Iran-IAEA relations
Iran’s nuclear chief has strongly criticized the West for trying to exert pressure on the Islamic Republic by abusing the mechanisms of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Mohammad Eslami says Western countries resort to political means and sanctions to achieve their goal. He urged the IAEA to remain impartial and professional and does not allow the West to use the Agency's reports as an excuse to put pressure on Tehran. Eslami said the West’s brutal political pressure on Iran has been futile and the Islamic Republic will not leave such animosity unanswered. He was speaking in a meeting with IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi on the sidelines of the 67th regular session of the Agency’s General Conference in Vienna. Earlier on Monday, Eslami also raised the alarm about the threats posed by Israel’s nuclear arsenal.
UK cost of living crisis
The cost of living crisis in the UK isn’t just making life difficult but also shorter. That’s according to a study, which has found that the inflation-fueled scourge will cause thousands of premature deaths and significantly widen the wealth and health gap between the richest and poorest. The study suggests the number of people dying before the age of 75 will rise 6.5 percent this year due to the sustained period of high prices. It also forecast that the most deprived households will experience four times the number of extra deaths than their wealthiest counterparts. The findings were published in the journal BMJ Public Health. Researchers stressed that implemented public policy responses are not sufficient to protect health and prevent widening inequalities. Millions of Britons have been hit hard with levels of inflation not seen since the 1970s. Poorer households have borne the brunt as they spend a larger proportion of their income on energy, the cost of which has soared.
'US cold war mentality'
China has called on the United States to abandon its cold war mentality and refrain from provoking an arms race in East Asia. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin was responding to a question about reported talks between the US and Vietnam for an arms deal. Last week, American officials said the administration of President Joe Biden is negotiating to supply Vietnam with a large arms package, including F-16 fighter jets. The deal could possibly be the largest arms transfer in history between the two countries.