ESA Astronaut Recruitment Drive Nets 22,000 Applicants

VOA — The European Space Agency (ESA) reports that the first recruitment drive for astronauts since 2008 netted 22,000 applications, including an increase in female applicants and the first applications from people... Read more »

BioNTech and Moderna: Heart inflammation after mRNA vaccinations

DW — The US Centers for Disease Control and prevention have confirmed that myocarditis and pericarditis can occur after mRNA vaccination in young people. But the cases are rare. Medical experts still... Read more »

Iran Uses Punitive Law to Keep Population in Line, UN Says

VOA — GENEVA – A new report by the U.N. secretary-general on the human rights situation in Iran condemns the widespread use of punitive measures and state-sponsored violence to keep the population... Read more »

Iran says it foils ‘sabotage attack’ on nuclear building

DW — State media said the attack occurred near Karaj, some 40 kilometers west of Tehran. Iran has experienced a series of suspected sabotage attacks targeting its nuclear program in recent months. Read more »

From the Editor’s Desk

Shahrokh Ahkami Persian Heritage, #101, Summer 2021 For the past 25 years Persian Heritage has continuously published this magazine, because of the support and cooperation of all our dear colleagues, who love... Read more »

Colombia Has the World’s Largest Variety of Butterfly Species, Study Finds

VOA — BOGOTA, COLOMBIA – Colombia is home to the world’s largest variety of butterflies, approximately 20% of all known species, according to a study published Tuesday by the Natural History Museum... Read more »

US Seizes Iranian State News Sites

VOA — The U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday seized nearly three dozen Iran-linked news websites, which it accused of spreading disinformation. “Today, pursuant to court orders, the United States seized 33 websites... Read more »

Optimism as Iran nuclear talks continue amid unexplained reactor shutdown

RFI — ran’s sole nuclear power plant has suffered an unexplained temporary emergency shutdown, according to the country's Nuclear Energy Organisation. Meanwhile, diplomats in Geneva have expressed optimism over ongoing talks on... Read more »

Missile Program ‘Nonnegotiable’

VOA — Iran’s new hard-line President-elect, Ebrahim Raisi, said Monday he would not negotiate over limiting Tehran’s ballistic missile program or its support for regional militia proxy forces. Read more »

US: Iran Nuclear Decisions Will Rest With Khamenei, Despite Leadership Change

VOA — WASHINGTON – U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Sunday downplayed the importance of the election of hardliner Ebrahim Raisi as the new Iranian president, saying that whether the United... Read more »