Oman’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah Was Geng Shuang Says China Will To Arrive in Tehran Yesterday to “Actively Consider” Sending a Meet Iranian Officials Over Recent Delegation to Vienna to Discuss the Regional Developments Iran Nuclear Issue Next Week

VOL. XXV, No. 6730 TEHRAN Price 20,000 Rials www.irannewsdaily.com TUESDAY, JULY 23, - MORDAD 1, 1398 2 4 8 DOMESTIC 3 DOMESTIC INTERNATIONAL SPORTS Iran Not to Negotiate China Lashes Out at Isner Makes History With Banks Facing Problems Hong Kong Protest With Terrorists Due Sanction Pressures Targeting Its Office Fourth Newport Title > SEE PAGE 2 > SEE PAGE 3 > SEE PAGE 4 > SEE PAGE 8 Tehran Arrests 17 Professional Iran Serious on Trump’s Drone Spies Trained by CIA Downing a Big Lie TEHRAN (IFP) - The Intelligence Ministry of the TEHRAN (IFP) - A senior IRGC commander says US Islamic Republic of Iran says it has identified and Palestinian Issue President Donald Trump’s lie about downing an Iranian dismantled an integrated network of 17 professional drone was so big that even the Iranian military first believed operatives trained by and serving the US Central it and checked to see if any of its drones have been targeted. Intelligence Agency (CIA) inside the country. “After Trump’s claim that the U.S. had shot down an According to the Intelligence Ministry’s director-general Iranian drone, we checked our various [drone] units for for counterintelligence, all the operatives are Iranian several ties,” IRGC Aerospace Commander Brigadier nationals working as spies on behalf of the CIA throughout General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh said. the past Iranian calendar year (March 2018 to March 2019). Iran first believed Trump’s claim because “it was not The suspects were operating in key organizations and institutions believable for us that he would personally tell such a mainly in the private sector, the official said on Monday. big lie on the TV,” he added. “The spies identified were employed in sensitive and vital “That was why we had a few hours of delay in private sector centers in the economic, nuclear, infrastructural, dismissing the news, and finally we found out that our military and cyber areas… where they collected classified unmanned aerial vehicle had monitored the U.S. fleet’s information,” the official said in a statement. activity from the time it entered into the Strait of Some of those arrested have received death sentences, Hormuz to the time it left the Strait,” he noted. and some of them prison terms. According to the General Hajizadeh said the U.S. president later blamed unnamed official, the CIA had recruited the Iranian his national security advisor John Bolton for the lie. spies by mainly contacting them over the Internet. U.S. President Donald Trump claimed an American Other tactics used by the U.S. intelligence included issuing warship had destroyed the drone after it came within or renewing U.S. visas, hiring Iranian specialists, providing 914-metres of the USS Boxer amphibious assault ship. necessary equipment and access to certain participants in The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, however, later scientific events abroad, sending emails and messaging released footage which exposed Washington’s sheer lies. through social. The Intelligence Ministry has also aired a documentary film of the agents it has arrested. The film shows interviews with some of the operatives, and shows how the UK Navy Unable to Protect CIA sent equipment to the agents.

IRAN NEWS NATIONAL DESK Tankers From Iran Iran Exports Value to Afghanistan, TEHRAN – Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei expressed confidence that LONDON (Dispatches) – British Royal Navy does not the oppressed people of Palestine will emerge victorious in the face of Israeli occupiers and said the Islamic have enough warships to match UK ambitions, a Pakistan at Over $5b Republic has no hesitation when it comes to supporting Palestine. Defense Minister has admitted, as a dramatic recording Speaking at a meeting with a high-ranking delegation from the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, in of a high-seas confrontation between a British frigate TEHRAN (Dispatches) - Iranian officials said that Tehran Tehran on Monday, Ayatollah Khamenei described the Palestinian issue as “the first and foremost issue of the Muslim and Iranian forces emerged. wants to increase the level of economic ties with neighbors. world” and hailed the resistance of the Palestinian people and political groups, including Hamas, as “wonderful”. Prime Minister Theresa May was to host the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs “Victory will not be achieved without resistance and struggle and, based on a definite divine promise, we believe that Government’s emergencies committee Cobra on Gholamreza Ansari put his country’s current exports value to the issue of Palestine will surely end in favor of the Palestinian people and the Islamic world,” the Leader stated. Monday, amid the deepening crisis over a UK-flagged eastern neighboring countries at over five to six billion dollars. “The Islamic Republic of Iran does not stand on ceremony with any country in the world when it comes to Palestine,” oil tanker hijacked in the Persian Gulf. He made the remarks on the sidelines of the meeting of Ayatollah Khamenei said, adding, “We have always expressed our views on Palestine clearly and transparently.” Armed forces chiefs, spy masters and top ministers are Foreign Relations Coordination Headquarters, held in the “Even in the international arena, our friendly countries, with whom we have differences of opinion in this expected to attend. Defense Minister and former Army presence of representatives of the Foreign Ministry and regard, know that the Islamic Republic is completely serious on the Palestinian issue,” the Leader stated. officer Tobias Ellwood lashed out at the strength of the Iranian ambassadors in Afghanistan and Pakistan. “One of the major causes of hostility toward the Islamic Republic of Iran is the issue of Palestine but these fleet, which includes just 13 frigates and six destroyers, “Given the policies adopted by the government for hostilities and pressures will not make Iran retreat from its stance on the issue because support for Palestine is a amid the deepening crisis over a UK-flagged oil tanker increasing level of economic ties with neighbors, it is religious issue,” Ayatollah Khamenei said. seized in the Persian Gulf by the Revolutionary Guard. necessary to carry out studies on the import and export “If the Islamic world had stood firm unitedly with regard to the issue of Palestine, it would have better Radio exchanges between the frigate HMS Montrose barriers,” he said. He revealed the interest of Pakistani conditions now,” the Leader went on to say. and an Iranian vessel reveal Iranians claiming they and Afghan sides to reopen joint bank and adding that The move by countries that toe the line of the U.S., like Saudi Arabia, to distance themselves from the want to inspect the Stena Impero for security reasons. the “Islamic Republic of Iran has established trade Palestinian issue is “absurd” because if they had supported the Palestinians, they could have won major In the recording the Iranian vessel can heard be exchanges with the two countries of Pakistan and concessions from the United States, Ayatollah Khamenei stressed. heard telling a ship - thought to be the tanker - to Afghanistan since the Islamic Revolution.” He went on to say that it is an achievable dream that the Hezbollah secretary-general would one day say his change its course, saying: “If you obey you will be prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied Palestine. safe.” Montrose then identifies itself in the “Mr Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah says he will, Inshallah, pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque one day. To us, this is a totally recording, obtained by British maritime security Unable to Buy Iran Oil, Socar’s feasible and achievable hope,” the Leader said. firm Dryad Global. See Page 7 “On the issue of Palestine, the Islamic Republic observes no ceremonies with any country in the world,” the Leader said. Refinery Turns to Russia Millions of Barrels of Iranian Oil BAKU (Bloomberg) -- Azerbaijan’s state oil company is turning to Russia to supply a new $6.3 billion refinery it IAEA Chief Amano Dies at 72 built in Turkey because shipments from one of its preferred Are Piled Up in China’s Ports suppliers -- Iran -- are off the table due to U.S. sanctions. GENEVA (Dispatches) - The 72-year-old Amano had held the position of IAEA The Star Refinery in Aliaga on the Aegean coast director general since 2009. BEIJING (Dispatches) - Tankers are offloading agreed to buy an initial 1 million tons of Urals crude -- UN nuclear watchdog chief Yukiya Amano has died, the International Atomic millions of barrels of Iranian oil into storage tanks at about a tenth of the plant’s annual processing -- from Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Monday, just as he was preparing to step down Chinese ports, creating a hoard of crude sitting on the Russia’s Rosneft PJSC, Mesut Ilter, the facility’s chief because of an unspecified illness. doorstep of the world’s biggest buyer. executive officer, said in an interview. The 72-year-old Japanese had held the position of IAEA director general since Two and a half months after the White House banned “If there were no restrictions, we would buy 2009, taking over from Mohamed ElBaradei and steering the UN agency through the purchase of Iran’s oil, the nation’s crude is Iranian crude,” he said, adding that the refinery can a period of intense diplomacy over Iran’s nuclear program. continuing to be sent to China where it’s being put into purchase oil from anywhere “as long as our model He had been preparing to leave his position in March, well before the end of his what’s known as “bonded storage,” say people familiar supports it,” although in practice Azerbaijan’s own third four-year term, which ran until November 30, 2021. with operations at several Chinese ports. This oil light crude isn’t really suitable. The IAEA announced last September that Amano had undergone an unspecified medical procedure. doesn’t cross local customs or show up in the nation’s The Trump administration this year ended waivers that The specific nature of his illness has remained a taboo subject within the agency, diplomats say, but with each import data and is not necessarily in breach of allowed a handful of countries including Turkey to public appearance he had appeared increasingly frail. sanctions. And while it remains out of circulation for continue importing Iranian oil. Turkey has long opposed “The Secretariat of the International Atomic Energy Agency regrets to inform with deepest sadness of the now, its presence is looming over the market. U.S. sanctions on Iran, with President Recep Tayyip passing away of Director General Yukiya Amano,” the secretariat’s note read. The store of oil has the potential to push down global Erdogan saying the measures violate international law The note did not lay out a timeframe for naming his successor, though a race to succeed him had been taking prices if Chinese refiners decide to draw on it, even as and diplomacy. Tracking shipments from Iran toward shape since last week, when it became clear he would step down early. Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies Turkey has become trickier since the sanctions ramped Argentina’s ambassador to the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, is running to succeed Amano, and diplomats say the curb production amid slowing growth in major economies. up, making it hard to know how much, if any, Iranian oil agency’s chief coordinator Cornel Feruta of Romania, effectively Amano’s chief of staff, is likely to run. It also allows Iran to keep pumping and move its oil nearer to potential buyers. Turkey is buying. See Page 7 Others could also enter the fray. See Page 7 See Page 7 2 IRAN NEWS DOMESTIC TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2019

