December 2016
Two Explosions in a Market in Baghdad Left Dozens Dead and Injured
Two suicide bombers attacked a crowded market in Baghdad, resulting in at least 27 deaths and 53 injuries. The attacks highlight ongoing security challenges in…
Defensive Security Assessments: Low Likelihood of Attack in the U.S. During New Year Holidays
U.S. defense agencies assess that the likelihood of terrorist attacks during the New Year holidays is low but acknowledge some ongoing threats from domestic extremists.…
Central Bank: Housing Transactions Decreased in December
In December, Tehran saw a 5.9% decrease in residential apartment transactions compared to last year, indicating ongoing stagnation in the housing market. Despite this, the…
The Second Phase of the Mosul Recapture Operation Begins
Iraqi forces have launched the second phase of their operation to retake Mosul from ISIS, advancing from three fronts towards the eastern part of the…
Animations Dominate Box Office in 2016
In 2016, animated films dominated the global box office, with Disney leading the way with four films in the top five highest-grossing spots. 'Captain America:…
Netanyahu: I Was Surprised and Deeply Disappointed by John Kerry's Remarks on the Security Council Resolution
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed disappointment at U.S. Secretary of State Kerry's speech regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, criticizing Kerry for not addressing the root causes…
Lebanon's Parliament Grants Confidence to Saad Hariri's Cabinet
Lebanon's parliament has granted a vote of confidence to Saad Hariri's new cabinet after a prolonged political crisis. Hariri, who is opposed to Syria and…
Basij Sports Against Women's Wrestling
Davood Azarnoush, head of the Basij Sports Organization, opposes women's wrestling in Iran, arguing it contradicts cultural and religious values. Rasoul Khadem defends the inclusion…
Record Growth Amidst Recession
Iran's economic growth rate has reportedly reached 7.4% in the first half of the year, sparking mixed reactions and doubts despite previous positive forecasts. The…
Downed Russian Military Aircraft; 'All Possibilities Are Being Considered'
A Russian military aircraft has crashed, and investigators are considering all possibilities for the cause, including a potential terrorist attack. The crash resulted in the…
Women Proposing to Men: Shifting Norms
The article discusses the evolving norms around women proposing to men in Iranian society, highlighting both the challenges and changing perceptions among youth. While some…
All 92 Passengers on Russian Plane Heading to Syria 'Killed'
A Russian military plane crashed into the Black Sea, killing all 92 passengers, including 60 members of the Russian Army Choir. The cause of the…
Netanyahu: Israel to Reassess Its Relations with the United Nations
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announced plans to reassess Israel's relations with the UN following the passage of a resolution calling for an immediate halt to…
Campaign 'Prisoner Rights' for Access to Proper Nutrition, Health, and Medical Facilities
The 'Prisoner Rights' campaign has been launched in Iran to advocate for the rights of prisoners, initiated by Atena Daemi. The campaign emphasizes that all…
Tehran's Air Quality Remains in Red Status
Tehran's air quality remains critically unhealthy, with an air quality index of 152, prompting warnings for vulnerable populations. Officials predict a potential improvement due to…
Respect for Citizens' Rights or Election Propaganda?
Hassan Rouhani signed the Citizens' Rights Charter, fulfilling an electoral promise, but it faces criticism for lacking enforcement and ignoring constitutional principles. Ayatollah Yazdi has…
Release of All Passengers and Arrest of Hijackers of Libyan Flight
All passengers of a hijacked Libyan flight have been released, and the hijackers have been arrested. The incident involved 118 passengers and was linked to…
Foiling of Potential Terrorist Operation in Melbourne; Five Arrested
Australian police have thwarted a planned terrorist attack in Melbourne, arresting six to seven individuals, five of whom remain in custody. The suspects, aged between…
A Ray of Knowledge on Antimatter
Scientists at CERN have made a breakthrough in understanding antimatter, revealing new methods to study its properties. This research is crucial in addressing the mystery…
Jesus; Son of Mary or Son of God?
The article discusses the differing perspectives on Jesus Christ's identity and birth among Christians, Muslims, and Jews. Soroush Dabagh and Mansour Borji engage in a…
How Did the Iranian Society Spend Yalda?
The article discusses how Iranian society celebrates Yalda, the longest night of the year, highlighting changes in traditions and economic challenges. While some families maintain…
Warning of 'Serious Damage' to the Pharmaceutical Sector in Iran
Rasoul Dinarvand, head of Iran's Food and Drug Organization, warned of serious damage to the pharmaceutical sector due to unpaid claims from hospitals to insurance…
Will Ride-Hailing Services Become Illegal in Iran?
