Rural development budget increases by 2.5 folds

TEHRAN – The budget for rural development projects has increased by 2.5 times in the current [Iranian calendar] year (March 2021-March 2022) compared to that of the previous year, deputy head of the Housing Foundation of Islamic Revolution, has announced.

Iran’s “This Side, Other Side” honored at Neum Animated Film Festival

TEHRAN – Iranian director Lida Fazli’s acclaimed short movie “This Side, Other Side” won the award for best movie in the category of 2D and 3D animation at the Neum Animated Film Festival in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the organizers announced on Thursday.

“Sun Children” director Majid Majidi receives IAA’s first Plaque of Glory 

TEHRAN – Oscar-nominated director Majid Majidi was honored on Thursday with the first edition of the IAA Plaque of Glory by the Iranian Academy of Arts (IAA).

Protests in front of the French embassy

TEHRAN — A number of the family members of the 7th of Tir victims gathered in front of the French embassy in Tehran on Wednesday to protest lack of judicial action against the assassinators of the 7th of Tir (June 28) attack. In the terrorist attack, conducted by MKO operatives, chief justice Mohammad Hossein Beheshti and 72 other leading figures were martyred. In the Persian language the attack is known as “Hafte Tir bombing”. It happened in 1981.

Iran, Serbia seeking to develop relations in geoscience

TEHRAN – Iran and Serbia discussed bilateral cooperation in the field of geology and mining during a meeting held virtually on Wednesday.

Half a million Iranians donate blood in 3 months

TEHRAN – Over the first three months of the current [Iranian calendar] year (started March 21), some 510,000 people donated blood across the country, Bashir Haji-Beigi, the Blood Transfusion Organization spokesman, said on Friday.

Hamedan reopens tourist sites, museums as virus curbs ease

TEHRAN – Museums and other cultural heritage sites in the west-central province of Hamedan have been allowed to reopen doors to the public as restrictions over the coronavirus pandemic have been loosened, the provincial tourism chief has said.

Historical properties in central Iran made national heritage

TEHRAN –A total of 13 historical sites and aging structures across the central province of Markazi have recently been inscribed on the National Heritage list.

Restoration of Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque continues 

TEHRAN – A team of cultural heritage experts and experienced restorers supervises the restoration of parts of the creamy dome of the 17th-century Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, a masterpiece of Iranian architecture in Isfahan, the deputy provincial tourism chief has said.

NISOC to ink 2 deals with knowledge-based firms in near future

TEHRAN – The National Iranian South Oil Company (NISOC) is going to sign two deals worth 500 billion rials (about $11.9 million) with domestic knowledge-based companies in the near future for meeting some of its technological needs, an official with the company announced.

1st meeting of Iran-Serbia energy, mining working group held online

TEHRAN – The first meeting of an Iran-Serbia energy and mining working group, which has been established under the framework of the two countries’ Joint Economic Committee, was held through video conference on June 30.

Over 70% of necessary petchem catalysts to be indigenized by Mar. 2022

TEHRAN – Iranian engineers are going to indigenize the knowledge for the production of 72 percent of the catalysts needed in the country’s petrochemical industry by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (March 2022), the Head of National Petrochemical Company (NPC) Behzad Mohammadi has said.

OPEC pays tribute to Iran's veteran oil minister

TEHRAN – The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in its 181st meeting in Vienna on Thursday paid tribute to Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh for his long-lasting contribution to the organization and the oil market.

TSE’s main index gains 43,000 points in a week

TEHRAN- TEDPIX, the main index of Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE), rose 43,000 points in the past Iranian calendar week.

70 infrastructure, development projects underway in Kish Free Zone

TEHRAN- As announced by the managing director of Kish Free Zone Organization, 70 infrastructure and development projects are underway in this free trade zone.

Iran looking for a better place at U19 Basketball World Cup

TEHRAN – Iran will begin the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup with the aim of finishing in a better place than 2013 that they came 11th in the competition.

Iran’s 400 meters athlete Pirjahan qualifies for Olympics

TEHRAN – Iranian 400 meters Mahdi Pirjahan secured a spot at the 2020 Olympic Games.

Ejei appointed as Iran’s new Judiciary chief

TEHRAN -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei appointed Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei as the new head of Iran’s Judiciary.

Iran’s 2022 World Cup qualifiers fixtures revealed

TEHRAN – Iran will start the 2022 World Cup qualification Round 3 with a match against Syria on Sept. 2.

Iran learn fate at 2022 World Cup qualification Round 3

TEHRAN – Iran national football team learned their fate at the 2022 World Cup qualifiers on Thursday.

Takht-Ravanchi slams U.S., EU for testing Iran’s strategic patience

TEHRAN — Speaking at the meeting at the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday to hear the 11th report on the implementation of the Resolution 2231, Tehran’s permanent representative to the UN Majid Takht-Ravanchi said Iran has paid a heavy price to fulfil its commitments to the 2015 nuclear deal.

By Martin Love

A roundup: America continues to lurch from bad to worse…

America has become a malignant power without consequence given the ignorance and malfeasance of those in political power. 

Tehran says ready to aid UN to confront cyberattacks

TEHRAN — Iran’s ambassador to the UN on Tuesday warned against an alarming trend of systematic accusations by certain states against others by launching cyberattacks, calling for action to restrain states from resorting to threat or use of force within or through the cyberspace environment.

Iranian handicrafts: Chalangari

TEHRAN - Chilan is a Persian word used to describe the tools and objects made from Iron such as chains, small rings, horse bridle, saddle, and many other light-weighted objects.