Briefly

IRAN

US sanctions cut access to $50 billion

Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiee said on Wednesday that sanctions by the United States over the past two years have deprived the Islamic republic of access to $50 billion in money and foreign exchange resources. US President Donald Trump in 2018 withdrew from a landmark nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions against Teheran. The deal promises Iran economic incentives in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program, but with the reinstatement of US sanctions, other nations have been struggling to provide Iran the assistance it seeks. World powers that are part of the 2015 nuclear deal urged Teheran to return to full compliance during a virtual meeting on Wednesday in Vienna, a German official said. But Iran warned on Wednesday the departure of Trump does not immediately mean better relations between the two nations.

SOUTH KOREA

Virus lockdown fears spark panic buying

South Korea reported a record number of coronavirus deaths on Thursday as the country's biggest wave of infections since the start of the pandemic strained hospital resources and sparked panic buying in anticipation of a harsh new lockdown. The virus claimed another 22 lives as of midnight on Wednesday, sharply up from a previous high of 13 deaths in a single day earlier in the week, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported. Deaths were expected to rise after infections spiked in Seoul and surrounding areas, with another 1,014 cases reported on Thursday including a daily record of 423 in the densely populated capital city. Many residents of Seoul have started stocking up on food and other essential supplies. Hospitals were at a breaking point with only three critical care beds available as of Wednesday in greater Seoul.

Agencies - Xinhua