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16 Pages Price 10,000 Rials 39th year No.13146 Sunday JULY 1, 2018 Tir 10, 1397 Shawwal 17, 1439 General hails Pakistan Relations between Ankara We deserved more Deputy culture minister for not joining and Washington will remain at World Cup: criticizes Reuters for anti-Yemen coalition 2 tense: Turkish expert 7 Masoud Shojaei 15 ‘biased’ report on Iran 16

Lower end price main target in production: industry min. By Mahnaz Abdi Value-added tax and production taxes TEHRAN — “Our main target in the field should be removed, he said, adding that of production is reducing the end price of funding the projects is also one of the products in the current year, which is the main factors affecting the end price as year of Support for Iranian Products”, Ira- some production units cannot use their nian Industry, Mining and Trade Minister working capital. Mohammad Shariatmadari announced in a “We can allocate subsidy from the gen- press conference on Saturday. Improving eral budget to the loans interest rates and the quality of products is also of great end price will be reduced in this way”, he importance in this due, the minister added. noted. 4

Iran’s ensemble of Sasanian cities gets UNESCO world heritage status HERITAGE TEHRAN — The UN The dossier gained approval despite deskcultural organization containing some defects already men- added an ensemble of Sasanian historical tioned by the International Council on cities in southern Iran to its world heritage Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), the list, bringing the number of heritage sites report added. in the country to 22. Titled “Sassanid Archaeological Land- The World Heritage Committee voted scape of Fars Region”, the property comprises in favor of the privilege on Saturday during several Sasanian-era (224–651) sites, namely See page 2 its 42nd session, which is being held in Bishapour, Firouzabad and Sarvestan that Establishment Manama, Mehr reported. are located in Fars province. 10 The three top officials mull ways to counter U.S. economic threats POLITICS TEHRAN — President analyzed ways to withstand against pos- and nation can’t be desk Hassan Rouhani, Ju- sible U.S. sanctions and how to offset the diciary Chief Sadeq Amoli Larijani and impact of sanctions on the livelihood of Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani met on the people, IRNA reported. Saturday to study the country’s economic They also stressed the importance of situation and draw up plans to counter a “serious measure” within the country’s threats posed by the U.S. against the Ira- legal system to fight money laundering and nian economy. terrorism financing as well as expanding

khamenei.ir separated The three heads of the government banking cooperation with other countries. EDITORIAL U.S. new sanctions on Iran favors objectives of Israel: Bill Fletcher ARTICLE Mohammad Ghaderi Some Europeans will certainly buckle but the Engin Firat Tehran Times editor-in-chief EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Sport analyst By Javad Heirannia question is whether Iran can make up the dif- @ghaderi62 ference via a relationship with China and other TEHRAN — Bill Fletcher, Jr., co-founder of the states that deeply need oil. Center for Labor Renewal says U.S. new sanctions U.S. announced that the other countries Iran’s last deadline on Iran are “aimed at appeasing Trump’s base should cut importing oil from Iran until Novem- Team Melli could be and placing pressure on the Iranian regime in ber. If Iran could not export its oil do you think to Europe for connection with issues other than the nuclear will stay in the agreement? the surprise of the controversy.” A: This is a complicated question because it is preserving JCPOA Former president of Trans Africa Forum also far from clear that Iran is prepared to go to war tournament adds that “Among other things, this favors the with the USA and/or Israel. What would be a igh Representative of the Euro- objectives of the Israeli political elite.” favors the objectives of the Israeli political elite. more effective strategy on the part of the Iranian he Players of Team Melli showed a pean Union for Foreign Affairs Following is the full text on the interview It is true that U.S. sanction after its with- regime would be to create instability rather than brave performance in Russia and Hand Security Policy “Federica What is your assessment about U.S. new drawal from JCPOA is unilaterally, but U.S. can a direct break. Tearned the respect of the football Mogherini has announced that the Eu- sanction on Iran? Some argue that these new impose its will on the other countries by imposing According new developments about JCPOA, world. rope’s package of proposals for preserving sanction will not effective as last sanctions that penalty on their corporations such as European what is your prediction about this agreement? Of course, there was also critics about the nuclear deal will soon be delivered impose before JCPOA. What do you think? ones and they oblige to give up Iran market. Then A: I believe that most of the signatories the defensive football style of Iran, but to the Iranian authorities. The pack- A: The new sanctions are inexcusable. There actually JCPOA will not fulfill Iranian goals. What sincerely wish to keep the agreement in effect. this was the only way to get result. age is scheduled to be submitted to the is absolutely no evidence that Iran has broken is your opinion? Though Iran is playing a terrible role in Syria, Iran played highly physical in their diplomatic system and foreign policy the deal. The sanctions are aimed at appeasing A: The Trump administration is attempting to it has stayed true to the nuclear agreements. It pressing game and aimed to destroy the apparatus of our country for less than Trump’s base and placing pressure on the Iranian blackmail other countries, particularly Western would be wise for the Iranians to prepare their rival possession game. 24 hours to be carefully analyzed. In regime in connection with issues other than the Europe, into ending their economic relationship air defenses against any possible provocative In the first match, Iran controlled the this regard, there are some points that nuclear controversy. Among other things, this with Iran. It is far from clear that this will work. attack or suggestion of attack. match and tried to use their dangerous need to be taken into consideration: counter-attack players. But we saw that 1.The examination of the Europe’s Team Melli couldn’t use the counter-at- package of proposals based on our “na- Blaming Iran for the sufferings of Yemenis is laughable tack like they wanted. Therefore the main tional interest” is the most important point By M.A.Saki fully laid bare during his speech at the Heritage of the Yemenis to Iran can never hide the crimes attack plan was to use free-kicks. And Iran that should be diligently considered at Mike Pompeo, the U.S. secretary of states, claimed Foundation on May 21 in Washington. being committed by the Saudi-led coalition. used all free-kicks for dangerous set pieces this critical period. Unfortunately, after on June 28 that Iran is “prolonging suffering of It is quite clear to the entire world that it is In addition to efforts to demonize Iran, Pom- and both goals of the tournament resulted the conclusion of the Joint Comprehen- the Yemeni people” by supporting Houthi rebels. Saudi Arabia and the UAE - the United States’ peo probably wants to facilitate and justify the after free-kicks. sive Plan of Action (JCPOA), European The new U.S. leadership is resorting to every close friends - which have created human tragedy sale of more arms to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Iran have been using highly compact countries, especially the European troika, ploys and lies to demonize Iran. The new pro- in Yemen by strangulating and starving millions Pompeo’s boss, Donald Trump, who has a covet- block defense in World Cup with no pres- haven’t made a good record in maintaining ject of Iranophobia has intensified since Pompeo of people in the poor Arab country. Maybe it is the ous eye on the immense wealth of Saudi Arabia ence in the rival half. the nuclear deal. The accompaniment of confirmed as secretary of state in late April. He easiest way to blame Iran for what Washington’s and the UAE, should be happy with the war on With such a coverage it had been Angela Merkel, Theresa May and Emma- seems to be superseding in animosity against friends have been doing. Yemen because he wants to sell more and more difficult for their opponents to build nuel Macron with Trump’s illegitimate Iran in comparison to John Bolton, the national How can Iran, even if it wanted, to help Yem- “beautiful” weapons to these two wealthy states a dangerous attack. Especially against demands for “changing the JCPOA” won’t security advisor to Trump. eni rebels while the country is besieged by the in order to say that he is creating jobs in the Spain all players of Iran were full in be easily forgotten! Pompeo’s degree of hatred toward Iran was Saudi-led alliance. Attempts to link the miseries United States. 2 defense duties. Iniesta, Costa and Sil- Meanwhile, over the past 15 years, va found themselves stuck in between the European troika has had a rather Iran’s defense lines being isolated from bad record in fulfilling the statements of their teammates. Saad Abad and Paris. Hence, we can’t be Sepehri painting Both central backs, Morteza Poura- optimistic about the Europe’s package liganji and Majid Hosseini, showed a of proposals for Tehran. The truth is sells over $1.2 great performance, especially against that a rigorous and exact review of this Diego Costa and C. Ronaldo. package will to a great extent guaran- In the last match we saw a big fight. The tee Iran’s rights (based on the nuclear million at Team Melli boys fought like real patriots. agreement). They wanted to use the chance to advance 2. At this critical period and in record-breaking to the next round. reviewing the European’s proposals, And with a little bit luck Iran could be it is necessary for our country’s of- Tehran Auction the surprise of the tournament. ficials to make a strategic, rational Of course not everything was and determined distinction between ARTTEHRAN – A paint- perfect. the two words of “commitment” and desking of an oasis by Sohr- Iran’s major problem was lack of at- “guarantee”. Undoubtedly, the Islamic ab Sepehri sold for 51 billion rials (over tacking partnership and support. Sardar Republic of Iran is not calling for the $1.2 million based on the dollar’s official Azmoun was alone and isolated. “repeat of Europe’s commitments on market exchange rate i.e. 42,000 rials for I am also surprised about the critics the JCPOA” over the next months, but Asghar Khamseh $1) the highest price for any work sold at on Azmoun. He fought like a real patriot seeking a guarantee of objectivity in Iran’s emerging art market, the Tehran in every match for his team. This way it is these commitments. It should not be Auction announced on Saturday. normal that he couldn’t show his quali- forgotten that not only during Trump’s The artwork also broke the Tehran ties with ball. Serdar Azmoun is the best presidency, but also during Obama’s Auction record, which an untitled work central forward in Asia, doesn’t matter time, the European troika refused to Tehran Times/ from Sepehri’s Tree Trunk series es- who criticize him. take effective steps to prevent the ban tablished in July 2017 by fetching 31 Team Melli showed us again that you Sohrab Sepehri’s top seller painting fetched over $1.2 million during the Tehran Auction at the Parsian on the European banks to have con- billion rials. 16 don’t need Big Stars to show that your nections with Iran. 13 Azadi Hotel on June 29, 2018. Team is a Star! I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS JULY 1, 2018 MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS General hails FATF continues to suspend Pakistan for not joining anti- sanctions on Iran Yemen coalition POLITICS TEHRAN — The Finan- ing unlicensed money/value transfer service deskcial Action Task Force providers; (6) ratifying and implementing the POLITICS TEHRAN — The Islamic Revolution (FATF) announced on Friday that the or- Palermo and TF Conventions and clarifying deskGuards Corps deputy chief on Saturday ganization will continue suspension of coun- the capability to provide mutual legal assis- commended Pakistan’s “wise” and “brave” decision not ter-measures against Iran by October 2018. tance; (7) ensuring that financial institutions to join the anti-Yemen coalition led by Saudi Arabia, “The FATF is disappointed with Iran’s verify that wire transfers contain complete Mehr reported. failure to implement its action plan to ad- originator and beneficiary information; (8) “The calamities occurring across the region today are all dress its significant AML/CFT deficiencies. establishing a broader range of penalties for the product of the U.S. and the Zionist regime’s atrocities,” Given the Iranian government’s continued violations of the ML offense; and (9) en- Brigadier General Hossein Salami said in a meeting in Tehran efforts to finalize and pass amendments to its suring adequate legislation and procedures with Chief of General Staff of Pakistan Army Bilal Akbar. AML and CFT laws, the FATF decided at its to provide for confiscation of property of “Muslims are all aboard the same ship, and if one meeting this week to continue the suspension corresponding value. Muslim country is hurt, it puts the entire Islamic world of counter-measures,” the organization said Iran’s presidential chief of staff Mahmoud at risk; therefore, we need to take the interests of our own in a statement. Vaezi said on Wednesday that the Rouhani country and the Islamic Ummah into constant consid- “We expect Iran to enact amendments to administration is not trying to join the FATF. eration,” Salami remarked. its AML and CFT laws and ratify the Palermo Leader of the Islamic Revolution Aya- and TF Conventions in full compliance with tollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on June the FATF Standards by October 2018, other- 20 that parliament should pass legislation ‘Steps taken wise, the FATF will decide upon appropriate to combat money laundering according to and necessary actions at that time.” its own criteria. to counter The statement also said that Iran should “As we have stated about some ‘internation- fully address its remaining action items, al conventions recently raised in the Majlis,’ chemical, including by: (1) adequately criminalizing the Islamic Consultative Assembly, which is nuclear dangers’ terrorist financing, including by removing the assets in line with the relevant United Nations pendence of the Financial Intelligence Unit cultivated, matured and prudent, must make exemption for designated groups “attempting Security Council resolutions; (3) ensuring and requiring the submission of STRs for laws independently on issues such as combat- POLITICS TEHRAN — Director of the Civil De- to end foreign occupation, colonialism and an adequate and enforceable customer due attempted transactions; (5) demonstrating ing terrorism or battling money-laundering,” deskfense Organization said on Saturday that racism”; (2) identifying and freezing terrorist diligence regime; (4) ensuring the full inde- how authorities are identifying and sanction- the leader.ir quoted him as saying. necessary predictions are being made in order to boost the country’s infrastructure to counter chemical and nuclear dangers throughout the country. Leader: Establishment and nation can’t be separated “There are nuclear centers as well as nuclear and chemical medical centers in some cities such as Tehran which can Ayatollah Khamenei urges strong links between people and ruling system cause danger,” Brigadier General Gholam Reza Jalali said, POLITICS TEHRAN — Leader of the Islamic Rev- He attached great importance to “patience” and “piety” Tasnim reported. deskolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said to counter the enemies’ plots. “Patience” and “resistance” “So, we have to be prepared for possible incidents… We on Saturday that the U.S. is seeking to cause division are required to reach causes of the Islamic Revolution, Aya- have plans to build units in different cities and organizations between the people and the establishment, suggesting tollah Khamenei added. to counter such threats,” he added. strong links between the people and the system to neu- The Leader also described “national confidence” and “the tralize the plot. people’s influence on all affairs of the country” as elements “Enemy’s plan is to cause division and separation between of the Islamic republic’s power. the people and system which shows their stupidity, because The real power should be based on “independence” and EU has not yet they do not know that the Islamic republic system is nothing “freedom”, he noted. but the Iranian nation and these two cannot be separated,” He said that the U.S. has spared no efforts to take “evil” offered package Leader said during a ceremony held for the student officers actions against Iran but could not do a damn thing and this to save JCPOA: and guards trainees at the Imam Hussain Academy. proves that Iran is a powerful country. The Leader urged the officials to raise awareness to pro- Ayatollah Khamenei also said that the U.S. has formed Iran tect national integrity given the enemy’s plot to cause rift a regional coalition to counter Iran. The U.S. is seeking to cause POLITICS TEHRAN — Foreign Ministry spokes- between the people and the system. “The U.S. has increased animosity towards Iran due to deskman Bahram Qassemi said on Saturday He also noted, “Surrendering will definitely cost higher division between the people the Islamic republic system’s power and progress, however, he cannot confirm a report that claims the European Union than resistance... and achievements in resisting are hundreds the Iranian nation’s hatred towards the U.S. has also been has presented a package to Iran convince it to remain in of times more than cost of surrendering.” and the establishment. deepened,” he said. the nuclear deal following the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 accord. Russia: Unilateral moves on Iran deal Blaming Iran for the sufferings of According to the official website of Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Qassemi said so far no economic package has been offered undercut international law Yemenis is laughable by the EU to the Iranian side, adding the European states are still engaged in the final rounds of their talks on the package. “Definitely, we will announce and begin examining the package’s content as soon as we receive it,” he remarked.

