TEHRAN – The Iranian robotics team ranked first, securing a gold and a silver medal in the third Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Countries Worker Skills Contest, held in Qingdao, China’s Shandong, from December 15 to 18.

TEHRAN –The tenth international congress on nanoscience and nanotechnology is scheduled to be held from January 29 to 30 in Rafsanjan, a city in the southern Kerman province.

TEHRAN –During a ceremony held on Thursday, the head of the Department of Environment (DOE), Shina Ansari, unveiled an atlas of the country’s biosphere reserves as well as the endemic fish poster.

[WHO-AFRO] The outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease was declared over today by the Government of Rwanda with no new cases reported over the last 42 days after the last patient tested negative for the virus twice, as per the usual protocol for ending these types of outbreaks.

Karnataka BJP MLC CT Ravi, arrested for derogatory remarks against a minister, accused the Congress government of acting like dictators. He alleged a conspiracy to kill him through a false case. Fellow BJP leader HD Kumaraswamy condemned the attack on Ravi and questioned the state's democratic values and police conduct.

Sambhal MP Zia Ur Rehman's house steps were demolished in an «anti-encroachment» drive. He was also fined ₹1.91 crore for alleged electricity theft and his power supply disconnected. Rehman faces charges related to November's mosque survey violence. His father, Mamlukur Rehman Barq, was booked for threatening officials during the electricity inspection.

Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan accused BJP MPs of feigning injuries during a parliamentary clash, suggesting their dramatic falls deserved acting awards. The confrontation stemmed from INDIA bloc protests against alleged disrespect towards Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Bachchan questioned the BJP's narrative, while Rahul Gandhi denied allegations of pushing and misbehavior.

A Bengaluru techie's mother has filed a habeas corpus plea in the Supreme Court seeking custody of her four-year-old grandson after her son's suicide. The techie had accused his wife and in-laws of harassment in a suicide note and video. The Supreme Court has issued a notice to Haryana, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh governments, with a hearing scheduled for January 7, 2025. The child's whereabouts are currently unknown.

Republicans revolted against a bipartisan bill, then the House rejected a party-line alternative. The shutdown deadline is hours away.

Donald Trump has waffled on his vows to punish enemies from the White House. But many of his critics — and targets — fear the retribution is already underway.

Federal agencies face four years under a president who promised “to remove rogue bureaucrats … very aggressively.”

[allAfrica] The 16 Days of Activism campaign was led by government and business accounts on South Africa X (formerly Twitter), according to a new report published by the Centre for Analytics and Behavioural Change (CABC).

Russia should boost productivity and focus on high-tech to cut reliance on low-skilled foreign workers, the president has said Read Full Article at RT.com

Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has accused Moscow of staging cyberattacks and attempting to sow discord via social media Read Full Article at RT.com

Western officials are concerned about the idea of sending military instructors into Ukraine, The Times has reported Read Full Article at RT.com

The former Russian president said Kiev only expects money and weapons from the US and has no intention of talking to Moscow Read Full Article at RT.com

Malawi is seeking billions of dollars in unpaid revenues from three foreign companies, including Columbia Gem House and TotalEnergies Read Full Article at RT.com

Jowhar (HOL) – Al-Shabab militants launched a deadly attack on a Somali government military base in Hawadley area, Middle Shabelle region, early Friday morning.

[allAfrica] The Centre for Analytics and Behavioural Change (CABC) has released its latest report, Gender-Based Violence and Misogyny TikTok Analytics and Narrative Update in South Africa, on the online conversation regarding gender-based violence and misogyny.

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 20th

The situation is similar at several other sections of the frontline in the DPR

Russia remains the leader among oil suppliers to China

The goal was to prevent Biden from «making blunders or errors that could damage his image, create political headaches, or disrupt the world order»

The report says that «Musk’s rapid-fire messages - which included numerous false claims about the contents of the spending bill - ricocheted» across Washington

Progress has been made in tackling praedial larceny, with notable increases in arrests and seizures. Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Floyd Green, said that up to November this year, 86 persons had been arrested for praedial larceny,...

As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting neighbouring communities, Jamaica Broilers Group brought the hope of the season to over 1,000 elderly, indigents and children in McCook’s Pen and Spring Village in St Catherine. Valued at over $2...

A northwestern Ontario councillor who was reprimanded for social media comments that some believed were about a person who died has won $35,000 in small claims court for libel. A Superior Court deputy judge says the Dryden mayor's statement posted on the city's website in response to the online comments was defamatory in nature.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar criticized parliamentarians for frequent disruptions during the winter session, which concluded with only 40% productivity. He urged members to engage in meaningful debates instead of destructive behavior, emphasizing the need to restore public trust in democratic institutions. The session saw the formation of a joint parliamentary committee on simultaneous elections amidst continued opposition protests.

The World Bank approved an $800 million loan to develop Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh's new capital city. The funding will support infrastructure development and establish Amaravati as a well-managed, climate-resilient economic hub, creating jobs and improving residents' lives. The loan has a 29-year maturity period, including a six-year grace period.

A 17-year-old boy in Shahjahanpur, India, allegedly raped his 20-year-old neighbor. Police reported the accused entered the victim's home while she slept, forcibly took her to his residence, and assaulted her. The victim escaped and informed her family, who then filed a police report. The accused is currently at large, and the victim has undergone a medical examination.

The Supreme Court granted bail to two more convicts in the 1987 Hashimpura massacre case, where 38 Muslim men were killed by Provincial Armed Constabulary personnel. This follows the granting of bail to eight other convicts earlier this month.