Russia threatens strikes on Ukrainian, European nuclear facilities

Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, says that Moscow should attack Ukrainian nuclear power plants and nuclear facilities in East European countries if an alleged Ukrainian attack on a Russian nuclear plant is confirmed.

Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 502: Biden says Ukraine not ready for NATO membership

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:

IEA: Iran’s oil production rose to 80,000 bpd in May

The International Energy Agency (IEA) on Sunday announced that Iran’s oil production volume in May 2023 reached 2.870 million barrels per day (bpd).

Official says 130,000 ships dock annually at Iranian ports

Iran’s deputy roads and urban development minister has announced that 130,000 ships dock at the country’s ports annually in defiance of US sanctions.

Iraqi PM shakes up intelligence and security services

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has announced a major shakeup of the country’s security and intelligence services. He has appointed an influential spymaster ostracized by his predecessor as the head of national security.

Mass protests held against Israeli PM’s judicial overhaul plan for 27th week, clashes reported

Israeli forces clashed with demonstrators as tens of thousands held massive rallies against the policies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right cabinet for the 27th week.

Syria cancels accreditation of BBC journalists over ‘politicised’ coverage

Syria's Information Ministry has revoked the accreditation of two local journalists working for the BBC over "false" and "politicised" coverage, a rare move against an international media outlet in the war-torn country.

Iran space agency says its satellite begins monitoring, mapping land use changes

Spokesperson for the Iranian Space Agency (ISA) Hossein Daliriyan has said the country’s Khayyam satellite has started remote sensing for monitoring and mapping land use changes.

Live Update: Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 501

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:

Report: US seeking to turn India into logistics hub to counter China

Washington intends to transform India into a major hub for maintenance and resupplying of its warships in the South Asia region as part of a military partnership pact aimed at countering Beijing, according to a report.

Israel says won’t criminally charge officers for 2021 Gaza assault

Israel’s army announced it has “disciplined” five officers for their actions during the deadly raid on the besieged Gaza Strip in 2021 but will not file criminal charges against them.

Iran emerges as biggest crude steel producer in West Asia: Report

The latest data released by the World Steel Association (WSA) show that Iran’s production of crude steel has accounted for 70% of the total output in the Middle East region during the first five months of the current year.

Palestine says reconstruction of Jenin, destroyed in Israeli raid, requires $15bln

Reconstruction of buildings and roads destroyed during the Israeli aggression against Jenin in the occupied West Bank requires over $15 billion, Palestine's minister of public works and housing has announced.

Iraq probes kidnapping of Israeli academic

Baghdad has opened an investigation into the kidnapping of Israeli academic Elizabeth Tsurkov. Tel Aviv blames Tsurkova’s kidnapping on an "Iran-backed" group, a claim denied by the movement.

3 Palestinians killed by Israeli soldiers in WB

Three Palestinians have been killed by Israeli soldiers in two separate incidents in Nablus and Ramallah, officials with the Palestinian Ministry of Health have confirmed.

Lebanon mosque shooting leaves 2 dead

At least two people have been killed and five others wounded after an armed man opened fire on Lebanese worshipers outside a mosque in the town of Bar Elias, in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley.

China says to continue efforts to bring Iran’s nuclear deal back on track

China's Foreign Ministry has announced that Beijing will continue its attempts to restore the US-abandoned 2015 nuclear agreement "at an early date".

Live Update: Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 500

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:

Two Palestinians killed in Israeli raid in Nablus

Two Palestinian youth have been killed after Israeli soldiers raided the occupied West Bank city of Nablus, officials have confirmed.

Russia says evidence of Iranian drone use in Ukraine “ridiculous”

All the "evidence" of the alleged use of Iranian drones in Ukraine is laughable, Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya said at a UN Security Council meeting on Thursday.

China urges US to lift all anti-Iran sanctions

China’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, Geng Shuang, has called on the US to remove all unilateral sanctions and restrictions imposed on Iran in connection with its nuclear program.

Russia rejects efforts to deny Iran’s right to peaceful use of nuclear energy: Diplomat

Moscow rejects attempts to deny Iran the right to peacefully run its nuclear power generation program under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya has said.

China’s president vows to step up war planning, urges army combat improvement

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to improve its combat readiness in order to be able to “win any war”. He made the remarks after meeting with the military command responsible for operations in the Taiwan Strait.

US, E3 should be blamed for nuclear deal’s failure: Iran’s envoy

Iran's ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Amir Saied Iravani stressed that the US and its European allies — the  UK, France and Germany — and the European Union (EU) must be blamed for the JCPOA’s current situation. He also denounced the presence of the Ukrainian envoy in a Security Council meeting on non-proliferation and implementation of the 2015 nuclear agreement, as unconstructive and a suspicious attempt to divert attention from the main issue.

Live Update: Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 499

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:

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