KRG president Germany’s Bavaria to Hijabs and Xinjiang, Western 21216to visit Iran amid 4 dispatch trade delegation turbans are not China Cultural Week

NATION border tension ECONOMY to Iran on Sept. 4 WOMEN a threat to sports ART& CULTURE opensp in Tehran

WWW.TEHRANTIMES.COM I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y Tehran eyeing Latin America as strategic friend 2

16 Pages Price 10,000 Rials 38th year No.12631 Tuesday AUGUST 23, 2016 Shahrivar 2, 1395 Dhi Al Qaeda 20, 1437 Iran comes Intl. 25th in Russian use of Nojeh air Resistance standings at Film Festival Rio Olympics unveils doc By: Masoud Hossein base temporarily stopped lineup By Marjan Golpira the Iranian air base to fly sorties over Syria. grounds in areas like fighting terrorism, they The Iranian team ended the Summer ARTTEHRAN — Twen- “Russia made a request to use Iran’s territo- got our temporary permission for that,” Bah- Olympics in Rio de Janeiro ranking TEHRAN — The Iranian Foreign Ministry deskty-eight documen- ry to battle against terrorists in Syria, and be- ram Qassemi told reporters in his first press 25th in the standings, winning eight spokesman said on Monday that Tehran and tary films, including films by the U.S. cause the two countries share some common conference. medals - three golds, one silver and Moscow have not signed a document on using filmmakers Michael Moore and Oliver four bronzes. Stone, will be screened in the docu- The Rio 2016 Olympic Games drew See page 2 mentary section of the 14th Interna- to a close Sunday following 17 days tional Resistance Film Festival (IRFF), of competition between more than the organizers announced on Sunday. 10,900 athletes representing 206 na- The festival is organized in Tehran tions. every year during the Sacred Defense The Rio Games, which marked Week in September to commemorate the first Olympics to be held in South the anniversary of the 1980-1988 Iran- America – saw the U.S. top the med- Iraq war. al chart in every category for only the Among the highlights of the lineup seventh time in Olympic history and are Moore’s “Where to Invade Next”, the first since 1948, leading all nations in which he spends time in some Eu- with 121 medals, including 46 golds, ropean and African countries, where 37 silvers and 38 bronzes. he compares their methods of dealing Kianoush Rostami claimed a gold with social and economic problems medal in the men’s 85kg weightlifting. with the methods in the U.S. Rostami, 25, a silver medalist in the “Mi Amigo Hugo”, Stone’s docu- same category in London four years mentary about Hugo Chavez, a Ven- ago, made 217kg with his final clean ezuelan politician who served as the and jerk for a total of 396kg, beating 64th president of Venezuela from 1999 his world record by one kilogram. to 2013, has also been selected for the China’s Tian Tao took silver with festival that will be held from Septem- 395kgs despite making only two of his ber 23 to 30. six lifts, while Romania’s Gabriel Sincra- The festival also screens the ian secured bronze with 390kg.

Marzieh Soleymani U.S.-English joint production “I Am Ali” Sohrab Moradi won the gold med- by Clare Lewins, which provides insight al in the men’s 94kg category to claim into the extraordinary life and legend- IRNA/ Iran’s second weightlifting gold medal ary career of Muhammad Ali. of the Rio Games. 14 Bahram Qassemi appearing in his first press conference since his appointment as Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman 16

Leader’s 25th Iran Handmade Carpet Exhibition kicks off Moscow: Air force “250-Year-Old cooperation with Iran ECONOMY TEHRAN — 2016), compared with the same Person” to be deskThe 25th Iran period last year, the Head of Iran may resume soon rendered into Handmade Carpet Exhibition National Carpet Center said on opened on Monday at the Tehran August 17. Senior Russian diplomats confirmed Sindhi Permanent Exhibition Fairground. “In the said time, 1,428 tons of that Moscow has stopped using Iran’s More than 700 carpet produc- hand-woven carpets were export- Hamadan airbase for the time being, CULTURE TEHRAN — “A ers are participating in the exhibi- ed, showing 38.1 percent increase, but may resume operations from there desk250-Year-Old Per- tion which will run till August 28, compared to the same period any time soon. son”, a book containing a collection ILNA reported. in the preceding year,” IRIB news “Moscow sees no obstacles to the of speeches and writings of Supreme Iran exported $82.9 million of quoted Hamid Kargar as saying. further use of Iranian infrastructure, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Aya- hand-woven carpets, registering “Iran targets exports of $400 including the air base in Hamadan, tollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, will be 39.5 percent rise, in the first four million of hand-woven carpets by for strikes against terrorists in Syria,” translated into Sindhi, Iran’s Islamic months of the current Iranian cal- the yearend (March 20, 2017),” Russian Ambassador to Tehran Levan Cultural Relations Organization (ICRO) endar year (March 20- July 21, Kargar added. Djagaryan told Interfax on Monday. reported on Monday. Earlier in the day, an Iranian spokes- man said Russia has stopped using JCPOA meets national interest of U.S. and Iran: Barnett Rubin Hamadan airbase for the time being. “Russia has no base in Iran and is not ‘Allies will not support the U.S. if new sanctions enacted against Iran’ stationed here. They did this [operation] However, Rubin notes, “I am confident that and it has finished for now,” Foreign INTERVIEW Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi By Javad Heirannia both sides will continue to try to implement it, despite all the difficulties and mistrust.” told reporters. The Russian envoy also confirmed the halt, but underlined that TEHRAN — Barnett Rubin is of the opinion This is the text of the interview: the agreement between the two sides that the nuclear deal, officially known as the What is your prediction about the fu- to further the operation from the Ham- Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), ture of the JCPOA? adan air base is still in place and Russian meets the “the national interest” of Iran and the A: There are powerful groups in both the flights from there might resume soon. United states. United States and Iran who do not want this “The JCPOA agreement is in the national inter- agreement to succeed. Specifically, they do “The Russian aerospace forces may est of both the U.S. and Iran,” Rubin, now a senior not want the JCPOA to lead to a further relax- resume operations from Iranian base fellow at New York University’s Center on Interna- ation of tensions or cooperation between the Hamadan when it is expedient, and by tional Cooperation, tells the Tehran Times. two countries. Those groups do their best to the decision of leaders of Russian and The JCPOA, as an international pact that find evidence that the other side is cheating or Iran,” Levan Djagaryan said. was negotiated in July 2015 between Iran and taking advantage of the agreement. They can “All the Russian military have currently the six major powers (the five permanent mem- also use their positions in the state or legislative left Iran’s Hamadan Air Base,” he added. The front cover of the English version of “A bers of the UN Security Council and Germany), branch (Congress/Majles) to undermine the The ambassador announced that 250-Year-Old Person” went into effect early this year. Iran, fearing punishment by the U.S. Treasury. agreement. I know that Iran is not satisfied with Moscow hopes Russia and Iran will The decision to render the book into Iran has been complaining that that the pace Some hardliners in the Congress have been the tempo of implementation of sanctions re- strengthen interaction in Syria settle- Sindhi had been made during a meet- of removing financial and economic sanctions trying to kill the deal. Even Donald Trump has lief, and that the Supreme Leader has charged ment process. “Interaction with Tehran ing between the executives of Asgharia under the deal has been slow. Some major promised to tear apart the deal if he wins the the United States with deceitful practices in ne- on Syria has positive perspective,” the Russian official stressed. (Source: Fars) Pakistan, a major Shia Muslim organi- banks are still hesitant to do transactions with American presidential election. gotiation. 13 zation of students in Pakistan, and the Cultural Center of Iran in Karachi. Asgharia Pakistan was founded by Shia students at the University of Sindh Inflation rate in Iran stands at 8.7% The Tehran Times new pocket-sized glossary is in 1968. Ahl Al-Bayt World Assembly now available on the market. The reader-friendly has previously published an English ECONOMY TEHRAN — Mohammad Curbing inflation was one of the major is a rich source of the most common journalistic desk version of “A 250-Year-Old Person”. Baqer Nobakht, the head of promises by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani terminology collected by the daily’s retired staff. The book arranged in 17 chapters Management and Planning Organization of during his presidential campaign. Under the It can benefit a wide range of tastes from also gives a chronological account of Iran, on Monday, put the inflation rate for the previous administration, inflation skyrocketed students to professional journalists. Persian the lives of Prophet Muhammad (S) 12-month period ended in the last day of the to cross 44%. equivalents have been given for all entries, and the Shia Imams (AS). fifth Iranian calendar month of Mordad (August Tayyebnia also noted that the government is including idioms and expressions. The glossary 21) at 8.7 percent compared to the same peri- to institutionalize growth in the country’s econo- also includes example sentences for entries the TEHRAN TIMES od in the previous year, ISNA reported. my in a move to reach the five-percent economic authors thought it would be a bit difficult to Iran’s Leading International Daily On June 14, Finance and Economic Affairs growth which has been envisaged in the country’s learn. Minister Ali Tayyebnia said the country planed budget plan for the current Iranian calendar year Advertising Dept to reduce the inflation rate to a single digit by (began on March 20). For more information contact: the coming two months. The official believes that removal of the 021 - 430 51 450 The goal was achieved in the third Iranian West-led sanctions against Iran’s economy pro- (021) 430 51 603-4 Te l : calendar month of Khordad when the inflation vides many opportunities for the country to [email protected] rate hit 9.5 percent. achieve sustainable economic growth. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y NATION 2 AAUGUSTUGUST 23,23, 20162016 http://www.tehrantimes.com/international

MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS KRG president to visit Iran amid Close ties with Iran to boost regional border tension security, Iraqi MP says POLITICS TEHRAN – Almost five mand Brigadier General Hossein Sala- deskyears after his last for- mi warned Kurdish officials against loose POLITICS TEHRAN — An Iraqi lawmak- mal visit to Iran, Kurdistan Regional Gov- commitment to security issues, saying, “I desker has hailed Iran as a strategic ernment (KRG) President Masoud Barza- warn the officials of northern Iraq to ad- player in region, saying Baghdad’s closer relations ni will travel to Tehran in the near future here to their commitments as the Islamic with Tehran will contribute to security in the region. amid concerns voiced by the Iranian side Republic will crush threats regardless of Speaking to Lebanon’s al-Ahed news website, Ab- over border security with the Kurdish ter- geographical considerations.” bas al-Bayati thanked Iran for its continued support ritory. Concerns over border security were for Iraq, saying his country would have fallen into the Omed Sabah, spokesman for the also a running theme of the talks on Au- hands of terrorists without the backing from Iran, Iraqi Kurdistan Region Presidency (KRP), con- gust 14 between Senjari and Shamkhani, religious authorities and voluntary forces. firmed the news on Monday. “To make it where the KRG official vowed to closely clear, we announce that the Kurdistan Re- guard borders with Iran. French National gion’s president has received an invitation “We won’t allow violence in our bor- by the Islamic Republic of Iran and he ap- ders with Iran and will fight disruptors Assembly chief to proved it,” Sabah said, according to NRT. at the border regions by mobilizing our visit Tehran soon The spokesman gave no details on military and security capabilities,” Senjari precisely when the visit will be made and stressed during the meeting. what on the agenda will be. Tehran has also warned the KRG of POLITICS TEHRAN — The president of The news comes a week after KRG In- turning into Saudis’ pawn, Iran’s regional deskthe French National Assembly is terior Minister Karim Senjari met in Tehran archrival. scheduled to pay a four-day visit to Tehran in early with Iranian officials, including Ali Sham- “The Saudi consulate in Northern Iraq September to hold talks with senior Iranian officials. khani, secretary of the Supreme National Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Masoud Barzani helps the Komala Party (a terrorist group Heading a parliamentary delegation, Claude Security Council. active in the Kurdistan region) to interfere Bartolone will start his tour of Iran on September Over the past months, Iran has ap- mander said 11 members of an anti-revo- “In the last few days the border areas in Iran and Iraq’s affairs and sends terrorists 5 at the invitation of Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani, Fars peared more concerned with terrorist lutionary cell had been smashed in Sarv- of the Kurdistan Region were bombard- into Iran,” Iran’s Expediency Council secre- reported on Monday. movements across borders with the KRG, abad County in the western province of ed by the Islamic Republic and Republic tary Mohsen Rezayee tweeted recently. During his stay the top French parliamentarian warning it will show zero tolerance to fur- Kurdistan. of Turkey which resulted in wounding a Already feeling the threat, , Iranian In- will hold meetings with Larijani, President Hassan ther border insecurities in the region. In July, some media outlets quoted the number of people and dozens of villag- telligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi met Rouhani, and Expediency Council Chairman Akbar On June 13, IRGC announced its forces Cabinet of Ministers of the Kurdistan Re- ers were forced to flee their villages,” the on May 14 with Masoud Barzani and Hashemi Rafsanjani. had killed five members of the Party for gion as having asked an end to the bom- Kurdistan Region cabinet of ministers had KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, Free Life in Kurdistan (PJAK) in the border bardment of the region’s border areas by said in the statement. discussing recent events in the Kurdis- IRGC has crushed 4 city of Sardasht. Iran and Turkey, a report Tehran neither Reacting to the statement, Islamic Rev- tan Region and Iraq as well as the fight terror cells beyond Also, on June 28 a top IRGC com- confirmed nor rejected. olution Guards Corps second-in-com- against Daesh. borders since March: commander Senior MKO member escapes from Camp Liberty POLITICS TEHRAN — The Islamic Revo- desk POLITICS TEHRAN — A ringleader of the Mo- the Iraqi government and Interpol. More than 17,000 Iranians, many of them civilians, lution Guards Corps (IRGC) has desk busted up to four anti-Islamic Republic terrorist jahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO), The MKO - listed as a terrorist organization by much have been killed at the hands of the MKO in different groups beyond national borders in the current Ira- along with several other members of the group, has fled of the international community - fled Iran in 1986 for Iraq acts of terrorism including bombings in public places nian year which began on March 20, a commander from Camp Liberty near Baghdad, the Iraqi capital. and was given a camp by former Iraqi dictator Saddam and targeted killings. said on Monday. Sorayya Shahri and several other members of the Hussein. Back in December 2011, the United Nations and Mohammad Marani, commander of the Quds group MKO secretly escaped from the former U.S. mil- They fought on the side of Saddam during the Iraqi Baghdad agreed to relocate some 3,000 MKO mem- ground force unit, said despite numerous plots itary Camp Liberty outside Baghdad, Tasnim reported war against Iran in the 1980s. They were also involved bers from Camp New Iraq, formerly known as Camp against the country, the IRGC has scored major on Monday. in the bloody repression of Shiite Muslims in southern Ashraf, to Camp Liberty outside Baghdad. successes over the past five months, Press TV re- For many years, she had been regarded as one of Iraq in 1991 and the massacre of Iraqi Kurds. The last group of the MKO members was evicted by ported. the highest-ranking commanders of Camp Ashraf, the The notorious group is also responsible for killing Iraq on September 11, 2013 to join other members of the former headquarters of the MKO. thousands of Iranian civilians and officials after the victo- group at Camp Liberty and await potential relocation to Drug smuggling Her name has been recorded on the wanted lists of ry of the Islamic revolution in 1979. other countries. from Pakistan to Iran increasing: police Tehran eyeing Latin America as strategic friend POLITICS TEHRAN – The Iranian benefit the both sides,” said Kambiz Sheikh “The influential voice of Latin Amer- desk POLITICS TEHRAN — The commander of ambassador to Havana Hassani, IRNA reported on Monday. ican countries and the Caribbean in in- deskIran’s border police said on Mon- has hailed Latin American countries and The ambassador made the remarks as ternational organizations makes it strate- day that illicit drugs smuggled from neighboring the Caribbean as ones of strategic impor- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad gically necessary to establish and boost Pakistan to Iran has peaked recently. tance not only because of economic mer- Zarif embarked on a tour of Latin America relations with the countries, something Qassem Rezaei said drugs seizures have de- its but the role they play in international at the head of a high-ranking politico-eco- which has not escaped our attention,” the creased along Iran’s borders with Afghanistan but organizations. nomic delegation. The visit which started ambassador highlighted. increased near the Pakistani border, ISNA reported. “The Latin American region and the Car- with Cuba on Monday will take the Iranian There are at least two signs that Teh- During the current Iranian year, which began on ibbean include 33 independent countries and delegation to Nicaragua, Ecuador, Chile, ran can make it. Iran is emerging from March 20, border guards have seized around 3,500 have a population of more than 600 million, Bolivia and Venezuela as well. years of the Western-led sanctions. kilograms of various types of illicit drugs near the offering great economic capacities which can However, the lure of Latin American is “The lifting of the West’s unfair sanctions borders with Afghanistan, while over 25,000 kilo- against Iran makes it possible to depict a grams of narcotics have been seized along the bor- The Iranian ambassador to Cuba says, “The Latin Iranian ambassador to Cuba Kambiz brighter prospect of communication with der with Pakistan, the commander stated. Sheikh Hassani the countries,” according to Sheikh Hassani. American region and the Caribbean include 33 much beyond the economic benefits. For “The second is the rise of separatist and Vietnamese independent countries and have a population of Iran, winning the support of the countries liberation movements in Latin America.” more than 600 million, offering great economic in the region amounts to a leverage in While seeking to fulfill its goals, Iran’s attitude to the countries is one of “broth- parliamentary team capacities which can benefit the both sides. the international arena where it is votes to travel to Iran not countries that count. erly nature,” he added. Thursday POLITICS TEHRAN — A Vietnamese par- Baghdad well-disposed to Iranian assistance in battle against Daesh deskliamentary group is scheduled to POLITICS TEHRAN — Wrapping up a two- boud al-Mousavi, had said had it not been for the sup- ited mainly by Sunnis. pay an official visit to Tehran on Thursday for talks deskday visit to Iran, the Iraqi parliament ports of Iran and popular mobilization forces, Iraq would The Arab League and Riyadh, however, have failed to with senior Iranian lawmakers and officials, Mehr re- speaker hailed Iran’s positive role in the country, calling have collapsed, offering tribute to Tehran for its support support their accusations against Tehran. ported on Monday. for a coordinated front by regional countries to restore to Iraq when Daesh was first making rapid advances in This is while Iraqi officials have at nauseam stated that The group is led by Phan Xuan Dung, chairman stability in the region. capturing Iraqi territory. Iranian military advisers are assisting the country at the of the Vietnamese Parliament’s Committee of Sci- “We are contending with a security crisis in the region The remarks come amid claims by the Arab League formal request of Baghdad. ence, Technology and Environment. whose manifestation we can see in Daesh and other ter- and Riyadh that Iran has been interfering in Iraq’s inter- Comments by the Saudi ambassador drew a denun- During the 5-day visit, the Vietnamese MPs plan rorist groups… Iran plays a key role in countering terror- nal affairs. ciation from Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari who to sit down with members of the Majlis Education ism, and naturally, there is need for coordinated efforts Late June, Arab League Secretary General Ahmed saw it as “flagrant meddling in Iraq’s domestic affairs.” and Research Committee as well as Energy Com- and a shared viewpoint to preserve security and stability Aboul Gheit had rapped Tehran in an interview with Iran was among the first countries assisting Baghdad mission. in the region,” Salim al-Jabouri said, Mehr news agency London-based Asharq al-Awsat for what he called “in- in 2014 when Daesh fighter swept through Iraq in 2014, They will hold meetings with officials of Environ- reported on Monday. terfering in the affairs of Arab countries.” besieged Fallujah, nearly 50 kilometers west of the cap- mental Protection Organization as well. The Iraqi official made the remarks as Baghdad is ap- Also, in June Saudi Ambassador Thamer al-Sabhan ital Baghdad, and took control of more swathes of land proaching the zero hour to commence the assault on to Baghdad had tweeted that Iranian military advisers across the Iraqi territory in later developments. Chinese ambassador Mosul, controlled by Daesh as of summer 2014. were stirring sectarian violence in Fallujah, seeking to In July, Iraqi forces, coupled with popular mobilization says Iran has Earlier, the Iraqi ambassador to Iran, Rajeh Saber Ab- change the demographic composition of the city, inhab- groups, recaptured the strategic city of Fallujah. honestly honored its nuclear obligations Russian use of Nojeh air base temporarily stopped POLITICS TEHRAN — The Chinese am- Tehran says no date finalized for Erdogan’s visit deskbassador to Tehran has acknowl- 1 No date set yet for Erdogan’s visit sympathizing with the Erdogan adminis- ture go around. “Saudi Arabia is seeking edged that Iran has honestly fulfilled all of its un- Russia has now stopped using Nojeh to Tehran tration in Turkey. a foe to blame for his defeats and failure dertakings mentioned in the JCPOA. air base in western Iran for strikes in Syria, On when Turkish President Recep On August 12, a few weeks after the in Syria and Yemen.” Sanctions against Iran, most of which are finan- he said. Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled to visit Iran, coup, Zarif met with President Erdogan The Saudi diplomat alleged claim was cial, should be lifted swiftly according to the nuclear “Now, the deployment is temporarily the spokesman said no dates are set yet. in Ankara, where the two sides talked for also declined by Iraqi interior ministry on agreement, Pang Sen said in a Monday meeting finished” and Russia’s use of the base has Elaborating on the relations between over three hours on various issues. Sunday. with an adviser to Iran’s parliament speaker on in- ended,” the diplomat said, adding, “Russia Iran and Turkey, the diplomat said Iran Tehran rejects claims on assassination Brigadier General Saad Moen, the ternational affairs, Tasnim reported. has no base in Iran.” enjoyed good relations with Turkey in the plots against Saudi envoy to Iraq spokesman for the Baghdad Operations For his part, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian slammed Last week long-range Russian Tu- past and the bonds are even stronger af- The spokesman also rejected claims Command, has said that the Saudi diplo- the U.S. for its failure to fulfill its commitments un- polev-22M3 bombers and Sukhoi-34 ter the failed putsch in Turkey. by Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Iraq matic mission in Baghdad has not com- der the July 2015 nuclear deal. fighter bombers used Nojeh air base, Qassemi said Iran was the first coun- Thamer Al-Sabhan accusing Iran of plots municated with the Iraqi security forces The Iranian advisor highlighted Iran’s firm com- western Iran, to launch air strikes against try to condemn the violence and coup to assassinate him with the help of Shiite at all concerning any alleged attempt to mitment to the JCPOA despite Washington’s failure Daesh and al-Nusra strongholds in Syria. in Turkey on the night of July 15, when mobilization forces by targeting his ar- assassinate Ambassador Thamer al-Sab- to adhere to its commitments. This was the first time a foreign power Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad mored car with RPJ-7 missiles. han. used an Iranian base since World War II. Zarif tweeted a message after “midnight”, Qassemi said lots of talks of that na- 13 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y