TEHRAN (MNA) – In a letter to UN’s special rapporteur on unilateral coercive measures, Head of Iran Medical Council Mohammadreza Zafarghandi underlined the harmful impacts of the U.S. sanctions on the health status of Iranians, urging the international body to take an affiliated measure. Harmful Effects of U.S. Sanctions on Iranians’ Health Addressing the UN Rapporteur Idris Jazayeri in this letter, the Iranian official wrote that the US sanctions have remarkably restricted Iran’s banking and transportation ties with the world and in consequence imports of medicine and essential goods into the country. Iran Not to Negotiate Websites Review With Terrorists Nurse Executed For Murdering Boy IRAN NEWS NATIONAL DESK MIZAN* - A nurse convicted of murdering a six-year- old boy was executed on Sunday. The woman was found guilty of carrying out the murder in TEHRAN - Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said U.S.’ June 2016 while working for the boy’s grandmother at her home hostile measures against Iran are ‘economic terrorism’, stressing in Kelardasht city, in the northern province of Mazandaran. The nurse was sentenced to death a year later. that Tehran does not hold negotiations with ‘terrorists’. She confessed to the premeditated murder and said she did it out of “anger,” the prosecutor said. Zarif made the remarks in a Sunday meeting on promotion of adherence to the United “What the United States is currently doing should be called ‘terrorism’,” “The verdict was finalized as it was not appealed,” the Nations Charter and international law in Venezuela’s Caracas. Zarif stressed. prosecutor added. The executed woman was not identified “U.S. measures are economic terrorism. Plain and simple. There is no ambiguity He went on to call for boycotting the unlawful use of the word ‘sanction’, in the report. She was in her early 40s. about this. Just search the word terrorism,” said Zarif at the meeting, adding “especially the US’ excessive use of this word to show that its measures are lawful. “Terrorism is the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against We need to constantly repeat that what the US administration is doing is economic civilians, in the pursuit of political aims. This is Google’s definition of terrorism.” terrorism. We don’t negotiate with terrorists.” Amendments to “Stop using the word ‘sanction’. Sanctions are designed to enforce laws. They are Wrapping up his stay in Caracas, Zarif is currently in Nicaragua’s capital Managua backed by the law, but the U.S. measures are economic terrorism.” to hold talks with the country’s senior officials on bilateral ties. Budget Bill Approved

ISNA* - Majlis lawmakers have overwhelmingly approved a series of amendments to this year’s budget bill. New Heads of Imam Khomeini The parliamentarians voted overwhelmingly on Monday to Iran’s Offense Power to Astound Aggressors approve a series of amendments to this year’s budget bill. Relief Foundation, Mostazafan 203 MPs were present in the Majlis at the time of the TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Headquarters Major General Gholam Ali Rashid vote, and 159 of them voted in favor of the amendments Foundation Appointed highlighted the country’s military preparedness in the face of US threats and said the Islamic Republic’s offense to this year’s budget bill, 6 voted against, and 3 MPs power can surprise any aggressor. abstained from voting. Monday’s open session of the Speaking at a meeting with Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani, Majlis was chaired by Ali Larijani, the speaker. Major General Rashid referred to possible future threats and highlighted the preparedness of the country’s Armed Forces to counter them. “The Armed Forces’ decisive and smart confrontation with threatening behaviors and actions against the Islamic Supporting Bushehr Nuclear Republic of Iran will prevent the acceptance of the risk of aggression on Iran’s land and its honorable nation because the costs of such an aggression would be much more than its achievements,” he stated. Power Plant “Iran’s defense and offense powers would have surprising and incalculable aspects for the aggressors,” FARS* - Head of the Atomic Energy Agency of Iran the commander said. (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi underlined the need for the country “We hope that U.S. provocations will not endanger the stability and security of the region,” he went on to say. to shift to new energy resources, and said that nuclear power The remarks came against the backdrop of increased tensions between Iran and the US after the Islamic Republic plants can help reduce Iran’s dependence on oil. shot down an advanced US spy drone over its territorial waters. “For instance, Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant can produce energy equal to 11 million barrels of oil which can help save energy and exploration activities,” Salehi said. IRAN NEWS NATIONAL DESK He noted that Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant produces 7 Tehran, Baghdad Investigate Reduction of Internet Transit Tariffs billion kilowatts of electricity, and said, “If we base the TEHRAN – Supreme Leader of the plant’s performance on the exported electricity rate or Islamic Revolution appointed Morteza Bakhtiari TEHRAN (MNA) – In a meeting between the head of their trips in especial religious occasions. reserved oil, it can save as many as 11 million barrels of oil.” as the new managing director of Imam Telecommunication Infrastructure Company of Iran On July 19 meeting, Iranian and Iraqi ICT ministers The Russian-built 1,000-megawatt nuclear power plant Khomeini Relief Foundation and Seyed Parviz and the visiting Iraqi minister of communications, the agreed to boost communications capacities and in Bushehr, Southern Iran, started operating in 2011 and Fattah as the new head and managing director two sides discussed reduction of Internet transit tariffs remove concerns about rendering on-time services to reached its full capacity the following year. of the Mostazafan Foundation. between the two countries. pilgrims during Arbaeen rituals, where Yasser Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei on Monday issued The head of the Iranian company Hamid Fattahi, who emphasized the need to enhance communications separate decrees, assigning the new managing is also deputy for Iranian communication minister, met capacities between the two countries and resolve directors of Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation and Iraqi Minister Naeem Sajil Yasser who is in Iran to take relevant problems. Visit to Turkmenistan Mostazafan Foundation. part the 25th edition of International Exhibition of Stating that reducing transit tariffs in both countries IRNA* - A delegation of Iranian Chamber of Commerce In a decree, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Electronics, Computers and E-Commerce dubbed would increase volume of exchanged visits, the will visit Turkmenistan to attend the first Caspian appointed Seyyed Parviz Fattah as the new “ELECOMP 2019” in Tehran. Iranian Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi Economic Forum (CEF) to be held in in the resort of managing director of the Mostazafan Foundation The Monday meeting was held to expand the two announced that, “Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to Awaza on August 11-12. and thanked all the efforts made in the period of the countries’ infrastructure and to hold talks to facilitate reduce transit tariff with Iraq to the extent the Iraqi As expected, heads of state from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, former managing director of the Mostazafan communications of the two countries’ pilgrims during side is willing to do so.” Iran and Russia, 50 high-ranking representatives from 29 Foundation, Mohammad Saeedikia, assigning him international organization as well as top managers of as the new chairman of the board of directors, Iran private companies will attend the event. Press reported citing Khamenei.ir. The International Affairs Department of Iran’s Chamber of Appointing Morteza Bakhtiari as the new managing UK Sanction Threat on Iran Ineffective Commerce has invited private sector representatives operating director of Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation in a in the field of transportation (especially maritime transport), separate decree, Ayatollah Khamenei urged him to TEHRAN (MNA) – Head of Iran’s Foreign Policy Strategic Council Kamal Kharrazi said that the oil tanker case tourism, food, energy, construction materials, mining and joint pay attention to the empowering of the poor and not should be decided according to the due process in Iran, noting London’s threat to impose sanctions on Tehran will investments to be a part of trade delegation from Iran. hurting their pride when helping them. not be effective. On the sidelines of the Caspian Economic Forum, two UK’s threat to impose sanctions on Iran will not yield any result, he told IRNA on Saturday, framing, “What exhibitions will be held including a large-scale sanctions London could impose that is not in place [now]?” international exhibition of innovative technologies and “We hope that the English would free the Iranian oil tanker and that legal proceedings in Iran would lead to the automotive exhibition “Türkmen sährasy – 2019”. Saudi Arabia Seems to Be release of the English tanker,” he added. The CEF working program includes a meeting of Moving Toward De-Escalation He went on to say that during the past 250 years, Iran has never attacked any country but, as proved, it is serious ministers of economy and transport of the littoral states, a in defending its territorial integrity. meeting of business communities, and bilateral talks, TEHRAN (ISNA) – Spokesman for the Iranian Upon the request of Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization, IRGC seized British-flagged Stena Impero on Friday among others. Parliament’s national security commission said Saudi in the Strait of Hormuz since the vessel had switched off its transponder and moving in the wrong direction, Arabia is on the verge of a ‘serious transformation’, increasing the risk of collision with other ships. adding that the Arab kingdom seems to be moving The Sunday Telegraph reported that Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt would announce some diplomatic and Shift to toward de-escalation. economic measures on Monday in response to the detention of the Stena Impero. Spokesman for the Iranian Parliament’s National “Unlike the piracy in the Strait of Gibraltar, our action in the Persian Gulf is to uphold international maritime Defensive-Offensive Strategy Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Hossein rules,” Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif tweeted on Saturday. Naghavi-Hosseini, said “the recent mistakes in the FARS* - Lieutenant Commander of Iran’s Ground Force Persian Gulf, much like the futile war in Yemen, had General Nozar Nemati stressed that the country is no more created a swamp for Saudi Arabia’s and UAE’s limited to a defensive approach, saying that no aggression forces. Recently, we witnessed a change in the UAE’s UK-Flagged Ship Not Seized for Retaliation will remain unanswered. position when they left the coalition against Yemen. TEHRAN (IRNA) - The UK-flagged tanker official said on Saturday that the UK oil tanker was “Some while ago, we were only after deterrence but The sum of these developments, I would say, caused Stena Impero has been seized in the Strait of seized for violation of the International Law of the Sea today other countries should develop deterrence against Saudi Arabia to change course.” Hurmuz by Iranian coastguards not for retaliation, and ignoring the principle of passage without causing us,” General Nemati said. Stressing that “tension in the region is in no one’s Iran’s government spokesman Ali Rabiei said damage to the environment. “Today, although we have put aside the defensive interest,” he said “Saudi Arabia has not only on Monday. “The British vessel hit a trawler, which needs to be approach to also develop an offensive approach, we have benefited from these tensions, but it was forced to “When the good faith in bilateral relations is investigated,” said the Director-General of the Ports never thought of aggression against any country, but our purchase military equipment and incur losses.” undermined, UK cannot expect their #illegal and Maritime Department of Hormuzgan province enemies should know that we will not leave any “It seems that Saudi Arabia is on the verge of a actions in #Strait_of_Hormuz to be construed Allahmorad Afifipour. aggression without response either,” he added. serious transformation. Of course, the Kingdom will optimistically,” Rabiei said on his official Twitter Grace 1, a supertanker carrying Iranian oil, was seized General Nemati warned that Iran is facing enemies continue its cooperation with the US based on their account on Monday. earlier this month by British Royal Marines off the which have used every means to show their hostility, previous agreements, and most recently, the US has “We hope Britain would restore the trust in Iran-UK ties.” coast of the British Mediterranean territory of Gibraltar emphasizing the need for permanent preparedness of the agreed to a new arms sale to Saudi Arabia,” he added. A senior Iranian Ports and Maritime Department on suspicion of violating sanctions on Syria. Iranian Armed Forces to confront threats. TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2019 DOMESTIC IRAN NEWS 3

