News and analysis

In an interview with Mehr News Agency, Dr. Wilayati, advisor to Ayatollah Khamenei on International Affairs said “NATO as a military alliance is eager to expand its influence to the East through Ukraine.” Dr. Ali Akbar Wilayati, who is the head of the Centre for Strategic Research in Iran, emphasised …

Saudi Arabia is also the only country in the world that bans women from driving [Reuters] Saudi women activists have presented a memorandum to the Shoura Council seeking its support to curb the “absolute authority” of male guardians over women in the Kingdom, a signatory said. Activist Aziza Yousef told …

An unveiling of an honorary monument for the great Iraqi scholar and philosopher, Ayatollah Shaheed Muhammad Baqir Al-Sadr, took place at the Moscow State University of International Relations, on Friday 28th February 2014. The Iraqi Cultural Attache to Russia, Mr. Fouad Serei said in attendance were a number of distinguished …

FIFA, football’s world governing body, authorized Saturday the wearing of head covers for religious purposes during matches after a two-year testing period proved they do not pose a significant risk of injury. The decision by FIFA will allow female players to wear the veil during games and will be extended …

Pakistani media sources on Saturday reported that the country’s security forces have freed the five Iranian border guards abducted along Iran-Pakistan border on February 6. “Eleven foreign nationals kidnapped by the terrorists were released today in operations conducted by the security forces in Torbat region in (Pakistan’s) Balouchistan province,” Spokesman …

The United Nations says a total of 703 people were killed in Iraq in February, as the country faces its worst violence in years. The UN mission to Iraq issued the figure on Saturday, which is close to that of January’s death toll of 733.   The figure excluded deaths …

Religious scholar Allama Taqi Hadi Naqvi was shot dead near board office located in North Nazimabad area in an apparent incident of target killing here Thursday. According to police, the incident took place when four unidentified armed men riding motorbikes opened fire at the rickshaw Allama Naqvi was riding in, …

In a major boost for Pakistan government, Sunni and Shia religious parties in Pakistan have backed military action against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants and would observe February 28 as the “Anti-Taliban day”. Islamabad, Feb 27 – The Sunni and Shia religious parties in Pakistan have backed military action against Tehreek-e-Taliban …

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has called on the three branches of the Iranian government to seriously pursue and implement the general policies of the “resistance economy.” “With the endorsement of these policies, people are now waiting for their implementation and the positive effects of the …

Russia on Tuesday warned Saudi Arabia against supplying Syrian rebels with shoulder-launched missile launchers, saying such a move would endanger security across the Middle East and beyond. The Russian foreign ministry said in a statement that it was “deeply concerned” by news reports that Saudi Arabia was planning to buy …