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16 Pages Price 10,000 Rials 39th year No.13160 Wednesday JULY 18, 2018 Tir 27, 1397 Dhi Al Qaeda 4, 1439 Iran to continue Over 300 companies Iran, Qatar football Iranian cinema under talks on oil sale, to attend ELECOMP Presidents meet spotlight at Poland New banking ties 2 2018 10 in Moscow 15 Horizons festival 16

Iran, Pakistan to jointly manufacture arms Drug money circulate POLITICS TEHRAN — Chief joint product,” he told reporters after his deskof Staff of the Irani- meeting with Pakistani President Mam- an Armed Forces Mohammad Baqeri noon Hussain in Islamabad. announced on Tuesday that Iran and Baqeri, who was on three-day Pakistan plan to jointly manufacture tour of Pakistan, said that during weapons. his visit, he discussed a number of “We make efforts to jointly manufacture issues, including military training in Western banks defensive arms with Pakistan which can and defense relations, with officials be introduced as the Islamic countries’ in Islamabad. See page 2 European governments explore financial channels for Iran The French, British and German govern- squarely against the Trump adminis- ments have told Iran they are exploring tration’s Iran sanctions policy aimed at activating accounts for the Iranian central isolating Tehran economically. bank with their national central banks in Following the U.S. withdrawal from the a bid to open a financial channel to keep deal in May, Iran has said it would stop alive the Iranian nuclear deal, according complying with the nuclear deal unless it to several European officials. continues to receive the economic benefits The move is the first concrete sign that of the 2015 agreement. That deal saw most Europe could deliver on its promise to international sanctions on Tehran lifted in take steps to sustain the Iranian nucle- exchange for strict but temporary restrictions ar deal, setting European governments on Iran’s nuclear work. 4

Iranian pilgrims due to start Hajj today SOCIETY TEHRAN — The first saying on Tuesday. deskgroup of Iranian Hajj Mohammadi explained that so far some pilgrims are scheduled to leave Tehran 25,000 electronic visas have been issued Saeid Reza Razavi for Medina, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday for the Iranian pilgrims and the rest will morning, head of Hajj and Pilgrimage Or- be issued over the few coming days. ganization, has said. Doctors, relief forces and other Hajj The rest of the pilgrims will travel coordinators excluded, this year some to Saudi Arabia as of Thursday from 85,200 pilgrims will travel to Saudi Ara-

Tehran Times/ Tehran Times/ Imam Khomeini International Airport, bia for Hajj pilgrimage from 20 airports IRNA quoted Hamid Mohammadi as nationwide, he added. ARTICLE ‘Impact of Islamic philosophers on western philosophy is huge’ ARTICLE Mahnaz Abdi A: Western scholars of the history of ideas to primary Islamic sources to argue for the Martin Love Head of the TehranTimes EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW would have to be knowledgeable about some of the existence of God. Political analyst from Economy Desk By Jalal Heirannia great Islamic philosophers, including Avicenna Probably the reason why more mainstream North Carolina TEHRAN — Charles Taliaferro, a professor of or, in Arabic, Ibn Sina, Averoes or Ibn Rushd, philosophers do not engage with Islamic phi- philosophy at St. Olaf College in the U.S., be- Al-Farabi, Al-Ghazali, and probably Al-Kindi losophy is partly explained by the fact that a IME laying a proper lieves that the impact of Islamic philosophers and Suhrawardi. great deal of philosophers today in Europe Let’s hope Ocasio- on western philosophy especially in the middle There were massive translation projects in and America are not primarily concerned with ground to support age is “huge”. the 12th but especially the 13th century that made the historical roots of the ideas they discuss. Cortez has real guts “As the various translation projects got numerous Islamic philosophical texts available Also the exchange between contemporary Iranian products underway in Spain and in Southern Europe, in Latin to philosophers in the west, and we can Islamic philosophers and western philos- comely 28 year old restaurant it became obvious that Christian as well as see their influence in western concepts of God, ophers is not assisted by the entrenched employee with a Latin name and he current Iranian calendar year has Jewish philosophy had much to gain and to arguments for God’s existence, the soul, causa- secularism in western academics and the Abackground from the Bronx, New been named as the year of ‘support question by the enormous sophistication of tion, and more. difficulties, in today’s political climate, of York City, knocks off the multi term Con- Tfor Iranian products’ by Supreme Islamic philosophy,” Taliaferro tells the Teh- Muslim philosophers also challenged arranging meetings, free and open exchanges gressman in a primary election who may Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. ran Times. western beliefs, about for example the Chris- among scholars. ultimately have become the Democratic ‘Supporting Iranian products’ has been Following is the text of the interview with tian understanding of God as triune while the Maybe one other explanation as to why there Party leader in the U.S. House of Repre- always emphasized by the officials, but Professor Taliaferro: awareness of the riches of Islamic philosophy is not more widespread engagement with Islamic sentatives, displacing Rep. Nancy Pelosi there should be a clear roadmap to achieve How much do western scholars know Is- is more common among historians of ideas, philosophy today, is that some philosophers are (who really is no leader at all). This is such goal. lamic philosophy and philosophers? If answer some philosophers, such as William Craig, have reluctant to claim expertise in areas where they heady stuff, and she arrived on the po- While attracting the customers is a is little, why? employed cosmological arguments traced back do not read the primary languages. 7 litical scene with a slate of progressive main point, supporting products also ideas, including calls for an end to U.S. requires related businesses thriving; and warmongering and universal healthcare flourishing businesses needs establishment for all citizens. Even more notably, Al- of direct connections between producers Amnesty: U.S.-led coalition in denial over civilian deaths in Raqqa exandria Ocasio-Cortez a month ago, and consumers. By staff & agencies on rhetoric and short on detail,” Donatella Rov- sites across the city. before her win, was tweeting that she Commodity exchanges are some places The United States-led coalition is “deeply in de- era, a senior adviser at Amnesty International, It found that hundreds of civilians were killed opposed the U.S. embassy move to Je- that can play significant role in creating nial” about the number of civilians killed during said in a statement on Tuesday. “They lay bare during the U.S.-led coalition’s military offensive rusalem, rampant Israeli human rights such connections and such role is more an offensive it launched to remove the Islamic how deeply in denial the coalition leadership is to remove ISIL from Raqqa. abuses, and what she termed Zionist highlighted in Iran in this year of ‘support State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Daesh) terror- about its failure to protect civilians caught in Responding to the June 5 report, The Global “massacres” of the hapless Palestinians for Iranian products’. ist outfit from Syria’s Raqqa last year, Amnesty conflict,” she added. Coalition said in a statement at the time that it in Gaza and the West Bank. Given the expanding process of of- International has said. “Unless the coalition learns from its mistakes “sees any non-combatant death or injury as a What’s remarkable is that, having fering and trading different kinds of In a statement released by the rights organ- in Raqqa - and Mosul beforehand - it will be tragedy and we have meticulous processes in opined as much, she actually won the commodities including industrial, pet- ization on Tuesday, the group condemned the doomed to repeat them, with civilians again place to ensure we do everything possible to primary election as a Democrat in a dis- rochemical and especially agricultural U.S.-led coalition’s position on the findings of paying a devastating price,” she warned. avoid them”. trict full of Jewish voters against her products in Iran Mercantile Exchange a report, published on June 5, about the four- The report, titled War of annihilation: Devas- It added: “The Coalition has been transpar- incumbent, “”establishment” opponent. (IME) since the past year, it can help month-long assault to remove ISIL from its tating Toll on Civilians, Raqqa - Syria, includes ent about our process for conducting strikes and The win over Rep. Joe Crowly in the materialize the motto of ‘supporting self-proclaimed capital in Syria. field investigations from Amnesty International assessing any allegations of civilian casualties that 14th Congressional District said quite Iranian products’ significantly, ac- “The coalition’s knee-jerk reactions are long researchers who visited 42 coalition air attack may have resulted from those strikes.” 13 a lot about her: that she appears smart, cording to Hassan Amiri, the deputy articulate and ever so refreshing to many head of Securities and Exchange Or- people across the U.S. -- especially those ganization (SEO) for supervising the Democrats tired of same old who may exchange markets. realize that in the upcoming mid-term “IME has already played some special elections and later for the Presidency, part in promotion of Iranian products and Mandaeans the Democrats don’t have a good chance it will continue its role in this way”, Amiri to take back control of the House nor told ISNA on April 29. to defeat Trump in 2020, who has al- Meanwhile, as one of the main re- practicing ready amassed and election war chest quirements of a production or industrial of $90 million to spend on his future unit is reliable funding, capital market reelection bid. including IME as an organized market baptism in Ocasio-Cortez has frightened the U.S. can provide the ground for reliable and political establishment like few other can- on-time funding and also for compet- didates in recent memory, and brought itive prices. Karun River smiles to the faces of many voters, espe- “The country’s financial system should Followers of Mandaeism are seen cially those depressed for decades about move in a way to encourage investors as performing baptism in Karun U.S. policies and actions in the Middle to develop capital market and flourish River, Khuzestan province. East. But already, interviewed extensively domestic industries. Reliable funding for The Mandaean community re- about her astounding win over Crowley, domestic producers can support Iranian veres John the Baptist, who they she is equivocating. products and make them competitive in Mahdi Pedramkhoo call Yehyea Yahana. Baptism, or We don’t know to what extent and the international markets”, according masbuta, is the key ritual of this how exactly she has been threatened, to Mohsen Fazelian, a capital market gnostic faith. but during an interview on face the Na- expert. Unlike Christians, Mandae- tion on prime-time television the impact He also believes that another way ans may be baptised hundreds, of threats has become apparent. She through it IME can support Iranian prod- claimed, for one thing, that her comments

Tehran Times/ Tehran Times/ even thousands of times over ucts is offering comprehensive reports on the course their life. had been the comments of an “activist” the quality of the goods. 4 and that now, 7 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS JULY 18, 2018 MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS Security forces Iran to continue talks on oil nab Daesh members in southwest Iran sale, banking ties: Zarif POLITICS TEHRAN – Intelligence Minister deskMahmoud Alawi announced on Monday POLITICS TEHRAN – Foreign remarked. that security forces managed to detain members of a terrorist deskMinister Mohammad Elsewhere, Zarif said that Iran reserves team affiliated to Daesh (ISIL) in southwestern Iran. Javad Zarif said on Monday that despite the the right to take retaliatory action against One of the members of the terrorist cell, whose brother U.S. exit from the 2015 nuclear agreement the U.S. move in leaving the JCPOA. had been killed as a Daesh militant in Syria, intended to Iran will continue talks with the remaining “However, currently our choice is to form a four-member group to join Daesh but they were ar- signatories to the accord on guaranteeing apply a legal method and reach a strategy rested by intelligence forces in the southwest, Alawi said, sale of oil and banking transactions. with our friends, partners and remaining according to Tasnim. During a meeting with businessmen parties to the JCPOA,” the chief diplomat The terrorist team had planned to carry out acts of terror and foreign diplomats based in Iran, Zarif remarked. in some districts but their plots were foiled by intelligence said that all the remaining parties to the “Within the framework of this lawfulness forces, he explained. nuclear agreement, officially known as the and based on the Iran-U.S. 1955 agreement, Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, are today Iran filed a legal complaint at the ready to cooperate with Iran. International Court of Justice against the ‘Without JCPOA, Zarif also said, “Our foreign partners have U.S. over its illegal and unilateral sanctions. understood this reality that there is no safer We hope that we can prove that the U.S. Iran will expand market to do business activities than Iran’s.” would not be able to easily violate law and He noted that the world has the “political act against the will of the international nuclear program’ determination” to continue economic community,” he said. activities in Iran. Iran and the U.S. signed the Treaty of Pointing to the meeting of the Joint Amity in 1955 which is still valid according POLITICS TEHRAN – Without the nuclear agree- Commission of the JCPOA in Vienna on to international law. The treaty consists of deskment, called the JCPOA, Iran will resume July 6, he said the meeting “shows there is Left to right: FM Zarif, First VP Jahangiri, Tehran Chamber chair Khansari an introduction and twenty-three articles its halted nuclear activities and will expand them, spokes- political commitment” to preserve the JCPOA. in the world is based on moving towards capacities to counter the U.S. bullying is and emphasizes encouraging mutual trade man for the Atomic Energy Organization said on Tuesday, “I am sure that political decision making lawfulness, however certain countries’ still questionable,” the foreign minister and investments. ISNA reported. Talking to reporters, Behrouz Kamalvandi said Iran has received a package from the remaining signatories of the deal and is weighing it before making any decision. EU activates law on protecting trade with Iran: Mogherini Kamalvandi said negotiations are still going on between European countries have activated a blocking and nullify any court ruling against them. the European Investment Bank (EIB) has Washington, however, rebuffed the high- top Iranian officials and the other five countries (Germa- statute that prohibits companies from complying The measure is the first practical step already balked at the EU proposal to do level European plea, the Financial Times ny, Britain, France, China and Russia) remaining in the with U.S. sanctions on Iran, EU foreign policy taken by the Europeans to persuade Iran business in Iran. reported on Monday. nuclear pact. chief Federica Mogherini said on Monday. to remain in the 2015 nuclear deal after EU diplomats, officials and sources at A number of European companies such He also rejected Israel’s claims that it had stolen top-secret “Today, the European Council has endorsed Washington’s withdrawal and its plan to the bank have said the plan would imperil as French oil group Total and carmaker PSA information on Iran’s nuclear program, saying, “The Zionist the update of the blocking statute annex on reimpose sanctions on the Islamic Republic. EIB’s multi-billion-dollar funding, the balk have already announced their plans to wind regime has always made such claims.” the nuclear deal with Iran,” Mogherini told European officials were also quoted as of which is rooted in the U.S. down business in Iran. reporters in Brussels at a meeting with EU saying that France, Britain and Germany Washington is also reportedly lobbying Mogherini said while the Europeans “will foreign ministers. were trying to activate accounts for the European banks in back channels to object continue to do all we can to try and prevent A blocking statute is a law enacted in 1996 Iranian central bank with their central to the plan, warning them of consequences this deal from being dismantled,” she was London won’t to protect European entities “against the effects banks in order to open financial channels if they invest in Iran. not sure the “efforts are going to be enough.” follow U.S. of the extra-territorial application of legislation with the country. On Monday, Mogherini implicitly “It is predictable that many multinational adopted by a third country.” Other European governments, including admitted U.S. pressures, saying European corporations and large European and on JCPOA: The bloc should have updated the law to Austria and Sweden, have also said they governments had an uphill task to persuade non-European banks may not be willing include U.S. sanctions on Iran, requiring consent would consider doing likewise, the Wall firms to trade with Iran. to continue economic cooperation with ambassador from the EU’s 28 member states. Street Journal reported. “It is a difficult exercise, because the Iran under U.S. pressure and threat,” said POLITICS TEHRAN – British Ambassador to Teh- Mogherini said the European Parliament Tehran has long complained that weight of the U.S. in the global economy and Massoud Khansari, chairman of Tehran’s deskran Rob Macaire said on Monday that gave its go-ahead to the statute two weeks ago, European banks’ refusal to process Iran- the financial system is obviously relevant,” chamber of commerce. London does not follow the U.S. on the Iran nuclear deal, providing companies legal cover to operate related transactions is hindering companies she said. Last year, Iran signed several credit noting that his country’s policies is the yardstick for action. in Iran. from trade with the Islamic Republic. Germany, France and the UK, as well as agreements worth $30 billion with Danish, Macaire said the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (the The law is due to go into effect on August While discussions with the related central their EU counterparts reportedly lodged Italian, Austrian, Chinese, and Korean banks, official name for the nuclear agreement) is very important 6, when the first set of U.S. sanctions against banks have started, they have not bought requests with the U.S. administration last which are now exposed to U.S. sanctions, he to Britain, and it has been successful in maintaining world Iran kicks in. The statute will allow firms to into the option yet, the Journal reported. month, seeking exemptions from sanctions said in remarks published Tuesday. peace and security, IRNA reported. recover damages from American measures Under pressure from the United States, for trade with Iran. (Source: Press TV) He added London has been committed to the deal and will continue to do so because it has many economic gains India firm to help keep nuclear deal Putin defends JCPOA in presser for both Britain and Iran. alive: Araqchi with Trump Tehran urges cooperation to fight dust pollution POLITICS TEHRAN – Tehran has voiced concerns deskover the issue of dust pollution in the West Asia region, saying tackling the issue hinges on regional and international cooperation, Tasnim reported. Addressing a meeting in New York on Monday, Seyed Ali Mohammad Mousavi, director general of the international environmental affairs department at the Foreign Ministry, highlighted social, economic and environmental damages to a large part of Iran directly caused by dust pollution. He said a major part of the fine particles (known as PM2.5) Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Ara- to secure Iran’s interests on the basis of the POLITICS TEHRAN – In a joint ation regime.” enter Iran from neighboring countries. qchi said on Monday that India is determined nuclear accord. deskpress conference with Trump, however, speaking after Pu- to help keep the Joint Comprehensive Plan In May, U.S. President Donald Trump his American counterpart Donald Trump tin, reiterated his old accusations against of Action (JCPOA), the official name for the announced that he would pull America out in Helsinki on Monday, Russian Presi- Iran by calling for “placing pressure on 2015 nuclear deal, alive. of the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran and dent Vladimir Putin defended the Iran Iran to halt” what he called its “nuclear U.S. pursuing “India is resolved to save the JCPOA,” said re-impose the sanctions that the deal had nuclear deal. ambitions”. Araqchi following a meeting with government envisaged to be lifted. “We… mentioned our concern about In May Trump disrespected global failed policy of officials during a trip to the Indian capital New The sanctions would include a universal the withdrawal of the United States from calls for the preservation of the 2015 nu- Delhi on Monday. ban on Iran over buying or acquiring U.S. the JCPOA. Well, the U.S. — Our U.S. clear agreement and said that he would backing MEK: “Considering America’s recent move of dollars which will come into force in August counterparts are aware of our posture,” he pull America out of it and re-impose the advisor quitting the nuclear agreement with Iran and as well as restrictions over purchases of crude said, briefing the press on the two leaders’ sanctions that the deal had envisaged to its effect on relations with India, the subject oil from the country and investing in its oil meeting which had been held beforehand, be lifted. POLITICS TEHRAN – Hossein Amir Abdollahi- of the JCPOA was an important part of our projects which will become effective by the according to a transcript of the presser The sanctions would include a univer- desk an, a senior foreign policy advisor to the talks,” Araqchi explained. start of November. published by Politico. sal ban on Iran over buying or acquiring parliament speaker, said on Tuesday that Washington is While stressing that Iran is one of India’s Saudi Arabia and some other OPEC member “Thanks to the Iranian nuclear deal, U.S. dollars which will come into force pursuing the failed policy of supporting the Mojahedin-e reliable oil suppliers, he noted that New Delhi states are largely believed to be under pressure Iran began [to be the] most controlled in August as well as restrictions over Khalq Organization (MKO/MEK) to put pressure on Iran. has also voiced its readiness to continue pur- by the United States to increase their production country in the world, it’s submitted to purchases of crude oil from the country In a meeting with the new Dutch Ambassador to Tehran chasing oil from Tehran. in a push meant to prevent market shocks once the control of IAEA, it effectively ensures and investing in its oil sector projects Susan Trstal, Amir Abdollahian called on the Netherlands He also noted that India and other states Washington materializes its threat to cut off peaceful nature of Iranian nuclear pro- which will become effective by the start to stop the activities of the MEK terrorist group in the Eu- which cooperate with Iran must find ways Iran’s oil exports. (Source: Press TV) gram and strengthens the non-prolifer- of November. ropean country. Trstal, for her part, said Amsterdam is eager to expand ties with Iran in all fields. Supreme Council for Economic Coordination tasks govt bodies to fight sanctions POLITICS TEHRAN – The Su- The council, which was established upon Back in April, Ayatollah Khamenei said During the first meeting of the council, deskpreme Council for Eco- an order Leader of the Islamic Revolution the U.S. Treasury Department has turned the Leader voiced support for the govern- Ex-Chinese nomic Coordination has assigned different Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has so far held into an “economic war room” against Iran. ment in its efforts to revive the economy. duties to governmental bodies to fight the four meetings, bringing together heads He said the economic war can be coun- The council is headed by President Rou- general urges looming U.S. sanctions and stabilize the of the three branches of government to tered through reliance on domestic capa- hani. It enables Rouhani’s administration parties to save economy, according to a report by Mehr “confront the economic wickedness of bilities, calling on authorities to form a to receive the support of the judicial and news agency. America.” council to confront Washington’s “ill will”. legislative branches of the government. nuclear deal POLITICS TEHRAN – Saving and implementing Drug money circulate in Western banks: Iranian interior minister deskthe 2015 Iran nuclear deal is the main ob- ligation of signatories, a former senior Chinese army officer POLITICS TEHRAN – Interior Minister Abdol- and Europe and the Persian Gulf Arab states. Iran shares Narcotic Drugs, the International Narcotics Control Board has said, IRNA reported. deskreza Rahmani Fazli on Tuesday criti- about 900 kilometers of borders with the war-stricken and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,” he noted. “All parties should try to save the deal from collapse, and cized Western countries for exercising double standards Afghanistan. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime reported Iran has been a pioneer in fighting drug trafficking. it requires all signatories to defend it firmly and implement in fighting narcotics, saying the drug money circulate in in October 2016 that as much as 90% of the world’s heroin According to official estimates, the fight against drug traf- it,” said Yao Yunzhu, a retired major-general of the Chinese Western banks. come from Afghan opium. ficking costs Iran about $1 billion annually. People’s Liberation Army. Speaking at a congress on social ills, Rahmani Fazli said In a meeting with Executive Director of the UNODC About 4000 Iranian security forces have been killed in Yao further said that the U.S. not only has withdrawn from Western countries are only after their own benefits and Yuri Fedotov in March, Rahmani Fazli called for stopping clashes with drug traffickers over the past decades. the deal, but it has also tried to impede its implementation do not take serious measures to fight illicit drugs trade in adoption of “selective” and “political” strategies in fighting Just last month an Iranian border guard lost his life by other parties. their own banks, Mehr reported. drug trafficking. in the battle against drug smugglers in the southeastern Iran sits on a major drug route between Afghanistan “The Islamic Republic of Iran supports Commission on province of Sistan-Balouchestan. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JULY 18, 2018 INTERNATIONAL Hamas warns of consequences as Israel Britain’s May wins parliament vote after bowing tightens Gaza siege, halts fuel transfer to Brexit pressure A young Palestinian man has died more than two months after being shot by Israeli military forces during clashes British Prime Minister Theresa May won a series of votes in between a group of Palestinian protesters and Israeli forces parliament, keeping her over-arching strategy to leave the Eu- in the southern part of the occupied West Bank. ropean Union just about on track after bowing to pressure from The spokesman for the Gaza Ministry of Health, Ashraf Brexit supporters in her party. al-Qidra, said in a statement that 20-year-old Sari Daoud But by accepting the demands of hardline Brexit campaigners, al-Shawbaki passed away on Tuesday morning at St. Joseph she exposed her vulnerability in parliament, where both wings of Hospital in East al-Quds (Jerusalem), where he had been her Conservative Party attacked each other, highlighting the deep taken for medical treatment. divisions that have so far hampered progress in talks with the EU. He had been shot and wounded in the neck during “The May has vowed to stick to her plan to negotiate the closest Great March of Return” protests on May 14. The gunshot possible trade ties with the EU, saying her strategy was the only wound caused him quadriplegia, also known as tetraplegia. one that could meet the government’s aims for Brexit, the biggest Shawbaki’s death brings to 140 the number of Palestinians, shift in Britain’s foreign and trade policy for decades. who have been killed by Israeli forces ever since the “Great But even before the EU has had time to assess her vision for March of Return” began in the Gaza Strip on March 30. Britain’s future ties with the bloc, her plans have come under A total of 14,811 Palestinians also sustained injuries, of fire from both camps in the Conservative Party. One pro-EU whom 366 are reportedly in a critical condition. ex-minister called it the “worst of all worlds”, while eurosceptics On June 13, the United Nations General Assembly adopted said the strategy kept Britain too close to the bloc. a Turkish and Algerian-sponsored resolution, condemning On Monday, Brexit supporters targeted the government’s Israel for Palestinian civilian deaths in the Gaza Strip. so-called customs bill, hoping to toughen up her plans. But in- The resolution, which had been put forward on the behalf stead of facing them down and fuelling tensions, the government of Arab and Muslim countries, garnered a strong majority of accepted their four amendments. 120 votes in the 193-member assembly, with 8 votes against May’s spokesman said the changes to the bill, formally called and 45 abstentions on Wednesday. the Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Bill, did little more than put The resolution calls on UN Secretary General Antonio government policy into law. But by hardening the language to Guterres to make proposals within 60 days “on ways and emphasize that the future collection of duties and taxes by Britain means for ensuring the safety, protection, and well-being of and the EU be on a reciprocal basis, some lawmakers feared that the Palestinian civilian population under Israeli occupation,” Brexit supporters may have made May’s plan less sellable to the including “recommendations regarding an international bloc. Parliament voted 318-285 to pass the bill. It will now go to protection mechanism.” the upper house of parliament before becoming law. It also calls for “immediate steps towards ending the According to latest reports, the number of trucks, which The UN and Gisha, the Legal Centre for Freedom of After a rowdy debate when Conservatives criticized members closure and the restrictions imposed by Israel on movement carried food into the Gaza Strip last week, was the lowest Movement, called Israel’s latest measure an act of “collec- of their own party, junior Treasury minister Mel Stride told par- and access into and out of the Gaza Strip.” in recent months. tive punishment”. liament: “We have had a full, robust and comprehensive debate Hamas warns of consequences as Israel Separately on Monday, Egyptian officials manning the “There is no other way of describing this measure other today as is entirely appropriate for a bill of this importance, tightens Gaza siege, halts fuel transfer Rafah border crossing with Gaza said it would not be operating than collective punishment. Pretending to know what Gaza importance to our ability to continue after our departure from The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has warned on Tuesday in both directions, without providing reasons. needs and trying to ‘manage the situation’ harkens back to the EU as one of the world’s great trading nations.” Israel of “dangerous consequences” as the regime tightens The crossing has been open since late May. earlier iterations of the closure, is morally depraved and For now, May’s plans appeared still largely on track. its inhumane siege on the Gaza Strip by blocking fuel ship- Meanwhile, Tel Aviv is continuing its airstrikes against constitutes a willful act of hubris in a volatile situation,” a Not dead yet ments into the coastal enclave. Gaza. On Monday, the Israeli air force hit two alleged Hamas spokesperson from Gisha said. May denied a suggestion in parliament that her Brexit plan On July 9, Israel imposed sanctions on Gaza in what positions in northern Gaza. Palestinians in Gaza view the balloons and kites as le- was dead, and her spokesman said the decision to accept those it described as a crackdown against Hamas. The regime Two Palestinians have been injured after Israeli warplanes gitimate resistance against Israel’s more than decade-long amendments were “consistent” with the white paper policy doc- closed the Kerem Shalom crossing, Gaza’s main conduit shelled an area in the northern part of the besieged Gaza Strip. blockade, which has caused widespread economic hardship. ument ministers agreed earlier this month. for trade, to most merchandise, except for fuel, food and The Israeli strikes came two days into a fragile ceasefire I am Palestinian in my heart, Maradona tells Where the government might struggle is explaining its accept- medicine. between Israel and Hamas amid a major flare-up in Gaza Abbas in Moscow ance of the demand that the EU must collect tariffs on Britain’s The Israeli military said the closure would continue as over the weekend. Separately, soccer legend Diego Maradona once again behalf, if London is to do the same - a suggestion one expert said long as Palestinian protesters send kites and balloons loaded Israel says it has lost at least 2,500 acres of farmland, reiterates support for Palestine, embracing Palestinian the bloc’s negotiators were unlikely to accept. with flammable material into the occupied lands. nature reserves and forests because of the fires caused by President Mahmoud Abbas during a meeting in Moscow The government won the vote on the tariffs amendment with The Israeli regime has announced the closure of the flaming kites and balloons. and telling him that he is Palestinian in his heart. a narrow majority of three lawmakers. Junior Defence Minister Gaza Strip’s main commercial crossing, a move Hamas says Israel carries out regular air raids on Palestinians in Gaza “In my heart, I am Palestinian,” Maradona told Abbas Guto Bebb resigned his position after deciding to vote against amounts to a crime against humanity. under the pretext of hitting Hamas targets. The Gaza Strip during the meeting on Sunday, which followed the final the government, the 10th Conservative to quit over May’s plan. On Monday night, Israeli war minister’ office announced has also been under an inhumane Israeli siege since 2007 World Cup game. The government’s acceptance of the amendments did little to in a statement that Avigdor Lieberman had decided to halt and witnessed three wars since 2008. The Palestinian leader was in Russia at the invitation of ease the tensions in May’s party, which is at war with itself over fuel transfer into Gaza from Tuesday morning until Sunday Tensions have been running high near the Gaza fence President Vladimir Putin for talks on bilateral and regional the Brexit plans. In one of the rowdiest debates in parliament in response to what it called “terror attempts” by Hamas, since March 30, which marked the start of a series of protests, issues. on Brexit so far, pro-EU Conservative lawmaker Anna Soubry which runs Gaza. dubbed “The Great March of Return,” demanding the right The Argentinean public figure reiterated his long-standing said: “The only reason that the government has accepted these “Lieberman, in consultation with the chief of staff, has to return for those driven out of their homeland. support for Palestinians and expressed hope that Palestine amendments is because it is frightened of somewhere in the re- decided to close the Kerem Shalom crossing to imports of oil The Gaza clashes reached their peak on May 14, the will eventually become an internationally-recognized sov- gion of 40 members of parliament, the hard no-deal Brexiteers, and gas until this Sunday,” the statement read. “The crossing eve of the 70th anniversary of the Nakba Day (the Day of ereign country. who should have been seen off a long time ago.” will continue to transfer food and medicine [shipments] that Catastrophe), which coincided this year with the United On his Instagram account, Maradona wrote, “President The battle over the amendments is unlikely to be the last are individually approved.” States embassy relocation from Tel Aviv to occupied al- Abbas has a country and has a right. I am Palestinian.” that May and her team will have to face, and may have spurred The statement also noted that Israel had reduced the Quds (Jerusalem). Maradona is famed for his pro-Palestinian stance, and the government’s move to bring forward parliament’s mid-year area where Gaza fishermen were allowed to fish, from six ‘Collective punishment’: Israel blocks fuel opposition to Israel’s deadly acts of aggression targeting summer break to Thursday rather than next week. nautical miles to three. shipment to Gaza Palestinians. May had to fight hard to get the agreement of Cabinet ministers In response, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum con- Israel has further tightened its blockade on the Gaza During Israel’s last war against the blockaded Gaza Strip in at her Chequers country residence earlier this month for her vi- demned Israel’s closure of the Kerem Shalom crossing as a Strip, preventing gas and fuel deliveries through its only 2014, which killed more than 2,000 Palestinians, he blasted sion for Britain’s future ties with the EU. It was then undermined crime against Palestinian people. commercial crossing with the Palestinian besieged enclave the regime, saying, “What Israel is doing to the Palestinians by the resignations of Brexit minister David Davis and Foreign “The Israeli occupation’s closure of the Kerem Shalom a week after they announced the closure of the crossing. is shameful. That is all…I love you all so much.” Secretary Boris Johnson. crossing and depriving Gaza from the most simple neces- The defense ministry announced late on Monday that Reports also said back then that Maradona was in ne- They and other eurosceptic Conservatives say the plan to sities of life is a crime against humanity that will be added fuel and gas deliveries will be suspended. The fishing zone gotiations with the Palestinian Football Association over keep close trade ties with the EU - which is only a starting point to its list of crimes at the expense of the Palestinian people enforced by Israel off the Gaza Strip will also be further the possibility of coaching the Palestinian national team for a second phase of talks with Brussels - betrays her promise including those living in the Strip,” he said in a statement. reduced from six nautical miles to three. during the 2015 AFC Asian Cup. of a clean break with the 27-nation bloc after Brexit. “These vengeful measures reflect the degree of the oppres- Incendiary kites In 2012, he had made headlines by saying, “I am the From the other wing of May’s party, pro-EU former Educa- sion and the ugliness of the crime that Gaza is facing, that Israel says it has no interest is engaging in another war number one fan of the Palestinian people. I respect them and tion Minister Justine Greening called on Monday for a second will have dangerous consequences for which the occupation with Hamas, but says it will no longer tolerate the flying of sympathize with them. I support Palestine without any fear.” referendum, saying it was the only way to break the stalemate will bear full responsibility,” he added. incendiary kites and balloons into Israel. (Source: agencies) in parliament over the best future relationship with the bloc. Greening branded May’s plan as “a fudge I can’t support. It’s the worst of both worlds”. May’s spokesman said there would be no second referendum under any circumstances, and restated her position that the U.S. ready for direct talks with Afghan Taliban, Chequers plan was the only way to deliver a Brexit that worked in the best interests of the country. general says May said she was sticking with her plans.

