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DARK SECRETS: Persia | Vintage Vibes

Passport not proof of citizenship? The 2,500-year-old history behind the travel document

A recent government clarification in India, stating passports aren't conclusive proof of citizenship, has ignited interest in the document's history. Originating over 2,500 years ago in ancient Persia as a safe passage letter, passports evolved through medieval Europe and were standardized after World War I. Today's e-passports, with biometric data,…

The Economic Times

Will a peace deal between Iran and the US hold? Lessons from ancient Rome and Persia

“Making peace with Iran may be just as painful as winning the war,” a recent CNN report noted. As negotiations roll on during a shaky ceasefire, what a deal between the US and Iran might look like and whether it holds is anyone’s guess.

The Conversation

10 Animals Humans Stopped Domesticating Forever

Humans have spent thousands of years trying to control nature. Some animals became family.Some became workers. Some became weapons. And some were simply too dangerous, unpredictable, or difficult to keep around forever. But here’s the strange part many animals people once relied on heavily have now completely disappeared from human…

Times Pets

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read the most diverse news in one place.

‘No fear of roaring lions’: Iran has a long history of standing firm against outside aggressors

US President Donald Trump’s threats against Iran since the war began have targeted not just the country’s military capabilities, but its entire civilisation.

The Conversation

An ancient oracle warned invading Persia would backfire – from Croesus to Trump, rulers have failed to listen

Invasions of ancient Persia were always daunting tasks. They often led to disaster.

The Conversation

Decades of hostility between Iran and the US were preceded by a little-remembered century-long friendship

The British- and American-backed plot to overthrow Iran’s prime minister in 1953 laid the groundwork for the 1979 Iran hostage crisis and decades of hostility with the U.S. that have now culminated in a war launched on Iran by the U.S. and Israel.

The Conversation

Nowruz 2026: The Persian New Year festival that survived invasions, outlasted ayatollahs and arrives again

Nowruz, the ancient Persian festival celebrating the vernal equinox, arrives on March 20, 2026, amidst geopolitical turmoil. Despite historical attempts to suppress it, from Arab conquests to the Islamic Republic, the festival endures, symbolizing resilience and cultural identity. Families worldwide observe its traditions, a testament to its deep roots and…

The Times of India

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The West has long characterized Iran’s oil as a prize to be claimed

With the recent outbreak of hostilities in the Persian Gulf, the focus of international attention has returned to one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints: the Strait of Hormuz.

The Conversation

Iran’s legendary King Cyrus the Great: The man who conquered the world 2,500 years ago and fulfilled ancient predictions

Cyrus the Great of Persia stands out even today, more than 2,500 years after his death. Not just for conquering vast lands, but for the way he did it. He wasn’t like other kings who would rely only on bloodshed. His victories were massive, yet humane. And somehow, he managed…

The Times of India

A Roman emperor grovelling to a Persian king: the message behind a new statue in Tehran

A new statue unveiled in recent days in Iran depicts a Roman emperor in subjection to a Persian king.

The Conversation

'They Carry a Sense of History and Artistry That Connects Generations' – Why a Vintage Persian Rug Is Enduringly Powerful and Every Home Should Have at Least One

Persian rugs are timelessly elegant, and here's why interior designers will always choose this historical flooring to add style and charm to any room

Homes & Gardens

Almost unimaginable beauty and opulence: the paradise pleasure gardens of ancient Persia

Some of the most enduring ancient myths in the Persian world were centred around gardens of almost unimaginable beauty and opulence.

The Conversation

Authoritarian rulers aren’t new – here’s what Herodotus, an early Greek historian, wrote about them

“No Kings” rallies. “Good Trouble” protests. “Rage against the Regime” uprisings. These events in the first seven months of President Donald Trump’s second term, along with public opinion polls, show that many Americans are concerned about Trump’s expansive use of executive power.

The Conversation

Charlie Kirk warns Lindsey Graham and Iran war hawks: ‘Not even the Romans could defeat Persia’

‘Now, I’m not saying they’re comparable to our Marines or to our Air Force, but is that really the battle that we want in front of us?’ Charlie Kirk wondered on Newsmax.

The Independent UK

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Dinks Finance

12 Religions You Didn’t Know Existed

While many are familiar with the world’s major religions, numerous lesser-known spiritual paths offer fascinating insights into human belief and the diversity of ways we seek understanding and connection. Here are 12 lesser-known religions, each with its unique traditions and perspectives. 1. Zoroastrianism One of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions,…

The Guardian - UK

Trump plans to announce US will refer to Arabian Gulf rather than Persian Gulf

Move sparks outrage in Iran as diplomats try to broker deal between Tehran and Washington over nuclear programme

The Guardian - UK

Critics may sniff at Ed Sheeran’s Persian fusion hit Azizam – but we Iranians love it

With its Iranian melodies, instrumentation and backing singers, Sheeran’s joyful new single is a reminder of how culture transcends borders

Al Jazeera

Nowruz 2025: Traditions, Haft Sin and celebrations of the Persian New Year

Celebrated across Iran and several other countries, the holiday symbolises renewal and prosperity.

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Evening Standard

Nowruz: a complete guide to celebrating in London like a Persian

Eat, be merry, and party like it’s Iran in 1979, says Piers Zangana

Player One

'Myth of Empires' Dev Shares New Details About Upcoming Persia DLC

Angela Game shared new details about the upcoming Persia DLC for Myth of Empires.

LiveScience

What if the Persians had defeated Alexander the Great?

The world we live in might be unrecognizable if Alexander the Great had been defeated by the Persians.

LiveScience

'Purple tunic' from royal tomb belonged to Alexander the Great, scholar claims — but not everyone agrees

A fragment of cloth found in a royal tomb in Greece decades ago might be the remains of a tunic once worn by Alexander the Great, a new study claims.

The Conversation

Madagascar’s mysterious Teniky rock architecture: study suggests a link to ancient Persia

In the heart of Isalo National Park in central-southern Madagascar, at least 200km from the sea in any direction, is a remote valley with a mysterious past. This place, Teniky, can only be reached on foot, by hiking through a mountainous region dissected by steep canyons.

Salon

Perfecting the art form of Persian food

"Cooking [is] much like a painter’s canvas, where the universality of art and cooking beautifully intertwine"

The Guardian - UK

From Persia with love: the new one-woman play that’s good enough to eat

When Atoosa Sepehr fled Iran overnight for a new life in London, family recipes helped her stave off homesickness. Now her story has been turned into a drama – with mouthwatering onstage cooking

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