IRAN NEWS Felicitates Its Shiite Readers Over the Auspicious Nimeh Shaban (15th of Sha’ban), the Birthday Anniversary of 12th Imam Mahdi (A). The Next Issue Will Hit The News-Stands on April 22.

VOL. XXV, No. 6655 TEHRAN Price 20,000 Rials www.irannewsdaily.com THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2019 - FARVARDIN 29, 1398 2 4 8 DOMESTIC 3 DOMESTIC INTERNATIONAL SPORTS Floods in Iran Reveal Trump Vetoes Bill to Djokovic Survives Tehran Welcomes End U.S. Support for Kohlschreiber Scare “Dirty Nature” of U.S. Rulers Turkish Investors Saudi-Led Yemen War In Monte Carlo > SEE PAGE 2 > SEE PAGE 3 > SEE PAGE 4 > SEE PAGE 8 Turkey Looking at New Trade Leader Hails IRGC, Army for U.S. Pressure on Iraq, Kurdistan Mechanisms With Iran No Impact on Trade With Tehran ANKARA (Dispatches) – Turkish Foreign Minister Repelling Terrorism in Region ERBIL (Dispatches) - Trade is booming between Iran Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday Turkey is and Iraq including the Kurdistan Region despite looking into establishing new trade mechanisms with increasing U.S. pressure, a senior Iranian official based Iran, like the INSTEX system set up by European in Iraq claimed on the day Washington upped the ante countries to avoid U.S. sanctions reimposed last year on by officially designating the powerful Islamic exports of Iranian oil. Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a Foreign Those sanctions followed President Donald Trump’s Terrorist Organization (FTO) like al-Qaeda and the decision to withdraw unilaterally from a 2015 nuclear Islamic State (ISIS). accord between Iran and six world powers to pressure “Despite repeated trips by American officials as well Iran to curtail its nuclear program and stop backing as economic and political delegations to Iraq and the militant proxies in the Middle East. Kurdistan Region in order to convince the Iraqi traders Cavusoglu reiterated Turkey’s opposition to the to abide by the American sanctions against Iran, there sanctions and said Ankara and neighboring Iran needed has been no sign that the Iraqi side has accepted these to keep working to raise their bilateral trade to a target requests,” Iran’s Consul General to Sulaimani Saadullah of $30 billion (£23 billion), around triple current levels. Masudian told an Iranian outlet. “Along with the existing mechanisms, we evaluated Since U.S. President Donald Trump re-imposed wide- how we can establish new mechanisms, like INSTEX... ranging sanctions in November after pulling out of the how we can remove the obstacles before us and before 2015 nuclear deal, an intense flurry of diplomatic trade,” Cavusoglu told a news conference after talks activities have ensued between Baghdad and Tehran. with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani who visited Iraq in “What is important here is the solidarity and determination March said that he hoped the trade volume with his between us,” he added. See Page 7 western neighbor would reach $20 billion in the coming years. See Page 7 Assad Condemns U.S. Seoul Trying to Convince U.S. Blacklisting of IRGC To Extend Iran Oil Waiver DAMASCUS (Dispatches) - Syrian President Bashar IRAN NEWS POLITICAL DESK al-Assad has slammed as irresponsible the US SEOUL (Dispatches) - With about two weeks left to the designation of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps TEHRAN - Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei attached great importance to fraternity between the expiry of the U.S. waiver on imports of Iranian crude as a terrorist group. Army and the IRGC that came after the U.S.’s hostile move in designating the IRGC as a terrorist entity. oil, concerns are growing about whether the six-month Speaking in a Tuesday meeting with Iranian Foreign Ahead of the National Day of the Army, commanders and senior officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Army exemption will be extended. Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Damascus, Assad as well as a group of commanders and staff members of the Ground Forces met with the Leader of the Islamic South Korean officials have been trying to convince said the US blacklisting of the IRGC is in line with Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei. Washington to extend the waiver, but say there has Washington’s policies to destabilize the region. While meeting with the commanders of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Army and Ground Forces today been no clear response. U.S. President Donald Trump announced last week that (Wednesday), Ayatollah Khamenei called today’s Army more committed to the religion and more efficient than “Seoul and Washington had shared an understanding Washington is designating Iran’s Islamic Revolution ever before, and praised the vital and effective involvement of the Army and the Armed Forces in providing relief of extending the exemption on Iranian oil imports, but Guards Corps a foreign “terrorist organization”. It was to the flood-stricken areas. the US stance has changed recently,” a senior official at the first time Washington formally branded another He stressed the need for increased unity among the Armed Forces, regarding as favorable the gesture of South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said. country’s military a “terrorist group”. Responding to the fraternity between the Army and the IRGC that came after the US’s blatant act against the IRGC in designating A delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Yun move, the Islamic Republic immediately declared the US the organization as a terrorist entity. Kang-hyeon visited Washington on March 28 and April a “state sponsor of terrorism” and the US forces in the Ayatollah Khamenei reminded his audience by stating that any action that infuriates the enemy is appropriate 8 to consult with Brian Hook, the US State Department’s region a “terrorist group”. See Page 7 and correct; whereas, any action that makes the enemy more blatant and stronger in spirit must be avoided. special representative for Iran, and Francis Fannon, Congratulating the honorable staff of the Army and their families on the National Day of the Army and Ground assistant secretary at the State Department’s Bureau of Forces in this meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei regarded the Armed Forces as symbols and elements of national Energy Resources. power and added “of course, in many countries, even in the countries that claim to advocate freedom and human Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-hwa and Finance Kazakhstan to rights, the Armed Forces are agents of dictators’ authority and confronting the nations, an example of which can Minister Hong Nam-ki flew to Washington last week to be seen in the case of Saturdays in Paris [yellow vests movement].” request an extension to the waiver. See Page 7 The Leader of the Islamic Revolution dubbed the Armed Forces as ‘security guards for the nation’ Host Syria Talks according to the logic of Islam and the Islamic Republic, and went on to say “during a war, the Armed ASTANA (Dispatches) - Kazakhstan will host new talks Forces stand up to the enemy’s invasion with knowledge, experience, and self-sacrifice, defeating the on Syria, backed by Iran, Russia and Turkey in effort to enemy and making it retreat. At the time of peace, the army brings reassurance and peace of mind to the Indian Refiners Turn to OPEC, Mexico, reach a political settlement for the eight-year conflict nation with complete preparedness and efficacy. That is why the enemies seek to disturb the people’s peace Kazakhstan said it will host new talks on Syria, of mind by presenting the Armed Forces as distressed.” See Page 7 U.S. to Make Up Iran Oil Gap backed by Iran, Russia and Turkey in effort to put an end to the eight-year conflict that paralyzed the country, NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indian refiners are increasing media reports noted on Tuesday. their planned purchases from OPEC nations, Mexico Kazakhstan’s foreign ministry confirmed in a and the United States to make up for any loss of Iranian statement that delegations from the Syrian regime as EU Rejects Israeli Claim to Golan, Other Occupied Territory oil if the U.S. enforces sanctions more harshly from well armed opposition groups will take part in the BRUSSELS (Dispatches) - The European Union’s foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has once again next month, sources and company officials said. meeting, scheduled for 25 and 26 April. expressed the 28-nation bloc’s disapproval of the Israeli regime’s claim of “sovereignty” to Syria’s Golan All four Indian state-owned refiners that buy The talks will also include representatives of the three Heights and other Tel Aviv-occupied territories. Iranian oil are confident of securing additional guarantor states, while the United Nations and Jordan are Speaking at the plenary session of the European Parliament in the French city of Strasbourg on Tuesday, barrels from other producers, officials from the expected to attend as observers. The meeting agenda will Mogherini stressed that the EU’s position on the status of Golan “has not changed.” companies told Reuters. include talks on Idlib and confidence-building actions to “The EU has a very simple and clear position,” she said. “The EU does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over The state refiners have not yet placed orders for be taken as well as distribution of humanitarian aid. any of the territories occupied by Israel since June 1967, in line with international law and with UN Security Iranian oil for May, when the current waiver expires, The April meeting will be the first in Astana for the Council Resolutions 242 and 497. And this also applies to the Golan Heights.” pending clarity from the United States. UN’s newly appointed envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen, The EU’s top diplomat also noted that she had already issued a declaration on behalf of all the 28 member India’s Bharat Petroleum Corp (BPCL) and replacing former envoy Staffan de Mistura, who states and clarified their stance on the Golan Heights. Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd seemed frustrated at November talks, regretting Additionally, she said, the five EU member states of the UN Security Council – including the UK, France, (MRPL) have tapped Iraq to make up for Iranian “a missed opportunity” to end the Syrian conflict. Germany, Belgium and Poland – had expressed the bloc’s common position on Golan in a joint stake-out. oil, while Indian Oil Corp (IOC) has signed its first The Astana process was launched after Russia’s military Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria in the closing stages of its 1967 Six-Day War with Arab countries, annual contract with U.S. suppliers and raised intervention in Syria tipped the balance in favour of the Syrian which also saw the regime occupy the Palestinian territories of the West Bank, East Jerusalem al-Quds and the supplies from Mexico. regime and has gradually eclipsed previous UN-sponsored Gaza Strip. Tel Aviv unilaterally annexed the Golan Heights in 1981 in a move not recognized internationally. “There will be no supply constraints. The supply can negotiations scheme known as the Geneva process. Syria has repeatedly reaffirmed its sovereignty over the Golan Heights, saying the territory must be completely come from both OPEC and non-OPEC nations like the The Syrian conflict began when Assad’s regime responded restored to its control. Trump’s controversial policy shift came over a year after the hawkish US president U.S.,” said M. K. Surana, chairman of Hindustan Petroleum with brutal military force against peaceful protests recognized Jerusalem al-Quds as the “capital” of Israel and transferred Washington’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Corp, which purchased up to 1.5 million tons per year of demanding democratic reforms during the 2011 uprisings. the occupied Palestinian city. See Page 7 Iranian crude in 2018/19. See Page 7 2 IRAN NEWS DOMESTIC THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2019

