In an interview with the NHK news channel after his return to Japan on Monday, Japanese PM Abe said he has addressed various issues in his meeting with Trump, including the [anti-Russian] sanctions, the Syrian issue, the Iranian issue and the Ukrainian issue.
“These issues cannot be resolved if President Putin and President Trump do not maintain direct dialogue, can they?”
According to a Farsi report by Fars News, a local source in Mosul announced that the ISIS terrorists beheaded Abu Hamza Al-Suri, the man who made swords for ISIS elements, on February 13.
Al-Sumaria wrote that the ISIS Islamic Sharia Court sentenced this well-known man to death on charges of treason.
Abu Yahiya Al-Araqi, the man responsible for ISIS’ chemical bombs, was also killed in suspicious circumstances one day before in western Mosul.
Kim Jong Nam, the older half-brother of the North Korean leader, was known to spend a significant amount of his time outside the country and had spoken out publicly against his family’s dynastic control of the isolated state.
He was believed to be in his mid-40s.
Police in Malaysia told Reuters on Tuesday an unidentified North Korean man had died en route to hospital from Kuala Lumpur airport on Monday. Abdul Aziz Ali, police chief for the Sepang district, said the man’s identity had not been verified.
An employee in the emergency ward of Putrajaya hospital said a deceased Korean there was born in 1970 and surnamed Kim.
South Korea’s TV Chosun, a cable television network, said that Kim was poisoned at Kuala Lumpur airport by two women believed to be North Korean operatives, who were at large, citing multiple South Korean government sources.
Kim Jong Nam and Kim Jong Un are both sons of former leader Kim Jong Il, who died in late 2011, but they had different mothers.
Kim Jong Nam was believed to be close to his uncle, Jang Song Thaek, who was North Korea’s second most powerful man before being executed on Kim Jong Un’s orders in 2013.
In 2001, Kim Jong Nam was caught at an airport in Japan traveling on a fake passport, saying he had wanted to visit Tokyo Disneyland. He was known to travel to Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China.
He said several times over the years that he had no interest in leading his country.
“Personally I am against third-generation succession,” he told Japan’s Asahi TV in 2010, before his younger had succeeded their father.
“I hope my younger brother will do his best for the sake of North Koreans’ prosperous lives.”
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, will join some of the leading names in British film at a free premiere screening of the Oscar-nominated The Salesman, the Iranian director of which was affected by Donald Trump’s travel ban.
According to The Guardian, during Academy Awards night on 26 February, Trafalgar Square will be transformed into London’s biggest open-air cinema for the first UK showing of Asghar Farhadi’s drama, hours before the Oscars are handed out in Hollywood.
Leading names from the British film industry, including the Palme d’Or-winning director Mike Leigh, will address an expected audience of up to 10,000 people in central London.
Sadiq Khan is organising the screening, alongside the actor Lily Cole, the producer Kate Wilson and the film-maker Mark Donne, to coincide with the Oscars and “celebrate the capital’s success as a creative hub and beacon for openness and diversity” after the Brexit vote.
The announcement comes after actors and film-makers including Julie Christie, Kevin Macdonald, Keira Knightley, Ridley Scott and Terry Gilliam wrote to the Duke of Westminster to ask for permission to hold a screening outside the US embassy to protest against the US president’s ban on visitors from seven Muslim-majority countries: Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen.
The Salesman is nominated for best foreign language film at the Oscars and stars Taraneh Alidoosti and Shahab Hosseini, who won best actor at Cannes last year. The film also won best screenplay at Cannes. Farhadi, who won a best foreign language film Oscar for A Separation in 2012, said he would not attend this year’s ceremony even if he were offered special dispensation, in solidarity with those who had been affected by the ban.
Farhadi said the Trafalgar Square screening had great symbolic value. “The gathering of the audience around The Salesman in this famous London square is symbolic of unity against the division and separation of people,” he said.
“I offer my warmest thanks to the mayor of London and the cinema community for this generous initiative. I welcome and appreciate this invaluable show of solidarity.”