Firouznia named Iran’s new ambassador to Beirut POLITICS TEHRAN — Mohammad-Jalal Firouznia deskhas been named as Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, replacing Mohamad Fathali, whose tenure has Unilateral steps to disrupt major interna- According to the Russian security chief, 1 However, Pompeo and other coalition, despite support by the U.S., come to an end. tional agreements indicate clear evidence against this background, there is the need hawks in the U.S. cannot fool the public has not only failed to defeat Yemenis According to ISNA, Firouznia has served as Iran’s am- of efforts aimed at undermining inter- to ensure strict compliance with interna- opinion about the realities of the Yemen it has also made them more resilient bassador to Yemen, Bahrain and Malaysia. national law, Russia’s Security Council tional law, the goals and principles of the war. The people around the world know and stronger. He also served as the director general of the Persian Gulf secretary said at a Friday meeting with UN Charter, including sovereign equality that it was Saudi Arabia that started History is a great lesson. If the United office at the Foreign Ministry. top representatives of BRICS countries and non-interference in domestic affairs the war against Yemen in March 2015 States, along with a support by NATO, At the end of his four-year term, Fathali met with top overseeing security issues. of other states, and also build on collective and it is Saudi Arabia along with it coa- after 17 years had succeeded to bring Lebanese officials to say farewell. He will be on his way to “Member-states of BRICS (Brazil, approaches and defend the principles of lition partners which erroneously think the Taliban to its knees in Afghanistan Tehran very soon. Russia, India, China, and South Africa) indivisibility of the international system. that they should pound Yemen until it then it could have been imagined that need to work out joint responses to to- “The attempts at using double stand- surrenders. the Saudi-led coalition may one day win day’s tough challenges. Among them are ards and unilateral measures of influ- If the U.S. had been really concerned over the Yemenis. Now it is the U.S. mounting tensions and confrontation, ence in violation of the fundamental about the sufferings of the Yemenis it which is begging talks with the Taliban 122 arrested in the rising use of force, the erosion of the statutes and regulations, and moreover would have put pressure on Saudi Arabia but the Taliban reject it. system of international law, and neglect- military force, are unacceptable,” the to end the war. The irony is that the U.S. People familiar with the Yemeni Tehran province ing multilateral structures, including the top security official noted. itself is an accomplice in this tragedy. society say that the people in this poor for disrupting United Nations, which is particularly clear “We should create a united front in the It not only sells arms to Saudi Arabia country are even more battle-hardened given the background of unilateral actions fight against the drive by certain states and its coalition partners, it also shares than Afghans who fought the Soviets in economy aimed at undermining major internation- to preserve hegemony in global affairs intelligence with them and refuels their the 1980s and finally made the Soviets al agreements,” Nikolai Patrushev said, at the expense of other countries,” Pa- fighter jets in mid-air. to leave the country in disgrace. POLITICS TEHRAN — Secretary of the commission TASS reported. trushev stressed. Pompeo also claimed that Iran’s sup- In the light of these facts vicious at- deskto combat smuggling of goods and foreign “I mean the Joint Comprehensive Plan of “Amid surging global and regional tur- port for Houthis has enabled Yemen to tempts by Pompeo to fault Iran for the currency in Tehran Province said on Saturday that 122 people Action on the Iranian nuclear program and bulence, BRICS acts as a crucial stabilizing launch attacks on Saudi Arabia and the human tragedy in Yemen are flawed, have been arrested since the start of the Iranian calendar year Middle East peace policies,” he emphasized. factor in global affairs,” he pointed out. UAE. This statement shows the Saudi-led lamentable and also laughable. (starting March 21) for disrupting the commodity market and currency value in Tehran. Vali Pour-Ahmadnejad said the offenders have been hand- ‘Ministerial summit on JCPOA under consideration’ ed to relevant judicial bodies, Pana news agency reported. Arranging a summit of foreign ministers on the Joint out of the deal,” Ulyanov continued. He also said during this time 148,000 fake dollars were Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – the official for “This situation is of a specific nature, because the JCPOA confiscated which led the police to discover millions more the Iran nuclear agreement - is currently on the agenda, could easily be realized without the U.S.’ participation, if of fake dollars before being sold at the market. Russia’s permanent representative to international or- not for the extraterritorial sanctions threatened by the ganizations in Vienna has said, the TASS news agency Americans. It is a serious issue, which undermines the reported on Friday. efforts of other countries aimed at saving the so-called nu- EU examining “During the latest extraordinary meeting of the JCPOA clear deal. The future will show the extent of their success.” member states, which took place in Vienna on May 25, The Russian envoy noted that maintaining this deal is ways to cooperate the first one without the U.S., the Iranian side asked for a highly important. ministerial meeting,” Mikhail Ulyanov said. “The JCPOA is a very fragile and, in its own way, brilliant with Iran: Dutch “According to the JCPOA, if such a request is made, compromise,” he stressed. “If the JCPOA is followed, all diplomat the coordinators - in this case, the EU takes on the role our concerns over the Iran’s nuclear program will go away, of coordinators - must ensure that the meeting is held. It is unclear when it will take place, but it must happen.” because if we implement the additional protocol to the POLITICS TEHRAN — Dutch Deputy Foreign Min- However, it is not that easy to find a date that would suit all “First and foremost, the Iranians are interested in the safeguards agreement with the IAEA (International Atomic deskister for Economic Affairs Martin Van den five ministers (from Russia, China, the UK, Germany and measures that the remaining JCPOA members can actually Energy Agency), we will be able to effectively control Iran’s Berg has voiced regret over U.S. exit from the multilateral France), which is why this issue is still under consideration. implement in order to compensate for the U.S. backing nuclear activity, with no need for any additional deals.” nuclear deal, saying the European Union is examining ways to cooperate with Iran after the U.S. move. Van den Berg made the remarks on Saturday in a meeting Iran says U.S. unilateral moves threaten intl. peace with Iran’s chamber of commerce chief Gholam Hossein POLITICS TEHRAN — Iranian “The U.S. unilateral policies and viola- a meeting with Venezuelan Foreign Min- position in countering hegemonic policies. Shafei, who had visited the Netherlands at the invitation desk of the European country’s officials. Deputy Foreign Minister tion of international pacts, especially the ister Jorge Arreaza in Caracas, Mehr news On May 8, President Donald Trump of- In the meeting, the two sides exchanged views about the Morteza Sarmadi who was on a tour of Lat- JCPOA [the Joint Comprehensive Plan of agency reported on Saturday. ficially withdrew the U.S. from the UN-en- current situation and prospect of the economic ties between in America has said that the U.S. unilateral Action], are manifestations of hegemonic Sarmadi said it is necessary to counter dorsed nuclear agreement, known as the Joint the two countries, Tasnim reported. policies are a threat to international peace policies and are threat against interna- the U.S. policies. Comprehensive Plan of Action, and plans to and security. tional peace and security,” he said during For his part, Arreaza supported Iran’s reintroduce sanctions on Iran. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JULY 1, 2018 INTERNATIONAL Syrian army advances against terrorists U.S. ambassador to Estonia in Dara’a; Israel raises alert in Golan resigns in disgust after by staff & agencies Trump anti-Europe rants The Syrian army has managed to wrest control over several towns and villages in the strategic southern Dara’a Prov- ince, leading Israel to raise its alert level in the bordering Golan Heights. Syria’s official SANA news agency reported on Friday that the army had retaken al-Herak, Rakham, al-Soura, Alma, al-Mliha al-Sharqia and al-Mliha al-Gharbia in Dara’a coun- tryside, killing scores of Takfiri terrorists. The Syrian military’s engineering units later started to dismantle mines and improvised explosive devices planted by the militants before they fled to neighboring areas, the report said. A Syrian field commander told SANA that the army would continue its operations in Dara’a until the eradication of terrorism. Separately, SANA reported that foreign-backed mili- tants in the villages of Um Walad, Jbib and al-Aslaha in Dara’a’s eastern countryside had agreed to lay down arms and reconcile with the Syrian government. A Syrian military commander, who was speaking on condi- The U.S. ambassador to Estonia, James D. Melville Jr., a tion of anonymity, stressed that the army’s gains had left the use”, the source further said, adding, “The decision will only the Western governments have on several occasions accused career diplomat and member of the senior foreign service anti-Damascus militants with “no choice” but to surrender. add new complications to the OPCW’s capacity to play its Syria of using chemical weapons against militants. Damascus ranks, announced to friends Friday that he was resigning “The terrorist groups are heading towards settlement role, which will lead to its paralysis.” has denied the allegation, saying it is meant to pile more amid a string of controversial comments President Donald and reconciliation,” he added. Back in April, militants and activists linked to them, in- pressure on the government forces and delay their success Trump made about U.S. allies in Europe. UN urges armed groups to leave Golan buffer cluding the so-called civil defense group White Helmets, in the fight against terrorists. Melville, who has served as a diplomat for 33 years and zone claimed that government forces on Saturday had dropped The Syrian government surrendered its stockpiles of as ambassador to Estonia since 2015, was due to retire soon Meantime, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) a barrel bomb containing poisonous chemicals in Douma, chemical weapons in 2014 to a joint mission led by the UN but said in a private Facebook post announcing his retire- unanimously adopted Resolution 2426 (2018), which called Eastern Ghouta’s largest town, killing and wounding dozens and the OPCW. ment that Trump’s behavior and comments accelerated his on armed groups to leave the Golan buffer zone. of civilians. Syria opposition ‘in talks with Russia’ over decision. “There should be no military forces in the area of separation Damascus strongly rejected the allegation and said that Dara’a peace deal “A Foreign Service Officer’s DNA is programmed to support other than those of UNDOF,” read the resolution, referring the so-called Jaish al-Islam (Jaysh al-Islam/Army of Islam/ Separately, Syrian opposition figures have begun nego- policy and we’re schooled right from the start, that if there to the UN Disengagement Observer Force, a peacekeeping Brigade of Islam) Takfiri terrorist group, which had dom- tiations with Russian officers about an agreement to restore ever comes a point where one can no longer do so, particularly mission that patrols Golan inant presence in the town at the time, was repeating the state sovereignty over rebel-held parts of the southern Dara’a if one is in a position of leadership, the honorable course is to It further condemned “the continued fighting” in Golan allegations of using chemical munitions “in order to accuse province, rebel negotiators said. resign. Having served under six presidents and 11 secretaries of buffer zone and urged all parties to the Syrian conflict “to the Syrian Arab army, in a blatant attempt to hinder the Insurgent negotiators and a spokesman said on Saturday state, I never really thought it would reach that point for me,” cease military actions in the UNDOF area of operations” Army’s advance.” a six-member civilian and military committee of the southern he wrote in the post, which was obtained by Foreign Policy. and “fully respect the terms of the 1974 Disengagement of However, the United States State Department issued a rebels held a preliminary meeting along the administrative “For the President to say the EU was ‘set up to take advantage Forces Agreement.” strongly-worded statement, blaming the Syrian government borders of neighboring Sweida province. of the United States, to attack our piggy bank,’ or that ‘NATO OPCW’s new power attempt to politicize its for purportedly conducting the attack. A second round of talks is expected later on Saturday. is as bad as NAFTA’ is not only factually wrong, but proves work: Syria The Hague-based OPCW is soon expected to publish the The deal being discussed does not include rebel territory to me that it’s time to go,” he wrote, citing Trump’s reported Elsewhere, the Syrian government has denounced a highly-anticipated results of its probe into the purported in adjacent Quneitra province, bordering the Israeli-occupied comments in recent weeks that have unnerved U.S. allies. recent decision made by the Organization for the Prohibi- toxic gas attack in Douma. Golan Heights, the spokesman said. The post surprised several State Department officials tion of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the world’s chemical The Syrian foreign ministry’s source further said that the Jordan, which borders Dara’a province, has been facili- who worked with Melville, describing him as a consummate watchdog, to empower itself to assign blame for alleged Wednesday decision “sets a dangerous precedent” by giving an tating talks between rebel factions and Moscow over a deal professional who never let domestic politics impact his job. chemical attacks. “organization concerned with scientific and technical issues that would end the violence in exchange for the return of The resignation comes ahead of a pivotal NATO summit, “Syria expresses its deep concern at the methods of black- the authority to carry out criminal and legal investigations state rule there. where the United States’ closest historic allies fear that Trump mail and threat used by Western countries, especially the that are not its specialty.” On Saturday, state television said the town of al-Ghariya will lambast them and further isolate Washington from its ones involved in the tripartite aggression against Syria -- the The source added that the country reiterated its con- al-Sharqiya had accepted a “reconciliation” agreement with allies after heated disputes over trade, defense spending issues, U.S., UK and France -- to pass a resolution at the OPCW demnation of the use of chemical munitions by “anyone, the government, and the national flag had been raised there. and the U.S. exit from the Iran nuclear deal. Allies fear that emergency session,” Syria’s official news agency, SANA, anywhere, under any circumstances.” It said on Friday that four other towns nearby had agreed the optics of Trump trashing allies in Brussels, followed by a quoted a source at the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Militants belonging to a number of factions had held to surrender their arms and accept state rule. The army meeting in Finland with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Expatriates as saying on Friday. Eastern Ghouta, an enclave in the vicinity of the capital had gained control over the towns of al-Harak, Ibta and will undercut an already anemic trans-Atlantic partnership. On Wednesday, the Hague-based organization passed Damascus, since 2012 and had practically held hostage its Rakham, it said, and a rebel said opposition lines in one [NATO is bracing for impact with Trump’s upcoming visit by 82 votes to 24 a British-backed proposal, which enable inhabitants, some 400,000 people. area had collapsed. to Brussels — and Trump isn’t backing down from the fight the watchdog to hold responsible those who it thinks are Syrian troops and allied fighters from popular defense UN condemnation over European defense spending.] behind alleged chemical attacks. Until then, the OPCW’s groups managed to fully liberate the enclave from the clutches On Friday, Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, the UN’s high Commis- Melville said he believed in the U.S. support for the Euro- mandate was limited only to determining whether or not a of militants in April, after months of intense fighting with sioner for human rights, said in a statement that there was pean Union and NATO to his “marrow.” chemical attack took place, not who was responsible. terror groups, which had used the area as a launch pad for a “grave risk that intensified fighting will see many civilians “I leave willingly and with deep gratitude for being able to Russia, which had strongly opposed granting extra pow- deadly rocket attacks against residents and civilian infra- trapped”, condemning “[how] civilians in Syria continue to serve my nation with integrity for many years, and with great ers to the OPCW, said it would not rule out leaving what it structure in the capital. be used as pawns by the various parties”. confidence that America, which is and has always been, great, called a “sinking Titanic.” Russia says reports that allege the Syrian government Launched on June 19, the Syrian government’s military will someday return to being right,” he added. He said his The new decision would allow for the watchdog to be has conducted a chemical attack in Eastern Ghouta are push is intended to recapture the southern provinces of last day on the job would be July 29, even though the Trump used as “vehicle to carry out violations against independent, “bogus.” Dara’a, Quneitra and parts of Sweida, still mostly held by administration has yet to name a replacement. (Trump last sovereign states under the pretexts of chemical weapons Since the beginning of the conflict in Syria in early 2011, opposition fighters. month quietly withdrew the name of Edward Masso to be ambassador, though did not explain why.) The State Department did not immediately respond to a Russia becoming more self-reliant because of western sanctions: Lavrov request for comment. Russia is learning to be more independent and that time. Leaders of the EU early on June Melville is one of many senior U.S. diplomats who have self-reliant as a result of Western sanctions, 29 extended their sanctions against Russia’s resigned — some quietly, some not — because of Trump’s though it still has extensive trade ties with banking and energy sector for another six policies. In December 2017, for example, the U.S. ambassa- Western Europe, Russia’s foreign minister months until the end of January. dor to Panama, John Feeley, resigned and several months has said. U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking later wrote an op-edfor the Washington Post slamming the In an interview on June 29 with Britain’s ahead of his planned summit with Russian president and his foreign-policy stances. Elizabeth Shackel- Channel 4 News, Sergei Lavrov said that Russia President Vladimir Putin on July 16, appeared ford, a rising star in the diplomatic corps in Africa, quit with during the years since sanctions were imposed open to considering the possibility of lifting a scathing resignation letter, also obtained by FP, deriding in 2014 has been increasing its economic and the sanctions and even recognizing Russia’s Trump and former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson for what military capacities to fend for itself, especially annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula she saw as their disdain of U.S. diplomacy. in areas which are necessary for a state and in negotiations with Moscow at the summit. [One diplomat’s stinging resignation letter offers a glimpse its population to survive. “We’re going to have to see,” Trump said into declining morale at the State Department under Trump.] “In recent years, we learned a lot, includ- when asked about the matters by reporters “It means a lot when someone whose had it all in their ing the fact that on these issues you cannot on Air Force One on June 29. “We’ll see what career just says, ‘I can’t do this any longer,’” one senior State rely on the West” because of the sanctions, Russia does,” Trump said. Department official said of Melville’s retirement. “I just won- Lavrov said. “You cannot rely on Western Lavrov said Putin will not raise the is- der who’s next.” technologies, because they can be abruptly tions are prolonged, he said. ner, with more than $250 billion in goods and sue of sanctions in his meeting with Trump, (Source: FP) stopped any moment. You cannot rely on Altogether, the Western sanctions, along services exchanging hands between the two although he added that Russia “would not the items which are essential for day-to-day with countermeasures that Russia has imposed each year. The European Union and United mind” if Trump chose to lift them. living of the population coming from the West, on the West in response to the sanctions, States originally imposed the sanctions to “We are not raising sanctions, pleading because this could also be stopped,” he said. have caused a drop of more than 50 percent penalize Russia for its annexation of Ukraine’s to remove them. It’s not our business. It’s Russia has been using the period of in trade between Russia and Western Europe, Crimea Peninsula in 2014 and its backing of for those who introduce sanctions to decide U.S. mulls pulling troops sanctions to strengthen its own industries Lavrov said in the interview. a separatist war against government forces whether they want to continue or whether in essential areas, and it would be content to But even with that drop, he said Western in eastern Ukraine. common sense would prevail,” he said. from Germany as continue doing that for as long as the sanc- Europe remains Russia’s biggest trading part- The sanctions have been in place since (Source: agencies) Trump-Merkel tensions Afghanistan: Ghani orders resumption of anti-Taliban operations mount: reports Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani has formally announced The Taliban announced on Saturday that they had waged an end to the government’s unilateral ceasefire with Taliban an armed assault on Dasht-e Qala, a district in the northern The United States Defense Department is conducting a study on insurgents, but urged the militant group to accept compre- province of Takhar, which they briefly overran last month. what the consequences would be of a major withdrawal of the hensive peace talks. “No one is speaking about the withdrawal of foreign forces. U.S. military forces from Germany, media reported. “The ceasefire has ended, our security and defense forces Their objective is that we lay down our weapons and accept The analysis is being driven by escalating tensions between are allowed to carry out operations,” Ghani stated on Sat- the regime imposed by the invaders,” Taliban spokesman the U.S. President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela urday during a press conference at the presidential palace Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement sent on Monday. Merkel, the Washington Post reported on Friday, citing people in the capital Kabul. Taliban fighters killed 30 security forces in an ambush familiar with the work. Ghani said the ceasefire, which lasted 18 days after it was on two checkpoints in the western province of Badghis on The studies were initiated after Trump’s expressed his interest extended once and overlapped with the Taliban’s unilateral Wednesday, according to Abdul Aziz Bek, head of the Badghis in pulling out the U.S. forces at a meeting earlier this year with three-day truce at the end of the holy month of Ramadan, provincial council. White House and military officials, the newspaper said, citing had been “98 percent successful”. “Large numbers of Taliban came from several directions,” unnamed U.S. officials. The three days of no fighting were unprecedented in the fight against the government and their foreign backers, Bek said. “After hours of heavy fighting 30 Afghan security Trump was taken aback by the cost and size of the U.S. pres- nearly 17-year conflict and triggered jubilant scenes across brushing aside rising civilian casualties. forces were killed and the Taliban captured the base.” ence, which includes 35,000 active-duty troops, the report added. the war-weary country. The insurgents returned to the battlefield last week after A suicide bomber targeted a police checkpoint in the Reports of a hasty U.S. exit from Germany have alarmed It saw unarmed Taliban militants mingling with gov- refusing a government request to extend their ceasefire, eastern district of Kunar on Monday evening, killing at least officials in Europe who are concerned about America’s future ernment troops, police and civilians on the streets of Kabul launching attacks across the country that have seen scores eight people. in NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), the report said. and elsewhere. Ghani said the ceasefire had shown that the killed or injured. The United States invaded Afghanistan in 2001 with the A U.S. National Security Council (NSC) spokesman said in majority of the insurgents wanted peace and it was the “Tal- The truces did not extend to the Islamic State in Iraq express aim of toppling the Taliban. Now, some 17 years on, a statement that the Council had not requested any Defense iban’s turn to give a positive response”. and the Levant (ISIL/Daesh) terrorist group, which has a the terrorist group rules supreme in the war-torn country and Department analysis of re-positioning troops in Germany. Also, “I am ready to extend the ceasefire anytime when the relatively small but potent presence in Afghanistan, and the U.S. has shown interest more than ever in negotiating Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon said there was no intention to Taliban are ready,” he said at a press conference. launched two deadly attacks on ceasefire revelers during with the terrorist outfit. withdraw any existing forces from Germany, the Post reported. The Taliban vowed on Tuesday to continue their bloody Eid al-Fitr. (Source: agencies) (Source: Sputnik) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY JULY 1, 2018

STOCK MARKET Lower end price TEDPIX 111528.2 IFX 1267.07 Sources: tse.ir, Ifb.ir main target in CURRENCIES production: USD 42,610 rials EUR 49,807 rials GBP 56,278 rials industry min. AED 11,603 rials 1 Despite the pressure from outside in investment making. the country, Iranian people’s strong will for The minister said that 7.9-percent in- Source: mehrnews.com working and production has led to 22.2-per- crease in the number of electricity subscribers ing vessels for developing sea transport, metals production chain. cent rise in demand for establishment of in the industrial sector indicates increase developing garment industry, supporting Implementation of these ten special pro- industrial units during the two-month pe- in production of industrial units. Iranian products, supporting production jects is in line with promoting production riod from March 21 to May 21 compared He further mentioned ten special chain, strengthening production and stable factors, improving business environment, COMMODITIES to the figure of the same period of time in industrial-production projects that their employment, developing cooperation with boosting investment making in production implementation is being seriously followed Asian and neighboring countries, making units, supporting non-oil exports, managing WTI $74.15/b the past year, Shariatmadari highlighted and also predicted a 44.9-percent growth up as developing trade transport fleet, build- small mines active, and completing base trade balance, etc. Brent $79.23/b OPEC Basket $74.31/b Iran now policy commission member at WCO Gold $1,253.80 /oz ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iran is body whose mission is to enhance the to act as a dynamic steering group to the Silver $16.14/oz deskaccepted as a member effectiveness and efficiency of Customs council. The commission concerns itself Platinium $858.80/oz of World Customs Organization (WCO) administrations. with broad policy questions relevant to Policy Commission regarding the vote of Today, the WCO represents 182 customs the WCO’s activities. It acts as a dynamic Sources: oilprice.com, Moneymetals.com the international body members at the administrations across the globe that steering group to the council and initiates ongoing 132nd WCO meeting in Brussels, collectively process approximately 98 studies on the policies, practices, and IRNA reported on Saturday. percent of world trade. As the global center procedures of the WCO with the objective NEWS IN BRIEF Iran has been elected for the second of customs expertise, the WCO is the only of assisting the council to achieve the broad time as a WCO member after 14 years, international organization with competence aims of its activities. Membership of the Tehran to host the report said. in customs matters and can rightly call policy commission is restricted to a specific Iran Compressor WCO, established in 1952 as the itself the voice of the international customs number of WCO members, elected by the Customs Co-operation Council (CCC) community. Council on a regional basis from among 2018 conference is an independent intergovernmental The policy commission was established the active Members in the region.

ECONOMY TEHRAN — The second edition of Iran Canada hits back on U.S. tariffs; Mnuchin UK economic growth revised deskCompressor Conference (ICC) is to be held higher in 1st Q at Research Institute of Petroleum Industry in Tehran on July denies Trump wants to quit WTO 17-18, IRIB reported on Saturday. Canada struck back at the Trump The UK economy grew at a faster rate than According to the director of the conference Ahmadreza administration on Friday over U.S. steel initially thought in the first three months of Ahrarnejad, the conference will be supported by Iranian and aluminum tariffs, vowing to impose 2018, raising hopes for a pick-up in growth ministries of oil and industry as well as National Iranian Oil punitive measures on C$16.6 billion after the sluggish start to the year. Company(NIOC), National Iranian Gas Company(NIGC), and ($12.63 billion) worth of American goods The Office for National Statistics unexpect- National Petrochemical Company(NPC). until Washington relents. edly revised higher its third and final estimate The retaliation came as General Motors for UK growth in the first quarter to 0.2%, Co warned that any tariffs Washington after two earlier estimates of 0.1%. might impose on imported vehicles Government statisticians said fresh figures Trump says auto tariff probe could cost U.S jobs, and as Treasury from the construction industry and improve- will be completed in three- Secretary Steve Mnuchin denied a report The measures are designed to pressure ments for measuring the sector had nudged UK construction industry output fell by that President Donald Trump wanted Trump by focusing on goods from states up the growth rate. 0.8%, an improvement from previous four weeks to withdraw from the World Trade where his Republican party is fighting to The pound rallied against the dollar on estimates. Organization. hold Congressional seats in the November foreign exchanges on Friday, as City traders President Donald Trump said on Friday his administration’s Rising trade tension between Canada miterm elections. They were announced bet that the revision increased the likelihood with growing uncertainty over the type of deal investigation into whether to increase tariffs on cars from the and the United States and a pushback just as America’s largest automaker warned that the Bank of England would raise interest ministers want to secure with Brussels. The European Union and other trading partners would be completed from U.S. businesses on further tariffs, that overly broad tariffs could isolate U.S. rates from as early as August. latest figures showed business investment in three to four weeks. including on imported autos, pressured businesses and cut jobs. Threadneedle Street has consistently ar- fell by 0.4% in the first quarter. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One as he traveled a White House that has championed an The Trump administration in May gued in recent months that the UK economy Britain’s dominant service sector contrib- from Washington to New Jersey, Trump also said the United “America First” protectionist stance since launched an investigation into whether is stronger than official figures might sug- uted the most to the economy, with growth States has been treated very badly by the World Trade Organiza- Trump took office in January 2017. imported vehicles posed a national security gest, which could support a rate rise to 0.75% of 0.3%, while production output – which tion but he is not considering withdrawing from it at this point. Mnuchin lashed out against a report by threat. Trump has repeatedly threatened from 0.5%. includes manufacturing, energy and other Asked when the probe would be concluded, he said: “Very the Axios news website that said Trump a 20 percent import tariff on vehicles. Despite the better news for the economy, as utilities – rose by 0.4%, having been revised soon. It’ll be done in three, four weeks.” frequently told advisers he wanted the In comments filed with the U.S. Theresa May met her European counterparts down from 0.6%. Trump ordered the “Section 232” national security probe into United States to quit the WTO, a move Commerce Department, GM said expansive on Friday in Brussels to discuss Britain’s exit The construction industry’s output fell autos on May 23, and his unusually fast timeline calls for it to that could devastate global commerce. The tariffs could “lead to a smaller GM, a from the EU, the ONS said household con- by 0.8%, an improvement from the previ- be possibly completed in just over two months. Similar national report cited people involved in discussions reduced presence at home and abroad sumption remained subdued and business ous estimate for a fall of 2.7%, although the security probes ordered last year that led to import tariffs of with the president. for this iconic American company, and investment fell in the first quarter. Economists quarter remained the worst for the building 25 percent steel and 10 percent on aluminum, took about 10 “This is an exaggeration,” Mnuchin risk less — not more — U.S. jobs.” said this confirmed the UK economy remained trade in more than five years. months to complete. said. “The president has been clear ... he GM, which makes many vehicles for weak in the first three months of the year. After a rise in inflation after the Brexit vote By law, the Commerce Department has 270 days to offer recom- has concerns about the WTO, he thinks the U.S. market in Mexico and Canada, Samuel Tombs , the chief UK economist and weak wage growth, families increased mendations to the president after a Section 232 probe starts. The there’s aspects of it that are not fair, he said the tariffs could hike vehicle prices at the consultancy Pantheon Macroeconom- their borrowing during the first quarter, as president then has 90 days to act upon those recommendations. thinks that China and others have used it and reduce sales. ics, said: “Growth [was] revised up, but the real growth in their disposable incomes fell Written comments from interested parties in the autos probe to their own advantage, but we are focused Even if automakers opted not to pass details are worse than before.” by 0.5%. were due on Friday, and the administration has scheduled a on free trade. That’s what we’re focused along higher costs to consumers, “this Even though there was a revision for the The household savings ratio, which es- public hearing for July 19-20. (Source: Reuters) on - breaking down barriers.” could still lead to less investment, fewer first quarter, officials said the annual rate of timates the amount of money families have Canada’s retaliatory tariffs, effective jobs, and lower wages for our employees. expansion for the economy was unchanged to save as a proportion of their total dispos- on July 1, largely target U.S. steel and The carry-on effect of less investment at 1.2% – the weakest level recorded since the able income, fell to 4.1% from 4.5% in the aluminum products, along with foodstuffs and a smaller workforce could delay year to the second quarter of 2012. fourth quarter. BMW says U.S. tariffs on EU such as coffee, ketchup and whisky, breakthrough technologies,” GM said. The ONS also downgraded the rate of Torsten Bell, the director of the Resolution cars may hit investment there according to a list released by Canada’s Canada’s Freeland called the idea of auto growth for 2017 from 1.8% to 1.7%, mean- Foundation thinktank, said households re- Finance Department. tariffs “absolutely absurd.” U.S. officials ing the UK was the only country from the G7 sponded to shrinking pay packets and squeezed U.S. tariffs on imported cars could lead BMW (BMWG.DE) to re- “We will not escalate and we will not have linked the tariffs to slow progress in group of wealthy nations to record a slow- incomes by choosing to save less and borrow duce investment and cut jobs in the United States due to the large back down,” Canadian Foreign Minister talks to modernize the North American down last year. more. “This makes sense as families cope number of cars it exports from its South Caroline plant, the German Chrystia Freeland told reporters at a Stelco Free Trade Agreement, which Trump says There have been increasingly strident with higher than expected price rises, but carmaker has warned. Holdings Inc plant in the steel city of is a disaster and must be changed. warnings that businesses could relocate it’s not a sustainable one.” President Trump’s administration last month launched an inves- Hamilton, Ontario. (Source: Reuters) jobs and investment to the EU after Brexit, (Source: The Guardian) tigation into whether auto imports posed a national security threat and Trump has threatened to impose a 20 percent tariff on all imports of EU-assembled cars. GM says U.S. import tariffs could mean ‘smaller’ company, fewer jobs “The domestic manufacture of automobiles has no apparent cor- relation with U.S. national security,” BMW wrote in a letter to U.S. General Motors Co warned on Friday facilities and employs about 110,000 Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross this week, adding that imposing that higher tariffs on imported vehicles people in the United States. It buys tens duties would not increase U.S. growth and competitiveness. under consideration by the Trump of billions of dollars worth of parts from The BMW plant in South Carolina is its largest globally and ships administration could cost jobs and lead U.S. suppliers every year, and has invested more than 70 percent of its annual production to other export mar- to a “a smaller GM” while isolating U.S. over $22 billion in U.S. manufacturing kets, the company said. businesses from the global market. operations since 2009. Chinese tariffs on U.S. passenger cars, imposed in retaliation The administration in May launched Still, 30 percent of the vehicles GM for U.S. duties on Chinese goods, have already hiked up the cost of an investigation into whether imported sold on the U.S. market in 2017 were exporting to China, BMW said. Any U.S. tariffs would likely lead to vehicles pose a national security threat, manufactured abroad, according to the further retaliatory measures from China and the European Union. and U.S. President Donald Trump has Michigan-based Center for Automotive In addition, higher tariffs on components imported to the United repeatedly threatened to impose a 20 Research. Eighty-six percent of those States would make other production locations outside the country percent vehicle import tariff. vehicles came from Canada and Mexico, more competitive. The largest U.S. automaker said in while others came from Europe and China. “All of these factors would substantially increase the costs of comments filed with the U.S. Commerce Detroit automakers Ford Motor Co exporting passenger cars to these markets from the United States Department that overly broad tariffs and Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles NV also and deteriorate the market access for BMW in these jurisdictions, could “lead to a smaller GM, a reduced import many of the vehicles they sell in potentially leading to strongly reduced export volumes and negative presence at home and abroad for this the United States. effects on investment and employment in the United States,” BMW iconic American company, and risk less “The overbroad and steep application said in the letter. — not more — U.S. jobs.” of import tariffs on our trading partners Two major auto trade groups, one representing BMW among Higher tariffs could also hike vehicle risks isolating U.S. businesses like GM others, had earlier this week said that imposing up to 25 percent prices and reduce sales, GM said. from the global market that helps to tariffs on imported vehicles would cost hundreds of thousands of jobs, Its comments echoed those from preserve and grow our strength here at dramatically hike prices on vehicles and threaten industry spending two major U.S. auto trade groups on home,” GM said. on self-driving cars. Wednesday, when they warned that Some aides have said that Trump is “By insulating the United States from foreign competition, there is tariffs of up to 25 percent on imported pursuing the national security probe to put less incentive for American companies to strive to raise their produc- vehicles would cost hundreds of thousands Even if automakers opted not to pass effect of less investment and a smaller pressure on Canada and Mexico to agree tivity and look for ways and means of producing ever better goods of auto jobs, dramatically raise prices on on higher costs “this could still lead to workforce could delay breakthrough to concessions in talks to renegotiate the (and services) ever more cheaply,” BMW said. vehicles and threaten industry spending less investment, fewer jobs, and lower technologies,” GM said. North American Free Trade Agreement. (Source: Reuters) on self-driving cars. wages for our employees. The carry-on GM operates 47 U.S. manufacturing (Source: Reuters) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JULY 1, 2018 ENERGY 5

