rani Age of the Acadian deformation and Devonian granites in northern England: a review By pygs.lyellcollection.org Published On :: 2019-11-22T06:43:26-08:00 Field evidence shows that emplacement of Devonian granites in northern England overlaps in space and time with the end of the supposed Acadian deformation in their country rocks. The age of this Acadian event in England and Wales is in need of review because of revised Rb-Sr and K-Ar decay constants and recently acquired radiometric ages on the granites. Published K-Ar and Ar-Ar cleavage ages recalculated to the new decay constants range from 404 to 394 Ma (Emsian, Early Devonian). Emplacement of the Skiddaw and Weardale granites at 398.8 ± 0.4 and 399.3 ± 0.7 Ma respectively is indicated by U-Pb zircon ages, and is compatible with the field evidence. However, emplacement of the Shap Granite at a Re-Os molybdenite age of 405.2 ± 1.8 Ma and at the youngest U-Pb zircon age of 403 ± 8 Ma matches the field evidence less well. The apparent paradox in these ages is resolved if the K-Ar ages record only the end of millions of years of cleavage formation. An earlier cluster of K-Ar and Ar-Ar cleavage ages at 426–420 Ma (Ludlow to Přídolí, late Silurian) dates a pre-Acadian resetting event soon after Iapetus closure, an event of uncertain significance. Ion microprobe U-Pb zircon ages for the Shap Granite have a mean of 415.6 ± 1.4 Ma but a range of 428–403 Ma, compatible with a long magmatic history. Thermal considerations suggest that this history was not at the upper crustal emplacement site but in a mid-crustal mush zone, now preserved at about 10 km depth as a component of the Lake District and North Pennine batholiths. Full Article
rani Emplacement of oil in the Devonian Weardale Granite of northern England By pygs.lyellcollection.org Published On :: 2019-11-22T06:43:26-08:00 Oil residues occur as solid bitumen in mineralized zones within the Devonian Weardale Granite of the northern Pennines, northern England. Comparable residues are present in the overlying Mississippian rocks and were probably derived from a Carboniferous source, i.e. during later mineralization of the granite. The bitumen was already solidified during fluorite mineralization, which does not contain oil inclusions. The residues do not show the high thermal maturity of organic matter in the region altered by the earliest Permian Whin Sill. Like the sulphide-fluorite mineralization, oil emplacement post-dated intrusion of the sill. Pyrite associated with the oil residues is enriched in trace elements including lead, silver, gold, selenium and tellurium, which suggests that mineralizing fluids at least shared pathways with migrating hydrocarbons and possibly also suggests undiscovered valuable metal resources. Full Article
rani Secondary osteon structural heterogeneity between the cranial and caudal cortices of the proximal humerus in white-tailed deer [RESEARCH ARTICLE] By jeb.biologists.org Published On :: 2020-05-04T02:24:22-07:00 Jack Nguyen and Meir M. BarakCortical bone remodeling is an ongoing process triggered by microdamage, where osteoclasts resorb existing bone and osteoblasts deposit new bone in the form of secondary osteons (Haversian systems). Previous studies revealed regional variance in Haversian systems structure and possibly material, between opposite cortices of the same bone. As bone mechanical properties depend on tissue structure and material, it is predicted that bone mechanical properties will vary in accordance with structural and material regional heterogeneity. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed the structure, mineral content and compressive stiffness of secondary bone from the cranial and caudal cortices of the white-tailed deer proximal humerus. We found significantly larger Haversian systems and canals in the cranial cortex but no significant difference in mineral content between the two cortices. Accordingly, we found no difference in compressive stiffness between the two cortices and thus our working hypothesis was rejected. Seeing that the deer humerus is curved and thus likely subjected to bending during habitual locomotion, we expect that similar to other curved long bones, the cranial cortex of the deer humerus is likely subjected primarily to tensile strains and the caudal cortex is likely subject primarily to compressive strains. Consequently, our results suggest that strain magnitude (larger in compression) and sign (compression vs. tension) affect differently the osteoclasts and osteoblasts in the BMU. Our results further suggest that osteoclasts are inhibited in regions of high compressive strains (creating smaller Haversian systems) while osteoblasts’ osteoid deposition and mineralization is not affected by strain magnitude and sign. Full Article
rani Closing the Brief Case: Mold Infection of an Indwelling Cranial Device--a Perplexing Combination of "Classic" Laboratory Findings [The Brief Case] By jcm.asm.org Published On :: 2020-04-23T08:00:28-07:00 Full Article
rani The Brief Case: Mold Infection of an Indwelling Cranial Device--a Perplexing Combination of "Classic" Laboratory Findings [The Brief Case] By jcm.asm.org Published On :: 2020-04-23T08:00:28-07:00 Full Article
rani Response Prediction of 177Lu-PSMA-617 Radioligand Therapy Using Prostate-Specific Antigen, Chromogranin A, and Lactate Dehydrogenase By jnm.snmjournals.org Published On :: 2020-05-01T06:31:37-07:00 Neuroendocrinelike transdifferentiation of prostate cancer adenocarcinomas correlates with serum levels of chromogranin A (CgA) and drives treatment resistance. The aim of this work was to evaluate whether CgA can serve as a response predictor for 177Lu-prostate-specific membrane antigen 617 (PSMA) radioligand therapy (RLT) in comparison with the established tumor markers. Methods: One hundred consecutive patients with metastasized castration-resistant prostate cancer scheduled for PSMA RLT were evaluated for prostate-specific antigen (PSA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and CgA at baseline and in follow-up of PSMA RLT. Tumor uptake of PSMA ligand, a known predictive marker for response, was assessed as a control variable. Results: From the 100 evaluated patients, 35 had partial remission, 16 stable disease, 15 mixed response, and 36 progression of disease. Tumor uptake above salivary gland uptake translated into partial remission, with an odds ratio (OR) of 60.265 (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.038–720.922). Elevated LDH implied a reduced chance for partial remission, with an OR of 0.094 (95% CI, 0.017–0.518), but increased the frequency of progressive disease (OR, 2.717; 95% CI, 1.391–5.304). All patients who achieved partial remission had a normal baseline LDH. Factor-2 elevation of CgA increased the risk for progression, with an OR of 3.089 (95% CI, 1.302–7.332). Baseline PSA had no prognostic value for response prediction. Conclusion: In our cohort, baseline PSA had no prognostic value for response prediction. LDH was the marker with the strongest prognostic value, and elevated LDH increased the risk for progression of disease under PSMA RLT. Elevated CgA demonstrated a moderate impact as a negative prognostic marker in general but was explicitly related to the presence of liver metastases. Well in line with the literature, sufficient tumor uptake is a prerequisite to achieve tumor response. Full Article
