** IRAN DAILY
– Iran tops world in oil pipeline construction: Report
Iran has ranked first in the world in the construction of oil transmission pipelines despite US-led sanctions targeting the country’s energy sector, according to a report. In its latest report, Global Energy Monitor, which tracks energy projects across the world, said Iran tops the 20 developers of oil pipelines with over 1,900 kilometers of pipelines being constructed across the country.
– Erdogan ahead in Turkey initial vote results
Early results from Turkey’s national election late on Sunday showed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with a solid lead after nearly 20% of ballot boxes were counted, the Turkish state-run news agency said. Erdogan had 55% of the vote, compared to 39% garnered by main opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, Anadolu Agency reported.
– Iran-IAEA cooperation to witness great progress: Iran’s FM
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said the course of the country’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) within technical frameworks will soon witness a great progress. Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks in an exclusive interview with IRNA published on Sunday.
** TEHRAN TIMES
– Nakba: 75 years on
Every year on May 15 Palestinians around the world mark the Nakba, or catastrophe, referring to the ethnic cleansing of Palestine in 1948.
Palestinians refer to it as "Al Nakba", which literally translates as "The Catastrophe". It refers to the mass exodus of at least 750,000 Arabs from Palestine. Although most believe this event began in 1948, in fact, Al Nakba began decades earlier and it is still going on, and the Nakba will continue as long as the Zionist regime is occupying the land of the Palestinians.
– Islamic Jihad lauds Iran for its help in facing Zionists
The secretary general of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad resistance movement, Ziyad al-Nakhalah, has expressed his deep appreciation to everyone who supported the group during the most recent Israeli assault on Gaza, “particularly Iran, Hezbollah as well as brethren in Egypt and Qatar.”
– Iran needs new governance system: speaker
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said on Sunday that Iran needs to overhaul its governance system in accordance with a strategic declaration by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
Speaking at a gathering in Tehran, Qalibaf said, “Today, all thinkers and experts, world powers and all the countries of the world and national governments on the planet believe that they are on the verge of changing the world order. We must know where we stand in this change of world order and where we should be, and without a doubt, we should be in a better position than in the past, both in the regional and international fields.”
** KAYHAN INTERNATIONAL
– Leader: Culture-Building Requires Books
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Sunday toured the Tehran International Book Fair, highlighting the significance of books in Iranian culture. After three years of coronavirus-related restrictions, the Leader visited for the first time the Tehran International Book Fair and underscored the importance of books in cultural development, despite the prevalence of digital media.
– All Eyes on Turkey’s Elections
Election polls closed Sunday in Turkey, where President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s 20-year leadership of the country hung in the balance after a strong challenge from an opposition candidate. The election could grant Erdogan, 69, a new five-year term or unseat him in favor of the head of an invigorated opposition, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who has promised to return Turkey to a more pro-West path. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the race will be determined in a May 28 run-off.
– Thousands in London, New York Rally to Mark ‘Nakba’
Thousands of people marched in London commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Nakba, or catastrophe, which refers to the mass forced expulsion of Palestinians by Zionist militias to make way for the creation of Israel in 1948. The demonstration, titled “Nakba 75 – End Apartheid, End the Occupation”, gathered in the heart of London outside the BBC headquarters before participants made their way to Downing Street, where the office of the British prime minister is located.
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