by 0.58percent, to$39.49abarrel. futuresat $41.79abarrel. dropped WTI crude wastrading0.36percent down, fastest-growing oilconsumingmarket. Asian market,especiallyin India, Asia’s the mainobjectiveof theexhibition. industries inrubberandplasticfieldsas opment of downstream petrochemical Company (NPC),mentionedthedevel- director of Iran’s NationalPetrochemical Shahdaie, themanaging ence, Marzieh lifting of sanctions lifting of jumps 90%after Iran’s oilrevenue day totheEuropean market. ships over 500,000 barrels of crude a delivered to Europe. Currently, Iran 30 percent of Iranian-made oilwas France andSpain.Before thesanctions sumed to Europe, includingGreece, shipments of Iranian crudehavere- down itsdailyoutput. ing Countries(OPEC)refusing to cut Organization of the Petroleum withthe Export- market, oil global inthe ply oversup- Union. Themovecameamid by both theU.S.andEuropean against on Iran were lifted 16, January the figure to1millionbarrels. rels ofoil aday. Thesanctionsreduced 2.3millionbar-duced, Iranexported were around $12billion. Iran’swere lifted annualoilrevenues current prices.Before thesanctions would result in$21 billionayearatthe million barrels of crude aday, which 1.7 cal data,currently Iranisexporting cent, IRNAnewsagencyreported. oil revenue hasincreased by90per- theremoval ofAfter sanctionsIranian crude market. oil output wouldnotstabilizetheglobal onfreezing inDoha meeting ing day. fearthattheupcom- Investors press conference onMonday. International Fairgrounds. April 13to17attheTehran Permanent rector of theevent. ing toMohammadMaqareh, thedi- acquiring moderntechnology, accord- petrochemical products and exporting Iran Plast2016,willpavethewayfor andEquipmentof Iran,dubbed ery Exhibition of Plastic,Rubber, Machin- TEHRAN — companies. pated by400Iranianand500foreign gard,” theofficial noted. technology andinvestmentinthisre- therefore, weintendtoattractforeign tic market,butalsoforeign markets, tries doesnotonlytarget thedomes- By MahnazAbdi for petchem to pave way el: l Te technology Advertising Dept Advertising [email protected] After thesanctionswere removedAfter The economicsanctions Before thesanctionswere intro- According to government statisti- Earlier in the day,Earlier in theBrent benchmark Meanwhile, oilpricesfellon Mon- the take ashare in Iran alsoexpectsto Maqareh madetheremarks ina The exhibitionwillbeheldfrom She saidIranPlastwillbepartici- “As developmentof theseindus- Also addressing thesameconfer- Iran Plast exports, T modern 21112 021 Iran’s LeadingInternationalDaily EHRAN - missile dealcompleted of implementingS300 Iran saysfirstphase The 10thInternational 430 450 51 430 T (Source: Sputnik) IMES NATION

WWW.TEHRANTIMES.COM 4

President.ir ian consequencesof theNa- concern aboutthehumanitar- ASIA region,expressedICRC’s Vial, headof operationforEUR- regime foritsnuclearprogram bytheWest added. document getsprepared,” theAEOIspokesman day, decliningtocommentfurther. withal-AlamNewsNetworkonSun- interview an Union(EU). ment onnuclearcooperationwiththeEurope- tion of IranhassaidTehran adocu- isdrafting inbilateraltieswithTehran,course Tehran anew onMondaytochart Nazarbayevarrivedat Nursultan mael Ferroukhi, andItalianset designerTe- Jaaferi, Moroccan writer andfilmmakerIs- maker Sahraa Karimi, IndianactorJaaved Iranian actress GolabAdineh,Afghanfilm- Monday. lamic countriessection--Eastern Vistaon fortheAsianandIs- announced thejury terview: tells theTehran Times. tional Committeeof theRedCross, tions officer of theEURASIAInterna- uation,” JenniferTobias, public rela- needs resulting from thecurrent sit- the sidestoassesshumanitarian Republic of Azerbaijan. recently betweenArmeniaandthe where abloodyconflictflared up in theNagorno-Karabakhregion onhumanitarianmatters” mediary is “ready toactasaneutralinter- Committee of theRedCross saysit TEHRAN – INTERVIEW and Javad Heirannia By MijganMohammad course, ink 66 documents worth $2b course, ink66documentsworth Tehran wasundertheheaviestsanctions “Details willbeannouncedassoonthe Behrouz Kamalvandi letslipthenewsinan The jury paneliscomposedof veteranThe jury Following isthetextof thein- “We are inregular contactwith desk POLITICAL desk ART desk POLITICAL Inanewsrelease,Patrick ‘Iran, EU drafting nuclear cooperation document’ ‘Iran, cooperation EUdrafting nuclear ICRC says ready act as neutral intermediary onICRC intermediary says asneutral act ready ECONOMY 12 Pages The International Tehran new andAstanachart humanitarian matters inNagorno-Karabakh the Atomic Energy Organiza- TEHRAN – zakh President TEHRAN — International FilmFestival TEHRAN — 4 Fajr for festival Vista announces Eastern jury Price10,000Rials investments by2021:official to attract$200bof Iran’s oilsectorpoised Ka- Spokesman for The 34thFajr

to have been met so far thanks to to havebeenmetsofarthanks people’s immediateneedsseem ly byrelatives andfriends.While in fightingare beinghostedprivate- of thosedisplacedbytheescalation have fledtheirhomes.Themajority in areas closetothelineof contact line of contact. ber of villagesonbothsidesof the hasbeendestroyed inanum- erty been damagedandcivilianprop- ing woundedpeople.Houseshave health structures havebeentreat- onbothsidesand been reported casualties, includingcivilians,have high-ranking politico-economic President Rouhani,heading a of 2billiondollars. inking 66documentswithavalue vulnerable totheimpact of thecurrent you clarify onthis? you clarify gorno-Karabakh conflict.Would People have alreadyendured25years come withit,makingthemextremely Since April 2 many people living Since April2manypeopleliving A: Withthecurrent escalation, Already inSeptember 2014 of conflictandthehardshipthat 37thyear be prepared,” Kamalvandiwas quoted assaying. document whichwillbesignedwiththeEU European Union, China,Korea, andJapan. A tions havealready beenexchangedwiththe those imposedbytheUnitedNations. in exchangeforrelief from sanctions,including agreed tolimitthescopeof itsnuclearprogram the 5+1group of countriesonJuly14,2015,Iran since 2003. impasse overitsnucleardossierwiththeWest whichendedthe prior toforging theJCPOA, Under theagreement, signedbyIranand “Practical cooperation has started, delega- “Practical cooperationhasstarted, SPORTS No.12526 escalation. Tuesday an elevatedlevel. required ifthefightingcontinuesat as foodandhygieneitemsmaybe host communities,basicrelief such of relatives, the support friendsor between state and private sectors between stateandprivatesectors operation documentswere signed Astana. delegation, paidaformalvisitto

The presence of unexploded “Altogether, asmany66co- APRIL 12,2016 APRIL

ART& CULTURE France onMay9 team totravel to Iran volleyball

Farvardin 24,1395 I NTER A TION A L D A IL Y tion frameworkintheinterest of thebothsides.” way street, thedocument willdepictan“interac- machines. es, includingtwozonalandultracentrifuge 12 indigenously-manufactured nuclearadvanc- Dayof NuclearTechnology,sary Iranunveiled international community. withthe can enterscientificjointpartnerships field of nucleartechnology, nowthecountry denied accesstoadvancedtechnologiesinthe Cinema Complex from April20to25. section of thefestival. pete andbescreened intheEastern Vista ily!” byYoji Yamada from Japan, will com- South Korea and“WhataWonderful Fam- Sister, thePigLady”byJang Moon-il from rected byZazaKhalvashifrom Georgia, “My resa Cavina. On April7,onedaybefore the 10thAnniver- Kamalvandi addedratherthanbeingaone- While priortotheJulycontract,Iranwas The festivalwill beheldatTehran’s Charsu movies, including“Solomon”di- Fifteen been reported intheconflict?been reported tional humanitarianlaw(IHL)have confidential basis. cerned onastrictlybilateraland con- as appropriate, totheparty itarian law, theseare conveyed, violations of international human- legations of wrongdoing, including Should theICRCcomeacross al- concerned. orparties the party share anyconcernsdirectly with instead seekstodocumentand ternational humanitarianlaw, but tions regarding adherence toin- comment publiclyonitsobserva- armed conflict,theICRCdoesnot promote andupholdthelawof tial approach anditsmandateto terpart onMonday.terpart conference withhisKazakhcoun- Rouhani notedinajointpress al tiesbetweenthetwocountries,” which marksalandmarkinbilater- unexploded ordnance ishigh. ed, sotheriskof accidentsinvolving lages andthefieldshavenotexplod- of theshellsthathavelandedinvil- cern: There are indicationsthatsome remnants con- of warisaparticular A: Inlinewithitsconfiden- Rajab4,1437 What violationsof Interna- See page 2 page See

9 L tuaeest e a u at FullFramefestival at “Sonita” winawards “Starless Dreams”, April 4. Es’haq toldEghtesad radiochannelon try, Mines, andAgriculture Yahya Ale- Tehran Chamberof Commerce, Indus- trade balancenegative,” Chairmanof ure willexceed$62billion,turningthe ones,theachievedfig- of imported goods isaddedtothe$42.415 billion than traders. weresmugglers fourtimesmore active ume, astheyconclude,suggeststhat in thesaidtime.Thevol- the country of goodswere illicitlytraffickedinto to official data,more than$20billion ago. years drop compared withthefigures two a 7.18percent andan18.47percent lion tonsrespectively, documenting 93.520 milliontonsand35.70mil- reached andimports weight, exports million tradesurplus.Intermsof $41.499 billion,resulting ina$916 ed lastyear, stoodat whileimports of goodswerebillion worth export- history. as aturningpointinIran’s economic the unprecedented positivebalance has itsownadvocateswhoregard preceding year. compared tothe percent inimports, of and22.53 16.11percent inexports announced figures confirmedadrop well asdomestictradesmensincethe tal andnon-governmentalofficials as criticism from amongthegovernmen- balance of tradehasraisedachorusof April 18. scheduled tobeheldinKuwaiton the situationaheadof negotiations Ould CheikhAhmedasasteptocalm UN specialenvoyforYemen Ismail tions” throughout Yemen. “cease opera- land,seaandairmilitary UN aletteronSaturday, committingto dent AliAbdullahSaleh,hadsentthe troops loyaltoYemen’s formerPresi- thestatementread.ers, attacks bytheHouthiAnsarullahfight- therighttorespond” toany reserves “going torespect aceasefire... but to honorthetruce. Saudi Arabiais sued astatementinwhichitpledged province of Omran. in theYemeni capital,Sana’a, andthe warplanes hadpoundedseveralareas (2100 GMT)onSunday. the trucecameintoforce atmidnight districts of Ta’izz after justtwohours targeted theSalahand al-Huban thatSaudibomberaircraft reported ment thathadjusttakeneffect. violating aUN-brokered truce agree- en’s southwesternprovince of Ta’izz, bombarded anumber of areas inYem- Saudi warplanes have reportedly T and antis balance; pros Positive trade Revolution. ance of tradesincethe1979Islamic the country’s first-ever positivebal- (March 2015-March 2016),marking in theprevious Iraniancalendaryear larger thanimports non-oil exports violates truce violates truce agreement in agreement in Y Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia “If thesaid$20billionof smuggled As thecriticsmainlyargue, referring According tothedata,$42.415 The positiverecord nevertheless However, thepublicizedpositive The trucewasannouncedbythe The Houthis,alongwithalliedarmy This iswhileRiyadhhadearlieris- Yemeni sources alsosaidthatSaudi Yemen’s al-Masirahnewswebsite released dataputthecountry’s toms Administration’s recently he IslamicRepublicof IranCus- Yemen Tehran TimesJournalist ARTICLE By Haniyeh Sadat JafariyehBy Haniyeh Sadat one year drillsover 4 major Army planning 2

4 9 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y NATION 2 AAPRILPRIL 112,2, 20162016 http://www.tehrantimes.com/international

MEDIA MONITOR Army planning 4 major drills Kerry’s Iran statements ‘irrelevant’: Amoli over one year Larijani POLITICAL TEHRAN — The Ira- added to the Army’s capacity” in the cur- TEHRAN — Iran’s Judiciary chief has said recent desknian Army announced rent Iranian calendar year, the command- statements by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday that plans to hold four major er added. about Iran’s missile program are “irrelevant”, Mizan military exercises during the current Irani- Among other technological military reported on Monday. an calendar year which started on March progresses to be unveiled, Brigadier Accusing the U.S. of engineering plots in the 20. General Pourdastan named the self-pro- MIZAN Middle East, Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani raised Brigadier General Ahmadreza Pour- pelled 57mm-caliber air defense system, the question: Who gains from the sale of oil and dastan, commander of the Iranian dubbed Bahman, and light and heavy cultural artifacts taken away from countries under Ground Forces, said the first of the four armed vehicles. attack by Daesh. major drills will be held in June in the cen- Army will react as the need arises tral province of Isfahan, the YJC reported Referring to the deployment of Spe- Rouhani to visit on Monday. cial Forces of the Iranian Ground Forces Turkey on Thursday He said 17 specialist-level war games in Syria, the commander said, “We will are also on agenda for the current year, react mightily as soon as the need arises ranging in field from missiles to engineer- and advisory missions are just examples ing, electronic communication, drones, of such situations.” TEHRAN — President Hassan Rouhani of Iran will rescue, etc. The Army’s presence in Syria in its ad- visit Turkey on Thursday, ICT Minister Mahmoud New defense advancements will visory role is due to the new atmosphere Vaezi said on Monday. be unveiled soon intrinsic to proxy wars and it is a field mis- Vaezi, who is also chair of Iran-Turkey joint eco- Turning to the Army’s new techno- sion to identify the threats, Pourdastan nomic committee, said that Rouhani will travel to Is- logical progresses, Pourdastan said noted. MEHR tanbul to attend the Organization of Islamic Coop- on Wednesday the forces will unveil “Therefore, we dispatched a number eration (OIC) summit, Mehr reported on Monday. a newly made exploration vehicle of our staff to the war-torn region to ex- Vaezi added that in the 25th meeting of Iran-Tur- named NRBC which is a moving lab- perience the situation.” seeks to benefit from the capabilities of unveil “Karar” tank in one month or key joint economic committee held a few days ago oratory for biological, nuclear, and On Iran’s purchasing of Russian different countries to shore up its de- two to be deployed by both the Army in Ankara, it was agreed that Rouhani, during his chemical ammunitions. weaponry, Pourdastan said T-90 tanks fense capability. and the Islamic Revolution Guards Turkey visit, would allocate a time for reviewing bi- “Also, retrofitted chieftain tanks will be and Su-30 fighters are options and Iran “The country’s defense industry will Corps (IRGC). lateral economic issues. Tehran and Ankara intend to raise trade ties to $30 billion per annum. Iran says first phase of implementing S300 missile deal completed 200 lawmaker-elects POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Ministry to do with politics but the approach taken by this coun- have met Larijani on deskspokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari said try so far is quite different. next Majlis on Monday that the first phase of the delivery of the Rus- Zarif to attend OIC meeting sian S300 missile systems to Iran has been completed. Elsewhere, he said that Iranian Foreign Minister Mo- presiding board “The first phase of the agreement has passed the hammad Javad Zarif plans to attend the summit of the TEHRAN — Since the beginning of the current implementation stage and we hope that various imple- Organization of the Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul. Iranian-calendar year (March 20), 200 lawmak- mentation phases would be completed,” Jaberi Ansari The OIC heads of state will meet in the Turkish city on er-elects have held meetings with Majlis Speaker Ali said in his press conference. Aril 14 and 15. Larijani discussing the makeup of the next parlia- He said that new agreements have been conclud- The spokesman added the decision whether Iran will ment’s presiding board. ed between Tehran and Moscow for delivery of the participate at level of president will be announced by the ILNA Making the announcement on Monday, Larija- missile system. presidential office. ni’s advisor Hassan Zamani said the sides have also Seven EU commissioners to accompany Iran prioritizes close ties with neighbors discussed the makeup of various Majlis committees Mogherini in Tehran visit ence and Innovation Carlos Moedas will accompany the The first priority of Iran’s foreign policy is expansion and groups, ILNA reported. He also said that Federica Mogherini, the EU foreign chief EU diplomat. of ties with neighboring countries based on mutual in- policy chief, is scheduled to visit Iran on April 16. ‘Saudi Arabia follows counter-clockwise policy’ terests, he said. Iran, Kazakhstan He said that serious talks will be held in political and Jaberi Ansari confirmed that Saudi Arabia has im- “Unfortunately, some regional actors’ policy has economic areas when she visits Iran at the head of a top posed new sanctions on Iran to curb the country’s oil worsened the clashes and division at the regional level sign prisoner swap EU delegation. export, saying Saudi Arabia follows “counter-clockwise and the Islamic Republic of Iran is at the opposite point agreement Mogherini will be accompanied by seven European policy”. of this policy,” he noted. commissioners which will show the “importance of the He called Saudi Arabia’s actions go against the “in- Elsewhere, Jaberi Ansari said that UN Special Envoy visit”, the Foreign Ministry official noted. ternational will”. for Syria Staffan de Mistura was scheduled to arrive in TEHRAN — Iran and Kazakhstan have signed an MoU According europa.eu, European Union Commissioner He also said that the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organiza- Tehran on Monday night. on swapping prisoners, Justice Minister Mostafa Pour- for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Canete, EU tion will send a delegation to Saudi Arabia on April 14 to No post in Foreign Ministry is permanent mohammadi said on Monday, according to Mizan. Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Commis- make preparations for Hajj. The spokesman also said no post at the Foreign Min- The minister also said Iran and Kazakhstan share sioner Karmenu Vella, EU Commissioner for Humani- Iran strongly protested Saudi Arabia when about 400 istry if permanent.

