Tehran, IRNA – The following headlines appeared in English-language newspapers in the Iranian capital on Monday, March 4, 2024:

** IRAN DAILY

-- ICB approves establishing Iran-Syria joint bank

The Central Bank of Iran has approved the establishment of a joint bank with Syria, said the vice president of the Iran-Syria Joint Chamber of Commerce on Sunday.
Announcing this during a conference introducing opportunities to access the Syrian market, Ali Asghar Zebardast emphasized that agreements between Iran and Syria are made by the governments, and executed by the private sector.

--  Iran’s Aminzadeh bags gold at Para Powerlifting World Cup

Iranian para powerlifter Ahmad Aminzadeh clinched a second gold medal for the country at the Fazza 2024 World Cup in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
Participating in the men’s +107kg contest, Aminzadeh registered successful 250kg and 260kg lifts in his first two attempts before a final lift of 267kg saw the Iranian claim a second major gold in five months following his triumph in last year’s Asian Para Games.

-- Iran’s ‘Loteria’ wins big at Utah Zions Indie Film Fest

Ali Atshani’s film ‘Loteria’ won the Best Film Award at the closing ceremony of the 23rd Zions Indie Film Fest (ZIFF) on March 2. This marks its 39th international appearance at the Utah festival.
The festival, one of the top 10 in the United States, is held annually from February 26 to March 2 at the SCERA Center for the Arts in Orem, Utah.
Established in 2001 and rebranded in 2022 with a new focus, ZIFF is a leading showcase for independent filmmakers worldwide. The 23rd edition, taking place against the backdrop of Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, features a diverse audience of cinema enthusiasts, industry leaders, film critics, film students, government officials, and financial supporters.

** KAYHAN INTERNATIONAL

--  Iranian Researchers Produce Fertilizer From Sludge

Researchers at Urmia University in northwest Iran have successfully produced biochar/struvite composite as a fertilizer after treating wastewater.
“Struvite in the presence of biochar as a slow-release phosphate fertilizer from wastewater” is the title of a post-doctoral research conducted by Marziyeh Piri under supervision of Ebrahim Sepehr at Urmia University that was sponsored by Iran National Science Foundation (INSF).

--  ‘Tehran Paris Tehran’ Announced as Best-Selling Show

The drama “Tehran Paris Tehran” has been announced as the best-selling show of the year by selling tickets worth seventy billion rials (around $140,000). Directed by Saeed Dashti and produced by Sam Beheshtyar, the drama has been shown for the last five months of the year without reproduction, IRNA reported.
It tells the story of a young girl named Sara, who travels from Tehran to Paris to seek revenge for her father’s murder. Upon returning to Tehran, she becomes entangled in a complicated drama.

--  IME Weekly Trade Tops $804mn

The Iran Mercantile Exchange (IME) on Sunday reported that over 3,112,323 tonnes of commodities with a total trading value of nearly $804 million were traded in the its domestic and exporting halls, posting growths of 4% and 21% in volume and value.
The IME report said that over 2,506,566 tonnes of metal and mineral commodities including, 1,396,003 tonnes of cement, 550,609 tonnes of steel, 514,000 tonnes of iron ore, 124,300 tonnes of sponge iron, 10,675 tonnes of aluminum, 9,614 tonnes of copper, 1,115 tonnes of zinc and 250 tonnes of molybdenum concentrate were traded with total value of $531 million in its trading halls in the last week.

** TEHRAN TIMES

-- Iran learn fate at 2024 Asian Men’s Youth Handball Championship

 Iran discovered their opponents at the 10th edition of the Asian Men’s Youth Handball Championship. The draw ceremony was held in Iran handball federation’s headquarters in Tehran, capital of Iran.

A total of 13 teams from across Asia will be participating in the competition, scheduled to be held in Tehran from Aug. 25 August to Sept. 3. The teams are divided into three groups of three and one group of four teams.

--  Oji holds talks with counterparts during GECF summit

 Iranian Oil Minister Javad Oji met with his counterparts from Iraq, Angola, Russia, and Venezuela in separate meetings on Saturday. The meetings took place as part of the Iranian foreign minister’s negotiations on the sidelines of the 7th Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Summit of Heads of State and Government.

In their meeting in the Algerian capital, Oji and the Iraqi Oil Minister Hayyan Abdul Ghani discussed ways for increased cooperation on developing shared fields, trade of gas and oil products, payment methods, and development of infrastructure for trade of products.

--  A first-timer’s guide to Iran: when to visit, things to do

 With the new visa exemptions in place, now is the perfect time for travelers to seize the opportunity to uncover the wonders of Iran and create unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime.

The country’s recent decision to introduce visa exemptions for passport holders from 32 countries marks a significant step towards welcoming global travelers and fostering tourism growth. That development not only streamlines the process for visitors but also signals Iran's commitment to promoting its cultural heritage and historical significance on the world stage.

With its wide-ranging historical sites dating back thousands of years, Iran offers an unparalleled journey through time. From the magnificent ruins of Persepolis to the stunning architecture of Isfahan's Imam Square, travelers can immerse themselves in the grandeur of Iran's ancient civilizations.

Moreover, the country's natural beauty ranges from the lush forests of the north to the arid deserts of the south, offering a diverse range of experiences for every type of adventurer.

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