Health Ministry Spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour on Tuesday said 71 people have died in the past 24 hours from the novel coronavirus, raising the death toll to 5,877.
He further noted that 72,439 patients have so far recovered and been discharged from the hospital.
Jahanpour also said that 2,983 patients are in severe conditions of the disease.
So far, 442,590 tests for the novel virus have been taken in the country.
In a telephone conversation on Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov talked about the latest political developments in Afghanistan and the ongoing efforts to establish reconciliation and political consensus in that country.
The Iranian and Russian ministers also held consultations about the US’ new delusional plan for the JCPOA, and dismissed it as rejected and impractical.
The reaction from Iran and Russian came after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he is preparing a legal argument that the US would remain a participant in the JCPOA –already renounced by the US president- as part of an intricate strategy to pressure the UN Security Council to extend an arms embargo on Tehran.
According to Pompeo’s plan, bound to be opposed by many of Washington’s European allies, the US would, in essence, claim it legally remains a “participant state” in the nuclear accord only for the purposes of invoking a “snapback” that would restore the UN sanctions on Iran that were in place before the nuclear deal.
Russia has already told American and European officials it is eager to resume conventional arms sales to Iran.
In the telephone conversation on Tuesday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa called for the expansion of economic and trade ties between the two countries, stressed the need to share experiences and information in the battle against the coronavirus, and weighed plans for health and scientific cooperation between Iran and South Africa in dealing with the disease.
Hailing the stellar record of economic cooperation between the two countries, the presidents also called for the employment of fresh capacities to promote the mutual cooperation and carry out joint projects.
President Rouhani and Ramaphosa also emphasized the necessity of strengthening international cooperation in order to stand against the anti-human sanctions imposed by the US, oppose the inhumane crimes against the oppressed Palestinian nation, and try to establish peace and calm in Syria and Yemen.
In the conversation, President Rouhani denounced the US government’s inhumane and illegal sanctions against the Iranian nation, saying, “While the world is engulfed by the coronavirus epidemic and the policies must be shifted towards relations with the (other) countries, sadly the US has intensified the unlawful sanctions against the Iranian nation, has violated the world health regulations besides trampling on international rules, and is even preventing the health and medical trade with Iran.”
Iran expects South Africa, as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, to further oppose the US’ unilateralism and Washington’s illegal sanctions against Tehran at the UN and the other international organizations, President Rouhani noted.
For his part, the South African president said, “We are fully aware of the US’ unjust and illegal measures against Iran and will keep supporting Iran.”
“Now is the time that we must take action together against the common enemy (coronavirus), and it is not the appropriate time to create problems for the nations by imposing sanctions and mounting the pressures,” Ramaphosa underlined.
These researchers say they have used nanotechnology to produce this biosensor that can detect different types of cancer.
In this method, they worked on the cell samples of individuals and measured the amount of telomerase enzyme because the high level of this enzyme indicates the presence of cancer.
The research has been conducted with the help of the Fund to Support Researchers and Technologists at the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology. This sensor has been developed as part of a postdoctoral project.
Early detection of cancer is very important for the patient. In the early stages of the disease, the response to treatment is better, and with this sensor the patients can start their treatment process on time.
Reports say cancer was the second leading cause of death worldwide by the end of the last century. In 2004, more than 4 million people worldwide died of cancer, and that number is predicted to reach 12 million by 2030.
30% of those who lost their lives due to cancer had a chance to survive had they been diagnosed with the disease in its early stages. As cancer originates from the body’s own cells that grow inside the tissue and turn into a tumour, the body’s immune system is unable to detect it and does not fight it. In addition, due to the similarity between cancerous tissue and healthy tissue, the diagnosis and treatment of this disease is associated with many complications.
At present, the clinical diagnosis of cancer is based on imaging techniques or cytology and histology of the tissues suspected of being cancerous. Imaging techniques used to diagnose cancer, such as X-rays, mammography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), endoscopy, and ultrasound, are less sensitive and have limited ability to differentiate and distinguish between benign and malignant lesions.
