A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 25

News about the funeral procession of Ayatollah Mohammad Reza Mahdavi Kani, who passed away in Tehran on Tuesday October 21 after he went into a coma on June 4 due to a major heart attack, appeared on the front pages of most Iranian dailies on Saturday. Ayatollah Mahdavi Kani, who presided over the Assembly of Experts, was laid to rest in the Shah Abdol Azim Shrine in Rey, a town on the southern edge of the capital. The stellar performance of Iranian athletes in the Asian Para Games who finished fourth in the overall standings was also among the top stories of the day. Another story which drew a lot of attention was a final report released by the government about the controversial scholarships granted by the previous government to individuals who did not meet the required standards.

Abrar: “Mortar fire is exchanged along the border of Iran and Pakistan.”

 

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Afkar: “We welcome any mutual cooperation with regional countries, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and other Muslim nations to effectively combat terrorism and extremism,” said Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

Afkar: “Iran’s Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari and Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan hold talks in Beijing.”

 

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Arman-e Emrooz: “As few as 54 people owe almost $2 billion in overdue debts to Bank Melli Iran,” Managing Director of the bank Abdolnasser Hemmati said.

Arman-e Emrooz: “Elimination of political parties, and [concepts such as] thinking is impossible,” said President Rouhani.

Arman-e Emrooz: “Rakhshan Bani-Etemad, a renowned Iranian female director, appeared on the red carpet at Abu Dhabi Film Festival.”

 

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Asia: “German journalist of Iranian descent Golineh Atai was awarded Hanns- Joachim Friedrichs-Preis, a prestigious journalism award in Germany.

Asia: “Iran’s cooperation in Qatar World Cup 2022. Based on negotiations between Iran’s ministers of trade and economy with their Qatari counterpart, Iranian firms and contractors in different fields will be welcome to help implement some projects in Qatar.”

 

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Asr-e Rasaneh: “A team of French automotive experts is to arrive in Iran,” Managing Director of Iran Khodro Industrial Group Hashem Yekke Zare said.

Asr-e Rasaneh: “Plans are being devised to raise the country’s oil storage capacity by 32 million barrels.”

 

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Bani Film: “Dubai Sport, a UAE-based TV station, has offered over $80 million to get the rights to broadcast Iranian [Premier League] football matches.”

 

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Ebtekar: “European tourists arrive in western and southern Iran.”

Ebtekar: “Mohammad-Taghi Mesbah-Yazdi, a member of the Assembly of Experts, was conspicuous by his absence in the funeral procession of the late Mohammad Reza Mahdavi Kani.”

 

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Eghtesad-e Pooya: “Iran’s mining sector has its sights on attracting foreign investment to the tune of $3 billion each year.”

 

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Etemad: “A final report has been released on investigations into whether or not those granted scholarships during the second term of Ahmadinejad met the required standards. Based on the report, as many as 3,772 individuals were given scholarships without passing the required examination; the scholarships of 840 university students have been rescinded and they will have to pay their tuition fees if they are willing to carry on their education; another 36 have been banned from education and will have to pay back all the fees spent on their education, grants of 23 who used the benefits dedicated to the families of those who lost limbs or lives to the war were cut off. A list of instructors – 448 in total – has been sent to their universities for a final decision in their case. A final decision in the case of 729 students has been put on hold due to its potential political ramifications.”

Etemad: “Tehran in business with Boeing; for the first time [since the Islamic revolution]; Iran has bought plane spare parts from Boeing.”

Etemad: “Rouhani has a great deal of patience; some are outraged by the accomplishments of the government,” former Tehran Mayor Gholamhossein Karbaschi said.

Etemad: “Tehran weather has reached an alarming stage; particles coming from desert-like sprawling expanses of land encircling the capital coupled with diesel fumes have darkened Tehran’s skies.”

 

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Ettela’at: “Iran finished fourth in the 2014 Asian Para Games in Incheon, South Korea.”

Ettela’at: “A cloud-seeding initiative will be implemented in Tehran.”

Ettela’at: “President Rouhani has urged the speedy identification [and arrest] of those behind recent acid attacks in Isfahan.”

 

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Farhikhtegan: “Former President Mohammad Khatami and Chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani have paid bedside visits to Ayatollah Yousef Sannei, a former prosecutor general who is hospitalized in Tehran.”

 

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Iran: “Visiting Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati has met with the Emir of Kuwait.”

Iran: “Iranian athletes bagged 120 medals in the Asian Para Games in Incheon.”

 

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Iran Daily: “German official: Sanctions inflict heavy losses on West.”

 

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Jahan-e Eghtesad: “The number of checks bounced has seen a 43-percent rise.”

 

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Javan: “Tatbir [Striking oneself with a machete which causes blood to flow as a practice in remembrance of Imam Hossein] either performed in public or privately is forbidden,” read a religious edict issued by the Supreme Leader ahead of the mourning ceremonies in Muharram.

 

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Jamejam: “Iranian artworks fetch almost $4 million at the Christie’s 2014 Dubai Auction.”

 

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Jomhouri Islami: “An aid package to help those suffering from refractory diseases will be implemented soon; although co-payment by patients in state-run hospitals is about seven percent, many patients still cannot afford it,” said the health minister.

Jomhouri Islami: “IS has suffered its heaviest defeat in Iraq.”

 

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Kayhan: “A cross-dresser who was trying to incite violence in rallies against recent acid attacks in Isfahan has been arrested.”

 

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Payam-e Zaman: “Ebola can possibly find its way to the country; an equipped laboratory has been set up to contain the likely outbreak of the disease,” said the health minister.

 

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Resalat: “A historic farewell to Ayatollah Mohammad Reza Mahdavi Kani, a revolutionary figure.”

 

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Shahrvand: “Iranian athletes fell short of one gold medal to secure third berth in the Asian Para Games.”

Shahrvand: “In securing development, recruiting new volunteers is the objective of Iran’s Red Crescent Society,” said the head of the society.

 

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Sharq has quoted Mohammad-Taghi Mesbah-Yazdi, a member of the Assembly of Experts, as telling those who seek to prevent vice, “It’s imperative to avoid acts that stoke tensions.”

Sharq: “In a chat with the daily, those active on the political front threw their weight behind strategies devised by former President Mohammad Khatami.”

 

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Tafahom: “Iran tops the list of regional nations with lowest tourism costs.”

 

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Tehran Times: “China says seeks closer military ties with Iran.”