Noon (Zohr) 13:10 1. Those who reject Allah and hinder (men) from the Path of Allah,- their deeds Evening (Maghreb) 20:36 will Allah render astray (from their mark). PRAYER TIME 2. But those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, and believe in the (Revelation) Tomorrow’s Dawn (Fajr) 04:26 sent down to Muhammad - for it is the Truth from their Lord,- He will remove from them their ills Tomorrow’s Sunrise 06:06 and improve their condition. Surah 47. Muhammad ( 1 - 2 )

Banks Facing Problems Due Iran Pioneers in Biotechnology Despite Sanctions Sanction Pressures TEHRAN (IRNA) - Iran has made extraordinary IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK progress in biotechnology as many other countries which use their full capacities and are not under U.S. sanctions, an Iranian official said. Secretary of Biotechnology Development Department TEHRAN – Governor of Iran’s Central Bank acknowledged in Iran’s Presidential office, Mostafa Qanei, said, “The that banks have serious problems, adding that those problems country’s advances in science mainly depend on the will of Iranian scientists and efforts of private companies.” are because of pressures from sanctions, volume of the liquidity Referring to the 500 knowledge-based companies that and banking defaults. are active in the field of biotechnology, he said, “The contemporary century is the century of biotechnology, Speaking in the public session of Majlis yesterday, Abdolnasser Hemmati said that He said if the bill is approved in the economic commission of Majlis and in Majlis, and the countries that are pioneer in the field will be banks have done great jobs in the country and they carry out most decisions which the central bank will not oppose it and there will be no problem in its implementation. those with a bright future.” are assigned by the government and Majlis. He admitted that due to pressures from sanctions, huge liquidity and banking In agriculture field, bio-agricultural products are being He added that one can say banks are the axis of development in the country, defaults, banks are struggling and one cannot deny problems but services of the banks exported, he said, adding that results show that organic adding that when they talk about problems of the banks, their significant to the national economy should not been also ignored. fertilizers have promoted the health and productivity of services should not been forgotten. Hemmati also set condition for the proposed bill, adding that it should be approved agriculture sector, while reducing the costs. Hemmati stated that some Malis lawmakers are working on a bill to solve economic in Majlis and approval in the economic commission of Majlis is not enough by itself. fluctuations and they want to find way for solving problems of those who have failed He went on to say by the approval of the bill, problems of over 29 million people who have to repay their debts to the banks due to the economic turmoil. received bank loans will be solved. Hemmati added that since this year has been named “Year Hemmati said that most of them are unhappy with the way banks calculate the of Boost in Production”, the central bank welcomes the bill and it believes it can help interest for the loans and fines for delay in repayment. production and it can push all financial and banking resources towards production. ISOICO-Made Omidan 8 Vessel Launched Iran May restore TAVANIR Poised to Boost Electricity Exports to Iraq IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK TEHRAN – Manager of Arak’s Old Reactor TEHRAN (MNA) – Managing Director of Gharb (West) Regional Power Company Ali Asadi on Monday revealed design and building Omidan the new strategy by Iran Power Generation, Transmission & Distribution Management Company (TAVNIR) for 8 vessel said that the increasing electricity exports to Iraq. multi-functional vessel was Iran can increase the volume of electricity export to Iraq from the current 600 to 1,200 megawatts, he added. launched in Iran Shipping and “Presently, a considerable portion of Iran’s energy is exported to neighboring countries via the Offshore Industries Complex company’s power grid, making Gharb Regional Power Company one of the energy export corridors to (ISOICO)in Bandar Abbas, neighboring Iraq.” Hormuzgan Province. Equipped with diesel generators, Gharb Regional Power Company has managed to meet about 75 percent of its Saeed Ghasami said that domestic consumption of power, he said, adding, “there has been no power outage in the company due to accurate Omidan 8 vessel was fully power management.” designed and built by Iranian engineers and experts in just 2 years with 200 man-hours. He added that the production of the vessel saved the TEHRAN (IRNA) - Spokesman for Atomic Energy Call for Launch of Banking Messengers Parallel to SWIFT country one million dollars, adding that the main task Organization of Iran (AEOI) Behrouz Kamalvandi of the vessel is to serve oil platforms and drilling rigs. underscored that Tehran prioritizes re-designing of TEHRAN (MNA) – Member of Parliament Economic promotion of monetary treaties in the country is He added that transporting people, water, fuel and Arak reactor, saying that if the actions of the JCPOA Commission Mahmoud Bahmani said Monday that essential, so that regional monetary treaties are extinguishing operation are of the major services of the vessel. partners and re-designing of working group are launch of banking messengers parallel to SWIFT ‘effective and influential’ in the field of facilitating He added that the vessel has been built with 40 meters slowed down, Iran may restore Arak’s old reactor. (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial trade and economic exchanges.” length, 10 meters width and 3.5 meters draft. Commenting on the steps taken to re-design the Telecommunications) and development of monetary It is hoped that the mentioned plan will be voted by Ghasami noted that the speed of the vessel is 12 knots, heavy water reactor in Arak, Kamalvandi said that an treaty in the country is essential, the issue of which legislators in the Parliament, he emphasized. with 280-horsepower engines and it is able to participate agreement has been concluded on re-designing of should be followed up seriously. With regard to the launch of banking messenger in operations in any climate. He added that the vessel has Arak reactor, according to which reactor’s neutron All banking transactions of the country can be tracked substitute with SWIFT in the country, he reiterated, been made of marine steel grade A. He reiterated that the charge should be increased, because the goal of by SWIFT precisely, he said, adding, “in this regard, it “it seems necessary that a domestic banking quality of the vessel is not less than its foreign likes. building a research reactor is to produce neutron. is necessary to launch a banking messenger operating in messenger should be defined in the country in Ghasami further said that 300 jobs created during The AEOI spokesman added that although the the country in tandem with SWIFT.” tandem with SWIFT.” building the vessel. He said that Omidan 9 and 10 vessels heavy water reactor was used to produce neutrons, Former governor of Central Bank of Iran pointed to Like SWIFT, EU’s trade mechanism with Iran projects are also underway and it is expected the project to the IAEA argued that its plutonium was high and the plan of using financial messengers and conclusion dubbed “INSTEX” will also provide other countries be completed in three months and to be launched. after consultation it was decided with maintaining of multilateral monetary treaties in foreign trade and to get access financial information of the country, He reiterated that owner of all vessels are Iranian. the nature of heavy water to reduce plutonium, the added, “in the current situation, development and Bahmani stated. He added that ISOICO is able to repair, equip and build reactor’s fuel changes and to change from any type and class of vessels. conventional fuel to enriched fuel; an action that is in line with Iran’s demands. Expressing that Arak heavy water reactor should be re-designed to increase its neutron charge, the official Iran to Reassure and Motivate Foreign Investors Blood of Development and Productivity highlighted, “The new reactor can be designed to produce 1 kilogram of plutonium instead of producing 4 IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK Always Flowing in MSC’s Veins kilograms, but the amount of neutrons has multiplied.” Kamalvandi referred to the application of TEHRAN - A senior Iranian MP, the deputy head of the Majlis Economic Commission, emphasized that Iran will IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK neutrons in the production of radio-pharmaceuticals, do all that it can to assist, reassure and motivate foreign investors, as well as wealthy Iranians living abroad, who noting, “The re-designed reactor, on the one hand, wish to invest in Iran. TEHRAN – The CEO of Mobarakeh Steel Company Eng. has the nature of heavy water, and on the other Ahmad Anaraki-Mohammadi emphasized that as part of the sixth [five-year] development plan, it had been Hamid Reza Azimian says the blood of productivity and hand produces more neutrons while justifying more envisaged that up to fifty billion dollars of foreign investments would be absorbed into Iran’s economy, but because development has always been in veins of the company and enrichment because the fuel used in it is enriched.” of various difficulties, including US-imposed sanctions on Iran, this target was not achieved. today due to restrictions, the company needs boosting these The spokesman recalled that the U.S. withdrew from The senior MP added: “Foreign investors must be assisted and encouraged in order to invest more in two factors more than ever in order to be profitable in terms the JCPOA and the UK replaced the U.S. in the the country. They can obtain a permanent residency permit, if they invest between 200000 to 250000 of earing forex and profits for the country. re-designing process of Arak reactor, and said that dollars, or more, in Iran.” Addressing the 26th conference on productivity, Britain has replaced the United States in Arak heavy Commenting further the Deputy Head of the Majlis Economic Commission said: “By people’s resistance, Azimian hailed all endeavors in the MSC, adding that so water re-designing project and has always claimed that fortunately, the foreign and internal market, economical trade fluctuations and foreign exchange difficulties are far the company has met the national demands for types it could fill the vacuum after U.S.’ withdrawal, which is being sorted out and the situation is getting better.” of steel sheets and from now on production of steel sheets why Iran provided a list of equipment required for Ahmad Anaraki-Mohammadi added: “As the Leader of the Islamic revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei will not be the only goal of the company and it will move re-designing Arak reactor by Britain. has stressed, by collaboration and cooperation of the three branches of the government we are hopeful to improve to have advanced technology with