France Is in Touch With Iran to Improve Iranian Foreign Ministry The Conditions of a 59-Year-Old Spokesman Has Expressed French Woman Who Was Arrested Deep Regret Over a Deadly Fire In October on the Persian Gulf In the Bangladeshi Capital of Island of Kish for Allegedly Signing Dhaka, Which Killed and An Illegal Mining Contract Injured Scores of People

VOL. XXIV, No. 6623 TEHRAN Price 10,000 Rials www.irannewsdaily.com SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2019 - ESFAND 4, 1397 2 4 8 DOMESTIC 3 DOMESTIC INTERNATIONAL SPORTS Iran Warns Pakistan Cleric Hails Leader’s Putin Ready for Atletico Stun Ronaldo Against Being Swayed Roadmap for Another Cuban By Saudi Petrodollars Solidifying Revolution Missile-Style Crisis And Juventus > SEE PAGE 2 > SEE PAGE 3 > SEE PAGE 4 > SEE PAGE 8 FATF Extends Iran’s viewPoint Deadline by June Iranian Navy Kicks Off By: Hamid Reza Naghashian..... IRAN NEWS NATIONAL DESK Saad Hariri and Opposition With Syria TEHREAN - The global anti-money laundering body, the Massive Naval Drill Financial Action Task Force (FATF), on Friday gave Iran Brave and honest remarks of Leader of Hezbollah until June to come into compliance with anti-terror financial Sayyad Hassan Nasrallah, during the festivities on the measures or said it will face tougher financial oversight. 40th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution “While welcoming the passage [by Iran] of the Anti- and on the greatness of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, Money Laundering Act, the FATF expresses its actually struck any fair man. The remarks were on the disappointment that the Action Plan remains outstanding revived greatness of Iran during the hegemony of the and expects Iran to proceed swiftly in the reform path Islamic Revolution in the region and the world, and to ensure that it addresses all of the remaining items,” a they showed us that where today Islamic Iran has been statement by the FATF said. in the political decision-making, where is and where it “If by June 2019, Iran does not enact the remaining will be. It was a clear and explicit message to legislation in line with FATF Standards, then the FATF Lebanon’s President Michel Oun to convince his Prime will require increased supervisory examination for Minister Saad Hariri to get military support and branches and subsidiaries of financial institutions based weapons from Iran to become strong in the region and in Iran,” said the statement. he should not let Europe’s and reactionary Arab states’ In January, Iran passed some new measures for policies to weaken the country more than this. countering terror financing, but the country still is Saaid Hariri’s behavior is nothing less than President having internal disagreements about finalizing certain Hassan Rouhani’s in Iran as both think western and other measures which FATF has been pressing Tehran even try to create the least hurdles to slow down the on in recent years. See Page 7 great move of the Resistance. That one can stop Hariri not to follow Saudis and France is unlikely, but that they can show the profits from deep War with “Adventurist” ties between Syria and Iran in Lebanon with more explicity would encumber Hariri for creating obstacles. Recently Al-Ahed news agency quoted the second Israel Not Unlikely command in Hezbollah Mr. Naim Qassem as saying in a TV program, “Relation between Lebanon and Syria should IRAN NEWS POLITICAL DESWK IRAN NEWS NATIONAL DESK be normalized.” He claimed that Hariri and political parties’ opposition against normalization of ties with Syria TEHRAN - Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif TEHRAN - The Iranian Navy on Friday began large-scale military exercises in the southern waters, from the Strait is because of the coordinated pressures from the U.S. He has warned the Israeli regime that its “dangerous” of Hormuz to the southeastern coasts of Makran, the Sea of Oman and the northern parts of the Indian Ocean. has gone into details of his claim, adding, “American are adventurism with its bombing campaign in Syria could The three-day massive drill, code-named Velayat-97, began in the Sea of Oman with a parade of surface and determined to use Syrian and Lebanese refugees as a lever result in a military conflict in the region. subsurface vessels as well as the airborne units of the Navy. to step up pressure on the Syrian government.” “There is adventurism on Israel’s side, and The war game is being staged in an area of 2 million square kilometers from the Strait of Hormuz to the northern He also asserted, “Syria is a ground and economic adventurism is always dangerous,” Zarif said in an parts of the Indian Ocean, down to the 10-degrees latitude. artery for Lebanon and we will use all of our tools in interview with the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper A new domestically made submarine dubbed “Fateh (Conqueror)” and the Sahand destroyer, which recently the government to restore ties with Syria.” published on Wednesday. joined the Iranian Navy’s fleet, are also participating in the war game. It is worth it to mention that resistance against the Iran is in Syria at the invitation of the Syrian According to Commander of the Iranian Navy Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi, the drill is planned be held in return of Syrian refugees to their own country is government, while Israel is violating Lebanese and four separate phases, including naval parades, simulation of a real naval war, maritime and land offense to because of the UN stand which is under influence of Syrian air space, as well as international law, Zarif said. practice recapturing the territories occupied by the enemy, and the display of the Navy’s power by launching the U.S. and Western countries. See Page7 Asked about the possibility of a military conflict various types of missiles and torpedoes. between Iran and Israel, he said he does not see that He also noted that for the first time, the Navy would fly patrol, reconnaissance and bomber drones during the war game. coming, adding, “but we cannot exclude the possibility.” Rear Admiral Khanzadi said the submarines will also launch missiles in the exercise, noting that anti-submarine U.S. Discusses Iran Crude Oil In his earlier remarks at the Munich Security Conference, helicopters will also land on and take off from the Sahand destroyer’s deck. Zarif had accused Israel of looking for war and warned The war game will include electronic warfare tactics and electronic data transmission from the coast, he added. that its actions and those of the United States were Iran’s Armed Forces hold routine military exercises throughout the year. Waiver With Seoul increasing the chances of a clash in the region. Iranian officials have repeatedly underscored that the country will not hesitate to strengthen its military In an interview with NBC News during his visit to capabilities, including its missile power, which are entirely meant for defense, and that Iran’s defense capabilities SEOUL (Dispatches) - A top U.S. State Department Munich, Zarif also warned the U.S. and its allies that it will be never subject to negotiations. official has discussed issues including Iranian would be “suicidal” to go to a war with Iran. crude oil imports with the South Korean He said the “same gang” behind the U.S. invasion government as well as urging it to diversify the of Iraq in 2003 were “at it again” in pushing for country’s crude supply further during a visit to war with Iran. Seoul earlier this week, a diplomatic source told Japan’s Refiners Seek Clarity Over Iran Oil Waiver Extension in March S&P Global Platts Thursday. Francis Fannon, assistant secretary at the State TOKYO (Dispatches) - Japanese refiners are seeking clarity on whether there will an extension to the 180-day Department’s Bureau for Energy Resources, is on a sanctions waiver from Washington in March, as they hope to continue buying Iranian oil without any disruption, visit to South Korea and Japan at a time when the East Iraq to Continue Sanctions-Busting Petroleum Association of Japan’s president Takashi Tsukioka said Friday. Asian oil consumers are calling for their 180-day Speaking at a press conference in Tokyo, Tsukioka said that the Japanese refiners are planning to load Iranian sanctions waiver on Iranian oil imports to be extended Imports From Iran crude by March, as well as considering their options beyond May. In the absence of clarity over the extension beyond May. of the U.S. sanctions waiver in March, Tsukioka said the refiners’ lifting of Iranian oil would stop in April. “It In a meeting with South Korea’s Deputy Foreign BAGHDAD (Dispatches) - Iraq is close to finalizing a would be best to have clarity over the sanctions waivers by the end of March,” Tsukioka said. “If decided in Minister Yun Kang-hyeon Wednesday, Fannon and his deal that will allow it to import Iranian energy despite March, we will be able to continue loading [Iranian oil].” counterpart “talked about the Iranian crude issue and American sanctions by avoiding the U.S. dollar, an Tsukioka also added that Japanese refiners would continue to buy spot Iranian oil whether or not their term South Korea’s efforts toward diversification of sources Iraqi official said. contracts are renewed if the sanctions waiver is granted. Showa Shell, Fuji Oil and Cosmo Oil were the first of crude imports,” the diplomatic source in Seoul said. “A big delegation came from the Iranian central bank Japanese refiners to resume Iranian crude loadings in January -- the first in four months -- totaling around 4.9 But the source declined to elaborate on what exactly and the idea was proposed to trade with Iran in euros,” million barrels. This was followed by JXTG Nippon Oil & Energy resuming loadings in early February. had been discussed on Iranian crude. Abdulkarim Hashim Mustafa, special adviser to Iraq’s Idemitsu Kosan has also said it intends to resume its purchases of Iranian crude oil during the current US Fannon also has discussions on broad cooperation in prime minister, said in an interview Tuesday in Moscow sanctions waiver. Asked about the outlook of talks with a top US State Department delegation in Tokyo, the energy sector with the South Korean government, on the sidelines of a Middle East conference hosted by Tsukioka confirmed the visit as well as expressing his hope for progress toward securing the extension to the as well as with unidentified local energy companies on the Kremlin-backed Valdai discussion club. “There are Iranian oil sanctions waiver. “It would be beneficial for Japan to secure the sanctions waiver by all means,” topics including on energy innovation, investment and other ideas to pay in Iraqi dinars, or in oil.” Tsukioka said. renewable energy, the source said. The U.S. has been pressuring Iraq to end its purchases “We are hopeful of the government.” He added that the Japanese oil industry does not have any plans to meet SK Innovation, which has been South Korea’s biggest of Iranian natural gas and electricity, which meet a large the US State Department delegation during the visit. buyer of Iranian crude, said Thursday it has been share of domestic energy needs. In the meantime, it has South Korea’s Deputy Foreign Minister Yun Kang-hyeon, Fannon and his counterpart “talked about the Iranian making efforts to diversify its crude sources. extended to Baghdad a temporary waiver from the crude issue and South Korea’s efforts toward diversification of sources of crude imports,” a diplomatic source “We have increased crude purchases from the U.S. and sanctions targeting Iran that President Donald Trump in Seoul told S&P Global Platts Thursday. All transactions under the US State Department’s current “significant other countries as alternatives to Iranian grades because it is reimposed last year after pulling out of the Iranian reduction exemptions” must be completed by May 4. Fresh waivers would start May 5 for countries that the U.S. uncertain whether the 180-day waiver will be extended,” an nuclear deal. Mustafa said See Page 7 determines to have been able to significantly reduce Iranian imports in the previous six months. official at SK Innovation said. See Page 7 2 IRAN NEWS DOMESTIC SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2019

