Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) is the country’s most powerful and well-financed government department with a remit to protect the regime.
Under the direct guidance of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the ministry’s work includes infiltrating opposition groups and arresting spies.
It tracks dissidents, journalists and international companies to protect against global conspiracies and internal threats, according to the US government.
“It has recruited cyber-threat groups, front companies and hackers, and has employed malware to target innocent civilians and companies and advance the regime’s malign agenda around the world,” it said in September.
The ministry is said to have some 25,000 people on the payroll and has a broad reach across all of Iran’s security apparatus.
Under Iran’s constitution, all organisations must share information with MOIS – including the Quds Force, which handles most extraterritorial operations such as assassinations and espionage.
“While their tactics may be somewhat outdated compared to other organisations, the breadth of their coverage, the capabilities at their disposal and the unrestricted authorities they have are unmatched,” said John Sano, formerly deputy director of CIA branch, the National Clandestine Service.
“The MOIS literally is above the law. They are accountable only to the Supreme Leader.”
Assadollah Assadi, the alleged spymaster at the centre of the plot to blow up a dissidents’ rally, worked at the centre of the ministry’s European spy network on the third floor of Iran’s embassy in Vienna, Austria.
His immediate boss is said to be Reza Amiri Moghaddam, a key figure within the ministry, who reported directly to the regime’s intelligence minister, Mahmoud Alavi.
The US Treasury designated MOIS in 2012 for its support of terrorist groups, for rights abuses in Iran and backing the Syrian regime of Bashir Al Assad.
The notice accused the group of supporting Hezbollah, Hamas and Al Qaeda.
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'Gold'
Director:Anthony Hayes
Stars:Zaf Efron, Anthony Hayes
Rating:3/5
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
UAE - India ties
The UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner after the US and China
Annual bilateral trade between India and the UAE has crossed US$ 60 billion
The UAE is the fourth-largest exporter of crude oil for India
Indians comprise the largest community with 3.3 million residents in the UAE
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi first visited the UAE in August 2015
His visit on August 23-24 will be the third in four years
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, visited India in February 2016
Sheikh Mohamed was the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in January 2017
Modi will visit Bahrain on August 24-25
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Andor
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FIXTURES
New Zealand v France, second Test
Saturday, 12.35pm (UAE)
Auckland, New Zealand
South Africa v Wales
Sunday, 12.40am (UAE), San Juan, Argentina
