when an American sided) and settled in the Chicago area in the 1990’s. She ophobia”, and, as a result, “civil war for a Muslim-free val attack against the USS Liberty, the world’s most ship was under attack; was pressed to leave her home in the Occupied Territo- India” is drawing closer, so that, even if today’s ten- sophisticated intelligence ship, inflicting 34 dead and 7. That although the Liberty was saved from al- ries like countless Palestinians over the past half century, sions between Pakistan and India don’t produce a 172 wounded American servicemen (a casualty rate most certain destruction through the heroic efforts dispossessed people who lost homes, family and hope. war between those two, India could become more of seventy percent, in a crew of 294); of the ship’s Captain, William L. McGonagle (MOH), They left under duress in search of peace and dignity. favorable toward Shiite Iran, because most of India’s 2. That the Israeli air attack lasted approximate- and his brave crew, surviving crewmembers were In 1994 Odeh applied for an immigration visa, later Muslims are Sunnis and thus are favorably inclined ly 25 minutes, during which time unmarked Israeli later threatened with ‘‘court-martial, imprisonment for U.S. citizenship. Unlike many immigrants, she dared toward Saud-allied Pakistan, where the relatively aircraft dropped napalm canisters on the Liberty’s or worse’’ if they exposed the truth; and were aban- to become a community leader. Any immigrant, what- few (Pew estimates at only 6% of Pakistan’s Muslims bridge, and fired 30mm cannons and rockets into doned by their own government; ever their background, who arrives here quickly learns are) Shiites have commonly complained of persecu- our ship, causing 821 holes, more than 100 of which 8. That due to the influence of Israel’s powerful to keep their head down, their mouth shut—civil rights- tion that’s by, or permitted by, the government. Thus, were rocket-size; survivors estimate 30 or more sor- supporters in the United States, the White House be-damned. Just join the American dream for a job and the internal Muslim, Sunni-v-Shiite, competition, has ties were flown over the ship by a minimum of 12 deliberately covered up the facts of this attack from a house. intensified not only Russia-v-U.S. tensions, but also attacking Israeli planes which were jamming all five the American people; The long arm of Israeli injustice followed Odeh howev- India-v-Pakistan tensions. And, so, when the nation American emergency radio channels; 9. That due to continuing pressure by the pro-Is- er, and perhaps because of her visibility, her earlier expe- of Saudi Arabia was created in 1744 by an eternal 3. That the torpedo boat attack involved not only rael lobby in the United States, this attack remains rience with Israeli authorities was disclosed. (Many years pact between the Saud family and the Wahhab cler- the firing of torpedoes, but the machine-gunning the only serious naval incident that has never been earlier, Odeh was convicted for involvement in an attack thoroughly investigated by Congress; to this day, no on Israelis. She was released after serving ten years in The alliance between the Saud family and the Israeli surviving crewmember has been permitted to offi- a prisoner exchange.) Her American crime? She’d failed government has an enormous impact shaping U.S. foreign cially and publicly testify about the attack; to report that conviction in her immigration applica- policies toward Iran and toward any ally of Iran such as Syria 10. That there has been an official cover-up with- tion, a serious oversight. So when her history came to out precedent in American naval history. light in 2013, U.S. authorities brought a charge of “im- migration fraud” against Odeh. In her defense a major campaign was launched, and in 2015 the conviction was Catalonia Violence: Terrorism or False Flags? set aside. Forces determined to destroy her stepped up picions of something not as reported. the attack however and she faced yet another trial, set By Stephen Lendman Following an earlier false flag attack, a for May 2017. Although there was considerable pub- Numerous earlier incidents in America cartoon on independent media showed lic support for her, in March, Rasmea’s defense team and Europe reported as terrorism turned an individual dressed in black, a suicide advised a plea deal. She would serve no jail time, but out to be false flags. jacket strapped to his chest, his finger on her citizenship was revoked and she’d be deported. Was Catalonia violence in Barcelona the triggering mechanism, saying “s..t, I While this conclusion was hardly noted in the regular US and Cambrils more of the same? It’s too forgot my passport” – mocking the ab- press, the Jewish press, in USA and in Israel, hailed the soon to know, wise to be suspicious. surdity of a criminal leaving identifying decision, using the news to highlight her 1969 terrorism On Thursday, a white van, traveling documents at the scene of the crime, conviction and to draw attention to the ubiquitous threat at high speed, struck pedestrians and making capture all the easier. of Palestinian terrorism. cyclists in Barcelona’s Las Ramlas district, The 9/11 mother of all false flags re- Such tactics are part of the ever present Israeli cam- killing a dozen or more, injuring scores vealed a treasure trove of information, paign coursing through U.S. culture, a threat that smoth- of others. showing what happened was other than ers dissent, intimidates and drives academics out of the Conflicting reports left unclear if the the official narrative. universities, and in response to the success of the BDS driver was dead or alive, one report say- Most obvious was how could a hand- movement, is pressing ahead with S. 720, a bill in the ing he fled on foot, another saying he ful of terrorists outwit America’s 16 intel- U.S. Congress, to prohibit Americans who will not coun- was killed, regional police chief Josep ligence agencies, including sophisticated tenance Israeli injustice, from participating in any boycott Lluis Tapero unable to confirm if he was NSA eavesdropping on anyone or any- of Israeli products and institutions. shot dead. thing suspicious. All are reasons to support vocal critics including jour- Witnesses described panic and cha- Discussing the Catalonia incidents, nalists, and American community leaders like Linda Sar- os. Hours later in Cambrils, a seaside flag incident reported as terrorism. stoke fear, erode civil liberties, and justify Michel Chossudovsky said sour. resort town around 70 miles from Bar- An ISIS statement claiming responsi- unjustifiable aggression on targeted na- “(r)eports concerning the Barcelona There will always be funds for shelter-less and mal- celona, a black Audi sedan rammed bility for the Barcelona incident remains tions. attack, reveal exactly the same feature nourished children in refugee camps. Today, in the face more pedestrians, one person killed, unverified. Yet it made headlines, likely They’re usually strategically timed for of passports and IDs left behind which of stepped up Israeli surveillance and political pressures, others injured. getting most people to believe it. An- an intended purpose, designed to cap- occurred in Manchester, Paris, Nice, Lon- immense courage in needed to pursue justice for Pal- Reports said five attackers were lethal- yone can call themselves ISIS and claim ture world headlines, conceal responsibil- don, New York, and now Barcelona…” estine and free speech on behalf of their rights. Many ly shot by police. The Barcelona attack responsibility. The statement is meaning- ity of the perpetrator, and point fingers at Suspects are usually lethally shot, not Americans (including journalists), nameless and known was the deadliest in Spain since explo- less. convenient patsies. arrested. Dead men tell no tales. The offi- figures–Arabs and non-Arabs— have moved into obscu- sions on four Madrid commuter trains left Incidents like Barcelona, Cambrils and Passports or other IDs are usually cial narrative alone is reported, time and rity after years of threats and intimidation. Somehow new 192 dead, around 1,800 injured, a false numerous similar earlier ones are used to found, automatically raising red flag sus- again proven false. champions emerge to continue a just cause. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 8 ADVERTISEMENTS AUGUST 23, 2017

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How to prevent infections To fight child obesity – let children play outdoors A few simple precautions can help you avoid getting sick with an infectious disease more with their friends By Lisa Drayer Obesity is an environmental issue not a disease. Children Infections are caused by microscopic or- growing up in the 1950s and 1960s were not obese. Vir- ganisms known as pathogens—bacteria, tually all people over 60 (and many younger) remember viruses, fungi, or parasites—that enter walking to infant school without an adult. Most travelled the body, multiply, and interfere with nor- unaccompanied from the age of five after being taken mal functions. Infectious diseases are a for a couple of weeks by a parent. Children would also leading cause of illness and death in the be able to run around in their own street and go on er- United States and around the world. For rands at this age. In other words, they had daily healthy certain people--particularly those with exercise at no cost in money or time to the government underlying illnesses like heart disease or and their parents. cancer, those who have serious injuries, Since then, the car has increasingly dominated resi- or those who are taking medications that dential roads, which are therefore more dangerous. Par- weaken the immune system—it’s more ents sensibly react to the increased danger and keep difficult to avoid getting sick with an in- their children penned in. This unhealthy trend predates fection. Living in an affluent country like mobile phones or computer games. the United States, the threat we face from It is known from zoos that if mammals cannot run deadly viruses, bacteria, and parasites around outside their houses they get obese and display can seem remote, but these infectious repetitive behaviour and poor mental health. Crucially, microbes are ever present among us, ac- if their environment is improved – by enabling them to cording to Dr. Michael Klompas, writing run around more freely – their health improves. in the Harvard Medical School Special These facts have been knowingly ignored by most Health Report Viruses and Disease. Dr. experts. Public Health England (PHE) recommends, as Klompas is an infectious disease specialist its main solution to child obesity, replacing sugar with at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Wom- sweeteners. And last week we heard it will be setting en’s Hospital. However, for most healthy targets for food manufacturers to shrink pizzas, ready people, following a few basic principles meals and burgers in a bid to reduce daily calorie intake. Our children are being offered solutions that would can go a long way in helping to prevent germs at bay by following good personal handy, cough or sneeze into your elbow are present in the food you buy and help not be acceptable for mammals in zoos. If zoo experts infections. hygiene habits. Prevent infection before rather than into your hands. you avoid introducing new microbes into said that the main solution to obesity caused by being Understanding how infections it begins and avoid spreading it to others Wash and bandage all cuts. Any se- your food at home: penned in was to replace some of the mammal’s food are transmitted can help you avoid with these easy measures. rious cut or animal or human bite should Rinse all meat, poultry, fish, fruits, with smaller portions of calorie-free synthetic food, getting sick Wash your hands well. You prob- be examined by a doctor. and vegetables under running water be- there would be an outcry from animal lovers. Yet this is Not long ago, no one understood that ably wash your hands after using the Do not pick at healing wounds or fore cooking or serving them. what PHE is doing. infectious diseases were caused by tiny bathroom, before preparing or eating blemishes, or squeeze pimples. Wash your hands with soap and organisms that moved from person to food, and after gardening or other dirty Don’t share dishes, glasses, or eat- water before and after you handle raw person. Even now, although we know that tasks. You should also wash up after ing utensils. meat. microscopic living microbes cause dis- blowing your nose, coughing, or sneez- Avoid direct contact with napkins, Separate raw foods and cooked ease, how they do so is not always obvi- ing; feeding or stroking your pet; or visit- tissues, handkerchiefs, or similar items foods. Don’t use the same utensils or cut- ous. But we do know that most microbes ing or caring for a sick person. Wet your used by others. ting boards with cooked meat that were enter through openings in the body—our hands thoroughly. Lather up with soap or Practice good food-safety tech- used to prepare the raw meat without noses, mouths, ears, anuses, and genital cleanser, and rub it into the palms and niques to avoid getting sick washing between uses. passages. They can also be transmitted backs of your hands and your wrists. Be Although most cases of food-borne Cook foods thoroughly, using a through our skin through insect or animal sure to clean your fingertips, under your infection are not dangerous, some can meat thermometer to ensure that whole bites. The best way to prevent infections nails and between your fingers. Rinse un- lead to serious medical conditions, in- poultry is cooked to 180° F, roasts and is to block pathogens from entering the der running water. Dry your hands and cluding kidney failure and meningitis. You steaks to 145° F, and ground meats to body. wrists thoroughly. can prevent infections by food-borne 160° F. Cook fish until it is opaque. Good hygiene: the primary way Cover a cough. Cover your mouth pathogens in your household by prepar- Defrost foods only in the refrigera- to prevent infections and nose with a tissue when you sneeze ing and storing foods safely. The follow- tor or in the microwave. The NHS offers tailored, personalised help to reduce The first line of defense is to keep or cough, then dispose of it. If no tissue is ing precautions will help kill microbes that (Source: health.harvard.edu) risk of type 2 diabetes, including education on healthy eating and lifestyle, help to lose weight and bespoke physical exercise programmes – an expensive solution, Bad to the bones: what to avoid for bone health which will reach relatively few people and divert re- 1. Too much salt Your age, skin color, the time of year, and where sources from areas where treatment is needed. The more salt you eat, the more calcium your you live can make it harder to make vitamin D. So Experts also constantly blame parents for not taking body gets rid of, which means it’s not there to help can sunscreen. their children to the park or countryside more often. your bones. Foods like breads, cheeses, chips, and Add fortified cereals, juices, and milks (including But most parents never did regularly take their children cold cuts have some of the highest counts. almond, soy, rice, or other plant-based milks, as well out to play. They didn’t have to – their children played You don’t have to cut salt out entirely, but aim for as low-fat dairy) to your diet. And ask your doctor happily in the street. less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day. if you need a vitamin D supplement. It is vital that children do 2. Binge watching 5. Overdoing some drinks It is vital that play outdoors unsupervised, It’s fine to enjoy your favorite show. But it’s way Too many cola-flavored sodas could harm your children do and not just for the exercise. too easy to spend endless hours in front a screen, bones. While more research is needed, some stud- In any game, children have nestled on your couch. When it becomes a habit to ies have linked bone loss with both the caffeine and play outdoors to agree the rules for them- lounge, you don’t move enough and your bones the phosphorous in these beverages. Other experts unsupervised, selves, they have to play miss out. have suggested that the damage comes when you and not just for fairly (or the fun stops), they Exercise makes them stronger. It’s best for your choose to have a soda instead of milk or other settle disputes, reach com- skeleton when your feet and legs carry the weight drinks that contain calcium. Too many cups of cof- the exercise. promises, modify the rules of your body, which forces your bones and muscles fee or tea can also rob your bones of calcium. They learn how when the situation changes to work against gravity. 