Export of non-oil goods, with gas condensates included, registered about a 5.9 percent growth last year (from March 21, 2018 to March 20, 2019) as compared to 2013.

According to the Plan and Budget Organization (PBO), a report on the performance of Rouhani’s government in the economic sector showed that the export of non-oil commodities, with gas condensates included, hit $44.310 billion last year, recording about a 5.9 percent hike compared to 2013.

According to this report, the export of non-oil goods, with gas condensates included, hit $41.847 billion in 2013.

Also, statistics showed that the import of goods decreased in the same period and dropped from $49.709 billion in 2013 to $42.612 billion in 2018, registering a 14.3 percent decline.

The non-oil trade balance, which was a negative $8 billion in 2013, became positive and reached about $2 billion last year (ended March 20, 2019).

Exports of gas condensates was nearly reduced by half last year as compared to 2013. However, the export of petrochemicals and other products increased last year and hit about $14.25 billion. / MNA/

Iranian short film ‘Room No. 13’, directed by kasra Tirsahar, will compete in three international film festivals in the UK and the US.

“Room No. 13” is about an author who becomes engrossed in what she writes and puts herself in the role of her characters.

The short film, produced and directed by kasra Tirsahar and written by Mohammad Taghi Khaterizadeh, will take part at the Lift-Off Global Network Sessions in the UK, scheduled for 13-20 October 2019.

It will then compete at the First-time Filmmaker Sessions in the UK, slated for 20-27 October.

Tirsahar’s short film has also made it into the competition program of New York Film Academy festival in the US. The event will be held on January 31st, 2020. / MNA /

Iranian writer Behnaz Zarrabizadeh has received the Eurasian Literature Award for her book, “The Eleventh Golestan”, which contains memories of Commander Ali Chitsazian’s wife, Zahra Panahirava.

The award was handed to the Russian publisher of the book in Moscow on Thursday, Sureh-Mehr, a publisher affiliated with the Islamic Ideology Dissemination Organization, announced on Saturday.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has written a commendation for the book.

“This is a sensational narrative of the devotional and jihadi life of a man who was able to attain the place of great divine men in his youth,” the Leader has written about the book.

“The narrator, the partner of his short life, has also clearly expressed her honesty and kindness in her innocent narratives,” he added.

The Eurasian literature award was established by Kazakhstan, Russia, Iran, Belorussia, Tajikistan and India in 2013. The award is dedicated to the best literary work, documentary and best journalist.

Zarrabizadeh is also the writer of “Daughter of Sheena”, a book which recounts the memories and experiences of Qadamkheyr Mohammadi during the 1980s when her husband, Sattar Ebrahimi-Hajir, left his family to join Iranian combatants in the Iran–Iraq war.

She wrote the book based on her interviews with Mohammadi. She passed away in 2009 months after she ended narrating her memories for Zarrabizadeh.

“God bless this patient and faithful lady and also the pure young mujahid who never gave up despite the immense sorrows his beloved wife felt,” the Leader wrote in praise of “Daughter of Sheena”. / T.T/

The 20th edition of the Asian Men’s Volleyball Championship is set to begin on September 13 in Tehran, the capital city of Iran.

The event is a biennial international volleyball tournament organized by the Asian volleyball governing body, the Asian Volleyball Federation (AVC). The tournament will be held from Sept. 13 to 21.

Top eight teams of this tournament will qualify for the 2020 Asian Olympic Qualification Tournament.

The 2020 Men’s Asian Olympic Qualification Tournament will be held in Jiangmen, China from 7 to 12 January 2020. A total of eight teams will play in the tournament, where the winners will qualify to the 2020 men’s Olympic volleyball tournament.

Iran are pooled against Australia, Qatar and Sri Lanka in Pool A.

Pool B consists of Japan, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong and Thailand.

Kazakhstan, China, Oman and India are in Pool C.

South Korea, Indonesia, Kuwait and Pakistan are drawn in Pool D.

Iran will start the campaign with a match against Sri Lanka on Friday and will meet Qatar and Australia on Saturday and Sunday respectively. / Tehran times /

Head of Law Enforcement Force of the northeast Iranian Province of Golestan announced on Saturday that 40 different antique objects, dating back to 1,000 years ago, have been discovered and confiscated in Gonbad-e Kavus, Golestan province.

Following comprehensive intelligence activities, some 40 pieces of ancient objects including coins, dishes and bracelets have been discovered and seized in Gonbad-e Kavus, Genreal Rouholamin Ghasemi said.

“According to the experts, the discovered objects are 1000 years old,” he added.

