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12 Pages Price 40,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 39th year No.13601 Monday FEBRUARY 10, 2020 Bahman 21, 1398 Jumada Al thani 15, 1441 Zafar satellite lunched Era of U.S. presence Alamian brothers Congratulation on Bahman 22 celebrations successfully, fails to in region is over win ITTF Challenge Congratulation on 41st anniversary of the revolution reach orbit 3 3 Spanish Open 11 Celebrating Bahman 22 Railway projects worth $142m inaugurated across Iran TEHRAN — Head of Islamic Republic out with the aim of increasing the safe- Iran self-sufficient in of Iran Railways (known as RAI) said ty and speed of the country’s railway 56 railway infrastructure and service transportation. projects were inaugurated across the According to the official, with a to- country on Sunday, on the occasion of tal investment of six trillion rials (over the “Ten-Day Dawn” which marks the $142.8 million), the said projects were 41st anniversary of the Islamic Revo- in various fields including communica- producing military jets lution in 1979. tions and electronic signaling, double Speaking in an inauguration cere- tracking, as well as sub-lines, and the mony in Tehran, Saeed Rasouli said reconstruction and repairing of old rail See page 2 the mentioned projects were carried lines in some blocks. 4

Advisor says Soleimani was ‘outstanding diplomat’, ‘great politician’ TEHRAN — A senior foreign policy a general of peace and security. advisor to the parliament speaker says “He understood theories and ways of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani negotiation very well and believed in diplo- was an “outstanding diplomat” and a macy as a tool and path towards reaching “great politician” besides being a general. his goal,” the advisor said. “Given the circumstances, he used U.S. President Donald Trump ordered diplomatic approaches to carry out his strikes that martyred General Soleimani, mission and he followed the rules of nego- chief of the IRGC Quds Force, and Abu tiation,” Hossein Amir Abdollahian said Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-com- on Sunday, IRNA reported. mand of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units He said General Soleimani was truly (PMU), on January 3. 3 Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union rejects Trump’s ‘deal of century’ The Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union (AIU) their Just Cause” in the Jordanian capital, has reiterated its absolute rejection of U.S. Amman on Saturday to discuss the im- President Donald Trump’s so-called deal of plications of the controversial U.S. plan. the century on the decades-old Israeli-Pal- In their final communiqué, the top Arab estinian conflict, terming the contentious parliamentarians vehemently rejected any plan a violation of the Palestinian nation’s unfair or unilateral solution that does not legitimate rights. fulfill the inalienable rights of the Palestin- Representatives of 20 Arab parliaments ian people, foremost among which is the

File photo participated in an emergency AIU meet- right to establish an independent state, with ing titled “Supporting the Palestinians in Jerusalem al-Quds as its capital. 10 ARTICLE Syrian government forces recapture 600 square km of territory in Idlib campaign Reza Amooei PERSPECTIVE Mehr News Agency Syrian government forces have recaptured more threatened to respond if its military observation pressed a blistering assault against the Idlib Mostafa Mousavi Sabet journalist than 600 square kilometers of territory so far posts in Idlib, set up under a 2018 truce, come region with Russian support, retaking town af- Head of the Tehran Times in a campaign to seize control of the last rebel under attack, al Jazeera reported. ter town despite warnings from Turkey, which Art & Culture Desk strongholds of Idlib and the Aleppo countryside, “Army units now exercise full control over is allied with the rebels, to stop. How much has the a statement from Syria’s armed forces said on the town of Saraqeb,” state television reported, The violence has killed more than 300 civil- Sunday. showing footage of the town’s streets, deserted ians and has displaced approximately 600,000 Grand exit from 16-year Iraq War According to Reuters, Syria’s armed forces after weeks of bombardment. people since, according to the United Nations. have taken control of dozens of towns and vil- Saraqeb is considered a strategic prize for Witnesses at the border said convoys of Turkish cinema ignored in cost the U.S.? lages in recent days as part of the campaign, the the government as it seeks to regain control of military vehicles had been crossing into Idlib statement said. the M4 and M5 highways that meet in the town. since Friday, delivering supplies and turning controversies over he U.S. has spent about $120 billion Syrian army takes Idlib crossroads The M5, Syria’s longest highway, connects back to return with more. a year on the Iraq War, a sum which town despite Turkish warnings second city Aleppo to the capital Damascus and The conflict has disrupted the fragile coop- “Exodus” is only $55 billion less than the EU The Syrian army has taken control of a strategic continues south to the Jordanian border. eration between Moscow and Ankara. T With Saraqeb recaptured, little more than Turkey says the advances by Russia-backed annual budget. northwestern crossroads town, its latest gain in aramarz Qaribian, the 78-year-old The war in Iraq from the outset was a weeks-long offensive against the country’s last half of Idlib province remains in rebel hands, Syrian troops and their allies threaten a fresh star of many memorable movies of very controversial in the U.S. and other major rebel bastion. along with slivers of neighboring Aleppo and humanitarian disaster, driving another wave of Fthe Iranian cinema, announced on Western countries. Opponents to the Iraq Advance on Saraqeb came shortly after Tur- Latakia provinces. potential refugees to its southern border, and has Friday that “Exodus” is his final movie, War were not just among human rights key sent additional troops into the region and Since December, government forces have threatened to act if they do not pull back. 10 but the surprising announcement was groups or opponents to liberal democracy. snubbed in the wake of controversies over Some of them were ordinary American the movie, which challenges the current citizens and voters whose opposition was China’s coronavirus deaths surpass SARS as country plans halting return to work policies of the government in the country. purely due to economic reasons rather China raised the death toll from its coronavirus as shares slumped and investors switched into Liu Xiaoming said. “We certainly hope it will Retirements of great artists, who have than moral or ideological ones. outbreak to 811 on Sunday, passing the num- safe-havens such as gold, bonds and the Jap- come soon, but the isolation and quarantine constantly done their best to make the The opposition considered the cost ber killed globally by the SARS epidemic, as anese yen. measures have been very effective.” world more beautiful for us, always leave of the war in Iraq as a heavy burden on authorities made plans for millions of people China’s cabinet said on Sunday it would co- China’s National Health Commission recorded a bitter taste in our mouths. However, the American taxpayers, so they wanted to returning to work after an extended Lunar ordinate with transport authorities to ensure another 89 deaths on Saturday, pushing the total announcement came as no great surprise prevent the invasion of Iraq in 2003, and New Year break. the smooth return to work of employees in key well above the 774 who died from SARS, or Severe unfortunately. have called for a halt to the war in Iraq Many of China’s usually teeming cities have industries such as food and medicines. Acute Respiratory Syndrome in 2002/2003. Qaribian played a key role in making the since its beginning. almost become ghost towns during the past two The State Council’s special coronavirus group Total confirmed coronavirus cases in China history of the 120-year-old Iranian cinema The latest estimation of the weeks as Communist Party rulers ordered virtual also said workers should return in “batches”, stood at 37,198, commission data showed. New by his powerful performances in over 70 Iraq war: $1922 billion lockdowns, canceled flights, closed factories and rather than all at once, in order to reduce in- infections recorded the first drop since Feb. 1, films, including “The Deer” and “Senator”. In the wake of economic opposition shut schools. fection risks. falling back below 3,000 to 2,656 cases. Of those, He was a big box office draw in Iran’s to the Iraq War, various U.S. groups and Even on Monday, a large number of work- China’s ambassador to Britain described the 2,147 cases were in Hubei province, the epicenter post-revolution cinema during the 1980s. institutions have so far rallied to assess places and schools will remain closed and newly identified virus as “the enemy of mankind” of the outbreak. He co-starred with many eminent actors the costs of the war. many white-collar employees will work from in an interview with BBC television on Sunday, The virus has also spread to at least 27 countries such as Behruz Vosuqi in several acclaimed “The Costs of War Project” is one of the home. but added it “is controllable, is preventable, is and regions, according to a Reuters count based on movies such as Masud Kimia’s “The Deer” research projects on the costs of the war The scale of the potential hit to an economy curable”. official reports, infecting more than 330 people. and “The Soil” before the victory of the 1979 in Iraq, which has begun its evaluation that has been the engine of global growth in re- “At this moment is very difficult to predict Two deaths have been reported outside mainland Islamic Revolution, but the brilliant perfor- of the costs since 2011. cent years has taken a toll on financial markets, when we are going to have an inflection point,” China - both of Chinese nationals. 10 mances of other stars never overshadowed The project is being observed and man- Qaribian’s strong position in the films. aged by Dr. Neta C. Crawford, Professor It was anticipated that Qaribian’s return and Chair of Political Science at Boston to cinema after a five-year hiatus would University, examining the key features receive a warm welcome with “Exodus”, but and effects of the Iraq War on the federal his brilliant performance was overlooked budget. in the storm of debates between director According to the latest results by the Ebrahim Hatamikia and journalists during end of 2019, the report states that even if National a press conference after the premiere of the U.S. government decides to pull out the movie during the Fajr Film Festival. all of its troops in Iraq immediately, the It was no surprise for a septuagenarian war has incurred a 1922-billion-dollar congress honors to announce retirement, but it is regret- cost on American voters from 2003 to table that it received so little attention. the end of 2019. martyrs whose Qaribian made so many moments of It is said that this figure does not only our lives eternal by playing the roles of include funding appropriated by the U.S. our imaginary heroes in films. He made a

struggles led to Department of Defense (DoD) for the war, great portion of the history of our cinema. but also the costs of the care of Iraq War He is a hero of Iranian cinema, however, veterans and interests on debt incurred 1979 Revolution he was not treated like a hero following his for the 16 years of the U.S. military’s in- announcement of his retirement. volvement in the country. On Sunday, the Interior Ministry hall hosted Qaribian’s remarks in the announce- a national congress to treasure the memory ment of his retirement need to be acknowl- The DoD had allotted approximately Saeed Reza Razavi $838 billion for military operations in of those who were martyred in the struggle edged: “I’ve become weary of the nega- Iraq from the fiscal year 2003 to 2019, against the despotic Pahlavi regime from 1963 tive attitude of Iranian cinema officials, including operations fighting ISIS in Iraq IRNA/ until 1979, the year that the Islamic Revolution therefore, I am announcing that ‘Exodus’ reached fruition. and Syria. 3 is my final film.” I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS FEBRUARY 10, 2020

