France on Friday Called on Iran to U.S. Secretary of State Says Immediately Stop All Activities The United States Plans to Host Linked to Ballistic Missiles That A Global Summit Focused on the Could Carry Nuclear Weapons Middle East, Particularly Iran, After Tehran Said It Could Put Two Satellites Into Orbit On February 13-14 in Poland

VOL. XXIV, No. 6590 TEHRAN Price 10,000 Rials www.irannewsdaily.com SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 2019 - DEY 22, 1397

4 2 DOMESTIC 3 DOMESTIC INTERNATIONAL 8 SPORTS Iran to Send Two Surplus Gasoline Venezuelan President Spurs outlast To Be Supplied in IRENEX Satellites Into Orbit For Exports Begins New Term Thunder 154-147 > SEE PAGE 2 > SEE PAGE 3 > SEE PAGE 4 > SEE PAGE 8 Domestically Made Missiles iewPoint Iran Not to Comply With By: Hamid Reza Naghashian..... Tested During Massive Drill v

TEHRAN (PressTV) - The Islamic Republic of Iran Air What Is Force (IRIAF) launched the second day of its massive Illegal U.S. Sanctions military drills in the central province of Isfahan on Armageddonist? Friday, targeting various positions with domestically Essentially religions through the time and through made missiles and smart bombs. different historic epochs, in man’s life, have created a On the second day of the drills, the F-4 Phantom fighter logical link between man, spirituality and nature of his jets fired Maverick tactical air-to-ground missiles and the education, and without any doubt God has focused on domestically-manufactured “Qassed” smart bombs. it for guiding human being by sending messengers. Laser-guided, anti-radar and thermal missiles as well At the same time and due to the significance of as ultralight aircraft were also tested during the religion and man’s tendency to it, world powers have maneuvers attended by all Iranian air force bases. resorted to deviation in this heavenly and true path and Various bombers, large military transport aircraft, they have tried to manipulate religions and create interceptor and reconnaissance planes, and patrol aircraft fictitious school of thoughts or faiths. were used in the drills. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) More than any country, one can name first Britain and the and offense drones were also used for reconnaissance U.S. comes second which have created several fake schools operations and bombing mock enemy positions. of thought and faiths in order to loot rich countries and to A spokesperson for the war game said the warplanes control man by their own-created levers. So creating fake detonated ground targets of the hypothetical enemy religion is one of their means for controlling the people. by dropping 2,000-pound Qassed standoff bombs, Inventors of such fake faiths and manipulation of the which are smart, have pinpoint accuracy, and have religions have basically come from UK and the U.S. been developed by the IRIAF experts, Tasnim news and they have prevailed in different forms and in agency reported. See Page 7 different parts of the world; seemingly, it will go on due to miscibility of human needs and his ignorance. In the structure of designing collective thinking, the British have not been only content with diversion in South Korea to Resume religion but they have set up a think thank in their intelligence service for more than a century and have Iran Oil Imports Soon named it “Diversion Division Room” (DDR). In another word, The Diversion Division Room was SEOUL (Dispatches) - South Korea will start buying BAGHDAD (Dispatches) - Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said on Thursday U.S. sanctions against his country at first actually active in planning methods of Iranian crude this month or next, the parent company of the were “fully illegal” and Tehran would not comply with them. diversions in religions but it gradually expanded those country’s largest refinery, SK Innovation, told Reuters. “We believe that we should not comply with the illegal sanctions against Iran,” Zanganeh told a joint news diversions from religions to politics and political “As South Korea received a waiver and has been in conference in Baghdad with his Iraqi counterpart, Thamer al-Ghadhban. parties in different countries. talks with Iran about the first import volume, it seems Zanganeh also said Iran would not discuss the volume or destination of its oil exports while it remained under U.S. sanctions. The most evident impact of those activities in our (Iran oil) could be brought in late in January or early “We have discussed today how to improve cooperation with Iraq on different aspects, especially on oil issues,” Zanganeh said. country Iran is seen during the justice-seeking February at the earliest,” the chief executive of the Ghadhban, who also said the discussions had touched on energy issues, added that Iraq had not yet reached an movement of clerics during the Constitutional company, Kim Jun said. agreement with Iran to develop joint oilfields. Revolution (Mashrouteh) era led by the late Ayatollah South Korea stopped buying Iranian oil completely He said a decline in global oil prices had stopped and that he expected them to rise gradually. Tabatabaee and Ayatollah Behbahani against despotic ahead of the November 4 sanctions imposed on Iran by Ghadhban said any decision relating to future OPEC cuts would depend on monitoring price developments. Qajar rulers which turned into a disgrace for pioneers Washington. South Korea is the world’s fifth-largest During his visit to Iraq, Zangeneh met separately with Iraqi President Barham Salih, Prime Minister Adil of the movement and Mashrouteh movement became a crude oil importer, and as such an important client for Abdul-Mahdi with Iraq’s Oil Minister Thamer Ghadhban, and Finance Minister Fuad Hussein. secular one; hence, the martyr Sheikh Fazlollah Nouri Iran’s oil alongside China and India. Yet South Korea is They discussed the development of relations between the neighbors “in a way that positively reflected on the became its victim. See Page 7 a close ally of the United States, and it is no surprise the consolidation of political and economic stability in the region in general,” and specifically boosting cooperation country opted for full compliance with Washington’s in oil and energy, according to a statement from Salih’s office. insistence on importers to cut their intake of Iranian Abdul-Mahdi stressed the deep ties between Iran and Iraq and the importance of strengthening relations to crude to zero. See Page 7 benefit the peoples on both sides of their border. U.S. Oil sanctions on Russia Baghdad is under pressure from Washington to cut ties with Tehran – especially ending its dependency on Iranian electricity and natural gas imports. At the end of 2018, the U.S. gave Iraq another 90 days to wean itself off Iranian imports before it will have to comply with sanctions. Tanked Iran Withdrawal From Syria India to Work With Iran Without In a joint press conference by the two oil ministers on Thursday, Zangeneh said Iran is ready to increase its natural gas exports to Iraq. Baghdad needs the gas to fuel its domestic electricity production. It has said it will MOSCOW (Dispatches) - Sergey Ryabkov, Russia’s Violating Any Int’l Laws not be able to find an alternative source before it has to comply with US sanctions on Iran. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, on Wednesday told Iran is exporting 15 million cubic meters of natural gas to Iraq daily, but could increase that to 40 million, i24NEWS that a deal to push Iran’s heavy arms 100 NEW DELHI (Dispatches) - India would like to trade according to Iranian media. kilometers from Israel’s border floundered over U.S. with Iran without violating any international laws, The oil ministers also discussed projects for joint operations on oil fields along their nearly 1,500-kilometre long shared border. denial of sanction exemptions for Moscow. Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu said. Ghadhban said studies of the fields continue and no final agreement has been made yet. “Russia tried, and partially succeeded, to diminish “India will not violate any international law and within the Iranian military presence in the immediate vicinity of framework of international law, we would like to work with the Israeli border and in the immediate vicinity of the Iran in a manner that we can deal with Rupee trade wherein Golan Heights. We wanted to go even further, to agree both countries can trade the items of mutual interest. with the Iranians that they withdraw heavy weaponry “So Iran wants to buy something from India and we Iran Crude Exports Stay Subdued in January more than 100 km away,” Ryabkov told i24NEWS’ want to buy oil,” the minister told reporters. LONDON (Reuters) - Iran will see its crude exports severely curtailed for a third month in January as it is journalist Nurit Ben at the Asian Forum on Global In May last year, U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew struggling to find new buyers amid fresh U.S. sanctions even though its traditional customers secured waivers, Governance and Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi. from the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran, reimposing according to tanker data and industry sources. “It didn’t work, because we wanted this in exchange economic sanctions against the Persian Gulf nation. Some Iran’s crude exports in November plummeted to below 1 million barrels per day, from regular sales of for some suspension of the U.S. secondary sanctions to sanctions took effect from August 6, 2018 while those 2.5 million bpd before sanctions were imposed in May, and taking them back to where they stood be imposed on countries in November, that would, you affecting oil and banking sectors kicked in from November during the previous round of sanctions in 2012-2016. know, limit their ability to purchase Iranian oil. It never 4. UCO Bank and IDBI Bank have been identified to route Buyers said plunging exports in November, which will severely hit the Islamic Republic’s budget happened,” Ryabkov added. Israel repeatedly warns the payment as the two have no exposure to the US revenues, were caused by a total lack of clarity of what volumes they were allowed to purchase under that it would prevent Iran’s attempt to consolidate itself financial system. the new U.S. sanctions. militarily in Syria, admitting to having carried out more See Page 7 Washington later gave a fairly generous set of waivers to eight traditional Iranian oil buyers - including China, than 200 airstrikes in the war-torn country since 2017. India, Japan and South Korea - to avoid a rally in oil prices, but the measure has failed to give a meaningful “I think more broadly we have an exceptionally good period Announced in the First National Steel Conference and Exhibition of Iran; boost to exports. in the relationship, for several reasons, starting from a very Half of Country’s Steel is Produced in According to tanker data and industry sources, Iran’s crude shipments remained below 1 million bpd in good chemistry between the leaders,” Ryabkov told i24NEWS. Mobarakeh Steel Co December and are unlikely to exceed that level in January despite rising month-on-month. When asked about Russia’s role in Syria down the “In January, I expect a slight uptick in the second half of the month with some Asian lifting resuming,” one of line, Ryabkov said Moscow intends to keep a presence he first national steel conference and the sources said. “For the time being, I am pencilling in around 900,000 bpd for January.” in the eastern Mediterranean. “I think we have our exhibition of Iran was held with the T Regular buyer Taiwan said last year it was not yet buying Iranian oil despite receiving a waiver because of a interests in the region, and I think it’s undeniable that main goal of running a comprehensive lack of a clear payment mechanism. exhibition of localization opportunities to we have an interest in keeping a presence in the eastern support domestic production. Iran has said its exports have not declined as much as estimated by the industry because it was selling oil to Mediterranean. I don’t believe we’re ready to say, look, SEE PAGE 3 new buyers. But it declined to disclose them because of a fear of new sanctions. See Page 7 we’ll abandon all this and go out. See Page 7 2 IRAN NEWS DOMESTIC SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 2019

