Culture Minister Due in Azerbaijan to Attend Iran’s Cultural Week

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June 23, 2018

Salehi is expected to head a high-ranking delegation during his visit to the Azeri capital of Baku and the historical city of Ganja in the coming days, Farsi said.

Speaking to reporters in Baku, Farsi said Iran’s cultural week reveals the cultural commonalities between Iran and Azerbaijan, according a report by Iran Online.

He said Iran’s National Symphonic Orchestra led by prestigious Iranian musician Fereydoun Shahbazian is set to hold a concert in Baku Philharmonic Hall during the week.

Farsi then said the Orchestra is composed of 40 young Iranians with an average age of 25, adding women make up for one-third of the Orchestra. “The well-known classical and Persian traditional signer Salar Aghili will accompany the orchestra.”

He also noted that Iranian film director, producer and screenwriter, Majid Majidi will also take part in Iran’s Cultural Week in Azerbaijan and his big-budget production “Muhammad: The Messenger of God” will be screened during the event.

A theatre group from the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, which has already staged its version of the Divine Comedy in Moscow and other European cities, will also attend the event and stage its theater.

After Baku, Iran’s cultural week will also be held in Ganja as the symbolic city of cultural commonalities between Iran and Azerbaijan.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Farsi said Iran and Azerbaijan have already launched a joint cinematic project with actors, actresses and directors from both sides in attendance. “The film is set to be shot both in Iran and Azerbaijan.”

He then referred to the historical and cultural commonalities between the two sides and added the great nations of Iran and Azerbaijan have stood by each other through hard and happy times.

Farsi described the two sides’ relations as developing and said last year, Azerbaijan held its cultural week in Tehran, Isfahan and Ardabil.

Richard Clayderman Holds First-Ever Concert in Iran

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IFP Editorial Staff

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June 23, 2018

Accompanied by a professional ensemble, Clayderman held the concert at the Interior Ministry’s Grand Hall in the capital Tehran.

During the concert, the French musician surprised his Iranian fans by playing the soundtracks of a number of blockbusting movies like Titanic (by James Horner) and Cinema Paradiso (by Ennio Morricone), a report by PANA said.

As announced earlier, Clayderman also played the patriotic Persian song “Ey Iran” with Piano.

After performing each piece, he gave the sheet note of the piece to the enthusiastic audiences who stood with their hands raised to get it. Once, as a joke, he took up his chair and came towards the edge of the stage to give the notes to the standing audiences.

In an address to the audience during the concert, he said, “I’m aware that you know well some cinematic characters and actor and actress like James Band, Superman, Johnny Depp and many others but tonight I want to talk about them through these sheets.”

He then performed a number of most memorable music themes in cinema including 2001: A Space Odyssey, James Band, Mission Impossible, Edward Scissorhands, Leon, Game of Thrones and many others.

Istgah Band led by Mehdi Nowruzi accompanied Clayderman during the concert. He is set to hold his second performance on Saturday night. His concerts will continue on Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights.

Born in 1953, Clayderman has released numerous albums including the compositions of Paul de Senneville and Olivier Toussaint, instrumental renditions of popular music, rearrangements of movie soundtracks, ethnic music, and easy-listening arrangements of popular works of classical music.

He has recorded over 1,300 melodies and created a new romantic style through a repertoire which combines his trademark originals with classics and pop standards.

As of 2006, his record sales number stood at approximately 150 million, and has 267 gold and 70 platinum albums to his credit.

He is popular in Asia and is noted by the Guinness Book of World Records as being “the most successful pianist in the world”. Many people, particularly the younger generations, owe their interest in music to Claydermen and his music.

His concerts are organized by Royal Honar Institution.

Iranian Police Forces in Russia to Help Team Melli’s Fans

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IFP Editorial Staff

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June 23, 2018

Brigadier General Hadi Shirzad, the head of the Interpol Department of Iran’s Law Enforcement, says the country has sent five police officers to Russia in the wake of the visit of thousands of Iranians to Russia during the World Cup.