A useful and promising way to detect cancer earlier is to identify and detect substances in the blood and other body fluids that appear due to the presence of a tumour. These substances, called markers, can be proteins, carbohydrates, or nucleic acids that can be caused by cell carcinoma. Measuring the concentration level of the marker in saliva, blood, urine, or faces makes it possible to diagnose the disease in its early stages, assess the risk of recurrence, and follow up on treatment. Therefore, presenting a simple, sensitive, accurate, and precise method for the diagnosis of the disease with the help of symptoms is of great importance and can help in the early diagnosis of cancer.
Health Ministry Spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said 525 of the poisoned people have lost their lives.
“At present, 229 of these people are in the wards and 47 in the ICU, but 3,451 have been discharged,” added Jahanpour.
He further mentioned that 95 people have gone blind or visually impaired, and 405 have reveived or are receiving dialysis services.
The sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in Iran. Under the Iranian law, those who produce, buy or sell alcohol can be sentenced to prison. This has resulted in the development of an underground market, where alcoholic drinks are produced in non-standard conditions.
Commander of the INTERPOL office at Iran’s Police said the ancient Persian relics that have been discovered in a European bank are made out of gold and silver.
The INTERPOL office at the European country detected the ancient antiques after one of the banks in that country announced plans for the reconstruction of the bank building and informed the clients that it would open the safe deposit boxes at its vault, General Hadi Shirzad said.
In the meantime, the bank officials found out that one of the safe deposit lockers contains several pieces of golden and silver antiquity, the general noted, saying the INTERPOL office in Tehran was informed of the discovery.
Considering the significance of the case, a team of experts from Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicraft conducted a survey and realized that the antiques date back to the era of the Achaemenid, the Parthian, and the Sasanian empires, the general added, noting that it became clear that the person who had rented the safe deposit box is an Iranian citizen.
After the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicraft ascertained that the antiques belong to the government of Iran, a team of Police obtained a search warrant, raided the residence of the renter of the safe deposit box and arrested the person, the commander noted.
General Shirzad said arrangements have been made with the officials of the European country through diplomatic channels to allow for judicial assistance to secure the restoration of the ancient antiques.
Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi said Monday that based on a decision made by the National Headquarters to Combat Coronavirus, people are required to wear a mask on the subway.
He also added that masks are available at the entrances to the metro stations at a reasonable price and with a small amount of subsidy.
He noted there is still disagreement about the general use of the mask, but it is not mandatory to wear a mask in the open.
“Given that there is no other choice but to reopen public transportation, we announced it to be compulsory to put on face masks in the metro trains,” reiterated Harirchi.
He further pointed out the use of home-made masks in Iran is much less than in the other countries. “In Southeast Asian countries, some 30 to 40 percent of the masks are made at home.”
“People can produce masks through the trainings provided by the radio and television,” underscored Harirchi.
Ali Rabiei said Tehran is after establishing peace in the region, and is not seeking adventurism at all. “The US is the party which is after adventurism.”
Speaking in a press conference on Monday, Rabiei went on to say that at the moment, whenever the US president’s position gets shaky inside his country, Iran gets worried about an operation and action outside the United States.
“This has become a trend. If the US does not carry out physical operation, it continues with its psychological operation anyhow. We are sure that it won’t take any serious measures, and just resorts to psychological operation,” underlined the Iranian official.
He added the Islamic Republic has offered to the regional countries to keep peace and security, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
“Basically, we are not after creating incidents in the region, but we decisively and clearly announce that any move against our interests in the region would be responded resolutely.
Yet, as I firstly mentioned, we will never be the initiator of the insecurity because we believe it is not in the interest of anyone.”
Elsewhere in his remark, Rabiei talked about the situation in Yemen noting that fortunately the truce is holding in the Arab country.
He reiterated the Islamic Republic of Iran supports peace in the region and believes that the holy month of Ramadan is a chance to understand the situation, especially amid the coronavirus outbreak.
“Tehran has offered its proposal for establishment of peace and security, and follows up on it,” concluded the spokesperson.
The story of how Sajjad Delafrooz found his way to Bollywood is as perfect as you’d want it to be. “I was in love with Bollywood, before migrating to India, but honestly I didn’t have any idea about how great is the Bollywood cinema until I got to India,” Sajjad Delafrooz says. “I was one of the thousands of people who find their way to Bombay only for the love of acting, each day. Not only my first appearance in Bollywood was not a successful experience, but it was a total loss. However, I didn’t get disappointed and finally in 2014, I got a call from Neeraj Pandey. He invited me to play a short role in one of his movies.”
