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16 Pages Price 40,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 39th year No.13528 Thursday NOVEMBER 14, 2019 Aban 23, 1398 Rabi’ Al awwal 16, 1441 Iran reiterates Marc Wilmots says Iranian, Russian Congratulations peaceful settlement Iran ‘focused’ on cultural officials meet on birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) of crisis in Yemen 2 match against Iraq 15 in Tehran 16 and Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) Steel exports by Iran’s major producers up 8% in 7 months on year In absence of JCPOA TEHRAN — Exports of steel by ten major [March 19, 2020],” according to deputy producers in Iran hit 4.049 million tons industry, mining and trade minister. in the first seven months of the current The value of the exports of such commodities Iranian calendar year (March 21-Octo- is expected to reach $9 billion by the yearend, ber 22), up eight percent compared to Jafar Sarqini has previously announced. the same period of time in the past year, Iran plans to reach steel production of IRNA reported on Wednesday. 55 million tons by the Iranian calendar “Industry ministry is planning to in- year of 1404 (March 2025-March 2026), benefits others will lose too crease the exports of steel products to 12 of which about 40 percent is planned million tons by the end of the current year to be exported. 4 See page 2 Honest taxi driver returns €70,000 to Polish couple TEHRAN — A Polish couple who had left the owner, he could finally find them and a bag containing 70,000 euros in cash in returned the money. a taxi in Tehran have been reunited with Following his efforts, Tehran May- their money thanks to the honest driver. or Pirouz Hanachi awarded him with Ali Hassan Zafari, the driver, handed a medal and cash prize on Wednesday the bag to the Polish embassy in Tehran morning, and also announced that the on November 3, after he realized it had driver will receive financial assistance to been left behind. go on a pilgrimage trip to Mashhad city After spending much time to track down with his family.
Hundreds of rockets target Israel, 21 Palestinians killed Gaza factions launched massive rocket the Islamist Jihad movement, said on barrages at Israel for the second straight Wednesday that a member of the resist- day on Wednesday, a day after Israel assas- ance group, Khalid Mavaz, 38, had lost his sinated a top Islamic Jihad commander. life in an Israeli airstrike on central Gaza. Eight more Palestinians have been The Israeli military said its forces killed in the Gaza Strip as the Israeli targeted Mavaz as he was preparing to military renews its air raids against the launch rockets into the Israeli-occupied besieged coastal enclave for a second day, territories, a day after the regime assassi- prompting retaliatory rocket fire into the nated senior Islamic Jihad commander
mfa.ir occupied territories. Baha Abu al-Ata, along with his wife, in Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of a targeted strike. 13 EDITORIAL Adel Abdul Mahdi, Barzani discuss Iraq protests ARTICLE Mohammad Ghaderi The president of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish Salih: Reforms in Iraq natl. decision, sions within the framework of the constitution Mahnaz Abdi Tehran Times editor-in-chief region has headed to Baghdad for discussions won’t be influenced by foreign diktats and based on national interests and respect for Head of the TehranTimes @ghaderi62 with top officials, just hours before Parliament Iraqi President Barham Salih says reforms the will of the supreme religious authority. Economy Desk was due to convene to discuss demands after that the government of embattled Prime Minister The statement comes as influential Iraqi weeks of anti-establishment protests. Adel Abdul Mahdi has pledged to implement Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has lashed out at Why countries are Barzani made an unannounced visit to in the wake of anti-government protests are a the United States for its interference in Iraq’s Tax exemptions in reluctant to join Baghdad on Wednesday to meet Iraq’s prime domestic Iraqi issue par excellence and will not internal affairs, threatening to take millions of FTZs under debate minister, president, and parliament speaker be influenced by foreign diktats. demonstrators to streets if Washington keeps to discuss Erbil-Baghdad relations and the meddling in the Arab country. U.S.-led maritime Salih, in a statement released on Tuesday, evelopment of existing free trade month-long protests that have engulfed Iraq’s In a statement on Monday, al-Sadr said that announced that the expected reforms in Iraq are zones (FTZs) and establishment south and center. the Iraqi people want an early election free from coalition merely an Iraqi decision and will be implemented of new FTZs is currently one of the Meetings with Iraqi Prime Minister Adil in response to the national will of the Iraqi people, the US intervention, as the country does not need D major economic approaches of Iran and Abdul-Mahdi in Baghdad on Wednesday arrogant countries and the the help of others. he U.S.-led naval coalition to and will be untouched by outside influences. in a bid to attract more investments to morning, then with Speaker of Parliament Protesters in Iraq have directed their rage protect shipping in the Persian The statement added that the Iraqi president these zones Iranian government offers Mohammed al-Halbousi, were followed by at a class of elite leaders, whom they accuse of Gulf formally was launched in opposes any foreign interference in Iraq’s internal various incentives to the investors. T discussions with President Barham Salih at pillaging the oil-rich country’s wealth while the Bahrain on Thursday. But the nota- affairs, and will not accept it. Tax exemption is one of those incentives Salam Palace. population grows poorer. ble point is that countries have not It further noted that Iraqi people make deci- 13 which has been offered for more than a welcomed this plan. Only a few coun- decade to the investors in the free zones. tries with ineffective naval power have This incentive has been recently crit- joined the coalition. Bolivian Senate head assumes interim presidency; Morales’ loyalists object icized by some officials and economists, On July 2019, the U.S. proposed a The head of Bolivia’s Senate, Jeanine Anez, took the presidency as foreseen in the constitutional The official said Mexico had notified the United while there are still many supporters of coalition plan to protect shipping in the office as interim president on Tuesday as former order,” Anez, a right-wing opponent of Morales, States of its intention to offer Morales asylum this exemption. Persian Gulf. Mike Pompeo, the U.S. leader Evo Morales pledged to keep up his po- said to applause from opposition lawmakers. and Washington had offered to help with logistics Mohammad-Ali Dehqan Dehnavi, the secretary of state, invited U.S. allies such litical fight from exile in Mexico after resigning It was unclear if the move would quell un- as necessary. deputy minister of finance and economic as Britain, France, Germany, Japan, in what he has alleged was a coup. rest in the highland capital, La Paz, and other Mexican Foreign Minister Marcel Ebrard ear- affairs, is one of the leading opponents South Korea and Australia to join the Anez, 52, assumed leadership before other cities unleashed by Morales’ disputed bid for a lier said Mexico had not discussed the question in this due. coalition. Although the U.S. has per- lawmakers in Congress, invoking a constitutional fourth term. Video footage on Tuesday showed of asylum with the United States. He says, “At the moment, we are facing suaded its allies in various occasions clause that dictates that she would be next in police battling supporters of Morales in the city The United States on Tuesday ordered family many criticisms about the non-effective and even applied pressure on them to line to rule after Morales and his vice president, of Cochabamba and masked protesters calling members of U.S. government employees to leave exemptions; so we should change the way join the coalition, it was not warmly Alvaro Garcia, resigned on Sunday. for civil war. Bolivia due to the unrest, and warned American and improve our approach through omit- welcomed. In August, Britain joined A parliamentary session scheduled to formally A senator with Morales’ party called for protests citizens against traveling there, the U.S. State ting the exemptions.” the U.S. military coalition in the wake appoint her was boycotted by lawmakers from starting on Tuesday until he returns to finish his Department said. Among the tax exemptions offered of a conflict with Iran over oil tanker Morales’ leftist MAS party, who said it would mandate in January. Morales’ resignation came after the Organi- in the free zones, value added tax (VAT) seizures first in Gibraltar and later in be illegitimate. In Washington, a senior Trump administra- zation of American States (OAS) declared there exemption is the most criticized one. the Strait of Hormuz. Later the Zionist “Before the definitive absence of the pres- tion official said: “Morales’ departure is indeed were serious irregularities during the Oct. 20 Most of those opposing the tax exemp- regime and Australia joined the coalition. ident and vice president ... as the president of a positive step to begin calming the situation on election, prompting political allies to quit and tion believe that it reduces the govern- Launch of the U.S.-led the Chamber of Senators, I immediately assume the ground in Bolivia.” the army to urge him to step down. 13 ment’s income on one side while prepares marine coalition the ground for corruption on the other The coalition, which reportedly side; therefore, they are seriously calling aims to “protect shipping in the Persian for omitting VAT exemption in the free Gulf”, was launched on Thursday. The zones. U.S. stated that through the coalition Gorgan festival Exemptions pivotal factors in FTZs it intends to safeguard region’s oil sup- But Morteza Bank, the secretary of ply against possible threats. Bahrain, showing Iran’s Free Zones High Council, is of the which hosts the U.S. Fifth Fleet, has opinion that tax and customs exemptions joined the coalition along with the deliciousness of are the most pivotal factors in terms of UEA and Saudi Arabia. the free zones, and it is not something James Malloy, commander of the nomadic arts, just in Iran but also all over the world. U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, “A 20-year tax exemption period has claimed that the goal of the co- and rituals is mentioned in Iran’s free zones law, alition is defensive. Malloy said the but the exemptions will be reduced coalition will last as long as necessary. TEHRAN — Clusters of Turkmen people, after the mentioned period. It is while Some European countries, in- who are natives of Iran’s Golestan province, many countries, like Turkey, consider cluding France has not joined the are doing their best in a four-day festival permanent exemptions for their FTZs, coalition to avoid escalating tensions to well introduce and show nomadic arts, and maybe Iran is allocating the short- in the region. Japan has decided to crafts, dishes, rituals and genuine hospi- est period of exemptions”, according dispatch its naval forces to the Strait Mahsa Safari tality they have preserved from generation to the official. of Hormuz independently, rather than to generation. He says that free zones are established joining the coalition. It is said that Several foreign ambassadors, diplomats, for attraction of investors and tax exemp- Japan made this decision because it as well as cultural and economic attaches are tion is one of the incentives necessary has an amicable relationship with amongst the guests for the event that will be for facilitating investment attraction; this Iran and does not like to be seen as exemption is mentioned in Iran’s free zones
Tehran Times/ Tehran Times/ running through Friday at the capital city an important country and power in of Gorgan, IRNA reported. 10 law and if it is omitted “Free Zone” will the U.S.-led coalition. 11 have no meaning. 4 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS NOVEMBER 14, 2019
Iran says will use all its Iran reiterates peaceful energy to create atmosphere for regional dialogue settlement of crisis in Yemen POLITICAL TEHRAN — Foreign Ministry spokesman Ab- deskbas Mousavi said on Wednesday that Iran will POLITICAL TEHRAN – Ali Asqar need and is seeing a spike in needs, fueled by use all its energy to create atmosphere for dialogue and political desk talks in the region. Khaji, a senior aide to ongoing conflict, a collapsing economy and “The Islamic Republic has always highlighted the importance the Iranian foreign minister, on Wednesday diminished social services and livelihoods. of dialogue and political talks as the only way to solve problems underscored Tehran’s long-held policy that The blockade on Yemen has smothered hu- in the region and will use all its power to create atmosphere for a comprehensive Yemeni-Yemeni dialogue manitarian deliveries of food and medicine talks among the regional countries,” Mousavi said. will be the best choice to put an immediate to the import-dependent state. He noted, “Proposing formation of regional talk’s forum and end to the crisis in Yemen. The UN has repeatedly criticized the non-aggression pact and the Hormuz peace initiative has been In a meeting with Sweden’s Special Envoy Saudi-UAE-led military coalition’s bomb- in this line.” for Yemen Peter Semneby in Tehran, Khaji ing campaign and placed it on a blacklist of The Hormuz peace initiative is based on commitment to com- laid emphasis on Tehran’s all-out efforts to child rights violators last year. mon principles such as avoiding threats or use of force, settling restore peace and security to Yemen. A UN panel has also compiled a detailed crises peacefully, respecting the countries’ national sovereignty “An immediate stop to clashes, removal report of civilian casualties caused by the and also avoiding interference in other countries’ domestic affairs, of siege on the country and holding Yem- Saudi military and its allies during their war Mousavi stated. eni-Yemeni dialogue are some necessities against Yemen, saying the Riyadh-led coa- “The Islamic Republic of Iran hopes that the regional countries leading the country towards accessing a lition has used precision-guided munitions would accept the Hormuz peace initiative and start comprehensive comprehensive solution to the protracted in its raids on civilian targets. regional talks to root out division and take practical steps in line crisis,” Khaji said, adding that Iran welcomes Iran asks Belgium help end Yemen with settling crises,” he added. continued cooperation with Sweden in this conflict At the United Nations summit in New York in late September, regard. In a separate meeting on Wednesday, Gho- Iran officially unveiled a proposal for regional security, officially Khaji, who acts as Iran’s point man for lam-Hossein Dehqani, the Iranian Foreign called the Hormuz Peace Endeavour (HOPE). Syria and Yemen, highlighted popular forces Ministry director for legal and international “Based upon the historical responsibility of my country in of Ansarullah’s adherence to the Stockholm agreement as well as efforts made by the killed more than 20,000 Yemenis, including affairs, asked Belgium, which currently holds maintaining security, peace, stability and progress in the Persian agreement, but criticized the Saudi-led coa- United Nations and UN special envoy for hundreds of women and children. Despite a seat at the UN Security Council, to make Gulf region and Strait of Hormuz, I would like to invite all the lition for failing to fulfil their commitments Yemeni affairs to attain comprehensive dip- Riyadh’s claims that it is bombing the positions efforts to settle disputes in the conflict-hit countries directly affected by the developments in the Persian under the agreement. lomatic solution.” of the Ansarullah fighters, Saudi bombers countries like Yemen and also address hu- Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz to the ‘Coalition for Hope’, mean- Semneby, for his part, said that the Stock- Saudi Arabia has been striking Yemen are flattening residential areas and civilian manitarian disasters in such countries. ing Hormuz Peace Endeavor,” President Hassan Rouhani told holm agreement is the first accepted deal since March 2015 to restore power to fugi- infrastructures. Dehqani made the request in a meeting the UN delegates. among warring sides in Yemen, adding, tive president Mansour Hadi, a close ally of Yemen is the world’s largest humanitarian with Alex Kanes, the secretary general of the Foreign Minister Zarif has invited all regional states to join Iran’s “Sweden voices support for the Stockholm Riyadh. The Saudi-led aggression has so far crisis with more than 22 million people in Belgian Foreign Ministry. initiative for securing the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. In a tweet in September, Zarif said the initiative entails “dia- logue, confidence-building, freedom of navigation, energy security, non-aggression, and non-intervention”. In a post on his Twitter account on October 15, Zarif renewed Zarif: In absence of JCPOA benefits others will lose too Iran’s call to all countries bordering the Persian Gulf to join Teh- POLITICAL TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister He added, “If the JCPOA promises are not met, ran’s initiative to “forge a blueprint for peace, security, stability, deskMohammad Javad Zarif announced in unfortunately Iran will continue its path (of reducing and prosperity” in the region. the Astana Club meeting on Tuesday that if Iran cannot commitments).” In an interview with Arabic RT aired on Tuesday, Deputy For- reap the economic benefits of the Joint Comprehensive Zarif warned that the current approach taken toward eign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the objective of Rouhani’s Plan of Action (JCPOA) definitely the other sides will Iran is a “zero-sum” game which will be detrimental to all “Coalition for Hope” is non-interference in other countries’ do- suffer too. sides. “I emphasize again this is a zero-sum path which mestic affairs. Under the JCPOA, commonly called the Iran nuclear deal, will end in loss for all, but we do not have any other way Iran was tasked to limit its nuclear program in exchange other than following the path.” for termination of economic and financial sanctions. The chief diplomat went on to say that “Iran does not Defense chief says sanctions Addressing the participants, Zarif elaborated on Tehran’s intend to produce atomic weapon but in the meantime, logical reason to reduce its obligations under the JCPOA it will not compromise on its (nuclear) rights.” won’t affect armed forces’ in response to the return of sanctions and a failure by Despite the U.S. exit from the Iran deal, Tehran remained the European Union to shield Iran from sanctions effect. fully compliant with the international document for a year, determination The U.S. not only abandoned the JCPOA and returned giving time to the remaining co-signatories to fulfill their sanctions, it also added new harsh ones, including a total legal undertakings and protect Iran’s economy against POLITICAL TEHRAN — Defense Minister Amir Hata- desk ban on Iran’s oil export. the U.S. bans. mi said on Wednesday that sanctions will not “If those promises stipulated in the JCPOA regarding Iran, however, began to gradually reduce its JCPOA affect the armed forces’ determination and activities. economic normalization are materialized, even to some commitments after the three European parties failed to paragraph 36 of the JCPOA which “allows one side, under “Sanctions will have no effect on the armed forces. Our armed extent, Tehran is prepared to show its goodwill and return put their verbal support for the deal into action. certain circumstances, to stop complying with the deal if forces are being managed by relying on domestic capabilities to the previous conditions,” Zarif stated. The reciprocal measures are in compliance with the other side is out of compliance.” and such moves [imposition of sanctions] will not affect armed forces’ determination,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the cabinet meeting. The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign As- University professor argues joining FATF will narrow down pressure on Iran sets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions on the Iranian military POLITICAL TEHRAN – A university professor has with the FATF Standards, then the FATF could fully desk and a number of top military opined that the core of the Financial lift the suspension of counter-measures and call on its commanders in a press release Action Task Force (FATF) is monetary transparency, so members and urge all jurisdictions to apply effective on November 4. The move coin- joining to the body will remarkably slow down international counter-measures, in line with recommendation 19,” the cided with the 40th anniversary pressure on Iran. FATF said in a statement at the time cited by Reuters. of the takeover of the former Yadollah Mehralizadeh, a member of the scientific “The FATF expects Iran to proceed swiftly in the reform U.S. embassy in Tehran. board in Shahid Chamran University in Ahwaz, described path to ensure that it addresses all of the remaining items The department said that it the FATF as an international standard body tasked to by completing and implementing the necessary Anti-Money took action against the Gener- prepare financial analyses to present them to investors so Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing reforms.” al Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces that they would be able to study monetary and financial On February 22, the FATF gave Iran until June to and its chairman Major General processes of FATF member states. fix its anti-money laundering and terrorism financing Mohammad Hossein Baqeri. “So, if an investor wants to invest in a country, he/she rules or face increased international scrutiny of its banks. It also slapped sanctions on usually consults reports of official experts of the FATF,” However, the body extended the deadline until October former defense minister Hos- explained Mehralizadeh, who also serves as a member of in an announcement in June. sein Dehqan and commander of the IRGC’s Khatam al-Anbiya Khuzestan province’s planning and development council. One of the actions Iran is required to take to appease headquarters Major General Qolam Ali Rashid. Highlighting the importance of joining the Paris-based to invent pretexts to pressure Tehran. the FATF is joining the United Nations Convention against The new sanctions also targeted officials at Ayatollah Ali body, he added, “Joining the FATF will glorify the country’s “FATF membership will decrease risk of private sector Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), which is also Khamenei’s Office, including its chief of staff. businesses, attract more foreign investors and facilitate in investment arena,” Mehralizadeh stated, adding that called the Palermo Convention, a 2000 United Nations- It also sanctioned Iranian Judiciary Chief Seyed Ebrahim Raisi. monetary and financial transactions which all together the FATF is not a political agreement at all, but some of sponsored multilateral treaty against transnational The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), in a statement will assist the government as well as the country.” its opponents try to portray it as a political pact. organized crime. published on Friday, condemned the U.S. fresh sanctions against He, of course, mentioned that joining the FATF will In mid-October, the Paris-based FATF said that it The other action is to ratify the CFT, the convention Iran’s armed forces, saying the move will make the revolutionary not decrease sanctions pressure, saying, “Sanction is a gave Iran a final deadline of February 2020 to tighten combatting financing of terrorism. forces to counter the enemies more strongly. political issue which has roots in differences between its laws against money laundering in compliance with On October 7, 2018, the parliament voted in favor “The U.S. fresh sanctions against the country’s armed forces Iran and the U.S.” the global watchdog’s financial standards. of the CFT. However, the oversight Guardian Council and some senior commanders is provocative and will only make The professor went on to say that joining the FATF will “If before February 2020, Iran would not enact the rejected the bill by finding 2 faults with it, which put the armed forces and defenders of the Islamic Revolution more also block way to the U.S. that has always been seeking Palermo and Terrorist Financing Conventions in line the fate of the bill on the hands of the Expediency Council. vigorous and willful to counter the Great Satan (U.S.) and the White House’ allies,” the statement read. Iran, Belgium want Syrian Constitutional Uranium particles discovered by IAEA in U.S. extends state of Committee to continue its mission Iran not related to nuclear deal: Russia emergency with Iran POLITICAL TEHRAN – Iran By staff and agency By staff and agency deskand Belgium Russian Permanent Representative to U.S. President Donald Trump notified Congress on Tuesday that on Wednesday backed the Syrian International Organizations in Vienna he was extending the national emergency with Iran that has been Constitutional Committee and stressed Mikhail Ulyanov said on Tuesday the fact in place since 1979. the need that the committee continue its that the International Atomic Energy “Our relations with Iran have not yet normalized, and the mission away from foreign intervention. Agency (IAEA) discovered uranium process of implementing the agreements with Iran, dated January The support for the mission of the particles in a place in Iran that has not 19, 1981, is ongoing. For this reason, I have determined that it constitutional committee was made been declared to the nuclear watchdog is necessary to continue the national emergency declared in Ex- during a meeting in Tehran between has nothing to do with the 2015 nuclear ecutive Order 12170 with respect to Iran,” he said in a statement Ali Asqar Khaji, a senior aide to foreign deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive published by the White House. minister Zarif, and Alex Kanes, the Plan of Action. Previous presidents routinely extended the national emer- secretary general of Belgian Foreign Syrian themselves,” the two diplomats “There is a lot of speculation around particles of anthropogenic origin at a gency, which otherwise expires on the Nov. 14, anniversary of Ministry. reiterated. this phrase, it is presented as a kind of location in Iran not declared to the the original declaration. The two top diplomats conferred The Syrian Constitutional Committee ‘hot’ fact, testifying to Iran’s dishonesty. agency”. A national emergency is subject to automatic termination on recent developments in the war-hit was formed in accordance with the This is a distortion of the real situation According to Sputnik, Russian Deputy upon the anniversary of the proclamation unless it is renewed Syria, particularly Syria’s northeastern resolution adopted in January 2018 because it concerns the discovery of Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has by the incumbent president within a 90-day period prior to the region, the Idlib de-escalation zone, the by the Congress of Syrian National uranium particles that date from a period also said there is no need to start a anniversary date by transmitting notice to Congress. mission of the constitutional committees, Dialogue in Sochi. The committee will approximately between the beginning scandal after the latest incident in the Exercising emergency authorities enabled by the national Syrian refugees and reconstruction of include 150 people (50 delegates each of the 1990s and no later than 2005. Islamic Republic. He noted, however, emergency declaration is not possible provided that they are the country. from the government, opposition and This has nothing to do with the JCPOA, that both sides need to properly explain specified by the president. Both sides insisted on the key civil society organizations). Each group nor does it indicate any gross violations the situation. Technically, there are two executive orders on Iran declaring role of the Astana format and the will appoint 15 experts to participate by Iran,” UrduPoint quoted Ulyanov as The statement comes amid a states of emergency: order 12957 and order 12170, signed by constitutional committee in settling the in sessions of the «draft commission» saying in an interview with Sputnik. recent row between Tehran and the President Jimmy Carter. country’s crisis, and warned against any which will be held behind closed doors The IAEA claimed in its latest organization, after Iran prevented an Together, they have frozen Iranian assets held in the United foreign interference in the work of the in Geneva. The first session of the Syrian “confidential” report, which had been IAEA inspector from entering one of its States and have prohibited certain transactions with respect to committees’ mission. constitutional committee was held on leaked to the Western media, that the facilities, and said she had been carrying Iran’s petroleum products. “Syria’s fate should be decided by the October 30. agency had detected “natural uranium illegal objects to the compound. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y NOVEMBER 14, 2019 IRAN IN FOCUS 3 Iranian companies ready to Advisor: Yemen’s resistance has forced invaders to seek reconstruct Syria: top MP political solution POLITICAL TEHRAN — Chairman of active in a range of economic sectors in Syria, deskthe Majlis National Secu- from transport to energy and engineering. POLITICAL TEHRAN — Hossein Amir Abdollahian, a desk rity and Foreign Policy Committee Mojtaba Syria is one of Iran’s strategic regional allies. senior foreign policy advisor to the Iranian Zonnour has underscored Iran’s readiness However, despite their high level of political parliament speaker, says Yemeni people’s resistance has forced to help with Syria’s reconstruction. ties, both sides agree that bilateral trade be- the aggressors to seek political solution to the Yemeni conflict. “Reconstruction of Syria’s infrastructures tween Tehran and Damascus is too low, and “The Yemeni people’s resistance has made the aggressors seek at this juncture is necessary and Iranian com- that there’s a need to keep the balance between political solutions for the current quagmire they have created panies are prepared for economic interactions their political and economic partnership. [in Yemen],” Amir Abdollahian said in a meeting with Yemen’s with Syria during the reconstruction peri- The total trade volume between Iran and new Ambassador to Tehran Ibrahim Mohammad Mohammad od,” Zonnour said at a meeting with Syrian Syria was around $80 million in the last six al-Deilami Tuesday, according to Mehr. Parliament Speaker Hamoudeh Sabbaq in months. Before the war began in Syria, the Damascus on Wednesday. figure stood at over one and a half billion The top MP also stressed that Tehran views dollars. This means that the conflict has been support for the resistance front as its respon- a hurdle in the way of trade between the two sibility and will remain by Syria’s side in the allies. But, it’s not the only problem. The fight against terrorist groups, Fars reported. current U.S. sanctions against Iran’s banking For his part, Sabbaq thanked Iran’s full- sector is blamed too. fledged support for the Syrian government and Last year, Iran and Syria launched their nation, saying the Iranian military advisors’ first joint chamber of commerce. Iran has sacrifices beside the Syrian army led to Syria’s also opened a trade center in Damascus to victory against the terrorists. facilitate the activities of its firms in Syria. The conflict in Syria began in 2011, taking Officials believe with all obstacles removed, a heavy toll on its infrastructure. The UN the total annual trade between Tehran and estimates the cost of the country’s reconstruc- Damascus would increase by 25-fold to hit tion at 250 billion dollars. Currently, Iran is at least 2 billion dollars. He also pointed to the plots orchestrated by the U.S. and Israel to disintegrate regional countries, saying Iran will always support Yemen’s territorial integrity and unity. Intelligence supremacy secures, calms nation, says IRGC chief Amir Abdollahian urged international bodies to back the rights of the Yemeni people, saying, “It is necessary that the real POLITICAL TEHRAN — Chief of the Islamic Rev- for carrying out the operation to arrest Zam and other representatives of the Yemeni nation attend the international deskolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the operations which have strengthened Iran’s security. forums and organizations to voice the real and rightful demands intelligence supremacy of the Islamic Republic acts as a Last month, the IRGC announced that Zam had been of their people.” deterrent and provides the Iranian society with a sense arrested during a complicated intelligence operation. For his part, the Yemeni envoy expressed gratitude to the of security and tranquility. Zam launched Amad News in 2015. The channel fre- Islamic Republic for its continued support to his country against Major General Hossein Salami made the remarks quently posted fake news stories and called for violence the arrogant powers, saying, “We will never stop our efforts till on Wednesday, when he also made a reference to the with the aim of overthrowing the Islamic Republic system. we meet the Yemeni people’s needs.” arrest of Ruhollah Zam, the operator behind Amad News During the protest rallies in December 2018, he urged Saudi Arabia and a number of its regional allies launched a website and Telegram channel. the people to take arms against the government. devastating campaign against Yemen in March 2015, with the “The arrest of the head of Amad News channel In its statement, the IRGC said it lured Zam into Iran goal of bringing the government of former president Abd Rab- was the result of precise and wise planning which using “clever, multidimensional and innovative tricks”, buh Mansur Hadi back to power and crushing the Ansarullah further increased security and hope in the heart of which even deceived foreign intelligence agencies. movement. people and frightened the enemies,” General Salami The IRGC also said the French intelligence service In the relentless campaign, Saudi-led airstrikes have hit said, Fars reported. was behind Zam’s activities, which were also backed by schools, hospitals and wedding parties and killed thousands of He also hailed the IRGC intelligence organization the U.S. and the Zionist regime’s spy services. Yemeni civilians. The war has also taken a heavy toll on the country’s infra- structure, destroying hospitals, schools, and factories. The UN Tehran slams Israeli assassination of ‘Intelligence supremacy to guarantee says over 24 million Yemenis are in dire need of humanitarian Islamic Jihad commander security of February parliamentary polls’ aid, including 10 million suffering from extreme levels of hunger. The United States and the United Kingdom are the main sup- porters of Saudi Arabia in the war, providing the kingdom with billions of dollars in arms sales, training, logistical support and targeting assistance for airstrikes.
Guardian Council says it has done its job regarding Palermo bill
POLITICAL TEHRAN — The Guardian Council has done deskits job with regard to the Palermo bill, Abbasali Kadkhodaei, the spokesman for the council, said on Wednesday. “The faults found by the Guardian Council were reflected to the Majlis and they were addressed, but the Expediency POLITICAL TEHRAN — Foreign and oppressed people of Palestine. POLITICAL TEHRAN — The Ira- the brigadier general added. Council’s Supervisory Board has some comments on the issue, deskMinistry spokesman Baha Abu al-Ata, 42, the commander of desknian police chief vowed The police chief said, “We are fully which should be addressed by the Majlis,” Kadkhodaei said Abbas Mousavi has strongly denounced Al-Quds Brigades — the Palestinian resistance on Wednesday that the February parlia- aware of the developments in neighboring at a press conference. the Zionist regime’s terror attack on the movement of Islamic Jihad’s military wing — mentary elections will be held with the countries. If the enemies created Daesh Gaza Strip and the assassination of an and his wife were martyred during an Israeli highest level of security due to his forces’ terrorist group in Syria or Iraq, it was Islamic Jihad commander. aerial assault against their home in Gaza City intelligence supremacy. aimed at destabilizing Iran, and now, In a statement on Tuesday evening, in the blockaded Gaza Strip on Tuesday. Addressing a gathering of elections it seems that the foes’ main target of Mousavi highlighted the necessity of bringing Al-Quds Brigades said it was on “max- monitoring delegations in Mashhad, creating recent riots in some regional the rulers of the occupying regime of Israel imum alert” after the aggression. Brigadier General Hossein Ashtari said, counties is Iran; of course they will not to international courts as war criminals, the The Israeli army confirmed the airstrike “Majlis’ importance has always been be successful.” Foreign Ministry website reported. afterwards, saying it had taken place against well-regarded and emphasized many The last edition of the race for the 290 The spokesman also lauded the legit- Gaza’s Shejaiya area. It added that the occasions by the country’s Leader as seats of the parliament was held in late imate struggles and heroic resistance of operation had been recommended by the well as the late Imam Khomeini, so no February 2016 when 4,844 candidates, the Palestinian people against the Zionist Chief of Staff and the Shin Bet domestic one should say a word that might end in including about 500 women, competed for regime and described unity and resistance security service, and approved by Prime insecurity (of the election). a seat in the “house of nation”, a label for as the only option for the Palestinian people Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He added, “No one is allowed to in- the parliament used by Imam Khomeini. to fight the occupiers. Separately, the Hamas resistance move- terfere in efforts to providing security In 2016, some 1,000 candidates com- Pointing to the silence of international ment said the Zionist regime “bears full to the election.” peted for 30 parliamentary seats in the organizations and communities against the responsibility for all consequences of this Noting that police is responsible for capital Tehran. Five seats also went to Zionist regime’s aggression and terrorist escalation” and pledged that al-Ata’s death security of the elections, the police chief the religious minorities recognized in “We have investigated the shortcomings and faults in the acts, he said, “Unfortunately, in light of “will not go unpunished.” said, “We are at the scene with more the Iranian Constitution, namely Jews, Palermo bill, which have been fixed so our job is complete,” he support for this ruthless and child-killing The assassination is likely to fuel tensions intelligence supremacy. Our red line Christians and Zoroastrians. said, according to Iran Press. regime, the crimes against and assassina- between Tel Aviv and Gaza, which has been is security.” There were 52,000 polling stations with “The procedure of dealing in the Expediency Council has tions of Palestinian people and fighters under a crippling siege by Israel since 2007 He went on to say that the security 120,000 ballot boxes across the country. nothing to do with the Guardian Council, and you should ask have continued inside and outside the and witnessed three wars since 2008. roadmap for election has been prepared MPs in Iran serve a four-year term. the Expediency Council about it,” he told reporters. occupied territories.” Gaza has also witnessed deadly ten- and predictions made for possible trou- Among the main tasks of the legis- “Palermo has been in that body for a long time, and the Guard- The spokesman also urges regional sions since March 30, 2018 which marked ble-making points. lative body are introducing legislation, ian Council has no task on the issue anymore. Of course, what and international organizations and com- the start of the Great March of Return “Based on the security map, the polling dismissing the president and cabinet is being announced by the council about Palermo is definitely munities to fulfil their human and legal protests, with participants demanding stations with possible security threats ministers through no-confidence votes, right,” the spokesman concluded. responsibility to stop the terrorist acts of the right to return for the Palestinians have been already recognized to enable approving annual national budget and The Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) announced the occupiers and protect the defenseless driven out of their homeland. the police to predict necessary measures,” ratifying international treaties. last month that it had given Iran a final deadline of February 2020 to tighten its laws against money laundering in compliance with the global watchdog’s financial standards. MP says Iran’s fourth nuclear step is a ‘serious warning’ “If before February 2020, Iran does not enact the Palermo and Terrorist Financing Conventions in line with the FATF Standards, POLITICAL TEHRAN — MP Ghassem Jassemi has Union, especially its big trio (Germany, France, and Britain) then the FATF will fully lift the suspension of counter-measures desksaid that Iran’s fourth step in reducing which are signatories to the deal, to offset sanctions. and call on its members and urge all jurisdictions to apply effective commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal, formally On May 8, exactly one year after the U.S. abandoned the counter-measures, in line with recommendation 19,” the FATF known as the JCPOA, is a “serious warning” to the United deal, Tehran said its “strategic patience” is over and began said in a statement, according to Reuters. States and Europe. to partially reduce its commitments to the agreement at It added, “The FATF expects Iran to proceed swiftly in the “President [Hassan Rouhani] announced the fourth step bi-monthly intervals. reform path to ensure that it addresses all of the remaining items in reducing nuclear commitments in the past few days. This In the first stage, Iran announced that it will not limit its by completing and implementing the necessary Anti-Money Laun- step was a serious warning to the United States and the Eu- stockpile of the nuclear fuel to 300 kilograms allowed under dering and Counter-Terrorist Financing reforms.” ropeans and we proved our righteousness in the JCPOA and the deal. On that date (May 8) Iran’s Supreme National One of the actions Iran is required to take to appease the FATF the fact that we negotiate to reach win-win deal. However, Security Council (SNSC) said if the remaining parties to is joining the United Nations Convention against Transnational the other side did not fulfil its commitments,” Jassemi told the JCPOA, especially Europeans, devise a mechanism to Organized Crime (UNTOC), which is also called the Palermo ISNA in an interview published on Wednesday. protect Iran from the sanctions’ effect in the two-month Convention, a 2000 United Nations-sponsored multilateral treaty He noted that Iran will reverse its decision if the remaining deadline it will reverse its decision. against transnational organized crime. signatories fulfil their commitments. But since European parties missed the deadline, on July The other action is to ratify the CFT, the convention combatting Rouhani on November 5 ordered the Atomic Energy 7 Iran announced that it has started enriching uranium to a financing of terrorism. Organization of Iran (AEOI) to start injecting uranium higher purity than the 3.67%, thereby starting the second step. On October 7, 2018, the parliament voted in favor of the CFT. gas into advanced IR-6 centrifuges at the Fordow nuclear mitments in response to the abrogation of the multinational Again, as Europe missed the second 60-day deadline, However, the oversight Guardian Council rejected the bill by enrichment facility. nuclear deal by the Trump administration and return of Iran moved to take the third step, removing a ban on nuclear finding 22 faults with it, which put the fate of the bill on the hands It was the fourth step by Iran to reduce its nuclear com- previous sanctions coupled with inaction by the European research and development (R&D). of the Expediency Council. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY NOVEMBER 14, 2019
STOCK MARKET Steel exports TEDPIX 307094.1 IFX 3932.45 by Iran’s major Sources: tse.ir, Ifb.ir
CURRENCIES producers up 8% in USD 42,000 rials EUR 46,260 rials 7 months on year GBP 53,965 rials 1 Iranian industry, mining and trade experts and with domestic knowledge and AED 11,437 rials minister said on Monday that the country technology. Source: cbi.ir holds a 62-percent share of the Middle East’s Iran’s steel production has been growing total crude steel production and it is planning well over the past few years and the country of production. compared to 2017. to further increase this share. rose from 13th to 10th place in the list of the Iran has pushed aside Italy, Taiwan and According to the report, Iran’s crude steel Reza Rahmani said that Iran has reached world’s top steel producers in World Steel Ukraine to become the 10th biggest producer industry has remained in good shape despite COMMODITIES a balanced steel production chain in Association (WSA)’s latest ranking, he said. of crude steel in the world for the year 2018. the U.S. sanctions. which all stages of production including In late January, WSA announced that Iran The WSA has put the global crude steel Iran’s share of global crude steel Brent $61.42/b engineering, implementation, fabrication ranked 10th among crude steel producers production for the year 2018 at 1.808 billion production was estimated at 1.38 percent WTI $56.37/b and operation are being executed by Iranian in the world in 2018 with 25 million tons tons, which shows a 4.6 percent increase for the year 2018. OPEC Basket $62.26/b Gold $1,466.85/oz France seeking a formula to remove Iran sanctions barrier: envoy Silver $$17.02/oz ECONOMY TEHRAN – French Ambassador to Teh- endeavor and has many complexities. Finding a mechanism Platinium $878.20/oz deskran Philippe Thiebaud said his country that provides the resources needed to operate this system Sources: oilprice.com, Moneymetals.com is seeking a formula to remove the barriers created by the is not an easy task and takes time, he explained. U.S. sanctions in the way of trade with Iran, portal of Iran Shafeie for his part, criticized the sharp decline in trade Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture relations between the two countries and praised France’s (ICCIMA) reported. constructive efforts in saving the nuclear deal when the U.S. Spanish bond yields near “France is still trying to make INSTEX [The Instrument imposed unilateral sanctions against Iran. in Support of Trade Exchanges] operational,” Thiebaud The official also mentioned France’s efforts to make IN- 4-month highs on coalition said in a meeting with the ICCIMA Head Gholam-Hossein STEX operational, saying “such efforts were promising, Shafeie at the place of ICCIMA on Tuesday. although unfortunately the presented solutions did not concerns “The relationship between Iran and France has historically eventually become operational.” been far beyond commercial relations,” the French envoy “However, even in the most difficult circumstances, Iran’s Spanish government bond yields rose to near four-month highs said, insisting that companies and chambers of commerce private sector is trying to maintain international relations on Tuesday after the country’s Socialist party reached a prelimi- in the two countries should work together to strengthen and continue its business activities,” he added. ICCIMA Head Gholam-Hossein Shafeie (R) met with French nary coalition deal with the far-left Unidas Podemos following an economic relations. Shafeie further highlighted the activities of the Iran-France Ambassador to Tehran Philippe Thiebaud at the place of inconclusive election on Sunday. “The two sides have deep cultural and human relations Joint Chamber of Commerce, noting that the chamber’s ICCIMA on Tuesday. According to reuters.com, the “political situation is not going to be with each other,” he stressed. close and long-standing relations with French businessmen very helpful from a bond perspective as the parties are not perceived Mentioning the disappointment caused by the delays in this frustration very well, but we are still trying to get there.” creates the hope that using this capacity, the two countries to be very market friendly and we expect a gradual steepening in implementing INSTEX, the official said, “We understand It should be noted that creating such a system is a new would be able to restore their economic ties. the bond yield curve,” said Henry Occleston, a London-based rates strategist at Mizuho Bank. Yields on benchmark 10-year Spanish government debt rose three basis points to 0.45%. Spreads over comparable French debt widened to a one-month high of around 40 bps. Tax exemptions in FTZs under debate The unexpectedly fast preliminary agreement between two Span- 1 Excluding exemptions Exemptions can lead to corruption ically on top of its economic policies. ish parties which recently refused to work together would require impedes investment attraction But Hadi Sobhanian, an economist, be- Finance and Economic Affairs Minister further steps including bringing in smaller parties and agreeing Adel Mo’atta, a director in Free Zones lieves that tax exemptions in the free zones Farhad Dejpasand had said that reducing cabinet positions. High Council, says that many companies have had no result rather than corruption. the current year’s budget dependency on Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s gamble on holding the and investors are currently negotiating He says huge amount of commodities oil exports is the most important economic country’s second election this year resulted in no clear winner but with free zones organizations across the have been already purchased through Iran objective in the country; and his ministry is a surge for the far right on Sunday. country and excluding tax exemptions will Mercantile Exchange (IME) under the name seriously following up defined tax policies Elsewhere on treasury markets, German bond yields held firm after prevent them from making any investment of free zones. to this end. better-than-expected German Zew investor sentiment survey data. in these zones. Many companies have been registered in The minister has also stressed that an German Bund yields were around 1 basis point higher at -0.243%, It will also make Iran’s free zones less the free zones and have an office there, but efficient tax system should be a priority in close to a five-month high of -0.218% reached last week as investors competitive compared to those of its neigh- they are practically active in the mainland, the government’s policy making. shifted their long positions on German Bunds into short positions, bors, because when there are some incentives and enjoy the exemptions allocated to the And now, referring to this approach, those On Monday, Morteza Bank said, “We according to Jefferies analysts. such as permanent tax exemptions in those free zones; so these exemptions can be a who believe that tax exemptions should be follow up the government’s policy of reducing The ZEW survey showed the mood among German investors countries, foreign companies prefer to make source of corruption, according to Sobhanian. excluded from the free zones law, say that reliance on the oil revenues and moving had improved more than expected, due partly to recent develop- investment there, according to Mo’atta. Tax required to minimize sanc- these exemptions contradict the government’s toward other incomes like tax revenues in- ments in trade conflicts, although this had little immediate impact The official says that any change in the tions effects policy of higher tax income. stead; but the credibility and governance on bond prices. investment regulations concerns the inves- To minimize the effects of the U.S. sanc- No change in law to develop in- of law for FTZs is undeniable and cannot “We continue to have a small bearish bias in Bunds, despite tors; they want stability for the long-term tions on the country’s economy, Iran is adopt- vestors’ confidence be damaged.” yields close to our fair value estimate of -30 bps,” said Mohit Kumar, planning; so it makes sense that they react ing some new economic approaches and the Despite all debate about the tax exemptions The free zones law considers a 20-year managing director at Jefferies. to the changes about tax exemptions. main important one is to reduce reliance on in the free zones, the secretary of Free Zones tax exemption for the investors and it plays The “macro environment is positive for risky assets with positive He strongly stresses that omitting tax the oil revenues. High Council has said that the exemption an important role in building the investors’ developments on the U.S.-China trade war and our expectation exemptions in the FTZs damages these In order to materialize this objective, the regulations will be sustained as the govern- trust, which should be preserved and devel- that economic data as well as inflation prints (data) should start zones’ potentials. country has collecting taxes more systemat- ment does not agree any change in the law. oped, the official definitely stated. picking up,” Kumar said. Meanwhile, Italian government bonds outperformed, with the 10-year benchmark down 4 bps on the day after a hefty selloff on Monday that saw the yield rise 7 bps. “In Italy, investor position is still long,” said Kumar. Poland calls for a roadmap to expand trade ties with Iran Italy, in particular, and to a lesser extent Spain and Portugal, have ECONOMY TEHRAN – Polish ambassador in Teh- trade level since the re-imposition of U.S. sanctions on borne the brunt of selling in recent sessions as analysts say investors deskran called for creating a clear roadmap Iran, saying “this trend should be stopped.” are taking profit after a stellar rally in those bond markets this year. for restoring trade relations with Iran, the portal of Iran According to Selahvarzi, establishment of Iran-Po- Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture land join economic committee and the visit of an Iranian South Africa’s SPAR posts (ICCIMA) reported. delegation to the European country later this month is In a meeting with representatives of Iran’s private an indication of the two countries’ determination for profit rise despite consumer sector in Tehran on Tuesday, Maciej Falkowski under- changing the current situation. lined his country’s trade opportunities and capacities for He also criticized the closing of the Polish Investment pessimism the Iranian side, saying that trade boosting cooperation office in Tehran and called for its reopening, arguing between the two sides requires precise knowledge about that many effective measures were taken by this office South African retailer and wholesaler SPAR Group
Iran to hold over 6% share of world’s ‘Plan for rationing subsidized gasoline to be finalized in a week’ petchem production by 2025 ENERGY TEHRAN – Iran’s government spokesman deskAli Rabiei said on Wednesday the details of a ENERGY TEHRAN — Head of The NPC CEO further said that Iran’s an- government plan for rationing subsidized gasoline will be finalized deskIran’s National Petro- nual petrochemical revenue had reached $17 by the next week, Tasnim news agency reported. chemicals Company (NPC) says by the Ira- billion from only $200,000 back in 1979, the Mentioning the rumors around the topic, Rabeie said “what nian calendar year of 1404 (starts in March year the Islamic Revolution became victori- has been said [in this regard] is not true and no decision has been 2025) Iran’s petrochemical industry will be ous. He also said the sector’s revenues would yet officially made.” accounting for 6.2 percent of the total global cross 37 billion dollars per year by 2025. The official made the remarks on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting. petrochemical output. Back in October, Mohammadi had es- Back in October, Iranian parliament (Majlis) speaker Ali Larijani Speaking in a gathering of senior petro- timated that investment in the country’s said the parliament has not still made any decision about rationing chemical executives in the northwestern city petrochemical sector is going to increase by the subsidized gasoline. of Mashhad on Tuesday, Behzad Mohammadi 75 percent by the end of Iranian calendar Addressing the press after a closed-door session of Majlis on put the country’s current share of global pet- year 1404. October 7, the official said there were different viewpoints on the rochemical production at nearly 3.6 percent, “So far, $53 billion has been invested topic and the government had its own suggestions which would Shana reported. in the country’s petrochemical industry, be mentioned in the national budget bill. According to Mohammadi, Iranian petro- and with the third leap in this sector, the “The parliament is not to make a rapid decision, because we chemical industry is strongly moving forward number is going to increase to $93 billion by have time for investigating the next year’s budget bill, but it is despite the pressures that the U.S. sanctions the [Iranian calendar] year of 1404, which important that everyone knows that Majlis is determined that no have imposed on the industry. means a 75-percent growth,” he said in a pressure will be put on the people, and if such decisions is to be The deputy oil minister furthered not- conference on oil and energy in Tehran. made it should be completely in the interest of the low-income ed that there are currently 56 active pet- In late September, Director of NPC’s people”, Larijani further emphasized. rochemical complexes across the country Projects Ali-Mohammad Bosaqzadeh had which receive 33 million tons of feedstock said that Iran’s annual petrochemical output annually (equivalent to 650,000 barrels of petrochemical complexes will reach 83 and of operational plants in the country would is planned to reach more than 100 million Investment case for LNG crude oil per day). their feedstock consumption will increase to climb to 109 by 2025 which would consume tons by the Iranian calendar year of 1400 imports into South Africa to “By [the Iranian calendar year of] 1400 62 million tons (equivalent to 1.4 million bpd). an equivalent of 1.7 million barrels per day and to 130 million tons or nearly doubled (starts in March 2021), the number of the Mohammadi also added that the number of crude oil. by 1404. be completed by year-end By Terence Creamer State — owned logistics group Transnet says the investment case for the import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) into South Africa will be 3rd platform of SP phases 22-24 installed completed by year-end and that the solution will be aligned with the ENERGY TEHRAN — Platform SPD-23, which is ations for the wells of phase 23 are done and the CRA pipes anticipated drop-off in gas imports from Mozambique from 2023 deskthe third platform of the phases 22, 23, are installed in their places so with the hook-up operations onwards. 24 of South Pars gas field (in the Persian Gulf) development completed the platform is expected to be operational soon. The study is being undertaken in collaboration with the International project was installed at its designated offshore place in phase Phases 22-24 are expected to produce 56 million cubic Finance Corporation (IFC) and will seek to ensure that existing and 23, on Tuesday. meters of sour gas, 75,000 barrels of gas condensate, and 400 future industrial demand is met, along with demand that is expect- According to Ali Asghar Sadeqi, deputy operator of the tons of sulfur per day, in addition to 50 million cubic meters ed to arise from the country’s gas-to-power program, including the phases 22-24 development project, the 2500-ton platform of methane, 2,900 tons of LPG and 2,750 tons of ethane. conversion of existing diesel generators to gas. is going to add 500 million cubic feet (14.2 million cubic South Pars gas field, which Iran shares with Qatar in the The study is being pursued amid warnings from the Industrial Gas meters) of gas to the field’s output, the Public Relations Persian Gulf, covers an area of 9,700 square kilometers, 3,700 Users Association of Southern Africa (IGUA-SA) that South Africa will Department of Pars Oil and Gas Company (POGC), which square kilometers of which, called South Pars, are in Iran’s begin facing gas shortages from 2023 onwards, when imports from is in charge of developing the giant gas field, reported. territorial waters. The remaining 6,000 square kilometers, Sasol’s Pande and Temane fields could begin tapering. The IGUA-SA The total production capacity of the phases 22-24 will called North Dome, are situated in Qatar’s territorial waters. is forecasting a yearly shortfall of 98-million gigajoules from 2025 reach 1.5 billion cubic feet once SPD-23 is operational, ac- The field is estimated to contain a significant amount of onwards. cording to Sadeqi. natural gas, accounting for about eight percent of the world’s It also comes against the backdrop of a government commitment The official noted that the complementary drilling oper- reserves, and approximately 18 billion barrels of condensate. to develop the Coega Industrial Development Zone, in the Eastern Cape, as a gas-to-power hub – a move that has been questioned by industry, owing to the fact that most of the country’s gas demand and infrastructure is located in the Mpumalanga, the Free State, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. Commentators have, thus, appealed for the gas import hub to be Oil falls as U.S.-China trade deal prospects dim developed at the Port of Richards Bay, in KwaZulu-Natal, owing to Oil prices fell on Wednesday as prospects Agency (IEA) for slower global oil demand bers of the Organization of the Petroleum 1.6 million barrels in the week to Nov. 8. its proximity to an existing pipeline network and industrial offtakers. for a trade deal between the United States growth post-2025 also weighed on the market. Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Russia is ANZ analysts said the prospects for U.S. Alternative import-hub proposals have also being mooted for Ma- and China faded, weighing on the outlook Global oil demand is expected to grow by seen falling to 47% for much of the next decade, crude exports had turned bleak after shipping puto, in Mozambique, which is similarly well located with respect to for the global economy and energy demand. 1 million barrels per day (bpd) on average to a level not seen since the 1980s. rates jumped last month, causing inventories infrastructure and South African load centers. As stated by reuters.com, U.S. President 2025, but is forecast to slow to 100,000 bpd a The “effects have been striking, with U.S. to stay above both last year’s level and the Transnet chief business development officer Gert de Beer says Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the two year from then on as fuel efficiency improves shale now acting as a strong counterweight five-year average. the group is working through the technical and financial options and countries were close to finalizing a trade deal, and more electric vehicles hit the road, the to efforts to manage oil markets,” IEA’s Ex- Separately, the 590,000 barrel-per-day that it is confident that a solution can be found in time for meeting but he fell short of providing a date or venue for IEA said in its annual World Energy Outlook ecutive Director Fatih Birol said. Keystone oil pipeline that transports Canadian the “2023 challenge.” the signing ceremony, disappointing investors. for the period to 2040. In the United States, crude oil inventories heavy crude to the United States has restarted The gas strategy Brent crude futures LCOc1 edged down Even as U.S. production growth slows from were forecast to have risen for a third straight operations following an oil spill two weeks The “trick for us as South Africa Inc. is to deliver an executable 32 cents, or 0.5%, to $61.74 a barrel by 0758 the breakneck pace of recent years, the world’s week last week, while refined products inven- ago, a U.S. regulator said on Tuesday. gas strategy that represents the lowest-cost landed molecule price GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate top oil producer will still account for 85% of tories likely declined, a preliminary Reuters Traders are now eyeing next month’s for the users in the economy,” he adds, while stressing that Transnet crude CLc1 was at $56.54, down 26 cents the increase in global oil output to 2030, and poll showed on Tuesday. meeting between the OPEC and Russia to is also committed to ensuring that government is able to convert the or 0.5%. for 30% of the increase in gas, the agency said. Five analysts polled by Reuters estimated, determine if the group would deepen output Eastern Cape into a gas hub. A forecast by the International Energy The share of global oil production by mem- on average, that crude inventories rose around cuts to prop up prices. “As Transnet, we have significant assets to contribute to a sustainable, low-cost solution, including the Lilly pipeline and the Durban-to-Jo- hannesburg pipeline, which could be repurposed for gas.” De Beer argues that, until the detailed technical, financial and OPEC head sees upside for oil demand Latin America and Caribbean on the regulatory studies are complete, the debate over the best location for the import hub remains “academic.” growth for 2020 brink of massive solar power growth “It’s not just about Coega and Richards Bay it’s actually a regional gas strategy that is falling into place rapidly.” Transnet and the IFC are also engaging with global gas suppliers on the evolving technologies and solutions available, as well as their views on the supply options for South Africa. Likewise it is working with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, as well as the Central Energy Fund on how to leverage South Africa’s existing assets and capabilities to support a sustainable LNG import solution. “We are aware of the 2023 alert that Sasol has put out and we are working with Sasol to work out, how to sort out their own demand for gas … as well as the demand of the customers they are currently supplying.” (Source: miningweekly.com)
