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WORLD NEWS Thursday 9 augusT 2018
Italian premier asked Trump for info on Iran nuclear status

By TRISHA THOMAS na, France, Germany, Rus-
ROME (AP) — Italian Pre- sia, Britain and the United
mier Giuseppe Conte said States. Trump has raised
Wednesday his country is the possibility of retaliation
willing to consider a "more against companies which
rigorous" stance toward do business with Iran.
Iran, adding that he re- Italy traditionally has been
cently asked U.S. President a major trading partner
Donald Trump to share in- with Iran. But Italian energy
telligence about Iran's al- giant ENI earlier this year
leged nuclear program closed down its business in
that has triggered fresh U.S. Iran, and Fiat Chrysler Auto-
sanctions. mobiles long ago reduced
Conte told reporters at a exposure there.
news conference in Rome Conte said Italy will be "hy-
that Italy would hope to per-sensitive" to repercus-
coordinate any initiatives sions on Italian businesses
with European Union part- and would act to "limit as
ners in the aftermath of much as possible the nega-
re-imposed U.S. sanctions tive impact," saying there
against Iran. have already been signs
Italy isn't part of the 2015 indicating such an impact.
deal under which the Unit- According to the Italy-Iran
ed States and other world Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte gestures as he talks during his press conference at Chigi Chamber of Commerce,
powers eased economic Palace in Rome, Italy, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018. Italian exports to Iran in
sanctions in exchange for Associated Press 2017 were worth 1.7 bil-
curbs on Iran's nuclear pro- lion euros ($1.9 billion), with
gram, but the Italian gov- on Iran's nuclear situation, his meeting with Trump: "I ements" of intelligence, the machinery being the main
ernment did support the Conte said, "I asked Presi- didn't take a specific stand. premier said, adding that product to be exported,
accord when it was signed. dent Trump to share ele- I said we are willing to eval- Italy would like to evaluate followed by power gen-
Trump pulled out of the ments of concern." The two uate the necessity to take it with its EU partners. erators, chemical products
deal earlier this year, and leaders met at the White more rigorous stances if the The European Union has and pharmaceuticals. Ital-
this week the United States house last week. (nuclear) accord is shown staunchly defended the ian imports from Iran, main-
re-imposed sanctions. Pressed to be more spe- to be ineffective." 2015 nuclear accord, ly crude oil, were worth 3.4
Referring to U.S. intelligence cific, Conte replied that in "We are waiting to have el- which was signed by Chi- billion euros ($3.9 billion).q

Australia's most populous state

entirely in drought

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) The state government said have dried up and crops
— Australia's most populous Wednesday that 100 per- are failing. State and feder-
state was declared entirely cent of New South Wales' al governments are provid-
in drought on Wednes- land area of more than ing financial help, but not
day and struggling farmers 800,000 square kilometers enough for many farmers.
were given new author- (309,000 square miles) was With dry conditions fore-
ity to shoot kangaroos that now in drought. cast to continue for the In this June 4, 2018, photo, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm
compete with livestock for Primary Industries Minister next three months, farm- Turnbull, looks at dry soil with farmers during a visit to Strathmore
sparse pasture during the Niall Blair said farmers were ers had to decide whether Farm 485 kilometers (300 miles) north west of Sydney.
Associated Press
most intense dry spell in enduring one of the driest to continue the expensive
more than 50 years. Southern Hemisphere win- and laborious task of hand-
Much of Australia's south- ters on record. feeding cattle and sheep
east is struggling with "This is tough. There isn't a or sell their livestock. The
drought. But the drought person in the state that isn't government would have
conditions in New South hoping to see some rain for been better off subsidizing
Wales state this year have our farmers and regional professional shooters to re-
been the driest and most communities," Blair said in a duce kangaroo numbers
widespread since 1965. statement. Farm reservoirs more humanely, he said.q