The officers dispatched to Russia take part in security missions and exchange their experiences with their Russian counterparts during the World Cup, he added.

“Our colleagues were deployed in Russia before the beginning of the World Cup and will remain in the country until the end of the global tournament,” he said in an interview with Tasnim News Agency.

According to Shirzad, the officers are fluent in English and have full command of security issues.

“In case of emergency cases like theft or facing problems with their flight tickets, all Iranian nationals visiting Russia for the World Cup can contact the officers via 0079990117857 and 007999011695 and follow up their legal and security issues with them,” he noted.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup, the 21st edition of the tournament which is currently underway in Russia, started on June 14 and will end with the final match on July 15.

Before the beginning of the tournament, FIFA’s security chief Helmut Spahn said football fans can travel to the World Cup in Russia without fear of hooliganism or terrorism. He insists the country is “very, very well” prepared.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on June 23

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IFP Editorial Staff

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June 23, 2018

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on November 19

The top story in all newspapers today was the remarks by Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araqchi about the critical conditions of the Iran nuclear deal. Araqchi says the JCPOA is in the ICU and there is no positive prospect for ongoing talks with Europe.

Also a major story today was an article by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, in which he has responded to his American counterpart’s 12 demands from Iran.

The agreement of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on a one-million bpd increase in their oil outputs also received great coverage today.

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

19 Dey:

1- Zarif-Pompeo’s Duel in Twitter

Abrar:

1- Araqchi: Iran May Withdraw from JCPOA in Coming Week

2- Japanese PM May Visit Iran for First Time in 40 Years

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- Iran’s Win-Win Game in OPEC

2- We Need a Man like Carlos Queiroz for Our Politics, Economy

Social Media Users Comparing Team Melli’s Head Coach with That of Certain Officials

3- Pleasant Breaking of Taboos

After President Rouhani’s Direct Order, Doors of Azadi Stadium Opened to Women

4- Vahid Amiri: I May Nutmeg Ronaldo as Well!

Arman-e Emrooz:

1- OPEC Arrives at Deal in Injury Time

2- 150,000 Elites Leaving Iran Annually

Asrar:

1- Araqchi: Europe Must Make More Sacrifices to Save JCPOA

Ebtekar:

1- Oil Peace: A Report on Division among OPEC Members, Its Impacts on Energy Market

2- Europe’s First Step in Trade War against Trump: EU Sets Tariffs for Certain American Goods

Etemad:

1- Iran Leader’s Message to Team Melli: You Did a Great Job against Spain

2- Erdogan to Be Tested Again: Turkey Elections Due to Be Held Sunday

Ettela’at:

1- Iran First VP: Water Crisis, Environment Threatening Iran’s Development

2- Larijani: Parliament to Do as the Leader Says on Accession to FATF

Hamshahri:

1- Energy Minister: Water Crisis Is Always with Us

Jame Jam:

1- JCPOA in ICU: Araqchi Says Talks with Europeans Not Satisfactory

Javan:

1- Araqchi Says Nuclear Deal in Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

2- Dark Days of Human Rights in US

UN Rapporteur: Immigrants Shouldn’t Be Treated Like Criminals in US

Jomhouri Eslami:

1- OPEC Accepts Iran’s Plan to Stabilize Oil Output Quota

Kayhan:

1- Syrian Army Fighting American Troopers in Homs on the Ground

Rooyesh-e Mellat:

1- Tehran Friday Prayers Leader: Negotiation with US Not to Solve Any Problem

Shargh:

1- Zarif’s Response to Pompeo

Iran FM Writes Article to Respond to US Secretary of State’s 12 Demands from Iran

2- Ezzatollahi: We’ll Sacrifice Our Lives to Defeat Portugal

Sobh-e Now:

1- Araqchi: No Positive Prospect for Continuation of Talks with Europe

Vatan-e Emrooz:

1- Waiting for Team Melli’s Match against Portugal, and Miracle of Iran

UN’s Gary Lewis Still Caring about Iranians despite End of Mission

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IFP Editorial Staff

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June 23, 2018

In a post on his Twitter account, Lewis praised the Iranian team’s members for their dramatic match against Spain and described himself as one of the ardent fans of Iran in the FIFA World Cup, which underway in Russia.

