As winter descends upon this picturesque region, the river transforms into a serene sanctuary, attracting a multitude of elegant swans in a graceful ballet of nature.
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Kayhan’s managing editor engages in verbal clash with ex-Iranian FM Zarif
The remarks didn’t sit well with managing editor and representative of Iran’s leader in the Kayhan newspaper, Hossein Shariatmadari, who criticized Zarif in an article on Sunday.
He argued that Zarif’s stance implies a disregard for the efforts of Iran’s military experts in missile development and raises concerns about the perceived importance of people in comparison.
Shariatmadari also questioned the rational and political logic behind portraying missile power as a sign of “undervaluing the people”, calling for an apology by Zarif and a reevaluation of such perspectives.
In response to the barrage of criticism received from Shariatmadari, Zarif has, in a tweet, said that his words seem to have cost a lot for a certain group.
He quoted remarks by the founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini as saying that it is not the military power that can protect the Establishment, but the support and faith of the people.
Gaza war may cost Israel billions of dollars: Report
Persistent attacks and the bombardment of Palestinians has become increasingly costly day by day, therefore, the rise of the conflict’s negative effect on the Israeli economy escalates, causing heightened uncertainties and weakening the country’s finances.
Israel spends close to $300 million in direct expenditures per day due to the attacks since Oct. 7, according to the studies.
The attacks have been estimated to have cost $60 billion to the defense budget in the past four months, considering the various economic effects and loss of revenue.
Israel’s attacks have already resulted in a decline in tax revenues, increased debt, economic recession and a sharp drop in the gross domestic product is expected.
The losses caused by the attacks will have direct effects, such as massive disinvestment, disruption of the labor market and slowing productivity growth.
The attacks have caused the complete halt of tourism in Israel, issues in global maritime, a decline in agricultural production and a sharp decline in high-tech investments.
The tourism sector is expected to suffer long-term, as the country will not be able to maintain a favorable environment for visits, resulting in high revenue losses, unemployment and a tainted image of Israel as a tourist destination, which in turn would weaken the chance of an economic recovery.
The conflict also caused Israel its investor interest, as difficulties in attracting investment are certain to make it harder for businesses to grow and create new jobs.
Israel may lose approximately $400 billion in economic activity in the next 10 years due to the conflict, in addition, 90% of the damage to Israel will come from indirect effects, such as reduced investment, deteriorating labor market, loss of productivity and economic decline, according to the “Costs of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict” study previously prepared by the US-based think-tank RAND Corporation.
Iran Leader says path of reform passes through elections
Speaking at a meeting with a group of people from East Azarbaijan Province in the Imam Khomeini Hussainyah on Sunday, Ayatollah Khamenei said everyone should participate in the elections.
“Elections are the main pillar of the Islamic Republic. The way to reform the country is through elections,” he stated.
He reminded the candidates that political differences should not affect the national unity of the Iranian nation against the enemies.
“Do not assume that the enemy is weak and incapable,” the Leader asserted, adding, “An important condition for victory is knowing the capabilities of the enemy, yet not fearing it.”
Iran is gearing up for parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections slated for March 1.
Almost 15,000 candidates have been approved to compete in the parliamentary elections that are held every four years.
In the Assembly of Experts elections, 144 candidates are vying for 88 seats at the body, which elects and oversees the activities of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and is in a position of authority to either appoint or dismiss the Leader.
In recent months, Ayatollah Khamenei has consistently encouraged people to participate in the elections.
Early last month, he stated, “Anyone who opposes the elections is opposing the Islamic Republic and Islam.”
He also censured attempts aimed at demoralizing the people and making them distrustful by claiming that the elections in Iran are meaningless.
Biden blasts Republicans for loss of Ukrainian stronghold to Russia
“This morning, Ukraine’s military was forced to withdraw from Avdeevka after Ukrainian soldiers had to ration ammunition due to dwindling supplies as a result of congressional inaction, resulting in Russia’s first notable gains in months,” Biden said on Saturday in a statement.
The statement recounted a call that Biden placed to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky “to underscore the United States’ commitment to continue supporting Ukraine ahead of the two year anniversary of Russia’s brutal invasion.”
However, Biden admitted to reporters on Friday that there is no way for his administration to provide additional ammunition to Ukraine without congressional approval for his latest aid request. He also blasted US House representatives for going on vacation without passing a bipartisan Senate bill that includes a combined $95 billion in funding for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
“I won’t say panic, but there is a real concern about the United States being a reliable ally,” the president said. “It’s about time they step up, don’t you think? Sitting on a two-week vacation? What are they thinking? My God, it’s bizarre.”
The White House issued Biden’s latest statement after Zelensky conceded in a speech at the Munich Security Conference that Ukrainian forces had retreated from Avdeevka under relentless Russian attacks to avoid heavy casualties. He took an apparent jab at US lawmakers, saying, “Please, everyone remember that dictators do not go on vacation.”
