Houshang Ansari remains one of the most emblematic yet lesser-known figures of Iran’s late Pahlavi period: a man whose life traced an extraordinary arc from provincial hardship to the highest levels of diplomacy, finance, and international power. Photographer, journalist, diplomat, oil executive, economic strategist, and later an exiled financier, Ansari embodied the Shah’s technocratic project—an elite class of Western-oriented administrators …

Today, Saturday, January 13, 1404, corresponding with the 13th of the lunar month of Rajab, the birth anniversary of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS), special religious ceremonies were held in Qom at the residences of two prominent Shiite authorities, Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi and Ayatollah Fazel Lankarani. These ceremonies, which included celebrations of Imam Ali’s birthday and the traditional …

Brief, one-on-one discussions held openly on the floor of parliament are among the most important mechanisms of decision-making in any political system. These deliberations allow elected representatives to exchange ideas, criticize proposals, defend interests, and shape legislation before it is put to a vote. In Iran, this role is fulfilled by the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majles-e Shoraye Eslami), which stands …

Saghar Azizi is a film, television, and theater actress whose career spans several decades and includes some of the most demanding dramatic roles of contemporary visual storytelling. She is best known for her portrayal of Farah Pahlavi in the historical television series The Mystery of the King, a role that brought her widespread recognition, intense public reaction, and profound personal …

Nasser Mohammad Rezaei, known to audiences and colleagues by his artistic stage name Shahroz Ramtin, stands among the notable yet often under-remembered figures of Iran’s pre-revolutionary performing arts. Born in Tehran in 1942, Ramtin belonged to a generation of Iranian artists whose careers unfolded during a decisive period of cultural modernization, artistic experimentation, and political transformation. His life and professional …

One of the most noticeable signs of this condition is a deep, persistent fatigue that does not disappear with ordinary rest or sleep. Unlike normal tiredness, this exhaustion feels overwhelming and constant, affecting both the body and the mind. Psychologist Toby Ingham explains that forcing yourself to appear happy and emotionally stable while feeling distressed inside requires an enormous amount …

Clarence Clyde Seedorf (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈklɛrən ˈseiːdɔr(ə)f]; born 1 April 1976) stands among the most influential and accomplished midfielders in the history of world football. Renowned for his tactical intelligence, physical strength, technical elegance, and extraordinary longevity at the elite level, Seedorf’s career bridges multiple football cultures, eras, and philosophies. From the Ajax academy of the early 1990s to the …

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un marked the arrival of the New Year in Pyongyang with a carefully choreographed celebration that blended spectacle, symbolism, and strategic political messaging. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the festivities included fireworks displays, mass performances of patriotic songs and dances, and a taekwondo demonstration—elements that have long been central to the Democratic …

Until the first half of the 1950s, firewood vendors were among the most essential yet overlooked figures in the daily life of Tehran. In an era when modern energy sources such as kerosene, gas oil, and later piped gas had not yet become widespread, firewood was the primary and most reliable fuel for heating homes, cooking food, and sustaining daily …

Dariush Asadzadeh (December 1, 1923 – September 2, 2019) was one of the most enduring and versatile figures of modern performing arts in his country. Active for more than seven decades, he left a lasting mark on theater, cinema, radio, television, and cultural historiography. His career unfolded across multiple generations, political transformations, and artistic movements, allowing him to become both …