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Iranian, Chinese officials trade barbs over reported coronavirus numbers

An Iranian health ministry spokesman’s questioning of China’s coronavirus figures caused controversy on social media on Sunday. Chinese officials
Spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour called China’s coronavirus numbers “a bitter joke” at a press conference on Sunday, adding that the Chinese government’s reporting on the virus was misleading to the rest of the world.
The Chinese ambassador to Tehran Chang Hua responded on Twitter: “The Ministry of Health of China has a press conference every day. I suggest that you read their news carefully in order to draw conclusions.”
“Excellent,” Jahanpour responded to the Chinese ambassador, also pointing out the Iranian health ministry also holds daily press conferences.
“Dear sir, I hope you respect the facts and the great efforts of the Chinese people,” Hua tweeted in response.

At the same time, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi tweeted praise for China, in a seemingly attempt to win back the Chinese ambassador.
“Iran has always been thankful to China in these trying times,” Mousavi tweeted.
https://twitter.com/SAMOUSAVI9/status/1246866744255397891
Mousavi’s tweet was welcomed by Hua, who tweeted: “Rumours cannot destroy our friendship!”
https://twitter.com/AmbChangHua/status/1246867937467740160
Jahanpour has come under attack from pro-regime users on social media for his exchange with Hua, with calls to have him sacked from the health ministry.
China is a key ally of Iran and its foremost trading partner. Chinese officials
“China’s support for the Iranian people in these difficult days will never be forgotten. The outsiders should not get excited,” Jahanpour tweeted on Monday.
Still unhappy by Jahanpour’s criticism, Hua responded: “Friends must help each other, but we are fighting each other.”
As of Monday, 3,739 in Iran have died from coronavirus, and there are 60,500 confirmed cases in the country, according to government figures. levant
source: Yaghoub Fazeli levant
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Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
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