OPEC sees a significant upswing in oil de- OPEC’s Mr. Barkindo dismissed con- Latin America and the Caribbean could grow that we can extend the energy transition to New material points toward mand growth for 2020 as potential supply cerns of a recession, saying there was their installed solar capacity by a factor of 40 all countries. It’s possible.” highly efficient solar cells from non-member producers is unlikely significant potential for the upstream oil by 2050, a new report by the International If accompanied by sound policies, the to materialize in the near term, according industry, supported by economic and de- Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) shows. transformation driven by renewables such A new type of material for next-generation solar cells eliminates the to its secretary general. mand fundamentals. Annual investments exceeding seven billion as solar can bring substantial socioeconomic need to use lead, which has been a major roadblock for this technology. As per thenational.ae, OPEC, a 14-mem- The “global economy is weathering would see the region’s solar PV capacity rise benefits, IRENA’s new report finds. The global As stated by sciencedaily.com, solar cells, incorporating the mineral ber group of sovereign oil-exporting states, the intermittent storms as a result of the from 7 gigawatts (GW) to more than 280 GW solar industry has the potential to employ over perovskite, have been the focus of attention since the material was first lowered its five-year outlook for the col- trade negotiations in monetary terms, but by mid-century. While solar energy remains 18 million people by 2050, four times more shown to work in 2009. Solar cells that are built using this material are lective oil supply by 7 percent last week. in terms of the total quantum of global the highest in Asia, North America and Europe, than the 4.4 million jobs today. more efficient than current solar panels. Current solar panels capture Production of crude and other liquids growth, the global economy (maintains) market growth is set to shift to other regions Similarly, the deployment of rooftop solar 15% to 18% of the solar energy on average, while perovskite solar cells is set to decline to 32.8 million barrels per growth of 3 percent for 2020, therefore in the world. PV systems has increased extensively, which have been found to be as much as 28% efficient. day by 2024, compared with 35 million there is no cause for alarm,” said Barkindo. According to bnamericas.com, by that time, today makes solar PV in some markets more But there are major obstacles to using these materials commer- bpd for this year, OPEC said in its annual “On the contrary, there is potential for solar PV would represent the second-larg- attractive than buying electricity from the grid. cially: The materials are not stable, and they contain water-soluble World Oil Outlook. upstream in both global economic growth as est power source behind wind, generating a The competitiveness of distributed solar power lead, which is a health hazard. “Yes there is that potential at the moment well as demand growth for 2020,” he said. quarter of the world’s power, “Future of Solar is clearly raising deployment in large markets, Now a team of scientists and engineers led by Letian Dou, assistant because the numbers that we’re review- The secretary general said concerns Photovoltaic” launched on Tuesday at “Sun including Brazil, China, Germany and Mexico. professor of chemical engineering at Purdue University, have devel- ing in non-OPEC supply are not likely to remain about the lack of investment in World 2019” in Lima finds. In total, global With over 50 percent of installed capacity oped a sandwich-like material incorporating organic and inorganic materialize,” Mohammed Barkindo said upstream, which he said still languished solar power capacity would rise from 480 GW in 2050, Asia (mostly China) would continue materials to form a hybrid structure that doesn’t use lead and has in the UAE capital on the sidelines of the at levels seen during a steep decline in oil in 2018 to over 8000 GW by 2050, growing to dominate solar PV power, followed by North much improved stability. Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Ex- prices in 2014-16. by nearly 9 per cent every year. America (20%) and Europe (10%). The Latin “These structures are very exciting,” Dou said. The “sandwich struc- hibition and Conference. “We have not yet recovered from the “Solar PV and other renewables sources American market would grow from 7 GW in tures are like semiconductor quantum wells that are widely used today Rising production from the U.S. and the slump of 2014-16 in investments. What we represent the most effective and ready solution 2018 to over 280 GW. in many electronic and optoelectronic devices, but they are much changing global narrative on fossil fuels have seen in 2017-18 is only very marginal for addressing growing energy demand and Annual solar PV investment would have easier to produce and more tolerant to defects,” are among the reasons for lower demand (increases) in investments,” he said. limiting carbon emission at the same time,” to increase by 68 percent on average globally, In a paper published in the Journal of the American Chemical growth for crude, with the U.S.-China trade Oil prices fell to lower than $30 per said IRENA’s Director-General Francesco La from D 114 billion in 2018 to D 192 billion Society in September, the scientists had incorporated the material war and a slowing economy also driving barrel at the beginning of 2015 due to a Camera. “Renewables are practical, affordable in 2050. into an essential component of many electronic devices, a field effect down appetite. build-up of global inventories, which de- and climate-safe. They are key to sustainable Global levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) transistor. The International Energy Agency (IEA) pressed the market. development, enabling energy access, spurring for solar PV will continue to fall from an av- Yao Gao, lead author of both research papers and a postdoctoral has cut its forecasts for oil demand growth Brent futures were down 1.07 percent economic growth, creating employment and erage of D 85 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) fellow in Dou’s research group, said the new organic-inorganic hybrid by 100,000 barrels per day for this year and trading at $61.84 per barrel at 4.15pm UAE improving health. Particularly solar energy in 2018 to between D 5-14 cents per kWh by perovskite materials are cheaper and perform better than a traditional next. The agency cited the trade dispute time on Monday, while the West Texas is set to become one of the most prominent 2050. A recent solar and wind power auction inorganic semiconductor. Also, Gao said, the new material’s design and a decelerating global economy as the Intermediate benchmark was down 1.29 power sources in 2050. Projected growth in Colombia was awarded for an average elec- strategy could serve as a blueprint for many other functional hybrid reasons for its downward revision. percent at $56.50 per barrel. rates in markets like Latin America showcase tricity price of D 27 cents per kWh. materials. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 INTERNATIONAL NOVEMBER 14, 2019 Let’s invade Mexico! Trump avowed enemy of EU: Italian analyst Another entry in the TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A senior fellow with the Transat- lantic Program of the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI) said US President Donald Trump is an “avowed enemy” of Europe as he sees the bloc as a “potential rival power” and that is why he prefers a “fragmented Europe”. tourney of damn fool ideas “I agree with Marcon’s point that modern Europe was built to be America’s junior partner, and I agree that the US commitment to Europe has now become more ambivalent By Fred Reed narcos are Mexicans. So is the population. and more uncertain,” Alcaro told Tasnim in an interview. You know, brown, speak Spanish, that He added, “Trump is an avowed enemy of the European ANTIWAR — I suppose that by now kind of thing. The invaders would not be Union, which he sees as a trade competitor and a potential everyone has heard of Trump’s offer to Mexicans. This matters. Villagers usually rival power of the US. Future presidents will have to decide send the American military to “wage WAR do not hate the narcos. These provide whether they want a weaker, loyal Europe ( la Bush), a on the drug cartels and wipe them off the jobs, buy their marijuana crops, often do stronger but more autonomous Europe (? la Obama), or a face of the earth,” which he asserts can be Robin Hood things to help the locals. Pablo fragmented Europe (? la Trump)”. done “quickly and effectively.” Escobar did this, Al Capone, Chapo Guzman. Riccardo Alcaro is Research Coordinator and Head of Trump phrased this as an offer to help, There is a whole genre of popular music, the Global Actors Programme of the Istituto Affari Inter- not a threat to invade, which is reassuring. narcocorridos, celebrating the doings of nazionali. His main area of expertise is transatlantic rela- AMLO, Mexico’s president, wisely declined the drug trade. (Corridos Prohibidos, by tions, with a special focus on US and European policies in the offer. Los Tigres del Norte, for example). Amazon Europe’s surrounding regions. Riccardo has been a visiting While the President seems to have made has the CD. fellow at the Center on the United States and Europe of the the offer in good faith, he has little idea of Which means that they would side with Brookings Institution in Washington and a fellow of the Mexico, the military, or the cartels. The the narcos instead of the already-hated EU-wide program European Foreign and Security Policy American military could not come close soldiers, putos gringos cabrones, que se Studies (EFSPS). He holds a summa-cum-laude PhD from to wiping them off the face of the earth, chinguen sus putas madres. the University of Tübingen. He is the author of Europe and much less effectively and quickly. Such an Further, much of Mexico doesn’t much Iran’s Nuclear Crisis (Palgrave Macmillan 2018) and edi- incursion would be a political and military like its government. tor of The Liberal Order and its Contestations (Routledge disaster. The President needs to do some And of course the narcos will have the 2018) and The West and the Global Power Shift (Palgrave reading. option of fading into the population and Macmillan 2016). If AMLO were to invite the Americans would be well under one percent of the call this a “force multiplier.” waiting for the gringos to go home. This into Mexico, he would be lynched. Few population. Success would be impossible Some other northern Mexican terrain. means that the invasion would become Americans are aware of how much the even if that population helped you. Which The Duarte Bridge between Sinaloa and an occupation. The invading forces would United States is hated in Latin America, it wouldn’t.Other problems exist. Many, Durango. A company commander, looking thus need bases, which would become and for that matter in most of the world. many of them. at it, would would have PTSD in advance, permanent. Bases where? All over the They don’t know of the long series of Let’s consider terrain. Terrain is what just to get a start on things.Of the rest of country, which is where the narcos are? military interventions, brutal dictators militaries fight in. Start with the Sierra Mexico, much consists of jungle, presenting Getting the American military into one’s imposed and supported, and economic Madre, which I suspect Trump doesn’t the same problems as the Sierra Madre, and country is much easier than getting it out. rapine. Somoza, Pinochet, the Mexican- know from Madre Teresa. This is the of cities and villages. Here we encounter The world knows this. Mexicans assuredly American War, detachment of Panama brutally inhospitable mountain range in the problem that has proved disastrous do. They know that America has wrecked from Colombia, bombardment of Veracruz, the northwest of Mexico, from which a for US forces in war after war: there is no country after country in the Mideast, always Patton’s incursion – the list could go on great many of the narcos come. (Sinaloa way to tell who is a narco and who isn’t. to do something good about democracy and for pages. The Mexican public would look is next door.) Forestation is dense, slopes In cities and towns, narcos are human rights. They know that America is upon American troops not as saviors but steep, communication only by narrow trails indistinguishable from the general squeezing Venezuela to get control of its as invaders. Which they would be. that the natives know as well as you know population. How – precisely how, I want oil, squeezing Iran for the same reason, The incursion would not defeat the how to find your bathroom. Nobody else to know – would American troops, kitted out attacked Iraq for the same reason, has troops cartels, for several reasons that trump knows them. American infantry would be in body armor and goggles and looking like in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait for the same would do well to ponder. To begin with, helpless here. The Narcos would be found idiots, fight the narcos in villages with which reason, and has just confiscated Syria’s oil America starts its wars by overestimating its only when they chose to be found, which they were unfamiliar? The narcos, well . Mexico has oil. So when Trump wants own powers, underestimating the enemy, would not be at opportune moments.The armed, would pick off GIs from windows, to send the military to “help” fight drugs, Following is the full text of the interview. and misunderstanding the kind of war on Sierra Madre Occidental, home of many of whereupon the Americans would respond what do you suppose the Mexicans suspect? French President Emanuel Macron recently proposed which it is embarking. The is exactly what the drug traffickers. I have walked in these by firing at random, calling in air strikes, Another point: Roughly a million a bleak vision of Europe’s future and its possible disap- Trump seems to be doing. mountains, or tried to. It is impossible for and otherwise killing locals. These would American expats live happily in Mexico. pearance. Later, in an interview with The Economics, he He probably thinks of Mexicans as just infantry, worse for armor, and airplanes now hate Americans. The narcos know These would be hostages, and they – we – explained, “I’m trying to face the facts. Personally, I think gardeners and rapists and we have all these can’t see through the trees. this. They would use it. are soft targets. The drones kill five narcos, Europe is a miracle. This continent has the greatest geo- beautiful advanced weapons and beautiful The Tarahumara Indians live in the Culiacan, Sinaloa, Chapo’s home city. It and the narcos kill five expats. Or ten, or graphical concentration of cultural and linguistic diversity. drones and things with blinking lights. A Sierra Madre. They frequent the trails, has a high concentration of narcos. Suppose fifty. What does Washington do now? Which explains why, for almost two millennia, Europe was pack of rapists armed with garden trowels sometimes in groups, and carry things not that you are an infantry officer, sent to “fight Finally, consider what happens when rocked by constant civil wars.” Do you believe so? couldn’t possibly be difficult to defeat by identifiable from the air. In frustration the cartels.” You have, say, twenty troops you bomb a country, make life dangerous, A: The European Union, that is, a system of interstate the US. I mean, get serious: Dope dealers American forces would do what they always with you, all with hi-tech equipment and kill its children, destroy the economy and relations that has willingly transitioned from a fundamentally against the Marines? A cakewalk. do: start bombing, or launching Hellfires things dangling. How do you propose to impoverish its people? Answer: They go competitive pattern into a long-term cooperative pattern You know, like Cambodia, Vietnam, from drones, at what they think are, or fight the cartels here? Which of the people somewhere else. With Mexico being made based on common norms, rules, and institutions, is indeed Laos, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. That sort think may be, or hope might be, narcos. in the photo, if any, are narcos? You could unlivable, Mexicans would have two choices a historical novelty - a ‘miracle’ even, in the sense that it of cakewalk. Let’s think what an expedition Frequently they would kill innocents having ask them. That would work.Don’t expect of somewhere else, Guatemala and….See has no precedents. against the narcos would entail, what it nothing to do with drugs. This wouldn’t help from the locals. Most would much whether you can fill in the blank. Maybe Elsewhere in the interview, Macron referred to a shift would face. bother the military, certainly not remote rather see you killed than the narcos. And four or five million of them.Nuff said. May in the US policy in the past years, saying, “Moreover, Eu- To begin with, Mexico is a huge country drone operators in Colorado or somewhere. if they collaborated they and their families God protect Mexico from Yanquis who rope was basically built to be the Americans’ junior part- of 127 million souls with the narcos spread They get paid anyway. The Indians who would be killed. This would discourage would do it good, from advisers, and then ner. That was what lay behind the Marshall Plan from the unevenly across it. You can’t police a nation just had their families turned into science them. Bright ideas? adviser creep, and then occupation, and beginning. And this went hand in hand with a benevolent that size with a small force, or even with a projects couldn’t do anything about it.Well, Now a point that Schwarzehairdye in the then from badly led militaries who have United States, acting as the ultimate guarantor of a system large force. A (preposterous) million soldiers nothing but join the narcos, who might White House has likely not grasped. The no idea where they are. and of a balance of values, based on the preservation of world peace and the domination of Western values. There was a price to pay for that, which was NATO and support to the European Union. But their position has shifted over U.S., allies don’t want peaceful resolution of Syria crisis: Ex-American diplomat the past 10 years, and it hasn’t only been the Trump ad- ministration. You have to understand what is happening TEHRAN (Tasnim) – An American au- issue with the old one). In 1787, the original deep down in American policy-making. It’s the idea put thor and former diplomat cast doubt over the 13 United States appointed men to draft a forward by President Obama: ‘I am a Pacific president’.” success of ongoing talks between the Syrian basic law for the new country. Seventy were What are your thoughts on this? government and foreign-backed opposition chosen, 55 actually attended the convention A: I agree with Marcon’s point that modern Europe was in Geneva and said the US and some of its and did the work. built to be America’s junior partner, and I agree that the US allies do not want a peaceful resolution of Whatever comes out of Geneva where the commitment to Europe has now become more ambivalent the conflict in the Arab country. Syrian constitutional delegates are sitting and more uncertain. I’m not so convinced that the US will November, 10, 2019 - 12:43 World Com- will most likely prove unworkable. If the abandon Europe because it gains massively from having ments idea is to create a political settlement, having the loyalty of a number of wealthy countries such as the US, Allies Don’t Want Peaceful Resolu- delegates from so many disparate groups is European ones, but now the prospect is no longer just an tion of Syria Crisis: Ex-American Diplomat almost a promise of failure. There will be no academic hypothesis. Even if the US remains committed to “The principal issue is not the constitution, guarantees of implementation since many of Europe, however, its approach will continue to be fraught but the eight years of war and destruction the representatives are trying to destroy the with ambivalence, as the US oscillates between a desire brought on by foreign intervention, principally country, which has been held together by its for a loyal Europe (which involves greater dependence on by the Americans, British, French, Israelis, president and a common consensus of “live the US, so a weaker Europe), and a desire for a Europe and Turks,” Michael Springmann, the former and let live”--at least until the alien invasion. more capable of contributing to international security and head of the American visa bureau in Saudi Given Turkey’s military operation economic stability, which involves a more autonomous Arabia, said in an interview with Tasnim. against Kurds in northern Syria and the pres- Europe. George W. Bush leaned towards the first option. “Those countries do not want a peaceful neva last Sunday while UN special envoy but the eight years of war and destruction ence of Ankara-backed extremist groups in On the contrary, Obama’s self-depiction as a Pacific pres- resolution of the conflict and would much for Syria Geir Pedersen kept 45 others in the brought on by foreign intervention, principally the area, what do you think about the negative ident presupposed a transatlantic relationship in which prefer to see the current war continue,” he Swiss city to be part of the mini-committee by the Americans, British, French, Israelis, impacts of foreign intervention on the political Europe would be more capable of autonomous action. In added. that would discuss the constitutional reform and Turks. Those countries do not want a settlement of the Syrian crisis? other words, Obama was willing to give more leeway to the J. Michael Springmann served in the US in the country, after eight and a half years peaceful resolution of the conflict and would A: Foreign intervention in Syria, specifi- Europeans, because he was convinced that a strong Europe, government as a diplomat with the State De- of conflict. The committee will conduct its much prefer to see the current war continue. cally that of the United States, Israel, Britain, even if more autonomous from the US, would most of the partment’s Foreign Service, with postings in work and adopt its decisions by consensus The UN is proving useless. Its “special France, and Turkey, is designed to ensure times make a common front with the US or be at any rate Germany, India, and Saudi Arabia. He left wherever possible, or resort to a majority of envoy Geir Pedersen called for patience, that there will be no political settlement to the advantage of the US. Regrettably, Europe was not yet federal service and currently practices law 75 percent of votes. Observers fear that the persistence, and readiness to compromise.” of the Syrian crisis. The invaders created ready to become the kind of partner Obama had in mind. in the Washington, DC, area. Springmann’s required number of votes could prevent the After eight years of combat, stoked by foreign the present situation. In contrast, Russia Trump is an avowed enemy of the European Union, which works and interviews have been published committee from approving any decisions in forces, the citizens of Syria would be happy and Iran were invited into the country by he sees as a trade competitor and a potential rival power in numerous foreign policy publications, its upcoming meetings. What do you think to compromise--provided the people they its legitimate government. Unlike the New of the US. Future presidents will have to decide whether including Covert Action Quarterly, Unclas- about the developments? How possible is it were dealing with wanted peace. Crusaders, those two states have long sought they want a weaker, loyal Europe, a stronger but more sified, Global Outlook, the Public Record, for the Constitutional Committee to reach The Syrian Constitutional Committee to stabilize Syria. autonomous Europe , or a fragmented Europe . OpEdNews, Global Research and Foreign an agreement given the deep differences and was established with the aim of paving the The real aim of America and Israel is to In another part of the interview, Macron discussed Policy Journal. He has written Visas for Al lack of trust between its members? way for a political settlement in Syria. If a break Syria into pieces, just as they’ve tried ways to build “European sovereignty” and also referred to Qaeda: CIA Handouts That Rocked The World A: With 150 delegates meeting in Geneva new constitution is approved by the commit- to do in Iraq since 2001. They would like to the “brain death of NATO”. He said, “... things are changing; and a second book Goodbye, Europe? Hello, about a new constitution for Syria, I do not tee, how practical will this be? How can the split the Kurds in the northeast from the rest we need to keep explaining this. There is a deep current of Chaos? Merkel’s Migrant Bomb. Both are believe it is possible for them to come to any opposing parties guarantee to implement of the country. The Turks have no interest thought that was structured in the period between 1990 and available on Amazon. The books’ website kind of agreement. The first problem is the the new constitution? in a unified Syria and less in a Syria with a 2000 around the idea of the ‘end of history’, of a limitless is: www.michaelspringmann.com sheer number of members at the conference. A: Any constitution approved by such population of Kurds, an ethnic group they’ve expansion of democracy, of the triumph of the West as a The following is the full text of the in- Getting so many people to agree on anything an unwieldy committee would most likely persecuted for the past 100 years. However, universal value system. That was the accepted truth at the terview: would be a trial. The second problem is the prove unworkable. After all, one definition they do seek to kill as many as they can and time, until the 2000s, when a series of shocks demonstrat- A 45-member committee equally di- representatives’ makeup: 50 representatives of a camel is an animal put together by a intimidate the rest to such an extent that the ed that it wasn’t actually so true. So I think the first thing vided between the Syrian government, the from the Syrian government; 50 from the committee. Kurds will never oppose Turkey. Additionally, to do is to regain military sovereignty. I pushed European opposition, and civil society held talks in supposed “opposition”, in reality, terrorist Compare and contrast the proposed Syrian Turkey covets Syrian land. Syria once was a defense issues to the forefront as soon as I took office, at the Geneva on Monday about the amendment groups primarily sponsored by the United constitutional structure with the American province (vilayet) of the Ottoman Empire. European level, at the Franco-German level.” Can you please of Syria’s Constitution. Media sources close States; plus 50 from “civil society”, whatever one. In the Syrian Arab Republic, there are Recep Erdogan, Turkey’s president, and explain what Macron means by “European sovereignty” and to Damascus said that 35 members of the that is. 150 individuals tasked with creating a new apparent sultan wannabe, seems to crave the “brain death of NATO”? 7 Constitutional Committee traveled to Ge- The principal issue is not the constitution, constitution (without specifying exactly the its lost territory. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y NOVEMBER 14, 2019 ANALYSIS & INTERVIEW 7 The reflection of Macron’s speech continues U.S., allies don’t want peaceful resolution of Syria crisis: Ex-American diplomat NATO brain death TEHRAN (Tasnim) — An American author and former By Saeed Sobhani diplomat cast doubt over the success of ongoing talks between the Syrian government and foreign-backed opposition in TEHRAN — Reflections by the French president on Geneva and said the US and some of its allies do not want NATO’s death continue. Many European and American a peaceful resolution of the conflict in the Arab country. analysts believe that the death or decline of the extreme “The principal issue is not the constitution, but the eight power of the North Atlantic Treaty is a fact: a fact that years of war and destruction brought on by foreign inter- European officials such as German Chancellor Angela vention, principally by the Americans, British, French, Merkel cannot deny. US President Donald Trump’s Israelis, and Turks,” Michael Springmann, the former head presence at the forefront of US political and executive of the American visa bureau in Saudi Arabia, said in an equations has not only bolstered NATO and its pillars, interview with Tasnim. but also strengthened its move toward collapse. “Those countries do not want a peaceful resolution of The story does not end there! In the run-up to the the conflict and would much prefer to see the current war 2016 presidential election, Trump failed to hide his continue,” he added. opposition to NATO. This opposition is still strong. J. Michael Springmann served in the US government as However, people like NATO’s Secretary General or a diplomat with the State Department’s Foreign Service, the German Chancellor are trying to hide the facts with postings in Germany, India, and Saudi Arabia. He left inside NATO. However, today NATO has become more federal service and currently practices law in the Washing- ill-mannered than ever before. ton, DC, area. Springmann’s works and interviews have As ABC News reported, French President Emmanuel been published in numerous foreign policy publications, Macron says he will meet with U.S. President Donald including Covert Action Quarterly, Unclassified, Global Trump ahead of the Dec. 3-4 NATO summit in London. Outlook, the Public Record, OpEdNews, Global Research Macron tweeted that he had an “excellent discussion” and Foreign Policy Journal. He has written Visas for Al with Trump on Monday evening about Syria, Iran Qaeda: CIA Handouts That Rocked The World and a second and the NATO military alliance. They evoked “lots book Goodbye, Europe? Hello, Chaos? Merkel’s Migrant of convergences,” he said, without elaborating.The Bomb. Both are available on Amazon. The books’ website phone call comes after Macron claimed last week that is: www.michaelspringmann.com a lack of U.S. leadership is causing the “brain death” The following is the full text of the interview: of NATO and said the European Union must step up East, “France has been only moderately involved in Macron said he was willing to look at how France’s A 45-member committee equally divided between and start acting as a strategic world power.Trump’s deterrence measures on the eastern flank,” she told nuclear weapons could be used to protect the rest of the Syrian government, the opposition, and civil society preoccupation with defense spending has been a con- DW. “Its proposals on European defense do not in- Europe – that Europe could rely France’s deterrence. held talks in Geneva on Monday about the amendment stant theme since he came to office in 2016 and is clude any measures to strengthen European collective But, of course, he didn’t. France has its own notion of Syria’s Constitution. Media sources close to Damascus expected to feature at the Dec. 3-4 summit in London. defense and are concentrated on crisis management about when and where their nuclear weapons will said that 35 members of the Constitutional Committee Why has French President Macron taken the lead in the south.” be used.“How can you criticise Nato without putting traveled to Geneva last Sunday while UN special envoy for in NATO-bashing? Gotkowska is particularly concerned about Macron’s alternatives into play?” Syria Geir Pedersen kept 45 others in the Swiss city to be As DW reported,Emmanuel Macron’s allegation remark that Europe needs to “reconsider our position Macron, said Pothier, was in “disruptive mode” part of the mini-committee that would discuss the consti- the alliance is brain-dead has raised more questions with Russia,” which she sees as overly conciliatory. as he continued to engineer himself as the centre of tutional reform in the country, after eight and a half years about the French leader’s own state of mind than “If France is worried about European security, European defence and foreign policy making. of conflict. The committee will conduct its work and adopt about NATO. DW’s Teri Schultz looks at the aftermath it is doing much to weaken it by wishing to drive But claims that Europe was able to defend itself its decisions by consensus wherever possible, or resort to of the Macron blast.Mike Pompeo was the model of [the] US out of Europe, now by openly questioning itself without US or British support were “very short a majority of 75 percent of votes. Observers fear that the self-restraint. In Germany for commemorations on the value of NATO while forgetting about the un- of the mark”. required number of votes could prevent the committee from the fall of the Berlin Wall, the American secretary derperforming European militaries, and by gravely Germany this week announced it will be spending approving any decisions in its upcoming meetings. What of state was asked whether he believes NATO is misjudging Russian policies and intentions,” she only 1.5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2024, despite do you think about the developments? How possible is it experiencing “brain death” due to a lack of US com- warned. “The divisions Macron is strengthening signing a pledge at the 2014 summit to reach the 2 per for the Constitutional Committee to reach an agreement mitment, as French President Emmanuel Macron by his rhetoric in Europe and towards the US are cent Nato benchmark “within ten years”. given the deep differences and lack of trust between its said Thursday in an explosive interview with The playing into Russia’s hands.” This will require an extra £30-40bn investment members? Economist.Pompeo milked the moment for comedy, Niklas Novaky of the Martens Centre, a center- – the size of France’s entire defence budget.If every A: With 150 delegates meeting in Geneva about a new waiting a couple of beats. “So many good answers,” right European think tank, adds that Macron’s toll- European Nato member met its obligation, it would constitution for Syria, I do not believe it is possible for he chuckled. Then, “so many cameras,” he added, ing of the bells for NATO strikes a negative chord pump another £100bn into European defence spending. them to come to any kind of agreement. The first prob- sparking laughter and scattered applause in the audi- in central and eastern European countries. They But this is still not happening.“Without the US and lem is the sheer number of members at the conference. ence.Donald Trump’s top diplomat spoke in a manner “feel very justifiably that NATO is the cornerstone Britain, European defence can just about deal with Getting so many people to agree on anything would be a more statesmanlike than in some of his previous for their security and they can’t rely credibly on small conflicts. It will take at least 15 years, according trial. The second problem is the representatives’ makeup: appearances in Europe, without either addressing anything autonomously European that Paris might to some projections, before it can do any heavy lifting - 50 representatives from the Syrian government; 50 from the Macron remarks specifically or repeating the propose,” he told DW. and, even then, it will be a paper tiger without nuclear the supposed “opposition”, in reality, terrorist groups pri- “brain death” reference.”Seventy years on, [NATO] Novaky says it’s also worrying for some non-NATO deterrence.“You can’t call on Europeans to have a marily sponsored by the United States; plus 50 from “civil needs to grow and change. It needs to confront the EU countries like Finland that see NATO as a bedrock collective and claim to lead it without being willing society”, whatever that is. realities of today and the challenges of today,” he of stability in the Baltic Sea region. But rather than to share your assets. But this is what he is doing.“He The principal issue is not the constitution, but the eight said. “I don’t think those [political] commitments adding to antipathy about the US, Novaky says, the is undermining Nato without presenting a Plan B.” years of war and destruction brought on by foreign inter- between our countries will ever become obsolete.” remarks only reflect negatively on Macron and “raise Pothier said overtures between Macron and Russian vention, principally by the Americans, British, French, However, Pompeo added: “If it doesn’t do the things questions very legitimately among many NATO coun- premier Vladimir Putin were aimed at “defusing” the Israelis, and Turks. Those countries do not want a peaceful it needs to do to confront the challenges of today in tries about France’s commitment to NATO.” Russian threat, thereby making the idea of even an resolution of the conflict and would much prefer to see the a way that’s effective, if nations believe that they can Novaky expressed great puzzlement about the French European defence force more palatable.“This is an current war continue. get the security benefit without providing NATO with president’s aims and even suggested that Macron’s old trick. But Putin hasn’t changed Russia’s posture The UN is proving useless. Its “special envoy Geir Pedersen the resources that it needs, if they don’t live up to their statement may have been an unintentional mistake. or its behaviour at all to address the problems we called for patience, persistence, and readiness to compro- commitments, there’s a risk that NATO could become “It only complicates his own defense political agenda have with him. mise.” After eight years of combat, stoked by foreign forces, ineffective or obsolete.” in the context of the European Union and outside the “It’s a bit premature to say we don’t need nukes the citizens of Syria would be happy to compromise--pro- Jonathan Eyal, associate director of the Lon- European Union,” Navoky said. because Russia isn’t a threat.” vided the people they were dealing with wanted peace. don-based think tank RUSI, says Macron has given It complicates other agendas too, says Eyal, includ- As Germany commemorated the 30th anniversary The Syrian Constitutional Committee was established a gift to NATO nay-sayers by declaring the alliance ing the upcoming meeting of the alliance’s heads of of the fall of the Berlin Wall, no mention was made with the aim of paving the way for a political settlement in shows no vital signs. The Kremlin was among the state and government in London in December. “Up of the roles played by successive US presidents such Syria. If a new constitution is approved by the committee, enthusiastic observer’s of the French president’s to now the British hosts used to worry about how as John F Kennedy or Ronald Reagan or even Prime how practical will this be? How can the opposing parties view. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Ma- the American president [would] behave during this Minister Margaret Thatcher in the pressure they ap- guarantee to implement the new constitution? ria Zakharova described Macron’s assessment as meeting in London,” he noted. “Now we also have to plied to the Soviet machine.Instead, German President A: Any constitution approved by such an unwieldy “golden words” that represent a “precise definition worry how a European leader will behave.” Frank-Walter Steinmeier praised “the will to freedom committee would most likely prove unworkable. After of the current state of NATO.” Emmanuel Macron’s Nato swipe makes London of the Poles and Hungarians, the Czechs and Slovaks” all, one definition of a camel is an animal put together by Eyal wonders how long it will take Donald Trump summit ‘make or break’ moment for alliance And it was left for Nato to commemorate the role a committee. to trumpet Macron’s comments as evidence that As Express reported,EMMANUEL Marcon’s “un- it played in protecting Europe from the USSR during Compare and contrast the proposed Syrian constitu- he’s been right all along about the inadequacy of dermining comments” on Nato have made London’s the Cold War, during a ceremony on Friday.“It’s right tional structure with the American one. In the Syrian Arab European collective defense. summit the alliance’s biggest “make or break” moment that the falling of the Berlin Wall was precipitated by Republic, there are 150 individuals tasked with creating So, according to this logic, Trump has pro- since it was formed 70 years ago, a former official the peoples of Eastern Europe, but the ground had a new constitution (without specifying exactly the issue vided the entire world with plenty of “nec- said last night. been laid in the West,” said Pothier. with the old one). In 1787, the original 13 United States essary wake-up calls”? Macron shares with It follows an interview in which the French Pres- “Europe has always had a blind spot when it comes appointed men to draft a basic law for the new country. Trump the same kind of behaviour: be rude, ident cast doubt over whether the US would honour to Nato’s role. I remember when the EU was awarded Seventy were chosen, 55 actually attended the convention exaggerate, throw grenades into the public its Article 5 commitment – the mutual defence clause the Nobel peace prize in 2012 and many were asking - and did the work. debate. https://twitter.com/noahbarkin/sta- that underpins Nato – as he made the case for a Euro- doesn’t Nato deserve any recognition for that peace?” Whatever comes out of Geneva where the Syrian con- tus/1192802131826348032 … pean defence force. While Angela Merkel dismissed It leaves heads of state looking more divided than stitutional delegates are sitting will most likely prove un- Eyal notes it’s perfectly acceptable and necessary his claims as “drastic”, Germany then announced it ever as they gather next month for the London workable. If the idea is to create a political settlement, to critique the alliance, but emphasizes there are more would delay a pledge it made to spend 2pc of GDP by Last week the House of Lords International Relations having delegates from so many disparate groups is almost productive ways to do it.”What the French president seven years to 2031. This is likely to anger US President and Defence Committee urged summit organisers to a promise of failure. There will be no guarantees of imple- has done is called into question the fundamentals of Donald Trump, who has been calling for European officially place Turkey on the agenda, with a source mentation since many of the representatives are trying to the post-war order without actually offering anything Nato members to “pay their dues”. saying: “While Turkey is a valued ally, its actions are destroy the country, which has been held together by its substantial even in in return,” he said. “He’s made In the meantime, the alliance of 29 members – not without consequence.” president and a common consensus of “live and let live”- even the most pro-European politicians on the con- which include Turkey - is still bitterly divided over Pothier added:”The hope was that all attention -at least until the alien invasion. tinent squirm because they’ve all argued it is possible the military operation by President Erdogan to invade would be on Nato’s discussion of the China threat Given Turkey’s military operation against Kurds in to develop a European security framework in paral- Northern Syria and depose Kurdish forces which had for the first time. But the agenda has been thrown northern Syria and the presence of Ankara-backed extremist lel with the United States and in conjunction with helped beat Islamic State jihadis. out the window. groups in the area, what do you think about the negative the Americans. Well, now Macron is paradoxically “For France, a nuclear power and a member of “Already there was the a Turkey issue. Now Macron impacts of foreign intervention on the political settlement adopting the Trump position that one talks first and Nato, to suggest Article 5 might not be the guarantee will be in the spotlight. of the Syrian crisis? thinks only later.” its supposed to be is does a lot of damage to Nato. “There hasn’t been a time where Nato makers A: Foreign intervention in Syria, specifically that of Justyna Gotkowska, an expert on defense in north- Once Nato’s credibility is undermined, forget about were more divided than during the first Gulf War. the United States, Israel, Britain, France, and Turkey, ern Europe with the Centre for Eastern Studies in how many tanks or aircraft you have - it’s game over,” Even then, unlike now, it wasn’t about Nato itself but is designed to ensure that there will be no political set- Warsaw, has even sharper criticism for what she sees said Fabrice Pothier, who served as Nato’s director disagreeing on Iraq.“Now Nato itself is in the eye of tlement of the Syrian crisis. The invaders created the as Macron’s low-substance broadside. While noting of policy and planning under two secretary generals the hurricane. This will be the Nato summit with the present situation. In contrast, Russia and Iran were that the US, for all its bluster, has actually increased until 2014. biggest political questions – historically, its biggest invited into the country by its legitimate government. its military contributions to Europe, especially in the “It would have been much more constructive if make or break moment.” Unlike the New Crusaders, those two states have long sought to stabilize Syria. The real aim of America and Israel is to break Syria into pieces, just as they’ve tried to do in Iraq since 2001. Trump avowed enemy of EU: Italian analyst They would like to split the Kurds in the northeast from 6 A: NATO is ‘brain-dead’ accord�- under another president. Irrespective of power), coordinate more diplomatically June, Macron denounced “capitalism the rest of the country. The Turks have no interest in ing to Macron because it hasn’t been the this, Macron has a point in warning the (diplomatic power), and eventually develop gone mad”, while urging enhanced social a unified Syria and less in a Syria with a population of place where the transatlantic partners col- Europeans that they need to become more military capabilities (military power). It’s a protections in a global economy plagued Kurds, an ethnic group they’ve persecuted for the past lectively discuss their common interests, capable of exerting power and playing the process that will take time, particularly on by inequality. What do you think about 100 years. However, they do seek to kill as many as they shared objectives and joint strategies (so geopolitical game if they want to avoid the military front, but is indeed warranted this? can and intimidate the rest to such an extent that the there’s no ‘thinking’, no brain, capacity in being squeezed between the US and China if Europe wants to maintain an ability to A: I think market forces need better Kurds will never oppose Turkey. Additionally, Turkey NATO). But Macron’s point is that with (and Russia). carve out an autonomous room for foreign antitrust, environmental and data pro- covets Syrian land. Syria once was a province (vilayet) a US president who considered NATO In order to do that, Europe has to use policy action. tection regulations, and more protection of the Ottoman Empire. Recep Erdogan, Turkey’s pres- outdated such as Trump, the Alliance is its trade and market size also as geopolit- In an address to the UN’s Inter�- of workers’ rights. In this regard, I see ident, and apparent sultan wannabe, seems to crave its in a coma but can wake up in the future ical instruments (it has to be a regulatory national Labour Organization back in where Macron’s comments come from. lost territory. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 8 ADVERTISEMENTS NOVEMBER 14, 2019
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NASA gets inexplicable new data showing Scientists further refine unexpected oxygen fluctuations on Mars how quickly the universe NASA has spotted unexpected and were also considered, but rejected. is expanding inexplicable changes in the oxygen on Mars. “We’re struggling to explain this,” said Wielding state-of-the-art technologies and techniques, a team of The discovery comes after the space Melissa Trainer, a planetary scientist at Clemson University astrophysicists has added a novel approach agency used the Curiosity rover to measure NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in to quantifying one of the most fundamental laws of the universe. the seasonal changes in the gas that fills Greenbelt, Maryland who led the research. In a paper published Friday, Nov. 8, in The Astrophysical the air above the Gale Crater on Mars, for “The fact that the oxygen behavior isn’t Journal, Clemson scientists Marco Ajello, Abhishek Desai, Lea the first time ever. perfectly repeatable every season makes Marcotulli and Dieter Hartmann have collaborated with six other But the data sent back from the planet us think that it’s not an issue that has to scientists around the world to devise a new measurement of the has left the scientists who received it do with atmospheric dynamics. It has to Hubble Constant, the unit of measure used to describe the rate stumped. They say there is no known be some chemical source and sink that we of expansion of the universe. explanation for the unusual fluctuations can’t yet account for.” in the oxygen on the planet. The similarities between the mystery “The first time we saw that, it was just mind of Martian methane and Martian oxygen boggling,” said Sushil Atreya, professor of could be more than a coincidence, scientists climate and space sciences at the University speculate. It might be possible that they both of Michigan in Ann Arbor. have the same as yet unidentified cause. It comes as researchers continue to grapple “We’re beginning to see this tantalizing with the mystery of methane on the red planet. correlation between methane and oxygen As has now been revealed of oxygen too, for a good part of the Mars year,” Atreya the amount of the gas soars and plunges in said. “I think there’s something to it. I just a way that appears random and for which don’t have the answers yet. Nobody does.” scientists have no cause. Scientists now hope to keep measuring During the study, which used an the atmosphere to try and solve the mystery instrument to analyze the air on Mars over of the oxygen. the course of three Martian years or just under “This is the first time where we’re seeing six Earth years, scientist found that gases this interesting behavior over multiple years. They thought that oxygen would see the Researchers were so shocked by the “Cosmology is about understanding the evolution of our like nitrogen and argon behave predictably We don’t totally understand it,” Trainer said. same changes. But they were shocked to find findings that their first course of action was universe -- how it evolved in the past, what it is doing now through the year. The proportion of the “For me, this is an open call to all the that it in fact rose through the spring and to check the accuracy of the instrument used and what will happen in the future,” said Ajello, an associate gas rises and falls relative to the amount smart people out there who are interested summer, with a varying amount of oxygen to find the data, but found it was working professor in the College of Science’s department of physics and of carbon dioxide, which makes up 95 per in this: See what you can come up with.” in the atmosphere, which suggests that it is fine. Other possible explanations based on astronomy. “Our knowledge rests on a number of parameters cent of Martian air. (Source: The Independent) being produced and then removed from the air. what we know about the Martian atmosphere -- including the Hubble Constant -- that we strive to measure as precisely as possible. In this paper, our team analyzed data obtained from both orbiting and ground-based telescopes to Mercury passes the Sun for the last time until 2032 come up with one of the newest measurements yet of how quickly For the last time in this decade, Mercury has passed in front training their gear at the Sun in South America and eastern the universe is expanding.” of the Sun in what’s known as a transit - a rare chance to see North America - the two places where the roughly 5.5-hour The concept of an expanding universe was advanced by a planet cross the face of our home star. transit could be seen in its entirety. the American astronomer Edwin Hubble (1889-1953), who is From where Earth sits in the Solar System, the only transits Thankfully, for those of us who missed out due to the namesake for the Hubble Space Telescope. In the early we get to see are of Mercury and Venus, since those are unfavorable weather or simply being in the wrong location, 20th century, Hubble became one of the first astronomers to inferior planets in respect to our own space rock. there’s plenty of fantastic footage and photos to marvel at deduce that the universe was composed of multiple galaxies. With roughly 13 transits of Mercury happening in an entire now that the event has passed. His subsequent research led to his most renowned discovery: century, it’s a rare treat indeed. Four of these events have Of course, NASA was best equipped for the job of capturing that galaxies were moving away from each other at a speed in occurred in this decade; now, we won’t be getting another Mercury’s passage, with telescopes trained at the Sun not proportion to their distance. one until 2032. just on the ground, but in space, too. Hubble originally estimated the expansion rate to be 500 So it’s no wonder we had a bunch of excited stargazers (Source: sciencealert.com) kilometers per second per megaparsec, with a megaparsec being equivalent to about 3.26 million light years. Hubble concluded that a galaxy two megaparsecs away from our galaxy was receding The Milky Way’s black hole kicked a AI project to preserve people’s voices twice as fast as a galaxy only one megaparsec away. This estimate became known as the Hubble Constant, which proved for the first star out of our galaxy in effort to tackle speech loss time that the universe was expanding. Astronomers have been recalibrating it -- with mixed results -- ever since. With the help of skyrocketing technologies, astronomers came up with measurements that differed significantly from Hubble’s original calculations -- slowing the expansion rate down to between 50 and 100 kilometers per second per megaparsec. And in the past decade, ultra-sophisticated instruments, such as the Planck satellite, have increased the precision of Hubble’s original measurements in relatively dramatic fashion. In a paper titled “A New Measurement of the Hubble Constant and Matter Content of the Universe using Extragalactic Background Light-Gamma Ray Attenuation,” the collaborative team compared the latest gamma-ray attenuation data from the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope and Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes to devise their estimates from extragalactic background light models. This novel strategy led to a measurement of approximately 67.5 kilometers per second per megaparsec. Gamma rays are the most energetic form of light. Extragalactic background light (EBL) is a cosmic fog composed of all the ultraviolet, visible and infrared light emitted by stars or from dust in their vicinity. When gamma rays and Astronomers have spotted a star speeding flung out of a galaxy by the supermassive A pioneering center aimed at preserving is to “bank” the voice, with participants EBL interact, they leave an observable imprint -- a gradual through our galaxy at more than 3,728,227 black hole at its center.” and re-creating people’s voices using offered poems, short stories or speeches loss of flow -- that the scientists were able to analyze in mph. And in 100 million years, it will leave The astronomers plan to keep artificial intelligence has opened in from a range of topics, which they record formulating their hypothesis. the Milky Way for good. tracking the star and gain a more precise the US, with researchers hoping it will in a special booth. “The astronomical community is investing a very large But where did it come from and why is it measurement of its velocity and position, change the lives of people who face losing “What we have them do is record about amount of money and resources in doing precision cosmology in such a hurry to leave? Astronomers using thanks to the European Space Agency’s their ability to speak. two to three hours of speech. From those with all the different parameters, including the Hubble the 3.9-meter Anglo-Australian Telescope at Gaia satellite, according to Dougal Mackey, Researchers say the venture – a recordings, we then are able to build an Constant,” said Dieter Hartmann, a professor in physics the Australian National University’s Siding study author and ARC Future Fellow at the joint effort between Northeastern AI-generated voice engine, essentially, that and astronomy. “Our understanding of these fundamental Spring Observatory discovered