TEHRAN - Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi has condemned the Israeli occupiers’ recent assaults on al-Aqsa Mosque and other historical and Islamic sites in the occupied Jerusalem al-Quds. In a Thursday statement, Qasemi also slammed the silence of certain regional states over the Israeli assaults, saying that the silence encourages Zionists to continue their aggression on the Tehran Condemns Israeli Occupiers’ Assaults on al-Aqsa Mosque historical and Islamic sites of Palestinians. Qasemi said the killing and ethno-religious cleansing in al-Quds has been underway in a constant and organized way since the occupation of the Palestinian territories. Iran Warns Pakistan Against Being Swayed Websites Review 13 Members of By Saudi Petrodollars Islamic State Arrested ILNA* - Islamic Republic’s Intelligence Ministry announced on Thursday the arrest of 13 “elements” of the TEHRAN (IFP) - IRGC Quds Force Commander Major Islamic State group who it said had plans to launch General Qassem Soleimani has warned Pakistan against being “military” operations in Iran’s Western Kurdistan province. Ministry in a statement said that the arrested swayed by the Saudi petrodollars and turning into a center for individuals were operating in two teams “planning “annoying” Iran, India, and Afghanistan. to plant bombs and kill people, as well as assassinate Sunni religious leaders” but were identified and “Each year, tens of terrorist attacks in Iran are carried out by terrorist groups stationed He further noted that Iran will not threaten Pakistan but will exact revenge on the arrested. No explanation was provided as why the in Pakistan. They kill our people. Now, instead of offering condolences to our people, Takfiri mercenaries who recently killed 27 Iranian border guards and have the blood group would target Sunni clergy. it is better for the Pakistani government to take a practical step and flush out the of Iranian youths on their hands, no matter where in the world they are. There has always been tension and incidents in terrorist groups,” General Soleimani said Thursday. “We won’t allow the nasty terrorist groups go unpunished easily after killing Iranian Kurdistan since the birth of the Islamic The Iranian commander underlined that the government and army of Pakistan members of our nation,” he added. Republic with Kurdish nationalist groups, but Tehran should not allow the criminal Saudi government to create tension between Islamabad He then underlined that Iran is ready to support Pakistan in fight against terror, but has been increasingly mentioning the Islamic State’s and its neighbours through pumping hefty money into Pakistan’s economy. the main question is in which direction the Pakistani government is moving. presence in the province in recent years. General Soleimani said Pakistan should not be turned into a centre for creating At least 27 IRGC forces were killed on Feb. 13 after a bomber slammed his The intelligence ministry added that “some troubles for regional states like Iran, India and Afghanistan. “The main goal behind explosives-laden vehicle into a bus carrying off-duty members of IRGC in Sistan and individuals were trained abroad and under the the regional tension is to destroy and divide Pakistan.” Baluchestan Province bordering Pakistan. direction of a Daesh military leaders pursued terrorist actions”. It also added that remote controlled bombs and ammunition. The statement did not provide any further Leader Condoles information on those arrested, such as nationality. IRGC Makes U.S. Jet Fighter Bomb Its Own Drone Islamic Republic security officials have often made Demise of TEHRAN (IFP) - Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the intelligence acquired by its drones in announced arrest of “terrorists” particularly in the Syria and Iraq has forced the U.S. military to bomb one of its own drones. past three years, most often without presenting any That was announced by IRGC Aerospace Commanded Brigadier General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh in a Thursday evidence or follow-up news about investigations, Senior Cleric ceremony held in Hamadan. arrested suspects or trials. “Seven or eight aerial vehicles [belonging to the U.S.-led coalition] with regular flights in Syria and Iraq were under our [intelligence] control; we could monitor their data, and managed to acquire their first-hand information,” Hajizadeh said, highlighting the IRGC’s influence in the two Arab states. No Single Terrorist According to the top general, one of these drones was once forced to have an emergency landing due to a problem during the flight. Attack Goes Unanswered As shown in a drone footage released by the IRGC, the drone was hardly landed in a desert area 10 km from the U.S. base. However, the Americans did not dare to approach their own drone because of the IRGC’s intelligence, and thus MEHR* - Deputy Commander of Islamic Republic bombed it with a jet fighter. Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned that no acts of terrorism in Iran will go unanswered. Speaking on the recent deadly terrorist attack in southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchistan in VP Calls for Mutual Understanding to Solve Economic Problems which 27 Revolutionary Guards Corps were killed and 13 others were wounded, Brigadier General IRAN NEWS NATIONAL DESK strong and cannot carry the economy alone. Therefore, Hossein Salami, deputy commander of Iran’s the sector should be improved while the government’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said that “we TEHRAN - Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri has expressed revenues are limited.” cannot talk about the form and the shape of our the need for mutual understanding to solve the problems “The country’s current condition is difficult and it response to terrorists, but no acts of terrorism will in the country’s economy, including privatization. requires mutual understanding to surpass the obstacles, go unanswered.” According to him, “our responses Referring to the country’s economic problems, he instead of chaos,” he added. are resolute and those who receive these responses said, “Today some say the problem in economy is that The official also said that at the recent Warsaw will become familiar with their severity.” IRAN NEWS NATIONAL DESK it is public, but whenever there are efforts for summit “some by the help of Israel, the US and Saudi The IRGC deputy commander further added that privatization some say there is corruption in it.” Arabia wanted to create phobia against Iran. They have terrorist incidents are not capable of affecting the TEHRAN - Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali He said Iran’s dependency on oil has caused the done this before and have failed, and this time they will deterrent power of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Khamenei issued a message on Friday condoling “enemies” to implement sanctions on oil sales. be defeated again, but we should have a logical and adding that “our grand vision is to see to the defeat the demise of Ayatollah Mohammad Momen, a “On the other hand, the private sector is not very moderate approach towards these efforts.” of great powers, and these are small incidents to us.” member of the Assembly of Experts and a member of Guardian Council. In his message, the Supreme Leader said 8 Arrested for Terror Attacks that Ayatollah Momen’s demise was a loss Iran Has Technological Capability to Return to Pre-JCPOA for the seminary. IRNA* - Eight people have been arrested so far in Ayatollah Khamenei hailed Ayatollah Momen’s TEHRAN (MNA) – Iranian nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi has stressed that Iran enjoys the technological connection with the terrorist attack that took place academic position as well as his record of fight capabilities needed to return to the era before signing the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. in the southeastern province of Sistan and against the regime of former Shah of Iran. In an interview with Al Jazeera, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), ruled out any Baluchestan, said the head of the Provincial Justice The Leader condoled with the bereaved family of possibility of starting negotiations on Iran missile capabilities, saying “Iran’s ballistic missiles are non-negotiable.” Department of Sistan-Baluchestan Province. the late Ayatollah Momen, the great ulema of Qum Salehi said that Iran has been under sanctions since the 1979 Islamic Revolution for forty years, adding that the A Suicide attack on a bus, carrying the Islamic Republic seminary, particularly his students and friends, and sanctions cannot bring the country to the negotiating table over its missiles. Guard Corps (IRGC) personnel, martyred 27 and wounded all the people of his hometown, Qom. He described the recent U.S. and Israel-sponsored Warsaw conference on the security in the Middle East as 13 in southeastern Iran on February 12. A terrorist group Ayatollah Khamenei prayed for his departed soul ‘failed’, underlining that Iran considers the conference as ‘worthless’ which yielded no results. so-called Jaish al-Adl, affiliated to Al-Qaida, claimed to rest in peace. “It is true that we have economic problems, but Iran is able to get through this stage regarding its self-sufficiency responsibility for the incident. Ibrahim Hamidi said that one Renowned Islamic scholar Ayatollah in many fields,” Salehi noted. of the detainees who is the owner of the exploded car is a Mohammad Danesh Zadeh Qomi (Momen), “We have gained much experience over the past 40 years, and sanctions are nothing new [to us], and Iran has woman that was arrested based on solid evidence. who was a jurist member of Iran’s Guardian become stronger during these 40 years,” the nuclear chief further noted. ‘When examining her house, parts of the exploded Council, has passed away after a months-long The head of AEOI also called on the European countries to adhere to their commitments under the nuclear deal. car were found,’ he noted. He added that as soon as the struggle with disease. He described the launch of the Special Purpose Vehicle known as the INSTEX by them as a good first step, court verdict is issued, it will be announced publically. Ayatollah Momen passed away at the age of 81 in expressing hope the European side would take more steps to fulfill their commitments in the coming months. The official further said that security forces had in a hospital in the capital Tehran on Thursday after Salehi touched upon the animosity of Saudi Arabia towards Iran, saying that the Iranian side has always wanted their search operations in Khash and Saravan, in spending the past two months battling with brain security and peace for the Middle East region. southeastern Iran, also found 750 kilograms of hemorrhage and respiratory problems. “Iran’s president and foreign minister have repeatedly said they are ready to hold talks with Saudi Arabia, explosives, 150 klograms of which were ready for An influential member of the Guardian especially about their problems with Iran,” the Iranian nuclear chief further noted. terror attacks, said Hamidi. Council, he was first appointed to the position by late founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini in 1984 and continued to serve in that capacity after Leader of the Islamic President to Make First Iraq Visit in 6 Years No Surrender to Pressures Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei extended TEHRAN (IFP) - President Hassan Rouhani is to travel to Iraq for talks with the country’s officials in coming weeks. IRNA* - Iran will not give up resistance and will resist his assignment in 2014. That was announced by Iranian ambassador to Baghdad Iraj Masjedi, who said the trip is slated to take place in March. foreign pressures imposed on it, senior cleric said. The late cleric also served as a member of the “In line with the enhancement of all-out cooperation with friendly country Iraq, Iran pays due regard to Saladin In spite of economic and political pressures, Iran Assembly of Experts after being elected during all Province and the city of Samarra,” said the ambassador. will not surrender and much pressure will lead to of the governmental body’s five elections so far. He He said Tehran invites Iranian companies to begin work and make investments in different parts of Iraq, including much resistance, Head of the Assembly of Experts also served as the deputy head of the council from Saladin Province. Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati said in a local ceremony. 2008 to 2011. “Accordingly, we want the central government of Iraq to set the stage more than ever before for this work,” Iran will not be afraid of enemy threats, the Before attaining Ijtihad (juristic reasoning), he added. cleric added. He referred to the resistance he was a pupil of such prominent Islamic He said Iran is prepared to help Iraq with reconstruction work the same way it stood by the Iraqi nation and victories over terrorists in Iraq, Syria and other scholars as Imam Khomeini, Allameh government in the campaign against the ISIS terrorist group, which had occupied large parts of Iraq. regions and noted that the axis of resistance Tabatabai, Ayatollah Meshkini and many This will be Rouhani’s first trip to Iraq in six years. The two countries seek to continue their cooperation on Iraq’s proved that with resistance, all powers’ others in the Qom Seminary. reconstruction and mutual trade despite US sanctions. conspiracies are doomed to failure. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2019 DOMESTIC IRAN NEWS 3

Noon (Zohr) 12:16 65. Then were they confounded with shame: (they said), “Thou knowest full well that these Evening (Maghreb) 17:44 (idols) do not speak!” PRAYER TIME Tomorrow’s Dawn (Fajr) 05:41 66. (Abraham) said, “Do ye then worship, besides Allah, things that can neither be of any good to you nor do you harm? Surah 21. The Prophets ( 65 - 66 ) Tomorrow’s Sunrise 07:08 Cleric Hails Leader’s Gov’t Denies Rumors It’s Roadmap for Behind Currency Hikes TEHRAN (IFP) - The Iranian president’s chief of staff has rejected rumors that this week’s hike in the value of Solidifying Revolution foreign currencies in Iranian markets was planned by the government as part of efforts to meet FATF guidelines, saying the government would not “play TEHRAN (MNA) – Tehran’s Provisional Friday Prayers leader games” with people’s livelihood. has described the ‘Leader’s Second Phase of Islamic Revolution’ Speaking on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting earlier this week, Mahmoud Vaezi said the government itself as a roadmap for solidifying revolution to achieve an Islamic has been hit hard by a plunge in the Iranian rial’s value. civilization and improve the Establishment’s institutions. “The rise of dollar’s rate would place [immense] pressure on the government and it would never play with The Leader of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Khamenei issued a detailed statement explanation on the past, and sets a roadmap for “solidifying a revolutionary interests of the country and people’s livelihood,” he said. entitled “the Second Phase of Islamic Revolution” on the occasion of the 40th empowered and pioneered establishment to achieve an Islamic civilization and Vaezi said the government is doing its best to anniversary of the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. serious and effective improvement in the functions of the establishment’s decrease the currency’s price, as it will lead to a Ayatollah Seyed Mohammad Hassan Aboutorabi-Fard said in this week’s Friday institutions.” decrease in general prices of goods and make life easier Prayers sermon in Tehran that the Leader’s statement is “a charter for self- He further described tackling structural flaws and mismanagement problems in the for the government. improvement, and society building,” which provides “a new explanatory chapter for country as an urgent necessity, adding that dependence of the economy on oil, state “Those who make such statements have political the revolutionary movement and the revolutionary actions of the great nation of Iran ownership of the enterprises, and looking for solutions outside the country regardless motives and are pursuing other goals,” he said. and the Islamic Ummah as well as the Resistance Front.” of domestic potentials and inappropriate and imbalanced budgeting are the main Vaezi said the government keeps up advocating for Aboutorabi-Fard added that the Leader’s detailed statement further provides a clear flaws with the economy, which the Leader had mentioned in his statement. the four bills proposed by the administration to get Iran out of the blacklist of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) using arguments, as the Expediency Council is making its mind on a parliamentary bill on Iran’s S. Africa Keen on Tehran, New Delhi Ink $2m MoU accession to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. Boosting Trade For Entrepreneurship Cooperation TEHRAN (IRNA) - Iran and India signed an agreement worth two million dollars for entrepreneurship cooperation. Exchanges With Iran The Omid Entrepreneurship Trust of the Islamic Republic of Iran website wrote on Friday that the deal was signed in Hyderabad, India on February 21. Asghar Noorullah Zadeh, Director General of the Omid KSC Pioneer in Research Entrepreneurship Trust of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Senile Shukla, head of Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, were signatories to the agreement. YAZD IRNA) - South African Ambassador in Under the memorandum, signed on the sidelines of the biennial conference on the development of entrepreneurship And Development Tehran Vika Mazwi Khumalo said on Thursday in India, the special entrepreneurship center for the small- and medium-sized enterprises of India-Iran will be IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK that Islamic Republic of Iran boasts of excellent created in Tehran. capacities in various sectors which can be used in Providing specialized training courses, sharing knowledge to identify entrepreneurship capacities, implementing TEHRAN – Khouzestan line with promoting trade exchanges between the entrepreneurship development and microfinance programs are central tasks of this center. Steel Company is a two countries. India is one of the most successful countries in the development of micro and small businesses in the world, and leading company in In a meeting with Yazd Governor General implementation of this memorandum can be a base to use its experience in developing entrepreneurship, the research and development Mohammad Ali Talebi, he added that cultural and financing system for micro and small businesses in rural and outskirt of cities, and poor–developed areas of to Iran. and it is one of the trade capacities are a golden opportunity for promoting Ali Rabiei, chairman of the board of directors of the fund, is heading the Iranian delegation on the visit. key players in the communications between the two countries and national industry. investment in the industrial province of Yazd. The 21st Steel Symposium was held on Kish Island by Iron Referring to registration of some of Yazd historic and Steel Society of Iran with Deputy Minister of Industry, sites as UNESCO World Heritage as well as Iran’s Railway Connection to Europe, Regional Links Mine and Trade Mr. Khodadad Gharib in attendance. existence of huge mines across the province, he Addressing the symposium Mr. Gharib said that all said that all these capacities can help promote IRAN NEWS NATIONAL DESK He went on to say that while the railway’s primary managers and researchers in the steel industry should work communications between the two nations. function is for domestic use, the international cargo transit on finding effective factors for dynamism in the industry. “One of the ways to bypass the U.S. sanctions is TEHRAN - Iran is in the process of resolving the delay in the is also very important, and would bring revenues to Iran. He added that currently South Korea even without to conduct trade exchanges through small and implementation of the Shalamcheh-Basra railway project, “In this regard, Iran has signed agreements with having any iron ore reserves is considered as one of the medium economic enterprises that are not within while also seeking to link to other international connections. ESCAP project and these projects are being launched, top countries in the steel industry. range of the sanctions,” he said. The director general of economic evaluation office at the and the annual report will be send to the UNESCAP,” he He added that development in exploration, extraction Talebi, for his part, said that there are common Ministry of Road and Urban Development of Iran Mohsen said. Sadeghi said that Iran held discussions with the and investment are the major needs in the mining sector. aspects between Yazd and South Africa which Sadeghi discussed the improvement of railway connection Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) regarding Pointing to Iran’s place in the world rankings, he said should be used in line with promoting ties. between Iran and neighboring countries in an interview with new roads and railways, for Iran’s connection to Europe. that Iran ranks tenth in the world in the steel industry Establishing sisterhood agreement between Yazd Trend. “Iran has signed many contracts with international Referring to Iran’s connection to Europe via a railway, he that while the growth in steel in the world is 5% for and one of the South African cities can also help organizations that include neighbors and other countries,” he said. said that the Islamic Republic is connected to Europe via the 2017-2018, it has been 15% for Iran, adding that Iran’s strengthen communications between the two “For example Iran is part of the United Nations Kapikoy/Razi border but Turkey does not have a railway for steel production has reached 25m tons per annum. countries, he said. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the crossing the Van Lake. Thus, Azerbaijan was chosen, and the Meanwhile addressing the symposium, the CEO of He also proposed agreements should be signed Pacific (UNESCAP) and the Trans-Asian Railway Rasht-Anzali-Astara railway was launched. Khouzestan Steel Company Mr. Mohammad Keshani between Iran and South Africa which can play a (TAR) and Asian Highway (AH) where all the countries “The railway will link to Astara in Azerbaijan and if the said that the symposium is a mechanism for presenting crucial role in promoting bilateral ties. from Asia and Pacific have identified their railways and project would operate, it will connect to the International the capabilities of the company. their role in transit,” said Sadeghi. North–South Transport Corridor where Iran can transport He noted that interactions and exchange of views cargo from southern port of Shahid Rajaee to Astara and is the main achievement of the symposium, adding Azerbaijan and then to Europe,” he added. that presence of steel companies in the symposium Pakistan Intends to Modernize Railway With Iran “The other issue is the Kermanshah–Khosravi railway that and later in the exhibition will boost the knowhow would be influential in passenger transportation to Iraq and among the companies and will lead to a new IRAN NEWS NATIONAL DESK for cargo transfer Iran is focusing on Shalamche–Basra prospect for next year. railway. There are no problems on Iran’s side, but there are Keshani added that all steel producing companies TEHRAN - Being neighbors, Iran and Pakistan have always enjoyed good relations and had an influential role in regional issues. on Iraqi side, and they’re being solved. in the country are working to boost their products Pakistani Minister of Railways, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, said that the Quetta-Taftan-Zahedan railway line will be Sadeghi also spoke about the Khaf (Iran)-Herat for the domestic market or exports. He added that modernized in an accelerated mode. (Afghanistan) project, he said Iran has completed its the company attaches great importance to the Sheikh Rashid Ahmad negotiated about this during a meeting with the Iranian ambassador to Pakistan Mehdi side, and work should continue on Afghanistan’s side. research and development as the company is a Honardust, who visited Sheikh in his office in Islamabad on February 21. The minister said that cooperation in “Iran is responsible regarding its railway connections, and leading one in the R&D. improving the railway network between Pakistan and Iran will meet the mutual interests of both countries. those unfinished projects are the priority. The potential of The Quetta-Taftan railway route is one of the four main railway routes in Pakistan operated and maintained by the Pakistan neighboring countries should also be used. Building Railways. The line starts from Quetta station and ends at Koh-e-Taftan station. The total length of this railway line is 325 infrastructure is not enough, also negotiations with chambers kilometers. There are 23 railway stations from Quetta to Ko-e-Taftan. The line then crosses Iran and extends as far as Zahedan. of commerce would help the transit,” said the official. Iranian Ambassador Mehdi Honardust during the meeting sent an invitation to the Government of Iran Sheikh Tehran-Baku Oil Rashid Ahmad to take part in the opening ceremony of the Qazvin-Rasht-Astara railway in northern Iran. Envoy Urges Boost of Health Tourism Iran was the first country to recognize Pakistan after its independence. Between Iran, Turkmenistan Talks Continue BOJNOURD (IRNA) - Iran’s ambassador to Turkmenistan TEHRAN (MNA) – The CEO of Khazar Exploration Tehran, Tokyo Play Crucial Role in Afghanistan Reconstruction called for promotion of cooperation between Iran and and Production Company (KEPCO) said talks between MASHHAD (IRNA) - Chief executive officer of Japan among regional states. Turkmenistan in field of health tourism. Iran and Azerbaijan were continuing and a joint International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Iran said on Thursday The Japanese government started Official There are considerable potentials for boost of committee had been formed by the two neighbors. that Islamic Republic of Iran and Japan as the two responsible Development Assistance activities in Iran in 1957 and cooperation between Iran’s North Khorasan Province Ali Osouli told the news service of Iranian Oil members in the international community can play a crucial role in JICA officially established a Tehran office in 1974. In and Turkmenistan in field of health tourism, Mohammad Ministry ‘SHANA’ that given an agreement between reconstruction of Afghanistan and help the Afghans. the almost 60 years of Japan’s assistance program, Ahmadi said in a local ceremony here on Wednesday. the presidents of 5 countries in the Caspian region, Addressing the closing ceremony of the First Educational JICA has helped Iran implement many projects with The envoy referred to the capacities of Iran’s North KEPCO was pursing oil deals with Azerbaijan. Course on Management of Waste in 2019 in Mashhad, Hiroyuki government agencies and local officials, particularly in Khorasan Province in scientific and cultural fields and said He said this was the first time that the two Tanaka added that experts of Kabul Municipality have completed the field of environmental conservation. that the ground is prepared for exchange of information as countries were to cooperate in a bloc which was not the course in Mashhad successfully, who will hopefully use their JICA’s priority areas in Iran include: strengthening well as cultural and scientific interaction between fully owned by the two of them which made the learning in line with the country’s development. infrastructure, job creation, disaster risk reduction, Turkmenistan and this Iranian northeastern province. talks more complicated. He further noted that JICA has explained its strategy water resources management, conservation of natural He said that Iran’s North Khorasan Province’s long Osouli added Iran enjoyed skilled labor which in the field of promoting knowledge and building environment, global warming management and border with Turkmenistan can be used as an opportunity gave it an advantage in the talks as admitted by capacity for sustainable growth and strengthening ties relations with the international community. for development of trade ties between the two sides. Azerbaijan’s SOCAR. 4 IRAN NEWS INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2019

Judge Tightens Gag Order Buhari Promises Security for On Ex-Trump Adviser Stone Delayed Presidential Election

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A visibly angry judge on Thursday ordered ABUJA (Reuters) - President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday urged President Donald Trump’s former political adviser Roger Stone to stop Nigerians “to go out and vote”, promising that there would be adequate speaking publicly about U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s criminal security for Saturday’s postponed election that pits him in a tight race with case against him or else he will be sent to jail pending trial. businessman Atiku Abubakar. In a tense court hearing on Thursday, U.S. Judge Amy Berman Jackson of The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia said that Stone’s apology a week’s delay to voting in the early hours of last Saturday, just as and explanations for why he posted a photo of her next to the image of the some of Nigeria’s 72.8 million eligible voters were preparing to go to crosshairs of a gun on his Instagram account were not credible. polling stations. Catalan Protesters Clash With Putin Ready for Another Cuban Missile-Style Crisis Police Over Separatist Trial MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir from its internal problems or to deflect blame for the Putin said Russia is militarily ready for a Cuban parlous state of the INF treaty. Missile-style crisis if the United States wanted one and “He may also be trying to send the message that, look, threatened to place hypersonic nuclear missiles on ships neither side should want this world (of a new arms race) so or submarines near U.S. territorial waters. we should sit down and resume discussions,” Reif said. The Cuban Missile Crisis erupted in 1962 when Moscow Putin has said he does not want an arms race but responded to a U.S. missile deployment in Turkey by would have no choice but to act if Washington deployed sending ballistic missiles to Cuba, sparking a standoff that new missiles in Europe, some of which he says could brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. strike Moscow within 10 to 12 minutes. More than five decades on, tensions are rising again The United States does not currently have ground- over Russian fears that the United States might deploy based intermediate-range nuclear missiles that it could intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Europe, as a place in Europe but could develop and deploy them if BARCELONA (Reuters) - Riot police briefly clashed landmark Cold War-era arms-control treaty unravels. the INF treaty collapses. with pro-independence Catalan protesters in Barcelona Putin’s comments, made to Russian media late on Putin said his naval response to such a move would on Thursday while other activists burned tyres and Wednesday, follow his warning that Moscow will mean Russia could strike the United States faster than blocked highways across northeast Spain as part of a match any U.S. move to deploy new missiles closer to U.S. missiles deployed in Europe could hit Moscow day of protests against the trial of 12 separatist leaders. Russia by stationing its own missiles closer to the because the flight time would be shorter. A total of 28 people, including twelve police officers, were United States or by deploying faster missiles or both. “It (the calculation) would not be in their favour, at wounded and four people were arrested, police said. Putin detailed his warning for the first time, saying least as things stand today. That’s for sure.” said Putin. Near the Plaza Catalonia railway station in downtown Russia could deploy hypersonic missiles on ships and Relations between Moscow and Washington were Barcelona, police in riot gear used batons against a submarines which could lurk outside U.S. territorial strained, he added, but the tensions were not comparable large group of mostly young protesters after a few of waters if Washington now moved to deploy intermediate- to those of the Cuban Missile Crisis. them hurled stones at the police. range nuclear weapons in Europe. Moscow’s violations of the Intermediate-range “They (the tensions) are not a reason to ratchet up One group of protesters disrupted underground city “(We’re talking about) naval delivery vehicles: Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. confrontation to the levels of the Cuban Missile Crisis trains by sitting on tracks. Protesters chanted submarines or surface ships. And we can put them, It referred queries about Putin’s latest remarks to the in the 1960s. In any case that’s not what we want,” said “Independence, independence” and “Get out, occupation given the speed and range (of our missiles)... in neutral Pentagon, which did not immediately respond. Putin. “If someone wants that, well OK they are troops” in Catalan at the police. Earlier in the day, waters. Plus they are not stationary, they move and they The INF pact bans Russia and the United States from welcome. I have set out today what that would mean. protesters set fire to piles of tyres to block some 11 will have to find them,” Putin said, according to a stationing short- and intermediate-range land-based Let them count (the missile flight times).” highways. Police said roads had been reopened. Kremlin transcript. missiles in Europe. Washington announced on Feb. 1 it Separately, Washington said on Thursday that it was Members of local groups, working under the name “You work it out: Mach nine (the speed of the will withdraw from the treaty in six months unless carrying out an observation flight over Russia under the Committees for the Defence of the Republic (CDRs), have missiles) and over 1,000 km (their range).” Moscow ends its alleged violations. Open Skies Treaty, the first one since 2017. staged periodic protests across Catalonia since separatist The State Department dismissed Putin’s earlier Analyst Kingston Reif of the Arms Control Association In a statement, the Pentagon said an unarmed leaders were arrested after the Catalan parliament declared warning as propaganda, saying it was designed to think tank said Putin may be seeking to signal that OC-135B aircraft was being used and Russia was aware independence for the region in October 2017. divert attention from what Washington alleges are Russia can keep up with the United States, to distract of the flight. Twelve of the leaders went on trial in Madrid this month over the failed independence bid that triggered Spain’s biggest political crisis in decades. Thursday’s protests included marches held by supporters Syria Force Hit Saudi Crown Prince in of civil groups Omnium and the Catalan National Assembly (ANC) at midday, and a bigger march planned for the evening. The organizers also called a strike By IS Attack China to Bag Oil Deal although it was not yet clear how far that was observed. BEIJING (AFP) - Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Former ANC leader Jordi Sanchez and the ex-head of Salman met Friday with China’s President Xi Jinping Omnium, Jordi Cuixart, were in the dock on Thursday in and bagged a $10 billion oil deal, pressing on with his a trial that is expected to last for at least three months. diplomatic charm offensive in Asia following a global outcry over the Khashoggi killing. Mohammed arrived in Beijing on Thursday following visits to Pakistan and India, showing the world that his Dhaka Fire Kills 70 as Explosions country still has allies after the grisly murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Rain Fire on the Streets He met with Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng earlier on did not involve Mohammed. Friday. “Is the crown prince’s tour symbolic of Saudi Arabia’s The murder sparked global indignation, with U.S. pivot to the East? Yes,” Najah al-Otaibi, a senior analyst at the lawmakers pushing for the United States to distance pro-Saudi think-tank Arabia Foundation, told AFP. itself from the crown prince, but the White House has “Riyadh wants to strengthen alliances in Asia -- maintained close relations with Riyadh, a major Middle DAMASCUS (Dispatches) - A deadly car bombing especially now with the continuing fallout with the East ally. claimed by the Islamic State group hit U.S.