** IRAN DAILY
-- Iran, Russia witness growth in maritime transport
A senior official at Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization announced a significant increase in maritime transport between Tehran and Moscow in recent months.
Khosrow Saraei, the director general of the PMO office of transit, logistics, and agreements noted that Iran has offered an 80-percent discount on the roll-on/roll-off (RO-RO) ships to accelerate the process of transport between the two countries.
-- Two Iranian actors awarded in Tunisian theater festival
Two Iranian actors, Amin Zendegani and Elham Hamidi, were awarded at the Carthage Theatre Days, according to Iran’s Cultural Attaché in Tunisia Hadi Ajili.
The actors received accolades for their memorable roles in the Iranian film, ‘The Kingdom of Solomon,’ and the TV series, ‘Prophet Joseph,’ respectively, during the festival being held from December 2 to 10.
-- Iran nominates three cultural heritage cases for UNESCO recognition
Iran submitted three of its cultural heritages for possible inclusion in UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage, according to Ali Darabi, the deputy tourism minister.
The nominees include iftar and its socio-cultural traditions (jointly with Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan), the art of tahzib (illumination) (jointly with Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan), and the ancient festival of Sadeh (jointly with Tajikistan).
** KAYHAN INTERNATIONAL
-- Iran Sets Up Artificial Intelligence Strategic Council
Vice President for Science, Technology and Knowledge-based Economy Rouhollah Dehghani Firouzabadi announced the formation of the Artificial Intelligence Strategic Council in Iran.
He said the council’s primary objective is to coordinate the nation’s resources and infrastructure related to artificial intelligence.
He said a pivotal aim involves establishing a centralized national artificial intelligence center dedicated to advancing infrastructure and services in the country and to facilitate the utilization of artificial intelligence technology nationwide.
-- Three Iranian Files Presented for UNESCO Listing
The 18th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage will be hosted in the city of Kasane, Botswana from December 4 to 9, with three Iranian files presented for review.
The opening ceremony of the meeting was held Sunday and chaired by Mustaq Moorad, the ambassador and permanent representative of the Republic of Botswana to UNESCO.
-- Iran Exports Over 8 Million Tonnes of Iron, Steel
Iran’s major steel and iron manufacturing companies exported 8.1 million tonnes of iron and steel in the first eight months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21 to November 22, 2023).
Statistics related to the export of steel in this timespan indicated that the export of iron beams increased from 91,000 tons last year (ended March 20, 2023) to 122,000 tons in the current year, registering a 34 percent rise.
** TEHRAN TIMES
-- Iran, Japan agree to further cooperation in cultural affairs
-In a meeting between the head of Iran’s Islamic Culture and Relations Organization (ICRO) and the Commissioner of Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs, it was decided that a draft agreement on cultural cooperation between the two countries would be prepared and reviewed by the two sides.
Mohammad-Mehdi Imanipour who attended the third round of religious dialogue between Islam and Shintoism in Tokyo, Japan, met and discussed with Shunichi Tokura in the field of developing cooperation between the two countries, Mehr reported on Saturday.
-- Iran ranks 25th among world’s top commercial shipping fleet owners: CIA
The United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), in its latest report on the state of the world’s commercial fleets, has ranked Iran 25th among the countries with the largest shipping fleets, higher than the United States, Germany and France.
Based on the mentioned report, having 924 commercial vessels, the Islamic Republic stands at 25th place among 186 countries.
-- 400-year-old Jolfa Square to undergo restoration
Isfahan’s tourism chief has revealed plans for the restoration of Jolfa Square, which is a gateway to a touristic Armenian neighborhood in the ancient city.
Hamidreza Mohaqeqian announced the plan on Saturday during his visit to the historical square in conjunction with the celebration of the 52nd founding anniversary of the Vank Cathedral’s museum.
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