Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development
December 2014
Project 'Noah's Ark' in Russia; Genetic Bank of All Earth's Organisms
Moscow State University is launching a project called 'Noah's Ark' to create a genetic bank of all living and extinct species. This initiative aims to…
Guardian Council Spokesman: Presumption of Innocence Does Not Apply in Candidate Qualification
The spokesman for Iran's Guardian Council stated that the presumption of innocence does not apply when assessing candidates for elections, emphasizing the council's role as…
American Senator: Increasing Sanctions on Iran is a Priority for the Next Senate Session
Senator Mark Kirk announced that increasing sanctions on Iran will be a priority in the next Senate session, which is now controlled by Republicans. The…
Statues for Slaves Underwater
The Underwater Sculpture Park in Grenada aims to educate visitors about underwater life and honors the memory of slaves who perished during their journey to…
Iraqi Army Recaptures Main Parts of 'Duluya' from ISIS
The Iraqi army and allied militias have recaptured key areas of Duluya from ISIS, breaking the group's siege. This operation marks a significant setback for…
Legal Deputy of Rouhani: 40 Million Iranians Are Involved in Legal Issues
Elham Aminzadeh, the legal deputy of Iran's president, revealed that 40 million Iranians are entangled in legal issues, with 19 million cases currently in the…
NASA's Plan for Human Settlement in the Atmosphere of Venus
NASA plans to send a team to Venus to explore the possibility of human habitation in its atmosphere, despite the planet's harsh conditions. This initiative…
NATO's Combat Mission in Afghanistan Officially Ended
NATO officially ended its combat mission in Afghanistan, transitioning to a training and support role amidst ongoing Taliban threats. General John Campbell emphasized the mission's…
Erdogan: Instead of Focusing on Turkey, Address Europe's Islamophobia
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized Europe for its Islamophobia and rejected European criticisms of his government, asserting that Turkey will no longer be humiliated.…
Saudi Arabia Faces $38 Billion Budget Deficit
Saudi Arabia has announced a budget deficit of $38.6 billion for 2015, attributed to falling oil prices. The government plans to maintain spending despite the…
U.S. Concern Over 'Attack' on Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Office in Baku
The U.S. has expressed concern over a police raid on the Baku office of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which included the detention and interrogation of…
Member of Parliament: Over Two Million Individuals Are Absent from Military Service
A parliamentary member revealed that over 2.4 million Iranians have been absent from military service for more than 10 years, with 300,000 educated Iranians abroad…
Commemoration of the Victims on the Tenth Anniversary of the Deadly Indian Ocean Tsunami
On the tenth anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami, countries across Asia held memorial ceremonies to honor the over 230,000 victims of the disaster. Survivors…
Russia: The Crisis of Ruble Devaluation Has Ended
Russia's Finance Minister Anton Siluanov announced that the country has overcome its currency crisis, with the ruble strengthening after recent measures including interest rate hikes.…
Remembering American Soldiers in Barack Obama's Christmas Message
Barack Obama delivered a Christmas message reflecting on the end of the U.S. combat mission in Afghanistan and honoring military families. He emphasized the sacrifices…
Chahraman: Tehran's Area Reduced by 100 Kilometers Following Khamenei's Remarks
Tehran's City Council has reduced the city's area by 100 square kilometers following Ayatollah Khamenei's directives to prevent urban expansion. This decision comes amidst concerns…
Pope Condemns Ruthless Persecution of Religious Minorities Worldwide
Pope Francis condemned the violence against religious minorities and children in his Christmas message, highlighting the suffering of Christians in Iraq and Syria. He called…
Iran's Border Commander: Three Terrorists Arrested at Northwestern Borders
Iran's border police arrested three individuals suspected of being suicide operatives carrying explosives at the northwestern borders. The arrests follow previous reports of planned attacks…
Police Shooting of Armed Black Man in Missouri Sparks Protests