http://www.tehrantimes.com/international AAUGUSTUGUST 23,23, 20162016 INTERNATIONAL 3 Arms watchdog urges halt to weapons Yemen ready to open bases to Russia to fight sales to Saudi Arabia over Yemen terrorism: ex-president A major arms watchdog has lashed out at Saleh some signatories and parties to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), including the United Yemen’s former President Ali Abdullah Saleh says the new States, for their continued arms supply to government in the country is ready to cooperate with Russia the House of Saud regime, saying they against terrorism by allowing Russian access to Yemeni mil- should cut the sales of weapons as they itary bases. are used on civilians in Yemen. “Russia is the closest to us and we extend our hand to “Every day, we are seeing the devas- Russia to cooperate in the field of combating terrorism,” tating impact of the sale of arms and am- Saleh said in an interview with state-run Russia 24 TV chan- munition for use on civilians in Yemen,” nel on Sunday. Anna Macdonald, director of the watch- He said Yemen was ready to open the country’s military dog Control Arms, said on Monday. bases to Russia. She added that countries like France, “We provide all the facilities in our bases, airports and sea Britain and the United States have been ports. We are ready to provide all facilities to the Russian “flouting international law in plain sight Federation,” he said. by continuing to sell billions of dollars He said, however, that such cooperation would not mean worth of deadly weapons to Saudi Ara- Russia would be fighting alongside Yemeni forces against bia.” Saudi forces waging war on Yemen. The House of Saud regime start- ‘Iran has no presence in Yemen’ ed an air campaign against Yemen in Saleh also rejected claims that Iran is interfering in Yem- March 2015 and later launched ground en’s internal affairs. operations to restore power to Yemen’s He said Saudi Arabia has launched the war on Yemen un- resigned President, Abd Rabbuh Man- der the pretext of defending Saudi national security against sur Hadi, and to undermine the ruling Iran, emphasizing that the pretext is “baseless.” Ansarullah (Houthi) movement and its al- “Iran has no presence in Yemen at all,” he said, adding lies. Nearly 10,000 people, most of them that, “The international intelligence services know that Iran is civilians, have been killed in Riyadh’s mil- not present in Yemen.” itary aggression which lacks any interna- airstrikes targeting civilians in the impov- two years but some ... parties are violat- weapons sales to Saudi Arabia last year, “We are not against Iran; Iran is an Islamic brotherly coun- tional mandate. erished country. ing it with impunity,” Macdonald said in while the United States approved arms try. We don’t have any agreement or coalition with her cur- Under the ATT, states are required to Medical aid group Doctors Without her statement, adding that by continuing deals with Riyadh worth USD 5.9 billion rently,” he said, referring to Iran. block any arms deal if they have knowl- Borders (MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières), to sell weapons to Saudi Arabia, major in 2015. The figure for Britain was USD 4.0 Yemen has seen almost daily military attacks by Saudi edge at the time of the sale that the which decided to pull out its staff from arms exporters that signed the ATT are billion in the same period. Arabia since late March 2015, with internal sources putting weapons will be used against civilians. Yemen following repeated attacks on its guilty of “the worst kind of hypocrisy.” France and Britain are parties to the the toll from the bloody aggression at about 10,000. This comes as intentional aid groups hospitals and health facilities, said recent- France, the U.S. and Britain have been ATT and have ratified the deal in their In late July, Yemen’s Houthi Ansarullah movement and and human rights organizations, which ly that Saudi bombings were “indiscrim- the major arms suppliers to Saudi Arabia parliaments. The U.S. is only a signatory Saleh’s General People’s Congress party decided to establish have operatives on the ground in Yemen, inate.” since the start of the conflict in Yemen. as Congress has not approved it yet. the Supreme Political Council to run the country. It was for- have confirmed multiple cases of Saudi “The ATT has been in force for nearly Paris authorized USD 18 billion in (Source: Press TV) mally launched on August 6, when the Houthis and Saleh’s faction announced that they both had an equal share in the India ‘infiltrated’ by Turkey coup Giuliani says Hillary Clinton has a 10-member body. mastermind followers, warns Ankara secret illness (Source: Press TV)

Supporters of the U.S.-based cleric on July 15. The cleric who has lived in Rudy Giuliani has joined the chorus of “As Secretary Clinton’s longtime Fethullah Gulen whom Ankara believes self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since Donald Trump supporters peddling physician, I released a medical state- to have been behind the military coup 1999 denies the accusations. conspiracy theories about Hillary Clin- ment during the campaign indicating Britain to separate attempt last month have already “infil- Ankara has been calling on the U.S. ton’s health. that she is in excellent health,” Lisa trated” India, the Turkish FM claimed, to extradite Gulen, however, Washing- “She doesn’t need to campaign,” Bardack said in a statement released extremists from other urging Indian authorities to shut down ton has refused to do it until clear ev- the former New York City mayor, who by the Clinton campaign on Thursday. prisoners Gulenist organizations. idence of the cleric’s involvement has has emerged as one of the Republi- “I have recently been made aware of Referring to the group led by Gulen been provided. can nominee’s most visible surrogates, allegedly ‘leaked’ medical documents as FETO (Gulenist Terror Organization, The U.S.’ refusal to hand over the said on “Fox News Sunday.” “She has regarding Secretary Clinton with my Britain announced plans Monday to house imprisoned ex- a term used by non-Gulenists) Turkish cleric is “destroying” Turkish-American the New York Times, she has the [New name on them. These documents are tremists in separate units from other inmates, after a review Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said relations and has resulted in just “so- York] Daily News, she has ABC, she has false, were not written by me and are found that some charismatic convicts were radicalizing the on Saturday: “Unfortunately, FETO has so” cooperation, Turkey’s Prime Minister CBS, she has NBC. She has an entire not based on any medical facts. To re- wider Muslim population in prisons. also infiltrated India through associa- said on Saturday, as cited by Bloomb- media empire that constantly demoniz- iterate what I said in my previous state- The government-ordered study concluded that “cultural tions and schools.” erg. es Donald Trump and fails to point out ment, Secretary Clinton is in excellent sensitivity” among National Offender Management Service Gulen’s organization is a “transnation- “Nothing is the same after that she hasn’t had a press conference health and fit to serve as President of staff toward Muslim prisoners went too far and “could inhibit al” one and has its followers around the July 15,” said Prime Minister Binali in 300 days — 200 days, 100 days, I the United States.” the effective confrontation of extremist views.” world, he added. Claiming that the cleric’s Yildirim. “America knows this, and we don’t know how long — and fails to The same day on MSNBC, Trump na- “There are a small number of individuals, very subversive supporters represent a threat to Turkey’s know they know it.” point out several signs of illness by her.” tional spokeswoman Katrina Pierson di- individuals, who do need to be held in separate units,” Justice and India’s national security, Cavusoglu The statements made by the Turkish Fox News host Shannon Bream noted agnosed the Democratic nominee as Secretary Liz Truss told the BBC. urged India to take action to shut down FM and PM come just days before an of- that the Clinton campaign has said “there’s having “dysphasia,” a neurological con- But Peter Dawson, director of the Prison Reform Trust, said organizations linked to the cleric. ficial visit of the U.S. Vice President Joe nothing factual” to claims about her health. dition caused by a brain injury resulting that any program must “get people back into the main prison “I have already taken up this issue Biden sought to “fix” the current gap in “All you’ve got to do is go online,” Gi- in partial or complete impairment of the community.” with my counterpart,” Cavusoglu told the US-Turkey ties and sort out differenc- uliani replied. “Go online and put down ability to communicate using speech. “Anything else is just storing up an even more difficult the Press Trust of India on Sunday fol- es regarding Gulen. The U.S. Justice De- ‘Hillary Clinton illness’ and take a look Pierson’s proof: “Observations” of problem for when they are eventually released,” he said. lowing talks with India’s Foreign Minis- partment will also send a team to Ankara at the videos for yourself.” Clinton’s “behavior and mannerisms” Though the full report was kept confidential, a summary of ter Sushma Swaraj. conduct a probe into Turkey’s allegations The irony of Giuliani, the mayor of made by viewers of out-of-context vid- the findings of the review recommended introducing the spe- “In all countries where FETO has a of Gulen’s criminal activity. New York City during the Sept. 11, 2001, eo clips circulated online. cialized units in order to stop a small number of individuals presence, we ask them to take immedi- Over 60,000 people have been de- terror attacks, citing Internet videos to MSNBC host Kristen Welker read from being able to “proselytize” to other inmates. The release ate actions to remove them from their tained, suspended or placed under prove a conspiracy theory was not lost Bardack’s statement on air, but Pierson of the findings comes in advance of the sentencing of Anjem territories,” he said. investigation following the attempted on some viewers. was undeterred. Choudary, one of Britain’s best-known radical Muslim preachers. India, in its turn said it is “looking overthrow of the Turkish president. The The Clinton campaign has pushed “It is extremely important to note Choudary, who has been convicted of encouraging sup- into” to the Turkish FM’s request and re- staggering number has been of con- back against conspiratorial claims that Hillary Clinton has taken a lot of port for the ISIL terrorist group, is set to be sentenced in mains “sensitive” to Ankara’s concerns. cern to the West which suspects Erdo- about her healthin recent days after time off the campaign trail,” Pierson September. He was arrested in 2014 after his name appeared President Tayyip Erdogan accuses gan is taking advantage of the situation fake medical records for the former said. “It is something that needs to be on an oath recognizing the “proclaimed Caliphate State.” He his former ally Fethullah Gulen of or- to clampdown on dissent. secretary of state surfaced on right- addressed.” said the oath was made without his knowledge. chestrating the failed coup attempt (Source: RT) wing websites. (Source: Fox News) Some 12,633 Muslims were in prison in England and Wales at the end of June, compared to 8,243 a decade earlier. Of the 147 people in prison for terrorism-related offences at the end of March, all but 10 considered themselves to be Muslim. U.S., South Korea begin joint drills amid tension after defection (Source: AP) N. Korea appeared to resume plutonium production this year: UN The United States and South Korea kicked off annual regime, South Korean President Park Geun-hye said on of its nuclear weapons. It has since carried out what is military exercises on Monday, prompting warnings of re- Monday. widely believed to have been its fourth nuclear test. taliation from the North, as already-heightened tension “Recently even North Korea’s elite group is collaps- “From the first quarter of 2016, there were multiple in- Kurdish forces breach on the peninsula has been inflamed by the defection of ing, followed by key figures defecting to foreign coun- dications consistent with the radiochemical laboratory’s truce with government in a Pyongyang diplomat. tries, showing a sign of serious cracks, with chances of operation,” International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) About 25,000 U.S. troops are joining in the Ulchi shaking the regime further,” she told a National Security chief Yukiya Amano said in a report to the agency’s an- Syria’s Hasakah Freedom Guardian exercise, which runs until Sept 2. The Council meeting. nual General Conference, referring to a site used to re- U.S.-led UN Command Military Armistice Commission Thae’s defection followed the flight to Seoul this year process plutonium. Kurdish forces in the Syrian city of Hasakah have violated a said it notified the North Korean army the exercises were of 12 waitresses from a North Korean restaurant in China. “Such indications ceased in early July 2016,” Amano ceasefire agreement they had struck with Syrian army forces “non-provocative” in nature. On Monday, North Korea’s Red Cross sent a letter said in the report posted online and dated Friday. Those hours earlier. The North calls the exercises preparations for invasion, to its South Korean counterpart asking for the women indications included deliveries of chemical tanks and the The Kurdish forces attacked the district of Nashwa in south- and early on Monday threatened a pre-emptive nuclear to be sent back, saying they had been kidnapped by operation of a steam plant linked to the lab, the report eastern Hasakah early on Monday, according to Reuters. strike. North Korea frequently makes such threats. the South, according to KCNA. South Korea denies they said. According to Syria Now website, the Kurdish fighters set “From this moment, the first-strike combined units of were kidnapped. The IAEA, which has no access to North Korea and fire to governmental buildings in Hasakah on Monday. the Korean People’s Army keep themselves fully ready North and South Korea are technically still at war be- mainly monitors its activities by satellite, said last year it Reports also said the forces had earlier seized control of to mount a preemptive retaliatory strike at all enemy cause their 1950-53 conflict ended in an armistice, not a had seen signs of a resumption of activity at Yongbyon, the Ghwairan neighborhood in the northeastern Syrian city. attack groups involved in Ulji Freedom Guardian,” a KPA peace treaty. including at the main reactor. The Syrian army and popular forces have been engaged North Korea & plutonium production spokesman said in a statement carried by the North’s There were signs the reactor had been running in the in clashes with the Kurdish militants to thwart their acts of state-run KCNA news agency. North Korea appeared to resume activities this year past year, with a pause between October and December, sabotage in Nashwa and Ghwairan since Sunday. “The nuclear warmongers should bear in mind that aimed at producing plutonium, which can be used in the probably to refill it with enough fuel for the next two Even though both the Kurds and the Syrian army have been if they show the slightest sign of aggression, it would core of an atomic bomb, the UN nuclear watchdog has years, according to the report dated Friday. battling the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Daesh) ter- turn the stronghold of provocation into a heap of ashes confirmed, though it added that signs of those activities Amano said in June that the agency had seen signs rorist group, clashes erupted between them on Wednesday. through a Korean-style preemptive nuclear strike.” stopped last month. of reprocessing, the production of plutonium from spent The Syrian forces and the Kurdish fighters agreed on a Last week, South Korea announced that Thae Yong Pyongyang vowed in 2013 to restart all nuclear facili- reactor fuel, at Yongbyon. Russian-brokered ceasefire in Hasakah on Sunday. Ho, the North’s deputy ambassador in London, had de- ties, including the main reactor at its Yongbyon site that Japan’s Kyodo news agency last week quoted North Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March fected and arrived in the South with his family, in an em- had been shut down and has been at the heart of its Korea as saying it had resumed plutonium production 2011. United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura es- barrassing blow to the regime of North Korean leader weapons program. by reprocessing and had no plans to stop nuclear tests timates that over 400,000 people have been killed in the conflict. Kim Jong Un. It said last year that Yongbyon was operating and as long as perceived U.S. threats remain. The UN no more provides an official death toll for Syria. High-level defections pointed to cracks in the Kim that it was working to improve the “quality and quantity” (Source: Reuters) (Source: SANA) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY AAUGUSTUGUST 223,3, 22016016 http://www.tehrantimes.com/economy

NEWS Iran’s trade surplus over $3.4b German exports to Iran ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iran’s trade surplus exceed- soar after removal of desked $3.44 billion in the first four months of the current ironing year (March 20- July 21), the country’s sanctions Customs Administration announced. As IRNA reported on Monday, non-oil exports over the German exports to Iran, mostly machines and equipment, said period stood at $16.30 billion, showing 21.11 percent in- jumped in the first half of the year following the removal of in- crease compared to the corresponding period in the preced- ternational sanctions against the Islamic Republic, official trade ing year. data showed on Monday. The Islamic Republic owes the rise in its non-oil exports to Exports to Iran surged by 15 percent year-on-year in the first 41.5 percent hike in the exports of the petrochemical prod- six months of 2016 to 1.13 billion euros ($1.3 billion), the Federal ucts in the said four months. Statistics Office said. Since taking office in summer 2013, President Hassan This compares with a rise of 1.4 percent in overall German Rouhani’s administration has sought to reduce the depend- exports in the same period and a fall of 14 percent in German ence of Iran’s economy on the outside, on external shocks, exports to Iran in 2015. and on oil revenues on the way to reach a suitable level of "There is a huge demand in Iran for plant and equipment", economic growth. said Michael Tockuss, head of the German-Iranian Chamber of Thanks to all the taken measures, Iran’s trade surplus for Commerce, adding that chemical products and electrical engi- a period of 12 months starting 21 March 2015 turned positive neering were also doing well. for the first time in almost 37 years. "And there is growing demand for technology from the re- Iran’s Customs Administration said in an announcement newable energy sector, mainly wind power stations," Tockuss in early April that the country had a trade surplus of $916 mil- said, adding that the reluctance of banks to finance bigger deals lion over the aforementioned period. It said the total value of between German and Iranian businesses was slowly eroding. exports stood at $42.4 billion against $41.4 billion in imports. and 23 percent compared to the same period the previous the volume of imports stood at 35.7 million tons indicating a Tockuss said exports to Iran would further pick up in the com- Both figures indicated a decrease of respectively 16 percent year. The volume of exports stood at 93.5 million tons while decrease of 7 percent and 18 percent, respectively. ing months and are expected to rise by as much as 25 percent in the whole of 2016 and by 30 percent in 2017. "The sanctions against Iran were built up over several years and it now will take some years to reverse them and establish Germany’s Bavaria to dispatch trade delegation to Iran on Sept. 4 new business ties," he said. ECONOMY TEHRAN — A trade with the officials and members of Tehran vironment technology. nomic collaboration with Iran in the fu- (Source: Reuters) deskdelegation from Ger- Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mine A trade delegation from Bavaria had ture. many’s Bavaria State, to be led by Ilse and Agriculture (TCCIMA) as well as Ira- also met officials of TCCIM in a business According to Gaffal, in order to Aigner, the state’s minister for economic nian traders and businessmen, according forum in Tehran in last November. quicken and deepen economic commu- affairs and media, energy and technol- to the official website of TCCIMA. In that visit, the president of Bavar- nication between Iranian and German India’s new central banker ogy, will travel to Iran on September 4. The Bavarian delegates are active in ian Industry Association, Alfred Gaffal, companies, the Bavarian economy and faces nervy markets after The German delegation’s visit to the the fields of automotive, construction, who was a member of the delegation, industry office was inaugurated in Teh- Rajan rally Islamic Republic is aimed at negotiating engineering, financial services, and en- expressed hope for a strengthened eco- ran.

