December 2023
Imran Khan's Party Claims Former Prime Minister of Pakistan is Barred from Candidacy in Elections
Imran Khan's candidacy for the upcoming elections has been rejected along with most of his party's candidates due to his ongoing legal issues. Khan claims…
Playing with Gasoline, to the Government's Advantage on the People's Field; 15-Liter Quota for All with Secondary Market Coming
A new gasoline distribution plan in Iran proposes a 15-liter monthly quota for households without cars, funded by cutting quotas for those with multiple cars.…
Biden Administration Approves Emergency Arms Sale to Israel Without Congressional Input Again
The Biden administration has approved another emergency arms sale to Israel without congressional approval, amidst a stalled $106 billion aid package in Congress. This decision…
Turkey Arrests 29 Suspects Linked to ISIS
Turkey has arrested 29 individuals suspected of links to ISIS during operations across nine provinces, with some planning attacks on churches and synagogues. This comes…
Russian Missile and Drone Attacks on Ukraine; 12 Killed and 60 Injured
On January 8, Russia launched extensive missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, resulting in 12 deaths and over 60 injuries. Russian officials claim the West…
The Preferred Currency Rate for Baby Formula Increases Sevenfold; Production May Stop in Coming Months
The preferred currency rate for baby formula in Iran has surged from 4,200 to 28,500 tomans, prompting warnings from producers that production may halt due…
The Transfer of Ukrainian Children from Russian-Controlled Areas to Belarus Continues
Russia continues to transfer Ukrainian children from occupied areas to Belarus, despite international condemnation. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko defends this action, promising to care for…
Freedom Committee for Cecile Couleur: 600 Days Since Her Arrest in Iran
Cecile Couleur, a French trade union activist, has been imprisoned in Iran for 600 days, prompting calls for her release from various organizations. The situation…
Head of Shin Bet Warns of Threats Against Senior Israeli Army Commander by Radical Jews
Ronen Bar, head of Shin Bet, has issued a warning regarding threats to Yehuda Fox, a senior Israeli army commander, from radical Jewish extremists. Fox's…
Several Explosions Occur in Red Sea Shipping Route Near Yemen's Coasts
Several explosions were reported near Yemen's coasts in the Red Sea, linked to drone and missile sightings. The incidents raise concerns about maritime security and…
Eight Billion Dollar Annual Investment Needed for Petrochemicals; Investors Withdraw Due to Financial Issues
The National Petrochemical Company in Iran requires $8 billion annually to meet its growth targets, but investors are withdrawing due to financial difficulties exacerbated by…
Navalny's Spokesperson: Prominent Putin Opponent Transferred to 'Polar Wolf' Prison in the Arctic
Alexei Navalny has been transferred to a harsh Arctic prison known as 'Polar Wolf,' raising concerns about his treatment and isolation from supporters. His spokesperson…
Ukrainian Army: We Shot Down 28 Shahed Drones
The Ukrainian army reported shooting down 28 Iranian-made Shahed drones launched by Russia, which caused damage in several regions. This incident highlights the ongoing military…
Associated Press: Bethlehem Resembles a Ghost Town on Christmas Eve
Bethlehem is experiencing a ghost town atmosphere this Christmas due to the cancellation of celebrations amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. The local economy, heavily reliant on…
Biden and Netanyahu Discuss 'Phased' Continuation of War in Gaza
U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the continuation of military operations in Gaza, focusing on reducing intensity and ensuring civilian…
Fact-checking | Russia's claim of 466 Americans killed in Ukraine war is false
The Russian Defense Ministry claims that 466 Americans have been killed in Ukraine, a statement that is factually incorrect. American fighters in Ukraine are considered…
Austrian Citizen Sentenced for Complicity in Islamic Republic's 'Terrorist Plot' in London
Mohammad Hossein Dovtayev, an Austrian citizen of Chechen descent, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for espionage related to a suspected…
A Minute of Silence in Memory of the Victims of the Shooting in Prague; Czech Republic Declares National Mourning on Saturday
An armed attack at Charles University in Prague resulted in at least 15 deaths and 25 injuries, prompting the Czech government to declare a national…
Andrea Bocelli's Letter to Hostage Released from Hamas; From Now On, I Will Sing with Enthusiasm, Faith, and New Energy
Andrea Bocelli wrote a heartfelt letter to Yafa Adar, an 85-year-old Israeli woman recently freed from Hamas captivity, thanking her for finding hope in his…
Israeli Army Discovers Equipped Tunnels in Homes of Hamas Officials in Gaza City
The Israeli army has uncovered a network of tunnels in Gaza City linked to Hamas officials, including Yahya Sinwar, who orchestrated the October 7 attack…
Ukraine's Plan to Produce 'One Million' Reconnaissance Drones
Ukraine plans to produce over one million reconnaissance drones and thousands of attack drones in 2024, aiming to enhance its military capabilities and reduce reliance…
Vatican Approves Blessings for Same-Sex Couples in Historic Ruling
The Vatican has approved a historic ruling allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, emphasizing that these blessings do not equate to marriage. Pope Francis aims…
Zelensky: The Progress of Ukraine's Alignment with EU Laws Will Be Assessed Soon
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine and the European Commission will soon assess progress in aligning Ukrainian laws with EU standards. This comes after…