After cooperating with Neeraj Pandey, Sajjad took a part in three other movies, but none of them could attract Indian audiences, so they lost in the crowded Bollywood. Eventually, in 2016, Sajjad Delafrooz received an email from Yash Raj Films. Bollywood fans are aware of the fact that the importance of Yash Raj Films in Bollywood is equivalent to Warner Brothers company in Hollywood.
“In late 2016, when I was working on an independent movie, I received an email from Yash Raj Films. To be honest with you, collaborating with Yash Raj Films was really out of my sight, but I recorded a clip to show them my acting skills. After a couple of days, they called me and told me that they have been impressed by my skills and informed me that I can have the script by signing an initial contract. Until that time, I didn’t have any idea about what was going on. I just knew that there is a great project and I am nominated for playing the opposite role of Salman Khan. The acting test lasted two months and eventually, they picked me up as Abu Usman.”
The product of Katrina Kaif, Salman Khan, Sajjad Delafrooz and Paresh Rawal collaboration was named Tiger Zinda Hai (Tiger Is Alive), a film directed by Ali Abbas Zafar that became the best-selling movie of 2017. Tiger zinda hai tells the story of a group of nurses and doctors, who were taken hostage at the order of a terrorist. Bollywood villains always remain in the mind of audiences, just like how people never forget heroes, but the way that Sajjad Delafrooz has played the Abu Usman role makes this character even more unforgettable. Instead of being a total villain, Sajjad has tried to add some human characteristics to Abu Usman.
When I shared my opinion about the gray character of Abu Usman with Sajjad Delafrooz, he said, “It’s rare to see a villain with human characteristics, and we have never wanted to justify what Abu Usman was doing. But I wanted to show that every single thing that happens in the world and each decision that people make are influenced by ordinary people’s daily life. We want the people of the world to recognize that they need to correct their behaviours towards minorities. As long as we put minorities under pressure, we need to expect reformation of extremist groups, such as ISIS.”
Now Sajjad Delafrooz is a popular actor in India and has entered Bollywood, the magical world that we have heard too many myths about it. Based on one of these myths, Indians love Bollywood superstars deeply, that if one actor gets sick, people come to the streets and start praying for his (or her) recovery. So I asked Sajjad Delafrooz about the correctness of this claim.
“Greeting with fans is always a great experiment and nowadays our fans can always get in touch with us through social media. Roadblocks have happened in the past because people only could see their idols in cinemas and today we do not see this happening.” Sajjad Delafrooz said.
The series that Sajjad Delafrooz has recently taken a part in as the main actor is named Special Ops; it was directed by Neeraj Pandey and has attracted more than 350 million audiences through the Hot Star network. The first episode of this series was released on the 17th of March and watching it has made the quarantine conditions easier for Indians. Furthermore, Sajjad is working on his latest book and he is going to publish it in Iran. It is hard to predict that the first appearance of Sajjad in the Iranian market will be as an author or actor; the only predictable thing is that we will hear a lot about Sajjad Dalafrooz in the future.
* Interview by Mohammad Reza Chaharsoughi Amin
The presidents of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Croatia have stressed the need for collaboration and assistance of all countries in the current difficult conditions saying that the unilateral behaviours of certain countries must be confronted.
Referring to the unlawful, irrational and inhumane behaviour of the United States in withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal and imposing sanctions and maximum pressure on the Iranian nation, President Hassan Rouhani said the continuation of this behaviour is anti-human.
Tehran expects European countries to deal with such behaviour and take a tough stance, Rouhani added.
For his part, Croatian President Zoran Milanović called the US increase of sanctions and pressure on Iran “inhumane” in such a difficult situation.
He further pointed to the good relations between Tehran and Zagreb, and the importance of developing and deepening relations with Iran.
“As a country with a long history and a unique position in the region, Iran is of special importance for Croatia,” he added.
The Presidents of Iran and Croatia also expressed solidarity with the people of the two countries in the difficult conditions of the combat with Corona, and called for the sharing of experiences and capabilities to contain the disease.
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