MIZAN similar stances on many regional issues which tarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides, Iranian pilgrims were killed in a stampede in Mina on The remarks by Jaberi Ansari came after reports surfaced strengthens hope for cooperation. EU Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc, EU Com- September 24, 2015. that Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the Iranian point man for Arab missioner for Industry Elzbieta Bienkowska, EU Com- Saudi Arabia as a host country is obligated to guar- affairs, is going to be replaced by another diplomat. Iranian army loses its missioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Tibor antee the safety of pilgrims, the official remarked. The change of posts in the Foreign Ministry in sum- first commando in Navracsics, European Commissioner for Research, Sci- He added Saudi Arabia claims that Hajj has nothing mertime is something normal, he added. Syria Rafsanjani: Iran will overcome obstacles by relying on people TEHRAN — The Iranian Army for the first time has lost a commando in Syria, ABNA reported on Monday. POLITICAL TEHRAN — Ayatollah visit to Iran. There are security and stability in the Lt. Mohsen Ghitaslou was member of the elite deskAkbar Hashemi Raf- Rafsanjani who was president country in spite of the volatile situation in forces, namely “the 65 Nohed Airborne Brigade”. sanjani, the chairman of the Expediency from 1989 to 1997 also said the the Middle East region, he noted.

ABAN Earlier in April, Brigadier General Ali Arasteh, an Council, said on Monday that Iran will re- propaganda campaign against Iran Rafsanjani also called on Estonia to ex- Iranian Army commander, said that army has de- move all the obstacles by relying on its by foreign media outlets is “politi- pand ties with Iran. ployed a group of its commandos in Syria to pro- people. cally motivated”. For her part, Kaljurand said that Esto- vide advisory support for President Bashar al-As- Rafsanjani made the remarks in a The veteran politician added that “po- nia seeks to expand relations with other sad’s army in fight against terrorist groups. meeting with Estonian Foreign Minister litical differences” in Iran are in line with countries and there are many capacities Marina Kaljurand who made a two-day improving the situation. in Iran and Estonia to expand ties. ‘Iranian parliamentary team Energy strategy should conform Larijani calls for expansion of ties offered help to Lebanon’ to current needs: VP with Finland POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iran’s POLITICAL TEHRAN — Irani- TEHRAN — Amir Khojasteh, leader of an Iranian deskFirst Vice President deskan Majlis Speaker Ali parliamentary delegation that recently visited Leb- Es’haq Jahangiri said on Monday that Larijani said on Monday Iran and Finland anon, said in meetings with Lebanese sides it was

ISNA the national energy strategy should have always enjoyed friendly relations stated that Tehran is ready to offer military and ci- conform to the country’s current needs. and should expand economic ties. vilian aid to Lebanon. During a meeting of the Supreme There are many opportunities in Iran Common policies against the Israeli regime were Council of Energy, he described energy for investment in the energy sphere, he also discussed and the Majlis speaker’s invitation to as main engine of the country’s devel- said during a meeting with Chairman his Lebanese counterpart to visit Iran was delivered, opment. of the Finnish Parliament Committee on ISNA quoted Khojasteh as saying on Monday. ties, expressing hope that his trip to Oil Minister Bijan Zangeneh, Man- Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian and Foreign Affairs Antti Kaikkonen in Tehran. He said that the Iranian MPs also met with Hez- Iran would lead to expansion of ties. agement, Planning Organization di- Department of Environment chief Ma- Kaikkonen, for his part, stated that bollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah while He also called Iran the only stable rector Mohammad Bagher Nobakht , soumeh Ebtekar attended the meeting. the two countries have had friendly there. country in the Middle East. Pakistan flotilla to pay goodwill visit Tehran and Astana chart new course, ink 66 documents worth $2b to Iranian port 1 erential tariffs between Iran and Eurasia Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit slat- and private partners signed memo- Nine of the contracts were signed in are key economic measures to be taken,” ed for April 14-15 in Istanbul, President randums of understanding (MOUs), presence of the two presidents. Rouhani was quoted as saying. Rouhani said Iran and Kazakhstan are yielding almost $1 billion in bilateral TEHRAN — A Pakistani Navy flotilla is going to visit Ira- Rouhani also emphasized that re- Elsewhere in his remarks, the Iranian on the belief that the “the voice of the trade. nian port of Bandar Abbas in a goodwill gesture, says a sumption of banking exchanges between president maintained that the two sides unity and cooperation of the Islamic It is expected that the contracts will press release from the Pakistani Embassy in Tehran. Iranian and Kazakh central banks facil- also exchanged ideas on the Caspian world should be heard everywhere in open a new era of cooperation between The Flotilla commanded by Commodore Mu- itates inter-banking interaction, noting Sea legal status, and its relevant maritime the world.” the two countries, cementing ties in oth- hammad Shuaib, who is also the Commander of that supporting the private sector makes shipping, minerals, tourism, and environ- Relevant to this, the Kazakh president er areas including trade, transportation, Auxiliary and Mine Warfare Squadron, will stay at inroads into economic flourishing. mental concerns. considered unity among Islamic nations technology, industry, banking, shipping,

EMBASSY the Iranian port from April 16 to 19. A fertile ground for collaboration, in- President Nazarbayev, for his part, necessary for battling terrorism, saying, railways, information technology, and en- The goodwill visit by the Pakistani flotilla is going ter alia, is the agriculture sector, particu- referred to the agreements made, say- “There should be no schism between Iran ergy, Rouhani stated. to carry the message of close brotherly relations larly Iran’s agricultural land leasing in Ka- ing, “66 contracts worth $2 billion were and Saudi Arabia and this should be re- Among Central Asian nations, Iran between Pakistan and Iran while it shows solidarity zakhstan, Rouhani remarked. signed in economy, trade, tourism, agri- solved through dialogue.” has the strongest political and economic and peace between the two neighboring nations, “Moving in the direction of free trade culture, and minerals.” One day before Nazarbayev’s trip, ties with Kazakhstan, which is the biggest reads the press release. between Iran and Kazakhstan and pref- Also, ahead of the Organization of Kazakh and Iranian governmental country in the region. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y

http://www.tehrantimes.com/international AAPRILPRIL 112,2, 22016016 INTERNATIONAL 3

Syria says Turkey, Saudi Arabia NEWS CIA director says he would not ordering truce violations obey a water boarding order The Syrian foreign minister has lashed truce needs to be sustained. The director of the CIA says his spy agency will not engage out at Turkey and Saudi Arabia for un- “We did raise and discuss the impor- in water boarding or other so-called enhanced interrogation dermining a truce agreement currently in tance of protecting and maintaining and techniques even if ordered to by a future president. force in the war-ravaged country. supporting the cessation of hostilities, CIA chief John Brennan tells NBC News that he will not Walid al-Muallem said on Monday which is, as you know, fragile but is there,” agree to carry out such techniques because “this institution that terrorist groups were breaking the he said. needs to endure.” ceasefire in Syria on the orders of Turkey The truce agreement, engineered by President Barack Obama banned water boarding shortly and Saudi Arabia. the United States and Russia, has been in after taking office in 2009. The top Syrian diplomat said in his effect in Syria since the end of February. Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and meeting with United Nations Special En- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov Ted Cruz have suggested they would not continue Obama’s voy Staffan de Mistura in Damascus that warned on Monday that “any violation is ban. Trump has gone as far as to say that he would bring militants are continuing to stage attacks certainly dangerous for the yet unstable back water boarding and “worse” tactics to get information. on government positions in a bid to foil and fragile ceasefire” in Syria. The CIA used such interrogation techniques after the Sept. forthcoming peace talks. “Russia has consistently been working 11 attacks. Brennan told NBC News in an interview released Muallem said Syria is still committed to minimize and subsequently eliminate Sunday that he would not agree to CIA officers carrying out to dialogue without preconditions, add- any violations, and has been doing it, water boarding again. ing that the government will continue its as you know, together with the United (Source: AP) efforts for reaching a political solution in States of America within the framework the UN-sponsored talks beginning on of existing mechanisms,” he said. April 15. Officials in Russia’s reconciliation “Muallem reaffirmed in his meeting center in Syria’s Hmeymim airbase said with De Mistura the Syrian position on five cases of truce violations were regis- Suicide bombers target the political solution to the crisis and tered in Syria on Sunday. They said, how- Russia’s Stavropol the commitment to Syrian dialogue un- ever, that the ceasefire regime is general- der Syrian leadership, without pre-con- ly holding in most provinces across Syria. ing round of negotiations in Geneva on focusing in particular on the political Four suicide bombers carried out explosions in a village in ditions,” the official Syrian news agency, The truce agreement excludes Daesh April 13 aimed at ending the country’s transition, on governance and constitu- Russia’s Stavropol region, close to the North Caucasus, police SANA, said. and Nusra Front, two major terrorist five-year war would be “crucially im- tional principles,” he said. “We hope and said. In a press conference after the meet- groups operating in east and north of portant”. plan to make them constructive and we Three of the suicide bombers were killed by the blasts, ing, De Mistura said cessation of hostil- Syria. “The Geneva talks’ next phase are plan to make them concrete.” one was shot and killed, Russia’s state news agency TASS re- ities in Syria was fragile, noting that the De Mistura added that the upcom- crucially important because we will be (Source: SANA) ported on Monday. No one else was hurt in the attacks. “Three militants were killed as they attempted to attack Germany says examining Turkish the police station. The regional Interior Ministry also con- U.S. Navy officer charged with spying, firmed that civilians and law enforcement officers were not possibly for China, Taiwan request to prosecute satirist hurt,” TASS reported. “The incident has all characteristics of a terrorist attack,” A U.S. Navy officer with access to sen- investigation was still going on. Germany said on Monday it was exam- Boehmermann, who has made TASS said, adding that the attackers have not been identified sitive U.S. intelligence faces espionage The suspect was also accused of en- ining a formal request made by Turkey a name for himself by pushing the yet. charges over accusations he passed gaging in prostitution and adultery. He for it to prosecute a comedian who re- boundaries of satire in a once-staid Shooting at the building state secrets, possibly to China and Tai- has been held in pre-trial confinement cited an obscene poem about Turkish media landscape, made clear on the “We were holding a meeting in the morning when five ex- wan, a U.S. official said.. for the past eight months or so, the of- President Tayyip Erdogan in a satirical show that he was courting controversy. plosions went off,” Sergei Karamyshev, a senior police officer The official, speaking on condition ficial added. show on national television. Before reading his poem, Boehmer- in the village of Novoselitskoye in the southern Stavropol re- of anonymity, identified the suspect as USNI News, which first reported German prosecutors have already mann referred to a satirical song broadcast gion, told AFP news agency. Lieutenant Commander Edward Lin, Lin’s identity, said he spoke fluent begun investigating Jan Boehmer- on NDR television that had mocked Erdo- “Three people blew themselves up after an officer on duty who was born in Taiwan and later be- Mandarin and managed the collec- mann, the iconoclastic host of the late- gan for his authoritarian treatment of jour- at the entrance blocked the door to the building,” Karamy- came a naturalized U.S. citizen, accord- tion of electronic signals from the night “Neo Magazin Royale” on the nalists. That led Turkey to call in Germany’s shev said. ing a Navy profile article written about EP3-E Aries II signals intelligence air- public channel ZDF, on suspicion of the envoy to provide an explanation, although He said that in all there were five explosions: the three him in 2008. craft. crime of “offending foreign states’ or- Germany rejected Turkish protests. suicide bombers and one grenade, but that the cause of the A redacted Navy charge sheet The U.S. Navy profiled Lin in a 2008 gans and representatives”. Speaking as if he were addressing fifth blast was not immediately known. said the suspect was assigned to the article that focused on his naturaliza- Government spokesman Steffen Sei- Erdogan, Boehmermann explained A spokeswoman for police in the Stavropol region headquarters for the Navy’s Patrol tion to the United States, saying his bert said the Turkish embassy had sent that the NDR broadcast had fallen un- said one of the attackers had died by detonating an and Reconnaissance Group, which family left Taiwan when he was 14 and Germany’s foreign ministry a cable with der the right to artistic freedom, press explosive device, while two others were killed by “return oversees intelligence collection ac- stayed in different countries before “a formal request from the Turkish side freedom and freedom of opinion. fire”. tivities. coming to America. for a prosecution in connection with On Monday, Seibert stressed that an “They were shooting at the building,” Natalya Tyncherova The charge sheet redacted out the “I always dreamt about coming comments made in this broadcast.” article in Germany’s constitution on free- told AFP, adding that the exact number of attackers was still name of the suspect and the Navy to America, the ‘promised land’,” he “The content of this cable and the dom of opinion was of the utmost im- unclear. declined to provide details on his said. “I grew up believing that all way forward will now be carefully ex- portance to Merkel and was non-nego- The city is located in the northern tip of Russia’s North identity. the roads in America lead to Disn- amined by the government,” Seibert tiable, regardless of whether or not she Caucasus Mountains, where authorities have struggled with It accused him twice of communi- eyland.” told a regular government news con- found an opinion tasteful or tasteless. homegrown armed groups for decades. cating secret information and three Chinese Foreign Ministry spokes- ference. “It will take a few days. I can’t Seibert also noted that Boehmer- In December, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant times of attempting to do so to a rep- man Lu Kang said he was not aware and don’t want to anticipate the results mann had himself said his broadcast (ISIL) terrorist group claimed responsibility for a deadly resentative of a foreign government of the details of the case. He did not of this examination.” was “a conscious breach of limits”. shooting in Derbent, a city in the North Caucasus re- “with intent or reason to believe it elaborate. China’s Defense Ministry did The incident is awkward for Ger- “Solving the refugee issue is in the public of Dagestan with an ancient citadel that is pop- would be used to the advantage of a not immediately respond to a request man Chancellor Angela Merkel, who joint interests of Germany, the Europe- ular with tourists. foreign nation.” for comment. has spearheaded EU efforts to secure an Union and Turkey,” Seibert added. (Source: Al Jazeera) The document did not identify what Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said it Turkey’s help in dealing with Europe’s “The fundamental values of the con- foreign country or countries were in- had no information on the case. Tai- migrant crisis. She has told Turkish stitution are non-negotiable, independ- volved. wan’s Foreign Ministry declined to Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in a ent of whether Germany works with oth- The U.S. official said both China and comment. telephone conversation that the poem ers to jointly tackle political challenges.” Taiwan were possible but stressed the (Source: Reuters) was “deliberately offensive”. (Source: Reuters) Obama calls Libya his ‘worst mistake’

