News in Brief
G7 FMs hail Iran-Saudi rapprochement
SPUTNIK – Top diplomats from the Group of Seven on Tuesday welcomed initiatives to mend relations between Tehran and Riyadh.
“We welcome initiatives to improve bilateral relations among countries and de-escalate tensions in the region, including Iran and Saudi Arabia’s recent agreement to restore ties,” the G7 foreign ministers said in a collective statement released following their meeting in Karuizawa, Japan, Sputnik reported.
The G7 member states noted with concern the increased threats to stability in Afghanistan, the G7 foreign ministers said in a joint statement after their meeting in Japan. The G7 foreign ministers stated the need to continue to reduce the global nuclear arsenals. “The overall decline in global nuclear arsenals must continue and not be reversed. The NPT is the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime and the foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament and peaceful uses of nuclear energy,” according to the statement.
Only 17% in Iran wear masks
As the eighth wave of COVID-19 continues to take the lives of Iranians on a daily basis, a recent survey shows that only 17% of the Iranian people wear masks. Iran’s Health Ministry reported on Tuesday that approximately 37% of the people are still observing COVID-related health protocols. According to the data released by the ministry, only 21% in Tehran, the overly crowded capital, wear masks, which is a highly distressing signal.
The social distancing index has also fallen to an alarming 35%. Tehran is one of the lowest in this indicator as well, with almost 31% of its population observing the protocol.
According to the data released by the Health Ministry, airports have been at the top with observing the social distancing protocol with almost 72%, while the protocol has not been observed in movie theaters, as only 21% throughout the country have observed the COVID-related protocol. During the past 24 hours, 452 new COVID patients have been diagnosed, 26 of whom have died.