Investors in Indian markets have a recent rally in bonds and stocks to thank for any nervousness Urjit Patel’s appointment as central Japan's economy travels a narrow road bank boss is causing. By Stephen Grenville lowers the debt/GDP ratio. Benchmark 10-year bond yields are headed for the biggest But all this is surrounded by pitfalls. Higher inflation might jump in six months and equities declined for a second day at 1:22 esperate times call for desperate measures. The In- force up the interest rate on government debt, which would p.m. in Mumbai after Patel’s appointment was announced over ternational Monetary Fund seems to have lost hope greatly increase the deficit. Other suggestions (examined in the weekend. Yields dropped to a seven-year low and the S&P D that monetary and fiscal policy can shift the Japa- detail by the IMF) seem equally fraught. Paul Krugman has BSE Sensex climbed five percent through Friday following current nese economy out of its deflationary torpor. The IMF, usu- long argued that the Japanese authorities should under- governor Raghuram Rajan’s announcement on June 18 that he ally the embodiment of conservative mainstream econom- take ‘irresponsible fiscal and monetary policy’, threatening won’t seek another term. ics, has published this working paper that suggests Japan to embark on such expansionary policies that inflation will Bonds and equities advanced in recent weeks on the back of should embark on a comprehensive incomes policy so that rise. Lars Svennson (influential academic and former Swed- surging global liquidity and amid speculation the next governor wages will rise strongly. ish central bank board member) offers the Japanese a ‘fool- would be more willing than Rajan to lower policy rates and would Incomes policies are normally imposed in order to re- proof’ method of getting inflation up: depreciate the yen be less stringent in enforcing reviews of bank assets. On the first strain wages, not to boost them. What’s going on? enough to get inflation up via higher import prices. Adair count, Patel’s role in pushing through the adoption of India’s infla- Prime Minister Abe’s 2012 ‘three arrows’ program pro- a staggering level of government debt: the ratio of gross Turner (former head of the UK Financial Services Authority) tion target aligns him with Rajan. On the second, the new gover- jected a speedy return to growth, 2% inflation and a bal- debt to GDP is 250%, well over twice that of other G7 coun- wants the Japanese to embark on substantial fiscal expan- nor hasn’t expressed any strong views. He will probably continue anced budget by 2020. The initial reaction to ‘Abenomics’ tries. Japan is still adding to the debt by running a sizeable sion, financed by central bank money creation. in the footsteps of his predecessor, Nomura Holdings Incorpora- was favorable: the stock-market rose 60% and the exchange budget deficit (5% of GDP) so there isn’t room for much All this is borderline-nuttiness. Rather than provoking tion wrote in an August 21 report. rate fell by more than 20%. This eased financial conditions, fiscal stimulus. In fact, Japan needs to get the deficit down inflation, the Krugman proposal is more likely to set off “Bond yields may rise as he is hawkish on inflation,” said Sanjiv boosted corporate profits, and lifted actual and expected just as quickly as possible. bond-yield rise, which would blow out the budget deficit. Bhasin, executive vice president at India Infoline Ltd., a Mumbai- inflation into positive territory. Thus the two standard macro-instruments – monetary Svennson’s devaluation idea would require a huge forced based brokerage. Markets have become “extremely frothy” and But this improvement was not sustained. The exchange and fiscal policy – are both constrained. In response, the IMF devaluation, which would be hard to achieve operation- “valuations look overstretched,” he said, predicting a decline in rate has appreciated. The IMF expects the Japanese econo- paper proposes what might seem an outlandish approach: ally and would be totally unacceptable to Japan’s trading equities over the next few weeks. my to grow by 0.5% this year, 0.3% next year and slower still pressure businesses to give larger wage increases so that partners, who would suffer a counterpart appreciation. India is among the emerging markets benefiting from fund thereafter. Core inflation is expected to decline and head- they will have to raise their prices, thus boosting inflation. Adair Turner’s ‘helicopter money’ proposal doesn’t offer inflows after global central banks continued to boost stimulus. line inflation, running at 0.2% this year, will rise to 0.6% next The IMF says that ‘slow wage-price dynamics amount to a any advantages (in terms of debt/GDP ratio or interest cost Leaving aside speculation on who will be the next governor, year – well short of the 2% target. missing link in the transmission of rising corporate earnings of funding) over issuing more bonds to fund the fiscal ex- positives have come in the shape of above-average rainfall that’s The economic conjuncture in Japan is special, perhaps to inflation (actual and expected)’. penditure. supportive of company earnings and Prime Minister Narendra unique. In the past 25 years (1990-2015) real GDP has If Japan did succeed in getting inflation up to Bank of Ja- Meanwhile, the Japanese authorities seem ready to Modi’s success in getting lawmaker approval for the creation of grown at an annual average of 1%, which might sound slow, pan’s target of 2%, this would mean that the policy interest maintain current policies: strong quantitative easing; a nationwide sales tax, his biggest legislative win during two years but demographics mean that Japan’s working population rate, already slightly negative in nominal terms, would be mildly negative policy interest rate in the (so far unfulfilled) in office. substantially negative in real terms, which might encourage hope that this will cause a depreciation of the yen; postpon- Bond bulls have most at stake as India gets new has been declining. Japan’s GDP growth per worker over more borrowing for investment. Then again, it might not: ing a fix of the budget deficit, as even modest attempts to central banker these 25 years (the so-called ‘lost decades’) is about the same as America’s. And current unemployment is quite low: if demand in the economy is stagnant, even the most at- raise the value-added tax cause consumers to go into a The choice of Patel as Rajan’s successor was a bit disappoint- 3%. So maybe Japan is doing just about as well as should tractive borrowing opportunities won’t induce investment. spending funk; and raise the minimum wage by a regular ing, said Nikhil Bhatnagar, a New York-based senior vice president be expected for a super-mature economy with declining Many argue that the near-zero rates prevailing in recent 3% annually. One tiny structural shift: more women are en- for Asian equities at Auerbach Grayson & Co., a brokerage spe- population. decades just discouraged necessary restructuring, keeping tering the workforce. The truly radical policy would be to cializing in global trading. He has previously said that he hoped There are two abnormalities. The first is the chronic ‘zombie’ firms going rather than encouraging new invest- ease immigration restrictions, but change here is likely to the government would choose a “pro-growth governor.” low inflation (the GDP deflator has fallen by 0.3% annually ment. remain glacial. “While Mr. Patel is well accomplished, I wonder if it will be a over the past 25 years). The result is that, even when the The IMF paper suggests income policy might help in The Japanese are travelling a narrow road with big risks on continuation of Rajan’s policies,” he said. “India desperately needs policy interest rate is set at zero (or a small negative, as at other ways. A lift real wages might boost consumption both sides and no safe haven in sight. The one clear lesson is to ensure that monetary policy moves in tandem with fiscal policy present), it does not provide a strong incentive to borrow. spending. If it does succeed in raising inflation, this would that it’s much harder to run an economy with aging population over the next five years.” make the debt burden seem smaller: higher nominal GDP and shrinking workforce. (Source: lowyinterpreter.org) Investors piled in The second is that persistent budget deficits have built up Overseas investors piled $2.7 billion into stocks and rupee- denominated debt last month, helping the Indian currency climb 0.8 percent in its first monthly gain since March. They have been Asian shares drop, dollar gains as investors await Fed hike signal net buyers of local shares for 28 days in a row, the longest stretch since the 31 days through November 2013. Foreigners bought a Asian shares slipped on Monday, while the dollar lifted off last speak on Friday. .MIAPJ0000PU.S. was down 0.7 percent, after losing 0.3 per- net $38 million of equities on August 18, taking this year’s inflows week's lows on expectations a signal might emerge from a European markets also looked set for a lower open on cent last week. Wall Street logged modest losses on Friday, to $5.8 billion, the most in Asia after Taiwan and South Korea. Federal Reserve gathering this week in Jackson Hole, Wyo- Monday, with financial spreadbetter CMC Markets expecting ending nearly flat for the week. The S&P BSE Sensex has rallied 22 percent from a bear market ming, that the U.S. central bank is gearing up to hike interest Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE to be off 0.2 percent, and Germany's "The market could move either way, but most people want reached in February. The gauge is valued at 16.2 times projected rates. DAX .GDAXI and France's CAC 40 .FCHI to start the day down some kind of signal at this point," said Masashi Oda, general 12-month earnings, near the highest since April 2015. The MSCI Global central bankers will join the annual mountain retreat 0.1 percent. manager of the strategic investment department at Sumitomo Emerging Markets Index is valued at a multiple of 12.5. that opens on Thursday, with Fed Chair Janet Yellen due to MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan Mitsui Trust Asset Management. (Source: Reuters) Indian rallies “Foreign inflow in emerging markets will determine the move Facebook can climb Samsung plans Sony to sell updated of Indian stocks from here,” Dilip Bhat, joint managing director at Mumbai-based Prabhudas Lilladher Pvt, said by phone. “Every more than 20% on refurbished model of standard correction, even if healthy, will be a buy on dip.” ad growth: Barron's smartphone program PlayStation 4 Government bonds joined a global debt rally in July as the good monsoon and improving domestic liquidity also spurred demand. Foreign holdings of local-currency notes jumped by 69.54 bil- Facebook Incorporation stock has the poten- Samsung Electronics Company Ltd. plans to Sony Corporation plans to introduce a new lion rupees ($1 billion) last month, the most in nine months. India’s tial to climb by more than 20 percent over the launch a program to sell refurbished used ver- PlayStation 4 standard model alongside a high- 10-year yield is the highest among major Asian markets despite next year given the growing advertising revenue sions of its premium smartphones as early as end version next month, people familiar with the falling 28 basis points in July in what was the largest such drop among its platforms, according to a Barron's re- next year, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said, in an effort to maintain demand for since May 2013. Its close of 7.08 percent on August 11 was the port on Sunday. matter told Reuters. the best-selling videogame console. lowest since September 2009. The yield on notes due January The social media giant, which traded at just un- The South Korean technology firm is looking With the release of the two models, Sony 2026 rose five basis points to 7.15 percent on Monday. der $124 a share on Friday, has seen a recent accel- for ways to sustain earnings momentum after hopes to attract hard-core fans and more casual “On the bond side we have seen a very decent rally and a eration in growth in part because of its increasing reviving its mobile profits by restructuring its users to its videogame platform, analysts said. couple of factors -- like oil prices and the inflation trajectory, the mobile ad load, or, the number of ads Facebook product line-up. As growth in the global smart- The company has been trying to build a com- incremental gains in bonds may be limited,” said Navneet Munot, can serve up to its users, the report said. phone market hits a plateau, Samsung wants to munity of users so that it can earn consistent who oversees $18 billion in assets as chief investment officer at SBI Facebook also has other avenues of ad load maximize its cost efficiency and keep operating revenue from subscriptions and software down- Funds Management Ltd., in a phone interview. “Globally bonds growth, including Instagram, Messenger and margins above 10 percent. loads. yields are likely to have bottomed out and are likely to inch up, WhatsApp, which have yet to fill up on ads, it which will also impact the Indian markets.” NEWS IN BRIEF NEWS IN BRIEF said. (Source: Bloomberg) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y http://www.tehrantimes.com AAUGUSTUGUST 23,23, 22016016 HERITAGE & TOURISM 5

Paveh, city of ascending rooftops GLOBETROTTERS Ibn Battutah: 14th-century As soon as one enters the small city of Paveh in western Iran which dates back to Muslim explorer, author three thousand years ago, the person is awestruck and amazed at how the people Ibn Battutah was a top medieval Muslim explorer and author who live in this area, have managed to so who extensively traveled through almost all of the Muslim skillfully and orderly build their homes in the countries of the time as well as China and Sumatra, where shape of many long and wide stairs within now is part of Indonesia. the foothills of the mountain. In 1325, at the age of According to the Circle of Ancient Ira- 21, he bid farewell to his nian Studies, these structures have been households in Tangier, Mo- built in such a way, that in most instances, rocco and embarked on a the roof of a house that is built in a lower pilgrimage to Mecca. Then altitude is actually the patio (balcony) of the he went trekking in house built just a few meters above it. North Africa, West Afri- Because of the similarities in the type ca, Middle East, Southeast of city construction and housing between Asia, as well as South and Paveh and the well-known city of Massoul- Central Asia. eh in northern Iran, Paveh is also known It took thirty years when as the City of Thousand Maasoulehs. The he returned home, having thousand is meant to refer to the fact that seen much of the world. Paveh is many times larger than Massouleh. During that time, Ibn Bat- Located in Kermanshah Province, the tutah also broadened his path to this city is filled with winding and education by studying un- The cover of “The Amazing Trav- curvy mountainous roads across the Za- der celebrated scholars in els of Ibn Battuta” by Lebanese gros Maintain range. The route is filled Egypt, Syria, and Hejaz. writer Fatima Sharafeddine with hills, springs and fountains, forests His great work titled and farmlands located in the foothills, etc., A view of Paveh in western Iran “Rihlah” or “Travels” recounts extensive journeys he made in which is quite beautiful and invigorating. tively unknown and obscure for both local From the other notable attractions terrain. Most of the fruit-gardens of the total of some 120,000 km areas of land. Due to these wonderful natural scener- and foreign tourists, it has not only pre- of Paveh, the Boll Waterfall, Key-Khosro area consist of mulberry, pomegranate, ies as well as various caves, waterfalls and vented this attractive and wondrous natural Fortress, Ghala Fortress, Manav Fortress, figs, grapes, walnut and peanut gardens. streams, Paveh has been nicknamed the marvel to produce a notable amount of the Seyed Mahmoud Isfahani Memorial In addition, a tree-grown fruit called Van “Bakhtaran (western) Paradise”. revenue for the area but also has left the can be specified. (from the pistachio family of fruits) grows HANGOUTS The presence of water in the Paveh re- development of the cave incomplete. The language spoken by natives to in the majority of the forest areas of gion is not limited to rivers, waterfalls and Paveh has many other natural, histori- Paveh is called Hourami (Gooran), which Paveh. Van is not as lucrative or in de- Azari Traditional Teahouse springs. The stone nature and penetrative cal and religious tourist attractions other is one of the most ancient and noble lan- mand like pistachios but Persian turpen- waters of the area have created the largest than the Ghoori Ghala cave, which are guages of Iran. It is a remnant of the Pahlavi tine is produced from its tree-sap. water cave in Asia. The Ghoori Ghala cave listed hereunder: and Avestaie languages. Highlight: The houses of Paveh have is a remarkably deep cave and up to now Kavat Cave; Dashas Cave; Khaloo- Agriculture in Paveh mostly consists of been built in such a way that in most some 3700 meters of its length has been Hussein Stone Cave; Paveh Fire-Temple; fruit-gardens. The reason being that there instances the roof of one is actually the identified and 500 meters of it is open to Dokhan Mosque; and Soltan Es-hagh are not enough land for cultivation due patio (balcony) of the other built just a tourist visitors. Due to this cave being rela- Memorial. to the high-altitude and mountainous few meters above it. Former China boom town learns hard lessons about service economy

YULIN, China (Reuters) — At the section of the Great Wall afford to abandon your industrial strengths. of China that runs through Yulin, tour guide Gao Jing says she As its economy matures, China is trying to steer away tried to learn English in expectation of the increased number from the export and investment-led model that fueled of overseas visitors the city planned to attract as part of its its dizzy rise towards a more sustainable base built on economic transformation. domestic consumption. But the international tourists haven’t come to Yulin, Yulin has been a poster child for that attempt to move once a coal, oil and natural gas boom town in the north- up the value chain, singled out by the national media as Just north of the train station on the west side of Vali-e Asr western province of Shaanxi, and in their absence she an example of economic transformation worthy of study Ave. south Tehran lies Azari Traditional Teahouse, a popular has forgotten her English. by other regions. hangout mainly for locals who use it as an unofficial com- “Sure, there’s lots of talk about developing our tourism Aside from gushing news articles about Yulin’s suc- munity center. industry but walking the talk is a different matter,” said Gao, cess in diversifying its economy away from natural re- In a brief comment posted to Lonely Planet, this restored who’s been a tour guide there for 10 years. sources, the provincial government is notable for releas- ‘coffeehouse’ in wonderfully vivid and atmospheric. The dizi “There’s an immediate return on investment if you invest in ing a 27-step plan in 2013 about how this economic (stew) and kashk-e bademjan (eggplant fried and mashed energy. But you may need to wait 10, or even 100 years, if you transformation should occur. and served with thick whey and mint) are justly popular. want to see a return on investment in tourism.” But since then things have not gone precisely to plan. Ensembles of traditional music play most evenings when The experience of Yulin carries a lesson for other Chinese A slowing economy has dragged down industries such as there is an enjoyably boisterous atmosphere. cities trying to re-tool their economies – establishing a vibrant Buildings are seen at a new economic zone of Yulin, Shaanxi tourism and renewable energy, handpicked by the provincial services sector takes time, and in the meantime you cannot Province, China, June 18, 2016. Picture taken June 18, 2016. government as new drivers of Yulin’s economy. Ethiopia, China vow cooperation Chinese tourism surge continues but ON MUSEUM DISPLAYS in tourism shopping sprees shifting to cosmetics Statue of a Mesopotamian ruler found in southwest Iran ADDIS ABABA (Xinhua) — Ethiopia Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, TOKYO ( The Japan Times) - The said Yoko Hayano, a senior consultant and China have expressed their keen noted that Ethiopia’s rich natural and spending power of Chinese tourists in at JTB Tourism Research & Consulting interest to cooperate on the develop- historical heritages coupled with the Japan is so impressive there’s a special Co. in Tokyo. This near life-size seated statue of a Mesopotamian ment of tourism sector in the East Afri- government’s heavy investments in word for it: bakugai (explosive buying). The stronger yen and higher cus- ruler was found at Susa in Iran where, according to the can country. infrastructure presents the country’s While the soaring yen this year has toms levies faced by Chinese tourists inscription he had carved on it, the Elamite king Shutruk- The Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia on huge potentials for tourism develop- threatened to curb tourists’ enthusi- when they go home may reinforce this Nahunte took it in the twelfth century BC as part of the Friday organized a half-day Dialogue ment. asm, the latest figures from the Japan trend. spoils of war. The artwork is on display at the Louvre on China-Ethiopia Tourism Industry Ethiopia’s landscape, wildlife, flora National Tourism Organization show Also behind this shift in buying Museum. Cooperation on its premise in the capi- and fauna as well as its diverse cul- that 731,400 Chinese visitors flocked to patterns is a large number of female “I am Shutruk-Na- tal Addis Ababa, to explore ways of col- tures, and the infrastructure devel- the country in July, a monthly record. travelers in their 20s and 30s, who ac- hunte, son of Halludu- laboration between Ethiopians and the oped over the past two decades is What also emerges from a detailed counted for more than 40 percent of sh-Inshushinak, king of Chinese in the industry. the potential to tap the tourism sec- look through tourism data is the grow- all Chinese tourists in the second quar- Anshan and Susa, who The event has been an opportunity tor in the country, said the Ambas- ing importance of young female trave- ter of the year, according to the Japan enlarged the kingdom, for Ethiopians and the Chinese to dis- sador. lers, the popularity of Japanese cos- Tourism Agency. master, ruler of the land cuss ways of attracting more Chinese He stated that the Chinese could metics, and waning sales of electronic More than half of Chinese tourists of Elam. Inshushinak my tourists to Ethiopia and also ways of participate in Ethiopia’s tourism both as goods as the quality of Chinese-made come in on trips of four to six days god having granted me cooperation in the sector between the tourists and investors to cooperate with products improves. and travel the so-called golden route this, I destroyed Eshnun- two sides. Ethiopians and jointly promote and de- “Chinese consumers are starting that links Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kyoto, and na; I took away the stat- In his opening remarks, La Yifan, velop the industry. to buy electronic goods domestically,” Osaka. ue and brought it to the land of Elam. I offered it to Inshushinak, my God.” PICTURE OF THE DAY With these few lines, which he had carved in Bagh-e place of the original Ak- Naranjestan kadian inscription, the Elamite conqueror appropriated to himself this effigy of a ruler of the Mesopotamian city of Eshnunna. Bagh-e Naranjestan is A traditional seated statue one of the brilliantly man- The statue of this ruler, seated with hands joined in icured gardens of Shiraz prayer, would have been made to be placed in a tem- in southern Iran. It is fa- ple, where it would pay continuous homage to the ruler's mous as the setting for guardian deity. It remains faithful to the traditional con- the opulently decorated ventions established centuries earlier. Naranjestan-e Ghavam The prince is dressed in a robe which leaves bare his pavilion. left arm and shoulder, the emphatic modeling of which Built between 1879 contrasts with the geometrical rendering of the lower and 1886, for many years part of the body, shrouded in the almost cubic form of the complex owned by the garment, with pleats indicated in a formulaic manner. one of wealthiest Qajar- This emphasis on the figure's vigorous musculature is a era families in the city and convention intended to emphasize the ruler’s strength currently it is transformed and power. into a public museum. The extremely simple garment is nothing more than Ceilings in the upstairs a draped length of fabric, with no fringe, similar to the rooms are predominantly dress of Hammurabi on the stele inscribed with the code interesting as they feature which bears his name. The beard is divided into eight beams painted with Euro- long locks. pean-style motifs. (Source: louvre.fr) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y

6 INTERNATIONAL AUGUST 23, 2016 http://www.tehrantimes.com

FEATURE Two faces of the Syria tragedy. Stop Saudi arms sales until carnage in Yemen ends The look in his eyes is hypnotic

