Jill Worrall, New Zealand Herald Columnist: Iran, the most misunderstood country of the world! - For the global public opinions and the majority of masses who do not have any particular way of knowing a far spot on the earth rather than relying on the information given to them by the mainstream media i.e. magazines, TV channels, news websites and radio stations, Iran would enthusiastically be the most astonishing and enticing place one can ever see and explore in his/her lifespan. -Kourosh Ziabari 1/6/09
Religious Plays Gaining Popularity in Iran Again - Traditional plays held during the month of Moharram, the first month of the lunar Islamic calendar, are growing in popularity once again throughout Iran. -FNA 1/6/09
Photos: Muharram Mourning Ceremonies in Iran - The Mourning of Muharram is an important period of mourning in the Shi'a branch of Islam, taking place in Muharram which is the first month of the Islamic calendar. The following photos are from the mourning ceremonies held in the towns of Isfahan, Qom, Zanjan and Shahr-e-Rey (a suburb of Tehran). 1/6/09
Six more Iranian sites to receive UNESCO world heritage certificates - UNESCO plans to award six more Iranian monuments world heritage certificates during 2009. The six monuments to receive certificates are as follows: Chogha Zanbil Ziggurat, Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Takht-e Soleiman, Pasargadae, Soltanieh Dome, and the collection of historic churches of St. Thaddeus, St. Stephanus, and Dzordzor. 1/6/09
The Politics of An Israeli Extermination Campaign: Backers, Apologists and Arms Suppliers - Because of the unconditional support of the entire political class in the US, from the White House to Congress, including both Parties, incoming and outgoing elected officials and all the principle print and electronic mass media, the Israeli Government feels no compunction in publicly proclaiming a detailed and graphic account of its policy of mass extermination of the population of Gaza. -James Petras 1/6/09
New Israeli strike kills 40 in UN school - At least 40 people have been killed in a new Israeli attack on a school run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in the Gaza Strip. Also, so far at least 111 children have been in the Israeli blitz on the Gaza Strip, Palestinian medical officials say. 1/6/09
Iranian Jewish community split as creditors force Ezri Namvar into bankruptcy - Businessman and philanthropist Ezri Namvar was once a pillar of the local Iranian Jewish community, a trusted friend to whom many in the community loaned freely and without fear. Now Namvar and his investment company, Namco Capital Group, Inc., are accused of losing as much as $400 million loaned to him. -Jewish Journal 1/6/09
Turkish Warplanes, Iranian artillery bombard Suspected Kurdish Rebels in Iraq - Turkish warplanes Monday targeted suspected Kurdish rebel hideouts in northern Iraq. A spokesman for the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, told the French news agency that Turkish planes and Iranian artillery bombarded locations in the remote mountain area. -VOA 1/6/09
Israeli Professor Under Hamas Rocket Fire, Neve Gordon Condemns Israeli Invasion of Gaza - Earlier this morning, three Qassam rockets exploded in open areas in the western Negev in Israel. We go to the region to speak with Neve Gordon, chair of the Department of Politics and Government, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, and the author of Israel’s Occupation. -Democracy Now 1/6/09
Iran informs customers of oil output cut - Iran has reportedly informed some of the Asian buyers of its crude oil that it will significantly reduce their supplies in January. Iran announced in late December that it would cut oil output by 545,000 bpd from January 1 in line with OPEC's December decision to reduce supplies. -Press TV 1/6/09
Iranian Resistance Group a Source of Contention in Iraq - The question now isn't just what to do with the MEK's 3,500 members — it's also who decides their future. Past U.S. ties to the group suggest that the Geneva Convention isn't the only reason Washington might not want to throw the MEK to the wolves just yet. But how deeply is Washington invested? The answer may lie in how Baghdad chooses to deal with the group. -TIME 1/6/09
First Documentary on "HAYEDEH, Legendary Persian Diva" - Announcing the first documentary highlighting the life and career of the woman some call "Persia's Maria Callas," the late singer, Hayedeh (1942-1990). The documentary, "Hayedeh, Legendary Persian Diva," was made by Pejman Akbarzadeh (28) a Netherlands-based pianist, journalist, and author of a 4-volume book about 20th-century Persian musicians. 1/5/09
