Daily COVID-19 tests to reach up to 100,000: minister

TEHRAN – Coronavirus diagnostic tests being conducted daily in the country will reach up to 100,000 from currently 45,000, Saeed Namaki, the Minister of Health, has announced.

IIDCYA to announce winners of Clean Hands painting contest tomorrow online

TEHRAN – Iran’s Institute for Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults (IIDCYA) will announce the winners of the International Clean Hands, Save Lives Painting Contest on Monday online.

Some $4m paid to support tourism businesses in Mazandaran 

TEHRAN – The Iranian government has paid more than 171 billion rials ($4 million at the official rate of 42,000 rials) in loans to the tourism businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic in the northern province of Mazandaran.  

Benefactors donate $182m to counter COVID-19

TEHRAN – Philanthropists in Iran have made a total contribution of 7.7 trillion rials (nearly $182 million at the official rate of 42,000 rials) in the fight against COVID-19, Shahin Mohammad Sadeghi, an advisor to the health minister, has said, IRNA reported.

By Professor Mahmood Monshipouri

Upending Trump’s tumultuous legacy

Trump’s legacy and his failed policies, including failure to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, were on ballot in the recent U.S. presidential election.

National congress on university, COVID-19 to be held

TEHRAN – The first national congress with the theme of university and COVID-19 will be held on January 6-7, 2021.

12 groups endeavor to develop COVID-19 vaccine

TEHRAN – In Iran, 12 groups are making efforts to develop coronavirus vaccine, three of which have passed the animal testing, Iraj Harirchi, the deputy minister of health, has announced.

2020/21 IPL to kick off as scheduled: official

TEHRAN - Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, the secretary general of the Iranian football federation, said the new season of Iran Professional League (IPL) will start as scheduled.

Coronavirus lockdowns expanded to 46 more cities

TEHRAN – The National Headquarters for Coronavirus Control has approved to impose strict restrictions for 10 days as of Wednesday in 46 cities that have the highest rate of COVID-19 infection in the country.

Karim Akbari, actor TV series “Imam Ali (AS)”, “Mokhtarnameh”, dies of COVID-19 

TEHRAN – Karim Akbari Mobarakeh, the actor of the acclaimed TV series “Imam Ali (AS)” and “Mokhtarnameh”, died of COVID-19 on Thursday. He was 68.

Education ministry, UNICEF ink MOU to enhance co-op

TEHRAN – The Ministry of Education and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to expand cooperation for 2020-2021.

Iran hopes to introduce coronavirus vaccine within 4 months

TEHRAN – Health Minister Saeed Namaki has expressed hope that the country will introduce the home-grown COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (March 19, 2021).

Interview by Farrokh Hesabi

Discus thrower Ehsan Hadadi answers critics

TEHRAN - Iran discus thrower Ehsan Hadadi, who will have surgery next week to remove his heel spur, answered his critics.

Iranian hospitals hobbled by sanctions in fight against Covid: Financial Times

In a neighborhood of the historic city of Isfahan, workers toil day and night to build a new hospital as Iran’s overwhelmed health system struggles to cope with the soaring number of Covid cases.

Coronavirus is worse in Iran because of U.S. sanctions: Foreign Ministry

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Ministry said in a tweet on Monday that coronavirus has been a deadly disease everywhere but it is worse in Iran due to U.S. sanctions.

Leader insists on national unity, says disrespect is forbidden 

TEHRAN – In remarks on Saturday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei insisted on the need for unity and internal cohesion in the country, saying desecration is forbidden, especially among the top officials of the country.

By M.A. Saki and M. Garshasbi

Leniency toward Covid-19 may prove tragic

TEHRAN - Finally, Health Minister Saeed Namaki talked frankly about the lack of enough attention and diligence to contain the rapid spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

By Farrokh Hesabi

Swimmers will compete at Asian Beach Games to gain experience: Fakhri

TEHRAN - Iran’s Chef de Mission for the 2020 Asian Beach Games, Peyman Fakhri, says that the Iranian athletes have a chance of winning medal in all sports, however the swimmers will take part at the Games to gain experience.

Online exhibition showcasing COVID-19 achievements

TEHRAN – The first virtual exhibition of “Surge in Production and COVID-19 Achievements” started on Tuesday with 40 knowledge-based companies in attendance.

Qatar chosen as centralized venue for 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualification

TEHRAN - Qatar has been chosen to host remaining Group E matches of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualification.

 PLO leader Saeb Erekat in ‘critical’ condition

Prominent Palestinian leader Saeb Erekat is in a critical condition and his health has deteriorated as he undergoes treatment for COVID-19-related complications, al Jazeera reported. 

Iran most active country in WHO study for COVID-19 treatment

TEHRAN – Six months after the World Health Organization's “Solidarity” clinical trial for COVID-19 treatments, Iran was ranked first among the 30 study partners in the “Patient Participation” platform.

Hassan Yazdani aims gold at 2020 World C’ships

TEHRAN – Iranian freestyler Hassan Yazdani says that he is looking forward to win his third gold at the World Championships in Serbia.

WHO provides Iran with ventilators, PCR systems

TEHRAN – The World Health Organization (WHO) has delivered 150 medical ventilators and 100 high-performance real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) thermal cyclers to Iran to further support the health system and help respond to the pandemic.

Governor says COVID-19 violators will be forced to work in hospitals

TEHRAN – People who endanger the whole society due to non-observance of health protocols will be forced to work in hospitals to provide services to coronavirus patients, the governor of Zanjan has said.

UNICEF in Iran provides anti-corona supplies for vulnerable children

TEHRAN – The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has delivered a number of locally procured hygiene items to address the needs of vulnerable children in Iran during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Croatian schoolchildren learning how to deal with COVID-19 from “Hannah, Our Hero”

TEHRAN – Schools in the northern Croatian town of Krapina have selected Iranian writer Ali-Asghar Seidabadi’s book named “Hannah, Our Hero” to teach their students how to take care of themselves during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Top film expert Akbar Alemi dies of COVID-19

TEHRAN – Veteran Iranian film scholar Akbar Alemi died of COVID-19 on Tuesday morning. He was 75.