TEHRAN (Dispatches) - Iran’s ambassador to Britain has raised the alarms over the presence of separatist elements in Europe seeking to disintegrate Iran. Hamid Baeidinejad gave the warning on his Twitter page on Wednesday. “Unfortunately, European countries have turned into a safe haven not only for the hypocrites (a term usually used by Iran to refer to members of the MKO terrorist group), but also for the Diplomat Raps Europe for Harbouring Terrorists representatives of new terrorist and separatist groups that overtly seek to disintegrate Iran,” wrote the top diplomat in his tweet. Iran to Send Two Websites Review Satellites Into Orbit Trump Not Worth Talking To TEHRAN (IFP) - President Hassan Rouhani says ISNA* - Denying Tehran ever requested to negotiate domestically-manufactured rockets will carry two new with Washington, a member of the influential Commission of National Security and Foreign Policy of Majlis (Iranian satellites into orbit “in the coming weeks.” parliament) says the Islamic Republic’s authorities believe that Donald Trump “is not worth talking to”. Rouhani made the remarks during a ceremony held to commemorate the second “Not only we do not want to negotiate with the U.S., passing anniversary of former president and chairman of the Expediency Council but, we also believe that Trump is not worth talking to Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani in Tehran on Thursday. since he is a president who, against all international Rouhani said, “Missiles are our defensive tool and we are proud of it,” adding, “In the coming principles, has not implemented the UN resolutions,” weeks, we will send two new satellites into space using our domestically-built rockets.” Alaeddin Boroujerdi said. He also described Iran’s defense power and technology achievements as relics of President Trump dropped the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Ayatollah Hashemi. Action (JCPOA) or Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers Rouhani said, “our revolution and country owe a great deal to Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani.” last May and reimposed sanctions on the Islamic Republic. “He was one of the closest students of the late Imam Khomeini (RA) and was active Boroujerdi maintained, “The whole world knows that during his youth even more than those in the seminary were,” he continued. Washington’s aim is exerting pressure on the people of The president pointed to the salient characteristics of the late Rafsanjani and said, Iran to frustrate and force them to react. By doing so, the “Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani was a brave person, not leaving the arena.” The late Hashemi Rafsanjani was the commander of the war from 1983 until the end Americans are disturbing our society’s peace.” The Supreme Leader of the Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei said “nobody will be of war. His intelligence was even more accurate than the then commanders, President like Hashemi to me,” said President Rouhani. Rouhani maintained. He continued, “in the structure of the Revolution and the establishment of the President Rouhani also said, “Hashemi was wise; because he saw both the scene and Islamic Republic, Martyr Beheshti and the late Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani were behind it, and the final results.” Iran Trade With EU Reduced the main pillars”. The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran also said, “full lifting of the arms “The best management of the parliament happened during the hard times by the late embargo is one of the greatest achievements of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of ILNA* - Iran-EU trade turnover has declined Ayatollah Hashemi,” he continued. Action (JCPOA).” significantly since the United States reimposed stringent “Imam Khomeini (RA) put the burden of the war on the shoulders of Ayatollah “We are proud of our defensive and scientific missiles,” he said, adding, “we are sanctions on Iran, including oil exports and banking. Khamenei and the late Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani,” he continued. sending two satellites to space soon.” According to official statistics, released by Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization, European Union’s exports to the country declined 19% year-on-year to $6.792 billion Tehran Urges Netherlands to Protect during nine months of current Iranian fiscal year, which Wherever U.S. started on March 21, 2018. Iranian Diplomats, Embassy Iran’s non-oil exports to EU also shrank 19% to $868 million. Goes, Chaos Follows TEHRAN (IFP) - Iran’s ambassador to The Hague called on high-ranking officials of the Netherlands to preserve From March 21 to December 21, Iran’s total non-oil the security of Iranian diplomats and the country’s embassy in the European country after Wednesday’s attack on exports increased 5.4% year-on-year to $33.36 billion, but Iran’s embassy building. in the ninth month (November 22-December 21) it only The call by Alireza Jahangiri came after supporters of a terrorist group called Al-Ahvaziya attacked the Iranian exported $1.87 billion, less than half of Iran’s monthly IRAN NEWS POLITICAL DESK embassy in The Hague on Wednesday afternoon. average during the preceding eight months. The attackers gathered in front of the embassy building and chanted anti-Iran slogans and threw rocks and bottles. Despite export growth, Iran has fulfilled only three- TEHRAN - Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad They also tried to climb the adjacent embassy building but were immediately arrested by the Dutch police. fourths of its non-oil export target for the period. Zarif has countered U.S. Secretary of State According to one of the embassy diplomats, none of the embassy staff was hurt during the incident. Mike Pompeo’s claims that “when America Meantime, the Dutch authorities regretted the attack and emphasized the necessity of safeguarding the security retreats, chaos often follows,” saying actually of the representative offices and embassy staff. Arrest of U.S. Navy the opposite is true. Al-Ahvaziya group is behind a terrorist attack on a military parade in Ahvaz in southwestern Iran which was “Whenever/wherever U.S. interferes, chaos, staged concurrently with nationwide military parades in late September to mark the start of the Sacred Defense Veteran Confirmed Week. Dozens of civilians, including a 4-year old boy were killed in the attack. repression, and resentment follow,” Zarif tweeted ISNA* - U.S. Navy veteran Michael White is in Iranian on Thursday in response to Pompeo’s remarks in custody, the Islamic Republic’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday, Egypt which raised eyebrows in the United States confirming claims made by White’s mother a day earlier. and abroad. MP Warns EU Over Delay in SPV Launch “Michael White was arrested in the city of Mashhad a while Pompeo described the U.S. as a “force for good” ago, and within a few days after his arrest the US government in the Middle East in a speech at the American TEHRAN (MNA) – Member of Iranian Parliament He lashed out at Europe for the delay in the was informed of the arrest through the Swiss Embassy in University in Cairo, which contradicted President National Security and Foreign Policy Commission implementation of SPV and said, “European companies Tehran,” ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said. Donald Trump’s announcement last month to pull Alaeddin Boroujerdi said that any delay in the are the major losers in this regard.” Under such He denied allegations that White, who hails from troops out of the region. implementation of Europe’s trade mechanism with Iran circumstances, Iran’s relation with countries including Imperial Beach, California, has been mistreated in prison. Pompeo accused former U.S. president Barack dubbed “Special-Purpose Vehicle” will help Iran to China and Russia will be expanded, he reiterated. “This person’s case is currently being processed by Obama of having sowed chaos by abandoning strengthen its ties with China and Russia. He pointed to the prolongation of time for implementing officials. The public will be informed of more details of the Middle East. Europe’s trade mechanism with Iran ‘SPV’ and added, “up to the case in due time,” he said. the present time, European countries could not show their sovereignty with regard to the US pressures in this respect.” Elsewhere in his remarks, Boroujerdi said, “in the course of Moscow to Host Talks on Syria 40 years since the glorious victory anniversary of the Islamic 1,200 Ship Sunken in Persian Gulf IRAN NEWS POLITICAL DESK especially ways of achieving peace in Syria. Revolution, Islamic Republic of Iran has proved that it can IRNA* - Deputy Director of Training Department at Jaberi Ansari also pointed to his own visit to Russia, settle problems especially in sanctions period and can manage Iran’s Naval Force said there are 1200 sunken ships in the TEHRAN - An Iranian official says the presidents of and said he will sit down with Russian Deputy Foreign its national interests appropriately.” Persian Gulf, with 40 of them being gigantic. Iran, Russia and Turkey are to discuss the Syria crisis in Ministers Sergey Vershinin and Mikhail Bogdanov as Iran has managed to take giant scientific and technological Addressing the Second National Conference on a meeting in Moscow, soon. well as the Russian president’s special envoy for Syria developments in sanctions period, he said, adding, “Iran Geography Education with a Water and Environmental Hossein Jaberi Ansari, a special assistant to Iran’s Alexander Lavrentiev. He said he might also meet other has always turned sanctions into opportunity.” Approach in the textbooks on Thursday, Admiral Parviz foreign minister, said the three-way meeting will come Russian security and military officials during his trip. Boroujerdi emphasized, “once European countries could Salimi Panah said, ‘These sunken ships with non- to discuss regional issues and coordinate the policies “During this trip, the agenda of the talks revolve around not resist against US pressures, European companies will renewable fuel tanks and their load are destroying the sea, and actions of the three countries. the latest developments in Syria and the Arab world as be the main losers in this regard, for, Iran’s relations with which the Navy has to remove them from water.’ “The rapid pace of developments and cooperation well as relevant international developments,” he said. China and Russia would be strengthened.” He also said that more than 30 marine events occur in between Iran and Russia has made it all the more necessary the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea annually. for visits and exchanges of delegations between the two He described the activity of the Navy in environmental countries,” said the official, who is on a visit to Moscow. protection as follows, “This force, as a guardian of the sea, “Iran, Russia and Turkey will sit down for talks as part as soon as a ship is seen dumping garbage, immediately of Astana negotiations in a couple of months,” he noted. Tehran Backs Every Effort for Settlement of Karabakh Conflict seizes it and hands it to the judicial authorities. It also He said the next meeting between the heads of state of Iran, IRAN NEWS POLITICAL DESK countries in the region. Iran has experienced an eight-year checks all ships operating in different dimensions.’ Russia and Turkey, which guarantee the trend of Asana talks, war and is aware of its consequences. Conflicts and wars will be held in Russia. He said the exact timing of the TEHRAN - Iran is ready to make every effort for the cause harm to people,’ said the envoy. meeting between the three presidents, namely Hassan settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno- Jahangirzadeh pointed out that during the trilateral Rouhani of Iran, Vladimir Putin of Russian, and Turkey’s Karabakh conflict and ensure security and stability in meeting with foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Turkey 1.3m Iranians Suffering Epilepsy Recep Tayyip Erdogan is not yet clear. the region, Iranian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Javad in Istanbul, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Several rounds of talks have so far been held in Jahangirzadeh told Trend. Zarif openly expressed Iran’s position on this issue and IRNA* - The head of the 15th International Congress on Astana to discuss key issues in the Arab world, ‘Iran has always openly said that any conflict harms the the country is not going to abandon this stance. Epilepsy says 1,300,000 Iranians are suffering from The ministers stressed their commitment to principles of epilepsy, of whom 400,000 are resistant to treatment. international law, in particular, respect of and support for Hossein Pakdaman said at press conference on Thursday CBI Allows Foreigners to Open Bank Accounts sovereignty, territorial integrity, inviolability of that epilepsy is a condition that, if diagnosed quickly, internationally recognized borders, peaceful settlement of reduces its effects and improves patient’s quality of life. IRAN NEWS NATIONAL DESK all disputes, as well as non-interference in internal affairs. ‘In the European and American countries, it is a great The ministers reiterated in this regard the importance of the deal of research and treatment for patients with epilepsy, TEHRAN - The Central Bank of Iran (CBI) has announced that foreigners with special residence certificate can earliest resolution of Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh but in Iran, much attention is not paid to research to use banking services in Iran, including opening bank accounts and other services. conflict on the basis of the above-mentioned principles. diagnose and treat these patients,’ he said. The CBI has issued a statement to its banking network about offering services to foreigners who have special conditions and own special The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began The head of the Iranian Association of Neurology said residence certificate. The Supreme National Security Council has approved a plan to issue special residency and facilities for non-Iranians. in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against the high rates of traffic accidents in the country are one of Iran immigration and passport police had issued a special residency certificate in a form of a green notebook for non-Iranian Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian the main causes of epilepsy and said the rate of epilepsy citizens. The holders of these permits can use the public and private services in government organizations and private sectors armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the in Iran was two to three times as high as that in the that include opening bank accounts, using banking services and financial institute according to regulations. Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. developing countries. SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 2019 DOMESTIC IRAN NEWS 3

Noon (Zohr) 12:13 110. (Respite will be granted) until, when the apostles give up hope (of their people) and (come to) think that they were treated as liars, there reaches them Our help, and those whom Evening (Maghreb) 17:11 We will are delivered into safety. But never will be warded off our punishment from those who are in sin. PRAYER TIME 111. There is, in their stories, instruction for men endued with understanding. It is not a tale invented, Tomorrow’s Dawn (Fajr) 05:46 but a confirmation of what went before it,- a detailed exposition of all things, and a guide and a mercy to Tomorrow’s Sunrise 07:14 any such as believe. Surah 12. Joseph ( 110 - 111 ) Surplus Gasoline to Be Cleric Urges Crackdown on Tax Evasion TEHRAN (Tasnim) - A top Iranian clergyman called for a tax reform in the country, urging the Supplied in IRENEX for Exports lawmakers and the administration to eliminate the tax loopholes that TEHRAN (MNA) – Iranian Deputy Oil Minister Alireza let certain groups avoid tax. Addressing Friday prayer-goers in Tehran, Sadeghabadi revealed the supply of surplus gasoline in Iran Hojjatoleslam Mohammad-Hassan Aboutorabi Fard Energy Exchange (IRENEX) for exports. deplored the astronomical costs incurred by tax evasion in Iran, whose rate he said stands at 40 to 50 percent. He made the above remark in his weekly press briefing and said, “considering the An appropriate tax system means that people should pay launch of Phase 3 of gasoline production unit in the Persian Gulf Star Refinery tax according to the profit they make, the cleric noted, (PGSR), the ministry has planned for exporting and storing surplus gasoline, the issue saying tax evasion spoils competitiveness and results in of which has been put atop agenda.” economic corruption. Aboutorabi Fard said the major For this purpose, capacity of Iran Energy Exchange (IRENEX) should be used economic corrupts that the Judiciary has brought to justice optimally, Sadeghabadi reiterated. in recent months had all evaded paying tax on income. He went on to say that a committee has been set up in the ministry to study price of He urged the parliamentarians to address the problem export products such as gasoline at the target markets. the beginning of the current year up to Nov. 2018.” of tax evasion, denouncing such a crime as treason CEO of the National Iranian Oil Products Refining and Distribution Company With the launch of Phase III of gasoline production in the Persian Gulf Star against the country and discrimination against taxpayers. (NIOPRDC) put the average production volume of gasoline in the last Iranian Refinery, total gasoline production volume in the country will exceed 105 million lit./ Over the past weeks, Iran’s Intelligence Ministry has disbanded calendar year (ended in March 20, 2018) at 67.2 million lit./day and said, day, he emphasized. Approx. 70 percent of various units of the refinery has been several networks that have been earning huge profits by “accordingly, the daily gasoline production volume increased up to 87.9 million since manufactured by the domestic engineers, the deputy oil minister observed. smuggling foreign currency, tax evasion and money laundering. Enough Goods Stored in Warehouses Tehran Fair Center Hosting 4 Int’l Exhibitions Fight Against Smuggling of Clothes to Continue IRAN NEWS NATIONAL DESK IRAN NEWS NATIONAL DESK IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK

TEHRAN - There is no problem in supply of essential goods, Iran’s Minister TEHRAN - Tehran International Exhibition Center has launched four TEHRAN - Iran continues to fight the smuggling of clothes, going as of Industry, Mines and Trade Reza Rahmani said at a meeting with chairman different exhibitions on Friday that will showcase chandeliers and decorative far as closing down illegal foreign brand stores across Tehran. and members of the Parliament’s Economic Committee. lights, architecture and interior design, office furniture and equipment, and “The plan is very good and can support the domestic producers,” said Fortunately, warehouses have good reserves, and there is no shortage, agricultural machinery. the head of Garment Union, Abolghasem Shirazi. Rahmani said. The exhibits feature domestic and international companies and will run from Jan. 11 to 14. Iran has boosted the efforts to confront smuggled branded clothing “The next Iranian year (starts on March 21, 2019), a special program The 26th Exhibition of Chandeliers and Decorative Lights is displaying products of since last week. While the operation has not faced any resistance with for goods supply, market monitoring and price stability will be 225 domestic companies. The 9th International Exhibition of Architecture, Modern regards to taking down advertisement boards for smuggled branded elaborated. And the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Trade will work to House, Interior Design (MIDEX) is featuring 182 domestic and 21 foreign companies clothing, some officials in the country’s garment union underline the create peace in the community and promote happiness and hope in the from China, Russia, the Netherlands, South Korea, Italy, Belgium, Turkey and Finland. existence of a few that resist this approach. country,” he said. The 8th International Exhibition of Office Furniture and Equipment has also started, The head of Iran’s Headquarters for Combating Smuggling of Goods Pointing to the importance of expanding the exports of Iranian products, featuring 43 companies in a 5,000 square meter area. and Foreign Exchange Ali Moayedi announced last week that the he says one of the main priorities in the next Iranian year will be The 3rd International Exhibition of Agricultural Machinery and Equipment, Inputs advertisement boards of smuggled branded clothes have been removed increasing exports to provide more employment opportunities for Iranian and Irrigation Systems features 150 domestic companies and one company from from Tehran. “Around 80 percent of operation was done without any youth, as well as new markets for producers. Spain in a 5,000 square meter area. resistance in Tehran,” he said. Announced in the First National Steel Conference and Exhibition of Iran; Half of Country’s Steel is Produced in Mobarakeh Steel Co The first national steel conference and exhibition of Iran was held with the main goal of running a comprehensive exhibition of localization opportunities to support domestic production

