After retirement from the Environment Protection Organization, George Shamsooie made it his life mission to look after stray cats. He spends part of his income that comes from his shoe and bag repair shop on looking after street cats.
The following shots released by Young Journalist Club depict his deep love for homeless cats:
Isfahan provincial Environment Department is to conduct comprehensive studies into endangered wild cats in cooperation with anIsfahan university.
Recent image of a sand cat captured by camera traps in Abbasabad Wildlife Sanctuary, in Nain, has paved the way for research on the conditions of wildcats in Isfahan Province, the deputy director for supervision and monitoring at Isfahan provincial Environment Department said.
Saeed Yousefpour said, “Of the eight species of Iranian wildcats, six have been sighted in Isfahan Province so far,” adding that all of them are believed to be still inhabiting Isfahan. He also highlighted the need for further research as well as continuous and precise monitoring in this regard.
He went on to say, “The conditions of the animal habitats, behavior of animals and their distribution must be studied. Also continuous genetic studies should be carried out in this field.”
Yousefpour said that the evaluation of the biological behavior of sand cats and their habitats has got underway in five provinces and added, “Isfahan is one of the five provinces where the studies are being conducted.”
He went on to say, “Comprehensive studies into wildcats are expected to be conducted in cooperation with a university in Isfahan Province to raise awareness about the danger of their extinction.”
The deputy director concluded, “In line with the implementation of the project in the province, images of the cats were captured and that set the stage for the assessment of the conditions of wildcats in the province.”
An informed official at the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that Iran protested to Germany over the use of a fake name for the Persian Gulf.
The official added that the German foreign minister used a fake name for the Persian Gulf at a press conference in Riyadh.
In reaction, the Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned the German charge d’ affaires in Tehran to express protest over the use of the fake name for the Persian Gulf and demanded the diplomat to convey protests to the German government.
The charge d’ affaires expressed regret over the misunderstanding and said the issue was not deliberate.
The German diplomat said that he will promptly convey protests to the German foreign minister and will inform the Iranian Foreign Ministry about the outcome.
The Supreme Leader’s advisor for international affairs said on Tuesday that like the nuclear program, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and its implementation are sensitive issues for Iran, and there is hope it will be implemented completely and faultlessly by all sides.
“The Supreme Leader has full competence in the country’s sensitive internal and international affairs in keeping with the Constitution, and whenever he feels necessary, he offers the required strategic guidelines,” Ali Akbar Velayati said on the sidelines of a meeting with Victor Ivanov, a former security advisor of the Russian president.
As for the Leader’s letter on the implementation of JCPOA, he said that the sensitivities in the letter were due to the required cautions that need to be observed in the course of precise implementation of JCPOA.
Velayati expressed hope that like Iran, the other parties to the international agreement will implement it properly and completely.
The comments of President Rouhani at separate meetings with new foreign ambassadors to Tehran and the knee injury that sidelines Iran’s most powerful weightlifter dominated the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Wednesday.
Ettela’at: “Transition from the economic crisis requires hard, courageous decisions,” said the minister of housing and urban development.
Abbas Akhundi said the wrong policies adopted with regard to Mehr [affordable] Housing [project by the previous administration] have cost the country dearly.
Ettela’at: The president has urged the nations to seize the investment opportunity in Iran.
Hassan Rouhani also said that all Muslim nations need to contribute to efforts to settle the problems of the world of Islam.
Ettela’at: Russian jet fighters have bombed Golan on the border with the occupied territories.
In other developments, Moscow confirmed reports that it has sent Special Operations forces to Syria and a spokesman for the US State Department said that Secretary Kerry wants Iran to be part of talks to settle the Syrian crisis.
Ettela’at: The UN envoy to Iran has said that Iran’s Human Development Index has improved.
During a 23-year period, life expectancy has risen from 51 to 74 years, Gary Lewis said in an exclusive interview with Ettela’at.
Ettela’at: The first vice-president said that proper planning requires familiarity with realities on the ground in society.
Meanwhile, the director of the Statistical Center of Iran said that his agency will release a report on economic growth every six months.
Ettela’at: Official registration of Masalik wal-Mamalik [a 9th-century geography text by the Persian geographer Ibn Khordadbeh] and Complete Works of Sa’di have been unveiled at the National Library.
Afarinesh: The document on redesigning the Arak Reactor will be drawn up in three stages, said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
Aftab-e Yazd: Those who want the past trends to persist know nothing about what the public are going through, said First Vice-President Eshagh Jahangiri.
Akhbar Sanat: Exports of Iranian hand-woven carpets to the US have got underway, said the head of the National Carpet Center.
Arman-e Emrooz: Air pollution in Tehran kills 12 people on a daily basis.
Asr-e Rasaneh: Iran and India hold talks over a $10 billion gas project.
Asrar: Iran’s super heavyweight Behdad Salimi [a world record holder] will miss the 2015 World Weightlifting Championships through injury.