Barack Obama says the biggest mistake of his presi- Ukraine looks to new pro-EU government after PM quits dency was the lack of planning for the aftermath of the Ukraine prepared Monday to usher in a through and dignified step, perhaps a fall of late Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi, with the stable new pro-Western government fol- difficult one, but one that deserves re- country spiraling into chaos and grappling with violent lowing the resignation of Prime Minister spect,” Interfax-Ukraine quoted Groys- extremists. Arseniy Yatsenyuk over public anger with man as saying. Reflecting on his legacy in a Fox News interview aired his seeming inability to fight government He called on parliament to quickly Sunday, Obama said his “worst mistake” was “probably failing graft. forge a coalition “that can form a new to plan for the day after what I think was the right thing to do Yatsenyuk’s announcement Sunday reform-driver government and choose a in intervening in Libya.” came barely two months after he sur- prime minister, thus ensuring the inevita- Last month, Obama made a searing critique of British vived a no-confidence vote in parliament bility of (Ukraine’s) European integration.” Prime Minister David Cameron and former French leader that left the government paralyzed and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden Sun- Nicolas Sarkozy for their roles in the bombing campaign they put the release of vital foreign aid on day also thanked Yatsenyuk “for his led in Libya. hold. partnership during a historic time for Cameron became “distracted” and Sarkozy wanted to The former Soviet republic has been Ukraine”. promote his country during the 2011 NATO-led military in- roiled by a eastern revolt and an eco- Finance ministry opening - tervention, Obama said in an interview with The Atlantic nomic collapse that has wiped out Analysts and the Ukrainian media magazine. people’s savings and stirred public re- predict that one of the most important Since the downfall of Gaddafi, who was killed in sentment toward the government since changes in the government will involve a popular uprising, Libya descended into near-an- Yatsenyuk assumed office in February the departure of Finance Minister Natalie archy, ruled by rival militias vying for power while 2014. Jaresko. the ISIL terrorist group has gained influence in the “Having done everything to ensure The U.S.-born former State Depart- country. stability and make a smooth transition what is expected to be a marathon ses- February 2014 ouster of Ukraine’s de- ment worker and private banker has The head of a UN-backed unity government arrived ear- of power possible, I decided to step sion that might also see a vote on Groys- spised Russian-backed president Viktor been widely praised by the West for be- lier this month in Tripoli to begin garnering support for his down from the post of prime minister of man’s candidacy. Yanukovych. ing able to pull together a crucial debt government. Ukraine,” the 41-year-old said in a weekly Yatsenyuk’s party member Anton Ger- Tymoshenko’s party and other fac- restructuring deal in August 2015. Obama also reflected on some of the best moments of television address. ashchenko wrote on Facebook that there tions that also broke ranks with the gov- Yet she is unlikely to serve under his tenure as president – due to end in January – in the Fox President Petro Poroshenko’s party were “more than enough votes” needed ernment have so far been noncommittal Groysman after herself volunteering for News interview. has proposed replacing Yatsenyuk with to accept the premier’s resignation. about whether they were ready to see the premiership post. “Saving the economy from a great depression” was his parliament speaker Volodymyr Groys- Yet what comes next is far less clear. Groysman assume one of Ukraine’s two Slovakia’s former deputy prime biggest accomplishment, he said. man -- a coalition builder who has A reform-oriented government - top posts. minister Ivan Miklos has agreed to As for the best day in the White House? gained stature by keeping the notorious- The parliamentary factions headed This confusion comes against the join the government if he can keep “The day that we passed health care reform,” Oba- ly-rowdy chamber in relative peace since by Poroshenko and Yatsenyuk have been backdrop of fierce jostling for top cab- his citizenship and is given the free- ma said. his appointment in November 2014. trying for weeks to muster the majority inet seats and a raging trade war with dom to pursue the belt-tightening “We sat out on the Truman Balcony with all the staff But some economists fear that the necessary to push through a new cabi- Russia that has hurt producers and fur- measures prescribed by the IMF un- that had worked so hard on it and I knew what it would 38-year-old Poroshenko protege may net leader and form a government that ther stalled Ukraine’s return to economic der its $17.5-billion (15.4 billion-euro) mean for the families that I’d met who didn’t have lack the toughness needed to stand up could appease the other dissatisfied par- growth. Ukrainian rescue plan. health care.” to a handful of tycoons who have dom- ties. Groysman himself warmly praised Yat- But the Ukrainska Pravda news site The president said his worst day in the White House was inated Ukraine’s fractious politics for But smaller groups such as the one senyuk for his decision but said nothing quoted sources as saying that Miklos will when he traveled to Newtown, Connecticut, after a gunman years. headed by former prime minister Yulia about his own chances of becoming the “definitely” not replace Jaresko at the cru- shot 20 young children and six adult staff members at an Parliament is to decide whether to ac- Tymoshenko have pulled out of the pro- next premier. cial post. elementary school in December 2012. (Source: AFP) cept Yatsenyuk’s resignation Tuesday at EU coalition that formed in wake of the “I understand that this was a thought- (Source: AFP) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY AAPRILPRIL 112,2, 22016016 http://www.tehrantimes.com/economy

JUMP Iran Plast to pave way for petchem Positive trade balance; pros and antis exports, modern technology 1 Moreover, despite the declared positive record, Iran’s stake 1 The official also mentioned variety of in the global trade decreased by 20 percent in the past year Companies from 13 European countries feedstock, existence of expert manpower and reached $120 billion, which was less than 0.3 percent of the and 10 Asian countries in addition to one and access to the international waters as world’s total volume of trade. company from Africa and one from Ocean- some advantages Iran enjoys for develop- “The share should ideally stand at $380 billion, when com- ia will participate in the exhibition; Shahdaie ment of its petrochemical sector. paring the country’s population with that of the whole world,” announced, adding that 200 top traders Officials say the country has the capacity Deputy Head of Iran-China Chamber of Commerce Majid-Reza and businessmen in the form of some del- to produce 60 million tons of petrochemi- Hariri told Fars news agency on March 5. egations from foreign chambers of com- cals per annum. As some antis additionally discuss, including the chairman of merce will also visit the exhibit. ‘Asian countries main buyers of the Iran-Russia Joint Chamber of Commerce Asadollah Asga- Companies from Germany, Austria, Italy, Iran’s petrochemicals’ roaldi, and the board member of the Iran-China Joint Cham- France, Britain, Spain, the Czech Republic, Asian countries specially China and In- ber of Commerce, Ferial Mostofi, the positive balance of trade Switzerland, the Netherlands, Denmark, dia, regarding their high population, will should be interpreted as the premier outcome of the sharp drop Poland, Russia, Belgium, China, South Ko- be the main export destinations of Iran’s in imports volume, not the increase in exports. rea, Taiwan, Singapore, India, Turkey, the petrochemical products in the current Low amount of liquidity, dominant economic recession, tax United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Bahrain, Paki- year, while the NPC’s affiliate companies issues which hinder exports, foreign exchange fluctuations, and stan, South Africa and Australia will show- are strongly planning to export their prod- low volume of domestic quality products stand among the main case their achievements in the exhibition, ucts to Europe, Shahdaie told the Tehran reasons that some commerce officials list to devalue the ob- while delegations from Iraq, Afghanistan, Times. tained positive balance. Pakistan, India, the United Arab Emirates, Iran exported 19 million tons of petro- Contrary to what critics argue, adherents of the positive bal- Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, China, chemical products during the past Iranian ance of trade speak of a set of conceivable reasons in relation Bangladesh, Russia, Armenia, Tajikistan, She mentioned attraction of foreign in- now showing interest in making investment calendar year of 1394 (which ended on with the achieved trade surplus. They emphasize that Iran is the Belarus, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Tunisia and vestment another objective of the NPC for in the petrochemical sector. March 19), a 2.5-million-ton increase com- only country in the globe where non-oil exports are excluded Kenya will visit the event, according to the the current year, saying, “It is a target we are “We are also negotiating with three Ger- pared to its preceding year. from total exports, if not, the figure would have always remained director of Iran Plast. following up more seriously after the imple- man companies for attracting investment”, In January, Abbas Sha’ri-Moqaddam, positive. ‘Output increase, downstream mentation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan the NPC director said, adding, the Germans the former managing director of NPC, said Iran, as the proponents boast, could manage to achieve the industries development top agenda’ of Action.” show high interest in Iran’s petrochemical the post-sanctions time creates a proper positive trade balance last year when its economic activities were Elsewhere in her remarks, Shahdaie re- Fortunately, many companies from Eu- industry. opportunity for development of Iran’s pet- largely confined by the international financial embargo over its ferred to increasing the output of current rope and Asia are willing to invest in Iran’s ‘Annual petchem output to rise rochemical sector. nuclear program. petrochemical complexes as well as devel- petrochemical sector and negotiations are by 6-7m tons’ In a ceremony held in Tehran on De- The factor noticeably limited the country’s international trade oping downstream industries as two main underway with them, the official highlight- Shahdaie went on to say that Iran’s pet- cember 28, 2015 to celebrate the 51st exchanges, Valiollah Afkhamirad, the head of the Trade Promo- objectives of the NPC in the current Iranian ed. rochemical production is planned to rise by establishment anniversary of the NPC, tion Organization, told Fars news agency on March 4. calendar year (which began on March 20). Referring to the NPC’s negotiation with 6-7 million tons in the current calendar year Mohammad-Hassan Peyvandi, the deputy Global economy suffered from the collapse of oil prices in She said as downstream industries bring France’s oil giant Total over constructing a through constructing ten new complexes. managing director of the company, said 2015 which had a high impact on cutting Iran’s exports and high value added and also create many petrochemical complex in Iran, Shahdaie She put the country’s petrochemical petrochemical industry can crown Iranian imports. Regarding the drop in imports last year, Afkhamirad jobs, their development is atop agenda of said Total used to make investment in Iran’s output at 44 million tons in the past calen- economy, because many other industries of blamed the fall of oil prices as the main cause, not the reduction the NPC. upstream oil and gas industries while it is dar year. the country are relying on it. of imports of raw materials, as some critics highlight. According to official data, the average price of exported goods rose 1.22 percent per ton to stand at $461, whereas the Italy’s Saras, Eni directors to visit Iran’s oil sector poised to attract price of imported commodities dropped by 5 percent and aver- aged at $1,183 a ton. Iranian oil officials today $200b of investments by 2021: official Some pros of the positive trade balance idea say the good Saipem to sign new agreement with Iran ECONOMY TEHRAN — “Iran industry in the new Iranian calendar news is that the hike in the average price of exported goods per deskis slated to absorb year which began on March 20. ton determines a rise in the share of imported raw materials. ECONOMY TEHRAN — CEOs company Eni, which owns approximately up to $200 billion of investments un- With overcoming financial prob- Other advocates of the positive record assume that the deskof the Italian multina- 43% of Saipem's shares. It has contracted der the aegis of the Sixth National lems, the minister said, the plans are 50-percent decrease in the imports of vehicles with engine dis- tional oil and gas company, Eni, and en- for designing and constructing several Development Plan and thanks to the afoot for rapid development of new placement of more than 2,500cc and durable consumer goods, ergy provider company, Saras S.p.A., will pipelines, including Blue Stream, Green country’s refreshed economic and projects in the shared oil and gas as well as the 18-percent fall in imports of low-quality Chinese start a new round of negotiations with Stream, Nord Stream and South Stream. international atmosphere in post- fields especially in South Pars gas products among the main causes for the 22-percent drop of Iranian senior oil officials in Tehran today, Earlier in January, Saipem penned sanction era,” General Director of field (which Iran shares with Qatar in imports last year. As they express, both factors submit the ef- SHANA reported on Monday. an accord to cooperate on major oil Strategic Planning in National Iranian the Persian Gulf) and West Karoun oil ficiency of applied economic policies of President Hassan Rou- CEOs of Eni, Claudio Descalzi, and and gas projects in Iran. The deal came Oil Company (NIOC), Saied Ghavam- fields (five oilfields which Iran shares hani’s administration during the said time. Saras, Massimo Moratti, will accompany at an opportune time for the company, poor, told SHANA on Monday. with Iraq at the western part of Iran's The proponents underline the remarkable 52.42-percent the Italian Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi, which had been hit hard by a prolonged As Ghavampoor described, the southwestern region of Karoun). reduction in exports of gas condensates as well as the two- during his visit to the Islamic capital. oil price slump that prompted oil majors share of foreign investors and Ira- According to Zanganeh, the high percent cut in exports of petrochemicals and other goods the As reported, the Italian oil and gas to cut investment and seek lower prices nian private sector from the an- priority is set on clinching new deals consequences of the collapse in oil prices, which had a signifi- industry contractor, Saipem S.p.A, also from suppliers, Reuters reported at the nounced figure may stand at $130 for development of shared oil and cant impact on the decline of Iran’s non-oil exports. plans to sign a new contract with Iran on time. billion and the remained required gas fields as well as enhancing the While, instability of foreign exchange rates, specifically oscil- the sidelines of Renzi’s trip, the compa- According to the reports, the MOU amount would be supplied by finan- extraction of oil from existing fields lations in the last two months of the past year, played a vital role ny’s CEO Stefano Cao told reporters on was signed with the Parsian Oil & Gas cial resources of the NIOC. within the framework of the coun- in thwarting Iranian tradesmen from expanding their activities the sidelines of an energy conference in Development Co and involved the re- On April 2, Iranian Oil Minister Bi- try’s new model of oil contracts and exports, as well. Rome, Italy’s ANSA reported. vamping and upgrading of the Iranian jan Namdar Zanganeh outlined prior- dubbed as Iran Petroleum Contract Furthermore, the economy of some of Iran’s major trading Saipem is a subsidiary of Italian energy Pars Shiraz and Tabriz refineries. itized plans for the development of oil (IPC). partners - mostly its neighbors - during the previous year was partially impressed the country’s total exports. “Iraq cannot afford to pay the price for the imported goods and services from Iran due to oil prices fall, while the other major Oil rises on signs of tightening market, but economic worries weigh partner, Russia, is dealing with the sharp slide in its currency and Oil prices rose on Monday, extending a sharp rally seen at 2020, compared with annual growth of 1.1 percent over the made Iranian businessmen in doubt about choosing it as a safe the end of last week after a drop in U.S. inventories and past decade, while the International Energy Agency esti- export destination,” Afkhamirad said. drilling, while outages and hopes that exporters could mates demand to grow by 1.3 percent over the next 5 years. Having in mind what pros and cons of the positive trade bal- freeze output also supported prices. "We expect oil markets to rebalance by the end of 2016. ance debate over and not being biased to discover whose rea- Oil futures were further underpinned as analysts forecast This will allow oil prices to recover towards the marginal sons outweigh those of the other’s, a long path seems to remain that global oil demand could accelerate, helping tighten a cost of $60/bbl," Bernstein said, adding that global demand for the Iranian government to achieve a more genuine positive market that has suffered from oversupply since mid-2014. would reach 101.1 million bpd by 2020 from 94.6 million trade balance which would be palpable in the domestic market Brent was lifted by production outages in the North Sea bpd now. than in official documents. and West Africa, and by hopes that a meeting of exporters "All net growth will be in non-OECD markets with OECD The target could be hit via improving the business environ- planned for April 17 would lead to an agreement to rein in demand likely to decline by 1 million bpd over the next 5 ment, providing non-cash incentives for exporters, building ballooning overproduction - estimated at about 1 million Analysts at Bernstein expect global oil demand to grow years." safety nets for quality products which can compete with foreign barrels per day (bpd) in excess of demand. at a mean annual rate of 1.4 percent between 2016 and (Source: Reuters) rivals, and most importantly taking actionable strategies for combating trafficking of goods. Iran tells India to pay for oil in euro Iran has stopped selling oil to India for rupees sidelines of Iran-India business conference dia. When asked whether Iran would attend Creating finance minister and now demands payment in euros only, at Tehran Chamber of Commerce. “We hope that India’s imports of oil the April 17 meeting of OPEC oil ministers is euro zone's most urgent Shana news agency citied Iran’s Oil Minister Earlier, Tehran and New Delhi inked new from Iran will increase now that the sanctions in Doha to discuss a proposed oil output Bijan Zangeneh as saying on Saturday. contracts for additional Iranian oil exports have been removed,” Bijan Zanganeh told his freeze at January levels, Bijan Zanganeh was reform: ECB's Villeroy “From now on, Iran will trade oil only to India with Minister Zanganeh saying that visiting Indian counterpart Dharmendra Prad- noncommittal saying only that the meeting in euros,” Bijan Zanganeh told reports on the Tehran was ready to increase oil exports to In- han in Tehran. was still “a way off.” (Source: Sputnik) The euro zone's most pressing reform is to set up a new institu- tion with a finance minister to coordinate national fiscal and eco- nomic policies, ECB governing council member Francois Villeroy Daily Mail owner India’s Tata steel due British banks' de Galhau said on Monday. considering Yahoo to begin formal UK misconduct bill has Pointing to studies suggesting that shoddy coordination has cost the currency bloc 2-5 percent of economic output in recent bid sale process reached nearly 53 years, Villeroy said the euro zone had two years to change and billion pounds: study that Britain's referendum on its EU membership was no excuse to stall. The owner of the Daily Mail newspaper is consid- India’s Tata Steel is due on Monday to begin the for- Lawsuits and misconduct fines have cost Brit- France and Germany have pledged to make proposals on ering a bid for the struggling US internet com- mal sale process for its loss-making British units which ain’s largest retail banks and customer-owned reform of the euro zone before the end of the year, though not pany Yahoo. employ 15,000 people, a source close to the company lenders almost 53 billion pounds over the past before Britain's June 23 referendum on whether to remain or A spokesman said discussions were “at a very said. 15 years, a new study has found. leave the European Union. early stage” and there was no certainty a deal Tata, one of the world’s biggest steelmakers, said The scale of the payouts has hampered Villeroy said the new minister would be tasked with forging a would take place. The Wall Street Journal, where on March 30 it was putting its British assets up for sale, banks’ efforts to rebuild capital, restricted the strategy for getting the euro zone onto a path to faster growth it was first reported, said the Daily Mail and Gen- citing a global oversupply of steel, high costs, weak amount they are able to lend and reduced divi- and keeping countries on that path. eral Trust (DMGT) was in talks with private equity domestic demand and a volatile currency. dends for investors. In a proposal that could weaken the grip of governments on firms about an offer. Sajid Javid, Britain’s business minister, said on Fri- Britain’s banks have been hit by scandals their own national agenda, the minister would propose reforms Yahoo is under pressure from shareholders to day the formal sale process would begin by Monday ranging from the manipulation of foreign ex- and policy stances for countries that would be approved by a turn itself around. The activist hedge fund inves- and that Tata had not set a time frame for the sale. change and benchmark interest rates to the simple majority among euro zone finance ministers. tor Starboard Value recently called for the re- British Prime Minister David Cameron, already mis-selling of loan insurance and complex in- The minister would also be in charge of a proposed conver- placement of the entire board at the loss-making grappling with rows over Europe, his budget and his terest-rate hedging products. gence fund that could be used to finance infrastructure or refugee company. tax affairs, is trying to find a buyer for Tata’s assets.