54 released form Taliban prison in Afghanistan More migrants take sea The United States is ready to join direct ne- from its previous position that only Ghani’s gotiations with the Taliban in an effort to end government had legitimacy to talk with the route to Spain than Italy this the 17 year-long war in Afghanistan, General Taliban. year: UN John Nicholson, the top U.S. commander He has also said the United States is willing said, amid growing speculation about pos- to discuss the position of international forces sible peace talks. in Afghanistan, which the Taliban have said The number of migrants arriving in Spain by boat is surging, The comment follows increased diplomatic must leave as a condition for negotiations. the UN said Tuesday, and it has now surpassed Italy as the top efforts to seek talks following unprecedented Senior U.S. officials, including Pompeo destination for Mediterranean crossings. scenes of unarmed Taliban fighters mingling and Alice Wells, the State Department’s So far this year, 50,872 migrants have crossed the Medi- with Afghan security forces on the streets of top diplomat for Afghanistan, have visited terranean to Europe - less than half the number that made the Kabul and other cities during last month’s Kabul in recent weeks to try to smooth the treacherous journey during the same period of 2017, according surprise ceasefire. way for talks. to the UN migration agency. Nicholson, who leads the NATO-led Res- 54 released form Taliban prison But while the overall numbers have fallen dramatically, Spain olute Support mission, said the United States An Afghan official says at least 54 people, has seen landings on its shores nearly triple, IOM said. recognized it had a key role to play. including security personnel and civilians, “As we have predicted for several weeks now, Spain has be- “Our Secretary of State, Mr. (Mike) Pom- have been released from a Taliban prison in come the most active route of African migrants and people using peo, has said that we, the United States, are southern Helmand province. Africa as a stepping stone into Europe,” agency spokesman Joel ready to talk to the Taliban and discuss the Omar Zwak, spokesman for the provin- Millman told reporters in Geneva. role of international forces,” he said. cial governor, said Tuesday the prisoners Spain “surpassed Italy this past weekend,” he said. “We hope that they realize this and that this were freed after a commando unit raided In all, 18,061 migrants have arrived in Spain since January, will help to move the peace process forward.” the prison late Monday night in Musa Qala compared to 6,500 during the first half of 2017, with nearly Earlier, the New York Times reported that district. 10,000 of those arrivals registered in June alone. President Donald Trump’s administration ghanistan,” he said. control much of the country despite a more Zwak said there were 32 civilians, 16 po- At the same time, arrivals in Italy total 17,827 since the be- had ordered diplomats to seek direct talks He said that as a first step, he expected to aggressive campaign of air strikes announced lice, four soldiers and two military doctors ginning of the year - compared to 93,237 during the same period with the Taliban in a bid to jump-start ne- see Taliban leaders removed from a United last year. who had been locked up by the insurgents. last year. gotiations. Nations black list in order to be able to travel. The insurgents have rejected talks with He said security forces were still securing The dramatic drop of Italian arrivals came after a controversial Sohail Shahin, a spokesman for the Tal- He also said the issue of international troops the government of President Ashraf Ghani, the area. deal reached between Rome and the Libyan coastguard a year ago. iban’s political office in Qatar, said he was in Afghanistan would be a major issue and which they see as illegitimate and instead The Taliban did not immediately comment The numbers have fallen further since Italy’s new populist still waiting for confirmation but welcomed that the Taliban would be willing to discuss insisted that they would only talk with the on the raid, but the insurgents are in control government pushed the issue to the forefront of the EU agenda signs of the new approach. U.S. concerns. United States. of the majority of the districts in Helmand, last month by refusing to open the country’s ports to a number “This is what we wanted and were waiting U.S. officials have said that Trump has Pompeo has said that while the overall where they have increased their attacks against of NGO migrant rescue ships operating in the Mediterranean. for, to sit with the U.S. directly and discuss shown growing impatience with a lack of peace process must be Afghan-led, Wash- provincial officials and security forces. Spain has opened its ports to several rescue ships run by the withdrawal of foreign troops from Af- progress in Afghanistan, where the Taliban ington would be ready to join talks, a shift (Source: agencies) charities which were turned away from Italy. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY JULY 18, 2018

STOCK MARKET U.S. plans TEDPIX 107780.6 IFX 1209.65 Sources: tse.ir, Ifb.ir for wiping CURRENCIES Iranian oil is an USD 43,420 rials EUR 50,866 rials GBP 57,509 rials illusion: First VP AED 11,823 rials ENERGY TEHRAN — Iranian First businessmen and foreign trade representa- desk Source: mehrnews.com Vice President Es’haq tives in Tehran, the official noted that the U.S. Jahangiri said on Monday that The U.S.’s strategy is to start a trade war with Iran just attempts for halting Iranian oil exports to like they have started it with other nations the world markets is an illusion, Shana news like China and Russia. agency reported. Jahangiri further mentioned the govern- tries and the countries that we have good “Required measures have been taken by COMMODITIES “The world needs Iranian oil and we are ment’s plans and programs for withstanding relations with.” Iranian foreign policy officials and those from WTI $68.02/b also able to take necessary steps for selling the sanctions, saying, “Hopefully we will lead Iran’s first vice president also announced the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) to ease related Brent $71.78/b our oil.” Jahangiri said. our economy [out of this situation] with the on July 10 that the country plans to sell as banking transactions”, Fars news agency Speaking in a meeting between Iranian help and support of our neighboring coun- much oil as it can in face of U.S. sanctions. quoted him as saying. OPEC Basket $63.50/b Gold $1,240.25 /oz European governments explore financial channels for Iran Silver $15.76/oz 1 Officials involved in discussions said the option of On Monday, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini Platinium $825.00/oz central banks activating Iranian central bank accounts—or said the bloc was determined to follow through despite the Sources: oilprice.com, Moneymetals.com reactivating some which have been dormant for years—is U.S. refusal to grant exemptions. one of several that European governments are actively ex- “I don’t see this reply as bringing anything new to the ploring. The three European governments laid out their work we’re doing,” she said of the U.S. response. NEWS IN BRIEF plans to Iran during discussions earlier this month among According to two officials, the hope is that by activating foreign ministers and senior officials in Vienna. Officials euro, sterling and other-denominated accounts for Iran’s Aluminum said they are still trying to iron out details. central bank in Europe, Iran could more easily repatriate Other European governments, including Austria and global oil export revenues—or at least use that revenue to production by major Sweden, have also said they would consider doing likewise, purchase key products, like spare parts for its automobile the officials said. industry, in Europe. companies rises 11% Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has Most large commercial western banks have refused to in 3 months yr/yr demanded some measures be put in place before the first open Iranian accounts, fearing that U.S. sanctions would set of U.S. sanctions is reimposed on Aug. 6. see their access to dollars being cut by U.S. authorities. While European officials hope that European central ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iran’s major aluminum pro- After the July 6 Vienna meeting, Mr. Zarif said he was banks would be protected from sanctions, they acknowl- deskducers produced 91,379 tons of aluminum encouraged by European, Russian and Chinese work on France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China—the coun- edge there is no guarantee. The U.S. could place sanctions during the three-month period from March 21 to June 21, which Iran’s key concerns: opening financial channels to Iran and tries that negotiated the 2015 nuclear deal alongside the on central bank governors and board members—or even shows 11 percent growth from the figure of the same period of allowing Iran to continue exporting oil. U.S. and Iran—pledged in Vienna to protect “economic deny them access to U.S. financial markets, though there time in the past year, IRNA reported on Tuesday. “Moving in right direction on concrete steps for timely operators” for investing or carrying out “commercial and could be broad economic costs for doing so. As reported, these major companies produced 30,432 tons implementation of commitments,” Mr. Zarif said at the financial activities,” a reference to possible central bank (Source: Wall Street Journal) of aluminum during the Iranian calendar month of Khordad time on Twitter. payment channels, according to European officials. (May 22 – June 21), 13 percent more than the figure for the same month last year. Aluminum production by the country’s major producers rose by 9.7 percent year-on-year during the first two months U.S. launches five WTO challenges UK employment hits record high of the Iranian calendar year (March 21-May 21). as job creation continues As reported by ILNA, production of aluminum by these to retaliatory tariffs major companies was 55,568 tons in the two-month period The United States launched five separate national security exception. UK employment rose to a record high in The figures point to healthy demand of the preceding year. World Trade Organization dispute actions Mexico said it would defend its the three months through May after the for labor as the economy picked up from on Monday challenging retaliatory tariffs retaliatory measures, saying the imposition economy created jobs at a stronger-than- a snow-blighted first quarter. The num- imposed by China, the European Union, of U.S. tariffs was “unjustified.” expected pace. ber of vacancies rose to the highest since Prices of imported Canada, Mexico and Turkey following U.S. “The purchases the United States makes The number of people in work rose by records began in 2001 and inactivity -- goods not allowed duties on steel and aluminum. of steel and aluminum from Mexico do 137,000, taking the employment rate to 75.7 those neither in work nor looking for a The retaliatory tariffs on up to a not represent a threat to the national percent, the highest since records began job - - dropped by 86,000 to an all-time to be increased combined $28.5 billion worth of U.S. security,” Mexico’s Economy Ministry in 1971, the Office for National Statistics low of 21 percent. exports are illegal under WTO rules, U.S. said in a statement. said Tuesday. Unemployment held at a “It’s clear that the labor market is still above 17% Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer “On the contrary, the solid trade 43-year low of 4.2 percent. growing strongly,” said Matt Hughes, a said in a statement. relationship between Mexico and the Pay growth eased during the period, senior statistician at the ONS. ECONOMY TEHRAN — Managing director of Iran “These tariffs appear to breach each U.S. has created an integrated regional with wages excluding bonuses rising by With wage growth running ahead of deskChamber of Guilds announced that each WTO member’s commitments under the market where steel and aluminum products 2.7 percent, as forecast. However, the inflation, households are enjoying a return business unit is permitted to increase the prices of imported WTO Agreement,” he said. “The United contribute to the competitiveness of the slowdown may do little to ease concerns to real spending power after a year-long goods between seven to 17 percent, Tasnim news agency re- States will take all necessary actions to region in various strategic sectors, such among Bank of England policy makers pay squeeze. They may not be out of the ported on Tuesday. protect our interests, and we urge our as automotive, aerospace, electrical and about inflationary pressures building in woods just yet though, with a report to- According to Ali Avazpour any further rise in the prices trading partners to work constructively electronic,” the ministry added. the labor market. morrow forecast to show inflation picked of the imported goods is illegal and would be supervised and with us on the problems created by massive Lighthizer said last month that Money markets are pricing in an about up again in June. sued by General Inspection Organization and Suspending and persistent excess capacity in the steel retaliation had no legal basis because 80 percent chance of an interest-rate hike In May, private-sector pay growth Organization of Iran. and aluminum sectors.” the EU and other trading partners were in August, a move also expected by more picked up to 2.8 percent, but the public Lighthizer’s office has maintained that making false assertions that the U.S. than 70 percent of economists in the lat- sector saw a slowdown. Unemployment the tariffs the United States has imposed steel and aluminum tariffs are illegal est Bloomberg survey. The pound rose fell to 4 percent in the month. Earnings IME laying a proper ground on imports of steel and aluminum are “safeguard” actions intended to protect following the labor-market data and was growth including bonuses slowed to 2.5 acceptable under WTO rules because U.S. producers. at $1.3261 as of 9:34 a.m. London time, percent between March and May. to support Iranian products they were imposed on the grounds of a (Source: Reuters) up 0.2 percent on the day. (Source: Bloomberg)