ead of national steel conference of Iran stated that the intention limitations and that is why we even import nuts and bolts and steel recognize the need for the production of that piece. “we have passed the exhibiting phase and are in the heart of the matter, Hof this conference was to alleviate relationships between structures.” He mentioned that in recent years and to support the steel Half of Country’s Steel is Produced in Mobarakeh Steel Co organizing this process in our company. We have developed the various circles of active parties in steel production and said “even industry, some large companies have started work and he added “these Managing Director of Mobarakeh Steel Co pointed to the brilliant software and equipped our employees. The technical knowledge is though many of the equipments and input materials are produced by companies work in activities from the design and manufacturing of history of Iranian nation in science and culture and said “people of safe at hand and depending on the type of product, we sign long-term Iranian companies, we see no relationship even between companies production lines to the procurement of input material but even in Iran have been known throughout the world with their scientific and contracts to give the knowledge-based companies their comfort and located in two-kilometer radios of each other so when some projects that have foreign financing, any foreign company must cultural characters and today as well, according to the achievements ease of conscience.” equipment is localized in one of these facilities, the others would not acquire some of the equipments from domestic companies.”Sobhani of the new generation and the Iranian scientists in global contests, Fouladgar: Value Creation of Steel in the Entirety of the Cycle be informed and in a situation like the one we face now in sanctions, expressed that the shortcomings of the exhibition would be alleviated Iranian nation has the required capacity and shall keep a share in the Head of parliament’s support for national advancement commission they fail to find a solution.”He pointed to the fact that current year has in the coming years and we shall see its development in the country production of science and technology.”Hamidreza Azimian said that announced the steel industry as one of the pioneers in the country and been named as the year of supporting domestic production and and he continued “in this case the banking system can also support our we are in a battle against arrogance and facing cruel sanctions; he then said “even though we still do not have a strategy and perspective reminded “we have brought the producers and consumers together in facilities to reduce the dependency on import and the domestic added “we should either surrender and reduce our production in document for the sector of industry and mine, but we believe steel can this conference to demonstrate their capabilities, furthermore, steel engineering companies can equip themselves to meet the entire needs quantity and quality or make an effort and continue our production play a role in the advancement of the country.” Hamidreza Fouladgar producers can show their requirements and other companies would of the industry inside the country, and of course self-dependency and of course in the current situation of the country we are expected pointed to the relative benefits of the industry and continued “in the have an opportunity to fill in and try to meet these needs.”Bahram means to have the ability and required knowledge of carrying out the by the people to try and move toward scientific and technological past we had one percent of world’s population and produced one Sobhani, head of national steel conference of Iran, pointed to the job and not being weak or frail and forced into importing an entire activities.”Managing Director of Mobarakeh steel Co said that percent of world’s steel but now we produce 1.6 percent with the same beginnings of steel production in Iran at Esfahan Steel Company, and system, but if economically speaking, the production was not in our cooperation and a long-term contract with knowledge-based population percentage and this progress is considerable after these said “today we celebrate the fiftieth year of steel industry; before the best interest, we shall import those goods.”He pointed to an agreement companies and using their achievements in their industrial complex years.” He admitted a gap between the ideal and the current situation revolution, the first phase of Esfahan Steel Co started work with a protocol with government institutes that provide financial and moral has been important and profitable and expressed “out-sourcing and of steel industry in the country and said “value creation in steel would capacity of a million, but after revolution, our government officials support to knowledge-based companies and localization endeavors localization have always been among our plans and the only be in the completion of the cycle and if we had a steel strategy, we have paid special attention to the progress of this industry and have not and announced it as a marginal program of the exhibition; he said “in difference is that now it has been accelerated.” He added “according would not face this issue. Therefore localization and support of neglected any aspect of it from the mines to the final products, despite addition to agreement protocols, fund reserves will also offer support, to Mobarakeh’s new approach, the suggestions that are offered for the domestic production, which is the subject of this conference, will be all the limitations.” He announced the current capacity of the factory so steel producers can use the services of these companies.” Head of procurement of goods and input material will be studied in the of high importance and we should emphasize this to keep a larger as more than 30 million tons and asserted “this is 30 times the initial national steel conference of Iran announced the other programs of the company’s deputy of technology, passed through investment risk share in this regard.” Parliament member of Esfahan proclaimed that capacity; I remember that when Esfahan Steel Co was built, the trucks exhibition including an appreciation ceremony for the active assessment, financed and if finalized, several-year long contracts are the use of new technologies, academic capabilities, and human that brought in the needed equipments from Soviet Union even characters in steel industry and those who have greatly contributed to signed.” Azimian said “this exhibition of country’s steel industry resources plus the consideration of laws issued in recent years imported doors and windows, but now, since we have no reliable its advancement in the country in addition to the first public capabilities may go on for a few days but this has been a perennial including the laws for removing production limitations, are steps banking system to support the investments in steel, we do not need introduction of a software package that holds a complete record of approach in Mobarakeh Steel Co and will never end, we must do this towards the advancement of steel industry and added “regarding the foreign countries at all.”Sobhani expressed that financial limitations of engineering companies in the system; he then expressed that through or we face trouble.”He stated that Mobarakeh Steel Co produces half subject of sanctions, the problem of foreign currencies, and the the banking system and its lack of liquidity is a deterrent for the banks this system, steel producers can state their needs and a relationship of the steel in the country by itself and that long-term contracts with support for export we have finally reached a relative stability and to invest in projects and said “we are forced to use foreign financial will be made accordingly and if some pieces have not been localized, knowledge-based companies have been part of its supportive strategy parliament members are ready as well to analyze the new suggestions institutes for our required capital and that also spawns some yet, they will be imported and the engineering companies may toward scientific capabilities of the country; he then expressed that for passing laws and controls.” 4 IRAN NEWS INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 2019 Turkey Orders Arrest of More Taiwan Appoints Than 100 Military Suspects New Premier ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey ordered the arrest of more than 100 soldiers and former TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan has appointed Su Tseng-chang as premier, President Tsai Ing-wen military students over suspected links to the network of the U.S.-based Muslim cleric accused said on Friday, as she moved to shore up support after the defeat of her pro-independence of orchestrating a 2016 attempted coup, prosecutors and state media said on Friday. Police party in local elections last year. November’s election trouncing presents a major challenge operations targeting supporters of cleric Fethullah Gulen have been carried out regularly since to Tsai, who faced mounting domestic criticism over her reform agenda while facing renewed the failed putsch and have recently gained momentum. Gulen denies involvement in the coup threats from China, which considers the self-ruled island its own. Su is a former premier attempt, in which 250 people were killed. The Istanbul chief prosecutor’s office said it ordered appointed in 2006 by then President Chen Shui-bian, and was a chairman of Tsai’s the arrest of 50 suspects - six of them officers and the rest military academy students expelled Democratic Progressive Party for two terms. His appointment follows the widely-expected after the putsch - in an investigation into people linked to Gulen in the military. resignation of William Lai, the second premier to quit since Tsai took office in 2016. Abe Voices Hope Britain Venezuelan President Begins New Term Can Avoid No-Deal Brexit CARACAS (Dispatches) - Venezuelan “The U.S. will not recognize the Maduro President Nicolas Maduro began a new term dictatorship’s illegitimate inauguration,” on Thursday with the economy in ruins and national security advisor John Bolton his regime more isolated than ever as tweeted Thursday. regional leaders declared his re-election Canada slammed Maduro for illegitimate and shunned his inauguration. transforming his country into a “fully The 56-year-old socialist leader was entrenched dictatorship”. sworn in by Supreme Court president In a special session in Washington, the Maikel Moreno as an audience of OAS similarly backed a resolution declaring hundreds, including a handful of South Maduro’s government illegitimate. American leftist leaders and Venezuela’s “Venezuela is the center of a world war with TOKYO (Dispatches) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo military top brass, cheered and applauded. US imperialism and its satellite governments,” Abe said Thursday he hoped Britain would avoid crashing “I swear on behalf of the people of the socialist leader retorted in a rambling out of the European Union without an agreement, as he Venezuelan ... I swear on my life,” Maduro speech which lasted around two hours. threw his support behind the government’s contentious said solemnly as he took the oath of office He also demanded “respect” from the Brexit deal days before a vote by MPs. for a second six-year term. EU, accusing the bloc of “old colonialism” Flanked by British Prime Minister Theresa May during a After donning the presidential sash -- and “old racism” after it said Thursday that visit to London, Abe said Japanese businesses “very much as well as a ceremonial gold chain Maduro “lacked any credibility”. welcomed” her draft divorce deal, which a majority of British bearing the key to the sarcophagus A smiling Maduro arrived at the court lawmakers look set to reject in parliament next Tuesday amid containing the remains of Venezuela’s building serenaded by a choir singing fierce opposition. “We truly hope that a no-deal Brexit will be revolutionary leader Simon Bolivar -- patriotic songs. He blew kisses at a avoided and in fact that is the... wish of the whole world,” the an ebullient Maduro turned to salute the crowd with a V-sign. welcoming party of children waving Venezuelan flags, and saluted supporters looking Japanese leader told a Downing Street press conference. Maduro was re-elected last May in voting boycotted by the majority of the down from the building’s multi-tiered galleries. With the exception of Mexico, the “This draft agreement for transition and legal stability for opposition and dismissed as fraudulent by the United States, European Union and Lima Group -- made up of 14 mostly Latin American countries -- has urged Maduro Japanese businesses is very much welcomed,” he added. Organization of American States (OAS). to renounce his second term and deliver power to parliament. The endorsement came as pressure grew on May to rule out a no-deal Brexit if her agreement is rejected by MPs next week. Business minister Greg Clark broke ranks earlier Pompeo Blasts Obama’s Thursday to warn that leaving the European Union on March U.S. Lawmakers Demand 29 with no agreement in place would be a calamity. It would be “a disastrous situation in which we move to Accountability for Killing of Khashoggi Middle East Policies the most rudimentary terms of trade with our closest CAIRO (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Mike partners,” he told BBC radio. However, May reiterated the Pompeo on Thursday accused Barack Obama of sowing only way for Britain to avoid leaving without an agreement chaos by abandoning the Middle East to Islamist was