Independent reporting on Iran and Persian-speaking communities

Japan's Kozo Tashima, honorary president of the Japan Football Association, has announced his candidacy for Fifa's upcoming presidential election against Gianni Infantino.

Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has announced that veteran defender Seamus Coleman will take on a 'hybrid role' in the upcoming squad, involving training with players and providing leadership support to the coaching…

England manager Thomas Tuchel faces key decisions regarding new call-ups and potential recalls for the final international break of the year.

BBC Sport reports that Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has retired from international football, having scored 146 goals in 234 caps for his country.

The presidency of the Central Elections Committee in Israel has approved the results of the 26th Knesset elections, despite abstentions from Likud and Shas representatives.

Variety reports that Nike has released the new Jordan Spiz’ike Low 'Jam Central' sneakers to mark the 30th anniversary of the film 'Space Jam'.

Clara Serrajordi, the 18-year-old Barcelona midfielder, has emerged as the new star in the Blaugrana midfield following the departure of Alexia Putellas. A product of La Masia, she started in the 2026 Champions League…

British actor Celia Imrie discusses her experiences on 'The Traitors', working with Michael Caine, and her role in 'Star Wars' in an interview with The Guardian.

English manager Laura Kaminski has achieved a league and cup double in her debut season with Norwegian club SK Brann.

According to Deadline, Carson Daly is set to expand his role at NBC by joining Laura Jarrett as a co-host of 'Saturday Today'.

According to The National, the Democratic victory in the US midterm elections and their control of both chambers have created significant hurdles for UFC president Dana White's efforts to reform boxing regulations and establish…

According to Variety, Carson Daly will join the NBC show 'Saturday Today' as a co-anchor alongside Laura Jarrett, starting November 7.

Donald Trump told the Financial Times he has no immediate plans for new strikes on Iran, saying nuclear talks are progressing but the US remains ready for military action.

Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has announced the end of his international career after 23 years and numerous historic records.

Victor Wembanyama, the 22-year-old San Antonio Spurs star, led his team to a 112-111 victory over the Dallas Mavericks with a career-best 52 points, 24 rebounds, and eight blocks.

The Times of Israel reports that the Democrats' sweep could lead Congress to use its power of the purse to end the Iran war and doom US-Israel ties under Netanyahu.

Erling Haaland scored a priceless winner in the 77th minute to secure a victory for Manchester City against RB Leipzig in the Champions League.

Edmund Richardson's 'Alexander: God, King, Man', winner of the 2026 Baillie Gifford Prize, offers a riveting and fresh account of Alexander the Great's life, synthesized from diverse historical and linguistic sources.

Arsenal secured a 2-1 victory against Slavia Prague in the Champions League, with Viktor Gyökeres playing a pivotal role. The win extends Arsenal's unbeaten run in away European matches.

Edmund Richardson, a professor of classics at Durham University, has won the 2026 Baillie Gifford prize for nonfiction for his book on Alexander the Great, marking the first time a work of ancient history…

As Israel's Central Elections Committee prepares to finalize results, right-wing parties hold differing positions: Likud and Religious Zionism plan to abstain, while Otzma Yehudit intends to oppose the approval.

Fox News reports that at least 11 planes across Europe were diverted or forced to make emergency landings due to bomb threats that were determined to be unfounded.

Scrubs star Sarah Chalke discusses the latest plot developments in episode 207 of the show's revival, focusing on the relationship between J.D. and Elliot.

Max Jorgensen, the Sheffield-born Australia rugby player, insists he always dreamed of representing the Wallabies despite holding a British passport, as he prepares to face England again at Twickenham.

According to Ynet and The New York Times, Israel has warned US officials that Iran may use chemical weapons against regional adversaries; a claim met with skepticism by some Washington officials and Gulf states.

The Guardian ranks the top 20 songs by the French avant-pop artist Christine and the Queens, coinciding with the release of his new single, 'Rendez-vous avec toi'.

According to Deadline, Charles F. Porter, the actor and producer known for the film 'Finding Faith' and his role as Wendell Scott in an ESPN documentary, has died at age 47 following a battle…

Davey Grant, a 40-year-old fighter from Darlington, holds the title of the longest-serving British athlete in the UFC, with nearly 13 years of tenure in the promotion.

The documentary 'One in a Million', directed by Itab Azzam and Jack MacInnes, chronicles the ten-year journey of a Syrian refugee family from Aleppo to Germany. Filmed since 2015, it follows Israa, the family's…

The Guardian has invited its readers to submit questions for former Ipswich, Rangers, and England defender Terry Butcher for an upcoming feature interview.