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari expressed his gratitude to the Iranian lawmakers for their support for the IRGC against a recent decision by the US to blacklist the force. Commander Thanks Iranian MPs for Supporting IRGC Against U.S. In a letter to Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani released on Tuesday night, Major General Jafari appreciated “the firm stance” of the MPs on “the desperate move” by the US to label the IRGC as a terrorist group. Floods in Iran Reveal Websites Review “Dirty Nature” of U.S. Rulers No Problem for Oil Sales

IRAN NEWS NATIONAL DESK TASNIM* - An Iranian lawmaker said the experience of bypassing sanctions have enabled Tehran to keep selling oil in the current Iranian year without any trouble. TEHRAN - President Hassan Rouhani highlighted the U.S. Member of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security sanctions’ negative impact on relief efforts made to assist flood- and Foreign Policy Commission Hossein Naqavi Hosseini underscored that it is impossible for the “enemies of the stricken people in the Islamic Republic, saying the floods Islamic Revolution and Iranian people” to drive Iran’s oil revealed the “dirty nature” of Washington, which calls itself an exports down to zero. The U.S.’ unilateral sanctions against Iran have not advocate of human rights. received a welcome from the international community and a number of countries have announced formally Addressing a cabinet session in Tehran on Wednesday, Rouhani described the floods in Iran that they would not abide by the sanctions, the as “the worst historical test” for the U.S. rulers and said, they revealed their true natures. lawmaker added. If the Americans were wise and their claims of not opposing the Iranian people were “According to reports from the officials, the sale of true, they would declare that Washington would suspend the anti-Tehran sanctions Iran’s oil in the current (Iranian) year will face no specific due to the floods hitting the people, he added. problem,” Naqavi Hosseini added, noting that Iran has who, in cyberspace, destroyed the morale of the people instead of helping them,” the However, they not only refused to assist the Iranian nation but prevented the world’s learnt how to bypass the sanctions and has gained the president said, adding that the elements should be identified. people from sending their assistance to Iran via banks, Rouhani stated. experience of selling oil. This move proved the “anti-human and dirty nature” of the U.S. and its rulers, “Reconstruction of flood-hit areas will be commenced as of today,” the president went on to say. President Rouhani announced. Elsewhere in his remarks, Rouhani described the floods as “a divine test”, and said “Under the leadership of the interior minister, the government started renovation of the Iranian people and the administration were “successful” in passing the test. flood-affected regions, today,” the President said. Places After Contemporary Artists “The Iranian nation had a huge success in helping each other and the administration “As estimated various sectors have incurred 400 trillion rials (about $2.9 billion) of stepped up to the plate with all its might,” he added. loss by the present day and the figure is probable to increase after making related IRNA* - Tehran City Council wants to name the Iranian “The people made a great deal of assistance in this incident, but there were a few estimations of the damage in Khouzestan,” he said. capital’s streets after the contemporary artists who have won the hearts and minds of their nation. The Iranians believe he who dies only his body leaves this world, but Syria to Give Priority to Iranian his memory will remain alive and Tehran City Council is UN Envoy Criticizes U.S. planning to take this belief to another level. The city councilors approved a proposal on Tuesday to Firms in Reconstruction Era name a street in the western Shahark-e Gharb Action Against IRGC TEHRAN (IFP) - Syrian Prime Minister Imad Khamis says his country’s top priority in the reconstruction era is neighborhood, home to well-off residents, after Iran’s Iranian companies working in various areas. critically-acclaimed classical singer Mohammad Reza The top Syrian official made the remarks in a Tuesday meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Shajarian in a bid to pay tribute to this living Zarif, during which the two sides exchanged views on mutual issues as well as regional developments. internationally-famous singer. The Syrian prime minister welcomed the Iranian top diplomat and paid gratitude to the Iranian nation and Shajarian, who became famous in the early 1960s for his government’s support for Syria. He also expressed sympathy with the families of the victims of the latest distinct style of singing the Persian classical music, is the floods in Iran. apple of the eye of the Iranians who cherish poetry and Khamis described the Iranian foreign minister’s visit to Syria as significant and said the latest international good singing in their traditional music. developments require reinforcement of mutual ties between Iran and Syria. The 78-year-old artist, also described as Iran’s “The two sides should strengthen their ties because they are on the same front. Mutual ties in all areas should greatest living ostad (maestro) of Persian classical deserve the sacrifices made over the past years.” music, was awarded with the Picasso Award in 1999 by The top official said President Assad has underlined the priority of Iranian firms in the reconstruction UNESCO in France. Also in 2006, he was given the era in Syria. “The Syrian president has urged all sections of the government to use all their capacities to UNESCO Mozart Medal. expand ties with Iran.” TEHRAN (UN) - The United Nations (UN) special For his part, the Iranian foreign minister said Iran attaches significant importance to its ties with Syria. representative for Iraq on Tuesday criticized the US move “We believe in this fact and have always declared it at international arenas that people across the world owe their against the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC). security to the resistance of the Syrian government and nation against ISIS and other terrorist groups.” No Instagram for Iranian Officials “We are happy to have stood behind you throughout the resistance and the issue will be recorded in the history For sure, listing the IRGC a terrorist entity by the TASNIM* - Instagra-m social media shut down the of mutual ties between Iran and Syria,” he said. U.S. will not help ensuring regional stability and it accounts of several Iranian officials, including pages Today, he added, the Islamic Republic feels duty-bound to institutionalize the achievements gained at the price will also affect the security in Iraq, Jeanine Hennis- attributed to a number of senior commanders of the of the bloods of resistance martyrs in their fight against terrorist groups in Syria. Plasschaert said. She made the remarks in a meeting Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC). with Chairman of the Iranian Parliament’s Foreign Instagram, a media-sharing social networking Relations and National Security commission Heshmatollah service owned by Facebook, closed the accounts of Falahatpisheh. He urged all sides to cooperate in order to U.S., Not Iran, in Need of Change of Nature several top Iranian officials. prevent re-emergence of Daesh (ISIS). The social network has removed the accounts said to be IRAN NEWS POLITICAL DESK The UN official lauded the good relations between pressure to change the very nature of of IRGC Commander Major General Mohammad Ali Iran and Iraq, and called for continuing efforts to the Islamic Republic of Iran.” Jafari, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major ensure peace in this region. In the meantime, TEHRAN - Iran on Wednesday hit “It is the U.S. regime that needs to General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, and Commander of Falahatpisheh, for his part, said that Iran expects the back at US Secretary of State Mike change its nature, with its economic the IRGC Quds Force Major General Qasem Soleimani. US to avoid making new challenges in the region. Pompeo, saying it is Washington, terrorism and bullying, taking However, many Iranian officials have announced that If Iran has not supported the regional people’s and not Tehran, which is in need of a governments hostage to do its they do not have any official account at Instagram or any resistance against Daesh, terrorists would enter the change in its nature. unlawful bidding, its export of other social networking services, and the pages attributed European countries’ borders, the lawmaker said In a statement, Iranian Foreign billions of dollars worth of deadly to them have been created by their fans. while describing Daesh (ISIS) a common threat Ministry Spokesman Abbas weapons to the Middle East and the The other ranking commanders whose Instagram against the world security. The UN should prevent Mousavi said the increasing Persian Gulf regions for accounts have been closed include IRGC Ground Force U.S.’ extremism in the West Asia region, he noted. objections of the international slaughtering civilians, its sheltering Commander Brigadier General Mohamamd Pakpour, The lawmaker advised the UN to avoid following community to the behavior and of war criminals, and its total senior official of General Staff of the Iranian Armed the officials of the U.S. and Zionist regimes’ policies. measures of the United States, disregard for environment, human Forces General Mousa Kamali and Mohammad Baqer He pointed to the U.S. and Zionist regime’s which run counter to the rights, and the principles of the Qalibaf, a former mayor of Tehran. dangerous moves in the region and said Iran is international law, have made the need for making a international community and international law,” the ready for all scenarios. change in the American regime a universal call. Iranian diplomat added. His remarks were in reaction to US Secretary of State The Iranian spokesman meanwhile, stressed that the Mike Pompeo, who said at Texas A&M University on U.S. is “a daily threat” to the global order, peace and Agricultural Iran Accredited Envoy Submits Monday that the U.S. is seeking to exert “maximum stability, Mehr news agency reported. Productions to Increase MEHR* - Minister of Agriculture Mahmoud Hojjati Credentials to Macron said that agricultural productions will increase in the MADRID (IRNA) - Iran’s accredited Ambassador to IRGC Denies Retired Officer’s Allegations current Iranian calendar year (started March 21, 2019). Andorra Hassan Qashqavi submitted his credentials Despite severe damages caused by the recent devastating TEHRAN (IRNA) - The spokesman of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Brigadier-General to French President Emanuel Macron and co-prince floods in some provinces of the country, production Ramezan Sharif denied the hollow allegations made a retired IRGC officer called Saeed Qasemi about its of Andorra late on Tuesday. volume of agricultural produce will be increased due to performance many years ago. During the meeting, Qashqavi, who is also Iran’s rainfalls, he said, adding, “under such circumstances, the Sharif said what Qasemi said about his presence in Bosnia during the war time in 19990s simply reflect his own ambassador to Spain, referred to Iran’s adherence to country will not face any shortage in this respect.” views and are not valid. all its commitments under the JCPOA and verification Speaking on the sidelines of the Cabinet of ‘The remarks by the long-retired Saeed Qasemi about the time he was a volunteer in Bosnia are his personal of the international pact by the International Atomic Ministers’ meeting, he pointed to the harvesting viewpoints and the IRGC does not confirm that,’ said Sharif. Energy Agency (IAEA), and stressed the need for all wheat and said, “wheat harvest has started at the Sharif went on to stress that the IRGC follows certain logical rules and regulations in its stances the parties to the deal to comply with it. time that this vital product has sustained severe and performance. He also called for operationalizing the Instrument in damages in the recent floods.” He added the IRGC presence in Bosnia to help the war-stricken people was no exception. Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX). Elsewhere in his remarks, the agricultural minister Referring to America’s attempts to distort realities about the IRGC actions, he said experience Macron, for his part, highlighted the role of Iran pointed to the recent flood in almost 24 provinces of the shows that the documents used by American to support their allegations are invalid and deserve in the Middle East, and said that France is country and said, “accordingly, the government will take serious doubts. determined to save the JCPOA and tries to execute necessary measures for compensating the damages caused Sharif further noted that it is not the first time that Qasemi makes such remarks, stressing that he is responsible INSTEX at the earliest. to flood-hit areas.” for his accusations as well. THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2019 DOMESTIC IRAN NEWS 3