Asrar: Visits to Iran by economic delegations do not amount to infiltration by foreigners, said the government spokesman.
Ebtekar: Foreign Minister Zarif predicts that sanctions will have been lifted in two months.
Eghtesad-e Pooya: Iran has purchased the shares of a multinational bank.
Emtiaz: A number of birds have died of suspicious causes at the Orumiyeh Lake.
Emtiaz: The interior minister has said that as many as 1,700 illegals enter the country on a daily basis.
Etemad: Ahmad Tavakoli leads an uprising against corruption
Transparency and Justice Watch, an agency led by [Tehran principlist MP] Ahmad Tavakoli has been formed.
Hemayat: McDonald’s has no outlets in Iran; neither does it have any permit to operate here.
Iran: IRIB has become a mouthpiece for opponents of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, a number of MPs have said.
Iran: In an interview with the daily, the director of the Environment Protection Organization has revealed the political nature of opposition to her by her rivals.
Javan: Without production, termination of sanctions will be of no use.
Jomhouri Islami: At separate meetings with the new Iran ambassadors of eight countries, the president said that Tehran welcomes expansion of all-out economic and political cooperation with all countries.
Kar va Kargar: Unjust sanctions against Iran will have been lifted by the end of 2015, said President Rouhani at separate meetings with eight new foreign ambassadors to Tehran.
Kayhan: Economic recession and prevalence of useless debates!
Mardomsalari: The oil billionaire has asked the court to give him an account number so that he can have a letter of credit issued for the company he owes money to.
Payam-e Zaman: The Leader’s continued support for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action hinges on compliance with his instructions about the deal’s implementation, said Ali Akbar Velayati, an advisor to Ayatollah Khamenei.
Resalat: Ali Akbar Velayati has said that Saudi Arabia sponsors state terrorism in Islamic countries.
Iran has called on the US to stop grooming terrorists to wreak havoc in Syria, saying the Arab state’s crisis stems from Washington’s instrumentalization of terrorists groups.
“The US must stop [its] military approach and support for the policy of terrorist-nurturing in order to pursue political solutions in Syria,” Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said on Tuesday.
Afkham’s remarks came one day after US State Department Spokesman John Kirby claimed that Iran continues to support terrorist organizations and create problems not just for Syria but the Middle East.
She said such “repetitive” allegations run counter to realities on the ground, adding that the US has been passing the buck with regard to the settlement of regional conflicts.
“The serious and real problems in the Syrian crisis stem from military intervention and dual policies of the US and its allies as well as the instrumentalization of terrorist groups,” said Afkham, adding that Iran fulfills its regional responsibilities based on its obligations and regional interests.
She said the US, in collaboration with its allies, including Saudi Arabia, has formed a so-called anti-terror coalition after creating and training terrorist groups like al-Qaeda, Taliban, al-Nusra Front and IS.
Afkham said US financial and military support for the so-called “moderate” terrorists has caused numerous problems and complicated conditions in the region.
“A halt to such a dangerous approach and putting an end to ambiguous and opportunistic behaviors will be one of necessary and serious steps to help settle the Syrian crisis,” Afkham said.
More than 250,000 people have been killed in Syria since March 2011.
The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) has reiterated the need for structural reforms in the United Nations in conformity with the UN Charter.
Iran’s Ambassador to the UN Hossein Dehghani delivered a speech at the Sixth Committee on behalf of NAM in New Yorkon Monday about the movement’s stance on the importance of strengthening the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and promoting multilateralism in the international entity.
Dehghani said NAM calls on the Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations to review the legal nature of the implementation of Chapter IV of the UN Charter in regard to the function of the body’s organs.
He stressed the important role of the UN General Assembly and criticized the Security Council’s interference in issues which are related to the General Assembly and the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
Dehghani, whose country presides over NAM, also slammed the Security Council’s imposition of sanctions on countries, saying that sanctions would be legitimate only in case the countries threaten international peace and security.
He emphasized that the use of sanctions as a deterrent measure violates international principles and regulations.
Dehghani criticized some countries for pursuing unconstructive approaches toward NAM proposals about important issues pertaining to the UN Charter and said such suggestions aim to strengthen the UN democratic performance.
He called on the Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations to precisely examine the proposals.
Fatemeh Eidiyoun is a 29-year-old Iranian woman who has followed in the footsteps of her father to make designs and engravings on alams (heavy metal installations covered with intricate figurines and engravings used in public Shiite mourning ceremonies).
In other words, she implements calligraphy and creates different images, including scenes of the epic battle of Karbala as well as flowers and birds on metal frameworks.