Grand ayatollahs call for New missile, modern propellant for mass participation in Bahman 22 rallies missiles, satellite carriers unveiled POLITICAL TEHRAN – A number of Iranian grand clerics deskhave called for people’s mass participation in POLITICAL TEHRAN — The Aerospace Force of Bahman 22 rallies (Feb. 11) which marks the 41st anniversary desk of the Islamic Revolution. the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Grand Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi said that the mass (IRGC), in a ceremony on Sunday, unveiled its new participation will disappoint the enemies. products, including the surface-to-surface Ra’ad 500 missile and a new generation of propellants for missiles and satellite carriers. The ceremony was attended by IRGC Chief Major General Hossein Salami as well as IRGC Aerospace Force Commander Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, according to Sepah News. The news website said the Aerospace Force managed to unveil its new surface to surface missile with composite body titled Zahir, half the weight of Fateh 110, and 200 kilometers further in terms of range in comparison to Fateh. The final range of Ra’ad 500 missile is 500 km. The IRGC also unveiled the Salman space rocket “It has been for more than forty years that the enemies have engine with thrust vectoring nozzle which is considered been hatching plots against our people and system, but, with the as the new generation for the space rockets and trust grace of God, they have been defeated in all of them,” he said. rocket engines. Makarem Shirazi also expressed hope that the country’s eco- The newly-unveiled thrust vectoring nozzle has been nomic situation would improve. manufactured by connecting composite body with a Grand Ayatollah Hossein Nouri Hamedani said that the peo- vectoring nozzle which paves the way for utilizing the ple’s mass participation in the rallies will show national unity engine with solid fuel in space. in the face of enmities. Being strong is heart of new defense policies: for spacecraft, trust rockets and anti-shield missiles has “In order to prevent war and in order to put an end to He noted that the people will show their support for the rev- Salami been materialized,” the commander of IRGC Aerospace threats we must become powerful,” Ayatollah Khamenei olution by participating in rallies, like the previous years. Addressing the ceremony, General Salami pointed Force said at the ceremony. told a number of Air Force officers on the occasion of The top religious scholar, Ayatollah Javadi Amoli, also urged to the Saturday remarks of the Leader of the Islamic “We, in the Guards Aerospace Force, have an Air Force Day. the people to attend the rallies. Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei, saying, “Being strong is agreement with the country’s scientists and experts The Leader went on to say, “We are not seeking to Javadi Amoli also noted that the officials should pay atten- the heat of new defense policies of the Islamic Republic.” based on which the achievements in defense sector threaten any country or nation, rather we are after tion to the people’s problems and make efforts to improve the “Our real war is producing and manufacturing for should be economically cost-effective; accordingly, protecting the country’s security and preventing threats.” economy and living standards. being strong,” the commander said, adding, “The newly- today we witnessed our capabilities in military and Ayatollah Khamenei also said reliance on domestic Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Alavi Gorgani said that the unveiled complex achievements are our key to enter technical field as well as cost effective productions,” capacities and turning threats into opportunities are people will show their will in standing for the ideals of Imam far space.” Hajizadeh went on to say. the chief reasons for the successes of the Air Force. Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Revolution, by participating Iran able to control solid fuel of anti-shield In his remarks on Saturday, Ayatollah Khamenei said “In addition to repairing and maintenance of aircrafts, in the Tuesday rallies. missiles in space: Hajizadeh to prevent a war against itself, Iran must increase its the Air Force has successfully planned and manufactured President Hassan Rouhani, Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani and “Enjoying the technology of vectoring nozzles, the military power, noting that being militarily vulnerable fighter jets in spite of the U.S. sanctions,” the Leader Judiciary Chief Hojjatoleslam Ebrahim Raeisi said in a meeting possibility of controlling solid fuel out of atmospheres would prompt the enemy to take action against the country. stated. of the Supreme Council of Economic Coordination on Saturday that participation in the rallies is symbol of “national unity and integrity” against the United States’ economic war. Iran is celebrating the 41st anniversary of its revolution as Experts able to overhaul entire models of helicopters: defense minister the United States has tightened its illegal sanctions the Islamic Republic. Donald Trump himself has acknowledged that the POLITICAL ISFAHAN — The Iranian defense merely defensive and that it poses no threat to other harshest sanctions in history has been slapped against Iran. deskminister said on Sunday that the army’s countries. At a Paris gathering in July 27, John Bolton, who served technicians and engineers are capable of overhauling In December 2019, Brigadier General Qorbani an- as Donald Trump’s national security advisor, told members of all models of combat and transport helicopters. nounced that his forces mounted modern cannons and the Mujahedeen Khalq, MEK, that the Trump administration Amir Hatami made the remarks in a ceremony in rocket-launchers on the transport helicopters. should embrace the goal of immediate regime change in Iran the central city of Isfahan, where tens of overhauled “Previously, helicopter 214, which is a transport and recognize the group as a “viable” alternative. helicopters delivered to the army’s airborne division. helicopter, could not defend itself and that was a weak “The outcome of the president’s policy review should be to “The required infrastructures for the country’s point for the said helicopter. Today, the Airborne Di- determine that the Ayatollah Khomeini’s 1979 revolution will aviation industries have been vastly enhanced by the vision’s helicopters have been equipped with 20mm not last until its 40th birthday,” Bolton said. Armed Forces which are now well prepared to give Cannons and rocket-launchers,” the commander said. harsh response to any aggression,” the minister said. “The missiles that were previously mounted on our He further said overhaul of helicopters has prevent- choppers enjoyed finally 3,500 meters of effective range Salehi in Vienna to attend ed exit of a hefty amount of money from the country. but in the last 2 years the Airborne with the cooperation Hatami added, “We have utilized capacities of do- of the country’s defense industries and universities nuclear security conference mestic knowledge-based companies in overhauling the have managed to produce long-range missiles and helicopters and have managed to decrease 50 percent have mounted them on the choppers,” he explained. POLITICAL TEHRAN — Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of the desk of expenses in comparison with global prices.” The commander went on to say that the Airborne Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Commander of the Army’s Ground Force Brigadier Afshin Khajefard had also attended the ceremony. Division has attained self-sufficiency in producing left Tehran on Sunday for Vienna to partake in an International General Kiomars Heidari, Commander of the Army In recent years, Iran has made great strides in the its spare parts. “We are producing nearly 240,000 Conference on Nuclear Security (ICONS 2020). Ground Force’s Airborne Division General Yousef Qor- defense sector and become self-sufficient in produc- different parts inside the country.” The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is organizing bani and Director of the Defense Ministry Aviation ing essential military hardware and defense systems. He said, the Airborne Unit turned sanctions into the third International Conference on Nuclear Security: Sustaining Industries Organization Second Brigadier General Iran has made it clear that its military might is an opportunity.” and Strengthening Efforts (ICONS 2020), at its headquarters in Vienna from February 10 to 14. The ICONS meeting has been held every two years. Salehi, heading a delegation, is scheduled to deliver a speech Military chief says U.S. hegemony Pakistani PM treasures ties with Iran: at the inaugural ceremony of the event. The conference will provide a forum for ministers, policy- has lost color ambassador makers, senior officials and nuclear security experts to formulate POLITICAL TEHRAN — Chief of POLITICAL TEHRAN — Rahim over promoting defense ties between the and exchange views on experiences and achievements, current desk desk approaches, future directions and priorities for nuclear security. Staff of Iran’s Armed Hayat Qureshi, Paki- two “friendly” nations. Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri stan’s new ambassador to Tehran, has Also on Thursday, Ambassador Hos- has said that the United States’ hegemony said that Pakistani Prime Minister Imran seini and Pakistan Chairman Joint Chiefs ‘Gen. Soleimani viewed regional does not play an important and influential Khan has stressed the importance of fra- of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Na- role in regional developments. ternal ties with Iran. deem Raza highlighted the importance of security as Iran’s security’ In a message on the eve of the Bahman “Pre-departure call on PM @Im- close security cooperation in border areas. 22 rallies (Feb. 11) marking victory of ranKhanPTI. He stressed the importance Hosseini praised Pakistan’s determi- POLITICAL TEHRAN — Lieutenant General Qassem the Islamic revolution, he said that the of brotherly and fraternal ties with Iran nation to fence border areas. desk Soleimani viewed security in the region as Iran’s arrogant powers’ “strategic defeats” which are rooted in history, culture and Hosseini also met with Pakistan’s security, the deputy chief for international affairs at the Office in the region show that the U.S. has society. As Ambassador to Iran it would Interior Minister Ijaz Ahmed Shah on for the Preservation and Publication of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s lost its influence in regard to regional be my earnest desire to take our bilateral January 30. Works said on Sunday. developments. in Iraq on January 8. ties to greater heights,” he tweeted on “It is unavoidable to boost security in Mohsen Pakayeen made the remarks at a conference on Soleim- He also pointed to Iran’s retaliatory Trump immediately tried to downplay Saturday. borders to help the sustainable develop- ani’s role in regional security hosted by the Islamic World Peace attack on a U.S. base in Iraq, calling it the significance of the retaliatory attack, Prime Minister Khan visited Tehran ment of the region and also the well-being Forum. a “hard slap on the face of enemy and claiming that nobody had been hurt. on October 13. He met with Leader of the of the people of the two countries, espe- “Martyr General Soleimani was a theoretician who believed Iran’s its policies”. However in the latest reports released Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei cially those who reside in border areas,” security is dependent on security outside borders,” Pakayeen said. Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani by the Pentagon it has been revealed that and President Hassan Rouhani. Hosseini said. “He (Soleimani) believed no country would have security unless was assassinated in a U.S. airstrike in 64 troops had sustained brain injuries. Iranian ambassador to Islamabad Shah said that Islamabad is determined the whole region was secure,” Pakayeen added. Baghdad on January 3. In a retaliatory Iran became the first country since Mohammad Ali Hosseini and Pakistani to expand cooperation with Iran in vari- Pakaeen, who is also a member of the strategic council of the move, Iran fired dozens of ballistic the Second World War Two to launch a Minister for Defense Production Zubaida ous areas, including border security, fight Islamic World Peace Forum, said Soleimani always attached great missiles at a major U.S. military base military attack on the U.S. Jalal Khan exchanged views on Saturday against terrorism and drug trafficking. importance national sovereignty of other countries. He added that Soleimani also defended territorial integrity of the countries. Pakaeen, Iran’s former ambassador to the Republic of Azer- baijan, noted that it was Soleimani’s strategies and policies which Iran self-sufficient in producing military jets: Air Force commander led to annihilation of Daesh. POLITICAL TEHRAN — The and Isfahan military training centers which was jointly manufactured by the would prompt the enemy to take action The United States assassinated Soleimani, Iran’s top anti-terror deskcommander of Iran’s and other airbases based on up-to-date air force and the defense industry. We against the country. commander, in an airstrike in Baghdad on January 3. Army Air Force, in an interview with the knowledge.” employed a sum of six Kaman 12 drones in “In order to prevent war and in Soleimani is recognized internationally as a legendary com- national TV on Saturday night, said that “I, personally, paid a visit to Eurofighter the air force. Now, we are after producing order to put an end to threats we must mander in the battle against terrorist groups, especially Daesh the defense industry is capable of planning (Typhoon) manufacturing company and Kaman 22. Both Kaman 12 and 22 are become powerful,” Ayatollah Khamenei (ISIS). He commanded forces who resisted ISIS which was ad- and manufacturing each and every parts realized that production line of (Iranian combat drones which can also be used told a number of Air Force officers on vancing toward the Iraqi Kurdistan and came close to Baghdad. of aircrafts inside the country. Kowsar jet is better than the Eurofighter in reconnaissance operations. They can the occasion of Air Force Day which is Officials in Tehran and independent generals in the world Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh said, production line which is jointly owned by carry ammunitions too.” February 8. have said the Soleimani assassination amounts to an act of war “Nowadays, large aircraft-manufacturing 6 to 8 different European countries,” the Nasirzadeh said on Friday that Iran The Leader went on to say, “We are against Iran. companies worldwide, including those commander went on to say. was capable of responding quickly to any not seeking to threaten any country or In an interview with Lebanese al-Mayadeen news network on in the U.S., do not produce the entire He termed production of the engine military threat. nation, rather we are after protecting the Thursday, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said, “No parts and accessories they need. Several of aircraft as a very complex technology “As we are capable of creating security country’s security and preventing threats.” person in their right mind would do such a thing. By doing this, countries participate in their production, and said, “This year, we designed and in the region and will respond to any threat Ayatollah Khamenei also said reliance Trump puts an end to presence of the United States in the region.” but we manufacture the entire accessories produced an engine and installed it on quickly, we also have the capability to on domestic capacities and turning threats He added, “A government, which is not courageous enough to of the aircrafts inside Iran.” Kowsar jet. The engine’s thrust power create peace and stability,” Nasirzadeh into opportunities are the chief reasons fight a commander [on the battlefield] has to martyr him through a “As we have attained the technology was much better than the engine of the said, addressing worshippers in Tehran. for the successes of the Air Force. cowardly terrorist operation…. Americans and the Zionist regime and knowledge of producing the aircraft, U.S-made F-5 fighter jet. We have attained In remarks on Saturday, Leader of “In addition to repairing and always act like this.” any request by the air force can be carried (technology of) manufacturing jet engine.” the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali maintenance of aircrafts, the Air Force Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has out by the defense industry,” he stated. Touching upon production of the latest Khamenei said in order to prevent a war, has successfully planned and manufactured described the assassination of Soleimani as a “cowardly” act that Nasirzadeh added, “We are self- generation of drones, Nasirzadeh said, Iran must increase its military power, fighter jets in spite of the U.S. sanctions,” brought “disgrace” upon the U.S. sufficient in training pilots in the Qiam “Last year, we unveiled Kaman 12 drones noting that being militarily vulnerable the Leader stated. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y FEBRUARY 10, 2020 IRAN IN FOCUS 3

Russia has made most efforts to Over 1.2 tons of narcotics seized in Sistan-Balouchestan

POLITICAL TEHRAN — Police forces in Sistan-Balouch- preserve nuclear deal: diplomat deskestan Province have dismantled a drug-traf- ficking cell and confiscated nearly 1,229 kilograms of narcotics, POLITICAL TEHRAN – Russian Am- given Iran a final deadline of February 2020 the provincial police chief has said. deskbassador to Tehran Levan to tighten its laws against money laundering The anti-narcotics police of Zahedan traced the haul of nar- Dzhagaryan has said that Russia has used its in compliance with the global watchdog’s fi- cotics through extensive operations, arresting a member of the utmost efforts to preserve the 2015 nuclear nancial standards. drug-trafficking cell while trafficking 179 kg of opium in a sedan, deal, officially known as the JCPOA. “If before February 2020, Iran does not Brigadier General Mohammad Ghanbari said on Saturday. In an interview with ILNA published on enact the Palermo and Terrorist Financing Sunday, he criticized Europe for being passive Conventions in line with the FATF Standards, in keeping the JCOA. then the FATF will fully lift the suspension of “Europe says it supports the JCPOA, but counter-measures and call on its members is passive in practice,” he said. and urge all jurisdictions to apply effective EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has counter-measures, in line with recommen- said that Europe must ensure Iran’s benefits dation 19,” the FATF said in a statement, from the nuclear deal if it wants the deal to Reuters reported. survive. The government is pushing for the approval “If we want the Iran nuclear deal to sur- of the FATF. vive, we need to ensure that Iran benefits if In October 2018, the parliament voted to it returns to full compliance,” he wrote in join the FATF. However, the Guardian Council an article in the Project Syndicate published rejected it. Now the ball is in the Expediency on Saturday. Council’s court. Borrell was notified in January by Paris, When there is a dispute between parlia- London and Berlin that they had triggered ment and the Guardian Council the issue is the dispute mechanism. referred to as the Expediency Council for final He has said that the EU will extend in- arbitration. definitely the time limit to resolve disputes Feb. 3, President Rouhani criticized the EU ‘Iran’s failure to join FATF will ‘Assassination of Gen. Soleimani Ghanbari said police forces identified the hideout of the drug in the nuclear deal to avoid having to go to for failing to honor its commitments after the cause problems’ to have negative consequences on the cell and captured two other offenders along with 762 kg of Opium, the UN Security Council or triggering new U.S. quit the deal and reinstituted sanctions Dzhagaryan also said that Iran will suffer region’ 250 kg of hashish, 12 kg of heroin, 4 kg of crystal and 19 kg of sanctions. on Iran. if it refuses to join the Financial Action Task Ambassador Dzhagaryan also said that other narcotics, Mehr reported. “We are in agreement not to go directly to However, Rouhani said, “The Islamic Force (FATF). assassination of Lieutenant General Qassem Two cars and some ammunitions were also busted during a strict time limit which would oblige (us) to Republic of Iran is still ready to cooperate Opposition to join the FATF grew after Soleimani will have negative consequences the operation, he said. go to the Security Council,” Reuters quoted with the European Union for resolving issues, the U.S. quit the nuclear deal and introduced on the West Asia region. Iran is at the forefront of the fight against drug trafficking. him as saying during a visit to Tehran. and at any time that the other side (EU) fully sanctions against Iran. He strongly condemned the U.S. action The drugs are mainly destined to lucrative markets in Europe Borrell said on January 24 that he had observes its commitments Iran will also return “We are interested to see that Iran accept to in assassinating Soleimani. and Persian Gulf Arab states. extended the time available to discuss ways to its commitments.” join the FATF, otherwise it will cause problems. Soleimani was assassinated in a U.S. air- The drugs originate from neighboring Afghanistan. to save the nuclear deal. In May 2019 Iran started to reduce its As a friendly country, Russia has announced strike in Baghdad on January 3. In a retaliatory On Feb. 7 the White House Office of National Drug Control “There is agreement that more time is commitments to the JCPOA at bi-monthly its view to Iran. However, it is Tehran who move, Iran fired dozens of ballistic missiles at a Policy (ONDCP) released the results of the annual U.S. govern- needed due to the complexity of the issues intervals in response to the abrogation of the should take the final decision, because it is major U.S. military base in Iraq on January 8. ment estimate measuring poppy cultivation and potential opium involved. The timeline is therefore extended,” pact by the U.S. coupled with the European an internal issue,” he pointed out. The Russian diplomat called on Iran and production in Afghanistan. Borrell said in a statement. Union’s inaction to shield Iran’s economy The Paris-based Financial Action Task the U.S. to practice self-restraint and solve The U.S. government estimate of “Afghanistan Poppy Culti- In the meeting with Borrell in Tehran on from sanctions. Force (FATF) said on October 18 that it has problems through dialogue. vation and Potential Opium Production” found poppy cultivation decreased in 2019 compared to 2018, but potential pure opium production increased, according to whitehouse.gov. “Poppy cultivation in Afghanistan declined 28 percent, from Zafar satellite lunched successfully, fails to reach orbit 221,000 hectares in 2018 to 160,000 hectares in 2019. Conversely, potential pure opium production increased by 21 percent, from The spokesman for the Iranian Space Agency (ISA) satellite into space with success, but the carrier failed which would orbit the Earth at an altitude of over 500 km. 5,550* metric tons in 2018 to 6,700 metric tons in 2019. Low announced late on Sunday that Iran successfully launched to reach the speed needed to get the satellite into the In a post on his official Twitter page, Mohammad Javad opium prices at planting time drove the decline in cultivation. its domestically-made Zafar satellite using a Simorgh designated orbit. Azari Jahromi said, “The countdown starts for the launch The rise in potential pure production is a direct result of favorable (Phoenix) satellite carrier, though the missile fell short He added that the data from the launch will be used of Zafar satellite in a few hours…” weather and harvesting conditions,” ONDCP said. of reaching the designated orbit. to optimize future launch attempts. The minister had tweeted on February 3 that Iran John F. Sopko, U.S. special inspector general for Afghanistan Fars News Agency, quoting the Public Relations The launch took place after Iran’s minister of information would launch its Zafar observation satellite by the end reconstruction, said at the Wilson Center in Washington, DC, Department of Iran’s Defense Ministry, cited Ahmad and communication technology said earlier on Sunday that of the same week (February 7). in November 2019 that the counternarcotics effort in Afghani- Hosseini as saying, “Simorgh satellite carrier took Zafar the countdown had started for launching the Zafar satellite, (Source: Press TV) stan “has just been a total failure”, the Business Insider said on December 5. Opium cultivation covered 263,000 hectares in Afghanistan, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. That was down Advisor says General Soleimani was an ‘outstanding from 328,000 hectares in 2017 but still more than any other year since 1994. diplomat’, ‘great politician’ In April 2019, Iranian Police Chief Hossein Ashtari described Iran as a pioneering state in the campaign against drug trafficking ‘General Soleimani was truly a general of peace and security’ and said, “We have declared our information and needs to the 1 In the early hours of January 8, the IRGC at- Responding to the remarks, IRGC Chief Hossein Sala- international organizations but I should say that we have not tacked the U.S. airbase of Ain al-Assad in Anbar province mi warned the U.S. and Israel that none of their military pinned hope on their aid.” in western Iraq as part of its promised “tough revenge” for commanders will be safe should they take action against “We do not have hope that the international organizations can the U.S. terror attack. Iranian generals. seriously confront” the cultivation and production of narcotics Brian Hook, the U.S. special representative for Iran, told “The Americans and the Zionists beware that if they in Afghanistan, General Ashtari said. the Arabic-language daily Asharq al-Awsat on January 23 threaten our commanders with assassination and if they that Esmail Ghaani, who is successor of General Soleimani, implement their threat, life of none of their commanders could also be assassinated. will be safe,” Major General Salami said. How much has the 16-year Iraq War cost the U.S.?