Noon (Zohr) 13:03 17. “And our duty is only to proclaim the clear Message.” Evening (Maghreb) 19:58 18. The (people) said: “for us, we augur an evil omen from you: if ye desist not, PRAYER TIME Tomorrow’s Dawn (Fajr) 04:57 we will certainly stone you. And a grievous punishment indeed will be inflicted on you by us.” Surah 36. Ya-sin ( 17 - 18 ) Tomorrow’s Sunrise 06:26

Tehran Welcomes IMT Minister to Turkish Investors Embark in Baku IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK

IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK TEHRAN - Iranian Industry, Mine and Trade Minister Reza Rahmani will arrive in Baku, Azerbaijan today, the Iranian embassy in Azerbaijan announced. TEHRAN - Iran welcomes presence of Turkish investors in its The Iranian minister will meet with Azerbaijani investment projects, Iranian first vice president said on Tuesday. Minister of Economy Shahin Mustafayev, Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Population Sahil Tehran and Ankara have good potentials for elevation of their trade exchange to reach Babayev and businessmen. the targeted goal of 30 billion dollars, Eshaq Jahangiri said. During the visit, the foundation of the Azerbaijani-Iranian He made the remarks in a meeting with Turkish Ambassador to Tehran Derya Ors. bus assembly plant will be laid in Hajigabul Industrial Site. The Iranian official congratulated the Turkish ambassador the victory of Justice and The parts for buses will be also produced there. Development Party (AKP). The opening ceremony of the Iranian Trade Center Jahangiri expressed the hope that Iran and Turkey relations are developed during the In the meantime, the Turkish envoy, for his part, called for promotion of all-out ties will be held in Azerbaijan during Rahmani’s visit. new ambassador’s tenure. between the two states. The bilateral economic and energy projects between Deepening cooperation between Tehran and Ankara can help resolution of problems The envoy stressed removal of obstacles in the way of banking reactions as well as Azerbaijan and Iran, the North-South International in the Islamic World and the region, he added. the use of national currencies for trade exchanges between the two states. Transport Corridor, the Rasht-Astara railway project, Jahangiri said that Iran and Turkey should develop their bilateral relations, in He said that Iran and Turkey share similar stance on Syria, and expressed the hope the issues of cooperation in the field of holding particular, the banking relations regardless of the U.S. sanctions. that the Syrian crisis is resolved in the near future. exhibitions, signing of memorandums of cooperation will be discussed during the Iranian minister’s visit. Iran, Bangladesh Tehran, Muscat to Launch New Shipping Line Road Minister Can Increase Bilateral IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK Due in Bulgaria TEHRAN - Iran and Oman are set to add a new direct shipping route between their ports in the Persian Gulf in a TEHRAN (MNA) – Minister of Roads and Urban Trade to $1b move to help boost economic interactions between the two countries, Iran’s Ambassador to Muscat said. Development Mohammad Eslami, leading a delegation, was Addressing a gathering of 120 Iranian and Omani businesspersons in Muscat on Wednesday, Mohammad Reza to leave Tehran for Sofia last night to participate in the 19th Nouri Shahroudi said the new line will go on stream within the next two weeks. He did not mention the name of meeting of Iran-Bulgaria joint cooperation commission today. ports that will be linked via the new line. The minister is planned to sign several documents Pointing to the significant increase in the number of direct flights between the two neighbors from 20 to 48 per including the MOU of the 19th meeting of the joint week, the Iranian envoy said the expansion of marine transportation between the two countries also follows the economic, scientific, cultural, and artistic cooperation, the similar plan to boost Tehran-Muscat mutual economic interactions. MOU of joint economic cooperation, that of cooperation According to Nouri Shahroudi, Iran’s trade with Oman reached $700 million during the 11 months of the past Iranian between the two countries’ chambers of commerce, MOU year (March 21, 2018-Feb. 22), of which some $250 million accounted for Iran’s imports from the Arab country. of cooperation on standardization, and etc. This will be the fifth direct shipping line between the two countries, after Jask-Suwaiq, Bandar Abbas-Sohar, Sofia and Tehran have many potentials for developing Khorramshahr-Sohar and Bandar Abbas-Al Suwaiq routes. bilateral relations and Sofia has played a constructive role The fourth direct marine route was established in December 2018, between Iran’s Jask Port and Oman’s Al Suwaiq Port to in preserving JCPOA. On February 1, Bulgarian foreign transport the wholesale Iranian commodities to Oman using containers. minister has voiced her country’s support for the EU’s Another important direct shipping line between Oman’s Sohar Port and Iran’s Bandar Abbas Port on the shores trade mechanism aimed at facilitating trade with Iran in of the Strait of Hormuz also resumed activity in December last year, after the commercial vessels along this marine the face of US sanctions, saying the mechanism could route had halted operations from early November after the new round of US sanctions against Iran came into effect. strengthen economic ties between the two countries. If the same trend were to continue, he said, Tehran and Muscat will experience a huge increase in bilateral trade in the future. TEHRAN (MNA) –The Iranian Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Reza Rahmani said Wed. that Iran and Bangladesh can Bushehr Port Exports increase their bilateral trade to $1 billion if Iran, China Urged to Boost Tourism they use their capacities. Speaking during a ceremony in Tehran to TEHRAN (IRNA) - Iran’s Ambassador to China tourists, he added: Iran can also be one of the most To Qatar Up 62% commemorate Bangladesh Independence Mohammad Keshavarz-zadeh outlined the two important destinations for Chinese tourists. BUSHEHR (MNA) – Some 678,000 tons of non-oil Day, Reza Rahmani said that if the two countries numerous capacities and emphasized further Keshavarzadeh said Iran could easily attract a commodities worth $117 million were shipped from Iran’s countries of Iran and Bangladesh use their development of Tehran- Beijing relations in different greater number of Chinese tourist if it prepares the Bushehr province to Qatar during the past fiscal year full capacities, they can increase annual sectors, especially in Tourism industry. requirements for Chinese tourists in Iran and offer (ended on March 20), a senior official said on Wednesday. bilateral trade to $ 1 billion. There is considerable potential for boosting the necessary facilities. According to Saeed Zarrinfar, the deputy for economic Rahmani expressed hope that the 6th cooperation between Iran and China in the field of The 25th China Tourism Exhibition that opened in affairs and resources development of Bushehr Governor round of Iran-Bangladesh Joint Economic tourism, he said. Beijing on Tuesday with the presence of 85 countries, General’s Office, the figures indicate that Bushehr’s Commission can be held this year. The envoy pointed out that the two countries shared including Islamic Republic of Iran, is also seen by the exports to Qatar during the past year observed a 62% He further expressed hope that the two many common characteristics and added: Two experts as an opportunity to introduce Iran to foreign and 47% growth in terms of value and volume, countries can achieve important agreements countries’ friendly relations in different fields requires tourists, especially the Chinese themselves. respectively, in comparison with the year before. to expand bilateral relations during the that these relations be strengthened and further China sends about 120 million tourists to other Minerals, construction materials and agricultural joint economic commission meeting. developed in the field of tourism. countries annually and more than 85 million tourists products were the main exports from Bushehr to the The Industry minister pointed out that China has a lot of tourism opportunities due to its high visit this country each year. Persian Gulf country. Minerals accounted for 62% of Iran has a lot of capabilities to produce economic growth, and in addition to attracting a large According to statistics in 2017, about 115 thousands the total volume of the southern province’s exports to construction materials, adding that there number of foreign tourists, many Chinese people also of Iranians traveled to China, while on the other hand, Qatar, while the agricultural and industrial products are other areas such as agriculture, food travel to foreign countries every year, he said. more than 100 thousand Chinese visited Iran the same constituted 23% and 14% of the exports. industry, tourism medical, pharmaceuticals While pointing out that many countries from Africa to year. However, Iranian tourism activists hope to attract Two southern ports of Bushehr and Lengeh account and medicine, sports, academic fields that European countries are planning to attract Chinese more than this in coming years. for the largest portion of goods sent from Iran to Qatar. the two countries can easily enhance their level of bilateral trade to $ 1 billion. The minister went on to talk about Bangladesh’s capacities, saying that for the IRCS Receives Italy’s Aid to Flood Victims second consecutive year, Bangladesh TEHRAN (IRNA) - Iranian Red Crescent Society said on Wednesday that it delivered Italy’s humanitarian aid to Pakistan Ready to ranked among top 10 countries with high blood-affected people across the country. economic growth rate. The aid includes electric generators, tents, lifeboats, hygiene kits, flaks, water tanks, lamp, sheets, blankets, Export Onions to Iran He said that the southern Asian country trauma kits and medical equipment. IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK experienced an economic growth rate of Two million Iranians have been affected by intense rain and flash floods along with landslides and rivers over 6 for almost 15 consecutive years, burst their banks, claimed the lives of TEHRAN - Officials of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of which has turned it to an attractive country scores of people and displaced for many investors, traders and governments. Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) have announced that the country hundreds of thousands. is ready to export onions to Iran for about $0.35 per kilogram, Rahmani further said that the Iranian Many countries and humanitarian companies are interested in cooperation Trend reports with reference to Fars News Agency. As the FPCCI agencies offered their help, but, the US officials reported, the cultivation of onions in Pakistan is at a good with Bangladeshi counterparts, calling on sanctions were impeding the cash to be the authorities to pave the way for the level. In his turn, Chairman of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, sent to Iran’s Red Crescent Society Industries, Mines and Agriculture Gholamhossein Shafei said expansion of bilateral trade. through international banking system. The active membership of the two that Iranian economic condition is very fragile and that decisions The countries that sent humanitarian aid are to be made for the benefit of the people. countries of Iran and Bangladesh in to Iran include Lebanon, UAE, Republic international organizations such as the D-8 Economic problems alongside heavy rains in Iran since of Czech, India, Georgia, and Oman, mid-March have led to an increase in the prices for onion crop, Organization for Economic Cooperation, according to IRCS. the Organization of Islamic Cooperation which rose to 150,000 rials (about $3.57) per kilogram. In the Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman meantime, the Iranian Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade has (OIC) and the Non-Aligned Movement Abbas Mousavi Tuesday told IRNA that (NAM) show the same strategic approaches banned the export of onions and potatoes since April 4, 2019. Iran’s Red Crescent Society is in charge However, this prohibition has not seriously impacted the of the two countries in the present era, the of distribution of foreign humanitarian aid Iranian minister further noted. onion prices. In the cities of Iran, onions are sold at around to the people in the flood-stricken areas. 120-150,000 rials (about $2.85-$3.57) per kilogram. 4 IRAN NEWS INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2019

