AFP

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin presents the government's annual report at a session of the State Duma, the country's lower house of parliament, in Moscow on March 23, 2023. (Dmitry ASTAKHOV / SPUTNIK / AFP)

March 23, 2023, 5:07 pm

Russia says economy will adapt to Western sanctions over Ukraine war by 2024

In parliament speech, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin acknowledges damages from the punitive measures after year of war, but vows quick recovery

By AFP

A man is attacked as he walked home from a Birmingham mosque, March 20, 2023. (Screenshot/YouTube; used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

March 23, 2023, 1:37 pm

UK man charged with attempting to murder two people outside mosques

In separate incidents, Mohammed Abbkr, 28, allegedly sprayed a flammable substance on 2 men in west London and Birmingham and then set them alight

By AFP

A general view of a United Nations security council meeting at the United Nations headquarters in New York City on March 20, 2023. (Ed JONES/AFP)

March 23, 2023, 12:31 pm

UN Security Council meeting calls for letup in flaring Israeli-Palestinian violence

Netanyahu government chided for ongoing settlement activity; envoys from Britain, China, France, Russia and others decry Knesset repeal of parts of 2005 Disengagement Law

By AFP

Palestinian fisherman Jihad al-Hissi and his sons work on their boat at the seaport in Gaza City on January 10, 2023. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP)

March 22, 2023, 11:21 am

Gaza fisherman turns to Israeli court in fight to prevent seizure of boat

Jihad al-Hissi, 55, who had violent encounter with navy last year, is accused of ‘repeatedly’ violating fishing zone; lawyer says case ‘outrageous’

By AFP

A Muslim worshipper prays during Laylat al-Qadr, Night of Decree, on the 27th day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan as pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the minor pilgrimage, known as Umrah, in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 22, 2017. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

March 21, 2023, 7:33 pm

Saudi Arabia declares Ramadan to start Thursday

Authorities earlier in the day called on residents to try to spot the crescent moon that marks the start of the holy month

By AFP

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotirch at a press conference in Jerusalem on February 28, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

March 21, 2023, 5:39 pm

US joins condemnations of Smotrich’s ‘concerning and dangerous’ Paris speech

France, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar also denounce finance minister for saying there’s ‘no such thing as Palestinians’ in front of ‘Greater Israel’ map that includes Jordan

By Lazar Berman, AFP and Jacob Magid

Palestinian journalist Lama Ghosheh poses for a picture on March 21, 2023, at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court. (Hiba Aslan/AFP)

March 21, 2023, 4:57 pm

Months-long house arrest extended for Palestinian journalist accused of incitement

Lama Ghosheh, who was detained in September, says Facebook posts flagged by prosecutors reflect ‘the narrative of the Palestinian street and weren’t invented from my imagination’

By AFP and ToI Staff

Illustrative: Lazio fans cheer during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Lazio on March 3, 2023, at the Diego-Maradona stadium in Naples. (Alberto Pizzoli/AFP)

March 20, 2023, 11:08 pm

Italian Jewish community condemns Lazio fans’ antisemitic chants, ‘Hitlerson’ jersey

Community president laments that, ‘as always, the only ones outraged and protesting’ are Jews; Italy’s sports minister vows to crack down on phenomenon

By AFP

In this photo taken by an individual not employed by the Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran, Iranians protests the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini after she was detained by the morality police while in custody, in Tehran, October 27, 2022. (Middle East Images/AP)

March 20, 2023, 6:45 pm

UN expert accuses Iran of possible ‘crimes against humanity’ since Amini death

Rights council rapporteur says evidence indicates beating death of woman in custody not isolated incident; slams regime response to protests, including mass arrests and torture

By AFP

Worshippers stand with a monk outside the closed entrance to the tomb of the Virgin Mary in Jerusalem following the alleged assault of a priest, on March 19, 2023. (HAZEM BADER / AFP)

March 20, 2023, 7:55 am

Greek Church condemns ‘terror attack’ after clerics targeted at Jerusalem holy site

Israel Police say southern Israel resident wielding iron bar arrested for ‘violent incident’ at Tomb of the Virgin Mary; eyewitness claims two Jewish men involved

By AFP and ToI Staff

Participants including Greece's President Katerina Sakellaropoulou (C) march behind a banner with the words 'Never Again' in Thessaloniki, on March 19, 2023, as they proceed towards the old railway station to mark the departure of the first train deporting Greek Jews from Thessaloniki to Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp on March 15, 1943. (AFP stringer/AFP)

March 20, 2023, 1:23 am

Greece marks 80th anniversary of first deportation of Greek Jews to Auschwitz

Hundreds march to Thessaloniki’s old train station, where expulsion began; approximately 46,000 were taken to death camp in 1943, just 1,950 survived

By AFP

Iraq's National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji (R) welcomes the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani in Baghdad on March 19, 2023. (IRAQI SECURITY MEDIA CENTRE/AFP)

March 19, 2023, 6:31 pm

Iran, Iraq ink deal for security cooperation over Kurdish border region

Agreement comes months after Islamic Republic attacked Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq; Tehran says pact will end ‘vicious’ attacks by Kurdish groups

By AFP

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi addresses lawmakers while defending his next year's budget bill at the parliament in Tehran, Iran, January 22, 2023. (Vahid Salemi/AP)

March 19, 2023, 5:28 pm

Iran’s Raisi welcomes invitation by Saudi king to visit Riyadh

Development comes days after landmark rapprochement between regional heavyweights, which will see them reestablish ties after 7 years

By AFP

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Governor of Sevastopol Mikhail Razvozhayev visit the Children's Art and Aesthetic center, part of Chersonesos Taurica historical and archeological park in Sevastopol, Crimea, March 18, 2023. (Sputnik, Kremlin Press Service Pool Photo via AP)

March 19, 2023, 8:52 am

Putin visits occupied Ukrainian city of Mariupol after surprise Crimea trip – Kremlin

Russian president flies in by helicopter then tours war-ravaged city by car, speaks with local residents, state news agency says

By AFP

Gary Lineker leaves his house in London on March 13, 2023. (Niklas Halle'n/AFP)

March 18, 2023, 8:54 pm

BBC soccer presenter back after suspension for likening government rhetoric to Nazis

Gary Lineker reinstated after national outcry, including backlash from employees at UK’s state broadcaster

By AFP