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Schools in multiple Iranian provinces remain closed due to air pollution

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Iran Air Pollution

In Tehran, all schools switched to remote learning for Sunday and Monday.

Meanwhile, government offices operate with 50% of their staff, prioritizing vulnerable groups.

The decision follows a meeting of the Tehran Emergency Air Pollution Committee, which also resulted in the closure of kindergartens and the suspension of daily traffic permits.

In West Azarbaijan province, schools in Urmia, Mahabad, Oshnavieh, and Shahindezh remained closed on Sunday due to increased air pollution, with classes continuing virtually.

Similarly, in Alborz province and Abyek county in Qazvin province, pre-school, elementary, and special education schools are closed on Sunday, with remote classes conducted through the popular Shad (happy) platform.

Like previous years, the government takes the measures to reduce the harmful effects of air pollution and protect the well-being of students and staff across the affected regions.

But the policy has its opponents who believe that the government should implement immediate and effective measures such as strengthening pollution control, expanding public transportation, using renewable energy, and replacing polluting fuels in industries.

US announces nearly $1bn in military support for Ukraine

By
IFP Media Wire
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Western Weapons

The latest package will include more drones and munitions for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, that the U.S. has provided. While these weapons are critically needed now, they will be funded through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which pays for longer-term systems to be put on contract.

The weapon systems purchased are often intended to support Ukraine’s future military capabilities, not make an immediate difference on the battlefield.

The $988 million package is on top of an additional $725 million in U.S. military assistance, including counter-drone systems and HIMARS munitions, announced Monday that would be drawn from the Pentagon’s stockpiles to more quickly get to the front lines. The U.S. has provided Ukraine with more than $62 billion in military aid since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

“The baton will soon be passed,” Austin said.

“Others will decide the course ahead. And I hope that they will build on the strength that we have forged over the past four years,” he added.

Ukraine is facing an intensified onslaught by Russia. Moscow also has launched an intermediate-range ballistic missile and regularly strikes Kyiv’s civilian infrastructure.

With questions about whether Trump will maintain military support to Ukraine, the Biden administration has been trying to spend every dollar remaining from a massive foreign aid bill passed earlier this year to put Ukraine in the strongest position possible.

“This administration has made its choice. So has a bipartisan coalition in Congress. The next administration must make its own choice,” Austin stated in a speech at an annual gathering of national security officials, defense firms and lawmakers at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.

Trump had a hastily arranged meeting Saturday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and France’s Emmanuel Macron while in Paris for the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral. Macron and other European leaders are trying to persuade Trump to maintain support for Ukraine.

Trump, a longtime admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has criticized U.S. aid for Ukraine and called for bringing a quick end to the war, raising concerns in Ukraine about what terms may be laid out for any future negotiations.

Austin noted he was “confident that President Reagan would have stood on the side of Ukraine, American security and human freedom”.

It was one of Austin’s last major speeches as President Biden’s defense secretary and a cap to his more than 41 years serving as a soldier and general.

Under Austin’s watch, the Pentagon in 2022 launched a regular meeting that now counts more than 50 countries to figure out how to get the tens of millions of rounds of ammunition and billions of dollars in advanced weaponry to Ukraine. Without that flow of support, it’s possible the country would have fallen to Russia after it invaded.

“Together, we have helped Ukraine survive an all-out assault by the largest military in Europe,” Austin stressed.

Opposition fighters seize Syrian capital, President Assad flees country

By
IFP Media Wire
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Syria War

Fighters have entered the heart of Damascus and declared a “new era” free of revenge, inviting Syrians overseas to return.

Hadi al-Bahra, who heads the Syrian political opposition coalition overseas, declared Damascus “free of al-Assad” and congratulated the Syrian people.

Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali has stated he remains in his home, willing to cooperate with the opposition, and wants to ensure public institutions continue to function.

At the same time, Abu Mohamed al-Julani, head of main fighting group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has ordered opposition fighters to not attack any public institutions and services.

The HTS chief noted all opposition forces in Damascus are prohibited from taking over public institutions, “which will remain under the supervision of the former prime minister until it is handed over officially”.

