29 Sept 2025
The text offers a critical examination of various current affairs in Iran, ranging from government policies on energy and agriculture to law enforcement actions and digital development challenges. It also surveys significant global technological advancements and social trends, often drawing a stark contrast with the domestic situation.
The Ministry of Energy stated that blackouts in Tehran would be implemented uniformly and fairly, despite public perception of discriminatory cuts across regions. The power distribution website for Greater Tehran was unreliable, reportedly publishing rumors and tables that showed discrimination in how different regions experienced cuts. The website's 'My Outages' section indicated that blackouts were due to energy imbalance and authorities' inability to establish balance, placing the burden on citizens. Attempts to screenshot outage tables resulted in a black screen, reflecting a policy of arresting those who film such incidents.
Mr. Chegini, a parliamentary representative for Khorram-Avad, proposed a plan for controlled poppy cultivation to produce 600 tons of opium for pharmaceutical needs. This initiative aims for localization and self-sufficiency due to a lack of supply resulting from opium imports. A law for controlled cultivation and consumption was enacted in 1955, remaining in force until 1959 before being discontinued at the beginning of the revolution.
Channels and pages in cyberspace actively advertise or explain prohibited or immoral items, including police handcuffs and whips.
The head of the country's public security police stated a policy of shooting without hesitation if alleged killers are seen on the street, prioritizing shooting before questioning. Shargh newspaper reported that two individuals identified as top and experienced thugs in the northwestern provinces were killed by police shooting.
Incidents of violence included a wild animal attack in Sargozar Bazaar and an attack with a Colt and Kalashnikov on a coffee shop in Fashafieh. The Fatah Police reported that most marriage and matchmaking sites are scams, lacking legal authorization and designed solely for deceiving users and committing fraud. Victims are often reluctant to file complaints due to reputational concerns. Law enforcement actively pursues cases of online gambling, having dealt with 98 identified cases, though some major sites continue to operate with rial payments.
The Ministry of Clean Water plans to replace 20,000 worn-out carburetor motorcycles in Tehran with electric models to address huge economic losses and devastating environmental effects. These electric motorcycles have a range of less than 80 kilometers, making them impractical for daily couriers who typically cover 150-200 kilometers. Challenges include lack of charging infrastructure, electricity availability, and security concerns regarding their silent operation during thefts.
The government has shown a lack of activity in artificial intelligence (AI) development for almost a year, leading to the dismissal of the head of the Artificial Intelligence Organization. Despite the parliament agreeing on a National Artificial Intelligence Plan in 2014 to define general tasks and infrastructure, progress is slow. An earlier AI organization laid off 150 people due to unclear objectives.
The Minister of Communications indicated that 50% of the country's budget, approximately 30 billion dollars, is required to recommend the digital economy.
The Food and Drug Administration issued a general ban on cooperation between pharmacies under its supervision and online platforms for the efficient transportation and sending of any pharmaceutical items, with or without prescription. This policy restricts convenient access to medicines, particularly for the elderly or those with mobility issues, despite clear identification processes.
Google introduced NotebookLM, an AI intelligence and artifact developed for Android and iOS, accessible with an American IP. Google also developed a virtual clothing try-on feature accessible via `labs.google.com` with an American IP address.
Fortnite returned to the Apple App Store after five years, allowing players to buy V-bucks at a lower price through Epic Store, directly impacting Apple's revenue share and concluding their long-standing dispute.
Windows 11 is designed to include a 'Cross Device Resume' feature, enabling users to continue tasks between their iPhone/Android phones and Windows PCs, mirroring Apple's existing functionality.
Android 16 is set to feature a desktop mode, developed in collaboration with Samsung and based on Samsung Dex technology, improving desktop windowing capabilities for more efficient power flow on Android phones.
OpenAI acquired Johnny Ive's startup for half a billion dollars, involving a key product designer previously associated with Apple products.
Nvidia, Oracle, and OpenAI are collaborating on the 'Stargate UA' artificial intelligence project in the Emirates, which will cover an area of 10 square miles and have a capacity of 5 gigawatts. All Emirati citizens will receive GBT Plus chat for free as part of this project.
New research from Hunan University in China suggests that individuals with high levels of 'dark triad' personality traits (narcissism, neuroticism, and Machiavellianism) are perceived as more trustworthy and attractive. This phenomenon, often linked to presenting oneself as more physically masculine, is attributed to a psychological shortcut known as the 'mood error' or 'peach effect,' where attractiveness is associated with trust.
Vietnam's Ministry of Information and Technology ordered telecommunications service providers to block access to the Telegram messaging app. This action was taken due to Telegram's alleged lack of cooperation in combating user crimes, with 9,600 Telegram group channels in the country reported to have violated laws, including engaging in illegal activities and fraud.
Xiaomi introduced the 15s and 15s Pro, featuring its first proprietary processor, which reportedly yielded disastrous results in terms of intelligence and branding usefulness. Key specifications included 16GB RAM, 512TB storage, a 32MP front camera, a 6000 mAh battery with 90-watt wired charging, and Hyper OS, with the 15s priced at $1216 in the Chinese market.
Donald Trump proposed a 25% tariff on iPhones (and Samsung phones) sold in the US but not manufactured domestically, aiming to boost US production. This policy would require Apple to pay 25% of the tariff if production remains outside the US, potentially increasing product prices.
Anthropic Artificial Intelligence introduced Claude 4, described as the world's most powerful artificial intelligence model in coding, surpassing previous models like Claude 3 and OpenAI's offerings in benchmark lists.
The text includes critical commentary on official conduct, public frustration with government policies, and a satirical comparison of national priorities versus global advancements. It also mentions practical issues like internet filtering, the non-functionality of T-Mobile roaming in Iran, and challenges in public transportation due to power outages and lack of internet access.
Arabs and Americans are seeking progress, while we are still deciding whether to enter the bathroom with the left or right foot.
| Policy/Initiative | Objective | Outcome/Challenge |
|---|---|---|
| Tehran Power Blackouts | Implement uniform and fair electricity cuts across Tehran. | Public perceived discriminatory cuts; official website for outage schedules was unreliable and showed a black screen when trying to screenshot, reflecting a policy against filming such incidents. |
| Controlled Poppy Cultivation | Cultivate 600 tons of opium for pharmaceutical needs, aiming for localization and self-sufficiency. | Proposed by a parliamentary representative due to supply issues; historically, controlled cultivation was abandoned after the 1979 revolution. |
| Electric Motorcycle Replacement | Replace 20,000 worn-out carburetor motorcycles in Tehran with electric models to reduce economic and environmental impact. | Electric models have a range under 80 km, making them impractical for daily couriers; significant challenges exist regarding charging infrastructure, electricity availability, and security concerns. |
| Ban on Online Pharmacy Platforms | Regulate and control the distribution of pharmaceutical items. | The Food and Drug Administration issued a general ban on pharmacies cooperating with online platforms for medicine delivery, restricting convenient access for citizens, particularly those with mobility issues. |
| Artificial Intelligence Development in Iran | Advance the country's capabilities in artificial intelligence. | Despite a national AI plan, there has been a year-long lack of government activity, leading to organizational dismissals and a call for 50% of the national budget for digital economy development. |
