Just checking in to wish everyone a happy belated Iranian New Year. The holiday, known as Norooz, or ‘New Day,’ falls around the vernal equinox.

Last year, President Obama used the opportunity to reach out to the Islamic Republic, releasing a video on the internet addressing Iranians and their leadership. This year he spoke to some of the changes that have occurred in Iran since then.

Though this is coming to you more than a day late, I’d also like to share this report on Al Jazeera English by our former IPS colleague Khody Akhavi.