Iran Protests at Blocking of IRIB’s Social Network Accounts

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August 25, 2018

In a statement on Saturday, the IRIB World Service regretted that over the past few days, accounts of some of the World Service channels have been blocked on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Google+.

The administrators of these social networks claim these accounts have been blocked for misleading audiences by publishing false information, the statement said.

The IRIB World Service condemned the act, stating that it is a clear example of censorship and blocking the publication of facts and viewpoints on social networks.
“Independent media such as Press TV, Hispan TV, Al-Alam, Sahar, Al-Kawthar, etc.,

apart from releasing facts that the US government and its allies are reluctant to publish, have not committed any crime to be deserved to be blocked.”

The IRIB World Service once again rejected the claims raised by the Western media giants, pledging that these channels will continue to reflect the “voice of the voiceless”.

The IRIB World Service broadcasts programs in a variety of languages for audiences outside Iran. It runs a number of radio and television networks as well as numerous social media accounts and other online platforms.

In 2012, Britain’s media regulator Ofcom took Press TV off the air for what it called breaking of the UK’s broadcasting code.

The body revoked Press TV’s license after the English-language network broadcast confessions of a man named Maziar Bahari who was accused of spying for Western countries. Iranian officials responded to the decision at that time and called Ofcom “the media arm of the Royal family.”

Persian Carpet Exhibition Kicks Off in Tehran

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IFP Editorial Staff

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August 25, 2018

The exhibition opened in the city’s permanent centre for international exhibitions during a ceremony attended by Iranian Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mohammad Shariatmadari.

Persian Handmade Carpet Exhibition is the largest of its kind in the world in terms of quality and quantity with nearly 700 carpet weaving units from across the country displaying a wide range of their products for the interested visitors, a report by IRNA said.

Being held on a 50,000-square-metre land within 13 halls, the exhibition showcases antique and contemporary handmade rugs.

In an address to the opening ceremony of the exhibition, Head of Iran National Carpet Centre Fereshteh Dastpak said Iran’s carpet industry should develop a new design to keep up with the changes in the political and economic areas in Iran and the world.

The exhibition is held with the main goals of promoting the status of Persian carpet in the world, entering new markets and expanding the current markets.

Attracting foreign investments and creating a fair ground for competition among domestic units are also among the targets in the minds of the organizers of the event to promote further the quality of the Persian carpet.

The exhibition will be open to visitors every day from 10 to 18 until September 1.

As an annual event, the exhibition usually attracts over 40,000 visitors including traders, researchers and those interested in the carpet industry from Iran and other countries.

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Fire in Chinese Hotel Kills 19, Injures 18

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IFP Editorial Staff

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August 25, 2018

The fire broke out at 4:36 am at North Loong Hotel in Harbin’s Sun Island resort area. It was put out in about three hours, an official report on the government’s social media account said.

The government said firefighters had searched the site thoroughly by 11:30 am, with 19 injured people having been taken to hospital, of whom one later died, South China Morning Post reported.

The cause of the fire was under investigation, the government said. The provincial fire department said in an official post that the fire had started from the kitchen on the second floor, but gave no further details.

The fire spread to cover about 400 square metres of the four-storey brick-and-concrete block, partially burning the second, third and fourth floors, according to a report from state-run China Central Television.

Its footage from the site also showed that the hotel’s main hall had burned down.

The disaster added to a string of deadly blazes that have plagued China despite official efforts to improve public safety over the past two decades.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 25

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IFP Editorial Staff

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August 25, 2018

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on November 19

Iranian papers today widely covered the unveiling of Kowsar fighter jet, the first of its kind produced by Iranian engineers.

Also a top story was the latest corruption allegations involving US President Donald Trump and his associates, and the possible impeachment of Trump.

Attacks on Iranian President Hassan Rouhani by hardliners, which started in Qom’s Feyziyeh religious school and was repeated by a eulogist in Tehran, also received great coverage.

Several papers also condemned Saudi Arabia’s latest deadly attack on Yemen’s Hudaydah, which killed and wounded dozens of displaced women and children.

