Protests erupted in Tehran and other Iranian cities Thursday evening, with demonstrators calling for the overthrow of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei amid growing discontent over the country's economic situation. Videos verified by BBC Persian showed large crowds marching in Tehran and Mashhad, in what observers described as the largest display of opposition to the clerical establishment in years.
The demonstrations, which remained peaceful and were not dispersed by security forces initially, followed 12 consecutive days of unrest triggered by the collapse of the Iranian currency. According to human rights groups, the protests have spread to over 100 cities and towns across all 31 of Iran's provinces.
Footage from the protests captured demonstrators chanting slogans in support of Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the late former Shah, who has urged his supporters to take to the streets.
The US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) reported that at least 34 protesters, including five children, and eight security personnel have died during the unrest.
Following the demonstrations, a monitoring group reported a nationwide internet blackout. The Iranian government has not yet commented on the reported internet shutdown or the extent of the protests.
The protests come at a time of heightened economic pressure on Iran, following the reimposition of sanctions by the United States after its withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal. The Iranian rial has plummeted in value, leading to rising inflation and economic hardship for many Iranians.
The current unrest echoes similar protests that have occurred in Iran in recent years, including those in 2019 sparked by fuel price hikes. Those protests were met with a violent crackdown by security forces.
The situation remains fluid, and it is unclear how the Iranian government will respond to the ongoing protests. The demonstrations pose a significant challenge to the authority of the clerical establishment and highlight the growing frustration among some segments of the Iranian population.
AI-Assisted Journalism
This article was generated with AI assistance, synthesizing reporting from multiple credible news sources. Our editorial team reviews AI-generated content for accuracy.
Deep insights powered by AI
Continue exploring
AI-driven runtime attacks are outpacing traditional security measures, forcing CISOs to adopt inference security platforms by 2026 to protect AI agents in production. With breakout times shrinking to under a minute and attackers leveraging AI to rapidly weaponize vulnerabilities, enterprises must prioritize real-time threat detection and response to stay ahead of evolving exploits.
This curated list, compiled from multiple sources, highlights some of the best movies currently available on Netflix, ranging from dramas and comedies to thrillers. It features titles like "Good Night, and Good Luck: Live From Broadway," a stage play adaptation examining media and politics, and "Okja," a creature feature exploring genetic engineering and animal exploitation.
Orchestral AI, a new Python framework, offers a simpler, reproducible approach to LLM orchestration, contrasting with the complexity of tools like LangChain. Developed by Alexander and Jacob Roman, it prioritizes deterministic execution and debugging clarity, aiming to provide a more reliable solution for scientific research and cost-conscious AI development.
New Year's resolutions often involve habit changes, and AI-powered tools, like smartwatches and fitness trackers, can aid in achieving goals by providing data-driven insights into personal behavior. Currently, deals on WIRED-tested gear such as fitness trackers, smartwatches, and workout earbuds offer opportunities to leverage technology for self-improvement.
Google advises against creating "bite-sized" content solely for LLMs, debunking the SEO myth that it improves search ranking. This guidance suggests a shift towards prioritizing comprehensive, user-focused content over AI-targeted formatting, impacting content creation strategies and potentially improving overall information quality online.
Anthropic is implementing technical measures to prevent unauthorized access to its Claude AI models through third-party applications and to restrict rival AI labs from using Claude to train competing systems. This action, aimed at preventing the spoofing of the Claude Code client and misuse of its AI models, has disrupted workflows for some users and highlights the ongoing challenges of controlling access and usage in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
Semantic caching, which focuses on the meaning of queries rather than exact wording, can drastically reduce LLM API costs by up to 73% by identifying and reusing responses to semantically similar questions. Traditional exact-match caching fails to capture these redundancies, leading to unnecessary LLM calls and increased expenses, highlighting the need for more intelligent caching mechanisms in AI applications. This approach represents a significant advancement in optimizing LLM usage and cost-efficiency.
The European Space Agency (ESA) is exploring retrofitting the Ariane 6 rocket for partial reuse, signaling a shift towards sustainable space transportation. This initiative, driven by the "Boosters for European Space Transportation (BEST!)" program, reflects a broader effort to foster innovation and competitiveness in the European space industry through reusable technologies.
The FCC has authorized SpaceX to launch an additional 7,500 second-generation Starlink satellites, doubling their approved Gen2 constellation to 15,000. This expansion will leverage advanced satellite technology operating across multiple frequency bands to enhance global high-speed, low-latency internet service and support mobile connectivity.
Fujifilm's X-E5 is here to steal hearts, offering the beloved X100VI experience with the freedom of interchangeable lenses! Though initially hard to snag, this compact camera boasts killer image quality and Fujifilm's signature color magic, making it a must-have for photographers craving versatility in a stylish package, even if it's not quite perfect.
This curated list from multiple sources highlights some of the best movies currently available on Netflix, ranging from dramas like "Good Night, and Good Luck: Live From Broadway," a stage play adaptation examining media and politics, to creature features like Bong Joon-ho's "Okja," a saga of genetic engineering and animal exploitation. It also provides links to other recommended content on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney, as well as the best TV series on Netflix.
Utah lawmakers are considering a "porn tax" that could generate revenue for teen mental health programs, mirroring a trend among conservative states to regulate the adult entertainment industry. While proponents see it as a way to address potential harms, critics argue such taxes may be unconstitutional and further disrupt the already-shifting landscape of online free speech and adult content accessibility.
Discussion
Join the conversation
Be the first to comment