settlement and which could be a precursor to a joint euro zone NEWS IN BRIEF budget further down the line. (Source: Reuters) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y http://www.tehrantimes.com AAPRILPRIL 112,2, 22016016 HISTORY & HERITAGE 5

Tips for travelling Tibet: The roof NEWS Turkey eyes increase in of the world Iran flights for tourism

Everyone knows Tibet—at least, they You may have ethical and moral qualms Turkey is looking to increase the number of Iranian tourists think they do. The word alone conjures about visiting a land where such op- it welcomes as it seeks to diversify sources of tourism due to images of monks, meditation, and moun- pression occurs on a day-to-day basis. a significant downturn in the Russian and European markets taintops; of blue skies, white ice, and red You may worry that, by visiting, you will amid rising security concerns. robes; of a spiritually pure Shangri-La. Yet, only be contributing to the system which “[Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu] has stated in truth, few people know the reality of keeps this in place—especially since most that we wish to have more flights scheduled to Iran in the 21st century Tibet, and that’s because it Tibetan tour operators are owned by Chi- context of bilateral tourism relations,” a Turkish diplomatic is one of the least trammeled areas in the nese companies. But you should still go. source told the Hurriyet Daily News after the Turkish minister world. One of the Dalai Lama’s most oft-quoted hosted Iranian Communications and Information Technology Getting to Tibet is difficult—the bor- assertions is that people should visit Ti- Minister Mahmoud Vaizi on April 7. ders spend more time closed than bet, and then they should tell the world “He [Cavusoglu] also stated that we would be pleased open—but it’s not impossible. Here are about it. It is only by doing this that the to have Iranian airline companies permitted to fly to various some lesser-known facts about Tibet to truth of the Tibetan situation will be kept points in Turkey in order to enable Iranian tourists to com- study up on before you journey there. alive. fortably travel to Turkey,” said the same source. Tibet is huge. Though it may seem Tibet is truly unique. There is, quite Tourism fell by 10.32 percent year-on-year in February to 1.24 dwarfed by the rest of China, don’t be simply, nowhere else in the world like it. million people, data from the Culture and Tourism Ministry showed. fooled. Approximately two-thirds the size Go and find out for yourself. You will re- The decline was the biggest since October 2006. The in- of Western Europe, Tibet is colossal, and turn with a heady mixture of thoughts, dustry is also suffering from a chill in relations with Russia travelers can spend an age simply getting feelings, and emotions—but I guarantee – typically a major source of tourism revenue for Turkey – as from one town to the next. that not one of them will be disappoint- Russian visitors fell by more than half during the month. And that’s just the TAR. What we ment. Relations between Moscow and Ankara have worsened since Tur- think of as Tibet is officially known as Namtso Lake is located at an altitude of 4720 meters on Mount Kailash, the sacred moun- Don’t miss the must-see attractions key shot down a Russian warplane near the Syrian border last year. the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR). tains of Tibet and Mansarovar, and is the highest salt water lake in the world. of Tibet. Here is a brief list: The number of foreign arrivals declined 8.5 percent in the first Many Tibetans, however, believe their *The Potala Palace: the highest ancient two months of the year to around 2.4 million, according to the data. cause severe headaches, breathlessness, nation until 1950. Chinese schoolbooks (Source: hurriyetdailynews.com) homeland extends into what they call irritability, nausea, and even death. The will tell you that Tibet has been a part of palace in the world. Its spectacular physi- “Greater Tibet”: Tibetan prefectures in only cure for altitude sickness is, quite China for the last thousand years, and cal structure and importance in Tibetan the Chinese provinces of Yunnan, Si- simply, to descend. perhaps more, but this is false. China history make it one of the wonders of the chuan, Gansu, and Qinghai. More eth- Most of the yaks in Tibet are not and Tibet may well have argued over world. nic Tibetans (2.9 million) live in these actually yaks. Yaks are well known as the territories for a thousand years and, in *Jokhang Temple: the spiritual center Tips for the beginner prefectures than in the TAR itself (2.5 Tibetan animal because they are perfectly 1913, the Tibetans even agreed to sign of Tibet and the holiest destination for traveler million), and Greater Tibet is almost suited to the high altitude. But, in fact, Ti- a proclamation that gave China control all Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims. You can twice the size of the TAR. betan yaks are now an endangered spe- over foreign affairs, but China never see lots of pilgrims kowtowing in front of By Geoffrey Morrison Tibet is known as “the roof of the cies, with only 15,000 left. The large bo- signed the accord. Thus, Tibet was nev- Jokhang Temple. For the past two years I’ve lived and worked in over a dozen world”. Like much of the rest of China, vine beasts most prevalent across Tibet er legally and officially a part of China *Monk Debates at Sera Monastery: countries, spending most of the year as a digital nomad living which seems to have the monopoly on are dzo: a hybrid between a yak and a until 1950—and whether or not it legally Sera Monastery is one of the biggest out of a backpack. It’s awesome. I talk to a lot of people back superlatives (the largest dam, public cow. became a part of China at that point monasteries in Lhasa. The debating is home that have never traveled, and have lots of questions square, standing army, and even escala- Tibet has not always been a peace- remains up for debate. held on open grounds every day (except about the basics. I compiled these into 10 tips to make that tor), Tibet adds to the records by virtue of ful and isolated land. Thank largely to the Tibetans are still a heavily op- on Sundays). first international adventure go as smoothly as possible. its sheer height. Averaging approximately diplomatic work of the 14th Dalai Lama, pressed people. Thousands of Tibetans lake yamdrok Lake Yamdrok Start somewhere easy 13,000 feet above sea level, it has the Tibet is often equated with pacifism. Yet attempt to flee over the Himalayas every Drepung Monastery: the largest Ti- Some places are easier to travel to than others. If this is your highest mountain, lake, railway, road, and between the seventh and ninth centuries, year. The official punishment for this is betan Buddhist monastery. Many people first time out of the country, it might be worth considering one tunnel in the world. Tibet controlled an empire that stretched imprisonment, though many are shot by come here to see the Thangka Unveiling of the easier destinations over, say 6 weeks on Bouvet Island or As a result, the air in Tibet has 40 out into parts of modern-day Nepal, In- border guards, and those who remain live at the Shoton Festival. a quick jaunt up K2. But hey, if that’s what you want, go for it. percent less oxygen. When traveling in dia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and even a under constant military surveillance. It is *Lake Yamdrok: The turquoise water Get your phone sorted out Tibet, your heart rate and breathing pat- large swathe of China. This Tibetan em- illegal to carry a photograph of the Dalai will take your breath away. There are few things more freeing than an unlocked smart terns will modify themselves to increase pire was conquered and maintained via Lama or a Tibetan flag, or even to utter *Tashilunpo Monastery: Appreciate Ti- phone. If your phone is unlocked you can get, probably, a your blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity. the same bloody and ruthless means that the words “Bo rangzen” (“Free Tibet”), yet betan architecture. local SIM card for cheap high-speed data, wherever you go. This can take a few days, and many peo- any empire in the history of the world has many still do, and arrest, imprisonment, *Mt. Everest: the tallest mountain in Forget overpriced travel data plans like those from Sprint and ple experience altitude sickness during utilized. re-education, and torture are rife. the world. Verizon. Local SIM cards are the way to go. the acclimatization. Altitude sickness can Tibet was a legally independent But you should still go to Tibet. (Source: fodors.com) The right luggage Buy a smaller bag than you think you might need. Person- ally, I prefer a good travel backpack. Some people like the hy- Egypt has high hopes for tourism despite grim statistics, setbacks brid backpack/rolly-bags, but I find them cumbersome. Avoid regular rolly bags, they’re more trouble than their worth. Big Egypt is confident of luring back millions of foreign visi- The torture of Italian graduate student Giulio Regeni, suitcases should be avoided at all costs (unless you’re going tors and putting a smile on their faces, according to its whose body was dumped on the side of a road in Febru- skiing or something and need to bring a lot of bulky gear). new tourism minister, despite heavy first quarter losses ary, has also hurt Egypt’s image. The right gear and setbacks including a bomb that brought down a Human rights groups say torture marks on his body fit a I love a good, cheap, travel laptop. A USB battery pack is Russian passenger plane. pattern that suggested Egyptian security services had killed invaluable. I love noise cancelling headphones, but they’re Yehia Rashed said the ancient land of the pyramids him, an allegation the government has strongly denied. probably a luxury for most people. and Red Sea resorts was determined to secure a strong Asked if Egypt would take action if it was determined Pack light recovery even though the number of foreign tourists fell that a policeman had killed Regeni, as widely suspected This will be the hardest thing about travel. There are few by 40% in the first quarter of 2016, compared with the among human rights groups, Rashed said “justice is justice.” harder urges to overcome than over packing. “But I might same period last year. “We care big time about human rights. The best way, need this!!!” is so common there are industries built around The most populous Arab nation aims to attract 12 mil- actually, is to create positive vibes in the mind of people needless junk and charging you for heavy bags. Aim for 30 lion tourists by the end of 2017 with a six-point plan, he said. that Egypt is safe and it is worth visiting,” he added. pounds, tops, for everything. If you don’t bring a lot of elec- “I am very hopeful, optimistic about the future of The Regeni case has brought allegations of wide- tronics, aim for fewer than 25. You don’t more than a week’s tourism into Egypt,” Rashed told Reuters in an interview. spread police brutality in Egypt under sharper focus. Gulf business is up about 45% from last year,” said Rashed. worth of clothes. You can do laundry everywhere. “I want to get that smile that you are smiling into the Egypt’s tourism industry, a cornerstone of the econo- Seriously, travelling light will change everything about faces of everybody. We want to stay positive.” my and critical source of hard currency, has been strug- Egyptian tourism has survived hard times in the past. In 1997 Islamic militants killed 58 tourists and four how you travel. Egypt tourism revenue has taken a heavy hit since a Rus- gling to rebound after the political and economic up- Cloud data backup sian plane crashed in the Sinai last October, killing all 224 peo- heaval triggered by the 2011 uprising that ended Hosni Egyptians at a temple in Luxor, on the Nile. Rashed seemed optimistic. He said the new six-point I had one friend drop her camera in a taxi and lose 3 weeks’ ple on board in what President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called an Mubarak’s 30-year rule. worth of photos, nearly her entire multi-country trip through Asia. act of terrorism. Islamic State said it planted a bomb on board. More than 14.7 million tourists visited Egypt in 2010, plan to boost tourism would include increasing the pres- ence of national carrier EgyptAir abroad, working with Cloud backups are cheap and easy to use. I like Google GOOGL Rashed said Egypt had improved airport security dropping to 9.8 million in 2011. -0.17% Photos, but there are a ton of other options. CNET has a since the crash. “These people have worked day and “The first quarter is down about 40% compared to last low-cost airlines and the improvement of services. (Source: Reuters) great rundown here: Which cloud storage service is right for you?. night,” he said. “Egypt is safe.” year. However, there is a positive with every negative. The Apps for you and your family Google Translate is the greatest app for any traveler, by FAR PICTURE OF THE DAY Mehr/Laleh Khajouie (download languages when you’re on WiFi, and it will work without Why did the a data connection). Google Maps is a close second (download an Romans build area on WiFi, and it too will work without a data connection). What I also recommend is hooking your family with apps straight roads? too, specifically WhatsApp and Instagram (or Skype or Mes- The strength of Roman roads means that senger, etc). Keeping in touch while on the road is key for many still exist today, while others became your mental health, and theirs. the foundations of other roads... Don’t be afraid of hostels While some Roman roads might have Hostels aren’t things that Americans consider. There’s a mis- bends or corners, the vast majority are dis- taken perception that they’re dirty, rowdy, dangerous places. I tinctively straight as they march for mile after guess some are, but most of the ones I’ve stayed at in the two mile across Britain and Europe. Unlike modern years I’ve been travelling full time are nicer than most hotels. roads, the via munita were not intended for Lock your phone the use of ordinary people. Only army units, Your phone, and what’s on it, is probably the most valuable government officials and those with a special thing you have on you. Phones are easily replaced. Personal pass were allowed to use them. When moving data theft is way worse. Pictures, addresses… how many banking armies, or officials to deal with emergencies, apps and websites do you have that automatically log you in? speed was paramount. Everyone else had to Lock your phone. The swipy geometry designs may seem make do with using local dirt tracks. great, but after you use them a few times, the screen will be Of course, you would think certain natural smudged in the exact shape of your passcode. Numbers and features – steep hills and valleys – of the land- biometrics are safer. scape could affect the straightness of the via Don’t make it easy for thieves munita. Not so, Roman roads went straight up I met a first-time traveler from a tiny mid-west town. She the most precipitous of slopes without winding walked around London with her iPhone 6 sticking half out of back and forth in hairpin bends like modern her back pocket. Theft is rare, but don’t make it easy. Don’t roads. This is because a marching man on foot leave your bag on a table at a sidewalk café. Don’t leave your can go straight up a steep hill and then rest to backback on your back on a crowded train. You’d be sur- recover before moving on much quicker than if prised how often I see people not doing these things. There’s he wound around a gently rising slope. nothing wrong with being a little cautious. Army supplies were carried on mules who You don’t need to lash your belongings to your chest with could likewise go up a steep slope without steel cables every time you leave the hostel. Just, you know, much trouble. Draught animals pulling wagons be aware of your surroundings. If someone could casually needed the gentler slope, but the via munita pick up something, or pull it out of your hands, without any A shopkeeper in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan Province plays with his cell phone in his fabric store, which offers baluch traditional textiles. were not built for merchants who used wagons. effort, maybe that’s not the best place for it. (Source: History Extra) (Source: Forbes) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y

