UK’s Labour slammed for scapegoating migrants in Danish-inspired asylum crackdown

Britain’s Labour government on Monday unveiled its most sweeping asylum reforms in generations, shifting refugee status from a five-year path to permanent settlement to a precarious temporary permit reviewed every 30 months and revocable if home countries are later judged safe.

Medical tourism offices to collaborate to attract Iraqi patients in Kermanshah

TEHRAN - A meeting was held in Kermanshah city with presence of managers of medical tourism offices and medical staff to develop the cross-border cooperation and utilize the province's capacity in the field of health tourism, Fahimeh Roushan, a tourism official of the province said.

Visits to UNESCO-listed Lut Desert soars since mid-autumn

TEHRAN – More than 2,500 tourists have visited the picturesque Lut Desert since early October, marking a significant increase in travel to the UNESCO World Heritage site, a local heritage official said.

Minister calls Caspian regional meeting a new phase of cooperation, highlights cultural capacity

TEHRAN – Iran’s cultural heritage minister on Tuesday described the Caspian Sea coastal governors’ summit as the start of a new phase of regional cooperation, saying the country holds more than one million documented historical sites.

Dafineh museum group unveils book on new art collection

TEHRAN – A book titled Art Depictions was unveiled on Monday during a ceremony at the Dafineh museum complex attended by academics, cultural officials and art researchers.

Iran deepens scientific ties with China through new ocean research pact

TEHRAN – Iran’s National Institute of Oceanography and Atmospheric Science has signed a cooperation agreement with the Second Institute of Oceanography of China’s Ministry of Natural Resources, aiming to expand joint research in deep-sea studies under the framework of Iran’s BRICS membership.

Tehran’s 1st school equipped with solar panels opened in presence of S. Korean ambassador

TEHRAN- The first school equipped with solar panels was inaugurated in Tehran's District 12 on Monday. During the opening ceremony, it was announced that any school wishing to move towards installing solar panels will receive 50 percent support from the district municipality.

Qeshm to host digital export development event

TEHRAN – The managing director of Qeshm Free Zone Organization said the island will host a Digital Export Development event known as “Q-Gate” on December 16–17, as part of a broader push to strengthen Iran’s digital economy and expand technology-based exports.

Iran eyes stronger foothold in Iraqi market with $20b trade goal

TEHRAN – Iran is seeking to expand its commercial presence in Iraq, with the Iran–Iraq Joint Chamber of Commerce outlining a three-year target to raise bilateral exchanges to $20 billion, driven by Iran’s capacity to supply a broad range of consumer goods, food products and industrial materials.

South Africa calls Palestinian refugee flight a ‘clearly orchestrated operation’

South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola said Monday that the arrival in Johannesburg last week of a plane carrying Palestinian refugees was a “clearly orchestrated operation” to displace Palestinians, Anadolu reported Tuesday.

Iran positions itself as central bridge for China–Europe rail corridor

TEHRAN – Iran’s transport minister said progress on the strategic Marand–Cheshmeh-Soraya railway is accelerating, paving the way for a continuous China–Europe rail route that would place Iran at the heart of a major new transit corridor.

Trump indicates approval for Saudi F-35 sale ahead of MBS White House visit

In a major policy shift, U.S. President Donald Trump announced Monday his administration's intention to approve the sale of advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, just one day before Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s arrival at the White House.

Iran attending D-8 Health Experts meeting

TEHRAN – An Iranian delegation led by Deputy Health Minister Sajjad Razavi is representing the country at the first Meeting of D-8 Health Experts, being held in Cairo, Egypt, on November 17 and 18.

ICT minister taking part in WTDC-25

TEHRAN – An Iranian delegation led by the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Minister, Sattar Hashemi, is participating in the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 (WTDC-25), from 17 to 28 November 2025.

Antimicrobial Resistance week being marked

TEHRAN – The health ministry is observing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) week from November 18 to 24 with the global theme of ‘Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future’.

By Soroush Saki

AI without borders: how nations compete for data power

TEHRAN - In the twenty-first century, power is no longer measured by land, oil, or military strength. It is calculated by data. Nations that once competed for natural resources are now locked in a new race, one defined by algorithms, computing capacity, and the ability to transform information into strategic advantage.