How did France get to this point?

After a shellacking for his centrist Ensemble (“Together”) Movement in the June 2024 European Parliament elections, French President Emmanuel Macron decided to call snap legislative elections to try to stabilize the domestic political situation. But Macron’s gamble that French citizens would reward him with a new majority and fresh mandate backfired, and he ended up with a “hung” National Assembly divided between three roughly equal and politically incompatible factions.

Persepolis, Juan Carlos Garrido part ways

TEHRAN – Iran’s Persepolis football club parted ways with Juan Carlos Garrido Fernandez and his assistant Xavi Olivia on Sunday.

Heart mobile clinic to be launched in deprived areas

TEHRAN –Barekat Charity Foundation is planning to inaugurate a heart mobile clinic in deprived areas to conduct cardiovascular screenings.

1,000 female prisoners freed to mark Mother's Day

TEHRAN – On the occasion of National Mother’s Day, which fell on December 22 this year, a total of 1,000 female prisoners of unintentional crimes were released across the country.

Public participation essential in environmental protection: DOE chief

TEHRAN –According to Shina Ansari, the head of the Department of Environment (DOE), no single organization will be able to successfully preserve the environment on its own; environmental issues will be best addressed through public participation.

Administration aims to raise women’s presence in entrepreneurship: VP

TEHRAN –The administration has focused on increasing women's share of entrepreneurship in the science and technology sector from currently 12 percent to 30 percent, Zahra Behrouz-Azar, the Vice President for Women and Family Affairs, has said.

Iran's daily diesel production reaches 125m liters

TEHRAN – The National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC) has announced a 15-million-liter increase in the country's daily diesel (gasoil) production over the past four months, elevating output from 111 million liters to 125 million liters per day.

TCCIMA reviews barriers to private sector oil, gas development

TEHRAN - The 24th session of the Energy and Environment Committee of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (TCCIMA) focused on the challenges facing private sector involvement in the development of oil and gas fields.

IMIDRO leads 2,300 mw power capacity development for mining, mineral industries

TEHRAN - The Infrastructure Director of the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO) announced that 2,300 megawatts (MW) of power for the mining and mineral industries have been successfully operationalized as part of the development of infrastructure in this sector under the guidance of the organization.

Private sector investment in Iran’s ports hits $4.4b

TEHRAN – The Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) has announced that private sector investments in Iran's ports have reached 2.2 quadrillion rials (about $4.4 billion) through 362 active contracts as of December 2024.

TEHRAN PAPERS

Ankara's strategy with the Syria card

TEHRAN -In an article by Javad Mirgaloy Bayat, Farhikhtegan discussed Turkey's evolving diplomatic approach regarding Syria, specifically focusing on comments made by Hakan Fidan, Turkey's Foreign Minister.

IAF to host Wajdi Mouawad’s “Thirsty” 

TEHRAN-The play “Thirsty” by Wajdi Mouawad will be staged at the Entezami Hall of the Iranian Artists Forum (IAF) in Tehran from December 24.

Iranian short film “Twenty-One Weeks Later” receives award at Spanish festival 

TEHRAN-The Iranian short film “Twenty-One Weeks Later” written and directed by Nasrin Mohammadpour has received an award at the 11th La Mirada Tabú Film Festival, which was held in Zaragoza, Spain.

Roberto Bolaño’s “The Spirit of Science Fiction” published in Persian

TEHRAN-The Persian translation of the novel “The Spirit of Science Fiction” by Chilean author Roberto Bolaño has hit the bookstores across Iran.

“In the Arms of the Tree” wins at Chennai International Film Festival

TEHRAN-The Iranian feature film “In the Arms of the Tree” directed by Babak Khajehpasha won the Best World Cinema Feature Film Award at the 22nd Chennai International Film Festival (CIFF), which concluded on December 19 in Chennai, India.

Several dead, more than 200 injured in car attack on German Christmas market

Five people have been killed, including a child, and more than 200 injured after a car drove into a crowd at a Christmas market in the eastern German city of Magdeburg, officials said, BBC reported. 

Pakistan dismisses US official's warning over missile program as unfounded

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry on Saturday dismissed as unfounded and "devoid of rationality" assertions by a senior US official that its missile program could eventually pose a threat to the United States, Reuters reported. 

By Dr. Mohammad Ali Senobari

Mossad behind the assassination of Russian nuclear defense forces commander

The assassination of General Igor Kirillov, the commander of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defense Forces, along with his aide in Moscow, has sparked intense speculation and discussions regarding the forces behind this bold operation. Kirillov was killed by an explosive device hidden in a motorcycle outside a residential building. The device was remotely detonated as he exited the building. While the Russian Investigative Committee has accused Akhmad Kurbanov, an Uzbek citizen, of terrorism under multiple articles of the Russian Criminal Code, the implications of this event extend far beyond an isolated act of violence.

Erdogan has used both subterfuge, alliance with motley band of jihadis in Syria: National Interest

TEHRAN – In a commentary on its website, The National Interest says the long-time Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan resorted to both ploy and union with a group of Jihadists to overthrow the Assad regime in Syria.

UNICEF: Gaza children face ‘unimaginable suffering’

UNICEF has condemned the dire conditions faced by children in Gaza, describing them as "cold, sick and traumatized", with 96 percent of women and children unable to meet basic nutritional needs.

TEHRAN PAPERS

FATF is not the panacea

TEHRAN - Kayhan dedicated its editorial to the belief among a group of political and economic experts who believe the solution to the country's problems lies in removing sanctions and membership in the FATF.

Azerbaijan thanks Iran for crucial support in D-8 membership bid

TEHRAN – Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has thanked Iran for its critical support in Azerbaijan's successful bid to join the Developing-8 (D-8) Organization for Economic Cooperation.

IRGC intelligence neutralizes takfiri terrorist cell in western Iran

TEHRAN – Iranian Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) intelligence forces announced Saturday the dismantling of a Salafist terrorist cell in Kermanshah province, western Iran. 

Iranian envoy promotes cooperation in talks with Sweden FM

TEHRAN – The Iranian ambassador to Stockholm, Hojatollah Faghani, has met with Sweden's Foreign Minister, Maria Malmer Stenergard, to discuss avenues for expanding cooperation and addressing regional developments.

Growing radical influence in Syria threatens regional stability, Leader’s advisor warns

TEHRAN – In a statement released through the Mehr News Agency, an advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution warned that the rise of radical groups in Syria will have grave consequences for the entire region.