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Iranian students design humanoid robot
Giant Awakened - The most significant event of 2009 will be the administration's foreign policies. Looming crisis in seven continents, six if you are European, is demanding attention, now. Worldwide economic crisis, food crisis, water crisis, energy crisis, drug wars, territorial wars, religious wars and wars against terrorism are center stage. The Obama administration will have to rebuild America's place in the worlds of politics, economics, science and technology. -Sousan Alemansour 1/5/09
Qatar Accuses Israel of 'War Crime' in Gaza - The emir of Qatar on Sunday accused the Tel Aviv regime of committing a "war crime" in Gaza and renewed a call for an extraordinary Arab summit. "The Israeli aggression against our people in the Gaza Strip is a war crime," Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani said in a televised address. 1/5/09
On The Question of Iranian Threat to World Peace and Immense Benefits of Hypocrisy - Many US and Israeli officials have argued that Iran is a threat to the world peace but instead of proving their claim they have exaggerated it to a ridiculous point. Among them is Benjamin Netanyahu's claim in Europe that Iran is the biggest threat to world peace in history; even greater than Hitler. These are the kind of claims that is made by someone with certain agenda and then is picked up and circulated by the media without questioning its' accuracy or validity. -Manouchehr Hosseinzadeh 1/5/09
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Don't trust US promises, Iran Leader tells Iraq PM - "Presence of the US and British troops in Iraq is the root cause of the different problems including terrorism and internal conflicts. So long as the US is present in Iraq, the Iraqi nation will not have a day of peace," Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said in a Sunday meeting with the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. 1/5/09
Stones vs. Bombs - Even many peace activists in Israel are afraid of what this state has turned into -Fariba Amini 1/5/09
150 Trained Mountain Climbers Stationed in North Tehran Mountains - Some 150 trained mountain climbers, who are members of Tehran Province Mountain Climbing Board, have been stationed in north Tehran mountains in order to train citizens and prevent accidents along five main routes of north Tehran mountains. -Tehran municipality 1/5/09
SAIPA, Iran Khodro post 10% rise in car production in 2008 - The giant subsidiaries of the Industrial Development and Renovation Organization of Iran (IDRO), SAIPA and Iran Khodro, posted a 10 percent rise in car production in 2008. 1/5/09
"Ashura The Tenth Day" at AAran Art Gallery in Tehran - The battle of good versus the evil is an age old phenomenon. Every religion has some story or other to show us the 'right' path from the 'wrong' one. Hinduism celebrates the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura as Diwali. Christians remember the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as a supreme sacrifice in the way of God, and so do Muslims commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Husain, the grandson of the Prophet. 1/5/09
New law for investment, production takes effect in Iran - The Law for Removing Specific Hurdles to Production and Industrial Investment is now in effect following its December 2008 publication in the Official Gazette. -Press TV 1/5/09
Gaza at War - It is too early to predict the future developments. We still do not know what the goals of the Israeli invasion are, and we do not know the strength of Palestinian resistance. Fighters decide the future now, not the pundits. The war may go on to confrontation with Iran; it may bring too long rule of Hosni Mubarak to an abrupt end, it may cause a new intifada, it may re-shape the Middle East. -Israel Shamir 1/4/09
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Second cloned lamb born in Iran - A cloned lamb has been successfully born at twenty-eight weeks of gestational age --7th month of pregnancy-- in Iran's Royan Institute. 1/4/09
Iranians continue condemnation of Israeli crimes in Gaza - Gatherings and protests continue in Iran as in many other countries in support of Palestine and condemnation of Israel intensified aggressive against Gaza. -ISNA 1/4/09