The Iranian Students’ News Agency has held an interview with her to find out why she has chosen a job which is typically male-dominated. The following is the translation of part of the report the news agency released:
As for how she does her job, Eidiyoun said, “After a metal framework is made, I engrave the designs on it before blanketing them with a combination of ink, lac and alcohol. After the ink goes dry, I immerse the framework in a mix of water and acid. Acid cannot penetrate the parts which are covered by lac and alcohol, but it does dissolve unprotected parts. As a result, the designs appear in relief when the frame goes dry.”
She said that the art is not well known, because it has not been registered yet, adding, “I can put it under the heading of metal arts, but I need to collect documents from old artists about the history of this art. I have put together some, including old photos from religious centers and museums.”
Eidiyoun said that she did not know the oldest artist who started this type of engraving, but it can be traced back to an artist based in the city of Isfahan who was involved in this profession about 80 years ago.
The artist added, “My father did the same job for about three decades before he passed away seven years ago. I was brought up a father heavily involved in this profession, that’s why I developed an interest in this.”
She went on to say that because it is a male-dominated job, her husband takes all the orders and delivers the final works.
The female artisan further said, “When my works are sent to experts for evaluation, they find it difficult to believe that such works have been created by a woman. No woman has done this job so far and because I inherited the art from my father, I am the only woman who does this.”
Eidiyoun has a Grade Three art certificate [presented by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance to artists] and can easily secure a Grade One certificate if she can have the art registered. She seeks to apply for the registration of the art to the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization.
In a village near the northern town of Astaneh-ye Ashrafiyeh, Gilan Province, people avoid using disposable dishes in giving out votive food.
Presentation of votive food on trays during mourning ceremonies is an old-age tradition in the village.
The following images released by the Iranian Students’ News Agency show the meals handed out to mourners in the village:
Bibi Hazer, a 90-year-old grandma who lives in Shiraz, has made many dolls, with her memory brimful of untold stories which date back to the years of yore.
The wall behind her is spotted with dolls she has created in her loneliness to feel the void. The visitors take a walk around, look at Bibi and ask if she has made those dolls all by herself. In a nice Shirazi accent, Bibi says she’s done all that by herself. The visitors pose for a photo with Bibi before they leave.
Bibi Hazer and her dolls, that have been the guest of a gallery at the Iranian Artists Forum for a few days, impressed many people who were there to catch a glimpse of items of artistic value.
Earlier in October, Mehr News Agency published a report on the artistic works of the nonagenarian and a friendly chat with Bibi, who was accompanied by his grandson Bahman Abbaspour. The following is the translation of part of the report, including Bibi’s words:
Where did it begin?
“[…] It is now almost 20 years since I first began making dolls. I learned it from my mom, grandma and great grandma. I began to make dolls when my husband died. I had nothing else to do, so I took up doll making. Gradually I got used to it and now I do it on a daily basis. […]”
What is the story of the dolls?
Bibi’s dolls have names and stories. Her grandson says, “Grandma used to tell stories when we were kids and we have good memories of them. When she saw the dolls carried around by children in the family some 20 years ago, she started to make copies of those dolls. Everybody liked her dolls. She started to make the dolls of people who lived in the past.” […]
I like to make dolls all by myself
Bibi likes her dolls very much. When asked about the one whom she likes the most, she says she likes all of them because she’s put in a lot of efforts for each. […] Some dolls have woven clothes on. She says she has done it all by herself, adding that she makes two dolls every day. Her daughter-in-law and grandchild buy her the fabric and she takes care of the rest.
I’ll make dolls for children as long as I’m alive
A while ago, her grandson says, Bibi could not believe that anyone might like her dolls, wondering why no one would buy them. The family put the dolls on sale and people welcomed it. The family decided to halt the sale because the dolls were selling out.
There are reasons behind the decision not to sell. Bibi urges her family to keep selling, vowing she would keep making dolls as long as she is alive. But her grandson says that certain institutes have proposed to keep the dolls as part of a collection to protect them forever and let people watch them, arguing that when the dolls are sold, nobody knows what will become of them. […]
I like my dolls and wish to make more
With wrinkled hands, Bibi takes out a weaving hook and a woolen ball out of her bag and start weaving. “I don’t want to sit idly by when I am alone. I want to make dolls for as long as I can. I cannot do the house chores, but I make dolls for the love of it. […]
Bibi has made dolls of TV characters
Bibi is a regular TV viewer. You can see the traces of TV programs in her dolls. She has made two dolls of Bob Ross, the famous painter and host of Joy of Painting, a TV show. […]
Her grandson says Bibi constantly watches TV and when Catherine Ashton was replaced by Federica Mogherini during nuclear talks between Iran and P5+1, Bibi said that the lady is not Ashton and she has been replaced.
Bib’s stories, a source of inspiration
[…] Her grandson says that he has memories of the stories Bibi told when he was a child. Bibi has four sons and one daughter. Her grandson, Bahman Abbaspour, has a degree in acting and is now a stage actor. He has helped the family hold an exhibition of Bibi’s dolls.
[…]
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