Avdeevka has been a flashpoint since 2014, when conflict between local militias and Kiev’s forces erupted in the Donbass region following a Western-backed overthrow of Ukraine’s elected government. Kiev’s troops have for years used the city to shell residential areas in Donetsk, about 20 kilometers to the south.
Congressional Republicans have insisted that the aid bill for Ukraine include measures to address America’s illegal immigration crisis. “House Republicans were crystal clear from the very beginning of discussions that any so-called national security supplemental legislation must recognize that national security begins at our own border,” House Speaker Mike Johnson said.
The Biden administration confirmed in January that it had run out of funding for Ukraine after burning through $113 billion in previously approved aid packages. Some Republican lawmakers have argued that Biden is merely prolonging the bloodshed in Ukraine and wasting US taxpayer dollars without offering a strategy for ending the conflict.
Leopard spotted wandering in Hyrcanian forest in northern Iran
The captivating images of the leopard in Amlash are a new testament to the thriving ecosystem and heightened security in the region.
The captured video contributes significantly to research and protection initiatives for the threatened species.
The Persian leopard, whose population is estimated at fewer than 1,290, is on the red list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Housing developments, livestock farming, hunting and trapping all threaten the Persian leopards’ existence, even in protected areas.
Iranian athletes clinch gold, silver medals in Ice Climbing World Champion
The silver medal of the event went to Mohsen Beheshtirad, another Iranian athlete.
Safdarian won the first Gold medal in Iran’s ice climbing history in 2018 in Italy.
Thr 2024 Ice Climbing World Championship kicked off on February 16 and will run till Monday, February 19.
Iran deputy FM renews call on US to leave region, stresses neighborliness
Ali Bagheri Kani, invited on a television program on Sunday, praised the current Iranian government’s achievements in removing obstacles for closer relations with the regional countries, including the Republic of Azerbaijan.
He stated, “In relation to the neighboring countries, our policy is de-escalation, and we definitely will not allow foreigners to take advantage of the possible gaps that exist between us and some neighbors.”
“By consolidating strategic ties with the neighboring countries, including Azerbaijan, we have a strong will to create a stable region with cooperation and security,” he further noted.
Shifting the topic to domestic issues, Bagheri touched on the upcoming March parliamentary elections.
“One of the characteristics of the Islamic Republic of Iran is the reliance of sovereignty on the people,” Bagheri said and added, “people are the basic platform for playing roles.”
His comments about the parliamentary elections come as many candidates including former president Hassan Rouhani, former intelligence minister Mahmoud Alavi and several incumbent MPs have been disqualified by Iran’s election oversight body, the Gaurdian Council, to run for the votes.
Israeli military, intelligence believe Hamas will survive offensive
The document was put together by the Israeli army’s research division and states that “authentic support remains” for Hamas among Gazans, the channel reported.
The document also warned that “Gaza will become an area in deep crisis”, given the lack of plan for the “day after” war.
The document was reportedly presented on Monday to leading politicians in Israel following a week of senior military and intelligence talks about the findings, Channel 12 added.
Ilana Dayan, an investigative journalist at the broadcaster, stated that the “bottom line” of the document was that the Hamas movement would inevitably survive Israel’s assault.
The report directly contradicts Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s stated goal of eradicating all aspects of the group, which many countries have warned against as an unrealistic feet.
In November, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that Israel would be unable to eliminate the group and its ideology.
“What we have learned through our own experiences, that through military and other means you can absolutely have a significant impact on a terrorist group’s ability to resource itself, to train fighters, to recruit fighters, to plan to execute attacks,” Kirby stated during a press conference.
“It doesn’t mean that the ideology withers away and dies,” he added, a stance he repeated in January.
Nearly 29,000 Palestinians have been killed and 68,500 have been wounded in Israel’s onslaught.
The report comes as Israel prepares a ground offensive on Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah, where over half of Gaza’s 2.3 million population has sought refuge.
Netanyahu has said it is only a matter of time before Israel launches a ground invasion of the city.
EU commissioner says Asia-to-Europe shipping costs up 400% amid Yemen attacks
The commissioner expressed hope that the crises on one of the world’s most important trade routes won’t lead to a significant increase of inflation in the EU, but added that “further supply disruptions could lead to higher prices”.
The Yemen-based Houthi rebels have carried out dozens of drone and missile attacks on commercial vessels moving across the Red Sea since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war in October. As a result, many major shipping companies have stopped using the Suez Canal and are instead redirecting ships around the Cape of Good Hope in southern Africa.
The attacks have also reportedly caused average container prices to double globally in the past month, while fuel tanker rates for certain destinations have surged to their highest level in years.
Last month, EU foreign ministers reached a tentative agreement to launch a naval mission in the Red Sea to defend cargo ships. Germany, France, and Italy proposed the move in response to requests from the Netherlands, whose merchant shipping industry has been particularly impacted by the attacks.
The bloc’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, has stated that the mission is expected to be launched on February 19.