Oil rallies towards $80 Wind drives increase in UK’s It was only a week ago that OPEC and Non- to hand over the ports to a rival National Oil Q1 renewables generation OPEC agreed to add 1 million barrels per day Corp. in Benghazi, as opposed to the inter- Renewable electricity generation in the UK rose 10.2% year-on- (mb/d) to the market, but it already feels nationally-recognized NOC in Tripoli, has year in the first quarter of 2018 to a record 27.9 TWh, according to like a distant memory with the oil bulls back opened up a new flashpoint that could keep statistics released on Thursday by the Department for Business, on the march. oil sidelined for longer. The government in Energy and Industrial Strategy. Brent rose more than 1 percent in early Tripoli is trying to line up international support The share of renewables in overall generation was 30.1%, trading on Friday, and is not far off of $80 to prevent oil exports from the east. The U.S., compared to 27% in the first quarter of 2017. The expanded share per barrel. This week saw prices gain about U.K., France and Italy expressed concern came on the back of increased capacity, especially in onshore 10 percent compared to last week after a about the transfer to “an entity other than and offshore wind, and higher wind speeds. The renewables combination of fears of Iran production the legitimate National Oil Corporation,” the share, however, inched back 0.1 percentage point compared to outages, disruptions in Libya and a bullish countries said in a joint statement. the previous quarter. stock draw in the U.S. It was only a week Royal Dutch Shell exits Iraq Majnoon oil The UK ended the quarter with 41.9 GW of renewable elec- ago that OPEC+ promised to add 1 million field. Royal Dutch Shell exited the Majnoon tricity capacity, 4.2 GW more than a year ago and 1.3 GW more barrels per day (mb/d) to the market, but oil field in southern Iraq this week, handing than the previous quarter. it already feels like a distant memory with over its operations to the state-run Basra Oil In the first quarter of 2018, onshore wind generation increased the oil bulls back on the march. Co., according to Reuters. Operations are by 27% year-on-year to 9.8 TWh, while offshore wind jumped U.S. dials back hardline on Iran imports. not expected to be affected at the 235,000- 53% to 7.9 TWh. Total wind generation grew 38% to a record Earlier this week, a State Department official bpd field. 17.7 TWh and accounted for 19.1% of overall power generation. laid out what sounded like a “zero tolerance” Energy stocks best performing sector Solar generation declined 8.3% to 1.5 TWh, in spite of a small policy for nations cutting oil imports from in S&P 500. After being one of the worst increase in capacity. Iran. The official said that countries need Sen, chief oil analyst at consultant Energy thing markets hate, it is uncertainty. It makes performing sectors in the S&P 500 in 2017, In the quarter, only 32 MW of capacity eligible for feed-in to “zero” out their imports by November, Aspects Ltd., said in a Bloombergtelevision planning very difficult.” energy is now one of the best. Energy stocks tariffs (FiTs) was added. and that it would be unlikely anyone would interview. “Venezuelan production’s falling, BP to buy UK electric vehicle charging are set to close out the second quarter up 12 (Source: renewablesnow.com) receive a waiver. The statement led to a Angola, Libya, Nigeria --there are lots and company. BP said it plans to acquire the percent, the largest quarterly gain since 2011. spike in oil prices because the market had lots of issues everywhere in the world.” largest EV recharging company in the UK. The gains make energy the best performing to dramatically revise up the assumed outage Oil jumps on massive crude draw. The BP will pay $170 million for Chargemaster, sector in the S&P for the second quarter. from Iran. On Thursday, a State Department U.S. saw crude inventories plunge by 9.9 which runs 6,500 charging points in the UK. Minnesota greenlights Canadian oil How China can make the official appeared to soften the line. “Our focus million barrels last week, another sign of a The acquisition is the latest sign that the oil pipeline. While Keystone XL and the Trans is to work with those countries importing tightening oil market. Oil futures jumped majors are beginning to plan for a post-oil Mountain Expansion remain in limbo, the most of its solar energy boom world, diversifying their assets as a hedge Iranian crude oil to get as many of them as more than 3 percent on the news. most likely major Canadian oil pipeline to go The successes and shortcomings of solar energy market growth against peak oil demand. possible down to zero by Nov. 4,” the offi- Argentina puts in place price controls, forward is Enbridge’s Line 3 Replacement. in China highlight the potential advantages, but also the inherent Venezuela’s PDVSA said earlier this week cial said Thursday. roiling shale industry. In an effort to shield The project, which would replace an old and risks, of top-down, government-fueled growth initiatives. How the that its Petropiar oil upgrader, a joint venture Saudi Arabia reportedly will ramp up oil consumers from inflation and a weak cur- deteriorating pipeline, allowing it to more central government manages current issues in the power sector will with Chevron (NYSE: CVX), will restart after production to 10.8 mb/d in July, perhaps as rency, Argentina’s government capped the than double capacity, just cleared an im- play an influential role in determining the future of the solar market. being offline for maintenance for weeks. The high as 11.0 mb/d. The plans come as a series price at which oil producers can sell their portant hurdle this week when it received Early manufacturing buildup 210,000-bpd facility help process heavy oil of outages around the world have pushed oil oil to refiners, and also fixed the price of a regulatory approval from Minnesota. The In the early 2000s, European countries and the United States into an exportable product have been under prices and left the market in a deficit. The petrol at the pump. That means oil producers pipeline runs from Alberta to Minnesota and began to provide subsidies for solar photovoltaic (PV) installa- strain because of poor maintenance and bot- increase in production, however, could elim- in Argentina have to sell their product at Wisconsin, allowing Canadian oil to reach tions. Recognizing the impending increase in demand for solar tlenecks at the country’s ports. inate as much as 40 percent of Saudi Arabia’s prices much lower than the international refineries in the U.S. Midwest. Native Amer- modules and seeking to gain a sizable market share of a technology Libya sees internal strife, oil output hangs spare capacity, taking available capacity down price. “Suddenly from moving in the right ican tribes who sit in the pipeline’s path have of the future, China began heavily subsidizing domestic solar PV in the balance. The outage of Libya’s ports to around 1.5 mb/d, a rather small buffer. “It direction, it feels like the country is taking threatened massive protests similar to the manufacturers. have knocked more than 400,000 bpd offline basically leaves us with no spare capacity, at a step back,” Anuj Sharma, CEO of Phoenix Dakota Access protests from two years ago. Plans to acquire market share of the emerging technology but the decision by General Khalifa Haftar a time when Iran isn’t the only issue,” Amrita Global Resources, told the FT. “If there’s one (Source: oilprice.com) were successful; China’s global share of solar cell production, just 1.6 percent in 2003, jumped to 27 percent by 2007, and was Saudis boost June oil production a staggering 60 percent in 2011. China welcomed the economic Gazprom expects record LNG benefits of successfully building itself up as the global leader in sales in Europe close to all-time high solar manufacturing, but also created an industry susceptible to shocks in the global market. Following the economic crisis of 2008 and tariffs levied against Chinese-manufactured solar panels by the United States and European Union in 2012 and 2014, de- mand for Chinese solar products dropped precipitously. Amid the decrease in demand, many Chinese manufacturers filed for bankruptcy. Among the casualties was Wuxi Suntech which, at the time, was one of the largest solar manufacturers in the world. Push for Domestic Installations Responding to decreasing global demand in the wake of the fiscal crisis in 2008, the Ministry of Finance developed two ini- tiatives in 2009: The Solar Roofs Program and the Golden Sun Demonstration Project. Each of these programs aimed to absorb manufacturing overcapacity by providing subsidies to solar PV projects installed domestically. From the inception of the pro- grams, in 2009, to 2011, domestic solar capacity in China grew eleven folds, from 300 MW to 3300 MW. The incentives in these programs, however, proved to be mis- aligned. Subsidies for solar installations were allocated based on nameplate capacity, rather than by the amount of electricity Russia’s Gazprom expects record high by importing LNG from the US. Saudi Arabia has increased its oil produc- For July, the Saudis plan to pump around generated by the panels. This means that, for example, two differ- gas sales this year in Europe, CEO Alexei However, Miller said that due to high tion this month by 700,000 bpd to 10.70 11 million bpd of crude oil, an industry source ent 500 kW solar installations would receive the same amount of Miller said on Friday, downplaying the production and transportation costs, LNG million bpd, very close to its highest-ever familiar with the Kingdom’s production plans money in subsidies, even if one of the installations was producing threat posed by imports of US liquefied from the US will not be competitive in production of 10.72 million bpd from No- told Reuters earlier this week. more electricity than the other project. As a result, solar project natural gas (LNG). Europe, noting that US LNG consumption in vember 2016, a Reuters survey showed on While Saudi Arabia and Russia managed developers oftentimes purchased cheaper, lower-quality panels Gazprom has managed to gradually Europe last year was a mere 2-million tons. Friday in a clear sign that OPEC’s largest to get OPEC and allies to agree to a vague that produced less energy. With two 500 kW projects netting the increase its market share in Europe, Miller also said on Friday that Gazprom producer is making up for supply drops statement that they would ease compliance same subsidies, there was no economic incentive to invest in high- its main market, to about 34%, despite plans to start supplying Bulgaria, Serbia elsewhere within the cartel. to 100 percent from record-breaking more- er-quality, more efficient panels. the general aversion to Russian energy and Hungary via a new gas link after it Saudi Arabia’s previous production record than-100-percent compliance, the archrivals Recognizing the shortcomings in incentives, these programs supplies, which became increasingly finishes the second line of the Turkstream of 10.72 million bpd was set in November within OPEC—Saudis and Iran—have been were replaced with a nationwide feed-in tariff (FIT) in 2011, which politicized following Moscow’s annexation gas pipeline, which will run from the 2016, just before the original OPEC and in dispute over the meaning of that state- pays renewable energy producers an incentive based on the actual of Crimea in 2014. Russian Black Sea coast. allies’ deal to curb production entered into ment. Saudi Arabia says that it implies an amount of electricity generated. The FIT temporarily remedied Miller said on Friday that the Russian Turkstream is a part of Moscow’s efforts force in January 2017. indirect reallocation of production quotas, the misdirection of financial incentives. Still, however, too much gas exports to Turkey and Europe outside to bypass Ukraine as a gas transit route According to OPEC’s secondary sources, while Iran has been insisting that the latest focus was spent building out solar capacity, rather than on strategic of the former Soviet Union may exceed to Europe, which receives about a third Saudi Arabia pumped 9.987 million bpd last agreement doesn’t mandate any producer siting and electrical grid harmonization. 205-billion cubic meters (bcm) this year, up of its gas needs from Gazprom, which is month, up by 85,500 bpd from April, but to pump above their quota. A bulk of solar additions were installed in sparsely-populated from 194.4 bcm last year, also a record-high. building the Turkstream in two lines, with still below its 10.058-million-bpd quota. Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Fal- regions with abundant land and solar energy resources, such as “There are prospects and the prospects capacity of 15.75 bcm of gas a year each, “The Saudi number for June will be very, ih said on Saturday that “Some of the coun- Xinjiang and Gansu. High installation rates in these parts of the are related to falling domestic gas the first of which will supply Turkey and very high,” an industry source tracking Sau- tries ... are not going to be able to produce, country have led to overcapacity and high rates of curtailment. production in Europe, while demand the second southern Europe. di Arabia’s oil production told Reuters on so the others will. And that implies there Curtailment occurs when a power generation source produces less for gas is rising,” Alexander Medvedev, a The second line of the Turkstream will Friday. “Surprisingly high.” will be indirectly a reallocation.” than its potential energy because some of the electricity cannot deputy of Miller, told an AGM of Gazprom’s be directed to Bulgaria, that country’s Although Saudi production typically ris- But Iran’s OPEC governor Hossein Ka- be dispatched to the grid. It is oftentimes a product of grid con- shareholders. “Gazprom has all the capacity Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said last es in the summer due to higher domestic zempour Ardebili strongly disagrees and gestion or excessive power supply. Curtailment, in small doses, is to supply gas to Europe in the amount month after talks with Russian President crude oil demand for power plants, OPEC’s told Reutersthat “In the last meeting of not necessarily determinantal. Excessive curtailment, however, Europe needs.” Vladimir Putin. leader has also been boosting exports this OPEC, our resolution does not allow any threatens the long-term economic prospects of renewable energy Analysts say sea-borne LNG supplies Said Miller on Friday: “Gas via the month, according to the Reuters survey. member to produce more than their quota, resources. Extreme curtailment has been a common occurrence from the US may undermine Gazprom’s Turkstream, at the start of 2020 ... could Saudi Arabia’s crude oil exports rose to but to try to reach 100 percent compliance.” in sparsely populated western regions of China with low energy position on the European gas market. The run via the gas transmission systems of around 8 million bpd in June, according “The State Department says it is short demand and no way to transport excess electricity to other parts US exported its first cargo of LNG gas last Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary ... The first to a Reuters industry source. This export and Saudi Arabia says they will produce 11 of the country. year. Some European nations, including and the second lines of Turkstream will volume compares to 7.3 million bpd for million bpd in July. I regret to say they both Developers have continued to install solar (and wind) projects Lithuania and Poland, started to reduce be operational by the end of 2019.” April, the latest month for which official are ridiculing our organization,” Kazempour in the western regions of the country since they have been able to their dependence on Russian pipeline gas (Source: Reuters) figures are available. told Reuters. (Source: oilprice.com) receive subsidies for doing so, yet the installations exceed the energy needs in the region. For example, in 2016, Xinjiang installed over 3 GW of solar, bringing its cumulative total to 8 GW, both of which India hunting for shorter LNG deals with import demand doubling led the country. Yet, the same year, Xinjiang curtailed 32 percent of the solar energy it generated. For reference, central planners The good news for global natural gas exporters is that India’s num of new supply kick in, of which 3.8 was primarily from hope to keep curtailment rates below 5 percent. largest utility is hunting for new supplies to import. The the start-up of Cheniere Energy Inc.’s new Louisiana LNG Recent initiatives bad: It’s seeking shorter deals than have been traditional production plant and the rest from Dominion Energy Inc. Beginning with the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020), leaders at in the past. launching exports from Maryland. About half a million tons the highest levels of China’s government have started undertaking India now consumes almost 22 million metric tons a came from Australia and the rest were from Russia, he said. efforts to improve electrical grid planning and reduce curtailment year of liquefied natural gas, but that demand could double Right now, 60% of Gail’s LNG supply is tied to crude issues. However, some of these directives are not being properly within just four to five years, according to B.C. Tripathi, the and he doesn’t see Brent losing its dominance as the bench- implemented at local levels. For example, the National Energy chairman of Gail India Ltd. As a result, his company wants mark anytime soon. The rest is from the U.S. Henry Hub Administration (NEA) established mandatory minimum num- to import more LNG, especially around 2023 and 2024. benchmark, he said. bers of hours that wind and solar must be utilized. Yet in 2016, But he wants deals to last for just 10 years, rather than the A sign of the market upheaval, Gail has already renego- Xinjiang and Gansu, the two provinces with the highest levels of more traditional 20. tiated contract terms with Qatar, ExxonMobil Corp. and curtailment, dispatched solar energy into the grid at a rate of over “It’s becoming difficult for one to think long term,” Tripathi Russia’s Gazprom OAO, he said. The company abandoned 25 percent lower than the minimum amount established by the NEA. said in an interview Thursday at the World Gas Conference attempts to do the same with Cheniere Energy Inc. which In addition to establishing minimum guarantees for renew- in Washington. “The amount of uncertainties has increased.” had made public comments that a contract is a contract. able energy dispatch, another national initiative that could help While shorter deals allow buyers more flexibility, U.S. “I appreciate the contract sanctity is paramount and I ameliorate curtailment issues is ultra-high voltage (UHV) trans- developers have talked about the need for longer-term con- expect the same, but sometimes when the market goes be- mission lines. One reason for high curtailment rates in western tracts to justify spending millions of dollars on new export its deals. “We would like to remain engaged with our old yond the fairly manageable limits of either side, the spirit regions of the country is that there is an oversupply of electricity, terminals in the U.S. Cheniere Energy Inc., for instance, suppliers,” Tripathi said. “But we are also looking at new of the contract is that we sit down and readjust,” Tripathi and traditional grid infrastructure is incapable of transporting recently announced an agreement to negotiate a 25-year opportunities,” from Qatar’s expansion project to potential said. “It’s not that somebody’s pain is somebody’s gain. If electricity far enough to reach high demand centers. New UHV deal with a Taiwan utility. new supplies from East Africa, namely Mozambique. there is a spirit it’s a win win spirit.” lines, in contrast, can transport electricity between two points Those concerns may push India to look elsewhere for This year, the utility giant had 7 million tons per an- (Source: Bloomberg) thousands of kilometers apart. (Source: thediplomat.com) ADVERTISEMENTS