to back her plan. “There is a good deal on the table,” she militants and Iranian influence in a blistering critique of said. “I want to see this deal getting through parliament.” the former president’s policies even as Pompeo’s boss, Brexit-supporting Conservative MPs are opposed to the President Donald Trump, moves to pull American deal, arguing it leaves the country too closely tied to Europe, troops out of Syria. and May has already pulled the vote once with defeat In a speech at the American University in Cairo, Pompeo looming. Most MPs supported staying in the EU in the 2016 dispensed with a U.S. diplomatic tradition of avoiding public referendum, and many have vowed to do everything within airing abroad of domestic disputes by blasting Obama at the Pompeo is touring the region to try to explain U.S. their power to prevent a no-deal scenario. But unless Britain site of a landmark 2009 speech by Trump’s predecessor strategy after Trump’s surprise announcement last actively decides to delay or revoke the legal process, it will aimed at improving relations with the Islamic world. month of an abrupt withdrawal of all 2,000 U.S. troops leave the bloc at the end of March regardless. Pompeo presented America as “a force for good in the from Syria, which rattled allies, shocked top U.S. Middle East” and suggested Obama saw the United officials and prompted U.S. Defence Secretary Jim WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers called States as “a force for what ails the Middle East.” Mattis’s resignation. Trump Pushes Wall Plan in on Thursday for Washington to hold Saudi Arabia Some former U.S. officials and analysts accused the It is highly unusual for an American secretary of state accountable for the killing of journalist Jamal top American diplomat of misreading history and to give a speech abroad directly attacking a former U.S. Khashoggi at one of the country’s consulates in camouflaging Trump’s own desire to reduce U.S. president. Trump has reversed Obama’s policies on U.S.-Mexico Border Visit Turkey and vowed that Congress would act if the commitments in the region. international issues such as the Iran nuclear deal, trade WASHINGTON (Dispatches) - Trump administration did not. Pompeo accused Obama of underestimating “the agreements and the Paris climate change accord as well President Donald Trump warned of More than a dozen senators and members of the House of tenacity and viciousness of radical Islamism,” of failing as a host of domestic policies. murderers and gangsters spreading Representatives, including both Democrats and Republicans, to adequately support the 2009 “Green Movement” mass Pompeo sought to reassure allies that Washington across the country during a visit to spoke at an event in the U.S. Capitol complex to celebrate a protests against a disputed election in Iran, and faulted remains committed to the “complete dismantling” of the U.S.-Mexican border Thursday free press and remember Khashoggi and more than 50 other him for not bombing Syria in retaliation for chemical the threat posed by the Islamic State militant group and to push his demand for a journalists killed around the world last year. Democrats weapons use by government forces in its civil war. to ending Iranian influence in Syria despite Trump’s multi-billion dollar wall. deplored the lack of a strong response to Khashoggi’s death “What did we learn from all of this? We learnt that decision to withdraw troops there. “In Syria, the United Trump used the backdrop of the Rio Grande border from President Donald Trump’s administration, saying when America retreats, chaos often follows. When we States will use diplomacy and work with our partners to river at McAllen, Texas, to ramp up what has already strategic or commercial ties to Saudi Arabia should not neglect our friends, resentment builds. And when we expel every last Iranian boot,” Pompeo said. turned into a hugely messy political fight with triumph over democratic values like free expression. partner with our enemies, they advance,” Pompeo said. Pompeo faulted what he called Obama’s “desire for Democratic opponents, resulting in the shutdown of “If we decide commercial interests override the statements Pompeo did not mention Obama by name but called peace at any cost” that led him to reach the 2015 swaths of the U.S. government. we make and the actions we take, then we must admit we him “another American” who had given a speech in the nuclear deal under which Iran agreed to curtail its With typical rhetorical flourishes, Trump said that have lost all moral authority,” House of Representatives capital of the Arab world’s most-populous nation. nuclear weapons program in exchange for easing of only building more walls along the Mexican border Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. U.S. lawmakers have been Obama’s office declined comment on the speech. international economic sanctions. could stop an onslaught of violent crime. clamouring for a response to Khashoggi’s murder. “They just go where there’s no security and you don’t In December, several of Trump’s Republicans joined even know the difference between Mexico and the Democrats to defy the president and pass Senate United States,” he told a meeting of border patrol resolutions to end U.S. military support for the Saudi-led DRC Opposition Chief Wins Vote officers. “They have women tied up, they have tape coalition in the war in Yemen and blame Crown Prince KINSHASA (AFP) - Opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi was on Thursday declared winner of DR Congo’s over their mouths, electrical tape.” Mohammed bin Salman for Khashoggi’s murder. The presidential election, but his victory was dismissed by the runner-up and questioned by the Catholic church, “If we had a barrier of any kind, a powerful barrier, whether resolutions were not taken up by the Republicans who then clouding the vote’s legitimacy and hopes of peace. its steel or concrete..., we would stop it cold,” Trump said. led the House, but Democrats plan to revisit the issue after In a pre-dawn announcement, election officials named Tshisekedi, son of the country’s long-term opposition Opposition Democrats are refusing to approve $5.7 billion winning a House majority in November’s elections. leader, provisional winner of the troubled vote to replace President Joseph Kabila. in wall funding, saying that overwhelming numbers of Representative Mike McCaul, the top House Foreign Affairs The news brought thousands of supporters onto the streets while others who had backed his opposition rival illegal immigrants do not commit serious crimes and that Committee Republican, called Khashoggi’s killing “a major Martin Fayulu came out in protest. Four people died in unrest. Trump is mainly promoting the project to satisfy his right- setback” in relations. “Changes need to be made,” he said. Fayulu, who came a close second, denounced the result as an “electoral coup.” The Democratic Republic of Congo’s wing base. Trump said that illegal immigrant crime stretched Democratic Representative Eliot Engel, the committee’s influential Catholic church also said Tshisekedi’s victory did not tally with data collected by its own monitors. right up into the north of the country. However, widely chairman, told Reuters after the event that he planned hearings “These results have nothing to do with the truth at the respected studies show that illegal immigrants commit fewer on relations with Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks. ballot box,” Fayulu told Radio France International. crimes than people born in the United States. Khashoggi, a U.S.-based Washington Post journalist “They have stolen the Congolese people’s victory and That has resulted in a partial government shutdown now who became a critic of the crown prince, was last seen the people will never accept that.” in its 20th day, with hundreds of thousands of federal entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. At stake is political stewardship of the notoriously employees -- including air traffic controllers, the FBI and Defying critics, Venezuela’s Maduro starts new term unstable central African nation, which has never known a Coast Guard -- going without pay. Signalling he’s ready U.S. intelligence believes bin Salman ordered an peaceful transition of power since independence from to maintain the game of brinksmanship, Trump tweeted operation to kill Khashoggi. Top Turkish officials have Belgium in 1960. on arrival in Texas that he will scrap a visit to the annual also tied his death to the highest levels of Saudi leadership. Election chief Corneille Nangaa declared Tshisekedi the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, which Saudi officials have denied accusations that the prince winner with 38.57 percent of the vote, just ahead of runs from January 21-25. Trump had been expected to ordered the murder. Trump, who has cultivated a close Fayulu with 34.8 percent. make a brief appearance at the influential get-together, relationship with the crown prince, told Reuters last Kabila’s preferred successor, Emmanuel Ramazani attended by many world leaders, but said that opposition month he stood by the prince despite the CIA assessment. Shadary, came a distant third with 23.8 percent. Democratic “intransigence” required him to stay home. SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 2019 PROMOTIONAL ITEM IRAN NEWS 5 6 IRAN NEWS INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 2019

MOSCOW (Dispatches) - Russian Central Bank lowered the share of dollar in the international reserves by 24.4 percent in 2018. Simultaneously, the bank increased the share of euros by 32 percent and of Chinese yuan by 14.7 percent, according to the banks’ annual report about gold and currencies reserves management, published on Thursday on its official website. The bank also increased the share of other currencies Russian Central Bank Lowers Share of Dollar in Reserves from 12.4 to 14.7 percent, including British pounds -- up to 6.3 percent, Japanese yens to 4.5 percent, Canadian and Australian dollars up to 2.9 and 1.0 percent respectively. ECB Urged to Keep Options Germany Is Not Heading Towards Recession Open as It Winds Up Stimulus BERLIN (Reuters) - The LONDON (Dispatches) - France’s top central banker has warned the European Central German economy is not Bank to take a “gradual and pragmatic” approach to ditching its crisis-era stimulus, as heading towards recession, the world’s monetary policymakers react to fears of a global economic slowdown. but the government is In dovish remarks François Villeroy de Galhau, the Banque de France governor and a discussing fiscal measures to member of the ECB’s governing council, said in Luxembourg on Thursday that the ECB support growth, Economy should keep its “options open in the face of current uncertainty”. The bank has kept Minister Peter Altmaier was interest rates at record lows since 2016 but last month stopped expanding its €2.6tn bond quoted as saying on Thursday. purchase program, in a step towards normalizing its policies after the financial crisis. “Germany is not currently at The intervention comes after U.S. Federal Reserve officials on Wednesday indicated the beginning of a recession, that they might slow the pace of rate rises this year in response to market gyrations even if there are unresolved problems in international over fears that global economic expansion has peaked. trade with Brexit and the United States,” Altmaier Central banks face a delicate balancing act as they continue to withdraw their told Handelsblatt newspaper in an interview. support at a time when fears of a global economic slowdown are mounting. The German economy contracted by 0.2 percent in ECB minutes published on Thursday showed that the central bank decided to stop the third quarter. Industrial output figures for October expanding its quantitative easing program