6. Bowls of wheat bran with milk to cope with (somebody joins or leaves). 3. Miles of bike rides What sounds healthier than 100% wheat bran? up with activities like tennis, hiking, dancing, and life. They learn how to cope with When you pedal to work or ride for hours on the swimming (the water’s resistance helps your bones). But when you eat it with milk, your body absorbs life. This is very sophisticated weekend, your heart and lungs get stronger. Your 4. Too much time in your “cave” less calcium. personal development in which children acquire com- bones? Not so much. Because it’s not a weight- Maybe you need to get out more. The body Don’t worry about other foods, like bread, that petences for life. These skills are unique to human be- bearing activity, bike riding does not increase your makes vitamin D in sunlight. Just 10-15 minutes might contain wheat bran. But if you’re a fan of the ings. No number of computer games, exercise cartoons, bone density, unlike walks, runs, and hikes. several times a week could do it. But don’t overdo concentrated stuff and you take a calcium supple- Facebook activity etc can compensate for children’s free If you’re an avid cyclist, you’ll want to add some it. Too much time in the sun can raise your risk of ment, allow at least 2 hours between the bran and play. No organised activities such as piano/swimming time in the weight room to your routine and mix it skin cancer. And there are some other catches, too. your pill. (Source: webmd.com) lessons, sports/dance clubs can give the same personal and social development. Parents who daily ferry their children from club to activity are clearly committed to Does the pill prevent arthritis? New study suggests a link their children, but these activities do not compensate Women who take the oral contracep- we were able to address these ques- for the lost benefits of play. tive pill are protected from going on to tions more thoroughly than has been When advisers do proffer healthy lifestyle options, develop arthritis in later life, a new study possible before,” the researchers wrote. the advice they give is flawed. My research has shown suggests. “Using the Pill for more than sev- that children and their parents want to play in sight of Scientists believe hormonal changes en years - the average length of use home as they have done for countless generations. To prompted by the pill may decrease the among the study participants - was as- make things worse, transport experts seem to assume risk of suffering from the painful disease. sociated with a 19 per cent lower risk of that children remain static except for getting to and Research in Sweden found that us- developing arthritis.” from school. “Journeys” are only counted if they are, like ing the common contraceptive method “Further research is required to ex- adults, going to work, the supermarket or the golf club. for seven or more years was associated plore the biological mechanisms behind The majority of children’s transport is on foot, scooter with a 19 per cent lower chance of de- our findings.” or bicycle, consisting of short distances between home, veloping rheumatoid arthritis. The oral contraceptive pill contains friends’ homes, back of the garages, green verges, or However, women who had stopped artificial versions of the female- hor patches of public open space. On a well-designed hous- using the pill still appeared to benefit mones oestrogen and progesterone, ing area with 50 children who are able to play outside from a protective effect, enjoying a 13 which women produce naturally to pre- they would make more than 280,000 journeys each year. per cent lower risk of the condition. vent the ovary releasing an egg. Yet these are ignored by town planners as they are usu- Rheumatoid arthritis, which usually Pill usage declines steeply with age, ally less than 100 metres. A massive amount of healthy develops between the ages of 40 and from two-thirds of women aged 20 to and non-polluting transport is ignored. School activities 50, affects more than 400,000 people in 24, to 11 per cent of women in their late are of limited benefit as children only go to school half the UK. 40s. the days in the year. The other half are weekends and It occurs when the body’s immune There is no upper age limit beyond holidays, and in any case children always played out on system targets joints such as the wrists which healthy women should not take school days as well. and ankles, causing painful swelling, Rheumatoid arthritis, which usually develops the pill, however those who smoke are If children play out, adults are more neighbourly and and is twice as common in women as between the ages of 40 and 50, affects more advised not to take it above 35, accord- keep an eye out for one another’s children. However, it is in men. ing to the Family Planning Association, a satnavs direct drivers down side roads to avoid con- This has led scientists to suspect hor- than 400,000 people in the UK. sexual health charity. gestion on busy roads, making side roads even more monal and reproductive factors may population. damage the joints themselves as well as Published in the Annals of Rheumatic dangerous. We need a new designation for residential contribute to the underlying cause. They found that those who had used the nearby cartilage. Diseases, the study also sought to iden- roads. Priority should be given to pedestrians to en- Researchers at the Karolinska Insti- an oral contraceptive at any time had There is no cure for the condition, tify whether breastfeeding was associ- courage healthy lifestyles and promote neighbourliness. tute drew on data from 2,809 women a lower risk of developing rheumatoid however the symptoms can be treated ated with a lower risk of arthritis, as had Leave it any longer and we will have another genera- with the disease and compared it with arthritis than those who had never done using medication and supportive thera- been suspected, however no significant tion of parents who accept it is correct to keep children the medical records of 5,312 women so. pies such as physiotherapy. link was found. cooped up in the house. randomly selected from the general Over time, rheumatoid arthritis can “In this large population-based study, (Source: The telegraph) (Source: The Guardian) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 10 TECHNOLOGY AUGUST 23, 2017

10 hot titles of IT world Why the alt-right can’t build By Alireza Khorasani Here are high rated IT titles in the world that reviewed by an alt-internet savvy tech users: By Adi Robertson much less lucrative, and the vast majori- Chinese Super League plots foray into online ty of people — even ones with far-right 1 soccer games with deal After the August 12th hate rally in Char- sympathies — would have little reason BEIJING China’s top-flight soccer league has signed a deal lottesville, online platforms that have long to choose a small “free speech” registrar with a local developer to produce online soccer games in tolerated or ignored white supremacists over more established alternatives. Even its first foray into gaming as it searches for new sources of are very publicly kicking them off. The if such a registrar could ignore bad PR, revenue. crackdown spans a broad range of sites activists could still lodge complaints with and apps, some of which are household the registries, which ultimately control ac- Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Foxconn on names, like Uber, Facebook, and Spotify. cess to domains. 2 Monday said it plans to build three facilities in the But some of the most notable companies There are ways to bypass ICANN en- U.S. state of Wisconsin for operation as early as next year, as to purge their ranks are those we don’t tirely. A site could use an alternative do- part of a campus housing a $10 billion liquid crystal display often consider: the web hosts, domain main name system like Namecoin, for (LCD) factory due for 2020. registrars, and other services that you instance. It could advertise a numerical need to put a website on the internet. IP address rather than a link. The Daily CNN began streaming “The Update,” a daily show Over the past week, GoDaddy, Cloud- Stormer set up shop on the free and de- 3 on Snapchat featuring at least five news stories flare, and Google — to name a few— centralized Tor network, operating on the each episode from reporters and bureaus around the world, have been playing hot potato with the so-called dark web. to attract younger viewers. major neo-Nazi news site Daily Stormer, But at that point, you’re not just in- CNN, NBC and other networks are creating more digital taking it offline several times as it’s moved dependent, you’re effectively walled off content to reach millennials, who increasingly get their news around the internet. from the normal internet. There are plen- from social media. After being booted from Namecheap ty of technological ways to run a shadow over the weekend, the Daily Stormer’s net, says Nathan Freitas, a fellow at Har- Uber Technologies Inc UBER.UL said it raised its status remains uncertain. But the white vard’s Berkman Klein Center and leader of 4 Hong Kong minimum fares on Monday by as much nationalist alt-right movement has expe- the open-source Guardian Project. “The as 80 percent following a review. rience running a “shadow economy” of question is, how willing is the audience to The San Francisco-based technology company, which sympathetic platforms, including crowd- get to it? And is the point to allow their recently suspended its services for the second time in the funding sites like Rootbocks and social community to get to it, or the whole in- neighboring Chinese city of Macau, told Reuters the price networks like Gab. ternet?” rises would benefit drivers as they pocketed most of the fares. Now, some have started discussing al- Adopting these measures would make ternatives for basic web services too. En- it easier for all groups, not just the alt- Google might be planning a foil to smarter-than- trepreneur Pax Dickinson, a former Busi- right, to secure a place within existing 5 usual headphones like Apple’s AirPods or the Bragi ness Insider CTO who recently founded web infrastructure. It wouldn’t, however, Dash line. After some sleuthing inside the Google app, the far-right crowdfunding site CounterFund, make it easier to step outside that in- team at 9to5Google has found references to headphones called for a “full-blown Amazon-style in- (gTLDs) to organizations called registries. can just set up shop overnight and start frastructure — which may be why Daily that would use Google Assistant to augment the usual frastructure company” amid the bans. But Registries can then sign contracts with selling domain names,” says Annemarie Stormer founder Andrew Anglin recently physical controls. Nicknamed Bisto, they would let you hear running a series of independent services ICANN-accredited registrars, which act as Bridy, a University of Idaho law school called for the US government to regulate and reply to notifications using your voice that are immune to outside political pres- middlemen and sell domain names to the professor who recently published a paper ICANN, saying that frankly, he did not sure is far harder and less rewarding than public. on ICANN’s content regulation policies. have the option to create his own inter- Now you can switch your WhatsApp status replacing GoFundMe or Twitter. In 2017, Registrars need to be established ICANN usually takes a hands-off ap- net. “It’s very hard to roll your own stuff 6 update to suit your mood. You can stitch photos is it possible to build what is essentially companies that can demonstrate techni- proach to moderating registrars’ content, online,” says Sauter. and videos together to make it look like Snapchat -- or a functioning, effective, alternative inter- cal capability and financial stability. If they and some registrars play host to unsavory In an ideal world, Sauter would like to you can make it look more like its parent company’s net? want to offer recognized domains exten- spam and malware domains. But even if see a mechanism that would bring more status updates. The chat application has updated its iOS One of the biggest pressure points sions, they have to work with companies an alt-right registrar could get accredit- real democracy — not just anarchy or and Android versions, giving it the ability to post text- for anti-racist activists right now is do- like Verisign, which controls the covet- ed, it probably wouldn’t be a profitable corporate dominance — to the online based updates (with links, if you want) against colorful main registrars like GoDaddy, which sell ed .com TLD. Establishing a registry for business. world. For now, there’s really only one in- backgrounds, just like Facebook’s. addresses that point web users toward a a new TLD, meanwhile, is pretty much a M. Barry Branagh of the Spamhaus ternet. In order to operate there, you’ve site. While anyone can hook up a server non-starter right now: the last application Project, which maintains a list of the got to play by its rules. But after last week, HTC cuts the price of its Vive VR headset to to the internet, domain name sales are period was in 2012, when applicants paid most frequently abused services, says those rules aren’t as clear as they once 7 $599. regulated by the multinational organ- $185,000 just to be evaluated. The next that spammers sometimes run their own seemed. Virtual reality got a lot cheaper this summer. Oculus sliced ization ICANN, which hands off man- application period is tentatively slated for registrars just to mass-generate domain (Source: theverge) the price of its Rift VR headset to $399 in June, and now agement of generic top-level domains 2020. “It’s not a situation where someone names. Niche political content would be HTC has reduced the price of the competing Vive headset to $599. Elon Musk joins 100 tech chiefs warning UN about killer robots Intel has a mysterious black Surface Book in its new Billionaire Elon Musk has added his voice to more The co-founder of Google’s DeepMind - Mustafa Su- 8 processor video. than 100 tech leaders in a letter to the United Na- leyman - also signed the appeal. As part of the launch, Intel has produced a promotional video tions warning that “killer robots” could become The letter says: “Once developed, they will permit of what to expect from the next processors, which will bring weapons of terror. armed conflict to be fought at a scale greater than ever, quad-core chips more broadly to laptops. MSPoweruser has Urging the UN to take action, 116 artificial intelligence and at timescales faster than humans can comprehend. spotted that the video includes what appears to be a black leaders and robotics companies from across 26 countries According the UN’s website, a group focused on ro- Surface Book. signed the open letter. bot weapons was set to meet on Monday, but the ses- Launching the International Joint Conference on Arti- sion has been cancelled and rescheduled for November. Ministers in the UK are considering creating an ficial Intelligence (IJCAI), the tech founders state: “Lethal Autonomous weapons already being worked on 9 internet ombudsman to deal with complaints autonomous weapons threaten to become the third rev- across the world include a fixed-place sentry gun- be about hate crimes and are pressing ahead with proposals for olution in warfare.” ing developed by the South Korean government; an un- a levy on social media companies to help pay for the policing Automated tanks, drones and machine guns are manned combat aerial vehicle being developed in the of online offences. among the weapons they fear could lead to an arms UK by BAE Systems; robotic tanks being worked on in The ideas are being examined by the Department for Digital, race - although the technology does not currently exist. Russia and the US; and an autonomous warship that was Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) before the release of The memo urges the UN to ban the development “morally wrong weapons”, which already includes lasers launched in 2016 by the US. an autumn green paper, which may be more radical than and use of such “killer robots” and add them to a list of that blind and chemical weapons. (Source: Skynews) expected. Fujitsu is looking to offload its mobile operations Intel’s ‘New’ 8th Generation Processors are Built on Kaby Lake 10 as the Japanese information technology By Joel Hruska tive and publishing numbers it knows it company faces stiff competition from bigger rivals in a can back up in virtually all circumstances. highly lucrative mobile phone market, the Nikkei business Ever since Intel introduced the first-gen- The other is that Intel has to pull its Tur- daily reported. eration Core i7, it’s followed a predictable bo clocks down to stay within a 15W TDP. series numbering. First-generation Core This would be directly implicated if the processors were codenamed Nehalem, boost clocks on the 8th-generation CPUs Google reveals official name second-generation CPUs were Sandy drop significantly as core loads increase. Bridge, followed by Ivy Bridge (3rd), Has- What’s Next for 8th-Gen Core? of Android O well, (4th) and so on. In each case, new Intel has announced that it will launch its chips — whether they were die shrinks or next generation desktop processors “in fall,” After hints and speculation of just what the “O” in Android O new architectures — were assigned a new but those of you hoping to drop a six-core meant, Android Oreo is the official name. product number. Today, with its 8th-gen- i5 or 12-thread i7 into an existing system Google announced the final name for Android 8.0 shortly after eration chips, Intel is explicitly changing are out of luck. The Coffee Lake refresh will the eclipse ended in the US via a livestream from New York City. that policy. Unlike previous product gen- require 300-series chipsets, and will not be Android Oreo will begin rolling out to Google’s Pixel, Pixel erations, the 8th-generation launching backwards compatible with existing prod- XL, Pixel C, Nexus 6P, Nexus today family will span multiple chip fami- ucts. Given how little time it’s been since Intel 5X, and Nexus Player in the lies built on 14nm+ (Kaby Lake), 14nm++ introduced Kaby Lake, the quick hop from near future after carrier test- (Coffee Lake), and 10nm (Cannon Lake). the 200-series to the 300-series won’t sit ing is complete. Other than The four U-series chips Intel is launch- well with people who just upgraded to the “soon,” Google did not pro- ing today are fundamentally based on 7700K, especially if the desktop 8th-gener- vide an exact timetable for Kaby Lake with the same architecture, the turbo clocks, quad core configurations Performance scaling still unknown ation cores make six cores available for the the release. same GPU, and almost the same capabil- with Hyper-Threading, which is historical- There’s a bit of mixed messaging over same price Intel used to charge for four. Google also announced ities. The one minor update to the GPU ly unusual in the i5 quad-core lineup. Intel how much performance these new cores Intel may not have great options here. it has been working with its side of the equation is support for HDMI doesn’t put much emphasis on its quad- will offer. According to Intel, it expects a Semiconductor designs and products device partners, and by the 2.0 and HDCP 2.2, without any need for core i5s, but the 7th generation quad- 40% overall improvement, with 25% com- tend to have longer lead times than the end of the year, the following third-party solutions. So what, exactly, is cores didn’t have Hyper-Threading at all. ing from the addition of two more cores. public is aware of; it’s not unusual to see companies will either launch new about these chips? Two things: Larg- The new chips do. ‘Design’ and ‘Manufacturing’ also add to someone on LinkedIn who worked on a new devices or upgrade er core counts, and slightly higher clock Intel’s mobile revamp mirrors product the total, albeit in smaller amounts. But given product a year or more before it existing devices to Android speeds at maximum Turbo. and price changes the company has al- that’s actually less performance than we’d ships. Intel’s 8th-generation Coffee Lake 8.0 Oreo: Essential, General The table above shows how the new ready introduced. expect to see, given that doubling core chips are undoubtedly aimed at plugging Mobile, HMD Global Home Core i7 chips compare against their For the past six years, Intel has fol- counts from a dual CPU to a quad CPU the hole chips like the 1600X blew in its of Nokia Phones, Huawei, HTC, Kyocera, LG, Motorola, Sam- 7th-generation predecessors at the 15W lowed the same basic processor philoso- can drive more than 25% improvement product family. Kaby Lake would’ve been sung, Sharp, and Sony. TDP. Intel is trading a significant amount phy: In mobile, dual-core processors were on its own in desktops. Most modern completed before much information on The update includes many refinements and improvements of base clock speed for core counts, but the norm at every level, with only a few applications scale fairly well, up to four Ryzen was available, and Intel’s various to Android. A new Notification Channel feature will let users the maximum turbo speed on these chips quad-core / eight-thread chips available. cores / eight threads, and while that’s not product shake-ups this year have been a decide how intrusive different alerts from apps can be, and a is still higher, in some cases, than the parts These have always occupied the top of an absolute, the 25% figure is still lower response to it. AMD’s Ryzen desktop fam- new picture-in-picture mode makes it possible to video chat they replace. The new i5 CPUs aren’t the product stack and typically been of- than expected. ily continues to sell well, with 7 SKUs in the while multitasking on a device running Android Oreo. shown here, but they compare identically fered only in higher TDP brackets. These There are several potential answers to Top 15 CPUs according to Amazon. (Source: zdnet) to the Core i7 mobile parts, with higher new chips change all that. this. One is that Intel is being conserva- (Source: extremetech) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y AUGUST 23, 2017 SCIENCE 11

Silk body sensors may help Nighttime forecast for Mars: robots become more sensitive Bursts of rapidly falling snow The findings, published in the journal Nature Geoscience, Researchers from the Tsinghua Univer- ble at the same time. could shed light on the dynamics of the planet’s ancient cli- sity in China are turning to silk-based Silk, on the other hand, can be used mate — and reveal that even today, Mars remains a more sensors to make wearable body sensors to sidestep this problem say the research- dynamic world than some scientists expected. and monitoring systems more sensitive ers. Silk also has the advantage of being and flexible. The technology could also bio-compatible as well as lightweight. All be used to make robots more sensitive to these qualities, according to the report, touch and temperature. make it an ideal candidate to make sensors. Silk is a natural fiber and has been re- Major challenge garded as one of the coveted fabrics in However, making sensors out of silk the world. It is stronger than steel and presents a major challenge as it is not a more flexible than nylon, according to a particularly good conductor of electrici- report by ScienceDaily. ty -- a quality that is necessary to make “There is a whole world of possibilities sensors work. for silk sensors at the moment. Silk is the Zhang and her team reportedly em- ideal material for fabricating sensors that ployed two different methods to solve are worn on the body,” said Dr. Yingying this. First, they claim to have treated the Zhang, a researcher on the team. silk fibers in an inert environment in high Touch-sensitive robots temperatures ranging from 1,112 de- The report also mentioned Dr. Zhang grees to 5,432 degrees Fahrenheit. This Today, the Red Planet seems dusty, rusty and dry, with an suggesting how these sensors could treating caused silk to gain N-doped car- atmosphere that’s about 100 times thinner than Earth’s. But one day go into making touch-sensitive bon with graphitized particles, making it scientists say that early in its history, Mars probably looked robots that are a lot more realistic with electrically conductive. a lot like Earth, with a thick atmosphere, puffy clouds and them being able to “feel” temperature, The second approach involved the team liquid water. That’s part of why researchers study Mars — to humidity, and even sense difference in Silk is the ideal material for fabricating sensors feeding graphene or carbon nanotubes to understand why our next-door neighbor ended up with such people’s voices. that are worn on the body,” says Dr. Yingying silkworms hoping to have these particles a different fate than that of our planetary home. One of the uses that they team is look- Zhang, a researcher on the team. incorporated with the silk. While they say Even now, Mars has some thin clouds, as well as water-ice ing at right now is remote monitoring of that it has resulted in some of the graphene deposits on and beneath its surface. (It’s cold enough to have patients. Zhang added that silk sensors more rapid. be useful, they have other limitations. reaching the silk, they are yet to make con- carbon dioxide ice deposits too.) A laser instrument on NA- will help doctors keep track of patients Until now, sensors placed on the hu- According to the report, strain sensors ductive silk this way. They are reportedly still SA’s Phoenix Mars Lander even discovered signs of actual through an integrated wireless system man body are made with semiconduc- -- which measure the change in force -- working on this technique. snowfall, years ago. But many scientists figured that whatever and the response time for can be a lot tors. While they have been proven to cannot be reliably sensitive and stretcha- (Source: ibtimes.co.uk) the contribution made by snowfall, it was very slow, building up gradually over time. But lead author Aymeric Spiga, a planetary scientist at the Turning human waste into plastic, nutrients Scientists say it’s raining diamonds Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique in Paris, and his col- could aid long-distance space travel on Neptune and Uranus leagues wondered if some other phenomenon was at work. Thanks to data from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and Imagine you’re on your way to Mars, a few years after launch, or at the des- Move over Jupiter and Saturn, a crap graphite and then again into diamond. Mars Global Surveyor, they had noticed strange temperature and you lose a crucial tool during a tination. load of diamonds could be found in It’s also under the effect of gravity, so patterns beneath the Martian water-ice clouds that hinted at a spacewalk. Not to worry, you’ll simply Biological system two of the most mysterious places in the it would truly fall to the middle of the surprising amount of air movement in the atmosphere. re-enter your spacecraft and use some Blenner’s biological system includes a Solar System: Uranus and Neptune. Re- planet as “diamond rain.” “It was like the temperature profiles were showing very strong microorganisms to convert your urine variety of strains of the yeast Yarrowia lipo- searchers using the Linac Coherent Light On Uranus and Neptune there could mixing and were representative of very strong winds below the and exhaled carbon dioxide (CO2) into lytica. These organisms require both nitro- Source at Stanford have demonstrated be a cloud layer where a sea of hot meth- clouds, and it was at night,” Spiga said. The understanding at the chemicals to make a new one. gen and carbon to grow. Blenner’s team in the lab— with one of the brightest ane forms which then separates in a high time, he added, “was that water-ice clouds on Mars were not That’s one of the ultimate goals of discovered that the yeast can obtain their sources of X-rays on the planet—that the pressure environment causing the result- supposed to create very strong winds, especially at night, and scientists who are developing ways to nitrogen from urea in untreated urine. depths of these ice giants are perfect for ing carbon to squeeze into diamond. the winds at night were supposed to be very calm.” make long space trips feasible. Meanwhile, the yeast obtain their carbon the formation of diamonds. Matter in extreme condition (Source: LAT) The researchers presented their re- from CO2, which could come from astro- “This (condition) will generate diamond Using a tool called the Matter in Ex- sults at the 254th National Meeting & nauts’ exhaled breath, or from the Martian precipitation inside such celestial bodies,” treme Condition instrument, the scientists Exposition of the American Chemical atmosphere. But to use CO2, the yeast re- Dominik Kraus, a researcher with Helm- shocked a thin polystyrene sheet with a Society (ACS). quire a middleman to “fix” the carbon into holtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf in laser blast which produced pressure of Lifesaving smart fabric Solution lies with astronauts a form they can ingest. For this purpose, the Dresden and author on the paper told Giz- up to 150 gigapascals. That laser heated The solution lies in part with the yeast rely on photosynthetic cyanobacteria modo in an email. “This means that there the material to about 6,000 Kelvin, which can detect and neutralize astronauts themselves, who will con- or algae provided by the researchers. is not necessarily a pure diamond core is very hot, but not hot enough to melt deadly nerve gas stantly generate waste from breathing, One of the yeast strains produces but certainly a large diamond envelope diamond. Since the polystyrene is a hy- eating and using materials. omega-3 fatty acids, which contribute around the rocky cores that are supposed drocarbon polymer, it happily breaks up As part of the fight against deadly chemical weapon attacks, Unlike their friends on Earth, Blen- to heart, eye and brain health. Anoth- to exist inside Neptune and Uranus.” into its constituent hydrogen and carbon researchers at the City College of New York have developed a ner says, these spacefarers won’t want er strain has been engineered to churn Current thinking atoms which then are compressed. For new smart fabric that is capable of not only rapidly detecting to throw any waste molecules away. So out monomers and link them to make On Jupiter and Saturn, the current an incredibly short moment, this causes nerve gas, but also of neutralizing it. he and his team are studying how to polyester polymers. Those polymers thinking goes like this: when storms roll nanodiamonds to form. “We have modified cotton fabrics by attaching to them a repurpose these molecules and con- could then be used in a 3-D printer to through clouds of methane molecules, Because scientists are now able to very active catalytic phase,” researcher Teresa Bandosz, pro- vert them into products the astronauts generate new plastic parts. lightning strikes cause carbon atoms to reproduce an environment similar to fessor of chemistry and chemical engineering, said. need, such as polyesters and nutrients. Blenner’s team is continuing to en- disassociate from their chemical bonds. the one located about 10,000 km in the The “prepared fabrics are able not only to protect well Some essential nutrients, such as gineer this yeast strain to produce a va- When they collect in the air, you get interior of Neptune and Uranus, further against the surrogate of a nerve agent by adsorbing and omega-3 fatty acids, have a shelf life riety of monomers that can be polym- clouds of soot which then sink into the research could show us if there are decomposing it to benign products but also — by a visible of just a couple of years, says Blenner, erized into different types of polyesters lower atmosphere, being put under more stable options beyond diamond color change — to inform the user about the duration of the who is at Clemson University. They’ll with a range of properties. more and more pressure. That pres- precipitation. protection they provide.” need to be made en route, beginning (Source: EurekAlert) sure is what squeezes the carbon into (Source: Gizmodo) The textile is made from cotton that has been infused with carbon nitride. According to Bandosz, the material could be used to fabricate a range of items, from suits to gloves to Calling for Working Capital Facilities for Knowledge-Based Activities blankets. While she notes that it would probably be most like- ly to find a home in military clothing, it could also be used of Industrial and Mining Sector to create clothing aimed at the civilian population — as a possible defense against terrorist activity or similar. Export Development Bank of Iran (EDBI) pays totally mining and industrial sector stands at 12 percent (12%). tives and economic enterprises’ entities affiliated to the This is not the first time that we covered material that is able 1,200 billion rials facilities to provide working capital in In addition, the report put the ceiling of facilities to nongovernmental public institutions. to change color when it’s exposed to external materials. Last year, industrial and mining sector in all regions out of Na- be granted to legal and real entities in the mining and Also, payment of facilities is authorized to the com- we wrote about three designer shirts which gradually change tional Development Fund of Iran (NDFI), the Public Re- industrial sector at 100 and 20 billion rials respectively. panies and associations that at least 80 percent of their color in response to either carbon monoxide, pollution, or radi- lations Dept. of the bank reported. Granting facilities to the authorized legal entities is stock partnership belongs to the real entities directly, oactivity. In the case of Bandosz’s material, the color change is The report put the value of the two contracts con- conditional on that the ratio of owner’s equity to total the report added. also visible and gradual — but, unlike those other smart clothes, cluded between EDBI and NDFI for granting facilities assets of the company should not be less than 20 per- It should be noted that the associations and com- it can help dispel the effects of the thing it is designed to sense, and loans in mining and industrial sector at 600 billion cent at the time of submitting request to the bank. panies who cooperate with the foreign investors joint- rather than just alerting you to it. Further trials need to be done, rials each. The authorized entities for taking advantage of fa- ly are liable to receive these facilities, Public Relations but the results could be life-saving. The interest rate for the loans paid to applicants in cilities mentioned include real, legal, private, coopera- Dept. of the bank ended. (Source: Digital Trends)

