Monthly Archives

December 2025

Palestinian Teacher Named Among World’s Top 50 Educators 2026

by خانم هاشمی December 31, 2025

Hebron Educator Maha Abu Manshar Recognized by the Varkey Foundation’s Global Teacher Prize

In a remarkable achievement for Palestinian education, Maha Abu Manshar, a geography teacher from Hebron, has been selected as one of the Top 50 teachers in the world for 2026 by the Varkey Foundation’s Global Teacher Prize — one of the most prestigious awards in global education. Her inclusion on this shortlist was chosen from over 5,000 nominations submitted from 139 countries worldwide.

From Hebron Classroom to Global Recognition

Maha Abu Manshar teaches geography at Yasser Amro Girls’ High School in Hebron, where she combines traditional curricula with innovative, student-centered methods to bring learning to life. Reflecting on her selection, Abu Manshar said this honor “is the result of years of work to elevate educational awareness and to keep alive a spirit of hope and creativity among students — especially in challenging environments.”

Her nomination highlights not only her dedication to academic excellence, but also her commitment to fostering resilience and inspiration in her students, even under difficult circumstances.

Innovative Teaching with Real Impact

Abu Manshar has spearheaded more than a dozen educational initiatives aimed at strengthening the value of learning. One of her most notable projects — titled “The Book as a Tool” — transforms textbook content and illustrations into hands-on models and teaching aids using ceramic clay. This creative approach helps students visualize and grasp difficult subjects that might otherwise remain abstract.

The project received educational innovation recognition in Palestine in 2019 and has become a cornerstone of her teaching philosophy: making learning tangible, accessible, and engaging for every student.

In addition to hands-on methods, Abu Manshar incorporates digital tools and artificial intelligence-enhanced learning into her classroom. She trains students in modern tech skills, preparing them to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

Teaching Amid Adversity

Abu Manshar openly acknowledges the daily challenges of her local environment. Her school is located near an Israeli military post and a checkpoint that stands at the school entrance. Yet she views these hardships not as barriers, but as motivation to cultivate hope, creativity, and determination within her classroom. Her work demonstrates that education can be a force of resilience and empowerment even in conflict-affected settings.

A Symbol of Pride for Palestinian Educators

Notably, Maha Abu Manshar is the only teacher from the West Bank on the 2026 Global Teacher Prize shortlist, and one of only two Palestinian finalists overall — the other coming from Gaza. Abu Manshar emphasizes that this recognition belongs not just to her, but to all Palestinian teachers and students who remain steadfast in their commitment to education despite adversity.

en.jahanbanou.ir

From: al Jazeera

December 31, 2025 0 comment

West Asia

Horrific abuses in occupier prisons

by faeze mohammadi December 31, 2025

The Prisoners’ Information Office affiliated with the Hamas movement has reported that Palestinian female prisoners in Israel’s Damon Prison have been subjected to what it described as “brutal” abuse. These abuses included “forcibly removing their hijabs and beating them,” as part of a series of repeated attacks that began at the start of December and resulted in injuries to a number of the detainees.

In a statement, the Prisoners’ Information Office said that these actions fall within the framework of a “dangerous and ongoing escalation” against female prisoners in Damon Prison and constitute a “clear violation of all humanitarian laws and norms.” The statement added: “The prisoners were forcibly taken to the outdoor yard and made to sit on the ground; their hijabs were torn off, and in addition to the use of dogs and stun grenades, they were beaten.”

According to the newspaper Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, the office emphasized that among these detainees are Palestinian women who were injured as a result of four consecutive repetitions of these violent attacks during the month of December. The office held Israel fully responsible for the safety of the prisoners and warned against the “continuation of this repressive approach.” It also called on human rights and international organizations to take urgent action to stop these escalating violations against female prisoners in Damon Prison.

