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

VOA – A magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck southern Iran early Friday near the Islamic Republic’s only nuclear power plant. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. “No damage has been reported to us so far based on the checks by the Red Crescent Society, village councilors and officials in the area,” Jahangir Dehqan, the head of the provincial …

Al-Monitor – There was a high security presence in the streets of Iran due to government fears over the commemoration of the November protests. Family members had invited protesters to the grave sites of those killed in the protests to mark the passage of 40 days, which has a particularly important significance in Shiite Islam. The first sign that the government had …

Radiofarda – A labor and rights activist who in her tweets yesterday said she was suing one of the state-run broadcaster’s reporters for forcing her to make televised confession has had to deactivate her account. In several tweets on December 25 Sepideh Gholian (Qolyan) said she had sued the reporter for her role in the production of a so-called documentary …

Radiofarda – A group of unidentified young men on motorbikes attacked and stabbed one of the most notorious “thugs” in the Iranian capital city Tehran, media in Iran has reported. Hani Kordeh, a tough guy described as a “thug” by Iran media fighting in Syria. Undated It is still not known whether the victim, alias Hani Kordeh (Hani the Kurd), …

Al-Arabia – Iraqi anti-government protesters blocked roads and bridges in Baghdad and the country’s south Thursday after torching several buildings overnight. The demonstrators oppose the entire political class and have vented their anger against leaders who are negotiating to nominate an establishment insider as the next prime minister. “The government is hostage to corrupt parties and sectarian divisions,” said one …