News Archive - 20 December 2020

Trump camp. to ask high court again to upend election results

In its latest long-shot effort to subvert the electoral process and sow doubt over the legitimacy of President-elect Joe Biden’s victory, the campaign announced it had filed a petition asking the high court to reverse three rulings by a Pennsylvania state court interpreting the state’s rules for mail-in ballots, Reuters...

Ex-US defense chief urges Biden to Punish Germany, Turkey

Robert Gates, who served as defense secretary under both former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama from 2006 to 2011, made his calls in a column for Saturday's New York Times, Sputnik reported. He welcomed his former government colleague Biden's pledges to re-engage with US "friends and allies" as...

US Baghdad embassy comes under rocket attack (+VIDEO)

Iraqi sources say at least three Katyusha rockets have landed within the highly fortified Green Zone in the capital Baghdad whose apparent target has been the US embassy in the vicinity. The rockets landed close to the US diplomatic mission, two Iraqi security sources were quoted by Reuters as saying,...

Iran, others ban UK flights over new coronavirus strain

Shahram Adamnejad, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development, said Sunday night that flights between Iran and the United Kingdom will be suspended for two weeks. He said the flight halt follows a decision by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education in order to prevent the spread of...

Neighboring countries can invest in Chabahar with no limit

In his meeting with Pakistan Ambassador to Iran on Monday, Behrouz Aghaei reiterated, “Based on their needs and interests, Pakistan and other neighboring countries of Iran can invest in Chabahar port without any restrictions.” Chabahar Port is hub of bonding ports of the region with one another, he said,...

Briefing on Iran’s daily developments

Iran Oil Minister due in Moscow on Sunday Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zangeneh is to leave Tehran for Moscow on Sunday, December 20, to review the latest developments in the global crude oil markets with Russian officials. US has long plotted coups, waged wars against Iranians: Spox Iranian Foreign Ministry...

MbS, MbZ hold secret meeting on Qatar: report

According to The New Khalij, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman have held a secret meeting in Neom last week. Sources in Riyadh have noted that the two sides had also discussed the topic prior to the meeting. Sources have not revealed...

US forces applying new method to steal Syrian oil

The official Syrian news agency SANA published a new report on the plunder of the country's oil, announcing that the US occupiers, in collaboration with the Qasad (Syrian Democratic Forces) militias, continue to steal Syrian crude oil from Al Jazeera oil fields on a daily basis and have recently expanded pipelines crossing...

At least 140 Palestinians contract COVID-19 in Israeli jails

Hasan Abed Rabbo, a spokesman of Palestine’s Detainees and Ex-Detainees Commission, said on Sunday that the international community should bear a moral responsibility under the Fourth Geneva Convention to pressure the Israeli occupiers to ensure the health, wellbeing, and safety of the Palestinian prisoners, Palestine's official Wafa news agency reported.

Bomb blast in Ethiopia kills 3, injures 5

According to a state news agency, an abandoned bomb has exploded in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia, killing three people, Sputnik News reported. The Ethiopia News Agency reported that the explosion occurred in the Lideta area near the center of the city. "An investigation regarding the explosion is...

81 Taliban members killed in Afghanistan’s Kunduz, Kandahar

The Afghan Ministry of Defense said in separate statements on Sunday that 81 members of the group were killed in clashes between the country's security and defense forces and Taliban forces in Kunduz and Kandahar provinces. A statement from the Afghan Ministry of Defense said that Taliban forces attacked Afghan...

3 women injured, 2 critically in US shooting

Three women were injured, two critically, in a shooting early Sunday in Lawndale on the West Side, Chicago Suntimes reported. About 1:35 a.m., they were sitting parked in the 600 block of South Independence Boulevard when someone in a red Cherokee Jeep fired shots into their vehicle, Chicago...

US military logistics convoy targeted in Iraq: Report

A security source in Iraq's Dhi Qar Governorate in Iraq reported that a US military convoy was targeted near the city of Nasiriyah in Dhi Qar Governorate. A bomb was exploded on the way of a US military convoy, in which, a logistics caravan affiliated to US terrorist forces was...

5 killed, 24 others injured in citywide shootings in Chicago

At least five people have been killed and 24 others injured in citywide shootings so far this weekend, including a half dozen people who were wounded in a single attack at a South Side gathering, the Chicago Suntimes reported. They were at a beauty salon at about 12:25 a.m.

Rimdan terminal border to improve Chabahar port activities

Dariush Amani made the remarks in a televised interview. Informing that Iran is working to establish a comprehensive and united system for managing border terminals, he said that "When a border and a border terminal are officially opened, the responsible agencies are obliged to strengthen themselves in that area."...

Kish's readiness for hosting permanent ECO intl. exhibitions

"In the past two years, important events have been held on Kish Island in terms of contributing to the important and regional ECO agreement, such as holding an economic event affiliated to ECO member countries in December 2019 and the establishment of a permanent ECO secretariat in Kish," he said. "During this...

