Border trade resumed between Iran, Iraqi Kurdistan

TEHRAN- Iran and Iraq’s Kurdistan region resumed trade via land border, which had been stopped for several weeks due to the coronavirus outbreak, IRNA reported on Saturday.

Craftspeople produce 700,000 face masks for free 

TEHRAN – Some 700,000 protective face masks have been produced and distributed for free by two handicrafts workshops in the central Isfahan province during the past two months. 

By Faranak Bakhtiari

Why Iran, unlike others, held mass prayers successfully amid pandemic?

TEHRAN – With the onset of the coronavirus outbreak, the governments around the world announced restrictions on social and religious gatherings, but some religious people started to violate the rules endangering others’ lives. However, Iranians reacted positively and observed health protocols outlined by the government standards even during Ahya nights.

Iran, Russia to enhance cooperation in fight against coronavirus

TEHRAN – Iranian Health Minister Saeed Namaki and his Russian counterpart Mikhail Albertovich Murashko discussed ways to enhance cooperation in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

Iran’s social, religious unity ‘a world model for coronavirus response’

TEHRAN – Iran could considerably reduce COVID-19 infections and death toll since the onset of the outbreak, the reason behind which is mainly social and religious unity among Iranians that can be run as a role model anywhere in the world, Alireza Marandi, head of Iran’s Academy of Medical Sciences has said.

Germany imports Iranian-made COVID-19 test kits

TEHRAN – A consignment of COVID-19 diagnostic kits manufactured by an Iranian knowledge-based company has been exported to Germany.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

Coronavirus brought healthcare reforms into sharp focus

TEHRAN – The coronavirus outbreak proved that one-dimensional health systems cannot survive from health-threatening crises, which occur every few years in the form of infectious diseases, a mere view of treatment is not enough, so that the need for healthcare reforms should be brought into sharp focus.

Official warns of second, third waves of coronavirus

TEHRAN – Mohammad Reza Shanehsaz, head of the Food and Drug Administration, has warned that the nation needs to prepare for a 'second and third wave' of coronavirus in October and November until a vaccine is developed.

Venezuela seeking Iran's experience in fighting coronavirus

TEHRAN – The Venezuelan deputy health minister Maria Gabriela Castillo has said her country is seeking to use Iran's successful experiences in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, IRNA reported on Sunday.

Yazd tourist attractions available online

TEHRAN – Tourist attractions in the central Iranian province of Yazd can be visited online, said Seyyed Mostafa Fatemi, the provincial tourism chief, CHTN reported on Wednesday. 

IMF should put politics aside, do its professional duties: Iran’s central banker

TEHRAN – The Central Bank of Iran (CBI) governor has urged the International Monetary Fund to put politics aside and do its professional duties in regard to Iran’s requests for financial aid during crises, especially in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

Coronavirus crisis: a time for lasting togetherness

TEHRAN – In the wake of coronavirus, many people have faced difficulty earning income or finding self-protective products due to lock-down measures, but benefactors stood up and volunteering opportunities cropped up, which highly reflects that togetherness never ends.

Qazvin tourist attractions available online during coronavirus

TEHRAN – Some 15 tourist attractions in northwestern province of Qazvin can be visited on virtual tours, as the province’s tourism has gone into lockdown over the coronavirus pandemic, said provincial tourism chief Alireza Khazaeli, CHTN reported on Thursday.  

By Faranak Bakhtiari

Knowledge-based companies pushing for ‘surge in production’

TEHRAN – Iran has developed plans to support and empower knowledge-based companies as a step forward to materialize the goal of a surge in production, as the economy is grappling with the coronavirus predicament.

Tehran concert hall dedicated to charity group producing face masks 

TEHRAN – The Rudaki Foundation in Tehran has dedicated its Hafez Hall to a charity team producing face masks for health workers combatting the coronavirus outbreak.

Coronavirus: Iran confirms 71,686 infections, 4,474 deaths

TEHRAN- The total number of people diagnosed with the coronavirus in Iran has reached 71,686 of whom 4,474 have died and 43,894 recovered.

Gas production, distribution stable in country: NIGC managing director

TEHRAN- The managing director of the National Iranian Gas company (NIGC) announced that gas production, transfer and distribution is stable in the country despite coronavirus outbreak, Shana reported.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

COVID-19 crisis: washing hands for 20 seconds, not wasting water for 20 seconds

TEHRAN – These days, it is strictly recommended to wash our hands for 20 seconds as a great step to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, but unfortunately many leave the tap running at the same time. This issue poses the greatest threat to the environment.

By Zahra Bahadivand Chegini

COVID-19, an uninvited guest who helped us cherish our planet, family more

The widespread outbreak of the coronavirus has created a new situation in the human world. From political troubles and disputes to the humankind’s potential vulnerability to confront nature, and the increasing importance of science in human life, are part of changes and hints caused by the introduction of the virus into modern human life.

Iranian-made COVID-19 diagnostic system unveiled

TEHRAN – The first Iranian-made system for diagnosing the novel coronavirus with more than 97 percent accuracy was unveiled on Saturday, ISNA reported on Saturday.

Iran’s fight against COVID-19 to improve noticeably in coming days: health minister

TEHRAN – As more new cases of the coronavirus infection are identified in the country, those undergone treatments will improve and Iran’s situation in fight against the pandemic will improve noticeably in coming days, Health Minister Saeed Namaki has announced.

OFID provides $500,000 to Iran in fight against Coronavirus

TEHRAN – The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries Fund for International Development (OFID) has provided Iran with $500,000 to combat COVID-19 pandemic, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance announced on Friday.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

Nature Day manifests national empathy against coronavirus

TEHRAN – Nature Day was another manifestation of empathy of the Iranian nation in fight against the coronavirus, as people stayed home, despite their thousand-year-old tradition.

Average daily gasoline consumption at 49m liters

TEHRAN- Daily gasoline consumption in the country reached 49.3 million liters on average from the beginning of current Iranian calendar year (March 20) until Friday , managing director of National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company (NIOPDC) announced.

Number of real estate deals falls 70% in a month

TEHRAN- The number of real estate deals in Iran has dropped 70 percent in the past Iranian calendar month of Esfand (ended on March 19) which is also the last month of the Iranian calendar year, ILNA reported quoting the vice chairman of Iranian Real Estate Agencies.

By Zahra Mirzafarjouyan

‘Russia, Iran, Venezuela can team up to confront U.S., SA triggered oil price war’

TEHRAN – Mehmet Ogutcu, Chairman of London Energy Club believes that while the USA, Saudi Arabia, and the Persian Gulf countries can work together in the coming period to influence the markets, Russia can team up with important OPEC producers such as Iran and Venezuela and assume the leadership of non-OPEC producers.

Iran fully prepared to contain coronavirus outbreak: WHO

TEHRAN – Richard Brennan, the Regional Emergency Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Region, has said Iran is fully prepared to contain the novel coronavirus outbreak.

MP urges Tehran to recall its ambassador from New Delhi

TEHRAN – An Iranian lawmaker said that Tehran needs to adopt more serious measures regarding the violence against Muslims in India.

Iranian students continue education through TV channels amid Corona threat

TEHRAN – Two state TV channels in Iran are broadcasting educational programs after the closure of schools in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, IRIB news agency reported on Monday.

By Faranak Bakhtiari 

Post-coronavirus crisis looming for the environment 

TEHRAN – The rapid outbreak of the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, among countries around the world is not only a huge challenge for the public health, but the environment will also bear its dire consequences.