1 Bonuses and the healthcare costs of service members Era of U.S. presence in region is over, says Velayati are among the costs of the war in Iraq. Syria has come to an end thanks to Lieutenant Units (PMU). Kerman – Soleimani’s hometown. Aside from the Defense Department costs, the State Department General Qassem Soleimani’s blood. After the strikes, the Iraqi parliament voted In the early hours of January 8, the IRGC added approximately $59 billion to the total costs of the Iraq War The U.S. soldiers will be expelled from to expel the U.S. forces from Iraq. attacked the U.S. airbase of Ain al-Assad in for The United States Agency for International Development the region soon, Velayati said on Saturday, Velayati, a veteran politician, said the Anbar province in western Iraq as part of (USAID) on Iraq and Syria. addressing a ceremony commemorating the funeral procession for Soleimani and Abu its promised “tough revenge” for the U.S. According the report, after the 9/11 attacks, about $4.1 billion 40th day after General Soleimani’s martyrdom. Mahdi al-Muhandis was unprecedented and terror attack. has been spent on medical and disability care on war veterans He said the American rulers thought in exposed the United States’ miscalculations. USA Today reported on Feb. 6 that as it and compensation. vain that they could overcome the Resistance Massive funeral procession was held for turned out, despite troops huddling in bomb The report states that if post-9/11 wars had not been waged Movement by assassinating Soleimani, Mehr Soleimani and al-Muhandis in Baghdad, shelters, dozens suffered brain injuries from by the U.S., about $444 billion of the total funds spent would reported. Karbala and Najaf. the explosions when a payload of nearly a have been financed. On January 3, U.S. President Donald Later the body of General Soleimani was ton slammed into their base. These costs came at the time when the Pentagon has been POLITICAL TEHRAN — Ali Akbar Trump ordered strikes that martyred General transferred to Iran. Millions of mourners The Pentagon recently announced that trying to cut its expenditures for the past decade after its annual deskVelayati, a top advisor to Soleimani, chief of the IRGC Quds Force, took to the streets to pay their last respect 64 U.S. service members suffered traumatic $140 billion funds for the Iraq War heightened in 2008. the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, has and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second- to the general first in Ahwaz and then in brain injuries (TBI) in the missile attack on On the other hand, in some cases, Congress has appropri- said that the era of U.S. presence in Iraq and in-command of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Mashhad, Tehran, Qom, and finally in the airbase. ated funding required for the war in Iraq apart from previous approved plans. The continued costly war by the U.S. within an ideological framework With Iowa mess U.S. in no place to Mosalla to host memorial service for To realize the great sum of the U.S. fund in the Iraq War discuss Iran polls, says professor Gen. Soleimani from 2003 to 2019, which the Costs of War Project stated as being amounted for $1922 billion, one should know that the EU POLITICAL TEHRAN — Moham- POLITICAL TEHRAN — budget in 2018, with 27 member countries and a population of deskmad Marandi, a profes- deskIslamic Revolution 446 million people was set at $175 billion. sor at the University of Tehran, says with Guards Corps (IRGC) spokesman In these circumstances, the Iraq War has obviously no outcome the disaster that happened in the U.S. state Brigadier General Ramezan Sharif for Washington except endless costs, which are slightly different of Iowa, Washington is in no place to talk said on Sunday that Tehran’s Mosalla from the EU annual budget. So the question is, why is the war in about Iran’s elections. mosque will host a memorial service Iraq still going on, despite the massive economic costs? Marandi was referring to last week’s to commemorate top anti-terror Some experts consider the ideological orientation of U.S. Iowa Democratic caucuses which aroused commander Lieutenant General foreign policy to be one of the main reasons for the continued controversies due to a delay in announcing Qassem Soleimani. war in Iraq. From this point of view, Washington is trying to final results and inconsistencies in votes. According to General Sharif, the confront its ideological opponents rather than adopting short- “We are witnessing how they are trying said Perez. coincidence of the anniversary of the He said General Soleimani’s com- term approach toward issues and the costs and benefits of the to prevent Senator Sanders from winning Meanwhile, Sanders supporters on social Islamic Revolution with the 40th day memoration ceremony will be held implementation of its policies. and this has become clear for the people media accused the Democratic National after the martyrdom of General Soleim- on Thursday. In such a situation, Washington’s leaders regard the Islamic in the worst possible form,” he said in an Committee of rigging the caucus against ani would lead to huge turnout at the On January 3, U.S. President Republic of Iran as their most important ideological opponent, interview with Mehr published on Sunday. their candidate. Sanders won the popular events, Tasnim reported. Donald Trump ordered strikes that which defies the U.S. policies in the world. Therefore, White On Thursday, three days after the caucus, vote on both the initial and final alignments, On Bahman 22nd, which falls on martyred General Soleimani, chief of House leaders find it necessary to continue the war in Iraq to and with three percent of the results still but another candidate Pete Buttigieg secured February 11, Iranian people pour the IRGC Quds Force, and Abu Mahdi confront Iran. unreported, the Democratic Party chair- more delegates than the Vermont senator. into the streets in their millions to al-Muhandis, the second-in-command On this basis, the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq can be man Tom Perez requested a recanvass of Also on Thursday, Sanders criticized commemorate the great victory of the of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units taken as a major defeat for the United States. That is why the U.S. the results. the Iowa Democratic Party handling of the Islamic Revolution. (PMU). continues to insist on maintaining its presence and even expanding “Enough is enough. In light of the prob- caucus results, saying at a New Hampshire Sharif said besides commemorat- In the early hours of January 8, its military bases in Iraq, despite the massive financial costs and lems that have emerged in the implemen- town hall that the party “screwed up.” ing General Soleimani’s major role the IRGC attacked the U.S. airbase the Iraqi parliament’s resolution for expulsion of foreign troops. tation of the delegate selection plan and in “It is really sad that the Democratic Party in national security, the “great and of Ain al-Assad in Anbar province in Washington is well aware that the withdrawal from Iraq order to assure public confidence in the of Iowa screwed up the counting process so noble” Iranian nation will attend the western Iraq as part of its promised will truly bring a major defeat to the Americans, and there is results, I am calling on the Iowa Democratic severely,” Sanders told CNN, noting that nationwide rallies due to be held on “tough revenge” for the U.S. terror no doubt that this defeat will be the opposite of the “America Party to immediately begin a recanvass,” the scenario “distressed” him. Tuesday. attack. First” populist slogan. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY FEBRUARY 10, 2020

STOCK MARKET E-Commerce Development Center TEDPIX 454618.5 IFX 5759.00 launches system for monitoring businesses Sources: tse.ir, Ifb.ir By Ebrahim Fallahi Asked about the value of Iran’s e-commerce market, the official said in the fiscal 2018- TEHRAN – E-Commerce Development 19, the nominal value of Iran’s e-commerce CURRENCIES Center of Iran has officially launched a system market grew 30.5 percent and reached 2.08 USD 42,000 rials for recording customers’ complaints against quadrillion rials (about $49.5 billion) from e-commerce businesses in the country, the EUR 45,972 rials 1.594 quadrillion rials (about $37.8 billion) chairman of the center announced in a press a year earlier. GBP 54,150 rials conference held at the place of the Ministry According to Rahbari, nearly 10 percent of Industry, Mining and Trade on Sunday. of the country’s internet-based businesses AED 11,437 rials Elaborating on the goals of the mentioned are based in Tehran, followed by Khorasan Source: cbi.ir system, Ali Rahbari said the system is aimed Razavi Province. to provide the customers with a profile of the Unlike most developed countries, most electronic businesses for evaluating them. e-commerce firms in Iran are mostly registered According to the official, there are nearly by natural persons which account for over 75 300,000 Iranian e-commerce businesses percent of the businesses compared to nearly 25 COMMODITIES with an operating website, of which 59,000 percent which are registered by legal persons. Brent $54.47/b had received the “Trust Seal” license issued Back in September 2019, the E-Commerce WTI $50.32/b by the center. Development Center announced the launch The official pointed to the evaluating of of an electronic signature system for ordering OPEC Basket $55.72/b the e-commerce businesses and establishing registration processes. trust for the customers as the first step toward Head of the center said this center is active Gold $1,572.35/oz the development of e-commerce market in in three sectors of e-commerce, e-government, Silver $17.77/oz the country, saying that the center started and electronic certificate. working on the mentioned system since the e-commerce businesses in the country have [March 21, 2019] so far, more than 12,000 According to Rahbari, policy making Platinium $971.25/oz end of the Iranian calendar year of 1396 (ended received the center’s trust seal license, the businesses have received licenses from the and setting regulations are two pillars of the on March 2018). official said. Sources: oilprice.com, Moneymetals.com E-Commerce Development Center,” Rahbari e-commerce sector for which platforms bylaws Over the past three years, more than 35,000 “Since the beginning of the current year said. have been already approved.

Railway projects worth $142m Annual agricultural production Iran-EAEU trade surpasses $1b inaugurated across Iran anticipated to rise 6m tons since implementing FTA

1 “Due to the overuse of some rail routes, the speed of trains has decreased and it was necessary to rebuild the trains; double-tracking is also aimed at increasing the capacity of the trains and higher efficiency of the country’s rail network,” Rasouli said. Expanded transportation via railway is, today, one of the major pillars of sustainable development for the countries; and it is why the governments usually allocate noticeable funds and resources to the development of the railway.

ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iran’s Iran’s Agricultural Parks Company (APC) ECONOMY TEHRAN — The value member states. deskannual agricultural pro- said more than 80,000 tons of agricultural deskof trade between Iran After several years of negotiations, duction is predicted to rise six million tons products have been produced in the country’s and Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)’s Iran and Eurasian Economic Union finally to 128 million tons in the current Iranian agricultural parks since the beginning of member states has exceeded $1 billion reached a free trade agreement in 2018 calendar year (ends on March 19, 2020), the current Iranian calendar year (March since the free trade agreement (FTA) based on which about 862 commodity ILNA reported, quoting Mohammad-Ali 21, 2019). between Iran and this union came into items are subject to preferential tariffs. Tahmasbi, the deputy agriculture minister “This year, production in agricultural force in late October, according to an The interim agreement enabling for- In Iran, the development of railway has been among the for gardening affairs. parks has reached 80,000 tons, however, official with the Islamic Republic of Iran mation of a free trade area between Iran top-priority plans of the governments in recent years. Iran’s total agricultural production in considering the output from the subsidiary Customs Administration (IRICA). and the EAEU was signed on May 17, The country’s Sixth Five-Year National Development Plan various sectors including horticulture, live- companies the total production would ex- Hossein Kakhaki, the director gener- 2018 and officially came into force on (2016-2021) has envisaged that the railway will account for at stock, poultry and aquaculture reached 122 ceed 183,000 tons,” IRIB reported, quoting al of International Affairs Department October 27, 2019. least 30 percent of cargo transportation and 20 percent of pas- million tons in the past Iranian calendar year. Ali-Ashraf Mansouri as saying. of IRICA, made the remarks during a Iran is a very important market in senger transportation in Iran. Such a target requires at least 850 In the past forty years, since the Islamic He further referred to some of the prob- conference titled “Exports-Transit and the region and development of ties with trillion rials (about $20.238 billion) of investment. Revolution, Iran has witnessed a remarkable lems that the country’s agriculture is facing Eurasia” held in IRIB Conference Hall this country is of high significance for improvement in various sectors and the and said: “Reducing the impacts of droughts on Sunday, IRNA reported. the EAEU members (Russia, Belarus, agriculture industry has been one of the caused by reduced rainfall in recent years and A promising future is prospected for Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan). TEDPIX, IFX advance on Sunday areas in which the country has undergone increasing efficiency of water consumption the EAEU, specially given that some coun- The free trade agreement between huge development. in agriculture are among the top programs tries like India has started negotiations to Iran and this union has laid the ground ECONOMY TEHRAN — TEDPIX, the main index of Teh- Revolutionizing the agriculture indus- followed by APC.” join the block, and now it is a good time for the expansion of trade ties between deskran Stock Exchange (TSE), rose 1,776 points try through implementing billions of dol- According to Mansouri, more than 78 for Iran to take its transit advantage to the two sides. to 454,618 on Sunday, IRNA reported. lars worth of development, research and trillion rials (about $186 million) of bank expand ties with this union, the official Iran’s signing the agreement with the Over 6.2 billion securities worth 40.397 trillion rials (about educational projects across the country loans have been provided for investors in this stressed. bloc has increased the country’s exports $961.8 million) were traded at TSE. has been one of the main reasons for the area, since the beginning of the current year. He further emphasized that IRICA to the EAEU member states significantly, The first market’s index climbed 327 points and the second significant improvements in this sector Currently, more than 87 agricultural attaches high significance to trade with which is a turning point for the Islamic market’s index rose 7,925 points. in recent years. parks are under construction across Iran, EAEU and offers the most facilities to the Republic to boost its export under the Also on Sunday, IFX, the main index of Iran’s over-the-counter On January 31, managing director of the official said. exporters of commodities to this union’s sanctions time. (OTC) market known as Iran Fara Bourse (IFB), ended 11 points higher at 5,759, the same report confirmed. Some 2.804 billion securities valued at 22.713 trillion rials (about $540.7 million) were traded at IFB on Sunday. ‘Participation in regional treaties a ‘$12b of basic goods cleared in Iranian major key for trade development’ customs since Mar. 2019’ TCCIMA to host conference on Iran-India trade

ECONOMY TEHRAN – Tehran Chamber of Commerce, deskIndustries, Mines and Agriculture (TCCIMA) is going to hold an Iran-India trade conference on February 17, TCCIMA portal announced. The conference is going to focus on exploring ways of devel- oping economic relations between the two countries and solving the existing problems in the way of mutual trade. As reported, the conference is going to be attended by senior officials from both sides including the Indian ambassador to Tehran, representative of India’s UCO Bank, as well as officials from Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the country’s banking sector, Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) and a number of Iranian businessmen and entrepreneurs.

ECONOMY TEHRAN – Head of tions, namely the Economic Cooperation ECONOMY TEHRAN – Some 21 Imam Khomeini, Anzali and Amirabad Monthly aluminum ingot deskIran Chamber of Com- Organization (ECO) and the D-8 Organi- deskmillion tons of imported ports, while 20 vessels are waiting at the production climbs 38% yr/yr merce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture zation for Economic Cooperation known basic goods worth $12 billion have been harbor to unload their cargoes.” (ICCIMA) underlined the active participa- as Developing-8, and unfortunately, the cleared from Iranian customs since the IRICA has been providing new facilities ECONOMY TEHRAN — Production of aluminum ingots tion in regional treaties like the one with goals of none of the memberships have beginning of the current Iranian calendar for importers of basic goods to make them deskin Iran rose 38 percent during the tenth Iranian the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) been fulfilled. year (March 21, 2019), IRIB reported, able to clear their commodities in the calendar month of Dey (ended on January 20) compared to the as an important step toward economic He called for a detailed analysis of the quoting an official with the Islamic Republic shortest possible time. same month of the previous year, IRNA reported. development and urged the government country’s previous unsuccessful experiences of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA). In August 2019, Iran’s Finance and As reported, Iranian aluminum ingot producers produced 24,893 to place more importance on the issue. for increasing the success chance of the According to Mehrdad Jamal Orounaqi, Economic Affairs Minister Farhad tons of the product during the tenth month of this year. Speaking in a conference on the de- preferential trade agreement with EAEU. IRICA deputy for customs affairs, imports Dejpasand, in a directive addressing Although production by these producers has fallen 17 percent velopment of the country’s free and spe- “There is a 180-million-people market of such commodities have increased by 21 the head of the Islamic Republic of Iran to 221,223 tons during the first ten months of the current Iranian cial economic zones’ cooperation with in Eurasia that should not be overlooked. percent in terms of weight and 23 percent Customs Administration (IRICA), obliged calendar year (March 21, 2019-January 20, 2020) from the same the neighboring countries on Saturday, The region’s Gross Domestic Production in terms of value compared to the same the customs administration to take measures period of time in the past year. Gholam-Hossein Shafeie emphasized the (GDP) is estimated at $1.9 trillion,” the period of time in the previous year. for facilitating customs processes. The Iran produced 276,575 tons of aluminum ingots in the past Ira- role of economic blocks in the economic official stressed. The official noted that in addition to directive set a deadline for IRICA to take nian calendar year. development and said: “Iran is one of the He pointed to the lack of necessary in- the mentioned figures, currently over four the necessary actions. IRALCO accounted for producing 53 percent of the total pro- countries which has had the least pref- frastructure as the most important problem million tons of goods are going through The directive was in line with improving duction in the past year. erential trade agreements even with its that the private sector is facing while trying clearance processes in the country’s business conditions for enterprises and As the world’s 18th producer of aluminum, Iran plans to reach neighboring countries.” to benefit from this agreement, adding that customs, about three million tons of which promoting foreign trade. the annual production of 1.5 million tons of aluminum ingot by the “Over 481 bilateral and multilateral re- “The long stoppage of trucks in the bor- is in Imam Khomeini Port. Later in September, IRICA announced Iranian calendar year 1404 (March 2025-March 2026). gional organizations were formed between ders, lack of suitable rail transportation, Mentioning some vessels which have that the time of customs operations has The country is targeting the production of 823,000 tons of alumi- the world economies in 2019,” he stressed. the lack of trucks with cold storages for been waiting for unloading at the country’s decreased 46 percent for the imports and num ingots for the next Iranian calendar year (March 19, 2020-March According to the official, Iran is cur- transporting agricultural products are ports, Orounaqi said: “About 19 vessels 39 percent for the export processes in the 20, 2021), which requires an investment of $1.8 billion. rently a member of two trade organiza- the most important challenges we face.” carrying essential goods are unloading at country in 2019. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y FEBRUARY 10, 2019 ANALYSIS & INTERVIEWFEBRUARY 10, 2020 5ENERGY 5

