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Iranian geneticist develops 1st homegrown saliva collection kits and advanced DNA tests

Science and Technology in Iran

His journey began in 2017, during his final semester of PhD studies in genetics, when he explored international DNA health testing companies from the US and UK. Initially seeking to become a distributor, he eventually realized the potential for designing similar products locally without the need to send DNA samples abroad.

In 2018, Ebn Rasouli registered his idea at the Science and Technology Park of Islamic Azad University. A year later, he launched the first DNA-based sports test under his own brand.

The test helps users understand their unique genetic traits related to fitness, nutrition, and overall health. One of the main challenges was the lack of locally available saliva collection kits.

After months of research and testing, in 2022, Ebn Rasouli and his team succeeded in designing and producing Iran’s first saliva sampling kit, approved by the National Genetic Resources Center.

In 2024, the second-generation genetic tests were launched, analyzing over 240 genetic traits—far exceeding the capabilities of earlier versions. These tests provide insights into dietary needs, physical performance, obesity risk, sleep patterns, hormone responses, and even reactions to environmental pollutants.

The kits are available for both in-person and remote testing. Users simply send in a saliva sample by mail and receive personalized reports within 3 to 4 weeks, helping them make smarter lifestyle decisions based on their unique DNA.

UK continuing to dispatch arms to Israel despite ban: Report

Gaza War

The report released by three campaign groups says parts for the jet, which has been critical for Israel’s war on Gaza, appear to have arrived in Israel as recently as March, five months after the UK said it had suspended its direct exports over concerns they might be used in serious violations of international humanitarian law.

Data from the Israeli Tax Authority cited by the Palestinian Youth Movement, Workers for a Free Palestine and Progressive International shows that 8,630 separate munitions have been sent from the UK to Israel since the suspensions.

The munitions fall under a category of import labelled “bombs, grenades, torpedoes, mines, missiles and similar munitions of war and parts thereof”.

Most of the shipments cited in the report happened after the government’s arms suspension.

Soon after the suspensions, Foreign Secretary David Lammy told parliament that “much of what we send is defensive in nature. It is not what we describe routinely as arms”.

The report’s authors write: “On the basis of the evidence in this report, it appears that David Lammy has misled parliament and the public about arms shipments to Israel.”

In response to the study, nearly two dozen MPs have written to Lammy, calling on him to come before parliament to respond to the allegations.

“We urge the government to disclose the details of all arms exports to Israel since October 2023 and to immediately halt all arms exports to Israel,” they wrote.

“This could not be more urgent given the risk that British-made weapons could be used to enact Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to annex Gaza and ethnically cleanse the Palestinian people.”

They said that the public “deserves to know the full scale of the UK’s complicity in crimes against humanity”.

The report’s release comes a week before the government is set to return to the High Court to face a legal challenge, brought by Palestinian rights group Al-Haq and the Global Legal Action Network, to its arms exports to Israel.

Over a year into the judicial review, the case has most recently focused on the government’s decision to continue sending UK-made F-35 parts to Israel through third countries.

Iraqi culture minister impressed by Tehran International Book Fair’s scale, diversity

Speaking after visiting Iraq’s national pavilion – the guest of honor at this year’s fair – Fakak praised the number of participating publishers and the wide variety of titles on display.

“I’ve just visited the Iraqi booth, but I’m already impressed by the immense scale of the Tehran Book Fair. I hope I’ll have time to see all it has to offer,” he said.

The event was inaugurated earlier in the day with the participation of Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Minister of Culture Seyyed Abbas Salehi.

More than 30 Iraqi publishers and cultural figures, both public and private, are participating in this year’s edition.

Minister Salehi emphasized the importance of cultural diplomacy between Iran and Iraq, highlighting shared historical and cultural ties.

He expressed hope that Iraq’s prominent presence would mark a new chapter in bilateral cultural cooperation, particularly in publishing.

Fakak’s visit is expected to conclude by the end of the day, following further discussions with his Iranian counterpart on expanding cultural collaboration.

Iran denounces reported US plan to rename Persian Gulf as ‘hostile political move’

Abbas Araghchi

In a statement posted Wednesday on X social media platform, formerly Twitter, Araghchi said, “The name Persian Gulf, like many geographical designations, is deeply rooted in human history. Iran has never objected to the use of names such as the Sea of Oman, Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, or Red Sea. The use of these names does not imply ownership by any particular nation, but rather reflects a shared respect for the collective heritage of humanity.”

He added, “In contrast, politically motivated attempts to alter the historically established name of the Persian Gulf are indicative of hostile intent toward Iran and its people, and are firmly condemned. Such biased actions are an affront to all Iranians, regardless of their background or place of residence.”

Calling the rumors “absurd,” Araghchi expressed hope that the claims were no more than a disinformation campaign by “forever warriors” to anger Iranians all over the world and agitate them.

He further noted that even regional leaders used the name “Persian Gulf” in official documents until the late 1960s and published a historical US Library of Congress map that uses the same name.

“While any short-sighted step in this connection will have no validity or legal or geographical effect, it will only bring the wrath of all Iranians from all walks of life and political persuasion in Iran, the U.S. and across the world,” he stated.

The reaction came following media reports that Trump intends to declare the Persian Gulf as the “Arabian Gulf” during his upcoming visit to the region.

Ancient Zahhak Castle stands as timeless sentinel in northwestern Iran

With origins dating back over 2,000 years, the fortress is believed to have been constructed during the Parthian and Sasanian eras.

Built with distinctive red brickwork, Zahhak Castle sits majestically among the Surmeli Mountains, flanked by the Qaranqoo and Shurchai rivers. Its strategic position and architectural design suggest it once served both defensive and religious purposes.

