Short News Summary for Wednesday, September 7, 06/September/1397. Read the most important news from Iran and the world on the seventh day of September 97 here moment by moment.
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Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that firearms claim about 250,000 victims worldwide each year. This research states that about half of these figures belong to six countries: Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Venezuela, and the United States. According to this research, in 2016, 251,000 people were killed worldwide, compared to 209,000 in 1990, indicating an increase in firearm victims over these years. 64% of firearm victims in 2016 were murdered, 27% committed suicide, and 9% died from accidents.
Iran's oil exports have decreased. Statistics show that Iran's oil exports have continuously declined since May of this year when the U.S. announced its withdrawal from the JCPOA, now reaching 2.05 million barrels per day. The month before the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA, Iran's total daily oil and gas condensate exports were 3.09 million barrels, the highest since sanctions were lifted in January 2016.
A multimedia platform titled "Mass Graves and the Disappeared in Iran" was unveiled. The website "Justice for Iran" made a collection of information and maps of mass graves across Iran available to the public, along with videos from witnesses, information about victims, and officials responsible for these atrocities in both Persian and English. The multimedia platform, known as "Khaak-e-Ranj", was launched on the 30th anniversary of the 1988 massacre and ahead of the International Day of the Disappeared (August 30).
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated, "Do not expect anything from Europeans regarding the JCPOA." He emphasized that negotiations with Americans are off the table and that while communication with Europe is acceptable, the Rouhani government should not have hopes regarding the JCPOA. He mentioned that the outcome of negotiations with previous American officials, who at least pretended to be diplomatic, has led to the current situation, questioning what negotiations could achieve with the current rude and aggressive officials. Khamenei also warned that disagreements among Islamic Republic officials should not be made public as it causes anxiety among the people. He described the previous day's open session of parliament, which involved questioning the president and the representatives' dissatisfaction with his answers, as a "very good session" and a "show of the Islamic Republic's power."
The Venice Film Festival opens on Wednesday. The 2018 Venice Film Festival begins with the screening of "First Man," the latest work by Damien Chazelle, creator of "La La Land," starring Ryan Gosling. This festival, one of the largest and most famous international festivals, has invited 21 films to compete for its "Golden Lion" award, which Guillermo del Toro will decide on. Some of the most important directors this year include Jacques Audiard with "The Sisters Brothers," Olivier Assayas with "Non-Fiction," László Nemes with "Sunset," and Jennifer Kent with "The Nightingale," along with Alfonso Cuarón and the Coen brothers. However, the festival is already facing two controversies: one regarding Jennifer Kent, the only female director in the competition, with feminists protesting her isolation in the list. This is the second year that the Venice Festival has invited only one female filmmaker in the competition. The second controversy is that Netflix, as one of the festival's producers, plans to simultaneously stream some films online, which some experts believe harms the cinema economy. Vanessa Redgrave, the English actress, and David Cronenberg, the Canadian director, will receive the Golden Lion for lifetime artistic achievement.
Five "gambling site operators" were arrested in Karaj. According to the Alborz province prosecutor, five individuals were arrested, and their assets were seized in Karaj. Haji Reza Shakerimi stated that these suspects had bribed the cyber police with 250 million tomans in dollars. He mentioned that the bribe was received in coordination with the investigator and the information protection of the police and was attached to the case file. The balance of the gambling site's accounts, all of which have been blocked according to judicial officials, is reported to be three billion tomans.
President Hassan Rouhani and his cabinet met with the Supreme Leader. This meeting took place one day after Rouhani answered economic questions from representatives in parliament but failed to convince them. The question now is whether the critical representatives can refer his case to the judiciary: the speaker of parliament says they cannot. Khamenei's statements from the Wednesday meeting have not yet been published.
The speaker of the Iranian parliament announced that the inquiry into Rouhani will not be referred to the judiciary due to "the lack of mention of the violation of law and refusal in raising the question" by the representatives. In this context, the spokesperson for the Guardian Council also described the parliamentary regulations regarding questioning the president as "ambiguous." These remarks came after Rouhani's appearance in parliament to answer representatives' questions about the country's economic situation and the severe devaluation of the rial, with representatives not being satisfied with his responses.
"20 million" young people are unemployed in Iran. The head of the labor faction in parliament reported on Wednesday that there are "20 million unemployed young people" aged 15 to 29 in the country. According to ISNA, Mohammad Reza Badamchi stated, "Currently, one in six people in Iranian society is working, and nearly 20 million young people aged 15 to 29 are unemployed." He noted that the unemployment rate for men aged 15 to 29 in Iran is 21%, while the rate for women is 40%.
Human Rights Watch reported on Wednesday that "beatings" occurred among the dervishes in detention at Fashafouyeh prison. According to their tweet, the dervishes detained in "Unit 3" of Fashafouyeh prison were beaten by guard forces.