October 2017
International Monetary Fund Reports Iran's Economic Growth at 12.5% for 2016
The IMF has revised Iran's economic growth for 2016 to 12.5%, citing significant increases in oil production and exports following the lifting of international sanctions.…
Spanish Central Government Takes Control of Catalonia
The Spanish government has taken control of Catalonia following a controversial independence referendum deemed illegal by courts. Ousted Catalan leaders, including Carles Puigdemont, have fled…
Barzani Criticizes Lack of International Support for Kurdistan Independence Referendum
Masoud Barzani criticized the lack of international support, particularly from the U.S., for the Kurdistan independence referendum. He highlighted the betrayal by rival Kurdish groups…
Hundreds of Thousands Demonstrate in Barcelona in Support of Spain's Unity
Hundreds of thousands demonstrated in Barcelona in support of Spain's unity, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the Spanish government and Catalonia's separatist movement. The Spanish…
Barzani Steps Down from Presidency of Iraqi Kurdistan; Power Sharing to be Discussed in Parliament
Masoud Barzani is stepping down from the presidency of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq after November 1, following pressure from the central government and internal…
James Mattis: The Threat of North Korean Nuclear Missile Attack is Increasing
U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis warned that the threat of a North Korean nuclear missile attack is increasing and that the U.S. will never…
From Baghaei's Basket to the Red and Blue Derby
The article discusses a radio program that coincides with the Tehran derby, exploring various social and political issues in Iran, including women's presence in sports,…
European Parliament's Sakharov Human Rights Prize Awarded to Venezuelan Opposition
The European Parliament awarded the Sakharov Human Rights Prize to the Venezuelan opposition amid ongoing unrest and violence in the country. This recognition highlights the…
US Navy Rescues Iranian Fishermen from Pirate Attack
The US Navy, with the help of the Japanese Navy, rescued Iranian fishermen from a pirate attack in the waters south of Yemen after a…
UN Special Rapporteur Urges Iranian Government to End Harassment of BBC Staff
The UN Special Rapporteur David Kaye has called on the Iranian government to cease harassment of BBC Persian staff after a complaint from the network.…
Ahmad Shahid: Religious Intolerance Has Increased Worldwide
Ahmad Shahid, the UN human rights rapporteur, reported that religious intolerance is increasing globally, with over 70 countries having laws against blasphemy. He called for…
Interior Minister: Street Children to be Directed for Skill Acquisition
The Iranian Interior Minister announced a plan to direct street children to educational institutions for skill acquisition, particularly those whose families cannot be identified. This…
Xi Jinping's Name and Ideology Added to China's Constitution
The 19th Congress of the Communist Party of China has officially added Xi Jinping's name and ideology to its charter, marking a significant consolidation of…
Philippines Announces End to Siege of Marawi City by ISIS Allies
The Philippines has declared the end of the siege of Marawi City by ISIS-aligned militants after five months of military operations. Defense Minister Delfin Lorenzana…
Syria Warns Israel About Consequences of Its Attacks
Syria's Foreign Ministry has warned Israel about the serious consequences of its attacks following Israeli artillery retaliation against Syrian military positions. This escalation follows recent…
Trump: The Liberation of Raqqa is a Significant Advancement in the Global Campaign Against ISIS
Donald Trump announced the liberation of Raqqa from ISIS as a significant step in the global fight against the group. The Syrian Democratic Forces, supported…
At least 72 people killed in suicide attacks on two mosques in Afghanistan
At least 72 people were killed in suicide attacks on two mosques in Afghanistan, with ISIS claiming responsibility for one of the attacks. The violence…
ISIS Claims Responsibility for Suicide Attack on Shia Mosque in Kabul
ISIS has claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a Shia mosque in Kabul, resulting in at least 39 deaths and many injuries. The Afghan…
Raqqa Completely Cleared of ISIS
Syrian Democratic Forces, backed by the U.S., have declared complete victory over ISIS in Raqqa, handing control to local leaders. This marks a significant milestone…
Representative of Ayatollah Sistani Calls on Iraqi Government to Protect Kurdish People
Ayatollah Sistani's representative called on the Iraqi government to protect the Kurdish people amid advancing central government forces in Kirkuk, leading to mass Kurdish displacement.…
Kurdistan Region Officials: 100,000 People Have Fled Kirkuk
Following the central government's takeover of Kirkuk, nearly 100,000 Kurds have fled the city, which has been a point of contention between the Kurdistan Region…
UN Commission Calls for Halt to Death Sentence of Murder Suspect of Setayesh Qureshi
The UN Human Rights Committee has called for Iran to halt the execution of Amir Hossein Pourjafar, who was convicted of murdering a seven-year-old Afghan…
The 2017 Man Booker Literary Prize Awarded to American George Saunders
George Saunders won the 2017 Man Booker Prize for his novel 'Lincoln in the Bardo,' making him the second American to receive this prestigious award.…
New Season of NBA Basketball Begins with Home Loss for Defending Champion
The NBA season kicked off with Cleveland defeating Boston 102-99, marred by Gordon Hayward's serious injury. Golden State lost to Houston 122-121 despite leading for…
Chinese President: We Will Open Our Economy More to Foreign Companies
Chinese President Xi Jinping opened the National Congress of the Communist Party, emphasizing China's commitment to opening its economy to foreign companies while combating corruption.…
Artificial Intelligence and Google's New Products
Google has launched a new series of hardware products, prominently featuring the Pixel 2 phone, which aims to compete with the likes of Samsung's Galaxy…
Resumption and Re-registration for Green Card Lottery from October 18
