Stories about Farsi
Afghan Catwalk Sparks Bitter Controversy and Hopes for a More Open Society
To some they are heroes, to others "prostitutes" that "adopted Western thoughts." In Afghanistan, the catwalk is a political battleground.
The Arrest of Arash Zad, Iran's Start-Up Kid
A popular technology blogger and pioneer of Iran's start-up scene is quietly arrested at Tehran's international airport. A strange turn of events for someone not involved in an dissident activity.
Iran's Version of The Muppets Makes a Comeback
Kolah Germezi (or "Red Hat") is a beloved Iranian TV program featuring a collection of skits and musical numbers. Its producer says the program officially has 35 million viewers.
Iran Increases Internet Surveillance Ahead of Parliamentary Elections
Iran's Deputy Interior Minister Zolfaghari announces heightened security in anticipation of upcoming elections.
VIDEO: The World Is Saying #FreeZone9Bloggers
Global Voices marks the one-year anniversary of the arrest of Ethiopia's Zone9 bloggers with this crowd-sourced this video of support. Say it with us: #FreeZone9Bloggers!
Who to Follow on Twitter for Solid (and Sometimes Snarky) Coverage of #IranTalks
As negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 in Switzerland over the nature of the country's nuclear program extend past the March 31 deadline, media coverage continues.
Netanyahu's Speech to Congress Was Polarizing, to Say the Least
In the United States, and elsewhere, reactions to the speech by many public figures and ordinary Internet users were unusually negative.
Suffocating Sandstorms Hit Iran
Arseh Sevom speaks to environmental researcher Sam Khosravi to discuss the origin and solution of the sandstorms plaguing Iran.
Language Politics Back in the Spotlight in Afghanistan
Dari and Pashto, Afghanistan's two most widely-spoken languages, are also the country's two official languages. In parliament, the two tongues vie for power.
Mother Who Claims to Have Killed 10 Taliban Militants Becomes National Hero in Afghanistan
A woman in Farah province, Afghanistan, has shot to fame after she avenged the death of her son and fired on Taliban militants from the checkpoint where he was killed.
Confessions of an Angry Iranian
Iranian Political satirist Kambiz Hosseini on anger, the Islamic Republic and why his therapist made him buy a satellite dish.
Men Convicted in Afghanistan's #Paghman Gang Rape Case Receive Death Sentences
In a powerful display of civic solidarity, Afghan society has finally spoken out against rape crimes. But could it not have done so without demanding the death penalty?
An Election Film Week in Lebanon to Say #NoToExtension of Parliament Term
What better than the seventh art to mobilize? In another effort to push for Elections in Lebanon and prevent an extension of the Parliamentary term #NoToExtension, Lebanese NGO Nahwa Al Muwatiniya (meaning Towards Citizenship) held an “Election Film Week”. Six works from Chile, Iran, China, Ghana and the US, varying between documentaries...
Afghanistan's Ice Bucket Challengers Ask Presidential Rivals to ‘Be Cool!’
With tensions between supporters of presidential candidates Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah threatening to boil over, a group of young Afghans are dumping ice on troubled water.
Iran's Hardliners Impeach Moderate Minister Over 2009 Green Movement Protests
Minister of Science, Research and Technology Reza Faraji-Dana was blasted by conservative members of parliament for allowing university students who were expelled because of the protests to return to school.
4 Photos of Street Art by the ‘Iranian Banksy’ That Speak Volumes About Life Today in Iran
The work of the anonymous Black Hand has gone viral on social media. The graffiti offers timely commentary on events in Gaza and issues in Iran, such as women's rights.
Singing and Dancing in a YouTube Video to Cheer On the National Football Team Can Get You Arrested in Iran
"Goal Iran" includes clips of Iranians in more than a dozen countries singing and dancing. Iranian police call it "vulgar."
Afghans Survive Severed Fingers to Cast Second Round Votes
In April, Afghans participated in the first round of historic presidential elections. In the second round, Taliban militants sliced off Afghan fingers, but millions of votes were cast anyway.
A Doctor Remembers His Days in Prison With Iran's Unjustly Persecuted Baha’is
The Baha'i Yaran - five men and two women - are serving 20 years in prison, the longest sentence of any prisoner of conscience in Iran.
The “Happy” Video That Got Six Young People Sent to Jail
They were jailed and forced to confess on national television that they were tricked into the making of a "Happy" video in Tehran.
Iranian Women Defiantly Remove the Veil
Women activists Iran all over are defiantly removing their veil to protest governmental discrimination against women. See how they break the law and flout their photographs online.