The above issues, as well as many more, are highlighted in the following headlines and top stories:

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- Aref: Recent Moves against Rouhani Suspicious

2- Iranian Women Defeat India to Win Kabaddi Title at Jakarta Asian Games

3- Should We Return Europe’s Return Europe’s €18m Aid Package?

Arman-e Emrooz:

1- Three European Airlines Stop Flights to Iran

2- Iranian Female Kabaddi Athletes Make History

Ebtekar:

1- Dark Week of White House: Trump Might Be Impeached

2- Ambiguous Remarks by Rouhani about Appointment of Military Commanders by “Elected” Chief

Etemad:

1- Trumpgate: People Close to US President Being Convicted in US Courts One after Another

2- Rouhani Once Again Threatened, This Time in Arafah Prayer

Ettela’at:

1- UN: US’ Anti-Iran Sanctions Illegitimate, Cruel

2- 31 Yemeni Children, Women Killed in Saudi Air Raid on Displaced People

Ghanoon:

1- Government Has No Plan to Resolve Economic Crisis: MP

2- Domino of Genocide in Yemen

Iran:

1- Iran’s Unveiling of Kowsar Fighter Jet Widely Covered in World Media

2- These Heroines [Women’s Kabaddi Team]

3- Rouhani Once Again Threatened, This Time by Famous Eulogist

Javan:

1- Warrior and Victorious as in Kabaddi

2- Kowsar Jet Fighter, Iran’s New Winning Card in Sky

Jomhouri Eslami:

1- Trump Might Be Impeached over Political, Ethical Scandals

2- Hajj Season Over: Iranian Hajj Pilgrims to Return as of Today

Kayhan:

1- Statistics Organization: Inflation Still Less than 10%!

2- EU’s 18-Million-Euro Aid Package Aimed at Humiliating Iran!

Sazandegi:

1- Trump in Quagmire

2- FATF in Limbo

Shargh:

1- A Report on Consequences of Mass Sale of Gold Coins to People ahead of Sanctions

2- Aftershocks of Black Tuesday: Few Loyal People Left for Trump

London Thanks Tehran for Temporary Release of British-Iranian Dual National

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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August 25, 2018

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Hunt said, “It is extremely positive and we want to thank the Iranian authorities for what they’re doing, whilst not forgetting that she should not be imprisoned in the first place.”

Hunt described Nazanin as “innocent” and claimed that her imprisonment in Iran is an instance of “gross injustice”.

“So we call on the Iranian authorities to capitalize on the goodwill from today’s announcement by going the whole way and releasing Nazanin and allowing her to go back to her family and come back to the UK, which is where her home is,” Daily Mail quoted him as saying.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who is now serving a five-year jail sentence, was temporarily released from prison on Thursday.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe, claimed to be a charity worker affiliated with the London-based charity Thomson Reuters Foundation, was arrested in April 2016 just before taking the flight out of Iran.

Her case drew considerable attention after former British foreign secretary Boris Johnson said in 2017 that she was training journalists in Iran, contradicting claim by the foundation that she was simply on holiday visiting relatives.

Johnson came under pressure to resign after his comments, which confirmed charges by the Iranian judiciary that Zaghari-Ratcliffe was teaching people how to secretly prepare anti-government content and send them to the Persian service of the British-run news agency BBC.

Historic Cemetery of Khoshkrud; Amazing Site in Western Iran

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Fatemeh Askarieh

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August 25, 2018

This cemetery is very much respected among the people of the region, and locals still bury their dead relatives next to their ancestors.

The village has a very pleasant climate and is home to a number of springs:

The following are Tasnim News Agency’s photos of the graveyard:

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Rouhani Optimistic Iran Could Overcome Existing Challenges

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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August 25, 2018

“We spare no chance to ease the pain and problems of people and we have no doubt that with unity and endurance, we can settle problems,” President Hassan Rouhani said in a speech at Imam Khomeini Mausoleum south of Tehran on Saturday.

Speaking after renewing allegiance to ideals of the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Rouhani said his government’s success in ending a 12-year dispute between Iran and world powers over Tehran’s nuclear activities testifies to the administration’s ability to solve huge challenges.

“Just like the way we managed to block efforts by the Zionist lobby groups in the US Senate and House of Representatives and foil US plots in the UN Security Council and refute their allegations against Iran in the International Atomic Energy Agency, this nation will manage to overcome all problems proudly,” he added.

