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Home Blog Page 4896

Iran’s taekwondo team grabs bronze in world cup championships

Emad Askarieh

December 8, 2014

Iran’s national taekwondo team was defeated by Mexico in the 2014 World Cup and grabbed bronze in the tournament.

The 18th Taekwondo World Cup kicked off in Mexico on Saturday December 6, 2014 with eight teams vying for coveted medals.

In the semifinals on Sunday evening, Iran’s national taekwondo team took on former world champions Mexico and was defeated 43 to 39 to stand in 3^rd place.

On the first day of the tournament, Iran defeated Ivory Coast (17-14), South Korea (21-19), and Germany (23-8) to become the top team of Group 1 on nine points and make it to the semifinals.

Pamuk’s first novel to be rendered into Persian

December 8, 2014

‘Mr. Cevdet and His Sons’, the first novel written by noted Turkish novelist and recipient of the 2006 Nobel Prize in Literature Orhan Pamuk, will be translated into Persian by Alireza Seifuddini and published in Iran.

Orhan Pamuk is a novelist, screenwriter, academic and the recipient of the 2006 Nobel Prize in Literature. As one of Turkey’s most prominent novelists, his books have sold over eleven million copies in sixty languages, making him the country’s best-selling writer.

Besides winning the Nobel Prize in Literature (the first to be awarded to a Turkish citizen), Pamuk is the recipient of numerous other literary awards. His ‘My Name Is Red’ won the 2002 Prix du Meilleur Livre Étranger, 2002 Premio Grinzane Cavour and 2003 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award.

Iranian translator Alireza Seifuddini said on Sunday that ‘Mr. Cevdet and His Sons’ is Pamuk’s first novel which hasn’t been translated into Persian yet.

It tells the story of three generations of a wealthy Istanbul family living in Nişantaşı, the district of Istanbul where Pamuk grew up.

Seifuddini is also translating Pamuk’s ‘My Name Is Red’, explaining that the novel was already rendered into Persian before, but since they were not precise he decided to translate it again.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 8

Emad Askarieh

December 8, 2014

Comments by President Rouhani at a ceremony to mark national Student Day dominated the front pages of the Iranian newspapers on Monday. In those comments the president reassured the public that he was committed to the promises he made on the campaign trail. Also splashed on the front pages of the dailies was the image of President Rouhani presenting next year’s spending package to Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani.

Abrar-e Eghtesadi: Under next year’s spending package, oil revenues will be down by $3 billion and the government will reduce the bread and energy subsidies it offers to the public.

Afkar: “Tehran Stock Exchange has shed 500 points.”

Aftab-e Yazd: “The promises I made to the people are not breakable,” said President Rouhani in a speech to mark national Student Day.

Arman-e Emrooz: “We need to promote the culture of volunteerism,” said Mahtab Keramati, a famed actress and UNICEF goodwill ambassador.

Arman-e Emrooz: “Students should not allow backwardness interfere with national progress,” said Chairman of the Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

Asr-e Iranian: “We have no plans to order any bank dissolved,” said the governor of the Central Bank of Iran. [His comments came weeks after the Central Bank released the names of financial institutes, including a key private bank, operating illegally.]

Asr-e Rasaneh: Italian oil giant Eni has expressed readiness to hold talks to return to Iran’s market.

Asr-e Rasaneh: “The rise in the official rate of foreign currencies is not designed to help swell government coffers,” said the minister of economy.

Asrar: A group of political science and law professors have praised Maj. Gen. Ghasem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force, an affiliate of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps, for the role he plays in regional developments.

Ebtekar: “Students need to strive to institutionalize righteousness in the country,” said former President Mohammad Khatami.

Ebtekar: “The new science minister will follow the same path, others [who failed to get confirmation from parliament] would have taken,” President Rouhani told a Student Day gathering.

Emtiaz: Italy has expressed willingness to contribute to the development of Darkhovin Oil Field.

Etemad: “Reformists are to present as many as 300 candidates on their ticket for the parliamentary elections [in 2016],” said Mohammad Reza Aref, vice-president under reformist Mohammad Khatami.