The U.S. Green Card lottery registration will resume on October 18 after a technical halt, requiring previous applicants to re-register. This change comes amidst new…
Iraqi Forces Take Control of Kirkuk
Iraqi government forces have taken control of Kirkuk in response to a Kurdish independence referendum, altering the regional power dynamics. The operation has led to…
Somalia Bombing Death Toll Exceeds 300
The death toll from two bombings in Mogadishu, Somalia, has surpassed 300, marking the deadliest attack by Al-Shabaab in over a decade. Many victims remain…
Researchers Concerned About the Death of Nearly All Adelie Penguin Chicks in Antarctica
Researchers are alarmed by the near-total death of Adelie penguin chicks in Antarctica due to unprecedented sea ice forcing parents to travel farther for food.…
Reports of 'Gunfire Exchange' Around Kirkuk; Abadi's Statement on 'Cooperation' with Peshmerga
There have been reports of artillery exchanges between Iraqi government forces and Kurdish Peshmerga near Kirkuk, as Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi calls for cooperation to…
Kirkuk; Continued Standoff Between Government Forces and Peshmerga Following Baghdad's Deadline
Tensions continue to rise in Kirkuk as Iraqi government forces and Kurdish Peshmerga face off following a deadline issued by Baghdad for the Peshmerga to…
Hamas Announces Political Reconciliation Agreement with Fatah Movement
Hamas announced a political reconciliation agreement with Fatah during talks in Egypt, with details to be revealed in a press conference. This agreement aims to…
North Korea: Trump's Words Ignite the Fire of War; Trump: North Korea Problem Must Be Solved
North Korea's Foreign Minister claims that Trump's rhetoric has escalated tensions, stating that they are prepared to respond with force. Trump insists that North Korea…
Mohammad Rasoulof, Iranian Filmmaker, Accused of 'Acts Against National Security'
Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof has been accused of acts against national security, facing potential imprisonment of up to six years. This follows his previous arrest…
The Door of a Mosque in Tehran Set on Fire; 'Perpetrators Arrested'
A mosque door in Tehran was set on fire by youths influenced by social media, leading to arrests. The police deny any connection to Satanic…
Nobel Prize in Economics Awarded to American Researcher Richard Thaler
Richard Thaler, a behavioral economist, was awarded the 2017 Nobel Prize in Economics for his work on nudging people towards making better economic decisions. His…
Trump Delays Transfer of US Embassy to Jerusalem for the Second Time
Donald Trump has delayed the transfer of the US embassy to Jerusalem for the second time, stating he wants to give the peace process a…
32 Trillion Toman Discrepancy in Tehran Municipality Debts
Tehran Municipality is facing a significant financial crisis with reported debts of 52 trillion tomans, while expenses have exceeded revenues by over 1 trillion tomans…
Saudi Arabia Protests UN Report on Killing of Yemeni Children
Saudi Arabia has protested a UN report accusing its coalition of killing Yemeni children, claiming the report is misleading. The coalition argues it operates under…
Hawaii's Second Chance to Challenge Trump's Immigration Order
Hawaii has been granted another chance to challenge Trump's new immigration order, which is set to take effect on October 18 and includes travel bans…
Oxford City Council Revokes 'Freedom of Oxford' Award from Aung San Suu Kyi
The Oxford City Council is set to revoke the Freedom of Oxford award from Aung San Suu Kyi due to her inaction regarding the Rohingya…
Iran Ranked Nineteenth in Global Truck Production
Iran ranks nineteenth in global truck production with a significant decrease in output compared to previous years. Economic sanctions and the rise of Chinese truck…
2019 Green Card Lottery; U.S. State Department Clarifications
The U.S. virtual embassy in Iran has announced the start of the 2019 Green Card lottery for Iranian applicants, but emphasized that recent immigration restrictions…
Girlfriend of Las Vegas Shooter Responds to FBI Questions
Marilou Danley, the girlfriend of Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock, responded to FBI inquiries, claiming she had no involvement in the attack and was visiting…
Catalonia Will Declare Independence in the Coming Days
Carlos Puigdemont announced that Catalonia will declare independence soon after a referendum showed 90% support for independence, despite opposition from the Spanish government. Protests erupted…
The U.S. Expels 15 Cuban Diplomats
The U.S. has expelled 15 Cuban diplomats in response to health issues affecting American diplomats in Cuba, citing Havana's failure to ensure their safety. This…
Putin's Call for 'Beneficial' Relations Between Russia and the U.S.
Vladimir Putin has called for improved bilateral relations with the U.S. during the credential presentation of new ambassador Jon Huntsman, amidst deteriorating ties due to…
UN Calls for End to Persecution of Bahá'ís in Yemen
The UN has unanimously passed a resolution calling for an end to the persecution of Bahá'ís in Yemen and the release of imprisoned Bahá'ís. This…
Madrid Threatens to Suspend Catalonia's Regional Government Activities
Spain's central government threatens to suspend Catalonia's autonomy if it declares independence following a controversial referendum. Catalonia claims that 90% of voters supported independence despite…
Trial of Suspects in the Murder of Kim Jong-nam, Half-brother of North Korean Leader, Begins
The trial of two women accused of murdering Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has begun in Malaysia. The women, who…
Canadian Police Charge Somali Refugee with Knife and Vehicle Attacks in Edmonton
A Somali refugee has been charged in Edmonton for a knife attack on a police officer and for driving a vehicle into pedestrians, which authorities…
Palestinian Media: Hamas Transfers Control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority
Hamas is transferring control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority, marking a significant political shift after a decade of conflict. Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah and…