Russian President Putin and Syrian President al-Sharaa discussed bilateral relations and the future of Russia’s military bases in Syria during a telephone call.

Iran’s government says domestic capacities will sustain its economy despite new US sanctions imposed this week, with officials emphasizing self-sufficiency strategies and stockpiling essential goods.

The US Treasury imposed sanctions on British activist group Palestine Action and other pro-Palestine organizations, escalating efforts against critics of Israel under the Trump administration.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces announced its dissolution on Tuesday, merging with the Syrian military, though analysts say the integration process remains incomplete and significant questions persist.

The head of UNRWA condemned an Israeli seizure of its East Jerusalem training facility, calling it part of a campaign to weaken the agency and eliminate Palestinian rights.

A UN official warns that failure of the Gaza ceasefire would represent a ‘point of no return,’ following Israeli PM Netanyahu’s rejection of a US-backed 15-point peace plan.

Iran’s strategic control of the Strait of Hormuz, recently described as central to its security doctrine, faces erosion as alternative pipeline routes and workarounds reduce its economic leverage and force reconsideration of Tehran’s negotiating position.

The US announced sweeping new sanctions against Iran and its trading partners including China, which vowed to take “all necessary measures” to protect its interests and described the measures as illegal.

Nigeria’s president has ordered a manhunt after armed gunmen attacked four villages in Niger state last Friday, with estimates suggesting up to 500 people were abducted in simultaneous assaults.

Ukraine has received a small batch of US Patriot interceptors and confirmed future supplies of French Crotale missiles, though President Zelenskyy says the country needs significantly more air defense systems.

Instagram’s leader testified that few teenagers used a safety feature designed to reduce addiction before it became default in 2024, as Meta faces a major trial over allegations of deliberately addictive platform design.

A medical group reports that a Sudanese rebel faction aligned with the RSF killed 27 people, including four children, in South Kordofan, displacing many civilians from the region.