great endeavors. foreign investments in Iran.” Regarding this issue by saying that the company has two options ahead to carry out developmental plans, he said, “The first option is to hand over the job to foreign technology owners, known as “Turnkey”, and the second Iran to Reassure and Motivate Foreign Investors option is to hand over the job to the domestic and capable companies by using latest world technologies as models TEHRAN (PressTV) - A major Iranian businessman has dismissed Britain’s planned of the British parliament later this week. for possessing the technology. It is obvious that the announcement for imposing sanctions and asset freezes on Iran, calling it insignificant That comes as the UK still refuses to have a supertanker laden with Iranian oil second option is good and wise. We should not forget that due to the fact that Tehran holds almost no tangible assets in the UK that could be released from its overseas territory of Gibraltar more than two weeks after it was targeted developments would guarantee Mobarakeh Steel affected by such measures. seized by members of the British navy. Company to stay on top and cooperation of all innovative “As far as I know, Iran has no (major) assets in the UK that the government of this Iran’s envoy to the UK warns London against further provocation, as reports emerge and creative staff will guarantee this bright path.” country could confiscate,” said Ali Naqi Khamoushi, who heads the joint chamber of that the British government is seeking to freeze Iranian assets and may take other He pointed to the significance of producing products with the commerce between Iran and Britain,. steps as well. value-added in the country, adding that the company should set The remarks came after a Saturday report in the British newspaper the Daily Khamoushi admitted that London’s planned sanctions on Iran would affect trade out to convert raw steel into rolling which will create more Telegraph suggested that UK Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt was to announce between the two countries. But he insisted that the measure would have almost no value-added for the company and the national economy. sanctions and asset freezes on Iran in response to Tehran’s seizure of a UK tanker in impact on Iran’s general state of trade with the rest of the world. Azimian pointed to the history of Iran and progress of the Persian Gulf a day earlier. “Generally, this issue cannot have such an impact on our country’s exports and Muslims in many fields of science, adding that the The measures could come into effect after a discussion between Hunt and members imports,” he told the Tasnim news agency. country can return to the top by unity and endeavors. 4 IRAN NEWS INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2019

Former Maldives President New Zealand Plans Pleads Not Guilty Firearm Register

MALE (Reuters) - Abdulla Yameen, the former president of the Maldives, WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand on Monday revealed plans to pled not guilty to charges of money laundering on Sunday, in the first hearing establish a firearm register and to overhaul its licensing systems for gun owners in the second set of gun law reforms introduced in response to mass of a criminal court trial into the matter. shootings in the city of Christchurch. Yameen, who drew the Indian Ocean island country closer to China during The new legislation would tighten the rules for gun owners and dealers to his tenure, is accused of receiving $1 million of government money through get and keep a licence, which would have to be renewed every five years, a private company, SOF Private Ltd, which has been implicated in a corrupt and prohibit visitors to New Zealand from buying a gun, Prime Minister deal to lease tropical islands for hotel development. Jacinda Ardern said in a press conference. Murders in Mexico Surge to China Lashes Out at Hong Kong Protest Targeting Its Office Record in First Half of 2019 HONG KONG (AP) - China on Monday harshly Kong and Macao Affairs Office said in a statement MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Murders in Mexico criticized a demonstration in which eggs were thrown issued Sunday. The “one-country, two systems” jumped in the first half of the year to the highest on at its office in Hong Kong and messages spray- framework allows Hong Kong to maintain a fair record, according to official data, underscoring the painted on the exterior walls. amount of autonomy in governing local affairs, but vast challenges President Andres Manuel Lopez The official People’s Daily newspaper, in a demonstrators fear the city’s rights and freedoms Obrador faces in reducing violence in the cartel- front-page commentary headlined “Central Authority are being eroded. ravaged country. Cannot be Challenged,” called the protesters’ actions A group of pro-China lawmakers held a news There were 14,603 murders from January to June, versus “intolerable.” One group of protesters targeted China’s conference Monday appealing for a halt to the the 13,985 homicides registered in the first six months of liaison office on Sunday night after more than 100,000 violence, saying it was a blow to Hong Kong’s 2018, according to data posted over the weekend on the people marched through the city to demand democracy reputation and is scaring away tourists and investors. website of Mexico’s national public security office. and an investigation into the use of force by police to They also urged police to tighten enforcement Mexico is on course to surpass the 29,111 murders of disperse crowds at earlier protests. against the protesters, whom Ip labels as “rebels.” last year, an all-time high. Police launched tear gas to disperse the protesters. “The violent attack on the Liaison Office ... For years Mexico has struggled with violence as Later, protesters trying to return home were is a direct affront to the sovereignty of our country,” consecutive governments battled brutal drug cartels, attacked inside a train station by assailants who said Regina Ip, a former security secretary. often by taking out their leaders. That has resulted in appeared to target the pro-democracy demonstrators. When asked why it took at least a half-hour for police the fragmentation of gangs and increasingly vicious The attack on the liaison office touched a raw nerve in China. China’s national to arrive at the suburban train station and intervene, Ip said the police were “overstretched.” internecine fighting. emblem, which hangs on the front of the building, was splattered with black ink. “The police have been under extreme pressure,” she said. Veteran leftist Lopez Obrador, who took office It was replaced by a new one within hours. Video of the attacks in Yuen Long showed protesters in black shirts being beaten by in December, has blamed the economic policies of Police said on their official social media accounts that protesters threw bricks and men in white shirts wielding steel pipes and wooden poles. Those under attack previous administrations for exacerbating the petrol bombs at them and attacked the Central police station. retreated into the trains, intimidated by the gangs of men waiting for them outside the violence and said his government was targeting “These acts openly challenged the authority of the central government and touched turnstiles. The attackers then entered the trains and beat the people inside as they tried the issue by rooting out corruption and inequality the bottom line of the “one country, two systems” principle,” the government’s Hong to defend themselves with umbrellas. They eventually retreated. in Mexico. “Social policies are very important - we agree they’ll have positive effects. But these positive Abe’s Coalition Still Short of Mueller Report Shows Evidence effects will be seen in the long term,” said Francisco Rivas, director of the National Citizen Votes to Change Constitution Trump Committed Crimes Observatory, a civil group that monitors justice and security in Mexico. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top Democrat on the The complexity of fighting criminal groups is a U.S. House Judiciary Committee said Sunday he major test for Lopez Obrador’s young administration, believes there is “substantial evidence” that President which has vowed to try a different approach than that Donald Trump committed high crimes and of his predecessor. misdemeanours, and he plans to ask former Special His administration last month launched a new Counsel Robert Mueller to present those facts at a militarized National Guard police force tasked with congressional hearing on Wednesday. helping to fix the problem. “The report presents very substantial evidence that the their ongoing investigations into the president and president is guilty of high crime and misdemeanours, potentially, impeachment proceedings. and we have to let Mueller present those facts to the Some Democrats in Congress support impeaching American people and then see where we go from Trump, but they have not managed to win traction from there,” House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold House Democratic leadership including Speaker Nancy U.S. Accuses Venezuela of Nadler said on “Fox News Sunday.” Pelosi, who has preferred a more cautious approach that TOKYO (AP) — Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ruling coalition “The administration must be held accountable, and no entails conducting congressional fact-finding secured a majority in Japan’s upper house of parliament in president can be above the law.” investigations into Trump’s conduct. elections Sunday, but it lost ground and fell short of the Nadler’s comments are significant because evidence Last week, the House voted 332-95 to table an Aggression in Skies Over Caribbean super-majority needed to propose constitutional revisions, of such crimes would be required if Democrats pursue impeachment resolution. The Mueller report laid out according to vote counts by public television and other media. impeachment proceedings against the president. numerous contacts between Russian officials and Trump’s NHK public television said Monday that Abe’s Liberal Mueller completed his nearly two-year long probe campaign, but found no evidence of a criminal conspiracy. Democratic Party and its junior partner Komeito won into Russian meddling in the 2016 election in March, It also gave examples of 10 incidents in which Trump 71 seats. If Abe gained support from members of another and the Justice Department released a redacted copy of sought to hinder the investigation, but it did not draw conservative party and independents, he would reach 76, his report in April. any conclusions on whether Trump obstructed justice. still short of the 85, NHK said. In two nationally televised back-to-back hearings on Attorney General William Barr later concluded he did Abe’s ruling bloc has a super-majority of two-thirds of Wednesday before the House Judiciary and Intelligence not see enough evidence to bring obstruction charges. the seats in the lower chamber, but Sunday’s results mean committees, Democrats are expected to try and get Whether Democrats will get Mueller to discuss he has a slimmer chance of achieving his long-cherished Mueller to focus his testimony on specific examples of Trump’s conduct in detail remains to be seen. goal of reforming Japan’s postwar pacifist constitution Trump’s misconduct. Mueller has made it clear he has no desire to appear before his term ends in 2021. Nonetheless, Abe By having Mueller lay bare the unflattering details of before Congress, saying the report is his testimony, and WASHINGTON (AFP) – A Venezuelan fighter jet welcomed the results, saying winning the majority means how Trump tried to stymie the investigation into his he is also notorious for being tight-lipped and for giving “aggressively shadowed” an American the public’s mandate for his government. campaign, Democrats hope they can build support for one-word answers in hearings. intelligence plane over the Caribbean Sea, US “I believe the people chose political stability, urging defense officials said Sunday, slamming the us to pursue our policies and carry out diplomacy to maneuver as “unprofessional.” protect Japan’s national interests,” Abe told an Ukraine President on Course for Commanding Win