Iranian-made coronavirus vaccine beats UK variant The first homegrown COVID-19 vaccine proved effective on the United Kingdom mutated virus, Hassan Jalili, director of COVIRAN BAREKAT vaccine research group has stated. Since one of the capabilities of any effective vaccine is being able to protect the body against virus mutations, the blood plasma of the first three volunteers who received the domestic vaccine was tested, he explained. “The volunteers have received the vaccine in two stages, so it was expected that their blood plasma fights the virus,” Jalili added. Minoo Mohraz, a senior member of the national coronavirus task force, also confirmed the news. *****   The first phase of producing Iranian Covid—19 vaccine will end in 10 days - national coronavirus task force spokesperson The National coronavirus task force spokesperson said in a statement that If the Food and Drug Organization of the country approves the results, in March, phases 2 and 3 of the human test, like the rest of the world, will begin in an integrated manner and will last up to 60 days. “If the results of these phases are also confirmed, we will enter the production phase in late May,” he added. *****   All Iranians to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by next winter: Health official The secretary of biotechnology development department in Iran’s presidential office said on Monday that the necessary doses for inoculation against the coronavirus will be provided through purchase and domestic production and that the public vaccination will be complete by winter 2022. Mostafa Qanei said that Iran is to provide around 16 million doses of the vaccine through the World Health Organization's COVAX program, 25 million doses through import, and 25 million through domestic production.   He went on to say that the first group of people will receive the vaccine this year and that the top-priority people on the list are healthcare staff and medical personnel, people with disabilities, and disabled war veterans, Senior citizens, people with specific diseases, and those whose job requires contact with others will be vaccinated in spring, he said. He added that all Iranians will have been vaccinated by next winter. *****   Iran’s COV-Pars vaccine of Razi Institute resistant against Coronavirus mutations Head of Iran’s Razi Serum and Vaccine Research Institute Ali Eshaqi said that the COV-Pars vaccine produced by the Institute is capable of deactivating the mutated versions of the coronavirus. “That part of the virus that is selected as a candidate for making vaccine does not mutate, and in other parts, if it mutates, there will be no problem and it will cover it,” Eshaqi said in a statement. “A batch of the (coronavirus) vaccine has been produced (by Razi Institute) and should be approved by the Food and Drug Administration of Iran to receive human trial license,” he added. Eshaqi said that registration of volunteers will begin as soon as the necessary license is received, adding that the human trial of Razi Institute’s vaccine will start within the next two or three weeks. *****   Iran’s scientific rank in world 15 According to the minister of science of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the country’s scientific ranking is 15 in the world. The minister added that this position has been achieved while Iran is in unfair competition with advanced world universities. *****   Iranian scientist makes smart bandage An Iranian researcher at the University of Rhode Island has developed a method to make bandages capable of detecting infections. By embedding nanosensors in the fibers of a bandage, University of Rhode Island assistant professor Daniel Roxbury and former URI graduate student Mohammad Moein Safaee have created a continuous, noninvasive way to detect and monitor an infection in a wound. Their research appears in Advanced Functional Materials, Medical Design and Outsourcing reported. *****   TCCIMA holds Iran-Eurasia economic diplomacy meeting Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (TCCIMA) hosted an Iran-Eurasia economic diplomacy meeting on Wednesday, TCCIMA portal reported. Attended by senior officials including the TCCIMA Head Masoud Khansari, the Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) Head Hamid Zadboum, and the Head of Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) Reza Mir-Ashrafi, the event was held in collaboration with Persian Gulf Studies Center (PGSC) and the Iran-Russia, Iran-Kazakhstan, and Iran-Armenia Joint Chambers of Commerce. Iranian Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian also made some remarks on the country’s trade relations with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) members through a video message. In the meeting, the attendees reviewed the requirements and aspects of developing trade relations between the two sides, and by listing the existing challenges, offered solutions to remove obstacles and problems and facilitate trade. *****   Iran discovers largest gold mine Mohammad Rezvanifar, CEO of SHASTA said in a statement that the certificate of discovery of Iran's largest gold mine was issued in the name of Pars Shasta Mines Development Company in Sistan and Baluchestan. This mine is one of the largest gold mines in the country with a definite and probable reserve of 73,389,000 tons of gold ore. *****   Iran to access radar quantum technology Quantum radars, unlike conventional radars, operate on photon particles and can easily detect hidden objects, an important technology that will especially enhance the defense power of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Recently, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran announced important news about the success in investing in quantum technology. These achievements are seen as part of the required infrastructure and a step towards quantum satellites, radar / lead quantum and quantum