even though many policymakers thought and November have pointed to meagre growth in the the risks to the economy had mounted sharply. fourth quarter. The Federal Statics Office will publish The bank came closer than previously thought to saying the outlook for eurozone preliminary gross domestic product figures for the economy was now “tilted towards the downside”. In the event, the ECB stuck by the fourth quarter and 2018 as a whole next Tuesday. formula that the outlook was “broadly balanced”. Since the December vote, data and confidence surveys on the eurozone economy Economists speak of a technical recession when there Eurozone policymakers characterized the environment as “fragile and fluid”, have been poor, denting chances of a bounceback in growth in the fourth quarter after are two consecutive quarters of contraction. with some risks — such as those associated with the UK’s decision to quit the an expansion of just 0.2 per cent in the third — the worst quarterly performance in “For nine years now, we had moderate and healthy EU — threatening to mount. more than four years. Germany’s gross domestic product fell in the third quarter and growth rates without overheating and the economy “The view was expressed that a case could be made for assessing risks to activity poor subsequent data have raised the risk that the eurozone’s largest economy will fall will continue to grow this year,” Altmaier said. The as tilted towards the downside,” the minutes of the ECB’s December 13 vote said. into a technical recession, defined as two consecutive quarters of negative growth. government will present updated 2019 growth forecast at A more downbeat assessment would have stirred expectations that the ECB would Mr Villeroy de Galhau said he was still “convinced that the normalisation of our the end of January, he said. In October, the government keep elements of its exceptionally loose monetary policy in place for longer. monetary policy . . . remains desirable”. predicted 1.8 percent growth for this year. The central bank had already responded to the weaker data by saying in December Few ECB watchers expect the first rise in interest rates to come before the final Altmaier called for lower corporate taxes to help that it would continue to reinvest the proceeds of the bonds it has bought under QE, quarter of 2019, and many think 2020 is more likely. Reinvestments of bonds companies, but he admitted that he had yet to but which are now maturing, “for an extended period of time past the date of a first bought under QE are expected to continue for another two or three years, which convince Finance Minister Olaf Scholz. rise in interest rates”. The bank had already said it would not raise rates until “at least would keep easy credit conditions in place. The bank is also considering another “It makes sense now to set incentives for growth,” through the summer” of this year. The ECB last raised rates in 2011. auction of cheap long-term loans. Altmaier said. “The economy needs a tailwind in order to be stronger in the future, to create jobs and growth.” China to Set Lower GDP Growth Market Risk, Economic Growth to Drive Gold Demand in 2019 Target of 6-6.5% in 2019 LONDON (Dispatches) - Increased market uncertainty Gold’s performance in the near-term would be heavily and expansion of protectionist economic policies will influenced by perceptions of risk, the direction of the dollar, make gold increasingly attractive as a hedge in 2019, and the impact of structural economic reforms, WGC said. says the latest report by the World Gold Council (WGC), “In the longer term, gold will be supported by the adding that structural economic reforms in key markets development of the middle class in emerging markets, its will continue to support demand for gold in jewellery, role as an asset of last resort, and the ever-expanding use of technology and as means of savings in the year. gold in technological applications,” the report stated. “We expect that the interplay between market risk Incidentally, gold prices witnessed a see-saw journey and economic growth in 2019 will drive gold demand,” in 2018 as investor interest ebbed and flowed despite said the report. steady growth in most sectors of demand. The precious According to WGC, key trends that are expected to metal also faced headwinds for most part of 2018 with influence the precious metal’s price performance increasingly relevant role to play in investors’ the dollar strengthening, the Fed continuing to hike include financial market instability, monetary policy portfolios,” the report added, while highlighting that in rates steadily while other central banks keeping policy and the U.S. dollar and the structural economic reforms. 2019 global investors would continue to favor gold as accommodative, and the U.S. economy getting a fillip “Against this backdrop, we believe that gold has an an effective diversifier and hedge against systemic risk. in the form of tax cuts. BEIJING (Reuters) - China plans to set a lower economic growth target of 6-6.5 percent in 2019 compared with last year’s target of “around” 6.5 percent, policy sources told Reuters, as Beijing gears up to cope with higher U.S. tariffs and Sri Lanka Struggles to Brazil Approves weakening domestic demand. The proposed target, to be unveiled at the annual parliamentary session in March, was endorsed by top Repay Record Foreign Debt Boeing-Embraer Tie-Up leaders at the annual closed-door Central Economic COLOMBO (Dispatches) - Sri Lanka’s prime minister said Thursday the country was SAO PAULO (Reuters) - The Brazilian government on Thursday said it would Work Conference in mid-December, according to four struggling to pay back its ballooning foreign debt, blaming a recent political crisis for allow a proposed tie-up between planemakers Embraer SA and Boeing Co to go sources with knowledge of the meeting’s outcome. dealing a “death blow” to the economy. forward, capping weeks of uncertainty in which President Jair Bolsonaro Data later this month is expected to show the Chinese Ranil Wickremesinghe said his government was scrambling to raise $1.9 billion to expressed hesitation. economy grew around 6.6 percent in 2018 - the help service a first debt payment of $2.6 billion, that is due on Monday. The approval maintains the terms of the deal as previously proposed, with Embraer weakest since 1990. Analysts are forecasting a further Sri Lanka faces $5.9 billion in foreign debt repayments in 2019, a record for the selling 80 percent of its commercial plane division, its most profitable, for $4.2 billion loss of momentum this year before policy support cash-strapped island. (£3.3 billion) to Boeing, which will have total control of the new venture. steps begin to kick in. The country lost $1 billion in foreign reserves during a power struggle between But one thing was new: the government said in a press release that the two “It’s very difficult for growth to exceed 6.5 percent Wickremesinghe and President Maithripala Sirisena in late 2018. planemakers would “maintain the current jobs in Brazil,” a move that might appease (this year), and there could be trouble if growth dips Sirisena sacked Wickremesinghe in October and later dissolved parliament to quell union workers and politicians who had raised concerns that, if the deal went through, below 6 percent,” said one source who requested any opposition, but Sri Lanka’s courts deemed the move unconstitutional. Boeing would then try to slash jobs. The companies had previously been noncommittal anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. Wickremesinghe was reinstalled 51 days later but not without a cost, the on the issue. The tie-up between Embraer and Boeing is seen as part of a reshaping As the world’s second-largest economy loses steam, prime minister said. of the global aviation market for mid-sized planes. It follows a similar deal by China’s top leaders are closely watching employment “We are yet to quantify the losses, but it was a death blow to an economy that was Boeing’s rival Airbus which bought Bombardier Inc’s commercial plane division that levels as factories could be forced to shed workers struggling to recover,” Wickremesinghe told parliament. competed with Embraer. amid a trade war with the United States, despite a Three global ratings agencies downgraded Sri Lanka during the crisis, making it The deal still must now be voted on by Embraer’s private shareholders within the more resilient services sector, policy insiders said. more expensive for the Indian Ocean nation to access foreign loans. next 30 days, but winning the backing of Brazil’s government was its biggest hurdle. Growth of about 6.2 percent is needed in the next Sri Lanka hopes to raise $1 billion from the international debt market, If approved by shareholders, the companies will then have to seek regulatory approval. two years to meet the ruling Communist Party’s another $500 million from China and Japan and a further $400 million The deal also faces legal challenges in Brazil. Workers and left-wing politicians longstanding goal of doubling gross domestic from the Reserve Bank of India. obtained court orders blocking the deal in December, but the injunctions were quickly product and incomes in the decade to 2020, and to Wickremesinghe has dispatched his finance minister to Washington to try to reversed. The tie-up could face future injunctions as the cases remain pending. turn China into a “modestly prosperous” nation. revive a loan arrangement with the International Monetary Fund that was Minority shareholders have also filed legal complaints that have yet to be resolved. “Considering employment, income and stability, we suspended during the chaos. Embraer and Boeing said in a statement they expect the deal to obtain final need growth of at least 6 percent this year,” said one Sri Lanka narrowly averted approvals before the end of 2019. Shortly after assuming the presidency on Jan. 1, of the sources. Adopting a range as a target would defaulting on its sovereign Bolsonaro, a former army give policymakers room to manoeuvre amid debt after Wickremesinghe’s captain, had expressed uncertainties caused by a tit-for-tat tariff war with the reformed administration concern that Boeing might United Sates, as the two sides strive for a possible introduced a plan late last end up owning all of Embraer deal to settle their differences before March. month to meet urgent if the deal was approved The government plans to maintain a 3 percent spending obligations for the under the terms proposed. consumer inflation target for 2019 despite a recent first four months of 2019. But on Thursday, a softening in price rises, leaving some space for the Sirisena came to power in statement from his office government to stimulate weaker consumption. 2015 with the help of said his government had Data this week showed China’s consumer inflation Wickremesinghe’s United analysed the proposal and eased to 1.9 percent in December from 2.2 percent in National Party but personal and found that it “preserves November, below the government’s full-year target. political clashes came to a head (Brazil’s) sovereignty and The State Council Information Office did not before the October sacking. the national interests.” immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 2019 WORLD NEWS IRAN NEWS 7

TEHRAN - The Special Assistant to the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament for International Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a tweet has said Iran will send ‘a shocking message’ to Europe over commitment to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. ‘Having strong relations with Europe is a part of Iran’s foreign policy logics. But the Iran Not to Stay in JCPOA at Any Cost West should face a shock to realize we won’t remain in one-way tunnel of current JCPOA at any cost,’ Trend reports citing Amir-Abdollahian’s tweet.