in Parliamentary Election U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said interview with NHK. He was at his party’s election KIEV (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s party took a commanding lead in Sunday’s snap the Russian-made Venezuelan SU-30 “Flanker” headquarters where he monitored results, placing red parliamentary election, consolidating the power of the novice politician whose stunning rise has upended took off from an airfield 200 miles (320 ribbons on winners’ names written on a panel. traditional politics in the war-scarred nation. kilometers) east of Caracas on Friday, following a Up for grabs were 124 seats in the less powerful of Japan’s A former comedian who played a fictional schoolteacher-turned-president in a popular TV series, the 41-year-old U.S. EP-3 at an “unsafe distance...jeopardizing two parliamentary chambers. There are 245 seats in the Zelenskiy has tapped into widespread voter anger over corruption and low living standards in one of Europe’s poorest the crew and aircraft.” upper house — which does not choose the prime minister countries. Sunday’s likely victory would give him control of parliament and the formation of a new government, “The EP-3 aircraft, flying a mission in approved — about half of which are elected every three years. handing him a stronger mandate to implement reforms after he won the presidential election in April by a landslide. international airspace, was approached in an Media surveys had indicated Abe’s ruling bloc would keep Exit polls and early counting of the results showed him far ahead of all other parties, although possibly short of a unprofessional manner by the SU-30... The U.S. a majority, with most voters considering it a safer choice over majority, prompting him to offer coalition talks with a pro-Western party, Voice, fronted by rock star Sviatoslav Vakarchuk. routinely conducts multi-nationally recognized and an opposition with an uncertain track record. Two-thirds of “We will not let Ukrainians down,” Zelenskiy said at his election headquarters after the exit poll results were released. approved detection and monitoring missions in the both houses must approve a constitutional revision before the “You know our main priorities ... they are the same as those of every Ukrainian, I’m sure - to end the war, secure region to ensure the safety and security of our citizens revision can be decided in a national referendum. the return of our prisoners and victory over the corruption that still remains in Ukraine.” and those of our partners,” it added. His goal was already a challenge because voters are more On taking office, Zelenskiy had to deal with a Cabinet and lawmakers mostly loyal to his predecessor, Petro SOUTHCOM said in a separate post on Twitter the concerned about their jobs, economy and social security. Poroshenko, prompting him to announce on the day of his inauguration a snap election to win a mandate in parliament. action demonstrated Russia’s “irresponsible military Abe, who wants to bolster Japanese defense capability and Exit polls showed his new Servant of the People party with by far the most votes. The Russian-friendly support” to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s role, is now proposing adding the Self-Defense Force, or Opposition Platform was in a distant second place, followed by Poroshenko’s party and that of a former prime “illegitimate regime.” Japan’s military, in the war-renouncing Article 9 of the minister, Yulia Tymoshenko. It also revealed Maduro’s “recklessness & constitution. Abe said he plans to start from deepening Vakarchuk’s Voice party was fifth. irresponsible behavior, which undermines int’l discussion at parliamentary constitutional review board. “We invite Mr. Vakarchuk to talk,” Zelenskiy said. rule of law & efforts to counter illicit trafficking,” He said he aims to propose a revision during his current “I think that the post of the Ukrainian prime it added. leadership, and that he is not considering running for minister - I will repeat - must be occupied by a new face, The South American nation was plunged into political another term, denying growing speculation he might. a person who specialises in economics,” he added. turmoil in January when National Assembly speaker Abe said resolving the decades-old issue of Japanese After Zelenskiy’s offer, a senior member said Voice was Juan Guaido declared himself acting president in a citizens abducted to North Korea and signing a peace treaty open to an alliance with new political forces so long as direct challenge to Maduro’s authority. with Russia would be his diplomatic priorities during the rest they were not backed by oligarchs. The opposition leader is recognized by the United of his term. Main opposition parties have focused on concerns The election gives Zelenskiy a firmer grip on a country States and more than 50 other countries, but has been over household finances, such as the impact from an at the centre of a standoff between Moscow and the West, unable to dislodge Venezuela’s socialist leader. upcoming 10% sales tax increase and strains on the public arising from Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea The U.S. has accused Russia of propping up Maduro pension system amid Japan’s aging population, while also peninsula in 2014 and role in a conflict in eastern Ukraine as the crisis deepened by supplying military aircraft trying to block Abe’s ambition for a constitutional change. that has killed 13,000 people in the past five years. including the SU-30. TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2019 PROMOTIONAL ITEM IRAN NEWS 5 6 IRAN NEWS INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2019

NEW YORK (Dispatches) - Boeing has confirmed that the firm is taking a $4.9 billion financial hit to cover costs related to the global grounding of its 737 Max aircraft. The charge will be used mostly to compensate Boeing’s customers for schedule Boeing Takes Almost $5b Hit by 737 Max Grounding disruptions and delays in aircraft deliveries, the company said in a statement. The return of 737 Max to service in the U.S. and other jurisdictions is expected to begin early in the fourth quarter of 2019, according to the statement.

South Korea’s Economic Growth Chinese Companies Looking to Buy U.S. Farm Products Estimated at Around 1% BEIJING (Reuters) - Some Chinese companies are seeking new purchases of U.S. SEOUL (Dispatches) - South Korea’s agricultural products, China’s official Xinhua news agency said on Sunday, citing quarterly economic growth is authorities, as Beijing and Washington look for ways to end a protracted trade war. estimated at 1 percent for the second U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed at last quarter of the year, shifting from a month’s G20 summit in Osaka to restart trade talks that stalled in May. contraction of 0.4 percent the Trump said at the time he would not impose new tariffs and U.S. officials said China previous quarter, financial industry agreed to make agricultural purchases. But Trump said on July 11 that China was not sources said Sunday. living up to promises to buy U.S. farm goods. The Bank of Korea is set to unveil Chinese businesses have made inquiries with U.S. exporters to buy crops and agricultural its estimate for second-quarter products and applied for the lifting of tariffs, Xinhua said, citing Chinese authorities. growth this week. Earlier, the central China’s Customs Tariff Commission will arrange for experts to appraise the Chinese bank had predicted that Asia’s fourth-largest economy companies’ tariff exclusion applications, Xinhua said. would expand 1.2 percent during the April-June period. “Relevant Chinese departments expressed hope that the United States would meet But a drawn out trade dispute between the United China halfway, and earnestly implement the United States’ relevant promises,” the States and China, combined with a sharp drop in news agency said, without elaborating. semiconductor prices, has taken a toll on the economy. The world’s two largest economies have been embroiled in a tariff battle since July South Korea’s exports dipped for the seventh 2018, as the United States presses China to address what it sees as decades of unfair consecutive month in June amid the prolonged trade and illegal trading practices. dispute between the world’s two largest economies. China has countered that any trade deal needs to be fair and equitable, leaving the Adding to this, prices of semiconductors, a key two sides apparently still far from an agreement to end the back-and-forth that has export item for South Korea, have remained weak. rocked global supply chains and upended financial markets. performance, and said China is “not doing very well”. In the face of its own trade feud with Japan, Hu Xijin, the editor in chief of China’s nationalist Global Times newspaper, tweeted China has confirmed that Vice Premier Liu He and Commerce Minister Zhong Shan South Korea’s economy is also increasingly facing headwinds. in English earlier on Sunday that Chinese importers have started arrangements for spoke by phone on Thursday with Mnuchin and Trade Representative Robert The central bank unexpectedly cut the key rate by a purchasing U.S. agricultural products, and suggested that the United States and China Lighthizer regarding “further consultations, as well as the implementation of quarter percentage point cut to 1.5 percent last week, could soon resume in-person trade talks. presidential consensus reached in Osaka”. while trimming its growth outlook for the year to “This is a prominent part from [the] Chinese side as the two countries have China made its biggest purchase of U.S. sorghum since April earlier this month, 2.2 percent from its earlier 2.5 percent forecast. signalled goodwill to each other recently. It also indicates China-U.S. trade according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data issued on Thursday. But the BOK warned that economic uncertainty consultations will restart soon,” Hu said. China, which is the world’s top soybean importer, also cancelled purchases of 9,853 will further increase due to the flare-up of a trade Trump said on Friday that Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin had a very good talk metric tons of U.S. soy this month, according to Thursday’s USDA data. It was tussle between the two neighbors. with his Chinese counterpart the day before. He has also touted U.S. economic China’s first weekly net cancellation of soybeans since April. “Without a breakthrough in the U.S.