Briefly

IRAN

Nuclear talks nearing 'good agreement'

Talks between Teheran and world powers to revive a 2015 nuclear accord are approaching a "good agreement", but reaching one soon depends on the other parties, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told state news agency IRNA on Sunday. Negotiations to restore the landmark deal resumed in late November last year after they were suspended in June as Iran elected a new government. The deal offered Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program.

JAPAN

US troops to stay on base for 2 weeks

The United States' troops in Japan will stop making nonessential visits off-base for two weeks from Monday, as officials in areas hosting the forces link them with a sharp rise in COVID-19 infections. The announcement came as the government imposed new virus restrictions in three regions, including Okinawa. On Friday, Japan's foreign and defense ministers urged their US counterparts to adopt stricter anti-pandemic rules for their troops.

Agencies - Xinhua