Alarm bells ringing: Persian gazelle facing extinction

TEHRAN – Habitat destruction and overhunting have reduced the population of 20,000 Persian gazelle to less than 500 in habitats of South Khorasan province, putting the species in danger of extinction.

Iran-Cuba vaccine to complete clinical trials by mid-June

TEHRAN – Soberana-02 COVID-19 vaccine jointly developed by Iran and Cuba will complete clinical trials by mid-June by being administered to 24,000 Iranians.

Domestic, foreign experts to exchange ocean sciences

TEHRAN – The National Institute of Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences with the cooperation of the UNESCO and maritime organizations will hold various programs on the occasion of World Oceans Day 2021.

National day for rare diseases approved

TEHRAN – The eighth day of Esfand (the last Iranian calendar month) which falls on February 26 has been approved to be designated as the national day of rare diseases in the national calendar, ISNA news agency reported on Saturday.

Vaccination against coronavirus to end by late November: Rouhani

TEHRAN – If the volume of COVID-19 vaccine required by the country is provided, the vaccination of people with underlying diseases will be completed by late July, and the whole population will be vaccinated by late November, President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday.

Iran welcomes scientific cooperation related to Caspian Sea

TEHRAN – Iranian academic and scientific institutions have always supported scientific initiatives in relation to the Caspian Sea, Kazem Jalali, Ambassador of Iran to Russia said.

National Innovation Award for Children during COVID-19 announces winners

TEHRAN – The national award on innovative solutions for challenges faced by children and adolescents during COVID-19 announced three winners on Thursday.

Razi Cov Pars enters second clinical trial phase

TEHRAN – The second Iranian-made coronavirus vaccine, named Razi Cov Pars, started the second phase of the human trial on Friday by being administrated to 500 people.

More drought predicted for Iran over next 5 years

TEHRAN – According to the World Meteorological Organization's multiannual forecast, in the next five years, Iran’s average rainfall will decline by 75 percent, and the temperature rises by 50-75 percent compared to the long-term average.

Tehran, Vienna working on €400,000 of joint environmental projects

TEHRAN – Iran and Austria are working on 17 joint environmental projects worth €400,000, seven of which have so far been completed, ISNA reported on Wednesday.

Attracting foreign students more than projected: official

TEHRAN – Currently, foreign nationals constitute 1.64 percent of the country's student population, which is about 0.14 percent higher than the goal set by the Sixth Five-Year National Development Plan (2016-2021).

Kidney Foundation performs 600 transplants in year

TEHRAN – Some 600 patients with renal failure, under the coverage of Kidney Foundation, have undergone transplantation over the last [Iranian calendar] year (March 2020-March 2021).

Iraqi passengers must be retested for COVID-19: health minister

TEHRAN – Considering fake negative COVID-19 test certificates of Iraqi passengers, Health Minister Saeed Namaki emphasized the need for retesting all the passengers at land, sea, and air borders.

Plan on early diagnosis, treatment of osteoporosis underway

TEHRAN – A pilot plan on the early detection and treatment of osteoporosis is being implemented in three cities, Baqer Larijani, director of Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, said on Tuesday.

Biotechnology projects aim to save $1.44 billion

TEHRAN – The Biotechnology Development Council will launch 129 production projects with the aim of saving up to $1.44 billion of foreign currency, IRNA reported on Monday.

First COVID-19 vaccine produced by private sector starts clinical trial

TEHRAN – The first coronavirus vaccine made by the private sector in Iran succeeded in receiving the code of ethics and entered the phase of clinical studies.

UN appreciates Iran for vaccinating foreign nationals

TEHRAN – Iran has generously considered refugees over the age of 75 for vaccination against coronavirus, said Indrika Ratwatte, Director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), appreciating Iran for over four decades of hosting refugees.

UNICEF, interior ministry renew partnership on child-friendly cities

TEHRAN – The United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the Ministry of Interior have renewed a partnership agreement to develop and implement the Child-Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) national program.

Drug trafficking fight requires ‘common understanding, global action’

TEHRAN – Iranian deputy anti-narcotics police chief Naghi Mahmoudi ha stressed that the drug trafficking fight requires a common understanding and action by all members of the international community, and no country alone can address the challenges in this area.

Charity foundation to conduct 4,000 job creation plans for women breadwinners

TEHRAN – The Barekat Charity Foundation, affiliated to Headquarters for Executing the Order of the Imam, will carry out 4,000 plans to create sustainable jobs for female heads of households this year (began on March 21).

Iran experiences 60% rainfall drop in 2 months on year

TEHRAN – Precipitation has declined by 60 percent in Iran over the first two months of the current [Iranian calendar] year (March 21-May 21) compared to the same period last year.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

Biodiversity conservation, an asset to fight coronavirus

TEHRAN – Loss of natural habitats is the reason behind the outbreak of zoonotic diseases so that biodiversity protection is a great tool to fight epidemics such as coronavirus.

Over 41,000 rapid coronavirus tests conducted at border points

TEHRAN – Some 41,736 passengers have so far been screened for coronavirus by rapid tests at the country's official borders since March 10, Mehdi Valipour, head of Relief and Rescue Organization affiliated to the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), has stated.

Siberian cranes land in Ghouri Gol International Wetland

TEHRAN – About 200 Siberian cranes, in a rare and unprecedented phenomenon, arrived in the Ghouri Gol International Wetland in the northwestern East Azarbaijan province, IRNA reported on Wednesday.

Iran informs IFRC of launching campaign to help Palestinians

TEHRAN - The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) has informed the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) of launching a national campaign to collect public donations in favor of Palestinian people who are under Israel’s brutal attacks.