Obama’s Nowruz Message to the Movement or the Republic?

By Masih Alinejad - Mr. Obama! What New Year festivities and what congratulations are we talking about?

We have not received a Nowruz congratulatory message from you this year. But let’s assume that you will send a message like you did last year. Will this one be addressed to the Iranian nation or the Islamic republic?

EU forgives Gaddafi, Africa still angered

Both the European Union (EU) and the US have issued humiliating apologies to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, thus normalising ties and securing further investments in Libya's vast oil sector. Meanwhile, African leaders are still shocked by Mr Gaddafi's proposals to split Nigeria.

Report: The Dark Side of China Aid

Source New York Times - By CHRISTOPHER WALKER and SARAH COOK - A growing number of developing countries receive billions of dollars a year in assistance, loans, and investments from China. Already in 2010, Beijing has committed $25 billion to Asean nations. In March, Zambia’s president returned from a trip to China with a $1 billion loan in hand.

Gay rights in Africa: Eritrea said "Homosexuality against Eritrean values"

Eritrean government officials for the first time have answered to rights activists' questions about the country's tough anti-homosexuality laws. Legalisation was out of question, the official said.

Iran: Mir-Hossein Mousavi said "We Cannot Retreat"

Mir-Hossein Mousavi declared that retreating from popular demands would be an act of treason to the nation, for Islam and the blood of martyrs, adding, “We must truly be concerned about turning our backs on the demands of the people.”

Central African gorillas towards extinction

New research reveals that gorilla populations in the Congo Basin are diminishing much faster than previously supposed. Poaching and illegal logging may cause gorilla extinction by the mid-2020s, new data show.

Homophobia divides Africa

Homophobic laws in Uganda and an anti-gay court case in Malawi are only two current examples demonstrating a conservative wave regarding sexual minorities in Africa. But in other countries, in particular South Africa, gays and lesbians are enjoying increased freedom.

There is a belt of current conservative reactions to homosexuality spanning from Zimbabwe to Ethiopia, including most of Southern and East Africa. One after another, countries in the region hit international headlines over homophobic actions.

Malawi: fierce discrimination against gays

The two Malawi men detained for three months over homosexual acts will face a full trial in April, a Blantyre court ruled today. The two risk prison sentences of up to 14 years.

Iran: latest News from Political and Journalist Prisoners

By Fereshteh Ghazi - While a number of journalists and political prisoners were released yesterday, speaking to a group of families of political prisoners Tehran’s prosecutor general warned that he would not release individuals whose families had spoken about the matter to media networks.  

Libyan follies: Gaddafi says "Split Nigeria into two nations"

The Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in a speech to African student in Tripoli said Nigeria should be split into two nations; one Muslim and one Christian. "Nothing" else could "stop the bloodshed," Mr Gaddafi warned.

EU ready to take unilateral sanctions against Iran but not against the Iranian people

The European Union is ready to unilaterally impose new sanctions on Iran over its disputed nuclear programme, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner confirmed Sunday.

Tanzania, Zambia "too corrupt to trade ivory"

British and US environmentalists have angered Tanzanians and Zambians with a new report strongly advising against legalising the sale of local ivory stocks, saying "official corruption" would lead to further illegal ivory trade.

Iranian Feminism after June 2009: A Conversation with Zillah Eisenstein

Source Tehran Bureau - The world has now witnessed the extraordinary presence of Iranian women in the democratic struggles of their nation -- both before and after the June 12, 2009 presidential election.

Egypt: systematic use of torture (report)

A new report documents the "systematic use" of torture and other human rights violations in Egypt's counter-terrorism efforts. Those suspected of terrorism, which has a wide definition, can expect torture, illegal detention and unfair trials, the report released today found.

Sanctions against Iran will only bolster its regime

By Abolhassan Bani-Sadr - On her recent visit to the Persian Gulf, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated an obvious fact that is finally becoming clear to outsiders: Iran is moving toward military dictatorship.

Women's rights improving in Middle East (maybe)

Women's rights have improved in 15 of 18 countries in the Middle East and North Africa over the past five years, although violence against women remains widespread throughout the region, a US study has found.

Iran: Enough of Fratricide (by Shirin Ebadi)

By Shirin Ebadi - No doubt Iran is going through hard and decisive times because of which any comment, statement, decision or measure by anyone inside or outside the government, is important and must be made with a responsibility.

Iran: no accountability, only threats

By Fereshteh Ghazi - More than 72 individuals lost their lives in post-election protests in Iran but, nine months after the electoral coup, none of the murderers have been identified and the Islamic Republic officials do not regard themselves to be accountable for the deaths.  Rooz has spoken with the families of the killed protesters about their complaints, the responsiveness of officials, and threats and pressures facing them.  The families, whose numbers are increasing as the popular protests continue, are under enormous pressure not to investigate the deaths of their loved ones.

Discovered arms smuggling between Italy and Iran: Tehran thinks of revenge against Italy

Yesterday we gave the news of the arrest of seven people, including five Italians and two Iranians suspected of belonging to the Iranian secret services, involved in trafficking arms to Iran. Yesterday evening have been released the names of those arrested and there have been surprises.

2011-2020 declared decade of road safety

The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed the period from 2011 to 2020 as the Decade of Action for Road Safety to spur national and global efforts to halt or reverse the increasing trend in road traffic deaths and injuries around the world.