In a related report, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights documented in November cases of abuse suffered by one of the female prisoners in Israeli prisons. The center quoted the former detainee, after her release, as revealing that she had been subjected repeatedly to sexual violence and, during her detention, was forced to strip and be filmed. In its report, the center also exposed what it described as the “spread of sexual torture in a systematic and organized manner, including rape, forced stripping, forced filming, and sexual assault using tools and dogs,” by Israeli occupation forces.

According to Palestinian and Israeli legal reports, Israel is holding more than 9,300 Palestinian prisoners in detention, including children and women, all of whom suffer from torture, starvation, and medical neglect, to the extent that the suffering has led to the death of some of them. It is noteworthy that crimes committed by Israel against prisoners have intensified in parallel with the genocidal war in Gaza, which began in October 2023 and has so far resulted in the killing of around 71,000 people and the injury of more than 171,000—most of them women and children.

alaraby

December 31, 2025 0 comment

Asia

The Elderly Trapped in Poverty

by faeze mohammadi December 31, 2025

In Japan, a country where the elderly make up about 29.3% of the population (equivalent to 36.25 million people in 2024), a strange and controversial phenomenon has emerged in recent years: some elderly individuals are intentionally committing minor crimes to be sent to prison. They see prison as their last refuge—a place that provides at least basic necessities, food, and healthcare compared to the loneliness and poverty outside prison walls.

According to local reports, prisons such as the women’s prison “Tochigi” north of Tokyo have seen a significant increase in the number of prisoners over the age of 65. This number has nearly quadrupled between 2003 and 2022.

Prisons Are Turning into Nursing Homes

As reported by the Monte Carlo International news platform, prison officials explain that this age group sometimes requires full assistance with daily tasks, including changing clothes, bathing, and feeding. This situation makes the duties of prison staff resemble care in a nursing home.

According to a report by the American magazine “Bloomberg,” the annual cost of housing a prisoner in Japan exceeds $20,000, and this cost is even higher for the elderly due to their special medical needs.

Minor Thefts in Exchange for a Secure Life

Based on a video report by CNN, the elderly choose prison because, compared to facing cold and hunger outside prison walls, “they feel safer inside.” Additionally, prison guarantees them access to free medical care—a cost they had to bear themselves in normal life.

One female prisoner who had resorted to stealing food to make ends meet emphasized that if she had financial stability, she would never have done this, and prison provided her with psychological and material stability that she could not find in her daily life. Official government statistics show that in 2022, over 80% of elderly female prisoners in Japanese prisons were incarcerated for theft charges.

It should be noted that about 20% of Japan’s elderly live below the poverty line, while the average for the 38 member countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is 14.2%. According to these elderly individuals, this situation has made prison a realistic option for survival.

mc-doualiya

December 31, 2025 0 comment

Science Women Pioneers

Young Iranian Women Behind New Satellite Launches

by خانم هاشمی December 29, 2025

How young Iranian women helped launch satellites into orbit — and what it means for the country’s space future

Iran has reached a remarkable and unusual moment: young women from our country are standing at the forefront of its space industry, helping send satellites into orbit. A leading figure in the Iranian satellite sector once recalled attending a space technology fair in 2000, where even touching the satellite bodies was forbidden — to prevent visitors from learning what materials were used. Today, roughly 25 years later, that distant past feels transformed.

Private Sector Satellites

In late October 2024 (Aban 1403), Iran made headlines with the successful launch of two CubeSats named Kosar and Hodhod — both built by a private Iranian space company. What made this significant was not just the engineering success, but that the team behind them was exceptionally young (average age ~26), and included high-achieving women engineers.

The company responsible is OmidFaza (also referred to as Space Omid), Iran’s first private satellite manufacturer. Its founder, Dr. Hossein Shahrabi — who previously oversaw production of Omid, the first fully Iranian satellite — decided in 2018 to pioneer a private space industry in Iran. The company’s long-term goal is to build a mini-satellite constellation (similar in concept to Starlink, though smaller in scale), called Donama, to support imaging and Internet of Things (IoT) services with about 200 small satellites.