The Tehran Union of Tourism and Car Rental Institutions is pushing to regulate ride-hailing services, claiming they operate illegally without proper oversight. This comes amid…
Freezing of 1000 Trillion Tomans in Iranian Banks
The Iranian government's debt to banks has increased by 20%, leading to a significant freeze of assets in the banking sector, now totaling nearly 1000…
Electoral College Representatives Confirm Trump's Victory in U.S. Elections
Donald Trump has been confirmed as the winner of the U.S. presidential election by the Electoral College, securing 304 votes. He has pledged to unite…
Reporters Without Borders: At Least 74 Journalists and Media Activists Killed in 2016
In 2016, at least 74 journalists and media activists were killed globally, with Syria being the most dangerous country. Reporters Without Borders highlights a decrease…
Forough Farrokhzad: Literary Biography; Forough, Golestan, and Untold Stories of a Love
The new book "Forough Farrokhzad: Literary Biography with Unpublished Letters" by Farzaneh Milani explores the life and poetry of the influential Iranian poet Forough Farrokhzad,…
Deep Gender Gap in Employment of University Students and Graduates
The article discusses the significant gender gap in employment among university students and graduates in Iran, highlighting that despite an increase in female education, women's…
Trump Criticizes White House Spokesman After Comments on 'Encouraging Cyber Attacks'
Donald Trump criticized White House spokesman Josh Earnest for suggesting he was aware of and encouraged Russian cyber attacks on the U.S. elections. This exchange…
EU Leaders Approve Extension of Sanctions Against Russia
EU leaders have approved a six-month extension of economic sanctions against Russia, which were set to expire on January 31, 2017. This decision reflects the…
Abortion: The Issue of 'Women and Their Bodies' or 'Law and Society'?
The article discusses the complex and contentious issue of abortion in Iran, focusing on the perspectives of women's rights activists Nasrin Afzali and Zhila Mohaddes…
Experience 'In the Interrogation Room'
The article discusses the experiences of a journalist who underwent interrogations in Iranian prisons, detailing the psychological and physical pressures faced during these processes. It…
Kenya Expels Two Iranians Accused of 'Terrorism'
A Kenyan court has expelled two Iranian citizens, Nasrollah Ebrahimi and Abdolhossein Safaei, who were arrested on charges of attempting to film the Israeli embassy…
Trump has 'chosen' his Secretary of the Interior
Ryan Zinke, a Republican congressman and former Navy SEAL commander, is nominated by President-elect Trump for the Secretary of the Interior position. This role is…
UN: Another 82 Civilians Killed in Aleppo
The UN reports that at least 82 civilians have been killed in Aleppo by pro-Assad forces as the city nears full government control. International organizations…
Can the OPEC and Non-OPEC Agreement Alleviate the Oil Market Slump?
The oil market is currently facing a significant oversupply, prompting OPEC and non-OPEC countries to agree on production cuts to stabilize prices. This agreement marks…
Iran to Transfer Development of Seven Oil Fields to Russia
Iran is transferring the development of seven oil fields to Russian companies, as part of a broader strategy to enhance oil recovery and production. This…
Going; From Afghanistan to the Shores of Greece
The Mahdavi brothers' new film 'Going' explores the migration experience of Afghans, portraying their journey from Iran to Europe. The film highlights the fragility of…
Final Blow to Galaxy Note 7
Samsung is set to permanently disable the remaining Galaxy Note 7 phones in the market through a software update on December 19, as 10% of…
Chinese State Newspaper Says 'Beijing Can Also Sell Weapons to America's Enemies'
Chinese state media reacted strongly to Donald Trump's comments about potentially abandoning the 'One China' policy if Beijing does not cooperate. The Global Times warned…
More than two thousand ISIS members killed or severely injured in the battle of Mosul
General Stephen Townsend reported that over two thousand ISIS members have been killed or severely injured in the ongoing battle for Mosul, with three to…
Dozens Killed and Injured in Explosion at Coptic Church in Cairo
A deadly explosion at a Coptic church in Cairo during Sunday prayers killed 22 to 25 worshippers, mostly women and children, and injured dozens more.…
Iranian Arrested in Kenya: Israel Has Fabricated a Case Against Us
Two Iranian nationals, Nasrollah Ebrahimi and Abdolhossein Safaei, were arrested in Kenya for filming around the Israeli embassy. They claim Israel fabricated a case against…
Ongoing Controversies Surrounding the Series 'Shahrzad'
The arrest of Mohammad Imami, a producer of the popular series 'Shahrzad', linked to a financial corruption case, has sparked controversy over the series' production…
Deputy Governor of the Central Bank: Changing the Currency Unit Does Not Mean Monetary Reform
The Iranian Central Bank's Deputy Governor announced that changing the currency unit from rial to toman is not a monetary reform but a move to…