What Is... FROM PAGE 1 Britain has always Mexican Ports See Bottlenecks as Fuel Distribution Slows been a pioneer in creating faiths, cults MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Bottlenecks for offloading imported fuel are forming at and groups, and in the some Mexican oil ports following government orders to shut pipelines to limit losses 1960s, they created a from widespread fuel theft, according to traders and Refinitiv Eikon data. group under the name With storage limited in Mexico, the decision by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of “hippies” which to shut pipelines and move fuel mostly by rail and truck has slowed transport, causing long was a youth movement lines for consumers and slowed deliveries at ports, where more than 7 million barrels of and persuaded youths fuel - enough for several days of use in Mexico - languish. worldwide to follow The crackdown on fuel theft, a crime that has drained billions of dollars from state their style. Creating rivalry of the Reds and the coffers and is blamed for rising violence in some regions, is the leftist president’s Blues in Iran soccer (Persepolis and Esteghlal) first major move against criminals and corruption since taking office in December, also has British roots which is to some extent but risks angering consumers and hurting the economy. aimed at promoting the colors of the Union Jack. Lines of drivers snaked from gas stations in Mexico City on Wednesday as the They also created Bahai Faith in order to create government crackdown on fuel theft led to panic purchases, despite assurances from rift and division between Shiites and then later Lopez Obrador that his efforts were succeeding. they created anti-Bahai Faith, Hojjatieh Society, Rocio Nahle, Mexico’s Energy Minister, said in an interview on Thursday that the she to confront Bahai Faith. At the same time, they had no information on port bottlenecks, but added that terminals are almost full and created Wahhabism among Sunnis to create rift inventory drainage from them is running slow as a portion of distribution is being made among them. Apart from their activities in by truck. “There is product. We are buying. Terminals are almost full, we have much religion field in Iran, they have been also focusing product and are moving it. (Transportation by truck) is slower than by pipeline,” she said. and involved in the political activities and our State-run Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) started building an inventory on Dec. 20 elders well remember it how the British penetrated in preparation for pipeline closures, Nahle said on Wednesday. She denied there was Pemex is producing some 200,000 barrels per day (bpd) of gasoline, in Tudeh Party and by tempting some members of fuel scarcity in Mexico, which is among the world’s top four importers of gasoline. Lopez Obrador said, slightly above November’s average of 171,700 bpd. the party, they created the split in the party. But fuel distribution to stations has slowed in recent days because of the switch to less “There’s enough fuel in the country,” Lopez Obrador said on Monday. He During Muhammad Reza Shah era, British empire efficient truck transportation. Backlogs of tankers bringing imported fuel have started said that retail domestic prices have not increased mostly because of lower considered Mohammad Reza Shah and his sister forming around Pemex’s maritime terminals, which are not draining inventories at their international prices. Ashraf as their subservient and were controlling the typical rhythm, also creating delays for tanker unloading, the traders said. But Pemex’s fuel production from January to November 2018 was 33 percent less politico-religious movements while the Americans As of Jan. 9, Mexico’s main port of entry for fuel imports, Pajaritos in the Gulf, than for all of 2017, and it has recently struggled to maintain refineries in service. were busy with expanding their influence among had 15 tankers waiting to discharge, some of them since December. The neighbouring To compensate for declining domestic fuel output, Pemex has ramped up imports. Iran’s political parties. Tuxpan terminal had 9 tankers waiting to discharge gasoline and other fuel, For last year through November, it purchased 975,200 bpd, about two-thirds of One of the British controls or dominances was including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), according to the Eikon data. Mexico’s consumption, compared with the 799,500 bpd it imported in 2016, which their penetration into the Mujahedeen Khalq The 24 vessels are jointly carrying about 7.2 million barrels of fuel, enough for represented 49 percent of consumption. Organization (MKO). They took the control of its nearly five days of consumption. As limitations to import fuel by vessel have grown, Some independent retailers that started operating in Mexico after reforms opening leadership and later they laid the foundation of Pemex’s trading arm PMI has tapped suppliers to secure fuel by rail from the United the energy sector are separately importing themselves. All the purchases are making Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution Organization States, one of the traders added. Mexico increasingly dependent on imported fuel, mostly from the United States. versus the MKO. They continued their activities by “PMI is securing as much by rail as possible, both for gasoline and ultra low sulphur But the country still only has enough storage capacity for three days of supporting establishment of Kargozaran Sazandegi diesel (ULSD). This is limited by the rail loading and unloading capabilities still in both consumption, causing bottlenecks to show up quickly. Party (Executives of Construction Party) and later the U.S. and Mexico,” the trader said. The company has had no problems finding suppliers “More vessels booked from U.S. West Coast refineries in December, are on the Justice and Development Party and some other in the United States, another trader said, adding that fuel shortages in some areas of way, causing more of a logjam. If the plan was to use trucks instead of pipelines to political groups. Mexico are not the result of fewer imports, but caused by domestic distribution hiccups. move product, it has failed,” one broker said. But for unity between Christian hardliners and Zionist Jews, they launched a new faith “Christian Zionism” or “Armageddonist”. The new faith was India to Work... Domestically... created and promoted in Europe and the U.S. and they have promoted it in several countries like the U.S. in FROM PAGE 1 FROM PAGE 1 the past five decades. Armageddonist is a fictitious faith which refers Iran is India’s third-largest oil supplier The two-day maneuvers are meant to boost the Iranian air force’s capabilities in defending the country’s airspace generally to end times or giant, apocalyptic behind Iraq and Saudi Arabia. It was against any possible aggression. catastrophes in various religions and cultures. This India’s second biggest supplier of crude oil The eighth edition of the annual drills, dubbed Defenders of Velayat Skies, began at Shahid Babaei Air Base in faith followers believe that the end time is when after Saudi Arabia till 2010-11 but Western Isfahan province on Thursday following days of preparations. Jesus Christ reappears on a land named Megiddo. sanctions over its suspected nuclear The maneuvers put to test dozens of bombers, hunter and interceptor jets as well as transport, refueling, Megiddo was the location of various ancient program relegated it to the seventh spot in reconnaissance and patrolling aircraft besides unmanned aerial vehicles. battles, including one in the 15th century BC and the subsequent years. In 2013-14 and Iran’s Army Air Force beings two-day military exercises, involving bombers, drones and missiles, to test its one in 609 BC. 2014-15, India bought 11 MT and 10.95 capabilities in defending the country’s airspace. Modern Megiddo is a town approximately MT, respectively from it. The war games featured Sukhoi Su-24, F-4 and F-7 Phantoms, MiG-29, F-14 jets, Boeing 707 and 7047 aerial 40 kilometers (25 mi) west-southwest of the Iranian oil is a lucrative buy for refiners refueling planes and C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, along with drones equipped with precision strike missiles southern tip of the Sea of Galilee in the Kishon as the Persian Gulf nation provides 60 and long-range smart bombs. River area in Israel. days of credit for purchases, a term not In the course of the drills, Iranian air forces will practice air-to-air shooting and shooting against aerial targets The followers of the faith believe that end time is available from substitute suppliers of as well as using smart, indigenous and upgraded bombs, he added. when Christ reappears and a nuclear war would break crude -- Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Over the past years, Iran has made major breakthroughs in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in out between his forces which is called “Virtue” and Nigeria, and the US. producing military equipment and hardware despite sanctions and economic pressures on the country. forces which are called “Vice” who are enemies of Bilateral trade between India and Iran Israel and the U.S. which is known as Armageddon increased to $13.8 billion in 2017-18 from battle. In this all-out battle, billions of people lose $12.9 billion in the previous fiscal. South Korea... their lives and finally “Virtue” will overcome the However, India’s exports were only worth FROM PAGE 1 Vice” and a new global ruling will be formed by $2.5 billion to that country. Talking about Christ, and security and happy life for 1000 years will trade with China, he said India has a Thanks to this strategy, South Korea was among eight Iranian oil importers that were granted six-month sanction dominate the world by savior of the world “Christ”. “historical trade deficit” with the waivers in November, alongside India, China, Japan, and Italy. In the same month, after the announcement of the So according to this faith, Israel is the land of neighboring country. He, however, said waivers, S&P Global Platts reported, citing unnamed sources, that South Korea would resume Iranian crude oil reappearance of Christ and for this reason it is called there is a significant progress to export imports at a rate of about 4 million barrels a month. “Sacred and Promised Land” and it is revered by all products like pharmaceuticals and rice According to the new Reuters report, South Korea could import up to 200,000 bpd of Iranian crude, most of U.S. governments and all U.S. presidents are actually to China. it’s the superlight grade called condensate: the country was Iran’s biggest condensate buyer before the sanctions and its third-largest importer of oil. members of this fake faith. Buying Iranian oil will likely be cautious, however: even with the waivers, Washington has made it clear it Actually this faith has been inspired by Shiites’ U.S. Oil... expected its allies to eventually reduce their intake of Iranian crude to zero, replacing it with crude from other belief about the savior and reappearance of their twelfth Imam Mahdi (A) but misused in order to FROM PAGE 1 sources, including from the United States. While some would probably do their best to comply, others, such as India, perhaps won’t be able to afford such a move: New Delhi recently launched a supposedly sanction-proof continue looting the countries and people. In the U.S., most wealth and power centers are believers But we are interested to come very much payments system for Iranian crude. of this faith. down in numbers to limit our presence to Have a look at the remarks of the U.S. presidents in the absolute minimum and absolute this regard: Jimmy Carter is the first Christian Zionist necessary. That’s the closest I can tell Iran Crude... who stepped into the White House. In one of his about our intents there,” the Russian FROM PAGE 1 speeches in a Zionist synagogue he said,” Our deputy foreign minister said. relation with Israeli people is more than an especial Ryabkov also commented on Israel’s A restrained level of Iranian shipments would assist the new global push to cut oil supply in 2019 led by the relation. It is the issue of alliance and penetration of “preoccupation” with Iran’s presence in Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, from which Iran is exempt, and lend support to oil prices. Jewish religious culture in Christianity and we have Syria, saying the Israeli view “to some “We are forecasting slightly more than December, but not massive,” said a source at another company that something like ethical, religious and cultural unity extent overshadows the actual reality on monitors Iranian shipments, putting the month-on-month rise at below 50,000 bpd. with you, the Jews.” the ground. For example, the presence of Iranian exports are higher if condensate, a type of light oil, is counted as well as crude. Kpler, another company Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan said, “I wish terrorists, or some migration that happens that tracks oil flows, put Iranian crude and condensate exports at 1.35 million bpd in December. God gives this honor to me in order that I become the through this region as well.” Tracking Iranian exports has become harder since the sanctions began as ships switch off tracking systems, one who pushes the button for fire of nuclear missile Ryabkov said Moscow is very aware of