Iranian companies ink deal for Could this be the decade of green hydrogen? By Tsvetana Paraskova establishing polyethylene unit The pressure on the energy industry to curb carbon emissions while simultaneously meeting growing global demand has drawn attention to alternatives to fossil fuels. ENERGY TEHRAN — Iran’s on an industrial scale,” Pajouhan said. Of those alternatives, renewable energy is already making deskPetrochemical Research He pointed to the possibility of steady progress in electricity generation capacity, while another and Technology Company (PRTC) signed a producing MMP-grade polymers as a source of energy — hydrogen — is also gaining momentum and deal with Tabriz Petrochemical Company feature of this technical knowledge and is being touted as a key fuel in the energy transition. on Saturday, for providing technical stated that these products are being Hydrogen has the potential to become a key clean fuel source knowledge, design package and basic produced with total local knowledge for in the future that could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions — engineering services for construction of the first time in the country. this could be the perfect solution to supplying growing amounts the country’s first high density polyethylene As reported, the project is expected to of low-carbon fuel and energy. (HDPE) unit. be completed within four years. But not all hydrogen is created equal. There’s the so-called As reported by Shana, the document Back in September 2019, PRTC signed ‘grey’ hydrogen made from coal and natural gas, and this is nearly was signed by PRTC’s Managing Director an agreement with Tabriz Petrochemical all the hydrogen currently produced in the world. Hydrogen pro- Ali Pajouhan and the CEO of Tabriz Company for cooperation on indigenizing duction from natural gas emits CO2 every year equivalent to the Petrochemical Company in Tehran. the technology for production of high CO2 emissions of the United Kingdom and Indonesia combined. Speaking in the signing ceremony, density polyethylene. Then there’s ‘blue’ hydrogen, produced from natural gas with Pajouhan underlined PRTC’s expertise and The agreement was signed on the carbon capture and storage (CCS). Oil and gas supermajor BP says experience in the field of HDPE, saying sidelines of Iran’s 13th International that blue hydrogen is currently the lowest-cost source of low carbon that PRTC has been conducting research Exhibition of Plastic, Rubber, Machinery hydrogen at scale. on the technical knowledge of producing and Equipment (IRAN PLAST 2019), And finally, there’s the zero-emission hydrogen, the so-called heavy polyethylene for over 1.5 decades in a ceremony attended by National ‘green’ hydrogen, produced using renewable energy with water and the company has been also producing Petrochemical Company (NPC) Managing electrolysis. the necessary catalysts for polyethylene Director Behzad Mohammadi. Set for a massive uptake production in mass scale. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) This is the hydrogen of the future and its development is set for “Special hardware and software facilities Managing Director of Iran’s Petrochemical Research and Technology Company (R) or polyethylene high-density (PEHD) is a massive uptake in the next decade, enabled by ambitious climate have been provided in the company and exchanging signed deal documents with the CEO of Tabriz Petrochemical Company in a thermoplastic polymer produced from goals and actions across major economies and by the continuously the needed catalyst is being developed Tehran on Saturday. the monomer ethylene. declining costs of renewables, proponents of the green hydrogen say. Yet, massive investments and unprecedented policy support will be necessary to scale up green hydrogen production and make it cost-efficient. According to the Hydrogen Council, a global CEO-level advi- Free-falling LNG prices wreak havoc on trade amid coronavirus fears sory body, the continuous scale up of hydrogen production and Record low prices for liquefied natural gas Energy ship broker and consultancy firm reduced speed, one of them said. director at research and consultancy firm distribution could lead to a 50-percent decline in costs by 2030 (LNG) are roiling the global gas market, cre- Poten & Partners said on Friday at least five Major suppliers of CNOOC IHS Markit. “However, with gas storage at for many hydrogen applications, making green hydrogen compet- ating havoc as traders rush to find alternative LNG cargoes had been diverted from China, At least two major suppliers to CNOOC high levels, limited opportunity for further itive with other low-carbon alternatives and, in some cases, even locations for cargoes with Chinese buyers and another 30 due to land there this month told Reuters that the firm had requested that power sector fuel switching, and uncertainty conventional options. rejecting shipments amid the coronavirus could face diversions, delays or force majeure its cargo deliveries be delayed. around how pipeline suppliers will respond, However, $70 billion of investment will be needed to make epidemic. declarations. A CNOOC executive declined to comment. Europe may struggle to accommodate the hydrogen cost-competitive, the council says. Asian spot prices for LNG have already “Prices are free-falling just within this Consultancy Rystad Energy on Friday cut its surplus in 2020.” “Realizing this ambitious vision for hydrogen’s role in the future tumbled to troughs of $3 per million British week,” a Singapore-based LNG trader told forecast for Chinese LNG demand growth Major buyers in Japan and South Korea of energy is far from automatic and requires investment above and thermal units (mmBtu) — less than half of Reuters. “This kind of force majeure situation this year to 4.7 percent, from a year on year such as KOGAS and JERA could benefit as beyond current commitments,” the Hydrogen Council said in its what they were at the same time last year. At is unprecedented and has never happened gain of between 10 percent and 13 percent. they are able to tap demand from utility ‘Path to hydrogen competitiveness’ report last month. least one cargo bound for India has already before so it’s big news.” Traders are now casting around for homes companies, but overall consumption levels In hydrogen production alone, achieving cost-competitive green By Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus traded below $3/mmBtu, down 30 cents In one example of the turmoil in the market, for unwanted cargoes. India, which recently there are also limited due to mild weather, hydrogen from electrolysis requires the deployment of aggregated within a week, traders said. an executive from French oil major Total said commissioned an LNG terminal, has some sources said. 70 GW of electrolyser capacity, with an implied cumulative funding Concerns that Chinese companies could it had rejected a force majeure notice from scope for more purchases, but is restrained by “Low spot prices will certainly challenge gap with ‘grey’ hydrogen production of 20 billion. back out of contracts because of the impact an LNG buyer in China, without identifying inadequate pipeline infrastructure, industry the economics of many export projects,” Tav- In transport and in heating for buildings and industry the in- of the coronavirus outbreak have slowed oil the company. sources said. erner said. “Some LNG suppliers may even vestments needed are $30 billion and $17 billion, respectively, and gas sales into China. Reuters reported on At least one cargo bound for China, the Europe, which also has strong seasonal need to reduce their exports if they become the report notes. Thursday that China’s top LNG buyer China world’s second-largest LNG importer, has winter gas demand, is also struggling to ac- uneconomic, but there are contractual, logis- The cost of hydrogen is expected to drop drastically and im- National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) diverted and is heading towards Singapore commodate more, they said. tical, and portfolio considerations that may minently, and it’s up to policy-makers and investors to jump start declared force majeure on some prompt LNG storage tanks, several sources told Reuters. “Europe absorbed most of the incremental limit any turning down (of cargoes).” this transition now, Hydrogen Council co-chairs Benoît Potier and deliveries with several suppliers. Three other vessels bound for China have LNG supply in 2019,” said James Taverner, (Source: thehindubusinessline.com) Euisun Chung wrote last month. Global spending on energy While the $70-billion investment in making hydrogen competitive looks huge, it is just a fraction of annual global spending on energy, Wind energy in accounting for less than 5 percent of that, Potier and Chung say. A recent analysis by Wood Makenzie showed that green hydro- gen costs could reach parity by 2030 in Australia, Germany, and Cantabria, wind farm Japan based on $30 per megawatt-hour for renewables. Globally, over $3.5 billion worth of projects are in the pipeline of the Sierra del Escudo for commissioning by 2025, WoodMac has estimated. “Green hydrogen is a clean energy carrier and can decarbon- The government of Cantabria supports the crea- ise ‘difficult sectors’ such as steel, cement, chemicals, heating tion of the wind power farm that the Biocantaber and heavy-duty trucking. It can also tackle the intermittency of Company intends to install in the Sierra del Escudo renewables by diverting excess supply during the day to produce with an investment of 114 million euros. hydrogen that can be stored for use in the evening when demand Cantabria has set as priority the development is high,” Prakash Sharma, Head of Markets and Transitions in of wind energy projects in the region and has Asia Pacific at Wood Mackenzie, says. guaranteed “maximum agility” in the process- The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) believes ing of the same, “complying at all times with all that green hydrogen could play a central role in the global energy Shown in the Melli Show! technical and environmental precautions”, in system and estimates that it could account for 8 percent of global order to strengthen “safety legal status and the energy consumption by 2050. tranquility of citizens.“ “Falling renewable power cost and falling capital cost for electrolyzers is creating an economic case for green hydrogen,” IRENA says. Declining renewables costs and growing pressure for climate Neshan Bank: Cardless Payments, POS- free Transactions action could help the green hydrogen momentum going, but it will take a lot of investment and policy support to make green hydrogen a scaled-up competitive source of zero-emission energy. (Source: oilprice.com) Oman mulls green hydrogen and utility scale solar for Sohar Port This has been transmitted to the directors of Hamrah Bam , a Unique & Up – to-date Design Innovation, Industry, Tourism and Commerce, Sohar Port and Free Zone says it is offering developers the opportunity Francisco Martín, and Rural Development, Live- to invest in utility scale solar farms that will generate competitively stock, Fisheries, Food and Environment, Guillermo priced electricity for various industrial and petrochemical plants Blanco, to the director of the company, Agustín operating within the port. Valcárcel, and to the head of business of Iberdrola Equally promising is the opportunity for investors to produce Renovables, Roberto Izaga, during the meeting green hydrogen, which can be used by industries that currently they held this Thursday and which the Executive depend on valuable natural gas as a source of hydrogen for their reported. requirements. Martín and Blanco have highlighted the interest Additionally, green hydrogen can be used as a source of calorific of the regional Executive and the operators to energy, thus supplanting electricity generated from natural gas. Hope Application , Specifically Designed for the Youth of Iran carry out this type of action in the region, giving Either application effectively frees up natural gas, which can the government “top priority to the issue” and then be used in petrochemical and other value-add industries, existing a “willingness for Cantabria to rise from thereby helping unlock further value from Oman’s hydrocarbon once and for all to the world of renewable energy. “ resources, reported Oman Obsever. They have also stressed that the projects remain While large-scale solar power and green hydrogen are more in the Ministry of Industry “the essential time, long-term ambitions of the port, modest-scale versions are en- hardly more than two months”, time in which visaged in the short-term to add to the ports competitive appeal, it is necessary to verify “absolutely everything” according to Mark Geilenkirchen, CEO. to “not incur insecurities that give rise to these Whenever a new company comes to the free zone, we offer them Melli Show energy initiatives being look bad.“ the possibility to buy solar electricity via (one of the developers), In this way, the two councilors see “with good so the new investors have access to cheaper solar electricity, but eyes” the interest that the region has for projects also land in the free zone, said Geilenkirchen. The show of Best Efforts such as the one presented and they have trusted Last month, Sohar Port formalized a pact with Qabas, the newly that the experience of the Cañoneras Park “will established renewable energy arm of Oman Shell, to invest in solar for Best services help us to continue to overcome the obstacles.” farms in the free zone. The first customer to benefit from this initiative In addition, both have stressed that the general is a ferrochrome plant that is already in operation in the free zone. directorates of Industry, Energy and Mines and In addition to Qabas, a subsidiary of the State General Reserve Biodiversity, Environment and Climate Change, Fund (SGRF) the largest sovereign wealth fund of the Sultanate of which have been present through their general Oman is also exploring plans to invest in renewables-based capacity directors, Raúl Pelayo and Antonio Lucio, respec- in Sohar Port and Free Zone. tively, work to fulfill “scrupulously” with the reg- Qabas has been allowed to offer electricity to customers in the ulations, always looking for entrepreneurs to have free zone, but we will be open to other players in the future, said certainty in a reasonable time for their projects. the CEO. (Source: evwind.es) (Source: utilities-me.com) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 ADVERTISEMENTS FEBRUARY 10, 2020

A Glance at Activities and Performance of IDRO in 41st Victory Anniversary of Islamic Revolution In a meeting with some produc- facilities rate from the operating Developed Areas the plan entitled ‘Land Preparation ers, entrepreneurs and economic bank [591 billion rials] and credits A number of 35 large and mid- for the Industrial Development”. activists, Leader of the Islamic needed for subsidize of facilities sized projects have been defined In this regard, 170,000 billion Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali [608 billion rials] which 409 direct with the aim of identifying the sa- rials worth of investment has been Khamenei said that sanctions will employments will be generated lient advantages of investment in made in these project which will be neutralized with the domestic primarily. less developed and disadvantaged generate 5,000 employments for production. General Contracting areas of the country in line with job-seeking people. Projects Introduction: - Project for the development of The below report represents Phase 14 of South Pars Gas Field highlights of activities and perfor- In this field, IDRO is composed mance of Industrial Development of consortia from eight companies and Renovation Organization of in the development project of Phase Iran (IDRO) in nine months of the 14 of South Pars Gas Field. current year in 1398 (from March This project has generated em- 21 to Dec. 22). ployment for 4,300 people and the In the current year, IDRO, to amount of contract stands at $5.249 realize strategies of the Ministry million with about 87 percent. In of Industry, Mine and Trade, has this project, the third gas project ence of IDRO in a Technology Ex- Industrial Development and focused on realizing the domestic “SPD14B” with 2,400 tons was hibition entitled “RINOTEX-2019) Renovation Organization (IDRO) production and the movement of transported and installed in July was in line with promoting the has been active in two projects as domestic manufacturing. 2019 in its location at 105 km of movement of domestic production. the project manager and commis- In addition, IDRO has fulfilled its coastal part of Kangan. With com- Organizing specialized panels for sioner including supply of 2,000 mission for the industrial develop- missioning these 500 million feet deepening domestic manufactur- metro wagons at entrepreneurship ment through alleviation of poverty cubic, equal 14 million cubic meter ing, signing and sealing MoUs of Municipalities and Rural Aids and deprivation from less developed /day is transferred through a 32- unilaterally and multilaterally, Organization of the country and provinces of the country as well as inch pipeline to the land part and supplying 3,200 products as also expansion project of export- investing in modern technologies then is transferred to the Phase 12 required by industries for do- oriented industries in Jask coastal and advanced industries. with the completion of pipeline in mestication, signing a number areas up to Gwadar with entre- With more than half a cen- Phase 14 of the refinery. of 202 MoUs between companies preneurship of Plan and Budget tury role creating in industrial Renovating Heavy participating in the exhibition, Organization (PBO). development of the country, IDRO Public Transportation organizing specialized panels in Supply of 630 Wagons has focused on training able and Fleet the presence of experts, signing Finalization of contract for the competent manpower and has Given the problems caused by and sealing 11 agreement letters supply of 630 wagons, amounting managed to take a giant stride the international sanctions and between companies attending to €782 million, as a part of plan in realizing economic objectives dire need of car manufacturing in pavilion of IDRO and other for the supply of 2,000 wagons of the country. companies to supply parts from companies participating in the for metro, is of the projects which Movement of Domestic overseas, this plan is moving ahead technological exhibition are of the has been followed up by this or- Manufacturing of Product slowly. Therefore, follow ups by salient strategies of this strategy. ganization. Exacerbation of US sanctions IDRO (Industrial Development Situation of Invest- Following up for the removal on Iran, senior officials of the and Renovation Organization) ment Projects of problems and setting up Tech- country such as officials at the in the reported period as well as Thanks to its inner nature, In- nical-Commercial Committee are Ministry of Industry, Mine and presenting practical strategies for dustrial Development and Reno- of the salient measures of the or- Trade caused the country to rely overcoming sanctions, the execu- vation Organization (IDRO) has ganization during the nine-month on the domestic capabilities for tive process has been accelerated various projects at hand in different period. the removal of requirements of and it is hoped that the speed of fields, ranging from 25 investment Expansion Project of industries. US imposition of sanc- substitution of dilapidated heavy projects, two plan management Export-Oriented Indus- tions on Iran prompted knowl- commercial vehicles will increase. projects, one general contracting tries in Jask Coastal Areas edge-based firms to take effective To date, order registration has been project, 6 production boom projects to Gwadar steps in this regard. made for more than 42,000 heavy and 40 projects at the feasibility The measures carried out accord- Accordingly, in line with the vehicles, valued at €1.990 billion. studies’ stage. ing of the allocated credits stand at movement of domestic manu- Plan to Support Devel- The rials volume of total invest- 1,047 billion rials which was led to facturing, the first domestic opment of Rail Transport ment projects of IDRO stands at the start of construction operation production exhibition was held Fleet 177,000 billion rials while the rate and creation of 16 projects with the in Tehran in July 2019 with the Increasing the rail transport of cost spent for these projects total investment of 2,548 billion aim of introducing and identify- share of cargo from nine percent to since the beginning of the cur- rials and generating employment ing requirements of industries of 30 percent as well as rail transport rent year up to the end of Iranian for 734 people in the provinces of the country in the field of car and share from total transportation of month of Azar at 22,530,000 bil- Sistan and Baluchestan and Hor- its accessories, minerals, home passengers from 10 to 20 percent lion rials. mozgan. appliances, marine industries, has been cited as the main aim be- Plan Management Total investment of projects oil, gas, petrochemicals and tel- hind implementation of the plan. Projects introduced is following up. To- ecommunications. Implementation of During nine-month period, tally, 2,296 billion rials, requested The effective and strong pres- Industrial Projects I Less II NN TT EE RR NN AA TT II OO NN AA LL DD AA II LL YY FEBRUARYFEBRUARYFEBRUARY 10,10, 201920202019 ANALYSISANALYSISANALYSIS && INTERVIEWINTERVIEW 77 Factbox: China’s fight against novel coronavirus outbreak those who had close contacts with infected patients. The National Health Commission Sunday said it received reports of 2,656 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection and 89 deaths on Saturday from 31 provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. The overall confirmed cases on the Chinese mainland had reached 37,198 by the end of Saturday and 811 people had died of the disease. A total of 2,649 patients infected with the novel coronavirus had been discharged from hospital after recovery by the end of Saturday, the commission announced Sunday. Central China’s Hubei, the hardest-hit province, reported 2,147 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection and 81 new Patients enter the ward of Leishenshan (Thunder God Mountain) Hospital in Wuhan, deaths on Saturday, local health capital of central China’s Hubei Province, Feb. 8, 2020. The makeshift hospital authorities said Sunday. The figure received its first batch of patients of the novel coronavirus pneumonia Saturday is 694 less compared with the new night. (Photo: Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu) confirmed cases reported in the previous day. BEIJING — China has stepped up Commission on Sunday. The mortality rate of the virus efforts to curb the spread of the novel Trade unions in China have in Hubei stood at 2.88 percent, with coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Here are provided a financial aid of more than the city of Tianmen and Wuhan the latest developments: 20 million yuan (about 2.9 million having the highest death rates at Authorities on Sunday started U.S. dollars) to help Hubei Province 5.08 percent and 4.06 percent, to disinfect the city of Wuhan twice battle the epidemic. respectively. a day to beef up efforts in containing The All-China Federation of Trade The newly-built Leishenshan the outbreak of the novel strain of Unions also donated 200 tons of Hospital in Wuhan, the second in coronavirus. Wuhan is the epicenter disinfectants and 20,000 masks. the city replicating Beijing’s SARS of the virus outbreak in central Chinese authorities have treatment model, received on China’s Hubei Province. reassured producers of key medical Saturday the first batch of patients More medical teams are arriving supplies that the government would infected with the virus. The two in virus-hit Wuhan to help battle the be the ultimate buyer in a move to makeshift hospitals --Leishenshan epidemic. encourage production to contain the (Thunder God Mountain) and On Saturday night, 260 medical novel coronavirus outbreak. Huoshenshan (Fire God Mountain), workers came to Wuhan from the Such products initially include together can accommodate 2,600 beds. ThirdByBy TedrosTedros Xiangya AdhanomAdhanom Hospital GhebreyesusGhebreyesus of Central test kits, medical goggles, medical South University, bringing new protective gear and masks, as well as China released an application medical equipment and supplies. their raw materials, and the list will guide to solicit research and A charter plane of Xiamen Airlines be adjusted with the development of development projects on rapid test brought 264 medics from Xiamen the epidemic, according to a guideline kits for the novel coronavirus. The City, in east China’s Fujian Province, jointly issued by several ministries. on-site quick testing equipment and and authorities sent 132 medical Authorities have begun closed- reagents should be able to identify staff by plane from Wuxi City, in off management in some residential confirmed infection among suspected the eastern Jiangsu Province. buildings in Huanggang, one of the patients within 1.5 hours to help Chinese health authorities have cities worst hit by the epidemic in prevent and control the epidemic. dispatched a total of 11,921 medical Hubei. Research institutes, universities and personnels from across the country to The buildings include those enterprises can submit applications Hubei Province to aid the fight against hosting confirmed cases of infection, to the Ministry of Science and the novel coronavirus pneumonia, suspected cases, patients with fever Technology from Feb. 8 to 13. according to the National Health and possible link to the virus, and (Source: Xinhua.net) ModernModern StadiumStadium ofof