The Kosar and Hodhod satellites were early prototypes intended for this constellation, and building them was a major step toward the company’s vision of future data-rich space services.

Three Satellites in Orbit

On December 28, 2025, Iran achieved another major space milestone. Three domestically built satellites — Paya, Zafar-2, and an upgraded Kosar (Kowsar 1.5) — were successfully launched into orbit aboard a Russian Soyuz-2.1b rocket from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in eastern Russia at around 16:48 Tehran time.

This joint achievement is one of the most ambitious in Iran’s space program to date:

📡 Paya

Iran’s most advanced and heaviest imaging satellite to date (~150 kg).
Designed for high-resolution Earth observation — with imagery processing enhanced by artificial intelligence — and useful for agriculture, water resource management, and environmental monitoring.

🛰️ Zafar-2

Developed primarily by academic engineers at Iran University of Science and Technology.
A remote-sensing satellite aimed at monitoring natural resources, environmental conditions, and land use from an altitude of about 500 km.

🌍 Kowsar 1.5

The upgraded successor to previous Kosar satellites, designed and built by OmidFaza’s private team, with imaging focused on agriculture, IoT data collection, and land observation.

Together, these three satellites represent a new chapter in Iran’s space program, where private sector innovation, university research, and national capabilities are converging in orbit.

Spotlight on Women in Space Engineering

One of the most inspiring details behind this achievement is the growing presence of Iranian women engineers in leadership roles within satellite development teams. For example, Narges Gholizadeh, a talented engineer from Bijar, led the mechanical engineering team for the original Kosar satellite — now successfully in orbit — demonstrating that Iranian women are playing critical roles in high-tech space projects.

A Symbol of Capacity and Identity

The launch of Kosar and its successors is about more than a technical breakthrough. It symbolizes the scientific capacity of young Iranian women and men — pursuing innovation under sanctions, balancing cultural values, and demonstrating that advanced science can flourish even under adversity. In this way, their work is not just a technological leap but a cultural and national achievement that challenges stereotypes and celebrates determination.

In a world where space achievements are often tied to geopolitics, the story of Iran’s next generation of engineers — especially its women — stands out as a human story of possibility, talent, and ambition.

en.jahanbanou.ir

From: Fars

December 29, 2025 0 comment

Society

Power of the Hijab: Islam’s Message to Western Women

by خانم هاشمی December 29, 2025

Ayatollah Khamenei says Islamic dress is a source of pride, not a threat, and can guide women worldwide toward Islam

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has described the Islamic hijab not as a restriction but as a powerful tool for promoting Islam. Speaking to women on December 3, 2025, he argued that modest dress can attract women who have been affected by Western cultural norms and guide them toward what he calls the “truth of Islam.”

Khamenei also addressed Iranian media directly, warning them against amplifying Western ideas about women:

“Our media must be careful not to become tools for promoting Western and capitalist thinking about women, which is false and misguided,” he said.
“When hijab, women’s clothing, or cooperation between men and women are discussed, the media of the Islamic Republic should not simply repeat their arguments or magnify them. Islam should be promoted. The Islamic view is an honorable view.”

He added that presenting this perspective internationally could draw more attention to Islam:

“If we present this outlook and this effective theory in international forums, many people around the world will certainly be drawn to Islam — especially women. This is the best way to promote Islam.”

A Critique of Western Gender Norms

Khamenei sharply criticized Western capitalist societies, saying they exploit women for economic gain while framing Islamic dress codes as oppressive. He noted that Western advertising, film, and media use women’s physical appeal as a commercial tool, while also portraying hijab as a restriction on freedom.

“In Western societies, the family as a unified and affectionate institution scarcely exists,” Khamenei said.
“Children without known fathers, the breakdown of family ties, organized exploitation of young women, and the promotion of sexual permissiveness — all of this is carried out in the name of ‘freedom.’”

He argued that such conditions erode women’s dignity and undermine family structures, comparing them to pre-Islamic practices that deprived women of their rights and purpose.