Iran Questions Western Human Rights Talk - Iran says the deafening silence of Western human rights advocates on Gaza is at odds with their carping about trivial contraventions. 1/4/09
15 Iranian pilgrims killed, 36 wounded in Iraq blast - Iran on Sunday announced that at least 52 Iranian pilgrims were killed and injured in a bomb blast in Iraq on Sunday. The explosion happened at one of the entrances to Imam Moussa al-Kadhim shrine in Al Kazimiyah. 1/4/09
Iran, Iraq set up to two committees to strengthen ties - Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki announced here on Sunday that Iran and Iraq have formed an expert committee and a high joint committee to strengthen commercial and industrial relations between the two countries. -MNA 1/4/09
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Biography: Iranian Artist Shadi Mahsa - Born in Tehran in 1967 Shadi Mahsa started to paint avidly from the age of 6. From childhood she was trained by some of the most leading Iranian art instructors of the day. In 1990 she left Iran for Sydney. After this time Mahsa went on to participate in numerous art courses and schools in both Australia and the UK. -Gallery Mamak, Tahran 1/4/09
Interview With Prof. James Russell of Harvard University: Iran Should Return To Its Global Position Again - Nowadays, Iran’s name comes up in global media headlines for the most catastrophic reasons. Nuclear weapons, terrorism, mass destruction, violation of human rights, abduction of freedom activists etc. Such longstanding hostile corporate media coverage of Iran news could easily create international pessimism toward the people of Iran, the culture of Iran and the history of Iran. -Kourosh Ziabari, The Moderate Voice 1/4/09
Persepolis crushed by Zob Ahan, while Esteghlal breaks Mes of Kerman's barrier - Persepolis will never forget this Saturday, being badly beaten by Zob Ahan in the 21st week of the Iran Professional League (IPL) at the Fuladshahr Stadium in Isfahan. Meanwhile, Arash Borhani’s injury time goal sealed a sweet victory over Mes of Kerman at Tehran Azadi Stadium. 1/3/09
Protests Against Israel's Gaza Bombardment Spread - Massive protests are erupting across capitals in the Middle East and around the world in condemnation of Israel's deadly bombardment of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. 1/3/09
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Ahmadinejad, al-Maliki meet in Tehran - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki held a meeting here on Monday. Ahmadinejad emphasized that Iran wants to see a "prosperous" Iraq. The glory, independence, prosperity, security, and progress of the Iraqi nation are important for the Islamic Republic of Iran, he added. 1/3/09
Iranian author tasked to remind world pacifists about Gaza catastrophe - Iranian author Habib Ahmadzadeh sent the English version of his novel "Eagle Feather," recently translated by U.S. translator Paul Sprachman, to world pacifist groups on the occasion of the recent Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip. Written years ago, the book narrates the story of the Abadan siege by Iraqis during the Iran-Iraq war 1/3/09
Iran's women national football team to train in Norway - Iranian women national football team will travel to Norway next April to be prepared for its upcoming matches in 2010 in Guangzhou, China, said Farideh Shojaei the Head of Women's Football at the Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation (IRIFF). 1/3/09
Iran: Threats to Nobel Laureate Escalate - The Iranian government should immediately end its campaign of persecution against Dr. Shirin Ebadi, which has now escalated to mob threats and violence against her home, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran and Human Rights Watch said today. 1/3/09
IRAN: ‘I Want to Present a Different View of the Women in My Country’ - The U.S. government’s calls for civil society to work for "regime change" in Iran has increased pressure on activists on the ground who are engaged in a peaceful process of improving their society and addressing social problems, according to Sussan Tahmasebi, a prominent women’s right activist in Iran who has not been allowed to leave the country for the past two years. -Omid Memarian, IPS 1/3/09
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The Art of Recycling - Newspaper in Iran is not only for reading, as local people traditionally use them for a variety of other purposes. Instead of recycling them, the sellers of shops also use them to pack vegetables, foods and other goods such as fabrics. On many occasions newspapers are also used as tablecloths when the working class or students eat their meals. -Ahmad Nadalian, RiverArt 1/2/09