BMI Eyes Expanding Its Branch Offices in Neighboring Iraq Politician disses Hawking’s Bank Melli Iran (BMI) will increase the num- Gholam-Reza Panahi Member of He, who is the Deputy Chief Exec- ber of its branch offices in the cities of Najaf, Board of Directors of the bank an- utive of the bank for International and research analysis Baghdad and Basra in Iraq, the Public Rela- nounced the above statement and said: Currency Affairs, said: “Considering the It’s not a good idea to criticize a scientist’s ability to do sci- tions Department of the bank reported. “Customers and economic activists of good interaction and relationship be- ence if you’re not that good at, say, science. Given the above issue, BMI has taken the two countries can take advantage of tween the two countries, this bank plans Climate scientists have borne the brunt of this is recent giant strides in the field of offering quali- outstanding services of the bank includ- to develop its presence in neighboring times, as some politicians have told them that they don’t ty banking services to its dear customers ing opening account, draft and letters of Iraq in line with facilitating and offering know what they’re talking about. in neighboring Iraq. credit (L/Cs), etc. quality banking services.” On Friday, UK Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt gave Stephen Hawking -- of all scientists -- an F for his analysis of research. Hawking, you see, had penned an article in The Guardian defending the UK’s National Health Service. The NHS tries to CEO of Bank Pasargad Calls for Realizing Objectives of Resistance Economy ensure that, you know, people don’t die in the streets when they’re sick simply because they don’t have enough money. The 17th Applied-Scientific Resistance Economy Con- scope of management in the resistance economy is the It’s an imperfect system, but one, some would say, with a heart. ference was held at the venue of Khatam University on management of national security.” Hawking said the service had saved his own life, since he Aug. 20 in the presence of outstanding university lec- “Emergency management, continuity management, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 1962. He said turers, economists, members of scientific associations, crisis management and security management are of Hunt was trying to turn the NHS into a pure, American-style members of Iranian Management Association, experts four types of management related to the resistance business. He added that the politician had “abused” and and some university students. economy,” he maintained. “cherry-picked” scientific research to support his politics. It should be noted that this prestigious Conference These four types of management take precedence Hunt, a member of the ruling rightish Conservative Party, was held at the initiative taken by the Iranian Manage- over all other types of management and should be took to Twitter to upbraid the famed physicist: “Stephen Hawk- ment Association and University of Khatam jointly. prioritized, he said, adding: “Therefore, even strategic ing is brilliant physicist but wrong on lack of evidence 4 weekend Dr. Majid Ghassemi Chief Executive of Bank Pasar- management also be designed within the framework effect. 2015 Fremantle study most comprehensive ever.” gad announced the above statement and said: “Effec- of acceptance of resistance economy’s management.” Please, I’d prefer not to get too deeply into the grimy de- tive steps should be taken in line with realizing objec- In the end, Chancellor of University of Khatam stat- tails of the weekend effect. Essentially, it’s the suggestion that tives of resistance economy.” agement Association also pointed to the scope of ed: “As a matter of fact, resistance is the main factor for patient care deteriorates at weekends, relative to weekdays. The Chairman of Board of Directors of Iranian Man- management in resistance economy and added: “The development of country.” (Source: CNET) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 12 LIFE&SOCIETY AUGUST 23, 2017

Tehran to host child Iran’s population ageing: upbringing conference SOCIETY TEHRAN — The 58th conference on health deskand life with a focus on child upbringing is statistics center scheduled to be held today SOCIETY TEHRAN — The av- In this case, Iran’s population is con- at Eyvan-e Shams Hall, north deskerage age of Iranians sidered as old in urban areas and mid- Tehran. has increased by 1.3 years over the past dle-aged in rural places. Prominent academics, five years, the Statistical Center of Iran Demographic experts have warned skilled experts, as well as re- has said. against the ageism in Iran several times. nowned psychologists from According to findings of the 2016 na- Regarding the growth of average age across the country will deliver tional population and housing census, among women, the gap is expected to speeches at the event, ISNA the average age of Iranians increased to be widened in the near future. quoted the conference’s sec- 31.1, IRIB reported. The rate of fertility in Iran is 1.8 births retary Towhid Seif-Barqi as The report added that the average per woman which is below the world av- saying on Tuesday. age of women was 31.3 years, slightly erage of 2.1 births. The conference is jointly higher than 30.9 years - the average age In recent years, the government has arranged by Tehran Univer- of men. been taking measures to encourage fam- sity of Medical Sciences, Teh- The index is also different in cities and ilies to have more children. However, eco- ran Municipality, Association villages, so that it is two years higher in nomic infrastructure should be provided of Sport and Medicine, and Football Federation. urban areas compared to rural areas for for families to resolve the aging popula- both genders. tion problem. The average age is the total sum of In 2014, Leader of the Islamic Revo- all individuals’ ages divided by the entire lution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei NASA praises young British population of a country. Median age is the age that divides a In demographic studies, a population outlined general policies of the country’s boy’s ‘great’ rocket design Median age at 30 years population into two numerically equal with a median age of 20 is considered population plans, stressing the need for According to the statistics, the median groups - that is, half the people are young. If the index is between 20 and making comprehensive plans to promote A budding four-year-old astronaut who sent NASA a letter age of the country stood at 30 years for younger than this age and half are older. 30 the population is regarded as mid- the country’s economic, social and cul- asking it to build a rocket he designed was thrilled when the both genders in 2016, up by three years It is a single index that summarizes the dle-aged and when it is 30 and over it is tural situations based on the new popu- space agency replied with their own letter praising him. compared to 2011. age distribution of a population. considered old. lation policies. Idris Hylton, who is now aged five, wrote directly to the organization urging it to make the craft and he even offered to fly it into space. What are the causes of mal-temperament? He also said he wanted to be given an astronaut license. Excessive warmness Idris claimed his rocket would fly faster than any of ARTICLE There are cases when the patient is diagnosed with NASA’s ones. excessive warmness in their bodies. Here are reasons His letter read: “To NASA, I made a letter for you to report By Seyed Mahdi Mirghazanfari, MD, PhD as to why someone might experience conditions about. This rocket is for you. Please make it and send it to an caused by excessive warmness in their bodies: astronaut in space. Heavy and fast exercise, intense activity, and “I will fly my rocket to space for NASA. Please can I have getting too much high speed massage an astronaut licence. From Idris, aged four.” Generally, Mizaj represents the excess or lack of Great anger or happiness His father Jamal Hylton, from St. Albans in Hertfordshire, warmness and humidity in one’s body and is classified Being exposed to heat, either sun, or fire for a long said his son “went crazy” when the agency sent a formal into four categories- also called four qualities- of time letter back thanking Idris for his “great” design. warmness, coldness, dryness and wetness. Consuming food stuff with warming Kevin DeBruin, a systems engineer from the NASA Jet Therefore, regarding which quality is more characteristics or warm Mizaj such as date, pepper, Propulsion Laboratory, wrote: “Thank you very much for dominant the tempers are classified totally into nine etc. your design of your rocket, it’s great! categories of warm, cold, wet, dry, warm and dry, Clogged pores which reduce sweat “Creating work like this is the start to a great future warm and wet, cold and dry, cold and wet, and Infection and infectious diseases which cause astronaut who can pilot a rocket. Keep it up!” moderate (when none of the qualities are dominant). fever and excessive body heat He added: “Working with outer space vehicles and Mizaj is a spectrum, meaning that two persons Having a warm temperament, as people with equipment takes hard work and dedication. This means you might have warm Mizaj but one’s Mizaj might be warm Mizaj are more prone to be affected by warm have to be enthusiastic in school to try put forth your best warmer than the other one. In fact, no two individuals Mizaj food stuff or warm environment than people effort every time. have the exact same Mizaj. with cold Mizaj “Continue your interest in outer space, rockets, and all As per Iranian-Islamic traditional medicine each Fast heart rate, breaking out in pimple and mouth aerospace related things! With your enthusiasm and hard individual is born with a specific temperament (Mizaj) ulcers, and sleep deprivation are the side effects of work, hopefully you may contribute to one of NASA’s many which is referred to as “inherent” or “main” Mizaj. The excessive warmness. exciting programs in the future. best Mizaj for a person is the one that corresponds to Excessive coldness “Best of luck to you in your journey towards space!” the warmness and humidity the person is born with Some actions or consuming some food stuff can Hylton told Sky News: “Idris went crazy when it came and should keep it within its normal range. Therefore, contribute to excessive coldness in the body: through the post, phoned me at work shouting ‘Dad, NASA there are no good or bad Mizaj. All Mizaj are good Lack of movement or not taking exercise replied’. provided that they remain unchanged (keeping the Profound sadness and disturbing thoughts “We’ve read the letter together countless times and he’s exact same amount of warmness and humidity one which lead to sleep deprivation and restlessness waiting to get back to school in September to show it to his is born with); all body parts working properly and Intense mental or physical activity which will first teachers. staying healthy is an indication of it. increase the warmness but will ultimately result in “The best thing is that he’s now set on a career as an Spoiling one’s inherent or main Mizaj and moving nutrient deficiency and lack of warmness in the body astronaut or engineer, and the letter from Kevin DeBruin has towards excessive warmness, coldness, wetness or Being in cold, dark and damp places inspired him to believe it’s possible.” dryness, would undermine the persons’ health. So eating, and drinking food stuff with cold Mizaj or He explained his son didn’t get a response from one must take immediate action by recognizing the rubbing cold ointments for long time NASA for several months after sending the letter to its factors causing such symptoms and prevent them Taking too many showers or baths which Washington HQ. from developing. unclogs the pores, work up a sweat, and decrease But then Hylton tweeted the agency directly and DeBruin In case one take no heed and keep on spoiling the warmness in body saw the tweet and asked for more details. their Mizaj for long time mal-temperament or ‘So- Not eating much or going on starvation diet Hylton went on: “He responded to my son with a really e-Mizaj’ will occur and diseases start to develop in Overeating which slows digestion and decrease motivational letter and NASA stickers.” the body. Everyone, with any kinds of Mizaj, can warmness in the stomach; poor digestive system Earlier this month, a nine-year-old boy received an be affected by mal-temperament; in other words- would not efficiently convert food to energy, bad encouraging response from NASA after he applied for a job depending on their distinguishing Mizaj- they materials build up in body and the body would at the agency. might suffer from excessive warmness, coldness, become cold (Source: news.sky.com) wetness or dryness. Unfortunately people with cold Mizaj can soon be To remain healthy, one should adopt the lifestyle affected by mal-temperament caused by excessive LEARN ENGLISH that suits their Mizaj. coldness by consuming food stuff with cold Mizaj. Daily Life - New Guy in Town ENGLISH IN USE A: Oh, Armand, thank you for such a thoughtful invitation! It’s really very nice of you to invite us over for dinner, don’t LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION you think so, Ellen? B: Oh, yes of course! We’d love to come over. Can I bring anything? C: No, don’t worry about it; I’ll take care of everything. I’ll see Official reveals main reasons for دالیل کم آبی ایران به روایت معاون وزیر نیرو !you tonight. Come with an appetite... I know I will B: I don’t want go over to his place for dinner! She gives me Iran water crisis بــه گــزارش روز ســه شــنبه ایرنــا ، »هدایــت فهمــی« معــاون وزیــر نیــرو عوامــل اصلــی ایجــاد the creeps! Why on earth did you accept? The current water crisis in Iran is resulted from some specific reasons which are بحــران آب در کشــور را بــر شــمرد. A: Oh come on Ellen, it will be nice to get to know her. Be- rooted in population growth and mismanagement, said the deputy energy sides, she’s new to the neighborhood, and it would be rude minister for water resources planning. یکــی از علــت هــای اساســی ایــن بحــران، افزایــش جمعیــت اســت کــه باعــث مصــرف بــه صورت to decline her invitation. The irregular population growth in Iran is one of the main reasons for بــی رویــه و خــارج از اســتانداردهای جهانی شــده. .B: I guess so... You always rope me into things like this! substandard water consumption in the country, Hedayat Fahmi noted بهره وری مصرف آب در بخش کشاورزی، اقتصادی، و صنعت بسیار پایین است. C: Ladies! Thank you for coming! You look beautiful… Please He named lack of efficient irrigation methods in agriculture and consumption come in. patterns in industry as other reasons which contributed to the water crisis. وی از تغییر اقلیم به عنوان یکی دیگر از عوامل بحرانی شدن منابع آبی یاد کرد. A: Oh Oh Armand! You are too kind! One cannot disregard climate change and economic approach toward water ســاختار معیــوب اقتصــاد آب را بــه عنــوان پنجمیــن علــت بحرانی شــدن منابــع آبی کشــور عنوان .B: How did I get myself into this... management as well, he said کــرد بــه ایــن معنــی کــه پــول دریافتــی از مــردم در ازای تأمیــن آب بســیار کمتــر از مقــداری Key Vocabulary The money people pay for water consumption is far less than the expenses thoughtful: showing concern for the needs and feelings of government pays for providing water, he explained. اســت کــه از ســوی دولــت هزینــه میشــود. other people He also pointed to deficiencies in water management and utilization system ضعف ساختاری در سیستم های مدیریتی و بهره برداری را یکی دیگر از عوامل دانست. .appetite: a physical desire of food as main reasons for water shortage in the country give the creeps: make someone to feel scared and uncom- fortable get to know: start to know, become familiar with someone why on earth: decline verb say you will not or cannot do ENGLISH PROVERB PHRASAL VERB ENGLISH IDIOM something rope into: convince someone to do something Variety is the spice of life Work on Waiting in the wings Supplementary Vocabulary make yourself at home: polite way to ask guests to make Explanation: Doing a lot of different things makes Meaning: improve or develop Explanation: If someone is waiting in the wings, they themselves comfortable life more interesting For example: Scientists are working on genetically are waiting for an opportunity to take action, especially hospitable: being a friendly and caring host to the guests For example: I have to work in the heat of Sudan modified crops and foods. to replace someone else in their job or position potluck: a party that requires everybody to bring food one week and the cold of Alaska the next, but I For example: There are many young actors wait- housewarming: a party to celebrate moving into a new home suppose variety is the spice of life. ing in the wings ready to show their talent. (Source: irlanguage.com) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y AUGUST 22, 2017 WORLD IN FOCUS 13