6 INTERNATIONAL AAPRILPRIL 112,2, 22016016 http://www.tehrantimes.com/international The race to run the United Nations

For the past 70 years, each time the post of moon, who will step down at the end of the tions veterans, including Helen Clark of New 2012; and Srgjan Kerim of Macedonia, who secretary general of the United Nations has year, fortunately, will be different. Zealand, a former prime minister, who has led served as foreign minister and ambassador been open, those interested in the job lob- At the insistence of small nations that tra- the United Nations Development Program to the United Nations. bied and cajoled the five permanent mem- ditionally had no say in the matter, the Unit- since 2009, and Irina Bokova of Bulgaria, the The other contenders are Vesna Pusic, the bers of the Security Council behind closed ed Nations has asked that governments that head of the United Nations Educational, Sci- foreign minister of Croatia; Natalia Gherman, doors. wish to nominate a candidate for the job do entific and Cultural Organization. a senior diplomat from Moldova; and Igor The Council chose the finalist, whose name so openly. Also in the race are António Manuel Ol- Luksic, the foreign minister of Montenegro. was then presented to the General Assembly This week, diplomats from the United Na- iveira Guterres of Portugal, who served for a Most candidates are Eastern European be- as a done deal. This obscure process for se- tions’ 193 states will have an opportunity to decade as the United Nations high commis- cause that region is widely assumed to be the next lecting one of the world’s most important meet and question the four women and four sioner for refugees, through last year; Danilo in line to have a representative at the top of the leaders has gone unchallenged for decades. men who are vying for the job. Turk, a former assistant secretary general who United Nations. Not anymore. The race to replace Ban Ki- Among the candidates are five United Na- served as president of Slovenia from 2007 to A former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark 9

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Panama furor rumbles into second NEWS IN BRIEF U.S. banks' dismal week as global pressure mounts first quarter may spell trouble for 2016 The fallout from the Panama leaks showed no sign of abating as U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron was forced It is only April, but some on Wall Street are already predicting a to provide more transparency over his wealth and Euro- rotten 2016 for U.S. banks. pean officials pledged measures to require companies to Analysts say it has been the worst start to the year since the report their offshore bank accounts. financial crisis in 2007-2008 and expect poor first-quarter results Cameron will face lawmakers on Monday as he seeks when reporting begins this week. to draw a line under the crisis stemming from information Concerns about economic growth in China, the impact of about the use of offshore tax havens leaked from Pana- persistently low oil prices on the energy sector, and near-zero ma-based law firm Mossack Fonseca. Iceland’s prime min- interest rates are weighing on capital markets activity as well as ister has resigned, Malta’s government faces a confidence loan growth. vote and Argentine President Mauricio Macri promised to Analysts forecast a 20 percent decline on average in earnings put his assets in a blind trust after he was linked to two from the six biggest U.S. banks, according to Thomson Reuters companies listed in Panama. I/B/E/S data. Some banks, including Goldman Sachs Group Inc. The revelations are undermining public trust in govern- (GS.N), are expected to report the worst results in over ten years. ments around the world, even on unrelated issues includ- This spells trouble for the financial sector more broadly, since ing Britain’s European Union membership and a Dutch ref- banks typically generate at least a third of their annual revenue erendum on a proposed trade pact with Ukraine that was during the first three months of the year. defeated last week. The leaks come as politicians around "What's concerning people is they're saying, 'Is this going to the world find themselves on the defensive against populist spill over into other quarters?'" Goldman's lead banking analyst groups angry at rising inequality. Richard Ramsden said in an interview. "If you do have a signifi- “The Panama papers are yet another symptom, rather cant decline in revenues, there is a limit to how much you can than root cause, of a growing disconnect between elites cut costs to keep things in equilibrium." (Source: Reuters) and their voters,” said Wolfango Piccoli, co-president of Teneo Intelligence in London. “Even if the Panama story were not to drag on for too long, the fundamental crisis statement on Saturday. caught up in the Panama affair. Other French media decid- of diminishing trust in the political establishment is likely to Following a week of scrutiny into his financial affairs, ed not to cover the trip in protest. continue.” Cameron published details of the taxes he’s paid since Societe Generale SA also confirmed that French police UK economy lost steam As politicians feel the heat, banks, law firms and other 2009, after acknowledging that he sold about 30,000 visited its offices last week to collect documents related to in first-quarter, industry companies that have facilitated access to offshore accounts pounds ($42,000) of shares in an offshore fund set up by its offshore accounts revealed in the Panama Papers. In are coming under greater scrutiny that could change how his late father shortly before he became prime minister. He Paris, youths spray-painted a Societe Generale branch with survey shows they do business. said he had paid all tax due on the sale. slogans related to the revelations during a protest on Friday More than 20 nations have announced probes into in- Global fallout against a labor reform bill. Britain's economy lost steam in the first three months of the year, formation contained in the leaks, and the Organization for The revelations also disrupted French Prime Minister In Switzerland, prosecutors said the Mossack Fonseca according to a major survey of businesses that showed domestic Economic Cooperation and Development will host a meet- Manuel Valls’s working trip to Algeria over the weekend. documents contain new information relevant to their inves- demand slipped for both services and manufacturing companies. ing on April 13 to discuss cross-border tax issues. Global Reporters from two French media, newspaper Le Monde tigation into corruption at soccer’s world governing body The British Chambers of Commerce's (BCC) Quarterly Eco- finance ministers are expected to discuss the issue when and broadcaster Canal+, were denied visas to accompany FIFA. nomic Survey follows a string of lackluster data since the start of they gather this week in Washington for the International Valls because they reported on Algerian cabinet members Former British Finance Minister Nigel Lawson said much the year, with industrial output declining sharply and consumer Monetary Fund’s spring meeting. of the public reaction has ignored the fact that offshore confidence fading from highs seen last year. Stricter measures accounts are often not illegal and are useful in international Domestic sales growth for manufacturers receded to the low- The European Commission on Tuesday will consider More than 20 nations have trade, provided the correct taxes are paid. est level since the end of 2012, and for services this was the weak- how to require large companies to make public what they announced probes into “You wouldn’t have had the development of the so- est since mid-2013. pay in tax in each of the 28 EU countries, and possibly out- information contained in called emerging world as rapidly as it has been if there And while manufacturing exports picked up slightly, the BCC's side the bloc as well. gauge of services exports slipped to its lowest since the end of the leaks, and OECD will had not been freedom of capital flows,” Lawson told the Though the Commission has been working for years BBC on Sunday. “It’s done a great deal of good, and no- 2011. on how to stop multinationals playing European countries’ host a meeting on April 13 body in their right mind wants to unwind that. But there The BCC referred to "mounting global and domestic uncer- tax codes off each other to minimize payments, the Pan- to discuss cross-border tax does need to be cooperation between tax authorities tainties" as reasons for the weaker outlook. It did not specifically ama papers may push it to expand the scope of its work, issues. around the world.” mention Britain's June 23 referendum on membership of the Eu- EU Financial Services Commissioner Jonathan Hill said in a (Source: Bloomberg) ropean Union. (Source: Reuters)

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8 MED & SCI AAPRILPRIL 112,2, 22016016 http://www.tehrantimes.com

NEWS IN BRIEF Global warming: Why clouds may be World's wild tiger count rising for first time less helpful than models forecast The world's count of wild tigers roaming forests from Russia to Vi- As global surface temperatures continue to the better it is at reflecting solar radiation etnam has gone up for the first time in more than a century, with rise as a result of human industrial activ- back into space, helping to keep the Earth 3,890 counted by conservation groups and national governments in ity, climate models may be overestimating cool by preventing the sun's rays from ever the latest global census, wildlife conservation groups said Monday. the ability of clouds to curb climate change, hitting the surface. So, as our atmospheric India alone holds more than half of the world's tigers, with new research has found. temperatures rise, and the ice in mixed- 2,226 tigers roaming reserves across the country, from the The study used newly available sat- phase clouds melts, those clouds become southern tip of Kerala state to the eastern swamps in West Ben- ellite technology to analyze clouds and more reflective, in what represents a nega- gal, according to its last count determine the proportion of ice versus tive feedback loop for global temperature. in 2014. liquid water. In other words, the more ice the clouds But while experts said the This ratio has important implications have in them, the stronger the buffer they news was cause for celebra- for climate modeling, as it impacts the are against global warming. What this study tion, they stopped short of amount of solar radiation being thrown found was that climate models have over- saying the number of tigers it- back into space. estimated the amount of ice in our clouds, self was actually rising. In oth- The "broader implication of this work meaning there is less available to melt and er words, it may just be that is that for the same amount of carbon di- offset temperature rises. experts are aware of more ti- oxide in the atmosphere, we'll see greater "It’s really in the last couple of years that gers, thanks to better survey global warming than currently predicted," this problem has been identified in the mod- methods and more areas be- explains the study's lead researcher, Trude els," says Dr. Storelvmo, "and it's because of ing surveyed. Storelvmo, a Yale assistant professor of ge- the new instruments available on CALIPSO." Still, this is the first time ti- ology and geophysics, in a telephone inter- While Storelvmo acknowledges that this ger counts are increasing since view with The Christian Science Monitor, "so hardware has been orbiting our planet for 1900, when there were more for global policy it means more fossil fuels a decade, she explains that it takes time to than 100,000 tigers in the wild. What the study found was that climate models have need to stay in the ground." see the patterns emerge and then to deter- "More important than the absolute numbers is the trend, and overestimated the amount of ice in our clouds, meaning Mixed-phased clouds mine the studies to be undertaken, on top we're seeing the trend going in the right direction," said Ginette Clouds sit on a spectrum, in terms of there is less available to melt and offset temperature rises. of the time and computer power it takes to Hemley, senior vice president of wildlife conservation at world their water composition, with the cold- of water; this study focused on clouds that known as mixed-phase clouds. carry out the research. wildlife fund (WWF). est being full of ice and the warmest full lie somewhere between the two extremes, The more liquid water a cloud contains, (Source: The CSM) The global census, compiled from national tiger surveys as well as the International Union for Conservation of Nature, was released a day before ministers from 13 countries meet for three days in New Delhi. New front opens in war on superbugs: experts The countries teamed up with conservation groups after the dis- appointing count in 2010, and pledged to double wild tiger numbers A newly-discovered antibiotic-resistant gene is threatening world closer to an antibiotic crisis." by 2022. Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio joined the effort. to open a new front in the war against superbugs by ren- Colistin has been available since 1959 to treat infections (Source: The NYT) dering a last-resort drug impotent, experts warn. caused by Gram-negative bacteria -- a category including The gene's resistance to colistin, a life-saving medication the food-poisoning germs E-coli and Salmonella, as well which has been around for 60 years, is the latest frustration as Acinetobacter which can cause pneumonia or serious for physicians battling disease with a shrinking arsenal of blood and wound infections. antibiotics to treat a wide variety of ailments, many once It was abandoned for human use in the 1980s due to Titanic dinosaurs split by easily curable. high kidney toxicity, but is widely used in livestock farming, 'unzipping' supercontinent Dubbed mcr-1, the resistance-conferring gene easily especially in China. transfers between bacteria, benign or otherwise, found in As bacteria have started to develop resistance to other, Titanosaurs were some of the biggest animals ever to roam the humans, animals or the environment. more modern drugs, colistin had to be brought back as a planet. Now, it appears the long-necked giants hitched a ride First identified in China last November, the gene has treatment of last resort in hospitals and clinics. on the massive landmass Gondwana as it slowly split during the since been discovered in livestock, water, meat and veg- Of the 344 Chinese study subjects, six harboured the A key element Cretaceous. Amy Middleton reports. etables for human consumption in several countries, and in gene in their gut -- a known major reservoir of drug resist- Titanosaurs, some of history’s largest creatures, may have humans infected with E.coli -- one of the disease-causing "(A) key element for the emergence of superpathogens ance, the team found. split off into subspecies when their supercontinent broke apart, bacteria it targets. (superbugs, or drug-resistant germ strains) has made its "They are healthy people. They are hosts, they are car- according to new research from Ohio University. For the first time, mcr-1 has now also been found living way to our bodies," researcher Aycan Gundogdu of Tur- rying this gene," Gundogdu told AFP. The study, conducted by Eric Gorscak and Patrick O’Connor, in the gut of healthy humans, a conference of the Europe- key's Erciyes University told delegates. Why is it scary? Because water treatment "can't elimi- used recently developed mapping techniques to create a timeline an Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases "It is (only) a matter of time (before) the dissemination nate these bacteria or these genes perfectly," he said. of a species’ genetic history. The pair used this modelling to esti- (ESCMID) heard in Amsterdam this weekend. of mcr-1 gene will be prevalent in the clinic, bringing the (Source: AFP) mate when titanosaurs roamed the Earth, and why their descend- ants may have evolved from the family line to form new species. Titanosaurs, a group of particularly large sauropod dinosaurs, We’ve changed a life-giving nutrient Pluto may be hiding a vast ocean were widespread across the globe during their heyday, before their extinction along with the rest of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. into a deadly pollutant: scientists beneath its icy surface These long-necked giants account for some of the largest creatures Coastal dead zones, global warming, ex- Pluto may be home to a vast alien to have ever walked the Earth, some reaching lengths of 40 metres cess algae blooms, acid rain, ocean acidi- ocean hiding beneath its frozen sur- and weighing in at a portly 90,000 kilograms. fication, smog, impaired drinking water face, according to new data recorded The study’s time models place the origins of titanosaurs in South quality, an expanding ozone hole, and by the New Horizons spacecraft. This America during the Early Cretaceous, some 135 million years ago. biodiversity loss. Seemingly diverse prob- is the latest unexpected discovery un- The researchers observed a rough link between the evolution- lems, but a common thread connects covered concerning the distant dwarf ary divergence of titanosaur species and the separation of the them: human disruption of how a single planet. southerly supercontinent Gondwana during the Cretaceous period. chemical element, nitrogen, interacts with Billions of years ago, Pluto likely had The findings also point to a semi-isolated group of African the environment. a much thicker atmosphere, and ex- subspecies that became unique to their area below the equator. Nitrogen is absolutely crucial to life perienced warmer temperatures, than (Source: Cosmos Magazine) — an indispensable ingredient of DNA, present on the frigid body today. This proteins, and essentially all living tis- may have allowed an ocean to exist sue — yet it also can choke the life out on the surface, along with lakes and of aquatic ecosystems, destroy trees, and problem — including energy use, urban free-flowing rivers. Data from the flyby across Pluto's surface," said Will Grundy Are e-cigarettes a healthy sicken people when it shows up in excess runoff, and sewage — agriculture is the showed evidence of an ancient lake, of the Lowell Observatory. way to quit smoking? at the wrong place, at the wrong time, in largest source of environmentally damag- now extinct, on the surface of the body. New Horizons is currently so far the wrong form. And over the past cen- ing nitrogen. "In addition to this possible former from Earth that transmitting data to or tury, people have released so much of According to scientists studying this lake, we also see evidence of chan- from the spacecraft that radio signals Smoking accounts for more than 480,000 deaths every year in this this type of nitrogen — known as reac- problem, approximately 80 percent of nels that may also have carried liquids racing through space at over 186,000 country, or about one of every five deaths, according to the Centers tive nitrogen — that scientists say we’ve the nitrogen currently used in agriculture in Pluto's past," said Alan Stern of the miles a second, take nearly five hours for Disease Control and Prevention. An additional 16 million Ameri- passed the limit of what the planet can (primarily synthetic and other fertilizers, Southwest Research Institute. to travel between the interplanetary cans live with a smoking-related disease, it says. Clearly more needs safely handle. like manure) is lost to the environment Before the arrival of New Horizons observatory and mission engineers on to be done to get Americans to quit smoking. The result of releasing so much ni- at some point in the food supply chain. at Pluto, many astronomers believed our home planet. Some people say electronic cigarettes can help wean smok- trogen to the environment — through These losses occur on farms and in food the dwarf planet was likely a cold, dead, Pluto was found to contain a rocky ers off tobacco, at little risk to their health. For others, both of excessive and inefficient fertilizer use, ag- production, sales, distribution, prepara- barren world. The spacecraft observed core, covered in a mantle of water ice. those assertions are false. riculture-related nitrogen emissions, and tion, and consumption. Or, as University a dramatic geological landscape, in- This, in turn, is surrounded by frozen Jed E. Rose, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences nutrient-laden wastewater, along with fos- of Virginia professor of environmental sci- cluding complex interactions between methane, carbon monoxide and nitro- and director of the Duke Center sil fuel and biomass burning — is this slew ences Jim Galloway puts it, losses occur massive deposits of water ice, methane, gen. When heated by the distant sun, for Smoking Cessation at Duke of adverse environmental impacts. These "all along the way from the field and bare and frozen carbon monoxide. the materials are converted directly University, makes the case for impacts are occurring worldwide and are soil to the sewage plant." Pluto’s surface into vapors, which then fall back to the e-cigarettes as a smoking- exacerbated by warming temperatures. A big part of the problem, according "These cycles are a lot richer than dwarf planet in the form of precipita- cessation tool. Arguing against Nitrogen problem to Jan Willem Erisman, University of Am- those on Earth, where there's really only tion. it is Pamela Ling, a professor of Though the nitrogen problem gets far sterdam professor of integrated nitrogen one material that condenses and evap- New Horizons became the first medicine with the Center for less press, we’ve now upset the naturally studies and CEO of the Louis Bolk Institute orates - water. On Pluto, there are at spacecraft to ever fly by Pluto in July Tobacco Control Research and occurring balance of nitrogen even more in the Netherlands, is that "people don’t least three materials, and while they in- 2015, revealing the icy dwarf planet in a Education at the University of than that of carbon. connect it to food and food production." teract in ways we don't yet fully under- way never before seen by humans. California, San Francisco. While many things contribute to the (Source: Vox) stand, we definitely see their effects all (Source: Tech Times) In evaluating the poten- tial public-health impact of e-cigarettes, we need to bear in mind the staggering toll of death and disease caused by Chinese researchers have genetically modified human embryos — yet again cigarette smoking throughout Less than a year ago, when a group of leading researchers Genetic modifications The mutation was targeted in the CCR5 gene, which is the world. In this context, we should not discourage promising was calling for a moratorium on the use of a revolution- The technology in question is called CRISPR, and it allows responsible for producing a protein that HIV uses to latch new approaches that might change this picture. ary technology, Chinese researchers shocked the world by researchers to make genetic modifications with greater pre- on, enter, and infect a human immune cell. If the CCR5 As with any new potentially therapeutic approach, we must using it to genetically modify human embryos. The worry cision than ever before. In 2015, Chinese researchers used gene were mutated, the logic goes, the HIV virus would evaluate e-cigarettes based on the information currently avail- was that unfettered access to the technology might en- CRISPR to target genes responsible for a blood disorder not be able to infect—and thus the mutation would confer able, while recognizing that an exhaustive analysis of all of the able such embryos to become fully grown humans, who called? - thalassemia. They were only able to replace the de- resistance to the disease. potential long-term effects will require many years of study. And will then pass on mutations to all their offspring. The risk of fective gene in 28 out 71 embryos. Worse still, it left a slew of The researchers report in the Journal of Assisted Repro- the information we have now shows that electronic cigarettes unintended consequences seemed too great. unintended changes in other parts of the genome. duction and Genetics that they were successfully inserted can safely help people quit smoking. Now a different group of Chinese researchers have In the latest attempt, researchers at Guangzhou Medi- the mutated gene in four out of 26 embryos. And, even The U.S. Surgeon General and other experts have linked again wielded the technology to genetically modify human cal University have gone a step ahead. Instead of trying in the successful cases, not all copies of the CCR5 gene the vast majority of smoking-related disease to the combustion embryos. This time, however, the reaction from some sci- to correct mutations that could cause disease, they used were modified. In other cases mutations were caused that products of smoke, not to the nicotine that is present both in entists is just an annoyed shrug. Clearly a lot happened in CRISPR technology to insert a genetic mutation which weren’t intended. tobacco and in electronic cigarettes. (Source: WSJ) the last year for perceptions to change so drastically. might offer resistance against HIV. (Source: qz.com) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y http://www.tehrantimes.com/international APRIL 12, 2016 WORLD IN FOCUS 9