-China trade talks, a rebound in the chip making sector will be further delayed,” said Yoon Chang-yong, an analyst at Shinhan Financial Investment Corp. World Bank Reports Low Economic Growth in Afghanistan “It will not be easy to attain economic growth of over 2 percent,” he said. KABUL (Dispatches) - Afghanistan’s economy grew by Over the longer-term, much faster rates of growth are The BOK has signaled it would further cut the around two percent in 2018 despite progress in economic required to significantly reduce poverty from high benchmark rate to prop up the economy. The policies, likely leading to further increases in poverty and current levels. According to the report, the potential for government submitted a 6.7 trillion-won ($5.69 billion) deterioration in living standards, according to the World much-faster growth exists, but will only be realized extra budget bill for parliamentary approval in early Bank’s recent Afghanistan Development Update. under certain conditions. May, but it is still pending at the National Assembly. The latest edition of the biannual publication released “For government, more work is needed to improve the on Sunday highlights the negative combined impacts of business environment, ensure a smooth election conflict, drought and political uncertainty on the process, and prevent corruption and mismanagement of Singapore Woes Ring Trade Afghan economy, resulting in the lowest growth rates scarce fiscal resources over the difficult months to among South Asian economies in 2018. come. The international community can also play a vital Alarm Bells in Asian Region “Afghanistan faces challenges of insecurity, election- role in supporting private confidence and growth by related political uncertainty, potential declines in committing to security and aid support and ensuring international security support, in addition to the drought that this support is closely coordinated and aligned with in 2018,” said World Bank Afghanistan Country government plans” said Henry Kerali. Director Henry Kerali. “Anyone of these shocks would policy reform even during these difficult times. The Development Update notes that any political normally generate strong headwinds to growth. Government revenues reached a new high of nearly 190 settlement with the Taliban could bring major economic Afghanistan has faced all of these concurrently”. billion Afghanis in 2018, up to seven percent from benefits through improving confidence and encouraging The Development Update report notes that economic 2017, the Update notes, while budget execution rates the return of Afghan capital and skilled workers from management remains strong in Afghanistan and also reached record levels. The government spent 92 overseas. Realizing such benefits, however, will depend prospects are improving for 2019, with growth expected percent of the available national budget in 2018 and is on achieving a sustained and substantial improvement to accelerate to 2.5 percent with the easing of drought on track to repeat this strong performance in 2019. in the security situation. conditions. Government policies have continued to Predicated on continued strong economic “Whatever happens, rapid growth will only be support low inflation, improved revenue collection, and management, the World Bank projects improvements possible with improved security under a government a limited fiscal deficit. in economic growth over the coming years. Growth that remains committed to private sector development, SINGAPORE (Dispatches) - A plunge in exports and According to the report, slow growth generally is expected with improving weather conditions to respects the rights of investors, and maintains the gains the worst growth rates for a decade have fuelled reflects the impact of negative shocks rather than accelerate to 3.2 percent in 2020 and to 3.5 percent Afghanistan has achieved over the past two decades concerns about the outlook for Singapore’s economy, deterioration in government policy. In fact, government in 2021, with the resolution of election-related towards establishing strong and impartial government with analysts saying the figures offer a warning that Asia has, by many measures, maintained progress with political uncertainties. institutions,” added Henry Kerali. is heading for a slowdown as China-US tensions bite. While it may be one of the smallest countries in the world, the export hub is highly sensitive to external shocks and has long been viewed as a barometer of Africa’s Working-Age Population to Surpass Asia’s by 2100 Indian Gov’t Seeks to Tap Foreign Lenders for Loans to Its Small Firms the global demand for goods and services. SINGAPORE (Dispatches) - Africa’s potential workforce will likely be larger than that of Asia by the NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India’s government is in talks with foreign lenders to The affluent city-state is highly dependent on trade end of the 21st century as both continents wrestle with different demographic and economic challenges. provide as much as $14.5 billion (£11.60 billion) in credit to millions of its small and has traditionally been one of the first places in The number of 15-to-64-year-old Africans today is a quarter of the size of Asia’s firms, two officials said, in a sign the country’s banking system may not be robust Asia to be hit during global downturns – with working-age population. By 2100, however, Africa will surpass Asia, a Bloomberg enough to do the job on its own. ripples typically spreading out across the region. analysis of United Nations World Population Division data shows. Asia will be The government is in discussions with multiple foreign lenders, including The latest signs are not good. In June exports confronted by an ageing population, while the shift in Africa will be toward more youth Germany’s state-owned development bank KfW Group, the World Bank and some collapsed 17.3 per cent from a year earlier, the in need of employment. One caveat for African nations: a fast-growing economy Canadian institutions to extend lines of credit to small enterprises, one of the officials, fastest decline in more than six years, led by a fall typically requires a robust and growing working-age population and it isn’t clear that who did not want to be identified, told Reuters. in shipments of computer chips. economies on the continent will expand enough to provide employment for job seekers. KfW’s India office confirmed the discussions, though the main focus was on credit That followed a shock 3.4 per cent quarter-on-quarter Further, it’s not clear potential employees will have the skills those jobs require. lines to support small businesses’ solar power generation. The talks were at an early contraction in GDP in the second quarter. Year-on-year Nigeria’s potential labour force is projected to rise by almost 350%, or 375 million, by the stage, KfW said. A spokesman for World Bank in India on Saturday said the growth came in at just 0.1 per cent, the slowest pace end of the century to more than 485 million. But the IMF recently highlighted substantial discussions with the government were in the early stages, adding that “further rounds since 2009 during the global financial crisis. inequality in access to education by gender and between the rich and poor in Africa’s most of consultations will help us define the contours of this collaboration”. “Singapore is the canary in the coal mine,” populous nation. According to a survey conducted by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics, a girl The official said the government plans to source up to 1 trillion Indian rupees of Song Seng Wun, a regional economist with born into a family in the poorest fifth of society spends only about one year in school. loans from foreign institutions because Indian banks were not in a position to provide CIMB Private Banking, told AFP. “And what it tells “As global supply chains reduce labour inputs with better enough capital for the small business sector, which is seen as critical to job creation. us is that it is a tough environment.” technology and machines for even lower value-added “We are exploring, we are having discussions with various funding agencies if To warn of danger, miners used to bring caged canaries production, it will be difficult for young workers something can be done (for small and medium firms),” the second official said. underground with them as the birds would die in the presence in Africa to find unskilled manufacturing jobs The officials did not provide of even a small amount of poisonous gas – signalling in the future similar to those now employing full details of the discussions to workers that they should make a swift exit. While Asian youth,” said William Lee, chief they are having with banks, or steadily weakening growth in China is partly to blame economist at the Milken Institute. identify all those they are for a slowdown in exports, analysts say the trade war The number of available employees worldwide talking to, but said talks are at between the US and China, the world’s two biggest will rise an estimated 29% to 6.5 billion from a very early stage. India’s economies, has dramatically worsened the situation. five billion by the end of the century. Africa’s micro, small and medium Beijing and Washington have slapped each other with share will jump to more than a third around 2100 enterprise (MSME) ministry punitive tariffs covering more than US$360 billion in from almost 15% currently, according to the is discussing the proposal to two-way trade. While Singapore – a transit point for Bloomberg analysis. The continent’s working-age pull in foreign banks with the products heading to and from Western markets as well population will grow by two billion to 2.75 billion in country’s ministry of finance, as the Asian base for manufacturers of some hi-tech the next 80 years, while Asia’s will decline by which will make a final call, goods – may be showing the strain most, negative data 415 million, or 13%, the projections show. the second official said. has emerged throughout the region. TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2019 WORLD NEWS IRAN NEWS 7

TEHRAN - Defense Minister said that when a ship carrying Iran’s oil is wrongly seized, we immediately deal with their illegal action in the Persian Gulf, which means Iran’s will and the ability to respond to any threat. Iran Will Respond to Threats Referring to the downing of the U.S. drone in the Persian Gulf, Brigadier General Amir Hatami said, “The intelligent response of the armed forces to this aggression demonstrates the Islamic Republic’s authority in terms of defense and deterrence.

Unable to Buy Iran Oil... High Stakes in Gas Standoff Between Cyprus and Turkey FROM PAGE 1 The State Oil Co. of Azerbaijan, or Socar, started operating the 200,000 barrel-a-day Star Refinery in October, helping to meet Turkey’s growing ANKARA (AFP) - Longtime adversaries Cyprus and Turkey are locked in a tense appetite for processed fuels while curbing “game of chicken” over the prospect of a multi-billion-dollar Mediterranean gas imports. The project marked a growing energy bonanza with neither side willing to capitulate, analysts say. interdependence between the two countries, with Turkey vowed to escalate its activities in waters around the island after the European Turkey already a major destination for Azeri Union on Monday agreed measures to punish Ankara for pursuing “illegal” drilling in natural gas. Cyprus’s exclusive economic zone. “This is a tit-for-tat game where nobody is ready Turkey’s Tupras Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri AS, to back down, with Turkey willing to go one step further,” Hubert Faustmann, owned by Koc Holding AS, was the country’s sole professor of history and political science at the University of Nicosia, told AFP. refiner until the Star plant came on stream. The new Turkey “will continue to drill, they may even decide to drill in blocks licensed by facility now accounts for a quarter of the nation’s the Cypriot government... it’s a game of chicken,” he added. refining capacity. The discovery of huge gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean has stoked long- The refinery, which is expanding storage standing tensions between EU member Cyprus and Turkey. capacity by more than 50% to 2.5 million cubic The island is divided between the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus meters, will process almost 8 million tons of and a breakaway state set up after a Turkish invasion launched on July 20, 1974 in crude this year and 10 million tons thereafter, response to a coup sponsored by the military junta then ruling Greece. Ilter said. Refining margins range from $5 to $8 Turkey, the only country to recognize the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, a barrel, he said. has sent three ships to carry out drilling off the Cypriot coast despite EU energy analyst Cyril Widdershoven, founder of the consultancy firm Verocy. At full capacity, the plant will produce 5 million condemnation and strong words from Washington. Cyprus on Tuesday rejected as “unacceptable” a Turkish Cypriot proposal on tons of diesel a year, 2.5 million tons of In response EU foreign ministers agreed measures including cutting 145.8 million energy revenue sharing to help de-escalate tensions. petrochemical raw materials such as naphtha, and euros ($164 million) in pre-accession funds to Turkey allocated for 2020. Nicosia argues that jointly managing the island’s untapped energy resources can 1.5 million tons of jet fuel. Turkey, which does not recognize Cyprus as a sovereign or EU member state, says only be workable once an elusive peace settlement has been agreed, while assuring Turkey will cut its diesel imports to 40% of annual its actions abide by international law and that it is drilling inside its continental shelf. Turkish Cypriots will get their equal share. demand from 60% thanks to the new refinery, Ilter While negotiations to reunify the island remain on hold, Cyprus has moved to start Atlantic Council senior associate