Automotive Rent for Military Personnel; Government License to 'Fara Ja' for Importing Cars with 1% Profit
The Iranian government has granted a special license to the police for importing 2,000 cars at a significantly lower profit margin than that available to…
Two Al Jazeera Journalists Killed and Injured in Gaza; White House Expresses Condolences
Samer Abudqa, a cameraman for Al Jazeera, was killed and Wael Dahdouh, the head of the Gaza office, was injured during Israeli shelling in Khan…
UN: Taliban Imprisons Afghan Women for 'Protection' Against Gender-Based Violence
The UN reports that the Taliban is imprisoning Afghan women under the guise of protecting them from gender-based violence, with no existing support shelters available.…
The body of Afagh Khosravi-Zand, a Baha'i citizen, was buried in Khavaran "against the family's heartfelt wishes"
Afagh Khosravi-Zand, a Baha'i citizen, was buried in Khavaran against her family's wishes due to governmental pressure and university refusal to accept her body. This…
Government Forces Attack Two Religious Schools in Zahedan; Dar al-Uloom Teachers: 'Violation of Sanctity'
Government forces attacked two religious schools in Zahedan, detaining dozens of students, which the Society of Teachers of Dar al-Uloom condemned as a violation of…
Taliban: Iran Has Expelled 350,000 Afghan Nationals in Three Months
The Taliban reports that Iran has expelled approximately 345,000 undocumented Afghan nationals in the last three months, contributing to a total of 850,000 forced returns…
Egyptians Head to the Polls Today; Three-Day Election Amid Gaza War
Egyptians are voting in a presidential election where Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is expected to secure a third term amid ongoing economic challenges and conflict with…
Seventh Development Plan; Diesel Prices to Increase Gradually from 2025
The Iranian government plans to gradually increase diesel prices starting in 2025 as part of the Seventh Development Plan, which may lead to higher energy…
Oberlin College to VOA: Jafar Mahalati on 'Indefinite Leave' Since December 7
Oberlin College has placed Mohammad Jafar Mahalati, former Iranian ambassador to the UN, on indefinite leave amid allegations of sexual harassment and anti-Semitic remarks. The…
Informed Source to VOA: Behbahan Prison is 'Hell for Itself'
An informed source has described Behbahan Prison in Iran as having terrible conditions, lacking basic sanitary and medical facilities, and likened it to 'hell.' This…
Rocket Attack on Baghdad's Green Zone; US Embassy: Iraqi Government Must Ensure Diplomatic Security
The US Embassy in Baghdad urged the Iraqi government to secure the safety of foreign diplomats after a rocket attack on the Green Zone. No…
Account of Released Thai Hostage: Hamas Forces Killed My Friend Before My Eyes
Anucha Ankhaw, a Thai agricultural worker, recounts his harrowing experience of being taken hostage by Hamas, where he witnessed the murder of a friend and…
London's Anger Over Moscow's 'Cyber Espionage' Campaign; UK Summons Russian Ambassador
The UK summoned the Russian ambassador and imposed sanctions due to a hacking group linked to the FSB that has targeted British officials and organizations.…
US State Department Urges Israel to Facilitate Increased Aid to Gaza
The US State Department has urged Israel to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza, citing insufficient fuel, food, and water. This comes amid ongoing ground operations…
Committee to Protect Journalists Calls for Release of Critical Journalist in Azerbaijan
The Committee to Protect Journalists has called for the release of Raft Muradli, a journalist arrested in Azerbaijan on dubious charges. His arrest follows the…
Israel's Plan for Hamas Tunnels in Gaza: Pumping Water from the Mediterranean Sea
Israel plans to flood Hamas tunnels in Gaza with water from the Mediterranean to eliminate militants. The U.S. has been consulted, but opinions within the…
180 Trucks of Humanitarian Aid Enter Gaza with Coordination from the U.S. and Egypt
On Monday, 180 trucks of humanitarian aid entered Gaza, coordinated by the U.S. and Egypt, amid ongoing Israeli military operations. This aid is crucial for…
International Labor Organizations: The Iranian Regime Intensified Repression Amid the Gaza War
International labor organizations have condemned the Iranian regime for escalating executions and repression amid the Gaza conflict, citing over 120 executions since October 7. They…
White House: Israel is making efforts to protect civilians in Gaza
A senior U.S. official claims Israel is trying to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza amid ongoing conflict. The U.S. is urging Israel to prioritize civilian…
Kyiv Accuses Russia of Shooting Unarmed Ukrainian Soldiers
Kyiv has accused Russia of committing a war crime after a video surfaced showing Russian soldiers shooting at unarmed Ukrainian soldiers who were surrendering. This…
A Union Official: We Have 5 Million 'Underground' Workers Without Insurance
Fathollah Bayat, head of the Union of Contract and Temporary Workers, revealed that around 5 million workers in Iran are employed informally without job security…
Iran's Reform Front Calls for Recognition of Women's Right to Choose Their Attire
The Reform Front of Iran has called for the recognition of women's right to choose their attire, criticizing the government's enforcement of mandatory hijab as…
Arnold Schwarzenegger Supports Families of Israeli Hostages
Arnold Schwarzenegger met with families of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas during their October 7 attack, offering support and gifts. He aims to raise awareness…
Air Pollution in Iran Reaches Peak; Mazut Burning as Main Cause
Air pollution in Iran has reached alarming levels, particularly in major cities like Tehran and Isfahan, primarily due to the burning of mazut. The government…