“Celebratory gunfire is also prohibited,” al-Julani added in a statement.

The Syrian opposition leader has been signing his statements with his legal name, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in an apparent effort to distance himself from his past ties to al-Qaeda.

Witnesses report jubilation in Damascus, with chants of “Freedom! Freedom!” as Syrians celebrate an end to more than 50 years of rule by Bashar al-Assad and his father Hafez before him.

Fighters released the prisoners held in Sednaya Prison north of Damascus, as they have done in other cities they have taken during their lightning advance over the past 10 days or so.

Soldiers are reported to have dropped their weapons in the face of the advancing rebel fighters and, early on Sunday morning, the army command confirmed that al-Assad’s rule was done, Reuters reported.

The Administration of Political Affairs, an arm of the Syrian opposition, reiterates its pledge to work for all Syrians.

“The liberation of Syria is a victory for all of its children who have sacrificed for the unity of its land and people,” it announced in a statement.

“In this occasion, we assert our commitment to strengthening social unity and confirming the principles of justice and dignity for all the components of Syrian society.”

Ukraine president says more F-16 fighter jets delivered to Kiev

By
IFP Media Wire
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Zelensky F16

In a message on Telegram, Zelensky praised Denmark and lamented a lack of dedication from other allies.

“The first batch of planes provided by the Danes are already shooting down Russian missiles: rescuing our people and our infrastructure. Now our air shield is reinforced even further,” he said.

The president added, “If all partners were so determined, we would have been able to make Russian terror impossible.”

The announcement comes as Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region marks a day of mourning for 10 people killed in a Russian attack on Friday. A further 24 people, including two children, were injured when a missile struck a local service station.

Another three people were killed in a strike on the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih Friday, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service confirmed.

Addressing the attacks, Zelensky said that Russian President Vladimir Putin did not seek “real peace”.

Putin “only seeks the ability to treat any country this way, with bombs, missiles, and all other forms of violence”, Zelensky continued, adding, “Only through strength can we resist this. And only through strength can real peace be established.”

Iran wins first ever championship at Asian Deaf Games

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

Competing under the banner of “A Cry for Peace in Silence,” Iran triumphed with an impressive total of 60 medals: 24 gold, 16 silver, and 20 bronze.

This victory marked a historic achievement for Iran, as it was their first championship in the Asian Deaf Games.

Throughout the competition, they engaged in a fierce race with South Korea and China.

In the medal standings, South Korea followed in second place with 47 medals and China secured third place with a total of 36 medals

Previously, Iran had finished fifth in the last two editions of the Asian Deaf Games.

On the last day of the competitions on Sunday, the football finals are set to take place, featuring Iran against Japan.

Ex-national Iranian boxer killed by brother in family dispute

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Crime Scene

Jamali, who had a distinguished career with national championship titles and participation in the 2021 World Championships in Serbia, was shot dead by his brother, police said.

The fugitive brother was apprehended within 24 hours of the incident, the police announced.

The local police commander confirmed that the murder weapon was a hunting rifle and cited family disagreements as the motive behind the killing.

President Pezeshkian attends Student Day in Tehran

By
IFP Media Wire
-

The president addressed the students participating in the ceremony, with his speech focusing on the current problems faced by the country, their causes and solutions and how his government is addressing them.

Pezeshkian recited extracts of Nahj al-Balaghah, a collection of sermons, letters, and sayings by the first Shia imam, Imam Ali (AS) that offers teachings on how to practice piety and justice in an effort to be a good servant to God.

The president referred to the country’s problems which he blamed on wrong decisions and disputes among different parties, saying that time and planning coupled with correct implementation are needed to resolve those problems.

The government needs the assistance of people including university students to resolve the existing issues, he added.

Further in his remarks, the president said that the National Vision Document announced by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei is a progressive framework for the country’s advancement.

“From the very first day, I declared that our goal is the Vision and policies of the Supreme Leader, according to which Iran will become a developed country with a leading position in science, economy, and technology, serving as an inspiration in the region.”

Pezeshkian also said that Iranian students and academics should stay in their country to build it, adding that the government is working on that goal and is enhancing its relations with academia.