rani Assessment of Apparent Internal Carotid Tandem Occlusion on High-Resolution Vessel Wall Imaging: Comparison with Digital Subtraction Angiography [EXTRACRANIAL VASCULAR] By www.ajnr.org Published On :: 2020-04-09T06:30:48-07:00 BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Not all tandem occlusions diagnosed on traditional vascular imaging modalities, such as MRA, represent actual complete ICA occlusion. This study aimed to explore the utility of high-resolution vessel wall imaging in identifying true ICA tandem occlusions and screening patients for their suitability for endovascular recanalization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with no signal in the ICA on MRA were retrospectively reviewed. Two neuroradiologists independently reviewed their high-resolution vessel wall images to assess whether there were true tandem occlusions and categorized all cases into intracranial ICA occlusion, extracranial ICA occlusion, tandem occlusion, or near-occlusion. DSA classified patient images into the same 4 categories, which were used as the comparison with high-resolution vessel wall imaging. The suitability for recanalization of occluded vessels was evaluated on high-resolution vessel wall imaging compared with DSA. RESULTS: Forty-five patients with no ICA signal on MRA who had available high-resolution vessel wall imaging and DSA images were included. Among the 34 patients (34/45, 75.6%) with tandem occlusions on DSA, 18 cases also showed tandem occlusions on high-resolution vessel wall imaging. The remaining 16 patients, intracranial ICA, extracranial ICA occlusions and near-occlusions were found in 2, 6, and 8 patients, respectively, on the basis of high-resolution vessel wall imaging. A total of 20 cases (20/45, 44.4%) were considered suitable for recanalization on the basis of both DSA and high-resolution vessel wall imaging. Among the 25 patients deemed unsuitable for recanalization by DSA, 11 were deemed suitable for recanalization by high-resolution vessel wall imaging. CONCLUSIONS: High-resolution vessel wall imaging could allow identification of true ICA tandem occlusion in patients with an absence of signal on MRA. Findings on high-resolution vessel wall imaging can be used to screen more suitable candidates for recanalization therapy. Full Article
rani Suspected Metallic Embolization Distal to Coiled Intracranial Aneurysms Detectable by Susceptibility-Weighted MR Imaging [INTERVENTIONAL] By www.ajnr.org Published On :: 2020-04-09T06:30:48-07:00 BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: After endovascular coiling of intracranial aneurysms, round dark parenchymal lesions believed to be particulate metal are sometimes encountered in MR imaging studies of the brain. We used SWI to assess the frequency of such occurrences, in addition to exploring likely causes and clinical implications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 700 MR imaging studies performed between September 2018 and March 2019 at our institution as follow-up monitoring of coiled intracranial aneurysms. Any sizeable (>5 mm) rounded dark-signal lesions encountered were presumed to be metallic. The magnitudes and locations of such lesions were recorded. In patients with these lesions, pertinent procedural documentation was screened for devices used, including coils, microcatheters, microguidewires, and stents. Medical records were also examined to determine whether any related symptoms ensued. RESULTS: Twenty patients (2.8%) exhibited a total of 25 lesions on SWI. Diameters ranged from 5 to 11 mm (median, 8 mm). All except 2 lesions were located in brain regions downstream from aneurysms, but all lesions occupied vascular territories of vessels used to place guiding catheters. Other than the Synchro 14, which was routinely deployed, no device was regularly used in patients with SWI-detectable lesions; and none of the affected patients developed focal neurologic symptoms as a consequence. CONCLUSIONS: Although the origins remain unclear, distal embolization of particulate metal distal to coiled cerebral aneurysms is occasionally observed on follow-up MR imaging studies. Such lesions, however, seem to have no apparent clinical impact. Full Article
rani Iranian Oscar-Winning Director Says He’ll Skip Awards in Protest By blogs.wsj.com Published On :: Mon, 30 Jan 2017 05:12:03 +0000 Oscar-winning Iranian director Asghar Farhadi said Sunday he will not attend the Academy Awards on Feb. 26, “even if exceptions were to be made for my trip,” as protests over President Donald Trump's immigration ban spread to Hollywood's biggest global stage. Full Article Art Art World Arts + Culture Awards Ceremonies Film Global Media Movie Biz movies 2017 Oscars Academy Awards Asghar Farhadi Iran Oscars
rani Facebook posts from 2012 show early Iranian attempts to manipulate U.S. politics By www.nbcnews.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 20:10:00 GMT The attempts seem to be experiments that were quickly abandoned, and none of those identified received substantial engagement. Full Article
rani Dog owner discovers how hard it is to groom pets in lockdown after cutting Pomeranian's hair too short By www.standard.co.uk Published On :: 2020-04-17T15:47:36Z One dog owner has found out the hard way that giving her Pomeranian a haircut at home during the coronavirus lockdown isn't an easy job. Full Article
rani Donald Trump instructs US Navy to shoot and destroy Iranian gunboats 'if they harass our ships' By www.standard.co.uk Published On :: 2020-04-22T12:19:00Z Donald Trump has instructed the US Navy to shoot down and destroy Iranian gunboats "if they harass our ships at sea". Full Article
rani Stassie Karanikolaou Gives Fans A Tour Of Kylie Jenner's Luxury Mansion By www.mtv.co.uk Published On :: Mon, 04 May 2020 10:17:42 +0100 “Ayo, my best friend’s rich check” Full Article
rani Kylie Jenner recreates iconic Kardashians moments with best friend Stassie Karanikolaou By www.standard.co.uk Published On :: 2020-04-29T09:19:28Z Naturally, Kim Kardashian's Bora Bora meltdown makes an appearance... Full Article
rani Granit Xhaka opens up on 'hatred' of clash with fans that cost him Arsenal captaincy By www.standard.co.uk Published On :: 2020-04-29T12:54:00Z Granit Xhaka has opened up on the "hatred" he felt towards him following an infamous spat with Arsenal fans earlier this season. Full Article
rani Claudio Ranieri interview cuts to unsuspecting wife Rosanna during live segment to leave Kelly Cates in stitches By www.standard.co.uk Published On :: 2020-05-07T11:01:14Z An interview with former Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri encountered a rather odd technical difficulty on Thursday - with the feed cutting to his unsuspecting wife Rosanna. Full Article
rani Gilead hit with Iranian cyberattack for role in COVID-19 response: report By www.fiercepharma.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 19:43:17 +0000 Gilead Sciences has captured worldwide attention with its COVID-19 antiviral, remdesivir, cleared late last week by the FDA—not all of it welcome. With bad actors targeting companies at the head of the spear in the pandemic response, Gilead may have found itself in their sights. Full Article
rani Iranian Man and His Company Charged in International Scheme to Supply Iran with Sensitive U.S. Technology By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:22:59 EDT An Iranian citizen and his Tehran business have been charged with purchasing helicopter engines and advanced aerial cameras for fighter bombers from U.S. firms and illegally exporting them to Iran using companies in Malaysia, Ireland and the Netherlands. Among the alleged recipients of these U.S. goods was an Iranian military firm that has since been designated by the United States for being owned or controlled by entities involved in Irans nuclear and ballistic missile program. Full Article OPA Press Releases