Mattis: ISIL caught in Israel extends detention of Palestinian cleric over Iraq-Syria military vise al-Aqsa Mosque protests Expelled from their main stronghold in tenet of enabling local government forc- The Israeli regime has extended for several more days the northern Iraq, ISIL (Daesh) militants are es to fight rather than having U.S. troops detention of Sheikh Raed Salah, a cleric caught up in the now trapped in a military vise that will do the fighting for them. That is unlike- developments ensuing from a crackdown on the al-Aqsa squeeze them on both sides of the Syr- ly to change in either country. Also, al- Mosque protests. ia-Iraq border, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim though the Taliban is the main opposition Salah’s lawyer said on Monday that Israeli prosecutors had Mattis said. force in Afghanistan, a Daesh affiliate has demanded a regime court to renew the cleric’s remand until Mattis arrived in the Iraqi capital on emerged there, too. In both countries, Thursday as charges were being prepared against him. an unannounced visit Tuesday just hours U.S. airpower is playing an important role The 58-year-old cleric, who is residing in the pre-1967 after President Donald Trump outlined in support of local forces, and in both a fresh approach to the stalemated war countries the Pentagon is trying to facil- in Afghanistan. Trump also has vowed itate the development of potent local air to take a more aggressive, effective ap- forces. proach against Daesh in Iraq and Syria, An immediate worry is a Kurdish in- but he has yet to unveil a strategy for dependence referendum to be held Sept. that conflict that differs greatly from his 25, which, if successful, could upset a del- predecessor’s. icate political balance in Iraq and enflame In Baghdad, Mattis was meeting with tensions with Turkey, whose own Kurdish senior Iraqi government leaders and with population has fought an insurgency U.S. commanders. He also planned to against the central government for dec- meet in Irbil with Massoud Barzani, lead- ades. McGurk reiterated U.S. opposition er of the semi-autonomous Kurdish re- Iraq’s Defence Minister Erfan al-Hiyali (R), welcomes U.S. Defense Secretary Jim to holding the Iraqi Kurdish referendum. gion that has helped fight Daesh. Mattis, in Baghdad, Iraq August 22, 2017. “We believe these issues should be Mattis told reporters before depart- resolved through dialogue under the ing from neighboring Jordan that the offers a more positive narrative for the more effectively,” as a result of Trump’s constitutional framework, and that a ref- so-called Middle Euphrates River Val- White House, at least for now. Having delegation of battlefield authorities to erendum at this time would be really po- ley - roughly from the western Iraqi city enabled Iraqi government forces to re- commanders in the field, McGurk said. tentially catastrophic to the counter-ISIS Israeli-occupied territories, was arrested on August 15 over of al-Qaim to the eastern Syrian city of claim Daesh’s prized possession of Mosul He said this “has really made a difference campaign,” McGurk told reporters in a allegations of supporting terrorism. He was an active advo- Der el-Zour - will be liberated in time, as in July, the U.S. military effort is showing on the ground. I have seen that with my joint appearance with Mattis before they cate of Palestinians who sought the removal of Israel’s contro- Daesh gets hit from both ends of the val- tangible progress and the Pentagon can own eyes.” flew to Iraq. versial security measures at the gates of the Noble Sanctuary ley that bisects Iraq and Syria. credibly assert that momentum is on It seems likely that in coming months With the Iraqi military’s campaign to (Haram al-Sharif/ Temple Mount) compound, which is home “You see, ISIL is now caught in-be- Iraq’s side. Trump may be in position to declare a retake the northern city of Tal Afar now to the revered al-Aqsa Mosque. tween converging forces,” he said, of the Brett McGurk, the administration’s victory of sorts in Iraq as Daesh fight- under way, Mattis has refused to predict The security measures, which came after the July 14 militant group that burst into western special envoy to the counter-Daesh co- ers are marginalized and they lose their victory. He says generals and senior offi- deadly shooting and killing of two Israeli policemen, sparked and northern Iraq in 2014 from Syria and alition, credits the Trump administration claim to be running a “caliphate” inside cials should “just go silent” when troops some unprecedented protests and sit-in gatherings in occu- held sway for more than two years. “So for having accelerated gains against the Iraq’s borders. Syria, on the other hand, are entering battle. pied East al-Quds (Jerusalem), the neighborhood where the ISIL’s days are certainly numbered, but it’s militants. He said Monday that about is a murkier problem, even as ISIL loses “I’d prefer just to let the reality come al-Aqsa Mosque compound is located. not over yet and it’s not going to be over one-third of all territory regained in Iraq ground there against U.S.-supported lo- home. There’s nothing to be gained by For around two weeks, worshippers heeded calls from any time soon.” and Syria since 2014 has been retaken in cal fighters and Russian-backed Syrian forecasting something that’s fundamen- Muslim clerics, including Salah, and refused to pass through Mattis referred to this area as “ISIL’s the last six or seven months. government forces. tally unpredictable,” he told reporters metal detectors until the regime was forced to remove them. last stand.” “I think that’s quite significant and par- The U.S. role in Iraq parallels Afghani- traveling with him over the weekend. People close to Salah said filing charges against the cleric, Unlike the war in Afghanistan, Iraq tially due to the fact we’re moving faster, stan in some ways, starting with the basic (Source: AP) which the prosecutors said was planned, was a “political in- timidation” intended to silent dissent. Among the allegations Salah is facing is a sermon he gave Raqqa: U.S.-led strikes ‘kill 100 civilians’ in 48 hours after the July 14 incident. Khaled Zabarka, the lawyer of the At least 100 civilians have been killed over the past 48 countryside west of Deir Az Zor on Friday. cleric, said Salah was accused of “inciting violence and terror- hours by the United States-led air strikes targeting fight- This month alone, Russian fighter jets have flown 990 ism” as well as supporting an illegal organization. ers in Raqqa, the de-facto capital in Syria of the Islamic missions, destroying 40 armored vehicles, more than 100 Salah served nine months in Israeli jails on similar allega- State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Daesh) terrorist outfit. trucks and killing about 800 ISIL terrorists, said Colonel tions before he was released in January. Residents told Al Jazeera on Tuesday that at least 100 General Sergei Rudskoi. Those casualties include more Israel also outlawed his group, the Islamic Movement in civilians had been killed since Sunday, with 55 civilians than 200 killed in the recent raid on the ISIL convoy. Israel, in 2015 for allegedly stoking violence. killed in the eastern neighborhoods of Bedou and al- Rudskoi said Syrian troops are meanwhile advancing (Source: Press TV) Sukhani on Monday. from three directions to encircle Deir Az Zor city. Meanwhile, the Britain-based so-called Syrian Ob- Syrian government forces control around half the city servatory for Human Rights (SOHR) put Monday’s death and a nearby airbase, both of which are besieged by ISIL toll at 42, including 19 children and 12 women, and said terrorists. Rudskoi said terrorists fleeing the U.S.-backed Dubai TV airs ‘fake news’ 27 were killed on Sunday - a two-day total of 69 people. offensives in the Iraqi city of Mosul and the Syrian city of The deaths came on the second consecutive day of a The United Nations estimates there are up to 25,000 Raqqa have poured into Deir Az Zor in recent months. about rallies, curfew in Doha ferocious bombing campaign in Raqaa, more than half civilians trapped inside the city, with food and fuel sup- He said Syrian troops have also encircled Akerbat, an Dubai TV has aired a false report claiming anti-government of which has been captured by the U.S.-backed Syri- plies short and prohibitively expensive. ISIL-held town in central Syria, and that Russian fighter demonstrations took place in Doha, Qatar, and alleged that an Democratic Forces (SDF) battling ISIL, which is also The UN’s humanitarian point man for Syria, Jan Ege- jets have targeted ISIL convoys trying to flee the area troops - including soldiers from Turkey - sprayed tear gas known as ISIS. land, has said ISIL-held territory in Raqqa city is now “the for Deir Az Zor. at protesters. “The tolls are high because the air strikes are hit- worst place” in the war-torn country. Russia has waged an air campaign in Syria since Sep- Qatar’s government press office on Tuesday dismissed the ting neighborhoods in the city center that are densely Russia says 200 ISIL fighters killed in Syria air tember 2015 aimed at helping the Syrian government report as “fake news” in a statement sent to Al Jazeera, a day packed with civilians,” SOHR director Rami Abdel Rah- raid forces defeat ISIL as well as Syrian rebel groups. after the broadcast which has now been circulated online. man told the AFP news agency. Meantime, Russian fighter jets killed more than 200 Rudskoi said the creation of de-escalation zones in Earlier this month, the aid group Doctors Without ISIL terrorists in a recent air attack in Syria, the defense Syria had helped the Russian military to focus on bat- Borders (MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières) reported that ministry said on Monday, as part of an intensified air tling ISIL. food and medicine needed to treat the wounded were campaign to help President Bashar al-Assad’s forces Under a plan approved in May by Russia, Turkey and in short supply. drive the group from its major stronghold of Deir Az Zor. Iran that applies to three areas of the country, the gov- The U.S-led coalition, which operates in both Syria The planes destroyed an armed convoy of at least ernment and Syrian rebels have agreed to cease hostil- and neighboring Iraq, says it takes all possible measures 20 ISIL vehicles that were heading to Deir Az Zor, the ities, halt government air raids and improve humanitar- to avoid civilian casualties. ministry said in comments carried by state news agency ian access. In August, it acknowledged the deaths of 624 civil- TASS. It did not specify the date of the attack. Russian military police are monitoring compliance at ians in its strikes in Syria and Iraq since 2014, but rights The SOHR confirmed that at least 70 fighters from checkpoints around the three zones. groups say the number is much higher. ISIL were killed in a Russian air attack on a convoy in the (Source: agencies)

Monday’s report by the Emirati channel came as the Boko Haram Nigerian child bombings this year are quadruple 2016’s: UNICEF House of Saud regime, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain Boko Haram militants in northeast Nigeria since June 1, according to a Reuters tally. nities and families. Nigerian aid worker Re- ing the bomb and killing a lot of people, then continue a blockade against their Persian Gulf neighbor, Qa- have sent out four times as many child su- UNICEF, in a statement released on becca Dali, who runs an agency that offers their lives will be profitable,” Dali said. tar. The trio allege that Doha supports terrorism, claims Qatar icide bombers this year as they used in all Tuesday, said it was “extremely concerned counseling for those who were abducted, Some 450,000 children are also at risk strongly denies. of 2016, the United Nations Children’s Fund about an appalling increase in the cruel said children as young as four were among of life-threatening malnutrition in 2017 by “This is just the latest example of fake news created by said on Tuesday. and calculated use of children, especially the 209 escapees her organization had the end of the year in northeast Nigeria, the blockading countries,” Saif Al Thani, director of Qatar’s Eighty-three children had been used as girls, as ‘human bombs’ in northeast Ni- helped since 2015. UNICEF said. government press office, told Al Jazeera. bombers since Jan. 1, 2017, UNICEF said. geria. The use of children in this way is an “They (former abductees) are highly Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari “The blockading countries are becoming increasingly des- Of those, 55 were girls, mostly under 15 atrocity”. traumatized,” Dali told Reuters on Monday said on Monday the country would “rein- perate in their efforts to isolate Qatar because the interna- years old and 27 were boys. One was a Boko Haram is trying to create a state at the United Nations in Geneva, where she force and reinvigorate” its fight against the tional community has not been fooled by the smear cam- baby strapped to a girl. Nineteen children in the Lake Chad region, which spans parts received an award from the Sergio Vieira de group following the latest wave of attacks. paign. They are now continuing their focus on public opinion, were used last year, UNICEF said. of Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad. It Mello Foundation for her humanitarian work. Analysts say the Boko Haram faction led they are spending millions on creating fake news.” The Boko Haram insurgency, now in its gained notoriety by abducting more than Her team, which includes former police by Abubakar Shekau may have been paid In the broadcast, reporter Maryam Al Awadhi says: eighth year, has claimed over 20,000 lives and 200 girls from the northeast Nigerian town officers, identified some returnees as hav- ransom by the government to gain the re- “Turkish troops have been deployed on key street inter- forced more than two million people to flee of Chibok in April 2014. Aid groups say it ing been trained as suicide bombers. lease of 82 of the Chibok girls in May, which