1 He says: “Of course, capital market is not charged with standardizing and grading the products, but when it clarifies Japan, EU sign free trade pact amid worries about Trump the quality characteristics of the commodities, it provides some comparison factors for the consumers which can encourage them Japan and the European Union signed a wide- goods to lower the U.S. trade deficit, and China public tenders in Japan. and foreign ministers and the European Com- to buy domestic products.” ranging free trade deal on Tuesday that both quickly retaliated with an increase in tariffs Europe’s food sector is one of the biggest mission’s vice-president for competitiveness, And according to IME Managing Director Hamed Soltaninejad, sides hope will act as a counterweight to the on U.S. goods. winners from the deal, which should allow it both sides said in a joint statement. production of high-quality products and offering them by the protectionist forces unleashed by U.S. President The Japan-EU trade deal is also a sign of to capitalize on Japanese demand for high- Both Japan and the EU, having seen Trump producers on one side and encouraging demand of the consumers Donald Trump. shifting global ties as Trump distances the quality cheese, chocolates, meats and pasta. pull back from free trade relationships, are keen on the other side cannot be expected without offering required The ambitious trade pact, which creates United States from long-time allies like the Japanese car and car parts makers are also to show they remain committed to removing support and incentives. the world’s largest open economic area, comes EU, NATO and Canada. expected to increase their sales to Europe, where barriers they say hamper growth, analysts said. He names discovery of fair prices through free supply and amid fears that a trade war between the United “We are sending a clear message that we they have lagged behind European rivals. “Trade liberalization and market openness demand in the IME as one of the most important encouraging States and China will diminish the role of free stand against protectionism. The EU and Ja- However, Japan’s dairy industry is expected continue to march ahead in Asia-Pacific,” said approaches in this due. trade in the global economic order. pan remain open for cooperation,” European to lose market share to European products Ajay Sharma, the regional head of global trade And as being strongly suggested by him and other capital “There are rising concerns about protection- Council President Donald Tusk, who speaks once tariffs of up to 40 percent on some cheese and receivables finance at banking and financial market directors and experts, enough attraction and security ism, but I want Japan and the EU to lead the for the 28 EU national leaders, told reporters. imports start falling. services provider HSBC. should be provided for domestic investors so that they make world by bearing the flag of free trade,” Prime The deal removes EU tariffs of 10 percent Japan and the EU also agreed on Tuesday EU accords with Singapore and with Viet- investment in the way of ‘supporting Iranian products’. Minister Shinzo Abe said at a news conference on Japanese cars and 3 percent on most car to establish a regular dialogue on trade and nam were at the ratification stage, while deals after the signing ceremony. parts. It would also scrap Japanese duties of economic policy, with the first meeting to be with Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand The United States this month imposed some 30 percent or more on EU cheese and 15 held before year’s end. were being negotiated, he added. UK watchdog paints gloomier 25 percent tariffs on $34 billion of Chinese percent on wines, and secure access to large The dialogue will be chaired by Japan’s trade (source: Reuters) long-term picture for public IBM is experimenting with a cryptocurrency that’s pegged to the U.S. dollar finances IBM has teamed up with financial technology start-up are recorded. Stronghold to launch a cryptocurrency that’s pegged to Earlier this year, IBM teamed up with environmental Britain’s budget watchdog on Tuesday outlined a gloomier pic- the U.S. dollar. tech start-up Veridium to turn carbon credits — tradable ture for the government’s finances in the long term, reflecting The tech giant has put its weight behind a so-called instruments aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions recent pledges to increase health spending without tax hikes or “stablecoin,” a digital token that, in principle, is tied to — into digital tokens. The company also uses blockchain spending cuts to pay for it. an existing government-backed currency, in order to firm Stellar’s digital tokens, lumens, to enable faster The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) stuck to its view reduce the volatility associated with virtual currencies. payments between a consortium of banks. that the public finances are likely to come under significant pres- In this case, the cryptocurrency, called “Stronghold IBM said Stronghold’s stablecoin will rely on the platform sure from an aging population. USD,” is backed by Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation- developed by Stellar, which was co-founded by former “The long-term outlook for the public finances is less favour- insured U.S. dollars, IBM said Tuesday, with reserves being Ripple executive Jed McCaleb in 2014. able than at the time of our last (fiscal sustainability report) in held by blockchain-focused asset manager Prime Trust. Big Blue’s blockchain is different to the original one January 2017,” the OBR said in its report. IBM said it will experiment with the virtual greenback that underpins bitcoin. Whereas the bitcoin blockchain This was “more than explained” by the government’s health to explore ways of helping banks and other financial is public and allows anyone to participate, IBM’s only spending announcement in June. institutions process payments faster and more securely. world due to concerns surrounding its U.S. dollar reserves. allows a certain number of trusted parties to use it. Last month Prime Minister Theresa May announced a 4 bil- The aim of stablecoins is to reduce the volatility that is The fear is that Tether Limited, the company behind the The entire cryptocurrency market is currently worth lion pound ($5.3 billion) boost for the National Health Services, commonplace in the cryptocurrency market. tether coin, does not hold enough dollars to account for more than $270 billion, according to industry website to be funded in part by a “Brexit dividend” that the Institute for But it follows much controversy surrounding a well- the number of tokens in circulation. CoinMarketCap. It has seen a significant downturn since Fiscal Studies says does not exist. known stablecoin known as tether, which has been accused The move marks a further push by the decades-old the start of the year, with the world’s best-known digital Finance minister Philip Hammond has indicated that taxpay- of being used to prop-up the price of bitcoin during last IT powerhouse into the world of cryptocurrencies and currency, bitcoin, falling steeply from its record high near ers will need to foot some of the bill. year’s spike in value. blockchain technology. Blockchain networks are the $20,000 late last year to around $6,700 as of Tuesday. (Source: Reuters) Tether is also a contentious subject in the cryptocurrency virtual ledgers on which cryptocurrency transactions (Source: CNBC) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JULY 18, 2018 ENERGY 5