Rouhani championed the 2015 nuclear deal, which placed confidence-building curbs on Iran’s nuclear program in return for the lifting of international sanctions.

However, US President Donald Trump withdrew his country from the pact early May, calling for new talks to reach another deal that curbs Iran’s defence and regional policies.

The US has already re-imposed the first series of its anti-Iran sanctions and is pressuring Asia and Europe to hamper trade ties with Iran and stop buying oil from the country.

Iran Leader Appoints New IRGC Navy Commander

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IFP Media Wire

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August 25, 2018

In a decree on Thursday, Ayatollah Khamenei, commander-in-chief of Iran’s Armed Forces, installed Rear Admiral Tangsiri as commander of the IRGC Navy, which is in charge of security in Iran’s southern waters.

Tangsiri succeeds Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi as the IRGC Navy chief.

In the decree, Ayatollah Khamenei said the decision for the appointment has been made at the IRGC commander’s suggestion and with regard to the new commander’s “commitment, competency and valuable experiences.”

The Leader has also called on Rear Admiral Tangsiri to push for promoting the training skills and upgrade the maritime equipment.

Ayatollah Khamenei has also commended the outgoing IRGC Navy commander Fadavi for his sincere efforts in the office.

In a separate decree by the Leader, Rear Admiral Fadavi was appointed as the IRGC deputy commander for coordination.

In remarks in 2016, Ayatollah Khamenei underlined that security of the Persian Gulf region comes within the purview of the regional countries alone, and dismissed the US claim of seeking security in the region.

“The Persian Gulf security relates to the countries of the region which have common interests, and not to the US. So, security of the Persian Gulf region should be provided by the countries of this region itself,” the Leader said.

Ayatollah Khamenei has also called for the enhancement of the Iranian naval forces’ presence in international waters and expanding the Navy’s power in balance with the merit of the Islamic Establishment.

Iranian Girls, Boys Claim Kabaddi Titles in Asian Games

By

IFP Media Wire

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August 25, 2018

After winning over defending champion India, the Iranian men’s team secured a strong 26-16 victory over South Korea in the final on Friday, becoming the Asian kabaddi champions.

The Iranian men’s team ranked second after champion India in the past two Asian Games and past three World Cup tournaments.

The Indian men’s team has been kabaddi champion for seven times in the games.

Iranians put away the Indian team in the semi-finals, ending that team’s dominant run at the event.

The Iranian women’s kabaddi team also stopped their Indian arch-rivals from winning their third successive gold. The Iranians edged past India 27-24 to avenge their 2014 Asian final defeat against the Indian side. Their victory marks the first time a women’s team has beaten India in kabaddi at the Asian Games.

Before this year’s event, India had the most successful kabaddi teams on the world stage, winning all international titles in both men’s and women’s categories.

At the 18th Asian Games, which started on August 8 and continues until September 2, Iran has so far won 31 medals, including 12 gold, 11 silver and eight Bronze medals.

This year’s games are being held in the Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Palembang.

Persian Architecture in Photos: Yazd Water Museum

By

Fatemeh Askarieh

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August 24, 2018

The house, built in 1929 by a well-known merchant named Kolahdooz, has been constructed around a gorgeous garden, with beautiful adornments in several floors.

Two qanats (underground aqueducts) are running under the house at different levels, which are reachable through a special stairway called Payab.

This distinctive characteristic led the provincial officials to rebuild the house into Yazd Water Museum.

The museum was opened in 2,000 after the city hosted the first international conference on Qanat, a feat of ancient Persian engineering which helped distribute water through underground canals.

Persian qanats, which have allowed life to flourish in the desert, were registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2016.

According to the UN cultural organization, the qanats provide exceptional testimony to cultural traditions and civilizations in desert areas with an arid climate.

The Museum displays the tools and techniques used for the past 2000 years in Iran in creating Qanats and connecting them to the city and field locations for agricultural and other uses.

The museum also hosts historical structures like water well, and shows the drilling of mother wells through photos.

Among the tools are water distribution clocks, bowls with a hole in the bottom that helped to mark out the 15- or 20-minute shares of water purchasable by householder or farmer.

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