the star Australian National University’s Research University in Boston and the company sounds like them,” said Patel. Effectively, constants has defined the universe as we now know it. When and conducted follow-up measurements School of Astronomy and Astrophysics. VocaliD – could play an important role it can say words, in the user’s voice, that our understanding of laws becomes more precise, our definition to track its path. Mackey said there are a number of in maintaining a sense of identity among were never recorded. of the universe also becomes more precise, which leads to The findings about the star published known “hyper velocity stars” like this those with conditions ranging from When the digital voice is installed new insights and discoveries.” Tuesday in the Monthly Notices of the Royal one, but special features set the newly throat cancer to motor neuron disease, on the accompanying app, whether on A common analogy of the expansion of the universe is a balloon Astronomical Society. observed star apart. by offering them the chance to sound a phone or special device, a user can type dotted with spots, with each spot representing a galaxy. When the “We traced this star’s journey back to “The two really special features of this like themselves even after self-generated what they want to say and the audio will balloon is blown up, the spots spread farther and farther apart. the center of our galaxy, which is pretty star, though, are that its speed is much speech has become impossible. produce the sentences in the user’s voice. “Some theorize that the balloon will expand to a particular exciting,” said Gary Da Costa, study author higher than other similar stars that were Thought to be the first of its kind, the “With the cancer population, they point in time and then re-collapse,” said Desai, a graduate research and professor at the ANU Research School previously discovered (which all had velocity center’s lead researcher is Prof Rupal have control of their hands, and they assistant in the department of physics and astronomy. “But the of Astronomy and Astrophysics. This star below 1000 km/s) and it’s the only one Patel, the founder and chief executive can communicate – but they want to most common belief is that the universe will continue to expand is traveling at record-breaking speed -- 10 where we can be almost certain that it has of VocaliD. communicate as themselves,” Patel said. until everything is so far apart there will be no more observable times faster than most stars in the Milky come directly from the center of the Milky While Patel said the company already The legacy project, she added, is light. At this point, the universe will suffer a cold death. But this Way, including our Sun. Way,” he said. “Together those facts provide offered individuals the option to record different to the company’s other service, is nothing for us to worry about. If this happens, it will be trillions The astronomers were looking for the evidence for something called the ‹Hills their voices in their own homes, in reality, in which people can donate recordings of years from now.” remains of small galaxies that orbit the mechanism’ which is a theorized way for many people either lack equipment of themselves speaking to help build a But if the balloon analogy is accurate, what is it, exactly, that Milky Way. The telescope they were using the supermassive black hole in the center for high-quality recordings or make “bespoke” voice for those who are already is blowing up the balloon? can measure about 400 targets at a time. of the Milky Way to eject stars with very recordings with background noise. Patel unable to speak. (Source: Science Daily) Instead, they found a star on the outskirts high velocity.” said there was also a need to offer greater The technology, said Patel, is improving of the galaxy that had been kicked there by The astronomers don’t know how support to those who require such services rapidly – voices are sounding more and the supermassive black hole at the center. common these so-called “evictions” are, and make sure patients were aware they more like human speech and, while there The black hole is known as Sagittarius A* but they have a theory that one might occur were available in plenty of time. is still some way to go on changing the Leonid shooting stars return or Sgr A*. The black hole is 4.2 million every few hundred thousand years, he said. “Oftentimes, they’ll come to us at intonation of the voice, the team has for their annual visit times more massive than our sun. Determining the orbits of these kinds the last minute,” she said. “They don’t started developing filters to offer users If the black hole interacted with a binary of stars can also help astronomers to have enough time to bank their voice and more choice when it comes to how phrases star system that got to close, the results understand and measure other parts of the they are also just so enveloped in their are expressed. One of the year’s most dependable meteor showers is set to take can be tragic for the star system. galaxy. And understanding the composition disease and then the surgery – that is Patel said the team could also age place at the end of the week. The Leonids will peak in the hours “If such a binary system approaches a and properties of a star born in the middle of very stressful.” an individual’s voice so it grows with between midnight and dawn on 18 November. They are so-called black hole too closely, the black hole can the galaxy would shed light on stars that are As a result, the company has teamed them, but only up to a point. It is not because they herald from a point in the constellation Leo – the capture one of the stars into a close orbit otherwise hard for astronomers to observe. up with Northeastern – where Patel yet possible to turn a child’s voice into lion. Known as the radiant, this point is located just below Leo’s and kick out the other at very high speed,” “For this particular star, we hope to is currently on leave as a faculty that of a teenager or an adult, although head, a grouping of stars sometimes referred to as the sickle. said Thomas Nordlander, study co-author obtain better spectroscopic measurements member – to bring the technology to the team can turn it into the voice of an Somewhere between 10 and 15 bright meteors an hour can be and professor at ANU. that might let us determine its composition,” the community. The upshot is the Voice older child. expected in a typical year. The star is 29,000 light-years away from Mackey said. “That’s interesting because Preservation Clinic, a center where While the recording service is free, it However, light from a waning gibbous moon situated close Earth and it was kicked away by the black we think it was born right in the Galactic people, typically those at risk of losing will cost $1,499 (£1,360) to have a voice to the radiant this year could mask a few of the fainter shooting hole about five million years ago. Center, which is a region that’s very difficult their voices, can record themselves as built. However, the clinic said it would stars from view. The meteors themselves are little more than “In astronomical terms, the star will for us to observe in detail. So with this part of a “legacy” project. not charge customers during its first year. specks of dust that have been ejected by comet 55P/Tempel- be leaving our galaxy fairly soon and it star we might learn about the conditions The approach is far more sophisticated Patel said anyone can come and bank Tuttle. For those who want to practise their meteor watching, will likely travel through the emptiness of of star formation in that region and the than chopping up words and then stringing their voice, but priority will be given to a less active shower, called the Taurids, will peak in the early intergalactic space for an eternity,” said composition of the gas from which stars them together, instead making use of those who are expecting to lose their hours of 12 November. As the name suggests, they will radiate Da Costa. “It’s great to be able to confirm are being formed.” machine-learning algorithms – a type ability to speak. from the constellation of Taurus – the bull. a 30-year-old prediction that stars can be (Source: msn) of artificial intelligence. The first step (Source: The Guardian) (Source: The Guardian) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 10 HERITAGE & TOURISM NOVEMBER 14, 2019
New postal stamp marks Bust of Ferdowsi now graces UNESCO’s designation of Hyrcanian Forest HERITAGE TEHRAN — Iran has issued a new com- university in Russia deskmemorative postal stamp to mark UNESCO’s HERITAGE TEHRAN — A bust of Ferdowsi, one of designation of Hyrcanian Forest, which form a green arc of deskthe most celebrated Persian poets, has jungle, separated from the Caucasus to the west and from recently been installed at the North Ossetian State University, semi-desert areas to the east. which is one of the largest public institutions in the south The stamp bears an atmospheric landscape of Shahroud of Russia, IRNA reported. Abr (Cloud) Forest, which makes up a portion of the UNES- Ferdowsi is the pseudonym of Abu al-Qasem Mansur, CO-tagged property, IRIB reported on Tuesday. (935-1020), who composed Shahnameh (“Book of Kings”), the Persian national epic, to which he gave a final and endur- ing form, although he based his poem mainly on an earlier prose version. Shahnameh is widely called as the national epic of Greater Iran. Tehran’s ambassador to Moscow, Mehdi Sanaei, a number of Russian officials and a gathering of students attended an unveiling ceremony that was held on Monday at the uni- versity located in Vladikavkaz, the capital of the Republic of North Ossetia–Alania. Addressing the ceremony, Sanaei highlighted the histor- ical, ethnic and linguistic commonalities between Iran and the Republic of North Ossetia–Alania, adding such cultural cooperation is of high significance for Tehran. It is worth mentioning that Ossetian is an Eastern Iranian language spoken in Ossetia, a region on the northern slopes of the Caucasus Mountains. Experts say that is a relative and possibly a descendant of the extinct Scythian, Sarmatian, The inclusion was unanimously approved by experts and Alanic languages. at the 43rd session of the UNESCO World Heritage Com- Earlier in May, busts of four Persian poets, including mittee in July. Hafez and Sa’di, were unveiled on the premises of the Ira- Hyrcanian Forest (also known as Caspian Forest), extends nian embassy in Moscow in the presence of visiting Foreign from the south of Azerbaijan to about 900 km to the east Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. The busts were planned to to the Iranian northern provinces of Gilan, Mazandaran Tehran’s ambassador to Moscow, Mehdi Sanaei (4th R) and a number of Russian officials pose for a photo after they be installed in Vladikavkaz, Makhachkala, Nizhny Novgorod and Golestan. It embraces an important and significant unveiled a bust of Ferdowsi, one of the most celebrated Persian poets, in Vladikavkaz, the capital of the Republic of and St. Petersburg. natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological di- North Ossetia–Alania, in Russia The Iranian embassy installed the statue of Persian poet versity, including those containing threatened species of and mathematician Khayyam (born 1048) in Astrakhan in poets. Down through the centuries they have continued to collection is somehow intelligible to the average modern outstanding universal value from the point of view of science southern Russia some two years ago. read and to listen to recitations from his masterwork, the Iranians, to them it is the history of their country’s glorious or conservation. Many Iranians regard Ferdowsi as the greatest of their Shahnameh. Though written some a millennia ago, the poem past, preserved for all time in sonorous and majestic verse. The forest is also an outstanding example representing significant ongoing ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, ecosystems and communities of plants. Nushabad Underground City A 1,500-year-old, 3-story subterranean feet) deep. The labyrinthine network bers were amalgamated, and air ducts, city where ancient Persians took refuge was comprised of three stories of tun- water pipes, storage spaces, and toilets in times of war. nels, chambers, air ducts, staircases, were all built—creating a sustainable United Airlines unveils Just north of Kashan, in the small canals, and booby traps. It’s considered underground city that was used as a first wide-body with its town of Nushabad, Iran (also spelled a marvel of ancient architecture and refuge during times of war. Each fam- Noosh Abad), lies a sprawling under- engineering. ily had their own room of sorts, with new blue swoop ground city. Despite its impressive Construction of this man-made sub- a tunnel running down the length of scale, the ancient buried shelter was terranean city, called Ouee (or Ouyi), these rooms, similar to a hotel hallway. completely unknown until a decade ago, dates back to the Sasanian (or Neo-Per- Know before you go United Airlines has painted its first wide-body jet, a Boeing when an oblivious resident stumbled sian) Empire that ruled from 224 to Parts of the underground city are open 767-300ER, in the updated livery it unveiled in April. upon a tunnel while digging a sewage 651. Inhabitants would dig underground to tourists year round. From Kashan, The 767, registration N676UA, is the latest aircraft to ditch in his home. chambers as hideout spots for women, you will need to take a cab and simply wear the new look that already adorns a number of nar- What was discovered was an exten- children, and the elderly in the event of ask the driver to take you to the under- row-body aircraft in the Chicago-based carrier’s fleet. That sive, 1,500-year-old underground city, an attack by foreign invaders. ground city. includes Airbus A319s, Boeing 737s, Bombardier CRJ550s set between 3 to 18 meters (10 to 60 Over the years, the individual cham- (Source: Atlas Obscura) and Embraer E175s. United plans to repaint the entire fleet in about seven years, or by 2026. United’s updated globe livery utilizes shades of blue and gray, while dropping the gold that it inherited from Con- Gorgan festival showing deliciousness of nomadic arts, crafts, dishes and rituals tinental Airlines when the carriers merged in 2010. The look also embraces the swoop below the windows that first 1 It has also invited foreign guests from China, Greece, adorned the Boeing 787 in 2012. Iraq, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, “It is the biggest canvas that we have to symbolize Afghanistan, Pakistan, Belarus, the Philippines, Senegal, and summarize who we are about connecting people Bolivia and Mauritania, secretary of the festival has said. and uniting the world,” United CEO Oscar Munoz said The event is also a venue for staging wide-range live in April. performances, workshops, handicrafts, souvenir exhibits, Wide-body Boeing 777s and 787s painted in United’s new culinary skills, and photos of tourist-attractions. livery are expected to join the 767 in the coming months. The one-millennium-old, UNESCO-registered Gonbad-e Photos of the 777-300ER and 787-10 with the new look visible Qabus is one of the most significant tourist destinations on their tails have circulated on social media. in Golestan province, neighboring the Caspian Sea. (Source: hepointsguy.com) Iranian Turkmen are an ethnic community living in Turkmen Sahra region which includes northern and northeastern parts of the country, mainly Golestan, North ROUND THE GLOBE Khorasan, and Khorasan Razavi provinces. Nearly two million Turkmen are reportedly living along Archaeological site of the northern edges of Iran, just south of the Turkmenistan border. For centuries the Turkmen lived as nomadic herds- Olympia men. In more recent years, however, many have changed to a “semi-nomadic lifestyle,” living in permanent homes The UNESCO World Heritage site of Olympia, in a valley as well as in tents. Today most of them are farmers and in the Peloponnesus, Greece, has been inhabited since cattle breeders. Turkmen still live in extended families prehistoric times. where various generations can be found under the same In the 10th century BC, Olympia became a center roof, especially in rural areas. Many tribal customs still for the worship of Zeus. The Altis – the sanctuary to survive among modern Turkmen. the gods – has one of the highest concentrations of Golestan province is home to the UNESCO-registered masterpieces from the ancient Greek world. Gonbad-e Qabus, a one-millennium-old brick tower, which is an exemplar and innovative design of the ear- ly-Islamic-era architecture. Narratives say the tower has influenced various subsequent designers of tomb towers and other cylindrical commemorative structures both in the region and beyond. The UNESCO also credits Gonbad-e Qabus as “an outstanding and technologically innovative example of Islamic architecture that influenced sacral building in Iran, Anatolia and Central Asia.” Why people in ancient times didn’t get the plague One of civilization’s most prolific killers ianic Plague. fossil teeth contain Y. pestis DNA, it’s safe was dated to around 950 BC. shadowed humans for thousands of years But recent paleogenetics research to assume that person died from plague. It seems the more contagious form without their knowledge. reveals that plague has been with us for Several studies have found plague vic- of plague has been infecting humans for In addition to temples, there are the remains of all The bacteria Yersinia pestis, which millennia longer: Ancient DNA (aDNA) tims who lived nearly 5,000 years ago nearly 4,000 years. the sports structures erected for the Olympic Games, causes the plague, is thought to be re- from the bacteria was recovered from — more than three millennia before the But there are no indications in the ar- which were held in Olympia every four years beginning sponsible for up to 200 million deaths human skeletons as old as 4,900 years. first known plague epidemic. chaeological record of epidemics in the in 776 BC. across human history — more than twice This means people were contracting and Pathogen aDNA analysis also revealed ancient societies in Russia and Armenia For the Altis, the sacred grove and the center of the the casualties of World War II. dying from plague at least 3,000 years how Y. pestis bacteria have evolved over — despite the fact that some individuals sanctuary, some of the most remarkable works of art and The Y. pestis death toll comes from before there’s any archaeological or his- time. The oldest genomes recovered belong died from the highly contagious plague technique have been created, constituting a milestone three widespread disease outbreaks, torical evidence for an epidemic. to a now-extinct lineage, which was miss- strain. in the history of art. known as epidemics: the sixth century Why didn’t these earlier infections lead ing certain mutations that make plague It’s possible outbreaks occurred but the Great artists, such as Pheidias, have put their person- Justinianic Plague that ravaged the Eastern to devastating outbreaks like the Black so contagious for humans. For example, evidence simply hasn’t been found yet. al stamp of inspiration and creativity, offering unique Roman Empire; the 14th century Black Death? It seems the answer is part biolog- later Y. pestis strains evolved a gene that For example, if future excavations were artistic creations to the world. Death that killed somewhere between ical — genetic mutations to the bacteria allows the bacteria to efficiently infect to uncover a series of mass graves that In this universal place, the Olympic Idea was born, 40% and 60% of the European popula- itself — and part cultural — changes to fleas, the main carriers of the disease differed from the usual burial customs of making Olympia a unique universal symbol of peace tion; and the ongoing Third Pandemic, human lifestyles that encouraged the in recent times. More ancient Y. pestis those cultures, this could suggest societal and competition at the service of virtue. which began in China in the mid-19th spread of the disease. samples lack the gene. disruption consistent with an epidemic. Here, too, prominence was given to the ideals of century and currently afflicts thousands New proof of ancient plague So far, the earliest plague genome re- Or perhaps the bacterial strains, though physical and mental harmony, of noble contest, of how worldwide. To identify cases of ancient plague, covered with these mutations dates to genetically similar to the plagues of Jus- to compete well, of the Sacred Truce; values, which Scientists long assumed that the dead- researchers extract aDNA from a skele- around 1800 BC from the Samara Valley, tinian and the Black Death, lacked some remain unchanged in perpetuity. ly disease began infecting humans just ton’s dental pulp chamber and search for Russia. The mutations were also identified other critical mutation, still unidentified. (Source: UNESCO) before the earliest epidemic, the Justin- genetic code from Y. pestis bacteria. If in a skeleton from Iron Age Armenia that (Source: blogs.discovermagazine. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y NOVEMBER 14, 2019 INTERNATIONAL 11
Trump does not view Europe as Why countries are reluctant to join U.S.-led maritime coalition ally: Finnish ex-minister 1 In this regard, the London-based Raialyoum wrote that the announcement of formal launch of the U.S.-led mari- TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A former Finnish and Security Policy, while others understand time coalition to protect shipping in the Persian Gulf with the labour minister said the Trump adminis- that the link is loosening but want to stick participation of only 6 countries reminds the old Arab proverb tration does not look at Europeans as “allies to it for fear of something unknown. There saying “the mountain was in labor but gave birth to a mouse”. any longer”, adding that it is affecting the is also a different understanding between Raialyoum added the limited numbers of countries joining the transatlantic link, “which still in the minds of western and eastern member states on the coalition reveals that the U.S. influence has been reducing not many is the foundation of European Foreign role of the US in Europe. only in the Persian Gulf region but also all around the world. It and Security Policy”. In another part of the interview, Macron seems that the current and former U.S. administrations cannot “The Trump administration does not deal discussed ways to build “European sover- any longer form coalitions like the ones that launched wars in with the Europeans as allies any longer. Exit eignty” and also referred to the “brain death Iraq, Libya, or Afghanistan with the participation of 30 or 60 from the Iran deal is a concrete example. On of NATO”. He said, “... things are changing; countries. the contrary, Europeans are seen as com- we need to keep explaining this. There is a petitors and in some cases as supporting US deep current of thought that was structured competitors (as in the case of Russia gas). in the period between 1990 and 2000 around The president himself does not like the Eu- the idea of the ‘end of history’, of a limitless ropean project, he is closer to those who expansion of democracy, of the triumph of want to split Europe. This is affecting the the West as a universal value system. That transatlantic link, which still in the minds of was the accepted truth at the time, until the many is the foundation of European Foreign 2000s, when a series of shocks demonstrated and Security Policy, while others understand the visionaries on the European future. I can away from Europe. The Europeans have been that it wasn’t actually so true. So I think the that the link is loosening but want to stick understand, given the continuous process of and still are slow to understand this change, first thing to do is to regain military sover- to it for fear of something unknown,” Tarja Brexit, he feels temporarily depressed. The which among other things means that we eignty. I pushed European defense issues Cronberg told Tasnim. European Union is and has been a peace have to be responsible and also pay for our to the forefront as soon as I took office, at Cronberg is a distinguished associate fellow project for the past 70 years. The Slogan: own defense. the European level, at the Franco-German at the Stockholm International Peace Research To be united in diversity” is still important. The French president further said the level.” Can you please explain on “European The Arab world digital news and opinion website said that Institute and former chair of the European Elsewhere in the interview, Macron ties between Europe and the US have loos- sovereignty” and the “brain death of NATO” it is noteworthy that three Persian Gulf states namely Kuwait, Parliament’s Iran delegation. She is a Finn- referred to a shift in the US policy in the ened. He said, “The United States remains our mentioned by Macron? Oman and Qatar are absent in the coalition. They have refused ish Green League politician who served as a past years, saying, “Moreover, Europe was major ally, we need them, we are close and A: Both are a reflection of the loosening to join the coalition not because they have taken a neutral stance member of the European Parliament from basically built to be the Americans’ jun- we share the same values. I care a lot about ties between the EU and the US. European toward U.S. controversial measures against Iran, but because 2011 until 2014. Cronberg was a Member ior partner. That was what lay behind the this relationship and have invested a great strategies, for example, the Global strategy they do not trust the U.S. and its current government. The source of the Finnish Parliament 2003–2007. She Marshall Plan from the beginning. And this deal in it with President Trump. But we find of 2016, underline the need for strategic au- added that the U.S. government has adopted rash policies that chaired her party from 2005 until 2009 and went hand in hand with a benevolent United ourselves for the first time with an American tonomy, especially in relation to the US. The can lead to regional and probably international war; furthermore, was the Minister of Labour in the Finnish States, acting as the ultimate guarantor of president who doesn’t share our idea of the lack of this strategic autonomy can be found the coalition can be an element of “tension” not a guarantee for government from 2007 to 2009 as part of a system and of a balance of values, based European project, and American policy is in many fields, but the question of defense defense and stability. Matti Vanhanen’s second cabinet. on the preservation of world peace and the diverging from this project.” Do you believe and therefore NATO, is the most critical Raialyoum stated that we do not believe these six countries – Following is the full text of the interview: domination of Western values. There was a so? If yes, what has put a serious strain on one. It is also the clearest demonstration of Britain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Australia and Albania In a recent speech at a conference, price to pay for that, which was NATO and ties between the US and its European allies? European submission to US interests today, – will be able to protect shipping in the Persian Gulf because French President Emanuel Macron proposed a support to the European Union. But their A: Yes. The Trump administration does the historical story after WWII is different. most of them, except the U.S. and Britain, do not have effective bleak vision of Europe’s future and its possible position has shifted over the past 10 years, and not deal with the Europeans as allies any In an address to the UN’s International naval power. disappearance. Later, in an interview with it hasn’t only been the Trump administration. longer. Exit from the Iran deal is a concrete Labour Organization back in June, Macron However, the marine coalition is a dramatic and hypocritical The Economics, he explained, “I’m trying You have to understand what is happening example. On the contrary, Europeans are denounced “capitalism gone mad”, while urg- show and the U.S. is trying to milk the three states of Saudi Arabia, to face the facts. Personally, I think Europe deep down in American policy-making. It’s seen as competitors and in some cases as ing enhanced social protections in a global the UAE and Bahrain. By its presence, the U.S. only disturbs the is a miracle. This continent has the greatest the idea put forward by President Obama: supporting US competitors (as in the case of economy plagued by inequality. What do you region’s security. Washington only takes care of its interests. geographical concentration of cultural and ‘I am a Pacific president’.” Whats are your Russia gas). The president himself does not think about this? The security in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf will linguistic diversity. Which explains why, for thoughts on this? like the European project, he is closer to those A: Global inequality has (been) and is only be achieved through the reconciliation between regional almost two millennia, Europe was rocked A: The economic power of the world has who want to split Europe. This is affecting the increasing, in order to prevent conflicts this countries since they are neighbors and they cannot change their by constant civil wars.” Do you believe so? moved to the Pacific, not astonishing that transatlantic