29 Sept 2025
The past week brought forth a mix of strange events and a notably brief football transfer window. Domestically, significant issues emerged, from the destruction of historical buildings and infrastructural mishaps in Isfahan to widespread counterfeiting and fraudulent schemes impacting technology markets and public services.
The football transfer window was one of the worst in recent memory, remaining open for only two hours before suddenly closing.
A 600-year-old historical building was damaged, attributed to the efforts of officials; this structure requires continuous water for its mortar, a need that was evidently neglected.
Following the historical building damage, 40 schools were closed in Isfahan due to ground subsidence, and parts of the city were evacuated; a mosque minaret also cracked, indicating widespread structural problems.
The metro project in Isfahan involved a controversial construction method where tunnels were built from two sides, with one section unexpectedly passing under three bridges, leading to a halt in construction and being described as a dangerous 'bomb'.
An attempt was made to host a local 'Rai GITEX' exhibition in Iran, despite GITEX being a registered international trademark with official organizers, reflecting a disregard for intellectual property rights.
The market is rife with counterfeit products, exemplified by the sale of fake Adidas ZX 8000 shoes, often misrepresented as rare or exclusive items at exorbitant prices in the second-hand market.
The registry system, intended to combat smuggling, was exploited by importers who mislabeled high-end phones like iPhone 16 as cheaper models (e.g., Xiaomi A16 or Redmi A16) to evade taxes and make substantial illicit profits.
The Minister of Communications stated opposition to 'unusual' internet tariff increases, yet implied acceptance of 'conventional' increases that still contribute to people's expenses.
The CEO of Tehran Electricity promoted the 'My Electricity' app as an achievement, but it was criticized for its inefficiency in informing citizens about power outages, with SMS alerts suggested as a simpler and more effective alternative.
Iranian authorities are belatedly considering the introduction of eSIM technology, years after its global implementation, indicating a significant delay in technological adoption.
Mobile operators like Cellphone and IranCell engage in competitive lottery-based promotions for prizes such as the iPhone 17 or internet packages, which are viewed as primarily marketing-driven rather than genuinely beneficial.
Nothing OS 4 introduced optimized Quick Settings for less space, floating icons for faster multitasking, and app optimizations; its Airpods feature a 'Super Mic' for calls and audio recording, supporting HiRes audio and personalized equalizers, though its functionality is limited to certain third-party apps.
Rumors indicate Apple plans a cheaper MacBook with an A18 Pro chip for $600 and a potential MacBook Pro Touch by 2026, which would contradict Steve Jobs' previous stance against touch-screen Macs.
Google has integrated Gemini into Chrome, enabling users to summarize videos, interact with websites, and translate content directly within the browser.
Meta unveiled a head-up display technology called the 'Meta Ribbon Display,' offering augmented reality for navigation, messages, and video calls, though its live demonstration encountered technical difficulties.
JerryRigEverything's bend test demonstrated the iPhone Air's notable durability, as it did not fold under normal hand pressure and required significant mechanical force (15-60 kilos) to break.
No suitable mobile application was found for recommendation this week due to a lack of quality options.
The university quota system, particularly for veterans, is a subject of debate; while some perceive it as an easy route to admission, others argue that high ranks are still necessary even with maximum quota benefits, citing examples of individuals with quotas struggling to secure university places.
Stores like License Market and Pars Premium are defrauding customers by selling shared or expired accounts for paid programs and AI services, resulting in immediate account expiration, password changes, and unusable services for buyers.
A correction was issued regarding the Red Sea's location (between the Arabian Peninsula and the African coast, not western Turkey), along with discussions on various viewer comments, including advice on milk consumption, military service exemptions, and general feedback on the show's content.
The extensive prevalence of counterfeiting and circumvention of regulations for personal profit highlights a significant lack of integrity and oversight within the country's systems.
| Category | Issue | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| Government & Infrastructure | Destruction of Historical Building | A 600-year-old building damaged due to official negligence regarding its critical water requirements. |
| Urban Development Failure | Isfahan Subsidence & Metro Project | 40 schools closed and parts of Isfahan evacuated due to subsidence, while the metro project includes a dangerous and incomplete section under bridges. |
| Economic Malpractice | Intellectual Property & Counterfeiting | Unauthorized 'GITEX' exhibition and widespread counterfeiting (e.g., Adidas ZX 8000) demonstrate a lack of respect for intellectual property and consumer rights. |
| Regulatory Exploitation | Mobile Phone Registry System Fraud | A system designed to combat smuggling is exploited by importers who mislabel expensive phones as cheaper models to evade taxes and increase profits. |
| Public Service Inefficiency | Tehran Electricity 'My Electricity' App | An official app promoted as an achievement is criticized for failing to effectively inform citizens about power outages, with simpler solutions suggested. |
| Consumer Fraud | Fraudulent Online Account Sales | Online stores are defrauding customers by selling shared, expired, or non-functional accounts for paid software and AI services, leading to immediate usability issues. |