rani Railroad Company to Pay $4 Million Penalty for 2005 Chlorine Spill That Resulted in Nine Deaths in Graniteville, South Carolina By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 12:10:34 EST Norfolk Southern Railway Company has agreed to pay a $4 million penalty to resolve alleged violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and hazardous materials laws for a 2005 chlorine spill in Graniteville, S.C. Full Article OPA Press Releases
rani Iranian National Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Export Munitions from the United States By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 17 Jun 2010 18:09:01 EDT Omid Khalili, an Iranian national, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama to attempting to illegally export fighter jet or military aircraft parts from the United States to Iran. Full Article OPA Press Releases
rani Iranian National Charged with Illegally Exporting Specialized Metals from the United States to Iran By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 1 Feb 2011 10:42:54 EST Milad Jafari, 36, a citizen and resident of Iran has been indicted for illegally exporting and attempting to export specialized metals from the United States through companies in Turkey to several entities in Iran, including some entities that have been sanctioned for involvement in ballistic missile activities. Full Article OPA Press Releases
rani Cleanup Agreement Reached at Former Uranium Mine on Spokane Indian Reservation in Northeastern Washington By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 30 Sep 2011 17:22:43 EDT A settlement agreement has been reached for the cleanup of the Midnite Mine Superfund Site, located on the Spokane Indian Reservation in Northeastern Washington. Full Article OPA Press Releases
rani ING Bank N.V. Agrees to Forfeit $619 Million for Illegal Transactions with Cuban and Iranian Entities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:21:48 EDT ING Bank N.V., a financial institution headquartered in Amsterdam, has agreed to forfeit $619 million to the Justice Department and the New York County District Attorney’s Office for conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Trading with the Enemy Act (TWEA) and for violating New York state laws by illegally moving billions of dollars through the U.S. financial system on behalf of sanctioned Cuban and Iranian entities. Full Article OPA Press Releases
rani Two Indicted for Alleged Efforts to Supply Iran with U.S.-Materials for Gas Centrifuges to Enrich Uranium By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 13 Jul 2012 13:38:35 EDT A federal grand jury in the District of Columbia has returned a superseding indictment charging Parviz Khaki, a citizen of Iran, and Zongcheng Yi, a resident of China, for their alleged efforts to obtain and illegally export to Iran U.S.-origin materials that can be used to construct, operate and maintain gas centrifuges to enrich uranium, including maraging steel, aluminum alloys, mass spectrometers, vacuum pumps and other items. Full Article OPA Press Releases
rani Man Pleads Guilty in New York to Conspiring with Iranian Military Officials to Assassinate Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the United States By www.justice.gov Published On :: Wed, 17 Oct 2012 13:51:12 EDT Manssor Arbabsiar, aka Mansour Arbabsiar, pleaded guilty today in federal court in the Southern District of New York to participating in a plot to murder the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the United States while the Ambassador was in the United States. Full Article OPA Press Releases
rani Iranian National and His Company Charged in Plot Involving Export of Military Antennas from the United States By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 20 Nov 2012 11:00:14 EST Amin Ravan, a citizen of Iran, and his Iran-based company, IC Market Iran, have been charged in an indictment unsealed today with conspiracy to defraud the United States, smuggling, and violating the Arms Export Control Act in connection with the unlawful export of 55 military antennas from the United States to Singapore and Hong Kong. Full Article OPA Press Releases
rani California-Based Granite Construction Company to Pay U.S. $367,500 to Resolve False Claims Allegations By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 8 Feb 2013 10:10:05 EST Granite Construction Company, a California-based construction company specializing in roads, tunnels, bridges, airports and other infrastructure-related projects, reached a settlement with the United States following an investigation of alleged false claims in connection with federal construction projects across the country. Full Article OPA Press Releases
rani Manssor Arbabsiar Sentenced in New York City Federal Court to 25 Years in Prison for Conspiring with Iranian Military Officials to Assassinate the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the United States By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 30 May 2013 13:38:28 EDT Manssor Arbabsiar, aka “Mansour Arbabsiar,” was sentenced today in New York City federal court to 25 years in prison for participating in a plot to murder the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the U.S. while the Ambassador was in the U.S.. Full Article OPA Press Releases
rani U.S. and Iranian Choices Are Getting Dangerously Narrow By www.belfercenter.org Published On :: Jan 8, 2020 Jan 8, 2020The smoke is still clearing from the drone strike that killed Quds Force commander Qassem Suleimani, and from the Iranian retaliation against U.S. bases in Iraq, and any conclusions have to be tentative ones. But the history of U.S.-Iran conflict points to a narrow, and possibly dangerous, set of choices ahead. Full Article
rani Osiraq Redux: A Crisis Simulation of an Israeli Strike on the Iranian Nuclear Program By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:23:00 -0500 In December 2009, the Saban Center for Middle East Policy conducted a day-long simulation of the diplomatic and military fallout that could result from an Israeli military strike against the Iranian nuclear program. In this Middle East Memo, Kenneth M. Pollack analyzes the critical decisions each side made during the wargame.The simulation was conducted as a three-move game with three separate country teams. One team represented a hypothetical American National Security Council, a second team represented a hypothetical Israeli cabinet, and a third team represented a hypothetical Iranian Supreme National Security Council. The U.S. team consisted of approximately ten members, all of whom had served in senior positions in the U.S. government and U.S. military. The Israel team consisted of a half-dozen American experts on Israel with close ties to Israeli decision-makers, and who, in some cases, had spent considerable time in Israel. Some members of the Israel team had also served in the U.S. government. The Iran team consisted of a half-dozen American experts on Iran, some of whom had lived and/or traveled extensively in Iran, are of Iranian extraction, and/or had served in the U.S. government with responsibility for Iran.Read more » Downloads Download Authors Kenneth M. Pollack Full Article