Estonia President Turns Shelling Kills Four To Ratas to Form a Gov’t In Tripoli

TALLINN (Reuters) - Estonia’s president turned on Tuesday to Centre leader Juri TRIPOLI (Reuters) - At least four people were killed in heavy shelling in the Libyan Ratas to form a new government - a move that will likely bring a far-right party into capital Tripoli, an official said on Wednesday as Europe and the Persian Gulf were the cabinet for the first time. “Now it is a task for Juri Ratas to form a government divided over a push by eastern forces commander Khalifa Haftar to seize the city. which as a whole, and whose every member individually, honours our constitution and Nearly two weeks into its assault, the veteran general’s eastern-based Libyan the values which are in our constitution,” President Kersti Kaljulaid said in a statement. National Army (LNA) is stuck in the city’s southern outskirts battling armed groups Estonia’s parliament rejected the leader of the centre-right Reform Party, Kaja loyal to the internationally recognized Tripoli government. But the southern district Kallas, as prime minister on Monday. Kallas got 45 votes, while she needed 51 votes of Abu Salim got shelled late on Tuesday with explosions being heard even in the to form a government and become the country’s first female prime minister. city center where life had been going on largely untouched by the violence. Trump Vetoes Bill to End U.S. Erdogan’s AK Party Calls for Support for Saudi-Led Yemen War Rerun of Istanbul Elections WASHINGTON (AFP) - President Donald Trump argued that U.S. support for the Trump on Tuesday vetoed a resolution bloody war between the Saudi-backed from Congress directing him to end U.S. Yemeni government and Huthis was support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen, necessary for a variety of reasons, “first the second such move of his presidency. and foremost” to “protect the safety of the The resolution was a harsh bipartisan more than 80,000 Americans who reside in rebuke to Trump that took the historic step certain coalition countries.” of curtailing a president’s war-making These countries “have been subject to powers -- a step he condemned in a Huthi attacks from Yemen,” he said, statement announcing his veto. referring to drone and missile strikes the “This resolution is an unnecessary, Saudi-led coalition has either claimed dangerous attempt to weaken my were intercepted or denied altogether. constitutional authorities, endangering the The president also said the resolution lives of American citizens and brave would “harm the foreign policy of the ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip service members, both today and in the United States” and “harm our bilateral Erdogan’s AK Party formally requested on Tuesday an future,” Trump said. relationships.” annulment and rerun of Istanbul’s municipal elections The veto was the second of his And it would “negatively affect our over what it said were irregularities, prompting the presidency, after he overrode a ongoing efforts to prevent civilian main opposition to accuse it of damaging democracy. congressional resolution that aimed to casualties and prevent the spread of Initial results from the March 31 vote showed the reverse the border emergency he terrorist organizations such as Al-Qaeda in main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) declared in order to secure more the Arabian Peninsula and ISIS, and narrowly won control of Turkey’s largest city, thereby funding for his wall between the United States and Mexico in March. embolden Iran’s malign activities in Yemen,” Trump said. ending 25 years of control of a key power centre by the Vetoing the measure is an “effective green light for the war strategy that has created The resolution, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this month AKP and its Islamist predecessors. The loss of Istanbul, the world’s worst humanitarian crisis to continue,” said International Rescue and the Senate in March, was a historic milestone, as it was the first time in history Turkey’s financial hub, would be a blow to Erdogan, Committee president and CEO David Miliband. that a measure invoking the 1973 War Powers Resolution reached the president’s desk. who campaigned hard ahead of the vote. The post-vote “Yemen is at a breaking point with 10 million people on the brink of famine. There Democrats argued that US involvement in the Yemen conflict -- through uncertainty has kept financial markets on edge and are as many as 100 civilian casualties per week, and Yemenis are more likely to be intelligence-sharing, logistical support and now-discontinued aerial refueling -- is contributed to a nearly 5 percent slide in the lira. killed at home than in any other structure.” unconstitutional without congressional authority. In the 16 days since the election, the AKP has filed numerous appeals for vote recounts across Istanbul, a city of more than 15 million people. The High Election Board (YSK) has approved some of those objections, ordering partial or full First Shipment of Red Cross Egypt’s Parliament recounts in several districts. Some are still underway. Submitting his party’s appeal for the annulment and renewal of the vote to the YSK on Tuesday, AKP Humanitarian Aid Arrives in Venezuela Backs Amendments Deputy Chairman Ali Ihsan Yavuz said thousands of votes had been impacted by the irregularities. “There is clearly an organised unlawfulness, an election To Constitution fraud here. The only authority that can end this CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt’s parliament on Tuesday controversy is the YSK,” Yavuz told reporters in the approved amendments to the constitution that could keep capital Ankara. The AKP has already lost control of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in power until 2030, though Ankara and other key cities. Defeat in Istanbul, where they still have to be endorsed in a referendum to take effect. Erdogan was mayor in the 1990s, would be an even The changes would extend Sisi’s current term to six greater setback to the president. The AKP urged electoral years from four and then allow him to run again for a were intended to remove the possibility of political officials to block the YSK from giving CHP candidate third term, which would last six years. The amendments competition for Sisi. Ekrem Imamoglu his mayoral mandate after the Istanbul would also bolster the role of the military in political “These amendments are not needed for the good of recounts are completed and a final result emerges. life and increase the president’s power over the Egypt; rather they constitute a personalisation of power CHP spokesman Faik Oztrak branded the AKP appeal judiciary, critics of the changes say. for Abdel Fattah al-Sisi,” she said. “They will also for renewed elections as a “plot” and called on the YSK The 596-member parliament, which is dominated by Sisi become a strong public grievance against him and to mandate Imamoglu as the elected mayor of the city. CARACAS (Reuters) - The first shipment of supporters, voted 531 to 22 in favour of the amendments. might sow the seeds of his ultimate undoing.” “The authority that will put a stop to this exploitation, humanitarian aid from the Red Cross intended to A date for the referendum has not yet been confirmed, The changes include creating a second parliamentary who will hand the right the people gave to the person who alleviate a dire economic crisis in Venezuela arrived in but Cairo is full of banners encouraging Egyptians to chamber to be known as the Senate, composed of at least earned it is the High Election Board,” Oztrak told reporters. the once-prosperous, oil-rich country on Tuesday, a participate. Sisi’s supporters say the changes are 180 members, a third of whom would be appointed by “If there is security and predictability of the law in this representative of the organization and a lawmaker said. necessary to give him more time to complete major the president. They would also give the president new country, then the YSK’s decision should already be clear.” The delivery came after an about-face by President Nicolas development projects and economic reforms. His critics powers over the appointment of judges and the public The AKP’s Yavuz said 16,884 votes were marked as Maduro, who last week said his socialist government had say they concentrate more powers in the hands of a prosecutor. In a report about the draft amendments, the either invalid or added to the tallies of other parties in the reached an agreement with the Red Cross to bring aid. leader accused by rights groups of presiding over a parliament’s legislative committee said a four-year term elections. He said the AKP had submitted three suitcases Maduro had blocked previous efforts to deliver assistance relentless crackdown on freedoms. was not enough in Egypt, which is still recovering from of documents to the YSK to prove the irregularities. and has denied the existence of a humanitarian crisis. “This will result in the most centralized system for the turmoil that followed a 2011 uprising. If the appeal is approved, a second election would “The International Red Cross today delivered its first batch rule that Egypt has seen in almost half a century,” said “It is an unrealistic period... to achieve complete and take place on June 2. If rejected, the results would be of support for Venezuela, together with the revolutionary Nathan Brown, professor of political science at George sustainable development...,” a draft of the report seen finalised and the CHP’s Ekrem Imamoglu would government that I lead, and it was received in a legal and Washington University. by Reuters said regarding article 140, which would receive his mandate as mayor. orderly way, complying with international protocols,” Another critic, Michele Dunne, director and senior extend the presidential term to six years. Maduro said in a speech broadcast on state television. fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International The committee said Sisi had not asked for the There was little hope that the shipment - intended to Peace’s Middle East Program, said the amendments amendments. Portugal Declares Energy Crisis help hospitals cope with shortages of equipment and frequent power outages - would be anything more than As Fuel Supply Runs Low a palliative measure for Venezuela, where over three Nearly 300 Arrested at London Climate Protests LISBON (Reuters) - Portugal declared an “energy million people have fled the chaos of hyperinflation and LONDON (Dispatches) - Nearly 300 people have been arrested in ongoing climate change protests in London that crisis” on Tuesday after a strike by fuel truck drivers hit chronic shortages of food and medicine. brought parts of the British capital to a standstill, police said Tuesday. the country, forcing the government to order striking But opposition lawmaker Miguel Pizarro said the lack Demonstrators began blocking off a bridge and major central road junctions on Monday at the start of a civil workers to get back on the road immediately as airports of “interference” by Maduro’s government with the entry disobedience campaign that also saw action in other parts of Europe. resorted to emergency reserves. of aid was a positive step and that more shipments would The protests were organized by the campaign group Extinction Rebellion, which was established last year in Demanding better workers’ rights, fuel truck drivers arrive in the days ahead. “The same people who had Britain by academics and has become one of the world’s fastest-growing environmental movements. started a strike on Monday but guaranteed the operation previously denied the arrival (of aid), who had previously London’s Metropolitan Police said that by Tuesday evening, 290 arrests had been made. of minimum services. According to the Socialist brought this country to the verge of confrontation, are “We expect demonstrations to continue throughout the coming weeks,” the police statement said. government, however, the minimum service has not today complying with humanitarian principles,” Pizarro The arrest figure includes three men and two women who were detained at the UK offices of energy giant been provided and fuel supplies are running out. told reporters at the Congress, adding that the Red Cross Royal Dutch Shell on suspicion of criminal damage. In Faro, one of the country’s biggest tourist hubs, the airport would handle the logistics of distribution. Campaigners daubed graffiti and smashed a window at resorted to emergency fuel reserves. Lisbon airport has also Venezuela was plunged into a political deadlock in the Shell Centre building. been affected. “At both airports, where fuel supply wasn’t January, when Juan Guaido, the leader of the The majority arrested were seized for breaching public ensured, we have reached critical levels of fuel reserves for opposition-controlled National Assembly invoked the order laws and obstructing a highway. aircraft refuelling,” Economy Minister Pedro Siza Vieira told country’s constitution to assume an interim presidency, The protest saw more than a thousand people block off reporters. Alongside oil companies, Portugal’s government arguing Maduro’s 2018 re-election was illegitimate. central London’s Waterloo Bridge and lay trees in pots along and security forces are sending dozens of tanker trucks to Guaido has since been recognized as Venezuela’s its length. Later, people set up camps in Hyde Park in Lisbon to supply the capital’s airport with fuel. rightful leader by most Western nations. Several preparation for further demonstrations throughout the week. An energy crisis was declared by the government on Tuesday countries, including the United States and neighboring The police have ordered the protesters to confine evening, meaning security and emergency services now have Colombia, contributed to a February effort to deliver themselves to a zone within Marble Arch, a space at the priority when it comes to refuelling at gas stations. In addition, aid across Venezuela’s land borders, in the hopes junction of Hyde Park, the Oxford Street main shopping an alert was issued to ensure security forces are mobilized to run soldiers would disavow Maduro’s orders to block it. thoroughfare and the Park Lane street of plush hotels. fuel supply operations and guarantee people’s safety. THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2019 PROMOTIONAL ITEM IRAN NEWS 5 6 IRAN NEWS INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2019