Oil prices fall for second day on Fitch economist blows lid off U.S.’ dependence oversupply concerns on Russian oil Oil prices fell for a second day on Tuesday as way intensified on Monday when hundreds Russia doesn’t view the U.S. as a potential key purchaser of the worries about possible disruptions to supply more walked out in a dispute over pay and its oil, while Washington has expressed a keen interest in putting eased and as investors focused on potential pensions after employers failed to respond a damper on exorbitant oil prices by pushing OPEC to boost damage to global growth from the festering to union demands for a new offer. its output, which seems especially relevant ahead of the U.S. Sino-U.S. trade spat. The strike, which began last Tuesday, has midterm elections. Brent crude futures had dropped 12 had a limited impact on Norway’s oil pro- The U.S. purchases approximately eight billion dollars’ worth cents, or 0.2 percent, to $71.72 a barrel by duction so far, but some drillers warned of of Russian oil, which is about three percent of Russia’s total 0614 GMT after spending most of the day possible contract cancellations if the dispute production, Dmitry Marinichenko, head of natural resources in positive territory. They fell 4.6 percent on goes on for a month or more. and raw materials group at the rating agency Fitch, told Sputnik. Monday, at one point touching their lowest While Libyan ports are reopening, output According to the economist, the American market can’t be since mid-April. at the country’s Sharara oilfield was expected billed as a priority for Russia, whereas the major destination of U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures were to fall by at least 160,000 barrels per day Russian oil flow has recently become China. down 17 cents, or 0.3 percent, at $67.89. They (bpd) after two workers were abducted by an “So, it’s hardly possible to speak about any new trends with declined 4.2 percent on Monday. unknown group, the National Oil Corporation this regard,” he remarked. “It is growth fears all around and more said on Saturday. On July 16, it emerged that the U.S. is floating the possibility about concerns that ... trade worries will come U.S. oil output from seven major shale of a dip into its emergency oil reserves if the prospective glob- back and bite,” said Michael McCarthy, chief formations is expected to rise by 143,000 al oil output is not sufficient to propel prices down, with the market strategist at CMC Markets in Sydney. bpd to a record 7.47 million bpd in August, suggestion coming in the run-up to the U.S. midterm elections “(Oil trading) volumes are abysmal and the U.S. Energy Information Administration slated for November 6. there is very little commitment at current said in a monthly report on Monday. Late last month, OPEC and its partners, led by Russia, agreed levels.” Production is expected to climb in all seven to ramp up oil production by about one million barrels per day, China is still confident of hitting its eco- formations, with the largest gain of 73,000 or one percent of global supply, with the U.S. exerting pressure nomic growth target of around 6.5 percent said on Tuesday. activity in June in two years, suggesting a bpd seen in the Permian Basin of Texas and on them in a bid to put an end to the high oil prices. OPEC’s this year despite views that it faces a bumpy The remarks came a day after China re- further softening in business conditions in New Mexico. All shale regions except for Ap- plan, however, comes amid speculation about the future of the second-half as a trade row with the United ported slightly slower growth for the second coming months as trade pressures build. palachia are at a high, according to the data. oil market at large, with Iran being squeezed away from it by States intensifies, the state planning agency quarter and the weakest expansion in factory Meanwhile, an oil worker strike in Nor- (Source: Reuters) the U.S. In June, Washington threatened to slap penalties on countries that fail to curb oil trade with Iran by November 4. Investment in energy fell again in 2017, raising fresh concerns about security, climate change (Source: Sputnik) The amount of money flowing into the energy lation or depends on some kind of subsidy. generate power — especially from coal, hy- In Europe alone, IEA estimates the retire- sector fell for a third straight year, raising That investment includes spending on dropower and nuclear fuel — had the biggest ment of nuclear power plants has offset 40 Iraqi protests threaten concerns about the world’s ability to provide power plants, electric grids, new oil and gas drag on overall investment. percent of the low-carbon power generation enough power and tackle climate change, wells and systems to make buildings more Spending on these generating stations from renewables since 2010. oil production the International Energy Agency reported energy efficient. fell by 10 percent last year. Half of the drop While spending to generate power is fall- on Tuesday. The electricity sector attracted the most was due to falling investment in coal-fired ing, investment to help buildings, vehicles At least five people have been killed since the beginning of protests On the whole, governments and busi- capital for the second year in a row, gener- plants in China and India, the two emerging and industry use energy more efficiently in southern Iraq’s oil hub earlier this month, as security forces nesses plowed $1.8 trillion into the infra- ating an estimated $750 billion. However, economies that drive global economic growth. continues to rise. The world spent $236 respond with a hard hand while thousands continue to take to structure, equipment and resources that overall investment still slumped 5 percent Investment in natural gas-fired plants billion on energy efficiency in 2017, up 3 the streets over rising unemployment and chronically lacking keep the world running. That means global from the previous year, as a sharp drop in rose 40 percent, and mostly came from the percent from the previous year, largely on public services. energy investment fell by 2 percent from spending on power plants offset an uptick United States and the Middle East-North heating, cooling and lighting improvements Demonstrations began in the key oil center of Basra and have 2016 after adjusting for inflation, and the in dollars flowing to the electric grid. Africa region. However, final investment in buildings. since expanded to a number of provinces, prompting the Iraqi IEA warned the trend does not appear to Governments and investors spent an all- decisions — an indicator of future construc- However, the IEA warns these investments government to impose a state of emergency. be reversing. time high $300 billion on networks that tion — dropped by 23 percent last year. are slowing down, partly due to lackluster Apart from insisting that companies hire locals, the protesters At the same time, governments are shoul- deliver electricity from power plants to homes Capital flows into renewable power fell implementation of energy efficiency policies. are also demanding a significant improvement in basic services, dering more of the burden of investing in and businesses, up a modest 1 percent from by 7 percent, with growth in solar and wind Investment also picked up in oil and gas such as water supply, and their anger, while towards the govern- the energy sector, the Paris-based advisor last year. The spending is largely geared power offset by declines in hydropower and exploration and production as the recovery in ment initially, is now being rerouted to the oil companies of Basra. to energy-consuming nations said in its an- toward updating transmission and distribu- nuclear energy. Nuclear power is not strictly oil prices continued. Spending in the sector Basra is home to Iraq’s biggest oil fields, and their exports nual report. State-owned enterprises now tion lines and integrating smart technology considered renewable energy, but the two are rose 4 percent to $450 billion last year, and make up more than 95 percent of the country’s state revenue. account for 40 percent of all investments in to prepare for a world with more electric linked because they both generate electricity IEA expects it to tick up another 5 percent But now it’s time to answer to a public that is seeing very little energy, and about 95 percent of spending in vehicles and renewable energy. without emitting planet-warming emissions this year to $472 billion. benefit from this largesse. the power sector can be chalked up to regu- Meanwhile, spending on the plants that like carbon dioxide. (Source: CNBC) (Source: oilprice.com) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 INTERNATIONAL JULY 18, 2018 NATO summit: The important issues Black Lives Matter is By Paul R. Pillar continued existence, it does not depend pri- marily on levels of military spending. NATO still here — and avoiding Most press coverage of the NATO summit has value as an institutionalization of Western meeting was about Donald Trump’s political standards that are more political than military. the mistakes of their theater, for which NATO itself was merely The prospect of NATO membership---like a backdrop. Journalists who said their the prospect of membership in the European predecessors heads were spinning after hearing Trump’s Union—has been an incentive to prospec- everything-is-fine press conference at the tive members to conform to those stand- conclusion of the meeting, which sounded ards. NATO is the main instrument for U.S. like a 180-degree reversal from his insults influence in the security affairs of Europe. The and threats of the day before, could have alliance also is the main institutionalization saved themselves a headache by realizing of European support to the security of the that there is no way to make diplomatic sense United States—bearing in mind that the one of any of this. It was just Trump doing one invocation of the mutual security obligation of his usual things. That thing is to bemoan in Article Five of the North Atlantic Treaty how supposedly awful was the state of af- involved the Europeans coming to the sup- fairs before he came along, to use his own port of the United States — after the 9/11 disruptive rhetoric —sprinkled with false- terrorist attacks — rather than the other way hoods — to create a crisis atmosphere, and around. It is this sense of political goodwill then later to claim that he resolved problems and solidarity that is the main value of NATO that none of his predecessors had been able to the United States today. It is this sense to resolve. The claim is made even if nothing that Trump, with a fusillade of insults and material was achieved — as is true regarding attacks that one senior European diplomat military spending by NATO members, who described as “beyond belief”, has done so do not appear to have made new commit- much to damage. ments beyond what they had already made Impact of military spending: pre-Trump. In these respects, the Trumpian If there is a persuasive case for Military spending and military forces are The fifth anniversary of the founding of Black Lives Matter (BLM) theater in Brussels is similar to the one sur- NATO’s continued existence, it does relevant to some out-of-area NATO activities makes me think back 50 years, not five. Shortly before he was rounding the summit meeting with North , but again, fundamental questions need to be killed, Martin Luther King lamented that the gains of the civil Korean leader Kim Jung Un. not depend primarily on levels of addressed as to the net effect of those activi- rights movement had come at “bargain rates” because it cost Some of Trump’s themes in the insults- military spending. ties on the security of either Europe or the America nothing to integrate lunch counters and buses or give and-threats phase of this performance, and United States. Exhibit A is the endless war cal turning point when the Cold War ended, Blacks the right to vote. especially his bashing of Germany, served such an attack would be deterred and, if not in Afghanistan , which long ago passed the Germany was reunited, and Western leaders King knew that the real fight — against systemic forces such as specific political purposes back home. The deterred, defeated. But the today the strategic point of contributing to that security. Among decided that NATO would not go the way of the criminalization of African-Americans—lay ahead. As a 10-year- hyping of dangers from immigration in Europe map of Europe looks far different. Russian other NATO operations, a small force in Iraq the Warsaw Pact and dissolve, but instead old growing up in Memphis, Tennessee, I did not understand—I dovetails, of course, with his exploitation of troops have repaired to Russian territory, helped to clean up a U.S.-made mess that would endure and expand. just saw what looked like visible progress until King was killed, the immigration issue in the United States, hundreds of miles to the east. never should have been made in the first Trump’s success in setting the agenda and it seemed like the progress not only stopped, it rolled back. an issue that, as Trump accurately remarked It is hard to envision how, say, an immedi- place, and a regime-changing operation in made the issue of military spending by the The young activist started at 26 and was dead at 39. Richard at the press conference, had helped to elect ate increase in Germany’s military spending to Libya left another mess that persists today. allies — dovetailing with another of Trump’s Nixon’s nefariously designed “war on drugs” came next, fueling him. Trump’s charge that Germany is “totally two percent of GDP would make a meaningful The main security-related problems in campaign themes, the idea of foreigners the over-policing and mass incarceration of Black bodies. controlled” by Russia (supposedly because change in that vulnerability. Presumably any Europe today, legitimately identified as free-riding on the back of the United States Fifty years later, we are in the middle of another attempt to of trade in natural gas) is an example of the difference would rest on convincing the Rus- concerns for NATO, cannot be addressed — sound as if it were the single, overriding reckon with our national failure to achieve real and sustainable familiar Trump technique of accusing others sians that a wider European war—touched by spending for bigger rather than smaller measure of the health of NATO. But that progress toward racial justice. of the very transgressions about which he is off by the tripwire of small NATO forces in armed forces. Greater military spending also raises the question: exactly what difference Five years ago, a group coalesced around the leadership of politically vulnerable. the Baltic republics — would be costlier than would mean fewer resources for other sorts would military spending — at two, four, or Patrisse Khan–Cullors, Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi and Black Meanwhile, the entire performance it otherwise would be. But the credibility of of expenditures that would be better suited any other percent of GDP — make to the se- Lives Matter came into being. National awareness of issues around achieved Trump’s objective of seizing media such deterrence involves the same uncertain- to dealing with some of those problems, es- curity of either Europe or the United States? policing in America has grown significantly since then because attention and setting the agenda of public dis- ties about will, and not just capabilities, that pecially the problem of handling migrants Amid all the attention the past couple of days BLM and other community-based organizations are forcing cussion. The motivation for the performance the eastward expansion of NATO always has in ways that are fair and humane while not to spending levels, the near-silence on this America to take a clear look at what we are really doing in the had little to do with issues of diplomacy, the entailed. Would German decision-makers be compromising the stability and cohesiveness fundamental question was deafening. name of “policing” in Black and brown communities. state of the North Atlantic alliance, or national willing, in an effort to save Riga, to respond of domestic society. The nightmare scenario during the Cold Their public actions are visible. They were leaders in mak- security. The chief intended audience was in a way that would endanger Berlin? One of the biggest current worries among War was of Red Army tank divisions, from ing sure that America knew the names Trayvon Martin, Tamir his political base back home, in addition to Where Russia has used military force out- leaders of European NATO members is a a starting point in East Germany, pouring Rice, Tanisha Anderson, Mya Hall, Walter Scott, Sandra Bland. his own ego. side its boundaries, in Ukraine and Georgia, growing split between those members who through the Fulda Gap in an invasion of They have disrupted our everyday lives by making us focus on Unanswered Questions: such uncertainties are all the greater. The adhere to the liberal democratic values that the West. Back then, the different levels of the everyday lives of people who live with policing based on Looking beyond the political theater, willingness to take risks to save Tbilisi are undergird the alliance and those, such as the Western military spending by West Germany pro-active racial profiling. however, there are important unresolved no greater than with Riga. Such uncertainty hardline nationalist regimes in Hungary and and other European allies might have made Community-based movements questions about NATO, its role and purpose was a good reason the idea of signing up Poland, that are straying from those values. a major difference in the strength of NATO’s They have led in redefining leadership of community-based today, and its place in advancing U.S. inter- Ukraine and Georgia to the North Atlantic Trump’s injection of his own hardline na- defense against such an assault, and thereby movements by recognizing and addressing gaps in movement ests. The questions never were adequately Treaty did not gain traction. tionalism gives even more reason to worry. potentially a decisive difference in whether spaces and leadership for women, queer, and transgender people addressed in the early 1990s, that histori- If there is a persuasive case for NATO’s (Source: National Interest) and those who have moved the work forward in the background with little or no recognition. This has given the movement brilliant leaders and strategists. It is one of the foundations of sustainable community-based MBS is on a make or break mission power. Some of their work is visible, some is not. After many Americans were shocked by the video of a police officer throwing By Nic Robertson, a girl from her desk in a South Carolina classroom, the ACLU wanted to expand its work fighting the school-to-prison pipe- We may think we know a lot about Saudi Arabia’s Moham- line by challenging a South Carolina law that made it a crime to med bin Salman, one year after he was elevated to Crown “disturb schools.” Prince. After all, the past 12 months have seen him blitz world This law was used to charge a girl in the classroom with a capitals, wooing politicians, business leaders and popula- crime for simply standing up and demanding that the officer tions alike promoting his vision for modernizing his country. stop physically abusing her classmate. In London alone, he lavished a cool $1 million on adver- The ACLU was interested in litigation challenging provisions tising during a three-day trip, according to a source with of this law. BLM activists put us in contact with the young woman knowledge of the visit. The U.S. got a two-week version of who was physically abused by the officer. They set up a community the same charm offensive. meeting on a Sunday where community members came to talk But much remains unknown about the Crown Prince, about what was happening to their children in school. who has staked his leadership and potentially his country’s The people who came to share their stories included the family stability on bringing power to his family. Failure could be of our client in the lawsuit, Niya Kenny. BLM activists helped dangerous for us all. connect the legal challenge to sustained organizing in the com- Front and center right now is the war in Yemen. He owns munity and provided mentorship and support for our client and it, and the key battle that could turn the tide of the conflict in the young woman assaulted by the officer. Saudi Arabia’s favor is raging in the port city of Hudaydah. As a result of the ACLU lawsuit, the state of South Caro- Not long after his father took the throne in January 2015, lina repealed the challenged provisions of the law. No child in MBS, as he is known, initiated the desert kingdom’s fightback South Carolina will be charged with a crime for “disturbing” their against Houthis who had routed Yemen’s elected govern- classroom. Niya Kenny has drawn on the courage she showed in ment just over Saudi Arabia’s long, porous southern border. her classroom to continue fighting to make a difference in the MBS was (and still is) defense minister, so any Saudi community. She is now working with the same BLM activist blood lost would be on his hands. He would be measured who organized that first meeting, advocating for Black girls and by the course and outcome of the war. encouraging their leadership. Soon after he green-lighted the confrontation, a border Fighting for racial justice guard was killed in Najran, the first member of the Saudi The lawsuit and victory for South Carolina’s children would forces to die in the conflict. not have happened in this way without BLM. Today, we continue I raced up there from a nearby town and met the guard’s the fight for racial justice — whether challenging racist stop-and- family. MBS arrived soon after. Winning the war was im- couldn’t squelch the talk of his supersized yacht, or rumors tion of the nation’s founding father, King Abdul Aziz Al Saud, frisk laws or elevating the stories of Black and brown people portant for him, but so was keeping Saudis on side with his that he owns the world’s largest chateau and near-priceless also known as Ibn Saud -- MBS may be the most fearless targeted by 911 vigilantes — and remain inspired by BLM’s work. grander plans. pieces of artwork, or explain away his sudden billion-dollar leader the country will get. As I look back, I see similarities between the civil rights move- Over the intervening years the conflict has escalated, spat with tiny neighbor Qatar. He has shaken up the sclerotic body politic of Saudi gov- ment 50 years ago and BLM today. At both points in history, the several thousand Yemenis have been killed, a third of the In his shoes, the criticism of his free spending undoubt- ernment, and after several reshuffles, has invigorated and leadership was intelligent, charismatic and powerful, but today country’s population is short of food, and Houthi-fired mis- edly feels unfair. energized it. there is an emphasis on a much broader base of leadership. siles frequently scud over hundreds of kilometers of desert He is allowing women to drive and letting them go to Ministers and royals I’ve talked to describe MBS as a BLM’s decentralized movement goes far beyond the impact of to be shot down near the Saudi capital. sports stadiums, allowing music to be played on streets, workaholic, consuming spreadsheets late in the night, calling a few major leaders — and that is the way Ms. Khan-Cullors, Ms. The lives of Riyadh’s more than 7 million people are in permitting outdoor performances and, perhaps very signifi- ministers to his office and to account way after their bedtime. Garza and Ms. Tometi planned it. MBS’s hands, but the region as a whole is at risk. cantly, marginalizing the kingdom’s religious police. And His speed is obvious, the reasoning less so. The quicker Constrained by the prevailing social mores of the larger society, But the war in Yemen is only one of the tensions facing MBS. Saudis are no longer forced to go to prayer five times a day. he goes, the bigger the chance of a misstep. the movement of the mid-20th century kept too many on the Saudi’s image is so sullied by Osama bin Laden and Critics say the changes are merely cosmetic, and note that For every minister forced from office, for every disen- margins. Take for example the treatment of Black queer activ- the 9/11 attackers, 15 of whom were Saudi, and decades the government has arrested a number of women in recent franchised conservative cleric, for every rich royal hauled in ists like Bayard Rustin, who was the mastermind behind King’s of laws limiting basic freedoms -- most notably those weeks who have demanded further reforms. for corruption and fleeced of allegedly ill-gotten billions, for March on Washington but, due to homophobia, was relegated to that affect women -- that his message has struggled to But the atmosphere does seem more relaxed now than every businessman shaken down, more potential enemies obscurity. Likewise, visionary Black women like the legal scholar find wide traction, no matter how intensive his charm there was a year ago. As a friend there said recently as we are created. The risks of a fall are as apparent to MBS as they Pauli Murray battled misogyny within the movement that couldn’t offensive has been. Yet he needs the outside investment were out walking the streets, he is no longer made to feel are to the rest of the kingdom and the region. have existed without them. and faith in his abilities to realize his so-called Vision guilty, like he is being a “bad” Muslim. Failure on any significant front could trigger turmoil, from Today, there is much to learn from the way that BLM has 2030, a gargantuan dream of a supercharged Saudi fu- He -- as was the case with almost everyone else I’ve talked an ugly internal power struggle to an unintended showdown pushed past mere discussions about diversity and inclusion to ture, propelled out of its fossil-fuel dependence and into with there since MBS became King in waiting -- wants the with Iran, either of which in a worst-case scenario could lead take concrete action on these principles internally and in their a diversified global marketplace employing the country’s 32-year-old to succeed. to surge in global gas prices. work. Learning from the shortfalls of the fifties and early six- burgeoning youth population. A few months ago, there were rumors of an attack on MBS’ In such circumstances, Saudi Arabia would go from being ties, BLM activists are keenly alert to “bargain basement” gains Locking up hundreds of Saudi’s business elite, along with palace that turned out later to be palace guards shooting a potential force for long-term stability to a cause of regional and politics of respectability that won’t address core issues of a fair few of his own relatives, including other Saudi princes down a rich kid’s drone. -- and even global -- liability. racism in America. -- albeit in a fancy hotel -- several months ago and accusing In the hours spent waiting for the facts to emerge, my For now, MBS is keeping his footing, and the country’s Five years is but a minute in the fight for racial justice, but them of corruption didn’t do him any favors when he hit the friend told me, his biggest fear was that MBS was the target tribes -- through whom his power traditionally flows -- are with BLM’s still unfolding narrative, I’m already compelled to boardrooms. And the stories that stuck in people’s minds of a coup aimed at stopping his reforms. “He has to succeed,” either being bypassed or cutting him enough slack to pull stay for the whole movie — it looks like it could be special. were the ones his public relations teams couldn’t suppress. my friend told me. “We can’t go back.” his vision off. (Source: Newsweek) One of them is his reputation as a big spender. The PR gurus More than any other Saudi before him -- with the excep- (Source: CNN) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JULY 18, 2018 ANALYSIS & INTERVIEW 7 ‘Impact of Islamic philosophers U.S. not able to isolate Iran, stop its oil exports: Italian on western philosophy is huge’ analyst 1 In philosophy graduate schools it history of ideas. is far more common to expect students to Agreed, that the advent in the west of know Latin, Greek, German, French rather Jewish, then Christian philosophy meet- than Arabic or Persian. Still, there is a rise ing up with Greco-Roman philosophy was of work in English on Islamic philosophy titanic, and the encounter in the Enlight- as witnessed by the Routledge Companion enment between western philosophy and to Islamic Philosophy and the Cambridge Chinese and Indian philosophy was mas- Companion to Arabic Philosophy. sive. But in the exchange between Islam Are there any institutes in the west and and the west the encounter was of special especially in the U.S. that focus on Islamic significance because it was an encounter philosophy? between philosophers who had a shared A: Yes, all the great western universities background in Plato, Aristotle, and to some have been sites for fruitful philosophical extent Plotinus, they also carried out phi- work on Islam. There is the Oxford Centre losophy in the context of cultures which for Islamic Studies at the Oxford, there is shared strong positions on the significance the Centre of Islamic Studies at Cambridge of divine revelation and different views on University, at Harvard University there is the relationship between faith and reason. the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Institute for What is your suggestion for intro- Islamic Studies there is Islamic Studies at ducing the better of the Islamic philosophy Yale University, Islamic Studies at the Uni- in the west? TEHRAN (Tasnim) — A prominent political expert based versity of Chicago Divinity School, and much, A: I hope you will forgive me, but I highly in the Italian city of Milan referred to Washington’s plans to much more. recommend as a starting point a book that re-impose sanctions against Tehran in November and said the Which fields of Islamic philosophy Chad Meister and I commissioned: Islam: Trump administration is not able to isolate the Islamic Republic are taught in the U.S.? critique of Plato, Aristotle, Plotinus, the soul, Europe, it became obvious that Christian as A Philosophical Investigation by a young, or block its oil exports. A: If you are at a university with a serious causation, the role and nature of science, well as Jewish philosophy had much to gain rising philosopher, Imran Aijaz, who teaches “The U.S. will not be able to isolate Iran and stop (its) oil ex- commitment to the history of ideas, you would virtue theory. and to question by the enormous sophisti- now in the United States at the University of ports,” Federico Pieraccini said in an interview with the Tasnim rightly expect to have courses that show how What was the impact of Islamic phi- cation of Islamic philosophy. Michigan. I believe that his book, just pub- News Agency, referring to recent threats by the U.S. to cut Iranian deeply Islamic philosophy influenced the losopher on western philosophy especially The encounter between western and lished, is a great venue for all those interested oil exports to zero. west, and embodies work that is valuable in the middle age? Islamic philosophy in the middle ages in engaging Islamic philosophy today, en- Pieraccini is an independent freelance writer and political for its own sake. The ground covered would A: Huge. As the various translation pro- was perhaps the most momentous en- hancing the communication between Islam expert based in Milan, Italy. He specializes in international af- include theism, naturalism, the analysis and jects got underway in Spain and in Southern gagements of intellectual cultures in the and the west. fairs, conflicts, politics, and strategies. He has covered conflicts in Ukraine, Libya, Egypt, Syria, and Iraq. The following is the full text of the interview: The Trump administration recently threatened to cut Iranian West seeking to undermine Iran, Russia’s sovereignty: oil exports to zero, saying that countries must stop buying its oil from Nov. 4 or face financial consequences. Washington later softened its threat, saying that it would allow reduced oil flows Russian analyst of Iranian oil, in certain cases. Since oil is a strategic product and TEHRAN (Tasnim) — A Russian geopolitical analyst and countries around the world always demand it, would the U.S. be author said the west is trying to undermine Iran and Rus- able to carry out this threat at all? sia’s sovereignty through economic and political pressure, A: The U.S. will not be able to isolate Iran and stop (its) oil calling on Tehran and Moscow to remain united in the face exports. (Iranian President Hassan) Rouhani said that if Iran of western plots. cannot export oil, no other country in the Persian Gulf will be able “The West is interested to undermine the sovereignty of to. To give an example, Indian private companies said they would the IRI through a chain of events and economic/political/ stop imports from Iran. Immediately, Indian officials confirmed diplomatic pressure. The same, they do against Russia. So it that state imports of oil from Iran will increase, balancing the is also another reason why we must be united in one front,” diminishing imports from private companies. Leonid Savin told the Tasnim News Agency. Another good example is China. Beijing didn’t even bother Savin is the head of the Administration of the Interna- to take into consideration the U.S. threats and continues to in- tional Social Movement “Eurasian Movement”. He is also crease its imports from Iran. Iran is one of the biggest oil and gas the editor-in-chief of “Geopolitika” magazine as well as producers in the world with a huge potential for development Geopolitica.ru. Furthermore, Savin, the author of several and China is the number one world importer of oil. books on geopolitics, is the director of the social-political European companies seem to have decided to obey Wash- research programs in Russia’s Institute of Economics and ington’s diktat and are moving away from investments in Iran. Legislation. They don’t really have a choice since they totally depend on the Following is the full text of the interview: U.S. banking system and the U.S. dollar. This situation should Senior Iranian official Dr. Ali Akbar Velayati has be seen by Europe as a great opportunity for further Eurasian conveyed a message from Leader of the Islamic Revolu- integration since foreign countries will inevitably substitute tion Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei to Russian President European investments. Vladimir Putin during a meeting in Moscow. Following Iran is perceived to have threatened to block oil exports the meeting, Dr. Velayati described his discussions with through the Strait of Hormuz, a key Persian Gulf waterway, in the Russian president as “highly constructive, transparent without the hegemony of the U.S. is one of the geopolitical of events and economic/political/diplomatic pressure. retaliation for U.S. efforts to reduce Iranian oil sales to zero. and friendly.” Iran’s Leadership has long viewed relations goals of Russia that was also confirmed in strategic papers The same, they do against Russia. So it is also another Analysts say that crude oil prices could jump as high as U.S. $250 with Moscow as “strategic,” he said. What does “strategic and personally by statements of Russian officials. reason why we must be united in one front. a barrel if Iran goes through with its threat to close the strait. cooperation” with Russia mean? In this context, Russian-Iranian cooperation is very As you know, this year’s NATO meeting comes ahead What do you think? In your opinion, what other measures can A: Strategic issues are not obvious, as it may seem. For important. Any initiatives in trade, business, culture, and of Trump’s direct meeting with Putin in Helsinki, Finland, Iran do to counteract U.S. pressures? example, Russia has many different strategies that were tourism that will bring our countries closer to each other on Monday. What do you think about this meeting? A: We are very far away from an Iranian blockade in the Strait released in form of doctrinal documents. However, they more will be appreciated. A: The NATO military alliance is slowly nearing its end and of Hormuz. I believe Rouhani signaled out this possibility more are only on paper and the most important thing is their Velayati also quoted Putin as hailing the oil coopera- it needs fresh blood (new members) as well as the justifica- as a warning to third countries than to the U.S. or Saudi Arabia. practical realization. In the strategy of national security tion between Iran and Russia, saying Russia has announced tion of its own existence. Now we can see more bureaucracy The reason is embedded in your question about oil prices. Foreign released after 2008, we can read that Russia can use military readiness to make investment as high as $50 billion in Iran’s and budget (military companies) interests there that focus countries importing oil don’t want an increase in the price, so power to protect Russian citizens abroad, but this option oil and gas industry, and that Russian firms could replace on Euro-Atlantic security. But the Helsinki meeting has Iran’s threats should be taken into consideration. was never used. the western companies that have left Iran. Do you believe nothing to do with the NATO summit. Firstly, Russia has China, like other countries, has every interest in putting pres- Theoretically, there are frames for practical implemen- that it is time that Russia, Iran and China should form a enough strong army and its logistics and infrastructure are sure on the U.S. to not implement these destructive measures. tation in Syria and Ukraine, but in reality military works separate economic front against U.S. hegemony? far better than the NATO. Secondly, Putin and Trump will Iran also has the opportunity to bridge even closer ties with in another way. A: Yes, it is possible and it is an imperative. This tri- discuss bilateral relations and Syria. What I can say from Qatar and Yemen, thereby creating a difficult situation for Saudi But Iran and the region of Western Asia also marked in a angle also can form a new Eurasian orbit and add to it previous observation is that Donald Trump is unpredictable. Arabia in the region. The KSA is already in a precarious situation few latest doctrinal papers of the Russian Federation. Russia more actors who have suffered from Western influence He can tell and propose some good ideas, but then change being involved in almost every disruptive event or war in the pays a lot of attention to this area, especially for security. and are looking for an alternative. For example, Turkey his mind. So let see what people around him would say. I Middle East. More than one analyst believes that the blockade And it is one of the reasons for Russian military presence and Pakistan. We see that the U.S. is interested to impose think it is the reason Trump finally supported NATO - Mattis, of the Strait of Hormuz could be the definitive blow to the elite in Syria. Cooperation in Oil/gas sector, but also nuclear more sanctions against Iran and it has started many an- Bolton and other high ranked decision makers still follow in Riyadh, not Tehran. energy is also an important line for cooperation with Iran. ti-Iranian projects in the EU too. The West is interested old clichés. And unfortunately, there are many Russophobes I doubt that Mohamad Bin Salman (MBS) is 100% behind And of course, attempts to build a multipolar world order to undermine the sovereignty of the IRI through a chain and many Iranophobes. Trump’s decision to sanction countries doing business with Iran. In any case, never doubt the aggressiveness of Israel and Trump against Iran, so no cards are off the table. Trump has shown to be unpredictable and a menace even to his closest allies. Let’s hope Ocasio-Cortez has real guts As you know, Trump›s threat is part of his walking away 1 she is no longer an “activist” (what- not been organic but merely the result of vast from the Iran nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive ever that is exactly unless it simply denotes a money printing by the Federal Reserve bank Plan of Action (JCPOA). He also plans to reinstate anti-Tehran person willing to tell the unvarnished truth) that has pumped up financial markets like sanctions from November 4. In the meantime, the European and that she is henceforth willing to “learn and never before), the lack of affordable health- Union has put forward a package of economic measures to offset evolve” (read “revise”) her former postures. care for many Americans, the out of control the U.S. pullout from the JCPOA. What do you think about the While stating that she remains a supporter spending for the benefit alone of the Military EU’s role in reducing Washington’s pressures against Tehran? of the “two state” solution in Palestine, she Industrial Complex and the enormous fiscal A: The EU would like to continue doing business with Iran. clearly was a bit flustered when her interrogator, debts, and so much more that literally, some Reality shows us that Europe doesn’t have the guts or the economics Margaret Hoover, asked her what she meant believe, threaten the future of a very divided to stand up to the U.S. decision. Europe is highly dependent on by the term “occupation” with respect to the U.S. population. some key aspects of the financial system such as banks and the illegal Zionist presence in the West Bank and Still, young Ocasio-Cortez is worth watch- use of the U.S. Dollars, all controlled by the U.S. the blockade of Gaza. She then said she “may ing, and so are a handful of other rare candi- Washington has the ability to create more than a headache for not use the right words” to characterize the dates for the U.S. Congress who are willing to any European country that continues to work and invest in Iran. situation, and for her the entire matter is one tell more of the truth about the Mideast than What Europe should do is to use this occasion to de-dollarize and of “human rights” and her own humanitarian ever before in recent decades. If, miraculously, move away from the U.S. financial world order. Instead, Europe concerns. She added that she firmly believes in enough pressure via truth telling is brought to is just obeying their masters overseas and as seen with Russian Israel’s “right to exist” except that, just maybe bear to substantially change attitudes about sanctions, shooting itself in the foot, just to please the U.S. she may believe, which went unstated, not under the Zionist state in the U.S., and ultimately This is happening while Trump is imposing tariffs and threat- the kind of policies promoted by the current foment policy changes, however marginally, ening to pull out of the World Trade Organization and even NATO. Israeli government. then this will, in turn, bring about changes Europe is facing a political uprising we have not seen in decades. Ocasio-Cortez’s “evolution” is sadly pre- even in attitudes about Iran and more revul- Sanctions on Russia and the loss of trade with Iran are making the dictable since her recent success, however sion against U.S. sanctions on Iran and the situation even worse for political leaders in Europe. This tenden- undesirable this is too many of those who abrogation of the JCPOA in May. cy can clearly be seen with the political results all over Europe, remain “activists”. She is no doubt surprised many wonder: what if she were a candidate And make no mistake, telling the truth But change remains highly contingent on from Italy to Spain, even in Germany with Merkel on the verge that she did win, and loves all the media willing to hold firm to her views when she was about Israel is literally the cornerstone of Iran’s leadership also addressing the desires of losing grip on the government after 14 years of absolute reign. attention, but going forward no one knows an “activist” even at the potential cost of her truth telling generally about so many issues of its own citizens for reform and avoiding As long as European countries continue appeasing the U.S. whether she will remain or become a steadfast losing the election in November? No other affecting the U.S.: the widening gap between gross instability inside Iran, which has been instead of taking into account their own national interests, things advocate and voice for sanity with regard to candidate I am aware of has yet been willing rich and poor in the U.S., the maddening the primary aim of the Neocon infested Trump will only get worse. Iran is one of the key elements in the Eurasian Middle East matters. But she so far remains to threaten their chances of election success and overwhelming influence of rich, selfish administration since inception. One cannot integration process that is transforming the world. Europe is a person whose views are at least healthier by literally continuing to tell the unvarnished oligarchs on U.S. foreign and domestic pol- stress this enough, this requirement that Iran’s losing an excellent opportunity to diversify its energy imports and more honest than most all her future, truth about “Israel” (and other concerns) and icies, the precarious U.S. economy (where leadership show wisdom and flexibility. Pa- and start being part of the Eurasian revolution, alongside with potential colleagues in Washington. Still, its blatant apartheid in Palestine. economic “growth” over the past decade has tience remains key as always, too. Russia, China, India, and Iran. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 8 ADVERTISEMENTS JULY 18, 2018

