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

PayvandNews – Tehran City Council members elected Mohammad Ali Afshani as the new mayor of the Iranian capital May 13, after his predecessor resigned last month amid controversy.  Afshani won by 19 votes, while his main challenger, Acting Mayor Sami’ollah Hossaini Makaram, garnered only one vote.

Radiofarda – A new directive issued by the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) has set strict limits on the amount of foreign cash travelers can take with them out of the country amid a deepening currency crisis.

Radiofarda – An Iranian official defended the decision of the country’s judiciary to block the popular messaging application Telegram and said that the measure will be in effect permanently.

Iran-HRM – On Friday, May 11, 2018, Mehrdad Heyrani, a Baha’i citizen residing in Tehran was arrested and transferred to an unknown location by intelligence agents after his residence was searched and his personal belongings such as computer and religious books were confiscated.

RFL/RE – The ninth round of Syria peace talks sponsored by Iran, Russia, and Turkey began on May 14 in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana.