In Iran Crisis, Paris Exile Group Plays Disputed Role

As millions of Iranians took to the streets of Tehran over the past week to protest the presidential-election results, exiled opposition group the National Council of Resistance of Iran saw its moment. “This uprising is the result of 30 years of murder, oppression and corruption by an Iranian regime we’ve dedicated our entire lives to fighting,” Mohammad Mohaddessin, chairman of foreign affairs for the Paris-based group told TIME. “Even if protesters aren’t calling for [the NCRI] to take power, it’s only natural that, given our organization’s experience, our clandestine networks are playing an important role informing and assisting the Iranian people to achieve its desire of regime change.” Authorities in Tehran claim that isn’t the half of it.

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When a ‘Chosen’ Tibetan Lama Says No Thanks

“For the last time, I’m not your messiah,” groans the title character in the 1979 comedy The Life of Brian. There’s an echo of Brian’s panicked renunciation in a shakeup currently underway in Tibetan Buddhism — in this case, nobody’s laughing, although the ending will, no doubt, be happier

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Roxanne Saberi and How Journalism Works in Iran

Over the past four years, the media has come to see Iran once again in black and white, and almost exclusively through the antics of its bombastic President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. To some degree, Ahmadinejad has invited the oversimplification of Iran with blunt verbal strikes at the West calculated to dominate headlines

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Orlando to face Lakers in NBA finals

The Orlando Magic toppled the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night to claim a spot in the NBA finals championship series for the first time in 14 years. The Magic’s 103-90 home win in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals earned the team a trip to Los Angeles to face the Lakers. Orlando made it to the title round in 1995, one year before Shaquille O’Neal left for Los Angeles.

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U.S., Canada gear up for new border ID requirements

Americans and Canadians heading to the United States from Canada on vehicles or cruise ships will face new entry requirements beginning next week, the Homeland Security Department said. Next Monday, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will begin requiring U.S

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