A police shooting of an armed Black man in Missouri has sparked protests reminiscent of previous unrest following the killing of Michael Brown. The incident…
Threat to Cut Cooperation with Israel if Palestinian Resolution is Not Passed
Mahmoud Abbas has threatened to cut all cooperation with Israel if a UN resolution for an independent Palestinian state is not passed. The resolution, which…
Central Bank: Iran's Economic Growth at Four Percent in the First Half of 2014
The Central Bank of Iran reported a four percent economic growth in the first half of 2014, marking the first expansion in three years. President…
Committee to Protect Journalists: At Least 60 Journalists Were Killed in 2014
The Committee to Protect Journalists reported that at least 60 journalists were killed globally in 2014, with a notable number being international journalists. The report…
Iran: A Court in Belgium Has Ruled for the Return of a Historical Treasure
A Belgian court has ruled in favor of Iran for the return of over 300 ancient artifacts from the Khorvin area after a lengthy legal…
Erdogan: Efforts to Control Turkey's Population are Treason
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned population control efforts as treason, insisting that a growing young population is essential for Turkey's future. His remarks come…
"Alango"; A Website for Iranian Underground Designers
Alango is an Iranian website that has been selling handmade works by Iranian designers internationally for two years. Founded by Golshid Mola, the site aims…
Obama: The Return of North Korea to the List of State Sponsors of Terrorism is Under Consideration
President Obama announced that the U.S. is considering re-listing North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism following a cyber attack on Sony Pictures. The…
Attack by assailant shouting Allahu Akbar injures three police officers in France
A 20-year-old man attacked three police officers in France while shouting Allahu Akbar, injuring them before being shot dead by police. The assailant was identified…
Heavy Clashes Between Peshmerga and ISIS in Sinjar City
Heavy clashes occurred between Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga forces and ISIS in Sinjar city as Peshmerga broke the siege of Mount Sinjar and provided aid to…
In Response to Rocket Fire, Israel Bombards Gaza
Israel launched airstrikes on Gaza in response to a rocket fired from the territory, marking the first military action since the 51-day conflict last summer.…
The Siege of Yazidis in Sinjar Mountains Broken by Peshmerga
The siege of Yazidis in the Sinjar Mountains has been broken by Kurdish Peshmerga forces with the support of US-led airstrikes, allowing hundreds of Yazidis…
Members of Boko Haram Kidnap at Least 185 Women and Children in Nigeria
Boko Haram militants kidnapped 185 women and children and killed 35 in northeastern Nigeria, raising concerns about security forces' effectiveness. The attack reflects the ongoing…
Cautious U.S. Reaction and Harsh Israeli Response to Palestinian Resolution Draft
The Palestinians submitted a draft resolution for statehood to the UN Security Council, prompting a cautious U.S. response and a harsh Israeli backlash. The resolution…
Skype Introduces New Real-Time Conversation Translation Tool
Skype has launched a new tool called 'Skype Translator' that provides real-time translation of conversations between users speaking different languages, initially supporting English and Spanish.…
Valiati Describes Australia's 'Security System' as the Designer of the Sydney Hostage Crisis
Ali Akbar Velayati criticized Australia's handling of the Sydney hostage crisis, claiming it was a trivial act orchestrated under U.S. influence. The hostage-taker, Mohammad Hassan…
Outernt: Free Access to Information for Everyone, Without Internet
Outernt is a project providing free access to information via satellite for individuals without internet access. It operates like a radio transmitter, allowing users to…
The U.S. Strongly Condemns Taliban Attack on School in Peshawar
The Taliban launched a deadly attack on a military-run school in Peshawar, Pakistan, killing over 130 people, primarily students. U.S. President Barack Obama condemned the…
15,000-Person Protest Against 'Islamization' in Dresden, Germany
Dresden, Germany, saw a significant protest against perceived Islamization, with 15,000 participants, while a counter-protest attracted 9,000. The far-right group Pegida organized the event, reflecting…