A hospital associated with Doctors Without Borders. A school. Five-year-old Omran Daqneesh, his face journey that you and your family may not A potato chip factory. Under international law, those facili- covered in dust and blood, sits quietly in survive. ties in Yemen are not legitimate military targets. Yet all were the orange chair of the ambulance, his The wretched choice bombed in recent days by warplanes belonging to a coalition tiny bare feet barely dangling over the The wretched choice, each one entail- led by Saudi Arabia, killing more than 40 civilians. edge. Photographers snapped the pic- ing the possibility of death, captures the ture after rescue workers pulled Omran nightmare that has become Syria for its from of a collapsing building in the city of inhabitants. Aleppo, in Syria, after it was airstrike. The war in Syria stands as the supreme The picture has spread at lightning failure of the international community. The speed across social media, making him right actions years ago could have taken it a symbol of the relentless suffering being in a different direction. This war is not the experienced at this very moment by mil- fault of President Barack Obama, or of lions of Syrian civilians, including count- Angela Merkel or Ban Ki-moon. But world less women and children. leaders should hang their head in shame Of course, we already know that hun- for standing back much too long and al- dreds of thousands of Syrians have died. lowing this wound to fester. It is a disaster of But raw numbers, statistics, rarely have overwhelming humanitarian proportions. the emotional punch of a single life, es- For world leaders, this is a compli- pecially that of a child, whose innocence cated geopolitical conflict: a battle of The United States is complicit in this carnage. It has ena- makes it impossible for us to blame the ideologies, with local, regional and global bled the coalition in many ways, including selling arms to the victim -- or excuse our own failure to stop power politics. Saudis. Congress should put the arms sales on hold and Pres- the suffering. All of that is true, and is part of the ident Obama should quietly inform Riyadh that the United But this is not the first time in this dis- maddeningly complicated reality that States will withdraw crucial assistance if the Saudis do not aster that we have had our consciences makes it so difficult to stop the conflict. stop targeting civilians and agree to negotiate peace. reflected back at us in an image. If Omran But we should never forget that at its The airstrikes are further evidence that the Saudis have is the face of Syria’s anguished residents, heart, this is a monumental tragedy for escalated their bombing campaign against The Houthi fight- then Aylan Kurdi is the embodiment of boat capsized and Aylan drowned along were wounded by the airstrike that nearly millions of people. ers, which control the capital, Sana, since peace talks were the plight of refugees, of those families with his mother and brother. His father ended Omran’s life. Consider Aleppo, Omran’s home. The suspended on Aug. 6, ending a cease-fire that was declared who opted to flee for their lives. Abdullah, the only surviving member of Omran and Aylan, their images en- city, once Syria’s thriving commercial cap- more than four months ago. They also suggest one of two Aylan’s picture, taken last September, the family, took their bodies back to their graved in our minds, remind us of the ital, is now divided between a rebel-held unpleasant possibilities. One is that the Saudis and their coa- was just as haunting. His lifeless body hometown of Kobani. He said he had excruciating decision faced by the Syrian east and a government-controlled West. lition have yet to learn how to identify permissible military lay face down on the beach. In his red buried his soul along with his family. people today, and for every day over the In recent days, the rebels broke the targets. The other is that they simply do not care about killing T-shirt and blue shorts, his arms by his As for Omran, doctors reportedly past five years: Do you stay or do you siege, and then tried to impose one of innocent civilians. The bombing of the hospital, which alone side, he looked as if he might wake up, found him strong enough to leave the leave? their own against the other side. killed 15 people, was the fourth attack on a facility supported rub his eyes, and start laughing. But he hospital, so he was discharged. The Imagine having small children, elder If you’re looking for good guys in Alep- by Doctors Without Borders in the past year even though all was dead; one more dead Syrian refugee building where he lived collapsed shortly relatives, a life of your own, and having to po, look at the rescue workers, the White parties to the conflict were told exactly where the hospitals among thousands. after he was pulled out. Rescue workers choose between remaining in place in the Helmets, and the doctors working under were located. His family, Kurdish Syrians, had decid- say several other people were killed and middle of a brutal war, or leaving behind fire. United Nations report ed to take a risky voyage via Greece. But more, including women and children, everything you know and launching on a Omran and Aylan, the symbols of this In all, the war has killed more than 6,500 people, displaced soon after the overloaded rubber raft left tragedy, remind us that however difficult more than 2.5 million others and pushed one of the world’s from Bodrum, in Turkey, for the short trip it is to find a solution to this awful war, we poorest countries from deprivation to devastation. A recent The war in Syria stands as the supreme failure to the island of Kos in Greece, it ran into of the international community. should not allow our apathy to win. United Nations report blamed the coalition for 60 percent trouble. With waves crashing over it, the (Source: CNN) of the deaths and injuries to children last year. Human rights groups and the United Nations have suggested that war crimes may have been committed. Saudi Arabia, which began the air war in March 2015, Rather than offer clarity, Brexit has sown confusion in Europe bears the heaviest responsibility for inflaming the conflict with the Houthis. The Saudis intervened in Yemen with the aim of By Hans Kundnani interested in devolving power back to the member defeating the Houthis and reinstalling President Abdu Rabbu states. Mansour Hadi, who has been ousted from power. n the run-up to the referendum on 23 June, the Eu- It is also almost universally recognized that ways must Although many experts believe the threat to be over- Iropean Union was divided between optimists and be found to better legitimate European integration. But stated, Obama agreed to support the Yemen intervention pessimists. The pessimists – the majority – saw Brexit this is another mere aspiration. While some want a tight- — without formal authorization from Congress — and sell as a huge threat. A British vote to leave would strength- er EU centered on the eurozone, with its own parliament, the Saudis even more weapons. All told, since taking office, en “centrifugal forces” and could even be the beginning others want a looser EU based on the idea of “variable Obama has sold the Saudis $110 billion in arms, including of the end of the EU. The optimists – the minority – saw geometry” in which national parliaments would play a Apache helicopters and missiles. it as an opportunity. The shock of Brexit could galvanize greater role. Obama has also supplied the coalition such indispensable the EU to move ahead with further integration, especial- German officials increasingly justify positions such as assistance as intelligence, in-flight refueling of aircraft and ly in areas that the UK had blocked. But both optimists this on the basis of the need for a European consensus help in identifying appropriate targets. Experts say the coali- and pessimists agreed that, if the UK did actually vote to -- it must occupy a middle ground between different tion would be grounded if Washington withheld its support. leave, the EU would need to respond. member states. But this is typically disingenuous. In real- Instead, the State Department last week approved the poten- Two months on from the referendum, however, little has ity, there is national politics behind Germany’s opposition tial sale of $1.15 billion more in tanks and other equipment happened beyond declarations of commitment to the fu- to further integration. Euroskepticism is rising in Ger- to Saudi Arabia to replace items destroyed in the war. Con- ture of the European project. The reason for this odd period many too, not just among voters who are drifting to the gress has the power to block this sale; Senator Chris Murphy, of apparent inactivity is not just the lull caused by the sum- Eurosceptic Alternative für Deutschland party but also in Democrat of Connecticut, says he is discussing that possibility mer break or even the shock of the British vote to leave bastions of the establishment such as the Bundesbank with other lawmakers. But the chances are slim, in part be- the EU. It is also that, although everybody in Europe seems The foreign ministers of the EU’s founding member states in and the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. cause of the politics. to agree that something must be done to respond to the Further integration Berlin after Britain’s EU referendum. Given the civilian casualties, further American support for Brexit vote, no one can seem to agree on what. The reality is that while an overwhelming majority of this war is indefensible. As Murphy told CNN last Tuesday: While Europeans have watched the chaos that has calling for a federation of European states. Germans remain committed to the EU, many no longer “There’s an American imprint on every civilian life lost in Yem- been British politics over the last two months and waited EU’s biggest challenges see further integration as being in the national interest. en.” (Source: The NYT) for the new government to decide what it wanted, there However, despite all this diplomatic activity centered When France and Italy talk about more “risk sharing” in have been plenty of exhortations to see Brexit as a wake- on Berlin, there is unlikely to be much progress by the the eurozone, Germans see this as a stealth attempt to PM must take action to cut up call. But what Europeans are supposed to do if and time of the summit on the two biggest challenges for the the “transfer union” -- in other words, an EU in which the when they wake up is less clear. Many among Europe’s EU: the eurozone and the refugee crisis. In both cases, fiscally responsible subsidize the fiscally irresponsible – level of immigration great and good have urged a new focus on the “essen- the differences, roughly, between north and south in the that they have always feared. With a presidential election tials”, what is being called the “Europe of necessity”. The eurozone and east and west on the refugee crisis, re- in France and a general election in Germany in 2017, The number of EU workers in Britain has now reached almost EU must deliver for citizens, but how? main as wide as ever. If any initiatives are announced positions are likely to harden over the next 12 months. 2.2million having gone up by more than 200,000 over the Far from lurching towards the superstate that British in Bratislava, they are likely to be in other less divisive This may all seem like the kind of arcane drama last year. Eurosceptics always feared, the reality is that the EU is areas such as better cooperation on counter-terrorism from which Britain voted on 23 June to liberate itself. paralyzed by the multiple intersecting fault lines that al- and perhaps some small steps in integrating European But whether Britons like it or not, it will inform the way ready existed within it – between creditor and debtor security and defense policy. the EU negotiates with the UK. Behind the European countries, between old and new member states and be- The problem is that this is unlikely to do much to stop commission’s negotiating position will be member tween left and right. This matters for the UK because its the rise of Euroskepticism, which most recognize is not states concerned about Euroskepticism at home. It is negotiation about a new relationship with the EU will be an exclusively British phenomenon, even if it is more ex- the fear of empowering the Front National in France linked to the parallel deals between Europeans on the treme here. “We must acknowledge that support and and the AfD in Germany, rather than a desire to “pun- other areas that matter most to them, in particular eco- passion for our common project has faded over the last ish” Britain, which is behind the reluctance to give the nomic policy and refugee policy. decade in parts of our societies,” wrote Steinmeier and UK the “best of both worlds” that it wants. There may The Brexit vote the French foreign minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, in a joint also be implicit trade-offs between member states At the center of all this, geographically and politically, paper published shortly after the referendum. linking the negotiation with the UK and negotiations is Germany. The Brexit vote has thrust Berlin into an even What some see as a necessary response to Euroskep- in other areas. more pivotal position – the future of the EU will now ticism, others see as a capitulation to it. For Guy Verhof- Chancellor Merkel seems, for now, to have prevailed Nobody wants to see the EU workers currently living here revolve even more tightly around Germany. German stadt, former Belgian prime minister and president of the with her patient approach to Brexit; as the reality set in threatened with deportation. politicians are aware that expectations have increased, Liberal group in the European parliament, the lesson of that there was nothing anyone could do to make the Having made a home in Britain and contributed to their but so have fears of German power. German politicians David Cameron’s failure to persuade the British popula- UK invoke article 50, the calls for the UK to “go quickly” society they deserve to have their rights protected. No mat- talk about “leading from the center”, in other words, to tion to remain in the EU was that “one cannot defeat largely stopped. Informal negotiations even seem to be ter what happens as we disentangle ourselves from the EU drive policy but to do so by seeking to find a European nationalism by pandering to nationalists”. The solution is taking place despite the initial Brussels mantra of “no ne- they must be guaranteed the chance to stay. consensus. “more Europe”. gotiation before notification”. However it remains the case that we cannot accept a What this means in practice is a kind of hub-and- Others see calls to transfer more sovereignty to But two months on from the referendum, the an- never-ending flow of new arrivals. The latest statistics dem- spoke Europe in which diplomacy, bilaterally and in Brussels as part of the problem rather than the so- swer to the big question – will the UK be able to ne- onstrate the importance of winning back our right to control groups, centers on Berlin. It began, disastrously, when lution. “Neither a simple call for more Europe nor a gotiate access to the single market, particularly for our borders during the Brexit negotiations. the German foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, in- phase of mere reflection can be an adequate answer,” services, while restricting immigration from the EU? Restrictions on European migrants will not be enough vited the foreign ministers of the six founding member Ayrault and Steinmeier wrote in their paper. Some, in- – remains unclear. Last week, Germany’s European af- though. People from around the world are still being allowed states of the EU to Berlin the weekend after the referen- cluding the Dutch and Polish government, are more fairs minister indicated Britain could be given a “spe- to flock here with far too little done during David Cameron’s dum. The meeting was meant to be a show of European cial status”. To British ears, that might sound like the years in charge to restrict the numbers coming. unity but inevitably alienated other member states. The reality is that while an best of both worlds -- perhaps the access to the sin- Theresa May must demonstrate a firm commitment to Since then, Angela Merkel and Steinmeier have met overwhelming majority of gle market that comes with EEA membership together border controls and ensure the immigration figures are other European leaders to prepare for the post-Brexit with the ability to restrict immigration that comes with reduced to a sensible and sustainable level. After years summit that will take place in Bratislava on 16 Septem- Germans remain committed a looser trade agreement. Whether that turns out to of talk about cutting net immigration to the “tens of thou- ber. Today, the Italian Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi, will to the EU, many no longer see be wishful thinking will depend on the domestic politi- sands” we need a prime minister who is prepared to make host Merkel and the French President, François Hollande, further integration as being in cal pressures on Europe’s leaders and the negotiation it happen. on Ventotene, an island off Naples where, in 1941, two between them about the future of the EU “at 27”. (Source: express.co.uk) interned anti-fascist activists wrote a famous manifesto the national interest. (Source: The Guardian) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y

http://www.tehrantimes.com/economy AAUGUSTUGUST 23,23, 22016016 ECONOMY & ENERGY 7

Number of Iran’s oil-buyers rises to 10 COMMENT ECONOMY TEHRAN — The num- UK Tories wake up to deskber of Iran’s oil buyers nuclear folly, as wind and which was limited to five countries in the sanctions era has risen to 10 with the solar found to be cheapest sanctions removed, IRNA reported on Monday. The decision by the UK’s Tory government to put a hold on Following the January implementa- approval for the world’s biggest single energy investment – tion of the nuclear deal Iran raised both the Hinkley C nuclear plant – may have less to do with con- exports and production in an attempt to cerns about the potential role of Chinese state companies regain its market share lost under inter- and more to do with the realization that new nuclear is a national sanctions. horrendously expensive boondoggle. Based on the report, France’s Total The fact that the cost of wind and solar is falling and the was the first European company to start cost of nuclear is moving in the opposite direction is of little a long-term contract to buy oil from Iran. surprise to anyone involved in the energy markets, even if the Then Greece’s Hellenic, Spain’s CEPSA, nuclear industry and its supporters wish it were not so. But it Saras from Italy and lately Lotus from Po- is news, apparently, to the Tories. land joined the buyers of Iranian oil. New data uncovered from a previously unheralded Na- According to Mohsen Ghamsari, Na- tional Audit Office report shows that the UK government tional Iranian Oil Co.’s director of interna- is now advised that the cost of wind and solar could be tional affairs, Europeans are now buying around half that of new nuclear by 2025 – between £50- 25 percent of Iran’s oil so that the country £75/MWh compared to between £80 and £125/MWh for is exporting about 600,000 barrels of Oil nuclear. to Europe per day, IRNA reported. The Guardian reported that previous forecasts, made China, Japan, India, Turkey, South Ko- in 2010 and 2013, showed that the two renewable technologies rea, Taiwan, Greece, Italy, Spain and Po- were expected to be more expensive than nuclear or around land were among countries which bought the same cost by the time that Hinkley was built. This is the first Iranian crude During July based on the held before the U.S. and European Union Turkey shipped in about 60,000 barrels The country has increased its daily time the government has shown it expects renewables to be reports released. tightened sanctions on its oil industry in per day (bpd) and the exports to other production from 2.7 million bpd to 3.8 a cheaper option. At the time being, Iran has regained 2012, when Iran’s oil exports to Europe countries were also limited to one million million bpd in 2016 from which 2.1 million The Hinkley Point nuclear about 80 percent of the market share it was almost completely stopped and only bpd in total. barrels are being exported. project has already blown out in costs and relies on signif- icant government guaran- tees and subsidies over and Iran’s 4-month petchem exports up 41.5% yr/yr above the £92.50/MWh tariff it promises to pay should it ECONOMY TEHRAN — The worth of Iran’s ex- produced in Iran by the use of 80 percent of the capac- desk ever get built. That tariff then ports of petrochemical products ity of domestic plants, Alimohammad Bossaqzadeh, rises with inflation over the reached $6.769 billion in the first four months of the the control manager of National Petrochemical Com- course of the 35-year con- current Iranian calendar year (March 20-July 21), show- pany (NPC), told the Shana news agency in early April. tract, meaning it could more ing 41.51 percent growth compared to the same period In June 2015, Mohammad-Hassan Peyvandi, the then than double in price by 2050, of time in the previous year, according to Iran’s Cus- deputy managing director of NPC, said Iran planned to even as the cost of wind and toms Administration. raise its petrochemical production to over 180 million solar fall even further. The country exported 13.684 million tons of petro- tons in a course of ten years. Before the Brexit vote, the chemical products during the first four months of this Also, as Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh an- UK Tories had appeared en- year, Shana news agency reported on Monday. nounced in February, the country plans to augment tirely smitten by new nuclear, despite the evident folly of the In the past Iranian calendar year (which ended on the worth of its petrochemical production by about 30 project, which had not just blown out in cost from £16 billion to March 19, 2016), 46 million tons of petrochemicals were percent to $22 billion by the next two years. £24.5 billion, but because of the falling price of wholesale elec- tricity, would require a lifetime subsidy of £29.7 billion com- pared to original estimates of £6.1 billion. Gold hits two-week low on U.S. rate hike prospects As Bridget Woodman from the University of Exeter wrote recently, accommodating Hinkley meant that the UK govern- Gold fell on Monday to its lowest in touching a low of $1,331.35, a level not Fischer said on Sunday. There has been some shifting of funds ment had to essentially redesign the electricity market over the nearly two weeks as the dollar strength- seen since Aug. 9. "The U.S. economic indicators are from gold as oil prices rallied, but the past few years in an effort to create a situation where invest- ened after comments from U.S. Federal U.S. gold dropped 0.6 percent to looking healthy and the probability of a movement will not last long, Gan added. ment in a new plant looked attractive. Reserve officials increased bets on a U.S. $1,337.90 an ounce. U.S. rate hike will go up further in the The dollar index, which tracks the And what the UK government was proposing to build was rate hike this year. The Fed is close to hitting its targets coming months, rallying the dollar and greenback against a basket of six major in sharp contrast to what is being recommended. The head of Spot gold had fallen 0.6 percent to for full employment and 2 percent infla- putting pressure on gold," said OCBC rivals, was up 0.4 percent at 94.894. National Grid, for instance, had last year called for a complete $1,333.40 an ounce by 0404 GMT, after tion, the Fed's No. 2 policymaker Stanley Bank analyst Barnabas Gan. (Source: Reuters) rethink about the nature of energy systems. David Elmes, the head of Warwick Business School Glob- al Energy Research Network, wrote in the UK edition of The PICTURE OF THE DAY SHANA/Mojtaba Mohammadgholi Conversation that the UK had painted itself into a corner, and needed to get over the idea that megaprojects were the solu- tion to everything. This has important implications for Australia, whose official energy blue-print, apart from ignoring climate change, ap- pears fixated with a fascination for nuclear energy and large centralized power plants. North Azadegan, one of It’s an idea that the coal generators are happy to go along the five oilfields dubbed with, even encourage, because it necessitates a push-back the West Karoun oilfields against the decentralized energy that is now emerging as an obviously cheaper and cleaner alternative to the current busi- Iran shares with Iraq at ness models, and promises to extend the life of their assets. the western part of Iran’s Slowly, however, it is dawning on more and more conserva- southwestern region of tive politicians that the smaller, distributed energy is the smart- Karoun, holds a total est way forward. Not just because solar, particularly in Austral- ia, offers the cheapest technology, but because in combination of 5.6 billion barrels of with storage and smart technology it can offer an alternative in-situ deposit. The first to the centralized, gold-plated networks that account for half phase of developing the of consumer electricity bills. The recent price surge in gas and the concentration of mar- oilfield was handed over to ket power that transferred this cost, and a whole lot more, China National Petroleum to wholesale electricity prices, particularly in South Australia, Corporation (CNPC). Iran means that distributed energy is becoming an increasingly at- tractive option, because it also adds to competition. is on negotiation with That puts South Australia at the forefront of how Australia the Chinese company proposes to move forward. It has dabbled with the idea of for the second phase of nuclear power, it has suffered from the forces of a powerful development and the talks oligopoly. Its consumers are being burnt by retailers. (Source: reneweconomy.com) are due to be finalized in the coming weeks. NEWS The first household Oil falls as August price rally seen overblown, China fuel exports jump solar power plant went Oil prices fell on Monday as analysts ET), down 95 cents, or 1.87 percent. "too many headwinds and logistical and storage overhang in fuel markets, operational in Kerman doubted upcoming producer talks U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) challenges to a meaningful deal". Barclays said the 20-percent price would rein in oversupply, saying that crude was down 84 cents, or 1.73 per- Members of the Organization of rally in August was unwarranted, and The first household photovoltaic power plant went operational Brent would likely fall back below $50 cent, at $47.68 a barrel. the Petroleum Exporting Countries that oil prices of $50 or higher were and connected to the grid under the control of Electricity Dis- a barrel as August's more than 20-per- Analysts cast doubt on an August (OPEC) and other producers like Rus- unsustainable. tribution Company in the north region of the Kerman prov- cent crude rally looks overblown. price rally, saying much of it was a re- sia are set to meet in September to "Oil prices will likely experience ince, Renewable Energy Organization of Iran SUNA reported. Soaring exports of refined products sult of short-covering and anticipation discuss a freeze in output levels in or- another short-term dip in the com- According to the report, the director of Rural-Photovoltaic from China also pressured prices, as of upcoming producer talks to discuss der to rein in oversupply. ing weeks, in our view, before more Energy office noted that the mentioned power plant with the this was seen as the latest indicator of means to curb oversupply. "Though Iran now sits roughly sustainably moving to average $50 in capacity of 5 Kilowatts (KW) is completely installed with the an ongoing global fuel glut, traders Positioning data seems to confirm 200,000 barrels per day away from Q4," it added. private sector investment and the 20-year guarantee power said. "our view that the latest oil bounce its monthly pre-sanctions peak in Adding to the outlook of plenti- purchase agreement has started since the grid connection. China's July exports of diesel and is more technical and positioning-ori- May 2011, we do not see it accepting ful supplies, the U.S. oil rig count in- According to the announcement of the minister of energy gasoline soared by 181.8 and 145.2 per- ented than fundamental. In fact, new restraints on its output, and without creased by 10 last week. dated May 8, 2016 the electricity generated from subscribers cent respectively compared with the buyers have been mostly absent the Iran's inclusion, Saudi Arabia will not "Since its recent trough in May and limited to their connection capacity will be purchase as same month last year, to 1.53 million past few months," Morgan Stanley take part," Barclays said. 2016, the U.S. oil rig count is up 28 following: wind with total capacity of 1 MW and less, 5700 rials tons and 970,000 tons each, putting said. As a result, the bank said that "the percent at 406; this rebound has been per kWh, solar with a total capacity of 100 KW and less, 7000 rials pressure on refined product margins. Regarding the upcoming producer stars remain misaligned for an OPEC/ driven by the increase in horizontal per kWh and the solar with a total capacity of 20 KW and less, Brent crude futures were trading at talks, the bank said an agreement was non-OPEC freeze agreement". rigs," said Goldman Sachs. 8000 rials per kWh. $49.93 per barrel at 0641 GMT (0241 "highly unlikely" and that there were Because of the ongoing production (Source: Reuters) (Source: SUNA) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y

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D.A. Henderson, who led effort to NEWS Gallstones may risk heart eradicate smallpox, dies at 87 disease development:

Donald A. Henderson, who headed the After the campaign to wipe out the study World Health Organization (WHO) vac- disease, Henderson became dean of cination effort that wiped out smallpox in the Johns Hopkins University Bloomb- 1977 and later became a U.S. bioterror- erg School of Public Health from 1977 to ism expert, has died from complications 1990, expanding the school’s reach and following a hip fracture, officials said on making it a national leader in addressing Sunday. He was 87. HIV/AIDS, said Michael Klag, dean of the The 1966-1977 smallpox program at school. first was given little chance of succeed- “D.A. was a force of nature who, until ing. It required the development of labs relatively recently, seemed invulnerable. around the world to produce vaccines, a Public health has lost a hero,” Klag wrote constant scramble for funding, arm-twist- adding, smallpox is the only human dis- ing of governments to join in, and halt- ease ever to have been eradicated. ing outbreaks as soon as they emerged In 2001, Henderson was named by by focusing on vaccinating people who then U.S. president George W. Bush to came in contact with those infected, Hen- head a newly formed Office of Public derson told the WHO. Health Preparedness, set up to coor- Smallpox eradication dinate the national response to public The “most important legacy of small- health emergencies, including a spate of The researchers found 17 percent of people of more than pox eradication was its demonstration of Smallpox is a highly infectious virus In 1972, he flew to Belgrade in the former anthrax attacks that took place at the end one-quarter million U.S. adults with a history of gallstones how many people could be protected that kills 30 percent of its victims and Yugoslavia to help stamp out the last smallpox of that year. were more likely to develop the disease in future of about through vaccination, so rapidly and in- scars the rest for life. outbreak in Europe, the WHO said. In 2002, he received the nation’s high- fifty years. expensively with a well-planned program est civilian honor when he was awarded The two diseases share some same risk factors that in- and quality-control monitoring,” the man Smallpox is a highly infectious virus that the Presidential Medal of Freedom. clude type 2 diabetes, obesity and unhealthy cholesterol known as “D.A.,” said in an interview pub- kills 30 percent of its victims and scars the Henderson died on Friday at a Balti- levels. lished by the World Health Organization more-area hospice, officials said. Cardiologist Dr. Richard Stein said people with gallstones a few years ago. rest for life. (Source: Business Insider) need to take some additional attention to cardiovascular health as it is convincing that gallstones are a risk factor for heart disease. Stein is a director of the urban community cardiology Tropical Smoothie Cafe linked to hepatitis A outbreak program at New York University School of Medicine and he was not a part of the study. Being a spokesperson for the The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is warning says it has pulled all Egyptian strawberries from its cafes. American Heart Association he added, “Eat a heart-healthy smoothie lovers to watch out for symptoms of hepatitis A. “Egyptian strawberries represent a fraction of our diet, exercise, keep your blood pressure down. It would be A news release from the VDH warns that patrons of overall strawberries purchased and were predominantly prudent to get your other heart disease risk factors under Tropical Smoothie Cafe restaurants in Virginia are at an distributed to stores in the Virginia market,” read a news control.” increased risk of contracting the disease. An investiga- release issued by the restaurant. “However, in an abun- Gallstones develop in gallbladder due to excess choles- tion underway links a cluster of hepatitis A cases with dance of caution, we voluntarily pulled all strawberries terol usually and stores bile fluids that help digestion of fat as frozen strawberries used by the restaurant chain. sourced from Egypt from every cafe in our system, not well as fat-soluble vitamins of the body. Blacksburg’s first Tropical Smoothie Cafe recently opened only the Virginia cafes.” U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kid- in the University Crossroads development on Prices Fork According to the VDH, individuals who ate a smoothie ney Diseases (NIDDK) said many people don’t get the symp- Road. The chain of restaurants serves a variety of tropically containing strawberries at one of the restaurants in the past toms of gallstones and its treatment often involves surgically themed smoothies as well as wraps and sandwiches. 50 days should watch for symptoms. For people who were removing the gallbladder. Genetic testing completed by the VDH shows that the exposed within the past two weeks, a vaccine or immune symptoms including jaundice, dark urine and fever. Ac- Share your own views too whether the gallstones risk de- particular strain of hepatitis A that caused the outbreak globulin may stop the disease from developing. cording to a fact sheet from the VDH, the disease is not velopment of heart disease with us and fellow readers in the has appeared in the past in frozen strawberries from Symptoms of the disease typically appear within four always symptomatic and is rarely fatal. below given comment box. Egypt. The restaurant chain, upon learning of the link, weeks of exposure. The disease affects the liver, causing (Source: Collegiate Times) (Source: srjnews.com)

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NEWS Iran's constructive role in Iraq Iran played constructive role in Iraq's anti-Daesh fight: By Maryam Azish he sectarian violence which deterio- Commentator Trated the peace and security in the re- gion has been sponsored by foreign Press TV has conducted an interview with Wesam Al-Bahrani, a countries beyond the Iraqi boundaries. political commentator, about a senior Iranian official highlighting The foreign countries endeavors for fan- the importance of retaking Mosul from the grip of terrorists, say- ning the flames of violence in the region, ing that the liberation of the northern Iraqi city will mark a new have led to escalation of chaos and insecu- beginning for unity and stability in the Arab country. rity in Iraq and continuation of the crisis has Here is a rough transcription of the interview: deliberately inflicted heavy expenses on the Q: Iran says that it will keep standing by Iraq in Iraqi government and nation. its fight against the terrorists as Iraqi forces are making Following the escalation of Daesh ter- headway against Daesh terrorists. How important is the rorist groups' threats against the Iraq, the role of support that Iran is giving to Baghdad? Islamic Republic of Iran more than any other A: Well Iran has played a very constructive role in Iraq not countries stood by the Iraqi people and de- only it is Iraq’s neighbor but from the start when Daesh occupied fended the territorial integrity of this Arabic the Iraqi city of Mosul two years ago, there was a real threat to country. the Kurdish region in the north and Daesh was also advancing Iran's all-out support from Iraq also had south towards Baghdad. In other words, the whole of Iraq was played a pivotal role in diminishing Daesh under the threat of Daesh occupation. threats in this Arabic country. Considering important role of Iraq in the region, Iran believes that peace and security in the region should be restored by partici- pation of all countries. In an indication of fostering Tehran-Bagh- dad relations, Iraqi Parliament Speaker Salim Al-Jabouri arrived in Tehran on Aug 20 for holding talks with high-ranking Iranian of- ficials including President Hassan Rouhani, Chairman of the Expediency Council Aya- tollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Secretary religioU.S. conflict will prolong wherever defeat of terrorists.' campaign. of Supreme National Security Council Ali they occur and we should not allow the U.S. OminoU.S. Plot Praising political stability in Iraq, Zarif Shamkhani and his counterpart Ali Larijani. MU.S.lims to fight with each other rather In a meeting with al-Jabouri, Majlis reiterated that all Iraqi leaders including Iraq being a sovereign country, made a number of requests Prior to the visit, Al-Jabouri also visited than unity and cooperation,' Rafsanjani Speaker underscored that the U.S. assumed the parliament speaker have taken effec- to countries asking for assistance. While some countries were Iran late Aug 2015, during which he held said. that Iraq will be a U.S. state after fall of tive steps to create such an atmosphere, slow to offer any assistance, [Iran] was the first to answer this talks with a number of top Iranian officials. He expressed surprise with the clear Saddam HU.S.sein and was seeking to ap- expressing that Iraqi government and na- SOS call, Iran sent military advisers to train the depleted Iraqi Although, more than one decade has and secret relations between certain point American Generals as Iraqi governors, tion have been successful so far in fight army and the Kurdish forces. It has also provided much needed been passed following the U.S. invasion on MU.S.lim governments and the Zionist re- but, the eminent Iraqi personalities and Aya- against extremism and terrorism. weapons despite Daesh. Of course one of the biggest contribu- Iraq, this Arabic country has so far not expe- gime, asking how such relations are possi- tollah Sistani on top and Iraqi people stood He hoped that the campaign against tions by the Iranian military advisers which Iraq can be grateful rienced even a single day of peace. ble while they know that the Zionists have up to the ominoU.S. plot. terrorism and extremism in Iraq would be at to Iran for was the Jurf al-Sakhar operation - Jurf al-Sakhar, a Uprooting terrorism pulled out the Palestinian MU.S.lims from Larijani also believes that the two coun- the final stages and that confrontation with town only 50 kilometers from Baghdad - and when Daesh oc- President Rouhani in a meeting with Iraqi their own homes and lands. tries also enjoy many commonalities and terrorism in Mosul would lead to unity of all cupied this town and threatened to attack the cities of Karbala parliament speaker praised the recent vic- Liberation of Mosul have common stands on regional and inter- Iraqi ethnic groups, tribes and followers of and Najaf in the south of Iraq, Iranian military advisers helped tories of the Iraqi army and popular forces Meanwhile, Shamkhani in a meeting national developments helping bolster rela- different religions. Iraqi forces and the Iraqi volunteer forces to liberate this town. against terrorist groups, saying the reinforce- with Iraqi parliament speaker said libera- tions, adding the unrest and the measures Considering important role of Iraq in the Without this victory and the numeroU.S. other victories in ment of unity among Iraqis of all ethnicities tion of northern Iraqi city of Mosul from of the Takfiri terrorist groups will be to the region, Zarif said that peace and security in Samarra, in Baiji, Ramadi and in particular Fallujah where would and faiths will certainly uproot terrorism in the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group could be benefit of U.S. and Zionist regime. the region should be restored by participa- Reciprocal visa-free travel Daesh have been today, the whole Persian Gulf was under the country. the beginning of national and geographi- tion of all countries. threat, the whole region could have been under Daesh control, He underscored that Iraqi parliament is a cal unity in this Arab country. In a mealtime, Iraqi premier also called In conclU.S.ion, it is also worth men- so this is one of the reasons why the Iraqi government and the symbol of unity and fraternity among Iraqis Commenting on the importance of for lifting visa requirement between the two tioning that Iran and Iraq, both, enjoy the Iraqi people are very grateful to Iran. Today’s comments by Salim of all ethnicities and faiths and can boost na- forging political stability in Iraq, Shamkhani countries and the Iranian side is ready to unique opportunity to foster relation in the al-Jabouri is nothing new. Politicians and leading figures from tional unity by taking on an integrated role in believed that the total uprooting of terror- welcome the proposal. chaotic Middle East region, thanks to good across Iraq, the Shias, the Sunnis - which by the way Salim al- the fight against terrorism. ism is being pursued in this Arab country Back in Jan 24, 2016, Larijani and Iraqi neighborliness, regional common goals, Jabouri is a Sunni MU.S.lim of course as is Iraqi Defense Minister Rouhani further said that increasing con- thanks to the army forces endeavors and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on the side- threats and opportunities, unique historical Khaled al-Obaidi who has praised Iran - but also the Kurds, the sultations between Iran and Iraq is necessary all-out support of religioU.S., political as lines of the 11th session of Parliamentary and cultural affinities. Christians. Over the last two years they have all thanked Iran for for promoting peace and stability in the Mid- well as ethnic groups. Union of the Organization of Islamic Coop- Following last year’s nuclear agreement its role. dle East. 'The Islamic Republic of Iran has always eration (PUIC) in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, between Iran and the P5+1 group of coun- And may I add that the United States acknowledges Iran’s Sectarian violence stood beside the Iraqi government and discU.S.sed a reciprocal visa waiver program tries, known as the Joint Comprehensive positive role in Iraq, if not publicly then certainly privately. Of Ayatollah Rafsanjani in a meeting with nation,' he said, expressing hope that the to boost tourism and trade transactions be- Plan of Action (JCPOA), Tehran believes that course it is very important to note here that the Iranian military al-Jabouri warned against fanning the operation for liberating Mosul could start tween the two neighbors. the Iranian and Iraqi parliaments should advisers are under the command of the Iraqi commander-in- flames of Shia-Sunni conflict in Iraq, saying with participation of all Iraqi groups, the Al-Abadi said he will follow up on the make U.S.e of the appropriate opportunity chief, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi jU.S.t like the American that it stirs up religioU.S. sentiments being indigenoU.S. forces in the northern Nin- issue of visa-free travel for the Iranian and created to boost economic cooperation. military advisers. However, the United States of America was misU.S.ed by the enemies of Islam. eveh province in particular. Iraqi nationals willing to exchange visits. Touching upon the Iran's pivotal role Anti-terror campaign infamoU.S.ly slow in providing any assistance or much needed Rafsanjani underscored that the inter- Describing terrorism as the most im- in Iraq and the Islamic Republic readiness weapons to Iraq. nal discords after destruction of the ter- portant and immediate danger threat- Talking to al-Jabouri, Zarif stressed that to expand ties with this Arabic country in Q: Let’s talk about the bigger picture now. How rorists will prepare the ground for rising a ening the whole region, he added, 'We Iraq is on the front line of fight against ter- counter-terrorism efforts, the two sides also crucial is it to have countries like Iran and RU.S.sia con- dictator like Saddam HU.S.sein in Iraq. should try to restore peace to Iraq and rorism and extremism and Iran stands by the enjoy vast common interests in fostering tributing to the battle against terrorism as opposed to 'The experience of history say that the whole region with empathy, unity and Iraqi nation and government in anti-terror economic relations. as you mentioned the United States, United States and its so-called coalition has certainly been censured and received a lot of criticism over its role and conduct in both Iraq and Syria? When cultural courtesy becomes diplomacy

A: The Iran, RU.S.sia, Syria and Iraq alliance, since they Despite such explanations for demanding that foreign By Lachin Rezaian created their own operation center and started sharing in- diplomats observe cultural requirements in Iran, some ignore telligence, they have made real progress in fighting terrorist tiquette of diplomacy is a set of common principles and disrespect the law and norms. groups in the region. This alliance has made a great progress and rules of good behavior that diplomatic figures ob- This is also true about consuming alcohol in Iran. The im- in fight against terrorism. I mean if we take the American-led E serve to show their courtesy and respect for another port, sale, manufacture and consumption of alcohol in Iran coalition that was formed two months after Daesh occupied culture they stay in. is strictly forbidden on religioU.S. grounds, with exceptions Mosul, it consists of about 60 countries. However, since that The significance attached to the general concepts and only for certain recognized Iranian religioU.S. minorities- not time until now considering how powerful the American mili- fundamental principles of diplomatic etiquette is to the ex- foreigners. tary is and the number of countries involved, this coalition has tent that sometimes disagreement over the question of Three years ago, a drunk employee of Saudi Arabia Em- failed to make any significant gains. which foreign policy chief mU.S.t, for example, first stretch bassy in Tehran Yaser bin Muhammad Ali Yami killed an Ira- American military commanders say they are convinced out his/her hand to shake hands with the opposite side, has nian driver and wounded another in a fatal car accident in that Daesh cannot be defeated for another five to ten years led to the disruption of a major international agreement. officials in Iran’s territory. Tehran. Four bottles of alcoholic beverage was found in the whereas the Iraq, Iran, Syria, RU.S.sia, this alliance has defeated Islamic Republic of Iran, as a member of the United Na- Foreigners should respect national traditions in food. employee’s car. Iranian officials deported him from the coun- Daesh terrorists and terrorists in general in the region on a tions, is obliged to implement formalities, cU.S.toms and They should avoid eating alcohol, which is prohibited strictly try and asked Saudi government to punish the offender and significantly vast scale. diplomatic etiquette and expects the same from those who in Iran. pay compensation for violations. Statements like this from the Americans suggest that the travel to Iran for diplomatic reasons. However, unfortunately, in recent years, communicating In the latest episode, Japanese Ambassador Hiroyasu United States has its own agenda in the region. There are One of the basic principles and fundamental rules of pro- with some European and Western diplomatic and political Kobayashi was briefly detained and questioned by Iran’s se- accU.S.ations that the American military assisted Daesh in Iraq tocol or the etiquette of diplomacy in foreign travel includes figures have brought about some problems according to curity forces on April 28 when he and his wife attended a and Syria and actually the Iraqi volunteer forces have evidence attending to the cultures and cU.S.toms of the host coun- which even basic diplomatic etiquette that should be ob- dinner hosted by a local acquaintance and at which alcohol of military helicopters dropping aid to terrorist groups. try and generally the opposite side; This is an international served by foreign guests have been easily ignored and vio- was served. The other point is that American military has put conditions practice to respect and observe the cU.S.toms and traditions lated in Iranian territory raising many criticisms in different Prohibition of alcohol consumption, wearing hijab for on Iraqi government that if for example the Iraqi volunteer of the host country which may even be broadly inconsistent ways. women, shake hands and public display of affections be- forces participate in fighting Daesh, the Americans will with- with the cultural context of the visiting person. For example, Senior Foreign Office official Deborah Bron- tween a man and a woman, and some other codes are parts drew their own support. Why are they putting these types of The dos and don'ts of a social life exist based on the fixed nert represented the British government at the reopening of of a culture and social codes in an Iranian society and the law conditions on Iraqi volunteer forces in answering these Daesh and common patterns in all societies; how they are imple- the Iranian embassy in London without covering her head. supports and protects them as well. occupied areas? mented in a special culture is according to the values and Emma Bonino, the Italian foreign minister, had resisted This is true for the Iranian representatives as well. They American-led coalition is a coalition that wants to establish, beliefs of the community. covering her hair during a trip to Iran after her plane landed are not allowed to attend events serving alcohol. Recently I believe, political goals. It does not want to defeat terrorism ThU.S., although all societies may assume some behaviors in Tehran. Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Iranian foreign minis- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani refU.S.ed to dine at the in the Middle East. It is a political game and especially now polite and some others impolite, they are defined only by ter, explained her that compliance with hijab is a part of the Elysée presidential palace becaU.S.e wine was served dur- leading towards the elections, the political slogans we see from the culture of each community, so that good behavior and ceremonial protocols for female diplomats visiting Iran, and ing the meal. Although Iran had requested a halal menu, the Democrats and the Republicans is who will defeat ISIL first manners in a category may not be acceptable in any other if she did not abide by them, all of her scheduled appoint- which cU.S.tomarily means no alcohol, France was unwilling and Trump made a true statement when he said that Clinton category. ments would be cancelled. Reportedly, Bonino covered her to break with the tradition surrounding official state lunches created these terrorists jU.S.t like it created al-Qaeda in Iraq. The issue is highly regarded in Iran’s cultural context, hair and left the plane. and dinners. The other point is that the leader of Daesh Abu Bakr al- becaU.S.e Iran is an Islamic country with special diplomatic Dutch politician Marietje Schaake is the most famoU.S. case However, his visit to Italy went much more smoothly with Baghdadi was in an American jail after the al-Qaeda leader codes, maybe not existing in many other countries, including who appeared in public meetings and ceremonies in Iran with officials keeping alcohol off the menu at state dinners and in Iraq Abu MU.S.ab al-Zarqawi died and when Abu Bakr al- Islamic dress code, handshakes between women and men, an improper outfit for formal setting and totally incompatible even covering up its ancient nude statues in Rome as they Baghdadi was released from American prison he announced ban on alcohol U.S.e and etc. with the rules and traditions of Iranian dressing codes. signed £12bn worth of bU.S.iness deals. Iranian officials did Daesh. This is an important point that hundreds of convoys Greeting in certain countries have national overtone. The hijab law Article 102 passed by Iranian Parliament not request the statues be covered up but were said to ap- between Raqqah and Mosul filled with weapons and logisti- Handshake is the main form of greeting in Iran, however, it is says: “Women within the Islamic Republic, be they Iranians or preciate the gesture. cal supplies were moving between Mosul and Raqqah under forbidden to shake hands with women. foreigners, MU.S.lims or non-MU.S.lims, mU.S.t comply with Everyone, including Iranians, foreign diplomats, and tour- American surveillance. However, did America hit any of these Clothes are also an essential element, becaU.S.e it is a hijab requirements while in public places and public view. In ists should obey and respect the etiquette, formalities, rules, convoys? This suggests that there is some American coopera- part of appearance. It should be modest and conservative 1997, the law was developed further in Article 638 of the Is- and cultural principles of the country, regardless of the fact tion with these militants. (Source: Press TV) and women mU.S.t wear hijab in their meetings with Iranian lamic Penal Code. that it is incompatible with their own culture and norms. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y

http://www.tehrantimes.com AAUGUSTUGUST 23,23, 22016016 SCIENCE 11

NASA to launch asteroid-sampling NEWS Astronomers catch rare sight of incredibly massive mission in three weeks star’s formation The agency’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft analyzed, Lauretta said. is scheduled to launch atop a United “Sample return is the gift that keeps The biggest stars in the galaxy take about 100,000 years to Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket on Sept. on giving,” he said. form, which is the blink of an eye in astronomical terms. (A 8 from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Air Force Though OSIRIS-REx is NASA’s first as- smaller star like the sun takes millions of years to form.) So it Station. If all goes according to plan, the teroid-sampling mission, it isn’t the first is rare to find a star more than eight times the mass of the sun probe will return a pristine sample of the one in history: Japan’s Hayabusa probe (big enough to supernova at the end of its life) while it is still potentially hazardous space rock Bennu sent home tiny pieces of the space forming, and astronomers to Earth in September 2023. rock Itokawa in 2010. (And Hayabusa 2 led by the University of Cam- “We seek samples that date back to launched in December 2014 to collect bridge just found one that is the very dawn of our solar system,” OSI- material from another asteroid, known as more than 30 times the mass RIS-REx principal investigator Dante Lau- Ryugu.) of the sun, and still growing. retta, a professor of planetary science The OSIRIS-REx team is keen to hunt The forming star, or pro- and cosmochemistry at the University of for organic molecules — the carbon-con- tostar, is about 11,000 light Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Labora- taining building blocks of life as we know years away, in a much dens- tory, said during a news conference on it — in the material the spacecraft sends er and more volatile region August 17. home. of the galaxy. This is another “We want to get those back into our But learning more about the solar sys- reason it can be hard to find laboratories to understand the processes tem’s early days and how life on Earth may young massive stars among that may have led to the origin of life, and have gotten its start isn’t the only goal of the 100 billion stars in the to the habitability of our planet,” Lauretta and collect the material that’s blown out, (OSIRIS-REx, meanwhile, will be put in a the $800 million mission. Its full name — Milky Way — they tend to added. Grossman explained. stable “parking orbit” around the sun.) Origins-Spectral Interpretation-Resource form far away from our calm The spacecraft will study Bennu from Current plans call for OSIRIS-REx to Asteroid material Identification-Security-Regolith Explorer little galactic neighborhood. orbit for about two years. Then, in July leave Bennu for Earth in March 2021. In The asteroid material will be studied — makes that clear. The find represents an exciting opportunity to study one 2020 or so, it will head down and grab September 2023, the spacecraft will eject for years to come by scientists around the For example, OSIRIS-REx — which car- of the most massive stars in the galaxy while it begins its short at least 2 ounces (60 grams) of asteroid the sample capsule, which will land with world, much as the moon rocks returned ries five scientific instruments — aims to and violent life. material. the aid of parachutes in the Utah desert. by NASA’s Apollo astronauts have been learn more about the valuable resources The researchers discovered that the star is forming from “We don’t technically land on Bennu, that Bennu-like asteroids may possess, the center of a rotating disk of gas and dust, called an accre- but we make contact with it for about The asteroid material will be studied for years team members said. tion disk, just like smaller stars such as the sun. 5 seconds,” Jeff Grossman, OSIRIS-REx The probe will also provide a detailed to come by scientists around the world, much However, the newly discovered star and its surrounding program scientist at NASA headquarters characterization of the Yarkovsky effect, disk are so massive that it is possible that not only planets, in Washington, D.C., said during today’s as the moon rocks returned by NASA’s Apollo which describes how small objects’ paths but other stars will form within the accretion disk to ultimately news conference. astronauts have been analyzed, OSIRIS-REx through space are altered by the solar orbit the bigger host star — a Solar System of smaller solar During these 5 seconds, the probe energy they radiate away as heat. systems. (Source: Popular Mechanics) will blast the asteroid’s surface with gas principal Dante Lauretta said. (Source: The CSM)

