First round of Gaza talks in Egypt ends on ‘positive’ note

The first round of indirect talks between mediators and Hamas in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, concluded Tuesday and was described by participants as positive, producing a roadmap and mechanisms for the current negotiating cycle.

Iranian short “Mania” honored at Japan’s Top Indie Film Awards 

TEHRAN- Iranian short film “Mania,” directed and produced by Maryam Sharifzadeh, has garnered significant recognition at the recent Summer Edition of the Top Indie Film Awards in Tokyo, Japan. 

“Iranian Cinema Night” to be held at Carleton University in Ottawa

TEHRAN – Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, will host the “Iranian Cinema Night” program on Wednesday, screening seven short films by Iranian filmmakers.

Austria to host commemoration ceremony for Mahmoud Farshchian 

TEHRAN – The cultural attaché office of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Austria, in collaboration with the Hafez and Hammer-Purgstall Cultural Association in Austria and the Iranian Wisdom House in Vienna, will hold a memorial event for the renowned Iranian painter and master of Persian miniature Mahmoud Farshchian, who passed away in August at the age of 95.

Basra roadshow: necessity of developing tourism and border cooperation between Iran and Iraq

TEHRAN-- Iraq roadshow was held on October 6 with the participation of more than 50 tourism and investment companies from Basra province.

Amir Kabir memorial hall reopens in Golestan Palace

TEHRAN-- The Amir Kabir Memorial Hall in Talar-e Almas (Almas Mansion) of Golestan Palace was reopened with the unveiling of some of the educational documents of the Qajar period, including the academic records of Qajar King Ahmad Shah and a group of students from madrasa of Dar ul-Funun.

Deputy minister highlights growth in rural tourism and community empowerment

TEHRAN— Deputy Tourism Minister Anoushirvan Mohseni Bandpei has emphasized the growth in Iran’s rural tourism aimed to empower local communities and help reverse migration to villages.

UN to continue co-op with Iran on urban resilience, equitable access to housing

TEHRAN –Stefan Priesner, the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Iran, has reaffirmed the ongoing support of the UN for Iran to make cities more resilient and improve equitable access to housing.

Iran’s NOC President meets World Rowing chief

TEHRAN – Mahmoud Khosravai Vafa, President of Iran’s National Olympic Committee (NOC), held a meeting with Jean-Christophe Rolland, head of the World Rowing Federation, in Lausanne, Switzerland on Tuesday.

IRCS, ICRC underline rapid humanitarian aid in Gaza

TEHRAN – The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have emphasized the need to facilitate the unimpeded flow of humanitarian assistance in Gaza.

Intl. Organization for Migration lauds Iran’s services to Afghan refugees

TEHRAN – The Senior Advisor to the Director-General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Kim Eling, has appreciated the efforts of the country in hosting and providing services to Afghan refugees.

‘Children, joy of life’: Iran marking National Children’s Week

TEHRAN – National Children’s Week is being observed nationwide from October 7 to 13, with the theme ‘children, joy of life’.

Iranian trade delegation to attend 7th Oman AgroFood Exhibition

TEHRAN- The head of Iran-Oman Joint Chamber of Commerce said that a delegation of 50 Iranian businessmen and traders will be dispatched to the 7th edition of the Oman AgroFood Industries Exhibition.

South Korean ambassador hails Markazi Province as industrial hub, eyeing deeper co-op

TEHRAN – The South Korean Ambassador to Iran Kim Junpyo has praised Markazi Province’s industrial capacity, saying it has become a highly attractive destination for investment with over 3,000 manufacturing units already established there.

Iran announces major gas, oil discovery at Pazan field

TEHRAN – Iran’s Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad announced a significant hydrocarbon discovery at the Pazan field, located in southern Fars Province, that could add an estimated 10 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of natural gas to the country’s reserves. The find follows an eight-year dormancy in exploration at that field, he said.

Daily output of small-scale power plants surpasses 1,600 MW

TEHRAN – Iran’s small-scale power plants have increased their total daily electricity generation capacity to over 1,600 megawatts, according to the Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Company (Tavanir).

Iran, Astrakhan expand cooperation in industry, energy, logistics

TEHRAN – Iran and Russia’s Astrakhan region are strengthening cooperation in trade, industry, energy and logistics as part of efforts to enhance connectivity along the International North–South Transit Corridor (INSTC), Iran’s Consul General in Astrakhan said.

By Habib Ahmadzadeh

Between the Vatican and Gaza: Where would Christ stand today?

TEHRAN - Inspired by the Gospel story of feeding the four thousand, an Iranian writer asks: if Christ were alive today, would he stay in the Vatican—or sail with the Freedom Flotilla to Gaza?