Iranian judge punishes minor crimes with tree planting not jail

TEHRAN – Mohammad Reza Amuzad is a judge in Galikesh, northern Golestan province, who punishes minor crimes with alternative sentences such as planting trees in the province.

Iranian relief foundation creates jobs, grants loans to the underprivileged

TEHRAN — The Tehran Province Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation has created some 6,000 jobs and granted loans amounting to 700 billion rials (nearly $15.5 million) to the financially struggling families in the province over the current Iranian calendar year (March 21,2017 to March 20, 2018).

Ali Asghar Khodadoust, Iranian legend of ophthalmology, passes away at 82

TEHRAN — Professor Ali Asghar Khodadoust, a world renowned ophthalmologist, passed away at the age of 82 on Friday.

Countries cannot overcome environmental challenges independently: Zarif

TEHRAN — Environmental issues are global challenges and no single country can manage to overcome them independently, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Thursday.

Feast of charity: Iranians help their compatriots in financial hardship

TEHRAN — In an attempt to help their financially-struggling compatriots, every year prior to the New Year starting on March 21, Iranians participate in “feast of charity”.

Developing green learning spaces on agenda

TEHRAN — The new learning spaces and settings will be green and developed in line with environmental friendly policies, director general for Tehran province organization for development, renovation, and equipping of school said on Tuesday.

Tehran, Baku seek increased environmental co-op

TEHRAN – Iran and Azerbaijan discussed ways to boost bilateral cooperation on environmental issues concerning both sides.

Forest protection forces on duty during Noruz

TEHRAN – Some 3,000 forest protection teams will be on standby nationwide during Noruz holidays, starting on March 21, to fight any damage to natural resources, said the commander of the forest protection unit of Forests, Range, and Watershed Management Organization.

The Louvre in Tehran and triumph of cultural diplomacy

TEHRAN – An unprecedented Louvre exhibit in Tehran can be deemed as a triumph of cultural diplomacy between Iran and the West though arrays of political tensions are still in place.

Low genetic diversity biggest threat to Asiatic cheetahs: academic

TEHRAN – Asiatic cheetahs are more threatened by low genetic diversity than by humans, roads or other dangers, said Mohammad Sadeq Farhadinia, a member of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Cat Specialist Group.

Leader plants saplings to highlight natural resources

TEHRAN — Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Tuesday planted two fruit saplings, urging officials to take measures for increasing green spaces as it can prevent floods and curb sand and dust storms.

By Afshin Majlesi

Swiss roamer roams the world in his ‘Land Roamer’

TEHRAN – As a Tehran Times correspondent, I was about to enter the office late last week when I bumped into an imposing camper-truck parked across from the bureau. It was plastered with phrases and vivid sets of drawings and pictures.

‘Iranian women have gained outstanding positions in society’

TEHRAN – Iranian women have gained outstanding positions in the society and opportunities should be provided for women’s presence in political, economic, social and managerial positions, head of the Iranian Women’s Solidarity Association said.

Worrying road accidents: Some 14,000 deaths in 10 months

TEHRAN — Some 13,874 people were killed in road accidents over the first 10 months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21, 2017-January 20, 2018).

Final decision on Konkur to be made in 2 weeks

TEHRAN — The Ministry of Education will reach a decision by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20) on whether or not to eliminate the university entrance exam, also known as Konkur.

Iran plane crash: black box found after 14 days

TEHRAN — Rescue teams finally managed to find the black box of the ATR72 plane, which crashed on February 18 in Yasouj, southwestern Iran, killing all people on board.

Media fail to highlight Iran’s tourism attractions: official

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism industry is suffering from “weak” media coverage for promoting the country’s realities, facilities and capacities in terms of traveling and historical heritage, a cultural official says.

Fajr Fashion and Clothing Festival intl. section opens in Tehran

TEHRAN — The international section of the 7th Fajr International Fashion and Clothing Festival opened in Tehran on Saturday.

Tehraners to welcome New Year with tree planting

TEHRAN -- Tehran Mayor Mohammad Ali Najafi has called on Tehrani citizens to plant a tree while they are growing sabzeh for their Haft Seen.

By Setareh Behroozi

Vibrant needlework lights up Baluchi children’s face

Scrolling through the Instagram, the vibrant colors of handicrafts and the innocent face of little girls in Baluchi dresses makes you to pause and open photos on @banook page.

Hotels to offer special discounts during Noruz

TEHRAN – A majority of hotels in seven provinces of Iran are set to give special discounts to their foreign and domestic customers on the occasion of Noruz - the Iranian new year - starting March 21.

Attack on national lands “colossal, unforgivable mistake”: environmentalist

TEHRAN — The recent directive issued by the Supreme Council of Environment on changing the boundaries of protected areas is a colossal and unforgivable mistake, environmentalist Mohammad Darvish has said.

Green startup weekend holds second pre-event workshop

TEHRAN – The second pre-event workshop of the ‘environment and urban management’ startup weekend was held on Sunday in Tehran’s Amirkabir University of Technology.

Iranian health minister in Europe, eying increased co-op

TEHRAN – In an attempt to foster greater cooperation with Europe, Health Minister Hassan Qazizadeh-Hashemi has traveled to Europe to meet with health officials of Belgium and Hungary.

‘Iranians always care about what they wear’

TEHRAN -- “Iranians have never considered clothing as a mere covering. We always care about what we wear,” Deputy Culture Minister for Artistic Affairs Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini said during the opening ceremony of 7th Fajr International Fashion and Clothing Festival in Tehran on Sunday.

Switzerland eying more Iranian travelers

TEHRAN – Switzerland is seeking to attract more Iranian tourists with an eye to at least 40 percent rise year on year, Mehr reported on Monday.

Administration to improve gender equality: VP Ebtekar

TEHRAN – The Iranian administration is making attempts to promote women’s presence in the society and improve gender equality in different arenas, said the vice president for women’s and family affairs, Masoumeh Ebtekar.

Iranian female basketball fans welcomed at Azadi sports complex

TEHRAN – Iranian women have attended a basketball match in Tehran’s Azadi Hall watching a victorious game between Iran national basketball team and the national team of Iraq, played on Sunday.