U.S. government shutdown poised to break record as federal paralysis deepens

The U.S. government shutdown tied the prior record on Tuesday and is on pace to become the longest in history on Wednesday at 36 days, a stark marker of national dysfunction and a presidency defined by confrontation over compromise.

‘BRICS should capitalize on IRCS expertise’

TEHRAN – Marco Fernandes, the Brazilian representative at BRICS Civil Council, has highlighted the need to benefit from the experiences and knowledge of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS).

DOE attends Lebanon, Azerbaijan conferences on combating SDSs, climate change

TEHRAN – The Department of Environment (DOE) has participated in international conferences in Lebanon and Azerbaijan, expounding on activities to deal with sand and dust storms and climate change.

DCHQ, UNICEF co-op to prevent addiction among children

TEHRAN –  Brigadier General Hossein Zolfaqari, Secretary General of the Iranian Drug Control Headquarters (DCHQ), and Dorina Andreev-Jitaro, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative in Iran, have underscored the need for developing educational programs to prevent addiction among children and teenagers.

Tehran to equip 1,200 schools with rooftop solar power systems

TEHRAN – Around 1,200 schools across Tehran province are set to be equipped with rooftop solar panel systems by the end of this Iranian calendar year (March 20, 2026), according to Majid Parsa, head of the Tehran Education Department.

17th bitumen, asphalt, machinery exhibition opens in Tehran

TEHRAN – Iran’s 17th Bitumen, Asphalt and Machinery Exhibition opened on Tuesday, bringing together 54 domestic companies for a three-day event hosted by the Road, Housing and Urban Development Research Center.

China sees Iran as an attractive investment destination

TEHRAN – Chinese companies view Iran as an appealing destination for industrial investment, said Tan Kai, President of the Iran Federation of Overseas Chinese Association, during a forum on economic cooperation opportunities between the two countries.

Iran, Oman move to accelerate PTA implementation, sign industrial committee MOU

TEHRAN – Iran and Oman have agreed to accelerate the implementation of their preferential trade agreement and expand industrial cooperation through a newly formed bilateral industrial committee, according to Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (TPO).

Iran hosts annual meeting on Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria 

TEHRAN –The annual meeting on the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria was held from October 29 to 31 in Sari, Mazandaran Province, both in person and online.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh signs for FCV Dender EH

TEHRAN - Iranian international winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh has joined Jupiler Pro League side FCV Dender EH.

Khorramabad to host specialized exhibition on off-road tourism

TEHRAN — A specialized exhibition of off-road tourism and related equipment is set to be held in Khorramabad, the capital of Lorestan province, with the participation of professionals and enthusiasts, the provincial tourism chief announced on Tuesday.

By Hani Rastegaran

Qaleh Bala Village: a model of solidarity, creativity, and local development

TEHRAN - Qaleh Bala, a village nestled on the southern slopes of Mount Shahvar where the dry expanse of the desert blends into the wind‑shaped hills of the Kharturan buffer zone, has become one of the most remarkable examples of community‑based rural development in Iran. Its people, who have long struggled with drought, isolation, and lack of infrastructure, have relied on social cohesion and a series of small yet persistent innovations to transform what was once a depopulating settlement into a destination for community‑led ecotourism.

Minister highlights sustainable village employment through ecotourism resorts

TEHRAN — Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri has emphasized the importance of sustainable rural development, stressing that villages should remain vibrant through initiatives such as ecotourism resorts.

Zaveh, an emerging agritourism destination in northeast Iran

TEHRAN — Zaveh county in northeast Iran has the potential to become a leading agritourism destination thanks to its high-quality saffron and vast areas dedicated to the cultivation of this valuable crop, a local official has said.

Ronald David Laing’s “Knots” available in Persian

TEHRAN – The Persian translation of the book “Knots” written by Ronald David Laing has been released in bookstores across Iran.