Israel's Request for 'Confidentiality' in Iran's Oil Case Rejected
Israel's request for confidentiality in the arbitration case regarding Iran's oil compensation was rejected by Switzerland. The case, stemming from a long-standing dispute over oil…
Police Chief: Sydney Hostage-Taker Was a Fraudster Who Fled Iran
Mohammad Hassan Manteqi, an Iranian refugee in Australia, was killed during a hostage situation in Sydney. He had fled Iran after committing fraud and had…
Iraqi on Negotiations: We Are Still Far from a Solution
Iran's nuclear negotiator Abbas Araqchi reported positive discussions with U.S. officials but acknowledged significant gaps remain in reaching a final agreement. The talks are part…
Arrest of Two Individuals for Acid Attack on a Young Girl in Tehran
Two individuals were arrested for an acid attack on a young girl in Tehran, attributed to personal disputes. The police commander acknowledged ongoing investigations into…
US Senate Approves $1.1 Trillion Budget Bill
The US Senate has passed a $1.1 trillion budget bill, averting a government shutdown. President Obama is expected to sign it soon, allowing government salaries…
Request to Summon Dozens of Ahmadinejad Administration Officials in Social Security Case
A lawyer has filed a petition to summon over a hundred officials from Ahmadinejad's administration, including former board members of the Workers' Welfare Bank, in…
Efforts to Revive the Oak Trees of Zagros
Iranian officials are planning a one trillion toman project to revive the struggling Zagros oak forests, which are severely affected by pollution, drought, and wildfires.…
Daily Savings of 'Seven Million Liters of Gasoline' in 2013 and 2014
Iran's Executive Vice President announced that modernization of taxi fleets and cancellation of illegal fuel cards saved approximately seven million liters of gasoline daily in…
20 to 50 Million Tomans: The Cost of Military Service for Draft Dodgers
Iran's military is implementing a new policy allowing draft dodgers to pay fines ranging from 20 to 50 million tomans to resolve their military service…
Iraqi Foreign Minister: The International Coalition Came Late to the War
Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari criticized the international coalition for its delayed response to the fight against ISIS, emphasizing the role of Iraqi forces in…
Iran Trade Development Organization: Labor Exports Halved
The Iranian government has announced a significant reduction in labor exports, with only $32 million dispatched this year compared to $75 million last year. Minister…
Identification of Internet Users' Identity Declared a Priority by the Ministry of Communications
The Iranian government is prioritizing the identification of internet users, stating that no user will be allowed to access the internet without an established identity.…
The British Embassy in Iran Will Reopen by the End of 2014
The Iranian parliament's friendship group with Britain predicts the British embassy in Tehran will reopen by the end of 2014, contingent on resolving visa issues.…
World Health Organization: Ebola is Intensifying in Sierra Leone
The World Health Organization reports a severe increase in Ebola cases in Sierra Leone, with 537 new cases in the last week of November. Despite…
Senator Corker: The New Congress Will Play a Role in Nuclear Negotiations with Iran
Senator Bob Corker indicated that the new Congress will play a more significant role in U.S. foreign policy regarding Iran, particularly in nuclear negotiations. Corker…
UN Food Aid to 1.7 Million Syrian Refugees Halted
The UN's World Food Programme has suspended food aid to 1.7 million Syrian refugees due to budget shortages, risking severe hunger as winter approaches. This…
National Report on Violence Against Women 'Has Turned to Pulp'
A report on domestic violence against women in Iran has reportedly been lost or destroyed, raising concerns about the lack of documented research on the…
Deputy Health Minister: 85,000 People in Iran Likely Infected with HIV
Iran's Deputy Health Minister announced that approximately 85,000 people are likely infected with HIV, highlighting a crisis among injecting drug users and women with high-risk…
Arrest of Two Perpetrators of Acid Attack on Hospital Director in Tehran
Two individuals, a doctor and a student, have been arrested for an acid attack on Dr. Siavash Anvari, the director of Ziaiian Hospital in Tehran,…