On September 2, Iranian authorities seized 47 pieces of gold plaques dating back to pre-Islamic era, which were kept unlawfully by smugglers in Zanjan, western Iran.

“51 objects, including 47 gold plaques, were recovered from smugglers while making a deal,” Abolfazl Moradi, a police official in charge of protecting cultural heritage.

Iran is a major center of ancient culture. It is rich in valuable natural resources, especially metals, and played an important role in the development of ancient Middle Eastern civilization and trade.

From prehistorical times, Persia (Iran) was home to talented and well-trained artisans and goldsmiths who were able to produce intricate yet delicate jewelry without any modern tools. They made everything from necklaces and bracelets to finger rings, anklets and hair pins in both gold and silver. /  MNA /

Secretary of Biotechnology Development Headquarters of the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology Mostafa Ghanei said that Islamic Republic of Iran is among top five countries in Asia in the field of biotechnology.

Turning to the eye-catching progresses and developments of the country in the field of biotechnology, he reiterated, “Islamic Republic of Iran is among top five Asian countries in the biotechnology field.”

He made the remarks on Sun. in the inaugural ceremony of 3rd International Biotechnology Conference, held at the venue of Razi Intl. Conferences Hall, and added, “Iran stands at the second rank in Asia in terms of production of biotechnological medicines in a way that the country has so far produced 22 medicines in this field.”

Ghanei pointed to the production of vaccine for poultry and aquatic animals and added, “production of vaccine for poultry and aquatic animals has started in cooperation with the private sector, some of which have hit the market.”

Elsewhere in his remarks, he pointed to the 3rd Intl. Conference and 11th National Biotechnology Conference, which will be held at Razi Intl. Conference Hall on Sept. 1-3, and added, “the Conference will focus on knowledge-based and entrepreneurship topics.” /MNA/

A system working under Iran’s domestic cybersecurity project ‘Dejfa’ has identified 19 million cyberattacks against Iran from 24 countries since its launch in May, according to a report.

In May 2019, Iranian ICT Ministry unveiled a cybersecurity project codenamed Digital Fortress (Dejfa in Persian) to shield the country from increasing cyber threats targeting Iran’s infrastructure and online businesses.

A report published on Sunday detailed the performance of four systems working under Dejfa since the cybersecurity project was launched in May.

“Dejfa Teleware System” has identified 19 million cyberattacks against Iran from 24 countries. 10 million attacks were launched from inside Iran.

“Kavoshgar System” has analyzed 3,000 suspicious files and evaluated 140 applications. The system issued warning on 322 cases, and contacted vulnerable sections on 2,550 other cases.

“Dana System” with a nationwide coverage of the country’s IP addresses, has identified 20,000 vulnerable facilities inside the country.

“Detection and Countering System” has identified 39 million cyberattacks, suspicious or illegal activities. The system has also identified 18,000 malware.

According to Deputy ICT Minsiter Hamid Fattahi, Dejfa has improved monitoring and detection of cyberthreats by 200 percent. / MNA/

“Child Eater” by Iranian director Mohammad Kart has won the HCA award, the grand prix of the OFF – Odense International Film Festival in Denmark, the organizers have announced.

“Child Eater”, also known as “Pedovore”, is about a teenage boy laborer who falls in love with a teenage girl.

It was picked as best short film at the Iran Cinema Celebration last year.“Fun Factory”, a co-production between Norwegian-German co-directed by Lisa Brooke Hansen and Even Hafnor won the OFF Storyteller Award.

The OFF Artist Award went to “Nursery Rhymes” by Tom Noakes from Australia.The OFF – Odense International Film Festival OFF, which is an Oscar-qualifying short film event, took place in Odense from August 26 to September 1. / Tehran times /

Iran national wheelchair basketball team won the 2019 World Challenge Cup in Tokyo, Japan.Team Melli defeated Australia 84-58 in the final match.Iran had already defeated Australia 75-62 in the tournament.The Persians also beat South Korea 76-59 and lost to hosts Japan 63-57 in the event.

The World Challenge Cup took place for the third year in Tokyo, Japan.Organized by the Japanese Wheelchair Basketball Federation, the tournament is aimed not only to assist in strengthening the men’s national team but held for the purpose to prepare the teams for Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

An expansion of the movement of wheelchair basketball, such as increasing the level of international referees, table officials and managing scores and time, training of competition volunteers.

It is an international convention that is also positioned as an opportunity for the local residents including children to participate in the Paralympics interests, to activate local communities and legacy, including overseas teams participating in the competition and experiencing during pre-camping in neighboring municipalities. / Tehran times /