Iran COVID-19 update: 6,312 new cases, 177 deaths

Health Ministry Spokesperson Sima Lari made the announcement on Sunday, saying that the total coronavirus cases in the country have so far reached 1,158,384 with the death toll standing at 53,625. According to Lari, 5,563 patients are in critical condition while 885,054 patients have recovered. So far, over 7.04...

WMD producers, sellers not eligible to defend Human Rights

In the open session of the Iranian Parliament, a group of Iranian lawmakers issued a statement in reaction to passing a human rights resolution against the Islamic Republic of Iran by the European Parliament. The following is the text of the statement: In an interventionist and ridiculous move, the European...

Iranian firm produces ELISA kits to detect infection, cancer

According to the Vice Presidential Office for Science and Technology, the firm is currently producing ELISA Kit 96 Test and ELISA Kit 192 Test that can widely be used in the country’s healthcare system. The company’s vice chairman, Afshin Tajeddin, said the kits are designed for the detection of various infectious...

Yalda Night, celebration of longest night of year

An ancient Iranian festival which basically celebrates the coming of the winter solstice and the longest night of the year for centuries is Yalda Night (or Shab-e Yalda; also, Shab-e Chelleh). It refers to a time between the sunset of autumn’s last day (30th of Azar in Iranian calendar equal to 21st of December)...

US has no right to to comment on Iran's presence in Syria

In an interview with Russia Today, Faisal Mekdad said that Iran's presence in Syria is legal and has been done at the request of Syria. The Syrian foreign minister defended Iran's position against the pressures on its nuclear program, saying that he recently traveled to Tehran and the Iranians are not ready for...

Iran to take Lt. General Soleimani’s revenge at proper time

Mohsen Rezaei made the remarks on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony of Radio Resistance on Sunday. He went on to say that Martyr Soleimani made great efforts in the path of the Resistance Front. According to Rezaei, the defenders of humanity, freedom, and justice are proud of Lt. General...

Pakistan emphasizes expansion of maritime ties with Iran

"Pakistan emphasizes the development of maritime relations, the establishment of passenger shipping lines, and economic activities of both sides," he said in a meeting with the Sistan-Baluchestan Ports and Maritime Department’s Director-General Behrouz Aghaei in Chabahar Port. "Activation of passenger and cargo shipping lines, officializing land and water borders, exchange of...

Iran performed better than Europe in fight against COVID-19

Speaking in the commemoration ceremony of the Iranian nurses who lost their lives in the fight against Covid-19, Major General Mohamad Hossein Bagheri congratulated the birth anniversary of Hazrat Zaynab (PBUH), the daughter of the first Shia Imam, Imam Ali (PBUH), and the Nurse's Day. Hailing the noticeable efforts and...

Iranian filmmaker joins selection committee of Regard Fest

Approved by the Academy Awards and International Federation of Film Critics,  the 25th edition of the Canadian Regard Film Festival announced its initial selection committee. The 25th edition of the Regard Festival will be held from June 9 to 13, 2021. The Iranian filmmaker, Ghasideh Golmakani is the only Iranian member of...

Senior advisor stresses Iran-Armenia cooperation

Speaking in his meeting with Armenian representatives in the Parliament on Sunday, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian emphasized the diverse cooperation between the two countries. According to a tweet by Amir-Abdollahian, in a meeting with intelligent and active representatives of Armenians in the North and South, Messrs. Begrian and Shaverdian praised the key...

Cinema Verite to commemorate late Iranian doc. maker

Veteran Iranian film scholar Alemi died of COVID-19 in October 2020 at age of 75. “Father left,” his son, Ardeshir, wrote in a post on his Instagram account. “He was not only my father but he was the father of several Iranian generations. His influence will remain for many years.

Trump seeking to deploy military to overturn election

President Donald Trump reportedly inquired about an idea raised by his former (and now pardoned) national security adviser, Michael Flynn, that the US military be deployed to overturn the results of the presidential election New York Times White House correspondent Maggie Haberman reported Saturday that the president asked about Flynn’s...

9 killed in Kabul explosion: security sources (+VIDEO)

At least 9 people have been killed and six others were wounded in the explosion in PD5 of the city, as security sources told TOLO News. The explosion happened in Spin Kalay square in PD5 of the city.

Donald Trump accused of betraying US national security

In a tweet Saturday, Adam Schiff wrote, "Another day, another scandalous betrayal of our national security by this president." "Another dishonest tweet that sounds like it could have been written in the Kremlin. Another obsequious display towards Putin," he added. "And yet another reason that Trump can’t leave office...

100,000 Yemeni infants die every year due to siege, war

Najeeb Al-Qubati told the Arabic-language Almasirah TV that the Saudi coalition has been blocking the import of medical equipment and medicine into the country for six years and Sanaa is unable to hire new medical staff due to the siege and the war. This has brought about a catastrophic situation...