MartyrsMartyrs ofof KhuzestanKhuzestan

نوبت نوبت اول اول 1398.1398.70957095

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I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 8 HERITAGE & TOURISM FEBRUARY 10, 2020

37 million Iranian pilgrims, Tehran proposes to host UNWTO travelers visit Mashhad in 10 months TOURISM TEHRAN – Some 37 million Iranian pilgrims Global Summit on Urban Tourism deskand travelers visited the shrine city of Mashhad, the capital of Khorasan Razavi province, since the beginning of TOURISM TEHRAN – Tehran the current Iranian calendar year (March 21, 2019). deskMunicipality has Some eight million people came by road, six million by rail, suggested to host the [United Nations] 3.8 million by air, and 18 million by private cars, Mehr reported. World Tourism Organization’s Global Summit on Urban Tourism in 2021. Representatives from Tehran Municipality put forward the proposal to UNWTO Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili on the sidelines of the 40th FITUR tourism trade fair, which was held from January 22 to 26 in Madrid, Spain, Hamshahrionline reported earlier this month. The municipality is intending to hold the summit at the Abbasabad Lands, which is situated in a large north-central neighborhood of the metropolis. Last September, the World Tourism Organization picked Abbasabad Lands Rehabilitation Company as one of its new A view of the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS) in Mashhad affiliate members from Iran. The designation Every single day, Mashhad plays host to thousands of travelers was made during the 23rd UNWTO General and pilgrims who come from various Iranian cities, neighboring Assembly held in St. Petersburg, Russia. countries and even across the globe to visit the imposing, massive The UNWTO Global Summit on Urban holy shrine complex of Imam Reza (AS), the eighth Imam of the Tourism seeks to focus on how developing Shia Muslims. smart cities can contribute to address complex urban challenges faced today by many destinations across the world. SeaWorld to end ‘dolphin The most critical issues in sustainability, accessibility, urban management, innovation surfing’ trainer tricks at all and technology will be discussed, while stressing the importance of including tourism parks in the wider city agenda as a means to make People cross Tabiat Pedestrian Bridge, which is located in the north-central part of the city of Tehran in a zone called Abbas Abad Lands. Since the release of the explosive 2013 documentary Blackfish, tourism a true contributor to the development and masterclass on topics such as current how to organize sustainable meetings. many historical travel destinations and SeaWorld has ended their orca breeding program, ceased all of inclusive, resilient and sustainable cities. trends in the meeting industry, how to be Tehran seeks to grab a bigger share museums and is also a gateway to many whale kissing and dancing in their orca performances, and has The summit also entails workshops a successful destination for meetings and in the tourism market as it is home to others particularly natural ones. made other changes to their animal encounters to make the per- formances more about education and less about entertainment. The most recent of these changes is SeaWorld’s decision to cut all “dolphin surfing” tricks performed by the parks’ trainer German sightseers visiting Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province during the dolphin shows. Dolphin surfing is a term used for tricks that include trainers riding through the water on dolphins TOURISM TEHRAN — A nine-member group of British tourists visiting attractions in Zabol, Nimruz, and by placing their feet on the backs or snouts of two swimming deskGerman sightseers has commenced an Hamun. They also set up an overnight camp in the [UNE- dolphins. excursion to southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan province, SCO-registered] Lut desert. According to the Los Angeles Times, “the decision to move away which is amongst Iran’s lesser-known destinations. The vast province was long shunned by potential foreign from such showy theatrics in the dolphin shows was disclosed The group, composed of cultural people such as authors, and domestic travelers though it is home to several distinctive in a letter sent earlier this month by a SeaWorld attorney to the teachers, and retired school managers, arrived in Zahedan archaeological sites and natural attractions, including two Securities and Exchange Commission.” The letter referenced a (the capital city) on Saturday, deputy provincial tourism UNESCO World Heritage sites, namely Shahr-e-Soukhteh proposal made by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animal chief Mojtaba Mirhosseini said on Sunday, IRNA reported. (Burnt City) and Lut desert, parts of latter is situated in (PETA), which, as of Dec. 2019, holds 163 shares of SeaWorld The first two days of the excursion is dedicated to northern Kerman province. stock, late last year to SeaWorld Entertainment shareholders, parts of the province, while their itinerary will continue to For mainstream Iranians, the name of Sistan-Baluchestan asking for a shareholder vote to end dolphin surfing in the southern parts, the official noted. conjures up stories of drought, desiccated wetlands, and dust parks’ shows. Over the past couple of months, Sistan-Baluchestan has storms. On the international scale foreigners may consider The letter regarding SeaWorld’s plans to “no longer demon- welcomed separate groups of Italian as well as French and it a reminiscent of the big red blot on the Iran safety map. strates ‘surfing’ (on dolphins) at any of its locations” states that SeaWorld trainers have already ceased riding on the back of dolphins and that the parks plan to phase out tricks that include trainers ride on a dolphin’s snout in the next few months, reports the Los Angeles Times. UNWTO closely monitoring developments related to coronavirus outbreak Since the news of the change broke after PETA’s call for a TOURISM TEHRAN – The [United Nations] of people across the country. And tourism will offer a shareholder vote regarding dolphin surfing, along with other deskWorld Tourism Organization (UNWTO) valuable lifeline as China recovers and rebuilds from measures the group has taken against the practice, the animal is closely monitoring developments related to the outbreak this setback, just as the sector has proven its resilience welfare organization is claiming responsibility for the end of of novel coronavirus both in China and other parts many times before. dolphin surfing at SeaWorld. of the world, the organization announced in a Friday “The cooperation of the tourism sector will be vital (Source: MSN) statement. in stopping the spread of the virus and limiting its During times of crisis, tourism has to live up to its impact on people and communities. Tourists also have responsibility as an integral part of wider society. The a responsibility to inform themselves before they travel ROUND THE GLOBE sector must put people and their wellbeing first, the in order to limit the threat of transmission, and they statement said. should follow the recommendations of the WHO and Machu Picchu “Since the very start of the emergency, the Chinese their own national health authorities.” authorities have acted swiftly and decisively. UNWTO The statement adds that tourism is vulnerable to Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu is among the greatest expresses its solidarity with the Chinese people, its the effects of public health emergencies and is already artistic, architectural and land use achievements anywhere government and its tourism sector at these challenging being affected by this outbreak. “However, it is too early and the most significant tangible legacy of the Inca civilization. times…. It is also cooperating closely with the World to fully estimate the impacts this outbreak will have.” A World Heritage, the sanctuary is embedded within a Health Organization (WHO) [in this regard].” UNWTO as the specialized UN agency for tourism dramatic landscape at the meeting point between the Peruvian In recent years, China has emerged as a true global will continue supporting WHO, the lead UN agency Andes and the Amazon Basin. tourism leader, both as a source market and as a leading for the management of this outbreak by advising and Passengers wearing masks walk outside the Shanghai rail- The property covers overall 32,592 hectares of mountain destination in itself, providing livelihoods for millions providing tourism specific guidance. way station in Shanghai, China (Reuters via ANI File photo) slopes, peaks and valleys surrounding its heart, the spectacular archaeological monument of “La Ciudadela” (the Citadel) at more than 2,400 meters above sea level. How to travel car-free with a family By Lauren Matison region and incorrectly assumed that the Family Eurail Pass allows up to two In one writer’s experience, letting go of the local trains would allow bike trailers on children, ages 0-11, to travel for free wheel leads to happier travels, especially board. Following our France fiasco, we per adult in Europe, and Amtrak in the with children. experimented with car-free excursions United States offers 50 percent off for When I moved to New York and closer to home, and now research policies children along with a newly expanded started a car-free travel blog in 2007, I for buses and trains ahead of time and bikes-on-board reservation system. was a recovering Los Angeles transplant, carry information for just-in-case taxis Once the destination has been selected, keen to ditch driving and atone for and tour companies. plan for what could be big travel snafus: my environmental sins. I hiked the Before all aboard, check the Are guides needed to reach certain Appalachian Trail off the Metro-North tourism board attractions? Does the bus have a bathroom train, surfed via the Queens-bound. A Cities with efficient mass transit or require a booster seat? I also strategize subway and biked into the Hudson Valley systems and widespread bike share ways to make the transition between from the Bronx’s South County Trailway. programs are a boon to car-free travelers. modes of transit less stressful. Built in the fifteenth century Machu Picchu is well recognized No car? No problem! Destinations like Los Angeles, Connecticut, Put the children in charge for outstanding cultural and natural values. It was abandoned Then I became a mother, breastfeeding Banff and Scotland are part of a growing Your children, believe it or not, can when the Inca Empire was conquered by the Spaniards in the on buses and potty training on trains. I’ll tourism movement celebrating the road help with those transition points. sixteenth century. It was not until 1911 that the archaeological admit I felt less like a weekend warrior and less driven with digital car-free brochures. On a recent outing to Chautauqua complex was made known to the outside world. more like a pathetic peripatetic parent. he enjoys carrying the essentials in his You can continue your research with Park in Boulder, Colo., I designated my The approximately 200 structures making up this However, seeing how much my son loves own “Kikki” backpack. Using packing Bikabout, which offers family guides to son as our guide, “Ranger Remy.” When outstanding religious, ceremonial, astronomical and riding the rails and engaging with different cubes and choosing lightweight, water- bike-friendly towns, hotels and Airbnbs we switched from bike to shuttle bus, he agricultural center are set on a steep ridge, crisscrossed by people continues to be more rewarding resistant and convertible luggage can in North America. couldn’t wait to lead the way, first stopping stone terraces. Following a rigorous plan the city is divided than any adventure in an automobile. also make life easier. If possible, leave For other places to go and apps to use, at the ranger center near the Chautauqua into a lower and upper part, separating the farming from Here are a few tips, for biking and the stroller at home — the peer-to-peer Wanderu, a car-free booking site, finds Trailhead to borrow a goodie-filled discovery residential areas, with a large square between the two. To this using public transit, that have helped rental marketplace goBaby rents strollers the most affordable transit options in backpack. But in San Francisco, we had day, many of Machu Picchu’s mysteries remain unresolved, me avoid the simple mistakes and fuel and other baby gear from more than 100 addition to providing handy travel tips to jump from the BART train to Amtrak including the exact role it may have played in the Incas’ the fun. locations throughout North America. such as under $20 getaways from major and my son wasn’t in the mood to be the sophisticated understanding of astronomy and domestication Pack less, see more Pass the road test cities in the United States, and the bus station navigator. So I successfully teased of wild plant species. After a bit of trial and error, you’ll Before committing to a long vacation, companies that accept mobile tickets. And the journey with Amtrak’s Trails & Rails The massive yet refined architecture of Machu Picchu blends find car-free travel is a liberating choice get the entire family in a go-with-the-flow Hipcamp, an app with more than 300,000 program, when National Park Service guides exceptionally well with the stunning natural environment, with that forces you to schlep considerably groove to better handle the inevitable public and private campsite listings, has give on-board show-and-tell presentations which it is intricately linked. Numerous subsidiary centers, less. Take only two pairs of shoes, bid car-free setbacks: delayed buses, a search tool that allows you to filter for about landmarks along the route. Older an extensive road and trail system, irrigation canals and adieu to the car seat and gain back the stuck trains, no available seats, overly sites that don’t require a car. children can keep things running smoothly agricultural terraces bear witness to longstanding, often time wasted mulling over “just in case” ambitious parents. A few summers ago, Discover the family-friendly as snack supervisors or travel planners, on-going human use. outfits or scavenging for souvenirs. with our then 1-year-old, my husband deals charged with picking out the next activity (Source: UNESCO) My son, now 3 and a half, and I share and I were hoping to shorten our cycling Train travel in particular offers from the guidebook. a 100-liter hybrid duffel backpack and route through France’s Pays de la Loire excellent family-friendly savings. The (Source: The New York Times) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y FEBRUARY 10, 2020 SOCIETY 9

