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DAILY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Iran marks 40 years since Islamic revolution Hundreds of thousands of Iranians took to the streets of the capital Tehran on Monday to mark the 40th anniversary of the Islamic revolution, when Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini ousted the Shahʼs last government. The march is the culmination of official celebrations called the "10 Day Dawn" that marks the period in February 1979 when the revolutionʼs leader Khomeini returned from exile and toppled the monarchy. Downtown Enghelab, or Revolution Street, was decorated with giant balloons and loudspeakers blasted revolutionary and nationalist songs to encourage people to join the rallies. Fireworks displays were also held across Tehran on Sunday night.

Germanyʼs SPD focuses on welfare as way out of poll misery Lawmakers from Germanyʼs oldest party, the SPD, sealed their plans for a new welfare state on Sunday after months of deliberations, debates, online discussion and regional meetings. "We are leaving Hartz IV behind us," said party head Andrea Nahles, referring to the welfare system that many in the party, and beyond, see as stigmatizing. The state should be viewed as a partner rather than an overseer, she added after party leaders endorsed the plan in Berlin. The SPD wants to replace Hartz IV, the basic welfare benefit — currently €428 ($484) per month — with a basic income. They also want to extend the period of time that older people, from age 58, receiveunemploymentbenefits, to 33 months from 24 months. Younger people, too, will receive unemployment benefits for longer, taking into consideration how long they contributed to the welfare system when they had work. Those who are jobless should have the right to further training, the 17-page welfare state concept says.

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US may limit ties with nations partnering with Huawei Pompeo was in Hungary for the first leg of his five­nation tour of Europe

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says Washington may scale back certain operations in Europe and elsewhere if countries contin­ ue to do business with the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei. The United States said on Monday it would share its knowledge of risks involving Chinese telecoms giant Huawei with countries such as Hungary. "If that [Huawei] equipment is co­located where we have important American systems, it makes it more difficult for us to partner alongside them," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told journalists gathered at the US Embassy in Budapest. Pompeo was in Hungary for the first leg of his five­nation tour of Europe. Washington is keen to build on its relationship with Central Europe and strengthen the regionʼs ties with the West under increasing pressure from Russia and China. The US is spearheading a drive to ban or restrict the engagement of Chinese firms such as Huawei and ZTE in the West following the companyʼs alleged espionage activities in Poland. Huawei said it dismissed a Chinese worker arrested in Polan-

don allegations of spying for Beijing. Referring to the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October last year, Pompeo denied Washington was "covering up" the slaying. "America is not covering up for a murder." He said the US would continue to take "more action, continue our investigation," and would continue to hold accountable all those responsible for the murder. Pompeoʼs remarks came after US President Donald Trump missed a Congressional deadline to reply by Friday on whether Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the killing of the Post columnist. "The president has been very clear — couldnʼt be more clear — as we get additional information, we will continue to hold all of those responsible accountable," he said.

Brexit: EUʼs Barnier says customs union idea ʼinterestingʼ The European Unionʼs chief negotiator Michel Barnier on Monday appeared to welcome the idea of a customs union arrangement with Britain. In a letter to May, UK opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn suggested a "permanent and comprehensive UK­wide customs union" with the EU. Corbynʼs suggestion appears to envisage Britain being part of a separate customs union, rather than part of the EU Customs Union (EUCU) itself. How this would be established or agreed upon in a matter of weeks is not clear. The Labour leader envisages common external tariffs on goods from the rest of the world. It also aims for Britain to have a say in future trade deals made by the EU.

Munich Security Report sees world as a broken puzzle The world is in crisis — and the US is only making things worse. Thatʼs the bold verdict of the Munich Security Report (MSR), released on Monday ahead of this weekʼs Munich Security Conference, the annual gathering for leading representatives of all the major powers. US Vice President Mike Pence, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and Chancellor Angela Merkel will be among the 100 ministers from across the world expected to discuss growing global instability.

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