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Relief foundation, ICT Over 300 companies to attend Ministry join hands to support job creation ELECOMP 2018 TECHNOLOGY TEHRAN — Over 300 tries will attend ELECOM stars of ELECOMP TECHNOLOGY TEHRAN — In collaboration with the Infor- desk desk companies will offer their 2018, head of Iranian ICT Guild Organization mation and Communication Technology (ICT) achievements and services to visitors at the Mohammad Baqer Asna-Ashari said in early Ministry, Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation provides budget 24th Iran International Exhibition of Elec- June, IRNA reported. for ideas leading to job creation through crowdfunding, the ICT tronics, Computer & E-commerce (ELECOMP ELECOMP 2018 website reported. 2018), which will be held from July 28 to ELECOMP is the biggest event in the Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a project or venture by 31 in Tehran. Iranian electronics and computer market. raising small amounts of money from a large number of people, ELECOM Trends is a new section at this Since its first edition in 1995, the event has typically via the internet. edition of the exhibition, ELECOMP executive been providing a unique opportunity for According to an agreement signed between Imam Khomeini director Mehdi Heydari said on Monday, businesses to increase their share of this Relief Foundation and ICT Ministry on Monday, the foundation, Mehr reported. huge and ever-growing market, according which provides facilities for financially struggling people, plans ELECOM Trends will focus on internet to ELECOMP website. of things (IoT), smart city and artificial in- A hall is dedicated to electronic government telligence (AI), he said. as a place in which state-run organizations In comparison to the ELECOMP 2015, can introduce their services to the visitors. the number of startups has increased from One of the major sections of the event 70 to 350, Heydari announced. is the startup competition dubbed “ELE- “A total of 45 game developer companies COM Stars”, in which startup companies will also attend ELECOM Games, which compete for a finance by Iran’s ICT Guild will be held on the sidelines of the event,” Organization. he said. The first ELECOMP hosted about 100 Those who are active in startups can benefit named ‘accelerating chamber’, he added. companies will attend the event,” he said. startups and the number rose to 450 in last from consultants during the event in a section “We estimated that about 20 foreign From 50 to 70 startups from seven coun- year’s exhibition. Tehran to host intl. congress on smart Knowledge-based companies can attend technology in mid-Aug. brain mapping festival free of charge ICT Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi (R) and Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation’s Director Parviz Fattah sign an agreement on Monday to attract crowdfunding for job creation. The ICT Ministry provides infrastructures and facilities for the donation-based crowdfunding for three years, the website reported. Identified in four types of reward-based, debt-based, litigation, donation-based, crowdfunding combines the best of crowdsourcing and microfinancing, bringing together various individuals who commit money to projects and companies they want to support. It’s a young and quickly growing market and it’s transforming how people behave with their money. It’s also transforming the ways businesses raise capital. On May 27, Parviz Fattah, head of Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation, announced that the foundation has allocated some 40 trillion rials (nearly $950 million) to job creation for 200,000 individuals in the country for the current Iranian calendar year (March 2018-March 2019). Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation is a charitable organi- zation, founded in March 1979, after the Islamic Revolution, to TECHNOLOGY TEHRAN — The in- technology (e-learning), artificial intelligence, TECHNOLOGY TEHRAN — Knowl- mapping. provide support for families who are struggling financially. The deskternational congress on information systems, and information and deskedge-based companies The symposium aims to promote aim is to help such families regain financial stability. Boosting smart technology (IC-Tech 2018) will be held communication technology in the industry active in the field of brain mapping can cognitive sciences in the field of brain job creation is one of the primary objectives of the foundation. on August 14 and 15 in Tehran. are some of the themes of the event. attend the 2nd brain mapping research mapping as well as updating recent IC-Tech 2018 aims to explore techno- Foreign experts including Elder Tuz- and technology festival free of charge, achievements and information in this logical achievements of researchers about mukhametov from Russia, Forhad Rabbi ISNA reported on Sunday. field. information technology, introduce national from Australia, Javier Gabas, Miquel Estapé Organized by the National Brain NBML is established to facilitate SOCIALLY SAFE and international IT innovations, exchange Valls and Josep Miquel Pique from Spain Mapping Laboratory (NBML) of Iran, the development and growth of neuro- comments and new ideas, and exchange in- will make speech during the event. the festival will be held on October 10 imaging and brain modulation fields, formation between professors and industry Youngho Baik from South Korea, Mas- and 11 in Tehran. fulfillment of (at least a part of) re- managers in the field of information tech- similiano Mandanrini from Italy, Andreas The festival aims to promote modern search and technical requirements in Create a smaller social nology. Constantinides from Greece, Mustafa Kumot technologies in the field of brain mapping. these fields in the country and provide network for safety E-commerce, information technology from Turkey, and Alex Bojovschi from Mel- The event will be held concurrent- related knowledge-based and up-to- security, computer networks, educational bourne are also amongst speakers. ly with the 2nd symposium on brain date services. Which European countries have the most construction startups? New research has revealed where in Europe has the most startups across numerous sectors, including construction. Taking a closer look at the startup industry in Europe, card processing specialists, Paymentsense, has conducted research to find out which countries have seen the most significant rise in startups between 2013 -2017. The data has been mapped out across Europe allowing users to uncover the industries that each country specialises in and how fast those industries are growing. Paymentsense analysed 30 European countries and ranked each one of them based on how many new businesses have been registered in that five-year period and which business types have been the most popular in these countries. Top 10 European countries for construction startups In terms of construction, France is home to the most, with some 265,452 startup companies operating in the country’s construction industry. Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, Twitter, Ning, Digg, MeetUp, The UK follows closely behind with 227,519, and Poland blogs, etc., -- the number of social networking sites and tools is claims third with 220,235 construction industry startup exploding. Social networking is the killer app of the Internet for companies. everyone – not just the texting teenybopper crowd. Such sites The rest of the top 10 is as follows: have breached the walls of the corporate firewall, are a part of Italy 182,680 our most important smartphone apps, are a vital tool for any Turkey 180,790 serious job search, and are the new way to connect with current Spain 169,734 What all of them have in common is a business-friendly countries are now placing more emphasis on technology and new friends. Germany 120,004 environment that gives founders the possibility to grow and which has helped create a ‘golden era’ for tech startups. But using social networking tools and sites seems to be in direct Czech Republic 64,576 nurture their company over time. When looking at what type “In order to thrive a business in your respective country, conflict with another important principle of using the Internet – Slovakia 63,778 of start-ups have dominated Europe in the last few years, make sure you analyse the market you’re addressing – what protect your identity from identity theft. Participating in online Netherlands 63,580 wholesale and retail have the largest presence with 3.7mn works best and what doesn’t; It’s also worth looking at the social networking sites leaves a trail of personal information Among all these countries, the UK has seen the biggest new businesses started up. Guy Moreve, Chief Marketing legal and environmental conditions in order to make sure that can make stealing your identity a whole lot easier. What’s growth in the number of startups across all industries between Officer at Paymentsense, commented: “It’s fascinating to your business idea is a success.” a current-day Internet user to do? Should we go blithely along 2013 and 2017 at 5.09%, followed by Romania and Portugal. see how Europe has changed in recent times. A number of (Source: constructionglobal.com) like a fish protected in a larger school of potential identity theft victims, or maybe we should forego social networking altogeth- er? No and no. Instead each of us should take responsibility for A checklist for your startup What is startup benchmark? protecting ourselves. Social networking means opening up and sharing information Why do so many new businesses fail? investors to contribute to your business The process of benchmarking your busi- nancial statements or even think for online with others, but there’s some information you should Maybe it’s because too many would-be fund, you’re not alone. ness to evaluate your current success can more than a second or two to recall never share online. Protecting yourself from sharing Too Much entrepreneurs concentrate on the wrong Fortunately, there are ways you can be quite involved, requiring the collection, your business’ sales for the most recent Information (TMI) can save you from identity theft and even issues before the actual startup happens. develop multiple streams of revenue to analysis and comparison of mounds of month and year. Sales revenue is the protect your physical safety. The pre-startup checklist requires one get your business up and running without data on everything from your recent sales most common measure of a business’ Bigger isn’t always better. There’s more to social networks to undergo a process of self-evaluation going into deep debt. Bootstrapping is a growth to production capacity. size and level of success. However, than MySpace, Facebook and Twitter. Self-forming communi- that will help answer the question, ‘Am popular way to fund yourself, but it doesn’t However, you may want to start the don’t stop after you look at your total ties often form around very narrow topics and these can easily I prepared to start a business?’ If more mean you have to eat ramen and live in your process by simply sitting down, look- sales figure. Break that figure down get lost on the bigger sites. You may be better served creating a people considered the following four issues, car to see your startup become a reality. ing around and asking yourself if your as much as you can. smaller, more focused network using tools aimed to help narrow there would likely be a higher success rate Start generating revenue as soon as business seems to be where it should be Looking at your sales by lines of busi- or smaller groups such as Ning, or Meet Up. in future startups. possible. At the early stages of a startup right now. Your gut-level intuition of ness, product lines, individual products, By narrowing your purpose and using tools appropriate Start your revenue stream there is never enough money – resist the how the business is doing may be more varieties of individual products and price for smaller groups, you can keep unwanted solicitations, According to a National Venture Capital temptation to wait until things are “per- valuable than even the most detailed points of individual product varieties invites to connect, applications and spam to a minimum. Association survey, 82% of small businesses fect.” Oh, and get your lawyer to create analysis. can be far more useful than just knowing You’ll also find you build closer relationships amongst com- get their backing from self-funding. So any customer contract forms necessary. Then take a look at your sales. You that sales are up. munity member. if you’re coming up empty finding angel (Source: smallbiztrends.com) probably won’t have to consult any fi- (Source: entrepreneur.com) (Source: networkworld.com) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JULY 18, 2018 SCIENCE 11 Hungry plants could learn a thing or There may be more than quadrillion tons of diamond two from nitrogen-fixing bacteria hidden below Earth’s surface Nitrogen is a vital nutrient for plants, and Researchers on the team, from left: Hi- There may be more than a quadrillion tons of diamond hidden 100 although there’s plenty of it drifting around in madri Pakrasi, Michelle Liberton, Deng Liu miles below the surface of the Earth, far deeper than any drilling the air, they can only pull it out of the ground and Maitrayee Bhattacharyya-Pakrasi expedition has ever reached, according to a study. – hence the need for artificial fertilizer. But The team determined which genes were re- Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology now, researchers at Washington University sponsible for this biological clock, and spliced (MIT) in the US and colleagues said the findings are unlikely to in St Louis have engineered bacteria that can them into another cyanobacteria species, set off a diamond rush. efficiently suck nitrogen out of the air, and Synechocystis, to see if it could pick up the the long-term goal is to develop crops that nitrogen-fixing ability. And sure enough, it did. can do the same. Bugs upped their games About 78 percent of the Earth’s at- After the removal of oxygen, which is pro- mosphere is made up of nitrogen, but duced through photosynthesis and interferes the legume family is among the very few with the nitrogen fixation, and the addition plants that are able to tap into that rich of 35 new genes, Synechocystis was able to resource (known as nitrogen fixing). The fix nitrogen at a rate of about two percent vast majority rely on absorbing the nutrient that of Cyanothece. Not great, but it’s a start. through their roots, but soil can often be But the bugs upped their game when the lacking, requiring fertilizer to be spread team removed some of the added genes: with onto crops. only 24 Cyanothece genes, Synechocystis’ Developing plants that can essential- nitrogen fixing increased to over 30 percent The ultradeep cache may be scattered within cratonic roots - the ly “fertilize” themselves through the air of Cyanothece’s rate. oldest and most immovable sections of rock that lie beneath the could be a huge boon to agriculture and anobacteria. In particular, they focused on a circadian rhythm to photosynthesize during “This means that the engineering plan center of most continental tectonic plates, they said. the environment. In a recent study, re- species known as Cyanothece, which uses a the day and fix nitrogen at night. is feasible,” says Himadri Pakrasi, lead Shaped like inverted mountains, cratons can stretch as deep as searchers engineered soybean plants to researcher on the study. “I must say, this 200 miles through the Earth’s crust and into its mantle; geologists have more nitrogen-carrying proteins, In a recent study, researchers engineered achievement was beyond my expectation.” refer to their deepest sections as “roots.” which kicked the plants into overdrive. The research is a step towards the team’s In the study published in the journal Geochemistry, Geophysics, Another technique, infusing seeds with soybean plants to have more nitrogen- ultimate goal of finding a way to genetically Geosystems, scientists estimate that cratonic roots may contain nitrogen-fixing bacteria, could be applied carrying proteins, which kicked the plants engineer plants that are able to fix nitrogen. one to two percent diamond. to almost any plant. into overdrive. Another technique, infusing Doing so could increase the yield of crops and Considering the total volume of cratonic roots in the Earth, the Nitrogen-fixing genes reduce the need for fertilizer, which can be team figures that about a quadrillion tons of diamond are scattered Similar bacteria were the focus for the seeds with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, could environmentally costly to produce and haz- within these ancient rocks, 90 to 150 miles below the surface. new study. The WUSTL researchers set out be applied to almost any plant. ardous once it leaches into natural waterways. “This shows that diamond is not perhaps this exotic mineral, to isolate the nitrogen-fixing genes in cy- (Source: newatlas.com) but on the (geological) scale of things, it is relatively common,” said Ulrich Faul, a research scientist in MIT. “We can’t get at them, but still, there is much more diamond Earth’s neighboring exoplanet Ross 128 b Thawing permafrost microbiomes fuel there than we have ever thought before,” Faul said. has perfect conditions to support life: study climate change, team claims The researchers came to the conclusion after puzzling over an anomaly in seismic data. Ross 128 b, an exoplanet that orbits a small A new study could lead to more accurate For the past few decades, agencies such as the U.S. Geological red dwarf star, is one of the nearest exo- predictions or the rate of global warming Survey have kept global records of seismic activity - essentially, planets to Earth. Now, scientists reveal from greenhouse gas emissions produced sound waves travelling through the Earth that are triggered by that it has conditions that make it a perfect by thawing permafrost in the next 100 years. earthquakes, tsunamis, explosions, and other ground-shaking world to host life. The study of the microorganisms involved in sources. (Source: News 18) Diogo Souto, from the Observatório permafrost carbon degradation links changing Nacional in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and microbial communities and biogeochemistry colleagues reported that just like Earth, to the rise of greenhouse gas emissions. A humble seaweed just changed the planet is likely a rocky and temperate It was led by Australian Center for world, which means it can potentially have Ecogenomics researchers in the UQ School what we know about Antarctica liquid water on its surface. this category. of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences Dr. of these entirely new lineages in the production For the study published in Astrophysical “Mass-radius modeling of Ross 128 b Ben Woodcroft, Ph.D. student Caitlin Singleton, of greenhouse gases. as the ‘isolated continent’ Journal Letters, the researchers looked at indicates that it lies below the pure-rock Professor Gene Tyson and international Ms Singleton said permafrost stores around Large algae seaweeds known as kelp have been able to float some the chemical composition of the planet’s composition curve, suggesting that it colleagues. 50 per cent of the total global soil carbon (or 20,000 kilometers (12,427 miles) from the southernmost reaches host star. contains a mixture of rock and iron, with “As global temperatures rise, large amounts 1580 billion tons). of the Indian and Atlantic oceans all the way to the shores of In their infancy, stars are enveloped by the relative amounts of each set by the of carbon sequestered in perennially frozen The “Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Antarctica – a trip previously thought to be impossible. a disk of gas and dust that later form into ratio of Fe/Mg,” the researchers wrote in permafrost are becoming available for microbial Change report estimated that between 30 and Not only is it an incredible journey, it’s the first hard proof planets. The star’s composition influences their study. degradation,” Dr. Woodcroft said. 99 percent of near-surface permafrost could that Antarctica isn’t as isolated as scientists thought it was. This the elements in the disk and thus, the main The researchers also made temperature Greenhouse gas emissions disappear by 2100,” she said. has implications for climate change, Antarctic wildlife, and even influencer of the structure and composition measurements, which revealed that the “Until now, accurate prediction of “Northern permafrost wetlands floating aeroplane debris. of the resulting planets. planet likely has a temperate climate. Souto greenhouse gas emissions produced from contribute a significant portion of global The international team of scientists who spotted the ‘foreign’ The researchers were able to determine and colleagues found that the temperatures thawing permafrost has been limited by methane emissions, particularly as kelp have now put together a computer model showing how the that the star is abundant in iron, magnesi- near the surface of the host star are around our understanding of permafrost microbial collapsing permafrost can create the perfect seaweed might have made its impossible journey. um, oxygen, aluminum, calcium, carbon, 3,000 degrees Celsius. communities and their carbon metabolisms.” anaerobic conditions for methane-producing It could significantly improve our understanding of how con- potassium, and titanium. They were able to determine the amount Using sequencing techniques pioneered microorganisms (methanogens), and their ditions on the Antarctic continent might change in the future. The ratio of the core of energy that Ross 128 b receives using by Professor Tyson, over 200 samples from metabolic partners, to thrive. “This is an unequivocal demonstration that marine species The researchers were also able to esti- the exoplanet’s radius and orbital distance intact, thawing and thawed permafrost sites “This is important as methane is a potent from the north can reach Antarctica,” says one of the team, Crid mate the mass ratio of the core and man- from the star. in northern Sweden were examined. greenhouse gas -- 25 times more efficient at Fraser from the Australian National University (ANU). tle layers of Ross 128 b using the planet’s “Although Ross 128 b is not Earth’s DNA sequences of more than 1500 trapping the sun’s radiation in our atmosphere “To get there, the kelp had to pass through barriers created iron and magnesium levels. Planets with twin, and there is still much we don’t know microbial genomes all new to science and than carbon dioxide.” by polar winds and currents that were, until now, thought to be radii that is 1.7 times larger than that of about its potential geologic activity, we were involved in complex biochemical networks She said that as permafrost thaws, methane impenetrable.” Earth’s tend to have a gaseous envelope, able to strengthen the argument that it’s were recovered. emissions increase, causing a positive feedback The kelp was discovered washed up in spots including the which limits their odds for habitability. a temperate planet that could potentially The research, which included new loop where increased atmospheric warming shore of King George Island, with the seaweed now the holder Planets with smaller radii tend to have have liquid water on its surface,” Souto said. metagenomics software run on UQ caused more thawing. of the farthest biological rafting event ever put on record. rocky surfaces and Ross 128 b falls into (Source: Tech Times) supercomputers, also implicated a number (Source: sciencedaily.com) Based on the most up-to-date analysis of ocean currents and westerly winds, plant-life like the kelp would be expected to be pushed in the opposite direction rather than drifting south. It turns Plastic pollution has infested pristine Antarctic fjords, scientists find out that Antarctic storms are the missing part of the equation. The large waves whipped up by storm events are enough to In the middle of the last century, mass-produced, disposable have been looking at areas such as Marian Cove and Börgen override the default patterns and bring kelp drifting to the edges plastic waste started washing up on shorelines, and to be Bay on the Western Antarctic Peninsula, where communities of Antarctica, the new models showed (see the video below). As found in the middle of the oceans. This has since become an have only developed in the last few decades—due to the each big wave passes, the kelp surfs forward a little bit. increasingly serious problem, spreading globally to even the retreating glaciers. (Source: sciencealert.com) most remote places on Earth. Just a few decades later, in the Marine ecosystems 1970s, scientists found the same problem was occurring at Thriving marine ecosystems can act as climate regulators. a much less visible, microscopic level, with microplastics. When ice retreats, new, pristine fjordic habitats are revealed These particles of plastic are between 0.05mm and 5mm and phytoplankton blooms occur. These help to counteract How glacial biomarkers in size. Larger pieces of plastic can be broken down into climate change because they take carbon dioxide gas out microplastics but these tiny bits of plastic also come from of the atmosphere. can hone the search for deliberate additions to all sorts of products, from toothpaste New productive seabed habitat also becomes available for extraterrestrial life to washing power. many of the fjords for the first time. the diverse shallow water fauna that eat this algae, and store Now, with major global sampling efforts, it has become The potential for microplastics to impact this environ- the carbon long term. Not counteracting climate change, Detecting biomarkers in glacial lakes on Earth could pave the clear that microplastics are dispersing all over the world — ment and its marine life is huge — and we’re now working to however, is the fact that new open water absorbs heat faster, way for astrobiologists to detect evidence for life on other worlds, in the water column, sediments, and marine animal diets figure out the depth of the effect that microplastic pollution in contrast to ice that would have reflected it. and also unravel the properties of the environments in which — even reaching as far south as the pristine environments is having on the newly colonised habitats. Any microplas- The animals colonizing the exposed fjords face chal- that life lived. of Antarctica. tics recovered in the Southern Ocean, particularly in newly lenging conditions. The sediment and fresh water flowing High in the Andes Mountains in Chile, unrelenting ultraviolet While this plastic problem has become more prevalent, formed ecosystems, raise alarm. They not only indicate that in the glacier melt runoff make it very difficult for many (UV) radiation blasts the nutrient-poor waters of Laguna Negra one of the most pristine ecosystems on Earth, the fjords of the area has been affected, but that plastic pollution is in- organisms to survive. And, if exposed to them, microplas- and Lo Encañado, two lakes fed by rapidly melting glaciers. In the Western Antarctic Peninsula, have been revealed by creasingly ubiquitous too. tics can be a serious concern for many marine animals, this hostile and remote environment, researchers are trialing retreating glaciers. In November 2017, our multidisciplinary UK-Chile-U.S.- especially filter-feeding organisms (for example krill, and life-detection technology to see if we can use it on other planets. Narrow inlets created Canada research team — known as ICEBERGS — joined other zooplankton). Understanding these lake systems will help scientists to inter- Tucked between islands and the mainland, the coast the RRS James Clark Ross (an ice strengthened research As these creatures filter water to obtain food, they may pret biomarkers in ancient lakes both on Earth or other planets. along the Western Antarctic Peninsula has long, narrow ship) and headed to Antarctica’s northernmost fjords. Our ingest microplastics which can clog and block their feeding Although the organisms themselves are long dead, the traces inlets created by glaciers. During the last 50 years, these goal was, and still is, to gain a better understanding of how appendages, limiting food intake. Ingested microplastics and history of their deaths are encoded in the biomolecules that fjords have physically changed, due to reduced sea ice cover the environment and organisms evolve in newly emerging may be transferred to the circulatory system too, which can litter the lakes’ sediments. and because nearly 90% of glaciers have retreated in this and colonizing habitats in Antarctica. We are particularly cause an increased immune response. The implications of these biomolecules extend far beyond the region. These processes have exposed the ocean floor of interested in the marine ecosystems on the ocean floor, so (Source: Newsweek) boundaries of these lakes: they could help scientists to recreate the evolutionary history of extraterrestrial life. The scientists’ findings were described in a recent article in Astrobiology. “Once a microbe dies, different physiochemical factors – such Public Relations, a Linking Bridge between as humidity, temperature, oxygen, or the presence of metals – affect the degradation or chemical alteration of its structures and Customers and Bank Capabilities: CEO molecular components,” says lead author Victor Parro, based at Chief Executive of Refah Kargaran Bank Dr. Mohammad Ali between requirements of customers on the one hand and the Centro de Astrobiología, in Madrid, Spain. Sahmani said that public relations should play as a linking also capabilities and potentials the bank on the other hand. “These high-altitude lakes in the Andes mountains are inter- bridge between meeting customers’ demand and capabilities Turning to the issue of transparency and presentation esting for astrobiology because they are exposed to high levels of of the bank. of accurate and precise information to customers, he said, ultraviolet radiation,” says Lewis Dartnell, an astrobiologist at In this regard, public relations burden the great “Refah K. Bank is after introducing its transparency to the University of Westminster, in London, who was not involved responsibility in the field of clarifying truth and facts in order customers.” in the research. “Understanding how microbial life in the lake to materialize economic objectives of the bank properly, he The public relations should establish very close relationship copes with these UV levels is important for the search for life maintained. with media companions expertly, the issue of which should be beyond Earth – on Mars, for example, where there are believed Moreover, the public relations should be able to link taken into serious consideration, CEO of the bank concluded. to have once been crater lakes but also very high UV levels.” (Source: space.com) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 12 SOCIETY JULY 18, 2018