Ettela’at: “Introducing a single foreign currency rate and taming inflation are on the agenda of the Central Bank of Iran,” said the governor of the bank.

Ettela’at: Israeli planes have bombarded Damascus Airport.

Hamshahri: Foreign ministers of Iraq and Syria are in Iran to attend a World against Violence and Extremism (WAVE) conference.

Iran: German businessmen are in Iran for the first time in 20 years.

Iran: “Free flow of information helps tame corruption,” said the minister of communications and information technology.

Iran Daily: Iran is to launch anti-cancer campaign.

Jahan-e Sanat: Talks between Iran and Turkey to settle differences over transit of goods remained inconclusive.

Javan: “We will never roll out the red carpet for the United States,” said Gholamali Haddad Adel, a principlist MP and a onetime speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly.

Kar va Kargar: Iranian researchers have used nano-particles to develop edible insulin.

Kayhan: “Upstarts” is the new term the Government of Prudence [a reference to President Rouhani’s government] uses to describe its critics.

Kayhan: “Reformists sought to pit the student movement against the establishment,” said Tehran MP Gholamali Haddad Adel.

Mardomsalari: “National resolve to settle the problems women are facing is conspicuous by its absence,” said the vice-president for women and family affairs.

Payam-e Zaman:The ban on imports of gasoline and diesel by the private sector has been lifted.

Qods: “A cultural Google will be launched [in Farsi],” said Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati.

Rah-e Mardom: “Upstarts do not need to be worried about revolutionary values,” said President Hassan Rouhani.

Rah-e Mardom: The population of the disabled in Iran increases by 60,000 a year.

Resalat: “Removal of sanctions will be at the center of future talks,” said Ali Akbar Velayati, an advisor to the Supreme Leader and a former foreign minister.

Resalat: “Calling off the speeches of critics is not in line with law and the policy of moderation,” said Ahmad Tavakoli, a principlist MP.

Roozan: “Application of social networks is not illegal,” said the minister of culture and Islamic guidance.

Shahrvand: Next year’s spending package [just presented to parliament by the president] shows that a third phase of the Targeted Subsidies plan won’t be implemented for now.

Sharq: “Some 772 hectares of protected area has been taken back from land grabbers,” said the director of the Environment Protection Organization.

Sharq: The country’s operating budget will rely on tax revenues by as much as 50 percent next year.

Taadol: “A special court is to be set up to hear cases involving banking fraud,” said the governor of the Central Bank.

Tafahom: Turning Iran’s only island in the Caspian Sea into a tourist spot will create 10,000 jobs. But it is not worth the damage the move will cause to the environment.

Elecomp 2014 opens in Tehran

IFP Editorial Staff

December 7, 2014

The 20th International Exhibition of Electronics, Computer and E-Commerce (Elecomp 2014) opened on Tehran’s Permanent Fairground on Sunday.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by several high-ranking Iranian officials including Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati, Head of the National Cyberspace Center Mohammd-Hassan Entezari and Head of the Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture Gholamhossein Shafeie.

Over 300 Iranian and 20 foreign companies from China, the UAE, Germany, Turkey, Russia, India and Italy are participating in the four-day event which will close on December 10.

Former negotiator defends Iranian general, the country’s nuclear program

IFP Editorial Staff

December 7, 2014

On December 7, Tasnim News agency posted the remarks of Hossein Mousavian, a former Iranian diplomat and a current researcher at Princeton University, in response to strongly-worded criticism of Iran by two Western officials at a regional security summit dubbed Manama Dialogue (5-7 December 2014).

At the meeting in the Bahraini capital, Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird described Major General Ghasem Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s Quds Force, affiliated to the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps, as a representative of terrorism who tries to cast himself as an anti-IS hero. At the same forum French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian decried Iran as a threat to global security. The following is a partial translation of Mousavian’s response to the Western officials:

Mr. minister [a reference to John Baird], while you spend your time in palaces and hotels across the region, Major General Ghasem Soleimani puts his life on the line, fighting against IS and terrorist groups on the frontlines. However, you pin the blame of IS acts of terrorism on Iran. It is widely known that acts of terror by IS, al-Nusra Front, the Taliban and al-Qaeda have roots in a harmful ideology championed by members of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC).