Photos: Toddlers participate in Muharram Mourning in Qom, Iran - These photos are from Iranian toddlers who have been dressed up in religious ceremonial outfits as part of Muharram Mourning in Qom, Iran. The Mourning of Muharram is an important period of mourning in the Shi'a branch of Islam, taking place in Muharram which is the first month of the Islamic calendar. -Photos by Mohammad Akhlaghi, ISNA 1/2/09
Gaza: An Interview with Ramzi Kysia - Ramzi Kysia is a writer and activist, and one of the organizers of the Free Gaza Movement. Prior to 9/11, he spent two years working on Capitol Hill as a lobbyist for the peace movement, as well as working with Iraq anti-sanction activists around the country in grassroots organizing. Since 9/11, he's spent over three years in the Middle East, including: a year in Iraq with Voices in the Wilderness... -Shirin Saeidi 1/2/09
How many will it take? Are there that many Palestinians? - "How many does it take to metamorphose wickedness into righteousness? One man must not kill. If he does, it is murder.... But a state or nation may kill as many as they please, and it is not murder. It is just, necessary, commendable, and right. Only get people enough to agree to it, and the butchery of myriads of human beings is perfectly innocent. But how many does it take?" -Debbie Menon 1/2/09
Iran warns protestors not to storm embassies - Iran has warned protestors not to break into foreign missions following violent demonstrations at the British Embassy compound in Tehran. 1/2/09
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Lecture and movie series at MIT: "Iran Through the Lens of History" - Lecture and movie series deals with contemporary issues pertaining to Iranian politics, cinema, society and culture. The lectures will be delivered by Prof. Hamid Dabashi, a world renowned expert of Iranian history and Iranian cinema. 1/2/09
Iran publishes bulletin on ancient artificial eye found in Burnt City - Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan Province has published a bulletin about the artificial eye, unearthed in the historical Burnt City site. The 5,000 year-old eye was unearthed two years ago and is believed to be the oldest prosthetic in the world. 1/2/09
In the New Year Please Stop this Madness - We started the New Year not only with much needed rain which made the famous Tehran traffic jams even more unbearable but, as civilized citizens of the world, as those who believe that all God's children are born equal, shocked and mortified that the killing of ordinary citizens in Gaza by the bombs of the Israeli government is still going on. -Syma Sayyah, Tehran 1/1/09
PHR Criticizes Iran for Trying AIDS Doctors on Secret Charges - The Iranian government's December 31 trial of Dr. Arash Alaei and Dr. Kamiar Alaei -- Iranian brothers who are known worldwide for their work as HIV/AIDS physicians -- denied fundamental requirements of due process because, according to reports received by Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), the prosecutor refused to disclose all the charges against the accused and denied their right to confront and defend themselves against their accusers. 1/1/09
Changing U.S.-Iran Relations Won't Be Easy - During the recent U.S. presidential campaign, Barack Obama distinguished himself by, among other things, expressing a willingness to hold direct and unconditional talks with the leadership of Iran. -Abbas Djavadi 12/31/08
End of the year thoughts - As we approach the end of the year I have been thinking of all that we have experienced through the year that is coming to an end. Whether good or bad, an experience can only be positive and strengthen you. -Syma Sayyah, Tehran 12/30/08
Royan Cell Therapy Center Opens in Tehran - Iran inaugurated the country's first cellular therapy center in Royan institute in a bid to treat refractory diseases in the near future 12/30/08
Shannon Kelley, the independent movie consultant: Mass media draw an altered view of Iran - Cinema Verite International Film Festival which was held in Iran on the third week of October 2008 was undoubtedly an occasional and magnificent opportunity for documentary filmmakers from 75 countries worldwide to congregate for a landmark event and share their precious artistic experiences with together along with being acquainted with the obscured and folded culture of Iran -Ahmadreza Tavassoli and Kourosh Ziabari 12/29/08