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on vast majority of Japanese believe it was Monday called his visit to a memorial to Kerry says Hiroshima not justified. victims of the 1945 U.S. nuclear attack on Hopes for Obama’s visit to Hiroshima Hiroshima “gut-wrenching” and said it ‘gut-wrenching’ reminder world were raised after an April 2009 speech in NEWS was a reminder of the need to pursue a Prague when he called for a world with- world free of nuclear weapons. out nuclear weapons. He later said that Pakistan bans protests in The first U.S. secretary of state to visit should abandon nuclear weapons he would be honored to visit the two nu- Hiroshima, Kerry said President Barack clear-attacked cities. capital after recent unrest Obama also wanted to travel to the city The G7 foreign ministers’ trip to the Pakistan has announced a ban on demonstrations in the cap- in southern Japan but he did not know museum and memorial is part of Japan’s ital after recent rallies by extremists turned violent and led to whether the leader’s complex schedule effort to send a strong nuclear disar- the destruction of property. would allow him to do so when he vis- mament message from Hiroshima, the Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan announced the its the country for a Group of Seven (G7) world’s first city to suffer atomic bomb- ban at a news conference Monday, saying it will not extend summit in May. ing. to other parts of the country. Kerry toured the Hiroshima Peace “I think this first-ever visit by G7 for- The move came less than two weeks after tens of thou- Memorial and Museum, whose haunting eign ministers to the peace memori- sands of radical Islamists descended on Islamabad to protest displays include photographs of badly al park is a historic first step towards against the execution of a policeman who had assassinated burned victims, the tattered and stained reviving momentum toward a world a secular governor over his opposition to the country’s harsh clothes they wore and statues depicting without nuclear weapons,” Japanese blasphemy laws. them with flesh melting from their limbs. Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said in Opposition leader Imran Khan vowed Sunday to hold a “It is a stunning display. It is a a statement. rally in the city of Lahore if Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif does gut-wrenching display,” he said. “It is a He later told a news conference that not resign over documents leaked from a Panama-based law reminder of the depth of the obligation it was “inconceivable” that Japan would firm that Khan says link Sharif’s family to offshore accounts. everyone of us in public life carries ... While he is not the highest-ranking come here. Whether or not he can come ever decide to have nuclear weapons. (Source: AP) to create and pursue a world free from U.S. official to have toured the museum as president, I don’t know.” Last month, U.S. Republican presidential nuclear weapons,” he told a news confer- and memorial park, a distinction that be- At Kerry’s suggestion, the ministers candidate Donald Trump said Japan and ence. longs to then-U.S. Speaker of the House also made an impromptu visit to the South Korea should build such weapons After the tour by Kerry and his fellow of Representatives Nancy Pelosi in 2008, Atomic Bomb Dome, the skeletal re- to deter enemies. G7 foreign ministers, the group issued Kerry is the most senior executive branch mains of the only structure left stand- In a separate, detailed statement, the Afghan opposition groups a statement reaffirming their commit- official to visit. ing near the hypocenter of the bomb G7 ministers singled out North Korea for angry at Kerry comments ment to building a world without nuclear ??”Everyone in the world should see explosion and now a UNESCO World sharp criticism, condemning its recent arms but said the push had been made and feel the power of this memorial. It is Heritage site. nuclear test and launches using ballistic on deadline more complex by North Korea’s repeated a stark, harsh, compelling reminder not Three days after a U.S. warplane missile technology. “provocations” and by worsening security only of our obligation to end the threat dropped a nuclear bomb on Hiroshima, And in a statement on maritime secu- Afghan opposition politicians reacted with anger to U.S. in Syria and Ukraine. of nuclear weapons, but to rededicate another atomic bomb was dropped on rity, they voiced their strong opposition Secretary of State John Kerry’s weekend declaration that the The ministers from Britain, Canada, all our effort to avoid war itself,” the chief Nagasaki, on Aug. 9, 1945. Japan surren- to provocative attempts to change the 2014 deal setting up President Ashraf Ghani’s national unity France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the U.S. diplomat wrote in a guest book. dered six days later. status quo in the East and South China government would allow it to serve a full five-year term. United States laid white wreaths at a cen- Asked later if this meant Obama A visit by Obama could be contro- Seas, an apparent reference to China, Kerry’s comments followed U.S. concern at mounting po- otaph to the victims of the Aug. 6, 1945, should come, Kerry said: “everyone versial in America if it were viewed as which is locked in territorial disputes with litical tension in Kabul, where opposition groups have been bombing, which reduced the city to ash- means everyone. So I hope one day an apology. A majority of Americans other nations including the Philippines, pressing for a constitutional loya jirga, or special assembly, to es and killed some 140,000 people by the the president of the United States will view the bombings as justified to end Vietnam and Japan. decide the future of the government later this year. end of that year. be among the everyone who is able to the war and save U.S. lives, while the (Source: AP) Fazel Hadi Muslimyar, speaker of the Senate, branded Kerry’s intervention “interference in our domestic affairs” and said Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah should be ICRC says ready act as neutral intermediary pushing to convene the loya jirga by September. The spat highlights the risk of a serious political crisis in Afghanistan in coming months as the Taliban press their in- on humanitarian matters in Nagorno-Karabakh surgency against a government that has struggled to ensure 1 This discussion is part of the ICRC’s regular contact with the sides, in order to be ready to offer our current and likely future needs. In Tartar, Agdam and other security and provide basic services. confidential, bilateral dialogue, part of an approach that services when the situation demands it. affected districts, our teams are assessing availability of wa- Under the terms of the deal brokered by Kerry after the is well-established and respected. What have been ICRC’s major activities in the ter and electricity in affected areas. We have also been in disputed 2014 election, a loya jirga was due to be held within ICRC has announced its readiness to act as a Nagorno-Karabakh region, particularly when the re- regular contact with health facilities to be ready to provide two years to decide on transforming Abdullah, the runner up, neutral intermediary. Have you been able to negoti- cent fighting took place? assistance if required. Supplies for treating war-wounded into a prime minister. ate with both sides, Azerbaijan and Armenia, in this A: As the only international humanitarian organization patients have already been donated to a hospital in Na- However Kerry said that although the goal was to hold a regard? present on both sides of the line of contact, we are mon- gorno-Karabakh on 4 April and we will continue to monitor loya jirga, there was no fixed deadline and the government A: We are in regular contact with the sides to assess the itoring the situation very closely. Having been present in the needs. The ICRC has offered its services to the con- could serve its five-year term. humanitarian needs resulting from the current situation. the region since 1992 in relation to the Nagorno-Karabakh flicting sides to ensure the proper retrieval and temporary Before any assembly can be held, parliamentary and dis- The ICRC is ready to request access to captured combat- conflict, the ICRC is well-placed to respond to the needs storage of the bodies of combatants who have been killed, trict elections, which would be key to selecting participants, ants or civilians, if any, upon the request of the sides. How- of the local population on both sides, with a mission in in order to ensure the possibility is retained to later identify must take place but there are doubts about whether they can ever, at this stage, there are no official reports of captured Nagorno- Karabakh with around 15 staff, and a sub-dele- them and return to their families. be organized in time given the worsening security situation. combatants. gation in Barda with approximately 20 staff. We are in the People have already endured 25 years of conflict Umer Daudzai, one of the leaders of a new opposition We are ready to act as a neutral intermediary on process of scaling up our activities to respond to the hu- and the hardship that come with it, making them ex- group who served as interior minister under former President humanitarian matters: for example, if requested and manitarian consequences of the escalation of violence over tremely vulnerable to the impact of the current esca- Hamid Karzai, said in a statement the government had to agreed to by all parties, we are ready to facilitate the the last days. We are working in close cooperation with the lation. Those living in areas close to the line of con- ensure elections were held and the loya jirga went ahead “so (Source: Reuters) transfer of prisoners of war and civilian internees, of the national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies in Armenia tact were already facing daily insecurity and economic the nation can take a decision”. wounded, and of dead bodies. The ICRC’s neutral inter- and Azerbaijan. problems, as access to agricultural land was already a mediary role is drawn from the provisions of internation- In response to the escalation in the last days, the ICRC challenge due to shooting and the presence of mili- al humanitarian law. For the ICRC to assume this role it has begun assessing the needs of those displaced from the tary positions close by. requires the consent of all the parties involved before we areas worst affected by the fighting. In Nagorno-Karab- We are ready to do all we can to support the civilian can act - hence the importance of maintaining regular akh, a number of families have been visited to assess their population and minimize their suffering. The race to run the United Nations Obama says Clinton never jeopardized national security in email case: Fox 6 ASHINGTON (Reuters) — U.S. Pres- nized a carelessness on the email issue in Clinton, secretary of state from 2009 The FBI has taken the server and is Female candidates ident Barack Obama said Democratic which she used a private server for gov- to 2013, has said her email arrangement investigating the case with U.S. Justice The Security Council is also under pressure to give serious presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton ernment business. broke no rules and that she will be vin- Department attorneys. At least two Re- consideration to female candidates, since no woman has run never jeopardized national security in the “But I also think it is important to keep dicated in investigations of whether any publican-led congressional committees the United Nations. The Council will start vetting the candi- handling of her emails as his secretary of this in perspective,” Obama said. “This is laws were broken. are also investigating. dates in July and will pick one later in the year. state. somebody who has served her country The government forbids sending or The Democratic president was asked The next secretary general will face a series of challenges Obama, in an interview broadcast on for four years as secretary of state, and storing classified information outside se- if the Justice Department investigation that will require deft leadership and tenacity. Fox News Sunday, said Clinton has recog- did an outstanding job.” cure, government-controlled channels. would treat the Clinton case impartially. The United Nations needs to play a central role in ending wars in Syria, Libya, Yemen and elsewhere, even as it strug- gles to provide resources and aid to millions of refugees who Saudi Arabia violates truce agreement in Yemen have fled Syria and other countries roiled by war. 1 Ahmed welcomed the ceasefire and called on against the Matun district in the northern province of that, when I wake up in the morning, the war has The new leader will also inherit internal problems. all warring sides to respect it. Jawf and launched another attack on the Karsh district stopped, and I can go to school, my classmates too, The United Nations was slow to acknowledge and re- “I ask all the parties and the international community of the southwestern province of Lahij. without being afraid of raids and death.” spond to allegations of widespread sex abuse by peacekeep- to remain steadfast in support for this cessation of hos- Hoping for the better but fearing the worse Saudi Arabia has been waging a war on Yemen since ers in Africa, a situation that could destroy its reputation and tilities to be a first step in Yemen’s return to peace,” he The residents of Sana’a, which has been under Houthi late March 2015 in a bid to reinstate Yemen’s former credibility in areas already struggling with the ravages of war said. “This is critical, urgent and much needed. Yemen control for the last 18 months, hoped that the attempt at President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and undermine the and famine. cannot afford the loss of more lives.” peace succeeds after two rounds of talks failed last year. Houthi movement, which took over state matters after The World Health Organization, which came under criti- In the lead-up to the truce, Saudi fighter jets inten- “I am tired of the fighting, the destruction, everything,” Hadi resigned. Nearly 9,400 Yemenis, including 4,000 cism for its inadequate response to the Ebola crisis in 2014, sified their bombing campaign against various Yemeni said 57-year-old Hussein Ali. “The situation is very diffi- women and children, have lost their lives in the deadly will also require sustained attention. cities, launching airstrikes on dozens of civilian houses cult for people without work, without electricity, without military campaign. Those vying for the job will need to clearly outline their and properties. water, and with the fear that, at any moment, [Saudi] Yemenis, in return, have been carrying out retaliatory priorities and vision for a job that becomes ever more daunt- (Source: The NYT) The warplanes targeted the Sirwah district in the cen- bombardment could kill those dear to us.” attacks on the Saudi forces deployed in the country as ing in a conflict-ridden world. tral province of Ma’rib. They also carried out air raids Amal Ahmed, a 16-year-old student, said, “I hope well as targets inside Saudi Arabia. (Source: Press TV)