“Great game; totally enjoyable! We were unfortunate to lose. And to lose 0-1 to a team like Spain is no dishonour at all. Go Team Melli, Bring on Portugal,” he said in his tweet, according to a report by Khabar Online.

A review of the latest tweets by Lewis and his wife Elizabeth reveals that their hearts are still with Iran even after leaving the country for a new mission.

In a tweet after Iran-Morocco World Cup match last Friday, during which Iran managed to beat its rival 1-0, Lewis said in a Persian tweet “My wife Elizabeth and I wished to be at Vali-e Asr Street in Tehran among celebrating Iranians. We can hear the honks even from Nairobi.”

Lewis’ five-year mission in Iran ended in January. In a farewell tweet he wrote, “Iran is always in my heart and I was very much impressed by great Iranian civilization in the past five years living and working there.”

He is now in Kenya’s capital city Nairobi for a new UN mission. Iranians remember him for his efforts in Iran to save Lake Urmia, interest in Iranian culture and good-faith relations with Iranian diplomats including Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Since 2013, Gary Lewis was working in Iran as the UN representative and coordinator.

Lewis was born in Bridgetown in Barbados in 1962 and has been serving at the United Nations offices in Asia, Africa, Europe, the US, and the Middle East for more than 30 years.

Bin Salman Holds Secret Meeting with Netanyahu in Jordan: Report

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IFP Editorial Staff

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June 23, 2018

The Israeli daily Maariv reported on Friday that Bin Salman was waiting for Netanyahu at the Royal Jordanian Palace during his visit to Amman on Monday.

Jacky Hugi, the political analyst of the newspaper, says, “A close friend told me about the incident, claiming that there were direct contacts between the two parties, both Saudi and Israeli, under the auspices of King Abdullah II of Jordan.”

The secret meeting was held on the sidelines of Jared Kushner’s visit to Amman. During the visit, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law was accompanied by Jason Greenblatt, the US President’s Middle East Envoy.

Earlier, bin Salman reportedly met on Wednesday with Kushner to discuss Trump’s plan on Palestinian-Israeli peace deal, or what he calls the “deal of the century”.

The meeting took place in the Saudi capital Riyadh at the presence of Greenbelt.

Amman also played host to another meeting between King Abdullah II and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, during which the two sides reportedly discussed issues of mutual interest, especially the security challenges of Western Asia.

The details of Pompeo’s talks in Amman have not been released, but the issue of Iran is usually a key focus of talks between American officials and Arab states of the Middle East.

While a historic meeting between Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and King Abdullah II of Jordan in May was expected to improve relations between the two Muslim states, Amman seems to be turning into a hub of anti-Iran talks between Arab, Israeli, and American officials.

Saudi Arabia Committing War Crime in Yemen: Amnesty Int’l

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IFP Editorial Staff

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June 23, 2018

More than eight million people in Yemen are at risk of starvation and aid groups fear the battle for Hudaydah, which imports most of the aid and commercial supplies shipped in to Yemen, could have widespread and fatal consequences.

The Saudi-led coalition has imposed a blockade on Yemeni ports controlled by the Yemeni army and popular committees. The blockade has played a significant role in the collapse of the health system and exacerbated suffering that Amnesty International said could “constitute a war crime”.

“Millions of lives are at risk in Yemen because food, fuel and medical supplies are being deliberately delayed on entry to the war-torn country by the Saudi-led coalition,” Amnesty International said.

In a 22-page report, the Amnesty shows how the Saudi-led coalition has imposed excessive restrictions on the entry of essential goods and aid.

“The Saudi-led coalition must end hampering the commercial imports of essential goods destined for Yemen’s Red Sea ports and allow the reopening of Sana’a airport to commercial flights. States providing the coalition with support, in particular the USA, United Kingdom and France, should pressure them to do so,” Lynn Maalouf, the Amnesty International’s Middle East Research Director, said.