International Gaza Cartoon Contest by Iran's Cartoon House - All the works displayed at the Tehran exhibition of Gaza cartoons will be available on this site, said head of the Cartoon House Masud Shojaii Tabatabaii, adding that all the Iranian and foreign cartoonists will be able to show their latest works on this site. 12/29/08
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Shirin Ebadi's Private Law Office Stormed by Iran's Security Forces - On Monday December 29, 2008 at 5:30 in the afternoon the private law office of Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Lawyer and human rights defenders was stormed by 5 security officers identifying themselves as tax officials, who presented a letter allowing them to take two computers and other documents. -Change for Equality 12/29/08
Oldooz Robatian: An Intense, Deep and Attentive Young Artist - Last Friday, after a long time, I came across the work of a young lady whose work touched me for its insightfulness and the devotion rendered towards its creation. We were at the Golestan gallery where we saw works by the talented young lady artist Oldooz Robatian. -Syma Sayyah, Tehran 12/28/08
Iranians Ponder Future U.S.-Iranian Relations in an Obama Administration - Just a month ago, while Israeli Prime Minister Olmert and U.S. President Bush met for the last time as heads of state in late November, 2008 in Washington and continued their relentless bellicose rhetoric toward Iran, I and three activists from the United States were in Iran as citizen diplomats talking with Iranians on their views of a new American presidential administration and their hopes for their country. -Ann Wright, Common Dreams 12/28/08
Iran World Cup 98 team wins Gilan benefit match - Iran football team in World Cup 1998 France beat the "Selection of Gilan" 4-1 in a benefit match held at the "Shahid Azodi" Stadium in Rasht, north of Iran, on Friday. 12/27/08
Iranian Fashion Dilemmas - Iran is hosting its first fashion and costume-design festival to promote Islamic styles, both for adults and children. -RFE 12/27/08
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Saba Valadkhan: Seeking for a prospective Nobel Prize! - Dr. Saba Valadkhan is a world-renowned biomedical scientist and the Assistant Professor of Case Western Reserve University of USA. This young Iranian scientist has won several international awards for her effective, determinant contribution to the field of Molecular Biology such as Peter Sajovic Memorial Award, Harold M. Weintraub Graduate Student Award and James Howard McGregor Prize. -Kourosh Ziabari and Ahmadreza Tavassoli 12/26/08
Naqqali: A Short Film Titled Shemr and The Daughter of Iran - Naqqali is a traditional form of Persian storytelling that used to be performed by Naqqals (Storytellers). This story is about Shemr of Arabia and Turan , the archenemy of Iran Dokht ( The Daughter of Iran). In this short tale the defiant Shemr ( Portrayed by Iraj Anvar ) boasts about the carnage and chaos he is about to unleash upon Iran. 12/26/08
Photos: Village of Zarg in Kouhrang, Chaharmahal-Bakhtiyari province of Iran - These photos are from the village of Zarg and its residents. Zarg is about 140 kilometers from Kouhrang considered among the most beautiful towns of Chaharmahal-Bakhtiyari province. Chaharmahal o Bakhtiyari is one of the 30 provinces of Iran. It lies in the southwestern part of the country. Its capital is Shahrekord. It has an area of 16,332 square kilometers and a population of 842,000 (2005 estimate). -Photos by Amin Shirazi, ISNA 12/26/08
Dast2Dast: Serving Up Soul Food for the Homeless- Persian Style - It's 8am on Tuesday, just two days before Christmas, and while most of us are frenetically tending to last minute "Festivus" details, one Iranian American is quietly planning a holiday dinner for over a hundred homeless Virginians. -By Rudi Bakhtiar, PAAIA 12/25/08
Farhang Foundation Short-Film Festival Winner to Be Featured at LACMA - Farhang Foundation, a recently established non-profit organization focused on celebrating Iranian art and culture in Southern California, today announced that the screening of the winning film in their first Short-Film Festival Film Festival will take place during the Farhang Foundation Nowruz (Persian New Year) Celebration events at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) on March 14 and 15, 2009. 12/25/08
