WORLD

Washington, U.S. | Xinhua | The U.S. national emergency beginning almost two years ago will be extended beyond March 1 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. President Joe Biden has announced. “There remains a need to continue this national emergency. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause significant risk to the public …

Moscow, Russia | THE INDEPENDENT & XINHUA |  Russia President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin has just ordered troops into Ukraine for what he described as a “peacekeeping mission” in Donetsk and Luhansk. In text of a presidential order he signed February 22, Putin is recognizing Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics. He has …

Washington, U.S. | Xinhua | White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Sunday that President Joe Biden “accepted in principle” a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Psaki’s confirmation of a potential Biden-Putin summit followed a statement by the Elysee Palace in France saying the two presidents have “accepted in principle” …

Tehran, Iran | Xinhua | Iranian parliament members said in a statement on Sunday that the government should not strike a nuclear deal with the Western countries unless they guarantee not to pull out of it, official news agency IRNA reported. The statement, signed by 250 lawmakers, addressed to President …

Jerusalem, Israel | Xinhua| Israeli cabinet approved on Sunday the appointment of the former general Gaby Portnoy as the country’s head of cyber at the National Cyber Directorate. A statement issued by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s office said the ministers voted in favor of the appointment. Portnoy, a 52-year-old former …

London, UK | Xinhua | Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II has tested positive for COVID-19, Buckingham Palace confirmed on Sunday. The queen is experiencing mild cold-like symptoms but expects to continue light duties at Windsor over the coming week, the palace said. “She will continue to receive medical attention and will …

Moscow, Russia | Xinhua | Russia’s Investigative Committee said Saturday that it has initiated a criminal case against an attempted murder after “Ukrainian paramilitaries” shelled the border area of Russia’s Rostov region. From 5:00 to 6:00 a.m. local time (0200 to 0300 GMT) on Saturday, unidentified persons on the territory of …

Munich, Germany | Xinhua | German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Saturday warned against guessing or assuming Russia’s decisions on Ukraine, after the United States warned of an imminent invasion. “We do not know yet if an attack has been decided on,” said the minister on the sidelines of the Munich …

Geneva, Switzerland | Xinhua | China is expected to bag its first Summer Olympic sprinter medal after Britain’s men’s 4x100m relay team was stripped of its silver medal at Tokyo 2020 after team member Chijindu Ujah was confirmed to have violated anti-doping regulations. Ujah underwent an in-competition doping test after the …

Moscow, Russia | Xinhua | Kiev authorities have to hold dialogue with representatives from Donbas to restore peace in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a briefing following talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Moscow on Friday. “The President of Belarus and I agreed that the key to restoring …