I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 INTERNATIONAL JULY 1, 2018 NEWS IN BRIEF Afghan government Pakistan commits to work in ends ceasefire with Taliban, to resume compliance with FATF’s action plan operations INTERNATIONAL Two days after being Among other objectives include improv- desk INTERNATIONAL The Afghan government on Saturday an- added to the grey-list ing inter-agency coordination in combating desknounced the end of unilateral ceasefire of countries by the Financial Action Task terrorist financing, demonstrating that au- with the Taliban and ordered its forces to resume military Force (FATF), Pakistan committed to work thorities are identifying cash counters and operations against the insurgents across the country. with FATF to meet the desired objectives. enforcing controls on illicit movement of “The ceasefire is over. The Afghan security and defence According to FATF, Pakistan has made currency, demonstrating that law enforcement forces are allowed to restart their military operations,” Presi- a ‘high-level commitment’ to work with the agencies are identifying and investigating the dent Ashraf Ghani told media persons in Kabul, ending the International monitoring body and Asia/ widest range of terrorist financing activity, 18-day unilateral truce. Pacific group on Money Laundering (APG) demonstrating effective implementation of The government ceasefire, which lasted more than two to strengthen its anti-money laundering targeted financial sanctions against all 1267 weeks, was extended once after Taliban responded favorably (AML) and combating the financing of ter- and 1373 designated terrorists. and observed three-day truce on the occasion of Eid al Fitr. rorism (CFT) regime. Pakistan’s Foreign Office said Pakistan The three days of no fighting by the Taliban and scenes of Pakistan was added to the FATF grey can be removed from the grey list if sat- Taliban fighters and Afghan security forces embracing each list of countries that are involved in provid- isfactory actions are taken in this regard. other on the streets in different cities were unprecedented and ing financial aid to terrorism and related “We will have to ensure the implementa- rekindled hope that peace was a possibility in Afghanistan. activities during the FATF plenary in Paris tion of the action plan shared with FATF But, the Taliban refused to extend the ceasefire and went on Wednesday. while we are on the grey list,” Mohammad back to the frontlines of war. The statement released by the FATF Faisal, Foreign Office spokesperson said. Ghani, who has been trying to woo the Taliban to shun stated that Pakistan has committed to “ad- “If adequate measures are taken, we can violence and join the mainstream, said the ceasefire had dress its strategic counter-terrorist financ- be removed from the grey list.” been 98 percent successful and had given indication that ing related deficiencies and implement its Pakistan was placed on the global money the majority of rebels were votaries of peace. action plan to accomplish objectives like laundering watchdog body’s grey list in Feb- demonstrating terrorist financing risks are ruary this year. Before that, Pakistan was on properly identified, assessed, demonstrat- the list between 2012 and 2015. FATF is a ing that remedial actions and sanctions are demonstrating that competent authorities and take enforcement action against illegal global monitoring body that works against UN chief heads to applied in cases of AML/CFT violations, are cooperating and taking action to identify money or value transfer services (MVTS). terrorist financing and money laundering. Bangladesh to review problems facing ‘India’s energy needs would imply not giving up on close relations with Iran under U.S. pressure’ Rohingya refugees By Syed Zafar Mehdi tions will hurt the Iranian economy at a time when hostile worse than the 2000s. One reason for this is the popular INTERNATIONAL United Nations Secretary General An- neighboring states are keen on weakening Iran. Iran too mobilizations and protests against Indian state that does not desktonio Guterres is visiting Bangladesh TEHRAN— Nitasha Kaul is a Kashmiri economist, poet, aca- needs a stable international environment to improve its have the consent of the Kashmiris for its rule. The response this weekend to take stock of the problems facing nearly demic and novelist, based in the U.K. She teaches Politics and economy. It cannot afford to downgrade its relations with of the state is further militarization and use of violent strate- one million Rohingya refugees, according to a statement International Relation at the University of Westminster, London. India, though of course, China is a bigger trading partner gies to crush the mobilization. So, this is a sort of vicious issued by the UN. A day after U.S. ambassador to UN Nikki Haley visited that has maintained neutrality on this. As for India, cut- cycle. Even peaceful protestors and non-protestors have The continuing plight of Rohingya refugees who have New Delhi, India’s oil ministry reportedly asked refiners to ting of oil imports is a short-term move that will bring no been victimized by the state which feels it can get away with been driven from their homes in Myanmar will be the prepare for drastic reduction or zero import of Iranian oil economic, geopolitical or security benefit to India. At a time it because the wider Indian public does not know nor does focus of the UN chief’s visit, the statement said. The visit from November when the US sanctions against Iran take when China is going ahead full steam with investments in it care about the denial of human rights in Kashmir. So, will also highlight Bangladesh’s “generosity” in hosting effect. Do you think India is buckling under the U.S. pressure? Pakistan including in Gwadar, it is odd that India has risked the factors are several - lack of popular sovereignty, role of the refugees as well as the need for the international com- A. Since the end of the Cold War, India has continued the ambitious Chabahar port development. the Indian media, routine dehumanization of the Kashmiri munity “to do more”. with paying lip service to Non Alignment Movement but has A latest study by Thomson Reuters Foundation has bodies, lack of any political will to create a just peace, denial During the visit, the UN chief will be accompanied by Jim developed closer relation with the U.S. Because of U.S.-Iran listed India as the most dangerous country for women, above of human rights violations that are blatant and ubiquitous. Yong Kim, the head of World Bank Group. The two officials tensions, India has often had to play a balancing act. While Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia. What’s your take on it? In recent months ISIS flags in Kashmir have stirred are expected to call on Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Iran does not make demands on India, U.S. does, this is the A. Whether a country is most dangerous or second most hornet’s nest. While some believe the global terrorist group Hasina and other top government officials in Dhaka. nature of U.S. as a world power. At a time when India ought dangerous is not a matter of quibble and yet so many com- is trying to gain foothold in Kashmir, others have dismissed They are also scheduled to visit Cox’s Bazar to meet Ro- to keep out of geopolitical conflicts such as that between mentators close to the Indian government are rejecting it as the work of Indian agencies. What do you think? hingya refugee communities, humanitarian workers and Iran and U.S., India seems to be siding explicitly with the the report by questioning its methodology as well as mo- A. My guess is as good as yours. ISIS is a phenomenon advocate for increased donor support. U.S. India’s energy needs as well as priorities in Afghani- tives. The correct response would have been introspection rather than a coherent organization. This is a dangerous The biggest threat facing the Rohingya refugees right stan would imply not giving up on close relations with Iran and identification of reasons why India is so unsafe for all phenomenon and we should not simply ignore it. Whether now is the ongoing monsoon season, with torrential rain under American pressure and yet this is what seems to be women in general, and Dalit, impoverished, marginalized ISIS presence is real or a case of a few extremist young men that can cause flash-flooding. “With the monsoon in full happening. To what extent it is due to ideological similari- and tribal women in particular. While media often focuses using the tag of ISIS to increase their own importance or swing, it would take just one storm to wash us all away,” said ties between the ruling governments, both rightwing and only on cases of rape, women are systemically marginalized encouraged by Indian state to divide Kashmiris further, we 45-year-old Ayesha Begum, who lives in one of makeshift Islamophobic, is something one needs to investigate further. through the use of everyday violence before birth (through won’t know for sure. What is clear is that the possible presence refugee camps with her family. She is on a list of 41,000 Nikki Haley during her India visit said the world is sex-selective abortion and foeticide), after birth (female of ISIS will indirectly strengthen the state by dividing Kash- people considered most vulnerable to floods and landslides united against Iran having nuclear weapons while Iran has infanticide), while growing up (given fewer opportunities miri resistance and destroying the international credibility in Cox’s Bazar settlements, according to the UN statement. consistently maintained that its nuclear programme is purely than boys in the name of “safety”), in work place, in de facto of the Kashmiri movement for justice or self-determination. for energy purpose. Don’t you think countries like U.S., Is- inheritance and property ownership, and in family. India States in the region have played dirty games and with ISIS, rael, India and Pakistan, - the nuclear powers who have not does not even recognize marital rape as a crime. The issue of it will get even messier. India’s external signed Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT), pose greater threat violence against women is not a question of national prestige Kashmir is the world’s largest militarized zone yet it to global peace than Iran which is a signatory of NPT? or shame but one of basic safety and rights for all. still receives less attention than other conflict areas in the debt crosses half A. Nuclear weapons are threats to world peace and yet, Situation in Kashmir has alarmingly deteriorated in international media. Why? rather than working toward denuclearization of the entire past few years with increase in civilian casualties. What A. There are several reasons why Kashmir does not get a trillion mark, world, we are witnessing what an IR scholar Hugh Gusterson factors are responsible for it? attention the way some other conflicts do. India has been rupee depreciates calls “nuclear orientalism”. U.S. is the only country that A. Violence has been an integral part of Indian rule over partly successful in presenting this as an insurgency against has actually used atomic weapons and killed hundreds of Kashmir. While the upsurge of violence, including against the world’s largest democracy and as a proxy war waged INTERNATIONAL While India aims to touch the double- thousands and yet it is seen as the custodian of interna- civilians, is not of the same scale as the 1990s when in the by Pakistan. India and Pakistan both have made this into a desk digit growth figure and match steps with tional community. Now, Israel, India and Pakistan have name of counter-insurgency thousands of Kashmiris were proprietorial dispute between them on who has legitimate economic powers like China, the news flowing out of India been involved in multiple wars and their nuclear weapons killed, tortured, disappeared and incarcerated, it is much claim over the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The Kashmir these days is far from pleasant. are taken for granted even though they are not signatories movement has also had its limitations as it became mostly India’s top banking institution Reserve Bank of India of the NPT. All this shows that the real issue is that “world confined to the majority Muslims in Kashmir valley thus (RBI) has released data showing that India’s external debt peace” has become a convenient label countries evoke and making it easier for Indian nationalists to brand it as Islamist. crossed half a trillion ($529 billion) by the end of March discard depending on what their interests are. In a world where Islamist movements get associated with 2018. India’s foreign currency debt grew by 12.4 percent With India all set to cut its oil imports from Iran un- extremism and terrorism, it is doubly difficult for Kashmiri as compared to the figure same time last year. der U.S. pressure, do you think it will have any bearing on to gain international sympathy. Finally, international media The data shows that the ratio between India’s external India-Iran relations, which had improved recently, and the is neither neutral nor caring about the rights of all; they debt and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was 20.5 per- ambitious Chabahar Port project? have their own agenda. Kashmir is not important enough cent at the end of March this year, 20 percent higher than A. Unless India offers something else to Iran in return for anyone outside Kashmir-India-Pakistan to pay attention the figure at the same time last year. for cutting the oil imports, or the U.S. makes substantial to. All these factors, and more, lead to the tragic situation As per RBI data, share of commercial borrowings continued concessions to India of some kind, it will be a giving up where Kashmiri right to self-determination is denied, their to be the largest component of external debt with a share of of strategic leverage to little benefit. Iran-India relations lives become expendable under occupation, and no solidarity 38.2 percent, followed by NRI deposits (23.9 percent) and go beyond oil imports. The reality is that American sanc- movement emerges in favour of Kashmiris. short-term trade credit (19.0 percent). Besides that, the appreciation of dollar against rupee is hurting Indian economy, according to a report in India’s leading daily, but its depreciation against other major cur- Is U.S. President officially in charge of India’s foreign policy now? rencies has led to a valuation loss, which is one of the factors By Syed Zafar Mehdi two countries with age-old historical, com- drastic reduction or zero import of Irani- Randeep Singh Surejewala, spokesper- behind increase in India’s external debt. mercial and cultural ties had pledged to an oil from November when the 180-day son of the main opposition party Congress, TEHRAN—The megalomaniac man in the deepen bilateral ties and enhance coopera- wind-down period ends. The news stirred said the decision was not in national inter- White House has embarked on an economic tion in areas of mutual interest, including hornet’s nest in India as any cut in Iranian est. “Will the PM and Petroleum Minister Kashmir pull-out offensive against the Islamic Republic of energy, petroleum and gas. The two sides oil means substantial jump in oil prices in tell the nation if they will adhere to the U.S. part of BJP’s grand Iran, with Tuesday’s announcement that had also agreed on ‘rupee-rial mechanism’ India, which will hit people hard. decision asking to stop oil imports from Iran the U.S. State Department intends to cut to evade banking problems caused by the Modi-led BJP government in New Delhi and its impact on petro prices and national strategy for general off all Iranian oil exports by November 4. draconian U.S. sanctions. has come under blistering criticism at home interests,” he tweeted. Many countries have felt the heat. But among Iran has been the main supplier of crude over this ‘ill-advised’ decision that will only Gaurav Pandhi, a young Congress leader, election, says report Iran’s three biggest buyers of oil – China, oil to India, even at the peak of Western sanc- tarnish India’s reputation globally. Respon- lamented that his country was ‘bowing’ to INTERNATIONAL The decision of Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) India, and Turkey – only India has buckled tions between 2012 and 2016. Although the sible nation states act responsibly without pressures. “We always stood up to any coun- deskto pull out of an alliance with Peoples under the U.S. pressure. These three countries volume of business was affected by the crip- allowing anyone to bully or threaten them. By try that tried to arm-twist us. But now we Democratic Party (PDP) in Jammu & Kashmir was part of account for about half of Iran’s oil exports. pling sanctions, the partnership did not break succumbing to the pressure of U.S., India has ‘bow’ to pressures,” he wrote. Ashok Swain, a “grand strategy” for parliament election, says a report by Ankara and Beijing have refused to cut down. The export of crude oil had substantially not only risked its age-old ties with Tehran, a university professor, said Trump’s “small the Concerned Citizens Group (CCG) led by veteran leader oil imports from Iran, claiming that the cor- increased in last one year, making Iran the but also demonstrated its weak diplomacy. hands” were big enough for “Modi’s 56 inch and former minister Yashwant Sinha. rosively unilateral U.S. sanctions are not third largest oil exporter for India. As one Twitter user sardonically and quite chest”, referring to Modi’s oft-repeated asser- Sinha-led team spent five days in Jammu & Kashmir from binding on them so they won’t pay heed to A few weeks ago, India’s Foreign Min- rightly asked, is the U.S. President officially tion, which has become an idiom of political the day PDP-BJP government fell on June 19. The team in Trump’s diktats. China, Iran’s biggest pur- ister Sushma Swaraj, in a rebuke to Trump in charge of India’s foreign policy now? A machismo in India now. its report said the feeling in the valley is that the BJP-led chaser, accounts for about one-quarter of administration, had declared that India will country that aspires to be a global power, a India’s foolhardy decision to cut Iranian oil government in New Delhi will now take more “belligerent” Iran’s oil sales – 600,000 barrels a day out not respect unilateral U.S. sanctions against financial and industrial giant, a protagonist imports under U.S. pressure at a time when the position on issues like Article 35(A) and give up ambiguity of total 2.2 million barrels a day Iran exports. Iran and will recognize only the UN sanctions. of new international policy, and a viable U.S. government has imposed higher tariff on on Article 370 that provides special status to J&K under What makes it difficult to persuade China to It was seen as a principled stand against an counter-weight to China’s rise is outsourc- many Indian products shows how the power Indian constitution. limit its purchases from Iran is the escalating unprincipled regime that seeks to impose its ing its foreign policy to a country that has dynamics work. However, the mood is Iran “The local perception is that the withdrawal of support trade war between Beijing and Washington. hegemony over the world. The vibes were nice a terrible foreign policy record. India has remains upbeat. Iranians are not panicking was a part of a grand strategy of the BJP with an eye on the India is Iran’s second largest buyer and but nobody exactly knew what was brewing just touched a new low. just because India has backstabbed them. 2019 general election,” said the report, adding that the aim Iran is India’s third largest supplier. Iran’s behind the scenes. A senior Communist Party of India The country has seen the worst and bounced was to use Kashmir to communally polarize electorate in the share in India’s import volumes stands at A few days ago, less than a month after (CPIM) leader Sitaram Yechury took to back stronger every time. state as well as in the rest of India, since the government 10.4 percent in the current financial year, and Swaraj’s statement, India buckled under Twitter to blast the Modi-led government The U.S. attempts to destabilize Iran and had nothing much to showcase in terms of achievements. the recent developments indicated enhanced the overwhelming U.S. pressure, betraying for kneeling before the U.S. “India had stated provoke Iranians against their government The report said that the imposition of governor’s rule cooperation between the two countries, es- national interest and confirming its status only sanctions by the UN would be accept- are bound to fail. Trump, Pompoe, Bolton after the BJP pulled out the coalition government was met pecially since President Hassan Rouhani’s as a pygmy, rather than a giant. Incidentally, able not by individual countries. What is and their surrogates in Tel Aviv and Riyadh was concern in Kashmir and people “did not seem to have historic visit to India in February. At least, it happened a day after U.S. ambassador India’s foreign policy under Modi about? would do well to remember that it is Iran, high expectations” from it. that is what appeared. to UN Nikki Haley visited India. India’s oil Following US diktats, and betraying India’s not just any other country where they can During President Rouhani’s visit, the ministry ordered refiners to prepare for interests,” he asked, bluntly. play their dirty games. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JULY 1, 2018 ANALYSIS & INTERVIEW 7 Relations between Ankara and Washington will remain tense: Turkish expert ‘Unlikely North Korea dismantle its nuclear capacity’ EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW considerations although Ankara vehemently denies this. In By Payman Yazdani the meantime his ties with regional powers will not be as good as he would want, mainly because regional Arab powers are By Javad Heirannia TEHRAN — Referring to reasons for reelection of Erdogan, and Iran are not too happy about his interference in the Middle Turkish political analyst Semih Idiz says Turkey’s domestic, East, whatever his popularity may be with the poorer elements TEHRAN — Shireen Tahmaasb Hunter, a professor of political regional policies and tensions with the U.S. will have almost no of Middle Eastern society. science at Georgetown University, tells the Tehran Times that that “It changes. On Sunday June 24th, Turkey’s long-standing leader Will there be any breakthrough in the Kurdish issue is unlikely that North Korea would dismantle its nuclear capacity.” Recep Tayyip Erdogan won a new five-year term as president. in Turkey? “Better relations with America would improve North Korea›s Mr. Erdogan got nearly 53% with almost all votes counted. A: The Kurdish issue will continue to be one of his main bargaining position vis a vis China, as it would become less de- His closest rival Muharrem Ince was on 31%. headaches, especially now that he has to work together with the pendent on Beijing economically To know more about the reasons for Erdogan’s success ultra-nationalist Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). He will and otherwise,” Hunter tells the and possible changes to his domestic and regional policies we continue his onslaught against the PKK and the pro-Kurdish Tehran Times. reached out to Turkish Political analyst Semih Idiz. Peoples Democratic Party (HDP), but he will try to present Following is the text the inter- Here is the full text of our interview with him: this as a policy which aims to fight terrorism, and which is not view: What are the main reasons for reelection of Erdogan against the Kurdish people. The elections showed, however, How can the U.S.-North Ko- and success of AKP? to go Turkey would enter into a new period of instability. So that this argument is not convincing for the Kurds. rea summit improve relationship A: The conditions were arranged so that the playing field you could say his victory was the result of a number of factors. Recently we see improvement of relation between An- between two countries? favored him in these elections. He had more airtime on television, Will we see any changes in Ankara’s policy in Syria kara and Washington especially over Minbij. Will it affect the A: The meeting between Ameri- more coverage in the press and could use the advantages of the and Iraq? Ankara and Tehran relation in President Erdogan’s new term? can president and the leader of North emergency rule in force since the failed coup attempt in 2016. A: As far as Ankara’s regional policies are concerned I think A: Relations between Ankara and Washington will remain Korea has already helped improve Despite that though the results still showed that he continues we will see continuity in this regard. In other words it will be tense, despite the progress which is reportedly being made over relations. Unlike only a few month to have the support of the conservative religious as well as the much the same. There is no indication that he is prepared to Manbij. There are too many unresolved issues between the ago the two sides are not hurling nationalist classes. His hard-line position on the PKK in Iraq change his position on the various issues relating to the region countries at the moment for ties to improve rapidly. The two insults at each other or threatening a nuclear war. America has also and YPG in Syria also worked to his advantage. There were that he has maintained for a number of years now. I also think countries will nevertheless continue to cooperate on strategic cancelled joint military maneuvers with South Korea which is pleas- also those who like his strong leadership and fear that if he was his regional policies will continue to be driven by sectarian issues of mutual interest, as has been the case to date. ing to North Korea. The question is whether this improvement will continue and expand to the other areas such as economic and trade. Is there an expectation that the summit may lead to North Korean denuclearization and sanctions relief? Al-Hudaydah: the last piece of UAE expansion aims in Yemen A: It is unlikely that North Korea would dismantle its nuclear capacity. However, it could reach an agreement with the U.S. not to By Ramin Hossein Abadian on June 18 that his country and its allies aimed prisons are not confined to Aden only and have completely occupied the island. Socotra is part to “avoid civilian casualties”, adding that the existed in other regions and provinces of Yemen. of an archipelago in the Indian Ocean located target either regional states or the mainland America. The Congress TEHRAN — Despite differences with Saudi operation was “going very well”. There are, for example, prisons located in the at the mouth of the Aden Strait and between has said that it will monitor the process very carefully. Many in Con- Arabia over the past years regarding Yemen, the This UAE official’s remarks indicate that city of “Makla” in Hadramawt province. The the two continents of Asia and Africa. It has a gress insist on total denuclearization which would be hard for North United Arab Emirates has still been cooperative Abu Dhabi is responsible for al-Hudaydah and most important is “Al-Rayan” prison. population of almost 50,000 people. Korea to accept. This insistence could scuttle future agreements. with the Saudis in the war against the poorest its fate. Abu Dhabi officials plan to complete An independent human rights organization, The UAE occupied the Socotra when it was With respect to Trump›s withdrawal from JCPOA, how much Arab state. Despite the rifts between Riyadh their expansionist games in Yemen through “Sam”, which was founded by Yemeni youth in under the control of the ruthless Yemeni gov- can we trust any possible deal between the U.S. and NK? Is it possible and Abu Dhabi, the destruction of the army control of al-Hudaydah. Geneva, has emphasized in a report: “Prisoners ernment headed by Mansour Hadi. The UAE, that the next U.S. president walk away from this agreement too? and popular committee forces in Yemen, the The Emirati’s expansionist aims in Yemen in secret and dreaded prisons are subject to as one of members in the Saudi-led coalition, A: Iran and North Korea are totally different cases. There is country’s infrastructure and the occupation of began two years ago, when Abu Dhabi decid- the most severe forms of physical and mental apparently supported this government previ- strong opposition among U.S. hawks to any compromise with Iran. its strategic areas, these goals are shared. Thus, ed to turn the city of Aden into some sort of torture. Detainees have lost all their rights.” ously. Nonetheless, the occupation of Socotra Israel and the Persian Gulf Arab states also insist on a hardline it is clear that the UAE keeps playing its role “backyard”, but the UAE has the Saudis as The AP documented at least 18 clandestine by Abu Dhabi, without prior notice, represents American policy towards Iran. America›s allies in East Asia don›t in the Saudi-led coalition for a share of war an obstacle to achieve this goal. The Emiratis lockups across southern Yemen run by the United the disagreements between Riyadh and Abu want confrontation with North Korea, whereas Iran›s neighbors spoils in the future. played a key role in recapturing the port city Arab Emirates or by their forces. Dhabi. It also shows the expansion and economic and Israel welcome a hardline policy on Iran and possibly even The current objective is the seizure of al-Hu- of Aden by deploying troops and mercenaries. The secret prisons are inside military bas- aims of the UAE to this strategic destination military confrontation. Therefore, if a solid agreement is reached daydah since the occupation of Socatra Island They were almost successful in Aden, and unlike es, ports, an airport, private villas and even a that once served tourists. Abu Dhabi authorities between America and North Korea it is unlikely that the U.S. would has been accomplished. the Saudis, they were able to wrest control of nightclub. The Emiratis have employed various now aim to complete their expansion in Yem- walk away from it. “There can be no conditions in any offers to some areas in the city. They set up secret and and brutal practices in these prisons to torture en by seizing al-Hudaydah city. This does not How can the warming ties between the U.S. and NK affect withdraw,” the United Arab Emirates’ Minister dreadful prisons created in Aden, too. prisoners. They have been blindfolded and beaten please the Saudis. Yemen has become a victim the Pyongyang›s relations with China and Russia? of State for Foreign Affairs, Anwar Gargash, told Secret detention centers in southern of Yemen for weeks on end. Also, “fused iron” is placed on to some extent of the power struggle between A: Better relations with America would improve North Korea›s a press conference in Dubai. Gargash said the have also been established. According to WHR’s the naked bodies of detainees and abductees. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. bargaining position vis a vis China, as it would become less dependent Saudi and UAE-led offensive aimed “to help report “Khor Maksar”, “Ishreen”, “Al-Hizam This is only a small part of the UAE’s tortures However, the resistance of the Yemeni army on Beijing economically and otherwise. The same would be true the UN envoy in his last chance to convince the al-Amni” “Bir Ahmad” and Al-Enshaat are in their secret prisons in Yemen. and popular committees against the Emirati in the case of Russia. By improving relations with America, North Houthis to withdraw unconditionally from the among the names of some of these detention The strategic Socotra Island was the next aggressors has so far prevented the invaders Korea would not endanger its relations with Moscow or Beijing, city and avoid any confrontation.” Gargash said centers located in the province of Aden. Horrible target of the Emiratis after Aden. They have from completing the conquest of al-Hudaydah. but it would expand its options.