According to some researchers, the castle may have functioned as a sanctuary dedicated to Anahita, the ancient Persian goddess of water and fertility.

The site spans approximately 10 kilometers in length and 2 kilometers in width, making it one of the more expansive archaeological remains in the region.

One of its most prominent surviving features is a well-preserved chahartaqi, a domed structure commonly found in Zoroastrian architecture.

Spring, especially the months of April and May, is considered the best time to visit Zahhak Castle, when the surrounding nature is in full bloom and the weather is ideal for exploration.

Tehran launches 36th International Book Fair with over 2,300 publishers

Held at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla complex, this year’s fair spans nearly 75,000 square meters of indoor space and will run for 11 days, welcoming over 2,300 publishers from Iran and abroad.

Key officials, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Culture Minister Seyyed Abbas Salehi, attended the opening ceremony.

The exhibition is divided into several thematic sections, including educational publishers, the children and young adult section, university-level publishers, and Arabic and Latin books.

The main hall hosts general publishers, and the international and media section.

Iraq is the official guest of honor this year.

A key highlight is the launch of the first Tehran Literary Fellowship Program, set to open on May 12 with participation from domestic and international publishers and cultural figures.

Special subsidies for book purchases are available to students, scholars, and seminary members, with individual allowances co-funded by the Ministry of Culture and the participants.

Taremi makes history as first Iranian to register goal contribution in UCL semi-final

The forward delivered a crucial assist for Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi during their dramatic 4-3 win over FC Barcelona at San Siro.

The match, officiated by Polish referee Szymon Marciniak, was the second leg of the semi-final, and saw Inter Milan edge past the Spanish giants in a thrilling contest.

Taremi was introduced midway through the second half and made an immediate impact with his intelligent movement and decisive passing.

Beyond the assist, Taremi impressed with his overall performance – winning 7 duels, recording 3 clearances, and making 5 ball recoveries.

His technical composure and tactical awareness significantly influenced Inter’s tempo and control in the latter stages of the game.

Rated 7.46 by football analytics platform WhoScored, Taremi earned a place among Inter Milan’s top performers of the night, underlining his importance to the squad during one of the club’s most pivotal matches in recent years.

Trump plans to announce name change for ‘Persian Gulf’: AP

Persian Gulf

The U.S. officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

The Persian Gulf has been widely known by that name since the 16th century, although usage of “Gulf of Arabia” and “Arabian Gulf” is dominant in many countries in the Middle East.

The government of Iran threatened to sue Google in 2012 over the company’s decision not to label the body of water at all on its maps.

On Google Maps in the U.S., the body of water appears as Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf). Apple Maps only says the Persian Gulf.

The U.S. military for years has unilaterally referred to the Persian Gulf as the Arabian Gulf in statements and images it releases.

The name of the body of water has become an emotive issue for Iranians who embrace their country’s long history as the Persian Empire. A spat developed in 2017 during Trump’s first term when he used the name Arabian Gulf for the waterway.

Iran’s president at the time, Hassan Rouhani, suggested Trump needed to “study geography.”

“Everyone knew Trump’s friendship was for sale to the highest bidder. We now know that his geography is, too,” Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote online at the time.

Trump can change the name for official U.S. purposes, but he can’t dictate what the rest of the world calls it.

The International Hydrographic Organization — of which the United States is a member — works to ensure all the world’s seas, oceans and navigable waters are surveyed and charted uniformly, and also names some of them. There are instances where countries refer to the same body of water or landmark by different names in their own documentation.

In addition to Saudi Arabia, Trump is also set to visit Doha, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, which also lie on the body of water. Originally planned as Trump’s first trip overseas since he took office on Jan. 20, it comes as Trump has tried to draw closer to the Persian Gulf countries as he seeks their financial investment in the U.S. and support in regional conflicts, including resolving the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and limiting Iran’s nuclear program.

The U.S. president also has significant financial ties to the countries through his personal businesses, over which he has retained ownership from the Oval Office.

The move comes several months after Trump stated the U.S. would refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.

Iranian start-up uses AI to help diagnose infertility at home

Iran Population

The project, led by physiology PhD graduate Hossein Ghasemi, aims to simplify and speed up early infertility diagnosis through AI-powered algorithms.

Speaking to local media, Ghasemi explained that their company, established six years ago, is focused on solving infertility issues using advanced technology.

“All the steps usually taken at fertility clinics can now be carried out by users at home, through a mobile AI-based device,” he said.

Traditionally, infertility diagnosis has required multiple visits to specialized medical centers. This new device, however, allows users to assess their reproductive health easily from home.

Ghasemi emphasized that the AI models used are fully developed in Iran, making the country one of only six in the world to have achieved this level of indigenous AI technology in reproductive health.

The product is commercially available and nearing the final stages of development for export. Ghasemi confirmed they are preparing to distribute the product internationally in the near future.

Trump may meet Iranian counterpart during Riyadh trip, analyst claims

Trump Pezeshkian

Kiomars Yazdanpanah, an Iranian expert on international affairs, suggested on Iran’s state television IRIB on Tuesday that Trump may be interested in meeting Pezeshkian, during his visit to Saudi Arabia.

“Given Trump’s comments about making important announcements, there is a possibility that he is seeking dialogue with Iranian political figures, or possibly President Pezeshkian,” Yazdanpanah claimed.

He further raised the possibility that the Iranian and American negotiating teams – during three rounds of talks on Iran’s nuclear program – have reached an initial agreement for the meeting.

In the Oval Office on Tuesday, during a ceremonial event for his new special envoy to the Middle East, Trump told reporters that he would be making a “very positive” announcement either Thursday, Friday, or Monday, just before or during his trip.

The nature of the announcement remains undisclosed, further fueling speculation about the purpose and possible surprises during the president’s regional tour.