Precipitation rate rises by 22% Wildfire extinguished in northern forests

ENVIRONMENT TEHRAN — Wildfire, erupted in northern in a water year deskforests of Gilan province over the past 2 days, has been fully extinguished, commander of the protec- ENVIRONMENT TEHRAN — Rainfall in rainfall, and Mazandaran province tion unit of natural resources and watershed management deskhas reached above experienced a 14.3 percent increase in organization of Gilan has stated. normal levels in Iran as the country precipitation, he added. received 22 percent more rainfall since The average long-term rainfall in the beginning of the current water year Hormozgan province is reported 93.6 (September 23, 2019) compared to the mm, which shows that this year’s precip- long run, head of the National Drought itation has increased by 205.5 percent, and Monitoring Center of the Meteor- he highlighted. ological Organization has announced. He went on to say that in Sistan-Bal- Gilan, Mazandaran and Hormozgan uchestan province, there has been re- provinces surpassed other provinces ported 125.6 mm of rainfall since the in terms of high rainfall rates over the beginning of the current water year, aforesaid period, ISNA quoted Ahad adding that the precipitation has in- Vazifeh as saying on Sunday. creased in the province by 136.6 mm in Referring to the fact that 137.9 mm comparison to the long term averages. rained since September 23 till Feb- Precipitation in East Azarbaijan, West ruary 4, he stated that the figure has Azarbaijan, Ardabil, Isfahan, Ilam, Cha- increased by 22.1 percent compared harmahal-Bakhtiari, North Khorasan, to the long-term average and also 0.5 Khuzestan, Kordestan, Kermanshah, percent in comparison to the same pe- Kohgiluyeh-Boyerahmad, Golestan, According to the latest statistics, approximately 130 hectares riod last year. Gilan , Lorestan and Yazd have declined of forests in Gilan province have been burnt in recent days, IRNA Pointing to Gilan, Mazandaran and relative proportion of the long-term av- quoted Mohammad Qorbani as saying on Sunday. Hormozgan provinces as the rainiest erage, he lamented. He went on to say that 99 percent of fires in 13 cities of Gilan provinces, he noted that Gilan province Speaking about precipitation in Tehran province have caused no serious damage to the trees. got 459.5 mm of rain, Mazandaran and during the aforementioned period, he In spite of the complete containment of fire, the protection Hormozgan provinces also received stated that 120 mm of rain doused Teh- unit is on full alert, he further noted. 358.9 mm and 286 mm, respectively. ran, which shows a 4.4 percent increase Appreciating all the forces who made efforts to control the However, compared to the long term, compared to the long run but a decline wildfire, he concluded that fire broke out in various cities, in- Gilan province faced 2.2 percent decline of 30 percent compared to last year. cluding Rezvanshahr, Talesh, Roudbar, Siahkal and some others. Gilan, as the country’s greenest land, has 565,000 hectares of forest and 224,000 hectares of grassland. ‘A global conservation disaster’: Fury as Botswana sells 60 elephant Endangered mountain shoot permits to trophy-hunters gorillas ‘killed by lightning’ Botswana has sold licences to shoot dead dozens of el- – potentially the worst in living memory – and have tre- in Uganda ephants for tens of thousands of pounds each, in what mendously damaging consequences for efforts to conserve experts are warning could be a “major global conser- endangered fauna and flora everywhere.” vation disaster”. The country’s government says the large sums of money Four endangered mountain gorillas, including three adult The country auctioned off hunts for 60 of the huge from trophy-hunters benefit local communities. females, have been killed by an apparent lightning strike in mammals for a total of 25.7m Botswanan pula – £1.8m, But Leslie Olonyi, an environmental lawyer from Kenya, a Ugandan national park, a conservation group has said. or more than £30,200 each. said: “African youth are now, more than ever, alive to the A post-mortem examination has been performed on the Conservationists have told the country’s leaders they truth that elephants are part of our pride and heritage to four, including a male infant, who died on 3 February in risk hastening elephant extinction. conserve and hold in trust for future generations. Short- Mgahinga National Park in south-west Uganda. And African organisations that wanted to bid at the auc- sighted politicians, poachers, trophy-hunters and their silver “Based on the gross lesions from the post-mortem ... the tion and put the money towards local community projects bullets must never be allowed to endanger this heritage.” tentative cause of death for all four individuals is likely to instead of shooting animals were angry at being excluded Animal Defenders International appealed to people to be electrocution by lightning,” the Greater Virunga Trans- from the bidding. protest outside the Botswanan embassy in their country. boundary Collaboration said in a statement on Saturday. The EMS Foundation tweeted afterwards: “Shame on Rosemary Alles, co-founder and president of the Global Laboratory confirmation will take two to three weeks. you, President Masisi – we will not forget.” March for Elephants and Rhinos, said: “Studies have shown The four were members of a group of 17 known as the Wildlife activists had lobbied against the decision last from trophy-hunting and poaching was greater than the that local communities do not reap the benefits that they Hirwa family, which had crossed into the Mgahinga national year by Mokgweetsi Masisi to end Botswana’s five-year annual birth rate of elephants in Africa. are promised from the hunting industry. park in August last year from Volcanoes national park in ban on big-game hunting. “Scientists have noticed that trophy hunting and poaching “Killing 272 elephants in Botswana will not control elephant neighbouring Rwanda. The government has issued a quota for the killing of 272 of African elephants is leading to elephants having shorter numbers, it will not reduce human-elephant conflict and “This was extremely sad,” collaboration executive sec- elephants during this year’s hunting season, from April tusks and that there are now more adult elephants with will not create jobs in areas where opportunities are scarce. retary Andrew Seguya told the BBC. “The potential of the to September. no tusks,” he said. “Appropriate land-use planning including dedicated three females for their contribution to the population was A seventh lot at Friday’s auction – to shoot 10 others - “Trophy hunting is artificial selection. By targeting the migratory corridors will aid elephant dispersal and increase immense.” failed to meet the reserve price of 2 million pula (£141,000). biggest and strongest animals, it leaves the weaker, smaller the probability of amicable human elephant coexistence.” The other 13 members of the group had been found. Africa’s elephant population has plummeted by more animals behind. This means the best genes are being lost, When the government last year decided to allow new In 2008, there were estimated to be only 680 of the great than two-thirds in 40 years: from 1.3million in 1979 to so the species will be less able to adapt to accelerating culls, an environment ministry spokesperson said: “Pred- apes left, but thanks to conservation efforts and anti-poaching 415,000 in 2015, official figures show, and the species is climate change, it will be more prone to disease, and the ators appear to have increased and were causing a lot of patrols, their population has grown to more than 1,000. listed as vulnerable to extinction by wildlife body the IUCN. risk of extinction is greater.” damage as they kill livestock in large numbers. Due to these efforts, in 2018 the mountain gorilla – a Poaching is the leading cause of the decline. He said the move would be bad for some of Botswa- “There is a negative impact of the hunting suspension subspecies of the eastern gorilla – was moved from “critically But Botswana has the world’s biggest population of elephants na’s poorest communities, as it meant one-off trophy fees on livelihoods, particularly for community-based organi- endangered” to “endangered” on the International Union – about 130,000 – almost one-third of the continent’s total. replacing income streams from nature tourism of $2m sations that were previously benefiting from consumptive for Conservation of Nature’s “red list” of threatened species. Their numbers in the country have grown since the 1990s, (£1.5m) over an elephant’s lifetime. utilisation [of wildlife].” Covering the northern slopes of three volcanoes, Mga- and as humans have expanded farmland, elephants have A letter from wildlife experts and celebrities, including Tiro Segosebe, who lives in the capital, Gaborone, said: hinga National Park is part of the Virunga massif shared increasingly taken crops, prompting officials to promote explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, to President Masisi when “Elephants have killed a lot of people and destroyed live- with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The hunting to ease the “human-elephant conflict”. he was reconsidering the ban said: “Trophy-hunting of lihoods. I think government is doing the right thing in massif is one of the most important conservation sites in However, some environmentalists fear licensed hunting elephants often brings a slow, painful death. With its pop- reducing their numbers.” the world and one of only two places where mountain go- could fuel demand for body parts and so encourage even ulation dwindling and increasingly scattered, the impact of Last year, Botswana banned two professional hunt- rillas are found. more illegal poaching, opening the path to extinction. trophy-hunting could be disastrous and possibly contribute ers who shot dead a research elephant and tried to hide (Source: The Guardian) Eduardo Goncalves, founder of the Campaign to Ban to the extinction of the species. the evidence. Trophy Hunting, told The Independent that attrition “This would be a major global conservation disaster (Source: The Independent) WORDS IN THE NEWS Truth and Reconciliation in ENGLISH IN USE South Africa

LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION (January 29, 2003) The final report of the South African ‹Truth and Reconciliation Commission› can now be published. Doctor Mangosutho Buthelezi Iran breaks U.S. monopoly on aviation and his Inkatha Freedom Party had questioned the findings of the report, but the two sides have now reached agreement. This ایران انحصار آمریکا در نقشههای report from Alastair Leithead: navigation charts The settlement of the long-running dispute between Doctor Mangosutho Buthelezi and his Inkatha Freedom Party, and the هوانوردی را شکست Truth and Reconciliation Commission, now paves the way ایــران بــا تولیــد نقشــههای هوانــوردی )INFLIGHT AIP( کــه پیــش Iranian researchers have succeeded to produce aviation navigation for the final report to be published, and the issue ofreparation payments to be addressed. President Thabo Mbeki was due to از ایــن در انحصــار آمریــکا بــوده بــه موفقیــت چشــمگیری در زمینــه صنعــت charts, known as Inflight AIP (Aeronautical Information be handed the final document last year, but the objections raised هوانــوردی دســت یافــت. ,Publication), which was monopolized by the United States IRNA news agency reported on Sunday. by Doctor Buthelezi and the IFP had delayed is publication. They were challenging thirty-seven separate statements directly بــه گــزارش ایرنــا، روز یکشــنبه بــا حضــور امیــر ســرتیپ خلبــان عزیــز blaming he and his party for a series of human rights abuses in نصیــرزاده فرمانــده نیــروی هوایــی ارتــش و ســورنا ســتاری معــاون علمــی Prepared by Iran’s Army, the Inflight AIP was unveiled in Tehran with Air Force Commander Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh the years leading up to the collapse of apartheid. Thousands of people named in the report have been recommended و فنــاوری ریاســت جمهــوری از نقشــههای هوانــوردی )INFLIGT AIP( for reparations - payments as compensation for the suffering تولیــد داخــل رونمایــی شــد. and Vice President for Science and Technology Sourena Sattari in attendance. they endured under apartheid. These will progress with the .publication of the final report چارتهــای هوایــی دیجیتــال شــامل نقشــههای پــروازی IFR و VFR Digital aeronautical charts, including instrument flight rules Words یــک محصــول دانــش بنیــان بــا فنــاوری بســیار بــاال اســت کــه پیــش از ایــن (IFR) and visual flight rules (VFR), is a high-quality knowledge- settlement: a settlement is an agreement after conflict انحصــار آن در اختیــار آمریــکا و شــرکت جپســن )Jeppesen( قــرار داشــت based product which was solely produced by Jeppesen Company The Truth and Reconciliation Commission: The organization trying to discover the truth about the apartheid years and unify کــه بــه دلیــل اعمــال تحریمهــای ظالمانــه شــرکتهای هواپیمایــی ایرانــی and was not available for Iranian airlines due to U.S. sanctions. South Africa paves the way for: if something paves the way for another از دسترســی بــه ایــن نقشــهها محــروم شــده بودنــد. thing, it makes it possible reparation payments: money paid to victims who have suffered delayed: postpone or defer (an action) PREFIX/SUFFIX PHRASAL VERB IDIOM human rights abuses: unfair treatment, ignoring people’s basic rights “-dom” Pull in Do a double take leading up to: in the years before collapse: an instance of a structure falling down or giving way Meaning: state, condition, quality Meaning: to move to a designated place at the side Explanation: to look at someone or something again apartheid: the former South African system, where different For example: we do have some freedom of choice. of the road because you are very surprised by what you saw or heard races lived apart For example: A police car signaled to me to pull in. For example: Colleagues often walked past me in endured: if you endure something bad, you live through it the hallway, then stopped and did a double take. (Source: BBC) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 10 INTERNATIONAL FEBRUARY 10, 2020