IFOP suggests Macron lost popularity by 38% among French

Nearly 60% of people in France are dissatisfied with President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Jean Castex revealed the latest online survey. Conducted by the French Institute of Public Opinion (IFOP), a total of 1,936 people aged 18 and above participated in the survey. According to the survey, 60% of...

Hashd al-Sha’abi launches operation on Iraqi-Saudi border

Hashd al-Sha’abi forces carried out the large-scale and pre-emptive security operation under the Najaf Police Command and the Iraqi Federal Police after receiving intelligence data. The operation included an extensive search and inspection of an area of approximately 1,200 square kilometers and in the desert of Najaf province towards the Saudi border. On the...

Iris Ng says documentary should be faithful to reality

Documentaries' filming is quite different with stories', Ng said in her class. The 14th Iran International Documentary Film Festival “Cinema Verite" kicked off virtually in Tehran on December 15, and will last for eight days. Control of a situation plays a key role in filming documentaries, she noted adding that...

British Phil Rees holds a master class in 'Cinema Verite'

The 14th Iran International Documentary Film Festival “Cinema Verite" with 894 films from different countries is an important documentary fest across Iran and the Middle East region. At his master class which was held on the first day of the eight-day festival on December 15, Rees talked about the changes...

Headlines of Iran's Persian-language dailies on Dec. 21

Aftab: Energy expert on Zanganeh’s visit to Moscow: Oil Ministry aims to export 4.5m bpd Ebtekar: Parliament nods for presence of military officials in Presidential election Ettela’at: Gallup: US hegemony declining 225 MPs condemn anti-Iranian resolution of EU Javan: The uproar of ‘martial law’ in US Here comes the...

INSTEX must prove its efficiency after two years: UN envoy

In a letter to the UN Secretary-General and Chairman of the Security Council, Iran’s Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations Majid Takht-Ravanchi explained Iran's assessment of the Secretary-General's recent report on Resolution 2231. Referring to some parts of the Secretary-General's report, he called Washington a gross violator of the nuclear agreement, stressing the...

Russian energy min. to hold talk with Iran’s oil minister

The Iranian minister is scheduled to meet with Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Alexander Novak, and Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov. Earlier in December, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC countries decided to increase oil production by 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) in January 2021. It means...

Leader to deliver speech on Hazrat Zaynab birth anniv.

Zaynab Bint Ali (PBUH), daughter of Ali ibn Abi Talib (PBUH) and Faimah al-Zahra (PBUH), was the first granddaughter of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) She is best known for her courageous and eloquent role supporting her brother, the second Shia Imam Hussein, at the time of his martyrdom in the...

Leader hails nurses' role in combating COVID-19

Ayatollah Khamenei congratulated the birth anniversary of Hazrat Zaynab (PBUH), the daughter of the first Shia Imam, Imam Ali (PBUH). He also congratulated the nurses on Nurse's Day, expressing his condolences to the families of the nurses who lost their lives in the fight against coronavirus pandemic. "I congratulate all nurses on the...

Tehran-Islamabad have a strategic approach to strengthen ties

Speaking in an exclusive interview with IRAN on Sunday on the occasion of inauguration of the second official border “Rimdan-Gabd crossing” between Iran and Pakistan, Hassan Darvishvand described the official opening of the border as a new step in strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries. He went on to...

Bashar Rasan to depart Persepolis for Qatar SC

After the final of the AFC Champions League where Persepolis conceded a defeat against South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai on Saturday, Rasan announced that he will not return to Tehran with the team, bidding farewell to the team members. According to reports he has inked a three-year contract with Qatar SC...

70 years of Indonesia-Iran diplomatic ties commemorated

The year of 2020 marks the 70 years of Indonesia-Iran diplomatic relations. The two countries have been developing cooperation in many areas including those in progress even to-date. Both countries are now making the best out of these potentials /opportunities while adjusting to the most updated global situation most notably...

Appreciation of nurses on occasion of Nusrs's Day

TEHRAN, Dec. 21 (MNA) – On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Hazrat Zaynab (PBUH) and Nurse's Day, nurses in different wards of Najmiyeh Hospital in Tehran were appreciated on Sunday morning.          ...

A day with head nurse of COVID-19 ward of hospital in Tabriz

Like other nurses, the head nurse of the COVID-19 Ward of the hospital is caring patients vehemently and is making her utmost effort for their recovery. In Iran, Hazrat Zaynab's birthday is commemorated as Nurse's Day due to her efforts and sacrifices to take care of children such as Imam Hussein’s...

“Food Industry Innovation Center” inaugurated in Tehran

TEHRAN, Dec. 20 (MNA) – “Food Industry Innovation Center” was inaugurated in Tehran on Sun. in the presence of Vice-President for Science and Technology Sorena Sattari and Tehran Mayor Pirouz Hanachi.          ...

Army holds ceremony to honor nurses

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Leader's live speech

TEHRAN, Dec. 20 (MNA) – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei delivered a live speech on Sun. and on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Hazrat Zaynab (PBUH) and Nurse's Day.     ...