By Shahrokh Saei

Israel starving Palestinians, Arab states lining their pockets

TEHRAN- Extreme hunger and severe malnutrition have become increasingly widespread in the Gaza Strip as Israel continues to impose restrictions on the entry of food and other essentials to the Palestinian territory against the backdrop of the genocidal war that it has launched on the coastal strip since October 7.

Erdogan: West backs Netanyahu’s plans to spread war

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey stood in solidarity with Lebanon amid growing tensions with Israel and called on regional countries on Wednesday to also support Beirut, Reuters reported.

Dutch PM Mark Rutte named NATO chief

Transatlantic military alliance NATO has appointed Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as its next chief, entrusting him with the leadership role during a critical time for European security amid Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Netherlands calls in Israeli ambassador over ICC spying claims

Israel’s ambassador to the Netherlands was asked to “report” to the Dutch foreign affairs ministry to explain allegations of a secret surveillance and espionage campaign by Israeli spy services against the International Criminal Court, according to the Guardian.

Whistleblower returns home

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has landed back home in Australia, a free man for the first time in 12 years, after a US judge signed off on his unexpected plea deal on Wednesday morning.

Kenya's president withdraws tax plan after deadly protest

Kenya’s President William Ruto says he will withdraw a finance bill containing controversial tax hikes after deadly protests which saw parliament set ablaze on Tuesday.

TEHRAN PAPERS

The action of the Europeans will not go unanswered

TEHRAN - In a note, the Iran newspaper addressed the UN Security Council meeting to discuss the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 regarding Iran and said: England, France, and Germany again issued a joint statement against Iran.

Acting FM says Raisi admin laid groundwork for talks on terminating sanctions

TEHRAN – Iran’s acting Foreign Minister has announced that the late President Ebrahim Raisi's administration laid the groundwork for resuming negotiations aimed at terminating anti-Iran sanctions and neutralizing bans against Iran.

Foreign ambassadors meet with Iran’s judiciary chief

TEHRAN – On the morning of Wednesday, a significant meeting took place between foreign ambassadors residing in Iran and Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the head of Iran’s judiciary.

Nasrallah to speak at event honoring late Iranian President

TEHRAN – Secretary General of Hezbollah, Seyed Hassan Nasrallah, is set to deliver a speech on Thursday at a ceremony commemorating the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

Instagram restricts access to accounts of Iranian news agencies ahead of presidential elections

TEHRAN – Instagram has taken action to limit user access to the accounts of Iranian news agencies and journalists, a move that seems to be aimed at influencing the outcome of Iran's upcoming June 28 election.

Hezbollah: Israel sinking deeper into swamp of Gaza war

A senior Hezbollah official has cast doubts on the United States’ sincerity to stop the Gaza war, stressing that Israel is “sinking deeper and deeper into the swamp" of the war of attrition as it has failed to achieve a single victory after more than 260 days of a bloody onslaught.

By Soheila Zarfam 

Big Decision: Iranians to vote Friday

Iranians will head to polls in presidential elections that some believe will be determined in run-off

TEHRAN – Iranian cities are buzzing with election fever as posters and placards adorn streets, big screens air presidential debates, and candidates crisscross the country in a bid to sway voters. 

Iran condemns terrorist attack in Niger, calls for global cooperation against terrorism

TEHRAN – The spokesman for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed profound sorrow over the recent terrorist attack in the Tillaberi region of Niger, which claimed the lives of several military personnel and civilians and left many others injured.

IRGC urges high voter turnout for upcoming presidential election

TEHRAN – The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) is focused on ensuring a high voter turnout in the upcoming Iranian presidential election, without endorsing any specific candidate, according to IRGC spokesperson Brigadier General Ramezan Sharif.

Spanish performance of Lorca’s “Blood Wedding” at Shahrzad Theater

TEHRAN-The play “Blood Wedding,” a tragedy by the late Spanish dramatist Federico Garcia Lorca (1898-1936) is being performed in Spanish at Shahrzad Theater Complex in Tehran.

Iranian filmmaker Bahram Beyzai invited to join Oscar membership

TEHRAN-Renowned Iranian filmmaker Bahram Beyzai is among the 487 members of the global film community who have been invited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to join the membership ranks of the Oscar organizer.

Tehran center to host reading performance of Iranian female playwrights

TEHRAN- Tehran's Sahne-ye Abi Theater is set to host a reading performance event featuring the works of Iranian female playwrights.

By Samaneh Aboutalebi 

A new vision for Iran’s culture and art: what to expect from the upcoming election

TEHRAN- In the aftermath of President Raisi's sudden and tragic passing in a helicopter crash 40 days ago, Iran is gearing up for a presidential election that promises to shape the country's future.

Private investments to turn new chapter in Khansar’s tourism

TEHRAN – The private sector has invested about 40 million dollars in Khansar’s tourism in three years, positioning it as a potential tourism hub in western Isfahan, said the tourism minister.

West Azarbaijan shines bright with $37m of handicrafts export

TEHRAN – Iran’s West Azarbaijan has exported more than $37 million worth of handicrafts in less than three years, a local official made public.

Mashhad’s air traffic jumps 14%

TEHRAN – Mashhad’s international airport, the second most crowded terminal in Iran, has witnessed a 14% influx in domestic and overseas flights in a month.

Minister announces allocation of funds for 12th-century mosque restoration

TEHRAN - Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Minister Ezatollah Zarghami has announced the allocation of necessary funds for the restoration of the 12th-century Jameh Mosque of Golpayegan.

Action plans underway to conserve 23 species

TEHRAN –The Department of Environment (DOE) has developed action plans for the conservation of 23 endangered species and the plans are being implemented in the country.