Leigh said Farhadi, who he has known since serving with him on the 2012 Berlin film festival jury, was “one of the world’s greatest film-makers”.
“For those of us who make movies about real life, real people and real issues, he is a master, a true inspiration to all of us. We must show solidarity with Asghar and his principles, against divisiveness and hate,” Leigh said.
The London screening will begin at 4.30pm. Curzon Artificial Eye is also showing the film across the country on the same day.
Philip Knatchbull, the chief executive of Curzon, said it was a real privilege to be able to celebrate The Salesman with such a marquee screening. “Curzon is committed to film-makers from across the world who have outward-looking and inclusive voices, and to find common cause in that aim with the mayor of London is tremendous,” he said.
Trump’s executive order, now blocked by US courts, was roundly condemned by the international community, the UN and human rights groups, including the International Rescue Committee and Amnesty International.
Farhadi originally planned to attend the Oscars ceremony to highlight “the unjust circumstances that have arisen for the immigrants and travellers of several countries to the United States”, he wrote to the New York Times. But the conditions that would be attached to a potential entry visa were unacceptable, he said.
Alidoosti also vowed to boycott the ceremony.
Two people are detained in connection with Plasco building fire, said Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ejei, the Spokesman and Deputy Chief of Iran’s Judiciary.
“The two suspects may have started the fire in Plasco,” he added, according to a report by IFP.
“The case is pending in Tehran Court,” he said when asked about the latest developments of Plasco case in a recent press meeting.
“A team composed of several experts will investigate the other causes of fire,” he added.
No official has been summoned to the court yet, he went on to say.
“I am receiving this medal as a sign of the brotherhood between the states and peoples of Bahrain and Turkey,” Erdoğan said after receiving Bahrain’s highest medal in a ceremony at Sakhir Palace following a tete-a-tete meeting between President Erdoğan and King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain.
“I will always keep with honour this medal, which holds a unique place in our shared history,” he added.
The official website of Turkish presidency further quoted him as saying, “I pray to my Lord that our friendship and brotherhood become eternal and our cooperation permanent. I feel great pleasure to see that you also share the same will and determination.”
King Al Khalifa, in his speech at the ceremony, said for his part, “We would like to present this medal to you because of your efforts. Because you are working to serve the Islamic world.”
Several newspapers covered the controversy sparked by the presence of a number of Iranian ministers and officials in a ceremony in Swedish ambassador’s house in Tehran and the deals signed during the ceremony.
They also covered the ongoing crisis in Iran’s southwestern province Khuzestan, particularly the dust pollution and its harmful effects on citizens.
The new oil reserves discovered in Iran and the snow and rain that have hit several Iranian provinces were among other top stories today.
The above issues, as well as many more, are highlighted in the following headlines:
Abrar:
1- Washington, Tokyo, and Seoul Call for Extraordinary UNSC Meeting in Reaction to North Korea’s New Missile Test
2- MP Urges Government and Parliament to Resolve Khuzestan Crisis [Dust pollution]
3- President Masum Calls on Iraqis to Show Self-Restraint
Abrar-e Eqtesadi:
1- Foreigners Can Now Open Bank Accounts in Iran with Iranian Currency
2- Funds for Purchase of Second Airbus A330 Approved by Iran’s National Authority
3- Trump, an Opportunity for Enhancement of Iran-Europe Trade
4- Sukhoi Sending Letters to Sell Airplane to Iran
Aftab-e Yazd:
1- They Viewed the Ceremony as a Party: Hardliners Making a Fuss about Presence of Some Officials in Swedish Ambassador’s House and Signing of Certain Deals
2- Parliament Speaker: Trump Wants to Outrage Iran
3- Valentine’s Day and Some Reasonable Words [Editorial]
Arman-e Emrooz:
1- Cyber-Police Chief: Money Laundry Ring Disbanded in Tehran
2- Analyst: US Needs War to Continue Its Capitalist Nature
3- Reformist MP: I’m Worried that They Stop Supporting Rouhani; He Has Not Communicated with Lower Classes of Iranian Society
Asr-e Iranian:
1- National Humiliation! Widespread Criticism of Presence of 4 Ministers in Swedish Ambassador’s House
2- Deputy Health Minister: People’s Health Conditions in Khuzestan in Danger
Etemad:
1- 8 Iranian Sailors Released
2- Secretary of HQ Tasked with Reviving Lake Urmia: Future Generation Will Have to Immigrate
Ettela’at:
1- Major Oil and Gas Reserves Discovered in Western and Southern Iran
2- Iranian Water Official: Tehran Suffering from Water Crisis
3- Saudi Arabia Makes Threats against Egypt and Jordan for Trying to Resolve Syria Crisis in a Political Way
Iran:
1- Iran’s Snowy Month: Citizens Have Problems, Farmers Are Hopeful
2- Iranian Musician Kalhor and His Ensemble Win Grammy Award through ‘Silk Road’
Jame Jam:
1- Contraband vs Beauty: A Report on 55% Share of Cheating and Contraband Goods in Cosmetics Market
Javan:
1- Judiciary Chief: No Need for ‘National Reconciliation’ as Iranian People Are Good to Each Other
2- Sorrow of Khuzestan amid Rainfall across Iran
3- US Judiciary Trying to Dismiss Trump’s Secretaries
4- Rouhani Administration’s Oil Income Exceeds that of Ahmadinejad’s 8-Year Presidency
5- Controversy over Presence of Iranian Ministers and Deputies in a Ceremony Attended by Women without Hijab in Swedish Ambassador’s House in Tehran and Signing of Certain Contracts
Jomhouri Eslami:
1- Oil Official: 30-Billion-Barrel Increase in Iran’s Oil Reserves
2- Trump’s Mental Health Problem Has Worried Republicans
Kayhan:
1- New York Times: Trump Going through Same Path Previous US Presidents Followed
2– Warning about Flood in 8 Provinces: Iran Hit by Ran and Snow
Mardom Salari:
1- Hard-liners’ Latest Unethical Behaviour towards Iran’s Foreign Ministry: Reaction to Presence of Certain Iranian Ministers in Swedish Ambassador’s House
2- Foreign Ministry Spokesman: Honourable Cooperation with Europe Will Continue despite Zionists’ Fuss
3- US Wrestling Team Arrives in Iran’s Kermanshah
4- Europe’s Defensive Approach against Trump: Germany Bans Europe’s Individual Interaction with Trump
Resalat:
1- Senior Conservative Bahonar: Conservatives Will Nominate a Candidate to Compete with Rouhani
2- Mogherini: Some of Europe’s Anti-Iran Sanctions Harsher than Those of US
Seda-ye Eslahat:
1- Reteurs: The Diplomat Sheikh Is Only Man Who Can Overcome Trump
Sepid:
1- Trump’s Order Threatens Iranian Embryos: Iranian Doctor Living in US in a Dilemma
Setareh Sobh:
1- Outrage against Injustice: French People Hold Demonstrations against Police Officers’ Assault on a Black Citizen
Shakhe-ye Sabz:
1- Judiciary Chief: I’m Not against National Reconciliation, but It’s Not Needed in Iran
2- SNSC Secretary: JCPOA’s Success Hinges on All Sides’ Commitment
3- Iranian Lobbyists Infiltrate in All Important Parts of US Society: Trump Aide
Shahrvand:
1- Buying Corpses from Mafia: Universities Buying Corpses for Autopsy by Paying Full Blood Money. However, 100 Unknown Bodies Are Found Every Week; Rules against and Punishment of Body Organ Smugglers
Shargh:
1- What Happened in Ambassador’s House: Critics of Rouhani’s Government Kicking Up a Fuss about a Dinner
2- JCPOA Backer Becomes German President: A Look at Steinmeier’s Stances
Siasat-e Rooz:
1- Hiding Oppression of Bahraini People behind Syria Safe Zone
2- 85% of Saudi Airstrikes Targeted Civilians
Ta’adol:
1- European Funds to Be Injected to Iran after Luxembourgian FM’s Visit
2- A Look at Flynn’s Scandal: Will He Become a Shield for Trump?
