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…
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…
Pouran Farrokhzad, Writer and Researcher, Passes Away
Pouran Farrokhzad, a notable Iranian writer and researcher, has died at the age of 89 due to cardiac arrest. She was the sister of famous…
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…
Four Attackers Killed After Assault on Communist Party Office in Xinjiang
Four attackers were killed by police after assaulting a Communist Party office in Xinjiang, resulting in one death and three injuries. The incident is described…
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…
Reaction to Online Data Collection of Visa Applicants by the U.S. Government
The U.S. government has implemented a new plan requiring visa applicants to disclose their social media activities, prompting backlash from privacy advocates. Critics argue that…
Visit of the U.S. President and Japanese Prime Minister to Pearl Harbor
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Pearl Harbor to honor the victims of the 1941 attack, marking a significant moment in U.S.-Japan relations. This visit…
Trump, Settlement Resolution, and the Proposed U.S. Ambassador to Israel
Donald Trump has nominated David Friedman, a strong supporter of Israeli settlements and opponent of a Palestinian state, as U.S. Ambassador to Israel, signaling a…
Pope Francis Calls for an End to War and Violence in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen During Christmas Prayer
Pope Francis called for an end to violence and war in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and other regions during his Christmas prayer, urging the international community…
Nigeria Reports a 'Major Victory' Against Boko Haram
Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari announced a significant military victory over Boko Haram, claiming the army has expelled the group from its last major forest base.…
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…
UN General Assembly Passes Resolution Criticizing Human Rights Situation in Iran
The UN General Assembly passed a resolution criticizing Iran's human rights record, supported by 85 countries. This resolution addresses issues like executions, journalist detentions, and…
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…
Minister of Economy: Currency Change from Rial to Toman Will Be Gradual
Iran's Minister of Economy announced that the transition from rial to toman will be gradual and will not involve immediate new banknotes. This decision is…
14 Turkish Soldiers Killed in Clash with ISIS in Al-Bab, Syria
At least 14 Turkish soldiers were killed and 33 wounded in clashes with ISIS in Al-Bab, Syria, marking the deadliest day for Turkish forces in…
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…
IMF Predicts 6.6% Economic Growth for Iran
The IMF has revised its economic growth forecast for Iran to 6.6% due to rising oil prices and exports, although it anticipates a decline to…
Dozens Killed and Wounded in Suicide Bombing at Military Base in Yemen
A suicide bombing in Aden, Yemen, killed at least 43 soldiers and injured around 60 others. The attack occurred as soldiers were receiving their salaries,…
Women’s Faction in Parliament Seeks to Reform Laws Related to the Minimum Age of Marriage for Girls
The Women’s Faction in the Iranian Parliament is working to reform laws regarding the minimum marriage age for girls, currently set at 13, amid rising…
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…
Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: Evacuation of Aleppo Delayed for Unspecified Reasons
The evacuation of rebel-held areas in Aleppo has been postponed due to unclear reasons, despite previous arrangements for a ceasefire and evacuation. The situation involves…
Warning About Population Increase in the Capital: Tehran Has No Water Left
Mahdi Chamran, head of Tehran City Council, warns that the city's water reserves are depleted due to a population increase to 14 million. He highlights…
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…
UN Secretary-General Warns of 'Crimes Against Civilians' in Aleppo
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has raised alarms over reports of crimes against civilians in Aleppo, particularly concerning executions of women and children. The Syrian government…
Child Marriage in Iran; Questions from Cultural Commission Members to Qom Clerics
Members of the Iranian Parliament's Cultural Commission are seeking guidance from clerics on the issue of child marriage, which remains prevalent despite legal restrictions. Recent…
US: Russia has requested to postpone the ceasefire in Aleppo
The US has accused Russia of delaying a ceasefire in Aleppo, where Syrian government forces continue to advance against rebels. Despite ongoing negotiations in Geneva,…
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…
South Korean President Impeached by Parliament
South Korean President Park Geun-hye has been impeached by Parliament due to allegations of corruption and collusion with former aides. The Prime Minister will assume…
Kamran Vafa, Winner of the Breakthrough Prize: Inspired by Biruni and Khayyam
Kamran Vafa, an Iranian-American physicist, won the Breakthrough Prize for his work in string theory. He emphasized the influence of Iranian scientists from history and…
Daily Loss from Labor Accidents is 150 Billion Tomans
Akbar Shokat, head of the Supreme Council of Construction Workers' Associations, reported that labor accidents cause a daily economic loss of 150 billion tomans in…
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…
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…
Hadi's Government Claims UN Plan Legitimizes Yemeni Rebels
The Yemeni government led by Hadi has criticized a UN plan as legitimizing Houthi rebels amidst reports of Saudi and UAE support for the plan.…
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…
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…
Tehran City Council Member: The Soil of the Capital is No Longer Fertile
Mohammad Haqani, head of the Environment Committee of Tehran City Council, announced that Tehran's soil is polluted and no longer fertile, highlighting the serious environmental…
UN Requests $22 Billion in Humanitarian Aid for 2017
The UN has requested $22.2 billion in humanitarian aid for 2017 to assist 93 million people affected by global crises, with significant allocations for Syria,…
Italian Prime Minister Resigns Following Referendum Defeat
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has resigned after losing a crucial referendum aimed at constitutional reform. The defeat is expected to lead to a political…
Head of Women's Basij: Judiciary Should Confront Gender Equality Advocates
Minou Aslani, head of the Women's Basij, criticized Iran's commitment to gender equality as contrary to women's interests and called for judicial action against advocates…
Fire During Concert in California Claims Lives of 'Dozens'
A fire at a concert venue in California has resulted in the deaths of potentially up to 40 people, with many still unaccounted for. The…
Discovery of Stolen Historical Artifacts from Palmyra, Libya, and Yemen in Switzerland
Swiss authorities have seized stolen historical artifacts from Palmyra, Libya, and Yemen, which were smuggled into Switzerland via Qatar before the Syrian civil war. The…
Europol Warns of Potential 'Chemical Attacks' by ISIS in Europe
Europol has issued a warning about the potential for new ISIS attacks in Europe, highlighting the use of novel tactics and the imminent return of…
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…
Arrest of Iranian Embassy Vehicle Occupants in Kenya Following 'Filming of Israeli Embassy'
Two Iranians were arrested in Kenya for filming the Israeli embassy, facing terrorism charges. They were reportedly visiting others who were previously convicted. This incident…
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…
Amnesty International: Major International Companies Complicit in Human Rights Violations through Palm Oil Consumption
Amnesty International has accused major international companies, including Nestlé and Unilever, of complicity in human rights violations linked to palm oil production in Indonesia, where…
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'…
Half a Million People in Mosul Facing Drinking Water Shortage
The UN reports that half a million civilians in Mosul are facing a severe drinking water shortage due to ongoing battles with Islamic State militants.…