The Achaemenid Empire (c. 550–330 BCE), founded by Cyrus II (Cyrus the Great), governed one of the largest and most diverse political entities of the ancient world. Stretching from the Balkans and Egypt to Central Asia and the Indus Valley, the empire incorporated dozens of ethnic groups, languages, legal traditions, and religions. Rather than attempting to homogenize these populations, the Achaemenids developed a sophisticated administrative framework built upon centralized royal authority, provincial autonomy, bureaucratic professionalism, and respect for local institutions.

Beirut, August 5, 2026 — Six years after the devastating explosion that tore through the Port of Beirut, the investigation into one of the deadliest non-nuclear explosions in modern history remains stalled, with no final verdict and no senior officials held accountable.

The Forqan group was an Islamic Shia group that promoted a view of Islam that opposes the existence of religious clergy. Most of its members came from a lower middle-class background, with a large portion originating from Qolhak in the northern part of Tehran.

Cairo – The Egyptian Minister of Information has dismissed a report published by The Wall Street Journal alleging that Iran was responsible for the explosion at Damietta Port.

The report, which cited anonymous sources, claimed that Iran was linked to the incident. However, the Egyptian minister firmly denied the allegations, describing the claims as unfounded and rejecting any suggestion of Iranian involvement.

The modern food industry has transformed the way people eat. Advances in food science have made it possible to produce foods that last longer, cost less, and are available year-round. These products often contain synthetic ingredients, preservatives, artificial sweeteners, colorings, flavor enhancers, and other food additives. While these innovations have improved food safety and accessibility, concerns have grown about their potential impact on human health, particularly regarding cancer and type 2 diabetes.

Al-Biruni was born in 973 CE near the city of Kath, the capital of Khwarazm (in present-day Uzbekistan). His name al-Biruni is derived from the Persian word "bīrūn", meaning "outside" or "suburb," referring to his birthplace outside the city. From an early age, he showed exceptional intelligence and curiosity about mathematics and the natural world. He studied under Abu Nasr Mansur, a renowned mathematician and astronomer from the ruling family of Khwarazm, who introduced him to advanced geometry, astronomy, and the works of Greek scientists such as Euclid and Ptolemy.

Shiraz, Iran – Nearly 20 years after its nomination for UNESCO World Heritage status was first proposed, the ancient archaeological complex of Naqsh-e Rostam remains on Iran’s tentative path to inscription, with heritage experts calling for renewed government commitment to advance the long-delayed application.