rani A Series of Unfortunate Events: A Crisis Simulation of a U.S.-Iranian Confrontation By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Wed, 07 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500 The potential for confrontation between the United States and Iran, stemming from ongoing tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and western covert actions intended to delay or degrade it, remains a pressing concern for U.S. policymakers. The Saban Center for Middle East Policy hosted a one-day crisis simulation in September that explored different scenarios should a confrontation occur. The Saban Center's new Middle East Memo, A Series of Unfortunate Events: A Crisis Simulation of a U.S.-Iranian Confrontation, authored by senior fellow Kenneth M. Pollack, presents lessons and observations from the exercise. Key findings include: • Growing tensions are significantly reducing the “margin of error” between the two sides, increasing the potential for miscalculations to escalate to a conflict between the two countries. • Should Iran make significant progress in enriching fissile material, both sides would have a powerful incentive to think short-term rather than long-term, in turn reinforcing the propensity for rapid escalation. • U.S. policymakers must recognize the possibility that Iranian rhetoric about how the Islamic Republic would react in various situations may prove consistent with actual Iranian actions. Download » (PDF) Downloads Download the paper Authors Kenneth M. Pollack Image Source: © Fars News / Reuters Full Article
rani Hard Road to Damascus: A Crisis Simulation of U.S.-Iranian Confrontation Over Syria By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Mon, 13 Jan 2014 14:59:00 -0500 Last September, as part of its annual conference with the United States Central Command, the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution conducted a day-long simulation of a confrontation between the United States and Iran arising from a hypothetical scenario in which the Syrian opposition had made significant gains in its civil war and was on the verge of crushing the Assad regime. The simulation suggested that, even in the wake of President Rouhani’s ascension to power and the changed atmosphere between Tehran and Washington, there is still a risk of misunderstanding and miscalculation between the two sides. This new Middle East Memo examines the possible U.S. foreign policy lessons that emerged from this crisis simulation, and stresses the importance of communication, understanding the Saudi-Iran conflict and the difficulty in limited interventions. Downloads Hard Road to Damascus: A Crisis Simulation of U.S.-Iranian Confrontation over Syria Authors Kenneth M. Pollack Image Source: © Stringer . / Reuters Full Article
rani Around the halls: Experts react to the killing of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Fri, 03 Jan 2020 20:37:33 +0000 In a drone strike authorized by President Trump early Friday, Iranian commander Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who led the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, was killed at Baghdad International Airport. Below, Brookings experts provide their brief analyses on this watershed moment for the Middle East — including what it means for U.S.-Iran… Full Article
rani The political implications of transforming Saudi and Iranian oil economies By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 Both Saudi Arabia and Iran are conspicuously planning for a post-oil future. The centrality of oil to the legitimacy and autonomy of both regimes means that these plans are little more than publicity stunts. Still, just imagine for a moment what it would mean for Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the Middle East if these grandiose agendas were adopted. Full Article Uncategorized
rani Is the Iranian-Saudi “cold war” heating up? How to reduce the temperature By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Wed, 22 Jun 2016 17:43:00 +0000 In Saudi Arabia and Iran, emotions are running high, and even an accidental spark could turn the cold war between the two regional powers hot. Their antagonism is a grave threat to the wider region, which isn’t exactly a bastion of stability these days—and it’s contrary to those states' long-term interests. Full Article Uncategorized
rani The political implications of transforming Saudi and Iranian oil economies By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 Both Saudi Arabia and Iran are conspicuously planning for a post-oil future. The centrality of oil to the legitimacy and autonomy of both regimes means that these plans are little more than publicity stunts. Still, just imagine for a moment what it would mean for Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the Middle East if these grandiose agendas were adopted. Full Article Uncategorized
rani Is the Iranian-Saudi “cold war” heating up? How to reduce the temperature By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Wed, 22 Jun 2016 17:43:00 +0000 In Saudi Arabia and Iran, emotions are running high, and even an accidental spark could turn the cold war between the two regional powers hot. Their antagonism is a grave threat to the wider region, which isn’t exactly a bastion of stability these days—and it’s contrary to those states' long-term interests. Full Article Uncategorized
rani Averting a new Iranian nuclear crisis By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Fri, 17 Jan 2020 15:15:10 +0000 Iran’s January 5, 2020 announcement that it no longer considers itself bound by the restrictions on its nuclear program contained in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA, aka the “nuclear deal”) raises the specter of the Islamic Republic racing to put in place the infrastructure needed to produce nuclear weapons quickly and the United… Full Article
rani The political implications of transforming Saudi and Iranian oil economies By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Thu, 16 Jun 2016 10:35:00 -0400 Saudi deputy crown prince and defense minister Mohammad bin Salman is just wrapping up a heavily hyped visit to Washington, aimed at reinforcing the kingdom’s partnership with the United States. Recent years have frayed what is traditionally the central strategic relationship for Riyadh, principally over the Obama administration’s nuclear diplomacy with Iran. Since the conclusion of the Iranian nuclear deal last July, the perennial antagonism between Riyadh and Tehran has reached a dangerous pitch, fueling the violence that rages in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen and the undercurrent of instability that saturates the region. And the fallout of their rivalry has left its mark well beyond the boundaries of the Gulf, exacerbating volatile energy markets and, by extension, the global economy. Within OPEC, Riyadh and Tehran are eyeing each other warily, and their continuing differences torpedoed a proposed ceiling on oil production at OPEC’s latest meeting. The outcome was not surprising; a similar effort to agree on a production freeze between the group and a handful of non-OPEC producers fizzled in April. In the meantime, any incentives for drastic measures to address soft oil prices have abated as oil prices creep back up to approximately $50 a barrel. Iran and Saudi Arabia have plenty of reasons to continue pumping for the foreseeable future. Since the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions in January, Iranian leaders have been determined to make up for lost time and lost revenues, already defying expectations by quickly raising production to levels that hadn’t been reached since November 2011 and aggressively cutting prices in hopes of winning back its pre-sanctions export market. The centrality of oil to the legitimacy and autonomy of both regimes means that these plans are little more than publicity stunts. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia appears prepared to continue pumping at record-high levels, part of a larger strategy aimed at maintaining market share and driving down non-OPEC production. The two states’ economic incentives are compounded by their fierce geostrategic and sectarian rivalry, which has intensified, as evidenced by the standoff over Iranian participation in the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. But even as the two states duel over oil production and prices, both Saudi Arabia and Iran are conspicuously planning for a post-oil future. Leaders in both countries have decreed an end to the era of oil dependency, endorsing ambitious blueprints for restructuring their economies that—if implemented—would ultimately transform state, society, and the wider region. The centrality of oil to the legitimacy and autonomy of both regimes means that these plans are little more than publicity stunts. Still, just imagine for a moment what it would mean for Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the Middle East if these grandiose agendas were adopted. Competing and complementary visions Tehran’s plan actually dates back more than a decade, with the 2005 release of its “20 Year Perspective” (sometimes called “Vision 2025”). The plan laid out extravagant expectations: rapid growth and job creation, diversification away from oil, a knowledge-based economy. Intervening developments—sanctions that targeted Iran’s oil exports and helped expand non-oil trade—have only bolstered the rhetorical commitment of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to a “resistance economy” in which oil exports constitute a minor part. “One of our most serious losses is dependence on oil,” Khamenei bemoaned in a 2014 speech. “I am not saying that oil should not be used. Rather, I am saying that we should reduce our dependence on selling crude oil as much as we can.” Not to be outdone, Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Salman announced Saudi “Vision 2030,” to address what he described as “an addiction to oil.” The plan, which has met with equal doses of fanfare and skepticism since its announcement last month, aims to create a “thriving economy” and end Saudi dependence on oil revenues by 2020. Vision 2030 includes provisions to sell off a small stake in the kingdom’s state oil company, Saudi Aramco, and create the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund to manage the country’s income, as well as goals of creating 450,000 new private sector jobs, cutting public sector wages, and tripling the country’s non-oil exports all within the same abbreviated time frame. Jeopardizing domestic stability There is one hitch, however: these aspirations, though laudable, are preposterously unmoored from current political and economic exigencies. The institutions of governance and the structure of power in resource-rich states such as Saudi Arabia and Iran are organized around the state’s role as purveyors of vital social and economic goods. Riyadh and Tehran distribute cash handouts, provide jobs in already-bloated state bureaucracies, and levy few taxes. Diversifying away from reliance on oil would essentially require Riyadh and Tehran to radically curtail this distributive role, inviting historic social and political changes that could ultimately compromise regime ideology and weaken state legitimacy. [T]hese aspirations, though laudable, are preposterously unmoored from current political and economic exigencies. In Saudi Arabia, the supply of these benefits is central to the monarchy’s legitimacy. To diversify away from oil, which currently accounts for over 70 percent of government revenues, Riyadh would have to drastically cut spending, far more than it already has. Not only would this further slash subsidies and hike fees, it would also effectively force Saudi workers—two-thirds of whom are employed by the state—to take up private sector jobs, 80 percent of which are currently staffed by expatriates. To accomplish this transition would require fundamental changes to the incentive structure for the Saudi labor force: a much broader willingness to accept low-skill, low-wage jobs, as well as the requisite improvements in education and productivity to support larger numbers of Saudi nationals moving into private sector positions. For the Saudi economy to be truly competitive, Riyadh would have to initiate dramatic changes to a central component of the Saudi social compact—women’s rights and freedoms. The Vision 2030 document boasts that over 50 percent of Saudi university graduates are women and pledges to “continue to develop their talents, invest in their productive capabilities and enable them to strengthen their future and contribute to the development of our society and economy.” But the domestic Saudi labor force is overwhelmingly male, and even the plan’s modest aspirations to raise female participation in the workforce from 22 to 30 percent are likely to run into logistical and social obstacles. Shortly after announcing Vision 2030, Deputy Crown Prince Salman said Saudi Arabia is not yet ready to let women drive. A diversified economy will not emerge in the kind of constricted social environment mandated by the Saudi interpretation of sharia (Islamic law). Iran’s Islamic Republic doesn’t have the same degree of gender segregation, but Iran’s official interpretation of Islam has still constrained female participation in the workforce. Iran employs an equally low percentage of women—according to a 2014 U.N. report around 16 percent—and women’s unemployment is more than double that of men (nearly 20 percent). A Saudi man walks past the logo of Vision 2030 after a news conference in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia June 7, 2016. Photo credit: Reuters/Faisal Al Nasser. The bigger challenge for Iran will be truly opening up its economy to foreign direct investment. This remains hotly contested among the leadership, even in the aftermath of the nuclear agreement and the lifting of related sanctions. While there is some consensus around the need for foreign capital and technology, hardliners including Khamenei are determined to insulate Iran from any accompanying cultural influence and dependency. As the supreme leader recently inveighed, the global economy is “a plan and system that has been devised mainly by Zionist capitalists and some non-Zionists with the purpose of usurping the economic resources of the whole world...If a country merges its economy with the global economy, this is not a source of pride, rather it is a loss and a defeat!” This deeply-rooted paranoia has provided a convenient platform for the Islamic Republic to galvanize citizens’ loyalty to the state and hostility to outside interference. And it also inhibits the liberalization that makes foreign investment possible: measures to enhance transparency and security, develop more attractive legal and fiscal frameworks, shrink the role of the state, and undertake an array of other structural reforms. Without these measures, Tehran will struggle to capitalize on its extraordinary reengagement with the world. While Saudi Arabia