Following the 2026 midterm elections, Donald Trump claimed that the Republican Party would have achieved a landslide victory had his name been on the ballot.

The UN reports that two new Ebola vaccine candidates are being added to a clinical trial in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to combat an outbreak of the Bundibugyo species.

The Financial Times reported that Russia has agreed to supply Iran with 90 advanced missile launchers for military helicopters.

Andrew Garfield, who plays Sam Altman in the film 'Artificial,' has denied the OpenAI CEO's claim that they waved to each other while filming outside his home.

Harold Greene, the popular and longtime news anchor for many local L.A. stations, has died at the age of 82. His passing was announced by his family.

Liverpool youngster Trey Nyoni became the club's youngest-ever goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League after scoring against Fenerbahçe.

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the $500m production 'Ramayana: Rise of a Legend' has been released globally. Featuring Hollywood-grade visual effects and a score by AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer, the film has received mixed…

Channel 14 Israel reports that security agencies have uncovered foreign interference in elections, accusing the legal system of attempting to suppress the truth to protect political interests.

Former England soccer manager Gareth Southgate has partnered with Sky Sports through his company, 1071 Media, to produce podcast and YouTube content.

Maariv reports that if Gadi Eisenkot agrees, there is a possibility of significant changes within the opposition political bloc.

TrustNordisk has acquired international sales rights to the Viking drama Stiklestad, directed by Erik Skjoldbjærg, and will present the project at the American Film Market (AFM).

The National reports that following the Democrats' victory in the US midterm elections and their gain of full control over Congress, Donald Trump has largely lost his executive power, becoming a 'lame duck' president…

The Supreme Leader of Iran, reacting to the Democrats' victory in the US midterm elections, warned against expecting changes in Washington's policies and threatened a broader response if attacks are renewed.

The US Treasury sanctioned five individuals and 10 companies linked to Iran's shadow fleet, with Secretary Scott Bessent warning that Washington will continue to target those supporting Tehran globally.

The Football Association and the Women's Super League have launched a major research project to understand the causes of and reduce ACL injuries among female footballers.

Channel 4 has canceled Married at First Sight UK following two external welfare reviews and rape allegations linked to the show.

BBC reports that Italian chef Davide Tamburella was fired from a restaurant in Brisbane, Australia, after refusing to add pineapple to pizza, citing it as offensive to his culture.

CBS News reported that at least 15 commercial flights in Europe faced bomb threats on Thursday, leading to diversions and emergency landings. Authorities have dismissed the threats as hoaxes, but experts suggest the scale…

The series 'Blindspot Berlin' swept three major awards, including Best Fiction Series, at the 4th edition of the South International Series Festival in Cadiz, Spain.

Edward Berger, director of All Quiet on the Western Front, confirmed at the Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival that filming for his upcoming A24 project The Riders, starring Brad Pitt, has been completed.

Cristiano Ronaldo has officially retired from international football with Portugal at the age of 41. BBC Sport reviews some of the most iconic moments and achievements of his illustrious career.

Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian reviews the film 'I Play Rocky', directed by Peter Farrelly, describing it as an enjoyable drama about the making of the 1976 classic 'Rocky' and Sylvester Stallone's persistence in…

A US-funded hepatitis B vaccine trial on newborns in Guinea-Bissau has been cancelled following accusations that it was unethical and neocolonial, as the study planned to withhold a WHO-recommended vaccine from half of the…

Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 41.

Liam Neeson, who voiced Aslan in the original Narnia trilogy, supports Meryl Streep taking over the role in Greta Gerwig's new adaptation, though he admitted he was unaware of the project.

The Guardian explores the films and television shows that have influenced the creators of the Grand Theft Auto video game series over the past three decades in shaping its themes, characters, and criminal narratives.

According to the Guardian, a referee issued a record 53 red cards following a mass brawl during an under-20s football match between Uberlandia and Mamore in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.

Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff, Georgia's first Jewish senator, secured a second term by defeating Republican Mike Collins. Throughout his campaign, Ossoff balanced support for some U.S. military aid to Israel with criticism of the…

A rare Renaissance painting by Albrecht Altdorfer, hidden in a private Swiss collection for 70 years, is set to be auctioned at Sotheby’s London in December with an estimated value of £3m to £5m.

According to the Guardian, Fifa is seeking to restrict the women’s Olympic football tournament to under-23s due to concerns over fixture congestion and player workload.