Police identify ringleaders of organized smuggling gangs

TEHRAN – The Iranian police chief said on Tuesday that his forces have identified ringleaders of main smuggling gangs inside and outside the country.

Tehran Municipality holding program on Islamic unity week

TEHRAN – Tehran Municipality is holding a special program to celebrate the Islamic unity week on November 11-14, ISNA news agency reported.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

Meeting of ECO heads of meteorological organizations held in Tehran 

TEHRAN – The 3rd meeting of heads of meteorological organizations of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) member states held in Tehran on Tuesday.

Iranian students shine at RoboCup Asia Pacific 2019

TEHRAN – Two Iranian students managed to win first place in the individual section and second place in the group section of RoboCup Asia Pacific 2019 Rescue and Humanoid competition.

Tehran, Bern ink MOU on tourism co-op

TEHRAN – Iran and Switzerland have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to expand cooperation in the tourism sector, CHTN reported.

Two streets in Tehran named after Hejazi, Persepolis

TEHRAN – The city council of Tehran approved on Sunday a proposal to name two streets in the city after Esteghlal football club’s legendary goalkeeper Nasser Hejazi and Persepolis, the most popular football club in the country founded in 1963.

Traditional Russian textiles on show at Tehran exhibit

TEHRAN – On Monday, an exhibition of traditional Russian textiles, including handwoven needlework and embroideries, opened to the public at the Niavaran Cultural-Historical Complex in northern Tehran.

"Science for All" festival opens in Tehran

TEHRAN – The 5th festival of "Science for All" kicked off in Tehran on Saturday concurrent with the World Science Day for Peace and Development.

Charity foundation to open up 120,000 jobs for villagers

TEHRAN – Barekat Charity Foundation, affiliated to Headquarters for Executing the Order of the Imam, will generate 120,000 jobs for the people residing in rural areas by the end of this year (March 20), the foundation’s head has said.

Mustafa Prize 2019 goes to Iranian, Turkish scientists

TEHRAN – Three Iranian and two Turkish scientists were announced winners of the Mustafa Prize 2019 during a ceremony which was held at Alzahra University in Tehran on Wednesday.

IranAir to resume flights to Rome after ban on rival airline

TEHRAN – Iran’s flag carrier Homa, known internationally as IranAir, is scheduled to resume flights to the Italian capital Rome after rival airline Mahan Air was banned from the European country’s airspace, Press TV reported.

Khorramabad festival featuring tribal lifestyle, crafts and arts

TEHRAN – Various lifestyle, rituals, crafts and arts of Iranian tribespeople and nomads are under spotlight in a five-day exhibition, which is underway in Khorramabad, the capital of western Lorestan province.

By Mohammad Ali Haqshenas

Why you cannot afford to miss Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque

JAKARTA (MNA) – Sure there are many must-see destinations in Indonesia but one special mosque in Jakarta is a visit that will never be forgotten.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

A peek at three astonishing national parks in central Iran

TEHRAN – In Iran, a whopping 30 national parks are scattered all over the country, each offering their unique blend of flora, fauna, heritage and natural beauty. Here we will take a look at three national parks located in central Isfahan province.

Ancient 70-mile-long wall found in western Iran

TEHRAN – Archaeologists have recently discovered the remains of a stone wall, which is stretched about 115 kilometers, in Sar Pol-e Zahab county, western Iran.  

Shahbazi appointed new head of FRWMO

TEHRAN – Iranian Agriculture Minister Mahmoud Hojjati appointed Khosro Shahbazi as the new head of the Forests, Range, and Watershed Management Organization (FRWMO).

Iranian mayors, artisans join World Craft Cities Network Forum

TEHRAN – A number of Iranian mayors and artisans are attending the World Craft Cities Network Forum, which is being co-hosted by China and Malaysia.

Iran marks National Health Insurance Day

TEHRAN – The National Health Insurance Day was celebrated during a ceremony in Tehran on Monday.

Tehran Golden Adobe Award announces winners

TEHRAN – The 4th Tehran Golden Adobe Global Award ceremony wrapped up in Tehran on Saturday by announcing winners from among 512 urban management projects both from Iran and 27 other countries.

Austrian traveler tells of cycling adventures in Iran

TEHRAN – A quick online search for memories and travelogues by foreign nationals so far visited Iran easily shows that it is one of the most misinterpreted countries on Earth. A strong reason is that almost every outsider who has the opportunity to visit Iran falls in love with the ancient land, its warm and generous people!

Lake Urmia water level rises by 1 meter

TEHRAN – The level of water at Lake Urmia has increased by 1 meter in the current water year (began on September 23) compared to the same period last year.

Flood hits 5 provinces, leaving 2 dead

TEHRAN – Torrential rain has triggered flooding in 5 provinces of the country, claiming two lives so far, head of Rescue and Relief Organization Morteza Salimi said.

Discover incredible rock formations in southern Iranian island 

TEHRAN – You can find one of the world’s most eye-catching nature’s creativities at its finest on Qeshm Island, southern Iran, where stunning rock formations are a sign of perpetual thumping of the waves, storms and raging winds.

The Great Wall of Gorgan: longest ancient barrier between Central Europe and China

TEHRAN – Stretched for almost 200 kilometers along northern Iran, the ancient Great Wall of Gorgan was constructed from 420s CE to 530s as a northern frontier of the then mighty Persian Empire, which was then ruled under Sassanids.

Migratory birds return to Shadegan wetland

TEHRAN – Shadegan wetland in southwestern province of Khuzestan has come back to life by heavy rainfall and is now hosting flocks of migratory birds, Mehr news agency reported on Wednesday.

Asiatic cheetahs in Pardisan Park to undergo semi-captive breeding

TEHRAN – Two Asiatic cheetahs, kept in captivity at Tehran’s Pardisan Park, will be transferred to protected areas of central Yazd province for semi-captive breeding, Kiumars Kalantari, deputy chief of the Department of Environment (DOE), has said.

HRW says Iran's healthcare system threatened by U.S. sanctions

When Ghazal had an operation at a hospital in Tehran to remove a tumor from her thigh, she hoped surgeons could take the whole growth out.

Precipitations hit normal, above-normal levels in a month

TEHRAN – Precipitations have reached normal and above-normal levels in Iran as the country has experienced 70.8 percent rise in rainfall since the beginning of the current water year (September 23) compared to the long-term mean.

Tehran Golden Adobe Global Award slated for November

TEHRAN – The 4th Tehran Golden Adobe Global Award ceremony will be held on November 2 with the goal of supporting top international urban management projects as well as sharing relevant experiences.

FAO warn of climate change impacts on land use, food security in Asia-Pacific

Asia’s vast landmass and growing cities are warming faster than the global average and that will have a disproportional impact on food security and livelihoods for billions of people across the region, FAO and its UN partners warned today.