Politics
Iranians hold funeral ceremony for Ayatollah Rafsanjani
Huge crowds of mourners are streaming into the streets of Tehran to pay their final respects to Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a former Iranian president and chairman of the Expediency Council, who is viewed as a pillar of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
6th joint commission on JCPOA held in Vienna
The sixth joint commission on implementing Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was held in Vienna with representatives of Tehran and the Group 5+1 in attendance.
Leader hosts memorial ceremony for late Ayat. Rafsanjani
Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Wednesday attended a memorial ceremony hosted by him for the late Expediency Council chairman Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.
Iran will send delegation to Saudi Arabia to discuss hajj
An Iranian official says a delegation will visit Saudi Arabia next month to discuss plans for this year’s hajj pilgrimage.
Obama extends national emergency on Iran
US President Barack Obama has declared the continuation of his country’s national emergency against Iran, claiming that despite full commitment to its nuclear deal with the six world powers, the Islamic Republic still poses “an unusual and extraordinary threat” to America.
Iran nuclear deal working, wise for Trump to uphold: U.S. envoy to U.N.
A deal between Iran and key world powers to curb Tehran’s nuclear program is working and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump would be wise to preserve it, outgoing U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power said on Friday.
Spokesman to Rex Tillerson: N. Deal with Iran not open to review
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi blasted US Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson for his remarks against the internationally-accepted nuclear deal between Tehran and the world powers, and said the agreement would never go under renegotiation.
Iran, Albania voice hopes of bolstering relations
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Iran and Albania have many opportunities to further ties in all spheres.
Economy
Mass of farm water to be dedicated to Lake Urmia restoration
Deputy energy minister said approximately 1.2 billion cubic meters of water per year will be led to Lake Urmia following a 40% reduction in agricultural water use in the lake’s catchment area.
PSA Group 2016 sales rise 5.8 percent, boosted by Iran and recovery in Europe
French carmaker PSA Group (PEUP.PA) said global vehicle deliveries rose by 5.8 percent last year, propelled by strong sales of its Peugeot brand in Iran and the continuation of the European auto market’s recovery.
Maersk expands foothold in Iran
Danish container shipping company Maersk Line has added Iranian Port of Bushehr to its services, expanding its presence in this Middle-Eastern country. The new port specializes in feeder transport facilities.
Iran takes delivery of 1st Airbus plane after nuclear deal implementation
Iran has received the first plane purchased from the European giant aircraft maker Airbus following a landmark nuclear deal reached between Tehran and the six world powers.
Iran eyes $55bn investment in petchem industry
Iran’s deputy petroleum minster says the country needs to attract some $55 billion worth of investment to develop its thriving petrochemical sector.
Regional Affairs
Lebanese leader defends Iran ties after Saudi visit
Lebanese President Michel Aoun said after a visit to Saudi Arabia that his country’s close ties to the kingdom’s archrival Iran should not impede relations with the wider Arab world.
Russia, Turkey, Iran hold consultations on Syria in Moscow
On Friday, Russian, Turkish and Iranian diplomats held consultations in Moscow to discuss the preparations for the intra-Syrian talks in Astana, the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.
US has not received any formal invitation to Intra-Syrian talks in Astana
The United States has not received an invitation from Russia or Turkey to participate in the intra-Syrian peace talks in Astana, US Department of State spokesman Mark Toner said in a briefing on Friday.
Jaberi, Mekdad discuss Astana talks by phone
Iranian Deputy FM Hossein Jaberi Ansari informed his Syrian counterpart Faisal Mekdad on the latest developments regarding the upcoming Astana meeting on Syrian situation by phone on Saturday.
Palestine president, Pope talk US embassy relocation
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Pope Francis have discussed the probable relocation of US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem al-Quds.
Society
Iran’s ‘The Salesman’ loses Golden Globe to ‘Elle’
Third-time Golden Globe nominated filmmaker Asghar Farhadi stopped short of winning 2017 Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film on Sun., conceding the award to Paul Verhoeven’s thriller ‘Elle’.
Iran to hold snow volleyball competition at Dizin resort
The Iranian Volleyball Federation is going to hold a Snow Volleyball tournament for the first time at the Dizin resort in the Alborz mountain range near Tehran.
IPC places Iran’s Nemati among ‘Ones to Watch’
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has named its ‘Ones to Watch’ athletes for Rio Paralympics with Iran’s female archer Zahra Nemati appearing in the archery section.
Fajr Int’l Music Festival opens in Tehran
The 32nd Fajr International Music Festival kicked off in Tehran on Friday with virtuosos from European and Asian countries performing in the event.
Iranian schoolgirls shelve “Barbies,” make their own dolls from scratch
An arts and crafts teacher at one of the Iranian primary schools teaches girls to sew dolls from scrap materials. Some of the schoolgirls like their handcrafted toys so much that they ditch their “Barbies.”
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