Charles Ellinas said the rising tensions will make said. Along with Tupras, the Star facility will be able gas and oil exploration by issuing licences to international companies. the waters choppier for energy companies when they resume drilling in blocks to meet all the nation’s domestic jet-fuel demand, That has angered Ankara which argues that such exploration deprives the Turkish licensed by the Cyprus government, especially in areas disputed by Turkey. even once Istanbul’s new airport reaches full Cypriot minority of benefiting from the island’s natural wealth. “Turkey will not back off unless the EU and the US apply serious sanctions that capacity, he said. “Turkey won’t step down and EU sanctions are mild, the sanctions are not painful, hurt its economy. But I do not see that happening... NATO, trade and refugees are However, future growth in demand for oil products and Turkey knows there is no determination for a confrontation,” said Faustmann. important to them,” he told AFP. “Turkey will maintain aggression until Cyprus will be centered on petrochemicals rather than He argued that Cyprus needs to find more gas to make it commercially viable to agrees to put hydrocarbons on the negotiating table.” transportation, according to the CEO. extract. “Unless there’s a big find, it might be a lot of noise over nothing, there isn’t The waters off Cyprus have attracted international giants such as ExxonMobil of enough extractable gas at the moment.” the United States, France’s Total and Italy’s Eni. Sizeable natural gas deposits have Experts also argue that if the escalation continues it will be difficult for energy been discovered in three areas but have yet to be extracted. IAEA Chief Amano... companies to explore off Cyprus due to the risk. “Interest in operations is there, Last month Cyprus said it expected to earn $9.3 billion over 18 years from FROM PAGE 1 however tensions with Turkey are not helping. If tensions subside then there will be exploiting a gas field in the Aphrodite block under a renegotiated contract with a lot of interest because there is support from the markets and the EU too,” said Royal Dutch Shell, US-based Noble and Israel’s Delek. Here are five facts about Amano: - Amano, a gently-spoken Japanese diplomat, took over as head of the IAEA in 2009, replacing Egypt’s South Korea Foreshadows Mohamed Al Baradei, who had often clashed with US Good Economic News Is Awkward for Democratic Candidates officials over Iran. Global Slowdown NEW YORK (Dispatches) - With the U.S. economy producing another strong jobs report for June, Democratic presidential hopefuls face a difficult task: how to avoid crediting President Donald Trump. - Amano was reappointed in 2017 to a third four- For months, when faced with positive economic news, Democrats have tended to say either that Trump was lucky year term. His term had been due to run until to inherit a recovering economy from the Obama administration or that the economy was only benefiting the rich. November 30, 2021, but diplomats said last week he But with Joe Biden, Barack Obama’s vice president, in the race, crediting the Obama administration is losing its was planning to step down early, in March next year, appeal for his rivals. due to an unspecified illness. While Biden is happy to tout the economic blessings from “the Obama-Biden administration,” many of his opponents have no alternative but to double down on waging class warfare. For working-class Americans who are - The IAEA’s responsibilities include policing seeing their wages increase, financial security rising and plenty of jobs available for just about anybody who wants restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities under one, the message from these Democratic presidential hopefuls is simple: You’re wrong. Tehran’s 2015 deal with world powers. Amano The first Democratic presidential debate started with a moderator asking Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., often emphasised that his agency’s work is whether her various big-government economic proposals would create economic risks “at a time when 71 percent technical, not political, but the US decision to quit of Americans say the economy is doing well.” Warren responded, “Who is this economy really working for? the 2015 deal has added to already considerable It’s doing great for a thinner and thinner slice at the top.” political pressures on him and his agency. That NEW YORK (Dispatches) - In 1960, South Korea had Only progressive math could turn 71 percent into “a thinner and thinner slice at the top.” This remarkable decision has triggered a growing standoff between a total fertility rate of more than six children per percentage came from a March CNN poll that recorded an 18-year high in the percentage of Americans giving the Tehran and Washington, which has reimposed woman, high enough to cause a population explosion. economy positive marks. The “thinner and thinner slice” in the poll was the 27 percent of Americans who gave the economic sanctions on Iran. But as the country developed, this number dropped economy negative marks - the lowest number since February 2001. decade by decade. The CNN poll reflects more than public opinion, it reflects reality. In June, according to the Bureau of Labor - Amano said the spread of atomic weapons and A country needs a fertility rate of about 2.1 — a little Statistics, a historic high of 157 million people were employed and fewer than 6 million people were unemployed nuclear terrorism posed an increasing threat for the more than one child per parent — to maintain long-term (a recent low last seen nearly 18 years ago, when the labor force had 20 million fewer people). The result was an international community. “It is unlikely that this trend population stability. South Korea’s fertility is now about unemployment rate of 4 percent or less for 16 consecutive months, a streak last matched nearly 50 years ago. will ever be reversed, but rather it will continue to half that number. And it’s still falling. The country’s Nonetheless, the demand for workers remains at historic highs, with 1.4 million more job openings than people accelerate,” he said. statistics office reported that in 2018 the fertility rate fell unemployed in May (the 15th straight month with job openings exceeding unemployed). to a record low of 0.98 — much lower even than in The demand for workers is driving wages at rates last seen in 2009. According to the BLS, wages for all nonfarm - Born in 1947 and a graduate of Tokyo countries such as Japan, whose rate is above 1.4. employees rose 3.1 percent in June, compared with June a year ago. Wages for production and nonsupervisory University, Amano specialised in multilateral This means that South Korea is headed for a employees (workers, in other words) increased 3.4 percent. Workers who were employed 40 hours per week saw disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation posts demographic crash. Although the country’s population their incomes increase an average of $1,500 over the past year. and negotiations during more than three decades has been rising due to higher birthrates in earlier Those production and nonsupervisory employees make up 80 percent of the workforce, which means that year-over-year in Japan’s foreign service. He served as chairman generations — an effect known as population momentum wages for higher-compensated supervisory employees - the remaining 20 percent - increased at a far slower 1.9 percent. of the IAEA’s 35-nation Board of Governors in — this is set to reverse as early as next year. During the If your concern is economic justice, all of this should be great news. The only way to truly reduce income 2005-06 when the agency and ElBaradei were next half-century, unless something changes, the inequality is for the incomes of the lower-wage earners to increase faster than the incomes of higher earners. That jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Amano population of 51 million could fall by a third. is exactly what’s happening. accepted the prize on behalf of the agency. The question is whether this rapid shrinkage will hurt South Korea’s economy. Mathematically, it’s Millions of Barrels... IAEA Chief Amano... possible for countries to endure population decline while growing richer on a per capita basis. This has FROM PAGE 1 FROM PAGE 1 been the experience of Japan, whose population has been shrinking since 2008. “Iranian oil shipments have been flowing into Chinese bonded storage for some months now, and continue to do It tells the Stena Impero: “As you are conducting So if people can continue to get richer, why does total so despite increased scrutiny,” said Rachel Yew, an analyst at industry consultant FGE in Singapore. “We can see transit passage in a recognised international population size matter? The answer, in short, is because why the producer would want to do so, as a build-up of supplies near key buyers is clearly beneficial for a seller, strait, under international law your passage population aging tends to make countries less productive. especially if sanctions are eased at some point.” must not be impaired, impeded, obstructed Old people retire, meaning they no longer contribute There could be more Iranian oil headed for China’s bonded storage tanks, Bloomberg ship-tracking data show. or hampered.” much to economic production, slowing the growth of At least ten very-large crude carriers and two smaller tankers owned by the state-run National Iranian Oil The Stena Impero was seized by the Iranian per capita output. And as the ratio of retirees to workers Company and its shipping arm are currently sailing toward China or idling off its coast. The vessels have a Revolutionary Guard in the Strait of Hormuz, a key grows, each worker has to spend more money, time and combined carrying capacity of over 20 million barrels. shipping route in the Persian Gulf, on Friday. effort supporting the growing legion of the elderly. The bulk of Iranian oil in China’s bonded tanks is still owned by Tehran and therefore not in breach of sanctions, Tehran said the vessel was “violating international Falling population can also affect how much companies according to the people. The oil hasn’t crossed Chinese customs so it is theoretically in transit. maritime rules”. want to invest in a country. Companies want to produce Some of the crude, though, is owned by Chinese entities that may have received it as part of oil-for-investment Defense Minister Mr Ellwood warned: “If we goods and services near where their customers live, so schemes. For example, a Chinese oil company could have helped fund a production project in Iran under an agreement want to continue playing a role on the when the absolute size of a national market begins to to be repaid in kind. Whether this sort of transaction is in breach of sanctions isn’t clear, and so the Chinese companies international stage - bearing in mind that threats shrink, it reduces the incentive to build new offices and are keeping it in bonded storage to avoid the official scrutiny it would get once it is registered with customs, according are changing - all happening just beneath the factories there. As recently as the late 1990s, Japan to the people. Nobody replied to a faxed inquiry to China’s General Administration of Customs. threshold of all-out war, then we must invest invested about 30 percent of its gross domestic product, The build-up of Iranian oil in Chinese bonded storage has yet to be clearly addressed by Washington. The White more in our defense, including our Royal Navy. but that number is now down to about 24 percent. House ended waivers allowing some countries to keep importing Iranian oil on May 2. Our Royal Navy is too small to manage our Although some investment can be wasteful, lower There are currently no exemptions issued to any country for the import of Iranian oil, and any nation seen importing interests across the globe if that’s our future investment often precedes a reduced capital stock and a cargoes from the Persian Gulf producer will be in breach of sanctions, according to a senior Trump administration intentions and that’s something the next Prime lower living standard in the long run. official, who asked not to be identified because he wasn’t authorized to speak publicly about the matter. Minister will need to recognize.” Rybakina Beats Tig IRAN NEWS McNamara Dies at 64 To Seal Maiden Title Licence Holder: Sokhan Gostar Institute After Quiet Cancer Battle