Schoolmaster charged with ‘Rangelands on the verge of sexual harassment gets 10 years jail degradation in Iran’ SOCIETY TEHRAN — The schoolmaster who had been deskcharged with sexual misconduct at a private ENVIRONMENT TEHRAN – In recent potential and reduced groundwater recharge school in western Tehran was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, deskyears, soil erosion, climate within watersheds. Abbas Jafari-Dolatabadi, the Tehran prosecutor general, has said. change, drought spells, overexploitation as well Referring to rangelands of Fars province, In addition to imprisonment he was sentenced to flogging as over-grazing have led to the degradation Moridi noted that Zagros forests are located and is banned from taking any posts for two years, however, of many rangelands in Iran, an official with in this province, which can face destruction the convict can still appeal against the sentence, IRNA quoted the Department of Environment has said. in case of launching any project without the Jafari-Dolatabadi as saying on Tuesday. According to Safeopedia, rangelands are assessment of the environmental consequences. On May 27, some 40 parents filed a complaint against a open areas of land that are used for farming Grazing intensity is different throughout schoolmaster who has allegedly displayed some sexually har- or hunting. Farm animals and wild animals the country; in some areas it is 2 or 3 times assing behaviors at a private school in district two of Tehran. The roam and graze on rangelands. They are more than the carrying capacity of the areas schoolmaster was soon detained and the school is shut down, distinguished from pasture lands by the fact which result in total disappearance of plant maybe for good. that they maintain native vegetation rather species severe soil erosion, he regretted. than what has been established by humans. “In line with drought, erosion has also given Rangelands include many different climates rise to dust particles formation as currently and also contain land that cannot be grazed. sand and dust storms keep hitting different Iran to use fire detection Grazing is an important use for rangelands, parts of Khuzestan province,” he stated. sensors, surveillance drones but rangelands are not defined by grazing. The Department of Environment does Rangelands are defined as areas where the not play a direct role in rangelands conser- to fight wildfires native plants are predominantly grasses or vation, but it will always have full supervision grass-like plants and where there is an absence on rangelands, also provincial departments ENVIRONMENT TEHRAN – Iran will use surveillance drones of woody plants. of environments must be careful while im- deskas well as fire detection sensors to timely detect “Rangelands in Iran constitute over 52 per- plementing plans in rangelands to prevent forest fires and speed up extinguishing process, the commander cent of the total surface area, which are home and accelerating soil erosion in the country. are all links in the chain and interconnected, probable damages, he remarked. of the forest protection unit of the Forests, Range, and Watershed to some 7,000 plant species, IRNA quoted Ali “Iran has a mean soil loss rate of 16 tons so tearing each one results in destruction of According to the law, the Forest, Range- Management Organization has said. Moridi as saying on Sunday. per hectare per year,” he stated. another. lands and Watershed Organization is the Surveillance drones detect forest fires by using a color index. “Provision of forage supplement for live- According to Eurostat website, approxi- He explained that once the rangeland vege- responsible body for the rangelands in the The index is based on methods for vegetation classification and stock, production of pharmaceutical and in- mately 11.4 % of the European Union (EU) tation fades away, the soil cannot absorb rainfall country, he added. has been adapted to detect the tonalities of flames and smoke. dustrial products as well as conservation of territory is estimated to be affected by a mod- water effectively and reduced infiltration rate Elsewhere in his remarks, he mentioned From now on, surveillance drones are used to control and monitor herbal and animal genetic resources are the erate to high level soil erosion (more than 5 will cause the soil surface to puddle and result that all projects are subjected to environmental forests throughout the country, IRNA quoted Qasem Sabz’ali as main functions of rangelands,” Moridi said. tons per hectare per year). in greater flooding potential. impact assessment according to the law, how- saying on Monday. “If rangelands are not managed properly in However, Science Direct wrote that that Moridi warned that in the event of a flood, ever, grazing the livestock is not considered the country, undoubtedly, no rangeland will erosion of agricultural soils in the United as the amount of sediment carried into a res- as a project and cannot be environmentally remain within the next few years,” he regretted. States is responsible for loss of an average ervoir is at its highest during floods, wetlands assessed by the Department of Environment. Recognizing rangelands carrying capacity of 30 tons per hectare per year, about eight or a dams located in downstream will suffer “Given the current conditions of range- is of great importance in preventing damages times greater than the rate of soil formation serious damage. lands in the country, all projects must be caused by land use change or intensive grazing, in the human lifetime. According to a research conducted by scien- assessed regarding the ecological carrying however, carrying capacity of Iranian range- Moridi went on to say that erosion, whether tists at the University of Florida in 2006 titled capacity of each area, otherwise taking any lands is not fully identified yet, he regretted. caused by wind or earth flows, depletes range- “Effect of urban soil compaction on infiltration actions is a betrayal to the environment as it He also noted that excessive grazing is the land vegetation and leads to floods, in gener- rate”, a decrease in infiltration rate will result can have many irreparable consequences,” main cause of depleting rangeland vegetation al, natural environment and its components in increased runoff volume, greater flooding he concluded. Persian medicine foundation Iran attending 24th session of FAO inaugurated Committee on Forestry SOCIETY TEHRAN – The Iranian ENVIRONMENT TEHRAN — Iran is desktraditional medicine deskparticipating in the foundation was officially inaugurated on 24th session of Food and Agriculture Monday, July 16, with the aim of promoting Organization (FAO) Committee on Forestry Referring to increasing wildfires in the country›s forests and healthy lifestyle and self-care throughout (COFO 24), being held in Rome, Italy, from rangelands due to climate change, he noted that using modern the country. July 16 to 20, IRIB reported on Tuesday. technology and early detection systems is essential in order to The foundation’s target is both The 24th session of COFO and the detect and prevent further environmental disasters. universities and the public and is opened 6th World Forest Week will explore the “Some 2,000 forest fire incidents are reported daily to the forest with the object of promoting and ensuring contributions that forests can make protection units across the country,” Sabz’ali said. public health, IRNA quoted head of the to the achievement of the Sustainable “Over 95 percent of wildfires occur in the forests are caused by foundation Mohammad Reza Shams should also help to invest in this sector. Development Goals (SDGs). A view of Arasbaran Forest in East humans in Iran, of which 70 percent are unintentional,” he regretted. Ardakani as saying. The foundation’s policies are completely Head of Iran’s Forests, Range, and Azarbaijan Any individual contributing to wildfires will be severely punished He added that it is supposed to “build a in harmony with those of Ministry of Health Watershed Management Organization by the protection forces, while public participation will play a bridge” between Iran and the international in the field of Iranian traditional medicine Khalil Aqaei, heading the Iranian delegation, Forests and trees contribute to human significant role in this manner, he highlighted. community to introduce Iranian traditional and there are no contradictions, he stated. has explained that over the course of the livelihoods far more than is commonly Last year, a total of 100 billion rials (nearly $2.3 million) have medicine. Elsewhere in his remarks, he referred event Iranian officials are scheduled to meet known, playing crucial roles in food security, been spent on extinguishing wildfires in the forests and rangelands Referring to people’s freedom to choose to the issue of Iranian traditional medicine with FAO officials and discuss issues related drinking water, renewable energy and rural nationwide, Sabz’ali added. different kinds of treatment, Ardakani noted branding and said that international to fighting forest pests and tree diseases economies. They provide around 20 percent He explained that about 120 million rials (about $2,800) are that a valid approach in health care system branding of Iranian medicine is of great as well as efforts needed to be exerted to of income for rural households in developing spent per hour for aerial firefighting (a method to combat wildfires is required to be trusted by people. significance. combat desertification. countries - notably more in many areas - using aircraft), and last year, nearly 700 flight hours have been The foundation attempts to bring Mentioning attaris (shops selling Mentioning the fact that some 14 million and fuel for cooking and heating for one spent to combat wildfires. together all those who are authorized to medicinal plants) he explained that Ministry hectares of Iran is covered with forests, in every three people around the world. work in this area, he highlighted. of Health is primarily concerned with the fact Aqaei explained that schemes to protect Unfortunately time is running out for He also added that most people working that they are involving in [illegal] treatment and restore forest are high on agenda. the world’s forests, whose total area is LEARN ENGLISH in this area are those who are graduated in of the patients and writing prescriptions. Forests and the Sustainable shrinking by the day, warns a new FAO medicine and acquired expertise in Iranian In this regard, the Ministry holds Development Goals report urging governments to foster an traditional medicine [by taking especial traditional medicine training courses for According to FAO website the Committee all-inclusive approach to benefit both trees This Is Your Captain Speaking courses]. shop owners with the help of provincial on Forestry will examine what contributions and those who rely on them. Meanwhile, Hossein Rezaeizadeh, head governors, he concluded. forests can make to achieving the SDGs Halting deforestation, managing forests A: And the next thing you know; we’re running towards the... of the faculty of Iranian traditional medicine According to the World Health and other internationally agreed goals; sustainably, restoring degraded forests and Oh...did you feel that? at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Organization (WHO), traditional herbal explore ways and means to accelerate adding to worldwide tree cover all require B: Yeah, don’t worry about it; we’re just going through a bit of for his part, said that “In addition to lifestyle medicines are naturally occurring, plant- progress, in particular, towards Goal actions to avoid potentially damaging turbulence. modification and self-care education, derived substances with minimal or no 15; discuss actions for implementing the consequences for the planet and its people. C: Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. It looks conducting interdisciplinary research in industrial processing that have been used to policy recommendations of the Committee Clear legal frameworks regarding forest like we’ve hit a patch of rough air, so we’re going to have a bit related issues is among main focuses of treat illness within local or regional healing on World Food Security regarding the tenure rights, applauds the growing trend of a bumpy ride for the next several minutes, and... the foundation.” practices. Traditional herbal medicines are contributions of forests to food security in local governance, and calls for effective A: This why I hate flying... Oh! He went on to say that interdisciplinary getting significant attention in global health and nutrition; review opportunities and partnerships and private sector engagement C: At this time, I’d like to remind all of our passengers to fasten studies in the field of Iranian traditional debates. challenges for urban and peri-urban to pursue sustainable development goals. their seat belts and remain seated until the fasten seat belt sign medicine is not fully organized in Iran; Medicinal plants still form the basis of forestry; consider the implementation of Given that deforestation is the second is turned off. Please ensure that all cabin baggage is carefully therefore, the foundation plans to take traditional or indigenous health systems FAO’s climate change strategy and specific leading cause of climate change after stowed under the seat in front of you. I’ll be back to update action toward coordinating the aforesaid and are reported by WHO to still be used by tasks related to forest resilience, health and burning fossil fuels it is of key importance you in a minute. studies and produce educational content. a majority of populations in most developing forest fires; and provide strategic direction that all countries corporate responsibility A: Did you hear that? Oh my God! Brent! Rezaeizadeh highlighted that benefactors countries including Iran. for the future work of FAO in forestry. for zero deforestation. B: Don’t worry about it. This is totally normal. It happens all the time. C: Ah, ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain again. We’ve got quite a large patch of rough air ahead of us, so for your safety, ENGLISH IN USE we will be suspending in-flight service. I would ask all in-flight crew to return to their seats at this time. I would also like to ask LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION that all our passengers refrain from using the lavatory until the seat belt sign has been switched off We can expect... Key vocabulary Ministry of Justice to increase کلینیک های حقوق شهروندی افزایش می یابد turbulence: sudden, strong movement of air especially that causes a plane to move up and down citizenship right clinics in Iran معــاون حقــوق بشــر و امــور بیــن الملــل وزیــر دادگســتری گفــت: بــرای راه انــدازی کلینیــک هــای patch: small area Ministry of justice will set up citizenship right clinics in all provinces of the rough: having or causing sudden violent movements country in cooperation with provinces municipalities and city councils, deputy حقــوق شــهروندی در شــهرهای مختلــف بــا شــورای عالــی اســتان هــا در چارچــوب تفاهــم نامــه bumpy: having sudden up and down movements همــکاری در حــال رایزنــی هســتیم و قــرار اســت بــا همــکاری شــوراهای شــهر و شــهرداری هــا ایــن head for Ministry of Justice department of human rights and international fasten: do up; connect one part with another affairs has said. مراکــز افزایــش یابــد. cabin baggage: suitcases and luggage that travels inside the محمــود عباســی روز یکشــنبه در گفــت و گــو بــا خبرنــگار اجتماعــی ایرنــا بــا بیــان اینکــه در Currently, the aforesaid clinics have achieved good results in 10 provinces of plane with the passengers the country, as well as Qazvin, Yazd, Alborz, East Azerbaijan, West Azerbaijan, 10 اســتان کلینیــک هــای حقــوق شــهروندی فعالیــت دارد، اظهــار داشــت: ایــن کلینیــک هــا در -stow: put something in a place where it is safe, but can be ac اســتان هــای قزویــن، یــزد، البــرز، آذربایجــان شــرقی، آذربایجــان غربــی، اصفهــان، گیــان، فــارس Isfahan, Gilan, Fars and Lorestan, IRNA quoted Mahmoud Abbasi as saying cessed easily on Sunday. و لرســتان بــه نتایــج و دســتاوردهای مطلوبــی دســت یافتــه انــد. suspend: stop something for a short time refrain: avoid doing lavatory: room with a sink and toilet, chiefly on an airplane or train Supplementary vocabulary PREFIX/SUFFIX PHRASAL VERB IDIOM overhead bin: place above the seat in an airplane where you can store luggage “-hood” Hole up Butter wouldn’t melt in someone’s mouth carry-on: cabin baggage Explanation: when someone looks completely inno- table tray: a table that folds down from the seat in front of you Meaning: condition or state Meaning: to hide somewhere for a period of time cent, but that they are capable of doing unpleasant things. on an airplane For example: One of the joys of adulthood is having For example: The gunmen are still holed up in the For example: The boy who stole the purse looked as life jacket: piece of clothing that you wear to stay floating in water the ability to define oneself. town. if butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. oxygen mask: a mask worn over your mouth and nose so you can breathe I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JULY 18, 2018 WORLD IN FOCUS 13

‘Shameful’: U.S. lawmakers Japan, EU sign trade deal to eliminate nearly all tariffs

blast Trump over Putin summit The European Union and Japan signed a landmark deal on Tuesday that will eliminate nearly all tariffs on products they Russian establishment chalks up Trump summit as a win for Putin trade. Donald Trump returned late Monday from States, the leaders of the two major powers his European tour to face ire in Washing- of our planet are meeting,” Pushkov said in ton, where U.S. intelligence officials and a Twitter post on Monday. senior Republicans were denouncing the MISSION ACCOMPLISHED president as “shameful” and “disgraceful” Asked by reporters in Helsinki how the after he refused to challenge Russian leader talks had gone, Russian Foreign Minister Vladimir Putin over interference in Amer- Sergei Lavrov said: “Magnificent... Better ican elections. than super.” Republican Senator John McCain said The opportunity for Putin to present Trump’s seeming acceptance of Putin’s himself as an equal to the U.S. president denial was a historical “low point” for was a major objective for the Kremlin as the U.S. presidency and the Helsinki it prepared for the summit, according to summit between the two leaders a “tragic people close to the Russian foreign policy mistake.” establishment. “Today’s press conference in Hel- Putin has based a large part of his do- sinki was one of the most disgraceful mestic appeal - both to ordinary people and The ambitious pact signed in Tokyo runs counter to the performances by an American president the elites - on a narrative about restoring United States President Donald Trump’s moves to hike tar- in memory. The damage inflicted by Pres- the international heft that Russia lost when iffs on imports from many U.S. trading partners. It covers a ident Trump’s naivete, egotism, false the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. third of the global economy and markets of more than 600 equivalence, and sympathy for autocrats A post-summit news conference in Hel- million people. is difficult to calculate,” McCain said in sinki with Trump and Putin was “everything “The EU and Japan showed an undeterred determination to a blistering statement. News - a network normally friendly to the giant middle finger from President Trump the Kremlin realistically could have hoped lead the world as flag-bearers for free trade,” Abe said at a joint “No prior president has ever abased him- president. to his own country. Just jaw dropping,” he for,” said Mark Galeotti, a Russia scholar news conference with European Council President Donald Tusk self more abjectly before a tyrant.” “The president must appreciate that Rus- wrote on Twitter. at the Institute of International Relations and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. Taking direct issue with the president sia is not our ally,” said Republican House Coats’ statement was seen as an uncom- Prague. Tusk praised the deal as “the largest bilateral trade deal who appointed him, Director of National Speaker Paul Ryan. monly brusque pushback by the U.S. intelli- “Putin gets to look like the urbane grown- ever.” He said the partnership is being strengthened in various Intelligence Dan Coats said U.S. spy agen- “There is no moral equivalence between gence community against the White House. up, and presents Russia as peer power to other areas, including defense, climate change and human ex- cies have been “clear” and “fact-based” in the United States and Russia, which remains Retired spy chiefs were more direct USA,” Galeotti wrote on Twitter. change, and is “sending a clear message” against protectionism. their assessment that Moscow interfered hostile to our most basic values and ideals,” however. Russia’s rouble currency was up 0.4 per- The leaders did not mention Trump by name, but they did in the presidential race two years ago - an he said. Coat’s predecessor, James Clapper, called cent against the dollar in Monday trading. little to mask what was on their minds — highlighting how assessment that Trump refused to endorse Senior Republican Senator Lindsey Trump’s acquiescence to Putin “an incred- Market analysts said the fact the summit Europe and Japan have been pushed closer by Trump’s actions. in Helsinki. Graham said Trump’s answer on med- ible capitulation,” while former CIA chief happened was a positive for Russian assets, The agreement was largely reached late last year. The cer- Coats added that Russia remains behind dling “will be seen by Russia as a sign of John Brennan labeled it “nothing short of offsetting the negative effect from a drop emonial signing was delayed from earlier this month because “ongoing, pervasive efforts to undermine weakness.” treasonous.” in oil prices. Abe canceled going to Brussels over a disaster in southwestern our democracy.” Bent on forging a personal bond with the A win for Putin Kremlin officials, speaking in private Japan, caused by extremely heavy rainfall. More than 200 Trump stunned U.S. political allies and Kremlin chief, Trump headed into the summit Meanwhile, Russia’s political and media before the summit, acknowledged that it people died from flooding and landslides. foes alike with his answer to a question about blaming the “stupidity” of his predecessors establishment heralded talks between the has been difficult to figure out how best to The measures won’t kick in right away and still require Russian hacking and interference in the 2016 for plunging ties to their present low. Russian and U.S. leaders in Helsinki as a deal with a U.S. leader who is mercurial and legislative approval. But they will bring Japanese consum- election which saw him defeat Democrat “This is shameful,” said Senator Jeff Flake, victory for Vladimir Putin in breaking down flouts political etiquette. ers lower prices for European wines, pork, handbags and Hillary Clinton. a fellow Republican and staunch critic of Western resolve to treat Russia as a pariah. Putin aides have voiced frustration too pharmaceuticals. Japanese machinery parts, tea and fish will Putin “just said it is not Russia. I will say the president. “The West’s attempts to isolate Russia that their attempts to repair U.S-Russia become cheaper in Europe. this: I don’t see any reason why it would “I never thought I would see the day when failed,” read the headline on a report on relations were being blocked by Trump’s The deal eliminates about 99 percent of the tariffs on Jap- be,” Trump said. our American president would stand on the Monday’s summit meeting in state-run opponents in the United States. Trump’s anese goods sold to the EU. About 94 percent of the tariffs on That came three days after the U.S. stage with the Russian president and place newspaper Rossiisskaya Gazeta. domestic critics allege his 2016 election European exports to Japan will be lifted, rising to 99 percent Justice Department indicted 12 Russians blame on the United States for Russian ag- In Moscow, there was a recognition that campaign colluded with Russia, something in the future. The difference reflects exceptions on such prod- for hacking Democratic Party computers, gression.” the summit did not produce any break- both Trump and Russia deny. ucts as rice, which enjoys strong political protection from the latest in a series of actions taken by The language used by Democrats was throughs on issues such as Syria, Ukraine In a new departure, Putin waded di- imports in Japan. the U.S. government since late 2016 in much harsher, including accusations of or arms control. The Kremlin, in the run-up rectly into that U.S. domestic debate. Overall, European farmers will benefit, Juncker said, though retribution for what intelligence agen- “treason.” to the summit, had played down expectations Standing alongside Trump in Helsinki, European consumers will be able to more easily buy luscious cies say was a broad plan to support “For the president of the United States to of major progress. Putin said he had evidence that $400 Kobe beef and famous Yubari melons. Trump’s election campaign directed by side with President Putin against American Instead, the focus was on the symbolism million dollars in unlawfully acquired cash The EU said the trade liberalization will help raise European Putin himself. law enforcement, American defense offi- of the leader of the world’s biggest super- may have been funneled to the election exports of chemicals, clothing, cosmetics and beer to Japan. Yet Trump appeared to take Putin’s word cials, and American intelligence agencies power sitting down one-on-one with Putin campaign of Trump’s defeated opponent Japanese will get cheaper cheeses, such as Parmesan, gouda in dismissing that conclusion. is thoughtless, dangerous, and weak,” said after four years of international isolation Hillary Clinton. and cheddar, as well as chocolate and biscuits. “I have great confidence in my intelligence Chuck Schumer, the senior Democrat in triggered by Russia’s 2014 annexation of “Having been twinned with Donald The imported wine and cheese could hurt sales by Jap- people. But I will tell you that President the Senate. Ukraine’s Crimea region. Trump by the media for a long time, Pu- anese wineries and dairies, but Japanese consumers have Putin was extremely strong and powerful Democratic California Representative “It’s funny to recall the nonsense from tin has now clearly decided to cast his lot historically coveted such European products. in his denial today.” Jimmy Gomez charged: “To side with Putin Obama et al about Russia being a weak ‘re- with him,” said Dmitry Trenin, a former The major step toward liberalizing trade has been dis- Trump also appeared to embrace Putin’s over U.S. intelligence is disgusting; to fail to gional power’,” Alexey Pushkov, a member colonel in the Russian army who is now cussed since 2013. offer to have Russian investigators work defend the U.S. is on the verge of treason.” of the upper house of the Russian parlia- director of the Carnegie Moscow Center, Apart from its deal with the EU, Japan is working on other together with US prosecutors on the case Congressman Adam Schiff, the senior ment, referring to former U.S. President a think tank. trade agreements, including a far-reaching trans-Pacific deal. of the 12 just indicted. Democrat on the House Intelligence Com- Barack Obama. On the evidence of their news conference The partnership includes Australia, Mexico, Vietnam and “I think that’s an incredible offer.” mittee, said Trump had given Putin “a green “The attention of the whole world is fo- in Helsinki, Trenin wrote on Twitter, Putin is other nations, although the U.S. has withdrawn. Astonished Republicans and Democrats light to interfere in 2018.” cused today on Helsinki and it’s crystal clear “now vocally supporting his U.S. counterpart Abe praised the deal with the EU for helping his “Abenom- uniformly condemned Trump, with harsh Democratic Senator Chris Murphy was to everyone: the fate of the world is being against his domestic foes.” ics” policies, designed to wrest the economy out of stagnation criticism coming even from hosts on Fox blunter: “This entire trip has just been one decided between Russia and the United (Source: agencies) despite a shrinking population and cautious spending. Japan’s growth remains heavily dependent on exports. (Source: CNBC) Amnesty: U.S.-led coalition in denial over civilian deaths in Raqqa 13 Sean Ryan, spokesman for the U.S.-led co- Syrian media reported that the Kurds had expressed HRW urges Myanmar alition, officially known as the Combined Joint Task readiness to hand over control of the Eastern Euphra- Forces - Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), tweeted at tes to the government after Washington withheld its to address illegal land the time that Amnesty’s report “underscores human support for the Kurdish militants in the northern tragedy of war and brutality of Daesh...” Syrian cities of Manbij and Afrin. confiscations An OIR spokesman told Al Jazeera in an email The Syrian government has given a degree of au- on Tuesday that the coalition “is willing to consider thority to the Kurdish regions to run their own affairs in Myanmar’s government “should promptly address illegal all new evidence in its evaluation of civilian casualty face of a foreign-backed militancy. The U.S., however, land confiscations, compensate aggrieved parties, and reform allegations”. has used the vacuum to establish a foothold in those laws to protect people against future abuses”, Human Rights Investigate allegations regions with the help of the militants. Watch (HRW) has said in a new report. Over the past 30 years, the Myanmar government and In the June 5 Amnesty report, 112 civilians be- The U.S. angered Turkey by announcing a plan for military officials have seized vast swaths of land from farmers longing to four families in Raqqa were interviewed. the formation of a Kurdish militant force in Syria near “while providing them no or inadequate compensation”, the They recalled the horrors they witnessed and family the Turkish border, prompting Ankara in January rights group said the 33-page report released on Tuesday. members killed during the offensive launched jointly to launch a cross-border military operation inside officials and Syrian domestic opposition figures in “Widespread land confiscations across Myanmar have with the Kurdish-backed so-called Syrian Democratic Syria with the declared aim of eliminating the Kurdish attendance. harmed rural communities in profound ways for decades,” Forces (SDF). People’s Protection Units (YPG/Yekîneyên Parastina Leading SDC member Hekmat Habib told the said Phil Robertson, HRW’s deputy Asia director. The coalition admitted to 23 civilian deaths from Gel) militants, an SDF offshoot, particularly in the AFP that one of the meeting’s aims was “to create a Land confiscation in Myanmar became a major issue more than 30,000 artillery rounds and several thou- Afrin region. platform to negotiate” with the Syrian government. under the previous military government, with estimates sand air strikes - a figure Amnesty International says Turkish troops captured Afrin in March, claiming “This platform will represent all areas in the au- of as many 800,000 hectares or more of land seized from is “neither accurate, credible, nor serious”. that they had killed scores of YPG militants until then. tonomous administration and all areas held by the farmers and other civilians without compensation. Farmers The rights group said the coalition killed hundreds Earlier this year, Turkish President Recep Tayyip SDF,” he said, without providing further details. who protested the lack of compensation or refused to leave and injured thousands of civilians during its offensive. Erdogan had threatened to push its Afrin offensive The militants are allied with the U.S. and French confiscated land often faced criminal prosecution. “The artificially low number of civilian casualties against the YPG militants eastward to Manbij, where troops deployed to Syria and control much of the Dozens of farmers in southern Shan State, as well as the the coalition acknowledges stems in part from poor the U.S. forces are stationed, risking confrontation country’s north and east. Ayeyarwady and Yangon regions described their loss of investigation procedures that fail even to involve on- between the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organi- In June, the SDC said it was ready for “uncondi- livelihoods, access to healthcare and children’s education the-ground research,” Amnesty said in its statement zation) allies. tional” peace talks with the government. in HRW’s report. on Tuesday. However, Washington agreed to withdraw the U.S.- The Kurdish militants in northern Syria have been The rights organization criticized the land reforms carried According to the rights organization, the SDF noted backed Kurdish militia from Manbij. This clearly paved a source of tensions between the U.S. and Turkey. out by Aung San Suu Kyi’s government in recent years as in a letter to coalition “mistakes” and “unsuccessful the way for Turkish troops to capture the volatile town Ankara wants the U.S. to stop supporting and arming ineffective, saying thousands of farmers’ claims remained air strikes” that resulted in “huge human and material in a move seen in line with the same US-Turkey deal the Kurds, but Washington rejects that call. unresolved. losses” on the ground. which was sealed in June. Last month, Turkey and the U.S. reached a deal “Hundreds of farmers across Myanmar, fed up waiting Amnesty said its researchers spent weeks in Raqqa Ankara views the YPG as a terrorist organization that envisages the withdrawal of Washington-backed for the return of their lands or receiving compensation, have conducting field investigations, which included visiting linked to the homegrown Kurdistan Workers’ Party Kurdish militants from Manbij, in an agreement that been prosecuted for organizing and participating in public attack sites and interviewing witnesses. (PKK/Partiya Karkerên Kurdistanê) militant group, observers say could push the Kurds towards the Syr- protests against the government or for trespassing by farming It called on coalition members to investigate al- which is seeking independence from Turkey through ian government. the land they claim,” the report said. legations of violations. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said in early June militancy for decades now. Syrian government seizes strategic hill HRW called on Myanmar’s government “to stop arbitrar- U.S.-backed militants ‘create platform’ for that his government has two options in dealing with ily arresting land rights activists” and immediately release talks with Syrian government the SDF issue: first, negotiations and second using overlooking Golan Heights all those who were awaiting trial for peacefully protesting Elsewhere, Syrian government troops have regained Meantime, the political arm of the Syrian Dem- force against the Washington-backed militants. land seizures. control of a strategic hill overlooking the Israeli-oc- ocratic Forces (SDF), a United States-backed coali- “The first one: we started now opening doors for It also urged donor countries not to be “fooled by the cupied Golan Heights, state-media and rebels said tion of mainly Kurdish militants holding a grip on negotiations, because the majority of them are Syrians, flurry of proclaimed land reforms”. on Monday. northeastern Syria, says it is devising a negotiating supposedly they like their country, they don’t like to “The Myanmar government needs to provide redress for Troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad took team for potential talks with the central government be puppets to any foreigners. If not, we’re going to victims of past unlawful confiscations and ensure that new control of the al-Haara hill on the second day of an in Damascus. resort... to liberating those areas by force,” he told laws safeguard the rights of farm families in the future,” offensive aimed at retaking the remaining pockets On Monday, the so-called Syrian Democratic Russia’s RT television network. said Robertson. of opposition in Quneitra province along the border Council (SDC), which is linked to the SDF umbrella Several days later, a delegation from Syria’s do- Myanmar government spokesman Zaq Htay could not with Israel. militant group, held a gathering in the northern town mestic opposition made a rare visit to Qamishli, most be reached for comment. (Source: agencies) of Tabqa for a two-day meeting, with local Kurdish of which is held by Kurdish forces linked to the SDF. (Source: agencies) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 14 WORLD SPORTS JULY 18, 2018