has maintained a more consistent and mutually beneficial pattern of foreign investment, its leadership too will have to revamp its approach if it is to broaden its economic base. For Riyadh, the challenge is less one of attracting foreign capital than of developing a sustainable influx of technology and expertise to develop sectors other than energy. The kingdom will also have to overcome serious regulatory hurdles and a proclivity for mammoth (and often white elephant) projects. Compromising regional clout Riyadh and Tehran will need to balance their economic aspirations and their approach to the region, too. Historically, their role in global energy markets has largely shielded both states from the fallout of regional instability. The world’s need for reliable oil at reasonable prices has inculcated the commitment of outside powers to secure transportation of resources and considerable autonomy for Riyadh and Tehran from the implications of their own policies. As a result, Saudi Arabia and Iran can fund nefarious activity across the region, violate the civil and human rights of their citizens and other residents, and carry out belligerent foreign policies without severe repercussions for their oil revenues. Only in the past five years has Tehran seen the limits of the world’s reluctance to jeopardize its investment with a major oil exporter; and the recent reversal of the U.N. condemnation regarding the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen demonstrates that Riyadh remains insulated. Saudi Arabia and Iran can fund nefarious activity across the region, violate the civil and human rights of their citizens and other residents, and carry out belligerent foreign policies without severe repercussions for their oil revenues. Regional developments make the prospect of economic diversification even less likely, as sensitivity to such developments will only increase if either country successfully develops its non-oil sectors. At the same time, regional stability is a basic prerequisite for economic diversification. Robust growth and good governance throughout the Middle East would provide the optimal context for the economic transformation of Iran and Saudi Arabia, since the marketplace for their non-oil exports is concentrated in the immediate neighborhood. But such transformation would require both countries to put economic priorities that serve their general populations above the ideological and religious agendas—supported by oil rents—that propel their regional and international influence and that provide a large portion of their autonomy in foreign policymaking. Technocrats in both countries understand this intuitively. At a 2015 conference on Iran’s economy, President Hassan Rouhani wondered “How long can the economy pay subsidies to politics?” He added that the country’s economy “pays subsidies both to foreign policy and domestic policy. Let us try the other way round for a decade and pay subsidies from the domestic and foreign policy to the economy to see [what] the lives and incomes of people and the employment of the youth will be like.” The problem, of course, is political will: neither country is prepared to elevate the interests of its people over the demands of ideology. Imagining an unlikely future Can either Iran or Saudi Arabia really kick the oil habit? It seems exceptionally unlikely. Even as Khamenei extols the need for inward-focused development, Tehran is racing to expand crude output level to four million barrels per day by March 2017. Oil enabled the creation of the modern Middle Eastern state and fueled the rise of both countries to regional predominance. Oil is a vector for their regional rivalry, and it provides prestige and funds to be used in other arenas of competition. A genuine diversification of the two largest economies in the Middle East and North Africa would jeopardize their revenue streams and domestic legitimacy, as well as their efforts to assert their primacy across the Islamic world. [N]either country is prepared to elevate the interests of its people over the demands of ideology. “All success stories start with a vision,” Deputy Crown Prince Salman is quoted as saying on the Vision 2030 website. But vision is insufficient to bridge the gap between aspiration and reality; a serious agenda to implement either the Saudi or the Iranian vision would require painful compromises to regime ideology and a fundamental overhaul of the institutions and the structure of power in both countries. Imagine, though, for a moment, that these far-fetched ambitions were quite serious, and that both the Saudi and Iranian leadership were determined to do what was necessary to truly wean their economies off oil dependence. Consider what it might mean for the region if these grandiose ambitions were not simply the illusions of overpriced consultants and embattled technocrats—if a leadership emerged in one or both of the Middle East’s most powerful actors prepared to invest political capital in a genuine transformation of priorities and policies. What might be possible if Tehran and Riyadh sought to compete for economic opportunities instead of fueling violence and sectarianism around the region? If instead of a vicious sectarian and geopolitical rivalry, these two old adversaries engaged in a race to the top? What will it take to move these visions from wishful thinking to reality? More than rhetoric, to be sure. But even the articulation of improbable objectives will have its impact. As documented in a recent book, Iran’s post-revolutionary experience demonstrates that the regime’s reliance on promises of economic gains has generated public expectations for effective and accountable governance. Now Iranians and Saudis have been told by their leaders—who happen to be officially infallible—that the time has come to transcend oil. What might happen if they believe it? Authors Emma BordenSuzanne Maloney Full Article
rani Around the halls: Experts react to the killing of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Fri, 03 Jan 2020 20:37:33 +0000 In a drone strike authorized by President Trump early Friday, Iranian commander Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who led the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, was killed at Baghdad International Airport. Below, Brookings experts provide their brief analyses on this watershed moment for the Middle East — including what it means for U.S.-Iran… Full Article
rani Averting a new Iranian nuclear crisis By webfeeds.brookings.edu Published On :: Fri, 17 Jan 2020 15:15:10 +0000 Iran’s January 5, 2020 announcement that it no longer considers itself bound by the restrictions on its nuclear program contained in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA, aka the “nuclear deal”) raises the specter of the Islamic Republic racing to put in place the infrastructure needed to produce nuclear weapons quickly and the United… Full Article
rani Are We Running Out of Uranium? Let's Hope So By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Fri, 27 Nov 2009 07:14:38 -0500 Can a nuclear weary TreeHugger really believe what she's hearing? Could uranium mines be facing shortages? Earlier this Full Article Energy
rani Why Sri Lanka Will Be Hit Hardest By Iranian Oil Supply Disruption By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:07:00 -0500 An important, if short, cautionary tale on being dependent on any single foreign source of energy. Full Article Energy