-backed United States over Khashoggi’s murder and other issues Separately, the European Commission wants to add forces in eastern Syria on Thursday as they tried to and attempts by the EU to put Riyadh on a black list Saudi Arabia to a money-laundering blacklist of negotiate the release of civilians trapped in the over money laundering allegations,” she said. governments that do too little to thwart the financing of jihadists’ last sliver of territory. Khashoggi, a fierce critic of the prince, was killed at terrorism and organised crime. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are working the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October, a murder But China is looking to strengthen its economic ties towards evacuating civilians remaining in the holdout, that tarnished the image of the kingdom and of the with the kingdom, as Beijing pursues its ambitious Belt so they can finish off the dying IS “caliphate” either crown prince in particular. and Road trade infrastructure initiative, while Riyadh through an assault or a surrender deal. Riyadh initially denied the murder, then gave several rolls out “Saudi Vision 2030” -- the crown prince’s The jihadists overran large parts of Syria and neighboring conflicting accounts of Khashoggi’s death, and now major program to diversify the national economy away DHAKA (Dispatches) - Fire and explosions that ripped Iraq in 2014, but several offensives have retaken all but claims he was killed in an unauthorised operation that from oil. through apartment buildings packed with illegal chemical half a square kilometer (a fifth of a square mile) of their stores killed at least 70 people in the Bangladeshi capital territory in the eastern Syrian village of Baghouz. which was left stunned by its latest disaster. A spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition fighting IS The inferno started in a building where chemicals for said international forces “continue to support the SDF North Korea Warns of Food Crisis, Slashes Rations deodorants and other household uses were stocked as they negotiate having innocent civilians released” UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - North Korea has warned that it is facing a food shortfall of some 1.4 million tons amid apartments. It spread at lightning speed to four and their captured fighters returned. As the SDF pressed in 2019 and has been forced to almost halve rations, blaming high temperatures, drought, floods and United nearby blocks, the fire service said. the last IS diehards, a car bomb killed 14 oil workers Nations sanctions in a memo seen by Reuters on Thursday. Chemical fireballs set ablaze the clogged narrow streets and six of the Kurdish-led alliance’s conscripts near the The release of the undated two-page memo by the North Korean mission to the United Nations comes ahead of even engulfing passengers on rickshaws in flames. Omar oil field that it uses as its main base in the region, a second summit next week between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Witnesses told of harrowing scenes as people became the US-backed group and a monitor said. denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. trapped by flames at a bridal party and in restaurants. IS claimed responsibility for the blast on Telegram, Washington has been demanding that North Korea give up a nuclear weapons program that threatens the United Bangladesh fire chief Ali Ahmed gave a death toll of 70. saying its fighters had planted and detonated the explosive- States, while North Korea has been seeking a lifting of punishing sanctions, a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean Doctors said at least 10 of the scores of injured were in critical laden car. SDF spokesman Adnan Afrin said the explosion War and security guarantees. The 15-member U.N. Security Council has unanimously boosted sanctions on North condition. Hundreds of firefighters who took almost 12 hours to in the village of Shheel, some 100 kilometres (60 miles) Korea since 2006 in a bid to choke off funding for Pyongyang’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. bring the fire under control went through the blackened floors north of Baghouz, was another example of IS cells “The DPRK government calls on international organizations of the building, littered with spray cans, looking for bodies. attacking its fighters behind the front line. to urgently respond to addressing the food situation,” read the “We found 24 bodies in one corner of a building and “This is what we’ve been talking about in the past... North Korean memo, which the country’s U.N. mission another nine bodies at a pharmacy where the shutters about sleeper cells trying to impede our progress in described as a follow-up to joint assessment with the World were down,” firefighter Shariful Islam said at the Baghouz,” he said. A day after hundreds of people were Food Program between Nov. 26 and Dec. 7, 2018. WFP scene. “They thought they would survive by bringing evacuated from the last IS remnant, more than 50 trucks on declined to comment. The official name for North Korea is the down the shutters.” Thursday returned near empty from Baghouz to SDF Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). The memo The fire started late Wednesday night in the territory, an AFP correspondent said. “We couldn’t enter said North Korea’s food production last year was 4.951 Chawkbazar trading district in the old Mughal part of Baghouz,” said a man who had accompanied the convoy. million tons, 503,000 tons down on 2017. The United Nations the capital. “We got to an SDF point and we found around 15 confirmed these figures as official government data provided Ahmed said it may have been started by a gas people -- women and children including a French woman at the end of January and said North Korea’s food production cylinder and quickly spread because of the chemicals and an Egyptian woman. We took them,” he said. included rice, wheat, potatoes and soy beans. stored in rooms alongside the apartments. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2019 PROMOTIONAL ITEM IRAN NEWS 5 6 IRAN NEWS INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2019

LONDON (Reuters) - Another jump in borrowing by governments will take the global mountain of sovereign debt to $50 trillion (£38 trillion) this year, ratings agency S&P Global forecast on Thursday. The firm predicted sovereigns will borrow an equivalent of $7.78 trillion this year, which would be up 3.2 percent on 2018. “Some 70 percent, or $5.5 trillion, of sovereigns’ gross Global Sovereign Debt to Jump to $50 Trillion borrowing will be to refinance maturing long-term debt, resulting in an estimated net borrowing requirement of about $2.3 trillion, or 2.6 percent of the GDP of rated sovereigns,” said S&P Global Ratings credit analyst Karen Vartapetov. France Fines UBS Bank Record EU Reckons Italy’s Budget Unable 3.7b Euros in Tax Fraud Case To Boost Long-Term Growth

PARIS (AFP) - A Paris court fined Swiss banking giant UBS 3.7 billion euros ($4.2 billion) for encouraging customers to commit tax fraud, a record in France where public opinion has grown vocal for crackdowns on tax dodging. Lawyers for the bank, which was convicted of illegally soliciting rich clients abroad and helping them to hide billions from French tax authorities, said they would appeal the landmark ruling. Court president Christine Mee said the bank was guilty of “exceptionally serious” misdeeds “whose origins are to be found in a structured, systemic and age-old organization”. UBS, the world’s largest private bank, had tried to negotiate a settlement to avoid the potentially embarrassing court showdown, but failed to agree on a fine with prosecutors. As well as the landmark fine for UBS, the bank’s French subsidiary was fined 15 million euros for complicity. And the court also awarded the French state, itself a plaintiff in the case, 800 million euros in damages, half the 1.6 billion sought by prosecutors. The decision came as authorities across Europe have cracked down on tax evasion MILAN (Reuters) - Italy’s budget does not contain and dubious banking practices in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis. measures able to boost growth and makes the The trial opened last autumn after seven years of investigations, launched when country a “contagion risk” for the rest of the euro former employees came forward with claims of unlawful conduct. zone, la Repubblica newspaper said on Thursday, A series of leaks and investigations -- Luxleaks in 2014, the Panama Papers in 2016, citing a European Commission document. and the Paradise Papers in 2017 -- have helped shed light on tax fraud by international The National Financial Prosecutor’s office has said the bank and its directors “were The newspaper said the Commission’s Country corporations as well as world celebrities. perfectly aware that they were breaking French law” by soliciting clients and helping Report, due to be approved next Wednesday, would Pressure eventually forced Switzerland to effectively end its tradition of ironclad them evade French taxes. forecast that the 2019 budget would have negative bank secrecy, joining more than 90 countries which agreed to automatically share Five of six former UBS top officials received suspended prison sentences and effects on economic growth, the budget deficit and more client account information with each other. individual fines of up to 300,000 euros. the national debt. In the UBS case, French authorities determined that more than 10 billion euros Only one defendant, Raoul Weil, a former number three at UBS, was found not “There are no measures capable of positively had been kept from the eyes of their tax officials between 2004 and 2012. guilty because he did not have any direct dealing with the French market. impacting on long-term growth,” the document said, according to la Repubblica. The European Union’s economic commissioner, Pierre Moscovici, did not comment directly on the U.S., China Sketch Outlines of Deal to End Trade War report on Thursday, but said the Commission would meet Italian officials in May. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and Several Chinese government sources told Reuters that “Rules are there to be respected and our Italian China have started to outline commitments in the two countries have basically reached a consensus on friends must respect the rules,” he told a conference principle on the stickiest issues in their trade dispute, alleviating the trade imbalances, but there were still in Paris organized by Politico. marking the most significant progress yet toward some differences on each other’s “core demands” that “We will have to discuss in May with the Italian ending a seven-month trade war, according to sources they were seeking to narrow. authorities where we are and the implementation of familiar with the negotiations. “It can be said that we are now in the sprint phase, and our agreement in December.” The world’s two largest economies have slapped tit- both negotiating teams are working towards the goal of Italy fell into recession at the end of 2018 and the for-tat tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of reaching an agreement within the deadline, but some Commission has predicted growth this year of just goods, slowing global economic growth, skewing problems are still quite complicated to resolve,” said 0.2 percent, down from a 1.2 percent forecast it supply chains and disrupting manufacturing. one Chinese official familiar with the situation. made last November. As officials hold high level talks on Thursday and The United States has accused Beijing of forcing This unexpected slowdown could make it hard for Friday in Washington, they remain far apart on demands U.S. companies doing business in China to share the government to meet its deficit target of 2.04 made by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration their technology with local partners and hand over percent of gross domestic product this year, a hard- for structural changes to China’s economy. intellectual property secrets. China denies it engages won compromise agreed with the Commission in But the broad outline of what could make up a deal is source said, so much so that at the end of the week the in such practices. December. beginning to emerge from the talks, the sources said, as participants considered staying in Beijing to keep Trump administration officials also object to Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini told Radio the two sides push for an agreement by March 1. That working. Instead they agreed to take a few days off and non-tariff barriers in China, including industrial RAI it was too early to say if the government would marks the end of a 90-day truce that Trump and Chinese reconvene in Washington. subsidies, regulations, business licensing have to introduce a corrective budget later this year President Xi Jinping agreed to when they met in The sources requested anonymity to speak candidly procedures, product standards reviews and other since “the government budget’s measures need time Argentina late last year. about the talks. practices that they say keep U.S. goods out of China to have (positive) effects on the economy”. Negotiators are drawing up six memorandums of Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesman Gao Feng on or give an unfair advantage to domestic firms. Economy Minister Giovanni Tria said on understanding on structural issues: forced technology Thursday declined to comment on the MOUs. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has pushed Wednesday some 2 billion euros put aside in the transfer and cyber theft, intellectual property rights, The MOUs cover the most complex issues affecting for China to open its financial services markets to more 2019 budget for reserve spending should be enough services, currency, agriculture and non-tariff barriers the trading relationship between the two countries and foreign firms, including credit card giants Visa and to cover any shortfall. to trade, according to two sources familiar with the are meant, from the U.S. perspective, to end the MasterCard, which have waited years for China to progress of the talks. practices that led Trump to start levying duties on make good on promises to allow them to operate there. At meetings between U.S. and Chinese officials Chinese imports in the first place. On currency, U.S. officials including Mnuchin have last week in Beijing the two sides traded texts and One source cautioned that the talks could still end in warned China against devaluing its yuan to gain a Turkey’s Central Gov’t worked on outlining obligations on paper, according failure. But the work on the MOUs was a significant competitive advantage after the Chinese currency to one of the sources. step in getting China to sign up both to broad principles weakened significantly against the dollar last year, Gross Debt at $212B The process has become a real trade negotiation, the and to specific commitments on key issues, he said. partly counteracting Trump’s tariffs. Japan Gov’t Leaves Economy View Unchanged ECB to Make Swift Preparations for New Bank Loans TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan’s government kept its assessment of the economy FRANKFURT (Reuters) - European Central Bank policymakers took a gloomy view unchanged in February, but a series of weak data on corporate sentiment, capital on the euro zone economy at their last policy meeting and asked for swift preparations expenditure and exports shows the U.S.-China trade war is hurting the outlook for the for giving banks more long-term loans, minutes of the meeting showed on Thursday. world’s third-largest economy. With growth unexpectedly weak for the third straight quarter, policymakers are The Cabinet Office, which helps coordinate government policy, said the economy increasingly concerned that global uncertainty is derailing the euro zone’s recovery, is in a moderate recovery, according to its monthly economic report for February on undoing years of work by the ECB to kickstart the bloc. Thursday. That was unchanged from the previous month. Although the ECB just ended a 2.6 trillion euro (£2.3 trillion) bond purchase The Cabinet Office left unchanged its assessment that exports have weakened recently, scheme to stimulate growth, it is now preparing the ground for giving banks more which it downgraded only last month as exports to China started to buckle due to the trade multi-year, cheap loans to banks to ensure they keep credit flowing to the economy ANKARA (Dispatches) - Turkish central dispute between Washington and Beijing and China’s slowing economy. even during the slowdown. government’s gross debt stock stood at nearly The report for February did not take into account government data on Wednesday This would also help lenders in Italy and other southern European countries avoid 1.1 trillion Turkish liras (around $212 billion) as of showing Japan’s exports fell by the most in more than two years in January as China- a funding cliff edge when the previous Targeted Long-Term Refinancing Operation Jan. 31, the Treasury and Finance Ministry bound shipments tumbled. (TLTRO) starts maturing next year. announced on Wednesday. This means the monthly economic report in March will be the Cabinet Office’s first Policymakers at the January meeting said they wouldn’t be rushed into a new Some 586.2 billion liras ($113.6 billion) of chance to offer its official view of Japan’s export performance at the start of this year. TLTRO but asked ECB staff to start working on such a facility. “While any decisions the debt stock is denominated in Turkish lira, The monthly report said in this respect should not be taken too hastily, the technical analyses required to while 511.9 billion liras ($99.2 billion) is in consumer spending in prepare policy options for future liquidity operations needed to proceed swiftly,” foreign currency. February is recovering, policymakers said. The gross debt stock includes the outstanding debt unchanged from the The ECB next meets on March of public sector institutions, the Central Bank, previous month.The 7 and policymakers are expected private companies, and households. government left unchanged to discuss the new bank loans, The ministry’s data showed that the stock of its assessment that capital even if a final decision could still Treasury receivables reached 18.5 billion Turkish expenditure is increasing. take months. With ECB board liras ($3.6 billion) as of January-end. The government also left members Benoit Coeure and At the end of 2018, the gross debt stock of unchanged its assessment Peter Praet openly discussing a Turkish government was 1.07 trillion Turkish that industrial output is new TLTRO, the real question is liras ($202.5 billion) gradually rising but showing under what terms the loans The U.S. dollar/Turkish lira rate was around 5.16 some signs of weakness. will be provided. as of Jan. 31, up from 5.27 at the end of last year. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2019 WORLD NEWS IRAN NEWS 7

TEHRAN - Despite sanctions imposed on and restrictions created for Iran’s economy, arrangements for membership of the Islamic Republic in the Eurasian Economic Union have been made, said Iran’s Energy Minister. In an address to a group of businesspeople from the private sector and Chamber of Grounds Prepared for Its Membership in Eurasian Union Commerce on Tuesday, Reza Ardakanian said one of the main priorities of the government is attracting joint investments with foreign partners.

Saad Hariri... FROM PAGE 1 May Hails Brexit Talks Progress But No Breakthrough Qassem reiterated that the current complicated condition in the region and in LONDON (AFP) - Prime Minister Theresa May said she had made “progress” in Zionist Regime is not proper talks with the EU on Wednesday as she sought to extract concessions on the terms for Israel to wage another of Britain’s divorce, but as expected there was no major breakthrough. war in Lebanon. He added With less than six weeks until Brexit day, May met European Commission that in case Israel decides to president Jean-Claude Juncker hoping for movement on the “Irish backstop” issue wage a war, Hezbollah is -- after EU leaders insisted they would not restart negotiations. fully prepared for it. Fears are growing that Britain could yet crash out without a deal, and there was fresh He noted that there is no short-term political drama just before May headed to Brussels as three of her MPs resigned from her solution in Syria, adding, “Iran and Russia have great Conservative party in protest over Brexit to join a new independent group of lawmakers. understanding on Syria and small differences between Citing the risk of a “hard” Brexit, ratings agency Fitch on Wednesday warned it them would be discussed; hence, relations between could downgrade Britain, while the pound slipped against the U.S. dollar. Lebanon and Syria should be normalized.” A joint statement from May and Juncker called their meeting “constructive”, Hariri and March 14 Alliance try to create hurdle in striking a slightly more positive tone than when they met a fortnight ago. normalization of ties between Syria and Lebanon in a “The two leaders agreed that talks had been constructive, and they urged their respective way to weaken cooperation between Hezbollah and teams to continue to explore the options in a positive spirit,” the statement said. Syria and ultimately Iran. Separately, May said she had stressed the need for “legally binding changes to the Saad El-Din Rafik Al-Harir (born on March 18, backstop” -- though the EU has ruled this out. 1970 in Riyadh), the second son of former Lebanese “We’ve agreed that work to find a solution will continue at pace, time is of the politician and Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, is the essence and it’s in both our interests that when the UK leaves the EU it does so in current Prime Minister of Lebanon and he has been an orderly way. And so we’ve made progress,” May said. leader of Al-Mustaqbal Movement (Future Movement) May and the other 27 EU leaders approved a Brexit withdrawal agreement at a and one of the leaders of March 14 Alliance since summit on November 25 last year, but the British leader’s own parliament rejected could be beefed up to “increase confidence” that both sides will try to reach a future November 2009. He has always tried to be a hinder it overwhelmingly on January 15. deal as soon as possible, so the backstop never has to be used. in way of political unity in the region and he is Since then, May and her ministers have repeatedly met EU leaders and their May said her Brexit Minister Stephen Barclay and Attorney General Geoffrey Cox unaware that this regional unity between Lebanon, negotiator Michel Barnier to urge them to reopen the text to find a way to appease would be back in Brussels on Thursday -- just three days since their last visit -- as Syria and Iraq can establish an Iranian-Arabic NATO eurosceptic MPs. the pace of negotiations picks up. in the region. The main stumbling block has been the Irish backstop, which provides for Britain A European source said Cox, whose legal analysis of May’s deal confirmed Of course he perhaps is aware but he does not to remain in the EU customs union until a way is found -- such as a future free trade Brexiteer fears, will have a key role to play. consider this establishing regional power hegemony deal -- to ensure that Ireland’s border with Northern Ireland remains open. If Brussels does enough on the backstop to persuade Cox to soften his advice, it as a benefit to the West and reactionary rulers of Brexiteers in May’s own Conservative party see this as a “trap” to keep Britain tied could help swing the parliamentary arithmetic behind the prime minister. Without a Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain. to the bloc indefinitely, and have demanded a time limit or exit clause. deal, Britain is due to leave the Union abruptly after four decades on March 29, with The media structure and outlets of those regions But such a clause would be seen in Brussels as a betrayal of EU member Ireland no follow-on agreement or transition period to manage trade and economic relations. should pave the ground for enlightenment and awareness and has consistently been given short shrift by EU officials. Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will meet Barnier on Thursday. among their nations in order that people could realize May and Juncker’s statement indicated a fresh push to see what guarantees the EU could Officials in both Brussels and London have played down talk that an EU-Arab that establishing a political-religious strategic unity and offer on the backstop to convince sceptical MPs it will not be used to trap Britain. League summit in Egypt this weekend could become a “Brexit in the desert” meet, even, beyond that, a military one how could help those It also suggested the political declaration outlining plans for future EU-UK ties insisting the issue would not hijack the gathering. countries to consolidate their power. Erdogan, Trump Discuss U.S. FATF... Modi in South Korea Calls for Defense Cooperation FROM PAGE 1 Withdrawal From Syria SEOUL (UPI) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Thursday in Seoul the two countries should cooperate Moreover, “The FATF also expects Iran to in the defense industry, the same day he met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. continue to progress with enabling regulations Modi, who was welcomed at a ceremony commemorating Indian independence activist Mahatma Gandhi, said and other amendments. Iran will remain on the defense cooperation between the two sides is emerging as a major aspect of a special strategic partnership, South FATF Public Statement until the full Action Plan Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo reported. has been completed.” The Indian prime minister said there is potential for further cooperation in the defense field, according to the report. Until Iran implements the measures required to Modi is visiting Korea less than a year after Moon paid a state visit to one of the world’s fastest growing address the deficiencies identified with respect to economies, which included a stopover at Gandhi Memorial Hall. countering terrorism-financing in the Action Plan, On Thursday, Moon unveiled a bust of Gandhi at Seoul’s Yonsei University and spoke of his reverence for the FATF will remain concerned with the terrorist Gandhi’s “life and philosophy,” according to Donga Ilbo and other reports. financing risk emanating from Iran and the threat “Gandhi did not succumb to any violence or threats, but walked on the side of truth, and on the side of peace,” this poses to the international financial system,” Moon said. “Gandhi’s belief a people can overcome all forms of oppression if they stand up for themselves brought said the statement. the people of India together and ultimately won their independence and freedom.” In addition, the FATF called “on its members Referring to a shared experience of colonialism under different imperial powers, Moon said the two countries and urges all jurisdictions to continue to advise ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip should work to establish peace and prosperity in Asia in a year that marks the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhi their financial institutions to apply enhanced Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed in a as well as Korea’s March First Movement. due diligence with respect to business phone call on Thursday to carry out the U.S. military Modi, who is in Korea for two days, is encouraging businesses to invest in India. relationships and transactions with natural and withdrawal from Syria in line with their mutual The Indian prime minister said his government has introduced a start-up policy that is open to direct investment, legal persons from Iran,” including “(1) interests, Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency said. according to All India Radio. Modi also told the Chosun Ilbo South Korea’s example of economic development obtaining information on the reasons for In December, Trump confounded his own national has served as a benchmark for his country. intended transactions; and (2) conducting security team with a surprise decision to withdraw all enhanced monitoring of business relationships.” 2,000 U.S. troops from Syria, declaring that Islamic Iran’s accession to FATF has been the subject of State had been defeated there. heated debates in recent months. Erdogan previously said that uncertainty remained Pakistan PM Authorizes Military Response If India Attacks Opponents believe FATF would limit Iran’s over the U.S. withdrawal from Syria, adding there was ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s prime minister on also offered to hold a “dialogue” with India on all ability to support allies in the region, some of talk of the pullout taking place in April or May. Thursday authorized the armed forces to “respond issues, including terrorism. whom recognized as terrorist entities by the U.S. During their phone call, Erdogan and Trump agreed that decisively and comprehensively to any aggression or India has long accused Pakistan of harboring and aiding and some of its allies. the U.S. withdrawal from Syria should not damage the misadventure” by neighboring India, as tensions soared Islamic militants who target its forces in Kashmir. The This is while proponents of Iran joining FATF fear mutual goals of Ankara and Washington, Anadolu said. between the nuclear-armed rivals. Himalayan territory is split between Pakistani and Indian zones Iran’s inclusion on the body’s blacklist could make it Turkey wants to set up a safe zone with logistical India has vowed a “jaw-breaking response” to a suicide of control, but both countries claim it in its entirety, and they impossible to salvage the 2015 nuclear deal following support from allies and says it should be cleared of the bombing in the disputed Kashmir region last week that have fought two wars over it. An insurgency erupted in Kashmir the U.S. withdrawal. U.S.-backed Kurdish YPG militia, which Ankara views killed 40 Indian soldiers. It was the worst attack on Indian in 1989, demanding independence or union with Pakistan. as a terrorist organization linked with Kurdish militants forces since the start of the Kashmir insurgency in 1989. Pakistan denies supporting militants, and has blamed the on its own soil. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan announced the violence in Kashmir on what it views as India’s military Iraq to Continue... Erdogan and Trump also discussed bilateral relations order in a government statement released after a meeting of occupation of the territory. Following last week’s attack, and the latest developments in Syria, Anadolu said, his National Security Committee. It said Pakistan was “not India halted trade and a key bus service with the Pakistani- FROM PAGE 1 adding that the two agreed to support a political involved in any way, means or form” in the attack, which it controlled part of Kashmir. A train service still operates Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi’s resolution to the Syria conflict. said was “conceived, planned and executed indigenously.” between the two countries. In recent days, at the Lahore government has rebuffed the U.S. pressure to cut Erdogan reaffirmed Turkey’s desire to maintain close ties In the statement, Pakistan reiterated its offer to help station, Pakistani families have bid tearful farewells to energy ties with Iran, adding to strained ties with with the United States in the phone call and the two leaders investigate the attack and to take action against anyone relatives returning to their homes across the border, fearing Washington over Trump’s vow to keep troops in agreed to improve bilateral economic ties, Anadolu said. found to be using Pakistani soil for attacks on India. It that India could cut off the service and leave them stranded. Iraq indefinitely to “watch” the Islamic Republic. The two majority Shiite neighbors have become U.S. Discusses Iran... close allies since the 2003 U.S.-led overthrow of Iran-Japan Diplomatic, Economic Ties Growing Saddam Hussein. FROM PAGE 1 BEIJING (IRNA)- Iran’s Ambassador to Japan Morteza Rahmani Movahed says “These are American sanctions and we have the Iran-Japan diplomatic and economic relations are growing. SK Innovation also received about 2 million barrels of Iran’s South Pars condensate right to protect our national interests,” Mustafa ‘Fortunately, we are witnessing expansion of diplomatic and economic relations in January, which marked South Korea’s first imports since September last year said. “We tell them always: we are your friends between Iran and Japan and upward growth in their cooperation; the relations are when the Northeast Asian nation fully suspended crude imports from Iran due to the but we are not part of your policies in the region. getting expanded,’ said Movahed while talking to Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike on re-imposition of U.S. sanctions. The Americans are well aware of this — it isn’t the millennial old relations between Tehran and Tokyo. Furthermore, the Iranian The State Department has said the assistant secretary’s two-country tour will focus news for them.” envoy provided his host with highlights of Iran’s programs in the fields of culture, on energy security, regional cooperation on energy as well as highlighting the Iraq doesn’t expect the American forces to stay for arts, science and sports to expand ties with Japan on the 90th anniversary of the importance of energy diversification in the Indo-Pacific region. an indefinite period of time, the official said. “When two-way diplomatic relations, while inviting her to attend the cultural ceremonies. “This visit to the Indo-Pacific region seems to be aimed at enhancing the regional the Iraqi side asks the American side to pull out, He also informed the Japanese official on Iranian sports teams’ willingness for security by such measures as expanding crude imports from the US, as well as they will withdraw as they have done in the past,” he effective participation in the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 and said calling for accelerating supply diversification,” chief economist at Japan Oil, Gas said. “As the terrorist threat recedes, the U.S. will Iran Embassy to Japan is ready for any cooperation in that area. and Metals National Corp. scale back its military presence in Iraq.” Copenhagen to Host 2021 IRAN NEWS Koeman Replaces Verbeek Tour de France Depart Licence Holder: Sokhan Gostar Institute As Oman Head Coach