“This man-made humanitarian crisis cannot be ignored any longer. The world must stop looking the other way while the life is slowly suffocated out of Yemen,” Maalouf added.

“By delaying the delivery of vital supplies such as fuel and medicine to the country, the Saudi-led coalition is abusing its powers to cruelly inflict additional hardship on the most vulnerable civilians in Yemen.”

“Blockades that cause substantial, disproportionate harm to civilians are prohibited under international law,” Maalouf stressed.

Traditional Doll Exhibition Underway in Tehran’s Azadi Tower

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Fatemeh Askarieh

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June 23, 2018

The dolls, some of which are said to be almost 150 years old, have been collected from local museums and institutions in Iran.

Nematollah Payan, the head of Azadi Tower, told IRIB News that the exhibition hosts over 150 dolls.

Some of the dolls put on display are registered on the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage list, including “Dotuk” from Southern Khorasan Province, “Dahtuduk” from Qeshm Island, “Leili Bazbazak” from Khuzestan Province, Taktom” from Ardabil, “Ghurchugh” from Turkmen Sahra, and “Bibi Lak” from Iranian Zoroastrians.

The exhibition, titled “Dolls through the Ages”, was opened on March 24 and will run until late September.

What follows are IRNA’s photos of the exhibition:

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Japanese PM to Visit Iran for First Time in 40 Years

By

IFP Media Wire

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June 23, 2018

The visit may take place as early as mid-July as part of the Japanese premier’s tour of the Middle East and Europe, Kyodon News reported, noting that the itinerary will be announced soon.

“If realized, it will be the first trip to Iran by a sitting Japanese prime minister since Takeo Fukuda visited the country in 1978,” the news agency said.

Abe is expected to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and ensure him of Tokyo’s continued support for the Iran nuclear deal despite US President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the landmark multinational agreement on May 8, it said.

Abe reiterated Japan’s support for the deal in his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a trip to the occupied Palestinian lands in May.

Netanyahu, a staunch opponent of the deal known as the JCPOA, called it a “bad agreement”, but Abe said the accord was necessary to ensure stability in the Middle East, according to Israeli media reports.

Under the 2015 deal, which was struck between Iran and world powers — the US, the UK, France, Russia, China and Germany — Tehran agreed to put limits on certain parts of its nuclear energy program in exchange for the lifting of all nuclear-related sanctions.

Trade ties

Strengthening economic ties with Iran, which sits on major oil and gas resources, is also high on the agenda of the Japanese leader’s visit.

Iran is Japan’s third-largest energy supplier after Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The annual trade volume between the two countries stands at more than $11 billion.

The Japanese prime minister is also due to visit Egypt and Saudi Arabia, after he wraps up his tour to Belgium and France.

In Brussels, the Japanese prime minister will sign a free trade agreement between Japan and the European Union.

In July last year, Abe and EU institutional chiefs Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker unveiled a major free trade deal to create the world’s largest open economic zone, rebuking “protectionist” trade policies adopted by the US and the UK.

Tehran Hosts Largest Gathering of Iranian Yogis

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IFP Editorial Staff

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June 23, 2018

Based on a proposal by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, June 21 was declared as the International Yoga Day by the United Nations in 2014 with the aim of raising global awareness about the benefits of the sport.

The choice of June 21 was by no means a coincidence. The longest day of the year symbolizes light, clarity, strength, and forces of wisdom for many philosophic streams.

Yoga is practiced today in a multitude of forms and continues to gain popularity. This trend is also supported by increasing medical research on the health benefits of the discipline, as well as the fact that it complements mainstream medical treatments.

The word yoga itself is a reflection of peace, unity, as its Sanskrit meaning refers to “joining or uniting,” symbolizing the union of body and consciousness, but also peace between the individual and the outer world.

Currently there are 18,000 sports clubs across Iran with 3,000 focusing mainly on Yoga and 12,000 others focusing on Yoga and other athletic exercises.

What follows are ISNA’s photos of a ceremony held on Thursday in northern Tehran to mark the International Yoga Day:

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