rani Study links uranium contamination of US groundwater to nitrate run-off from farming By www.treehugger.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Aug 2015 09:35:00 -0400 Radioactive uranium occurs naturally in soils but farming techniques may be causing it to dissolve into groundwater Full Article Business
rani Global report: Iranian infections rise as France plans for resurgence By www.theguardian.com Published On :: 2020-05-06T17:39:49Z Spain extends state of emergency; Danish agency warns of risk of second waveCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageNew coronavirus infections in Iran have risen sharply since the country relaxed its restrictions on movement, while France has said it will reimpose strict lockdowns if cases surge when it begins to emerge from confinement next week.Tehran on Wednesday reported 1,680 new infections, nearly double the figure four days ago and the highest daily figure since 11 April when it allowed a phased return to work amid fears of economic collapse. A ban on travel between cities and business at shopping malls has since also been lifted.Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia will open their borders to each others’ citizens from 15 May, creating a Baltic “travel bubble” within the EU.Hundreds of Indian police have tested positive for the coronavirus in recent days, raising alarm among an over-stretched force as it attempts to enforce the world’s largest lockdown.At least 90,000 healthcare workers worldwide – and possibly twice that – are believed to have been infected with Covid-19, and more than 260 nurses have died, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) said.Professor Salim Abdool Karim, the South African government’s chief adviser, said the country’s strict lockdown and proactive screening and testing programme had helped limit its death toll to 148. Continue reading... Full Article Coronavirus outbreak Iran France Germany Spain Denmark Europe Middle East and North Africa World news
rani Interview with Rani Baker game designer, music genius, queen of nightmares By www.somethingawful.com Published On :: Sat, 04 Apr 2020 16:00:00 GMT Interview with Rani Baker, Goon Lurker and Internet Hero. Full Article
rani Iranian players celebrate after Mahdi Javid scores the winning penalty By www.fifa.com Published On :: Sat, 01 Oct 2016 20:23:00 GMT CALI, COLOMBIA - OCTOBER 01: Iranian players celebrate after Mahdi Javid scores the winning penalty during the FIFA Futsal World Cup Third Place play off match between Iran and Portugal at the Coliseo el Pueblo Stadium on on October 1, 2016 in Cali, Colombia. (Photo by Ian MacNicol - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) Full Article Area=Tournament Section=Competition Kind=Photo Tournament=FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016
rani Zoa Morani: When I was in the hospital, I couldn't show my parents and sister I was scared By www.mid-day.com Published On :: 22 Apr 2020 02:50:00 GMT The last few weeks haven't been easy for Zoa Morani and her family. They all were tested Coronavirus positive and it came as a shock to a lot of people and they were worried about their health. Zoa Morani and Shaza Morani were the first ones to be tested positive and then their father and film producer Karim Morani. Zoa and Shaza recovered a few days back while Karim was still tested positive. But now he too is back and doing well. First, let's talk about Zoa's recent Instagram post where she shared a family picture and announced happily that they all are Coronavirus negative now. It was indeed a moment of celebration that they all successfully combated the virus. It was a long post straight from the heart. Read it right here: View this post on Instagram #positiverecovery âÂÂï¸Â Anddddd my father got home last night , treatment over and now our entire household is Covid-19 negative ! ð All of us home now , healthy and in good spirits !!!ð» Whirlwind of an experience but so happy to be on the other side of it.. Each one of us had a different experience with it in terms of symptoms, so for any advice the best thing is to get in touch with a Doctor or hospital... My Father - no symptoms (9 days in hospital) Sister - head ache and fever (6 days in hospital) Me - fever , fatigue , cough , chest congestion , shortness of breath and head ache ( 7 days in hospital) They were mild , and manageable. To sum it up in short - a flu with a strange over all feeling .. The Doctors and medical staff were fearless , positive and extremely helpful and caring ... @my_bmc @mybmchealthdept were on point with following up with us at every step , from making sure we are getting the right treatment to getting our entire building and road sanitised ! To making sure the other residents in our building are safe ! And yes they are âÂÂï¸Â 14 days of self isolation at home along with healthy eating , rest and vitamins has been advised.. So grateful for our Government for dealing with this Pandemic hands on ! Thank you Nanavati Hospital for taking care of my Father and Sister and sending them home fully cured ð¼ Thank you Kokilaben hospital ! Indebted forever ! Thank youuuu everyone from the bottom of my heart for all the concern and warm wishes ðÂ¥° So grateful to be on the positive recovery side of this Pandemic . Sincere and deep prayers for the entire world and their families who got hit with the serious side of the illness ... ð¤²ð½ #CovidRecovered #covid #ThankYouGod A post shared by Zoað« (@zoamorani) onApr 17, 2020 at 10:34pm PDT And now, talking to Mumbai Mirror about the same, Zoa poured her heart out on what the experience taught her and why she's now going to donate her blood. She said, "The most important thing that I have learned is how to be your own best friend. When I was in the hospital, I couldn't tell my parents and my sister I am scared. I had to be strong enough to be able to console myself. I have been very attached and dependent on people in the past, didn't have faith and confidence in myself." And since the entire family, as stated above, is back home, how are they spending time? Zoa said, "We are all staying in the same house but maintaining distance from each other. We are not having dinner together or doing things together. The isolation period for me and my sister will get over. But it is still time for my father's isolation period to get over." She also revealed that she will be donating her blood this weekend. "This weekend, we are going to be donating our blood. Apparently, after 14 days once you are tested negative, you can give your blood to other people because you have antibodies in your blood. It might help other people heal and recover." She also spoke about how she and her sister felt after they were tested COVID-19 positive. She stated, "My sister got a terrible headache and fever, I, on the other hand, had developed all these symptoms." She added, "I was not able to breathe properly and I thought something was stuck in my chest. In the beginning, we all thought it was normal flu, my sister got a fever and the next day I got a fever. On the 8th day, it was pretty bad and we decided to get tested." It's heartening to know that the Morani family has finally recovered and we wish they continue to stay happy, hale, and hearty. Catch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here. Also, download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps. Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news Full Article