All Passengers Killed in Pakistan International Airlines Plane Crash
A Pakistan International Airlines plane crashed in mountainous terrain, killing all 48 on board, including notable figures and foreign nationals. The cause of the crash…
Mentally Disabled Individuals Are Also Sources of Life and Joy
A French court has banned a film showcasing the joy of mentally disabled individuals, citing concerns over upsetting parents who have aborted such fetuses. The…
Donald Trump Named Time Magazine's Person of the Year
Time magazine has named Donald Trump as its Person of the Year, highlighting his unconventional impact on global events. Hillary Clinton ranked second, and hackers…
Mandatory Implementation of the Law Reducing Working Hours for Women in Iranian Government Agencies
The Iranian government has mandated a law reducing working hours for women in public sector jobs, decreasing their weekly hours from 44 to 36. This…
Pakistani Plane Crashes with Over 40 Passengers
A Pakistani passenger plane crashed in a mountainous region while en route to Islamabad, resulting in at least 41 to 47 fatalities, including a notable…
Protest Gathering by Students at Tehran University
Students at Tehran University protested against labor issues and economic hardships in Iranian universities, expressing their grievances through slogans and a comprehensive statement. The protest…
The World's 'Fastest' Electric Car Comes from China
A Chinese company, NextEV, has developed the fastest electric car in the world, the EP9, which can reach speeds of 313 km/h and has a…
Competing with the Government Giant
The article discusses the importance of competition in addressing economic issues in Iran, highlighting the establishment of the 'Supreme Council of Competition' by government authorities…
Amazon Go: Go to the store, take what you want, and return home
Amazon is set to open its first checkout-free grocery store, Amazon Go, in Seattle, allowing customers to shop without waiting in line. This innovative shopping…
Kerry: Israel Must Choose Between Settlement Expansion and Peace
John Kerry criticized Israel's settlement policies, stating they threaten peace and lead to violence. He emphasized that Israel must choose between construction and peace, while…
The Latest Airbus Model Takes Flight
The Airbus A350-1000 has recently taken flight, marking a significant advancement in aviation technology. There are discussions in Iran about potentially changing orders from the…
70 Days of Bicycling 'From the Atlantic to the Pacific' Against Cancer
Over 100 cyclists and runners participated in a 4,000-kilometer journey from the Atlantic to the Pacific to raise nearly one million dollars for cancer prevention…
Trump: Now We Want to Focus on American Society
Donald Trump, in his first speech after winning the presidential election, emphasized the need for America to focus on its national community while seeking peace…
François Hollande Will Not Run for French Presidential Election
François Hollande has announced he will not run for re-election in the upcoming French presidential election, surprising many as aides previously indicated he would. His…
Trump Warns American Companies Against Moving Jobs Abroad
Donald Trump visited Indiana to secure an agreement with Carrier to keep 1,000 jobs from moving to Mexico, warning companies that relocating jobs will lead…
How I Joined ISIS
Walid Ismail, a 20-year-old former bakery worker, surrendered to Kurdish forces after being captured by ISIS. He describes how the Islamic State recruited fighters through…
Continued Growth of Underground Churches in Iran
The growth of underground churches in Iran continues despite government repression, with hundreds converting to Christianity. This trend is largely driven by disillusioned youth seeking…
City Council Member Expresses Concern Over 'Population Density' in Tehran's Shelters
Rahmatollah Hafezi, head of Tehran's City Council Health Commission, raised concerns about overcrowding in shelters for the homeless and addicts, suggesting temporary accommodations for patients'…
The Woman Who Saw Three Centuries
Emma Morano, the last known survivor born in the 19th century, prepares to celebrate her 117th birthday, attributing her longevity to a simple diet and…
Health Ministry Official Expresses Concern Over Rising Number of Women with AIDS in Iran
The head of Iran's AIDS control department reported a concerning rise in the number of women infected with HIV, with only 30% of estimated cases…
Nawaz Sharif's Office: Trump Offered to Help Resolve Pakistan's Issues
Donald Trump and Nawaz Sharif discussed potential U.S. assistance for Pakistan's issues in a recent phone call. Trump praised Sharif and expressed a desire for…
Google Translator to Offer More Languages and Smoother Translations
Google has developed a new zero-shot translation technology that allows its translator to translate between languages without prior training. This advancement significantly enhances the quality…
"Nafas"; A Little Girl, Revolution, and War
"Nafas," a film by Narges Abyar, explores a young girl's life during pivotal moments in Iranian history, focusing on her innocence amidst the chaos of…