Hijab as a Source of Strength

Khamenei rejected claims that Islamic dress limits women’s progress. He cited examples from Iran since the 1979 revolution, where women have advanced in education, healthcare, science, sports, and social service while adhering to Islamic norms.

“A committed Muslim woman, observing hijab, can move forward in all areas — in society and in the home,” he said.

He framed hijab as part of Islam’s broader moral and social system, which establishes boundaries to protect human dignity:

“Sexual desire is a very strong force and must be controlled. Islam has been able to regulate it through its rulings — including modest dress for both women and men, physical boundaries between them, and encouragement of marriage. These measures restrain a dangerous and harmful factor.”

A Global Opportunity

For Khamenei, the social and cultural issues facing women in Western societies present an opportunity for Islam. By promoting Islamic dress as dignified and life-giving, he believes that women disillusioned with Western “freedom” may turn toward Islamic teachings.

He concluded that hijab should be presented not as a threat, but as a moral and cultural alternative, capable of attracting international attention and respect for Islam’s values.

en.jahanbanou.ir

From: Tasnimnews

December 29, 2025 0 comment

North America

From Slavery to Epstein: Human Trafficking in America

by خانم هاشمی December 29, 2025

Newly released Jeffrey Epstein documents have reignited global scrutiny of powerful institutions and individuals in the United States, raising renewed debate about political influence and systemic failures in addressing human trafficking.

In December 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice began releasing thousands of pages of documents related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein — a convicted sex offender whose network trafficked dozens of underage girls. The release comes as part of compliance with the recently passed Epstein Files Transparency Act, which requires the Justice Department to make government records about the case publicly available.

The first tranche included nearly 30,000 pages of court records, emails, private flight records, photos, and handwritten notes. Some of the material references high-profile individuals.

Among the documents are early complaints about Epstein dating back to the 1990s, including reports of sexual abuse and a 1996 complaint that predated later federal prosecution. But critics argue that the government’s handling of Epstein — including a controversial 2008 plea deal and the limited federal charges at the time — reflects deeper institutional problems.

America’s Role in the Global Human Trafficking Network

The United States is often described by law enforcement and human-rights groups as a major destination and transit point for human trafficking, involving both commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor. This industry — overwhelmingly operated by criminal networks — also reveals how systemic weaknesses in regulation, legal enforcement, and political accountability can allow abuse to flourish.

Jeffrey Epstein’s case is one of the most prominent examples in recent history. Between the early 2000s and his death in 2019, Epstein allegedly ran an expansive trafficking network that lured and exploited underage girls across several states. Prosecutors and victims’ advocates have noted that his wealth, connections, and real estate holdings in New York, Florida, and the U.S. Virgin Islands helped shield him from scrutiny for years.

From Slavery to Modern Exploitation

The involvement of American institutions in human trafficking is not new. Long before modern anti-trafficking laws existed, the transatlantic slave trade was legally sanctioned in the United States, with many early political leaders owning and trading enslaved Africans — a form of human trafficking by today’s definition.

Even after slavery’s abolition, exploitation continued in various forms, including racially discriminatory labor systems and trafficking of vulnerable workers. While the legal frameworks have since evolved, historians and activists argue that structural patterns of exploitation and protection of elite interests have persisted in some ways. The Epstein case, with its powerful social and political undertones, illustrates how longstanding inequalities can intersect with contemporary abuse.

Government and Corporate Connections

Epstein’s social circle included business leaders, celebrities, and political figures. While no sitting U.S. president or senior official has been charged in connection with criminal acts in the trafficking network, public interest in the files reflects widespread concern about transparency, accountability, and the role of power in shielding perpetrators. Some released materials even prompted criticism over the government’s pace and scope of disclosure, with lawmakers threatening legal action over delayed or heavily redacted documents.

Financial institutions and service providers that continued to do business with Epstein, even after earlier convictions, have also drawn scrutiny as part of broader questions about how economic systems enable exploitation.