sections of Doha, Qatar, in response to demonstrations by their homes over eight years. has kidnapped thousands more adults and “There were two girls taught by Boko then was used to buy weapons and recruit Qatari citizens.” The frequency of suicide bomb attacks children. Haram to be suicide bombers ... The girls fighters. The government did not disclose The Dubai TV presenter claimed to base her reporting on in northeastern Nigeria has increased in the Children who escape are often held by confirmed that they were taught that their life details of the negotiations. “sources within the Qatari opposition”. past few weeks, killing at least 170 people authorities or ostracized by their commu- was not worth living, that if they die detonat- (Source: Reuters) A “curfew” was imposed on several parts of Doha after Qatari and Turkish troops fired tear gas at protesters, the re- port incorrectly claimed. Daeshis gathering in Syria’s Dayr al-Zawr for last battle: Russia A Qatari government official, speaking on the condition of The remaining members of the Daesh (ISIL) terrorist on Syrian soil,” he added. and camps. Forty armored vehicles, 106 gun trucks and anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to media, group are gathering in Syria’s Dayr al-Zawr province for “The defeat of the main forces of the most odious up to 800 terrorists have been destroyed,” noted. told Al Jazeera: “It is obvious that this report is fiction and is their last stand, says the Russian Defense Ministry. terrorist group, Daesh, which intended to create a so- Earlier in the day, the Russian defense ministry an- part of a bucket of lies the blockading countries have been “The remaining [terrorist] forces are heading there. Ac- called ‘caliphate,’ will be completed with lifting the siege nounced that its aircraft have eliminated more than 200 spreading against Qatar.” cording to our data, militants from Mosul [in Iraq] moved of Dayr al-Zawr,” he added. Daesh terrorists heading for Dayr al-Zawr. Earlier this week, Qatar filed a complaint with the Interna- there and the most battle-ready units from Raqqah,” said Rudskoy went on to note that Russian Air Force has Daesh controls most of oil-rich Dayr al-Zawr Prov- tional Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) after a Dubai-based spokesman for the Russian General Staff, General Sergey considerably increased its operations against Daesh in ince, but the terror outfit is under pressure from Syrian Saudi-owned channel, Al Arabia TV, aired a video animation Rudskoy.He noted that despite the fact that most of the August, boosting the number of sorties to 60-70 per forces advancing from the west. showing a Qatar Airways passenger jet being shot down. terrorists had left Raqqah, the U.S.-backed SDF forces have day as the push for Dayr al-Zawr gains momentum. The Syrian soldiers control a pocket of the provincial That video speculated that in the event of a Qatari civil- still not been able to capture the city. “During the past five days, Russian planes made 316 capital, Dayr al-Zawr, which has been under siege by ian jet accidentally travelling through Saudi airspace - which “Syrian government forces supported by Russian sorties and carried out 819 strikes…All in all, in August, Daesh for two years.Dayr al-Zawr is one of the few remain- was closed after the blockade was announced in June, the Aerospace forces are swiftly pushing from three direc- Russian Aerospace forces aviation made 990 sorties, ing areas under the Daesh control as the terrorist group is kingdom’s air force would be covered by international law to tions towards Dayr al-Zawr at the moment. The foot- [and] 2,518 airstrikes have been carried out on com- losing ground in Raqqah, its de facto capital in Syria. bring down or even shoot down the civilian aircraft. hold around the city is the last stronghold of terrorists mand posts, positions, stockpiles, transshipment bases (Source: agencies) (Source: Al Jazeera) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 14 WORLD SPORT AUGUST 23, 2017 Hacker group reveal drug use in football AC Milan sign Kalinic from Fiorentina and claim 150 players failed tests in 2015 Fiorentina have confirmed that Nikola Kalinic has joined The Fancy Bears hackers have targeted an anti-inflammatory that can be used to AC Milan. football by releasing a series of docu- treat skin conditions, asthma and other The striker, who scored 15 Serie A goals last season, becomes ments they claim show officials are ‹lying› conditions. Milan›s 11th signing of the summer, joining on an initial loan about the lack of doping in the game. Striker Diego Milito had declared use deal with an obligation to buy. The Russian cyber espionage group of Salbutamol, Budesonide and Betameta- Reports suggest the forward will cost Milan a total of €25mil- has previously leaked documents showing sone, and was also given a TUE for For- lion, made up of an initial €5m loan fee and €20m to make it therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs) hand- moterol, an asthma medication. permanent at the end of the season. ed to cyclists Chris Froome and Sir Bradley Gomez, the Wolfsburg striker who Big-spending Milan have already signed Leonardo Bonucci, Wiggins. Their hack of the IAAF’s comput- played for Bayern Munich in 2010, had a Andre Silva, Andrea Conti, Hakan Calhanoglu, Mateo Musac- er system showed Sir Mo Farah was once TUE for Salbutamol, another drug that can chio, Ricardo Rodriguez, Lucas Biglia, Franck Kessie, Antonio under suspicion for doping offences. be used to treat asthma. Donnarumma and Fabio Borini this summer, as they attempt to Now, in a threatening message that Kuyt, who played for Liverpool at the challenge both at home and abroad. suggests up to 200 footballers were time, was allegedly using Dexamethasone, Kalinic is set to wear the No.7 shirt at San Siro, and has signed ‹caught doping› in 2016, the Fancy Bears a corticosteroid, to treat a root canal. a four-year contract. allege that several big-name players used Italy are also affected by the leak, with The 29-year-old has had something of a nomadic career banned medication at the 2010 World striker Vicenzo Iaquinta allegedly given a thus far, playing for Hajduk Split, Blackburn Rovers and Dnipro Cup, including Argentina›s Carlos Tevez TUE for Betamethasone and midfielder Dnipropetrovsk before joining Fiorentina. He has also played for and Juan Veron, Germany striker Mario Mauro Camoranesi declaring use of Tri- Pula and Sibenik on loan. Gomez and Dirk Kuyt of Holland. amcinolone, a corticosteroid, and Xylo- He will compete with fellow new arrival Andre Silva for start- The Fancy Bears message read: ‹Greet- caine, an anaesthetic. ing striker duties at Milan, with youngster Patrick Cutrone also ings citizens of the world. The other countries with players named still at the club. Vincenzo Montella›s side, who have also been ‹You can have a look at WADA doc- on the list are Algeria, Chile, Ivory Coast, linked with the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Andrea Be- uments revealing that more than 150 Greece, New Zealand, Slovakia, Slovenia lotti and Diego Costa, allowed Carlos Bacca to join Villarreal on players were caught doping in 2015. The and the USA. loan with an option to buy last week to facilitate Kalinic›s arrival. next year this number increased up to The list of allegedly failed drug tests by The Croatia international›s transfer was sanctioned by Fior- 200 athletes. footballers contains several from labs in entina after they completed the signing of striker Giovanni Sim- ‹Today Fancy Bears› hack team is pub- ing Agency statistics for failed drugs tests list with five members of their squad alleg- London. eone from Genoa. lishing the material leaked from various from labs around the world in both 2015 edly using medication during the event. In 2015 three players tested positive for (Source: Goal) sources related to football. Football play- and 2016. The ‹Lab Result Report Sam- Germany is the next highest with four. cocaine and one for ecstasy. ers and officials unanimously affirm that ples› are all anonymous. The two teams played each other in the Fancy Bears previously hacked the this kind of sport is free of doping. Our The third document is entitled ‹TUE quarter-finals, with Germany winning 4-0 IAAF’s computer system and revealed ATP chief hails Nadal’s team perceived these numerous claims as and DoU Overview for the 2010 FIFA before losing to Spain in the semis. documents that showed Farah was once a challenge and now we will prove they World Cup South Africa› and contains the There are no England players on under suspicion for doping offences. ‘unprecedented’ return to are lying.› names of 25 players and the drugs they the list. In July the IAAF confirmed the docu- world number one The message accompanies a link to have allegedly been permitted to use Tevez, Veron and team-mates Gabriel ments released by the Russian hackers three documents. The Fancy Bears claim while at the tournament. Heinze and Samuel Watter had declared were authentic. Rafael Nadal’s return to the top of the world rankings is a testa- that two of these show World Anti-Dop- Argentina have the most players on the their use of the steroid Betamethasone, (Source: Mirror) ment to the Spaniard’s longevity in the game and is as impres- sive as any of his career achievements, men’s tennis chief Chris Kermode has said. Raikkonen staying at Ferrari Monaco ultras fire warning to Mbappe The 31-year-old Nadal became the world number one for in 2018 amid talk of PSG move the first time since July 2014 after replacing Britain’s Andy Mur- ray at the top spot on Monday. “To regain the No. 1 ranking nine years after having first reached it is unprecedented,” ATP president Kermode said in a statement. “Rafa has been setting records throughout his re- markable career and this one is as impressive as any. It shows incredible dedication and longevity, and we congratulate him on this amazing achievement.” Nadal, a 15-times grand slam winner, came back from a se- ries of knee and wrist injuries to reach the Australian Open final and claimed a record 10th French Open title this season. “Being No. 1 after all the things that I have been going through the last couple of years is something unbelievable, so (it) is, for me, an amazing achievement to be back to that posi- tion after three years,” said Nadal. Nadal has claimed four titles on tour this season, winning 49 matches and losing nine in a stellar 2017. (Source: Reuters) Kimi Raikkonen will be racing for Ferrari Mercedes where Finland’s Valtteri Bottas n official Monaco ultras group has hit out urged them not to sell Mbappe to a di- again next season after the Italian For- has yet to be confirmed for 2018. at Kylian Mbappe’s reported wage de- rect rival. mula One team announced on Tues- By opting to keep Raikkonen, Ferrari mands and has encouraged the board to “It’s been a few weeks since the sea- Boris Becker named German day a contract extension with the Finn have gone for an experienced driver who consider selling the striker for the good son started and we’ve had some good for 2018. is still quick and who will not rock the boat of the club. results. We closely observe Monaco’s federation ‘head of tennis’ The popular 2007 world champion, in what is likely to be his final season. He The 18-year-old has been linked with news. Today, Ultras Monaco want to react who will be 38 in October, would have first raced for Ferrari between 2007-9 and a number of major European clubs dur- to a case involving one of our players,” Six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker will be named as been out of contract at the end of this then returned in 2014. ing the transfer window but is rumored to the group said in a statement on Tuesday. the German Tennis Federation’s (DTB) first ‘head of tennis’, ac- year with plenty of rivals eyeing up his He and Vettel get on well, with the be close to agreeing a move to Ligue 1 “In recent times, we have witnessed cording to AFP subsidiary SID. seat at the sport’s most successful and German keen on him staying, and Raikko- rivals Paris Saint-Germain. with surprise and indignation the fees re- The 49-year-old was declared bankrupt in June, but has been glamorous team. nen has shown his loyalty this season by Reports on Tuesday claimed that vealed by the media regarding Mbappe’s given the new role in which he will manage all German men’s Raikkonen has not won a race since he accepting team orders to his detriment. Mbappe has agreed a five-year con- transfer, but also the wages demanded tennis and oversee the running of the Davis Cup team. was at Lotus in 2013, and is currently fifth The Finn has twice finished second tract worth €18million per year with by the footballer to sign a new deal. We Former Fed Cup captain Barbara Rittner will become the in a championship led by German team behind Vettel, in Monaco and Hungary, Unai Emery’s side, who are said to be consider that no one player deserves so head of women’s tennis. Their appointments are set to be made mate Sebastian Vettel, who has won four while also taking third place in Britain and trying to negotiate a deal that would many millions of euros. official at a press of the season’s 11 races to date. Russia. see him join on a season-long loan be- “We believe in popular football and conference in Frankfurt tomorrow. Vettel is also out of contract at the end of He started on pole position in Monaco fore making a permanent move next values like the love for the shirt and re- “But on Wednesday there will be other surprises,” Dirk Hordorff, the season and the short Ferrari statement in May, his first appearance at the front of year, in order for PSG to escape Finan- spect for the club where you grew up. DTB vice-president, told SID. Becker, who famously became the did not mention him. However, he is ex- the grid since June 2008, and has a strong cial Fair Play problems. We cannot accept such behaviour and youngest ever men’s Wimbledon champion at the age of 17 in 1985, pected to remain once a longer and more track record at Belgium’s Spa-Francor- Mbappe will reportedly cost close to wage demands when he has not proved will first try to help Germany avoid relegation from the Davis Cup lucrative deal has been hammered out. champs where he was won four times. €140m if he does sign for the capital club, anything over a decade of matches at a World Group in their play-off against Portugal on September 15-17. The timing of Ferrari’s statement was His future was called into question with Brazil international Lucas Moura po- professional level. Becker had already reportedly expressed an interest in work- earlier than expected, since the team in July, however, when Ferrari chairman tentially heading the other way. “We also want to remind Mbappe and ing with the DTB in February after ending his stint as coach of have often made such announcements at Sergio Marchionne called him “a bit of The striker’s future has cast a shadow his clan that no one player is above the 12-time major winner Novak Djokovic. their home Italian round at Monza which a laggard”. over Monaco’s pre-season and the be- institution of AS Monaco. (Source: Express) follows on from this weekend’s Belgian “I think Kimi has got to show a high- ginning of their title defence and he was “We truly hope that our board will take Grand Prix. er level of commitment to the process,” dropped from the squad for Friday’s 1-0 the necessary decision to end this story if They had also been tipped to confirm he had told reporters at the Austrian win over Metz after reportedly clashing his wage demands are true, all the while both drivers at the same time. Grand Prix. with team-mate Andrea Raggi in training. considering that it is essential that they Azarenka will miss US Open Vettel, a four times world champion Marchionne has also emphasized that The ‘Ultras Monaco 1994’ group has don’t strengthen a rival team in the race over ‘ongoing family situation’ with Red Bull, has also been linked in he wants Vettel to stay. now called on the club to bring the spec- for the title. some media speculation to champions (Source: Reuters) ulation to an end, although they have (Source: Sun)

