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

Al-Arabia – US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, commenting on the new Cabinet in Lebanon, said that the US was “prepared to engage, provide support, but only to a government that’s committed to reform. That’s important for America.”“We want a non-corrupt government that reflects the will of the people of Lebanon. If this government in responsive to that and there’s …

Iran-HRM – Jailed social media activist Mehrdad Mohammadnejad, was transferred today from Evin prison to the notorious Fashafuye prison. The 23 year old economy student has been serving a three-year sentence on the charges of “insulting officials and agents” and “spreading propaganda against the regime.” Mehrdad Mohammadnejad was detained due to his activities on social media. According to an informed source, …

Iran-HRM – One month after the arrest of a teachers’ rights activist, Iranian authorities have extended a temporary detention order against him. A member of the teachers association of Tehran, Jafar Ebrahimi was arrested on December 26 while attending a ceremony for the victims of the November protests. He has been held in a solitary confinement in ward 8 of Rajaei Shahr …

Iran-HRM – There is no information on the whereabouts of Fatemeh (Mary) Mohammadi, an Iranian Christian who was arrested during the recent protests in Tehran. Iranian authorities have not provided any information regarding her whereabouts and well-being since January 12, when she was arrested in Tehran’s Azadi Square. Mohammadi published a series of tweets on the day she was arrested, …

RFL/RE – Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says it is “alarmed about threats” to Iranian journalists based outside of the country who are working for Iranian-exile media outlets or the Persian-language services of international broadcasters. In an open letter released on January 22, the Paris-based press-freedom watchdog urged the leaders of the host countries — Britain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Sweden, …