** IRAN DAILY
-- Iranian oil minister, Turkmen president discuss energy cooperation
Iranian Oil Minister Javad Owji and Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and high-ranking officials held talks on the expansion of bilateral cooperation in Ashgabat on Thursday.
Heading a delegation during his two-day visit, Owji and top Turkmen officials exchanged views on gas trade and exports of oil products, technical-engineering services and equipment.
-- Indian Embassy celebrates ITEC Day in Tehran
The Indian Embassy celebrated the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation ITEC Day in Tehran on Thursday. The celebrations commenced with the welcome remarks by Indian Ambassador to Iran Rudra Gaurav Shresth, which was followed by sharing of experience and memories in India by ITEC alumni, which also included rich Indian cultural traditions.
The Indian envoy briefed the attendants with fully-funded scholarships offered by the ITEC program and called for the program’s introduction to other Iranians by the alumni and Iranian media.
-- Oil prices rise on strong IEA, OPEC demand estimates
Oil prices rose as the IEA joined producer group OPEC in forecasting relatively strong growth in global oil demand this year, with price impetus also coming from disruption to US output and geopolitical risks in the Middle East.
Brent crude futures gained 37 cents, or 0.5%, to $78.25 a barrel by 1005 GMT while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 55 cents, or 0.8%, to $73.11.
** KAYHAN INTERNATIONAL
-- Tehran Rebukes Arab League’s Statement on Iran’s Operation
Iran on Friday dismissed an Arab League statement about a missile strike that the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) carried out against a target affiliated with the Israeli Mossad agency in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, stressing that the Islamic Republic has no hesitation in punishing criminals.
“The Islamic Republic’s action was taken in accordance with the legitimate right to counter terrorist elements affiliated with the Zionist regime in Erbil, Iraq, who had threatened and endangered Iran’s national security and that of its citizens,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said.
-- Iranian-Bangladeshi Film to Premiere at Fajr Festival
The Iranian-Bangladeshi co-production ‘Beautiful Lies’ has entered its final technical stages before its premiere at the 42nd Fajr Film Festival.
Directed and produced by Morteza Atash-Zamzam, the film features Bangladeshi superstar Jaya Ahsan and other prominent Bangladeshi actors. The Bangladeshi cities of Dhaka and Gazipur served as the picturesque backdrop for the upcoming film.
-- IRISL Begins Shipping Cargos to Russia Via Solyanka Port
A consignment of Iranian exports, containing citrus fruit, was freighted by the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) to the Russian Federation via Solyanka Port corridor for the first time.
The cold corridor of Solyanka Port in Russia’s Caspian port city of Astrakhan has come into operation under a project financed by the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines.
The port includes the necessary infrastructures for inspecting, sampling, and conducting tests for the customs clearance and the transfer of perishable goods stored in refrigerated containers in a completely hygienic environment.
** TEHRAN TIMES
-- Iran clinch hard-fought win over Hong Kong: 2023 AFC Asian Cup
Iran national football team edged past Hong Kong 1-0 in Group C of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup thanks to a first half goal from Mehdi Ghaedi Friday night.
In the match held at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Ghaedi found the bottom corner in the 24th minute. Soon after, Hong Kong made several goalscoring chances but their players failed to capitalize on their chances.
-- Movies by Iranian filmmakers to participate in Berlinale’s Panorama, Generation, Forum sections
The Berlinale has completed the lineup for its Panorama, Generation, and Forum sections, with films from Iranian filmmakers present in the 74th edition running from February 15 to 24.
“My Stolen Planet” directed by Farahnaz Sharifi, “What Did You Dream Last Night, Parajanov?” by Faraz Fesharaki, “Sheep” by Hadi Babaeifar, and “Maydegol” by Sarvnaz Alambeigi are the films made by Iranian directors, selected in different sections of the festival.
-- Iraq seeking to boost health co-op with Iran
The Iraqi cultural and academic advisor in Tehran has called for the expansion of health and medical cooperation with Iran.
“We are very pleased that memorandums of understanding in the field of health and higher education have been signed between Iran’s Ministry of Health and Iraq’s ministries of health and higher education,” Yasser Abdulzahra, said.
He made the remarks in a meeting in Tehran with Health Minister Bahram Einollahi.
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