PIF will become the 'first-ever naming partner of the WTA Rankings'
A long-drawn struggle in the quest for openness and reforms can be said to have begun in the Islamic republic.
As far as the government’s policies are concerned, they seem to be one step forward and two steps back. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei, after realising that the growing scorn was in fact directed at him, had tried to do some fence mending. He not only prevailed upon President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to dump his controversial nominee for the powerful office of vice-president, but also urged the release of detained opposition activists. But there seems to be many a slip between the cup and the lip. Hardliners, who virtually rule the roost in Teheran and Qom, seem to have taken exception, and believe that only by trying and punishing the opposition supporters can the writ of the revolution be maintained. Such an approach will not help rapprochement.
The sporadic return of protesters to the streets of Teheran and elsewhere, coupled with the ongoing debate in the corridors of Qom, cannot be shrugged aside. Iran is in a serious crisis of governance. It’s high time for sane voices to be heard. But the manner in which political opposition is being dealt with is highly regrettable.
The agitating activists could easily have been won over had their demand for a judicious vote count been accepted. Similarly, veteran elements in the establishment such as former president Hashmi Rafsanjani had called for a rapprochement of sorts. He invited attention to the wider canvas of preserving national interests and fundamentals of the revolution. But that, too, seems to have fallen on deaf ears. Ayatollah Ahmed Janati and Ayatollah Ahmed Khatami – considered close to Khamenei – persuade an unrelenting approach, thus shutting the doors of reconciliation.
It’s time for the government of Iran, and power wielders behind the scenes, to see reason and desist from going over the brink. President Ahmadinejad can make a decent beginning by obliging the opposition. Releasing the detained activists and allowing them enough political space to vent their spleen can make Iran more democratic and politically mature. Intimidation hasn’t worked. Rather, it has proved to be counter-productive. We hope Teheran will take serious note of the simmering unrest and undertake rectification. The men on the streets of Teheran need to be persuaded, not prosecuted.
PIF will become the 'first-ever naming partner of the WTA Rankings'
The ban will be applicable to cups, lids, plates, beverage containers, and food receptacles for immediate consumption
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed the importance of maintaining stability and security in the Central African country
The Egyptian striker has been linked with a move to the Saudi Arabian league during the close season
Fraser-McGurk has been in rampant form for Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League
Globally, the precious metal was trading at $2,414.41 per ounce, down by 0.5 per cent this morning
Plans for a new airport in Riyadh capable of accommodating 120 million passengers a year were also announced
The Dubai International recorded its highest annual traffic in 2018 with 89.1 million passengers