networks. *****   Iranian physicist invents new fusion rocket Dr. Fatima Ebrahimi, who works for the US Department of Energy's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), has invented a new fusion rocket that could one day take humans to Mars. *****   FM Zarif visits Jolfa railway station Mohammad Javad Zarif, who traveled to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, visited the Jolfa railway station of the Republic of Azerbaijan and different parts of the station this evening. The Prime Minister of the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan, the Governor of East Azerbaijan Mohammadreza Pour Mohammadi, and the Managing Director of the Aras Free Trade Zone Mohsen Nariman also accompanied FM Zarif in the visit. Mohammad Javad Zarif said upon his arrival in Nakhchivan: At the end of our trip to five countries in the region, we came to Nakhchivan to review the transit facilities and conditions cooperation in the region after the end of the Karabakh war. *****   Iran oil minister: We got the money for the oil we sold under sanctions Iran oil minister said in a statement that the main growth of our gas industry was after the Islamic Revolution, and Iran's oil reserves have doubled compared to that time. “Sanctions have become part of our lives; During the embargo, we got all the money for the oil we sold, but the funds that went via the official system have been blocked”, he added. *****   MFA spox describes Zarif’s recent regional trip as most important, successful trips of his time Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman has said that FM Zarif’s recent regional trip was one of the most important and successful trips of his time. At the beginning of his speech, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeid Khatibzadeh congratulated '10-Day Dawn,' the anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution, and referred to the regional trip of Mohammad Javad Zarif. He said: "January 25 marked the beginning of the regional visit of the Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who traveled to Azerbaijan, Moscow, Armenia, Georgia, Turkey, and Nakhchivan. This is one of the most important and successful trips of his time." *****   Zarif reacts to Biden Administration’s conditions for returning to JCPOA Iran foreign minister says that the conditions that the Americans have set for their return to JCPOA make no sense. He also added that if anyone is going to set the conditions, it should be Iran. “They are trying not only to remove the records created by the previous government at no cost, but also at our expense, and they themselves know that such a thing is not possible,” Zarif added. *****   Iran to appoint woman envoy to UN for first time Iran is to appoint a woman as ambassador and deputy representative to the United Nations, the informed sources said. Dr. Zahra Ershadi, who is to be appointed as the second person in Iran’s mission to the UN, is now director-general of human rights at the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. *****   Iran test-launches new domestically-manufactured satellite launch vehicle Iran’s Defense Ministry has unveiled a new domestically-designed and manufactured satellite launch vehicle capable of putting satellites into an orbit of 500km above the ground. Ahmad Hosseini, a spokesman for the Iranian Defense Ministry’s Space Department, said on Monday that the new satellite launch vehicle is based on the most powerful solid fuel engine technology attained by the country’s specialists for the first time. “For the first time in the field of space science, the first test launch of Zuljanah satellite launch vehicle has been carried out after achieving the most powerful solid fuel engine technology with the goal of conducting suborbital test,” he added. *****   14th Intl. Festival of Iranian Ethnic Culture opens virtually The opening ceremony of the 14th International Festival of Iranian Ethnic Culture has been held virtually with the participation of Iranian and foreign audience as well as authorities of Golestan province in its capital city Gorgan. Ahmad Tajarri, managing director of the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism of Golestan Province, the permanent secretariat of the International Festival of Iranian Ethnic Culture decided to hold the 14th round of the festival virtually due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Some 1800 artists from 31 provinces of Iran present their artworks in the first virtual exhibition of handicrafts of the 14th International Festival of Iranian Ethnic Culture, Tajarri added. *****   Emirati journalist: suicide culture is rooted in Saudi Arabia Al-Naqidan, an Emirati analyst, told Saudi Al-Arabiya: - Saudis are very talented in joining terrorist groups because suicide culture is rooted in Saudi Arabia; The community, tribal elders and religious scholars have all laid the groundwork for this culture. - There are many people from Saudi Arabia in Syria; Both in ISIL and in Nusra. There are tens or even hundreds of thousands of Saudis in Syria. *****   Tehran Virtual Book Fair wraps up earning $2.7 million ‎ The 1st Tehran Virtual Book Fair (TVBF) wrapped up last night by selling ‎‎1,254,599 books and earning over $2.7 million (640 billion rials) in nine days. The online book event had been scheduled for January 20 to 25 but was extended twice to January 29, due to the massive welcome of the visitors, public relations office of Iran’s Book and Literature House Institute reported. *****   Iran's FM tweets about his interview with CNN Zarif: I told @cnni ’s @CAmanpour : US left the JCPOA & violated it. Iran took remedial measures. US should return to compliance. Iran will then immediately reverse remedial measures.  @JosepBorrellF —Joint Commission Coordinator—can choreograph the moves in consultation with Iran & US. https://twitter.com/JZarif/status/1356690065523691523 *****