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union lawmakers approved on Tuesday an overhaul of banking rules, addressing some of the loopholes exposed by the global financial crisis. The banking overhaul, proposed by the European Commission in November EU Lawmakers Approve Package of Banking Reforms 2016, sets the level of cash banks must set aside to absorb losses and introduces new requirements for capital and liquidity, in line with global standards agreed after the 2007-09 financial crisis. OECD Warns China’s Policy Stimulus US squeezes Cuba on May Exacerbate Economic Distortions BEIJING (Dispatches) - China’s stimulus measures will shore up economic growth this year and next but may undermine the country’s drive to control debt and worsen Confiscated Property structural distortions over the medium term, the OECD said in a report on Tuesday. Beijing has stepped up fiscal stimulus to prevent a sharper slowdown in the world’s second-largest economy, which is being squeezed by weaker domestic demand and a trade war with the United States. Local governments will be allowed to issue 2.15 trillion yuan ($320.60 billion) worth of special purpose bonds in 2019 to fund infrastructure projects, a jump of 59 percent from last year. But S&P Global Ratings estimated last year that local governments were already sitting on hidden debt that could be as high as 40 trillion yuan. “Infrastructure stimulus could lift growth over the projection horizon, but it could lead to a further build-up of imbalances and capital misallocation, and thereby weaker growth in the medium term,” the OECD said in its latest survey on China’s economy. “The stimulus risks increasing once again corporate sector indebtedness and, more generally, reversing progress in deleveraging,” it said. China’s corporate debt has fallen to about 160 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) due to a multi-year clampdown on riskier types of financing and debt, but the level was still higher than in other major economies, the OECD said. New bank loans rebounded more than expected in March, and totaled a record The government in March announced tax and fee cuts of 2 trillion yuan for 5.8 trillion yuan for the quarter, as policymakers pushed lenders to support companies this year, which will lift its budget deficit to 2.8 percent of GDP this year struggling smaller, private companies, which are seen as higher credit risks than from 2.6 percent in 2018. state-controlled firms. China’s fiscal stimulus could be as high as 4.25 percent of GDP this year, up from But there are concerns that looser lending standards may fuel a further rise 2.94 percent in 2018, the OECD added. in bad loans as well as inefficient investment and speculation, particularly in Easier monetary policy should help reduce the risk of liquidity strains which could the property market. put further pressure on businesses, said Ludger Schuknecht, deputy secretary-general Underscoring the OECD’s warning about debt risks, data on Tuesday showed of the OECD. growth in new home prices accelerated in March after cooling since November 2018. WASHINGTON (Dispatches) - President But he said Beijing should prevent any policy “overshooting”. Average new home prices in China’s 70 major cities rose 0.6 percent, quickening Donald Trump will open the way for lawsuits Fiscal policy should aim to support the economy while avoiding any side-effects, from a 0.5 percent gain in February, according to Reuters calculation of data released in US courts over property confiscated by he added. by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Cuba, enforcing a controversial law that “I’m sure government authorities and the PBOC are monitoring this carefully. It’s a Home prices in China are expected to rise more this year than predicted just a few could rattle the island’s economy and matter of implementing it (stimulus) in the right way,” he told an event ahead of the months ago, a recent Reuters poll showed, as the government urges banks to increase anger European allies after more than two release of the report. lending and lower interest rates to support the economy. decades of delay. Ever since Congress passed the Helms-Burton Act in 1996, U.S. presidents starting with Bill Clinton have used their power to suspend the key provision every six months, mindful of the Global Steel Demand Slows international consequences. Those once-routine waivers are now over. LONDON (Reuters) - Growth in global steel demand pose downside risks to this forecast,” Remeithi warned. A senior administration official said national will weaken over the next two years because of slowing Demand in 2018 and 2019 was cushioned by mild security advisor John Bolton will formally economies, sluggish manufacturing in China and the government stimulus in China, the effects of which will unveil the shift Wednesday in a speech in Sino-U.S. trade war, the World Steel Association subside next year, worldsteel said. Miami to expatriates from Cuba as well as (worldsteel) said on Tuesday. Expectations that the government will boost Venezuela and Nicaragua, two other countries Demand growth will decline to 1.3 percent in 2019 stimulus measures to support infrastructure in Latin America with leftist governments and 1 percent next year, following 2018’s 2.1 percent, projects pushed China’s Shanghai steel futures to a opposed by Trump. the association said. 7-1/2-year high on Monday. Bolton “will announce the enforcement of Title China, which consumes about half the world’s steel, China’s state planner last week drew up a plan for III of the Helms-Burton Act,” the official said. has seen its economy decelerate mildly while the urbanisation, including improvements to infrastructure Under the 1996 law, Cuban exiles will be government continues to steer the country away from projects in medium-sized and small cities and an allowed to head to U.S. courts to sue both investment-led to consumption-led growth, worldsteel expansion of transportation systems. private companies and the Havana government said in a statement. Elsewhere, demand growth in developed economies is for profiting from properties nationalized after A damaging and long-standing trade conflict between the expected to slow to 0.3 percent this year and 0.7 percent Fidel Castro’s 1959 communist revolution. United States and China has also hurt investment sentiment. in 2020 after last year’s 1.8 percent, reflecting a While U.S. courts cannot directly enforce “In 2019 and 2020, global steel demand is expected to Worldsteel pegged demand this year at 1.735 billion deteriorating trade environment, worldsteel said. decisions inside Cuba, the Helms-Burton continue to grow, but growth rates will moderate in tandem tonnes, followed by 1.752 billion tonnes in 2020. Demand from developing economies excluding Act is meant to send a chilling message to with a slowing global economy,” said Al Remeithi, “Uncertainty over the trade environment and volatility China will rise 2.9 percent and 4.6 percent in 2019 foreign investors -- including Americans -- chairman of the worldsteel economics committee. in the financial markets have not yet subsided and could and 2020, respectively. who may increasingly decide to exit or steer clear of the island. When it was initially passed, the law had been Swiss to Support Belt and Road Push During President’s China Trip Gazprom Neft Sees Global Oil Deal Ending in mid-2019 strongly opposed by the European Union, which ZURICH (Reuters) - Switzerland will sign an accord backing China’s Belt and SALEKHARD (Reuters) - Gazprom Neft, the oil arm of Russian gas giant Gazprom, worries about legal repercussions for its Road Initiative when President Ueli Maurer visits China this month, cementing expects the global oil deal between OPEC and its allies to end in the first half of the businesses in the United States. ties with a major trading partner as other Western countries view the gargantuan year, a company official said on Tuesday. A related provision restricts entry into the project with skepticism. Vadim Yakovlev, first deputy CEO of Gazprom Neft, said the global oil alliance United States of anyone who is connected President Xi Jinping’s new Silk Road initiative has been controversial particularly should still remain in place, at least in the form of coordination between the world’s to an unresolved claim in Cuba over in Washington, which views it as a way to spread Chinese influence abroad and top global oil producers. confiscated property. saddle countries with unsustainable debt, a charge Beijing rejects. “In our current-year forecasts, we assume the deal will be effective until the middle Republican lawmakers who have long pushed Locked in a trade war with China, the United States has been particularly critical of of the year. In that case, our oil production will be higher by around 1.5 percent from for tough action on Cuba have rejoiced at the Italy’s decision to sign up to the plan, the first for a G7 nation. Others in the West are last year,” he told reporters in the Russian Arctic town of Salekhard. Trump administration’s signals since January less keen to jump aboard, although many have kept an open mind. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other large oil that it was moving to fully enforce the Helms- Neutral Switzerland sees the BRI accord to be signed during Maurer’s trip as a way producers led by Russia agreed to cut their combined oil output by 1.2 million Burton Act. to support economic development, especially in central Asia. barrels per day from Jan.1 for six months in order to support oil prices and “Years of consecutive extensions may have “The aim of the memorandum is for both parties to intensify cooperation on trade, balance the market. lulled some into a false sense of impunity,” said investment and project financing in third markets along the routes of the Belt and The deal’s participants will meet in June in Vienna to decide on the future of Representative Mario Diaz-Balart, a Florida Road Initiative”, the finance ministry said on Tuesday without giving more details. the deal. Several Russian officials have hinted at the possibility of ending the Republican of Cuban descent. Maurer, who is also finance minister, will attend the second Belt and Road summit cuts in June. “Yet now companies which willingly entangle next week which is expected to draw around 40 foreign leaders. “As far as the deal’s extension is concerned, I think the mechanism for coordinating themselves in partnerships with the anti-American, The first summit for Belt and Road — which envisions rebuilding the old Silk the actions of the participating countries should stay in place,” Yakovlev said. illegitimate and oppressive regime in Cuba are Road to connect China with Asia, Europe and beyond with massive Gazprom Neft is currently taking long-term investment decisions assuming an oil on notice that they will be held responsible for infrastructure spending — was in 2017. price of $50 per barrel, he said. their part in callously benefiting from the Xi has also invited Maurer for a state visit on April 28 and 29, his extensive losses suffered by victims of the ministry said. Swiss business and financial leaders will accompany Maurer on regime,” he said in a recent statement. his eight-day China trip. The U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, a Switzerland, one of the New York-based group that supports commercial first Western states to ties between the longtime adversaries, said recognise the People’s that companies with combined revenues of Republic, was the first $678 billion could be targeted in country in continental Helms-Burton lawsuits. Europe to reach a free trade According to the group, companies that have agreement with China, its been mentioned for potential lawsuits include largest trade partner after major international airlines, including US-based the European Union and American, Delta and United, hotels chains such United States. as Marriott and Accor and companies as diverse Xi made a state visit to of French liquor maker Pernod Ricard and Switzerland in 2017. Chinese telecom giant Huawei. THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2019 WORLD NEWS IRAN NEWS 7

