** IRAN DAILY
– Iran’s global share of halal products below 1%
Iran’s stake in the global halal mega market stands at less than one percent, indicating a significant shortfall in this sector and substantial setbacks, the head of Iran’s Institute of Standards said Monday.
Mehdi Eslampanah added that previously, only 30 halal certifications had been granted in Iran. However, since the current government took office two years ago, over 1,000 halal certifications have been issued for a wide range of Iranian products, goods, and services.
– Iran raises August light crude price to Asia
Iran has set the official selling price (OSP) of its Iranian Light crude oil grade for Asian buyers at $3.15 a barrel above the Oman/Dubai average for August, an industry source with knowledge of the matter said on Monday.
The June price is up 15 cents from the previous month.
– Agricultural water consumption down by 27% in Lake Urmia catchment
Iran’s wetlands protection plan has led to a significant reduction in water and chemical input consumption in Lake Urmia water catchment region, according to the sustainable agriculture coordinator of the plan, Mohammad Reza Akbari.
Agriculture, a major consumer of the nation’s water resources, has been a particular concern in the catchment area of Lake Urmia. The wetlands protection plan, backed by the Department of the Environment and financially supported by the Japanese government since 2013, has been implemented in the provinces of West and East Azarbaijan with the goal of mitigating the conflict between agriculture and wetlands.
** KAYHAN INTERNATIONAL
– Indonesia, India to Use Local Currencies in Trade
Indonesia and India are planning to settle bilateral transactions in local currencies and link up their fast payments systems to spur cross border fund transfers, according to a senior Indian government official.
India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her Indonesian counterpart Sri Mulyani Indrawati discussed the proposals ahead of meetings among the Group of Twenty countries in India, said the official who asked not to be identified as the plans are not public. The talks are advanced and an announcement could come once officials complete formalities, the official added.
– Iran Monitors U.S. Moves in Persian Gulf
Iran on Monday urged the U.S. to refrain from any “provocative” moves in the region, especially close to the country’s borders, stressing that Tehran reserves the right to take “deterrent measures” under international law.
Speaking during a weekly press conference here, Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said the U.S. government’s role in the regional security has never been peaceful and constructive.
“Iran monitors with sensitivity and accuracy any illegal and unconstructive act that affects the security of the region, and it will … pay special attention to any provocative and illegal moves, especially near its borders,” he said.
– South Pars Gas Field Phase 11 to Go On Stream Soon
Iran’s Petroleum Minister Javad Owji on Monday said that an oil project will be inaugurated in the country every month, adding that Phase 11 of the South Pars Gas Field will be inaugurated in the near future.
Semi-finished oil and gas projects will be completed and inaugurated by the end of the current Persian calendar year (March 20, 2024), Javad Owji stated.
** TEHRAN TIMES
– Iran’s nominee for IBBY-Asahi Award unveiled
The Children’s Book Council of Iran has nominated the Children’s Cultural Development Center for the IBBY-Asahi Reading Promotion Award 2024.
The council has nominated the center once again for its extraordinary endeavors in enhancing general knowledge, promoting and expanding children's culture and art, especially among those from rural and underprivileged areas.
For the past twenty-two years, the Children's Cultural Development Center has been dedicated to establishing, equipping, and enhancing libraries in underprivileged rural, nomadic, and suburban areas across Iran. Their primary goal is to encourage and promote a love for reading among children. Training local forces, teachers, parents, and children and teenagers is one of its primary endeavors.
– Tajikistan needs to import Iranian medicine, medical equipment
Jamoliddin Abdullo Abdullozoda, the Minister of Health and Social Protection of Tajikistan, has said importing medicine and medical equipment from Iran is a necessity.
“Holding retraining courses for our specialists by Iranian professors and importing medicine and medical equipment from Iran are among our needs,” he said on Monday in a meeting with Iranian Health Minister Bahram Einollahi in the city of Dushanbe.
– Tasht-Gozari: a solemn commemoration of sacrifice
Every year during the lunar month of Muharram, the Iranian people and millions of other Shia Muslims across the globe gather at shrines and mosques to express their grief and reverence for the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS) and his loyal companions.
Tasht-Gozari, which is largely practiced by the people of Ardabil and its surrounding villages and towns, is one of many native mourning rituals held to mark the enduring legacy of the Imam and his message of justice, equality, and sacrifice.
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