New York Times: The wedding nearly 1,400 years ago of Imam Ali, Shiite Islam’s most revered figure, and Fatemeh al-Zahra, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, is commemorated in Iran’s packed political calendar as a day to celebrate family values.
Iran’s divorce rate stirs fears of society in crisis
Iran’s capital city hit by heavy pollution
Washington Post: The Iranian capital is experiencing what officials say is the worst pollution in its history, prompting the government to shutter offices and consider placing air purifiers across the city as it seeks to combat the brown blanket of smog.
Iran talks were difficult: U.S. official
Reuters: Talks between six major powers and Iran over its nuclear program were “difficult and candid” but must lead to practical steps by Tehran to assuage global concerns, a senior U.S. administration official said Tuesday.
Iran considers release of German reporters
Reuters: Iran is considering a request from Germany to free two journalists who were arrested as they were interviewing the son of a woman sentenced to be stoned to death, a spokesman said on Tuesday.
Canada concern at Iran death penalty for web designer
BBC: Canada is “deeply concerned” over a reported death sentence given to an Iranian-born Canadian for allegedly designing an adult website, an official has said.
Major powers and Iran hold ‘constructive’ talks
Washington Post: Iran and six world powers held their first talks in more than a year on Monday, with Iran’s nuclear program dominating the discussions, according to officials familiar with the proceedings.
Iranians defy clampdown for Student Day protests
BBC: Iranian students have defied a security clampdown to stage anti-government protests throughout the country, witnesses and opposition groups say.
Gulf leaders meet after WikiLeaks revelations
AFP: Gulf Arab leaders kicked off an annual summit Monday in the absence of Saudi Arabia’s ailing king and with their fears exposed over Iran’s nuclear drive, courtesy of WikiLeaks.
Berlin film fest invites Iranian ex-detainee to join jury
AFP: The Berlin Film Festival said Monday it had invited outspoken Iranian film-maker Jafar Panahi, who was jailed for three months for work deemed “anti-regime”, to serve on its jury in February.
Iran overture gets wary Gulf Arab response
Reuters: In the run-up to its talks with world powers on Monday, Iran extended an olive branch to Gulf Arab states who share Western concerns about its nuclear aspirations.
