Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 421: NATO’s chief makes surprise visit to Kyiv

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:

Daily Covid deaths in Iran drop to 23

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.

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

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.

Syria, Tunisia agree to bolster cooperation in a push to restore ties

Syria and Tunisia have vowed to boost cooperation in different sectors as the two countries move to re-establish relations after more than a decade of estrangement.

Lebanon postpones local elections to avoid further political paralysis

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.

UN: Afghanistan’s economy on verge of collapse

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.

UN says concerned about US spying on Guterres

The United Nations has officially expressed concern to the US about reports of Washington's spying on the world body's Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Moscow court rejects WSJ journalist’s detention appeal

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.

Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 420: Russia says could arm North Korea if South sends weapons to 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:

Saudi FM meets with Syrian President Assad in first Damascus visit since war

Syrian President Bashar al- Assad has met with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Damascus in the most significant step yet towards ending Syria’s decade-long regional isolation.

Covid infections keep declining in Iran

Iranian Health Ministry figures on Tuesday showed that almost 450 new cases of coronavirus have been identified across the country during the past 24 hours. On Monday, the country registered nearly 550 new cases of the deadly disease.

UN says ready for “heartbreaking” Afghan withdrawal

The United Nations is ready to take the “heartbreaking” decision to pull out of Afghanistan in May if it can’t persuade the Taliban to let local women work for the organization, the head of the UN Development Program has announced.

Landslide in Pakistan kills, injures several people

A huge landslide in northwestern Pakistan has killed at least three people, wounding several others and burying nearly two dozen vehicles, officials have announced.

Officials say Qatar and UAE to restore diplomatic ties, reopen embassies following Iran-Saudi detente

Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are in the process of resuming diplomatic relations and reopening missions, two officials said. This follows weeks after the restoration of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

G7 welcomes Iran-Saudi Arabia rapprochement

Top diplomats from the Group of Seven have welcomed initiates to mend diplomatic relationships between Tehran and Riyadh.

Hamas delegation visits Saudi Arabia to mend ties

A delegation of senior officials from the Palestinian Hamas movement has traveled to Saudi Arabia as the two sides try to revive relations.

US envoy to Russia visits detained WSJ reporter in prison

Washington's Ambassador to Moscow, Lynne Tracy, on Monday visited arrested Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, the US embassy wrote on Twitter.

WHO reports 167 infant deaths daily in Afghanistan

The Afghan branch of the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the alarm over the infant mortality rates in the country. WHO says around 170 babies die each day in Afghanistan.

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.

Iraq says seeking to broker ceasefire in Russo-Ukrainian war

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stated on Monday that Baghdad wants to be part of the solution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine through dialogue.

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.

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