rani Rani Mukerji on 13 years of Ta Ra Rum Pum: Today when I watch the film, I have Adira with me By www.mid-day.com Published On :: 27 Apr 2020 08:57:18 GMT The Rani Mukerji and Saif Ali Khan starrer Ta Ra Rum Pum stood out as a sports-drama that was set against the backdrop of car racing in the USA with Saif playing a racing prodigy. Directed by Siddharth Anand, the film had a lavish shooting schedule in the United States and Rani has some very fond memories of shooting this project. Today, as the film completes 13 years, the actress speaks about almost everything that you'll love to read! "Ta Ra Rum Pum was a very, very lovely shooting experience for me because we shot in America, in New York, for nearly 3 months. I was there for 3 months at a stretch and it was lovely living in New York around that time shooting the film. We had two little angels - Ali and Angelina (who played the roles of Priya and Ranveer – Saif and Rani's on-screen kids) and I was single at that point of time but to actually play a mother of these 2 children really got my motherly instincts out," says Rani. The talented actress adds, "Today when I look back and watch the film when I have Adira with me, it just feels so amazing. When Ta Ra Rum Pum released, I had a lot of children and parents really watching the film with a lot of love. I still get a lot of people telling me that they watched Ta Ra Rum Pum and it's one of their favourite films because it has car racing and it has the story about the children." Rani feels the film's universal theme of family coming together to overcome all odds is what connected with the audiences. "It's a very nice warm lovely story and I think I connected with the film and the story a lot at that time. It was a very sweet story about this couple who has children and how they fight the odds. I think crisis like these brings families closer and I think that's a very special part of the story," she says. Rani thoroughly enjoyed the animation in the film which was hailed as a cut above as far Bollywood standard back then was. "Of course, it had the animation song (Ta Ra Rum Pum) with the teddy bears which is one of my favourite songs. I think they had done a lovely job and the animation was one of my first animation songs which I did!" the actress adds. Rani had a blast acting with Saif, with whom she also delivered the blockbuster Hum Tum, and her co-stars in the film. "Of course, having Saif with me as a co actor was wonderful! Also, Victor Banerjee played my father in the film and it was wonderful having him on set and to be working with him. It was overall a great experience and I remember being really, really happy on the sets of Ta Ra Rum Pum!" she says. Catch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here. Also, download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps. Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news Full Article
rani The Guide Restaurant Awards 2019: Iranis win at mid-day awards By www.mid-day.com Published On :: 20 Mar 2019 01:37:04 GMT Every city has spaces that have, over the years, become more than just restaurants. They're like little museums of unwritten history, archiving the city's journey through old chinaware, faded signboards and staff that has probably been around for as long as the establishment. Spaces that leave regulars despondent when they shutter, almost as if they have lost one of their own. Mumbai has its distinct culinary heritage, represented in part by corner-side cafés run by the Irani Zoroastrians and Muslims who made this city their home in the early 1900s. At this year's The Guide Restaurant Awards 2019 presented by mid-day, we celebrate the culinary contribution of this community by honouring 10 surviving cafés. Unique to Mumbai, these Irani cafés have fought inflation, the fast food invasion and a future generation that would rather pick a professional degree over manning a family establishment at low profits. Back in Iran, the Zoroastrians and Muslims, celebrate the onset of spring with the festival of Navroze (new day) on March 21. In Mumbai, it's a day typified by feasting around family. Six of the 10 winners of this coveted award, discuss what Navroze means to them and the signature dishes to try at their cafes. Byculla Restaurant and Bakery Don't forget to try: Mutton pattice"Since Navroze is a holiday, we keep the shop closed and enjoy ourselves at home. After offering prayers, we relish a feast of kheema and falooda," says Darius Ferzandi, owner. "At night, we have a glass of beer or a peg of whisky and then, off to sleep," he jokes. The best dish here is the mutton pattice (Rs 18). At: Alexandra Terrace, Byculla Station, Byculla East. Time: 8 am to 11 pm Call: 23727375 Cafe Dela Paix Gustad Dinshaw Don't forget to try: Egg akuriGustad Dinshaw, owner of the 80-year-old café in Girgaum, tells us, "Navroze is the augment of spring and we worship fire, so it's mostly about getting together and offering prayers. We lay out the sofrah table each year and look forward to the rituals." The top selling dish at this café is the humble egg akuri (Rs 30). At: 7, Shanker Seth Road, Avantikabai Gokhale Street, Opera House, Girgaum. Time: 10 am to 10 pm Call: 23824384 Cafe Colony Don't forget to try: Mutton biryaniFor Mirza Mohammed Nazariyan, owner Aga Nazariyan's son, Navroze is all about celebrating togetherness. "The festival is synonymous with happiness and a time for our family to come together," Mirza tells us, adding that while the mutton biryani (Rs 280) is a crowd pleaser, it's his personal favourite, too. At: Road 1, Shrikanth Lodge, near Tilak Bridge, Hindu Colony, Dadar East. Time: 6 am to 10.30 pm Call: 24142321 Cafe Excelsior Mutton cutlet gravyDon't forget to try: Mutton cutlet"A different animal or bird is associated with every new year. This year, it's white pig," explains Ardeshir Maskoori, owner of one of the most popular Irani cafés in the city, which completed a century last month. "It's very difficult for me to pick one favourite dish, but if I had to, I would suggest the mutton cutlet [Rs 300 dry; Rs 320 with gravy]," he says. Ardeshir Maskoori At: 23, AK Nayak Marg, opposite New Excelsior Cinema, Fort. Time: 8 am to 11 pm Call: 22074543 Ideal Corner Don't forget to try: Salli botiAt this Fort eatery, Navroze beckons a special menu featuring all-time favourites like pulao dal, salli boti (Rs 180), and mutton dhansak (Rs 230). When asked what the festival means to the family, partner Parvez Patel says, "To drink and make merry." At: 12 F/G, Hornby View, Gunbow Street, Fort. Time: 12 pm to 10 pm Call: 22621930 Koolar & Co The sofrah at Irani's home last year Don't forget to try: Irani delightAt Koolar & Co's owner Amir Koolar Irani's home, sofrah, the laying of the table with a mirror, fruits, nuts, alcohol and other goodies on Navroze, is a big affair. "My favourite festival here is Diwali, but Navroze takes us back to our roots," Irani shares, adding, "You must come and try the Irani delight [Rs 120]. It's a unique dish made with egg and honey." Amir Koolar Irani At: 541, Noor Mahal, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road, Adenwada Road, Matunga East.Time: 7 am to 11 pm Call: 24125062 Caramel custard Winning Irani cafes *Kyani & Co: AT JSS Road, Marine Lines. Call: 61229437*Cosmopolitan: AT 133, Raja Rammohan Roy Road. Call: 23826737*Sassanian Boulangerie: AT Dhobi Talao, Marine Lines. Call: 22006198*Cafe Military: AT Tamarind Lane, Fort. Call: 22654181 Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also, download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get the latest updates Full Article