link, which still in the minds of has to be dealt with by social protection, both geography. The intervention of countries outside the region will A: The French President has been one of American presidents are gradually moving many is the foundation of European Foreign within and among states. only make the situation more complicated. Syria’s unelected opposition Pompeo’s cold war mentality, a contagious disease in Washington cannot guarantee anything: TEHRAN (FNA) — US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo debate in the 1950s, which gave rise to the notorious Canadian author seized the occasion of commemorating the fall of the Berlin “McCarthyism” movement. Wall to mount attacks on Iran, China and Russia. But these allegations are outrageously ungrounded. China TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A Canadian political commentator and He was speaking in Berlin a day before the 30th anniversary has long been a responsible citizen of the international author of “Voices from Syria” said if a new constitution is approved of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Referring to that event, Pompeo community, never harbored any intention to change others by the Syrian Constitutional Committee, the foreign-backed “un- said, “The West - all of us - lost our way in the afterglow of and will never allow others to change China. China has a elected” opposition cannot guarantee to adhere to it. that proud moment”. He said the US and its allies should culture of peace, inclusiveness and harmony, which has “Unelected opposing parties cannot guarantee anything,” “defend what was so hard-won... in 1989” and “recognise played a positive role in maintaining the long peace after Mark Taliano said in an interview with Tasnim. we are in a competition of values with un-free nations”. the end of the Cold War. “Their (opposing parties’) masters are not Syrian,” he said, Pompeo’s remarks are full of Cold War mentality. His The same argument could be made about Iran and Russia adding, “Ultimately they will have no say in substantive matters.” hysterical remarks are the latest move after a series of high- which are under US sanctions and restrictions. They too Taliano is an author and independent investigative reporter profile attacks on Iran, China and Russia by top US officials, are responsible members of the international community who recently returned from a trip to Syria with the Third Inter- where ideology is being used as a weapon to smear their that have never tried to attack or threaten other nations. national Tour of Peace to Syria. In his new book titled “Voices political systems as well as their domestic and foreign policies. On the contrary, it is the US that is fervently spreading from Syria”, he combines years of research with on-the-ground By differentiating between their peoples and their its ideology to the outside world and forces regime changes world, countries have become so interdependent that observations to present an informed and well-documented anal- governments, he intends to sow division in these countries. in the name of ideology. The whole debate on whether the competition needs to be seen in a positive-sum instead of ysis that refutes mainstream media narratives about the dirty It is a shrewd but self-defeating move. But compared with “engagement” policy toward Iran, China and Russia failed is a zero-sum approach. Of course not the type of the so-called war on Syria. the US, which is bent on bringing Iran, China and Russia based on the assumption that engagement would change them positive-sum nuclear deal with Iran that had been designed The following is the full text of the interview: down at the expense of their peoples, it is these governments into the US’s image. But such Western-centric assumptions by the US to end up in a win-lose game only wrapped up The United Nation’s envoy that have served as the representatives and guardians of are condescending and hypocritical. In this sense, the US in win-win paper. for Syria said recently that first the national interests of their peoples. has never given up its ambition to force some form of regime Last but not least, the US needs to reshuffle its approach talks in the Swiss city of Geneva Since the isolationism, protectionism and unilateralism change in Iran, China and Russia. from the clash of civilizations to dialogue among civilizations on the country’s constitution of the current US administration have tarnished the US’s With the 2020 US presidential election around the corner, i.e., multilateralism and the rule of international law. involving Syrian opposition, reputation in the world, the US desperately needs to build it can be expected that more of these attacks will come. But The US will eventually come to learn these lessons after government and civil society an international coalition with “like-minded states” against eventually, Washington will come to realize that it needs to it finds itself overwhelmed by increasing costs and painful representatives have “gone a common “enemy.” make hard choices to fend off the risk of escalating ideological realities, if not now and specially in a Trump White House, much better” than many would By simplifying the US relations into an opposition between rivalry and further isolation. in the next decade for sure. Time is a good teacher. Each day have expected. Geir Pedersen “democracy” and “authoritarianism” and a “competition First of all, it needs to choose between diversity and you may find more in the West, like the French president, said the two co-chairs of the of values,” he also tried to mobilize domestic support for uniformity. The “end of history” euphoria after the end who feel helpless to acknowledge this very fact that as the constitutional committee from strategic US competition against Iran, China and Russia. In of the Cold War has been proved to be illusory. With the West is racing down the path of demise, Eastern nations President Bashar al-Assad’s fact, the US is undergoing an internal crisis of its democratic rise of the rest, the world is witnessing growing diversity like Russia, China, India and other civilizations are rising. government and the leading system. By demonizing these countries, populist politicians with different political systems and cultural heritages. The In fact, Iran, China and Russia share many common opposition have agreed to can divert attention away from more pressing domestic democratization of international relations is also an irresistible interests and values - unlike the US. This makes it even easier meet again on November 25, problems. trend. It is naive, useless and more importantly dangerous for them to resist the bully-boy member of the international and that delegations would in What is disturbing is that the new “China threat” narrative to try to return the world to uniformity. community and its shenanigans under international law, which coming weeks “hopefully come seems to have shifted from military and economic competition Second, Washington needs to shift its strategy from is increasingly more isolated than ever in this multilateral up with a work plan”. Representatives of both sides met to discuss to ideological rivalry, reminiscent of the “Loss of China” confrontation to cooperation. In this increasingly globalized world. a future constitution, part of plans for a political settlement to end eight and a half years of war. Expectations for the talks have been low, with Damascus and its allies having made gains on the battlefield that left them few reasons to grant concessions. What Tony Greenstein: Zionism uses religion to legitimize colonial project do you think about the developments? How possible is it for the Constitutional Committee to reach an agreement given the deep TEHRAN (FNA) — Tony Greenstein, a prominent activist, to their settlements with as few as possible Palestinians in differences and lack of trust between its members? says Zionism is secular and it advocates racism by denying that land. But the ultimate goal of the far-right is to expel all A: “Opposition” members may become more pliant as time Palestinians and their religion. Palestinians, which has always been the main Zionist goal. passes and Syrian victories become more entrenched. “Opposi- Speaking in an exclusive interview with FNA, Greenstein How do you view the political future of Netanyahu tion” members will likely be given an opportunity to “save face”. said the incumbent Prime Minister needs the support of and Likud party? In substantive matters, the Syrian state will remain ascendant minor political parties to stay in power, however there is A: Netanyahu gets to tiny parties which have one or two as the spectacle continues. a possibility that Benjamin Gantz of the Blue and White seats at the Knesset and tries to unite them to get their votes. The Syrian Constitutional Committee was established with party comes to the power, adding, “There might be some So, it is clear that there is a broad consensus within the far- the aim of paving the way for a political settlement in Syria. If a changes, but there will not be fundamental; they would right which believe Palestinians do not belong to that land. new constitution is approved by the committee, how practical be cosmetic. Political differences are not the matter of Maybe Benjamin Gantz of the Blue and White party will it be? How can the opposing parties guarantee to adhere to substance. All of them agree that Israel is a Jewish state can replace Netanyahu. Gantz’s party got one more seat the new constitution? and Palestinians do not belong to that land.” in the Knesset, but he can only come to power with the A: Unelected opposing parties cannot guarantee anything. Tony Greenstein is a Jewish anti-Zionist and a founding support of Israeli Palestinian party, and only some of the Their masters are not Syrian. Ultimately they will have no say member of Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Jews for members would support him. There is a contradiction, that in substantive matters. Boycotting Israeli Goods. He is a long-standing anti-fascist can pretend there is any more peace process or an ability no coalition government should rely on the support of the Given Turkey’s military operation against Kurds in northern activist and author of A History of Fighting Fascism in to achieve a two-state settlement. Furthermore, the right Arab parties, and it was former Prime Minister Yitzhak Syria and the presence of Ankara-backed extremist groups in the Brighton and the South Coast. He is a well-known blogger has entrenched racism in Israeli society. Although racism Rabin’s mistake in 1992 to rely on them and he paid a price area, what do you think about the negative impacts of foreign and is currently working on a book titled ‘Zionism During was always there, it is now on the surface with the Jewish for it when he was assassinated. intervention on the political settlement of the Syrian crisis? the Holocaust’. nations. It is difficult to actually say what may happen. Zionism is A: Turkey and its NATO (terrorists) will be reined in, but Below is the full text of the interview: There might be some changes, but there will not be secular to begin with; it uses religion as a way for legitimizing on-going imperial war crimes and occupations will slow negoti- The right wing has been on power in Israel. How have fundamental; they would be cosmetic. Political differences its colonial project. So, mostly Zionists were racist and ations and continue to be enemies to Peace. Terrorism will be a they affected the policies? Will there be any chances Likud are not the matter of substance. All of them agree that they based their claim to Palestine on the God they denied. challenge for as long as Empire illegally occupies Syrian territory. fails to secure majority of the seats? Israel is a Jewish state and Palestinians do not belong to That contradiction has round through Zionism. In so far The head of the Opposition’s “Syrian Negotiation Commission A: The legacy the right wing has left is the barrier to the that land. The difference is over tactics and methods. The Zionism has based its claim on religion, then I suggest that (SNC)”, Nasr al-Hariri, will find that on-going terrorism will so-called two-state peace process. I do not think anyone major concern of all of them is to annex Palestinian blocks the secular right will in long term lose out. hinder rather than advance his foreign-influenced agenda. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 12 SOCIETY NOVEMBER 14, 2019
More than 200 elephants World Diabetes Day: 5 million in Zimbabwe die as drought crisis deepens Iranians suffering from diabetes Hundreds of elephants and tens of lions in Zimbabwe will be SOCIETY TEHRAN — Some 11 sive, precise control can prevent the disease moved by the country’s wildlife agency as part of a major operation deskpercent of Iranians above from progressing, especially in newly diabetic to save the animals from a devastating drought. 25 years old, accounting for 5 million people, population, the disease can be prevented and More than 200 elephants have died over the last two months is suffering from diabetes, and 18 percent postponed, he noted. due to a lack of water at the country’s main conservation zones of the population are pre-diabetic, health If a person is infected with type 2 diabetes in Mana Pools and Hwange National Park. ministry official Alireza Mahdavi announced or is recently infected, 7 percent of weight on Wednesday. loss and physical activity can greatly reduce He made the remarks on the occasion of their disease, he concluded. the World Diabetes Day which is annually Afshin Ostovar, the Health Ministry’s held on November 14. director for non-communicable diseases, In 2007, UN General Assembly designat- said in November 2018 that diabetes has ed November 14 as the World Diabetes Day direct and indirect costs for Iran to the tune emphasizing on “the urgent need to pursue of $4 billion per year. multilateral efforts to promote and improve Globally, an estimated 422 million adults human health, and provide access to treat- were living with diabetes in 2014, com- ment and health-care education.” pared to 108 million in 1980. The global The focus for World Diabetes Day 2019 is prevalence of diabetes has nearly doubled on Family and Diabetes. The Day is raising since 1980, rising from 4.7 to 8.5 percent awareness of the impact that diabetes has in the adult population. This reflects an on the family and support network of those increase in associated risk factors such as affected and promoting the role of the family being overweight or obese. Over the past in the management, care, prevention and decade, diabetes prevalence has risen faster Residents of Jutshume village, near to Hwange National Park, education of diabetes. in low and middle-income countries than shared a video of an elephant calf that had fallen into a well last Mahdavi explained that prediabetes is a in high-income countries. month after desperately searching for water. Residents managed serious health condition where blood sugar In 2016, an estimated 1.6 million deaths to rescue the calf, which later fled into the wild, but believe its levels are higher than normal, but not high were directly caused by diabetes. Another leg was broken in the process. enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes, 2.2 million deaths were attributable to high A second adult elephant, which had collapsed near to the most of whom had unhealthy diet. blood glucose in 2012. village, was fed by residents until it was strong enough to walk. The best intervention in controlling diabe- Currently, 5 million people suffer from undeniable. Almost half of all deaths attributable to Animals near to Jutshume village, by the border with tes is for those at risk, these people are either diabetes and 7 to 8 million are pre-diabetic, The issue of education should be con- high blood glucose occur before the age of Botswana, used to drink from the Maitengwe dam, known newly diabetic or at risk, he said, adding, they he said. sidered seriously, so in the health reform 70 years. WHO estimates that diabetes was locally as Mabhongane or “roaring lion”. But the wall of the do not have high blood sugar, so intervention He went on to say that a diabetic person plan, all programs were integrated into a the seventh leading cause of death in 2016. dam collapsed in 2005 and has not been repaired, leaving can prevent the disease intensification. should have a healthy diet and be aware of service package which formed diabetes care Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, stretches of barren land. “In Iran, 25 percent of people are not aware the risk and prevention factors, highlighting, teams including a nurse, a nutritionist, and kidney failure, heart attack, stroke and lower The country’s wildlife agency plans to move 600 elephants, of their diabetes, which is 50 percent in the but even people who are not diagnosed with a physician, he explained. limb amputation. Healthy diet, physical ac- two prides of lion, a pack of wild dogs, 50 buffalo, 40 giraffes and world; in West Asia and North Africa, 60 diabetes should also follow a healthier diet. “We have held training courses in this tivity and avoiding tobacco use can prevent 2,000 impala, according to reports by Agence France-Presse. percent of people are unaware of their diabetes. Last year, 43 percent of diabetics had regard and the patients who received the or delay type 2 diabetes. In addition, diabetes Parks and wildlife authority spokesperson Tinashe Farawo The world’s diabetic population now stands good control over the disease in the coun- necessary education should then train other can be treated and its consequences avoided told AFP that the operation will begin during rainy season, when at 425 million, which increases up to 629 try, he stated, adding, the role of training patients,” he added. or delayed with medication, regular screening pastures flourish, usually around the middle of November. Farawo million by 2045,” according to Mahdavi. and awareness in the patient’s condition is Although the burden of diabetes is progres- and treatment for complications. described the mission as “the biggest translocation in our history”. The animals will be moved from Savé Valley Conservancy, a major park in southeastern Zimbabwe, to three other reserves in the north of the country. Urmia hosts intl. congress on irrigation, drainage Conservation experts have warned that the country could lose more elephants to drought if there are not enough rains ENVIRONMENT TEHRAN — The first international that the top articles will be announced. desk this season. congress on irrigation and drainage was Deputy chancellor of Urmia University, Abdolnaser Naz- A recent drought has left more than five million rural Zimba- held on Wednesday in the city of Urmia, West Azarbaijan ariani, said that West Azarbaijan is the country›s second bweans, nearly a third of the population, at risk of food shortages province. rich-in-water province, but the specific conditions of the before the next harvest in 2020, according to the UN. The event was hosted by Urmia University with the world and country requires water to be used cautiously. Zimbabwe has 85,000 elephants but the country’s national theme of sustainable and innovative agricultural water “In the agricultural sector in particular, we need to highly parks and conservation areas can only cope with 55,000. Grazing management compatible with climate change, focusing prevent water loss by reforming irrigation practices,” he lands and water have fast depleted as the country is experiencing on the Urmia Lake basin. highlighted. its worst drought in years. Some 285 papers were submitted to the congress by Exhibitions with the presence of manufacturing com- Charles Jonga, director of Campfire, a leading conservation researchers, 215 of which were accepted after evaluation, panies of irrigation and drainage product were held during organisation, says the El Niño induced drought had worsened IRNA quoted Majid Montaseri, scientific secretary of the the event. the already dire water situation in the country’s parks. congress as saying on Wednesday. The last three editions of the national congress were held Farawo said the wildlife agency was in dire need of water pump- Articles have been sent from various countries around at Ferdowsi Universities of Mashhad, Isfahan University Five specialized meetings and nine workshops were ing equipment to save the elephants. “We are in desperate need of the world, and professors from the Netherlands, the U.S., of Technology and Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz held on the sidelines of the event, he further noted, adding resources to provide water. We are desperately waiting for the rains.” Turkey and Pakistan attended the congress, he added. in 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. Wildlife lovers have donated bails of hay for elephants in a bid to save the world’s largest land mammal. Many desperate animals are straying from Zimbabwe’s parks into nearby communities in search of food and water, a situation FAO assists Iran in improving agriculture monitoring systems that has increased human–wildlife conflict. A recent report on the first phase of the in Iran and this needs a comprehensive, FAO departments, the group had the Over the past five years, 200 people have reportedly died in FAO project “Improve agriculture moni- systematic and accurate agricultural opportunity to look at areas of work and “human–and–animal conflict”. toring systems through satellite imagery monitoring system.” tools including Aquastat, Land Tenure “We are likely to lose even more elephants, especially if the for the Islamic Republic of Iran,” reveals The report presents current data collec- and Cadastral, Disaster Risk Reduction, rains are late. The world must know that Hwange relies on un- how the introduction of multi-temporal tion practices used by MAJ revealing for National Forest Monitoring and Agro derground water, and it has never been easy for parks to maintain high-resolution satellite imagery enabled example the lack of timely and cost-effective Ecological Zoning (AEZ). The study this overpopulated park,” Jonga said. Iran’s Ministry of Agriculture Jahad (MAJ) procedures in place that also relied on old tour also focused on a training in how Zimbabwe and other southern African nations have been to gather near-real time crop and field census data and sampling techniques. The to use SEPAL and how to map paddy calling on the global watchdog to relax terms of wildlife trade. information, that can be used for agricul- report also looks in detail at the applica- fields in the Mazandaran Province using (Source: The Guardian) tural monitoring, evaluation and planning. tion of remote sensing in agricultural data Sentinel 1 imagery. “We are working with Iran using ad- collection and a previously implemented Underscoring the significant of this vanced geospatial technologies to support pilot project in the Hamedan Province. 1-week study tour to FAO headquarters, its agricultural monitoring system using WORDS IN THE NEWS the development of techniques, as well Improved skills on agriculture moni- Mr Keyvan Keshavaraz, the Deputy of In- advanced geospatial technologies. as policy and investment conditions to toring through a study tour formation and Communication Center of FAO is working to develop more-efficient WHO in fight against smoking achieve sustainable agricultural develop- Under the project, FAO’s Geospatial MAJ asserted, “Effective agriculture mon- and more-accurate methods of using remote ment under climate change, in Iran,” said Unit also organised a 1-week study tour in itoring systems in the Islamic Republic sensing information for crop acreage, yield (March 20, 2002) Douglas Muchoney, Senior Environment FAO headquarters for two delegations from of Iran are starting to provide data that is estimation and crop forecasting. The goal In a new report the World Health Organization says it will offer Officer and Head of FAO’s Geospatial Unit. MAJ. Through similar ongoing projects fundamental to make informed decisions is to set-up efficient national monitoring support for legal action against tobacco companies. This report He went on to explain how, “More in FAO, the participants had a chance to regarding solutions in land areas affected systems that will allow policymakers and from Emma Jane Kirby. frequent and extreme climate events, understand better how effective monitoring by climate change.” others to take timely decisions that protect The World Health Organization estimates that four million people such as floods, drought and frost, are works in practice. The tour was evidence of Iran’s com- people and their livelihoods. die from smoking-related illnesses every year and over the adversely affecting agricultural production Meeting with experts from different mitment to strengthening and improving (Source: FAO) past two years it’s been working on establishing an international health treaty which could curb tobacco advertising and marketing. The WHO now suggests litigation is also a valuable tool with which to control smoking and in a new report outlining various ENGLISH IN USE countries’ experience with legal action for harm caused by smoking, the organization says it’s ready to offer support for any LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION further actions and would consider the possibility of international litigation against tobacco companies. While the WHO said that court action needed to be handled ‘Pharmaceutical industry unfazed by سخنگوی وزارت بهداشت: خروج آمریکا از cautiously, it added that used with discipline, ‹litigation could awaken public outrage, and advance both justice and health’. The WHO U.S. withdrawal of nuclear deal’ برجام تاثیری در دارو ندارد hopes the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control will be ready by May 2003, but not all countries are agreed on how far the Given Iran’s low volume of imports in pharmaceutical and medical ســخنگوی وزارت بهداشــت تاکیــد کــرد: خــروج آمریــکا از برجــام تاثیــری بــر بــازار دارو و treaty should go. Most African and Asian nations have pushed for a tough treaty with a total ban on sponsorship and marketing. equipment industry, the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal won’t تجهیــزات پزشــکی نخواهــد گذاشــت؛ چراکــه وابســتگ یمان بــه دارو و تجهیــزات وارداتــی .But countries like the US and Japan, which have large stakes in affect the industry, the Ministry of Health spokesman said on Wednesday بســیار انــدک اســت. the tobacco industry, are reluctant to agree to such terms. The “Due to the technical know-how we possess we do not depend on import دکتــر ایــرج حریرچــی در گف توگــو بــا ایســنا گفــت: بــا تکیــه بــر تــوان دانشــمندان خودمــان members of the WHO will continue debating the issues at and we are capable of manufacturing many pharmaceutical products 191 their Geneva headquarters until the end of this week. و تولی داتمــان، وابســتگی داروی یمــان بــه محصــوالت خارجــی بســیار انــدک اســت و میــزان .Words domestically,” ISNA quoted Harirchi as saying قاب لتوجهــی از داروهــا را خودمــان تولیــد م ی کنیــم. smoking-related illnesses: diseases which have been caught Harirchi further highlighted that the country has enough foreign exchange وی تاکیــد کــرد: بــا توجــه بــه توانــی کــه دولــت در حــوزه ارز و منابعــی کــه بــرای ایــن حــوزه because of smoking reserves and ensured the public that the current conditions won’t raise curb: restrain or limit any problems for the pharmaceutical industry. دارد، مــردم مطمئــن باشــند کــه مشــکلی در ایــن زمینــه نخواهیــم داشــت. litigation: the process of taking legal action actions: here, legal action or court case outrage: an extremely strong reaction of anger, shock, or indignation Framework Convention: a formal agreement to change the structure PREFIX/SUFFIX PHRASAL VERB IDIOM how far the treaty should go: how strict the treaty should be stakes: a share or interest in a business, situation, or system “fore-” Go about something Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed reluctant: unwilling and hesitant; disinclined terms: a fixed or limited period for which something, for example Meaning: before or in front Meaning: to start to do something: Explanation: a person who is very enthusiastic and office, imprisonment, or investment, lasts or is intended to last; For example: Can dreams foretell the future? For example: I want to learn German but I don’t full of energy conditions know the best way to go about it. For example: Gary was fantastic. He arrived bright- debating: argue about (a subject), especially in a formal manner eyed and bushy-tailed at 7am and worked with us all day. (Source: BBC) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y NOVEMBER 14, 2019 WORLD IN FOCUS 13 U.S., allies benefiting from Lebanon unrest Bolivian Senate head assumes interim presidency; to advance own interests: Hezbollah official Morales’ loyalists object A high-ranking official from the Lebanese his resignation to President Michel Aoun resistance movement Hezbollah says the on October 29. 