Biden suggests Netanyahu prolonging war for political benefits

US President Joe Biden in a new interview said it was reasonable for people to conclude that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is prolonging the war in Gaza for his own political benefit.

Israel drops over 70,000 tons of bombs on Gaza

Israel has dropped more than 70,000 tons of bombs on the Gaza Strip since last October, far surpassing those dropped on Dresden, Hamburg, and London combined during World War II.

UN accuses Israel of ‘wanton’ killing in West Bank

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk issued a renewed call for an end to the sharp rise in deadly violence in the occupied West Bank since October 7, and urged accountability for the killing of over 500 Palestinians by Israeli forces and settlers.

Songlines Magazine picks 2 Iranian music albums among world’s best

TEHRAN-Two music albums by Iranian musicians are among the best albums selected by Songlines in its May issue. This British magazine covers music from traditional and popular to contemporary and fusion, featuring artists from around the globe.

5 Iranian movies win awards at Bulgaria’s Golden FEMI Film Festival

TEHRAN-Five Iranian films won awards at the 3rd annual Golden FEMI Film Festival held in Sofia, Bulgaria, on June 1.

Meybod’s Narin Qaleh undergoes emergency restoration

TEHRAN - Emergency restoration has been underway to preserve the historical Narin Qaleh, in Meybod, Yazd, central Iran, addressing recent structural and weather-related damage.

Harireh ancient city on the brink of ICESCO recognition

TEHRAN – Harireh ancient city, situated on Kish Island, is set to secure its place on the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s list, before this year is out.

Iran, UNICEF conduct training session on child rights

TEHRAN – The Vice Presidency (VP) for Science, Technology and Knowledge-based Economy and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have organized a training session for VP directors on child rights.

Mangrove, the wonder of marine habitats

TEHRAN – The mangrove tree, as a wonder of the marine environment, offers many benefits to various species including birds, fish, crustaceans, and even some terrestrial animals, and stabilizes the soil, as well.

Muscat to host Iran’s sci-tech days conference

TEHRAN – Iran’s scientific and technology days conference is scheduled to be held in Muscat, Oman, from September 16 to 17.

By Jong-Jin Kim, FAO Assistant Director-General

Asia-Pacific must do better to address poor food safety standards

Each year, hundreds of millions of people are sickened by eating unsafe food. Here, in the Asia-Pacific region, the situation can also be deadly. According to the latest figures, gathered just prior to the global pandemic, some 225,000 people die each year from foodborne illnesses in Asia and the Pacific. That’s more than half of the global fatalities. Sadly, nearly a third of those who perish, 30 percent, are children.

‘Iran pivotal for transit of goods between China, Europe’

TEHRAN - Iran’s Deputy Minister of Transport and Urban Development has explained the advantages of Iran for the transit of goods between China and Europe at the international summit “Road to Tian Shan” held in Tajikistan.

Water inflow to dam reserves rises 6%

TEHRAN - Water inflow to Iran’s dams has increased by six percent since the beginning of the current water year (September 23, 2023) up to June 1, 2024, compared to the same period last year, the new report released by the Water Resources Management Company shows.

Iran makes jet engine blades, revives dozens of airliners

TEHRAN - An Iranian knowledge-based company has acquired the technical know-how to manufacture jet engine turbine blades, allowing for 28 McDonnell Douglas passenger planes to return to service after being grounded because of the sanctions.

Financing through stock market rises 100% in a year

TEHRAN – Iranian Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Ehsan Khandouzi said financing through the stock market in Iran increased by 100 percent in the previous Iranian calendar year (ended on March 19), ISNA reported.

Iran, Tajikistan emphasize expanding ties in water, soil fields

TEHRAN - Officials from Iran and Tajikistan stressed the need to expand bilateral cooperation in the water and soil fields.

Trade with neighbors rises 15% in 2 months

TEHRAN – Official statistics for Iran’s trade exchanges show that the export of non-oil products to the neighboring countries has risen by 15 percent in the first two months of the current Persian year alone.

OPEC+ to resume voluntary production cuts from October 2024

TEHRAN - OPEC+ countries have decided to gradually resume voluntary production cuts as of October 2024, Iranian Oil Minister Javad Oji said after the OPEC+ ministerial meeting.

Yemen says fired ‘Palestine’ ballistic missile at Israel

Yemen’s Ansarallah group says it used a new missile, dubbed “Palestine”, for the first time in the attack against the southern Israeli city of Eilat, known in Arabic as Umm al-Rashrash.

Flood of sewage forces displaced Palestinians out of tents

Displaced people in Gaza used empty plastic bottles to try to remove raw sewage from their tents after a pipeline burst in the main southern city of Khan Younis, Al Jazeera reported.

Protesters occupy Israeli consulate in San Francisco

San Francisco police arrested about a dozen pro-Palestinian demonstrators who occupied the downtown building that houses the Israeli consulate in the US city, according to Al Jazeera.

Hezbollah launches deadly drone attack on northern Israel

Hezbollah says it has launched a squadron of drones towards the headquarters of the Israeli military’s Galilee formation.

Iran’s acting FM warns Israel will sink into quagmire if it attacks Hezbollah

TEHRAN - Ali Bagheri Kani, Iran’s acting foreign minister, who was visiting Lebanon on Monday warned Israel will find itself in a quagmire should it launch an all-out war against Hezbollah.

Iran men’s goalball handed tough group at Paris 2024

TEHRAN - The draw for the most important goalball competition in the world – the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games – took place in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy, on Monday.