Scientists find Scientists have conducted a Hidden codex may reveal evolutionary link between mathematical analysis of a rare secrets of life in Mexico fins and hands cavernicolous crustacean before Spanish conquest

A new study by scientists in Chicago A scientific collaboration of researchers One of the rarest manuscripts in the world has been re- has found evidence to support the from the Lomonosov Moscow State vealed hidden beneath the pages of an equally rare but deep evolutionary link between the fin University and the Smithsonian Insti- later Mexican codex, thanks to hi-tech imaging tech- rays of fish and the toes and fingers tution has discovered previously un- niques. of animals. Researchers used a nov- known regularities of arthropod limbs The Codex Selden, a book of concertina-folded pages el gene editing technique to arrive at based on studies of the remipede Spe- made out of a five-meter strip of deerhide, is one of a hand- their findings. leonectes tulumensis, a rare crustacean ful of illustrated books of history and mythology that survived Did the hands of animals evolve found in saline waters of caves. wholesale destruction by Spanish conquerors and missionar- from the fin rays of fish? The results of the research have ies in the 16th century. It has long been accepted that de- been published in PeerJ, an open-ac- Researchers using hyperspectral imaging, a technique scendants of fish transformed into cess interdisciplinary journal. originally used for geological research and astrophysics, dis- creatures that can walk on land, includ- Vyacheslav Ivanenko, the Leading covered the underlying images hidden beneath a layer of ing amphibians and reptiles. With this Fingers and wrists Researcher in the Department of Inver- a similar pair of appendages, equipped gesso, a plaster made from ground gypsum and chalk, with- transformation, scientists say massive Shubin and his colleagues examined tebrate Zoology, the Faculty of Biology at with a large number of setae. The ap- out damaging the priceless later manuscript. changes in the creatures’ physiology the zebrafish to find out how fins are the Lomonosov Moscow State Universi- pendages are used for swimming. At The underlying images must be older than the codex on also occurred. linked to fingers and wrists. Postdoc ty, noted that “Our results are significant the time of this study there were no top, which is believed to have been made about 1560 and In a new study, biologists from the scholar Tetsuya Nakamura used CRIS- for studies of diversity and evolution of detailed studies of these appendages was donated to Oxford’s Bodleian library in the 17th century University of Chicago have proposed PR-Cas9 to delete important genes recent and fossil arthropods, particularly or their evolutionary peculiarities. by the scholar and collector John Selden. that as these ancient fish evolved, their in zebrafish that are associated with with regard to studies of the fundamental Ivanenko and his colleagues con- The codex is one of fewer than 20 dating from before or long and elegant fin rays were replaced limb-building and selectively bred ze- mechanisms of animal evolution. ducted an analysis of appendage just after the colonization, which were saved by scholars who by the fingers and toes that most mod- brafish that underwent gene deletions. Furthermore, the research turns out structure, including the number of seg- realized the importance of the strip cartoon-like images, a ern mammals possess today. At the same time, former gradu- to be an interesting example of coop- mental elements that make up each complex system that used symbols, stylized human figures Fin rays ate student Andrew Gehrke adjusted eration between mathematicians and appendage and the number of setae and colors to recount centuries of history and beliefs, includ- In fact, the report suggests that cell-labeling techniques to determine specialists in comparative develop- on each segmental element. The au- ing religious practice, wars, the founding of cities and the the same cells that comprise fin where and when specific embryonic mental morphology.” thors then conducted a vector analysis genealogy of noble families. rays in fish is actually crucial in the cells migrated as the zebrafish grew Marine caves of the numbers of setae on different One Spanish witness of the destruction wrote that people formation of fingers and toes of and matured. The class Remipedia was discovered appendages of the same animal and were distraught to see their books – and their history – burn, four-legged creatures. In the end, researchers discovered in 1981 inhabiting marine caves of the discovered that these numbers could anguished to “an amazing degree, and which caused them For three years, University of Chi- that the cells that mark the fingers and Caribbean Sea. Remipedes are an un- be predicted using a mathematical for- much affliction”. Of those known to have escaped the bon- cago researchers performed countless wrists of mice and people were exclu- usual group of crustaceans, and sub- mula which the authors derived. fires, the Bodleian had five, the largest group in the world – experiments using new gene-editing sively in these fin rays. They focused sequently have been found in marine Furthermore, the authors discov- and now it has six. (Source: The Guardian) techniques as well as sensitive fate on the Hox genes, which control the caves of Australia, as well as lava tubes ered that the predicted power of the mapping to determine the link. physiology of a growing embryo along of the Azores islands. Ivanenko further mathematical formula worked for dif- The team was able to track and the shoulder-to-fingertip and head-to- notes that “In Russia, as well as in oth- ferent developmental stages of the label the developing cells in fish, and tail axis. Many of these Hox genes were er countries, there are many of caves remipede. Ivanenko stated: “We have describe how the small bones at the America hasn’t seen a found to be crucial for the develop- whose troglobionts, especially micro- found the following regularities in Rem- end of the fins are linked to hands, ment of limbs. scopic ones, are surprisingly poorly ipedes structure: the peculiarities of the solar eclipse like this since which are features far more suitable for To confirm their study, Shubin and studied for their biology and diversity”. setation of the appendages has been land-dwellers. his team used CT scan to view the min- Remipedes have some unusual defined and a minimum set of attrib- the end of World War I Neil Shubin, senior author of the ute structures within the fin of the adult structural peculiarities, and these re- utes necessary for effective remipede study, says that scientists have believed zebrafish. The scans show that the fish sulted in their initial placement at the classification has been elaborated”. For many cultures a total solar eclipse represents a time that fin rays were completely different that lacks certain genes did not devel- base of the evolutionary tree of crus- Furthermore the authors were sur- when either a demon or animal consumes the Sun. For from toes and fingers, especially be- op fin rays, but the number of small taceans, although now may carcinol- prised to find that changes in setation of example, the Vikings saw a pair of sky wolves chasing the cause one type of bone is formed out bones made of cartilage fin increased. ogists consider them more closely remipede limbs are similar to those found Sun, and when one caught it, the wolf would eat it. In of cartilage and the other is formed in Researchers suspect that the zebraf- related to insects. One such structural on a copepod. The authors believe their Vietnam, either a frog or toad consumed the Sun. For the simple connective tissue. ish with deleted genes caused cells to peculiarity is an elongate body whose analysis will be applicable to other crus- Kwakiutl tribe on the western coast of Canada, it was the Now, Shubin and his team’s recent stop traveling from the base of the fin trunk consists of a large number of taceans including, branchiopods, cepha- mouth of heaven. findings may change this entire notion, to their typical position close to the tip. body segments (sometimes more than locaridans, leptostracans and decapods. Soon, the United States will have a chance to see causing experts to re-think what they (Source: Tech Times) 40). Most of these body segments have (Source: EurekAlert) an eclipse of our own (and assign cultural value as we know about fingers and toes. please). The next total solar eclipse will be on August 21, 2017. Modern Americans probably don’t know exactly what to The plastics revolution: How chemists are pushing polymers to new limits make of a total solar eclipse — because most of them have Hermann Staudinger was a pacifist, but this was one Polymer-based composites mimics of polymers found in nature. At the same time, never seen one. The last total solar eclipse in the contiguous fight he was determined to win. In 1920, the German Polymer-based composites even make up half the says Lodge, attitudes to the science have changed. United States, 37 years ago, only clipped the northwestern chemist proposed that polymers — a broad class of weight of Boeing’s most recent passenger aeroplane, No longer do universities dismiss polymer science as United States, mostly rural areas of Washington, Oregon, Ida- compounds that included rubber and cellulose — were the 787 Dreamliner. too dirty, practical and industrial for academia. “Just ho, Montana and North Dakota. made of long chains of identical small molecules linked So where will polymers go next? Some answers about every chemistry department has someone do- According to Eclipse2017.org, the day of Feb. 28, 1979, by strong chemical bonds. will come this week, when a once-per-decade ing polymer stuff now,” he says, and frontier work on was cold and dreary in the Northwest, and most people in Most of his colleagues thought this was arrant non- workshop organized by the U.S. National Science polymers is increasingly interdisciplinary. the path of totality did not see the eclipse due to clouds and sense, and argued that polymers were merely looser Foundation attempts to survey which new areas are It will need to be. Researchers have a growing rain. The last eclipse to traverse much of the United States aggregations of small molecules. Staudinger refused to emerging. toolbox of techniques with which to craft the chemi- came all the way back in 1918, on June 8. back down, sparking feuds that spanned a decade. The “general trend—still continuing—is the ex- cal architecture of polymer strands, but they are often In August 2017, the narrow line of totality will cross the Eventually, laboratory data proved that he was right. pansion of polymers into applications that have not unable to predict whether the resulting compound entire country, from Oregon to South Carolina, with all of the He won the 1953 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work, been traditionally theirs,” says Tim Lodge, a polymer will have the particular properties needed for, say, a contiguous United States seeing at least a partial eclipse. For and synthetic polymers are now ubiquitous: last year, chemist at the University of Minnesota in Minneap- membrane or a drug-delivery system. Meeting that area of greatest duration (near Carbondale, Ill.), according to the world produced about 300 million tons of them. The olis and editor of the journal Macromolecules. That challenge will demand a much deeper understand- NASA and Fred Espenak, a partial eclipse will begin at 16:52 molecular chains that Staudinger hypothesized have en- expansion has been driven by advances in every as- ing of how the chemical structure of a polymer de- UT (12:52pm ET), with the total eclipse beginning at 18:20 UT tered almost every aspect of modern life, from clothes, pect of polymer science, he says. Researchers have termines its physical properties, at every scale from and ending at 18:23 UT. The length of the total eclipse will be paint and packaging to drug delivery, 3D printing and developed new methods to synthesize and analyze nanometers to meters. 160 seconds. self-healing materials. molecules, improved theoretical models and created (Source: Scientific American) (Source: Ars Technica) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y WOMEN 12 AAUGUSTUGUST 223,3, 22016016 http://www.tehrantimes.com/women

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Rural women play important but hidden role in economy: VP

WOMEN TEHRAN — Rural women play an im- deskportant but hidden role in the economy of families and the society, said Shahindokht Molaverdi the Iranian vice-president for women and family affairs. Unfortunately, the role of rural women is not appreciated and their hidden role is ignored in the society, ISNA quoted Molaverdi as saying on Friday. “This is an injustice toward rural women,” she stressed. Speaking at the closing ceremony of cultural festival of rural girls which was held in Zibakenar rural area, Gilan province, Molaverdi put the emphasis on the role and posi- tion of rural girls in different fields. Women’s investments can be utilized for implementing resistance economy, Molaverdi said, adding that encourag- “My mom is so special to me. I love her more than I can think” ing women for teamwork is essential for the society. Auliq-Ice Without women’s contribution, implementing general goals of the resistance economy will not be possible, the vice-president noted. Women make up 12 million out of the 32 million ru- ral population of Iran, Molaverdi said, adding that women NEWS in the province of Gilan play a key role in agriculture and Germany may soon ban handicraft industries. full-face veils worn by Muslim women Women and cyberspace congress to be held WOMEN TEHRAN — A congress on wom- Mehr reported. Germany may soon ban full-face veils worn by Muslim wom- desken and cyberspace is to be held in Out of a series of meetings, two meetings namely en in certain circumstances, the latest instance of a European Tehran with the aim of introducing the works made “seen and unseen of cyberspace” and “modern com- nation restricting Muslim garb. by young researchers on the influence of cyber- munication technology and lifestyle” have already been German Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière said space on women. held. The two meetings put the emphasis on the increas- in a televised speech that a full veil “does not belong in Co-organized by the Iranian Students’ Polling ing influence of cyberspace on people’s lifestyle. our cosmopolitan country,” Agence France-Presse re- Agency and the Presidential Department for Women Since women make up a great number of users ported Friday. and Family Affairs, the event will be held in the next of cyberspace, the positive and negative influence of “We agree that we reject the burqa (a full-body covering), Iranian calendar month (September 22-October 21), cyberspace is mainly on women. we agree that we want to in- troduce a legal requirement to show one’s face in places where it is necessary for our Hijabs and turbans are not a threat to sports society’s co-existence — at Playing competitive sports is hard enough without hav- adds insult to injury to be on track to fulfill your dream the wheel, at public offices, at ing to worry about what to wear on the court. to compete professionally at the highest level, only to be the registry office, in schools But when stringent uniform regulations conflict with told you’re out unless you trade off your faith. and universities, in the civil religious beliefs, it creates a frustrating stalemate that In 2014, the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Coun- service, in court,” he said, ac- no amount of skill or practice alone can resolve. This cil on American-Islamic Relations both pressured FIBA cording to AFP. is the dilemma that thousands of athletes around the on behalf of Abdul-Qaadir and other female Muslim He said, “We want to world have faced, including American athletes Bilqis Ab- athletes to modify their policy and allow them to com- show our faces to each other, dul-Qaadir and Darsh Preet Singh. pete. That same year, at the request of the Sikh Coali- and that is why we agree that Abdul-Qaadir made history in 2010 as the National tion, members of Congress wrote a letter to FIBA’s pres- we reject this — the question Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) first female Mus- ident explaining that turbans are an important article of is how we put this into law.” lim basketball player who wears an Islamic headscarf. Singh faith for Sikh players, and urged the federation to end De Maizière’s comments made history in 2004 as the NCAA’s first Sikh basketball its discriminatory policy. come after a number of seaside towns in France, includ- player to wear a turban in collegiate competitions. His jer- These collective efforts persuaded FIBA to approve a ing Cannes, banned the burkini — a full-body swimsuit. At sey now hangs in the Smithsonian Museum. two-year provisional period permitting athletes to wear least four women have been fined for wearing burkinis in But neither of these players had the option to con- two years in Europe before she decided to start wearing religious headgear while it weighed whether to revise its Cannes since the ban was introduced this month. tinue their basketball careers beyond college. The Inter- hijab, told Bustle in August: “We are trying to show the policies. This temporary allowance has only been ap- Michel Py, the mayor of Leucate on the southern French national Basketball Federation (FIBA), the overarching world that regardless of our ethnicity or religious back- plicable to competitions at the national level, and only coast, which includes a nude beach resort at Port-Leucate, association of national organizations governing inter- ground, we are women that want to be able to make a after the national federation submits a formal, written announced a ban on burkinis this week. national basketball competition, has a policy banning decision for ourselves.” request to FIBA. FIBA is expected to make a decision “It is about respecting the principle of secularism,” said Py, any headgear–including religious garments–wider than This ban does not exist in all professional sports. An- within the next few weeks on whether it will permanently a member of the right-wing Les Républicains party, according 5 centimeters. This provision automatically disqualifies other American Muslim athlete, Team USA Fencer Ibtihaj lift its ban to allow religious head-coverings at national, to The Telegraph. “This is the public domain, and (the burkini) Sikh and Muslim athletes who respectively wear turbans Muhammad made history in August by becoming the international and Olympic competitions. is an ostentatious religious sign.” and hijabs as mandated by their faith. The federation first U.S. Olympian to compete wearing hijab. Interest- FIBA, the world is looking at you. It is unethical and French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said Wednesday that says in its official rulebook that such items and acces- ingly, her journey into fencing was a direct result of her unconscionable to force any qualified, dedicated athlete burkinis were “not compatible with the values of the French sories cannot be worn on the court because “they may struggle to find a sport that would not force her to com- to choose between their faith and their passion and gift Republic,” but he refused to introduce a nationwide ban. cause injury to other players.” promise her mandatory dress code. (Besides basketball, for the sport. Your stated mission is to “develop and pro- France has a nationwide ban against full-face veils, as does Both Abdul-Qaadir and Singh have demonstrated boxing and judo also have similar clothing restrictions). mote the game of basketball, uniting the wider basket- Belgium. Some cities in Spain and Italy also have such bans. the talent and drive to compete professionally. But the Muhammad has said that she chose fencing because ball community.” The impending decision is an opportu- The local French burkini bans came in response to a terror ban on headgear prevents them and others from par- she wouldn’t have to alter her fencing gear to meet re- nity to demonstrate that this mission is substantive and attack in the beach resort of Nice last month that killed 85 ticipating in any FIBA-endorsed competition–including ligious requirements. Wearing a hijab while competing relevant. It is your chance to foster goodwill, embrace people. The Islamic State said the attacker acted on its behalf. international tournaments such as the Olympics and clearly did not hinder her ability to compete in Rio, as inclusion, promote unity and exemplify true leadership. Historian Jean Baubérot said the bans on burkinis ap- World Cup and most professional leagues. The profes- proved by her bronze medal. We urge FIBA to do the right thing: To block bigotry, peared to be “extremely irrational.” sional world of basketball is effectively closed to them. No one should ever have to weigh uniform require- defend religious freedom and lift the ban on religious “It’s a counterproductive measure to bother these women “Playing professionally has been my goal for as long ments over personal preference and talent when making headgear. Pulling these principled, gifted basketball who have nothing to do with the terrorists and to give the as I can remember,” Abdul-Qaadir said in her petition on the decision of which sport to play, especially not when stars from the bench into the game is guaranteed to be impression of stigmatizing a whole group of people who are Change.org urging FIBA to change its regulations. Fel- they have dedicated their life to excelling at it—defeat- a slam dunk move. also under threat from terrorism, because there were women low petitioner Indira Kaljo, who played professionally for ing competitors, smashing records and making history. It (Source: TIME) wearing headscarves who were also killed in the attack on Nice,” he told the France Inter radio station. (Source: USA TODAY) IN FOCUS Tehran Times/ Layla Ghodratollahi Fard Zimbabwe women take to the streets RECIPE OF THE WEEK to demand free Fig Cookies education BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe (Thom- Ingredients son Reuters Foundation) — 2 cups fig preserves Thousands of women took to the 3/4 cup shortening streets of Bulawayo in Zimbabwe 2 eggs on Thursday to demand free edu- 1 cup white sugar cation for their children as protests 2 cups all-purpose flour against the government mount 1 teaspoon vanilla extract across the country. 1/2 teaspoon baking soda The protest dubbed was organ- 2 teaspoons baking pow- ized by Women of Zimbabwe Arise der (WOZA) who presented a petition to Directions the resident minister ahead of the new Preheat oven to 375 de- school term early next month. grees F (190 degrees C). The protest, involving about 2,000 Cream together shorten- women, follows about a dozen pro- ing, eggs, sugar, and vanilla. tests in the past two months over a Sift flour, soda, and baking series of issues, including the planned powder. Add to egg mixture. introduction of controversial bond Grease a small cookie notes to curb a long-running cash sheet with shortening. Pour shortage crisis. 1/2 of the dough into pan and spread. “We want government to honor its Pour fig preserves over the dough and gently spread. constitutional obligation to provide Drop rest of dough over figs. Place in oven. When mixture education for all,” Jennie Williams, starts to melt and gets soft, spread the top. Bake for 40 min- A woman from Shahsavan nomadic tribe from northwestern Iran, separates a lamb from the rest of sheep flock. WOZA coordinator, told the Thomson utes. Cool and then cut into 24 bars. The nomads raise their sheep in Mount Sabalan skirts during spring and summer. Reuters Foundation. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y http://www.tehrantimes.com/international AUGUST 23, 2016 WORLD IN FOCUS 13

