FAO names Iran world’s third largest honey producer in 2022

Latest data by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) shows that Iran was the third largest producer of honey in the world in 2022.

Israeli PM calls for normalizing ties with Saudi Arabia

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia would be "a great leap" on the way to ending the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 419: G7 vows ‘severe costs’ for countries helping Russia in Ukraine

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:

Iran reports 28 Covid deaths, over 550 new infections

The Iranian health ministry said on Monday that more than 550 new cases of coronavirus infection have been identified across the country during the past 24 hours. It added that 28 patients have died in the same period of time.

President Raisi felicitates Syrian National Day

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi congratulated his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad and the people of the country on the National Day of the Syrian Arab Republic.

Kremlin critic sentenced to 25 years in prison for “treason” and “denigrating Russian army”

A Russian court on Monday sentenced Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza to 25 years in prison for treason and denigrating the Russian military.

Israeli minister says Iran fighting against Israel on all fronts

Israel’s minister of military affairs has stated that Iran is waging ‘multi-front war of attrition’ against Israel, amid warnings that a broad-scale war is more likely after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial judicial reforms sparked an internal crisis in the occupied territories.

Daesh kills dozens of mushroom hunters in Syria

At least 26 people have been killed in an attack by the Daesh terrorists in Syria’s province of Hama, Syrian’s news agency, SANA, reported. A source with the regional police told the news agency that local residents were collecting truffles in the desert in the east of the province when they were assaulted by militants.

Syria says priority is to work on its bilateral relations with Arab states

Syria’s return to the Arab League will be "almost impossible before correcting bilateral relations", Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad said.

Ex Iranian diplomat: Russia won’t take on Israel for sake of Iran

The former director general of Iran’s foreign ministry says it is unlikely that Russia will stand up to Israel for the sake of Iran.

Nearly 5k Palestinian inmates in Israeli jails: Report

Israel is keeping about 4,900 Palestinians prisoners, including women and children, behind bars, according to a new report by Palestinian rights advocacy groups.

Live Update: Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 418

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:

Iran Covid: New cases on decline

The number of Coronavirus cases continues to reduce in Iran. The Iranian Health Ministry figures on Sunday showed nearly 600 people had been infected with the deadly virus in the past 24 hours.

Yemen’s Houthis, Saudi Arabia complete prisoner swap

Yemen’s Houthi movement and Riyadh-backed Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) have released dozens of inmates on the last leg of a three-day exchange of nearly 900 detainees, raising prospects for nationwide peace in the warn-torn country.

IMF predicts high rates, oil prices and inflation worries in ME

Banks in the Middle East and Central Asia have very limited exposure to last month's banking turmoil in the United States and Europe, but financial pressures are adding to strains caused by high interest rates, volatile oil prices and years of double-digit inflation, a top IMF official has stated.

Media: Top Hamas leaders to visit Saudi Arabia following Tehran-Riyadh rapprochement

A delegation of the Palestinian Resistance Movement Hamas is set to visit Saudi Arabia, Palestinian media reported, describing it as a major development as Israel’s hopes of forging official ties with Riyadh appear to dwindle further.

Many killed, injured in Dubai apartment block fire

A fire in a residential building in Dubai has killed at least 16 people and injured several others in the Persian Gulf emirate, local media reported.

OPEC figures show Iran’s oil output at 2.567 mln bpd in March

Figures by The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) shows Iran’s oil output in March was almost unchanged from February.

Mass protests held in Israel against PM’s judicial reforms for 15th straight week

Tens of thousands have taken to the streets in Israel to protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to overhaul the judiciary, despite his decision to pause the contentious proposals.

IEA warns OPEC+ output cuts risk oil supply deficit, threaten economic recovery

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned that output cuts announced by OPEC+ producers risk exacerbating an oil supply deficit expected in the second half of the year and could hurt consumers and global economic recovery.

Around 80 percent of Russians trust in Putin: Poll

About 80 percent of Russians say they have confidence in President Vladimir Putin, according to the results of a survey conducted by the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center.

Diplomats underline ‘Arab leadership role’ in resolving Syria crisis at Saudi meeting

Senior diplomats from the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have agreed that the Arab world must play a “leadership role” in efforts to find a political solution to the crisis in Syria so that its sovereignty is preserved and the return of Damascus to the Arab League is facilitated.

Saudi Arabia to launch four new special economic zones

Four special economic zones are to be established in Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has announced.

Egypt says to evaluate developments before normalizing ties with Iran

The Egyptian foreign minister has said that his country will take steps to normalize ties with Iran based on the evaluation of the developments regarding the recent agreement between Tehran and Riyadh.

Yemen’s Houthis, Saudi Arabia begin major prisoner swap

An exchange of hundreds of prisoners linked to Yemen’s long-running war began on Friday, the International Committee of the Red Cross has announced, a significant confidence-building measure amid peace talks between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.

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