What have you done to uproot terrorism? IS and other terrorist groups have been born and bred with the flow of financial and arms aid of PGCC countries. What action have you taken in the face of such disturbing fact? These are the facts that no one dares bring up at this forum.

Over the past 35 years, America has led hostile measures against Iran. Even the US has praised Iran’s positive role in the battle against IS. Earlier, US Secretary of State John Kerry described as ‘positive’ Iran’s role in the fight against IS. While America has admitted to the positive role of Iran, the question is why US allies unfairly take a swipe at Tehran at this forum.

Mr. Minister [directed at Jean-Yves Le Drian], you denounced Iran as a threat which gives rise to the proliferation of nuclear weapons. You know that Iran does not have a nuclear bomb and there are no signs that Iran has not deviated from its peaceful nuclear program. You know as well that Israel is the only country in the region which has a large arsenal of nukes, posing a threat to the peace and security of the region.

Why have you never raised such a matter and will never bring it up? Mr. Minister! You know that the primary objective of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is nuclear disarmament. The five world powers which are in nuclear talks with Iran have 22,000 nuclear bombs together and have breached the NPT for four decades.

Have you dismantled your 22,000 nuclear bombs? Why hasn’t France disarmed its nukes? Why does it violate the NPT? Surprisingly, France and other world powers have established strategic ties with the countries which have not entered into the treaty like Israel and Pakistan, while they slap sanctions against Iran. It comes as Iran is a signatory to the NPT and does not have a nuclear bomb. What strikes me as surprising is that France has even helped Israel with building nuclear weapons. Why do you turn a blind eye to such facts?

It’s worth noting that the French defense minister failed to produce any response to the questions posed by Mousavian about Iran’s nuclear program and only said that France, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other major powers have yet to be convinced about the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program.

Iran to launch satellite into space in two months

IFP Editorial Staff

December 7, 2014

Deputy Head of Iran’s Space Agency (ISA) Hamid Fazeli expressed hope that the country would launch a satellite into space by late January.

‘Sharif Sat’ built by Iranian experts at Sharif Poly Technique University, Fajr (Dawn) and Tadbir (Wisdom) satellites are ready to be sent into space.

He further noted that ‘Sharif Sat’ and ‘Fajr’ satellites are top priorities to be launched by late January.

Fazeli also noted that Nahid (Venus) satellite would be sent into space soon.

In July, the ISA formulated a 10-year strategic plan which incorporates three main sections, including sending humans as well as telecommunications and remote sensing satellites into space.

Iran launched its first locally-built satellite, Omid (Hope), in 2009. The country also sent its first bio-capsule containing living creatures into space in February 2010, using Kavoshgar-3 (Explorer-3) carrier.

The country is one of the 24 founding members of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, which was set up in 1959.

Foreign investors interested in Iranian market

IFP Editorial Staff

December 7, 2014

Gholam Hossein Shafei and Karsten Dybvad

The head of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines has said the rise in the number of business delegations to the country shows foreign investors interest in Iranian market.

Gholam Hossein Shafei, in a meeting with the head of Confederation of Danish Industry, stated that following the 2013 election a new chapter opened in economy. “We have overcome inflation and moved towards development of trade and foreign investment. Our private sector has also flourished and plays a prominent role in the economic field.”

He added that the government has commenced new constructive ties with countries around the world, especially the Europe.

Shafei stated that foreign countries showed much interest in Iran’s market and the country has been witnessing an escalation in the number of business delegations visiting Iran.

He said that considering the market of neighboring states, countries of the Commonwealth, the Middle East and the Caucasus, Iran had a huge customer market with a population of 300 million, which has huge potential for bilateral, trilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Shafei also pointed to the position of Denmark in Iran’s market and said, “Denmark has been present in Iran’s diary industries for over 50 years and more than 80 places in Iran have been cooperating with Denmark in this regard. There has also been cooperation in pharmacy, cement, urea and ammoniac industries as well.”

Head of Confederation of Danish Industry Karsten Dybvad, for his part, said that the confederation “is a private organization with about 10 thousand members of industrial, transportation and serving sectors active in the international arena.”

