February 2017
Human Rights Campaign: Arrest of Several Civil and Political Activists and a Journalist
Majid Asadi, a former political prisoner, has been arrested again, along with journalist Tahereh Riahi and activist Farzaneh Jalali. Their arrests highlight ongoing repression of…
International Monetary Fund: Stability of Poverty and Unemployment Rates Despite Iran's Economic Growth
The IMF's latest report indicates that despite Iran's projected economic growth of 6.6% this year, unemployment is expected to remain high at around 12.2%, and…
Abu Sayyaf Group in the Philippines Releases Video of German Hostage's Beheading
The Abu Sayyaf group has released a video showing the beheading of German hostage Juergen Kantner, who was kidnapped in November 2016. The Philippine government…
New Secretary General of the Democratic Party of the United States Elected
Tom Perez has been elected as the new Secretary General of the Democratic Party, defeating Keith Ellison. Both candidates have called for unity within the…
Amnesty International Criticizes 'Widespread Human Rights Violations in Iran'
Amnesty International's annual report highlights ongoing human rights abuses in Iran, including suppression of free speech and harsh punishments. The report coincides with recent sentences…
Is Emphasis on Mother Tongue Promoting Separatism?
The article discusses the implications of emphasizing mother tongue education in Iran, questioning whether it promotes separatism or is a vital aspect of ethnic identity.…
Iraqi Prime Minister Orders Airstrikes on ISIS Positions in Syria
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has ordered airstrikes on ISIS positions in Syria in response to recent bombings in Baghdad. The strikes were coordinated with…
Malaysia: VX Nerve Agent Used in the Murder of Kim Jong-nam
Malaysian police have identified VX nerve agent as the poison used to murder Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Two women…
Syrian Peace Talks Resume in Geneva After a 10-Month Break
Syrian peace talks have resumed in Geneva after a 10-month break, with Russia dismissing calls for Assad's resignation. The talks aim to address political transition,…
Iraqi Forces Retake Mosul Airport and a Military Base from ISIS
Iraqi forces, with U.S. support, have retaken Mosul airport and a nearby military base from ISIS, marking a significant advance in the ongoing battle against…
At least five killed in explosion in Lahore, Pakistan
An explosion in Lahore, Pakistan, killed at least five people and injured many others. The incident is part of a recent surge in violence in…
Spicer: Focus Currently on Immigrants with Deportation Orders
The U.S. government is currently focused on deporting illegal immigrants with deportation orders, estimated to be between 800,000 to 900,000 individuals. This is part of…
Ilham Aliyev Appoints His Wife as First Vice President of Azerbaijan
Ilham Aliyev has appointed his wife, Mehriban Aliyeva, as the First Vice President of Azerbaijan, a position created by a recent referendum. This move consolidates…
Turkish Prime Minister: A New Era of Relations with the New U.S. Government Has Begun
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım announced a new phase in U.S.-Turkey relations following a meeting with Vice President Mike Pence. The Turkish army plans to…
Why Direct Foreign Investment Does Not Come to Iran?
The Iranian government reports that only a small fraction of approved foreign investments have been realized, raising questions about the effectiveness of the JCPOA in…
Reporters Without Borders Criticizes '38 Years of Arrests and Suppression of Journalists' in Iran
Reporters Without Borders has criticized the ongoing repression of journalists in Iran, marking the anniversary of the 1979 Revolution. Despite changes in leadership over the…
Hand Amputation Sentences for Three Individuals Convicted of Theft in Tehran
Three individuals in Tehran have been sentenced to hand amputation for theft, sparking condemnation from human rights organizations. The sentences were issued by the Tehran…
Iran Allows Women to Attend Kish Beach Volleyball Competitions After Threat from FIVB
Iran has allowed women to attend the Kish Beach Volleyball World Tour after a warning from the FIVB threatened to suspend the event due to…
US Army Claims Russian Fighters Approached American Destroyer 'Unprofessionally'
The US Army accused Russian jets of unsafe maneuvers near a US destroyer in the Black Sea, which Russia denied. This incident highlights ongoing tensions…
Half-brother of North Korean leader killed in Malaysia
Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, was reportedly killed in Malaysia. His death is shrouded in mystery, with…
Lawyer of Mohammad Ali Taheri: Order to Drop Charges Against My Client Issued
The lawyer of Mohammad Ali Taheri, a founder of a controversial spiritual movement, announced that charges against him for serious offenses have been dropped, leaving…
Increase in Health Spending Share in Iranian Households' Expenditure
The share of health spending in Iranian households' budgets has increased significantly due to rising medical costs outpacing income growth. Despite government claims of support,…
Syrian Government Ready to Exchange Prisoners with Rebels
The Syrian government has expressed its willingness to exchange prisoners with rebel groups, a move intended to foster trust ahead of upcoming peace talks. This…
Australia Revokes Citizenship of ISIS Member for the First Time
Australia has revoked the citizenship of Khaled Sharouf, a dual Australian-Lebanese national and member of ISIS, marking the first such action against an ISIS member.…
Report from the Department of Homeland Security on the Cost and Time for Building the Mexico Wall
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security estimates that building the Mexico wall will cost $21.6 billion and take over three years. President Trump remains committed…
Bodies of Two Victims of Qom Metro Collapse Retrieved
Two workers died in a collapse at the Qom Metro site, with ongoing efforts to find others trapped. The incident has drawn attention from local…
Trump and Erdogan's Phone Conversation; Emphasis on Combating All Forms of Terrorism
Donald Trump and Recep Tayyip Erdogan had their first phone conversation since Trump's presidency, focusing on mutual support against terrorism. The call was described as…
Amnesty International: Thousands Executed in a Syrian Prison
Amnesty International reported that the Syrian government has executed 13,000 people in mass executions since 2011, primarily in Sednaya prison. The report highlights systematic torture…
Half a Million Demonstrations in Romania; Government to Release New Criminal Law
Romania is experiencing massive protests against new criminal laws proposed by the ruling Social Democratic Party, with over half a million people demonstrating. The government…
Civilian Casualties and Injuries in Afghanistan; 'Unprecedented in Recent Years'
The UN report reveals a dramatic increase in civilian casualties in Afghanistan, with nearly 11,500 affected in 2016, one-third of whom are children. The report…
Sharif University Professors Call for Easing Visa Issuance for American Citizens
Over 70 professors from Sharif University have called on the Iranian government to ease visa restrictions for American citizens in response to a U.S. travel…
Continuing Criticism of Sentencing Journalists to Flogging in Iran
Criticism of the Iranian government's sentencing of journalists to flogging continues, with international organizations like the International Federation of Journalists and Amnesty International calling for…
Largest Anti-Government Protests in Romania Since the Fall of Communism
Romania is experiencing its largest anti-government protests since the fall of communism, with hundreds of thousands protesting against a new law proposed by the ruling…
Arian Tahi, Iranian-Born Grandmaster of Chess in Norway
Arian Tahi, a 17-year-old Iranian-born chess grandmaster in Norway, is being hailed as a potential future world champion. He has a strong international rating and…
U.S. Observers: Afghan Government Controls Half of the Country
A recent U.S. government report reveals that the Afghan government struggles to control half of the country, with a significant rise in security force casualties…