Former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka has withdrawn from this month’s US Open because of an “ongoing family situation.” Messi is unsure about Barcelona future, claims Benedito Azarenka, a two-time grand slam champion and twice a finalist Lionel Messi is showing he is unsure about his future by unsure.” at Flushing Meadows, released a statement on Thursday saying that not signing a new Barcelona contract, according to Agusti Barca have largely endured a frustrating transfer win- she was not allowed to take her son Leo out of California while she Benedito. dow to date, losing Neymar for a world-record €222m fee and the father of her baby attempted to resolve legal issues. The Argentina star agreed to a new four-year deal in to Paris Saint-Germain and facing defiance from Liverpool On Monday, the 28-year-old Belarusian confirmed she would July but has yet to put pen to paper, despite his current and Borussia Dortmund over top targets Philippe Coutin- not be competing in the final major of the year. contract having less than a year to run. ho and Ousmane Dembele. She said: “I am sadly unable to compete in this year’s US Open Speculation has mounted that Messi could be tempted Brazil international Paulinho was signed for €40m from due to my ongoing family situation that I am working through. to leave Barca, with Manchester City reportedly prepared Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao and Nice’s Jean Seri is re- “While I will dearly miss being in New York and playing in to activate his €300million release clause in order to reu- portedly close to securing a move, but Benedito believes one of my favorite tournaments, where I have enjoyed some of nite him with former boss Pep Guardiola. Barca’s recruitment of midfielders underlines a sense of the best moments in my career, I am already looking forward to Barca technical secretary Robert Fernandez has insisted it confusion over their transfer plans. being back next year.” is a matter of time before Messi signs his extension, but Ben- “The feeling given by the board is that they don’t know Azarenka gave birth in December and returned to tennis in edito, a former candidate for the club presidency, believes what they’re looking for in the market,” said Benedito, June, but shortly after competing at Wimbledon — her first ma- the 30-year-old has clear doubts around his decision. who began a campaign to lodge a vote of no confidence jor since becoming a mother — she and Leo’s father separated. “They’ve been leaving the renewal of Messi, the most against the club’s directors in June. “There’s a bit of dis- Last week Azarenka said no-one should have to decide be- important player, until the end... and with it still not signed, situation is a worry. [Barcelona president Josep Maria] ruption. tween a child and their career. it’s a concern,” Benedito told Onda Cero and Radio Marca. Bartomeu said Messi had signed his renewal in June and “It seems like Seri is coming and with him they’ll have Japan’s Misa Eguchi will take Azarenka’s place in the main “Messi’s case could be worse than Neymar’s because, that’s not the case. about 11 midfielders. We lose Neymar and we sign draw of the tournament which starts on August 28. as things stand, from January 1, he’s free. “Bartomeu has not been able to conclude Messi’s re- Paulinho.” (Source: CNN) “Messi has always wanted a competitive team and the newal. If Messi hasn’t signed the renewal, it’s because he’s (Source: FourFourTwo) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y AUGUST 23, 2017 SPORT 15

Sweden Saman Ghoddos Giants’ WR Beckham suffers ankle sprain in preseason game interested in wearing Iran jersey New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. suffered an ankle sprain after taking a heavy tackle in Monday’s pre- SPORTS Iranian-Swedish midfielder Sa- season game against Cleveland, the Giants said. deskman Ghoddos has reportedly giv- After catching a pass in the second quarter, the receiv- en the green light to Iran Football Federation to er was hit directly on his knee by Browns cornerback Briean join Team Melli. Boddy-Calhoun. The speedy pass catcher limped off the field The 24-year-old, who scored for his side Öster- before heading to the locker room in pain. sund FK during Europa League qualification against The Giants said the 24-year-old suffered only an ankle Turkish giant Galatasaray, has played in two friendly sprain but would be evaluated further. matches for Sweden and scored a goal but he is still Beckham has reached the Pro Bowl in each of his first eligible to play for Iran. three seasons in the NFL, establishing himself as one of the Ghoddos has now applied for Iranian citizenship league’s most dangerous receivers. and it seems he is going to choose Iran national The Giants kick off their season at Dallas on Sept. 11. football team. (Source: Reuters) “There’s nothing I can answer now. It’s still 50-50 for me. But as I said before, there is only one nation- al team that shows interest right now,” Ghoddos said in an interview with SportExpressen. CAS upholds life ban on “I will always love Sweden. I’ve grown up here. It former top officials for is an honor to live here and to represent Sweden. At the same time, my parents are Iranian. I have Persian doping blackmail blood in my body. I love Iran too,” said Ghoddos. In December 2016, Ghoddos was called up by ZURICH (Reuters) — Sports highest tribunal has upheld Sweden manager Janne Andersson for friendlies life bans on two top Russian athletics officials and the son against Ivory Coast and Slovakia. He scored his first of former world governing body president Lamine Diack for international goal for Sweden in a 6–0 win over Slo- covering up an elite Russian athlete’s positive dope test and vakia on 12 January 2017. blackmailing her over it. Ghoddos had already stated that in July he may ac- Valentin Balakhnichev, the former head of the Russian athletics cept an invitation to play for Carlos Queiroz’s Iran. federation, and Alexei Melnikov, the country’s former head distance coach, were banned by the IAAF (International Association of Ath- Iranian Greco-Roman wrestlers claim Padideh stun Esteghlal at letics Federations) ethics commission in January last year. Papa Massata Diack, a former marketing consultant to the three bronzes at World C’ships Azadi Stadium IAAF, was also banned. All three denied any wrongdoing and sub- sequently appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Iran Greco-Roman wrestlers claimed SPORTS TEHRAN – Esteg- “The IAAF Ethics Commission decision is confirmed and desk three bronze medals at the First Day of hlal football team Valentin Balakhnichev, Alexei Melnikov and Papa Massata Di- the World Wrestling Championships in lost to Padideh 2-0 in Week 5 of Iran ack remain banned for life from any involvement in the sport Paris, France on Monday. Professional League here at the Azadi of athletics,” said CAS in announcing its verdict on Monday. In the bronze medal bouts, Iran Stadium on Tuesday. “The panel concluded that on the evidence adduced, the snared medals in three of the finals. Mohammad Ghazi gave the visiting charges established against Messers Balakhnichev, Melnikov Mohammadali Geraei was one point team the lead in the 15th minute with a and Diack were established beyond reasonable doubt and away from losing by technical fall to left-footed strike outside the box. the sanctions imposed should be upheld.” 2016 world silver medalist Daniel Cat- Soon after, Esteghlal put Padideh under It said it would give a full reasoned decision at a later date. araga from Moldavia at 71kg. pressure and created several opportunities The bans followed the previous year’s World Anti-Doping Former world champion Saeid Abd- but the strikers lacked of the cutting edge. Agency (WADA) independent commission report that found vali opened the bout with a go-behind Hossein Mehrban extended the lead a state-sponsored culture of doping in Russia and prompted takedown at 75kg and Kazbek Kilov in the 72nd minute. the country’s suspension from the sport. from Belarus ended the bout with a It’s Esteghlal’s third defeat in five The sanctions related primarily to the case of Russian for- slap for a two-point penalty and tech- matches. mer London marathon winner Liliya Shobukhova, who paid nical fall win Abdvali. The Iranian giants started the com- $600,000 to have positive dope tests covered up. And at 85kg, Asian champion Hos- Azerbaijan’s Islam Abbasov with a se- petition with a 1-0 loss to Sanat Naft. and defeated tractor Sazi 1-0 in the fol- sein Nouri fashioned a 4-0 win over ries of step-out points. Alireza Mansourian were held to a lowing weeks. two-time junior world champ Islam (Source: unitedworldwrestling) goalless draw by Esteghlal Khuzestan Esteghlal also lost to Saipa 1-0 in Week 4. Ronaldo hit by ‘terrible curse’ for missing dad’s funeral, Barcelona sue Neymar for breach of contract witch doctor claims! Barcelona are suing Neymar for a breach of contract the player cannot take responsibility. but back with the club.” after the Brazilian left the club for Paris Saint-Germain “FC Barcelona have taken these steps in order to Neymar did not publicly say he was considering a Cristiano Ronaldo has unleashed “very powerful negative en- earlier this month. defend their own interests after Neymar rescinded his move to PSG until Aug. 3, the day Barcelona terminat- ergies” by missing his dad’s funeral, a witch doctor has claimed. The Catalan club said on Tuesday they believe they contract with the club just a few months after signing a ed his contract and he signed for his new team. Fernando Nogueira, dubbed Fafe, claims the Real Madrid are owed €8.5 million that was paid to the player as renewal until 2021.” Barcelona’s clain comes just days after Neymar ace has been bewitched with a “terrible curse” after skipping part of a renewal bonus when he signed a new con- Neymar put pen to paper on a new five-year deal blasted the club’s board. the ceremony to play footie. tract last year. at Camp Nou last October and as well as the bonus he “I do have something to say: That I am disappoint- The Portuguese shaman said because Ronaldo, 32, has In a statement released on Tuesday, Barca said they was paid at the time, he was due to receive another ed with them [the Barca directors],” Neymar said after been “weakened spiritually and psychologically” because he had passed the complaint on to the Spanish Football €26m this summer. PSG’s win over Toulouse on Sunday. “did not say goodbye to his father”. Federation (RFEF), having first filed the lawsuit in a Bar- However, after his world record €222m transfer to “I spent four years there and was very happy. I be- Ronaldo skipped the funeral of his father, Jose Dinis Avei- celona court on Aug. 11. PSG went through, club spokesman Josep Vives con- gan happy, spent four years happy and left happy. But ro, 12 years ago to play a football match. FC Barcelona have sent a claim to be made against firmed the club would not be making the payment as not with them. For me, they shouldn’t be in charge The four time FIFA Ballon d’Or winner was aged 20 when Neymar for breach of contract to the RFEF for it to be Neymar had not fulfilled his contractual duties. of Barca. Barca deserve much better, and everyone his dad, who battled with alcoholism, passed away. passed on to the French Football Federation [FFF] and “There were three conditions -- one, that the player knows this. Speaking to Flash, Fafe said: “Ronaldo has been weakened FIFA,” the statement read. didn’t negotiate with another club before July 31; two, “To see my former teammates unhappy makes me spiritually and psychologically. “In the demand, the club claims back money paid as that he publicly expressed his decision to fulfil his con- sad also, because I have many friends [there]. I hope “He missed the funeral of his father to play the same part of a renewal bonus based on the fact he has not tract; and three, the payment was to be made on Sept. that things get better for Barca. That they return to the evening, and that unleashed a lot of energies. fulfilled his contract. The amount is €8.5m in damages, 1 to ensure he didn’t go to another club,” Vives said. team they were and become one that can compete “He did not say goodbye to his father when he was alive, plus an additional 10 percent in interest. The club also “With these criteria not met, the club will not pay the with the others.” and had not talked to him in a long time. claims that PSG subsidise the amounts in the event that renewal bonus. The money is no longer with a notary (Source: soccernet) “There are things that weigh on our consciences. “As bad as a father can be, missing his funeral unleashed Liverpool need Southampton’s The IPC wins major very powerful negative energies.” Funnily enough Ronaldo’s fortunes on the pitch have re- Virgil van Dijk - Steven Gerrard international prize cently taken a turn for the worst. Steven Gerrard has urged Liverpool to do no replied: “Yes, because as you know Paralympic Movement’s global govern- in sports. In doing so it has helped to The winger has been slapped with a five-match ban for everything they can to sign Virgil van Dijk right now it’s the position that we are ing body named as one of three laure- change long-held biases towards peo- pushing a referee during Real Madrid’s 3-1 win over Barce- from Southampton this summer. in disadvantage. ates for prestigious LUI Che Woo Prize. ple with an impairment and made the lona last weekend. Liverpool were interested in Van “I think it’s an area where we can im- The International Paralympic Commit- Paralympic Games a symbol of social Other troubles include beef with the Spanish authorities Dijk earlier this summer before they prove with another player.’’ tee (IPC) has been named as one of three inclusion and awareness. over his tax affairs. released a statement apologising to Meanwhile, Southampton chairman laureates for the prestigious LUI Che Woo “Founded in 1989, the IPC has But Fafe claims Ronaldo can change his luck – if he seeks Southampton amid tapping-up allega- Ralph Krueger has explained why the Prize – Prize for World Civilisation which transformed itself from a small disabil- treatment from a witch doctor. tions. Premier League side have taken their was announced at a press conference in ity sports organisation into one of the He added: “If he or his family had a strong witch doctor The centre-back is keen to leave St. firm stance on the Netherlands - inter Hong Kong on Tuesday (22 August). world’s most widely respected sports to treat him it would be fine. If it fails nothing will be solved. Mary’s this summer after handing in national. The Paralympic Movement’s global organisations, making the Paralympic “I am happy to treat him for free. Ronaldo is the best play- a transfer request, but Southampton “It’s about an overall much, much, governing body has been awarded the Games comparable to the Olympic er in the world and for him I would do it free of charge.” maintain he is not for sale. much bigger picture -- a change of Positive Energy Prize for “its outstand- Games. It is able to feature the world’s (Source: Daily Star) “Yes [Van Dijk is a necessity],” for- course for Southampton,” he said. ing work in proactively encouraging best Para athletes, who have gone mer Liverpool captain Gerrard, now an “We want to mature, we want to be Para athletes in celebration and com- on to become global heroes. Its work academy coach at Anfield, said in his a team that can profit from synergies petitive participation in sports, offering has resulted in massive infrastructure role as a BT Sport pundit. “For me, if that create a much more attractive hope to people with an impairment, improvements for people with an im- AFC club competitions you want to compete in the league and football and a better product for the and changing society’s long-held biases pairment, substantially increased fund- attract C’estbon deal in the Champions League [Van Dijk is fans, and gives us a chance to get towards them. The IPC has successful- ing for Paralympic sports, and major needed]. back into Europe. ly promoted harmony among diverse improvements in athlete training and The Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) club competitions “It’s been well documented that we “That’s one player in this whole groups and radiated positive energy performance. continue to attract top level sponsors as C’estbon, China’s need two or three signings in.” equation of 25 and it is the visible one, around the globe.” “The IPC and the Paralympic Move- leading brand of bottled water, has become the latest Official After publicly expressing his desire but for us it’s the principle and it’s the The citation of the LUI Che Woo ment have inspired and offered hope Supporter of the AFC’s Club Programme. to leave the club, Van Dijk has not fea- path and it’s the statement we need to Prize to the IPC reads: to so many, making what was once per- The partnership will