Managing Director of Water and Wastewater Company of Isfahan Province: 90% of Isfahani People Consume Water Below Nationwide Consumption Pattern issue of consistency with water shortage problem he said, adding, “statistics show that about 90 Construction operation of 2nd Wastewater in various agricultural, industrial and drinking percent people of this province consume below Treatment House in this province should have been sectors, focusing on land preparation in sustainable 20 cubic meters of water per month, showing completed in 2007, he said, adding, “provincial development in the country and also practicing a considerable decline in water consumption water and wastewater company is not duty bound self-credence and synergy can be effective.” as compared to the nationwide average level.” to complete construction operation of this giant He put the water spilled and poured into A Nationwide Compliance Working Group project but it has decided to help completion of Zayandehround, Isfahan Province last year at is after reducing per capita water consumption this project financially.” 1.1 billion cubic meter. from 20 meters to 15 meters, he said and put For this purpose, provincial water and Isfahan Province had suitable water resources per capita water consumption in this province at wastewater company will allocate 170 billion in last year, he said, adding, “fortunately, provincial about 11.5 cubic meter for a family, he stressed. tomans with of fund for the construction operation governor general has established necessary Reduced per capita water consumption does of this project, he maintained. cooperation with us in the field of supplying not mean jeopardizing health condition of people Presently, about 24 cubic meter water of quality water in this province.” in a way that countries with rich water resources Zayandehroud Dam is allocated for drinking This year, water flow rate in dam has decreased have very low per capita water consumption, he water in Isfahan and Yazd provinces and also as much as 465 million cubic meter, so that said and put the water consumption rate for each Chaharmahalo- Bakhtiari Province for agricultural provincial water and wastewater company and person in this province at 145 liters/day, the rate purposes. the Ministry of Energy considered restriction to of which should be reduced up to 110 liters/day. About 12 cubic meter of water of Zayandehroud 90 percent of people in Isfahan Province use awareness on the optimal consumption of water, cope with the water shortage problem in such In the same direction, Esfahan Steel Company Dam is allocated for drinking purposes in each water below the nationwide consumption he said, adding, “effective steps should be taken arduous condition, he observed. (ESCO) has reduced its water consumption rate of two provinces of Isfahan and Yazd, Amini pattern. in the field of optimizing water consumption and The water volume allocated to the provincial from 2,000 to below 50 liters. emphasized. On the occasion of Saving Water Consumption practicing common strategies in the world.” water and wastewater company lessened 40 percent Also, Esfahan’s Mobarakeh Steel Company Fortunately, Isfahan Province has the least and Week (June 22-28), Chief Executive of Water The country enjoys high potentials and in some months of the year, he said, adding, “such and Isfahan Refinery are using urban wastewater lowest water loss rate in the country as compared and Wastewater Company of Isfahan Province capabilities and can solve water shortage problem arduous condition created opportunities for the and other industrial and production units in this to other provinces, Amini highlighted. Hashem Amini participated in a press briefing in excellently, he maintained. company, the most important of which can be province are moving towards recycling urban Chief Executive of Isfahan Province Water and the presence of pressmen and media companions. Presently, the country is suffering from water referred to the nonstop efforts of the company wastewater, Amini maintained. Wastewater Company reiterated, “presently, the As mentioned in above, Saving Water Consumption shortage problem seriously, he said, adding, “there in order to solve water shortage problem in this It should be kept in mind that drinking water company has concluded over 250 billion tomans Week falls on June 22-28 in the Iranian calendar are solutions in the world in order to get rid of province.” cannot be rationed and the Ministry of Energy worth of contract with foreign companies and also and this week is held every year in the country water shortage problem,” Presently, Water and Wastewater Company has placed special emphasis on this issue, he received Chinese finance for the renovation and for more than 20 years. “to get rid of water shortage problem, I am of of Isfahan Province is equipped with telemetry said, adding, “however, water supply network rehabilitation of provincial wastewater network It is worth mentioning that Isfahan Province the opinion that all walks of life in society should and water pressure management system which is system in the country should be managed using system.” is one of the first and leading provinces in the observe saving water consumption pattern in unique of its kind in the country, he said, adding, water pressure management system” In a comprehensive three-year plan, sewage and country that observe ‘Water Consumption Pattern’ order to cope with water shortage problem.” “benefited from telemetry and water pressure Broadly speaking logical and engineering wastewater network was to be completed as the in the best form possible in all months of the year. It is for more than a thousand year that Iran is management system, we could control water decisions should be made in order to cope first metropolis, he said, adding, “implementation To begin with his interview, Hashem Amini facing water shortage problem since the country shortage problem in this province using this with water shortage problem, he said, adding, of this comprehensive plan started in 2017.” CEO of Water and Wastewater Company of Isfahan is located in arid and semi-arid region, he said, advanced water saving technology.” “politicizing issues in the country are the most With regard to the measures taken in the field Province pointed to the water shortage problem adding, “to cope with water shortage problem, Elsewhere in his remarks, the CEO of the important problem in the country.” of water consumption management system in the in the country and said, “this issue of water and our ancestors were digging underground water company pointed to one of the other methods Last year, Isfahan province broke the record long run, he said, “in a specific period of time, drought has been raised as a reality in the country table (qanat) and today, consistency with water to control water shortage problem in this province in the country in the field of development and these measures cause us to use water optimally, and effective steps should be taken in order to shortage problem should be taken into serious and said, “we could control immethodical water promotion of sewage and wastewater network because, culturization will not happen swiftly.” deal with the problem logically.” consideration.” consumption at homes using water reducing systems, he highlighted. In conclusion, Chief Executive of Water and Saving water consumption should be practiced He called on all responsible officials and equipment which is a scientific method to manage Water and Wastewater Company of Isfahan Wastewater Company of Isfahan Province Hashem in all seasons of the year instead of observing it in a organizations to raise public awareness on the water consumption at houses.” Province has cooperated with Nongovernmental Amini once again called on all people in the country week and in this regard, responsible organizations adverse effects of water shortage problem. Water reducing consumption equipment was Organizations (NGOs) in order to deal with water to observe accurate water consumption pattern should roll up their sleeves in order to raise public In this regard, paying due attention to the provided for provincial people in installments, shortage problem, he appreciated. in line with dealing with water shortage problem. Saving water consumption even in small amount can solve water shortage problem. Ministry of Energy Water and Wastewater Company of Isfahan Province Saving Water Consumption Week Public Relations Dept. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 8 ADVERTISEMENTS JULY 1, 2018

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I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JULY 1, 2018 ADVERTISEMENT 9 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 10 HERITAGE & TOURISM JULY 1, 2018 Iran’s ensemble Historical relics seized in Sarab of Sasanian cities gets UNESCO world heritage status 1 The ensemble embodies political, historical, cultural and artistic devel- opments of the mighty Sasanian Empire, which is deemed as one of the leading world powers alongside its neighboring arch-rival the Roman-Byzantine Empire. According to Britannica, under the leadership of Ardashir I (reigned 224–241), the Sasanians overthrew the Parthians and created an empire that was constantly HERITAGE TEHRAN — Iranian authorities have recently changing in size as it reacted to Rome and Byzantium to the west and to the Kushans deskseized a patchwork of historical relics from and Hephthalites to the east. a person who was illegally keeping them in the northwestern Under the Sasanians, Iranian art experienced a general renaissance. Architecture city of Sarab. often took grandiose proportions, such as the palaces at Ctesiphon, Firouzabad The objects are comprised of painted potteries, engraved and Saravan. earthenware, pieces of metalwork and personal ornamentations Amongst most characteristic and striking relics of the Sassanids are rock sculptures made of stone, CHTN reported on Saturday. carved on abrupt limestone cliffs, for example at Shapur (Bishapour), Naqsh-e Rostam, People visit a Sassanid-era bas-relief carving in Naqsh-e Rustam, an ancient necropolis near Experts from the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tour- and Naqsh-e Rajab. Metalwork and gem engraving became highly sophisticated. Persepolis in Fars province, southern Iran. ism Organization have estimated the relics date back to the 1st millennium BC. Iran’s tourist arrivals up 4.33% y/y TOURISM TEHRAN — Internation- Croatia and Ireland.” Semnan to host culinary deskal tourist arrivals in Iran The country was visited by other nearby rose 4.33 percent in the previous Iranian states such as Kuwait, the UAE, Oman, Qatar, festival calendar year 1396 (ended March 20, 2018) Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan and Bahrain as from a year earlier, a tourism official says. well, Sabet-Eqlidi said. Underpinned by visitors from neighbor- The official put the number of Iranian ing countries, the number of foreign tourist outbound passengers at 10.54 million in the arrivals reached 5.11 million in 1396 while past year, saying a majority of them were the figure stood at 4.9 million in 1395, CHTN pilgrims. quoted Mohammad Sabet-Eqlidi as saying Data provided to Fox News by leading on Saturday. travel intelligence analyst ForwardKeys Nationals of Iraq, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, showed that there has been a five percent Turkey, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Bahrain, growth in Westerners visiting Iran between Kuwait, India, China and Germany accounted September 1, 2016 and September 1, 2017 for topmost visitors to Iran in 1396, he said, - and Americans make up 14.5 percent of adding, male tourists constituted 70.75 percent all Western arrivals, Fox News reported in of the total visitors, the official explained. September 2017. “Last year, Iran also hosted holidaymakers Iran has launched extensive plans to bolster from various European countries, including its tourism sector. Under the 2025 Tourism HERITAGE TEHRAN — The city of Semnan in northcen- France, Italy, the Netherlands, the UK, Austria, International travelers pose for a photo while visiting the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS) Vision Plan, the country is expecting to in- desktral Iran will hold a gastronomy festival and Sweden, Spain, Belgium, Poland, Denmark, in Mashhad, northeastern Iran. Women are clad in chadors, shapeless gowns that cover crease the number of tourism arrivals from contest from July 4 to 15. Greece, Czech Republic, Portugal, Romania, their entire bodies, to respect a dress code required for female pilgrims. 4.8 million in 2014 to 20 million. The festival will be held in two sections, one dedicated to recreational competitions between families while the other aims Partial restoration to begin on World Provinces to hold cultural nights at to discover top cooking talents, CHTN reported on Saturday. Cuisine-associated workshops and crafts exhibits are amongst Heritage sites in Iran Milad Tower side section programs for the event, which is organized by the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization. HERITAGE TEHRAN — Two UN- TOURISM TEHRAN — Clusters deskESCO World Heritage deskof tourism associates, sites in Iran are to be restored partially, a artists and artisans from all over the coun- cultural heritage official has said. try will hold separate cultural nights at 274 hotels under construction A special committee for Iran’s UNE- Tehran’s Milad Tower. SCO-registered properties has approved The events are parts of a major summer in Khorasan Razavi restoration projects to be conducted on festival, which is being organized by the Gonbad-e Qabus and Sheikh Safi al-Din Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism HERITAGE TEHRAN — A total of 274 hotels are being Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble, CHTN Organization, CHTN reported. deskconstructed with an average completion of quoted Farhad Azizi as saying on Wednes- Holding such cultural nights will 60 percent across Khorasan Razavi province, northeast Iran. day. open up opportunities for promoting Over 80 trillion rials (some $2 billion) has been channeled into The main portico of the shrine ensemble tourism potentials, publicizing resort constructing the hotels that would generate 20,000 jobs when and landscaping of the Gonbad-e Qabus are destinations, and introducing handicrafts inaugurated, CHTN quoted provincial tourism chief Abolfazl subjects of the projects, the official added. and cultural climates of each province, Mokarramifar as saying on Friday. Gonbad-e Qabus - a millennium-old CHHTO Deputy Director Mohammad Over 900 hotels, apartment hotels and guest houses are ca- brick tower in northern Iran - is of high Moheb-Khodai said. tering to travelers across the province, he said earlier in March. architectural importance as an exemplar Visitors will also have the chance to A total of 28.5 million travelers and pilgrims including some yet innovative design of the early-Islam- taste regional snacks and dishes which are 1.7 million foreign nationals visited Khorasan Razavi during the ic-era architecture. usually embellished with fragrant herbs first 11 months of the past Iranian calendar year (started March Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegah and Shrine with an accentuation on freshness, deli- 21, 2017), Mokarramifar added. Ensemble in northwest of the country was ciousness, and colorfulness. developed between the early 16th century An undated photo depicts some travelers Filled from corner to corner with ancient File photo depicts people attending and the end of the 18th century. As a place visit the one-millennium-old Gonbad-e bazaars, museums, mosques, monuments, a cultural night at the foot of Milad ROUND THE GLOBE of spiritual retreat, it enjoys principal ele- Qabus in northern Iran. gardens, historical sites, rich natural and Tower. ments of traditional Iranian architecture rural landscapes, Iran hosts some of the Red Fort Complex to make the best use of existing space for accommodating variety of functions. world’s oldest cultural monuments, in- cluding 22 UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The Red Fort Complex was built as the palace fort of Shah- jahanabad – the new capital of the fifth Mughal Emperor of Boeing is making a long-term play for hypersonic travel India, Shah Jahan. Named for its massive enclosing walls of red sandstone, it is adjacent to an older fort, the Salimgarh, built by Islam but will passengers ever pay for it? Shah Suri in 1546, with which it forms the Red Fort Complex. However, Boeing seems to acknowledge that it’s working By Rosie Spinks The private apartments consist of a row of pavilions con- on something the market may not quite be ready for. In a nected by a continuous water channel, known as the Nahr- It’s fair to say that air travel ain’t what it used to be. Full statement on its website, it said the technology will “position i-Behisht (Stream of Paradise). service cabins imbued with the glamour of the skies have the company for the time when customers and markets are given way to an era of lean travel. Today, the majority of ready to reap the benefits of hypersonic flight.” long haul travelers are keen to get somewhere as cheaply And indeed, while the aviation industry seems to be at as possible—even at the expense of amenities, service, and a particularly frugal point, there are signs of life. Premium an efficient itinerary. passengers—a minority of people who tend to want to But leading aerospace designer and manufacturer Boeing get to the other side of the world as fast as possible—are plays the long game. Last week, at the American Institute more willing than ever to pay top dollar for top comfort. of Aeronautics and Astronautics conference in Atlanta, the Meanwhile ultra long haul flights are showing an appetite company unveiled its concept for a hypersonic jet intended a long way off—two to three decades or so. If and when it for going further afield with as few interruptions and for commercial passenger travel. This would allow passen- comes, it will almost certainly cost more for passengers. layovers as possible. gers to fly at five times the speed of sound—roughly 3,800 Meanwhile, sonic travel has a spotty history, with the Charging an inflated price for a shorter flight will certainly miles per hour—and reach Tokyo from Los Angeles in a last supersonic Concorde service being removed from the be appealing to some—the question is will it be enough to mere three hours. airways in 2003 after an Air France crash killed everyone make Boeing’s considerable investment viable? Luckily, To be clear, the implementation of this technology is on board in 2000. Boeing still has a decade—or three—to figure it all out. A view of the UNESCO-registered Red Fort Complex in India Archaeologists find skull of ancient Roman killed while fleeing Pompeii The Red Fort is considered to represent the zenith of Mughal creativity which, under the Shah Jahan, was brought to a new Archaeologists have found the skull of an of Naples. that rained down on the bustling Roman “We believe he died from being suffocated level of refinement. The planning of the palace is based on ancient Roman who was killed while trying to The rest of the man’s body was discovered town in 79 CE, rather than being squashed by the dust and volcanic ash,” said Prof Osanna. Islamic prototypes, but each pavilion reveals architectural flee Pompeii as it was engulfed by the eruption last month beneath a large stone slab and it by the rock. “His death was presumably not, there- elements typical of Mughal building, reflecting a fusion of of Mount Vesuvius 2,000 years ago. was originally thought he died from being His skull was found close to the slab of fore, due to the impact of the stone block, Persian, Timurid and Hindu traditions The Red Fort’s inno- The skull was found with the jaw agape, decapitated as the rock was hurled through rock, which still points into the air at a sharp as initially assumed, but likely to asphyxia vative planning and architectural style, including the garden frozen in an expression of fear and horror. the air by the force of the volcanic blast. angle, but it was intact. caused by the pyroclastic flow.” design, strongly influenced later buildings and gardens in “His mouth is open wide, in a very striking With the discovery of his skull, howev- That suggests that the man was not crushed Along with the man’s skull, archaeologists Rajasthan, Delhi, Agra and further afield. manner,” said Massimo Osanna, the director er, experts now believe that the man died or beheaded by the slab, which may have found his arms and the upper part of his thorax. (Source: UNESCO) of the archaeological site, which lies south from being suffocated by the volcanic ash been a doorjamb or lintel. (Source: The Telegraph) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JULY 1, 2018 SCI/MED 11 A revolutionary pill that could change Alzheimer’s markers linked to high sugar, high fat foods the lives of people with diabetes in study on mice The combination of aging and eating foods high in fat and sugar Those living with diabetes often have to given the traditional injections of insulin. has been linked to markers of Alzheimer’s disease in a study. use daily injections of insulin to manage Blood glucose levels in the rats given Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, is the body’s glucose levels. But scientists are injections dropped 49 percent in one hour, the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. Around 5.7million closer than ever to replacing those needle which is typical for this type of test. In the rats Americans are living with the condition, and this figure is expected jabs with a simple insulin pill. given pills, these levels dropped 38 percent to spike to nearly 14million by 2020. So far, the pills have shown to be in- in two hours, and 45 percent in 10 hours. credibly promising in animal studies, and Easier mode of treatment human trials will be on next. Having such In other words, the tablets proved almost an option could help transform millions as effective as the injections. If these pills of lives, so it’s easy to get excited here. can get through human trials too, we’re The reason we can’t simply take insulin talking about a much easier mode of treat- in pill form is due to a series of biological ment for people with diabetes. barriers which stop the insulin from getting “Many people fail to adhere to the (injec- where it’s needed - the blood. According tion) regimen due to pain, phobia of needles, to the researchers, their pill can handle and the interference with normal activities,” this problem. says Mitragotri. The “consequences of the “Once ingested, insulin must navigate a resulting poor glycemic control can lead challenging obstacle course before it can be to serious health complications.” effectively absorbed into the bloodstream,” Not only would an insulin pill be more says one of the team, Samir Mitragotri from convenient, it would also more closely match Harvard University in Massachusetts. the way the body’s pancreas produces in- Addressing each of the obstacles from being broken down and thinned out cus lining the intestine, and the tight cell sulin naturally. “Our approach is like a Swiss Army knife, by enzymes in the intestine. junctions of the intestinal wall. And that’s not even all: the liquid-borne This same liquid carrier – made up of In one experiment as part of the study, But the cause of the disease remains unknown. The chance where one pill has tools for addressing each insulin doesn’t cost too much to produce of developing it raises as we grow older, and evidence suggests of the obstacles that are encountered.” choline and geranic acid – also helps the pills were given to six non-diabetic rats, on a large scale, is relatively easy to man- insulin pass more easily through the mu- while another three non-diabetic rats were obesity caused by the diet could also be a risk factor, the First, the pill must survive the acids ufacture, and can be stored for up to two authors of the new study noted. inside the stomach, which it does by wear- months at room temperature without any To investigate these theories, researchers at Brock ing a special polymer coating developed In one experiment as part of the study, damage. University in Ontario, Canada, fed one group of mice a by the team. pills were given to six non-diabetic rats, But before we get carried away, it bears high-fat, high-sugar diet, while a control group continued The coating disintegrates in the more remembering that more animal tests and with their normal food. alkaline environment of the small intestine, while another three non-diabetic rats were some longer-term toxicology studies are After 13 weeks, the scientists measured the inflammation at which point the ionic liquid holding the given the traditional injections of insulin. going to be required. and stress levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of insulin is released: this protects the insulin (Source: sciencealert.com) the mice. The hippocampus is linked to memory formation and spacial awareness, while the prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain in charge of complex cognitive behavior. ‘Dancing’ holes in droplets submerged in Mars valleys traced back to Changes in these areas could therefore contribute to the water-ethanol mixtures, team finds precipitation, new study suggests development of Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers found the mice fed the high fat, high sugar diet had significantly higher markers of insulin resistance, inflammation, and cellular stress in the parts of the hippocampus believed to play a role in Alzheimer’s disease. The prefrontal cortex, meanwhile, showed signs of insulin resistance, but no change in cellular stress or inflammation. The authors therefore believe the combination of a high fat, high sugar diet worsens the effects of aging on the brain in relation to Alzheimer’s disease. (Source: Newsweek)