Bahrain summons, detains U.S. warns Israel against another Shia cleric as crackdown persists ‘unilateral’ West Bank moves Bahraini authorities have summoned and arrested an- A U.S. envoy warned Israel on Sunday not Rudeinah, spokesman for Palestinian Pres- other Shia Muslim cleric as the ruling Al Khalifah dynasty to declare sovereignty over West Bank land ident Mahmoud Abbas. presses ahead with its heavy-handed crackdown against without Washington’s consent, pushing Palestinian outrage over the so-called members of the religious community in the country. back against calls for immediate action by ‘deal of the century’ has already led to violent Arabic-language and independent Manama Post on- ultra-nationalists within Prime Minister incidents in the West Bank and Jerusalem. line newspaper reported on Saturday that Sheikh Mo- Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition. On January 28, Trump unveiled his so- hammed al-Reish was detained after he underwent an Unilateral action by Israel to annex land called deal of the century, negotiated with hours-long interrogation at the Criminal Investigation in the West Bank would endanger U.S. Israel but without the Palestinians. Directorate (CID) building in the capital Manama, the support for a proposed blueprint for the Palestinian leaders, who severed all previous day. region, U.S. Ambassador to Israel David ties with Washington in late 2017 after This is not the first time that the Bahraini cleric has Friedman has said. Trump controversially recognized Jeru- been detained. “Israel is subject to the completion [of] salem al-Quds as the so-called capital of Back in September 2018, Bahraini officials ordered a mapping process by a joint Israeli-Amer- the Israeli regime, immediately rejected the arrest of Sheikh Reish following an investigation at ican committee. Any unilateral action in ‘the deal of the century’, with President a police station in the Hoora district of Manama. advance of the completion of the committee Mahmoud Abbas saying it “belongs in the Also on Friday, Bahraini regime officials renewed the process endangers the Plan & American dustbin of history.” imprisonment of Shia preacher, Mullah Qasim Zain al- recognition,” Friedman said, in a message Palestinian leaders say the deal is a Din, for 15 days pending investigation. posted on Twitter. colonial plan to unilaterally control Pal- The clergyman was arrested on January 29 with no Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Net- estine in its entirety and remove Pales- charges pressed against him. anyahu announced on Saturday that his tinians from their homeland, adding that Another Shia cleric, identified as Mullah Abdul Zah- government had begun to draw up maps of it heavily favors Israel and denies them ra al-Samaheeji, was remanded in custody for 15 days land in the occupied West Bank, in accord- a viable independent state. pending the investigation. ance with U.S. President Donald Trump’s tentially withdraw support for the plan if theirs, comprising part of a future state. The Organization of Islamic Coopera- Thousands of anti-regime protesters have held proposed peace plan. However, Judging Israel proceeds alone. “The only map that can be accepted tion, which represents 57 Muslim-majority demonstrations in Bahrain on an almost daily basis by Friedman’s message, it appears that The area being mapped includes all of Is- as the map of Palestine is the map of the countries, has already expressed its outright ever since a popular uprising began in the country in Washington has taken issue with being rael’s illegal settlements in the Jordan Valley. Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with opposition to Trump’s skewed initiative. mid-February 2011. excluded from the process, and could po- Palestinians view these lands as rightfully Jerusalem as its capital,” said Nabil Abu (Source: agencies) They are demanding that the Al Khalifah regime re- linquish power and allow a just system representing all Bahrainis to be established. Manama has gone to great Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union rejects Trump’s ‘deal of century’ lengths to clamp down on any sign of dissent. On March 1 his anger at Trump’s self-proclaimed ‘Vision for Peace’ 14, 2011, troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab “This plan represents a new chapter of violations of by throwing a copy into the dustbin, arguing that was Emirates were deployed to assist Bahrain in its crackdown. the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people after their the place where it rightfully belonged, hence drawing an On March 5, 2017, Bahrain’s parliament approved the decades-long suffering,” said the communiqué, calling applause from those present at the summit. trial of civilians at military tribunals in a measure blasted for increased Arab support for the Palestinians in their The Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which repre- by human rights campaigners as being tantamount to struggle for self-determination and statehood. sents 57 Muslim-majority countries, has already expressed imposition of an undeclared martial law countrywide. “This requires unifying the Arab ranks and mobilizing its outright opposition to Trump’s skewed initiative. Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah ratified the the efforts to support the question which represents a top On January 28, Trump unveiled his so-called deal constitutional amendment on April 3, 2017. priority for the Arab joint action,” read the communiqué. of the century, negotiated with Israel but without the (Source: Press TV) The chief Arab lawmakers described the U.S. move to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as the Israeli “capital” Palestinians. as “a dangerous escalation that threatens the security Palestinian leaders, who severed all ties with Washing- of the region and cuts the road to peace opportunities, ton in late 2017 after Trump controversially recognized Surrendered Pakistani paving the way for a religious war to which Israel will be Jerusalem al-Quds as the so-called capital of the Israeli a major party.” regime, immediately rejected ‘the deal of the century’, Taliban spokesman The union called on the Arab countries to adopt legal estinians’ right to statehood, the Palestinian refugees’ with President Mahmoud Abbas saying it “belongs in the measures that could put an end to Israel’s unilateral moves right to return to their homes and receive compensations dustbin of history.” escapes custody in the occupied Palestinian territories. for their prolonged suffering and commitment to the UN Palestinian leaders say the deal is a colonial plan to The communiqué called Trump’s plan a unilateral resolutions as basic points of reference for a just, compre- unilaterally control Palestine in its entirety and remove agreement which does not represent a step towards just hensive and durable settlement to the conflict,” it said. Palestinians from their homeland, adding that it heavily A leading member of the Pakistan Taliban has escaped and comprehensive peace. At one point during the AIU meeting, Kuwait’s National favors Israel and denies them a viable independent state. custody more than two years after surrendering to au- “Peace will be unlikely without recognition of the Pal- Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim demonstrated (Source: Press TV) thorities, a senior security official said Sunday. The confirmation comes days after Ehsanullah Ehsan -- the former spokesman for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Paki- Qatar may become first Persian Gulf Soldier kills 26 in bloodiest shooting spree stan (TTP) -- released an audio message claiming he had escaped detention and was now in Turkey. Arab state to operate submarines in Thailand A senior security source told AFP Ehsan was “one of our major assets in identifying and later tracking down Qatar is reportedly expected to ac- patrol boats as well as shore support and A soldier with a grudge gunned down Prime Minister Prayuth Chan- militants”. quire submarines from Italy and turn help with a new offshore naval base. 26 people and wounded 57 in Thai- ocha gave the final tally Sunday The source was unable to confirm claims that Ehsan into the first Persian Gulf Arab country It further said that Saudi Arabia land’s worst shooting spree before morning after visiting the wounded was in Turkey, or provide details of how he escaped. to operate those watercrafts. and the UAE, two of Qatar’s neigh- he was fatally shot inside a mall in in hospitals. He said that of the 57 Ehsan was infamous for issuing chilling claims following The American business magazine bors embroiled in a diplomatic crisis the country’s northeast Sunday, of- injured, 25 have been discharged. TTP attacks and has been linked to some of the country’s Forbes reported that a new memo- with Doha, have both stated needs to ficials said. Video taken outside the mall most bloody attacks -- including the bombing at a park in randum of understanding (MoU) with acquire submarines. Officials said the soldier was angry showed people diving for cover as Lahore during Easter 2016, and the targeting of education Italian company Fincantieri, Europe’s “Qatar has difficult relations these over a financial dispute, first killing shots rang out mid-afternoon Satur- activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai. largest shipbuilder, covers the “supply countries so the submarine acquisition two people on a military base and day. Many were killed outside the mall, Ehsan surrendered to authorities in 2017 and later of cutting-edge naval vessels and sub- could be seen, at least in part, as a response then went on a far bloodier rampage some in cars, others while walking. gave high-profile interviews on Pakistani television, an- marines” to the Qatari Emiri Navy. to these moves,” the report added. Saturday, shooting as he drove to the Nattaya Nganiem and her family gering many in the country who believed he was being “Qatar may become the first Arab Per- In June 2017, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bah- mall where shoppers fled in terror. had just finished eating and were pampered by authorities after years of helping lead the sian Gulf state to operate submarines,” rain, and the UAE imposed a land, naval and It took police sharpshooters 16 driving away when she heard gunfire. bloody insurgency. the report said, adding that currently air blockade on import-dependent Qatar, hours to end the crisis. “First I saw a woman run out from Pakistani security officials argued, however, that he Iran is the only submarine operator in accusing Doha of supporting terrorism; Authorities said Sgt. Maj. the mall hysterically,” said Nattaya, had supplied valuable intelligence in the fight against the Persian Gulf. an allegation strongly denied by Doha. Jakrapanth Thomma was behind the who shot video of the scene on her militants. According to the report, the Qatari The Saudi-led bloc presented Qatar attack in Nakhon Ratchasima, a hub phone. “Then a motorcycle rider in Pakistan has been battling a homegrown insurgency submarines, which are likely to be rel- with a list of demands and gave it an for Thailand’s relatively poorer and front of her just ran and left his mo- for over a decade, with thousands of civilians and security atively small light ones, may be part of ultimatum to comply with them or face rural northeastern region. Much of torcycle there.” personnel dying in extremist attacks, especially after the a much larger 5-billion-euro deal with consequences. Doha, however, refused the shooting took place at Terminal Hundreds of people were evacu- TTP began their campaign of violence in 2007. Italy which was agreed in 2017. to meet the demands and stressed that 21 Korat, an airport-themed mall ated from the mall in small batches Overall levels of extremist-linked violence have dropped The accord, it noted, included a large it would not abandon its independent filled with colorful Lego sculptures, by police while they searched for the dramatically last year, with 2019 seeing the fewest deaths helicopter carrier, called a Landing Plat- foreign policy. a merry-go-round and huge replicas gunman. since 2007 when TTP was formed. form Dock (LPD), four warships and two (Source: Press TV) of landmarks from around the world. (Source: AP) Analysts have credited the fall to military offensives against the Taliban in the tribal areas of North Waziristan and Khyber where they were headquartered, as well as China’s coronavirus deaths surpass SARS as country plans halting return to work operations in the country’s largest city of Karachi. 1 Mistrust and dismay outbreak began, became the first confirmed non-Chi- In 2018, the TTP was further degraded after a U.S. strike As millions of Chinese prepared to go back to work, nese victim. The Washington Post identified him as in Afghanistan killed their leader, Maulana Fazlullah. the public dismay and mistrust of official numbers was Hong Ling, a 53-year old geneticist who studied rare (Source: AFP) evident on Weibo, China’s equivalent of Twitter. diseases at Berkeley. “What’s even more frustrating is that these are only Joseph Eisenberg, professor of epidemiology at the the ‘official’ data,” said one user. School of Public Health at the University of Michigan, “We all know we can’t purchase masks anywhere, said it was too early to say whether the epidemic was Two U.S. troops killed why are we still going back to work?” said a second. peaking. by Afghan soldier in “More than 20,000 doctors and nurses around the “Even if reported cases might be peaking, we don’t country have been sent to Hubei, but why are the num- know what is happening with unreported cases,” he said. Nangarhar attack bers still rising?” asked a third. Major cities and capitals announced new travel restric- Authorities had told businesses to tack up to 10 extra tions as concern over the spread of the virus increased. days on to holidays that had been due to finish at the Chinese-ruled Hong Kong introduced a two-week Two American troops were killed and six others wounded end of January and some restrictions continued. quarantine on Saturday for all people arriving from the by an Afghan soldier armed with a machine gun, the U.S. Gaming giant Tencent Holdings Ltd said on Sunday ing hub of Shenzhen, meanwhile, denied a report in mainland, or who have been there during the previous 14 military confirmed Sunday. it had asked staff to continue working from home the Nikkei business daily that it had blocked a plan by days. Malaysia expanded its ban on visitors from China. The deaths come at a sensitive time in the 18-year-old until Feb. 21. Apple Inc supplier Foxconn Technology Co Ltd to re- France issued a new travel advisory for its citizens, war, with President Donald Trump eager to bring troops Hebei province, which surrounds Beijing, will keep sume production in China from Monday. The company saying it did not recommend traveling to China unless home and end the longest conflict in U.S. history. schools shut until March 1, the People’s Daily newspa- would restart once inspections were completed, it said. there was an “imperative” reason. Italy asked children The incident occurred late Saturday at a base in Sher- per said. Several provinces have shut schools until the Global alarm traveling from China to stay away from school for two zad district, in Nangarhar province, eastern Afghanistan. end of February. Among the latest deaths, 81 were in Hubei. An American weeks voluntarily. “Current reports indicate an individual in an Afghan The local government in the southern manufactur- hospitalized in the provincial capital Wuhan, where the (Source: Reuters) uniform opened fire on the combined U.S. and Afghan force with a machine gun,” U.S. Forces-Afghanistan spokesman Sonny Leggett said in a statement on Sunday. The defence ministry said one Afghan soldier was killed Syrian government forces recapture 600 square km of territory in Idlib campaign and three local security forces injured during the shooting, 1 Turkey already hosts 3.6 million nition to bolster its observation posts in Idlib “Steps that could be taken to establish peace surrounded by the Syrian army and has and added that an investigation had been launched while Syrian refugees. since Friday. on the ground as soon as possible and ad- threatened to respond if any of its posts vowing to continue fighting “terrorism” with the U.S. ’Response in strongest manner’ Officials from Turkey and Russia held vance the political process were evaluated.” come under attack. “Incidents such as this fail to have negative effects Turkey beefing up its forces in Idlib three hours of apparently inconclusive talks A Turkish security source said the troops’ “Our observation posts in Idlib continue their on the friendship and spirit of cooperation and between has failed to stem the advance by Syrian in Ankara, agreeing to meet again next week. sole mission was to reinforce the country’s duties and are capable of protecting themselves the ANDSF and U.S military forces,” the ministry said government forces, leading Ankara and The two countries support opposing sides 12 existing observation posts, established with the weapons and equipment they possess,” in a statement. Moscow to hold talks on Saturday about in Syria’s nearly nine-year war but have forged under a 2018 deal with Russia that aimed the Turkish defense ministry said on Twitter. Provincial governor Shah Mahmood Meyakhil had the offensive. a series of agreements since 2017 aimed at at preventing a major battle and an ensuing “In the event of a new attack, proper re- earlier said it was not immediately clear if the incident According to Turkish state news agency, containing the bloodshed. humanitarian crisis. sponse will be given in the strongest manner, was a deliberate act by an “infiltrator” or an accident. Anadolu, Ankara has sent more than 350 “The situation in Idlib was discussed,” Turkey says three of its outposts, all in based on the right of self-defense.” (Source: AFP) vehicles filled with commandos and ammu- Turkey’s foreign ministry said after the talks. the southeastern part of Idlib, have been (Source: agencies) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y FEBRUARY 10, 2020 SPORTS 11

Esteghlal not afraid of any Iranian teams still uncertain about their hosting rights at ACL team in ACL 2020: Majidi SPORTS TEHRAN — According to the latest 2020 deskAFC Champions League schedule that has TEHRAN — Esteghlal SPORTS been released in the AFC Magazine, the place of home matches deskcoach Farhad Majidi says of the Iranian clubs at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) that they are not afraid to play any team in the elite club competition this season is still uncertain. forthcoming 2020 AFC Champions League. The Iranian Blues are scheduled to meet Iraq’s Al Shorta in Group A at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil on Monday. While Al Shorta booked their place in the group stage as domestic champions, Esteg- hlal had to negotiate two qualifiers, and did so in style, brushing aside Kuwait SC 3-0 in the Preliminary Round 2 before demolishing Qatar’s Al Sailiyah SC 5-0 in the Play-off round. Now, Majidi says they are ready to face any opponent in the continent. “We are ready to show a good perfor- mance against Al Shorta but we’re a little On January 23, the General Managers of the four clubs rep- worried about our physical fitness because resenting Iran at the 2020 AFC Champions League - namely our players are very tired,” Majidi said in Persepolis, Esteghlal, Sepahan, and Shahr Khodro - along with the pre-match news conference. Mehdi Alinejhad, Deputy Minister of Sport and Youth, and Ibrahim “In the previous four matches I’ve Shakouri, Acting Secretary General of The Football Federation coached Esteghlal, we scored 12 goals and of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), met with AFC Secretary just conceded three goals and it shows that General Dato ‘Windsor John at the Asian Football Confedera- how strong we are. In Tehran derby against tion’s headquarters in Malaysia to change the AFC’s decision to Persepolis, we should have won the match move matches out of Iran. but they escaped the loss with a late goal. The governing body of soccer in Asia cited “security concerns” in Esteghlal are not afraid of any team in Asia. explaining why the Iranian sides were denied their hosting rights. “We have analyzed Al Shorta very well Following the Iranians’ appeal against the decision, the AFC and will play for a win,” he added. suggested that home group-stage matches on matchday one, Esteghlal forward Cheick Diabate will two and three involving Iranian clubs would be switched to be absent in this match after he suffered a away fixtures “to allow time to reassess the security concerns foot injury in Iran league but Majidi is not in the country”. worried about that. This vote again prompted an objection from the Iranian teams “Diabate is a great player but we have other and the managers of the clubs decided to meet AFC senior offi- players to fill his place,” Majidi concluded. cials. After the aforementioned meeting with the AFC Secretary General in Malaysia, the Iranian delegation proudly and loudly Alighardashi re-elected Iran’s Alamian brothers win ITTF Challenge spoke of a “big victory” in their negotiations and claimed that the AFC had removed the “security concerns” requirement and Table Tennis Federation president Spanish Open that the second leg matches of the Iranian team at 2020 AFC Champions League will definitely be played on Iranian soil. However, in the latest issue of AFC Magazine which includes updated information about all the teams participating for the 2020 AFC Champions League group stage, the place of home matches of the Iranian teams is still unknown, something that contradicts the claims made by the Ministry of Sport and Youth of Iran and the General Managers of the four Iranian clubs.