Usain Bolt may play football Why Russia 2018 was the best in Australia World Cup - statistically Eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt is in talks for a trial to play football in Australia, a club says. Four simple words, used variously as a statement or a ques- The Jamaican former sprinter, 31, is negotiating a six-week tion across the country during a baking June and scorching stint with the Central Coast Mariners, a team in the country’s July: “Best World Cup ever?” A-League competition. Mariners chief executive Shaun Miele- The 2018 edition of international football’s ultimate kamp said the club had spent four months pursuing Bolt, and a gathering was not the most-anticipated tournament in the season-long deal could follow. Football agent Tony Rallis said game’s long history, for a variety of reasons, but perhaps a deal had been agreed “in principle”. that was a good thing. Mr Rallis, who has been involved in the deal, told local Sky Because from the moment hosts Russia smashed five goals Sports Radio that negotiations continued over Bolt’s pay. past Saudi Arabia in the opening game, there was barely any “The owner of Central Coast Mariners has put his hand deep let-up in drama and excitement. The group stage, the knockout in his pocket and guaranteed 70% of the salary,” Mr Rallis said. stage, even the final - so often a cagey procession to extra time News Corp Australia reported that a “multi-million dollar” in recent World Cups - delivered what they needed to. deal had been proposed. In a football world of plenty, the relative infrequency of Bolt has previously trained with clubs in Germany, Norway World Cups - held only every four years - means the tour- and South Africa. The 100m and 200m world record holder, who nament retains a fascination and cultural heft that easily retired from athletics last year, has previously spoken about his outweighs the now technically superior club game. interest in becoming a professional footballer. There are, it seems, certain obligatory ingredients to a Bolt is a fan of Manchester United and one of its former as- memorable World Cup, so let’s see how 2018 really measured. sistant managers, Mike Phelan, is now at the Mariners. There needs to be drama A Football Federal Australia spokesman told the BBC that it Unlike a league season, the World Cup does not have the would not assist in funding Bolt’s trial. time for a slow-burning narrative to take shape. Mr Mielekamp said the club was optimistic that the trial could It needs short, sharp hits of drama from the very start. be extended. “If all goes well, who knows? He may be lighting 2018 did not disappoint, with the 3-3 draw between Spain up the A-League this season,” he told the local Seven Network and Portugal on day two immediately, and rightly, adopted on Tuesday. as a tournament classic. Cristiano Ronaldo’s late free-kick Mr Mielekamp said the club had received positive reports to ensure Portugal took a point capped a day of drama, group stage, and then Spain, Argentina and Brazil stumbling tional combination. It seems extraordinary, given their club about Bolt’s performance when he trained with German club with winning goals for Uruguay against Egypt in the 89th in the knockout stage was just about right. exploits, but neither Ronaldo nor Messi has ever scored in Borussia Dortmund and Norwegian side Stromsgodset. minuteand Iran against Morocco in the 95th. The Germans managed to be both uninspiring and par- a World Cup knockout match. (Source: BBC) Overall there were nine winning goals (plus four de- ticularly unlucky, their total of 72 shots surpassed by only The baton of superstardom was supposed to pass to Ney- feat-avoiding equalisers) scored in the last minute or injury five teams in the tournament, four of whom played four mar, but despite ending the World Cup with the most shots time of games, more than any previous edition of the World more games than Joachim Low’s team. (26) and the second-most chances created (23) it was the Cup and just one fewer than the five tournaments from At least Manuel Neuer ended the tournament as the only fact he was the second most-fouled player (26 times in five 1998-2014 combined. goalkeeper to make two dribbles, including one particularly matches - just behind Eden Hazard with 27 in six) that stood Blind returns to Ajax after Late goals are the football equivalent of snapping that bit unsuccessful one in the opposition half against South Korea. out. Yes, the Brazilian was targeted, but his ostentatious of plastic off an old cassette tape to prevent it being recorded Redefining the position indeed. horizontal suffering left many with strong feelings of distaste. four years at Man United over. They seal in the drama for good. Superstars need to emerge Instead, it was France’s teenage hero Kylian Mbappe The formula for this is delicate. We went into 2018 wondering which of Ronaldo or Lionel who enjoyed a breakthrough. Two goals against Argentina Dutch international Daley Blind has completed a return to Ajax If too many big sides exit early it can make the conclu- Messi would finally dominate a World Cup. in the last 16 saw him become the first teenager since Pele Amsterdam from Manchester United on a four-year contract, sion of the tournament a bit underwhelming (see: World Ronaldo’s hat-trick against Spain was electrifying but to score twice in a World Cup game, and he followed that the clubs said on Tuesday. Ajax confirmed they struck a deal for Cup 2002) but no-one wants to see all the favourites cruise also a false dawn, while Messi could not carry a reeling by becoming the youngest player since Pele to score in a an initial 16 million euros (14.15 million pounds), which could through to the latter stages untroubled. Argentina team who started with a different formation in World Cup final. rise up to 20.5 million euros with performance-based add-ons. As it was, reigning champions Germany going out in the all four of their games as they searched in vain for a func- (Source: BBC) “To play for the biggest club in the world with such a history meant a lot to me,” Blind, capped 54 times by the Netherlands, wrote on Twitter. “I want to thank everyone, the managers, coach- Wenger names biggest regret as No wrongdoing in ex-Barça player’s es, the medical department, everyone who helped me to settle in so quick at the beginning, of course my team mates and last becoming a ‘prisoner’ at Arsenal liver transplant, says governing body but definitely not least the fans.” The 28-year-old, who came through the Ajax academy and played over 100 senior matches for the club, arrived at United in 2014 but was not a first-team regular under manager Jose Mourinho. Able to play in midfield or defence, Blind won the FA Cup with United in 2016, and the League Cup and Europa League titles the following year. Blind made 90 Premier League appearances in four years at Old Trafford but was limited to only seven last season. (Source: Goal)

FC Barcelona reports record Arsene Wenger has compared his 22-year managed to find the key to helping them Spain’s National Transplant Organization strenuously denied that there had been revenues spell at Arsenal to that of a willing prisoner reach their potential.” (ONT) has concluded that a liver transplant any wrongdoing, and published a photo while discussing his biggest career regrets. Former players Thierry Henry and performed on the former Barcelona FC of himself and his cousin in hospital pur- Wenger is without a club for the first Patrick Vieira are both enjoying coach- soccer player Éric Abidal, from a living portedly after the procedure had taken Revenues at La Liga winner Barcelona hit a record €914m (£809m) time since 1996 having stepped down as ing careers since hanging up their boots. donor, was carried out “in accordance with place. Rosell – who is currently in prison in the 2017-18 season, the club has said. Gunners manager in May. Unai Emery was Vieira moving from a coach at Manchester the law.” The announcement comes after ahead of a trial for money laundering and The Spanish football giant also said it was on track to achieve soon appointed as his successor. City to manager at New York City FC and the ONT – in conjunction with the Clinic criminal organization offense – also issued revenues of €1bn by 2021. The final seasons of his long tenure now Nice. hospital in Barcelona and the Catalan Trans- a statement from jail earlier this month Barcelona received a world record transfer fee of £200.6m were littered with protests against his Henry on Monday quit his Sky Sports plant Organization (OCATT) – examined in which he denied any wrongdoing, and from Paris St Germain for Brazilian Neymar in 2017. employment as the club slide down the punditry gig to focus fully on his aim of “every single one of the processes within claimed that his words had been taken out Since then the Catalan club has twice broken its transfer record table, with his final campaign concluding becoming a manager, having three years the area of its competencies, that’s to say, of context. on the signings of Ousmane Dembele (£96.8m) and Philippe with a worst-ever finish of sixth. ago left his role with Arsenal Under-18s from a clinical and healthcare point of view.” In a statement released today, the ONT Coutinho (£106.4m). Operating profits at the club were €32m, In a wide-ranging interview with RTL, after Wenger asked him to not pursue media The investigation was launched after stated that the data it has “confirms that while the net profit was €13m. “The board has valued the final Wenger spoke of his biggest mistakes and duties at the same time. news reports surfaced earlier this month that the liver transplant performed on Éric balance of the year positively, and it’s in line with the strategic plan regrets. Wenger is confident Henry and Vieira there may have been irregularities with the Abidal was carried out according to the of the club to reach €1,000m of income in 2021,” the club said. “Perhaps staying at the same club for will prove to be successful managers but transplant, which was performed in 2012 current legislation and with good clinical As well as reclaiming the La Liga title from rivals Real Madrid 22 years,” he replied. “I’m someone who has warnings for the pair and the sacrifices on the then-player after he was diagnosed practices.” The ONT added that “contrary during 2017-18, the club also won the Copa del Rey for a fourth likes to move around a lot, but I also like a which need to be made. with a tumor. Abidal’s cousin was appar- to what has been published in some news successive season. challenge. I’ve been a prisoner of my own “I regret having sacrificed everything I ently the living donor. The legality of the stories,” Abidal “was on the waiting list for But they were knocked out of the Champions League by Italy’s challenge at times. did because I realise I’ve hurt a lot of people process was thrown into doubt, however, a deceased donor liver transplant. Roma at the quarter-final stage. “[I want forgiveness from] all the people around me. I’ve neglected a lot of people. after wiretapped phone conversations of “Given the progression of his illness, (Source: BBC) who I’ve made suffer. In my line of work, I’ve neglected my family, I’ve neglected then-Barcelona FC president Sandro Rosell the medical team considered the option of we are constantly making decisions that many close ones. emerged, in which he and a person with a liver transplant from a live donor, which punish people, while making others happy. “Deep down though, the obsessed man whom he is talking appear to suggest that under no circumstance excluded the pos- When you work with a 25-man squad, it’s is selfish in his pursuit of what he loves. the liver that Abidal received was paid for sibility of a transplant from a deceased basically making 14 people unemployed He ignores a lot of other things. But it’s a illegally by the club, and that his cousin donor should the opportunity have arisen,” Real Madrid to put total trust every Saturday or Tuesday. bone to chase at the same time. was not, in fact, the donor. they explain. in Courtois “Also, the players for whom I never (Source: Daily Mail) In the wake of the allegations, Abidal (Source: El Pais)

Not since Iker Casillas was in his prime have Real Madrid en- joyed a custodian between the sticks who is free from gossip or France welcomed by hundreds of thousands of supporters criticism, and the club hope Thibaut Courtois will be exactly that. Hundreds of thousands of ecstatic French fans celebrated the Zinedine Zidane its talisman and playmaker, the team was Current first choice Keylor Navas has been a mainstay en return of their World Cup winning football team on Monday, referred to as “Black-Blanc-Beur” (Black-White-Arab), a pos- route to three consecuti ve Champions League crowns but the jumping and chanting “We Are The Champions” as their bus itive reference to its diverse ethnic make-up. Costa Rican’s time in between the sticks has featured constant paraded down the Champs Elysees before a special presiden- But some were keen to put that phrase to one side, seeing talk of club bosses wanting to oust him. tial reception. in it a sense of separateness, even if it was meant positively. Stepping in ahead of Navas seems set to be Courtois, a deal “Les Bleus”, a dynamic, young team that won an open, fast- “We’re not in 1998,” said Mounir Mahjoubi, the secretary of which may happen sooner rather than later given Chelsea’s val- paced final 4-2 with Croatia in Moscow, appeared at the Elysee state for digital affairs, whose parents emigrated from Morocco. uation of 35 million euros for the player. palace, where they burst into a spontaneous rendition of the “We’re not still celebrating ‘Black-Blanc-Beur’, we’re cele- Out of contract in 12 months’ time, and able to pre-agree a free “La Marseillaise” national anthem with President Emmanuel brating brotherhood,” he said of the current team. transfer in just over six months’ time, the goalkeeper represents Macron and his wife. Metro stations a genuine bargain in today’s market and could be announced “Thank you for having made us proud,” Macron told the For Macron, who became president last year at the age of this week. players in the presidential palace’s gardens. “Never forget where 39, leading his political movement to victory against the odds, Not only will Courtois allow Madrid to boast having one of you come from: all the clubs across France that trained you.” the success is also likely to have positive repercussions after a the top three or five shot-stoppers in the world, the Belgian’s French media spent the day lauding the team’s accom- of superstars Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Paul slump in the polls amid a host of economic reforms. signature follows their tradition of plucking the World Cup’s best plishments. More than 300,000 people filled the Champs Pogba, as well as shots of the team holding aloft and kissing The Paris metro system got into the celebratory mood, an- performers and putting them on the Bernabeu stage. Elysees, the area around the Arc de Triomphe and the Place the trophy in the pouring rain, dominated coverage. nouncing the names of a number of stations were being briefly James Rodriguez arrived four years ago and Mesut Ozil before de la Concorde on Sunday night, partying into the early hours, The victory has helped foster a sense of national unity, with changed to honour the players and coach, Didier Deschamps. that, making the 2018 Golden Glove winner the latest in a clear singing the Marseillaise, setting off firecrackers and blaring commentators playing up the fact the squad, the second-young- Notre-Dame des Champs station was relabelled “Notre theme under club president Florentino Perez’s watch. horns until the sun rose. est in the competition, includes many with central and north Didier Deschamps”, and Victor Hugo was switched to “Victor At 26, Courtois has many of his best years ahead of him and “We had so much fun last night, the city was full of joy, so African heritage, even if all but two were born in France. Hugo Lloris” after the captain and goalkeeper. already boasts seven years of experience in the upper echelons much celebration,” a woman dressed in red, white and blue France has suffered years of tension and self-examination On Monday morning, the after-effects of Sunday night’s of the game, three at Atletico Madrid and four with Chelsea. who had made her way out to Charles de Gaulle airport told since a series of attacks by Islamist gunmen during 2015 that frenetic revelry were still visible. A number of smashed win- Should Los Blancos pull this move off, there is a sense that BFM TV. “All we want is a wave from the players.” left more than 140 dead, including 89 killed in the Bataclan dows, an overturned car and graffiti scrawled here and there, they will simply throw Courtois the gloves and allow him to get Newspapers hailed a second World Cup for France, after theatre in Paris. In some small way, the World Cup has helped including the phrase “Liberte, Egalite, Mbappe”, a reference to work without any fear of losing his place. their first victory on home soil in 1998. lift the nation as it remains wary of the threat. to the national motto “Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite”. (Source: Marca) “History Made” declared sports daily L’Equipe. Photos When France won its first World Cup 20 years ago, with (Source: Reuters) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JULY 18, 2018 SPORTS 15