1 Morales, the longest-serving leader among a United States and its allies in the Middle Under the constitution, Hariri’s cabinet wave of Latin American leftists who dominated the re- East are taking advantage of the anti-gov- would stay on in a caretaker capacity until gion in the early years of the century, resigned after weeks ernment protests in the country in order to a new government is formed. The protests of protests over the disputed election and pressure from attain their own political objectives. began on October 17 when the government security forces on Sunday. Vice President of the Executive Council proposed imposing a tax on Whatsapp calls, Morales called Anez’s move to replace him part of “the of Hezbollah Sheikh Ali Damoush said on along with other austerity measures. most cunning and disastrous coup in history.” Earlier on Wednesday that his movement distinguishes Protesters in Lebanon have stopped Tuesday, he thanked Mexico for saving his life as he arrived between the righteous demands of protesters blocking roads and setting up barricades, to take up asylum, repeating his accusation that his rivals and the political schemes of those who are and instead shifted to holding sit-ins at had ousted him in a coup. exploiting the mass protest movement to state-affiliated sites. (Source: Reuters) achieve their own goals. They say they will maintain pressure on “It is wrong to confuse the sufferings of the political establishment until their de- people and their real demands with the po- mands for the departure of the ruling elite and litical projects, which seek to take advantage an end to chronic economic mismanagement Adel Abdul Mahdi, of the state of corruption in the country.” and corruption are met. Barzani discuss Iraq protests “It is now clear that the United States Growth in Lebanon has plummeted in and its allies have infiltrated into the ranks the wake of endless political deadlocks and ‘Reforms in Iraq won’t be of the protest movement, and are trying to an economic crisis in recent years. guide it. They have a political plot that they The country hosts 1.5 million Syrian refu- influenced by foreign diktats’ want to impose on Lebanon. The economic gees, and their presence is often blamed for and corruption issues in Lebanon are their help the Lebanese get rid of their sufferings. Iranian influence. putting pressure on the already struggling 1 The protests, which began more than a month ago, last concerns,” Damoush said. It rather wants to get rid of the elements Damoush said Washington seeks to add economy. have often turned violent, with security forces opening fire and The senior Hezbollah official then at- of their supremacy, including (Hezbollah) fuel to the flames of street protests, and is Unemployment stands at more than 20 protesters torching government buildings. tributed the financial crisis in Lebanon to resistance movement, to allay Israel, ensure pushing for the formation of a subordinate percent, according to official figures. Bassil al-Qazmi, a Baghdad-based writer and political an- sanctions imposed on the country, Lebanese its security and return Lebanon back to the government in order to implement their The Lebanese Finance Ministry says the alyst, told al-Jazeera television news network on Monday that companies’ deterrence to invest in Syria time of weakness. This is what (U.S. Sec- projects, which begin with demarcation of national debt is hovering around $85 billion, Washington must be held accountable for bringing people who due to the fear of triggering Washington’s retary of State Mike) Pompeo meant when borders with the Israeli-occupied territories which accounts for more than 150 percent are “not sufficient to rule” to the table. punitive sanctions on themselves, closure of he said ‘Lebanon and the Lebanese should in accordance with the Tel Aviv regime’s of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). “When the US came with this constitution and political system some banks and financial institutions, and be helped to get rid of Iran’s influence,’” conditions, plunder of Lebanon’s crude oil Successive governments have failed to [in 2003], they thought Iraqi politicians would only follow and preventing China, Russia and other interest- Damoush highlighted. and natural gas reserves, advancement of address a waste management crisis or im- be loyal to Washington,” he said. ed countries from directly investing there. Pompeo wrote on his Twitter page on settlement projects and targeting the re- prove the electricity grid, which is plagued Abdul Mahdi has vowed that the government and judiciary “America does not intend to address Leb- November 5 that the people of Iraq and sistance movement. by daily power cuts. would continue to investigate the deaths of the protesters, and anon’s economic and living conditions, and Lebanon have a right to free themselves of Prime Minister Saad Hariri submitted (Source: Press TV) that all demonstrators who have been arrested in the past several weeks would be released. According to President Salih, the 77-year old prime minister is willing to resign if parties agree on a replacement. Afghanistan’s presidential poll results delayed again Earlier this week, Abdul Mahdi said new electoral reforms Preliminary results from Afghanistan’s presidential elec- lah’s supporters. Abdullah -- who currently works as chief would be announced in the “coming few days.” tion have been delayed for a second time, election officials executive in a unity government with Ghani -- has previously (Source: agencies) announced Wednesday, a postponement likely to fuel more raised questions about the validity of some 300,000 addi- political uncertainty and fraud allegations. tional votes which he says did not come through biometric The September 28 poll has already been marred by a devices used in the polling, and thus should be invalidated. Turkey says Germany, record-low turnout and bicking between the incumbent, “The recounting should be stopped. We are trying to President Ashraf Ghani, and his chief rival, Abdullah Abdullah. save the process from fraudsters,” he said at a rally of his Netherlands agree to take The preliminary results were originally due for October supporters in Kabul last week. 19 -- but the announcement was delayed until November 14, In the past several days his supporters stopped the re- back ISIL detainees with officials from the Independent Election Commissions count process in 14 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces, according (IEC) citing various technical problems. to election officials -- in some cases closing the doors of Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said on Wednesday that Now that date has been pushed back also. provincial election offices. Germany and the Netherlands had agreed to take back German “Unfortunately due to technical problems and other There was no immediate comment from the candidates and Dutch ISIl detainees and their families from Turkey, after issues, we will not be able to announce the election results about the delay on Wednesday. Ankara started to repatriate the fighters this week. tomorrow,” IEC spokesman Abdul Aziz Ibrahimi told AFP The election was meant to be the cleanest yet in Afghan- On Monday, Turkey said it had deported two of the detainees, on Wednesday, without providing details or a new date. istan’s young democracy, with a German firm supplying a German and an American, and added that it will deport another IEC officials are expected to hold a press conference on biometric machines that were supposed to stop people from “undermine” the poll. 23 European nationals in the coming days. the matter on Thursday. voting more than once. The ongoing uncertainty raises the possibility Afghan- Turkey holds hundreds of ISIL suspects in its jails and says it The fresh delay comes shortly after the IEC issued a But nearly a million of the initial votes were purged istan is headed for a repeat of the crisis that followed the has captured another 287 during its military offensive in north- statement saying it had to stop a planned recount and audit owing to irregularities, meaning the election saw by far last presidential election in 2014. east Syria against Kurdish YPG fighters - an incursion which has of the votes after some candidates said they would boycott the lowest turnout of any Afghan poll, with only about 1.8 Then, Ghani and Abdullah fought a close and angry race further strained ties with its NATO allies. and protest the process, claiming fraud. million votes from a total of 9.6 million registered voters that sparked widespread allegations of fraud and saw the “We have our own policy and we are implementing it without The IEC had begun a recount of votes from more than in a population of around 37 million people. US step in to broker an awkward power-sharing agreement compromise. Those who want to step out of our way will, but 8,000 polling stations -- almost a third of the total -- on Earlier this week, the United Nations and a group of between the rivals under a unity government. those who don’t will face the consequences,” Soylu said in the Saturday, but the process was challenged mainly by Abdul- Western donor nations called on the candidates not to (Source: AFP) southeastern province of Van on Wednesday. “I would like to especially thank two countries here. One is Germany and the other the Netherlands,” he added. “As of last night, they have confirmed that they will take back terrorists from Daesh (ISIL) who are citizens of their countries and their Venice devastated by second highest tide in history wives, children and all the others,” he said. Venice’s mayor called the city a disaster zone cm (6ft 2ins) at 10.50 p.m. (2150 GMT) on result of climate change,” he said on Twitter. protect Venice from the kind of high tides Turkey has said it will deport the detainees to Ireland, Ger- on Wednesday after the second highest tide Tuesday, just short of the record 194 cm He said he would declare a disaster zone that hit the city on Tuesday, but the mul- many, France and Denmark. ever recorded swept through it overnight, Night-time footage showed a torrent and ask the government to call a state of emer- ti-billion euro project, known as Mose, has French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said on Tuesday flooding its historic basilica and leaving many of water whipped up by high winds raging gency, which would allow funds to be freed to been plagued by corruption scandals and that France would take back 11 suspected ISIL members from squares and alleyways deep under water. through the city centre while Luca Zaia, address the damage. Saint Mark’s Square was is still not operative. Turkey. Ireland’s Foreign Minister Simon Coveney also said that A local man from Pellestrina, one of the governor of the Veneto region, described submerged by more than one metre of water, Brugnaro said the basilica had suffered two Irish nationals set to be deported from Turkey had the right many islands in the Venetian lagoon, died a scene of “apocalyptic devastation”. while the adjacent Saint Mark’s Basilica was “grave damage”, but no details were available to return to Ireland. when he was struck by lightning while using Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said the situation flooded for the sixth time in 1,200 years - but on the state of its mainly Byzantine interior, (Source: Reuters) an electric water pump, the fire brigade said. was dramatic. “We ask the government to the fourth in the last 20. famous for its rich mosaics. City officials said the tide peaked at 187 help us. The cost will be high. This is the A flood barrier was designed in 1984 to (Source: Reuters) Kremlin sees ‘positive Guaido supporters invade Venezuelan embassy in Brazil & announce new ‘ambassador’ dynamic’ in work on four- Supporters of Venezuelan opposition figure Juan Guaido president of Venezuela.” fire during the diplomatic showdown and acknowledged Be- have seized Venezuela’s embassy in Brazil. While embassy Meanwhile, in a letter released to media, Maria Tere- landria’s act as legitimate on Twitter, saying it was right way Ukraine summit officials said they were “invaded by force,” Guaido’s “envoy” sa Belandria announced herself as Venezuela’s ‘rightful’ that she was now inside the embassy. to the country has declared herself the new ambassador. ambassador to Brazil. Brazilian opposition supporters have arrived at the The Kremlin said on Wednesday there was a “positive dynamic” About 20 Guaido supporters jumped the embassy wall In the letter, she claimed that a group of embassy em- embassy to show solidarity with the diplomats negotiat- in preparations to hold a four-way international summit on the and occupied the facility, according to local reports. Videos ployees invited her and other Guaido supporters into the ing with Guaido’s supporters inside, the Brazilian website conflict in eastern Ukraine. posted on social media show police lined up outside the building and said embassy staff were told they could keep Congress In Focus reported. Many of the Maduro govern- A breakthrough at talks between Moscow and Kiev on Oct. embassy while others stand around the building. their jobs if they joined the coupists. ment’s diplomats are still on site with their young children, 1 appeared to open the way for the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Reporting on the invasion, Venezuelan Charge d’Affair- Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro acknowledged the website said. Germany and France to hold the first four-way summit on the es, Freddy Efrain Meregote, has requested help from all self-declared ‘president’ Guaido as Venezuela’s leader Brazilian Workers’ Party politician Erika Kokay denounced conflict in three years. political parties and social movements to resolve the crisis. earlier this year, after Guaido attempted to oust socialist the embassy invasion as an “episode of violence against (Source: TASS) Meregote has dismissed claims that some embassy President Nicolas Maduro in multiple U.S.-supported Venezuela’s sovereignty” by “fascist” groups which could officials helped the occupiers get in the embassy, saying coup attempts. trigger an “unprecedented” diplomatic crisis. that “all officials recognize Nicolás Maduro as the legitimate Bolsonaro’s son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, added fuel to the (Source: RT) BRICS brings the chance of world change, as the US and EU Hundreds of rockets target Israel, 21 Palestinians killed obsess over internal battles 1 Seven Palestinian also lost their further rocket fire from Gaza, stressing that stop launching rockets. for the Palestinian people. The big outsider nations of the world meet at the BRICS summit lives in the raids, according to the health Israel is not the side to determine how the “They have one choice: to stop these Similarly, the Arab League held the Tel as the US and EU face their own struggles, with a chance to reset ministry in the blockaded enclave, bringing current round of fighting in the blockaded attacks or absorb more and more blows. Aviv regime responsible for the “horrific the global agenda to improve their own economies and standing the death toll from the regime’s assaults enclave would end. Their choice,” Netanyahu said at the start crime” it had committed in Gaza and its con- on the international stage. since Tuesday morning to 18. “We hold the enemy fully responsible for of a cabinet meeting, claiming that Israel sequences, adding that Tuesday’s raid comes The Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) According to the latest figures by the Gaza the consequences of its stupid decision to was not seeking a further escalation. in continuation of acts of aggression by the summit in Brasilia, started on Wednesday, shines the spotlight Health Ministry, the Israeli raids have left assassinate the leadership of the resistance,” Muslim states slam Israel Israeli occupation against the Palestinians. onto a disparate group of hugely populated nations at a time when a total of 45 people injured, including 23 Abu Hamza said. “The coming hours will add The Israeli attacks have sparked a wave “This comes in the context of exposed Western powers are at their most unstable for years. children. a new headline to the record of defeats of the of condemnations from Muslim countries Israeli attempts to let the Palestinian people This is a meeting for the outsiders of this world. The awkward Ata’s assassination sparked Palestini- enemy’s rash prime minister, who has only and international organizations. pay the price of the predicaments and agendas squad. They are the lanky kids, the geeks, the pimply swots and an retaliatory attacks, with Israeli military brought the Zionists destruction and war.” On Tuesday, the Organization of Islamic of Israeli parties,” the 22-member pan-Ar- the just plain weird of the global playground. They are big, in- sources saying more than 200 rockets have “We tell the enemy: Perhaps you succeeded Cooperation (OIC) condemned the Israeli ab body said in a statement. fluential players in their own regions but not welcome at the top been fired from Gaza into the occupied ter- in starting this aggression against our people aggression against Gaza, saying it consti- Israel, the Arab League noted, wants to table of global financial institutions where Europe and the U.S. ritories on Tuesday. and resistance, but you will not be able to tutes a flagrant violation of international push the Gaza situation to further deteri- hold sway and jealously guard their seats. Israel’s national emergency service said it determine when it ends. The coming hours humanitarian law conventions. oration, drag the region into violence and Sure, they have economic issues to talk about, ostensibly the had treated 46 Israelis since the Gaza rocket will record a victory for our people. While The 57-member Jeddah-based organ- threaten international peace and security. whole point of the Brasilia summit, but it is geopolitics that they fire began. you started the battle, you will not be able ization also held Israel accountable for The Arab League further called for in- are really there for. A big gossipy catch-up and a chance to com- ‘Israel initiated confronta- to know when it will end,” he added. the consequences of the dangerous Gaza ternational intervention to stop the Israeli pare notes on the increasingly fractured European Union and the tion, but can’t determine its end’ Speaking on Wednesday, Israeli Prime escalation and called on the international crimes against the Palestinian people and ever more isolationist US of Donald Trump, and how those two Speaking on Tuesday evening, a spokes- Minister Benjamin threatened “more blows” community to shoulder its responsibilities provide them with protection. tectonic shifts impact their own worlds and spheres of influence. man for the al-Quds Brigades warned of if Palestinian resistance fighters refuse to towards providing international protection (Source: agencies) (Source: RT) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 14 WORLD SPORTS NOVEMBER 14, 2019
Asprilla says hitman wanted Spain’s record scorer striker to kill Paraguay’s Chilavert
Former Colombia striker Faustino Asprilla has said he had to convince a hitman not to kill Paraguayan goalkeeper Villa retires after 19-year career Jose Luis Chilavert after the two clashed in a World Cup qualifying match in 1997. Star striker David Villa, Spain’s top Final. In a documentary broadcast on Colombian television goalscorer, Wednesday announced he will He won a third La Liga with Atletico channel TelePacifico on Tuesday, Asprilla said the gunman retire next month, ending a glittering career Madrid in his one season there in 2013-14 called his hotel room after both he and Chilavert were sent in which he won the World Cup, European after leaving Barcelona. off in a qualifier in Asuncion, which Paraguay won 2-1. Championships and Champions League. After leaving Atletico, Villa embarked on The gunman, who was himself killed in a drug-related The 37-year-old Vissel Kobe striker said a successful spell in Major League Soccer shootout in 2004, asked Asprilla for permission to kill he will call it a day at the end of the 2019 for New York City, where he scored 80 Chilavert but the Colombian refused. J-League season after a 19-year career that goals in 124 appearances. ‘What? Are you crazy?’ Asprilla said of his response. took in Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Villa was New York City’s first-ever ‘You’ll destroy Colombian football, you can’t do that. No, Valencia while accumulating 98 caps for signing and his haul included the first goal no, no, no. What happens on the pitch stays on the pitch.’ his country. scored at Yankee Stadium in an opening Former Parma and Newcastle player Asprilla, who turned “I have decided to end my professional home victory over the New England 50 last weekend, was one of the top names in Colombian career and that I have decided to retire,” Revolution. football in the 1990s and is well-known in his homeland for Villa told reporters in Kobe, his voice At Vissel Kobe, he played alongside his colorful life both during his career and in retirement. occasionally breaking with emotion. fellow Spanish legend Andres Iniesta and The incident underlines the violence in Colombia, and “I’ve been thinking about this for a long German striker Lukas Podolski but the the once-strong links between football and the country’s time. This is the result of discussions I presence of the ageing foreign stars has powerful drug traffickers such as Pablo Escobar, who was had with my family and people around done little to bring success to the ambitious a huge soccer fan and invested in the game, in the 1990s. me... I wanted to retire from football, not Japanese club. In one of the darkest chapters of football history, Colombian be forced to retire from football,” he said. Vissel Kobe are currently languishing defender Andres Escobar was shot dead outside a bar in Villa will become an investor in 10th in the J-League after 31 games -- the Medellin in 1994 in apparent retribution for an own goal Queensboro FC, a new franchise based same position they finished last year. he scored days earlier that hastened their exit from the in the New York district of Queens that Villa has scored 12 goals in 26 World Cup in the United States. will play in the second tier of US football. appearances for Vissel. He is expected to (Source: Daily Mail) “Even though I will no longer be on the trophy in 2010 and won the European Champions League, the 2011 UEFA Super play three more J-League matches as well as the pitch, I will continue to be involved in Championships in 2008, though he missed Club, 2011 Club World Cup and two La Liga semi-finals and finals of the Emperor’s Cup. football in other ways and will continue to out on the 2012 triumph through injury. wins in 2010-11 and 2012-13 with Barcelona. His retirement ceremony will be on Salah out of Egypt games contribute to the football world,” he said. He scored 59 times for Spain, a national Villa scored the third goal for Barcelona December 7, the day of his last J-League with ankle problem Villa played in three World Cups and record. at Wembley in the 3-1 win over Manchester game. was a member of the Spanish side that lifted His club honours include the 2010-11 United in the 2010-11 Champions League (Source: AFP) Egypt’s Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has been ruled out of their African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Kenya and Comoros with an ankle injury. Egypt released a statement on their official Twitter account Probably my best ever, says Thiem NFL teams invited to Colin Kaepernick on Tuesday confirming Salah will miss the games, along with after Djokovic win private workout this weekend a picture of the striker with a protective boot on his left ankle. Egypt host Kenya in their opening Group G qualifying match on Thursday and visit Comoros on Monday. Salah has scored six goals for Liverpool this season and was on target in Sunday’s 3-1 win over Manchester City which took his side eight points clear at the top of the Premier League. But the 27-year-old has had niggling injuries since twisting his ankle against Leicester City at the start of October, which forced him to miss the 1-1 draw at Manchester United, the only Premier League game Liverpool have failed to win this season. Salah has been unable to complete 90 minutes in the league since hurting his ankle against Leicester, being substituted against Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Manchester City. (Source: Reuters) Montolivo: ‘Milan froze Austria’s Dominic Thiem described risky tennis. Free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick, since the 2016 season -- the same season me out’ his stunning victory over Novak Having never got past the group who claimed the NFL and its teams col- he first sat during the playing of the Na- Djokovic at the ATP Finals on Tuesday stage in three previous appearances luded to keep him from playing following tional Anthem. The protest later evolved Riccardo Montolivo has hit out at Milan after his decision as probably the best match he has at the tournament, he has now beaten his refusal to stand during the National into kneeling after onetime Seattle Seahawk to hang up his boots, revealing how he was stripped of the ever played. Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic Anthem, will take part Saturday in a private and Green Beret Nate Boyer convinced captaincy with no explanation. The 26-year-old world number five back-to-back to book his place in the workout organized by the league. Kaepernick it would be more respectful Montolivo announced his retirement from professional blazed 50 winners, many of them jaw- semi-finals and appears to be the man The NFL sent a memo Tuesday to its to the nation’s military, the quarterback football in an interview with Corriere dello Sport on Wednesday, dropping backhands, to beat the five- in form. 32 teams, saying the session will include has said. and he dug even more dirt on the Rossoneri. time champion 6-7(5) 6-3 7-6(5) in “I knew that I had to play like this on-field work and interview time with the Kaepernick said he did so to protest “When Gattuso preferred to move [defender Davide] front of a spellbound O2 arena crowd. to beat him. Against everybody who former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, police shootings of African American men Calabria further up the pitch instead of letting me play against He battled back from 4-1 down in qualified for this tournament here, ESPN first reported. and other social injustices faced by black Fiorentina, I realised that the problem was not me and that the final set tiebreak to claim a fourth there is a special effort necessary to The workout will take place at an un- people in the United States. the answers to my questions would never come,” continued win in five against the 16-time Grand win,” said the 26-year-old. disclosed location in Atlanta, a source with Kaepernick became a free agent in the 34-year-old. Slam champion and has already booked “I did it against Roger, and I did direct knowledge of the arrangement has 2017. No team offered him a contract, The former Italy midfielder claims the situation got so bad his semi-final spot. it also today. Probably Novak is the told CNN. Clubs that don’t attend in person and that October, he filed a grievance that Gennaro Gattuso “almost had to apologise” for bringing “Probably the best match I ever best player in the world right now, so will have access to video of the session. The against the league, accusing team own- him back into the squad during an injury crisis. played,” he said. “It was a real classic I had to do something outstanding, event will be closed to media. ers of colluding to keep him from being “I spoke to the coach and he told me that the results of my and epic match which will happen from something unusual, and that’s what Kaepernick tweeted about the develop- signed. The NFL denied any collusion. tests weren’t at the same level of my teammates. time to time at these big tournaments. I did. ment on Tuesday night. Kaepernick and former teammate Eric “It wouldn’t possibly be as I wasn’t allowed to train with “It had everything that a match “I mean, I was hitting really, really “I’m just getting word from my repre- Reid, who knelt with Kaepernick, settled the squad until mid-November. like this needs. He was up; I was up. hard.” sentatives that the NFL league office reached their cases. “To justify my return to the squad, Gattuso referred to He was playing amazing points; I was Djokovic, who faces a decisive clash out to them about a workout in Atlanta Earlier this year, Kaepernick posted the absences of Brescianini and Torrasi, two players from playing amazing points. It’s only about with Federer on Thursday with the on Saturday,” he tweeted. “I’ve been in videos of himself on Twitter, taking part the Primavera. luck, and it was a little bit more on my loser guaranteed an early exit, was shape and ready for this for 3 years, can’t in weight training and throwing footballs. “He almost apologised for it. After a kickabout with the side today in the third-set tiebreak.” generous in his praise of Thiem. wait to see the head coaches and GMs on ESPN reported it has seen the memo squad, I was invited to train again, but often alone or sometimes Djokovic played his full part in an “I know that he can play in a Saturday.” which was sent to teams informing them with Halilovic, or with the Primavera. exhilarating contest but could not quite high level, but tonight was just According to the source, several NFL of the workout. “Nothing happened between Gattuso and I. I can’t even match Thiem’s firepower. phenomenal,” he said. “He just played teams inquired about the athlete-turned- Kaepernick, who led the 49ers to the explain this situation to myself because I never got any answers. Thiem also made 44 unforced errors very courageous tennis and (was) just activist’s “football