The president called on students to seek their rights “based on dialog”, telling them that “future is what they build”, and that the government wants them to have active participation in resolving the existing problems and help in the progress of the country.

Prior to Pezeshkian’s speech, a group of students representing eight movements raised students’ demands and shared their views on economic and political issues.

President Pezeshkian also paid a visit to an exhibition showcasing the latest achievements made by knowledge-based companies belonging to Sharif University’s academics, which covered various fields including artificial intelligence, and industrial equipment among others.

Source: Iran has not withdrawn political, military advisors from Syria

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Syrian Army

The source, speaking to Iran’s Nor News website on Saturday, emphasized, “Iran has consistently supported Syria at the request of the Syrian government to combat Takfiri terrorism, and this policy remains unchanged.”

The source also stated, “Such targeted news reports are part of a psychological warfare campaign to weaken the resolve of resistance forces against enemy plots to create insecurity and instability in the region.”

Earlier on Saturday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry denied media reports of evacuating its embassy in Damascus and reiterated Iran’s continued support for the Syrian government and people.

UK tops list of countries inflaming insecurity, instability across globe: Iran

By
IFP Media Wire
-
The Iranian Foreign Ministry

Addressing a NATO meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, Lammy said the world was “living in dangerous times”, but then pointed the finger at Iran for the tremendous aggression that West Asia is going through.

“Whilst we acknowledge the British foreign secretary’s remarks that the world is currently in a fairly dangerous period and is plagued with wars, the question is which actors have a fundamental role in the creation of this situation,” Director General of the Western Europe Department at the Iranian Ministry of Affairs Majid Nili Ahmadabadi stated late Friday.

“Without a doubt, Britain, with its long history of interfering in the internal affairs of other countries and illegal interference in the West Asian region, especially through arming and financing the only occupation and apartheid regime in the world, is at the top of the list of those accused of insecurity and instability in the world,” he added.

Nili Ahmadabadi categorically refuted Lammy’s accusation of Iran’s involvement in the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, urging Britain to stop shifting blame onto others for the existing crises in Europe.

He said the current problems in Europe are the result of the “arrogant and expansionist policies of Britain and some of its allies” toward other countries, advising British authorities to adopt a “realistic approach and play a constructive and helpful role in international developments”.

He also dismissed the British foreign secretary’s claims about Iran’s civilian nuclear program and its missile capabilities, labeling them as baseless and interventionist.

The Iranian diplomat asserted that repetition of such unsubstantiated claims will not give them credibility.

UN says militant attacks in Syria has displaced 28k

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Lebanon War

Samer AbdelJaber, who heads emergency coordination at the UN’s World Food Program (WFP), has warned that the number of refugees could swell to 1.5 million.

Militant forces led by the group Hayat Tahrir-al-Sham (HTS) launched a surprise assault from their base in Idlib last week, in the first major clash between militants and Syrian government forces since March 2020, when Russia and Türkiye brokered a ceasefire in the country after years of war.

Translated as the “Organization for the Liberation of the Levant”, HTS is sanctioned by the UN Security Council as a terrorist group.

“The figure we have in front of us is 280,000 people since November 27,” AbdelJaber told reporters in Geneva, warning that the latest mass displacement inside Syria was “adding to years of suffering”.

Over the past week, the militants have driven back Syrian troops and taken significant territory in the northeast of the country, capturing Aleppo, the second-largest city, which had been under government control since 2016. On Thursday, the militants captured the key city of Hama after forcing the withdrawal of the army.

Hama is strategically located in central Syria, about 200km from the capital Damascus; it is also approximately 50km north of the city of Homs.

According to media reports on Friday, thousands of people are fleeing Homs, Syria’s third-largest city, amid reports of the militants’ advance.

AbdelJaber added the WFP and other humanitarian agencies are “trying to reach the communities wherever their needs are”, and that they were working “to secure safe routes so that we can be able to move the aid and the assistance to the communities that are in need”.

He cautioned that “if the situation continues evolving [at the current] pace, we’re expecting collectively around 1.5 million people that will be displaced and will be requiring our support”.

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