include exposure at the AFC’s flagship tured in Southampton’s first two match- make to get to a new space as a club. “The International Paralympic Com- ceived as impossible “possible”, and in club competitions, the AFC Champions League, the AFC Cup es of the season. “We are very, very adamant about mittee (IPC) is awarded the LUI Che so doing generated enormous positive as well as the AFC Futsal Club Championship. Despite Southampton closing carrying this through.” Woo Prize 2017 in the Positive Energy energy. Over the years, the Paralympic The announcement was made just before the kick-off in on the signing of Lazio’s Wesley Liverpool have routinely signed category, with the Specific Area of Fo- Games have dissolved barriers, making of tonight’s AFC Champions League quarter final between Hoedt, manager Mauricio Pellegrino Southampton’s best players in recent cus on “Promotion of Harmony among for a more inclusive society through Shanghai SIPG and Guangzhou Evergrande and Dato’ Wind- recently said he wanted keep Van years, with Sadio Mane, Adam Lallana, Diverse Groups”. achievement and excellence in sports, sor John, the AFC General Secretary, said: “The partnership Dijk. Nathaniel Clyne and Dejan Lovren all “The IPC has had a tremendous pos- and celebrating the triumph of the reflects the continued appeal of the AFC’s competitions. When asked if he wanted to add making the switch from St. Mary’s to itive impact by bringing together Para human spirit over adversity and chal- “Our AFC Vision and Mission is to stage top class compe- another centre-back to his squad Anfield. athletes from around the world in cel- lenges.” titions and there is no doubt that the AFC Champions League even if Saints retain Van Dijk, Pellegri- (Source: ESPN) ebration and competitive participation (Source: Paralympic.org) fits into that category. It is one of the richest continental club competitions in the world.” (Source: AFC) Prayer Times Noon:13:07 Evening: 20:03 Dawn: 5:01 tomorrow) Sunrise: 6:30 (tomorrow) AUGUST 23, 2017 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 Iran’s “Colorful Dream of Silk Road” Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 [email protected] Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051450 realized as Beijing book fair opens Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 www.eshterak.ir Distributor: Padideh Novin Co. ARTTEHRAN — The 24th Beijing Tel: 88911433 deskInternational Book Fair opened today Webmaster: [email protected] as Iran, the guest of honor, has selected the motto of Printed at: Kayhan - ISSN: 1017-94 “Iran, Colorful Dream of Silk Road” for its programs for No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran the major Asian cultural event. P.o. Box: 14155-4843 Dozens of cultural organizations, publishers and Zip Code: 1599814713 writers from Iran have arranged a wide variety of programs to represent Iran as a major part of the ancient route that once facilitated a cultural dialogue between the colorful cultures in many places in the world. The Alhoda International Publishing Group, Saless, Candle and Fog, Farhang Moaser, and Qoqnus are among the publishing companies, which are displaying their latest offerings at the event. Groups of Iranian writers are currently at the fair to promote their books and also attend various meetings arranged by the organizers. Asghar Farhadi begins Among the authors is Hushang Moradi Kermani, the children’s writer whose works have been translated into shooting new film in Spain several languages. Elham Sadat Mirzania, the author of a Chinese- ARTTEHRAN — The Iranian two-time Os- desk Persian dictionary, and Marzieh Soleimani, the translator car-winning director Asghar Farhadi started of American Sinologist Herrlee Glessner Creel’s “Chinese the shooting of his new film titled “Everybody Knows” in the Thought, from Confucius to Mao Tsê-tung”, are also in Spanish capital of Madrid on Monday. attendance at the fair. Iran also plans to organize a festival of most acclaimed movies from Iranian filmmakers in Beijing during the book fair. Six films, including Asghar Farhadi’s Oscar-winning drama “The Salesman” and Abbas Kiarostami’s “Shirin”, have been selected to screen at the festival. A number of Iranian cultural officials are also at the organizations. Exhibition Center (NCIEC). book fair for establishing close working relations with Iran is welcoming visitors at its pavilion located at the The Beijing International Book Fair will run until the participating international publishers and cultural entrance of West Hall 2 of the New China International August 27. Tehran center to host Show Iranian director making doc on

Iranian director Asghar Farhadi of Hands Festival Azerbaijan Black January Argentine star Ricardo Darin and the Oscar-winning Spanish ARTTEHRAN — Pianists ARTTEHRAN — Iranian couple, Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz, are the main mem- deskfrom Iran and deskfilmmaker Babak Minai bers of the cast, Farhadi announced in a post sent on his official several European countries will come is making a documentary about Black Telegram channel on Tuesday. together at Tehran’s Niavaran Cultural January, a violent crackdown in Baku in Eduard Fernández Serrano, Bárbara Lennie, Elvira Mínguez, Center in September to perform solo January 1990 during the dissolution of the Inma Cuesta, Roger Casamajor and Ramón Barea, all from Spain, improvisations during the Show of Soviet Union. will also star in the $12-13m project, which is being made as Hands Festival. “The idea to make a film entered my a French-Spanish-Italian co-production with Memento Films in The festival will be organized by mind last year when I heard about the France, Morena Films in Spain and Lucky Red in Italy. Tehran-based labels Hermes Records tragedy on a trip to the Azerbaijani capital The family drama and psychological thriller tells the story of and Click Design and Innovation of Baku,” Minai told the Persian service of Carolina who leaves Argentina to visit her family in Spain, but Group. Tasnim on Tuesday. some unexpected accidents affect the visit. The event will begin with perfor- On January 20, 1990, 150 unarmed ci- The plot was developed four years ago before Farhadi began mances by Maziar Yunesi from Iran vilians, including women and children, par- making his Oscar-winning drama “The Salesman”. He wrote the and Tord Gustavsen from Norway on ticipating in a peaceful demonstration were script and it was translated into Spanish. September 13. killed by Soviet troops under orders from Pedro and Agustin Almodovar’s Madrid-based El Deseo will David Six from Austria, Wolfert Mikhail Gorbachev. about the tragedy and also to meet some produce “Everybody Knows”, which is Farhadi’s second movie Brederode from the Netherlands, In the documentary entitled “Black of the survivors of the incident. being shot in outside of his homeland. He directed “The Past” Benedikt Jahnel from Germany and January”, Minai will make a comparison “Black January” is scheduled to be in Paris in 2012. Francois Couturier from France will In addition, the Polish pianist Mar- between Black January and Tehran’s Black screened at the 11th Cinema Verite, Iran’s also perform during the event. cin Wasilewski will go on stage on the Friday on September 8, 1978, during which major international festival for documenta- The festival will also showcase closing night on September 18. dozens of people were killed in a demon- ry cinema, in December. “If You Go Away” performances by Nik Bartsch and The festival is scheduled to come stration against Iran’s last monarch, Mo- It will be also be broadcast on Ofoq, IR- Colin Vallon, both from Switzerland, to an end with a surprise perfor- hammad Reza Pahlavi. IB’s channel for documentary films. wins award at Hollyshorts Stefano Battaglia from Italy and Pey- mance whose details will be an- He has made several trips to Azerbaijan Among Minai’s credits are “Sheikh Reza”, Film Festival man Yazdanian from Iran. nounced later. over the past year to gather information “Mr. Seyyed Mehdi” and “Haj Marzuq”. ARTTEHRAN — Iranian director Soheila deskGolestani’s short film “If You Go Away” won “Hitman’s Bodyguard” nabs No. 1, “Logan Lucky” misfires the Best VR Award at the Hollyshorts Film Festival, which was LOS ANGELES (Variety) — Without a superhero movie or ahead, and we expect it to play well right into September.” weekend behind the second frame of “Annabelle: Creation.” held in Los Angeles from August 10 to 19. new studio sequel in play, this weekend provided an open- Meanwhile, “Logan Lucky” -- a critical darling from Ste- The latest in the “Conjuring” universe from Warner Bros. is ing for two smaller films to shine. But as the weekend draws ven Soderbergh and Bleecker Street -- is sputtering. The targeting $15.5 million from 3,542 locations. And “Dunkirk” to a close, one is beaming brighter than the other. heist comedy, which relied on an unconventional produc- will land in fourth behind “Logan Lucky” with an estimated That title goes to Lionsgate’s R-rated action comedy tion and marketing strategy, looks to make $8.1 million this $6.7 million. The same studio has more cause to celebrate as “Hitman’s Bodyguard,” which is firing off to $21.6 million weekend from 3,031 theaters. The film was partially funded “Wonder Woman” crosses $800 million worldwide. during its opening weekend at 3,377 locations. That’s a through foreign pre-sales and partnering with Amazon for “Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature” rounds out the top five this solid opening, especially during a painful summer for the streaming rights. The story -- penned by Rebecca Blunt, weekend with $5.1 million. movie business and sleepy month of August. The final tally who likely doesn’t exist -- centers on a trio of siblings played Outside of the wide releases, TWC continues its gradu- was fueled by an aggressive marketing push, and a trio of by Channing Tatum, Riley Keough, and Adam Driver, who at- al rollout for Taylor Sheridan’s “Wind River.” This weekend it stars at the center -- Samuel L. Jackson as a notorious hit- tempt to pull off a massive robbery. It’s set at the Coca-Cola looks to gross $3 million from 694 locations, raising its total man, and Salma Hayek as hit equally threatening wife, and 600 NASCAR race. cume past $4.1 million. And major acquisition at Sundance, The film is a love story about Syrian war refugees. Ryan Reynolds as a bodyguard. The film comes courtesy of Of the two, “Logan Lucky” fared better with critics, earning “Patti Cake$” is struggling to find an audience with $66,000 A couple forced to migrate because of war become separat- director Patrick Hughes (“The Expendables 3”) and writer a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, as opposed to “Hitman’s Body- from 14 locations. ed from each other. The woman tries to fight against her destiny Tom O’Connor. guard,” which has a 39%. But the roles are reversed when it Overall, the summer of hell continues: This season’s box and get back to her husband. “’The Hitman’s Bodyguard’ is generating great word of comes to audience reception -- “Hitman’s Bodyguard” has a office has slipped to 13.3% behind last year at this point, Golestani made the 5-minute film using virtual reality tech- mouth among moviegoers,” said Lionsgate’s distribution B+ CinemaScore as opposed to “Logan Lucky’s” B. according to data from ComScore, which also reports the niques. president David Spitz. “It has a clear runway in the weeks In the end, “Logan Lucky” will end up in third for the 2017 box office is now pacing 5% behind 2016. ‘Print’ on Texas family wall Kesha thanks fans as “Rainbow” Prominent Russian theater director is original Rockwell, sells comeback debuts at top of Billboard detained in embezzlement case for $1.6 million LOS ANGELES (Reuters) — Kesha raw, powerful songs in which she chan- MOSCOW (Reuters) — A prominent His detention shocked his supporters scored top billing on the Billboard 200 nels the frustration, hurt and anger she Russian theater director who has lament- and the arts world. DALLAS (Reuters) — A Texas family who discovered their old chart with her comeback album “Rain- has felt during a lengthy court battle ed what he says is the lack of freedom “The arrest of the director before a Norman Rockwell work of baseball umpires was an authentic bow,” her first studio album in five years with her former producer, Dr. Luke, and growing social conservatism in his trial is a clearly excessive measure,” wrote painting sold the work at auction for $1.6 million, Heritage Auc- amid a bitter legal battle over her re- whom she accused of emotional and country was detained on Tuesday and Alexei Kudrin, a liberal economist and tions said on Monday. cord contract. sexual abuse. accused of embezzling state funds. former finance minister, on social media. The painting, an original study for the work called “Tough The 30-year-old singer sold some Dr. Luke denied the allegations and Russia’s Investigative Committee said In May, investigators searched Sere- Call”, shows three umpires pondering whether to halt a game as 116,000 units of “Rainbow,” according to counter-sued for defamation. That it suspected Kirill Serebrennikov of em- brennikov’s home and office and ques- raindrops begin to fall. It became one of the best-known Rock- data on Monday from Nielsen Sound- case, and Kesha’s battle to be released bezzling at least 68 million rubles ($1.15 tioned him as a witness in an embezzle- well illustrations after being published on the cover of the Satur- Scan, to give her the second-largest from a multi-album contract with Sony million) in state funds earmarked for an ment case. day Evening Post in 1949. U.S. sales week of 2017 by a female Music, is still making its way through art project, it said in a statement. His lawyer could not immediately say Rockwell gave a signed copy to John “Beans” Reardon, a singer after Katy Perry’s “Witness.” the U.S. legal system, even as Kesha Serebrennikov, art director at Mos- if Serebrennikov’s detention was linked baseball umpire featured prominently in the work. Sandra Sprin- The Billboard 200 chart tallies units decided to release “Rainbow” through cow’s avant-garde Gogol Centre theater, to the same case or a different one. The kle, Reardon’s granddaughter, later inherited the piece and put it from album sales, song sales (10 songs the Sony Music group. denies wrongdoing. He faces up to 10 accountant and general director of Ser- above the mantle of her Dallas home for about a decade, it said. equal one album) and streaming activi- “Rainbow” knocked rapper Kendrick years in jail if found guilty. ebrennikov’s theater have already been After her death in 2015, her husband Gene Sprinkle sold ty (1,500 streams equal one album). Lamar’s “Damn”, which was released in Dmitry Kharitonov, a lawyer for Sere- accused of stealing state funds. the couple’s home and moved to a retirement community, “I am so grateful and so lucky and ... April, back to second place on the Bill- brennikov, said his client was detained in In July, the Bolshoi Theatre postponed where his nephew took a look at the piece and noticed brush at a loss for words. Thank you. Thank board 200, with another 43,000 units St. Petersburg where he was working on the world premiere of Nureyev, an edgy strokes. you. Thank you. There were many days sold for the week. a film about a Soviet rock star. ballet about the famous Russian dancer “We always thought it was a print, but we hung it over our that my music was simply a coping On the digital songs chart, which Serebrennikov, an award-winning di- which was directed by Serebrennikov. fireplace because it was signed by Norman Rockwell to Beans tool, for my emotions,” Kesha said in measures online single sales, Puerto rector, has used his work to criticize the The TASS news agency reported that Reardon,” Gene Sprinkle told Reuters by telephone on Monday. a message on her Facebook page on Rican singer Luis Fonsi’s global sensa- authorities in the past, lashing out at Russia’s minister for culture had a long Sprinkle, a 74-year-old retiree, said he agreed to let his neph- Monday. tion “Despacito,” featuring Justin Bieber, what he sees as the pernicious growing conversation with the Bolshoi before it ew contact Dallas-based Heritage, which determined it was an “Rainbow” mixes Kesha’s signature showed no signs off moving from No. role of the state and church in Russian announced it was postponing the pre- original oil, painted as a study for the final version. pop sounds of seven years ago with 1, with another 83,000 copies sold. society. miere.