Some 300,000 kids getting vaccinated against polio in spring

TEHRAN –In line with the polio eradication campaign that kicked off in winter, around 300,000 more children under five years of age are getting vaccinated in two phases in high-risk areas in the country's northern half in spring, according to the health ministry.

Iranian, Italian universities ink MOU to broaden scientific ties

TEHRAN – Allameh Tabatabai University of Tehran and the University of Salento, Italy, have signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance scientific collaborations in social and human sciences.

FAO workshop on pistachio safety, trade underway

TEHRAN – A specialized workshop titled “Pistachio Safety and Trade: Navigating Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures and Codex Standards”, is currently being held in Tehran and will run until April 16.

First indigenous plasma therapy clinic inaugurated

TEHRAN – The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) in cooperation with Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, southern Fars province, has launched the first cold plasma therapy clinic for the treatment of wounds using indigenous technology.

Family Physician Program to restart this year: health minister

TEHRAN –Health Minister Mohammad-Reza Zafarqandi has said the Family Physician Program is planned to kick off in the current Iranian year that started on March 21.

Some 2,500 prisoners freed in Ramadan

TEHRAN –During the holy month of Ramadan (March 2-30), benefactors helped release a total of 2,500 prisoners of unintentional crimes.

University of Tehran, Beijing Intl. Exchange Association ink MOU

TEHRAN – The Caspian International Campus of the University of Tehran and the Beijing International Exchange Association (BIEA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to foster scientific ties.

DOE to enhance co-op with natural resources, watershed management organization

TEHRAN – The head of the Department of Environment (DOE), Shina Ansari, and the head of the natural resources and watershed management organization, Ali Teymouri, have discussed ways to develop joint activities.

Parkinson’s in Iran 40% higher than global average: expert

TEHRAN – The incidence rate of Parkinson’s disease in Iran is 40 percent higher than the global average, according to the vice president of Iran’s Parkinson’s Association.

Iran ranks 72 in technology and innovation: UNCTAD

TEHRAN -According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Technology and Innovation Report 2025, Iran is ranked among upper middle-income countries, ranking 72 among 166 countries.

‘Coercive measures, digital gap main challenges of information society’

TEHRAN – The head of the Information Technology Organization of Iran, Mohammad-Mohsen Sadr, has called the unilateral coercive measures and the digital divide the main challenges of the information society.

Iran to foster scientific ties with China, Russia in line with strategic partnership

TEHRAN – Iranian universities are exploring the potentials for developing scientific and research collaborations with Chinese and Russian institutions under the strategic partnership with the two countries.

Researchers warn against mangrove loss in Persian Gulf

TEHRAN – According to a study by researchers at National Institute of Oceanography, mangrove ecosystems in the northern Persian Gulf are facing a range of environmental and anthropogenic pressures.

Iranian women among juries for BRICS ‘Green Future’ contest

TEHRAN – The first international award of women’s environmental activities in the BRICS countries, titled ‘Green Future, will be judged by 16 juries from ten countries including two female scholars from Iran.

Blood donation rises by 1.5% yr/yr

TEHRAN – Some 2.36 million Iranians donated blood over the past Iranian calendar year (March 2024-March 2025), indicating an increase of 1.5 percent compared to the year earlier.

Iran, Japan underscore boosting technological ties

TEHRAN – The deputy minister for information, communications, and technology (ICT), Ehsan Chitsaz, and the Japanese vice-minister for international affairs and communications, Imagwa Takuo, have highlighted the need to expand technological cooperation in key sectors including artificial intelligence (AI), digital economy, and the development of sustainable communications infrastructure.

Tehran, Belgrade discuss ways to implement co-op in ICT

TEHRAN – Iranian and Serbian officials have discussed potential ways to implement the formerly reached agreements in the Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT) sector.

WHO reps attend FDA meetings on regulatory system for biological drugs, blood products

TEHRAN – Adham Rashad Ismail Abdel Moneim, the World Health Organization (WHO) director of program management, and Rogério Gaspar, WHO director of regulation and prequalification, have participated in technical meetings hosted by the Iran Food and Drug Administration.

National health week to be marked

TEHRAN – The national health week is scheduled to be held from April 21 to 27, aiming to raise public awareness of critical health challenges and unite forces to promote public health.

Blooming tulips brighten up Karaj

More than 200,000 tulips at Chamran Park in the city of Karaj have come into bloom, welcoming people to the eleventh edition of a festival that opened to the public on Friday, April 4, and will run until April 11.

Less than normal, normal rainfall forecast for next six weeks

TEHRAN – According to Metrological Organization, average precipitation is projected to be less than normal from April 8 to 20, and normal from April 21 to May 18.

Iranian, Turkmen officials discuss Caspian Sea issues

TEHRAN – The Iranian deputy foreign minister for the Caspian Sea affairs, Alireza Jahangiri, and the special representative of Turkmenistan on Caspian Sea issues, Murad Atajanov, have met in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, to discuss the issues on the Caspian Sea.

Iran ranks second among Islamic nations in SCImago 2024

TEHRAN –According to the recent ranking published by SCImago 2024, Iran, with 75501 documents, ranks second among Islamic countries.

Iranians are into humanitarian activities: ICRC representative

TEHRAN – Vincent Cassard, the representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Iran, has said people in Iran are highly interested in supporting and helping each other as exemplified by their participation in humanitarian and healthcare programs.

Over 6 million Afghan nationals residing in Iran

TEHRAN – According to the head of the National Organization for Migration, Nader Yar-Ahmadi, a total of 6.1 million authorized and unauthorized Afghan nationals are living in the country.

By Maryam Tavassoli

World Health Day: healthy beginnings, hopeful futures

TEHRAN – Every year, World Health Day is celebrated on April 7 worldwide to mark the establishment of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948. The day aims to raise awareness of global health issues and mobilize forces to address them and improve public health.

Benefactors help free some 11,400 prisoners of involuntary crimes

TEHRAN – Over the past Iranian calendar year (March 2024–March 2025), benefactors contributed to releasing 11,380 prisoners of unintentional crimes in the country.

FIRA Open Competition to be held in Tehran

TEHRAN – The 12th edition of the Federation of International RoboSports Association (FIRA) Open Competition is scheduled to be held from April 15 to 18 in Tehran.