Source of E. Coli in deadly romaine lettuce outbreak finally found

The recent, nationwide E. coli outbreak tied to romaine lettuce might have stemmed from a contaminated irrigation canal, health Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan they used, they expected a boundary or The valley networks of Mars bear a strong have been created by superficial run- officials said. University have observed the formation interface to form between the IL and resemblance to those found in arid land- off of (rain) water. Consequently, the The outbreak that sickened 210 people and killed five since of holes that move by themselves in drop- the water-ethanol above it, and for the scapes on Earth. Researchers have been influence of groundwater seepage from March now seems to be over, according to the Centers for Disease lets of ionic liquids (IL) sitting inside two to mix gradually. Yet, what they saw able to demonstrate this using the branch- the soil can be excluded as a dominant Control and Prevention. water-ethanol mixtures. This curious, was startling: over time, holes emerged ing angles of river valley confluences. process for shaping these features. A few months ago, health officials had traced back the con- complex phenomenon is driven by an inside the IL droplet, and the holes could Based on these observations, they infer Arid landscapes on Earth tamination to Yuma, Arizona — where most of the country’s interplay between how ionic liquids dis- propel themselves inside the droplet. that Mars once had a primeval climate The distribution of the branching an- romaine lettuce comes from in the winter — but they couldn’t solve, and how the boundary around the Water-ethanol mixture in which sporadic heavy precipitation gles of the valleys on Mars is very similar pinpoint the exact source. Consumers were advised to avoid all droplet fluctuates. Self-driven motion is They found that this curious phe- eroded valleys. to those found in arid landscapes on Earth. romaine lettuce that came from that area. a key feature of active matter, materials nomenon was the result of how the com- The surface of Mars bears imprints According to lead author Seybold, Now, officials have identified this particular strain of E. coli, that use ambient energy to self-propel, position of the water-ethanol mixture of structures that resemble fluvial steam this implies that there must have been O157:H7, in the water of a canal and are working to understand how with potential applications to drug de- naturally fluctuated around the interface. networks on Earth. Scientists therefore a similar hydrological environment with the bacteria entered the water and how it could have contaminated livery and nano-machine propulsion. The conditions were such that the mixture assume that there must have been once sporadic heavy rainfall events on Mars the lettuce, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Most people are familiar with how is close to a critical point, where small enough water on the red planet to feed over a prolonged period of time and that This E. coli outbreak was the largest in the U.S. in more than things mix or dissolve. For example, we variations in composition can have major water streams that incised their path this rainwater may have run off quickly a decade, according to Time. know that water and ethanol mix very consequences. In this case, they were into the soil. over the surface shaping the valley net- This strain of E. coli is particularly harmful because of its well at room temperature; take alcoholic enough to locally promote mixing of the For years, however, scientists have works. This is how river valleys develop ability to produce a toxin known as the Shiga toxin, Live Science beverages. How well they mix depends IL into the water-ethanol mixture; the been debating the source from which in arid regions on Earth. For example, in previously reported. This toxin destroys red blood cells, which, on the environment the mixture is in, unique way in which ILs interact with this water must have originated: was Arizona, researchers observed the same in turn, can block the kidneys’ filtering system and lead to a like temperature and pressure. water led to even further local changes it rainwater that caused streams and valley network patterns in a landscape potentially life-threatening condition called “hemolytic uremic However, dissolution takes a complex in composition, leading to a positive rivers to swell? Or did water ice in the where astronauts are training for future syndrome,” which can lead to kidney failure. turn when we add another component. feedback loop, or instability. The effect soil melt due to volcanic activity, and Mars missions. Valleys in arid regions It’s unclear if this particular canal was the only source of A team led by Associate Professor Rei was so drastic that they led to variations seep out to form rivers? Each of these fork at a narrow angle. infection, and testing on other sources of water, soil and cow Kurita, Department of Physics, Tokyo in the surface tension, driving the sur- scenarios leads to a completely different The branching angles on Mars are manure is ongoing, according to the FDA. Metropolitan University, were studying face to become spontaneously bumpy, conclusion about the climatic history of comparatively low. Seybold therefore (Source: Live Science) how an ionic liquid (IL) dissolved in form holes, and generate the large flows the red planet. rules out the influence of groundwater a mixture of water and ethanol. Ionic required to move them around. These A new study now suggests that the sapping as the major channel forming liquids are liquids composed entirely of holes have been dubbed active holes. branching structure of the former river process on Mars. River networks that ions in ambient conditions; properties Their discovery paves the way for networks on Mars has striking similarities are formed by re-emerging groundwater, Rhino-like mammals roamed like their resistance to drying and ability a broad new class of synthetic active with terrestrial arid landscapes. This has as found, for example, in Florida, tend to dissolve otherwise difficult materials matter, materials that can spontaneously been demonstrated in a recent paper to have much wider branching angles African savannah long before have led to their being referred to as a take energy from its surroundings and published in Science Advances by physi- between the two tributaries and do not giraffes and hippos “solvent of the future” (1), with a focus convert it into motion. With possible cist Hansjörg Seybold from the group of match the narrow angles of streams in on how they might play a role in indus- applications to drug delivery and pro- James Kirchner, ETH professor at the arid areas. The origin of the animals smaller than rhinos but with tiny tusks trial processes e.g. battery production, pulsion at the nanometer scale, this new Institute for Terrestrial Ecosystems, and Conditions such as those found in similar to elephants has been identified through a 55-million- pharmaceuticals, and recycling. phenomenon might inspire investiga- planetary specialist Edwin Kite from the terrestrial arid landscapes today probably year-old teeth fossil found in Morocco. The team placed a small droplet of tions into novel industrial uses as well University of Chicago. prevailed on Mars for only a relatively In the era after the Cretaceous period, right after dinosaurs IL at the bottom of a mixture of etha- as further accelerate academic interest Using statistics from all mapped river short period about 3.6 to 3.8 billion went extinct, a group of animals called the embrithopods roamed nol and water. With the temperature in active phenomena. valleys on Mars, the researchers conclude years ago. the Earth. These animals had hooves, were heavy, and sturdy. and particular ratio of ethanol to water (Source: eurekalert.org) that the contours still visible today must (Source: Science Daily) The smallest size of the species was estimated to be about the size of a sheep but with much bigger built and more sinewy bodies. They resemble a miniature elephant but more closely related to IMIDRO Chief Reveals Ceding 15 Mineral Blocks to Private Sector Investors the hyraxes, which were commonly mistaken to belong to the family of rodents. CEO of Iranian Mines and Mining Industries and said, “in this region, a domestic company managed The place from where the embrithopods came from had re- Renovation Organization (IMIDRO) Mehdi Karbasian to explore at least two billion tons of reserve through mained a stumbling block for scientists who had been studying revealed the transfer of a number of 15 mineral blocks digging area as depth as 1,900 meters.” the species. Now, a 55-million-year-old teeth fossil found in Mo- to the private sector investors, the Public Relations So far, aerial geophysics operation has been conducted rocco can put an end to that question. The analysis of the fossil Dept. of the organization reported. on a land area as large as 200,000 square kilometers since suggested that embrithopods originated in Africa. Given the above issue, 190,000 square kilometer land 2014, he said, adding, “presently, aerial geophysics is The embrithopods origin had always been uncertain because area was allocated to carry out exploration program of carried out in two regions of Kermanshah and Kordestan some of their fossils were found in Africa, Turkey, and Romania. 270,000 square kilometers area, he maintained. on a land area as large as about 5,000 square kilometers. The most known embrithopods were the arsinoitherium that Speaking in the inaugural ceremony of ceding nine Elsewhere in his remarks, Karbasian said, “despite had been found to live in Africa and Arabia between 35 million mineral blocks out of 15 in Abadeh-Jazmourian Area budgetary restrictions faced the organization from 2015 and 24 million years ago. Arsinoitherium closely resembled the to the private sector investors, he said, “transfer of to 2017, National Iranian Copper Industries Company rhinoceros but more related biologically to the elephants, sea exploratory blocks is the first result of exploratory (NICICO) has invested about 600 billion tomans in the cows, and hyraxes. There had also been fossils of smaller types program on a land area as large as 250,000 square exploration field.” of embrithopods that were found in Africa and Turkey. kilometers which was transferred by IMIDRO to the Since private sector is vehemently interested in All these fossils had only made the study of the origin of private sector in 2014.” investing on mineral projects, it does not enter into carried out by domestic and foreign specialists especially embrithopods more perplexing for the experts. This had been He pointed to the first move taken in the field of risky projects such as exploration, he emphasized. European, Canadian and Australian engineers, Karbasian the case until the recent uncovering of the 55-Million-year-old underground mines in central part of the country and The aforementioned exploratory program will be concluded. Moroccan fossil. (Source: Tech Times) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 12 SOCIETY JULY 1, 2018

Elderly helpline to be Tehran Municipality to relocate launched in Iran SOCIETY TEHRAN — A helpline providing counsel- five polluting industries deskling services for the elderly will be launched in Iran, deputy director for prevention department of Welfare ENVIRONMENT TEHRAN — Five pol- which are the farthest from the center desk Organization has said, Fars reported on Friday. luting industries will be can cause new problems. The elderly helpline provides care and support for people moved out of Tehran, director general Transferring polluting businesses to aging 65 and above, Fatemeh Abbasi remarked. of Samandehi Company affiliated with the outskirts can cause the same level of Tehran Municipality which is tasked with pollution given that traffic congestion organizing businesses and industries in will increase as many have to commute the capital has said. on a daily basis, Afshar highlighted. Some 20 polluting industries have Moreover, most service businesses do already been transferred to the outskirts not cause problems operating in the city, of Tehran, while five polluting industries but the main concern refers to production are still operating in the city, Tasnim units, which are also planned to be pro- quoted Farhad Afshar as saying on Friday. vided with the facilities needed to keep As per a directive issued by the Min- on operating in the city, he explained. istry of Interior in the previous Iranian There is a new approach in the world calendar year 1396 (March 2017-March and also in Tehran which allows all busi- 2018), all 25 polluting industries active nesses to operate in the cities provided in Tehran are required to be transferred that comply with necessary requirements to outskirts of the city, Afshar explained. [in order not to generate pollution], he Out of 1,100 industries active in Teh- highlighted. ran, some 25 are recognized as the most In developed countries, waste treat- polluting industries, Afshar said, adding ment is done in the vicinity of the cities, A committee for the elderly has been established by the Welfare that truck repair shops, waste warehous- along with the most sensitive metropol- Organization, she said, adding also, its directives are approved, es, scrapyards, gas charging centers, live- itan areas, conforming to necessary which totally benefit the aging community. stock and veterinary farms are among While the Ministry of Interior has standards, he mentioned, adding, “We She also noted that mental condition of elderly should the polluting businesses that have to be demanded Tehran Municipality to transfer are also looking forward to meet the be taken into serious consideration, since elder abuse has transferred from Tehran. all polluting business units to the outskirts requirements for maintaining business emerged in the society. However, he said, while the Ministry activities in the city”. “In the coming years, older people will have higher level of Interior has demanded Tehran Munic- of the city, transferring all the units to “We can also have business units of education and life expectancy, so a special mechanism is ipality to transfer all polluting business parts of the city which are the farthest from working in the city as well as living in it required for different stages of aging,” she concluded. units to the outskirts of the city, trans- by living up to the regulatory standards,” ferring all the units to parts of the city the center can cause new problems. he concluded.

Tehran mayor pledges to 11 state-run cochlear implant centers Smuggled livestock, a main source of build parks special for active in Iran Crimean-Congo fever in Iran: MP people with MS

SOCIETY TEHRAN — Tehran mayor Mohammad deskAli Afshani has pledged to develop parks special for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the capital, ISNA reported on Friday. Mentioning his plans for the city Afshani explained that in- creasing Tehran’s livability index is high on agenda, so that health and safety of all groups of people and increased accessibility for them must be a priority for the municipality.

SOCIETY TEHRAN — Eleven health centers and hospitals nationwide. ENVIRONMENT TEHRAN — Smuggled slaughter. The majority of cases have occurred deskgovernmental cochlear As a result of the aforesaid screening test, desklivestock which enter in people involved in the livestock industry, implant centers are currently active in Iran, some 3,700 infants were suffering hearing the country from eastern borders is one such as agricultural workers, slaughterhouse said the head of the department of hearing impediment, of which some 3,423 have been of the main reasons behind Crimean-Congo workers and veterinarians. health affiliated with the Ministry of Health. treated, Mahmoudian added. haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) outbreak in Human-to-human transmission can occur A cochlear implant is an electronic med- This year, the Ministry of Health plans Iran, MP Mohammad Javad Jamali has said. resulting from close contact with the blood, ical device that does the work of damaged to provide a full insurance coverage for in- Another reason for the spread of the secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of parts of the inner ear (cochlea) to provide fants suffering hearing impairments, he virus is that the livestock imported to the infected persons. Hospital-acquired infections sound signals to the brain. concluded. country won’t be kept in quarantine and can also occur due to improper sterilization Out of the 11 governmental cochlear How does a cochlear implant the hot weather is also worsening the sit- of medical equipment, reuse of needles and implant centers active in the country, 4 work? uation, Fars news agency quoted Jamali contamination of medical supplies. According to the Global Liveability Report 2017 published are located in Tehran, Fars quoted Saeed A cochlear implant is a small, complex as saying on Friday. The mortality rate from CCHF is ap- by the Intelligence Unit of the Economist, the city of Tehran is Mahmoudian as saying. electronic device that can help to provide Animal quarantine is designed for the proximately 30%, with death occurring ranked first among the biggest improvers over the past years in Cochlear implantation costs about 400 a sense of sound to a person who is pro- purpose of preventing infectious diseases in the second week of illness. terms of liveability. million rials (nearly $9,000) in Iran, which foundly hearing impaired or severely of domestic animals entering from foreign Onset of symptoms is sudden, with fever, Cities are assigned ratings in five categories of stabil- is partially paid by the government and hard-of-hearing. The implant consists of countries, he noted. myalgia, (muscle ache), dizziness, neck pain ity, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and charitable foundations, he said. an external portion that sits behind the Unfortunately the virus has mostly and stiffness, backache, headache, sore eyes infrastructure. Also, cochlear implant for people ear and a second portion that is surgically spread in border areas and those infect- and photophobia (sensitivity to light). There The ten most liveable cities are Melbourne, Vienna, Vancou- struggling financially will be done at placed under the skin. ed with the virus presume that it’s only a may be nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal ver, Toronto, Calgary, Adelaide, Perth, Auckland, Helsinki, and lower costs, he added. A cochlear implant is very different simple infection and won’t refer to medical pain and sore throat early on, followed by Hamburg with very close scores standing at 97.5 to 95. Newborn hearing screening tests should from a hearing aid. Hearing aids amplify centers until it’s too late, Jamali regretted. sharp mood swings and confusion. With 5 percent improvement in a five-year period (2012-2017) be carried out at the first month of an in- sounds so they may be detected by damaged CCHF is a widespread disease caused by a On June 27, Health Ministry spokesman Tehran ranks 127 with overall rating of 50.8. fant’s life, he stated, adding, if a possible ears. Cochlear implants bypass damaged tick-borne virus. The hosts of the CCHF virus Iraj Harirchi said that 41 individuals have hearing loss is detected, further tests should portions of the ear and directly stimulate include a wide range of wild and domestic been diagnosed with the disease and 5 killed be done to confirm the results, and when the auditory nerve. Signals generated by animals such as cattle, sheep and goats. by the deadly virus since the beginning of LEARN ENGLISH hearing loss is confirmed, treatment and the implant are sent by way of the audi- According to World Health Organization the current Iranian calendar year (March early intervention should start immediately. tory nerve to the brain, which recognizes (WHO) animals become infected by the bite 21), Khabaronline reported. Making A Bank Transfer Referring to the fact that the average the signals as sound. Hearing through a of infected ticks and the virus remains in Earlier in late May Fars news agency hearing loss in Iranian infants is 2.7 per cochlear implant is different from normal their bloodstream for about one week after reported that Crimean-Congo hemor- A: Good Morning welcome to Bank of the USA. How may 1,000 births, he went on to say that since hearing and takes time to learn or relearn. infection, allowing the tick-animal-tick cycle to rhagic fever has put 10 individuals to I help you today? [the previous Iranian calendar year] 1396 However, it allows many people to recog- continue when another tick bites. The CCHF death in Iran since the beginning of the B: Hi I need to transfer some money to another account. (March 2017-March 2018), out of 1.5 mil- nize warning signals, understand other virus is transmitted to people either by tick current Iranian calendar year (March It’s urgent. lion live births, hearing screening test has sounds in the environment, and understand bites or through contact with infected animal 21), but the report was denied by the A: Okay, have you made a wire transfer at our bank before? been conducted for 1.1 million infants in the speech in person or over the telephone. blood or tissues during and immediately after Health Ministry. B: No. I’ve never made a transfer before. A: It’s alright, I will take you through the procedure. Are you transferring funds to a company or an individual account? ENGLISH IN USE B: A company account. I need to pay a bill. LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION A: Okay, I’ll need the name of the company and their bank routing number as well as their bank’s address and phone number. B: I have all the information in this folder. Autism screening pilot scheme to برنامه ملی غربالگری اوتیسم از مهر امسال اجرا می شود A: Well You’ve come prepared. You have all the necessary launch in Iran materials so we can go ahead and make the transfer right مشــاور وزیــر بهداشــت، درمــان و آمــوزش پزشــکی در امــور توانبخشــی گفــت: برنامــه ملــی غربالگــری و now. It’s a simple transaction, and we can process it today. An autism screening program will be piloted in a collaborative initiative شناســایی افــراد مبتــا بــه اوتیســم بــا همــکاری ســازمان بهزیســتی و ســازمان آمــوزش و پــرورش اســتثنایی B: Oh, that’s such a relief. I didn’t want the payment to be between the Welfare Organization and the Special Education Organization by September 23 in Isfahan province, Mohammad Taqi Jaghtaei, an از مهــر امســال بــه صــورت آزمایشــی در اصفهــان آغــاز مــی شــود. .overdue. Thank you so much A: It’s my pleasure. advisor to the Ministry of Health has said. محمدتقــی جغتایــی در گفــت و گــو بــا خبرنــگار ایرنــا افــزود: هــدف از اجــرای ایــن برنامــه، تکمیــل چرخــه Key vocabulary “The aim of the program is to complete the autism children’s screening غربالگــری کــودکان اوتیســم اســت. بخشــی از ایــن چرخــه شــامل کــودکان در ســن مهدکــودک اســت کــه urgent: important, needing immediate attention circle. Part of this cycle involves preschoolers which is conducted by از ســوی بهزیســتی اجــرا مــی شــود و بخــش دیگــر آن شــامل کــودکان در ســن مدرســه اســت کــه بــا take one through: guide someone along the process the Welfare Organization, and the other part involves screening and همــکاری ســازمان آمــوزش و پــرورش اســتثنایی، غربالگــری و شناســایی ایــن کــودکان انجــام مــی شــود. procedure: a series of actions identifying school-age children [suffering autism] which is administered transaction: an occurrence in which money is transferred by the Special Education Organization,” IRNA quoted Jaghtaei as saying. جغتایــی خاطرنشــان کــرد: قــرار اســت غربالگــری و شناســایی کــودکان مبتــا بــه اوتیســم از 18 ماهگــی from one account to another Jaghtaei also said that Ministry of Health will also carry out screening نیــز در شــبکه هــای بهداشــتی وزارت بهداشــت انجــام شــود. .overdue: not paid at an expected or required time, missing programs for children aged 18 months the deadline Supplementary vocabulary vault: a large solid steel box used to keep money or valuables ATM: Automatic Teller Machine PREFIX/SUFFIX PHRASAL VERB IDIOM letter of credit: a trade document used primarily in trade finance, which usually provides an irrevocable payment “-oid” Hem in Burning question undertaking. travelers cheque: a preprinted, fixed- amount cheque Meaning: resembling Meaning: to surround someone or something closely Explanation: What everyone is asking ,and what we designed to allow the person signing it to make an For example: The dark humanoid figure was floating For example: They were hemmed in on all sides by all want to know about unconditional payment to someone else at a high altitude. the soldiers and the dogs. For example: Who leaked the information ?That’s withdrawal: removal from a place of deposit or investment the burning question! I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JULY 1, 2018 WORLD IN FOCUS 13

Arab states warned U.S. against Qatar tells UN top court about UAE ‘climate of fear’

