Iranwire – The stories of former members of the Fatemiyoun Brigade who fought in Syria on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Iran are redolent with violence and frustration. The Fatemiyoun Brigade is one of the military branches of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force, and comprises Afghan citizens and migrants to Iran. Some of them joined up voluntarily, …

Iranwire – Over the past year, at least six members of the Iranian Writers’ Association have been arrested, convicted, or sent to prison to serve their sentences, showing the increasing pressure on writers in Iran. However, the Writers’ Association of Iran continues to oppose repression and restrictions within the limits of what is left of its power. Since December 21, …

Iran-HRM – Two other prisoners were executed Saturday in eastern Iran following the recent increase in executions of Baloch minority prisoners. Iranian authorities on Saturday executed two ethnic Balochi citizens on drug related charges. Jamaluddin Brahui and Mohammad Barahui were executed in a prison in the eastern Iranian city of Birjand. An informed source said that the 40-year-old man was …

VOA – A rocket attack in northern Iraq late Monday killed a contractor for the U.S.-led coalition and injured at least six other people, according to coalition and Iraqi officials.  Coalition spokesman U.S. Army Col. Wayne Marotto said early Tuesday a total of 14 rockets were launched, and that three hit an airbase housing U.S. troops near Irbil’s airport.  Security forces gather following a …

CHRI – In the latest report issued by the UN’s top expert on Iran, UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran Javaid Rehman expressed alarm and concern over a broad range of human rights violations in the Islamic Republic, including the persistence of discrimination against women and minorities, juvenile executions, the persecution of human rights defenders and the …

Poisoning has been used since before 4500BC and is still advancing for various purposes. Initially many chemicals were used as medicines and for treating ailments, but soon it was discovered that by using increased doses they could be used as poison. Over centuries the use of poison and its harmful effects increased. Chemical warfare was a reality during the first …

Al-Arabia – Iran’s oil reserves risk becoming stranded assets unless the new US administration eases sanctions that have left the country lagging rivals in output capacity and losing a race against time as the transition to low carbon energy gathers pace. For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app. Iran, which sits on the …

Iranwire – She is two months pregnant, and terrified that someone might notice. Azam asked close friends and acquaintances to find someone to help her quietly abort her baby and “preserve her reputation”. She has gone without sleep and food to try to trigger a miscarriage. Azam has been engaged to the son of one of her mother’s relatives for …

Iranwire – After the fall of the Ottoman Empire, thousands of Arab refugees fleeing the ensuing war found refuge in Latin America, beginning a new chapter in their lives. This wave of migration has led today to a community of more than 10 million Lebanese now living on the continent. Back then, open immigration policy allowed many Lebanese arrivals to …

Iran-HRM – A prisoner who has been sentenced to have his fingers amputated, was flogged Sunday at Urmia Central Prison. Hadi Rostami, the four fingers of whose right hand are due to be amputated, was flogged 60 times in Branch 8 of the Enforcement Unit of the Public and Revolutionary Court on Urmia, northwest Iran. In a new case filed …