Counterterrorism officers were repeat- itoring.” edly blocked by British security service MI5 ‘blocked’ arrest of ISIL-supporting “It was very frustrating and did cause MI5 from pursuing criminal investigations some tension, but we were told we had against Britain’s highest-profile radical radical preacher Choudary ‘for years’ to consider the bigger picture.” JUMP preacher, Anjem Choudary, it has been Security expert Will Geddes said while claimed. police and security services had a good JCPOA meets national Last week, Choudary was found record of working together, there was of- interest of U.S. and Iran: guilty of supporting the Islamic State in ten a difficult balance to strike between Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Daesh) terrorist prosecuting evidence and gathering in- Barnett Rubin group, which seized territory in Iraq and telligence. Syria and inspired terrorist attacks across “Whilst the cops always want the col- 1 I also know those in the U.S. government who are Europe. lars the spooks want the information and responsible for implementation of the agreement, and they Following his conviction, it was re- it is a challenge getting the right balance.” are sincerely trying to implement it. As you may know they vealed that the 49-year-old former law- “Choudary was certainly clever and have been subjected to very heavy criticism here by oppo- yer had been linked to at least 15 terror- knew where the line was, and that was nents of the agreement. ist plots since 2001. Police also believe part of the reason it took so long to Nonetheless, objectively the JCPOA agreement is in the he has connections to as many as 500 of get him. But it was certainly possible national interest of both the U.S. and Iran. I am confident that the 850 young British Muslims who have that MI5 wanted to continue to mon- both sides will continue to try to implement it, despite all the traveled abroad to join the ISIL terrorist itor him because he was the focal difficulties and mistrust. group. point of so much,” Geddes told the Do you think the next U.S. president will be com- According to the Telegraph, coun- Telegraph. mitted to the JCPOA? ter-terrorism officers often felt they had “Given how influential he was in terms A: It is most likely that the next president of the U.S. will enough evidence to build a case against of setting up the forums for those guys to be Hillary Clinton, who started the secret talks with Iran in the cleric, only to be told to hang fire by get inspired, it made perfect sense for the Oman. Her senior foreign policy advisor, Jake Sullivan, was MI5 because he was crucial to one of and posting YouTube videos in which he if the security service say they are intelligence agencies to say ‘we haven’t on the U.S. negotiating team. In addition, if the Democratic their ongoing investigations. praised the group. working on a really big job, because exhausted this yet.’ In the end though he Party is in a stronger position in both houses of Congress, so The situation led to a build-up of ten- One counterterrorism source says they have the priority,” he told the Tel- got caught because he believed his press the president will be under less pressure. sion between the two sides, with police the decision not to prosecute him earlier egraph. too much and he got carried away by his The potential difficulty is that in public statements Sec- feeling “frustrated” that Choudary was came from MI5. “That is what they did constantly. own media profile.” retary Clinton has advocated tougher sanctions against Iran not being brought to justice, a source “I am gobsmacked that we allowed While the police might have had lots of Choudary faces up to 10 years in over ballistic missiles and (alleged) support for terrorism. If told the newspaper. him to carry on as long as he did. He evidence, they were pulled back by the prison when he is sentenced on Sep- she introduces such legislation, it will pass. Of course un- He was eventually prosecuted after was up to his neck in it, but the police security service because he [Choudary] tember 6. less Iran does something dramatic and new, the UN Security swearing an oath of allegiance to ISIL can’t do full investigations on people was one of the people they were mon- (Source: RT) Council will not agree to such sanctions, but given the inter- national role of the U.S. dollar in financial transactions, U.S. unilateral sanctions can be effective. In addition, there appears to be support in Congress Kerry, African ministers meet on South Sudan violence for such additional sanctions, and the right-wing pro-Is- The United States Secretary of State John Kerry and along ethnic lines, pitting President Salva Kiir, an ethnic rael lobby as well as Saudi Arabia are likely to support counterparts from six African nations met in Nairobi on Dinka, against his rival and vice president Riek Machar, such sanctions. (Note that there is a liberal-left pro-Is- Monday to discuss ways to prevent South Sudan from a Nuer. rael lobby which is growing and which supported the sliding back into civil war. Machar led a two-year rebellion against forces loyal JCPOA, as do most of the security experts in Israel.) The World powers and regional states have struggled to to rival Kiir before the two sides reached a peace deal in U.S. will argue that sanctions over issues other than the find leverage over the country’s warring factions despite August 2015. Under the deal, Machar returned to Juba nuclear program are not affected by the agreement, U.S. and European sanctions on some military leaders in April to resume his role as vice president. and Iran will argue that such sanctions show that the and African threats of punitive actions. After violence flared in the capital Juba last month, U.S. is not sincere and is at best not acting in the spirit After a two-hour meeting with Kenyan President Machar withdrew his forces and Kiir subsequently sacked of the JCPOA. That increases the risk to the JCPOA, but Uhuru Kenyatta at State House, Kerry joined foreign him as vice president. even in this case it may be possible to preserve it. There ministers from Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Machar was picked up by UN peace keepers in would, however, be no relaxation of tension between Uganda to discuss options for putting South Sudan’s neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo a week ago the two countries beyond the JCPOA. peace process back on track. Ministers from Djibouti with a leg injury and was handed over to authorities in If the next U.S. president violate the JCPOA, will its and Tanzania had been expected. Congo. allies support it? The meeting was expected to discuss plans by the South Sudan initially said it would not cooperate with Especially of concern to Washington was an attack A: No. And if the U.S. enacts new sanctions, unless Iran United Nations to deploy a 4,000-strong protection the 4,000-strong force that will be under the command on a Juba hotel in July by uniformed men who killed does something new and threatening, they will not support force in the capital Juba, as part of the UN peace keep- of the existing 12,000-strong UN mission UNMISS (Unit- a U.S.-funded journalist and raped civilians, including the new sanctions either. ing mission. The UN has threatened an arms embargo if ed Nations Mission in South Sudan). Juba has since said aid workers. The UN has launched an investigation into the government does not cooperate. it was still considering its position. accusations that UN peace keepers in Juba failed to re- Russian use of Nojeh air “We will ... talk about how we move forward in trying “We have not rejected it or accepted it, the sover- spond properly to the attack. to implement peace in this country,” a senior State De- eignty of the people of South Sudan will be decided by In a letter to Kerry before his visit, the Human Rights base temporarily stopped partment official said before the meeting. the parliament,” South Sudan’s presidential spokesman Watch group urged him to discuss rights concerns with “The people of South Sudan have suffered for far too Ateny Wek Ateny said. Kenyatta. The group said it had documented 34 cases of Since the world’s youngest nation gained independ- 2 long, and the continued instability there has led almost extrajudicial killings and another 11 deaths of people last Brief detainment of Japanese ambassador was a a million refugees and a humanitarian crisis that is far ence in 2011, oil production - by far the biggest source seen in state custody over alleged links with al-Shabaab of government revenue - has plummeted. ‘misunderstanding’ beyond the abilities of even the international community militants in Nairobi and in the northeast. Asked about the detention of the Japanese ambassador to respond to,” the official added. Worsening violence has raised fears of a return to (Source: Reuters) civil war that erupted in late 2013, which broadly ran to Tehran by security forces, Qassemi said it was “a misun- derstanding.” Back in April, Japanese Ambassador Hiroyasu Kobayashi was briefly detained and questioned by security forces in Iran ‘Red line’: China warned Japan against at a dinner party. Since the Japanese diplomat had no photo identification joining U.S. freedom of navigation stunts card on him, also known as a diplomatic card issued by the Iranian foreign ministry, the security forces held him for a Beijing warned Tokyo of a harsh response if it ever seeking a record defense budget of 5.16 trillion yen ($51 short while. crossed a “red line” in deciding to sail with the United billion) for next year to strengthen the Japanese coast “(However), once Iran’s foreign ministry was informed, States warships near disputed waters surrounding Chi- guard near the disputed waters with China. Part of the they confirmed the identity of the Japanese diplomat and he na’s artificially reclaimed islands under the pretext of funding will also be spent on neutralizing the North Ko- was released on the spot,” the spokesman explained. the Freedom of Navigation principle, Japanese media rean threat by deploying PAC-3 missile defense system Qasemi underscored the impunity of foreign diplomats in reported. and the joint Japanese-U.S. production of the Block IIA Iran and said the diplomatic members cannot be arrested or The warning to Japan reportedly came just ahead of version of the Standard Missile-3 system. Japan also detained. the Hague international arbitration court’s ruling over seeks to purchase an upgraded version of the F-35 Two European diplomats traveled with permits in the disputed South China Sea islands which Beijing con- stealth fighter. Iran tinues to claim, despite a verdict which stripped China of Meanwhile, Beijing has finished long-range combat Qasemi also dismissed the arrest of two European diplo- the disputed territory. drill in the Sea of Japan with its East China Sea Fleet by mats in Iran, saying, “The two diplomats traveled with legal Tokyo will “cross a red line” if Japan’s Self-Defense launching simulated attacks to improve the capability of permit and prior notice.” Forces sail with the Americans, Chinese Ambassador to continuous strikes at maximum range, CCTV reported. Sebastien Surun, French political attache, and Charlotte Japan Cheng Yonghua allegedly told a Japanese official The exercise also included air force simulation of air-to- Lopez, second secretary of the British Embassy in Tehran, in Tokyo, Kyodo reported citing a source. ship missile launches against enemy vessels. The Chi- visited some regions of Kurdistan province in Iran last week, Japan should not take part in a “joint military action nese navy called the drill “routine” and in accordance when their vehicle was stopped by police, but once their doc- with U.S. forces that is aimed at excluding China in the with international law. uments were checked they continued their trip. South China Sea,” Cheng is reported to have told Jap- Tensions in the area were heightened even further “It was an already coordinated trip with Iran’s foreign min- anese officials late in June. “(China) will not concede on when four Chinese coastguard ships sailed into territo- istry,” Qassemi stated. sovereignty issues and is not afraid of military provoca- rial waters surrounding the disputed islands in the East tions.” China Sea on Sunday morning. The Japanese foreign According to the source, the official reassured the Ministry responded by issuing a note of protest against Israel plans to expand new ambassador that Japan had no plans to join the U.S. the “incursion” and the violation of Japanese sovereign- sails, which have intensified lately by constant American other territorial dispute between China and Japan over ty. settler units in West Bank warship maneuvering near artificial islands that China the Tokyo-administered Tokyo-administered Senkaku “Despite Japan’s repeated strong protests, the Chi- has built in the South China Sea. (Diaoyu) Islands which China claims as their own. nese side has continued to take unilateral actions that The Israeli regime authorities have granted preliminary Freedom of Navigation (FON) has been part of an Earlier this week, Japanese media reported that Chi- raise tensions on the ground, and that is absolutely un- permission for the planning of new illegal settler units in American policy under the Law of the Sea (LOS) Con- na continues to expand military infrastructure next to acceptable,” the statement said. the occupied West Bank in defiance of international calls vention to exercise its navigation and overflight rights the disputed waters, erecting a military pier on Nanji Is- It is reported that since the beginning of the month, to end such unauthorized activities in the Palestinian ter- and freedoms since 1983. China has repeatedly warned land, one of 52 islands in the Nanji chain that are part of Japan lodged at least 32 protests over about 30 intru- ritories. against such provocations. China’s Zhejiang Province. sions by Chinese vessels in the territorial waters. COGAT, an Israeli military body, confirmed on Monday The tense diplomatic exchange took place amid an- To counter the perceived Chinese threat, Tokyo is (Source: RT) that permission had been given for planning new units for settlers in the occupied West Bank city of al-Khalil (He- bron). Hagit Ofran of Israeli anti-settlement Peace Now group Britain to separate extremists from other prisoners said that the land was taken from the Palestinian-run mu- nicipality for military use and will be converted to residential Britain announced plans on Monday to “There are a small number of in- Though the full report was kept confi- terrorist group, is set to be sentenced in application. house imprisoned extremists in separate dividuals, very subversive individuals, dential, a summary of the findings of the September. He was arrested in 2014 after According to Israeli media reports, the expansion is still in units from other inmates, after a review who do need to be held in separate review recommended introducing the his name appeared on an oath recog- early stages of planning and has yet to pass through admin- found that some charismatic convicts units,” Justice Secretary Liz Truss told specialized units in order to stop a small nizing the “proclaimed Caliphate State.” istrative stages ahead of construction. were radicalizing the wider Muslim pop- the BBC. number of individuals from being able to He said the oath was made without his About 1,000 settlers live in al-Khalil among Palestinians ulation in prisons. But Peter Dawson, director of the Pris- “proselytize” to other inmates. The re- knowledge. behind barbed-wire, observation towers, heavily fortified en- The government-ordered study on Reform Trust, said that any program lease of the findings comes in advance of Some 12,633 Muslims were in pris- claves and under Israeli army protection. concluded that “cultural sensitivity” must “get people back into the main pris- the sentencing of Anjem Choudary, one on in England and Wales at the end On June 16, the Israeli regime approved USD 18 million in among National Offender Manage- on community.” of Britain’s best-known radical Muslim of June, compared to 8,243 a decade extra funding for the illegal settlements across the occupied ment Service staff toward Muslim “Anything else is just storing up preachers. earlier. Of the 147 people in prison for Palestinian territories. prisoners went too far and “could an even more difficult problem for Choudary, who has been convicted terrorism-related offences at the end The funds were allocated by the cabinet for settlement-re- inhibit the effective confrontation of when they are eventually released,” of encouraging support for the Islamic of March, all but 10 considered them- lated spending in the occupied West Bank. extremist views.” he said. State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Daesh) selves to be Muslim. (Source: AP) (Source: Press TV) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y

14 WORLD SPORT AAUGUSTUGUST 223,3, 22016016 http://www.tehrantimes.com/worldsport

OLYMPICS There is no guarantee for Iran comes 25th in us to officiate at the World Cup, says Iran’s Faghani standings at Rio Olympics Iranian international referee Alireza Faghani who has offici- ated the Olympic football final between Germany and Brazil 1 Moradi dominated the event with a com- larus’ Ibrahim Saidov bagged the bronze medals in Greco-Roman wrestler Saeid Abdevali claimed a alongside his two assistants Reza Sokhandan and Moham- bined total of 403kg. the weight category. bronze medal in the 75kg. madreza Mansouri believes that there is no guarantee for Belarus’s Vadzim Straltsou claimed silver on 395kg while Kimia Alizadeh claimed the first ever Olympic The Iranian beat Peter Bacsi from Hungary 3-1 in them to officiate at the World Cup despite good performanc- Lithuania’s Aurimas Didzbalis took bronze with 392kg. medal by an Iranian woman in Rio on Friday. the bronze medal match. es at previous games. Hassan Yazdani claimed first wrestling gold medal Alizadeh, 18, defeated Sweden’s Nikita Glasnovic 5-1 in South Korean Kim Hyeonwoo also defeated Bozo “As Brazil had lost 7-1 of the Olympic. the under-57kg division to win the historic bronze medal. Starcevic from Croatia 3-1 to win a bronze. in 2014 FIFA World Cup Yazdani scored the winning points just seconds Great Britain’s Jade Jones defeated Spain’s Eva Cal- Russian wrestler Roman Vlasov won gold in the semi-final, this game was from the end of the under-74kg title bout against Rus- vo Gomez 16-7 to reclaim the gold medal she won at category, defeating Mark Madsen from Denmark 5-1 very intense. Fortunately sian opponent Aniuar Geduev. the 2012 London Games in the category. in the final match. everything went well during Jarayil Hasanov of Azerbaijan beat Uzbekistan’s Hassan Rahimi snatched a bronze medal at the And Ghasem Rezaei snatched the bronze medal in the match and I’m satisfied Bekzod Abdurakhmonov 8-7 for bronze. European men’s 57kg freestyle wrestling. the men’s Greco-Roman 98kg division. with our performance. I champion Soner Demeritas won a battle of the bushy Rahimi, who lost to Japan’s Rei Higuchi in the The London gold medalist defeated Carl Fredrik hope this flow continues so beards to snare the other bronze medmedal,dal, beating GaGa-- semifinals,semifinals, defeated CubaCuCuba’s Yowlys Bonne, the Stefan Schoen of Sweden. that more Iranian referees lymzhan Usserbayev of Kazakhstan 66-0.-0. wowworldrld No. 3, 5-0 to wwini the bronze medal Cenk Ildem of Turkey earned another bronze could officiate big games in Iranian freestyle wrestler Komeil GGhasemihasemi claimed a in thethe ddivision.ivision. medal in the division, taking down Alin Alexuc Ciu- the world,” Faghani said. silver medal in the men’s -125kg freestyleeestyle fifinal.nal. GGoldold medal wwenten to Vladimer Kh- rariu of Romania. Faghani believes that refer- He lost to Turkey’s Taha Akgul 3-11 inin the Rio Olym- inchegashvili,inchegashvili, wwhoho beat Higuchi in the Artur Aleksanyan of Armenia beat Yasmany Daniel ring important games such as pics final match. Geno Petriashvili off GeorgiaGGeeorgia and Be- finalfinal matmatch.ch. Lugo Cabrera of Cuba, earning the gold medal. Olympic football final will not guarantee future success. “No one knows the list of the World Cup referees until the very last second while there is no guarantee that according to referring Club World Cup final and football Olympic final you’ll be chosen for officiating World Cup final. We need to keep this quality and try to have the best performance even in the ordi- nary games,” the Iranian referee added. Iranian media believes that after a good performance at Olympic football final Faghani has the chance to referee the World Cup final. Faghani who is a FIFA referee since 2008, has officiated notable international matches including 2015 AFC Asian Cup Final and 2015 FIFA Club World Cup Final.

U.S. routs Serbia for third straight gold

A ruthless United States pounded Serbia 96-66 to claim a third straight Olympic men’s basketball title on Sunday, giving coach Mike Krzyzewski a golden send-off. After scrapping to a tense three-point win over Serbia in the group round, the United States quickly removed any suspense from the rematch, surging to a 52-29 halftime lead then cruising to their 25th straight win on Olympic hardwood. Kevin Durant led the assault, pouring in 30 points including 24 in a brilliant opening half, while DeMarcus Cousins was again a beast on the boards, pulling down 15 rebounds. “To go home as gold medalists and leave Coach K off with another gold was one of our main goals as well,” Durant told reporters. “I’m ex- cited we got the chance to do this and play with such great players, and I’m on cloud nine right now for sure.” The rout capped a bril- liant tenure as Team USA head coach for Krzyzewski, who signs off after guiding the U.S. to three consecutive Olympic gold medals and an astounding 88-1 record in international competi- tion. The only blemish on “Coach K’s” otherwise perfect resume is a semi-final loss to Greece at the 2006 world championships. “For me, this (gold) ranks just like the others,” Krzyzewski told reporters. “I’ve been really a lucky guy, collegiately and interna- tionally to be part of championship teams. “I think the way these players have felt, they’re given an op- portunity to play for their country and you make the most of it.” The game was also the last for captain Carmelo Anthony, who embraced Krzyzewski on the sidelines when he was substi- tuted in the final minutes. U.S. basketball’s only four-time Olympian, Anthony exits with three gold medals and a pack of U.S. team records. Cameroonian striker Nfor joins Iran Loses to Thailand in Futsal Four “I think I’ve given enough to Team USA basketball,” said An- Foolad of Iran Nations Cup thony. “As much as I’m going to miss it, I think it’s time to pass it on to some of the guys who have been on the team this year. Iranian football club Foolad Khuz- Iranian national futsal team was de- “So for me, I’m hanging these things up U.S. basketball-wise.” estan has completed the signing feated against Thailand 7-5 on Sun- With the victory Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson joined one of Ernest Webnje Nfor, known as day in the Four Nations Cup, under- of basketball’s most exclusive clubs, becoming just the eighth Nfor. way in Bangkok. and ninth players to win Olympic and FIBA world championship The Cameroonian striker has The Iranian team was held to a 3-3 gold and an NBA title. The final was a classic David and Goliath joined Foolad on a one-year contract draw by Kazakhstan in the opening matchup, with basketball superpower the United States, now for an undisclosed fee. match. winners of 15 of the 18 Olympics in which they have partici- In January 2006 Nfor started his Iran has been scheduled to play Ja- pated, going up against tiny Serbia, who were appearing in the career with KAA Ghent. The 30-year- pan on Tuesday. Olympic tournament for the first time as an independent nation. old player has played for Belgian “We’re preparing for the 2016 FIFA Serbia however also brought a considerable basketball ped- teams Zulte Waregem and Gent. Futsal World Cup in Colombia and I igree to the gold medal game, having been part of the former Nfor has also played for Azerbai- think the Thailand tournament is a good Yugoslavia, once a European basketball power. jan’s Neftchi Baku and Saudi Arabia’s warm-up event for us,” Iran futsal coach More significantly, Serbia had given the United States their Al-Wehda. Mohammad Nazemalsharia said. biggest scare in Rio, battling the Americans right down to the Foolad remains at the bottom of Iran has been drawn with Spain, final buzzer in a Group A clash that offered up at least the the Iran Professional League with two Morocco and Azerbaijan in Group F of possibility of an intriguing final. points from four matches. the World Cup. But the United States would not be caught off guard again, (Source: Tasnim) (Source: Tasnim) their class evident from the start. “We played them already so we were familiar with the faces and familiar with their game,” U.S. guard Paul George said. “It was about taking the fight to them and I thought we did a great job of James happy at Real Madrid - Zidane doing that tonight.” The Americans had difficulty breaking down a determined Serb defense in the opening quarter but still ground out a 19-15 lead. Then the U.S. shifted into top gear, blowing past the Zinedine Zidane insists James Rodriguez is happy at James only made 17 starts in the league in comments of Madrid president Florentino Perez in overwhelmed Serbs to open up a 23-point halftime advantage. Real Madrid amid speculation the Colombia inter- 2015-16 – his second season with Madrid - and he insisting the 25-year-old is not looking to leave. “They played better than us,” said Serbian center Vladimir Si- national could swap La Liga for the Premier League. was only given 13 minutes of their opening league “He is well and happy,” Zidane said when asked mac. “We fought and gave it everything, playing for our people. Both Arsenal and Chelsea have been heavi- match of this campaign against Real Sociedad on about James after the 3-0 victory over Sociedad. I think we made them (proud).” “This is a golden silver medal.” ly linked with moves for the playmaker after he Sunday. “He worked and helped us to gain the three Earlier, Spain edged Australia 89-88 to take home the bronze. dropped down the pecking order in the Spanish His lack of action has seen him linked with a points.” (Source: Reuters) capital. move away, but Zidane has consistently echoed the (Source: Goal) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y

http://www.tehrantimes.com/sport AAUGUSTUGUST 23,23, 22016016 SPORT 15

Rainy Rio wraps up challenging OLYMPICS Brazil medal haul national best, but weak by host Games on upbeat tropical note standards