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The Web of Iran, Ireland, and China and Beyond: An Ethno-Cultural Etymological Interconnection? Sounds Incredulous but Real! - Many years ago a few Irish professors commissioned at the University of Tehran concluded there is a firm interconnection between Iran and Ireland in the distant past. At the time, skeptics including this then teenager perceived it naively as a part of the propaganda machinery by the Shah to embellish an Aryan heritage for Iran and thus himself before his self coronation on the “Persian Peacock” throne that followed. -Davood N. Rahni 12/25/08
Women's Peace Group Creates Petition to Iranian President - After learning of the shutdown of two renowned Iranian human rights organizations Sunday, CODEPINK Women for Peace have created a letter of petition to Iranian President Ahmadinejad calling for him to allow women's rights and human rights activists to continue their work in Iran safely and freely. 12/24/08
Persian electro-acoustic sensation NIYAZ to give hometown record release party in Los Angeles - On February 7, the Persian electro-acoustic sensation Niyaz does a hometown record release party in Los Angeles at the El Rey Theatre in support of their critically acclaimed sophomore album, Nine Heavens. The album has been resonating across a wide spectrum of fans worldwide from the younger Persian generation to their parents, to Western ears and more. 12/24/08
So happy to be at school! - Because of its position in the Middle East, Iran has been a home to over a million refugees from Iraq and Afghanistan. Many are children of school age. Some of them are legal and have papers giving them permission to live here, others are illegal. For the past two years the legal ones have been allowed to go to school, but they have to pay between 500,000 to 800,000 rials! ($50-$80). Many of the families can hardly afford to buy food, let alone pay for their children's education. -Syma Sayyah & Paul Sanford, Tehran 12/23/08
No pomegranates in Saveh, but art works instead! - First Saveh Pomegranate Visual Art Festival came about, to make the general public aware of the pomegranate growers plight, by using the pomegranate's symbolic properties in art, culture and folklore through the means of visual arts. Thanks to the enthusiastic energy of the painter Marzieh Ramezani who has Saveh origins, the project took shape towards the end of October 08, at the usual time of the pomegranate harvest. -Jacqueline Mirsadeghi 12/22/08
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In The Spotlight: International Awards and the Accomplished Iranians Who Have Earned Them - Prestigious international awards not only recognize the accomplishments of their winners, but encourage excellence in the fields they honor. Iranians around the world have frequently been the recipients of such awards recognizing leaders in a variety of fields. -PARSA 12/19/08
Photos: Iranian Robot Sourena - Sourena is named after the Parthian Iranian warrior Sourena (84 BCE-54 BCE) who defeated the Roman general Crassus at the Battle of Carrhae. 12/15/08
Dear Iran - Politic is not a funny matter but the past and present actions of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have shown that you need a great sense of humor to be able to stand the look of these sanctimonious humbugs. -B. Bahrami, UK 12/12/08
Whose Interests Will Shape Barack Obama's "Change"? - To say that President Obama will face daunting challenges is stating the obvious. What is less obvious, however, is that these challenges also represent opportunities for change in favor of peace and economic security for all. -Ismael Hossein-zadeh 12/10/08
The Doors of Yazd - Yazd is a wonderful old city to wander around, and although the alleys that meander around between the buildings seem eerily quiet, you know that life is going on behind the doors. -Syma Sayyah & Paul Sanford, Tehran 12/4/08
Latin America's march of democracy as a challenge to hegemon: The struggle against the containment of democracy - A New Dawn in Latin America has begun. Enormous challenges and opportunities confront the region in the Face of a crushing and vengeful neo-liberalism of global capitalism and all of its supportive economic, military and political institutions. This paper examines those challenges and opportunities particularly as they are related to the possible loss of U.S. hegemony and the attempts at containing democratic aspirations and strategies in Latin America. -Mehdi S. Shariati 11/25/08
