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Iran reports 165 new Covid-19 fatalities

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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The Friday announcement of the Health Ministry says over 11 thousand new infection cases were identified.

The number of daily fatalities has been below 200 for several days now but health officials are warning that the increasing number of infections could mean that another wave of the deadly disease could be looming.

Iran has so far suffered five waves of the deadly disease with official figures putting the total death toll at nearly 125,000 since the outbreak of the pandemic in early 2020.

The figures released on Friday also show that Iran has kept up the pace of its vaccination campaign. The country has so far administered over 78,665,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses.

Iran was long criticized for its slow pace of inoculations, but it has intensified imports and domestic production of different types of Covid-19 vaccine over the past months in a bid to contain the outbreak.

Mustafa Prize laureates awarded in Tehran

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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The five Muslim scientists received their awards in a ceremony at Tehran’s Vahdat Hall on Thursday. 

The winners were Cumrun Vafa from Iran, M. Zahid Hasan from Bangladesh, Yahya Tayalati from Morocco, Mohamed Sayegh from Lebanon, and Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary from Pakistan.

They were selected from among more than 500 prominent scientists and researchers.

The Iranian laureate, a professor of mathematics and natural philosophy at Harvard University, received the 2021 Mustafa Prize for his work in string theory which is a theoretical framework in physics.

The Mustafa Prize is a biannual science and technology award for new scientific methodology and achievements that improve human life or make cutting-edge innovations. It is granted to scientists from member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

China condemns EU over Taiwan ties

By
IFP Media Wire
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China strongly condemned and firmly rejected the so-called report on the political relations and cooperation between the EU and Taiwan adopted by the European Parliament and urged the European Parliament to immediately stop its words and deeds that undermined China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the foreign ministry announced, according to Xinhua news agency.

Spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks at a daily news briefing when answering a query on the adoption of a so-called report on the political relations and cooperation between the EU and Taiwan by the European Parliament.

Wang said there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory. The one-China principle is an international consensus and the political foundation of China’s diplomatic relations with the EU.

The report adopted by the European Parliament is a serious violation of the basic norms of international relations, the one-China principle and the commitments made by the EU on the Taiwan issue, Wang added.

“The European Parliament should immediately stop its words and deeds that undermined China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and stop provocation and confrontation. We urge relevant parties not to underestimate the strong resolution, determination and capability of the Chinese people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he stated.

EU lawmakers on Thursday backed the non-binding resolution with a majority of 580 to 26 votes, requesting the bloc’s executive European Commission “urgently begin an impact assessment, public consultation and scoping exercise on a bilateral investment agreement.”

In 2015, the EU added Taiwan to its list of trade partners eligible for an investment deal, but it has not held talks with the island on the issue since then. Issues of EU foreign policy fall under the remit of the European Commission and the Council representing member states, the parliament can only act in an advisory capacity.

In a separate speech delivered yesterday, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell stated that Taiwan’s semiconductor production meant the island was strategically important to the bloc’s economy and future development.

Zhang Ming, China’s ambassador to the EU, wrote in a statement on the embassy website that the Parliament’s adoption of the report was “blatantly advocating for elevating so-called EU-Taiwan political relations, which is a serious violation of the One-China principle.”

He said, “There is only one China in the world and the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China.”

He added that this was “the political foundation” for the development of China-EU ties, and without it, diplomatic relations between Brussels and Beijing could suffer.

But despite diplomatic tensions and the COVID-19 pandemic, the two economic powerhouses have extended their interdependence, according to this year’s annual report jointly issued by the EU-China’s Chamber of Commerce. 

Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokeswoman Shu Jueting said Thursday that Sino-European bilateral trade had increased by 30.4 percent between January to September 2021, “and is expected to hit a record high throughout the year.”

She added that in the same period China’s direct investment in the EU was $5 billion, an increase of 54 percent, and EU investment in China remained at the same level as before the coronavirus crisis derailed international trade.

Moscow rejects NATO accusation against expelled Russians

By
IFP Media Wire
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Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has stated NATO has no evidence indicating the expelled staffers of Russia’s diplomatic mission at the organization had been involved in any malign activities.

“We should be aware that NATO has systematically ruined relations with Russia to opt for the Cold War logic. Also, we should remember that the role of NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in this destructive process is significant. And lastly, we should keep in mind that there is no evidence against the activity of the Russians NATO has expelled,” Zakharova wrote in her Telegram-channel in reply to Stoltenberg’s statements about the reason for the expulsion of Russian diplomats.

NATO’s secretary general, she remarked, should ask himself how many representatives of the organization’s member-countries disguised as diplomats and journalists are involved in spying activities around the world.

“If you find this impermissible, then please recall NATO countries’ intelligence operatives from Russia,” she concluded.