revealing ‘peace’ plan: report The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has spread a “climate of fear” Arab states have reportedly warned the Muhammad Fawzi Muhammad al-Hamaida, among Qataris living in the Persian Gulf tiny state during a year- United States against revealing its so-called succumbed to injuries he sustained east of Rafah long blockade, and caused “substantial pain,” the United Nations Mideast peace plan, saying disclosing a plan City in the southern Gaza Strip earlier in the day. top court has heard. that doesn’t meet Palestinian expectations Israeli fire also injured 310 other Pal- British barrister Peter Goldsmith, acting for Doha, made the could agitate the region. estinians. Tear gas was also used against remarks during a hearing at the International Court of Justice The United States President Donald the Palestinians. (ICJ) on Friday. Qatar lodged the case earlier this month, saying Trump’s “deal of the century” is being spear- Protests along the Gaza fence since March Abu Dhabi had “implemented a series of discriminatory measures headed by his senior adviser Jared Kushner 30 have led to clashes with Israeli forces, directed at Qataris based on their national origin.” and Mideast envoy Jason Greenblatt, and is where at least 135 Palestinians, including 14 Goldsmith said, “Many Qataris resident in the UAE live in per- reportedly supported by the House of Saud children, have been killed. The Palestinian petual fear, they live in the shadow of the UAE’s expulsion order.” regime, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt protesters demand their right to return to Last year, the UAE, the House of Saud regime, Bahrain, and and Jordan. their homeland. Over 15,000 Palestinians Egypt severed ties with Qatar, accusing it of backing terrorism, and The duo recently ended a tour of the re- have also sustained injuries. imposed punitive measures. Doha has strongly denied the charge. gion, with Ha’aretz reporting that “the Arab On May 14, Israeli troops opened fire on Goldsmith told ICJ judges that the help-lines that the UAE officials cited the fact that their countries Palestinians who had gathered near the Gaza has set up to help Qataris to understand the restrictions they are dealing with internal challenges.” fence in protest against the inauguration of faced, were in fact linked to the Abu Dhabi police. They said disclosing a plan that did not the US embassy in Jerusalem al-Quds. Over So Qataris are “too scared to call hotlines to register their pres- meet Palestinians’ expectations could fur- 60 Palestinians were shot dead and more ence or their families’ presence for fear of reprisals,” he asserted. ther disturb region, the daily said, quoting than 2,700 were wounded by Israeli snipers Goldsmith said the serious concerns raised by internation- “a Palestinian official.” who had been positioned along the fence. al rights groups have shown “compelling evidence of what has “Egypt isn’t short on internal issues, Every year on May 15, Palestinians all happened, with substantial pain inflicted.” along with fighting terror in Sinai; Jordan over the world hold demonstrations to Qatar is appealing for emergency measures from the ICJ to is dealing with many difficulties on the home commemorate the day which marks the order the UAE to immediately cease and desist from any violations front and repercussions from the Syrian war support for a controversial U.S. “peace” plan ance movement Hamas gave up its arms. anniversary of the forcible Israeli eviction of the human rights of Qataris. don’t simplify things and the Saudis with on the Palestine issue. Last year, the United States recognized of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians Lawyer Alain Pellet, acting for the UAE, said that the restric- the challenges in Yemen,” the official said. The U.S. has been pushing to conclude al-Quds as Israel’s “capital,” and moved the from their homeland in 1948. tions applied by Abu Dhabi against Qataris “has nothing to do “If the [Trump] administration presents a the proposal, despite the Palestinian Author- U.S. embassy to the city in May. The United Nations Children’s Fund with racial discrimination.” plan without Jerusalem [al-Quds] and with- ity’s rejection of Washington’s mediation Following Washington’s announcement, (UNICEF) has said children in the Gaza The UAE has says the ICJ has no authority to hear Qatar’s case, out the refugees it will be an earthquake role in the conflict with Israel after the US an overwhelming number of countries voted Strip are the main victims of the Israeli and stressed that the situation for Qataris living in the country whose repercussion will undermine stability relocated its embassy to the occupied al- in favor of a resolution at the UN General atrocities, where some 1.8 million people today is different from a year ago. in the entire region and not one is ready for Quds (Jerusalem). Assembly, which called on Washington to are living under a crippling blockade. (Source: Press TV) that,” the source added. Back in May, Israeli intelligence website withdraw the recognition. Gaza has been under the Israeli siege The warning struck a clearly different DEBKAfile reported that the plan gave the Israeli forces shoot dead two since June 2007, causing a decline in living tone from the support that four regional Palestinians limited sovereignty over about Palestinians in Gaza Strip standards as well as unprecedented unem- Arab states reportedly threw behind the half of Tel Aviv-occupied West Bank and Elsewhere, Israeli fire has taken the lives ployment and poverty. U.S. government says it plan during Kushner and Greenblatt’s visit. set Abu Dis, east of the occupied al-Quds, of two more Palestinians, a 13-year-old boy Israel has also launched several wars will detain migrant children Israel Hayom daily reported on Mon- as their capital. and a 24-year-old man, across the Gaza Strip. on the Palestinian sliver, the last of which day that the Saudi regime, the United Arab Palestinians have historically sought east Gaza’s Health Ministry said the boy, iden- began in early July 2014 and ended in late with parents Emirates, Egypt, and Jordan had assured al-Quds as the capital of their future state. tified as Musab Ayman Asfour, was shot in August the same year. The Israeli military the U.S. of their support for the plan. The U.S. plan would also reportedly give the head near the town of Khan Yunis along- aggression killed nearly 2,200 Palestinians The U.S. government said in a court filing on Friday that it has The House of Saud regime, the UAE, Palestinians’ sovereignty over the Gaza Strip side the eastern border of Gaza on Friday. and injured over 11,100 others. the right to detain children and parents caught crossing the U.S. Egypt and Jordan have reportedly voiced on the condition that the Palestinian resist- The ministry said the other Palestinian, (Source: agencies) border illegally for the duration of their immigration proceedings. A 1997 court settlement known as the Flores agreement has generally been interpreted to require the Department of Homeland Security to release illegal immigrant children from custody after 20 days. Rights groups decry EU migration deal as 100 more feared drowned But Justice Department lawyers said in the filing in U.S. District Humanitarian agencies and rights groups have denounced with Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Niger and Tunisia. However, Court in California on Friday that they now have no choice but to a hard-fought but vaguely worded European Union deal details are still vague. hold children for as long as it takes to resolve their immigration on migration, announced just as another boat sinking off The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees cases, because of a preliminary injunction issued on Tuesday in Libya led to the apparent drowning of at least 100 people. (UNHCR) cautiously welcomed the EU’s new plan but a separate immigration case. The agreement, sealed early on Friday in a tense Brussels cautioned that it must be made clearer and said African That case, brought by the American Civil Liberties Union in summit after a night of haggling, appeared to be aimed involvement via the African Union regional bloc in the San Diego, challenged the recent government policy of separating at preventing entry for even the most vulnerable people, plan was “indispensable”. families in order to detain parents for as long as necessary under Doctors Without Borders (MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières), UNHCR spokesman Charlie Yaxley noted that for the President Donald Trump’s “zero-tolerance” policy. said in a statement. fifth year in a row the “grim milestone” of 1,000 migrant Since that policy was implemented in May, families have been “The only thing European states appear to have agreed deaths in the Mediterranean has been crossed already - and routinely separated after apprehension. Some 2,000 separated on is to block people at the doorstep of Europe regardless of it’s still only in the first half of 2018. children are currently under government care. how vulnerable they are, or what horrors they are escaping,” The Libyan coastguard said on Friday that about 100 An executive order issued by Trump this month reversed the said Karline Kleijer, MSF’s emergencies chief. people were missing and feared dead after their boat cap- policy, and the subsequent injunction in San Diego ordered the She also accused the deal of aiming to “demonize non-gov- sized off the coast of the country. Fourteen others were reporters that “a complete approach was adopted”. government to immediately stop separating parents and children ernmental search and rescue operations”. rescued after being picked up from the sea. “We are protecting better. We are cooperating more. and said families must be reunited in 30 days or less. The 28 leaders agreed to consider setting up “disembarka- EU leaders, however, praised the plan as an achievement. And we are reaffirming our principles. All hastily-made To comply with the injunction, the government said Friday tion platforms” outside the bloc, most likely in North Africa, In a final statement full of convoluted language designed solutions, be they solely national ones or a betrayal of our it “will not separate families but detain families together during in a bid to discourage migrants boarding EU-bound boats. to appease the divergent views, the leaders agreed to restrict values that consists in pushing people off to third countries, the pendency of immigration proceedings.” Cases can sometimes No third country has so far offered to host these reception migrant movement within the bloc but made clear virtually were clearly set aside,” he said. take months or years to resolve. centers, where authorities would distinguish between irreg- all of their pledges would be carried out on a “voluntary The tensions at the summit underscored the bloc’s deeper (Source: Reuters) ular migrants and asylum seekers admissible into the EU. basis” by member states. divisions in dealing with migration, even as arrivals are According to the EU deal, member countries could also They also agreed to tighten their external border and significantly lower compared with 2015. set up processing centers - but only on a voluntary basis - to increase financing for Turkey, Morocco and other North Migrant experts and humanitarian aid groups expressed Iran’s last deadline to Europe determine whether the arrivals returned home as economic African states to prevent migration to Europe. fear that the EU agreement is a political smokescreen aimed migrants or were admitted as refugees in willing states. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, whose far-right at addressing the concerns of resurgent anti-migrant par- for preserving JCPOA Kleijer was especially critical of the likelihood that mi- League party campaigned to bar migrants fleeing Africa ties in Europe and which will only leave vulnerable people grants would be sent to chaotic situations in Libya, where and expel those already in Italy, said he was “satisfied and once again at risk. refugees have faced abuse, exploitation and trafficking. proud of our government’s results in Brussels”. “At a time when EU leadership on global issues is needed “Without batting an eyelid, they have formalized - through “Finally, Europe has been forced to discuss an Italian more than ever, European heads of state and government financing and training - the use of the Libyan coastguard proposal... [and] finally Italy is no longer isolated and has continue to try to offload their responsibilities onto poorer to intercept people and return them to Libya,” she said. returned to being a protagonist,” he said in a statement. countries outside the EU,” said Oxfam migration policy “European governments do this fully in the knowledge German Chancellor Angela Merkel conceded differences adviser Raphael Shilhav. that these people will be sent to arbitrary detention and remained on an issue that threatens her political career, subject to extreme abuse.” telling reporters the EU still had “a lot of work to do to Shilhav said it looks like the EU is planning more “de Kleijer warned that the EU’s “actions block and obstruct bridge the different views”. facto detention centers” and warned that, “This approach us from doing the work EU governments are failing to do, Merkel was given an ultimatum by her interior minister to migration is a recipe for failure, and directly threatens all the while dehumanizing people in need”. to reach a European deal on migration at the summit or face the rights of women, men and children on the move.” “Any deaths caused by this are now at their hands,” unilateral action that explicitly went against her wishes, Imogen Sudbery at the International Rescue Commit- she said. in a political crisis that threatened to bring an early end tee said the new “disembarkation platforms” raise more Libya is one of the countries in which the EU is con- to her fourth coalition government. questions than answers. sidering setting up its “disembarkation platforms,” along For his part, French President Emmanuel Macron told (Source: agencies) 1 They did not even accuse the US Treasury of vio- lating paragraphs 26-29 of the nuclear agreement, and chose to sacrifice their legal obligations for the political conciliation with the current and previous governments of the United States. U.S. spy agencies believe North Korea has increased nuclear fuel production: report Therefore, the European Union is facing a tough test, and if it fails to pass this test for any reasons, there would no longer be a The United States officials believe North ensure no part of the country’s weapons nuclear deal to continue. Korea has increased fuel production for program escaped the U.S. notice. 3. Over the recent weeks, signals have been sent from the nuclear missiles at several secret research “Work is ongoing to deceive us on the White House to the European troika regarding the JCPOA. US facilities and that Kim Jong Un may plan number of facilities, the number of weapons, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has announced that he will soon to hide the sites amid negotiations over the the number of missiles,” the official said. be discussing this issue with his European counterparts. No doubt, country’s nuclear program, according to a “We are watching closely.” the more European troika is influenced by the United States report on Friday. The assessment from the U.S. intelli- in these talks, the farther it will be from reaching a reciprocal Five U.S. officials familiar with an un- gence officials comes in apparent contrast agreement with Iran. Last week, British Prime Minister Theresa released U.S. intelligence assessment told to comments from the president, who has May stated that Europe should enter into negotiations with the NBC News that North Korean forces have declared North Korea’s nuclear threat to be United States on the nuclear deal! stepped up production of necessary fuel over amid his negotiations with the country. Undoubtedly, the British prime minister knows well that and components for nuclear weapons in Trump isn’t going to change his negative attitude towards the recent months as both sides engaged in “There is no longer a Nuclear Threat from JCPOA. Therefore, the British government is seeking to cooperate diplomacy. North Korea. Meeting with Kim Jong Un with the United States in opposition to Iran and the nuclear deal. President Trump and Kim signed an was an interesting and very positive expe- This dangerous approach will result in the full annulment of the agreement at a historic meeting in Singa- rience. North Korea has great potential for JCPOA, and the consequences will in no way be to the benefits pore earlier this month committing the U.S. the future!” Trump tweeted just weeks ago of the EU member states. to unspecific security guarantees for North after his summit with Kim. 4. Finally, it should be noted that coming up with new sugges- Korea in exchange for Pyongyang agreeing Trump shocked many in Washington tions for preserving the JCPOA, is the last opportunity that the to move toward denuclearization. and around the world earlier this year when Iranian regime and nation have given the European authorities. “There’s no evidence that they are he became the first U.S. president since the Undoubtedly, negative records of the European troika won’t be decreasing stockpiles, or that they have weapons-grade enriched uranium in recent Trump and the U.S. while clinging to his Korean War to accept a meeting with a North ignored in this equation. But the opportunity is once again given stopped their production,” one unnamed months even as Kim met with Trump and country’s controversial weapons program. Korean leader. to European officials to maintain the nuclear deal. If Europe U.S. official briefed on the latest intelligence the two leaders agreed to work towards the “There are lots of things that we know that The move followed months of eased loses this chance in compensating its mistakes, and consider the told NBC. “There is absolutely unequivocal complete denuclearization of the Korean North Korea has tried to hide from us for a tensions between North and South Korea “JCPOA” as a political leverage to realize its transatlantic goals evidence that they are trying to deceive Peninsula. long time,” a U.S. intelligence official said. as a result of increased cooperation around with the United States, then it would be a serious and strategic the U.S.” The same number of intelligence officials However, one senior official told NBC that the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, held in mistake. Therefore, dealing legally and rationally with the existing Five officials told NBC that North Ko- said in the report that it was likely that North the administration was aware of Kim’s efforts South Korea. conditions is the main prerequisites for the maintenance of the rea’s military had stepped up production of Korea’s leader was attempting to deceive and was watching North Korea “closely” to (Source: The Hill) JCPOA by the European Union. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 14 WORLD SPORTS JULY 1, 2018 Russia seek World Cup LeBron reportedly opting miracle against Spain out, becoming free agent

LeBron James will opt out of the final year of his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers and officially become an unrestricted free agent, according to multiple reports on Friday morning. James, 33, would have made $35.6 million in the 2018-19 season had he exercised his option with the Cavs. According to ESPN, James could still fetch as much as $207 million over five years from the Cavaliers, while other teams can offer a max of $152 million over four years. James had until Friday at 11:59 p.m. ET to opt out of the final year of his existing deal with the Cavaliers. He could still re-sign with Cleveland, although the strong current from national media is James appears ready to move again. In 2014, he returned to the Cavaliers after an in-person meet- ing with team owner Dan Gilbert. Their relationship was never a great one, but has splintered in recent years. In 2010, James bolted Cleveland in a nationally televised announcement “The Decision,” infamously declaring he was taking his “talents to South Beach” to join the Miami Heat. —Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said the team will consider any possible trade scenarios to improve this offseason, but also added that any blockbuster-type “Feel the power of dream at of trade is “unlikely.” 2018 World Cup” Speaking at an introductory press conference for first-round pick Robert Williams, Ainge wouldn’t go into significant detail Russia’s last World Cup game against Uruguay brought the Russia’s stadiums were meant to wow the crowds. Its foot- game that decided who finished first in Group A. on the team’s plans as free agency nears, but he intends to look overachievers down to earth with a thud. Their next one against ball team was not. “Welcome back, Sbornaya!” said one sardonic tweet when at all options. Spain might just send them over the moon. And then it did. the score was 2-0 and Russia were down to 10 men. “If I feel like it’ll help our team — we explore every trade of The hosts play their most important match in three decades The men in red kicked off the tournament in Moscow’s “I finally recognize my team,” another quipped. players of certain magnitude or superstar, first-ballot Hall of when they face the 2010 champions in Moscow on Sunday in 80,000-seat Luzhniki Stadium -- the crucible of Soviet and The number of Russians who still thought their team could Fame-type of players,” Ainge told reporters. “We’re going to the last 16. They are making their first appearance in the World Russian sport -- with a 5-0 thumping of Saudi Arabia. become champions promptly fell to six percent. take a look and kick the tires and see if there’s something there. Cup knockout stages in the post-Soviet era as the ultimate The performance, including two goals from midfielder Russia now return to the Luzhniki for the Spain encounter, But that’s all. I think those things are unlikely.” underdogs -- Spain have not lost a match in two years while Denis Cheryshev, made a mockery of Russia’s ranking as the with no one seemingly certain about how good they are. (Source: Reuters) Russia entered the tournament without winning a game in tournament’s worst team. A victory would be a famous one. A defeat would only con- eight months. But it also came against lowly opposition and left many firm doubts that have surrounded the team since the Soviet The last competitive match between them saw the Spaniards feeling a sense of relief that their lowly Sbornaya were not Union’s collapse. The Soviet Union reached the last 16 at the prevail 3-0 in the semi-finals of Euro 2008. embarrassed on the world stage. 1986 tournament in Mexico, losing 4-3 to Belgium in extra time. “We want to perform a minor miracle,” said Russia forward Russia’s 3-1 defeat of Mohamed Salah’s Egypt raised more That squad featured the great forward Oleg Blokhin and Mexican fans cancel Red Artem Dzyuba. “We want to give our supporters an even bigger eyebrows. The win came with its own caveat: Salah was not agile goalkeeper Rinat Dasayev. The team went on to lose the present.” at his best after a shoulder injury he suffered in Liverpool’s final of Euro 1988 to Ruud Gullit’s Netherlands. Square ‘Day of the Dead’ The month-long extravaganza has always been about much Champions League loss to Real Madrid. A similar result against Spain would see the Russians leave more than football to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Yet Russia really were looking better than advertised. The the tournament with their heads held high. parade after complaints The hosts are spending a record $13 billion to put on a show number of fans who thought they might actually win the whole “We are simply delighted with making it out of the group,” that projects Putin’s vision of Russia as a global power that has thing edged up from 11 to 14 percent. local organizing committee chief Alexei Sorokin said. regained its Soviet might. And then came last Monday’s 3-0 defeat to Uruguay in a (Source: AFP) Colombia outscore Brazil, Argentina Magic Modric living the dream over two World Cups for Croatia

Mexican soccer fans called off a Day of the Dead-themed parade in Moscow’s Red Square on Friday after communist lawmakers objected to the event being held so close to Lenin’s tomb. A carnival atmosphere has taken over parts of the capital as thousands of fans pack to watch the soccer World Cup. Mexican fans - whose team is one of the 16 to make it through to the knock-out stages - had planned a party in the zone set aside England’s Round of 16 opponents Colom- goals in seven matches in Brazil. After scoring one of the goals of the tour- “He is one of the best in the world right for them in the city, followed by a street parade to Red Square bia may not be a major South American It is a similar story at the finals in Russia nament and upstaging Lionel Messi by now,” Lovren said. “Modric would probably several hundred meters away. football force like Brazil or Argentina but where Colombia, including Falcao this time, leading his team to the top of their group, be getting more attention than he is right But one of the organizers said they were told by authorities Los Cafeteros have outscored both of them may have had some patchy performances but Croatia captain Luka Modric hopes to ful- now if he was a German or Spanish player.” after midday on Friday to hold the parade and event indoors, over the last two World Cups while having have still scored more goals than Argentina fil a dream that began when he watched No Croatian has ever won the annual declining to explain why. played fewer matches. and notched as many as the highly-rated his nation record a best ever World Cup award for the world’s best player although Sergei Malinkovich, deputy head of the Communists of Russia Many England fans were celebrating Brazilians, led by Neymar. showing. Davor Suker finished second in 1998, the party, said people dressed as skeletons - one of the traditional despite their team’s 1-0 loss to Belgium Lionel Messi’s Argentina only narrow- “It was a huge advert for Croatia, all the year Croatia lost to hosts France in the symbols of the Mexican annual holiday at which families honor in their last group match that saw them ly scraped into the knockout stage with a world finally knew about us,” the 32-year- World Cup semi-finals. their dead loved ones - should not be allowed to march on what finish second and set up a knockout game last-gasp goal against Nigeria, their third old midfielder reflected a couple of years A visionary passer and fleet-footed drib- his party has called “hallowed” ground. against the Colombians, as the path beyond in three group games. ago of that 1998 run to a third-place finish. bler, Modric came to global prominence “Why should we have some kind of skulls there?” Malink- the last 16 looks somewhat easier. Brazil netted five times in Group E, in- “I began dreaming about trying to reach when he joined Tottenham in the Premier ovich said. England could face Sweden or Swit- cluding two stoppage-time goals to beat that level one day.” League in 2008. He has kept his form with The body of Soviet founder Vladimir Lenin lies embalmed in zerland in a potential quarter-final, while lower-ranked Costa Rica. On Sunday, Modric leads Croatia in a Real Madrid’s Champions League-winning a marble tomb on the square and Soviet leaders and dignitaries Belgium are surrounded by former cham- Were it not for Neymar, who has been Round of 16 tie they are hot favourites to sides since joining them in 2012. are buried in the Kremlin walls. pions Brazil, France and Argentina in the involved in 19 goals in his last 18 appear- win against Denmark, whose main threat is Unlike some other creative geniuses, Malinkovich’s party had appealed to the Interior Ministry to other half of the draw. ances for Brazil (10 goals, 9 assists), their another slight and silky midfielder: Christian Modric also busts a lung to help defend stop fans holding the parade, he said, arguing it could provoke But a look at Colombia’s matches at this total count would certainly have been even Eriksen. Croatia are brimming with confi- — a quality that endears him to both fans violent clashes with Russian patriots. World Cup and the 2014 edition in Brazil lower. dence after winning Group D at a canter with and coaches. “Russian people on the square would almost certainly have reveals they have been more effective in Colombia go into the knockout stage a perfect record, including a 3-0 thumping “He’s the engine that makes us go,” tried to stop them. There would have been conflicts to say the total than their bigger South American having also scored five goals in their three of Messi’s Argentina that included a sublime Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic said before the least, and perhaps clashes,” he said. opponents while also playing fewer games. group games and will have the support of long-range strike from Modric that utterly tournament. “He’s also a captain who leads The event - held four months before the actual celebrations Led by world-class players such as James tens of thousands of fans. demoralised the South Americans. The Real by example. He always gives his maximum, in Mexico - was held in the fan area and was attended by several Rodriguez and Juan Cuadrado, but miss- “For me, it’s going to be a brilliant game Madrid and former Tottenham player also sets high standards with his attitude, ag- hundred revelers. ing key striker Radamel Falcao in 2014, to be involved in,” said England coach Ga- gave Messi a lesson in converting spot kicks, gression and energy on the pitch, and with (Source: Euronews) Colombia scored a total of 12 goals in five reth Southgate. “It looked like Colombia scoring his against Nigeria on the same day his behaviour off it.” matches at the World Cup in Brazil, having had 30,000-40,000 fans in the stadium. the mercurial Argentine infamously missed Disappointed with his personal perfor- reached the last eight. I went to two of their games in Brazil, they one against Iceland. mances in Brazil four years ago, Modric Semi-finalists and hosts Brazil managed were incredible occasions.” Such has been his influence, when some has already more than made up for it but a goal less but played two more games than England are looking to advance with were suggesting he might soon be fading now wants to go further and surpass the the Colombians at that tournament. their first knockout win in a tournament into the twilight, Croatia defender Dejan Croatian ‘Class of 1998’ that first inspired Valdes to coach at Rayo Argentina, who lost the 2014 final to in 12 years. Lovren suggested Modric deserved to win him as a boy. Majadahonda Germany, had an even lower tally of eight (Source: Daily Star) the Ballon d’Or. (Source: Reuters)

Former Barcelona goalkeeper and Spain international Victor England are in wrong half of draw, says former coach Eriksson Valdes will join Rayo Majadahonda as a youth coach, say reports Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson believes Eng- Cup quarter-finals in 2002 and 2006, believes his former in Spain. land may have seriously miscalculated if they think they have side will outscore Colombia in Moscow on Tuesday, par- The 36-year-old is set to join the newly-promoted La Liga 123 gained a smoother World Cup passage by finishing runners-up ticularly if they play Marcus Rashford instead of Raheem club, according to Marca, and Media Base Sports – who recently in their group. Some believe losing to Belgium in their last Sterling alongside five-goal Harry Kane up front. completed a takeover of the club – are said to be influential in Group G game could help England but Eriksson said Gareth “I would expect England to beat Colombia. They can the move. Southgate’s side had more chance of beating Brazil on the do it in 90 minutes, no need for penalties, but the key is to Valdes won six league titles and three Champions League other side of the draw than Sweden, whom they could face defend well,” he said. crowns at the Camp Nou in 535 appearances across a 22-year in the quarter-finals if they beat Colombia in the round of 16. “Don’t give Colombia chances because they have players stint at the club he joined initially as a 10-year-old. “I’m a little surprised because everybody seems to be like Juan Cuadrado that can beat players one-on-one. Don’t After his departure from the Blaugrana in 2014 he had been happy in England, thinking they are now on the right side give them that chance,” said Eriksson, who also managed set to join Monaco before an injury ruled out a move, and he even- of the World Cup draw because they’ve avoided the half with Mexico and Ivory Coast in a globe-trotting career. tually joined former boss Louis Van Gaal at Manchester United. Brazil,” said the Swede, who believes his countrymen will “If England defend well, they will win – because, with The goalkeeper could not take away the number one spot from see off Switzerland to set up the showdown with England. and they can defend in their own box as well,” said Eriks- the players England have up front, they will score.” David De Gea, had a brief stint on loan at Standard Liege and “In the last 30 years, how many times have England son, who was speaking to bookmaker Paddy Power (news. Rashford played in the 1-0 loss to Belgium but was a was released in unceremonious circumstances, before joining beaten Sweden? Not often – twice. paddypower.com). substitute in England’s first two games when Sterling started. Middlesbrough under Aitor Karanka, whom he left after rele- “It would be easier for England to beat Brazil than to “During my time with England we met them four times. “Rashford showed yesterday that he can come in and gation last year. beat Sweden in my opinion, Sweden today are a very hard We lost once, and the others were a draw and, going back make a difference to the team with his speed and technique, Valdes also won 20 international caps for Spain. team to break down,” Eriksson added. before that, Sweden have beaten England in big games.” and he is a goalscorer as well,” Eriksson said. (Source: Football Espana) “Their strikers are defenders when it’s time to defend But the 70-year-old Eriksson, who took England to World (Source: Mirror) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JULY 1, 2018 SPORTS 15 We deserved more at Carlos Queiroz shortlisted World Cup: Masoud Shojaei for South Africa coach PLDC — Iran national football team head coach Carlos Queiroz has been shortlisted to take charge of South Africa, known as Bafana Bafana. Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter and the South African Football Association (SAFA) officials are reportedly engaged in crunch talks over Baxter’s future. The team’s humiliating defeat against Madagascar in the Cosa- fa Cup has caused the SAFA Council to lose faith in Baxter and according to a report by Soccerladuma.za even caused officials to make moves to secure the services of Iran’s coach Carlos Queiroz. Despite being contracted to SAFA until 2022, Baxter has been heavily linked with a return to Kaizer Chiefs. On Thursday, Mehdi Taj, the President of the Football Fed- eration Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), said Queiroz will stay as Team Melli coach until the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.