The Broad Impact of a Controversial Case

The Epstein network left thousands of victims worldwide, many of them minors. For survivors, the latest document releases offer a chance to understand what government agencies knew and when — even as legal redactions and incomplete files limit clarity. The controversy has shaken public trust in justice institutions and highlighted the barriers survivors face in seeking accountability.

Ultimately, the Epstein files remind us that human trafficking is not merely the act of isolated criminals, but can be entrenched in wider social, political, and economic systems. Without continued oversight, independent investigation, and meaningful reform, critics warn, such networks may persist beyond any single high-profile case.

en.jahanbanou.ir

From: Mizanonline

December 29, 2025 0 comment

West Asia

I Had to Choose Between Journalism and My Children’s Lives

by faeze mohammadi December 28, 2025

The Spanish newspaper El País has published a detailed report chronicling the life and professional experience of Youmna El-Sayed, an Al Jazeera English correspondent in the Gaza Strip. This reporter, amidst the war that Israel launched against Gaza on October 7, 2023, not only witnessed genocide but also broadcasted it moment by moment to the world.

Youmna El-Sayed was forced to leave Gaza with her children after receiving direct threats from the Israeli army. She now resides in her hometown of Cairo but continues to keep the voice of the people of Gaza alive by traveling to various countries, warning against the forgetting of the humanitarian catastrophe in the region.

This Palestinian reporter was living in Gaza City with her husband and four children when the war began. Simultaneously with Israel’s ban on foreign journalists entering the area, the role of local reporters, including Youmna El-Sayed, became vitally important, as their reports were the world’s only window into the on-the-ground realities of Gaza.

When the possibility to leave Gaza arose in late 2023, El-Sayed faced one of the most difficult decisions of her life. She says about this: “It was a pivotal moment; my mother told me I had to choose between being a journalist and being a mother, because I could no longer do both at the same time.”

This 35-year-old reporter ultimately decided to prioritize her children’s lives and move them to a safe place, but she still grapples with a feeling she calls “survivor’s guilt.” She says: “I am happy that my children are safe now, but my colleagues are still in Gaza, and the genocide continues.”

During the months Youmna El-Sayed covered the war, she and her children, who were between the ages of 5 and 12 at the time, experienced bombardment, forced displacement, and hunger. El-Sayed says: “In three months, we were forced to flee six times.” While trying to secure food for her family, she produced live television reports.

One of her reports was widely shared on social media when the Israeli army targeted a building near her location during a live broadcast. According to El País, Youmna El-Sayed was a well-known figure to the Israelis due to her work for Al Jazeera. She says about this: “The Israeli army threatened me twice, and that made me feel like I was the biggest danger to my children’s lives.”

This Gaza reporter strongly criticizes international media, accusing them of bias towards Israel’s narrative, dehumanizing Palestinian victims, and failing to independently verify information provided by the Israeli army.

According to El-Sayed, international media have lost their credibility, driving people towards social media—a trend that increases the risk of spreading misinformation. She says: “Why do they say ‘the Hamas-affiliated Ministry of Health’ when announcing casualty figures? This is a trick to create doubt in the audience’s mind. This entity is the Palestinian Ministry of Health.”

Youmna El-Sayed also expressed skepticism regarding former U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza’s future, seeing it as a continuation of the original plan: seizing Gaza and turning it into a “Riviera.” She adds: “Gaza is now destroyed and uninhabitable, but when they seize it, they will also take its resources; everyone is after their share of this cake.”

She emphasizes that this plan holds no benefit for the people of Gaza and says: “If they truly intended to help the Palestinians, they would at least begin implementing the ceasefire agreement,” but according to her, this has never happened.

El-Sayed further explains: “According to the agreement, 600 trucks of humanitarian aid, including fuel, gas, medicine, and food, were supposed to enter Gaza daily, but in practice, only 100 to 160 trucks are allowed in. No fuel or medicine enters, and what arrives is often sweets, chocolate, soda, and ready-made meals. There is no real food, protein, or vegetables; while the people of Gaza have been grappling with malnutrition for two years. This is a strategy to exacerbate diseases.”