industry sources say, keeping some of the shipments hidden. for start of the Armageddon battle. Georg Bush Jr. the “equipment” being transferred Wall Street rallies for 5th day said,” We are hands of God on the earth to materialize to Hezbollah, which is why Russian According to Refinitiv Eikon data, shipments including condensate plunged to about 650,000 bpd in December, His objectives and we are to destroy evil forces and military police are patrolling in areas although such figures are probably not counting all the tankers that switch off their AIS tracking signal. axis of evil countries (Iran, Iraq and North Korea). in southern Syria. Some buyers that stayed away in November are returning. Turkey has resumed imports of Iranian oil With such justifications and reasons, the U.S. is The Russian deputy foreign minister after a one-month hiatus in November, Reuters reported on Tuesday, at a volume less than half of the more hardliner, fanatic and religious than any added that the efforts by the United pre-sanctions amount. other country in the world and it threatens its Nations to solve the Syrian crisis could Shipments were at least 2.5 million bpd in April, the month before U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew the rivals and enemies with destruction, and it is more have been more vigorous. United States from a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and reimposed sanctions. Israeli than Israelis. Mourinho Returns IRAN NEWS Austin Banned for Licence Holder: Sokhan Gostar Institute Two Games To Football Switchboard: E-Mail Address: UBAI (Dispatches) - Jose Mourinho has secured his first ONDON (Dispatches) - Southampton striker Charlie (+98) (21) 44253448 [email protected] job since being sacked as Manchester United coach after Austin has been suspended for two matches after making D Public Relations Tel: ISSN 1024-6053 L joining BeIN Sports as a pundit, the broadcaster announced P.O. Box: 15875-8551 an offensive gesture towards Manchester City fans. (+98)(21) 44253450 on Thursday. Address: No 13, Pajouhesh St., Austin admitted making the two-fingered action as he was Editorial Board: 44253449 ‘The Special One’ will be an analyst for Chelsea’s Golestan II St, Golestan St.Marzdaran substituted in the second half of Southampton’s 3-1 defeat Premier League trip to Arsenal on January 19 as well as Public Relations Fax: Blvd., Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran against City at St Mary’s in December. Qatar and Saudi Arabia’s Asian Cup group-stage tie on (+98)(21) 44253395 Printed by:Honar Sarzmin Sabz “The striker admitted his gesture in or around the 68th January 17 on the Qatari channel’s broadcasts in the Advertising Department: Distributed by: minute of the game against Manchester City on 30 December Middle East and North Africa. Tel/Fax:(+98) (21) 44253335-9/44253234 Cities of Iran Cultural and 2018 was abusive and/or insulting,” an FA statement read. Website: Artistic Institute http://www.irannewsdaily.com Managing Director: Fereydoon Taherpour Asl

8 IRAN NEWS SPORTS SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 2019 Barty Storms Into Spurs outlast Murray to Retire, Australian Sydney Final Open Could Be Last Event YDNEY (Dispatches) - Australia’s Ashleigh Barty YDNEY (Dispatches) - Sclaimed another top 10 scalp to power into the Thunder 154-147 SA tearful Andy Murray Sydney International final on Friday as she heads on Friday announced he towards the Australian Open as one of the form players. would likely retire this year The 22-year-old is on a hot run, stretching her due to severe pain from a unbeaten streak to seven matches dating back to her hip injury, saying next career’s biggest title at the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai. week’s Australian Open She had to dig deep to scramble past world could be the last tournament number nine and seventh seed Kiki Bertens (6-7 of a glittering career. (4/7), 6-4, 7-5) and will play either 2015 champion The former world Petra Kvitova or Belarusian qualifier Aliaksandra number one and three-time Sasnovich in the decider. Grand Slam winner broke “It’s amazing. It really has been a phenomenal week of down at a press conference tennis,” said the 15th ranked Barty, who also made the in Melbourne as he said final last year. “I feel like I’ve played great all week and the pain had become almost unbearable. have had tough opponents every single round and I’m “I can play with limitations. But having the really excited to have another shot at the title.” limitations and the pain is not allowing me to enjoy Barty had already accounted for world number one competing or training,” the emotional Scot said. Simona Halep and former French Open champion Thirty-one-year-old “Sir Andy” said he would like Jelena Ostapenko before beating 10th seeded to finish at his home Grand Slam in Wimbledon, but Belgian Elise Mertens in the quarter-finals. ruefully admitted he might not make it that far. She came into the match with the advantage of He will be remembered as the first British man to win having twice beaten Dutch star Bertens previously, Wimbledon in 77 years and as a player who battled his including as recently as last August in Montreal. World way to the top in a golden era for the game alongside number eight Kvitova will face Sasnovich later in the Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. other semi-final, the same woman who knocked her OS ANGELES (Dispatches) - LaMarcus Aldridge Heat 115, Celtics 99 out of Wimbledon in the opening round last year. Lpoured in a career-high 56 points, and Derrick White had Dwyane Wade scored a team-high 19 points off the bench The Belarusian might be a qualifier in Sydney but a huge bucket, a blocked shot and a steal late in the second as host Miami ended Boston’s winning streak at four. Kyrie has previously reached two WTA finals, including in overtime as the San Antonio Spurs outlasted the visiting Irving led all scorers with 22 points for Boston, which also DNA Request Made in Brisbane last year, and has five top 10 career wins. Oklahoma City Thunder 154-147 on Thursday. Even with had its streak of least 30 assists end at five games. Miami On the men’s side, another exciting young Aldridge’s performance and a record showing by the Spurs had a season-high 33 assists -- 13 more than Boston. Cristiano Ronaldo Rape Case Australian Alex de Minaur has France’s Gilles from beyond the arc (hitting their first 14 3-point attempts), The Heat had six double-figure scorers, including Simon standing between him and the final, with the Oklahoma City never wavered. The Thunder tied the game Josh Richardson with 18 points. Justise Winslow EW YORK (Dispatches) pair meeting on Friday night. at 130 on a layup by Jerami Grant off a Russell Westbrook added 13 and a game-high and career-high 11 assists. N- Las Vegas police assist with 5.6 seconds to play in regulation. The Celtics got 18 points from Marcus Smart and 17 have asked soccer star Ramsey Set to Cash in Aldridge finished 16 of 16 from the free-throw line, and points each from Marcus Morris and Jayson Tatum. Cristiano Ronaldo to the Spurs made their final 23 foul shots to end up 26 of 29. Miami outscored Boston 17-4 in the final 3:07 of the submit a DNA sample as Aldridge made 20 of 33 field-goal attempts. White added first half and took a 61-43 lead into the break – the largest part of their investigation With Juventus Move 23 points for San Antonio. Westbrook had his 13th triple- halftime edge for the Heat since November. And an 11-3 into rape allegations made ONDON (Dispatches) - Arsenal midfielder double of the season, with 24 points, 13 rebounds and a run to start the third quarter pushed the lead to 72-46. against him. LAaron Ramsey is set to seal a money-spinning career-high 24 assists, also a season high in the NBA. Paul But Boston scored the next 16 points, with Tatum The Juventus forward move to Italian champions Juventus when his George led the Thunder with 30 points, while Grant getting six of them – all from the foul line. Wade made a has vehemently denied the contract expires with the Gunners in the summer, finished with a career-high 25 points and 12 rebounds 3-pointer to stop the run, and scored eight points in the accusations -- with his according to reports on Thursday. before fouling out midway through the second overtime. final 3:47 of the quarter as the Heat took an 83-72 lead. lawyer, Peter Christiansen, The Welsh international will bring an end to 10 years at telling AFP the request Arsenal at the end of the season after talks over a new deal Nuggets 121, Clippers 100 Kings 112, Pistons 102 was standard procedure. broke down with the Premier League giants in September. Nikola Jokic finished with his second consecutive triple- Buddy Hield, De’Aaron Fox and Iman Shumpert hit “Mr Ronaldo has always maintained, as he does According to The Guardian, Ramsey will become double -- 18 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists -- and Jamal 3-pointers in a 13-2, game-opening flurry, and host today, that what occurred in Las Vegas in 2009 was Juventus’ second-highest earner behind Cristiano Murray scored 23 points as host Denver beat Los Angeles. Sacramento never trailed while handing Detroit its consensual in nature, so it is not surprising that DNA Ronaldo by signing a five-year deal worth £140,000 Mason Plumlee had 17 points and 12 rebounds, and Malik fourth straight loss. would be present, nor that the police would make this ($179,000) a week (£7.2m a season). Beasley scored 15 points for Denver, which has won seven Hield led seven Kings in double figures with a very standard request as part of their investigation,” he Ramsey, 28, is already free to sign a pre-contract of its past eight games. On Tuesday, Jokic put up 29 points, game-high 18 points. Sacramento took advantage said in a statement. The Las Vegas Metropolitan agreement with foreign clubs and had been courted 11 rebounds and 10 assists as the Nuggets won at Miami. of Pistons standout Blake Griffin having the night Police Department said it had made an official request by a number of big names with Bayern Munich, Tobias Harris had 18 points and 11 rebounds for the off to rest with an emotional meeting with his to Italian authorities, adding it is “taking the same Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan Clippers. Lou Williams scored 19 points, and Danilo former team, the Los Angeles Clippers, set for steps in this case as in any other sexual assault to also reportedly interested. Gallinari had 18 against his former team. Saturday afternoon. facilitate the collection of DNA evidence.” Figo, Kaka Seek Tennis Promise of Football in Match-Fixing Gang Cricket-Mad Pakistan Dismantled in Spain SLAMABAD (Dispatches) - Portuguese great Luis ADRID (Dispatches) - Spanish police have IFigo and Brazilian star Kaka Thursday vowed to help Mdismantled a gang that allegedly fixed professional develop the “great promise” of football in Pakistan, a tennis matches, detaining 15 people and probing 68 country obsessed with cricket and twice banned from others including players, one of whom competed in last international soccer. year’s U.S. Open, they said Thursday. The two legends -- who both played for Spanish In a statement, the Civil Guard police force said the club Real Madrid -- are in Pakistan for a day-long organization bribed tennis players to fix matches in ITF visit as part of the World Soccer Stars tour, aimed at Futures and Challenger tournaments, the lower levels grooming nascent talent through exhibition matches of the professional game where younger players start and coaching clinics. out before reaching the ATP and WTA Tours. The 2000 Ballon d’Or winner Figo, wielding a cricket bat in a nod to the game’s popularity in Pakistan, told The Civil Guard added the operation kicked off after reporters in the southern port city of Karachi that he was “excited” to be there. the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU), an anti-corruption tennis body, made an official complaint. “There is a great promise of football in Pakistan so we are here to help develop the game,” said Figo, It did not identify those detained or being probed but said one of them played in the last US Open. It is unclear who also played for Barcelona before retiring in 2009. whether the player is among the arrested or investigated. Kaka, himself carrying a cricket ball, said the pair were “committed” to promoting football globally. Reports in Spain claimed the Spanish player Marc Fornell-Mestres, ranked 236th in 2007, was one of the leaders “We ... have a good impression of Pakistan,” added the 2007 Ballon d’Or winner, who also played for AC Milan of the organization. and retired in 2017. Fornell-Mestres was handed a provisional suspension from the sport at the end of last year following an Pakistan boasted a top 10 place in Asian football until the early 1970s, but a lack of government support and poor investigation into what the TIU described as “alleged breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program.” infrastructure have seen them sink to 199 in the FIFA rankings. Pakistan was banned in 1995 and again in 2017 over violating According to the EU police agency, Europol, “the suspects bribed professional players to guarantee pre-determined FIFA’s rule that all federations must be free of any government and judicial interference in their respective countries. results and used the identities of thousands of citizens to bet on the pre-arranged game.”