IKCO: Fiat’s Purchase Iran’s Sarmayeh Bank SUNIR to Construct 3 Power of IKCO Shares Is False to Cooperate with Azeri Bank Plants in Kazakhstan ECONOMY TEHRAN — IKCO had cited, serious negotiations between ECONOMY TEHRAN — In a with 58 branches throughout Azerbaijan deskCommunication and IKCO and some international carmakers deskmeeting, attended by has 25 years of experience and it is con- ECONOMY TEHRAN — Bahman Salehi, the CEO of Int’l Relation Department’s director an- are in process and the details would be CEOs and senior board members of sidered the second largest bank in terms deskIran Power and Water Equipment and Ser- nounced that any speculation or com- published through the company’s offi- Iran’s Sarmayeh Bank and Zamin Bank of branches in Azerbaijan”. vices Export Company known as SUNIR, announced that his ment of unofficial people on his compa- cial media. of Azerbaijan, joint collaborations ave- Following in this meeting, Ismailov company plans to build a wind power plant as well as two ny’s cooperation with global carmakers Regarding int’l collaborations, “It’s nues between the two banks have been introduced some of the new services thermal power plants in Kazakhstan in 18 months, SUNIR- can interfere with the process of the clear that giving comments on such explored, public relations office of Bank which Zamin Bank could offer the Irani- NEWS website reported on Sunday. negotiations. subjects requires detailed information Sarmayeh reported. In the event, Dr. an side and explained that Zamin Bank is “We penned a contract, at the value of $600 million, with Emphasizing that any news re- on the negotiations and those who are Mohham Reza Khani, the chairman of now representing one of the most rep- the Kazakh Eurasia Invest Group, in this regard,” Salahi said garding IKCO’s operations is only re- not in the process of talks cannot pro- Sramayeh Bank expressed hope that the utable companies in the field of banking on the sidelines of Iran-Kazakhstan Business Council meeting leased by this company’s official me- vide the mass media and the public with two banks reach an agreement on bilat- facilities and services and can meet the in Tehran. dia based on the CEO’s quotations, the right facts and figures”, asserted eral cooperation because “it would be needs of Sarmayeh Bank in this regard. According to him, these power plants will be construct- he said, “During the past days some Mesrian. beneficial for both sides”, he believed. After the implementation of JCPOA, ed along the Caspian Sea coast and border of Silk Road in comments on the ways of coopera- He also requested the media to con- Nadir A. Ismailov, chairman of Zamin Iran’s Sarmayeh Bank has started a wide Almaty region in Kazakhstan and to complete the projects tion of IKCO with global carmakers sider the importance and sensitivity of Bank of Azerbaijan, for his part, men- range of goal directed negotiations and SUNIR will use domestic equipment. have been published while none of such to acknowledge that any related tioned his contentment about lifting the activities in the international arena to at- “We aim to expand our cooperation with Kazakhs in var- these has a legal base nor is adduc- press releases should be authorized by sanctions against Iran and implementa- tract foreign capital and to bring the latest ious sectors including water and wastewater, construction of ible.” IKCO CEO and pass through IKCO’s offi- tion of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of technologies and modern banking servic- gas pipelines, development of roads and also in mining sec- According to this report as the CEO cial media. Action (JCPOA) and added, “Zamin Bank es to the country. tor”, Salehi adds. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 10 WOMEN AAPRILPRIL 112,2, 22016016 http://www.tehrantimes.com/society

FOOD FOR THOUGHT VP lauds women’s contribution to economic development

WOMEN TEHRAN — Women have acted desksuccessfully in different fields in line with materializing the goal of economic development, the vice president for women and family affairs Sha- hindokht Molaverdi said on Tuesday. During a meeting with female economic entrepre- neurs in the city of Karaj, Alborz Province, Molaverdi highlighted women’s potentials as a means to speed up economic development of the country. Creating opportunities for boosting economic contribution of women is essential, she noted. Since women make up half the country’s popula- tion, their potentials should be used toward prosperity “I would venture to guess that Anon, who wrote so many and welfare of the nation, Molaverdi added. poems without signing them, was often a woman.” She hoped that women’s empowerment would be Virginia Woolf considered more seriously in national development plans. In order to shoulder economic activities, Molaverdi called for preparatory works to be accomplished to NEWS empower women. British women with vocational qualifications Proper policies needed to improve working earn 15% less than men women’s health: official Young British women with vocational qualifications earn 15% less than their male peers, a significantly bigger pay WOMEN TEHRAN — Proper policies should role in enhancing the society’s culture and prosperity gap than for those with academic qualifications, according deskbe made for improving the health of and improving the health of families, as well. to new research. working women, Robab Shahrian, the deputy sports She highlighted working women’s responsibilities at Men aged between 22 and 30 with a vocational qualifi- and youth minister for women’s affairs said here on home, adding that this group of women should also cation above GCSE level earn on average £10 an hour, the Thursday. burden all their duties as housewives. Trades Union Congress (TUC) found in an analysis of official Pressure at workplace is the main factor threatening The official emphasized on sport and bodily activi- figures. Women with the same qualification level earn only women’s health, she noted. ties as the main factors in improving women’s physical £8.50 per hour. Shahrian stressed the importance of women’s health and mental health and their social growth. The 15% difference was higher than the gender pay gap of 10% between young men and women with academic qualifi- cations. It was also higher than an overall gender pay gap of 9%, calculated from figures for gross hourly pay for workers We need active role of women in facing soft-war: military commander aged between 22 and 30. The TUC general secretary, Frances O’Grady, said young TEHRAN (IRNA) — Iranian women should on Wednesday. end to the Islamic Revolution,” he said. women with vocational qualifications experience a “huge play a role in the soft-war the country is “And today, we need a more active par- Referring to the soft-war the Islamic gender pay gap”, partly because they work predominantly in currently facing, says deputy chief of staff ticipation by women to face enemy’s soft- Republic is facing, Jazayeri said that to- sectors where pay is poorer. of the Iranian Armed Forces. war,” Jazayeri stressed. day Iran is encountering a far more so- “In better-paid sectors like engineering and construction “Iranian women played a great role The general added that Iranian women phisticated war. [women] remain a rarity,” she said. “Unless we challenge gen- during the eight-year of sacred defense,” played a unique role in the past in con- He insisted that enemy is to alter Ira- der stereotyping and discrimination from the outset, the sit- (A term used in Iran to refer to the eight fronting the enemy. nians beliefs, thoughts, behaviors and uation is not going to improve. Unions, employers and gov- years of Iraq’s imposed war against the “In the past and during the imposed war, structures by waging a soft-war against ernment must work together to provide better careers advice country from 1980-1988), Brigadier Gen- the enemy, accompanied by the arrogant the country which has mostly targeted in schools and to support and improve training opportunities eral Massoud Jazayeri said at a ceremony powers, waged an all-out hard-war to put an Iranian women. for all young people.” The TUC analysis found that in 2015, just one in 40 voca- tional qualifications in construction were awarded to women and they received just 11% of vocational qualifications in en- gineering and manufacturing. By contrast, in health and care, Saudi grand mufti defends ban on female driving women dominate with 63.6% of vocational qualifications. The government has been promoting vocational qualifi- Saudi Arabia’s grand mufti has defended a ban on Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that cations to tackle skills shortages and has vowed to create 3m driving by females in the kingdom, saying it exposes prohibits women from driving. The ban stems from apprenticeships by the end of the decade. But a recent report women to “evil.” a religious fatwa imposed by the country’s Wahhabi claimed women were not benefiting from apprenticeships as Mufti Sheikh Abulaziz Al Sheikh said in an interview clerics. If women get behind the wheel in the king- much as men. with the satellite channel al-Majd that driving “is a dan- dom, they may be arrested, sent to court and even The report last month from the Young Women’s Trust gerous matter” for women because it exposes them flogged. found that although more women were now entering ap- to evil. Saudi authorities have defied calls by international prenticeships than men, they were paid less than their male The kingdom’s highest religious authority also said rights groups to end what has been described as a vi- counterparts and were less likely to go on to gain employ- that men with “weak spirits” who are “obsessed with olation of women’s rights. ment. The charity said the main reason was that women were women” could cause harm to women drivers. In 2011, dozens of women took part in a campaign still underrepresented within male-dominated sectors, which He also noted that family members of female driv- dubbed Women2Drive, challenging the ban. They tend to be better paid and have better career prospects. ers would not know about the whereabouts of women posted on internet social networks pictures and videos (Source: The Guardian) if the ban on driving for women is lifted. of themselves while driving. The Wahhabi figure has gained notoriety for his var- Riyadh has come under intense pressure by the ac- ious controversial and radical decrees, including his re- tivist groups for mistreating women. Amnesty Interna- Saudi Arabia’s grand mufti Sheikh Abulaziz Al Sheikh ported decree in 2007 for the demolition of the tomb tional said in a report in March 2015 that Saudi laws their studies, travels, occupation, and marriage and RECIPE OF THE WEEK of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and an edict five years deliberately “deny women basic rights.” to whom they are unconditionally obedient on these later for the destruction of all the churches across the “The disparity between genders is gaping; women matters,” the report said. Frosty strawberry dessert Middle East. are still required to have a male guardian, who controls (Source: Press TV)

“A creamy strawberry dessert topped with a delicious crumb Mehr/ topping.” IN FOCUS Fatemeh Abedi Ingredients: Obese mothers may 1 cup all-purpose flour struggle with 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup chopped walnuts breastfeeding 1/2 cup melted butter or margarine Women who are obese may stop breast- 2 egg whites 1 cup white feeding babies sooner than other mothers, sugar at least in part because they’re uncomfort- 2 cups sliced strawberries able nursing their babies when people are 2 tablespoons lemon nearby, an Australian study suggests. juice Researchers surveyed first-time 1 cup whipped cream mothers and found most of them in- Directions: tended to breastfeed before their babies Preheat oven to 350 de- were born, regardless of how much the grees F (175 degrees C). women weighed. Most of the women Stir together the flour, expressed plans to nurse for about one brown sugar, walnuts, and year, and this didn’t differ much based melted butter in a bowl. on whether they were obese. Spread out on a baking But obese women were significantly sheet, and bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes until more likely to anticipate discomfort nurs- crispy, then remove from oven and allow to cool completely. ing in front of even close female friends. Beat the egg whites to soft peaks; continue beating to And, the women who felt awkward or stiff peaks while slowly adding sugar. Toss the strawberries anxious being seen while breastfeeding in lemon juice, and stir into the egg whites until the mix- stopped much sooner than women who ture turns slightly pink. Fold in the whipped cream until didn’t mind nursing in front of others. incorporated. “They seem to have all the same in- Crumble up the walnut mixture, and sprinkle 2/3 of it tentions, and have made the same deci- evenly on the bottom of a 9x13 inch dish. Spoon the straw- sions as smaller women, but confidence berry mixture over the crumbs, then sprinkle the remaining and comfort issues are a problem,” said crumbs over top. Place in freezer and freeze for two hours study co-author Dr. Ruth Newby of the until hard. Remove from the freezer several minutes before University of Queensland in Brisbane. serving to make it easier to slice. Photographer Fatemeh Abedi’s “Motherhood Time” photo exhibition was inaugurated in the city of Arak on Friday. (Source: Reuters Health) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y

http://www.tehrantimes.com/sports AAPRILPRIL 112,2, 22016016 SPORTS 11

Derby is a completely different game, CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Real prepare for ‘war’ in says Persepolis coach showdown with Wolfsburg SPORTS Persepolis head coach Branko deskIvankovic believes that Tehran derby Real Madrid are determined to create an intimidating atmos- is the biggest derby in Asia and you can never predict phere for visitors VfL Wolfsburg as they try to overturn a two- the outcome. goal deficit in Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final second “Tehran derby doesn’t have a specific formula to win. leg at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. No matter where the two team stands or which player is “Tuesday will be like a war, with 80,000 spectators; we are going in the squad the derby is always unpredictable. to try and walk all over Wolfsburg,” said defender Dani Carvajal. I would like to compare Friday derby with recent El “We’re going to play to the Clasico, more than 90% of the people believed that Real death and with 80,000 souls Madrid has no chance to win in Camp Nou but Real won. behind us we will do it,” added This time Tehran derby will be special as Persepolis will winger Lucas Vazquez. win it,” Branko said. Forward Cristiano Ronaldo The Croatian coach who has recently penned a new told the club website (www. two year contract extension with Persepolis has great realmadrid.com): “We need ambitions and wants to win the AFC Asian Champions to have cold hearts and play League with the Reds. with patience and know how “We have long term plan as I have just extended my to suffer. Getting through is our contract. First we are going to with the League and Hazfi big objective, it’s the only thing cup then we want to have a decent performance in Asian that will let the players and fans Champions League. As you saw last season more than leave the stadium happy.” 100,000 fans came to stadium for Al Nasr and Al Hilal Madrid are third in La Liga games so we want to make these fans happy by winning and enjoyed a 4-0 win over the Champions League in the near future,” he added. Eibar on Saturday to close the Persepolis who is currently in the third place will take gap with leaders Barcelona to four points, lifting their confidence on second place Esteghlal in the 26th week of Iran Profes- after the shock 2-0 defeat at Wolfsburg last Wednesday. sional League (IPL) on Friday at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium. The German side are eighth in the Bundesliga and were held 1-1 by Mainz on Saturday. Coach Dieter Hecking made four changes from the team that beat Madrid and was without Julian Iranian table tennis player Nima Alamian Iran volleyball team to travel to Draxler, the outstanding player last week, through suspension. Real, 10-times European champions, have a history littered dreams of competing in Olympics France on May 9 with great comebacks at the Bernabeu, beginning with a 5-1 win over Derby County in the 1975 European Cup after they had lost 4-1 in England. Madrid beat Inter Milan 3-0 to reach the final of the 1985 UEFA Cup after losing the semi-final first leg 2-0, when midfield- er Juanito famously warned Inter: “Ninety minutes in the Berna- beu is a very long time”. Madrid also staged successful second-leg comebacks against Celtic, Anderlecht, Red Star Belgrade and Borussia Moencheng- ladbach but their reputation as miracle workers is waning and they last overturned a deficit in 2002 when they beat Bayern Munich 2-0 at the Bernabeu in a quarter-final secondleg on their way to winning the trophy. Since then, Madrid have lost eight first-leg games in the Champions League knockout stages and failed to progress every time, exiting last season’s tournament to Juventus 3-2 on aggregate and managing only a 2-0 win over Borussia Dort- SPORTS Iranian table tennis ment and I am preparing for the Olym- SPORTS The Iranian national friendly matches against powerhouse mund in the 2013 semi-finals after losing the first leg 4-1. Yet deskplayers Nima Alami- pics qualification,” Alamian said. deskvolleyball team will volleyball team France in the camp. Madrid’s self belief remains strong. an is dreaming to compete at the Rio “My main rival is a player from Kazakhstan. I travel to Paris to hold a preparatory Iran is preparing for the world “We’re going to turn it around because everyone who comes 2016 Olympic Games. want to do my best in the Olympics qualification camp in the country. qualification tournament which will be to the stadium and follows us deserves it, our badge deserves it He is little brother of Noshad Alami- to book a spot in the competition,” he added. The Iranian team has been sched- held in Japan from May 28 to June 5. and we work all year for those big nights,” said defender Nacho. an who represented Iran at the London “One of my biggest dream ever is to uled to hold a one-week camp in The Iranian team has a chance to “Real Madrid’s history was written on nights like these and I 2012 Olympic Games. play alongside but I know I have a diffi- Paris. advance to the Olympics as the best hope we can do it again on Tuesday,” added director and former “I am in the best condition at the mo- cult task ahead of me,” Alamian stated. Raul Lozano’s team will play two Asian team. striker Emilio Butragueno, who played in the famous comebacks against Inter, Anderlecht and Gladbach. Wolfsburg, though, are equally determined. “On Tuesday we’ll be at 100 million percent, we’re going to run as if ourlives depend- Angels at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium on derby day ed on it,” forward Andre Schurrle told German news agency DPA. “Since we beat Real Madrid the entire city has been talking SPORTS Persepolis and Es- ran’s Azadi Stadium. Persepolis is currently in third place about that game and the second leg. It won’t be easy.” desk teghlal football team Esteghlal goalkeeper Vahid Tale- with 45 points while Esteghlal is in Madrid striker Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane were in- are going to praise 22 child laborers bloo and Persepolis striker Mehdi second thanks to the better goal av- jured against Eibar but trained on Sunday and are expected to who are suffering from bad condi- Taremi have released a statement in erage. return to face Wolfsburg. tions prior to the 82nd Tehran derby which they are going to make the Two teams played out a 1-1 draw (Source: Reuters) which will take place on Friday at Teh- children happy. last time they faced each other.