TEHRAN (IRNA) - Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohammad Javad Azari-Jahromi condemned blocking Istagram accounts of Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution and commanders of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC). In an unprecedented move in line with the US decision to place IRGC on terrorism blacklist, Istagram Iran Slams Blocking IRGC Instagram Account blocked the English-language accounts of the Supreme Leader and Brigadier General Mohammad Ali Jafari, Brigadier General Qasem Soleimani and Brigadier Hossein Salami on Tuesday.

Leader... Muslim Majority Indonesia Set to Vote in Its Biggest-Ever Poll FROM PAGE 1 Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the relief operation by the Army and the Armed Forces for the people during natural disasters as an effective and vital involvement JAKARTA (Dispatches)- Indonesia kicks off one of the world’s biggest one-day and asserted, saying “in the recent floods, the Armed elections Wednesday, pitting president Joko Widodo against ex-general Prabowo Forces engaged in assisting the people with their full Subianto in a race to lead the Muslim majority nation. potentials and capacities, to the point that in the province More than 190 million Indonesians cast a ballot with the vote kicking off at of Golestan the Army presented themselves in the area 7:00 am local time (2200 GMT Tuesday) in restive Papua and ending at 1:00 pm even before the Crisis Management Organization. (0600 GMT) in Sumatra at the other end of the volcano-dotted archipelago. The Leader praised the Army of the Islamic Republic for A record 245,000 candidates are running for public office in the world’s third-biggest staying true to Islamic values and stated “by the grace of the democracy, from the presidency and parliamentary seats to local positions. Islamic Republic, the Army is an Army based on religious Opinion polls show Widodo, 57, is a clear favourite -- but he faces a tough challenge from principles and an exhibition of Islamic values. Examples Subianto, 67, who has leaned on a fiery nationalist ticket and warned he will challenge the like martyrs Babaee and Sayyaad Shirazi exist in the Army, results over voter-list irregularities if he loses. Subianto narrowly lost to Widodo in 2014 representing role models for the nation and even the Islamic elections, and unsuccessfully challenged those results. Voters will flock to more than Ummah in terms of productivity, commitment, humbleness, 800,000 polling stations where they’ll punch holes in ballots -- to make clear their self-sacrifice and lack of interest in fame. These values and candidate choice -- and then dip a finger in Muslim-approved halal ink, a measure to spirit should be encouraged increasingly day after day.” prevent double-voting in a graft-riddled country where ballot buying is rife. The Leader of the Revolution went on to say “today’s The polls present a huge logistical challenge in a country stretching Army is more committed to religion and more productive 4,800 kilometres across more than 17,000 islands with a population of more than than ever before. Today, the Army is governed by 260 million, including hundreds of ethnic groups and languages. Officials are moving revolutionary and pious forces. Those who are used to cardboard ballot boxes by motorbikes, boats and planes -- as well as elephants and humiliating the nation and praising the betrayers, horses -- to reach mountaintop villages and communities deep in the jungle. constantly talk of the ‘modern army of Reza-Khan’, A series of so-called “quick counts” are expected to give a reliable indication of the whereas, that so-called modern army failed to resist the presidential winner later Wednesday. Official results are not expected until May. Raised in a bamboo shack in a riverside slum, the soft-spoken Widodo stands in invasion of foreigners even for one day. However, the The poll has been punctuated by bitter mudslinging and a slew of fake news online stark contrast to Subianto, whose strongman image is underscored by a penchant for powerful Army of the Islamic Revolution resisted for eight that threatens to sway millions of undecided voters. slamming lecterns as he accuses Jakarta of selling the country off to foreign interests. years in a war; and today, the Army’s knowledge, morale, Widodo has campaigned on his ambitious drive to build much-needed roads, Subianto -- joined by running mate Sandiaga Uno, a 49-year-old wealthy financier -– experience, capability, religious commitment and airports and other infrastructure across Southeast Asia’s largest economy. has courted Islamic hardliners, promised a boost to military and defence spending and, trusteeship is more than before and a source of honor.” But his rights record has been criticised owing to an uptick in discriminatory taking a page from US President Donald Trump, vowed to put “Indonesia first” by Ayatollah Khamenei described the Iranian Armed attacks on religious and other minorities, including a small LGBT community, as reviewing billions of dollars in Chinese investment. Subianto’s long-held presidential Force’s role in the fight against ISIS as unparalleled and Islamic hardliners become more vocal in public life. ambitions have been dogged by strong ties to the Suharto family and a chequered past. maintained “of course, each of the involved countries His choice of conservative cleric Ma’ruf Amin as his running mate has also raised He ordered the abduction of democracy activists as the authoritarian regime took the necessary measures, but the role that the Armed fears about the future of Indonesia’s reputation for moderate Islam. collapsed in 1998, and was accused of committing atrocities in East Timor. Forces of Iran played cannot be ignored. Thus, today, besides the Iranian nation, other countries have benefited U.S. Pressure... Iran’s Oil Exports Hit 2019 Low in April from the blessings of the Iranian Armed Forces.” FROM PAGE 1 LONDON (Dispatches) - Iran’s crude oil exports have The latest drop deepens supply losses resulting from Turkey... The remarks by the Iranian diplomat come at a time that dropped in April to their lowest daily level this year, an OPEC-led global agreement to cut oil production FROM PAGE 1 Washington has upped the ante by officially designating the tanker data showed and industry sources said, and U.S. sanctions on another OPEC member, IRGC as a terrorist organization, a move that came into effect suggesting buyers are curbing purchases before Venezuela. Supported by those moves, oil prices have France, Germany and Britain have opened a new channel yesterday. “The United States and President Trump will act Washington clamps down further on Iranian shipments risen 30% this year to $71 a barrel. for non-dollar trade with Iran to avert sanctions, dubbed lawfully,” remarked U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on as expected next month. “Collapsing Venezuelan oil output and sanctioned Iranian The Instrument In Support Of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX). Monday when he was asked at a press conference in Dallas The United States reimposed sanctions on Iran in exports have put a big question mark over supply,” Norbert Cavusoglu did not go into details about the new mechanisms about whether the designation of the IRGC is a step closer to November after pulling out of a 2015 nuclear accord Ruecker of Swiss bank Julius Baer said. While exports but Turkey has a track record of using national currencies in military action against Iran. “He’ll act within his authorities. between Tehran and six world powers. Those sanctions could rise later in the month, the drop so far suggests international trade. In October 2017, the Turkish and Iranian Article 2 gives broad powers, the AUMF gives a set of broad have already more than halved Iranian oil exports, the Washington is making progress towards its goal of central banks formally agreed to trade in their local currencies powers, but they are – we understand them. And as we make country’s main source of revenue. curtailing shipments to below 1 million bpd from May. after using the euro for settlements in the past. Cavusoglu has decisions about how to move forward, we’ll do so in a way Shipments are averaging below 1 million barrels per The United States, seeking to avoid an increase in oil prices, said that Iran-Turkey bilateral relations are gaining strength that is deeply consistent with American tradition and day (bpd) so far this month, according to Refinitiv granted sanctions waivers to China, India, Greece, Italy, day by day, expressing his opposition to sanctions on Iran. America’s