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Europe

Live Update: Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 424

IFP Media Wire - April 23, 2023

Russia, wary of NATO’s eastward expansion, began a military campaign in Ukraine in February 2022 after the Western-leaning Kiev government turned a deaf ear to Moscow’s calls for its neighbor to maintain its neutrality. In the middle of the mayhem, Moscow and Kiev are trying to hammer out a peaceful solution to the conflict. Follow the latest about the Russia-Ukraine conflict here:

Middle East

Next prisoner swap in Yemen set to start mid-May

IFP Media Wire - April 22, 2023

The next prisoner swap between the Saudi-backed forces and the Houthis in Yemen will begin on May 15 in accordance with the recently reached agreement, the Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) negotiator Majed Fadail told Sputnik.

Int'l Relations

Dozens of rights groups warn UN against antisemitism definition

IFP Media Wire - April 22, 2023

More than 100 human rights and civil rights organizations have warned the United Nations against the use of a definition of antisemitism that could be exploited to restrict criticism of the Israeli occupation and undermine support for Palestinian rights.

Foreign Policy

President Raisi says Iran to continue supporting Yemen

IFP Media Wire - April 22, 2023

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi told Yemen's Chairman of the Supreme Political Council that Tehran keeps on supporting Yemeni people's rights as it did in the past years.

Europe

Live Update: Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 423

IFP Media Wire - April 22, 2023

Russia, wary of NATO’s eastward expansion, began a military campaign in Ukraine in February 2022 after the Western-leaning Kiev government turned a deaf ear to Moscow’s calls for its neighbor to maintain its neutrality. In the middle of the mayhem, Moscow and Kiev are trying to hammer out a peaceful solution to the conflict. Follow the latest about the Russia-Ukraine conflict here:

Healthcare

Iran daily Covid deaths declining, 23 killed in 24 hours

IFP Media Wire - April 21, 2023

The daily death toll from Covid-19 is declining in Iran, with the disease having killed 23 people over the past 24 hours, the health ministry announced on Friday.

Asia

Pakistan sees sharp drop in Eid al-Fitr shopping amid soaring inflation

IFP Media Wire - April 21, 2023

Retailers say sales in Pakistan have witnessed a sharp drop compared with previous years in the run-up to the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, as shoppers feel the pinch of decades-high inflation.

Nuclear

US says prefers diplomacy with Iran over nuclear program

IFP Media Wire - April 21, 2023

US State Department Spokesman Vedant Patel has stated that Washington prefers diplomacy with Tehran in dealing with the Iran nuclear program, but is willing to consider other options if negotiations fail. Tehran has repeatedly stressed that nuclear deal revitalization is contingent upon a Washington decision.

Europe

Live Update: Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 422

IFP Media Wire - April 21, 2023

Russia, wary of NATO’s eastward expansion, began a military campaign in Ukraine in February 2022 after the Western-leaning Kiev government turned a deaf ear to Moscow’s calls for its neighbor to maintain its neutrality. In the middle of the mayhem, Moscow and Kiev are trying to hammer out a peaceful solution to the conflict. Follow the latest about the Russia-Ukraine conflict here:

Local

Iran leader pardons, commutes sentences of over 1,700 inmates on eve of Eid al-Fitr

IFP Media Wire - April 20, 2023

Leader of Iran's Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei has pardoned or commuted the sentences of more than 1,700 prisoners, as Muslims around the world get ready to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Views

Ex-envoy to Kabul: Taliban dried up Iran’s Hamoun wetlands by diverting water flow

IFP Editorial Staff - April 20, 2023

Iran’s ex-ambassador to Afghanistan says the interim Taliban rulers are behind the drying up of the Hamoun wetlands in eastern Iran by cutting the flow of Hirmand River waters into the Iranian side of the border and diverting the waters through a dam to their opium fields.

Middle East

Turkish FM says opposition may draw country into Russia-Ukraine war if wins elections

IFP Media Wire - April 20, 2023

The Turkish opposition may draw Turkey into the Russia-Ukraine war if it wins the upcoming elections, given its desire to "pick a certain side and tip the balance", Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said.

Middle East

Dozens killed, hundreds injured in Yemen stampede

IFP Media Wire - April 20, 2023

At least 78 people have been killed and hundreds more injured in a stampede in Yemen’s capital Sanaa due to a stampede that broke out during a charity distribution, Houthi officials and media say.

Healthcare

Daily Covid deaths in Iran drop to 23

IFP Media Wire - April 19, 2023

Twenty-three Iranians have lost their lives to coronavirus over the past 24 hours, showing a decline in death toll as compared to a day earlier that saw 26 fatalities, according to the health ministry's daily update on Wednesday.

Incidents

Over 1,100 killed in Iran road accidents during Nowruz holidays: Official

IFP Media Wire - April 19, 2023

The death toll from road accidents during the two-week Nowruz (New Year) holidays in Iran has hit 1,168, higher than the previous year, according to an official.

Middle East

Lebanon postpones local elections to avoid further political paralysis

IFP Media Wire - April 19, 2023

Lebanon's parliament has voted to extend the terms of municipal councils and other local officials, delaying elections by a year to avoid more political paralysis in a country grappling with economic meltdown.

Asia

UN: Afghanistan’s economy on verge of collapse

IFP Media Wire - April 19, 2023

Nearly 34 million Afghans are living in poverty and the country’s economy is on the brink of collapse, a new UN report has warned.

Europe

Moscow court rejects WSJ journalist’s detention appeal

IFP Media Wire - April 19, 2023

American reporter Evan Gershkovich will remain under arrest, the Moscow City Court has ruled, rejecting an appeal for his release by his legal team. The US citizen is currently being held in the Lefortovo pre-trial detention center in the Russian capital.

Middle East