As for Iran’s nuclear talks with 5+1, he expressed hope that the talks would bear positive outcomes by the next summer deadline.

80% of Iran capital punishments for drug offences to go away

IFP Editorial Staff

December 7, 2014

Iran is making a big stride in reducing the number of death penalties being meted out in the country for drug offences, a top Iranian human rights authority says.

The number of drug-related death penalties could be reduced by 80 percent if the current laws change, said in an interview with France 24. He also stressed the move has nothing to do with the West’s criticism of the number of executions in Iran.

“….if the law passes the parliament, almost 80% of the executions will go away. This is big news for us, regardless of the Western criticism,” Larijani, who serves as the secretary of Iran’s Human Rights Council, said in the interview.

Larijani’s comments came as Iran’s Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadegh Amoli Larijani said earlier in December that Iran’s drug and trafficking laws were not effective and need to be modified.

Sharing a relatively long border with Afghanistan, Iran is one of the major corridors of drug trafficking in the region. Thousands of traffickers, most of them armed, are arrested annually by Iranian police and border guards. Based on Islamic and national laws, those involved in large-scale transfer and trafficking of drugs are sentenced to death by Iranian courts.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Larijani denied US reports that Iran had carried out airstrikes against the ISIL terrorists in Iraq.

“We do not endorse these claims by the Pentagon. However, this (Iraq’s) human crisis is the result of wrong policies adopted by the US and some of its European allies,” he said.

The human rights chief also elaborated on the situation of the American journalist Jason Rezaian, who has been jailed in Iran on security charges. He expressed hope that his case will be presented to court “as soon as possible.”

Free museum admission for students

IFP Editorial Staff

December 7, 2014

Museums in Tehran province will be charge students no admission fees on December 7 to mark the national Student Day, an official said.

“The museums affiliated to Tehran’s Cultural Heritage Department and some museums affiliated to Tehran’s municipality including Reza Abbasi, Carpet, Abgineh, The Stone and Iranology Museum of Azadi Tower, as well as Film Museum of Iran will be free for students”, head of Tehran’s Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts and Tourism Department said.

Rajabali Khosroabadi also added the Museums of Post and Telegraph, Dr. Sondouzi, Geology as well as Vaziri Caved Museum and Saba Music Museum will be free for the students.

“The plan will indeed encourage the students to visit museums”, he noted.

The Student Day marks the anniversary of the murder of three Tehran University students on December 7, 1953 by the security police of the former Pahlavi regime.

The police opened fire on the students protesting the resumption of Iran’s relations with Britain and a visit by then US vice President Richard Nixon to Iran, following a coup staged by the CIA and the MI6, which toppled the government of Prime Minister Mohammad Mosadeq.

Every year Iranian students mark the day by attending different ceremonies and events.

[…]

Iran hosts Nelson Mandela poster exhibition

IFP Editorial Staff

December 7, 2014

Nelson Mandela poster exhibition in Iran

Iran has launched an international poster exhibition in the capital, Tehran, in honor of anti-apartheid legend Nelson Mandela.

The exhibition entitled ‘Nelson Mandela, Bird of Liberty’ is being held at the Iran Artists Forum to commemorate the first anniversary of his death.

Some 76 designs, selected out of 422 works submitted by 63 artists, are being showcased at the exhibition scheduled to run December 5-12.

The posters represent countries including Spain, Germany, Argentina, Ecuador, Italy, England, the US, Peru, Turkey, Denmark and Japan.

South Africa has marked the first anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s death at Freedom Park in Pretoria in remembrance of the country’s freedom icon.

“South Africans have to continue building on Mandela’s legacy, which includes playing an active role in the international community,” said Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor during a speech at the ceremony.

“Nelson Mandela might not be here any longer to guide South Africa, but for many, it’s hoped his positive memory can still have an impact on how the country develops,” Pandor also stated.

South Africa’s former president passed away at age 95 in his Johannesburg home on December 5, 2013.

After years of resistance against the apartheid rule in South Africa, Mandela was arrested in 1962. He was sentenced to life in prison, where he served over 27 years.

Nelson Mandela served as president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election.