This Palestinian reporter completed her studies in Languages and Translation at Cairo University. All members of her extended family still live in Gaza and occasionally send her pictures. She reacts by saying: “I don’t recognize anything; everywhere has turned into a desert of rubble.”

The journey of Youmna El-Sayed and her children to Egypt came at a heavy financial cost to her father. In recent weeks, reports have also surfaced about some families traveling from Gaza to South Africa by paying amounts between $2,500 and $5,000. El-Sayed says about this: “Israel is facilitating the exit of families from Gaza because it is advancing its own plan. They want the people of Gaza to leave so they can continue the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians.”

Alnisa

December 28, 2025 0 comment

Europe

Gender Row in Britain

by faeze mohammadi December 27, 2025

The story began when the UK Supreme Court, in a historic ruling, decided to define the legal meaning of the word ‘woman’ based on biological sex—what is recorded on a birth certificate at birth.

This verdict sparked widespread debate, but the saga didn’t end there. Subsequently, the UK’s Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), which monitors compliance with anti-discrimination laws, issued new mandatory guidance based on this court ruling. According to this guidance, all public single-sex spaces—such as toilets, swimming pool and gym changing rooms, and sometimes separate accommodations—must be segregated solely based on sex at birth. That is, the criterion is not current gender identity, but being recorded as male or female at the time of birth.

This policy has been communicated as official guidance to all service providers; from shops and private clubs to schools, universities, and other public places. According to officials, the aim is to create legal certainty and preserve safe spaces for women who live according to their birth sex, so they can feel more secure and at ease.

However, the enforcement of this guidance is a key point. The EHRC’s new chair, Baroness Kishwer Falkner (note: the article mentions Mary Stephenson, but the current chair is Kishwer Falkner; a possible name error in the original text), has stressed that there will be no direct monitoring force or anything resembling a ‘toilet police’. Enforcement is intended to rely more on the voluntary cooperation of the public and business owners.

She explains that if many complaints are raised about a particular place, the owner will first be contacted and asked to resolve the issue. These solutions could include putting up clearer signs, explaining policies transparently, or providing alternative facilities—for example, single-occupancy, lockable, and completely private rooms that are gender-neutral and available for anyone to use. The goal is to reduce tension and conflict in public spaces.

However, in contrast, this guidance has been met with fierce reactions and widespread protests. Transgender rights activists say this policy is not progress, but a serious step backwards and a clear form of discrimination. In their view, this law makes the daily lives of many trans people extremely difficult.

Critics give a simple example: Imagine a person who is completely recognised in appearance and social life as a woman, but whose birth certificate records their sex as male. According to this guidance, if she enters a women’s toilet, she may face objections, humiliation, or even be ejected. On the other hand, using the men’s toilet could also be unsafe and uncomfortable for her and for others. In this way, trans people are placed in a dilemma, and their human dignity is jeopardised.

These groups believe such a policy contradicts the spirit of equality laws enacted over the years to protect minorities. They argue that this decision is more of a political reaction to heated social debates than a practical solution, and will ultimately fuel greater division and stigma.

The practical impact of this guidance on people’s daily lives—in cities, shopping centres, clubs, and universities—will become clear in the coming months. Will businesses implement it? Will the public comply? And will this policy reduce tensions or, conversely, make them more overt? The answers to these questions will largely determine the future path of the debate on equality and social inclusion in Britain.

BBC

December 27, 2025 0 comment

Science Women Pioneers

Iranian Researcher Maria Beihaghi Wins 2025 COMSTECH

by خانم هاشمی December 27, 2025

Iranian scientist Dr. Maria Beihaghi has been named one of the winners of the COMSTECH Young Women Researchers Research Grant for 2025, a prestigious international recognition that highlights her contributions to biomedical research and promotes the work of young women scientists in the Islamic world.