UCHAREST (Reuters) - Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina became the Switchboard: E-Mail Address: ELBOURNE (Reuters) - Australia’s Peter McNamara, who won (+98) (21) 44253448 [email protected] B10th player to collect a maiden WTA Tour title this year as she ISSN 1024-6053 Mthree doubles Grand Slam titles and became a prominent coach Public Relations Tel: strolled past Patricia Maria Tig 6-2 6-0 in the Bucharest Open final on 15875-8551 after hanging up his racquet, has died at the age of 64 after a quiet battle Sunday. The 20-year-old, who is ranked 106 in the world, was in (+98)(21) 44253450 P.O. Box: with cancer. Melbourne man McNamara won five singles titles and 19 Address: No 13, Pajouhesh St., complete control in the final against Romanian home hope Tig as she Editorial Board: 44253449 in doubles and teamed up with compatriot Paul McNamee to win the Goletan II St, Goletan St.Marzdaran fired 30 winners against only 14 unforced errors. The unseeded Rybakina Australian Open doubles in 1979 and Wimbledon twice in 1980 and Public Relations Fax: Blvd., Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran did not drop a set throughout the claycourt tournament, becoming the 1982. After retiring in 1987, the former world number seven singles (+98)(21) 44253395 Printed by:Honar Sarzmin Sabz fourth player to achieve that feat this season following Sofia Kenin in player enjoyed a successful coaching career, mentoring Mark Hobart, Ash Barty in Birmingham and Karolina Pliskova in Eastbourne. Advertising Department: Ditributed by: Philippoussis, Grigor Dimitrov and Wang Qiang, among others. 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 TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2019 Pacquiao Downs Thurman Bale Close to Isner Makes History With Leaving Real Madrid To Capture WBA Crown ADRID (Reuters) - EW YORK (Dispatches) - Filipino legend MForward Gareth NManny Pacquiao rolled back the years to Fourth Newport Title Bale’s tenure with Real become the oldest welterweight champion in boxing Madrid could come to an history with a thrilling split decision victory over end in a matter of days WBA champion Keith Thurman on Saturday. after manager Zinedine The 40-year-old Pacquiao, 10 years older than the Zidane said the club were previously undefeated Thurman, delivered a vintage working on offloading the performance at the MGM Grand Garden Arena to leave Welsh international. the sell-out crowd of 14,356 roaring its approval. Bale, 30, has won four Pacquiao floored Thurman with an electrifying Champions League titles combination in the first round and remained on the since joining Madrid from front foot throughout a pulsating 12-round duel. Tottenham Hotspur in 2013 Although the bloodied Thurman rallied in the later for a then world record 100 rounds to narrow Pacquiao’s lead, the judges scored it million euros (£89.77 million) but struggled to hold in the Filipino’s favor. Two judges scored it 115-112 for down his place in the starting side last season. Amid Pacquiao with the third scoring it 114-113 for Thurman. suggestions that competition will only increase next A jubilant Pacquiao punched the air as the arena season after the arrival of Belgian Eden Hazard, Bale erupted after the victory was confirmed. was left out of Saturday’s 3-1 defeat by Bayern “It was fun,” Pacquiao said afterwards. “My opponent Munich in a pre-season clash in Houston. is a good fighter and boxer. He was strong.” “He wasn’t included in the squad because the club Thurman had riled Pacquiao in the build-up to the is working on his departure... that’s why he didn’t fight by vowing to “crucify” his deeply religious play,” Zidane told a news conference. opponent, and later promising to send the Filipino “We’ll have to see if it goes through tomorrow, if it icon into retirement. does then all the better. Let’s hope, for everyone’s sake, Pacquiao, who improved to 62-7-2 with that it happens soon.” Zidane’s comments drew a 39 knockouts, was gracious in victory. EWPORT (Dispatches) - John Isner lived up to Despite the loss, Bublik can be pleased at reaching stinging reply from Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett, “I’m not that kind of boxer who talks a lot; we were Nhis top seed status on Sunday at the Hall of Fame his first ATP Tour final. He has primarily competed on who labelled the Frenchman “a disgrace.” just promoting the fight,” he said. “He’s a good boxer Open, becoming the first player to win four titles in the ATP Challenger Tour and picked up four and he’s strong. I was just blessed tonight.” Newport with a 7-6(2), 6-3 win over seventh-seeded Challenger titles in the past year. Bublik is guaranteed Pacquiao, who earned an estimated $20 million from Kazakh Alexander Bublik. to reach a career-high ATP Ranking when the newest Jarry Wins Saturday’s fight, is now a major player in the competitive “My very first ATP Tour event was here in 2007 and standings are released on Monday and will crack the welterweight division once again after capturing I didn’t enjoy the courts that much back then because Top 75 for the first time. Swedish Open Thurman’s WBA welterweight ‘super’ champion belt. I didn’t know how to play on them,” said Isner. “To “It’s my first final and I’m going to remember The eight-division world champion said he will now say that I’ve won this event four times isn’t something this day forever,” said Bublik. “John’s a great TOCKHOLM (Reuters) return to the Philippines to resume his work as a senator I thought would be possible.” player and he showed me how to play in the S- Chile’s Nicolas Jarry before deciding on his next move inside the ring. The American won his first ATP Tour title of the important tournaments.” joined his grandfather in the “I think I will fight next year,” he said. “I will go year on the back of landing 79 per cent of his first Bublik earned the first break of the match at 5-5 ATP title-winners club on back to the Philippines and work and then make a serves. He converted all three of his break points en in the opening set after Isner pushed a backhand Sunday, beating Juan decision.” Thurman meanwhile had few complaints route to the 76-minute victory. The match also marks long, but the Kazakh promptly double faulted in Ignacio Londero 7-6(7) 6-4 in defeat, embracing Pacquiao after the final bell in Isner’s first ATP Tour title since becoming a father. He the next game to send the set to a tie-break. Isner to clinch his maiden crown recognition of an epic contest. and his wife, Madison, welcomed their first child last fired a forehand passing shot for a 2/0 mini-break at the Swedish Open. “I knew it was too close,” Thurman said. “He got September, a baby girl named Hunter Grace. lead and raced through the tie-break to clinch the Jaime Fillol, who claimed the knockdown so he had momentum in round one. Isner will also be encouraged by remaining at full early advantage. six tour-level titles between “This was a beautiful night of boxing. I wish I had strength after this week. Newport is his second The 22-year-old Bublik dropped serve at 2-2 after 1971 and 1982, introduced a little bit more output to go toe to toe. I felt like he tournament back from a broken left foot, which he gambling on a 124 mph second serve that landed well the sport to his grandson in was getting a little bit tired, but he did have sustained in April during his Miami Open presented long. With the seventh seed serving at 3-5, Isner ended Santiago and the 23-year-old experience in the ring. I would love the rematch.” by Itau final against Roger Federer. Isner’s foot the match emphatically by ripping a forehand passing repaid the faith with a breakthrough title in his third Earlier, a pumped-up Pacquiao had danced into the withstood three-set battles in three of his four shot winner for his 15th ATP Tour singles title. career final. “He’s one of the best Chilean tennis players. ring to the strains of Rocky movie anthem “Eye of the matches this week, which saw him spend nearly Isner picked up 250 ATP Rankings points and He taught me the sport since I was little. He took me to Tiger” to bring the crowd to its feet. Deafening chants eight hours on court. $100,600, while Bublik earned 150 ATP Rankings great tournaments,” Jarry had said about his grandfather, of “Manny, Manny” rolled around the packed arena as “I’ve definitely lacked court time in the last three points and $54,395. who reached a career-high ranking of number 14 in Pacquiao immediately set about building an advantage. months. The best way to get back in shape is by Both men will compete next week at the BB&T 1974, earlier this week. Towards the end of the round, the crowd erupted spending time on the court and playing matches, Atlanta Open and could meet in the second round. “I had chances back in Geneva (earlier this season) as Pacquiao sent Thurman crashing to the canvas, which is the most important thing,” said Isner. “I Isner, a five-time champion in Atlanta, has a first- and I think this time it went to my side. I’m extremely uncorking a left to the ribs before detonating a right haven’t played many tournaments this year, but I still round bye as the top seed. Bublik will start his week happy. I’ve been working for this for a long time and hand on the American’s jaw. feel like I’ve had a pretty good year.” against American Reilly Opelka. it really means a lot,” he added after the win. Spurs Sink Juventus Renard Quits as With Kane’s Wonder-Goal Morocco Coach INGAPORE (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur striker ASABLANCA (Reuters) - Herve Renard has left SHarry Kane scored what he called “one of the best Chis post as Morocco coach after their shock early goals” of his career to beat Italian champions Juventus exit at the Africa Cup of Nations. 3-2 in an enthralling International Champions Cup “It’s time for me to close this long and beautiful contest in Singapore on Sunday. chapter of my life, not without some emotion and Kane capitalised after team mate Lucas Moura nicked sadness, but it is an inescapable decision made well the ball deep into injury time, allowing the striker to before the 2019 Cup of Nations,” the 50-year-old thump it from the halfway line high into the steamy Frenchman wrote on Twitter on Sunday. night and over the head of Juventus’ back-pedalling Morocco were among the pre-tournament goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. favourites with Renard seeking to claim an His goal completed a comeback after Cristiano Ronaldo put Juventus 2-1 in front. unprecedented third Cup of Nations title with three “It is probably one of the best goals of my career,” Kane said. different countries - after successes with Zambia (2012) and Ivory Coast (2015). “I could see in parts of the game the keeper was off the line. I thought if I get a chance to shoot, I’ll shoot and But after winning all their group matches without conceding a goal, the Moroccans were bundled out following thankfully it went in.” a penalty-shootout in the last-16 by outsiders Benin. Spurs midfielder Erik Lamela scored the only goal of the first half, striking from close range in the 31st minute “I made that decision after having, obviously, considered it carefully. Thanks to the players, to the staff, the fans, after Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon palmed a shot from teenage striker Troy Parrott into his path. the honest journalists and all those who demonstrated their support,” he added. In a more lively second half, Juventus substitute Gonzalo Higuain equalized in the 56th minute after some neat Renard took Morocco to last year’s World Cup in Russia where despite elimination in the first round, they left a interplay on the edge of the box gave him the space to place it low into the right corner. positive impression. Then up stepped crowd-favorite Ronaldo. Defender Mattia De Sciglio cut the ball back to the Portuguese who His departure means coaches from seven of the 24 finalists have now left their jobs after the tournament in Egypt, drilled it across the keeper in his last touch before he was replaced. which Algeria won by beating Senegal 1-0 in the final in Cairo on Friday.