Two Persepolis players extend contract

TASNIM — Ahmad Nourollahi and Siamak Nemati have ex- tended their contracts with Iranian Persepolis football team for one year more. The new extensions mean Nourollahi and Nemati will remain in Persepolis until 2020. “80 Million People, Persepolis is not allowed to sign new player until the January and it’s a good news for the Iranian giant. One Nation, One Heartbeat” Persepolis has won Iran Professional League back-to-back title and is preparing for claiming the title for the third time in a row. SPORTS TEHRAN – Iran national football Shojaei said. “Carlos Queiroz fielded the best players and I respect desk The Reds will travel to Zagreb, Croatia on Saturday to hold team captain Masoud Shojaei says they “Team Melli made history in the competition, earning his decision. I did my best in training but I am not re- a 13-day training camp. deserved a place in the 2018 World Cup Round of 16. four points for the first time. We have been drawn in the sponsible for picking lineup,” Shojaei said. Persepolis is preparing for two matches against Qatari Al Iran failed to qualify for the next stage with four Group of Death but snatched four points and it showed Shojaei is the only Iranian player who has played Duhail in AFC Champions League (ACL) quarter-final in late points, one point behind Spain and Portugal. we participated in the competition with high-quality three times in the World Cup finals. August and early September. “As you see, we did our best and I think we deserved players,” the Iran captain added. “It’s a great honor to represent my country in the to advance to the second round. The football world Shojaei just played 68 minutes against Morocco and World Cup finals for the third time but I’d rather ad- respect us for what we achieved in this tournament,” was an unused substitutes against Spain and Portugal. vance to the next stage for the first time,” he concluded. Iran gets four medals Iran narrowly beat Qatar at FIBA Basketball in Asian Junior Rowing Championships World Cup qualifier Press TV — Young Iranian sportsmen and women have exhib- Iran defeated Qatar 75-77 in the penultimate game of the the game,” Qatar coach Tim Lewis said. ited admirable athletic skills at the 2018 Asian Rowing Junior FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 qualifiers at the Al Gharafa “Iran are a perennial Asian contender. They play a lot of Championships in South Korea, and been awarded four medals, Indoor hall on Friday. matches and have been battling the Australians for Asia’s including three gold ones, in the continental event. Iranian center Hamed Ehadadi dominated in the paint top spot in the last few years,” he added. Iranian rower Mohsen Shadi took part in the finals of men’s with a game-leading 23 points and 14 rebounds. Iran will face Kazakhstan in Group D in Tehran on Monday heavyweight single sculls competitions in the central South Ko- Clinton Johnson led the hosts dropping 22 points. Mo- while Qatar play Iraq for a place in the next phase which rean city of Chungju, and set the time of 7:08.904 minutes to be hamed Yousuf Mohammed and Mansour Elhadary also will consist of 12 teams in two groups. crowned as the champion and receive the gold medal. finished in double digits with 13 and 12 points respectively. The top three teams in each group along with the bet- Rowers from Uzbekistan and Hong Kong finished in the second “We played well, we controlled the game until we gave ter placed fourth team will qualify for the FIBA Basketball and third spots respectively. five easy points to Iran which changed the complexion of World Cup.

Iran’s Beiranvand in World Cup 2018 Salah welcomes fans after home best team so far address leaked on Facebook

In the men’s singles category, Reza Ghahremani stood on the top podium with 7:16.314 minutes, and bettered contestants from Hong Kong and China, who snatched the silver and bronze medals respectively. The Iranian pair of Milad Allahverdian and Shirzad Ghaderi vied against opponents from China, Hong Kong, India, Japan and Uzbekistan in the men’s doubles section, and snatched the gold medal, having recorded the time of 6:44.549 minutes. Contestants from Japan and Hong Kong landed in the second and third places respectively. Additionally, the Iranian women’s team, comprised of Asra Javanmardi, Kimiya Zarei, Forough Aghabalazadeh and Haniyeh Bidad, finished as the vice champion in the quads event. With the group stage in Russia sleeping rough in Tehran. He Mohamed Salah showed his humility by for Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League The 2018 Asian Rowing Junior Championships kicked off on done and dusted, theguardian. worked in a carwash and as a pizza responding to his adoring fans in incredible final against Real Madrid. June 26, and will finish on June 30, 2018. com reveals the best XI, as voted delivery driver before becoming a fashion after details of his Cairo address The World Cup campaign was a disap- by its readers. professional footballer. were leaked on Facebook. pointment for Salah after his stellar sea- All the 48 group-stage matches He has been brilliant in Russia. Fans reacted to the Facebook leak as one son for Liverpool that had concluded with in Russia have now been played and Saving a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty would have imagined they might, thronging his injury as the Reds lost the Champions Saber Kazemi joins Ziraat after each of them we have asked against Portugal was only one of to Salah’s address without a care for their League final. our readers to hand out their player the highlights as he has produced hero’s privacy, but the Liverpool and Egypt Apart from the results, he was the subject Bankasi ratings.9 several high-caliber stops and start- star was unfazed by the crowds outside of reports, confirmed to ESPN FC, that he The verdicts have then been ed Iran’s attacks with his long and his property. was considering his international future TASNIM — Iran international opposite Saber Kazemi joined inputted into our guide of all the accurate throws. Salah went outside to sign autographs for with Egypt because of his unhappiness about Turkey’s Ziraat Bankasi. 736 players at the 2018 World Cup Before the tournament he said: “I his fans despite having only just returned being drawn into a political row during his The 19-year-old player was a true revelation for Iran national – and we have now gone through want to shine in the World Cup, then home after the Pharaohs’ disappointing stay in Chechnya with his national team team in Volleyball National League. them to see who makes our team maybe I can join a European big club. World Cup campaign. during the World Cup. Kazemi was a member of Iranian Super League newcomer of the tournament so far. I’d like to play at Liverpool or PSG.” Egypt returned from Russia having lost all The Chechen controversy was the latest Shams Tehran last season. According to our readers, Iran’s He will not be short of offers. After the three of their fixtures in Group A, but Salah that Salah had experienced while on inter- Iranian outside spiker Farhad Ghaemi had already joined Alireza Beiranvand gets the nod three games he had an average rating scored both of their goals, one each against national duty, with the forward winning the Turkish giant in early June. in goal and it is difficult to argue of 8.67, the highest of all the players Russia and Saudi Arabia, after controversially a battle against the Egyptian FA in April Ziraat Bankasi has been established in 1981 and based in with that selection. Had a difficult in Russia. missing their opening fixture against Uruguay over the use of his image rights. Ankara. The team is competing in the Turkish Men’s Volleyball upbringing and was at one stage (Source: Guardian) with the shoulder injury he sustained playing (Source: ESPN) League, the top league in Turkey, and its home venue is Baskent Volleyball Hall. St Petersburg pizza art gives fans a shot at biting Suarez ST PETERSBURG (Reuters) — A restaurant in restaurant’s regulars alike. Iran ranks 1st in int’l St Petersburg has struck a chord with the hordes of “It really does have a bite,” said one satisfied customer, soccer fans in town for the World Cup by serving up while chewing his way through a slice of Suarez. veterans football tourney pizzas featuring the faces of some of the tournament’s Each soccer pizza portrait takes nearly two hours in China biggest stars. of careful stenciling and cutting. The dough is cooked Ahead of Saturday’s last 16 match between Uruguay before the stenciling process and then the cheese is and Portugal in Sochi, football fans who visited the melted into position. IRNA — Iranian veterans football team overpowered the team HopHead Tap Room bar in St Petersburg were given a “We started doing this in connection with the World Cup, from host country China to pick up the trophy of the first inter- chance to turn the tables on Luis Suarez and take a bite we support football and sport through this method,” said national veterans football tournament held in the southeastern out of the Uruguay striker. Maksimchik, who has also made pizza portraits of Russia Chinese province of Jiangxi. Uruguay’s record scorer arrived in Russia looking to coach Stanislav Cherchesov and striker Artem Dzyuba. In the final match, the Iranian veterans footballers beat China’s dispel the memory of his infamous bite on Italy defender “My main work is as a pizzaiolo, but this is a hobby, Team A 3-1 to be crowned champion of the international tourney. Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. so it brings me pleasure, like any hobby would.” Mohsen Ashuri, Nader Khamsabadi and Amir Aqajani scored Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo is the other player featured The chef has promised to make pizza portraits of the goals for the Iranian side. in chef Valery Maksimchik’s unique pizza art, and the each Russia player if the hosts go all the way and win Eight teams in two groups participated in the international edible portraits are a big hit with soccer fans and the the World Cup. tourney. Prayer Times Noon:13:08 Evening: 20:45 Dawn: 4:06 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 5:52 (tomorrow) JULY 1, 2018 ART&CULTURE I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y www.tehrantimes.com Managing Director: Ali Asgari Sepehri Editor-in-Chief: Mohammad Ghaderi Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 [email protected] painting sells Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051450 Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 over $1.2 www.eshterak.ir Distributor: Padideh Novin Co. Tel: 88911433 Webmaster: [email protected] Printed at: Rooztab - ISSN: 1017-94 million at No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran P.o. Box: 14155-4843 Zip Code: 1599814713 record-breaking Tehran Auction 1 “He Havaze, Honesdale”, a calligraphic painting by Hossein Zenderudi, sold for 23 billion rials (about $550,000), was the second most expensive item sold at the auction that was held at the Parsian Azadi Hotel Friday evening. An untitled painting by Sepehri was the third most expensive item sold at the auction. The artwork fetched Deputy culture minister 19 billion (over $452,000). Seventy-six works went under the hammer at the Auctioneer Hossein Pakdel takes bid for the sale of “He Havaze, Honesdale”, a calligraphic painting by Hossein Zenderudi, criticizes Reuters for ‘biased’ auction that broke the records of previous editions by during the Tehran Auction at the Parsian Azadi Hotel on June 29, 2018. The piece fetched about $550,000, was the grossing over 313 billion rials (about $7.5 million). Only second most expensive item sold at the auction. (Honaronline/Mohammad Namzi) report on Iran two works by Zenderudi and Kurosh Shishegaran failed An untitled mirror work by Monir Farmanfarmaian $180,000) and the sum was donated to the Iranian to find a buyer. featuring a pentagram sold for 7.5 billion rials (about Hemophilia and Thrombophilia Association. CULTURE TEHRAN – Deputy Culture Minister Hossein deskEntezami has criticized Reuters for publishing a report suggesting that Iranians have bought passports from the Comoros Islands, a small nation between Mozambique and Spanish Film Academy Foundation grants honorary membership to Asghar Farhadi Madagascar, to protect their interests as sanctions crimped the ARTTEHRAN – Two-time Oscar-winning of Spanish cinema” while underlining the importance of the country’s ability to conduct international business. deskdirector Asghar Farhadi was selected as work of the film academies. In a post published on his an Honorary Patron of the Film Academy Foundation (De “The world cinema is in a situation of risk. Fewer and Twitter on Saturday, Entezami la Fundación Academia de Cine), the foundation announced fewer people are going to theaters, they prefer to see the who served as deputy culture on Thursday. movies at home, and the international academies have to minister for press affairs from The Film Academy Foundation is a Spanish professional come together to find a solution,” he added. 2013 to 2017 wrote, “Reuters organization dedicated to the promotion and development “When I studied theater at university, I saw many films gambles with its professional of Spanish cinema with headquarters based in Madrid and by Carlos Saura [Spanish film director, photographer and credibility on publishing biased Barcelona. writer]. The works of Pedro Almodóvar, Alejandro Amenábar reports.” Antonio Banderas, Alejandro Amenabar, Almudena Grandes, and Alberto Iglesias are also known in my country,” he stated. “Reuters used to distinguish Mario Vargas Llosa, Vittorio Storaro and Inma Shara are Farhadi who has received Oscars for his “Separation” and between news and psychological among those who have received the honor from the academy. “The Salesman” shot his latest film “Everybody Knows” in warfare,” he noted. In a statement published by the academy, Farhadi said Spain with the elite of Spanish interpretation, from Penélope In a special report published that the decision to honor him by the title has given him “a Cruz and Javier Bardem to Ricardo Darín, Eduard Fernández, on Friday, Reuters wrote, The very good impression” and made him “feel part of the family Director Asghar Farhadi in an undated photo. Barbara Lennie or Inma Cuesta. Comoros Islands, a nation of about 800,000 people, began its program to sell passports Deputy Culture Minister Hossein in 2008 as a way of raising Iranian, European musicians team up to perform Entezami in an undated photo much-needed cash. (Tasnim/Mahmud Hosseini) The report suggested that charity concerts for child laborers senior executives of Iranian ARTTEHRAN – A number the concerts has announced ists Bardia Kiaras, Amir Bavarchi, Mehdi companies working in shipping, oil and gas, and foreign cur- deskof Iranian and Europe- Internava aims to support Iranian Javanbakht, and Tina Jamegari, cellists rency and precious metals – all sectors that have been targeted an classical musicians have teamed up musicians and Iranian composers and Negar Nurad and Makan Khubinejad and by international sanctions on Iran, have bought the passports to perform charity concerts at Tehran’s help to promote a wider understanding pianist Ashkan Layeq. to facilitate travel and business transactions. Vahdat Hall on July 16 and 17 to raise and appreciation of Iranian contempo- The organizers plans to celebrate the funds for child laborers. rary music and original Persian music 80th birthday of Iranian composer and A quartet of European musicians led around the world. conductor Loris Tjeknavorian during the Iranian shorts to compete in by the Irish violinist Darragh Morgan will Violinist Victoria Mavromoustaki (Cy- first performance. join two quartets from Iran to play contem- prus), cellist Pedro Silva (Portugal) and In a message published by Internava, Portuguese festival porary and world classical masterpieces Miguel Sobrino (Spain) will accompany Tjeknavorian has said, “I am delighted that during the concerts, the UK-based music Morgan during the performances. Internava is planning my 80th birthday A poster for the concerts the Internava center ARTTEHRAN – Two Iranian shorts “Gaze” by center Internava that is an organizer of The Iranian musicians include violin- celebration. organized for Tehran deskFarnush Samadi and “Umbra” by Saeid Ja- farian will be competing in the 26th edition of the Curtas Vila do Conde International Film Festival in Portuguese during July. Singer James Arthur urges more Quincy Jones honored as Montreux mental health support in music Jazz Festival kicks off LONDON (Reuters) — More support MONTREUX, Switzerland (Reuters) should be given to music artists dealing — Quincy Jones, the legendary American with mental health problems and singers, music producer, was honored on Friday DJs and musicians should talk more at the Montreux Jazz Festival, the annual openly about their concerns, British event where he served as co-director in singer-songwriter James Arthur has said. the 1990s and continues to be a regular The 30-year-old former “The X Factor” feature. winner, who has previously spoken about Jones, 85, received a medal and silver his battle with anxiety, said awareness plaque from the Swiss lakeside city stating of the pressures facing performers has that a hall had been renamed after him increased. as the two-week festival kicked off with a A scene from “Gaze” by Farnush Samadi “Mental health ... is of paramount concert by John Cale. The film “Gaze” tells the story of a woman who witnesses importance in the music industry I “Man, it sure feels be good to be back something happening on the bus on her way back from work, think and maybe there should be more James Arthur arrives for the 2017 MTV in my second home. It feels like family, it but she has to decide whether to reveal it or not. (help) in place,” Arthur, an ambassador Video Music Awards in Inglewood, Cal- is family,”, Jones, who has 27 Grammys, Legendary American producer Quincy “Umbra” is about a young lady who realizes a few minutes for British mental health charity SANE, ifornia, U.S., August 27, 2017. (Reuters/ told the crowd at the House of Jazz, a new Jones (L) and Montreux Jazz Festival Di- after midnight that her partner has disappeared. She goes out told Reuters in an interview. Danny Moloshok) venue for 600. rector Mathieu Jaton pose during a cere- worriedly to seek her partner in the darkness of streets. “It’s very important that people speak “My soul is smiling,” he said, sporting mony to rename a concert hall to his name The festival, which will take place in the city of Vila do Conde out and ... aren’t condemned for cancelling night ... I mean I struggle with three gigs a blue baseball cap marked ‘University of and celebrate his 85th birthday during from July 14 to 22, will present the best examples of shorts from gigs,” he said. in a row.” the Hood’, while seated after being escorted the opening night of the 52nd Montreux around the world. The death of 28-year-old Swedish Arthur, known for ballads like “Say into the room in a wheelchair. Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland, DJ Avicii in April shocked the music You Won’t Let Go” was catapulted into “Montreux has always been the Rolls June 29, 2018. (Reuters/Denis Balibouse) industry. His family said the performer, the spotlight when he won the 2012 Royce of all festivals, I tell everybody in Art inspired by Michael whose real name was Tim Bergling, had edition of British talent show “The X the world,” Jones said. “He is a great ambassador of jazz mu- struggled with life and “could not go on Factor” and topped the charts with single Jack White, Nick Cave and Jamie Cullum sic,” festival director Mathieu Jaton told Jackson displayed in London any longer.” “Impossible”. join Massive Attack and punk icon Iggy the audience. “People are definitely more aware of The singer, who said he was now “in a Pop at the 52nd edition of the festival, Laurent Wehrli, mayor of Montreux, LONDON (Reuters) — From an Andy Warhol print to the final how demanding it is to be a superstar DJ good place”, added he is now branching where the eclectic line-up also includes hip told Jones: “For your information, we have commissioned portrait of Michael Jackson, artworks depicting for example like Avicii - a tragic thing out into different genres, such as his latest hop and electronic music, the organizers not given a medal like this in 10 years. the King of Pop went on display in London on Thursday in a happened there,” Arthur said. more up-tempo “You Deserve Better” song said in April. Claude has his medal too.” new exhibition looking at his influence on artists. “It’s tough ... you don’t have time to and collaborating with DJ Marshmello Jones - producer of Michael Jackson’s Jones is due to host an evening for “Michael Jackson: On really embrace a lot of stuff, and especially and rapper Juicy J for the track “You best-selling album ‘Thriller’ in 1982 - served jazz aficionados on July 8 with musicians the Wall” features an array in the DJ world. It’s like sometimes they Can Cry”. as co-producer with festival founder Claude including Robert Glasper, followed by a of portraits and Jackson- do two New Year shows, they have to fly “I’m about trying lots of different Nobs from 1991-93, bringing Miles Davis late-night jam session expected to go on inspired works including a from Australia to New York in the same things and being versatile,” he said. and others to the famed stage. into the early hours. quilt, collages, videos and installations. Also on display is a jacket Drake on course to smash streaming records with “Scorpion” adorned with cutlery and LOS ANGELES (Reuters) — Canadian rapper Drake, “Scorpion” follows Drake’s best-selling 2016 album “Equestrian Portrait of King the world’s best-selling artist of 2016, looked on course “Views” and his 2017 release “More Life”, which set Philip II (Michael Jackson)” to set records tumbling again on Friday with his soul- a record across all music streaming services of 385 by New York artist Kehinde baring new album “Scorpion”, in which he reveals he million streams in its first week of release. Wiley, the last commissioned is a father. The Recording Industry Association of America said portrait of the star before his Spotify said the album was streaming at an average on Friday that Drake had become its top digital song death in 2009. rate of 10 million times an hour on Friday, while Apple artist, with 142 million digital single sales units, ahead Work on the painting, which Music said “Scorpion” was the No. 1 streamed album of Rihanna and Taylor Swift. A visitor views “In Memory of depicts the “Thriller” singer in 92 countries. Streaming services in 2017 became the recording Michael Jackson 1958-2009” wearing armor and riding a On the 25-track double album, Drake, 31, confirms industry’s biggest single revenue source, overtaking by Yan Pei-Ming which forms horse, started before Jackson’s long-standing rumors that he has fathered a son, but sales of physical albums and digital downloads. Rap part of the exhibition “Michael death and was finished does not name the mother. officially surpassed rock in 2017 as the biggest music Jackson: On the Wall” showing posthumously. “Single father, I hate when I hear it,” he raps on the genre in the United States. until October 21 at the Nation- The show is at the National final track “March 14.” “Scorpion” is a joint release on Warner Bros. and al Portrait Gallery in London, Portrait Gallery until October, The album also features collaborations with Jay-Z, Drake accepts the award for Top Billboard 200 Album Universal Music-owned labels OVO Sound, Young Britain, June 28, 2018. (Reuters/ then heads to France, Germany Nicki Minaj, Ty Dolla Sign, and posthumous vocals by at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards Show in Las Vegas, Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Toby Melville) and Finland. Michael Jackson. Nevada, U.S. May 21, 2017. (Reuters/Mario Anzuoni) Republic Records.