constitution,” added Pompeo. Eikon data and two other companies that track such Taiwan, Japan, Turkey and South Korea that allowed them to “Turkey-Iran relations gain strength day by day contributing The Iranian official in Sulaimani pointed out that the exports and declined to be identified. That’s lower than keep buying some Iranian crude. Those exemptions expire in to regional peace and stability,” he added. reason why the Americans have not succeeded in blocking at least 1.1 million bpd as estimated for March. May and analysts expect a new round to be less generous. “We do not approve unilateral sanctions against Iran,” trade between Iran and Iraq is because the Iraqi side is Cavusoglu added, while stressing “the sanctions will only harm dependent on Iran for its basic commodities. “The obvious the Iranian people and international cooperation. Iran’s constructive examples are the needs of the Iraqi bazaar for fruits, Assad... contributions are needed, not its isolation.” The Turkish top vegetables, dried food, and other Iranian food stuffs. If the FROM PAGE 1 diplomat said during a joint press conference with his Iranian exports are cut, the Iraqis would be the real losers,” counterpart Zarif that Turkey will continue telling the US that the Masudian told Kurdpress, an Iranian-funded outlet. In the Tuesday comments, President Assad also making the people’s interests a priority are enough to embargoes on Iran are ‘wrong.’ “Turkish ministers had clearly “The Iranian commercial and political representations expressed condolences to the Iranian people and the protect any country, preserve its unity, and confront conveyed their concerns to the US about embargoes on Iran during in Iraq including the Consulate in Sulaimani are families of the victims of the recent floods in Iran. any foreign conspiracies. Both sides also exchanged a recent visit [to Washington DC], Cavusoglu said during the joint working towards increasing the trade volumes between For his part, FM Zarif reiterated his country’s support views on the upcoming round of Astana talks on Syria press conference with Zarif, according to the Anadolu Agency. Iran and the Kurdistan Region by 20 percent based on a for Syria. He said the U.S. recognition of Israeli and underlined the importance of continuing Zarif, for his part, said that the deployment of the focused and accurate plan,” he added. sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan Heights consultations between Tehran and Damascus. Syrian army along the borders with Turkey is the best The Kurdistan Region is an important trade corridor shows the failure of the U.S. policies in the region and “We had a very good discussion with President Bashar way to preserve stability and security in the region. for other parts of Iraq. The only official border the weakness of the Trump administration. He further al-Assad. We discussed both regional issues as well as how During the press conference, he said that deploying the Syrian crossing, Ibrahim Khalil, between Iraq and Turkey is mentioned that this decision is in line with its decisions we will continue with the discussions in the Astana process army at the borders with Turkey will assure Ankara that no terrorist located in the Kurdistan Region’s western province of on relocation of the occupying regime capital to and the bilateral cooperation between Iran and Syria. We movement would threaten the Turkish government and nation Duhok. Iraq’s only other options for imports other Jerusalem al-Quds and the IRGC labeling. Meanwhile, have always been on the side of the Syrian people and we from inside the Syrian territory. The Iranian official added that than Iran are costly air freight and lengthy sea routes the two sides exchanged opinions on regional will continue to be working with the Syrian government and the Islamic Republic never intends to interfere in other to its port in Basra. Safety remains a concern for developments, with President al-Assad asserting that people in order to improve the economic situation both here countries’ internal and international affairs, but it wishes traders traveling by land from Saudi Arabia and Syria. adhering to national principles and positions and and in Iran,” the Iranian top diplomat told reporters. that its neighbors maintain friendly and peaceful ties.

Seoul... Indian Reiners... FROM PAGE 1 FROM PAGE 1

“U.S. officials expressed the basic position that they’d further strengthen sanctions against Iran,” the official said. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other producers including Russia have “We’ll make our best efforts to get the waiver extended, but the situation seems to be not so easy.” gradually tightened supply through 2019 to reduce a global glut. OPEC and its partners may not renew the curbs South Korea is among eight countries that were granted a 180-day waiver by the U.S. to sanctions on Iran last when they expire after June because of the risk of over-tightening the market. November. In exchange for the exemption, the countries were obliged to reduce imports of Iranian oil significantly. IOC, India’s top refiner and Iran’s biggest Indian client, will cut Iranian oil imports to 6 million tons, or about South Korea in particular is a major buyer of Iranian condensate, a super light form of crude oil used by its large 120,000 barrels per day, in the 2019/20 period from 9 million in 2018/19, and has raised the optional volumes it petrochemical industry. Condensate accounts for about 70 percent of South Korean imports of Iranian crude. can buy from other producers to 2 million tons, a company official said. Amid growing uncertainty over oil imports from Iran, South Korea has increased shipments from the U.S. “Our optional quantities under term deals are higher than last year. We have optional contracts with Saudi Imports of U.S. oil were more than seven times higher in March than a year earlier, at 1 million tons from 134,911 tons. “Despite Arabia, Kuwait and other suppliers... They will supply more if we want,” the official said, adding his firm would the increase in oil imports from other nations, Iranian oil still accounts for a large portion of South Korea’s oil imports,” Moon also buy more U.S. oil if required. Byung-ki, a senior researcher at the Korea International Trade Association in Seoul, told Arab News. “In that sense, failing to get the IOC also hopes to buy 1.5 million tons of Mexican oil in 2019, compared with 1 million tons last year, the waiver … is expected to affect the local economy, such as rising gas prices and inflation.” South Korean oil refineries and source said. Officials from state-owned National Iranian Oil Co did not immediately reply to requests for petrochemical companies would be hardest hit by a potential suspension of purchases of Iranian oil, Moon said. comment on the Indian refiners’ plans to purchase less Iranian crude. Refinery officials said their 2019/20 crude import strategy was not contingent on Iranian oil, and was more flexible than in previous years. EU... “We don’t have a watertight plan for the year, we have optional quantities so that it is possible to find replacement if any country goes out for any reason,” said an MRPL official. FROM PAGE 1 During previous sanctions against Iran, Saudi Arabia and Iraq raised supplies to India to grow market share in Elsewhere in her speech, Mogherini complained that Israel’s settlement construction activities in the occupied the country, the world’s third-biggest oil consumer and importer. Palestinian lands were eroding any prospect of a two-state solution. After a recent announcement by Israel to build Last year, MRPL signed its first annual deal with Iraq to buy 1.5 million tons of Basra oil in 2019. 4,600 new settler units, the EU emphasized that it considered “all settlement activity illegal under international law, BPCL has signed a deal to buy 5 million tons of Iraqi oil in 2019 compared with 1.5 million tons in 2018, its head and that settlements erode the viability of the two-state solution,” she said. “And in fact, the two-state solution is not of refineries R. Ramachandran said, adding his company is considering buying more oil from South America. only fading away. It is being dismantled piece by piece,” she added, warning that abandoning the solution would bring BPCL recently bought Brazilian crude and plans to buy Mexican oil as well, he said. greater chaos, not only to the occupied territories but also to the entire Middle East. “We have a strategy with and without Iran,” he added. Cousins out Indefinitely IRAN NEWS Golovkin to Return After Muscle Tear Licence Holder: Sokhan Gostar Institute To Ring June 8

