Lufthansa to resume flights to Iran from January 16, 2026

TEHRAN – Lufthansa said it is set to resume flights to Iran on Jan. 16, 2026, following security and operational assessments carried out in coordination with Iranian aviation authorities.

Groundbreaking research reveals two-thirds of Babylonian Bisotun inscription may be lost

A new study published in the journal IRAQ has cast doubt on the long-accepted completeness of the Babylonian version of the famous Bisotun (Behistun) Inscription, one of the most important trilingual records of the ancient world.

UN chief condemns Guinea-Bissau coup, demands restoration of constitutional order

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “strongly condemns” the military coup in Guinea-Bissau and calls for the “immediate and unconditional restoration of constitutional order,” Anadolu reported Thursday.

Amnesty: Israel still committing genocide in Gaza despite ceasefire

Amnesty International has said Israel is “still committing genocide” against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, despite the ceasefire agreed last month, The Guardian reported Thursday.

21 short, mid-length films from 19 countries will compete in Cinema Verite

TEHRAN – Twenty-one short and mid-length documentary films will compete in the international competition section of the 19th Iran International Documentary Film Festival “Cinema Verite,” set to be held from December 10 to 16 in Tehran.

Majid Majidi receives award for outstanding contribution to cinema in Moscow

TEHRAN – Globally-renowned Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi received an award for outstanding contribution to cinema at the first Diamond Butterfly Open Eurasian Film Award in Moscow, Russia, on November 27.

Melodies from Persia: Iranian music builds bridges of soul at Vietnam's cultural festival

TEHRAN- An Iranian musical ensemble graced an international cultural festival in Hanoi, Vietnam, a prestigious event featuring participants from over fifty nations. The prominent Vietnamese broadcasting channel VTV3, owned by the Vietnamese Television, dedicated a segment to this celebrated group, showcasing Iran's profound artistic heritage.

Veteran Gilan folk music singer Nasser Masoudi passes away at 90

TEHRAN- Nasser Masoudi, a legendary figure in Iranian folk music, particularly the traditional music of the northern province of Gilan, died on Thursday at the Arya Hospital in Rasht after months of illness and advancing age. He was 90. 

Hong Kong reveals preliminary investigations on deadly fire

During a press conference jointly held by the Hong Kong Security Bureau, Fire Services Department and the Hong Kong Police Force on Friday afternoon on the updates about the devastating five-alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po housing estate, Secretary for Security Chris Tang revealed that preliminary investigations show that the external scaffolding nets and protective nets on the buildings engulfed in the fire met fire-resistance requirements, but the foam panels attached to the exterior windows were highly flammable, Global Times reported. 

Is Ukraine’s corruption scandal engulfing Zelensky’s inner circle?

Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies have begun searching the apartment of President Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff Andriy Yermak, the BBC reported.  One of the two agencies, anti-corruption bureau Nabu, confirmed that its investigative searches had been authorized and said further details would follow.

China urges U.S. to remove illegal, unilateral sanctions on Venezuela

China has called on the United States to lift its illegal and unilateral sanctions imposed on Venezuela and do more to facilitate peace, stability and development in Latin America and the Caribbean region, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said at a daily press briefing on Friday, Xinhua reported. 

Tourism investors exempt from land use change fees, deputy minister says

TEHRAN-- Deputy Tourism Minister Ali-Asghar Shalbafian has announced the exemption of investors from paying land use change fees.

Tourism minister delivers Pezeshkian’s message calling for enhanced ties with China

TEHRAN--Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Reza Salehi-Amiri has delivered a message from President Masoud Pezeshkian to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, which emphasized the need to further strengthen relations between the two countries in cultural heritage, tourism, and handicrafts.

Rayan intl. AI, programming contest wraps up

TEHRAN – The final round of the Rayan international artificial intelligence and programming contest was held on Friday at Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, with participants from 25 countries.

Japan ready to implement environmental projects in Khuzestan

TEHRAN – Japanese Ambassador to Iran, Tamaki Tsukada, has voiced his country’s readiness to implement environmental protection projects in the southwestern Khuzestan Province, particularly in areas related to water and waste management. 

Over 600 earthquakes shake Iran in a month

TEHRAN – A total of 602 earthquakes were recorded across the country in a month from October 23 to November 21, according to the seismological networks of the Institute of Geophysics of the University of Tehran.

Over 1,140 Iranians among world’s 1% most-cited researchers

TEHRAN –A total of 1,142 Iranian researchers have been recognized among the world’s top one percent most-cited researchers in 2025, compared to 1,056 identified researchers in 2024, according to the Islamic World Science Citation (ISC) Institute.

“One Battle after Another” goes on screen at Tehran cultural center

TEHRAN- “One Battle after Another”, a 2025 action thriller film by American filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson, went on screen at the Arasbaran Cultural Center in Tehran on Wednesday. 

Fajr International Film Festival kicks off with 14 films competing for Crystal Simorgh awards

TEHRAN – The 43rd Fajr International Film Festival (FIFF) kicked off on November 26 in Shiraz, Fars Province, with 14 films vying for Crystal Simorgh awards in the international competition section.

Persian-speaking poets from around the world invited to participate in Fajr Intl. Poetry Festival

TEHRAN- The call for the 20th edition of Fajr International Poetry Festival has been announced, aiming to introduce and recognize young poets of our beloved homeland and to foster empathy and solidarity among Persian-speaking communities worldwide.

By Ebrahim Fallahi

Iranian trade mission eyes industrial revival, investment opportunities in Cuba

TEHRAN – An Iranian business delegation has opened discussions in Havana on a series of potential investment projects aimed at reviving Cuba’s stalled industrial capacity, expanding bilateral trade and strengthening cooperation in key sectors ranging from sugar and cement to mining, steel and pharmaceuticals.

Inflation rate rises 1.5%

TEHRAN - The Statistical Center of Iran (SCI) has put the average inflation rate in the twelve-month period ended on October 22, which marks the end of the eighth Iranian calendar month Aban, at 40.4 percent, rising 1.5 percent from the figure for the twelve-month ended to the seventh month.

“Meeting with Boy of Iran Takhti" exhibition to be held in Tehran

TEHRAN - The exhibition “Meeting with the world champion Takhti” will officially open in Tehran with the presence of officials, champions, veterans, and members of the media.