ONDON (Reuters) - Copenhagen will host the opening three Switchboard: E-Mail Address: USCAT (Reuters) - Erwin Koeman has taken over (+98) (21) 44253448 [email protected] stages of the 2021 Tour de France making it the most northerly ISSN 1024-6053 from fellow Dutchman Pim Verbeek as head coach of L Public Relations Tel: M 15875-8551 Grand Depart in the race’s history, organisers confirmed on Thursday. (+98)(21) 44253450 P.O. Box: Oman, the country’s football association has said. Address: No 13, Pajouhesh St., Editorial Board: 44253449 The move follows a trend of starting the Tour outside France Goletan II St, Goletan St.Marzdaran Verbeek stood down from the role for personal reasons after

with Brussels hosting this year’s Grand Depart, German city Public Relations Fax: Blvd., Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran leading Oman to the knockout rounds of the Asian Cup for the (+98)(21) 44253395 P Honar Sarzmin Sabz Dusseldorf having the honor in 2017 and Utrecht in the rinted by: first time last month. He also led them to victory in the Advertising Department: Ditributed by: Netherlands launching the race in 2015. Tel/Fax:(+98) (21) 44253335-9/44253234 Cities of Iran Cultural and Gulf Cup in early 2018. Website: Artistic Institute http://www.irannewsdaily.com Managing Director: Fereydoon Taherpour Asl

8 IRAN NEWS SPORTS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2019 Bencic Stuns Halep Atletico Stun Ronaldo Klopp Fined Over Referee Comments In Dubai Open ONDON (Dispatches) - And Juventus Liverpool manager UBAI (Dispatches) - Belinda Bencic shocked L Dformer world number one Simona Halep 4-6, Jurgen Klopp was fined 6-4, 6-2 to reach the semi-finals of the Dubai £45,000 ($59,000) by the Championships on Thursday, her second successive Football Association on giant-killing act in the Gulf state. Thursday for suggesting Bencic, ranked 56, followed up her third-round referee Kevin Friend had knockout of number eight Aryna Sabalenka, where favored West Ham in his she saved six match points, with her two-and-a- side’s 1-1 draw at the London quarter hour win over 2015 champion Halep. Stadium earlier this month. Former world number seven Bencic will next play Klopp, whose side are two-time champion Elina Svitolina, who defeated currently second on goal Carla Suarez Navarro 6-2, 6-3, for a place in the final. difference in the Premier “I fought and stayed in the match. I’m happy League behind Manchester I didn’t give up. I didn’t give her any free points. City, said he thought Friend realizedhe should have I was still there,” said Swiss star Bencic whose ruled out Sadio Mane’s 22nd-minute opener as James career has been blighted by a series of back and Milner was clearly offside in the build-up and tried to wrist injuries. make up for it over the remainder of the game. “I’m just really happy that I’m back. I knew it was “Jurgen Klopp has been fined £45,000 after still in me, even after the injuries. I had to work my accepting an FA charge for comments made following way back, I’m happy that I could finally show it.” Liverpool’s league game against West Ham United on Bencic broke the Halep serve seven times while 4 February 2019,” the FA said in a statement. losing her own on five occasions. “His comments made during a post-match interview Bencic profited from a break for a 5-2 lead in the breached FA Rule E3(1), as they questioned the final set but needed three chances a game later to integrity of the match referee and/or implied bias.” close out victory as Halep drove a forehand long. ADRID (Dispatches) - Cristiano Ronaldo’s “They don’t give you chances,” said Allegri. “They Halep, the losing finalist last week in Doha to MChampions League mission with Juventus make you play badly.” Elise Mertens, said she was feeling tired throughout. stalled on Wednesday as Atletico Madrid secured a And for Juventus, whose wait for Europe’s premier Federer to Make Clay Court “I was tired. After the second set, I felt like I’m getting deserved 2-0 victory from a thrilling first leg at the prize has now entered its 23rd year, when expectations cramping a little bit. It’s normal. I was sweating a lot. Wanda Metropolitano. are higher than ever given they now boast the “She played very well and in the end, was Ronaldo returned to the Spanish capital, where he tournament’s most prolific ever player. Return at Madrid Open a little bit stronger.” enjoyed unprecedented success in this tournament Ronaldo, though, endured a disappointing night, ADRID (Reuters) - The Romanian added that she started to feel her with Real, but it was their rivals celebrating at the suffocated from the outset by a typically relentless MRoger Federer Achilles tendon, which affected her serve. final whistle as goals from Jose Gimenez and Diego Atletico backline. confirmed his participation “I felt it the last match a little bit. But there are no Godin put Atletico within sight of the quarter-finals. Perhaps it was frustration that made him wave five for this year’s Madrid Open, excuses, just the fact that I’m tired.” “We are not through yet,” Atletico coach Diego fingers in the direction of the baiting Atletico crowd, marking his return to the Meanwhile, Hsieh Su-wei won the last six games Simeone said. “There is another match to play and we presumably to signify his five Champions League European clay court season to beat fourth seed Karolina Pliskova 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 know we will have to suffer.” triumphs. His best contribution was an early, driven after two years away. and will next face a woman she has never beaten -- “Fortunately we didn’t concede a third,” said free-kick from 30 yards, that had to be pushed over by The 20-times Grand Slam two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova. Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri. “Because 2-0 is a Jan Oblak, and the dummy-shot before it, that champion has not played Second seed Kvitova, winner of the Dubai event in result that can be turned around. We’re not dead yet.” exposed Costa as encroaching, for which he received this year since his Australian 2013, crushed Viktoria Kuzmova of Slovakia 6-4, 6-0. But this was a victory that Simeone’s side fully deserved. his yellow card. Open round of 16 defeat Kvitova has won all four of her meetings with Antoine Griezmann had hit the crossbar while VAR twice Costa was his bristling self and almost won a by Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas Taiwan’s Hsieh, most recently in the second round intervened, correctly, in Juve’s favour, cancelling a penalty penalty when referee Felix Zwayer thought he was in January. of January’s Sydney International. for a foul on Diego Costa and then ruling out an Alvaro tripped by Mattia de Sciglio. But VAR showed he had Federer, whose sole French Open title came in 2009, has Pliskova had looked in command in Thursday’s Morata header just before Gimenez struck. not only exaggerated the contact but also extended his preferred to skip the European clay season over the last two final set, serving at 5-1 and then 5-3. While Juventus tried to preserve the stalemate, Atletico run into the area. seasons to manage his schedule. The 37-year-old Swiss is the The persistent Hsieh kept up the pressure, were bold. Simeone introduced Morata, Thomas Lemar The rest of the half was tighter but Atletico had two second most successful player at the Caja Magica behind narrowing the gap and levelling with a second and Angel Correa, all around the hour-mark, and his golden opportunities early in the second. First, Rafa Nadal, winning three titles in 2006, 2009 and 2012. straight break at 5-all. daring paid off. “I showed balls,” Simeone said. Juve are Griezmann volleyed Costa in behind but the Spaniard “Federer is one of the best players of all time, it’s no Hsieh then held for 6-5 and clinched the upset a certainly not dead and buried, particularly given Costa sidefooted wide with only Wojciech Szczesny to beat. secret,” tournament director Feliciano Lopez said in a game later on a second match point after two hours. and Thomas Partey will both be suspended for the return Atletico were pushing and it was Morata, on for Costa, statement. “We are happy because his return to Madrid “I was screaming like a baby when I won,” in Turin after each picked up yellow cards. who made the difference. He powered in a brilliant is a gift to the tournament, but above all the fans will be 31st-ranked Hsieh said. “It was a tough comeback.” But the failure to score an away goal, and their clear header only to see it chalked off for a push but he was not able to see a unique player in the Caja Magica. Having “She had a lot of aces (nine), I’m just happy I was inferiority in the second half does not bode well for deterred, and when Juve failed to clear his knock-down at the Swiss player back on clay with Djokovic and Nadal able to make it back.” any hopes of a comeback. a corner, Gimenez was perfectly placed. is going to be unmissable.” Afghanistan Breakdancing Set Beat Ireland For Olympics Debut In First T20 In Paris 2024 ABUL (Dispatches) - Veteran all-rounder ONDON (Dispatches) - Breakdancing is set to make KMohammad Nabi starred with both bat and ball as Lits debut as an Olympic sport at Paris 2024, the head Afghanistan defeated Ireland by five wickets Thursday’s of the local organising committee said Thursday. first Twenty20 international. Skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing, which Nabi and fellow spinner Rashid Khan took two wickets have already been added to the program for the 2020 each to restrict Ireland to 132 for six in the northern Indian Tokyo Olympics, have been invited to return in Paris city of Dehradun. He then hit an unbeaten 49 from 86 balls four years later. Tony Estanguet, the head of the Paris in an unbroken sixth-wicket partnership with Najibullah 2024 organizing committee and a former Olympic gold Zadran as Afghanistan reached the target with four balls to medallist in canoeing, said the inclusion of the four spare and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. sports responded to a need to make the Olympics Afghanistan were in trouble after being reduced to 50-5 but the left-right batting pair of Nabi and Zadran, who “more urban” and “more artistic”. made 40, ensured their team’s eighth consecutive T20 win over Ireland. “This is a major step forward in our ambition to organize a unique Olympic Games,” Estanguet said. The 34-year-old Nabi, who was named man of the match, hit five fours and a six in his 40-ball knock while “Right from the beginning, our aim was to offer Games that would have an impact and the element of surprise. Zadran also took the attack to the opposition bowlers on a seemingly tricky wicket. “This is why we have chosen to present the IOC with four sports that are as creative as spectacular, geared Ireland’s pace spearhead Boyd Rankin took two wickets but gave away 39 runs in his four overs. towards youth and completely in line with our vision. Earlier Ireland recovered from a precarious 65 for six to bolster their total after electing to bat first in Afghanistan’s “They reflect perfectly Paris 2024’s identity.” adopted homeground. George Dockrell, who made 34, and wicketkeeper-batsman Stuart Poynter, who scored 31, The choice of the four sports still needs to be rubberstamped by the International Olympic Committee. Breakdancing, put on an unbeaten 67-run stand. known as breaking, appeared at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, in the form of head-to-head “battles”. Khan, the world’s top-ranked T20 bowler, weaved his magic in his very first over, taking two wickets in the space Russia’s Sergei Chernyshev, competing under the nickname Bumblebee, won the first breakdancing gold medal of three deliveries as Ireland slipped to 65 for six in the 12th over. for boys in that event, while Japan’s Ramu Kawai won the girls’ title.