EW YORK (Dispatches) - Golden State Warriors centre Switchboard: E-Mail Address: ONDON (Dispatches) - Former middleweight world (+98) (21) 44253448 [email protected] NDeMarcus Cousins faces an indefinite injury layoff after ISSN 1024-6053 Lchampion Gennady Golovkin will fight undefeated Public Relations Tel: suffering a torn quadriceps muscle in the NBA champions’ 15875-8551 Canadian Steve Rolls in June as he returns to the ring defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers, it was confirmed Tuesday. (+98)(21) 44253450 P.O. Box: following his defeat to Saul “Canelo” Alvarez last year, Address: No 13, Pajouhesh St., Cousins exited Monday’s game-two loss in the first quarter clutching Editorial Board: 44253449 organisers said Tuesday. Goletan II St, Goletan St.Marzdaran his left quad. An MRI scan on Tuesday confirmed a torn muscle. Golovkin, 37 will take on Rolls on June 8 at Madison Public Relations Fax: Blvd., Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran “The injury will sideline Cousins indefinitely and he will Square Garden, New York, as he launches a comeback (+98)(21) 44253395 Printed by:Honar Sarzmin Sabz begin rehabilitation immediately,” a Warriors statement said. that could culminate with a third fight against Alvarez Advertising Department: Ditributed by: later this year. “Updates on his progress will be provided as appropriate.” Tel/Fax:(+98) (21) 44253335-9/44253234 Cities of Iran Cultural and Website: Artistic Institute http://www.irannewsdaily.com Managing Director: Fereydoon Taherpour Asl

8 IRAN NEWS SPORTS THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2019 Woods Delivers Masters Djokovic Survives Kohlschreiber Allegri Sticking Ratings Win for CBS With Juventus EW YORK (Reuters) - CBS Corp said on Scare in Monte Carlo URIN (Dispatches) - NTuesday that the broadcast of the Masters final TJuventus coach round live coverage averaged 10.8 million viewers, Massimiliano Allegri making it the most-watched golf broadcast since last announced on Tuesday he year’s Masters final round. would be staying on as The final 18 holes, in which Tiger Woods came coach with the Italian from behind to win his first major title in 11 years, giants next season despite was watched by 37.2 million viewers in total, up another Champions 41 percent from last year’s live coverage. It was the League disappointment. most watched Masters Sunday in six years. Cristiano Ronaldo’s side The victory led to an outpouring of praise from crashed out of the championship world leaders and U.S. President Donald Trump to Dutch side Ajax after a 2-1 said he would award Tiger Woods the Presidential loss on the night in Turin and Medal of Freedom. 3-2 aggregate defeat. Broadcast of the live coverage of the final round “I met the (club) president (Andrea Agnelli) a was moved to Sunday morning due to weather, couple of days ago and told him that I will stay which affected its ratings. The match was the most- at Juventus. We’ll sit down with the club watched morning golf game in 32 years. and think about the future,” Allegri told a Sunday’s final round was rebroadcast in the press conference. afternoon. The live coverage peaked with “If I didn’t have the motivation I would have told 18.3 million viewers from 2:15 to 2:30 p.m. ET. him so straight away, but this is not the case. Woods’ win is seen boosting the golf business he “I think that during these past five years we’ve helped transform 25 years ago. worked well, the players have progressed,” said Allegri, 51, who arrived in Turin at the beginning of the 2014-2015 season. ONTE CARLO (Dispatches) - Novak Djokovic Argentine Guido Pella dealt a second-round blow to Wiggins’ Hour Record Beaten Mwas severely tested before securing a 6-3, 4-6, seventh seed Marin Cilic, beating the Croatian 6-3, 5-7, 6-1. 6-4 win over Philipp Kohlschreiber to survive his Defeat in just over two hours left 2014 US Open opening match at the Monte Carlo Masters on Tuesday. winner Cilic with just one win from six matches since By Belgian Campenaerts The winner of the last three Grand Slams made eight January’s Australian Open, where he went out in the Scholes Charged by FA for ONDON (Dispatches) - Belgian cyclist Victor double faults, dropped serve four times and smashed fourth round. Pella, who won his first career match at LCampenaerts set a new one-hour world record a racquet after losing the second set to his German the event in the first round on Sunday, emerged a winner Alleged Betting Breaches for distance covered on a track on Tuesday with opponent in the second-round encounter. as he played on the idyllic centre court for the first time. 55.089km, edging past the previous record set by The world number one was relieved to avoid defeat “This is my best surface, I knew I had chances,” the ONDON (Reuters) - British great Bradley Wiggins. in his first match of the clay season. world number 35 said. “But I had to play well. “I was LFormer Manchester The European time-trial champion established the “It was a difficult match, there were lots of breaks a bit nervous at the start, it was my first time on this United midfielder Paul new record at the Aguascalientes velodrome in (a run of eight straight during the second and third court. But playing here is a dream -- it’s unreal.” Scholes has been charged Mexico at an altitude of 1800m, beating the sets),” Djokovic said. Cilic was playing here for the 11th straight year, with misconduct in relation to previous record of 54.526km set in June 2015. “There were lots of ups and downs. It was not the with quarter-final showings in three of the previous alleged breaches of the “I broke the magic 55km,” the exhausted 27-year-old prettiest of matches. four editions. Left-hander Pella came to the European Football Association’s betting gasped after bettering Wiggins’ mark by 563 metres, “He played well, but a win is a win. This was a clay with a title this season in Sao Paulo. He now rules, the English governing albeit under arguably easier conditions. tough first match of the clay season. stands 13-3 on the surface in 2019. body said on Tuesday. “I was too optimistic at first, and after half an hour “I had to figure out how I needed to move, this kind Pella moved into a winning position as he broke It is alleged that the I needed to set a new slower pace. of match can be expected. It was probably good for Cilic for the eighth time of the afternoon, winning a 44-year-old former “I worked long and hard for this and the team were me to spend so long on the court.” six-minute game before serving out the upset, saving England international right behind me and now I paid them back.” Djokovic was able to avoid a second straight loss to a break point in the final game and wrapping up placed 140 bets on football Wiggins set the mark of 54.526km in 2015 and Kohlschreiber after the 35-year-old beat him last victory as Cilic fired wide. Elsewhere, 2014 champion matches between August 2015 and January 2019, there have been several failed attempts to break it month in the Indian Wells third round. Stan Wawrinka collapsed after a strong start to a 0-6, the FA said in a statement. since, and he congratulated Campenaerts on his Djokovic, who lives in the Principality, is playing 7-5, 6-3 loss to Italy’s Marco Cecchinato, who Scholes won 11 Premier League titles, three FA achievement. “Chapeau Victor my man,” the his ‘home’ event for the 13th time in 14 years, reached the French Open semi-finals last year. Cups and two Champions League crowns before 38-year-old wrote on Twitter. winning it in 2013 and 2015 and losing in the final on In the first round, Briton Cameron Norrie advanced hanging up his boots in 2013. Wiggins was the 2012 Tour de France champion, two other occasions. in his debut match at the event, with the 23-year-old He recently left his role as manager of League Two also won the Olympic time trial that year, went Kohlschreiber lost his 12th match from 13 played defeating Adrian Mannarino 6-4, 6-3. The 56th-ranked outfit Oldham Athletic after only 31 days in charge. on to clinch the 2014 world championships time against top-ranked opponents, but gave as good as he Norrie was impressed with the dramatic setting of the He has until April 26 to respond to the FA charge. trial and also won four further Olympic gold got against an out-of-sorts Djokovic, who needed five iconic Monte Carlo Country Club venue which Representatives of Scholes could not immediately be medals on the track. match points to go through. overlooks the Mediterranean from a cliff. reached for comment. Messi Hails Ajax Eliminate Barca Demolition Ronaldo’s Juve With Of United Scintillating Display ARCELONA (AFP)- Lionel Messi said Barcelona put URIN (Reuters) - Ajax Amsterdam followed up Bon a spectacle in their victory over Manchester United Ttheir elimination of Real Madrid by producing a on Tuesday, but warned his teammates they cannot afford spell-binding display of inventive, passing football to any more slow starts if they are to win the competition. win 2-1 away to Juventus on Tuesday and end the Serie Messi capitalized on early mistakes from Ashley A team’s dreams of winning the Champions League. Young and David de Gea to score twice at Camp Nou Ajax’s 19-year-old captain Matthijs de Ligt headed before Philippe Coutinho added a third for a 3-0 win, the winner from the corner in the 67th minute of the 4-0 on aggregate. quarter-final second leg as the Dutch side came from But United had made a brilliant start before Messi behind to clinch a 3-2 aggregate win and reach the last intervened, as Marcus Rashford hit the crossbar within four for the first time since 1996/97. 30 seconds and Scott McTominay fluffed another chance with a poor touch. Cristiano Ronaldo, aiming for a fourth successive “We have shown who we are, we put on a spectacle and played a great game,” said Messi after the match. Champions League title after winning the last three with Real Madrid, put Juventus ahead in the 28th minute with “But we came out cold and looked nervous in the first five minutes. It was a bit weird until we regained control a typically emphatic header, his sixth goal of the competition. of the game and we scored the first goal. But Donny van de Beek levelled six minutes later before the visitors swept Juventus aside in the second half with “We cannot come out like that in a Champions League match because we have the experience of Rome last wave after wave of attacks as they earned a semi-final against Manchester City or Tottenham Hotspur. season and it could (have) made qualifying difficult. Five bad minutes can knock you out.” “Can we can go on to win the competition? Well, we are in the semi-finals now. And we have eliminated two of Barcelona go through to the semi-finals for the first time in four years, where they await the winners of the favourites in the last two rounds. The next games will be very difficult, but so were these ones. So who Liverpool and Porto. knows?,” said De Ligt. Frenkie de Jong added: “We dominated after the break and were well worth our victory. In “It will be difficult because these are the best teams,” Messi said. “Those who are there deserve it and it will be fact, we probably should have won by more.” Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana gave his team an early scare when his very tough against either Liverpool or Porto.” clearance was charged down by Emre Can but the rebound flew wide.