Stage set for Russia 2018 Asian Qualifiers Final Round Draw History beckons for Man Twelve nations will learn their opponents for the 2018 FIFA Play-off Round. City against PSG World Cup Russia Asian Qualifiers Final Round when the The winner of the Asian Play-off Round (one team in official draw is held at the Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur total) will take on the side that finishes fourth in the fifth Manchester City look to take an important step in their trans- at 1630hrs (Malaysia time) on Tuesday. round of the CONCACAF qualifiers in a two-legged in- formation into one of the world’s leading clubs on Tuesday by Eight AFC Member Associations have qualified for 2018 ter-confederation playoff. reaching the Champions League semi-finals for the first time. FIFA World Cup Russia Asian Qualifiers Final Round by vir- The 12 nations, seeded based on the latest FIFA rank- To do so England’s last survivors need a win or a 0-0 or 1-1 tue of finishing as group winners from Preliminary Joint ings which were released on April 7, will be drawn from six draw at home to Paris St Germain after holding the Ligue 1 Qualification Round 2 with another four also qualifying as country pots as follows: champions 2-2 at the Stade de France last week. the four best second-placed teams. Pot 1: Iran (42nd), Australia (50th) For three successive seasons since first qualifying for Europe’s They will be drawn into two groups of six teams to play Pot 2: Korea Republic (56th), Japan (57th) premier club competition, City were frustrated in their attempts home-and-away under the round-robin format. Pot 3: Saudi Arabia (60th), Uzbekistan (66th) to make significant progress. The winner and runner-up of each group (four teams in Pot 4: United Arab Emirates (68th), China PR (81st) They failed to come out of the group stage in 2012-13 and total) will qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia finals Pot 5: Qatar (83rd), Iraq (105th) then lost in the last 16 in the following two years. while the third-placed teams of each group (two teams in Pot 6: Syria (110th), Thailand (119th) This time City won Group D ahead of Juventus before knock- total) will advance to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Asian (Source: AFC) ing out Dinamo Kiev 3-1 on aggregate. Goals by Kevin de Bruyne and Fernandinho in Paris mean that Manuel Pellegrini’s men have an excellent chance of qualifying for the last four. Iran’s Nazemosharia nominated for World Best Futsal Coach title Their hopes were boosted when coach Pellegrini said leading Head coach of the national Iranian men’s Hungary’s Tomas “Sito” Rivera Amoros Rocha for Portugal’s SL Benfica, Brazilian scorer Sergio Aguero would be fit despite limping off in the 2-1 futsal team Mohammad Nazemoshar- together with Azerbaijan’s Spanish coach Paulo Ricardo Figueiroa Silva “Kakΰ” for Premier League win over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. ia has been shortlisted for the title of the Faustino “Tino” Pιrez-Moreno Gσmez and Russian futsal club Gazprom Ugra and “He had just a kick, it’s not a problem,” the Chilean told re- Best National Team Coach, thanks to his Spanish Josθ Venancio Lopez Hierro are Marcos “Marquinhos” Xavier Andrade for porters. praiseworthy coaching skills at 2016 Asian the other contenders in the list. Brazil’s Carlos Barbosa have also been Pellegrini must decide whether to gamble on the fitness of Football Confederation (AFC) Futsal Cham- The other nominees are Argentina’s shortlisted for the top title. captain and centre half Vincent Kompany after the defence pionship in Uzbekistan. Hernαn Basile for Kimberley Futsal, Bra- On February 21, the national Iranian looked shaky in Paris. Nazemosharia has to vie for the top zilian Ricardo Cαmara Sobral “Cacau” for men’s futsal team was crowned the cham- France midfielder Samir Nasri returned for the West Brom honor with Kazakhstan’s Brazilian coach Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty, Italian Fulvio pion of the 2016 AFC Futsal Championship. game but is not in the Champions League squad because of the Ricardo Cαmara Sobral “Cacau,” Argen- Colini coaching Pescara c5 and Brazilian The team, which had already registered lengthy thigh injury he suffered in October. tine Diego Raϊl Giustozzi, Oleksandr Ko- Fabio Cortez for Kuwait’s al-Qadsia. a stellar record at the continental sports PSG coach Laurent Blanc was dismayed at conceding a senko from Ukraine and Russia’s Evgeny Spanish Daniel Rodrνguez Martinez of event, edged past the host Uzbekistan 2-1 scrappy second goal in the first leg and at losing defender David Kuzmin. Jaιn Paraνso Interior Fϊtbol Sala club to- at Uzbekistan Stadium in the Uzbek capital Luiz and midfielder Blaise Matuidi through suspension. Wilson Sabσia from Brazil, Brazilian gether with compatriot Jesϊs Velasco Tejada city of Tashkent. One bonus could be the return of Marco Verratti who is re- coach Sergio Luiz Schiochet “Serginho,” from Movistar Inter, Joel Tiago Gonηalves (Source: PressTV) covering faster than expected from a groin injury. Blanc made nine changes, resting a number of players in- cluding striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, for their 2-0 victory over Gu- ingamp in Ligue 1 on Saturday. Iran’s Mardani claims bronze at World Taekwondo President’s Cup Defender Marquinhos was included and then said he was fit Sajjad Mardani from Iran won a bronze medal at the World Iran partook in the tournament with three represent- Cup held in Bonn on Thursday. to act as a possible replacement for Luiz on Tuesday. Taekwondo President’s Cup on Sunday. atives, namely Farzan Ashourzadeh in -63kg, Mehdi More than 1,500 athletes competed at the event, which The French club won 2-1 in England in the last round to knock The Iranian +87kg representative advanced to the Khodabakhshi in -87kg and Sajjad Mardani in +87kg. was sanctioned by the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) out Chelsea and reach their fourth successive quarter-final. semi-final after defeating his Russian rival but was forced Khodabakhshi also won a bronze medal in the tournament. but was organized by the ETU. PSG need a similar result to go one step further this time. to withdraw from the match due to foot injury. The first edition of the World Taekwondo President’s (Source: Tasnim) (Source: Reuters) b

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NEWS IN BRIEF “Starless Dreams”, Tehran gallery to unveil Ali-Akbar “Sonita” win Sadeqi’s new book

ARTTEHRAN — The Shirin Art Gallery awards at Full deskin Tehran will unveil veteran paint- er Ali-Akbar Sadeqi’s new book containing his entire collection on Friday, the gallery announced on says. The book entitled “Ali-Akbar Sadeghi” will appear Frame festival in three volumes. The book also carries some reviews of Sadeqi’s ARTTEHRAN — Ira- sponsored by the Hartley Film Founda- works by illustrator Farshid Mesqali, history of art re- desknian films “Starless tion. searcher Shahruz Mohajer, and art critic Javad Mojabi. Dreams” and “Sonita” won awards at The jury in this category, Sarah Mas- A collection of Sadeqi’s animated films, including the 19th Full Frame Documentary Film ters, Michael Palmieri and Malika Zou- “Golbaran”, “Zal and Simorgh”, “Seven Cities” and Festival in Durham, North Carolina, U.S., hali-Worrall said, “This award is present- “Castle”, will also be screened during a five-day pro- the organizers announced on Sunday. ed to the film that best exemplifies gram at the gallery located at No. 5, 13th St., Karim Directed by Mehrdad Oskui, the film the value and relevance of world reli- Khan Zand Ave.D won the grand award of the festival gions and spirituality.” which was sponsored by the Reva and Cinema Guild, the New York-Based “The Rock” to compete David Logan Foundation. film distributor, holds the franchise for in Hot Docs In the documentary, young women distribution of “Starless Dreams” in the in an Iranian juvenile detention center U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. reflect on the crimes they have commit- “Sonita” directed by Rokhsareh Qa- ted and the harsh circumstances that emmaqami was presented with the have shaped their lives. Center for Documentary Studies Film- ARTTEHRAN — Iranian director and “We are presenting the Grand Jury maker Award, which was provided by deskproducer Hamid Jafari’s “The Award to a film that took us into a world the Center for Documentary Studies at Rock” will compete in Hot Docs, the Canadian inter- we are not normally privileged to see,” Duke University. national documentary festival, which will be held in The jury composed of Rachel Boynton, The documentary is about Sonita, an Toronto from April 28 to May 8. Margaret Brown, and Ricki Stern stated. Afghan refugee living in Iran who fights A poster for The 26-Minutes documentary is about a woman “Starless “Beautifully crafted with tenderness to keep her dream of becoming a rap who lives in southern Iran in a hut made of stones Dreams” and enormous respect for the people in star alive, while her family attempts to dug out of the rock. She breaks off rocks from a it, this film left us with a bracing emo- sell her as a bride. Happiness, directed by Maxim Pozdor- tax-exempt nonprofit organization, and cliff using only the strength of her arms and a crow- tional punch,” they added. The Full Frame Jury Award for Best ovkin from the U.S. receives support from corporate spon- bar as a tool. Her day-to-day life is divided between “Starless Dreams” also received the Short went to “Clínica de Mi- The festival is organized by the sors, private foundations and individual the care she provides for her husband and the long Full Frame Inspiration Award, which was grantes: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Center for Documentary Studies, a donors. hours spent extracting stones. Tehran meeting to discuss translation of “Blue-Eyed Boy” tops “Iron Lady” inspires Iranian Russian Iranology texts at Dominican festival artist’s new collection ARTTEHRAN — Irani- ARTTEHRAN — “Iron deskan director Amir- deskLady”, the 2011 British ARTTEHRAN – Translation of Iranolo- Masud Soheili’s “Blue-Eyed Boy” has film based on the life of the first and desk gy texts from Russian into Persian won the award for best short film at only female UK Prime Minister Marga- will be discussed during a session at the Tehran’s Festival Internacional de Santo Do- ret Thatcher, has inspired Iranian artist Writers House this afternoon. mingo Mujeres en Corto (Femujer), Nushin Zarnani’s new collection. Translators of Russian literature Mohsen Shojae, the organizers announced on Mon- The collection, which is composed Gudarz Rashtiani and Nahid Abdoltajoddeini are day. of paintings, installations and video scheduled to deliver speeches at the meeting. The festival was held in Santo Do- arts, will be showcased in an exhibition Russia will be the guest of honor at the 29th Teh- mingo, the capital of the Dominican entitled “Iron Lady” at Tehran’s Shokuh ran International Book Fair, which will be held from Republic, from April 5 to 9. Gallery on Friday. May 5 to 15. “Blue-Eyed Boy” is about a young The artworks feature scenes from boy who suffers from an unusual type the film directed by Phyllida Lloyd, Iranian shorts lineup of color blindness that causes him to which brought Meryl Streep an Oscar for Sahar festival see the world in blue. for best actress for her portrayal of The short film has already won the Margaret Thatcher. best cinematography award at the Zarnani has begun working on the 15th Unprecedented Cinema Inter- collection over the past two years to national Short Film Festival, held in highlight the natural power inherent in ARTTEHRAN — Over ten movies by Estonia in 2015. women. desk Iranian filmmakers will be screened In addition, the film emerged as The exhibit will be running until A poster for “Blue-Eyed Boy” A poster for “Iron Lady” in the Contemporary Iranian Cinema Short Films the big winner in May 2015 at the 1st April 26 at the gallery located at 19 Competition at the 2nd Sahar International Short Film Ahmednagar International Short Film best film, best actor and best director Amir Nuri Alley, North Salimi St. near The collection is part of Zarnani’s Festival, which will be held in Delph in Greater Man- Festival (AISFF) in India, scooping awards. Andarzgu Blvd. larger series “Fountain Guardian”. chester, England from April 23 to 30. “Distorted Memories of a Lake” directed by Seyyed Fars/Behruz Khosravi Vahid Hosseini-Nami, “Experiment” by Mohammad PICTURE OF THE DAY Reza Minapuri, “Blue-eyed Boy” by Amir Masoud So- Amnesty Intl. heili and “Treasure” by Hossein Rabie are among the announces John Lennon films. inspired picture book The festival aims to focus on promising and inde- pendent filmmakers. LONDON (The Guardian) — He’s one of the most famous songwriters ever, and now the music legend, peace campaigner and fan of very round glasses, John Lennon has had another role added to his already as- “Defense Against the Dark tonishing list of achievements: picture book Arts”: UK spies guarded author. Human rights charity Amnesty Interna- against Harry Potter leak tional is pairing the lyrics of John Lennon with the work of award-winning illustrator NEW YORK (Reuters) — Usually concerned with top se- and artist, Jean Jullien, to create an illus- cret matters affecting national security, Britain’s eavesdrop- trated version of Lennon’s iconic song, “Im- ping spy agency GCHQ was also on the lookout for leaks of agine”. a yet-to-be-published Harry Potter book, its publisher has The picture book aims to share more revealed. information about the work that Amnesty Shortly before the publication of one of the volumes in International do around the world, as well as J.K. Rowling’s seven-part wizarding saga, with millions of fans raising money for the charity. For every copy worldwide at a fever pitch of anticipation, publisher Nigel sold, a donation will be made to Amnesty Newton received an unexpected phone call. International. “I remember the British spy eavesdropping station GCHQ Originally written by John Lennon in 1971, rang me up and said ‘we’ve detected an early copy of this the song “Imagine” sets out Lennon’s dream book on the Internet’,” Newton told Australia’s ABC Radio in of a peaceful world, where there is no war an interview last week that gained attention in Britain on Sun- or suffering. Lennon was a passionate cam- day. paigner for peace, alongside his wife and “I got him to read a page to our editor and she said ‘no, fellow musician, Yoko Ono. that’s a fake’,” said Newton, founder and chief executive of Amnesty’s new book takes Lennon’s lyr- Potter publishing house Bloomsbury, describing the spies as ics and pairs them with Jean Jullien’s illus- “good guys”. trated tale of a young pigeon’s mission to A spokesman for GCHQ said: “We do not comment on spread peace to all birds. This isn’t the first our defense against the dark arts”. time Jullien has leant his pen to humani- As any Potter reader will know, “Defense Against the tarian causes – he is the illustrator behind Dark Arts” is a subject taught at Hogwarts School of children’s books such as “This is not a Book” Witchcraft and Wizardry, in which pupils learn how to de- A picture of prominent Iranologist Manuchehr Sotudeh is seen on his grave after his funeral at Aqa Seyyed Abolhassan Cemetery near the and “Ralf”. He also designed the “Peace for fend themselves and fight back against the evil deeds of northern Iranian town of Salmanshahr on April 11, 2016. He died last Friday at the age of 103. Paris” symbol, created after the Paris at- Dark Wizards. tacks last year.