Host nation Brazil, backed by an emotional and enthusias- tic local fan base, captured the most Olympic medals in the country’s history but fell far short of the haul that past host nations have brought in. Brazil’s 19 medals, seven of them gold, was a significant improvement over its London 2012 performance, more than doubling the number of golds and picking up two more medals in total. The country’s tally was capped off by a gold in the men’s volleyball finals on Sunday and Brazil’s first men’s soccer gold on Satur- day. For the crowds that poured into the streets to celebrate the soccer win, or shouted from windows and in bars throughout a rainy Rio during the volleyball final on Sunday, the victories were another sign that a Games many once thought destined for disaster had far exceeded local expectations. From concerns about the Zika virus, to polluted waters, security and shortages of funds, the Rio Games faced prob- lems that critics believed could derail their success. “I can’t tell you how happy I am, and I’ve been a critic of the games” said Rafael Rocha, 28, a designer out celebrating Brazil’s soccer gold in the early hours of Sunday. “Not only have the games gone well, Brazil is doing well too. This is a huge relief.” Brazil could also celebrate an Olympic record pole-vault victory, gold in men’s beach volleyball and women’s sailing 49erFX class. That 49erFX win, and the willingness of nearly all sailing medalists to jump into the water to celebrate, seemed to be- lie concerns that the dirty waters of Guanabara Bay were too polluted to sail in. Though Brazil’s medal performance impressed some A blustery storm, a touch of melancholy The city handed over the Olympic flag Just this week, the foundation that main- ‘DIFFICULT MOMENT’ here, it also fell short on a range of measures. Sports in and a sense of pride converged at the to Tokyo, site of the 2020 Summer Games, tains the park said it could no longer do so “Even with all our problems we pulled which Brazil was supposed to perform well in, such as Judo, closing ceremony of the 2016 Olympics and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe because of a lack of funding. off a good Olympics. Nothing too bad were a disappointment. And athletes expected to win med- on Sunday as Brazil breathed a collective appeared in the stadium dressed as pop- For all the troubles before and during happened and I’d say it was better than ex- als in events ranging from sailing to gymnastics failed to get sigh of relief at having pulled off South ular video game character Mario, tunneling the Games, Rio will surely be remembered pected,” said Nivea Araujo, a Rio resident on the podium. America’s first Games. from Tokyo to Rio. for great sporting moments. attending the closing ceremony. As a result, Brazil came in 13th in the gold-medal table After a grueling 17 days, Rio de Janeiro Bach declared the Rio Games closed There was the remarkable comeback of For many in the soccer-mad nation, the and 12th in total medals, missing the government’s goal of cast aside early struggles with empty venues, and expressed hope that they had left a American swimmer Michael Phelps, who best Olympic moments happened in the a top-10 finish in the over-all medal count. Only hosts Can- security scares and a mysterious green diving lasting mark on the metropolitan area of 12 won five golds to reinforce his distinction as Maracana, where Brazil defeated Germany ada in 1976, Mexico in 1968 and Greece in 2004 have done pool to throw a huge Carnival-like party. million people. the most decorated Olympian of all time. in soccer on Saturday and pieced together worse, and all have far smaller populations. Samba dancers, singers, drummers and “These Olympic Games are leaving a Jamaica’s Usain Bolt drew down the cur- a widely hailed opening ceremony despite Kenya and Jamaica were two of the smaller and poorer a giant plumed macaw float mixed with unique legacy for generations to come,” he tain on his brilliant Olympic career by se- the tight budget. countries that came close to Brazil in the gold-medal race, hundreds of athletes in the storied Maraca- said. “History will talk about a Rio de Janei- curing a sweep of the sprint titles for a third Rio won the right to host the Games in finishing 15th and 16th, respectively. na stadium while a final volley of fireworks ro before and a much better Rio de Janeiro successive Games. And American gymnast 2009, when the economy was booming and As the cheering dies down, questions will linger about lit up the night sky. after the Olympic Games.” Simone Biles, the U.S. flag bearer in the millions were pushing into the middle class. why a country so large and relatively rich is such an under- Brazilians came to the closing ceremo- In a final symbolic act, the Olympic flame closing ceremony, kicked off her Olympic “We are in a difficult moment as a country performer at the world’s premier sporting event. ny happy, many wearing the canary yellow that had burned since Aug. 5 was then ex- run by tying the record of four gold medals right now, we can’t hide that, but the Games Many medal winners called on the government to spend jersey of the nation’s sports teams, having tinguished in a downpour of artificial rain. in a single Games. were scheduled and I’m glad we could enjoy TAPPING NATURAL TALENT more on sports. Brazilians frequently complain that schools won two late gold medals in their two fa- But at times it was hard to focus on the them,” said Alessandro Freitas, also from Rio. and universities have small sports programs, if any. vorite sports, men’s soccer and volleyball. In the midst of it worst economic re- sporting triumphs taking place across the One of the major concerns for Brazilians “I’m thrilled, but we really are not performing at the level But Sunday served up tough weather cession since the 1930s, Brazil’s opening sprawling city. is what will be the final cost of the Games our country is capable of,” said musician Ivan Britz, 30, during conditions for such a big party. High winds and closing ceremonies relied more on the A low point for Rio came when Ryan for a country and how much they actual- the street parties for Brazil’s soccer gold. buffeted the Maracana, power briefly went country’s unique talents and natural beauty Lochte, one of America’s most deco- ly helped improve the city’s infrastructure. (Source: Reuters) out in the upper part of the stadium, and and less on expensive technology. rated swimmers, said he was robbed Many Rio residents could not afford tickets rain drenched performers and athletes On Sunday, there was an ode to the at gunpoint. That ignited further secu- to events, leaving them feeling on the side- as they entered the ceremony, many with white-clad lacemaking ladies and the forro rity concerns after a series of assaults lines of the city’s biggest undertaking. medals hanging around their necks. music of the Northeast that sparked waves against government ministers, athletes And come Monday, with the Games no To the beat of traditional Brazilian music, of pride among Brazilians. and tourists. longer a distraction, Brazil gets back to its Allardyce to pick Hart in Olympians danced and waved their coun- One of the more stunning moments of But Lochte’s story quickly unraveled, en- dour reality of dueling political and economic England squad for tries’ flags to celebrate their place on the the ceremony focused on the ancient art raging Brazilians and Americans alike. crises. An impeachment vote in coming days world’s premier sporting stage. found in the Serra da Capivara National Brazilians could nevertheless take heart could lead to the permanent ouster of sus- Slovakia clash In the last of 306 medal ceremonies, In- Park - a UNESCO World Heritage site in in the fact that there were no major mis- pended President Dilma Rousseff. ternational Olympic Committee President northeastern Brazil featuring cave paint- haps or breaches after deadly attacks in Interim President Michel Temer, who was Thomas Bach draped the gold around the ings, some more than 25,000 years old. Europe and the United States had prompt- booed at the opening ceremony, decided Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart will be part of the Eng- neck of Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge, winner of But the beauty was betrayed by Brazil’s ed the biggest security operation in Brazil’s not to attend the closing event. land squad travelling to take on Slovakia in their first World the men’s marathon earlier in the day. tough times. history with 85,000 troops. (Source: Reuters) Cup qualifier, manager Sam Allardyce has said. Hart, who has 63 caps for England, is yet to make an appearance for Manches- Neymar to make Barcelona return after Man Utd’s Paul Pogba not Lionel Messi ter City this season and, according to British media international break - reports or Cristiano Ronaldo - Patrick Vieira reports, has been told by new manager Pep Guardi- Neymar will miss Barcelona’s game with Paul Pogba needs to be himself rather than ola that he is free to leave if Athletic Bilbao this weekend and won’t try to emulate Lionel Messi or Cristiano he wants. return to Spain until after the internation- Ronaldo, according to former Juventus and The 29-year-old Hart’s al break at the beginning of September, France midfielder Patrick Vieira. according to multiple reports in the Span- France midfielder Pogba made his Unit- future at the club was ish media. ed debut on Friday, after signing from Ju- thrown further into doubt After scoring the winning penalty ventus for a world-record fee of £89 million, after Spanish champions against Germany to secure an Olympic in a 2-0 home win over Southampton. Barcelona said on Saturday Gold medal for Brazil on Saturday, the New York City manager Vieira told the they had reached the ‘be- 24-year-old had been expected back in Daily Mirror: “I’m a massive fan of Pogba. ginning of an agreement’ training for his club side on Wednesday. I think he’s a fantastic player -- no doubt with City over the transfer However, both Sport and Mundo De- about it -- but, at the same time, I believe of their goalkeeper Claudio portivo claim Luis Enrique has given the the Premier League is different, and there Bravo. forward permission to remain in Brazil Instead, he will return to Catalonia will be a lot of pressure on his shoulders and do what he can best and not try to “He will be in the squad definitely. What we will do, I won’t until September. ahead of the game against Alaves at because of the price tag and expectation. play as somebody else.” know until I speak to Joe and that will be the same for most Barca’s second league game of the Camp Nou on Sep. 10. “He will have to find the right balance be- Vieira was a Juventus teammate of an- of the players,” Allardyce told British media. new campaign against Athletic on Sunday Midfielder Rafinha, who was also part cause, if he thinks he will win games by him- other of United’s summer signings, Zlatan “I want to know what frame of mind they are in and make is followed by the first round of interna- of Brazil’s Olympic success, will return to self, that will be a massive mistake for him. If Ibrahimovic. The pair were together at Ju- the right selection for Slovakia away.” tional fixtures of the season. training with Barca this week. he tries to do something that he can’t do, ventus during the 2005-06 season, under Everton, Sevilla and German side Borussia Dortmund Brazil will play World Cup qualifiers Meanwhile, following Brazil’s Olympic that will be a massive mistake as well. the management of Fabio Capello, and have all expressed interest in Hart, according to British me- against Ecuador and Colombia during victory Neymar stood down as captain of “I read something interesting from Vieira thinks that his former colleague will dia reports. that time and Neymar would join up with the national side. [United manager Jose] Mourinho that be a positive influence on Pogba. The opening Group F qualifier for the 2018 World Cup is his country next week. He said: “It was an honour to be cap- he will win as much as Messi or Ronaldo. The former Arsenal and Manchester England’s first game under Allardyce, who was appointed af- Luis Enrique, therefore, has decided it tain, but from today I stop being captain. If people are expecting him to score 40 City midfielder said: “Ibrahimovic, the way ter Roy Hodgson quit following the team’s defeat by Iceland is best to allow the former Santos forward I will send a message to [senior coach] goals a season, that will not be the case, I know him, will be a really good person to in the last 16 of Euro 2016 in June. to remain in his homeland in order to Tite that, from now, he can look for an- but he can make a difference with his help him to find the way and perform the Allardyce will name his squad on Sunday for the clash avoid an excess of flights between South other captain.” physical and technical ability. way he can. He will have no choice any way against Slovakia on Sept. 4. America and Europe. (Source: ESPN) “He needs to find the right balance but to listen to him.” (Source: Soccernet) (Source: Reuters) b

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NEWS Intl. Resistance Chilean filmmaker Miguel Littin visits Tehran Peace Film Festival Museum unveils doc ARTTEHRAN — Chilean filmmaker, deskscreenwriter and novelist Miguel Ernesto Littin Cucumides, who is the guest of honor at the 3rd Ammar lineup International Popular Film Festival (APFF), has visited the Tehran Peace Museum. Littin visited different sections of the museum and listened 1 to a brief explanation given by the executive director of the Canadian filmmaker Matthew Hayes’s powerful museum Mohammadreza Taqipur about weapons of mass short “The Masjid”, about the aftermath of the destruction and the (1980-1988) Iran-Iraq war. Peterborough Mosque arson hate crime that The filmmaker said that he was surprised to see and hear occurred on November 14, 2015, will also be new things about the (Iran-Iraq) war and its aftermath, the screened. museum announced in a “My Identity” by Yasmin Mistry from the U.S. is press release published on about Ashley, a young white native-born American Monday. girl, who converts to Islam in hopes of finding He called Taqipur, who structure in her life. The short documentary tells the is himself a war veteran, a story of how race, religion and family heritage can shape one’s identity. In a scene from “The War Around Us”, reporter Sherine Tadros reflects on the roles and responsibilities of journalists during wartime. Only respected man who has two English-language journalists reported from Gaza as it suffered an all-out attack from Israel in late 2008 and early 2009. “The War forgiven despite the pain The U.S. filmmakers Tom Hayes’ “Two Blue Lines” Around Us” is a powerful, deeply moving new documentary through the eyes of these two reporters, Ayman Mohyeldin and Sherine Tadros. and oppression he has been and Abdullah Omeish’s “The War around Us”, both through, and has been about the cruelty of Zionist regime to Palestinian “Don’t Go to Iran!”, a short film by Benjamin from France, and “Empty Desert” by Linda Paganelli serving the cause of world people, will be screened. Martini, “Hope in the Bottle” by Haicha Ladrouz, both and Silvia Boarini from Italy are among the films. peace. Littin next visited Tehran’s Grand Bazaar and called Iranian society a strong Xinjiang, Western China Cultural Week opens in Tehran society with people in high ARTTEHRAN — The Xinjiang and Western bilateral collaborations. spirits. deskChina Cultural Week, introducing In his short speech the ambassador also said he Chilean filmmaker Miguel Ernesto He also remarked that aspects of the ethnic heritage native to the Xinjiang region hoped that the cultural programs show part of the Littin Cucumides in an undated photo he believes that one day is in the northwest part of the country, was inaugurated at culture of the countries and turn the Silk Road into the not enough to take in the atmosphere of a place like Tehran’s Tehran’s Niavaran Cultural Center on Monday. road of peace. Grand Bazaar and would require additional days. Iranian Deputy Culture Minister for Artist Affairs Moradkhani for his part also expressed thanks to the Miguel Littin directed the most popular Chilean film of all Ali Moradkhani, Chinese Ambassador to Tehran Pang organizers of the event and said that art and cultural time, “El Chacal de Nahueltoro” (Jackal of Nahueltoro) (1969), Sen, and Deputy Director of the (Communist Party of commonalties between the two countries will lead to becoming a figure of the New Latin American Cinema. China) CPC Central Committee Publicity Department Cui future cooperation. Littin was exiled to Mexico shortly after Augusto Pinochet Yuying, as well as a number of ambassadors attended Exhibitions of photos, traditional costumes and came to power in a military coup in 1973. the opening ceremony, the center announced in a press musical instruments will be underway during the week, His 1973 film “The Promised Land” was entered into the release on Monday. while traditional plays are due to be performed today Cannes Film Festival, New York Film Festival and the 8th Speaking at the ceremony, Cui Yuying said that the and tomorrow. Moscow International Film Festival. two great civilizations of China and Iran have helped the The event has been sponsored by the State Council “Actas de Marusia” (Letters from Marusia), “El Recurso del world make progress. Information Office of China, the Government of Xinjiang A group of Chinese artists performs during the opening ceremony of método” (Long Live the President), “La Viuda de Montiel” (The She hoped that the program helps reinforce Uygur Autonomous Region of China, and the Embassy the Xinjiang and Western China Cultural Week at Tehran’s Niavaran Widow of Montiel) and “Alsino y el Condor” (Alsino and the friendship between the two countries, and leads to more of China in Tehran. Cultural Center on August 22, 2016. (Mehr/Abolfazl Arabjavadi) Condor) are among his noteworthy credits. The Ammar festival was established to take a global view PICTURE OF THE DAY Mehr/Maryam Kaamyaab of cultural, socio-economic, environmental and political issues Belgian jazz musician that may endanger peace, freedom and justice in the world. It is named after Ammar Yasir, a close companion of Prophet Muhammad (S). Thielemans dies aged 94 The third edition of the festival will be running from August BRUSSELS (Reuters) — Toots 24 to 26. Thielemans, the Belgian jazz harmonica and guitar player who worked with many of the postwar greats, died on Monday aged 94, his agency said. Brazilian green festival to Born in Brussels in 1922, Thielemans spent the early years of a 65-year career screen Iranian animations as professional musician touring Europe, playing for the likes of Benny Goodman. ARTTEHRAN — Three animations by Iranian He moved to the United States in deskdirectors will be competing in the 6th 1952 and worked with Charlie Parker, edition of Filmambiente – International Environmental Film Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald and Quincy Festival, which will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from Jones, as well as Stevie Wonder and Pat September 15 to 23. Metheny, among many others. “Forest” by Abbas Sendi He also played on many film about deforestation, “Labor soundtracks, including “Midnight Ward” by Behnam Deldadeh Cowboy” in 1969 which starred Jon about an old couple waiting Voight and Dustin Hoffman and won at the labor ward, and “The three Academy Awards. Other Color” by Iman Asgari Perhaps his best-known harmonica and Sadra Sepehri about performance was on the theme song colors will be screened at the to the children’s television show Sesame event. Street, heard at the start and finish of The festival aims to each episode. provoke debate and to Thielemans, who retired in 2014, widen knowledge and was recovering from a broken arm in consciousness of the need Childhood photos of Iranian movies stars are on display at Tehran’s Charsu Cineplex during the 1st Health Film Festival on August 22, 2016. a Brussels hospital where he died on for urgent changes in Monday morning. the behavior of people, A scene from “Labor Ward” by Behnam governments and companies Deldadeh in order to preserve the planet, the organizers have said. Large carnival of puppets opens 16th Mobarak festival ARTTEHRAN — A large carnival of Cristobal (a traditional play in which the puppeteers deskpuppets accompanied by popular perform inside a booth). Iranian puppets Zizigulu, Jenab Khan and Makhmal The original puppet play of Don Cristobal (Retablillo Obamas’ first date inspires opened the 16th Mobarak International Puppet Theater de Don Cristóbal) is a play for puppet theater by the romantic movie “Southside Festival on Monday. twentieth-century Spanish dramatist Federico Garcia Families with children holding their dolls walked Lorca written in 1931. with You” from the Vahdat Hall on Shahriar Street to Daneshju “Mobarak and Flying Carpet” by Hamed Zahmatkesh, Park and Tehran’s City Theater Complex during the “Leer Khan” by Reyhanh Baghbadi and “Princess Sara” LOS ANGELES (Reuters) — We’ve heard their playlists, celebration, Persian media reported. by Mehdi Salehyar are some of the Iranian plays at the watched them dance together, and now Americans can A vast collection of puppets and dolls ranging in size event. see Barack and Michelle Obama on their first date in a from very large to very small welcomed the children The international lineup includes “Extraordinary film that follows the future president wooing his future on the way, while a live music group livened up the Voyage”, a puppet show by a German company with wife over the course of a day. program. Russian roots named “The Fifth Wheel”. “Southside with You” dramatizes the Obamas’ first The festival running from August 22 to 28 will play Japanese puppeteer Nori Sawa will present the date in the summer of 1989 and sees Michelle Robinson, host to 27 Iranian plays and seven plays from different famous legend of “The Pied Piper” with shadow puppet a 25-year-old lawyer from Chicago, going out with Barack countries. theater and music performed by Japanese musicians. Obama, a summer associate at her law firm. Iranian director Afshin Qasemi will stage his puppet “The Writer”, a co-production of Ulrike Quade Over the hours they spend together - which Michelle show “Khombazi of Fence Lady”, an adaptation of “Haft Company (Amsterdam), Jo Stromgren Kompani (Oslo) initially insists is not a date - the two attend an Ernie Peykar” (The Seven Beauties) by Nezami Ganjavi (1141- and the Nordland Visual Theater (Stamsund), is another Barnes art exhibition, a community meeting, a screening 1209) at the festival. highlight of the festival. of Spike Lee’s movie “Do The Right Thing”, have drinks The performance is a combination of the Iranian Also included is “Shirin” by Kaveh Ayreek, an Afghan and eat ice cream as they discuss their lives, ambitions traditional play of khombazi (a show performed by a mime artist, writer, director and actor who currently and fears. single puppeteer inside an urn) and the Spanish Don resides in Kabul.