readiness” and desire 2013 Super Bowl, played his last game on “When Gattuso replaced [Vincenzo] Montella, he called but it would be churlish to criticise smacking the ball. He went for broke.” to return to the league. January 1, 2017. me and some other more experienced players to ask for advice that tally when he was playing such (Source: Reuters) Kaepernick hasn’t played in the league (Source: CNN) and get the right support.” (Source: Football Italia) FIFA bans three for life over Racism the catalyst for outspoken remarks, says Fury South American corruption Former world heavyweight boxing cham- talked,” said Fury. pion Tyson Fury said his outspoken remarks “To some degree it worked. But playing FIFA on Tuesday banned three former top South American which have caused huge offence to many the role got to the point where I didn’t football officials for life in connection with a corruption are down to the racism aimed at Travellers know what was real and what was the act.” scandal that has shaken world football since 2015. he experienced as an amateur. Fury, whose greatest moment inside Former Peru Football Federation Manuel Burga and The 31-year-old Briton -- who is of Irish the ring came with his sensational defeat Argentinian officials Eduardo Deluca and Jose Luis Meiszner Traveller descent and is nicknamed ‘The in 2015 of Ukrainian legend Wladimir took secret payments while allocating marketing and media Gypsy King’ -- drew a hail of criticism Klitschko to become unified heavyweight contracts for regional competitions, FIFA said. with controversial comments such as ‘a world champion, said he is indebted to The three were suspended from taking part in any footballing woman’s best place is in the kitchen’ and his wife Paris for sticking by him. activity and fined one million Swiss francs (912,000 euros) each. claiming it would only take the legalization Paris -- whom he met when he was 17 The offences took place when the officials were negotiating of paedophilia in addition to the decrimi- -- had thought about leaving him when he contracts on behalf of the South American Football nalization of abortion and homosexuals indulged in a cocaine and alcohol binge but Confederation (CONMEBOL) and the Confederation of to see “the devil come home.” fearful he would commit suicide, she stayed. North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football However, Fury -- who has battled de- “I can’t really put into words how much (CONCACAF) between 2004 and 2015. mons such as substance abuse and mental it means to me that Paris stuck with me The bans are the latest sanctions linked to revelations health issues which he claims prompted and the pain it causes me when I look in 2015 by US prosecutors of a web of corruption involving him to think of committing suicide -- says back to how low I brought her, because millions of dollars in bribes concerning marketing and TV he made the comments to fulfil the role she didn’t deserve it,” says Fury. rights for South American football tournaments. of being an outsider. big part in exacerbating my moments of Fury, who is due to have a rematch Fury, whose most recent sporting ac- Despite the scale of the probe, only two former South “I started playing this part, being ar- despair. with WBC world heavyweight champion tivity saw him beat Braun Strowman in American officials have appeared in court in the United States rogant and cocky,” Fury writes in his au- “I went into the paid ranks off the back Deontay Wilder on February 22 after their a World Wrestling Inc (WWE) bout in to answer charges. tobiography “Behind The Mask” which of an amateur career during which I was thrilling first bout ended in a draw, said Saudi Arabia on October 31, says his low Juan Angel Napout, the former Paraguayan federation comes out on Thursday. aware of racism against travelers. he became unable to distinguish between self-esteem was at the base of it. chief and ex-CONMEBOL president was jailed for nine years, “I eventually lost myself in this char- “This made me an outsider and so I felt reality and the role-playing. “I confess I didn’t react as I should while the former boss of Brazilian football, Jose Maria Marin, acter. that for me to get the attention I needed “I felt I had to act out a role to seek have done and I regret how I came across was sentenced to four years. “When I started out as a pro, I made to be an attraction in the sport, I had to publicity and to do that I had to be con- at times,” he said. (Source: Sport24) a decision which on reflection played a play the outlaw.” troversial and shock people with how I (Source: Mirror) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y NOVEMBER 14, 2019 SPORTS 15
Iraq and Iran resume Iran’s Amiri wins gold at World Para Atheltics C’ships
SPORTS TEHRAN — Hamed Amiri from Iran claimed deska gold medal at the Dubai 2019 World Para rivalry in pivotal battle Athletics Championships on Wednesday. He finished in first place at the Men’s Javelin Throw F54 with SPORTS TEHRAN — Iran nation- a throw of 29.77 meters, one centimeter ahead of Greek athlete deskal football team will lock Manolis Stefanoudakis. horn with their familiar foe Iraq on Matchday 5 of Asia’s second round of qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Thursday. Group C leaders Iraq entertain Iran in neutral Amman as the two sides resume what is one of Asia’s most well-known rivalries, one which dates back all the way to 1962, FIFA.com reported. Marc Wilmots’ visitors can, of course, take heart from their superior head-to- head record in all competitions, including winning two and losing one of their past three World Cup qualifying meetings. Srecko Katanec’s hosts side, however, have proven more than competitive over their rivals in recent meetings, including at this year’s AFC Asian Cup. Having suffered a 1-0 loss at the hands of The bronze medal went to Russian thrower Aleksei Kuznetsov Bahrain in the previous outing, Team Melli with 29.68 meters. are under pressure to bounce back with an Iran’s Mahdi Olad (Men’s Shot Put F11 - Gold), Alireza Mokhtari away win. Wilmots has named a full-strength (Men’s Shot Put F53 – Silver), Mehran Nekouei Majd (Men’s squad featuring ten overseas-based players. Shot Put F34 – Silver), Sajad Mohammadian (Men’s Shot Put Katanec, though, has called up a trio of un- F42 – Bronze), Ali Mohammadyari (Men’s Discus Throw F 56 – capped players to provide fresh impetus to Silver), Hashemiyeh Motaghian (Women’s Javelin F56- Silver) Iraq as they aim to cement their place at the had won medals for Iran. top with all three points. Should the battle The event has brought more than 1,400 athletes from 120 end in stalemate, Bahrain, level with Iraq nations together from Nov. 7 to 15. on points, have the opportunity to move top with victory in Hong Kong. Iran are aiming to book a place in the FIFA World Cup for the third time in a row, Iran U23 football team held as the Persians took part in the two previous editions under guidance of Carlos Queiroz. by Indonesia in friendly Traditional rivals Iran and Iraq will meet in a TASNIM — Iran U23 football team drew 1-1 with Indonesia contest which neither side can afford to lose. U23 in a friendly match on Wednesday. In the match held at the Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium in Bali, Egy Maulana Vikri gave the host the lead in the 27th minute and Mohammad Reza Azadi equalized the match in the 68th minute. Marc Wilmots says Iran ‘focused’ on match against Iraq Hamid Estili’s team will also play Indonesia on Saturday SPORTS TEHRAN — Iran national football team “We know the importance of the result, but we should as part of preparation for the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship. deskhead coach Marc Wilmots says that they not feel the pressure. We are focused on booking a place Iran have been drawn in Group C of the AFC U-23 Champi- are focused on putting on a good display against Iraq at the at the 2022 World Cup for the third time in a row,” Wil- onship along with Uzbekistan, China and South Korea. 2022 FIFA World Cup. mots concluded. The competition will be held in Thailand from January 8 to Team Melli will meet their archrivals on Matchday 5 of Iraq coach Srecko Katanec is not happy with facing Iran 26 and the top three teams of the tournament will qualify for the Asia›s second round of qualifying on Thursday. in Amman but says they have to accept the situation. 2020 Summer Olympics men’s football tournament in Japan as Group C leaders Iraq entertain Iran in neutral Amman Iraq had been due to play in Basra but the southern the AFC representatives. as the two sides resume what is one of Asia›s most well- port city has been caught up in the anti-government known rivalries, one which dates back all the way to 1962. demonstrations and FIFA requested an alternative venue “The venue has been changed but I think it doesn›t have because of ongoing protests. much effect on the result. This is our third away matches out “Our first goal is to win the match. Iran are one of the most Zagros suffer fourth of four and we are focused on putting on a good performance powerful teams in Asia but we know them well. I preferred successive loss at Asian against Iraq. Our primary focus is on our style of play,” the to meet Iran in our venue in Basra in front of our fans but Belgian coach said. the situation changed,” the Slovenian coach said. Handball Club League C’ship
IRNA — Iranian handball team Zagros Eslamabad suffered their fourth successive loss at the 22nd Asian Men’s Club League Australia’s Kerr signs for Chelsea FC Championship on Wednesday. Chelsea Football Club Women have announced the signing of some trophies.» The Iranian team, who had already lost to Al-Kuwait, Al-Arabi Australian forward Sam Kerr on a two-and-a-half year deal. The talented forward is not only clinical in front of goal, and Al-Sharja, lost to South Korean team SK Hawks 35-22 in The 26-year-old international will join up with the Blues she possesses raw pace, a deadly touch and strong leadership Group A. when the mid-season transfer window opens, linking up qualities. She is the captain of the Australian national team. Iran’s Foolad, who had also lost to Qatar’s Al-Wakrah, Al-We- with the squad for the second half of the 2019/20 Women’s In front of goal, Kerr’s record speaks for itself and she hdah of Saudi Arabia and Oman and defeated Al-Arabi of Kuwait, Super League season. is the all-time leading goalscorer in the W-League with were defeated against Bar Bar of Bahrain 25-23 Group B. Kerr had previously split her playing time between Perth 70 goals and has netted a further 69 in the USA having The competition is being held in Samcheok, South Korea Glory in the Australian W-League from October to April and represented Western New York Flash, Sky Blue FC and from November 7 to 17. Chicago Red Stars in America’s National Women’s Soccer Chicago, claiming three golden boots and two MVPs. The Asian Handball Club League Championship is the official League from April to September. Numerous milestones and individual honors have been competition organized by Asian Handball Federation for the A proven goalscorer throughout her career, Kerr was re- ticked off, including being the first Australian (male or fe- men’s handball clubs of Asia, and takes place every year. cently named the NWSL’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) after the Matildas at just 15 and has gone on to score 38 times male) to score a hat-trick at a World Cup, being named as the In addition to crowning the Asian champion, the tournament scoring a record 19 goals in 23 games to secure a third-con- for her country, including five goals at this year’s World 2017 Asian Football Confederation’s Women’s Footballer also serves as a qualifying tournament for the IHF Super Globe. secutive Golden Boot. This was despite being absent for part Cup, and she was recently a finalist for the Best Women’s of the Year, and receiving awards for Best International of the season because of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019. Player at the 2019 FIFA Football Awards as well as being Women’s Footballer and the Best Player in the NWSL at Kerr helped Chicago Red Stars to the NWSL Championship a Ballon d’Or nominee. the 2019 ESPY Awards. final when she scored the only goal in the play-off semi-final Ahead of her move to Chelsea, Kerr, who will wear the The West Australian received the Young Australian Tour de France’s against Portland Thorns. However, the Australian forward number 20 shirt, said: «The WSL is the best league in Eu- of the Year award in 2018 and was one of five finalists missed out on clinching the title after the Red Stars suffered rope. I want team success and I don’t want it to come easy. for the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year Award in perennial runner-up a defeat to North Carolina Courage. I feel Chelsea have been building something special over 2018 and 2019. Poulidor dies at 83 On the international stage, Kerr made her debut for the years and I want to be a part of that – I want to lift (Source: Chelsea FC)
PARIS (Reuters) — French cyclist Raymond Poulidor, best known for failing to win the Tour de France while coming ago- Australian cycling champion Modra killed Bernardo Silva banned and fined over nizingly close on numerous occasions, has died aged 83, French in road collision Benjamin Mendy tweet media reported on Wednesday. Nicknamed “Pou-Pou” and a public favorite because of his perennial runner-up status, Poulidor’s rivalry with compa- triot Jacques Anquetil - who won the Tour de France five times - gripped the country in the 1960s. As Anquetil’s career wound down at the end of that decade, many thought Poulidor’s time had come. But it was not to be ashis path was then blocked by another Tour de France great, Belgian Eddy Merckx, who also won the sport’s big prize five times between 1969 and 1974. Merckx told French radio station RTL that Poulidor was “a great champion, a great man and a great friend. It’s a real loss for the cycling sport”. Five-time Paralympic gold medalist Kieran cident on Wednesday morning,” Austral- Bernardo Silva has been banned for and must complete face-to-face education Poulidor finished the Tour de France in second place three Modra has died after being hit by a car ia’s Royal Society for the Blind said in a one match and fined £50,000 follow- after admitting a breach of FA Rule E3. times (1964, 1965, 1974) and five times in third (1962, 1966, while riding his bike north of Adelaide Facebook post. ing a controversial social media post “The Manchester City midfielder’s so- 1969, 1972 and 1976). on Wednesday. “Our thoughts and condolences are regarding Manchester City teammate cial media activity on 22 September 2019 He was born in 1936 in central France and started racing The 47-year-old, who was visually im- with his wife Kerry and the Modra family Benjamin Mendy. breached FA Rule E3(1), as it was insult- professionally in 1959. paired, collided with a car that was trave- at this difficult time.” Silva posted a tweet that appeared to com- ing and/or improper and/or brought the He did win one Grand Tour during his almost 20-year career, ling in the same direction on a road near Modra, a swimmer and tandem cyclist, pare Mendy’s likeness to a cartoon character game into disrepute, and constituted an the Spanish Vuelta in 1964, as well as several classics, including the town of Gawler, South Australia, local claimed five gold and five bronze medals at who features on the packaging of Conguitos, “Aggravated Breach”, which is defined in “Monument” Milan-San Remo in 1961 and La Flèche Wallonne media reported. eight Paralympic Games between 1988 and a brand of chocolate bar in Spain. FA Rule E3(2), as it included reference, in 1963. He also won seven Tour de France stages. “We are very saddened to hear of the 2016, along with two silver medals at the A statement from the FA read: “Ber- whether expressed or implied, to race and/ He leaves behind a cycling dynasty — his grandson, Dutchman passing of long-time supporter and friend 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. nardo Silva has been suspended for one first or color and/or ethnic origin.” Mathieu van der Poel, is an emerging cycling talent who won of the RSB, Kieran Modra, in a cycling ac- (Source: Reuters) team competitive fixture, fined £50,000 (Source: Soccernet) this year’s edition of the Amstel Gold Race in the Netherlands. Prayer Times Noon:11:49 Evening: 17:13 Dawn: 4:18 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 6:40 (tomorrow) NOVEMBER 14, 2019 ART&CULTURE I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y www.tehrantimes.com Managing Director: Mohammad Shojaeian Editor-in-Chief: Mohammad Ghaderi Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 Iran Book Week kicks off in Yazd [email protected] Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 CULTURE TEHRAN — The 27th Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051450 deskIran Book Week opened Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 on Wednesday in Yazd, the central Iranian Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 city that is Iran’s 2019 Book Capital. www.eshterak.ir Distributor: Padideh Novin Co. The ceremony opened with the message Tel: 88911433 Webmaster: [email protected] of the Minister of Culture and Islamic Printed at: Jame Jam Bartar Borna - 44197737 Guidance Seyyed Abbas Salehi warning against a growing crisis in book reading Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimesdaily in the country. “We are now living at a time during which No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran the revolution of cyberspace dominates all P.o. Box: 14155-4843 historical and cultural periods of life, and we Zip Code: 1599814713 are encountering the risk of facing inaccurate knowledge growing rapidly in such a way that we may face a crisis in book reading in the future,” read part of the message. “Therefore, a national book reading campaign could help immunize us against the upcoming threats but only on the condition that everybody participates in this national campaign,” the message added. “Libraries and local bookstores can help GUIDE TO make a thoughtful culture-based city,” it SPIRITUAL AWAKENING also added. A number of book fairs are set up at schools He who considers his essence noble, will regard in Yazd during the week, while bookmobiles his desires and passions base. will move out across the city of Yazd, which is Imam Ali (AS) home to many magnificent historical mosques and ancient Zoroastrian fire temples. In addition, book fairs, reading workshops and meetings with writers and translators are being organized across the country during Iranian, Russian cultural the book week. officials meet in Tehran The Iran Book Week will also be observed in the country’s cultural offices in Italy, Cultural officials attend the opening ceremony of the 27th Iran Book Week at a school in Yazd on November 13, 2019. ARTTEHRAN — Russian Deputy Minister Belarus, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uganda. deskof Culture Pavel Stepanov and Cinema Ahmad Dehqan, the Iranian author of the translator of the Italian version of the book writer Mehdi Azar Yazdi’s popular unveiled during the book week in Pakistan. Organization of Iran director Hossein Entezami met at the Film “Bearing 270 Degrees”, a novel about the book, will attend the book week in Italy. series “Good Stories for Good Children”, The 27th Iran Book Week is being held with Museum of Iran in Tehran on Tuesday. 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war, and M. Marelli, An Urdu version of Iranian children’s translated by Abdulqayyum Bidar, will be the motto of “The Good Mood of Reading”. Tehran prosecutor lifts ban on “The Paternal House” ARTTEHRAN — Mohammad-Mehdi authorities for screening on October 23 after a ban of about deskTabatabainejad, the director of the Culture ten years due to some allegedly violent scenes. Ministry’s Supervision and Evaluation Office, announced on Five days later, however, the controversial movie faced Wednesday that the Tehran prosecutor has overturned the a ban once again after its modifications failed to satisfy the Tehran Public and Revolutionary Court’s October decision Tehran Public and Revolutionary Court. to ban the honor killing drama “The Paternal House”. In a statement, the court said, “The film contains scenes He said that the ban was lifted by “a special order” from insulting the Iranian people’s religious beliefs, promoting Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raisi and added, “Undoubtedly, violence against women, undermining the perfect Iranian- his prudence and other judiciary officials’ cooperation Islamic traditions and culture, and representing a false and on implementing the order will help unify the cinema distorted image of the Iranian family.” Russian delegation led by Deputy Minister of Culture Pavel community of the country.” The court also said that no modifications had been made to Stepanov and Cinema Organization of Iran director Hossein He noted that the order was issued by the efforts made “The Paternal House” and “all the culprits will be prosecuted.” Entezami meet at the Film Museum of Iran in Tehran on by Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyyed Abbas Mehdi Hashemi (L) and Shahab Hosseini act in a scene On November 2, in a letter sent to Raisi, the Iranian House November 12, 2019. Salehi just hours after the court’s decision to stop screening from “The Paternal House”. of Cinema, which is the official guild of Iranian cineastes, A delegation led by Stepanov is in Iranian to attend the the film. He said that theaters can resume screening the movie asked for an urgent meeting with him. Russian Cultural Days, which is underway in the Iranian cities Tabatabainejad also expressed his thanks to director on Wednesday. “We urge the rule of law without any one-sided of Tehran and Qazvin. Kianush Ayyari for his recent “close cooperation”. “The Paternal House” received the approval of cultural interpretation,” the organization wrote in the letter. During the meeting, Stepanov announced his country’s plan to organize an Iranian cultural week in Russia in 2021 in collaboration with Iran’s Islamic Culture and Relations Organization. Vitre Iranian film festival Iran’s “Finding Farideh” among docs Plans for joint performances by Iranian and Russian musicians were also discussed at the meeting. unveils lineup submitted For Oscars Entezami also announced his organization’s readiness to cooperate with Russian filmmakers on joint film projects.
Iranian troupe to take “Happy Days” to Armenia
ARTTEHRAN — The Iranian theater troupe deskHedayat led by director Vahid Taqizadeh will perform Irish playwright Samuel Beckett’s play “Happy Days” at the Goy Theater Hall in Yerevan, Armenia tonight. Written in 1961, the play is about Winnie, a middle-aged woman who is half-buried in the earth and has a black bag next to her. Her husband, Willie, is A scene from “Dance of Dust” by Abolfazl Jalili. “Finding Farideh” co-directed by Azadeh Musavi and Kurosh Atai. buried in a hole behind her and speaks only a few words. ARTTEHRAN — A lineup Fery Malek-Madani and “Iran Runs out ARTTEHRAN — The is about a Netherland-based Iranian Winnie takes out some items deskof 12 Iranian films will of Water” by Laurent Cibien and Komeil deskIranian film “Finding woman who was adopted by a Dutch from her bag and the items trigger go on screen in the first edition of the Sohani will also be screened. Farideh” is on the list of 159 documentary couple forty years ago, and returns to A poster for an Iranian memories in her life, including New Images of Iran (Nouvelles Images The movies have been selected by a features submitted for the 92nd Academy Iran to search for her family. troupe’s performance of moments shared with her d’Iran), a film festival that will be running committee composed of Iranian filmmaker Awards as the Academy of Motion Earlier in August, the film was also Samuel Beckett’s play, “Happy husband. As the play develops in the northwestern French town of Vitré Abolfazl Jalili, who is also a jury member, Picture Arts and Sciences announced selected as Iran’s submission to the Days”, at the Goy Theater Hall to the second act, we see Winnie from December 11 to 15. Vitre Mayor Pierre Méhaignerie, Franco- the submissions on Tuesday. 92nd Academy Awards in the best in Yerevan, Armenia. buried up to her neck and all she The lineup includes “Yeva” by Anahid Iranian Center director Alireza Khalili, The film is competing with some foreign-language film category. has is her words. Abad, “Appendix” by Hossein Namazi and member of the editorial board of Paris- box-office hits and festival favorites, Iranian director Ashkan Rahgozar’s A cast composed of Elnaz Yaqubi and Sorush Hashemi will “The Villa Dwellers” by Monir Qeidi, the Tehran Magazine Fatemeh Shadman, including “American Dharma” by Errol acclaimed movie “The Last Fiction” has perform the play in English. Franco-Iranian Center has announced in founder of the Garromedia Cultural Morris from the U.S., “The Cave” by been also submitted for consideration a press release published on Wednesday. Association Laurent Garreau, French Feras Fayyad from Syria, “Cold Case in the animated feature film category Also included are “Leaf of Life” by Ebrahim literature expert Vahid Yaghubi and Hammarskjold” by Mads Brugger from of the Oscars, competing with 32 other Mokhtari, “Motherhood” by Roqayeh Tavakkoli, French art historian Jean-Claude Voisin. Denmark and “Diego Maradona” by animations from across the world. Russell Crowe’s property “A House on 41st Street” by Hamidreza Qorbani The festival will be organized by the Asif Kapadia from the UK. The nominations for the 92nd and “Dance of Dust” by Abolfazl Jalili. Franco-Iranian Center in collaboration with A shortlist of 15 films in this Academy Awards will be announced scorched by Australian bushfires The short films “Take a Seat, Darling” Aurore Cinema, House of World Cultures, category will be announced on on January 13, 2020 and the Oscars and “The Road Is Beautiful” both by Ali Ouest France, World Trade Center Rennes December 16. will be presented on February 9 at NEW YORK (Reuters) — Bushfires raging across Australia’s Nazari and documentary films “Starless Bretagne along with several other French Co-directed by Azadeh Musavi the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, east coast destroyed two buildings on a rural property owned Dream” by Mehrdad Oskui, “Girls” by centers and Iran’s Farabi Cinema Foundation. and Kurosh Atai, “Finding Farideh” California. by Russell Crowe, the Oscar-winning actor said on Twitter on Wednesday. The 55-year-old posted a video and pictures on his Twitter Robert De Niro to get lifetime award from SAG actor union feed of a helicopter water-bombing smoke-filled trees near a NEW YORK (Reuters) — Robert De Niro, a two-time an actor who fosters “the finest ideals of the acting profession.” fence and driveway, commenting “Top shot son!” Oscar winner and considered one of the finest actors of his De Niro, a co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival in New Crowe had earlier confirmed that he was not in Australia and generation, is being recognized by his peers with an annual York, is already the recipient of some of the highest cultural that his family was safe with friends. lifetime achievement award from the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). honors in the United States, including the Presidential Medal Bushfires are a common and deadly threat in Australia’s hot De Niro, 76, will receive the award in January, the labor of Freedom and a Kennedy Center honor. summers, but the blazes have arrived earlier this year, spurred union said on Tuesday. “From the smoldering inferno of young Vito Corleone to by dry conditions after three years of drought, and have already “I have been a member of this union for over 50 years. the raging bull Jake LaMotta and everybody’s grandpa Ben claimed three lives. It’s an honor to receive this award from SAG-AFTRA,” De Whittaker, (De Niro) continues to touch our hearts and open In a post showing burned ground and charred objects at his Niro said in a statement. our minds to new and exciting worlds of understanding and property in northeast New South Wales state, Crowe said: “lost The star of “Taxi Driver”, “The Deer Hunter”, “Silver Linings emotion,” SAG-AFTRA president Gabrielle Carteris said a couple of buildings, but overall very lucky so far. Chapel roof Playbook” and currently “The Irishman” will join the likes in a statement, referring to his roles in “The Godfather II”, scorched.” of previous lifetime recipients Alan Alda, Elizabeth Taylor, “Raging Bull”, and “The Intern.” He thanked those on the ground and said no livestock or Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood and Debbie Reynolds Cast member Robert De Niro arrives for the screening of The SAG awards for actors in film and television is one of horses had died. at the SAG Awards ceremony in Los Angeles on Jan. 19. “The Irishman” during the 2019 BFI London Film Festival the biggest ceremonies in the Hollywood awards season that “Let the chickens out and they are back, warm worms for The SAG-AFTRA awards are voted on by the 160,000-strong at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square in London, Britain culminates with the Oscars on Feb. 9. This year’s nominations breakfast!”, the actor tweeted. actor union. The lifetime achievement award is presented to October 13, 2019. (Reuters/Henry Nicholls) will be announced on Dec. 11.