Earlier, Stoltenberg said that the decision to expel Russian diplomats from Brussels had been made on the basis of intelligence information. At the same time, he mentioned no evidence that might prove the charges against Russia.

On October 6, NATO said it was reducing Russia’s mission at the organization from 20 staffers to 10. The accreditation of eight diplomats was revoked and two vacancies abolished. The alliance asked the Russian diplomats to leave Brussels by the end of October. On March 18, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia was suspending the operation of its mission to NATO altogether. Also, the activity of NATO’s Military Liaison Mission and Information Office in Moscow will be paused.

UK Queen spends night in hospital, no COVID

By
IFP Media Wire
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The Queen spent a night in hospital after cancelling her visit to Northern Ireland, Buckingham Palace has said.

She was seen by specialists at the private King Edward VII’s Hospital in central London for “preliminary investigations” but returned to Windsor on Thursday.

Her admittance was not related to Covid, it is understood.

A palace spokesperson said: “Following medical advice to rest for a few days, the Queen attended hospital on Wednesday afternoon for some preliminary investigations, returning to Windsor Castle at lunchtime today [Thursday], and remains in good spirits.”

It is understood the overnight stay was for practical reasons and that the Queen was back at her desk on Thursday afternoon to undertake “light duties”.

She was said to be disappointed not to be able to travel to Northern Ireland on Wednesday, and reluctantly heeded the advice of her doctors to get more rest.

The Queen, who is 95, attended a number of engagements this month before spending the night in hospital.

Over recent weeks, she held two virtual meetings with the ambassadors for Belize and Greece, met Canadian troops, had a call with Boris Johnson, and launched the Queen’s Baton Relay for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games from the Buckingham Palace forecourt.

She also attended – while using a walking stick – a Westminster Abbey service of thanksgiving to mark the centenary of the Royal British Legion, presented pianist Dame Imogen Cooper with the Queen’s Medal for Music, delivered a speech at the sixth session of the Welsh Senedd, attended the races at Ascot, and presented a trophy at the Qipco British Champions Day.

This week, she held a virtual meeting with new the governor general of New Zealand, Dame Cindy Kiro, two virtual meetings with the Japanese and EU ambassadors, and hosted an evening reception at Windsor Castle to mark the Global Investment Summit.

In April, her husband Prince Philip died just two months before his hundredth birthday. After his death, the Queen was expected to step back from royal duties and allow her children and grandchildren to take on more responsibility.

Just four days after his death she hosted a ceremony at Windsor to mark the retirement of her household’s most senior official William Peel, who stepped down as Lord Chamberlain.

Her next major engagement is at the end of the month when she is due to welcome world leaders at the opening of the United Nations climate change summit in Glasgow.

Earlier this week, it was reported that the Queen turned down the Oldie of the Year Awards, issued by The Oldie magazine.

Her assistant private secretary, Tom Laing-Baker, explained in a letter to the awards chairman, author and broadcaster Gyles Brandreth, her reasons for rejecting the accolade.

Biden says US defends Taiwan against China

By
IFP Media Wire
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Biden stated the United States is not seeking a cold war with China, but will not give up on its positions.

“I don’t want a cold war with China. I want China to understand that we are not going to step back and change any of our views,” Biden said at the CNN town hall on Thursday.

“China, Russia and the rest of the world knows we have the most powerful military in the history of the world,” he added.

Biden also said that the United States would defend Taiwan in case China attacks the island.

“Yes, we have a commitment to do that,” he added.

Biden’s nominee for the position US Ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns, stated during his confirmation hearing on Wednesday that China represents the greatest security threat to the United States and the democratic world and unlike Washington, Beijing has no real allies.

Burns called on Congress and Biden administration to scale up security cooperation and arms provisions to Taiwan to defend itself from China.

The Wall Street Journal had reported that US Marines and special operations forces have been secretly training Taiwanese soldiers on the island to defend against possible Chinese aggression. The report said the US soldiers have been operating in Taiwan for at least a year, during which time they have conducted training for Taiwanese ground force units as a way to prepare them for threats coming from China.

Meanwhile, Taiwanese Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said China might mount a full-scale invasion of the island nation by 2025. China in recent days has sent almost 150 military aircraft close to Taiwan while the US and other allied forces conducted drills in the South China Sea.

Meantime, China’s Ambassador to the United Nations Zhang Jun stated the international community should call on the United States to stop dragging Taiwan into a war.

“Some countries, the US, in particular, is taking dangerous actions, leading the situation in Taiwan Strait into a dangerous direction,” Zhang noted during a press briefing on Thursday, adding that “at this moment, what we should call is that the United States stops such practice. Dragging Taiwan into a war, definitely, is in nobody’s interest”.

Commenting on the drills near the border with Taiwan, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office had announced Beijing’s military exercises are aimed at guarding its national sovereignty and preventing foreign interference in the relations between the mainland and the island.