Esteghlal forward Diabate among candidates for ACL2020 top scorer

Esteghlal striker Cheick Diabate is among the 10 target men who will have eyes on becoming the 2020 AFC Champions League’s most prolific. SPORTS TEHRAN — Mehrdad the past years. We aim to secure a quota SPORTS TEHRAN — Iranian Spain 3-2 in the competition. deskAlighardashi has been place for individual event however it’s very deskbrothers Nima and No- A total of 157 men and 86 women Diabate has already put Asia on notice after netting three re-elected as president of Iran’s Table difficult but we do our best to accomplish shad Alamian claimed a gold medal at competed in Granada, Spain from Feb. times in two 2020 AFC Champions League qualifying match- Tennis Federation on Saturday. it,” Alighardashi said. the 2020 ITTF Challenge Spanish Open 4 to 8. es and his little and large partnership with diminutive Iran Single candidate Alighardashi will be Table tennis is among the sports contest- in Granada on Saturday. Play concluded in Granada, next on starlet Mehdi Ghayedi could be one of the most effective in in charge for another four years after se- ed at the Summer Olympic Games. It was The Iranian pair defeated Korea Re- the agenda is the 2020 ITTF Challenge this year’s tournament. curing 41 out of 41 votes available in the introduced at the 1988 Summer Olympics in public’s Baek Kwangil and Park Chan-Hy- Plus Portugal Open, play commences in The 6’4” Mali international spent much of his career in France elections held in Iran’s Olympic Academy, Seoul, South Korea, where singles and doubles eok 3-1 (11-6, 13-11, 8-11, 11-9) to claim Lisbon with qualification on Wednesday with Bordeaux but also took in spells in Turkey and Italy before located in Tehran. tournaments were held for both genders. men’s doubles gold. 12th February. moving to Tehran giants Esteghlal in July. “We know that the expectations are very Iran table tennis has been growing in Alamian brothers had previously de- The competition will be held in Lisbon Currently among the top scorers in the Iran Pro League, Diabate high for the successes we’ve achieved over the recent years. feated Belarus 3-1, South Korea 3-1 and from Feb. 12 to 16. is sure to be a handful for any defence at ACL 2020. Al Hilal’s Baftembi Gomis earned himself the top scorer award in 2019 with 11 goals. Gomis returns but alongside him below Iran boxing on a growth path are a selection of leading candidates who could take the mantle from the Frenchman in 2020. Iran Boxing Federation President Hossein Souri has de- The Iranian athletes achieved medals in all of Baghdad Bounedjah (Al Sadd), Teruhito Nakagawa (Yokohama veloped the country’s boxing in the recent two years and the recent ASBC Asian Boxing Championships and F. Marinos), Adam Taggart (Suwon Samsung Bluewings), Kodjo the eight-member team is ready to win medals in Amman, their schoolboys and juniors also showed their po- Laba (Al Ain), Talisca (Guangzhou Evergrande), Omar Al Soma Jordan, Asian Boxing Confederation reported. tentials in 2019. (Al Ahli Saudi), Adam Le Fondre (Sydney FC) and Dragan Ceran Souri worked hard to develop the country’s boxing and The boxers shined mostly in Bangkok, Kuwait City (Pakhtakor) are the other candidates for the ACL 2020 top scorer. attended all of the important ASBC events and meetings and Fujairah last year and their target is to make it (Source: the-afc) to strengthen the presence of Iran’s boxing. Their focus is even better in 2020. on the upcoming Asian & Oceanian Olympic Qualification Boxing spread in the Armed Forces, in the students, Event where Iran will be sending eight boxers covering all high school students across Iran in the last two years men’s weight classes. well enough to build up better grassroots. Iran had Al Hilal picked as ACL Club The main strategic plan of Souri is to progress Iran’s Elite, U-22, Youth, Junior and Schoolboys National boxing life and the popularity of the sport into the same Championships in their official program in the current of the Decade! level where wrestling is. The quantity of their boxers is years. The regular TV stations broadcasted the national significantly increased and the quality of their boxing life competitions which increased the popularity of boxing Al Hilal SFC’s excellence in the AFC Champions League has seen is also in developing stage. Souri had great efforts to launch and the number of athletes in all regions of Iran. them voted as the ACL Club of the Decade by fans. women’s boxing in Iran following the new rules which ap- on these top events. The Iranian boxers reached the Top The Iranian national team has been preparing for the Al Hilal lifted the trophy in 2019 after twice having to settle proved to wear Hijab for the ladies’ boxers. eight in the Yekaterinburg 2019 AIBA World Boxing Cham- upcoming Asian & Oceanian Olympic Qualification Event for runners-up finishes as they saw off some tough challeng- Iran competed in all of the important international com- pionships and at the very first time in an AIBA Youth World which will be held in Amman, Jordan on March 3-11. ers from a decade that had seen nine different AFC Champions petitions in the recent two years and claimed several medals Boxing Championships in Budapest one and half year ago. (Source: ASBC) League winners. Preview MD1 - Group A: Al Shorta (IRQ) Preview MD1 - Group B: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) vs Esteghlal FC (IRN) vs Shahr Khodro FC (IRN) Al Shorta SC of Iraq make their AFC Cham- them an opportunity to flex their muscles. Al Hilal SFC kick-off their AFC Champions fourth in the 2018-19 Iran Pro League, pions League debut on Monday as they Against Kuwait SC in Preliminary Round League title defence at Al Wasl Stadium earning a place in the 2020 AFC Cham- host Islamic Republic of Iran’s Esteghlal 2, Cheick Diabate bagged a brace and Vorya against Islamic Republic of Iran debutants pions League Preliminary Round 2 as a at Franso Hariri Stadium in Group A. Ghafouri rounded off the scoring in a 3-0 Shahr Khodro FC on Monday. result of second-placed Persepolis winning As the 2018-19 Iraqi Premier League victory. Three days later, they emphatically The Saudis lifted the coveted trophy the 2019 Hazfi Cup. winners, Al Shorta earned the honour of beat Qatar’s Al Rayyan 5-0 with Mahdi in Saitama back in November, becoming Striker Mohammed Reza Khalatabari, being Iraq’s first representatives in the AFC Ghaedi & Amir Arsalan Motahari netted the first West Asian side to be crowned an AFC Champions League veteran who Champions League after the resumption of twice each after a Diabate opener. champions since Al Sadd in 2011. had scored for Zobahan and Sepahan Arguably the biggest club on the Continent with a record the country’s eligibility for the competition. Preparing for their maiden AFC Cham- Going into the 2020 AFC Champions previously, joined Shahr Khodro ahead seven Asian titles to their name, Al Hilal had been one of the Safety reasons mean the Bagh- pions League campaign, Al Shorta splashed League, Al Hilal opted for stability, re- of the competition, and scored the open- most consistent sides in the AFC Champions League era but, dad-based side have to play their home the cash on January signings; acquiring taining the core of the squad that deliv- er in their 2-1 win over Bahrain’s Riffa prior to 2019, had failed to lift the trophy. matches 220 miles north in Erbil, with Colombian forward Diego Calderon from ered glory last year under coach Razvan SC in Preliminary Round 2, setting up The Riyadh giants have qualified for every edition since 2009 the first challenge of the campaign pitting Saudi Arabia’s Al Faisaly SC and bolstering Lucescu with 2019 top scorer Bafetimbi a clash against Qatar’s Al Sailiyah SC in and only once exited at the group stage; however, narrow run- them against Tehran giants Esteghlal. their midfield with Ugandan international Gomis leading the line once more along- the Play-offs. ners-up finishes in 2014 and 2017 deprived them of the title Coach Farhad Majidi’s side are deter- Anthony Mawejje from Kuwait’s Al Arabi SC. side Sebastian Giovinco. The tie went to penalty shootouts after they craved most. mined to bounce back from a below par It hasn’t been all positive news on the trans- Domestically, Al Hilal romped to a fiery a goalless 120 minutes, and it was thanks But in 2019 they returned with a star-studded cast and avenged result in 2019, when they narrowly missed fer news for Al Shorta as they lost two Iraqi start to their season, losing just one of to Karim Ansarifard’s missed spot-kick their defeat to Urawa Red Diamonds two years earlier as a 3-0 out on a place in the knock-out stage, fin- internationals; Amjad Attwan left for Kuwait their first 17 matches and sitting top of the that Shahr Khodro advanced to the group aggregate victory saw them crowned kings of Asia. ishing third behind eventual champions SC and Sherko Kareem signed for Erbil SC. table, three points ahead of their nearest stage for the first time in their history. In the past 10 years Al Hilal were the only side to appear in Al Hilal and Qatar’s Al Duhail. Al Shorta (IRQ) v Esteghlal FC (IRN) chasers, Al Nassr. Gomis has also been in Al Hilal SFC (KSA) v Shahr Khord (IRN) three AFC Champions League finals and were in a further two Unlike Al Shorta, Esteghlal have had to Venue: Franso Hariri Stadium, Erbil top form, leading the Saudi Pro League Venue: Al Wasl Stadium, Dubai semi-finals. navigate two levels of qualifiers before reaching Kick-off: February 10, 17:30 UTC+3 scoring charts with 14 goals. Kick-off: February 10, 18:40 UTC+4 (Source: the-afc) the group stage, and the two matches offered (Source: the-afc) Shahr Khodro, meanwhile, finished (Source: the-afc) Prayer Times Noon:12:19 Evening: 17:31 Dawn: 5:59 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 6:56 (tomorrow) FEBRUARY 10, 2020 ART&CULTURE I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y www.tehrantimes.com Managing Director: Mohammad Shojaeian Editor-in-Chief: Mohammad Ghaderi Shiraz, hometown of Sadi, Hafez, Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 [email protected] Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051450 Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 named Iran’s 2020 Book Capital Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 CULTURE TEHRAN — Shiraz, the www.eshterak.ir Distributor: Padideh Novin Co. deskhometown of Hafez and Tel: 88911433 Sadi that also houses the tombs of the great Webmaster: [email protected] Persian classical poets, has been named as Printed at: Jame Jam Bartar Borna - 44197737 Iran’s 2020 Book Capital. Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimesdaily The decision to select the city was announced at the National Library and No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran Archives of Iran on Saturday during a P.o. Box: 14155-4843 ceremony attended by Minister of Culture Zip Code: 1599814713 and Islamic Guidance Seyyed Abbas Salehi and a number of cultural officials. Shiraz was selected from among over 30 nominees, including Urmia, Tabriz, Hamedan, Sabzevar, Bushehr, Babol, Bandar Abbas and Bojnurd. The ministry picks Iran’s Book Capital every year in collaboration with several cultural organizations, including the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO. GUIDE TO In addition, ten villages across the SPIRITUAL AWAKENING country were selected as Book Loving Villages of the Year. If you give away so much of your wealth to become needy The villages are Zavarom in North yourself, trade with God by giving charity to the needy. Khorasan Province, Vadeqan in Isfahan Imam Ali (AS) Province, Seyyedabad in West Azarbaijan, Bonegaz in Bushehr Province and Alavieh in Fars Province. Also included are Kheirabad in Kohkiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, Khorshid in Mazandaran Province, Isin in Hormozgan London’s Crystal Palace festival Province, Seyyedshahab in Hamedan Province and Gerdkuh in Yazd Province. to screen Iranian animations Yazd, the central Iranian city that is home to many magnificent historical mosques and ARTTEHRAN — The Iranian short animated ancient Zoroastrian fire temples, was Iran’s Culture Minister Guidance Seyyed Abbas Salehi (L) honors a reading promoter during a ceremony held at the National desk movies “Malakout” and “Greyish” will go on 2019 Book Capital. Library and Archives of Iran on February 8, 2020 to announce Iran’s 2020 Book Capital. (IRNA/Shiva Attaran) screen at the 11th edition of the Crystal Palace International Film Festival in London. American missionary’s travelogue of “To Die in the Pure Water” gets extra 19th century Iran published in Persian screenings at Fajr festival

A scene from “Greyish” by Iranian director Eqbal Shirzai. Directed by Farnush Abedi, “Malakout” is about a pianist, who has lost one of his hands and can’t play the piano anymore. Doctors decide to transplant a dead criminal’s hand to his body. The pianist with his new hand starts killing people. Eqbal Shirzai is the director of “Greyish” that portrays the life stages of an old man as a metaphor of our lives. The Crystal Palace International Film Festival will be held from March 5 to 28. Front cover of the Persian version of “Persia, the Land of the Imams - A Narrative of A scene from “To Die in the Pure Water” by Tehran-based Afghan brothers Navid Travel and Resident 1871 to 1885” by American missionary James Bassett. and Jamshid Mahmudi. CULTURE TEHRAN — “Persia, lives and religious beliefs of Iranians in ARTTEHRAN — The section of the festival, which will come deskthe Land of the Imams Tehran, Hamedan and Tabriz during deskorganizers of the 38th to an end on Tuesday. Robert Conrad, star of “The - A Narrative of Travel and Resident 1871 the Qajar era. Fajr Film Festival have arranged 15 Starring Ali Shadman, Neda Jebraeili, Wild, Wild West”, dies at 84 to 1885”, American missionary James Bassett was a missionary for the additional screenings for “To Die in the Matin Heidarnia and Sadaf Asgari, the film Bassett’s 1886 travelogue of Iran, has Presbyterian board and he lived in Pure Water” in Mashhad, Shiraz and Kish is about a young Afghan man who is faced LOS ANGELES (AP) — Robert Conrad, the rugged, recently been published in Persian by Iran from 1871 to 1885. In 1872, under Island due to popular demand. with the dilemma of choosing between contentious actor who starred in the hugely popular 1960s Behnashr Publications in Mashhad. the auspices of the American Mission The film directed by Tehran-based converting to Christianity to obtain a television series “Hawaiian Eye” and “The Wild, Wild West,” Translated by Navid Fazel Board, he founded the first American Afghan brothers Navid and Jamshid European visa or continuing to live as a died Saturday. He was 84. Bakhsheshi, the book is about the daily mission in Tehran. Mahmudi is competing in the official Muslim with all his problems. “Sheen” producer Shahab Hosseini asks Iranian artists to be voice of people ARTTEHRAN — Shahab Hosseini, the producer the unintentional downing of a Ukrainian plane by Iran. deskand a cast member of the thriller “Sheen”, “I defend the solidarity and unity among people, and has asked Iranian artists to be the voice of their people. I should say that I also defend the efforts which avoid “If we are artists – as we claim that we are – we should division,” Hosseini said. be the voice of our people. If people have a loud voice to “Our problems will not be solved with the help of any make their demands known to officials, they do not need hand from outside the country,” he added. to take to the streets and pay the price of heavy losses,” “I have been traveling the world over during the past he made the remakes in a press conference at the Mellat two years, and I have discovered that our problems will be In this June 12, 2013, file photo, actor Robert Conrad of TV series Cineplex on Saturday after the premiere of the film during solved among ourselves, and it is wrong for us to be waiting Producer/actor Shahab Hosseini attends a press “The Wild Wild West” poses for photographers during the 2013 the 38th Fajr Film Festival. for someone from outside the country,” he remarked. conference after the premiere of “Sheen” during the Monte Carlo Television Festival, in Monaco. (AP /Lionel Cironneau) A number of actors and filmmakers announced over the Directed by Meisam Kazzazi, “Sheen” was screened in 38th Fajr Film Festival at Tehran’s Mellat Cineplex on past month that they would not take part in the festival in the out of the competition section of the Fajr festival, which The actor died of heart failure in Malibu, California, family February 8, 2020. (Mehr/Hamid Vakili) sympathy for the families of those people killed following will run until February 11. spokesperson Jeff Ballard said. A small private service is planned for March 1, which would have been his 85th birthday. “He lived a wonderfully long life and while the family is saddened by his passing, he will live forever in their hearts,” Ballard said. Lost portrait and unpublished letters of Charles Dickens to go on display With his good looks and strong physique, Conrad was a rising LONDON (Reuters) — A lost portrait of Among more than 300 items are 144 includes a handwritten excerpt from “David and important collection to the museum at young actor when he was chosen for the lead in “Hawaiian Eye.” Charles Dickens and 25 of his unpublished letters, offering a window into the author’s Copperfield”, original drawings by illustrator his first family home.” He became an overnight star after the show debuted in 1959. letters will go on display for the first time after life through his famously vivid prose. George Cruikshank, jewelry, books and a The writer’s great-great-grandson, Mark Conrad played Tom Lopaka, a daring private investigator a major acquisition from a private collector. One letter from 1857 describes getting golden writing tool that doubles up as a pen Dickens, said that “this quite staggering material whose partner was Tracy Steele, played by Anthony Eisley. The Charles Dickens museum in London has lost on a walking tour with fellow-novelist and a pencil. brings us even closer to the man himself, his They operated out of a fancy office overlooking the pool at a bought a huge collection of objects belonging Wilkie Collins, who sprained his ankle after “This is a treasure trove – a true once- character, feelings, family and friends.” popular Waikiki hotel. to the Victorian novelist, including a delicate the route “necessitated amazing gymnastics”. in-a-lifetime moment for the museum,” The objects will be cataloged and conserved The two private eyes alternated on simple investigations with chalk and pastel portrait by Samuel Laurence. In another, he answers fan mail, writing “The said Cindy Sughrue, director of the Charles at the museum - which is in a Bloomsbury help from the island’s colorful characters, including a singer A lithograph of the portrait already exists, mystery is not here, but far beyond the sky...”. Dickens Museum. townhouse Dickens’ family moved into in named Cricket Blake (Connie Stevens) and a ukulele-strumming but the original was thought to be lost. It is The collection, bought in the United States “150 years after the death of Dickens, it 1837 - before going on display over the next taxi driver named Kazuo (Poncie Ponce). likely to be from 1837, the museum said. for 1.8 million pounds ($2.3 million), also is wonderful to be able to bring such a rich two years. After five seasons with the show, Conrad went on to embrace the television craze of the time, period Westerns, but with a decidedly different twist. In “The Wild, Wild West”, which debuted in 1965, he was “Cats” and its furry stars nominated for Razzie worst film awards James T. West, a James Bond-like agent who used innovative NEW YORK (Reuters) — The widely panned movie Funeral,” and Sylvester Stallone’s “Rambo: Last Blood.” the Oscars, the highest honors in the movie industry. tactics and futuristic gadgets (futuristic for the 1800s anyway) musical “Cats” and four of its stars were nominated on All three movies are in the running for worst picture, John Travolta received two Razzie nominations this to battle bizarre villains. He was ably assisted by Ross Martin’s Saturday for Razzie awards, an annual ritual that lam- alongside psychological thriller “The Fanatic” and horror year for “The Fanatic” and “Trading Paint”, as did Anne Artemus Gordon, a master of disguise. poons the worst of cinema. flick “The Haunting of Sharon Tate.” Hathaway for “The Hustle” and “Serenity.” Her “Serenity” The show aired until 1970. James Corden, Judi Dench, Rebel Wilson and Francesca “Cats”, an adaptation of the popular Broadway musical co-star Matthew McConaughey also was named. The series “Baa Baa Black Sheep” followed in 1976 and was Hayward received Razzie acting nominations for their “Cats” of the same name, was released in December and drew The worst screen combo category piled on “Cats” with a roughly based on an autobiography by Marine Corps ace and roles, in which they were costumed in digitally created fur. widespread ridicule from film critics. The $95 million pro- nomination for “any two half-feline/half-human hairballs.” Medal of Honor recipient Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, who wrote Oscar winner Dench was singled out for “looking suspiciously duction flopped at the box office, taking in just $69.7 million It was not all bad news. Eddie Murphy was nominated for of the raucous fliers he commanded during World War II. similar to The Cowardly Lion from Wizard of Oz,” organ- at theaters worldwide, according to website Box Office Mojo. the Razzie Redeemer Reward for his role in “Dolemite is My Conrad played Pappy Boyington, so nicknamed because he izers said in a statement announcing this year’s nominees. The tongue-in-cheek Razzies, created in 1980, serve as an Name”, along with Jennifer Lopez in “Hustlers” and Adam often rescued his pilots from severe punishment. Bringing his Overall, “Cats” was given eight Razzie nominations, antidote to Hollywood’s glitzy Academy Awards ceremony. Sandler in “Uncut Gems.” The redeemer award goes to a past customary intensity to the role, he even learned to fly. tying for the lead with Tyler Perry’s “A Madea Family Nominees were announced a day before the bestowing of Razzie nominee or winner who has recently earned acclaim.