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FORGOTTEN HISTORY: Persia - Caught on Camera

Zendaya's ancient Iranian earrings stir debate over stolen artefacts

Experts said the Iranian 3,000-year-old gold disc medallions Zendaya wore at a promo event for Christopher Nolan's Odyssey were "likely looted". Separately, a Zoroastrian symbol worn by IShowSpeed at the World Cup final has sparked further conversation about Persian cultural identity.

Euronews

How the Silkworm's Cocoon Rewrote Trade, Warfare, and the Course of Human Civilisation

The Animal That Cannot Exist Without UsBombyx mori, the mulberry silkworm, is the only fully domesticated insect in the world outside the honeybee. It is blind. It cannot fly. Its wild ancestor, Bombyx mandarina, still exists in China and Japan, but Bombyx mori cannot survive outside human care, five thousand…

Times Life

Iran persecutes its Baha’i minority fiercely in a year of protests and war, rights groups say

Ever since the Baha’i faith was founded in Persia — now Iran — in the 19th century, its followers there have been persecuted

The Independent UK

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Why Persian Cats Became the World's Most Desired Breed and What Owning One Actually Demands

Where the Breed Actually Came FromThe Persian cat did not originate in Persia the way the history books like to suggest. The longhair cats that arrived in Europe in the 1600s, brought by Italian nobleman Pietro della Valle from what is now Iran, were bred so aggressively with local European…

Times Life

World Biryani Day 2026: Who invented biryani? From Timur to Mumtaz Mahal legend, the fascinating history behind India's favourite rice dish

Biryani, a beloved Indian rice dish, boasts a rich and debated origin. While its roots are traced to Persia, legends suggest its arrival in India via conqueror Timur or Arab traders. Another tale links it to Mumtaz Mahal, seeking a nutritious meal for soldiers. Ultimately, biryani evolved through centuries of…

The Economic Times

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

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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

‘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

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

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The Conversation

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.

Homes & Gardens

'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

The Conversation

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.

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The Independent UK

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.

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.

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.

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