Vaghaye Ettefaghieh:
1- World Fascinated by Kalhor’s Music: ‘Sing Me Home’ Wins Grammy Award for Iran
2- Tehran-Moscow Coalition: A Report on Main Players of Astana II Summit and Its Goals
Vatan-e Emrooz:
1- Vice-President: We’re Still Suffering from Economic Downturn
2- In Reaction to National Reconciliation Plan, Judiciary Chief Asks Those Who Caused Sedition after 2009 Presidential Votes to Admit Their Mistake and Join People
3- Slogan in Bahrain: Al Khalifa Should Be Executed
Wintery weather and a cold snap have hit many parts of Iran, shutting down schools and educational institutions in several provinces across the country.
Here are photos of various Iranian cities and villages blanketed with heavy snow:
Heading a high-ranking delegation, Rouhani will arrive in the Omani capital of Muscat on Wednesday morning at the official invitation of Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, the deputy head for communications and information at the Iranian president’s office, Parviz Esmaeili, said.
He further said the president plans to hold talks with senior Omani officials and attend a meeting of high-ranking delegations of Iran and Oman.
Esmaeili went on to say that President Rouhani will leave Muscat for Kuwait City on Wednesday afternoon at the official invitation Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and hold negotiations with him and other senior officials of the Arab country.
Iran and Kuwait have developed closer political relations in recent years, and have held several sessions of a Joint Political Committee.
In late January, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid al-Hamad al-Sabah paid a visit to Tehran and held meetings with senior Iranian officials, including President Hassan Rouhani.
“As verified by supervisory bodies, the Islamic Republic of Iran has fulfilled all its obligations but the success of the JCPOA [the nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action], hinges on [efforts] by Western countries to make up for their shortcomings,” Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani said in a meeting with Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn in Tehran on Monday.
He added that all parties to the JCPOA must “unabatedly implement their obligations” under the deal.
The JCPOA is an international and binding agreement, he stressed.
Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China – plus Germany started implementing the JCPOA on January 16, 2016.
Under the agreement, Iran accepted to put limitations on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions imposed against Tehran.
The SNSC secretary also welcomed the expansion of long-term and lasting cooperation between Iran and Luxembourg in economy, banking and insurance sectors.
He stressed the importance of developing cooperation between Iran and independent countries based on mutual respect and common interests.
“In the era following the [implementation of] the JCPOA and the removal of the obstacle of sanctions, Luxembourg can tap into the broad existing capacities in Iran for investments,” Shamkhani said.
‘European countries seek broad cooperation with Iran’
Luxembourg’s foreign minister, for his part, said the JCPOA implementation created opportunities for the expansion of relations between Iran and European states.
Asselborn added that European countries were pursuing an approach, particularly after the deal’s implementation, to strengthen all-out cooperation with Iran and increase investment in infrastructure areas with the purpose of establishing sustainable economic relations.
He also praised Iran’s positive role in fighting terrorist groups and called for more consultations and cooperation between the two countries in this regard.
Heading a high-ranking political delegation, Asselborn arrived in Tehran Sunday night for an official two-day visit to hold talks with senior Iranian officials.
He paid a visit to Tehran in November 2015 and held talks with top Iranian officials, including President Hassan Rouhani, Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
JCPOA opens up prospects for Iran-Europe ties: Zarif
Also in a meeting with Asselborn, the Iranian foreign minister said the implementation of the JCPOA offered new prospects for the bolstering of relations between the Islamic Republic and European countries.
Zarif added that Iran was determined to enhance cooperation with member countries of the European Union.
Pointing to the favorable grounds for joint venture between Tehran and Luxembourg City, he expressed Iran’s readiness to improve banking cooperation with Luxembourg.
Asselborn also said the two countries would sign agreements to boost cooperation in different fields during his visit.
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