US hypersonic weapon test fails

By
IFP Media Wire
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A test of hypersonic weapon components for the US Army and Navy was scuppered by rocket failure, sources told Reuters on Thursday.

The incident was separate to three earlier tests successfully carried out.

The Pentagon’s attempted test launch of a hypersonic weapon suffered a “setback” when a booster rocket carrying the weapon failed to lift off, according to people with knowledge of the test launch.

The test was supposed to “validate aspects of one of the Pentagon’s hypersonic glide vehicles in development,” according to two of the sources.

The launch was separate from the three successful tests of hypersonic weapon components carried out on Wednesday, which “successfully demonstrated advanced hypersonic technologies, capabilities, and prototype systems in a realistic operating environment,” according to a statement the Pentagon released on Thursday.

The successful tests, conducted by the US Army and Navy at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, deployed parts of hypersonic missile systems that are intended to go live within the coming year.

Hypersonic glide vehicles, like the one reported on Thursday to have failed, are launched from a rocket in the upper atmosphere and from there are supposed to glide to their target at more than five times as fast as the speed of sound.

The launches follow successful displays by rivals Russia and China of their own hypersonic missile technology, launches that US President Joe Biden has admitted have caused his administration some concern. While the US has the largest and most expensive military in the world, its technology lags behind that of other countries in several key areas.

Iran minister calls on Afghans not to come to borders

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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“We have always asked the people of Afghanistan not to come to our borders and if they have any needs, we will provide them in other ways inside Afghanistan and we hope that the rulers of Afghanistan will pay attention to this issue,” Vahidi said in a ceremony held to inaugurate Razavi Khorasan Province’s new governor general. 

Vahidi noted that Afghan immigrants who have come to Iranian borders are treated with respect because the Iranian side considers it an Islamic duty to try to help them, but he asked Afghans to refrain from coming to Iran because of the current limitations.

For decades, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been a major destination for refugees fleeing war in the neighboring country. There are currently millions of registered and undocumented Afghan refugees in Iran. 

The northeastern Razavi Khorasan Province bordering Afghanistan hosts a very large number of Afghans.

Recent developments in Afghanistan have triggered another wave of people leaving their country towards Iran and other neighboring countries.

Gallup: 70 percent of Iranians approve of President Raisi

By
IFP Media Wire
-

President Raisi enjoys support from over 70 percent if his nation’s voters and his approval rating is trouncing that of his more moderate predecessor in his final days in office, a new Gallup poll revealed on Thursday.

“In the last survey during (Hassan) Rouhani’s presidency, conducted in November 2020 as the pandemic ravaged Iran, roughly a third of Iranians (32%) approved of the job Rouhani was doing,” according to a press release explaining the poll.

In contrast, Gallup surveys in Iran showed Raisi, who was elected in June, had the backing of 72 percent of the Iranian people who expressed approval of the job he was doing, the release said.

Raisi’s job approval rating and the spike in Iranians’ confidence in their government that coincided with his election should indicate that a leader perceived as hard-line and conservative can still garner substantial public support in Iran, the release added.

While the release cautioned that Raisi’s support could be fragile, Gallup attributed the shift in public sentiment to recent progress battling the coronavirus pandemic.

Prior to Raisi’s election, about 5 percent of the Iranian population was at least partly vaccinated. Since then, the percentage of vaccinated Iranians has risen to nearly 50 percent, according to the release.

The latest data come from Gallup’s survey conducted Aug. 24-31, three weeks after Raisi took office.

Iran urges UN to hold Zionist regime accountable for its inhumane acts

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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The Iranian diplomat said the Zionist regime continues to violate the basic rights and dignity of Palestinians and other Arab people in the territories it has occupied.

The diplomat said the Palestinian people are denied their right to their homeland and properties and have been forced to leave their homes through intimidation, terror and aggression.

He added that Palestinians have also been deprived of their right to determine their fate under a so-called “Jewish state”.

Iran’s representatives also said the Zionist regime has stepped up its settlement expansions and land grabs in Palestinian territories at a time when the whole world is busy fighting the Covid pandemic.

The diplomat referred to the Israeli siege of Gaza and the continued occupation of Syria’s Golan Heights by the regime and its encroachment on territories of other regional countries, saying such acts have endangered regional and international peace and security.

Iran’s Permanent Representative at the UN Majid Takht Ravanchi also condemned the Israeli regime’s allegations against the Islamic Republic in a speech at the world body.

Takht Ravanchi said Tel Aviv’s claims are aimed at distracting the international community from tis crimes against Palestinians and from the threat the regime’s nuclear arms pose to the region and the world.

He also urged the international community to force Israel into stopping its nuclear activities and joining the nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, NPT.

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