Shabtabnews In this dark night, I have lost my way – Arise from a corner, oh you the star of guidance.

Al-Monitor – Less than four months after Ebrahim Raisi assumed the presidency in Iran, widespread nepotism has sparked criticism even among his own Principalist camp. On Nov. 16, Raisi reacted to the accusations for the first time in an open session of the parliament to discuss the proposed Minister of Education, Massoud Fayazi — the son-in-law of Alireza Zakani, a hardline politician …

Al-Monitor – Iranian activists expressed serious concern about 214 protesters arrested during last week’s rallies against water mismanagement in the central city of Isfahan. In a statement Dec. 29, the Center for Human Rights in Iran said the country’s officials were responsible for those held in custody, many of them incommunicado, including at least 13 children. The initially peaceful protests continued for two weeks …

axios – Israel has shared intelligence over the past two weeks with the U.S. and several European allies suggesting that Iran is taking technical steps to prepare to enrich uranium to 90% purity — the level needed to produce a nuclear weapon, two U.S. sources briefed on the issue tell me. Why it matters: Enriching to 90% would bring Iran closer …

theguardian – Excerpts from previously unpublished documents directly linking China’s crackdown on Uyghur Muslims and other minorities in Xinjiang province to speeches by the Chinese leadership in 2014 have been put online. The documents – including three speeches by Chinese president Xi Jinping in April 2014 – cover security, population control and the need to punish the Uyghur population. Some are marked top …

Al-Arabia – The Arab coalition fighting in Yemen said on Tuesday it launched air raids on “legitimate” Houthi military targets in the capital Sanaa including a “secret” site belonging to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, state TV reported. The coalition asked civilians not to gather around or approach potential targets. The Iran-backed Houthis’ main broadcaster, Al Masirah TV, said three air …