A Breakthrough for Women in Science

The COMSTECH (Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation) award program aims to support and advance scientific excellence among researchers in member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Among multiple competitive applicants, Dr. Beihaghi was selected for her exceptional scientific record and research potential, particularly in fields related to health and biomedical innovation.

This grant is specifically designed to recognize and empower young women researchers, acknowledging their contributions while strengthening global scientific collaboration. The program encourages cross-border partnerships and supports emerging talents working on cutting-edge research projects.

Profile: Dr. Maria Beihaghi

Dr. Beihaghi serves as the CEO of a knowledge-based company specializing in health and medical technologies. Her work focuses on biomedical solutions with practical applications in public health and disease research, demonstrating both scientific depth and societal relevance.

According to academic records, Maria Beihaghi has an established profile with rankings listed in scientific indexes, reflecting her engagement in research activities.

Her research contributions include work on advanced biotechnologies and innovations aimed at improving health outcomes. Previously, patents associated with her name include formulations such as advanced anti-Alzheimer’s products using nano-enabled natural compounds — highlighting her blend of scientific inquiry and real-world application.

The Significance of COMSTECH Awards

The COMSTECH awards are recognized across the Islamic scientific community for promoting excellence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Established by the OIC to enhance research cooperation, these awards are presented biennially and include multiple categories, such as young researcher recognition, lifetime achievement, patents, and best scientific publications.

For young women researchers under the age of 40, the grant is especially meaningful. It not only provides financial support but also opens doors for wider international exposure, research funding, and collaboration opportunities across member countries. Such support plays an important role in encouraging more women to pursue advanced scientific careers — traditionally an underrepresented group in many research arenas.

Impact and Future Prospects

Dr. Beihaghi’s achievement resonates beyond her individual success. It reflects growing global recognition of women’s contributions to science and technology, reinforcing the importance of diversity in research leadership. Her work is poised to inspire future generations of women scientists — both in Iran and internationally — to pursue bold scientific goals.

As she continues her research and expands her professional reach, Dr. Beihaghi stands as a model of innovation and perseverance, demonstrating how scientific excellence can drive meaningful change in health and society.

en.jahanbanou.ir

From: ISNA

December 27, 2025 0 comment

North America

US Army Doctor Victimized 81 Patients

by faeze mohammadi December 27, 2025

The case of a US Army gynecologist, previously prosecuted on sexual crime charges, has now taken on a much broader and more alarming dimension with the addition of 81 new plaintiffs.

These women, all former patients of the accused doctor named Blaine McGrew at the Fort Hood military base in Texas, have made serious allegations against him in a group civil lawsuit. They claim that during examinations and medical procedures, this doctor not only secretly filmed them without consent but also engaged in inappropriate touching, sexual assault, and caused physical harm.

These allegations come as McGrew had already faced 54 serious criminal charges from judicial authorities for unlawful visual recording of 44 female patients. Now, however, the scope of the claims has expanded, revealing the deeper extent of the tragedy. One of the most painful cases mentioned involves a female soldier who, after a sexual assault, went to this doctor for a medical-legal examination and to document evidence. According to the civil complaint, McGrew intentionally destroyed this soldier’s medical records and rape kit; a shocking act that directly led to the acquittal of the perpetrator in that case, making a mockery of justice not only for this victim but for the entire military justice system.

This complex case has now become a serious test for the Pentagon and its reform promises regarding handling sexual misconduct. In recent years, the US Army had promised to create a safer environment and a more accountable system for victims of such crimes. However, how this specific case is handled—in which a trusted medical authority committed such organized and deep violations—will show whether these promises were merely slogans or if real mechanisms have been established to support victims and punish perpetrators, especially when the accused is a member of the system itself. The outcome of this trial could herald real change or be a painful repetition of past injustices.

Guardian

December 27, 2025 0 comment

Newer Posts

Older Posts