Iran, Qatar football Persepolis win Iran’s Super Cup

PLDC — Following Esteghlal’s withdrawal from Iran’s Super Presidents meet in Moscow Cup, Persepolis football team were awarded a 3-0 win. On Monday, the Iran Football League Organization had decided SPORTS TEHRAN — President of to postpone the match but they changed their minds one day later. deskthe Football Federation of The match was originally scheduled for July 20 in Tehran’s the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) Mehdi Azadi Stadium in Tehran but Esteghlal announced it would not Taj and Qatar Football Association (QFA) participate in the match. President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Esteghlal are currently holding a camp in Turkey ahead of Ahmed al Thani met in Moscow on the side- new season of Iran Professional League. lines of the 2018 World Cup final on Sunday. Persepolis have won Iran Professional League last season, The Presidents discussed on areas of while Esteghlal claimed Hazfi Cup. mutual interest while stressing on the im- The Iran Super Cup is regarded as the curtain raiser for a portance of building the relationship between new league campaign since the competition’s creation in 2005. the two associations and developing it for future gains. QFA and FFIRI have already signed a cooperation agreement in Doha in December 2017. Qatar’s Persian Gulf neighbor Iran Paykan earn first win has already shown interest in helping the country to host the prestigious competition. at Asian Women’s Club Qatar 2022 organizers are preparing to host a 32-team World Cup and Iranian islands Volleyball C’ship of Kish and Qeshm have hotels aplenty that could accommodate the fans. TASNIM - Iran’s Paykan seized their first win at the 2018 Asian Iran looks forward to closer cooperation Women’s Club Volleyball Championship on Tuesday. with the QFA in various areas in football, The Iranian team, who had suffered four defeats in thgeir which is aimed at strengthening the Qa- previous matches, beat CMFC from Chinese Taipei 3-1 (24–26, tari-Iranian relations. 20–25, 25–22, 13–25). The QFA has recently signed a series of Paykan will face Indonesian Garuda VC on Wednesday for co-operation agreements with the Oman fifth place. Football Association (OFA), Uzbekistan The 2018 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship is Football Federation (UFF), Korea Football the 19th edition of the Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Champi- Association (KFA), Japan Football Associa- onship, an international volleyball club tournament organized tion (JFA), Iraq Football Association (IFA), by the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) with the Volleyball Football Association of Maldives (FAM), Federation of the Republic of Kazakhstan (VFRK). Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) The QFA has also inked several agree- Italian, Pakistani, and Kyrgyz counterparts, attempt to build good relationship across It’s being held in Kazakhstan from July 11 to 18. and the Czech Republic. ments with its Yemeni, Palestinian, German, which demonstrates Qatar’s openness and all continents through football. The tournament serves as the Asian qualifiers for the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship with the League Organization must apologize to Iran B earn third successive win in champion qualifying for the World Championship. Esteghlal’s fans: Official William Jones Cup Iran brush aside Germany in World ParaVolley

Press TV — The Iran men’s national sitting volleyball team have thrashed Germany in consecutive sets at the 2018 World ParaVol- ley Sitting Volleyball World Championships in the Netherlands. The Iranian team, which had routed Japan 3-0 (25-8, 25-9 and 25-16) at the start of their campaign against Japan the pre- vious day, further asserted their dominance at the prestigious tournament and notched up a 3-0 (25-20, 25-9 and 25-13) win over Germany at a Pool B match in the southeastern Dutch city of Venlo on Monday evening. The Iran men’s national sitting volleyball team are scheduled to face Russia on Wednesday evening. Separately, the Iran women’s national sitting volleyball team SPORTS TEHRAN — Esteghlal’s champions (Persepolis) and Hazf Cup ti- SPORTS TEHRAN — Iran B then beat Japan B 78–61. slumped to a 0-3 (15-25, 17-25 and 18-25) loss against China desk desk board member Hassan tleholders (Esteghlal). basketball team earned The 2018 William Jones Cup is the 40th on Monday. Zamani has said the Iran Football League Esteghlal announced they would not their third successive win at the 2018 Wil- staging of William Jones Cup, an inter- The Iranian sitting volleyball players had earlier brushed Organization must apologize to Esteghlal’s play Persepolis on July 20 since they are liam Jones Cup in Taiwan on Tuesday. national basketball tournament held in aside their Slovenian counterparts in straight sets (25-10, 25- fans after awarding Super Cup to Persepolis. in Turkey at that time. Farzad Kouhian’s men defeated 87–75 Taipei, Taiwan. 12 and 28-25). Following Esteghlal’s withdrawal “The Iran Football League Organization Chinese Taipei Blue in the competition’s The men’s tournament is being held The 2018 World ParaVolley Sitting Volleyball World Cham- from Super Cup, the Iran Football League must apologize to millions fans of Esteg- Day 3. from July 14 to 22 with participation of pionships began on July 15, and will finish on July 22, 2018. Organization announced Persepolis re- hlal for their decisions. We’ve already Mohammad Yousof Vand led Iran with 11 teams. claimed the title for the second succes- announced that we cannot play on July 30 points and Liu Cheng was Chinese Taipei The tournament will follow a single sive year. 20,” Zamani said. Blue’s top scorer with 15 points. round robin format. The 2018 Super Cup was scheduled to “We never had a problem playing Perse- The Iranian team, consisting of youth The U.S. are the most decorated team be played on July 20 in Tehran’s Aszadi polis but we could not play at that time since players, started the competition with a with 15 titles and the Philippines and Iran Ali Karimi joins Iran’s Stadium between Iran Professional League we are in Turkey until July 22,” he added. LSU-Atletas from Lithuania 76–48 and have won five titles each. Esteghlal

TASNIM — Iran’s Esteghlal football team completed the signing Look back - Look ahead: IR Iran of Sepahan midfielder Ali Karimi. There was success, disappointment and lessons learned as The 23-year-old defensive midfielder has joined the Iranian the five Asian teams concluded their 2018 FIFA World Cup giants as Omid Ebrahimi’s replacement. campaigns. They will all now turn their attention to AFC Ebrahimi has recently signed a contract with Al Ahli of Qatar. Asian Cup UAE 2019. Islamic Republic of Iran went into the Karimi started his playing career in Sepahan in 2012 and 2018 FIFA World Cup as the second-highest ranked Asian joined Dinamo Zagreb in 2016. nation, behind Australia. And unlike the Socceroos, Team He joined Esteghlal’s training camp in Turkey Sunday night. Melli ended the campaign with a far enhanced reputation. Esteghlal is preparing for the new season of Iran Professional Managerial stability, with Carlos Queiroz entering his League as well as two vital matches against Al Sadd of Qatar in eighth year at the helm, was rewarded with a solid tactical the AFC Champions League quarter-final. performance in Russia as IR Iran came to within inches of advancing to the round of 16 despite being drawn into the proverbial “Group of Death” alongside the last two European champions, Spain and Portugal in addition to Morocco. World Cup Summary Jahanbakhsh capable of A dogged defensive display against a Morocco side, ranked playing on big stage five places lower than Team Melli in the pre-World Cup June FIFA rankings, was cause for concern. Nevertheless, the job was ultimately done in the dying seconds thanks to an own goal from substitute Aziz Bouhaddouz. With three points in the bag, IR Iran set out to further strengthen their position by attempting to sneak a draw against heavy-favourites Spain. This time, Team Melli were the ones to be narrowly edged as Diego Costa’s deflected effort separated the sides at the final whistle. Victory against Portugal was now a must, and Queiroz’s men saved their best performance until last as Karim Ansari- Jalal Hosseini out of the World Cup squad caused a stir ahead of us. Based on my negotiations with Queiroz, and fard’s late penalty cancelled out Ricardo Quaresma’s wonder prior to the competition, but the Portuguese coach’s the current atmosphere, we can win the Asian Cup,” the strike. For a second, the whole nation thought they had got foresight was vindicated after the other Hosseini, Esteg- words of Mehdi Taj, the President of the Football Federation the all-important victory as Mehdi Taremi was sent one-on- hlal’s Majid Hosseini, 14 years his namesake’s junior, Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) are as strong a statement Alireza Jahanbakhsh’s World Cup performances for Iran proved one with the Portuguese goalkeeper with just seconds to go put in top performances against Spain and Portugal as they come. he is more than capable of stepping up to play on the big stage. on the clock, but his effort from close distance ended into the in Russia. Tested against some of the World’s top sides in Russia, The Iranian international has the ability to play anywhere along side netting. One point, and one goal was all that separated As centre-back veterans Hosseini and Pejman Montazeri IR Iran showed their defensive strength, conceding just the front three and is equally capable of playing with both feet. IR Iran from progressing to the knock-out stages for the first enter the twilight of their careers, Team Melli’s future at the two goals in their three matches, but they have also shown Tottenham Hotspur is edging closer to signing Brazilian starlet time in their history. Nonetheless, the four points collected back is secured with the presence of 22-year-old Hosseini profligacy in front of goal. Their two goals scored in Russia Malcom from Bordeaux with the 21-year-old keen to make the marked their best-ever World Cup tally, and no other Asian beside 26-year-old Morteza Pouraliganji, who was one of were an own-goal following a corner kick against Morocco switch from Ligue 1 to the Premier League. team collected more points in Russia 2018. Promising signs the team’s best performers at the World Cup. and a spot-kick against Portugal. However, despite the apparent interest from Spurs, no formal going into the AFC Asian Cup in six months’ time. Having made his name four years earlier in Australia, With an abundance of attacking talent in the form of bid has been made by the North London side and, considering Aftermath Sardar Azmoun may be the most globally recognisable name Azmoun, Taremi, Ansarifard and Alireza Jahanbakhsh, the rife competition for the youngster’s signature from around Queiroz and his players were treated to a heroes wel- in IR Iran’s squad, but it is worth remembering the Rubin and with the likes of Ali Alipour and Kaveh Rezaei and Europe, other alternatives should be considered. come upon return to Tehran, and deservedly so, having Kazan striker is still just 23 and could well take his game to Morteza Tabrizi also impressing for their club sides, IR This is where Iranian World Cup star Jahanbakhsh comes exceeded expectations and got the nation’s first World Cup the next level in the UAE after a solid, if not unspectacular Iran will look to improve their attacking performance into the mix. The talented 24-year-old forward could be the win since 1998. World Cup campaign. as they look to come back from neighbouring UAE with perfect alternative to Malcom if Spurs miss out on signing the Top Prospect for AC2019 What Comes Next? a fourth continental title. Brazilian starlet. Queiroz’s decision to leave Persepolis captain Seyed “We have had a good football year, and the Asian Cup is (Source: the-afc) (Source: Tbrfootball.com) Prayer Times Noon:13:11 Evening: 20:40 Dawn: 4:21 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 6:02 (tomorrow) JULY 18, 2018 ART&CULTURE I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y www.tehrantimes.com Managing Director: Ali Asgari Editor-in-Chief: Mohammad Ghaderi Tehran exhibition displays documents Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 [email protected] Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051450 on cultural ties between Iran, Oman Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 www.eshterak.ir Distributor: Padideh Novin Co. ARTTEHRAN – An Tel: 88911433 deskexhibition displaying Webmaster: [email protected] a collection of historical documents on Printed at: Rooztab - ISSN: 1017-94 cultural and political relations between No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran Iran and Oman opened at the National P.o. Box: 14155-4843 Library and Archives of Iran (NLAI) on Zip Code: 1599814713 Monday evening. The exhibit was inaugurated during a special ceremony by NLAI deputy director Fariborz Khosravi and the director of Oman’s National Records and Archives Authority, Hamad bin Mohammad Aldhouyeni, the NLAI announced. Part of the collection features the oral history of the Omani Civil War in Dhofar during the 1960s and 1970s, which ended with the defeat of the rebels by support from Iranian and British forces. Ford hangs painting by Iran’s “Most of the Iranian troops and commanders who were sent to Oman at Ahmad Vakili that time have died or are in their old age, therefore collecting the oral history of ARTTEHRAN – The Ford Motor Company, the the event could be interesting for people deskAmerican multinational automaker headquar- in both countries,” Khosravi said at the tered in Michigan, has purchased a painting by the veteran Iranian ceremony. artist, Ahmad Vakili, to hang it at the office of one of its managers. He asked Oman to compile a bibliography of the rare Persian manuscripts preserved at its National Records and Archives Authority. For his part, Bin Mohammad Aldhouyeni said that Oman is ready to collaborate with Iran in organizing mutual cultural meetings and exhibitions. NLAI deputy director Fariborz Khosravi (R) and the director of Oman’s National Records and Archives Authority, Hamad bin He along with a number of colleagues Mohammad Aldhouyeni (R), cut a ribbon to launch an exhibition of a collection of historical documents on cultural and political paid a visit to various sections of the NLAI. relations between Iran and Oman at the NLAI in Tehran on July 16, 2018. (NLAI)

Chinese, Iranian cultural Iranian cinema under spotlight at officials meet in Tehran Poland New Horizons festival

A painting by veteran Iranian artist Ahmad Vakili has been purchased by the Ford Motor Company. The artwork has been acquired by Ford Executive Services manager Diana Ehrstin from an exhibition by Iranian artists at Tara Gallery in Los Angeles, the Iranian director of the gallery, Homa Taraji, said in a press release published on Tuesday. The painting created in 2013 depicts a large grain field in Iran’s Lorestan Province.

Istanbul gallery to showcase tree-themed works by Iranian, French artists The deputy director of the Culture, History and Study Commission of the Chinese A scene from “Invasion” by Shahram Mokri. ARTTEHRAN – The 7 Art Gallery in Istanbul will People’s Political Consultative Conference, Ye Xiaowen (L), and Cinema Organization ART desk TEHRAN —The 18th Also included are “The Pig” by Mani be playing host to an exhibition of works by of Iran director Mohammad-Mehdi Heidarian meet in Tehran on July 15, 2018. deskNew Horizons Inter- Haqiqi, “One, Two, One” by Mania Ak- a group of Iranian artists and the French artist Gerard Cottin. ARTTEHRAN – Cinema I believe the culture and civilization of the national Film Festival in Poland has put bari, “Root Canal” by Samira Eskandarfar “Choosing the tree as the deskOrganization of Iran East has a great number of topics to present its spotlight on Iranian cinema by “Iran: and “The Broker” by Azadi Moqaddam. theme of the exhibition shows director Mohammad-Mehdi Heidarian to cinema. I think Iran and China can offer Iran”, a program that will review a large The festival also plans to organize how much greenery is impor- met Ye Xiaowen, the deputy director of the good film productions, which would be useful number of movies from Iran. “We Only Live Twice”, an exhibition of tant for artists,” the public rela- Culture, History and Study Commission of for the world,” he stated. A lineup of Iranian films in different video arts by Iranian artists working in tions team for the exhibit said the Chinese People’s Political Consultative “The Silk Road and some historical issues genres selected by Polish programmer the field of expanded cinema. in a statement published on Conference (CPPCC), in Tehran on Sunday. are very good topics to be turned into animated Ewa Szablowska will be screened dur- The Iranian artists are Arash Nassiri, Tuesday. The expansion of cultural relations and movies and/or films in collaboration between ing the festival, which will take place in Bahar Nurizadeh, Puya Razi, Moham- “This exhibition will travel collaboration on joint film projects were Iranian and Chinese filmmakers,” he said. Wroclaw from July 26 to August 5, the mad Shirvani, Maryam Tafakkori, Tala to Turkey to serve as an envoy discussed at the meeting, the organization Ye Xiaowen is visiting Iran at the head of a organizers have announced. Vahabzadeh and Rambod Vala. that seeks to attract more atten- announced in a press release published on Chinese delegation, which has been assigned “Taking a look at Iran this year, we will In addition, Polish photographer tion to the trees whose death Tuesday. to discuss cultural issues and plans to preserve see surreal thrillers, intricate allegories, Aneta Grzeszykowska has been invited would lead the world toward “We have seen good development in historical sites. genre cinema, experimental films in the to present “Iranian Film Stills”, a pho- extinction,” it added. filmmaking industry and a rapid growth in He said that the culture industry is a good field of visual arts and documentaries tography project completed in Iran, on Some of the artworks have the number of theaters in China over the past channel to introduce cultural products of a showing a world that might seem stranger the sidelines of the exhibition. been created exclusively for decade,” Heidairan said. country to the world. than fiction,” Szablowska has written in The festival has also invited the Ira- the exhibition, which will be He added, “As you know our county has He said that Iranian films have won a statement. nian media artist, Amir-Ali Qasemi, to held from July 19 to August 1. reconstructed its theaters over the past 40 numerous international awards, adding The lineup contains “Asphyxia” by deliver a speech on the subject “Iran. A poster the Tree exhibition at Among the Iranian artists Istanbul’s 7 Art Gallery years and has made efforts to give a different that China needs to learn much from Iran Fereidun Jeirani, “Atomic Heart” by Ali Making Space for New Media” at the are Mojdeh Mahdavi, Yalda meaning to cinema as a cultural topic in the about cinema. Ahmadzadeh, “Disappearance” by Ali BWA on July 30. Fakhimi, Golnaz Hosseini, Marzieh Nakhjavan, Sogol Bayegani world. Xiaowen also noted that his country is Asgari, “Dressage” by Puya Badkubeh, In the Masters Section, “24 Frames” and Mehrnush Saravi. “Cinema is not just for entertainment. It’s eager to collaborate with Iran on joint film “Invasion” by Shahram Mokri and “Ku- by Abbas Kiarostami and “3 Faces” by a good reason for cultural cooperation, and projects. pal” by Kazem Mollai. Jafar Panahi will be screened. Boxer Mayweather, George China big-budget movie pulled “Mamma Mia!” sing-along returns with Clooney lead world’s highest after box office flop star-studded sequel premiere paid entertainers SHANGHAI/BEIJING (Reuters) — LONDON (Reuters) — Amid olive trees LOS ANGELES (Reuters) — American boxer Floyd Mayweather A Chinese blockbuster hopeful, backed by and plenty of ABBA tunes, the musical world was named the world’s highest-paid entertainer on Monday on Alibaba Pictures Group and with a report- of “Mamma Mia” took over a London theat- a list that saw actor George Clooney take the No. 2 spot with the ed budget of over $100 million, has been er on Monday for the film sequel’s world highest annual pay of his career. abruptly pulled from cinemas in the country premiere with Oscar winner Meryl Streep Reality star Kylie Jenner, 20, came in third on the annual after sinking on its opening weekend at the and pop diva Cher among the attendees. Forbes Celebrity 100 list, largely thanks to her booming cosmetics box office. Ten years after the movie version of the line that Forbes said put her on track to become the youngest The move highlights the challenges be- hit theater musical, “Mamma Mia! Here We self-made billionaire in the United States. ing faced by China as it looks to promote Go Again” sees old faces return and new ones Forbes compiled its 2018 list estimating pre-tax earnings home-grown productions to rival imported join the ABBA sing-along set on a picturesque from June 2017-June 2018, before deducting fees for managers, blockbusters from Hollywood. The country Director Zhang Peng (R) and actors Wu Greek island where stars belt out tracks by Meryll Streep attends the world premiere based on data from Nielsen, touring trade publication Pollstar, has seen several big-budget films flop though Lei (2nd L) and Zhang Yishang attend a the hugely popular Swedish band. of “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” at the movie database IMDB, and interviews with industry experts and some lower-cost ones have done well. promotional event for the movie “Asura” The plot follows on from the first film, Apollo in Hammersmith, London, Britain, celebrities themselves. The latest disappointment “Asura” had in Shenyang, Liaoning province, China which grossed over $600 million at the box July 16, 2018. (Reuters/Hannah McKay) Mayweather pulled in some $285 million in the period, largely been billed as one of China’s biggest-budget July 2, 2018. REUTERS/Stringer office, but this time has flashbacks explaining read (the script’s first draft). It was funny, thanks to his August 2017 comeback fight win over mixed martial movies after the $150 million U.S.-China Asura is something of a warning for Chi- how Meryl Streep’s character Donna arrived it was moving so we said go ahead and here arts champion Conor McGregor. co-production “The Great Wall”. That 2016 nese producers about the perils of big-budget in Greece. we are.” Oscar-winning star Clooney earned an estimated $239 million movie, starring Matt Damon, also failed to movie making. While fans have highly anticipated the Chanting “Waterloo”, “Super Trouper” after selling the Casamigos tequila company he co-founded to impress at the box office. Even as the fantasy movie flopped, another sequel, ABBA founding members Benny and “Dancing Queen”, fans cheered as Streep, British spirits company Diageo in June 2017. Forbes said the “Asura”, a fantasy epic based on Tibet- unexpected film with a budget reportedly of Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus said they Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Amanda Seyfried sale gave Clooney the best annual earnings of his 35-year career an mythology, was yanked from cinemas around $15 million struck a chord. were not so keen on the idea at first. and Christine Baranski - who starred in the in film and television. by producers after it brought in a meager “Dying to Survive”, the real-life story of a “We were kind of protective of the first 2008 film - arrived. Forbes said entertainers on its 2018 Celebrity 100 list earned 49.46 million yuan ($7.41 million) and got Chinese cancer patient arrested for importing one because we were very proud of it, it was The sequel’s cast additions include Lily a combined $6.3 billion before tax, up 22 percent from last year’s a lowly rating of 3.1 on local movie review drugs from India, has made over $350 million, very good and it became kind of a cult movie James, who plays the younger Donna, and list. Many of the highest earners came from celebrities leveraging site Douban. according to box office tracker EntGroup. ... and we thought what’s the point of risking Cher, who portrays Donna’s mother. their brands through side ventures and through their social media In a statement posted on the film’s official China, which is on track to overtake the ... taking away from that legacy, so we were “I don’t know what I was expecting but I presence. social media platform, the producers said North America film market, has become an reluctant,” Ulvaeus told Reuters. walked onto the set and I just thought every- “There’s never been a more lucrative time to be famous than the movie was pulled from Sunday night increasingly important region for global pro- But the film writers’ idea of making the one’s just having fun,” Cher said. now, with 11 superstars earning $100 million or more over the and apologized to viewers who would not ducers looking to pump up their box office movie a sequel and prequel at the same time Like the first film, the sequel has plenty of past year,” Zack O’Malley Greenburg, senior entertainment editor be able to see the movie that had been six returns, despite a quota on imported films helped change their minds, he said. colorful and comic scenes. It also has touching at Forbes, said in a statement. years in the making. and strict censorship. “I laughed out loud many times when I moments, cast members said.