Monday, December 22, 2025

Media Wire

Covid infections keep declining in Iran

The number of Covid infections in Iran keeps declining with the country's Health Ministry figures on Saturday putting the daily caseload at 1,800.

Russia says to ditch dollar and euro in bilateral trade

Moscow says it will move away the dollar and the euro in commercial, economic, and investment relations with partners, as these currencies have become "toxic" amid growing pressure from the West, a Russian official says.

China: Afghanistan an example of US belligerence

China says the US invasion of Afghanistan has reduced the country to rubble and ruined the future of an entire generation of Afghans. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin added that the war-ravaged country is a living example of Washington's belligerence.

Live Update: Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 178

Russia, wary of NATO’s eastward expansion, began a military campaign in Ukraine on February 24 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:

China and Russia presidents confirm attending G20 summit

Chinese and Russian Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin have both confirmed they will attend the G20 summit on the resort island of Bali this November, according to Indonesian President Joko Widodo as the host of the event. The summit will mark the first time that Putin, Xi and US President Joe Biden will have met in person since Russia attacked Ukraine.

Pakistani official says Islamabad and Tehran close to signing free trade agreement

Iran and Pakistan are expected to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) within the next six months, a senior Pakistani government official has said.

Live Update: Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 177

Russia, wary of NATO’s eastward expansion, began a military campaign in Ukraine on February 24 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:

Covid in Iran: 62 deaths, 4,500 infections

Covid has killed 62 more people in Iran in the past 24 hours, according to the health ministry figures released on Thursday. It also reported over 4,500 people have tested positive from Wednesday to Thursday nationwide.

US urges Israel to review army “rules of engagement” in WB

The administration of US President Joe Biden wants Israel to review its “rules of engagement” during military operations in the occupied West Bank after the killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, Israeli and US sources briefed on the call told Axios.

Palestinian youth killed by Israeli troops in WB

Israeli forces have killed another Palestinian youth during an incursion on a holy site near the city of Nablus in the occupied West Bank.

Live Update: Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 176

Russia, wary of NATO’s eastward expansion, began a military campaign in Ukraine on February 24 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: 67 killed, nearly 5k infected in 24 hours

Coronavirus has killed 67 more people in Iran in the past 24 hours, according to the health ministry figures released on Wednesday. The health ministry also reported more than 4,820 people tested positive for Covid-19.

“Turkey and Israel agree to restore full diplomatic relations”

Turkey and Israel have agreed to restore full diplomatic relations and will exchange ambassadors following gradual improvement in relations, the office of the Israeli prime minister and Turkish foreign minister have announced.

Fencer grabs Iranian women’s 1st epee medal in history

A fencer won the first medal in the history of Iranian women's epee fencing in the 5th edition of the Islamic Solidarity Games 2021 in Turkey.

Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 175: UN chief to meet with Zelensky and Erdogan in Ukraine

Russia, wary of NATO’s eastward expansion, began a military campaign in Ukraine on February 24 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’s women’s volleyball team takes silver at ISG 2021

Iran’s women’s volleyball team lost to Turkey 3-0 in the final match of the 2021 Islamic Solidarity Games on Monday night, securing a silver medal in the competitions.

China says US hasn’t learned from its defeats in Afghanistan

China says the United States has learned no lessons from its failure ‘to democratise’ Afghanistan and the muddled withdrawal of its troops from the war-torn country.

Iran’s indoor hockey team comes second in Asia

Iranian men's hockey team has become runners-up in the Asian championships after suffering a defeat against Malaysia.

US officials say Biden not to release frozen Afghan funds

The administration of US President Joe Biden has decided not to release any of the roughly $7 billion in foreign assets held by Afghanistan’s central bank on US soil and has suspended talks with the Taliban over the funds after the killing of al Qaeda’s leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul, according to American officials.

Live Update: Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 174

Russia, wary of NATO’s eastward expansion, began a military campaign in Ukraine on February 24 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:

Israeli troops shoot dead Palestinian youth in East al-Quds

A young Palestinian man was killed overnight during an Israeli army raid in occupied al-Quds, amid mounting tensions in the occupied territories.

Funerals held in Cairo as Egyptians mourn 41 killed in church fire

Funerals have been held in two churches in the Egyptian capital Cairo for 41 victims of a fire that ripped through a Coptic Christian church during mass, forcing worshippers to jump out of windows.

3 Syrian soldiers killed in Israeli strikes near Damascus

At least three Syrian soldiers have been killed and three others wounded in multiple Israeli missile attacks on an area near the capital Damascus, according to state media.

Live Update: Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 173

Russia, wary of NATO’s eastward expansion, began a military campaign in Ukraine on February 24 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:

Russia’s Ulyanov: Nuclear deal likely to be revived within days

The final deal on the restoration of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) may be reached as early as next week in the event of favorable development of events, Russian Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov has said.

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