Iran International won four top prizes at the 2026 WAN-IFRA Digital Media Awards Middle East, with projects recognized for innovation, audience engagement, data visualization and participatory storytelling under repression.
'Integrity costs something': Eurovision winners want Israel out of the contest The organisers of the Eurovision song contest have always maintained that they want to keep politics out of the event. In practice, however, politics has always played a major role, with rows over international affairs, human rights and domestic unrest popping up each year. The 1974 Carnation Revolution in Portugal that overthrew the country's dictatorship and led to independence for its African colonies was sparked off by the airing of Portugal's Eurovision entry for that year, E depois do adeus ("And After the Farewell"), by Paulo de Carvalho.
Latmiya: Inside the Ashura rituals shaping Iran’s wartime narrative In darkened halls across Iran , hundreds of men dressed in black beat their chests in unison as religious eulogists chant rhythmic laments of martyrdom, sacrifice and war. The performances, often lit in red and shared widely on YouTube and social media in Iran, have become a recurring feature of the country's wartime atmosphere since the 12-day Iran-Israel war in June 2025. Known as latmiyah, these mourning recitations are rooted in Ashura rituals commemorating the martyrdom of Shia Imam Hussain ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Participants at a cultural meeting in Iran’s Mashhad described martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei as a model of authentic intellectualism with a deep understanding of Iranian society, history, and culture.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – During a visit to damaged sections of the Sa’dabad Cultural and Historical Complex in Tehran, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned attacks on cultural heritage as a violation of international norms and a hostile act against nations’ civilizational identity.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – President Masoud Pezeshkian congratulated the Iranian national youth weightlifting team on their remarkable victory at the 2026 IWF World Junior Championships in Egypt, praising the athletes for their determination, talent, and spirit of perseverance.
Thousands of people have taken part in the Palestine Marathon, which returns to Bethlehem after a two-year pause over the Gaza War.
Latmiya: Inside the Ashura rituals shaping Iran’s wartime narrative Submitted by Zahra Ladha on Wed, 05/06/2026 - 09:36 Mourning performances, Karbala symbolism and nationalist reinterpretations converge in Iran's messaging Ashura performances have become a feature of Iran's wartime atmosphere (Hossein Sotoodeh/Screen grab) Off In darkened halls across Iran , hundreds of men dressed in black beat their chests in unison as religious eulogists chant rhythmic laments of martyrdom, sacrifice and war. The performances, often lit in red and shared widely on YouTube and social media in Iran, have become a recurring feature of the country's wartime atmosphere since the 12-day Iran-Israel war in June 2025. Known as latmiyah, these mourning recitations are rooted in Ashura rituals commemorating the martyrdom of Shia Imam Hussain ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE.
Tunisia: Ghriba Jewish pilgrimage sees increased turnout after years of restrictions Submitted by MEE staff on Tue, 05/05/2026 - 12:17 Religious event on the island of Djerba once attracted thousands of Jews from around the world but faced restrictions after a 2023 gun attack on worshippers French Jewish pilgrims light candles at the Ghriba synagogue, on Tunisia's southern island of Djerba, on 4 May 2026, during the annual pilgrimage to the Jewish holy site (Fethi Belaid/AFP) Off The pilgrimage to the Ghriba Synagogue in Tunisia , one of the oldest Jewish gatherings in Africa, is experiencing increased participation this year after years of restrictions. Tunisian authorities imposed limits on attendance following a deadly attack on the site in 2023. The annual event, held on the island of Djerba, once attracted thousands of Jews from around the world, particularly from Europe and the United States .
After 7 October: Five Israeli films that try to address the Palestinian elephant in the room Submitted by Joseph Fahim on Mon, 05/04/2026 - 10:06 Israeli cinema is slowly developing a pariah status on the festival circuit but these films try to take a critical stance on the state’s treatment of Palestinians Coexistence My Ass! follows Israeli comedian and activist Noam Shuster-Eliassi (Autlook) Off The trajectories of Palestinian and Israeli cinema have diverged sharply since 7 October and the subsequent war in Gaza. While Palestinian stories have gained unprecedented global visibility, culminating in the Oscar win for No Other Land in 2025 and the nomination of The Voice of Hind Rajab this year, Israeli films have, by contrast, faced increasing barriers to circulation.
Marjan Yeshayayi has described the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike that damaged a Tehran synagogue Iranian rescue workers dug through debris by hand to recover religious artifacts from a Tehran synagogue damaged by an Israeli strike last month, Marjan Yeshayayi, a member of the local Jewish community, has told RT.
New Delhi [India], May 4 (ANI): Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain on Monday questioned the ruling party, BJP on the rationale of burdening pilgrims with added extra cost on Haj travels. Hussain said that it was shocking as the government has consistently maintained that developments in West Asia have not disrupted India's energy stability.
One screenwriter has called the series of gatherings with creatives a case of clear propaganda NATO is holding closed-door consultations with TV and film industry professionals across Europe and the US, The Guardian reported on Sunday. The move has prompted accusations that the bloc is working to leverage the arts for "fear mongering" and "propaganda," it added.
Tehran [Iran], May 3 (ANI): Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei on Sunday paid a heartfelt tribute to legendary wrestler Abdullah Movahed, saying his passing reflects a defining trait of Iranian culture--where 'not just championship, but heroism' endures.
(Photo credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-Imagn Images) Soccer officials from Iran are intent on meeting with FIFA's leadership about its upcoming World Cup matches in the United States. Mehdi Taj, president of Iran's soccer administration, informed Iranian media Friday that the country's soccer leadership has issues it wants to discuss with the international governing body.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The mobile and telephone library of Astan Quds Razavi has donated 12,050 books to five centers inside and outside Iran during the Ten-Day Karamat celebrations.
Cafes and coffee shops give Iranians affordable places to talk about their hopes, fears and the cost of living as well as to seek company in uncertain times.
Zurich [Switzerland], May 1 (ANI): FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that Iran will 'of course' take part in the upcoming FIFA World Cup and play their fixtures in the USA, and it is his responsibility to 'bring people together'. Iran has qualified for the expanded 48-team tournament and is placed in Group G, alongside Belgium, New Zealand, and Egypt.
Fifa chief says Iran will play in World Cup Fifa president Gianni Infantino announced on Thursday that Iran will take part in this year’s World Cup and play in the US. “Let me start by the outset, confirming straightaway that of course Iran will be participating in the Fifa World Cup 2026,” Infantino said in an address to the Fifa Congress in Vancouver.
The EU has protested the reopening of the Russian pavilion at the prestigious art festival Italy's Culture Ministry is investigating the organizers of the Venice Biennale, a prestigious art festival, after Russia was allowed to return to the event, Italian media reported on Wednesday.
