February 22, 2022

*) Russia recognises Ukraine breakaway regions as independent Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his troops to move into Ukraine’s separatist Donetsk and Luhansk regions, held by Russian-backed rebels, thus marking Moscow’s official recognition of the breakaway regions. Putin claims the troops are “on a peacekeeping mission” and that Russian citizens there are “at risk of massacre” by the western-backed government in Kiev. Following the development, the UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting, with the majority of members voicing support for Ukraine's sovereign integrity. *) 'Significant progress' made in Iran nuclear deal A revival of the Iran nuclear deal appears closer than it has been since Donald Trump withdrew the US from the pact in 2018. Iran's Foreign Ministry says 'significant progress' has been made during talks in Vienna, but that Tehran needs guarantees. One of those guarantees would be a promise from Western parties not to withdraw from a renewed pact or reinstate sanctions. Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi is on a visit to Qatar, where he met with the Qatari emir. The leaders said they hope an agreement is close. *) Scores killed in Burkina Faso gold mine explosion About 60 people have been killed and dozens more wounded in an explosion at an informal gold mining site in southwest Burkina Faso, state television reports. The cause of the explosion in Poni province was not yet known, Poni's high commissioner Antoine Douamba told state television. Images showed a large blast site of felled trees and destroyed tin houses. Bodies could be seen on the ground covered in mats. *) Saudi-led coalition destroys 'Houthi drone' in Saudi city of Jizan Sixteen people, including foreigners, were wounded in Saudi Arabia after the kingdom destroyed a drone launched against an airport by Yemeni rebels. "A drone launched in the direction of King Abdullah Airport in Jazan was destroyed, with debris falling inside the airport," the Saudi-led coalition says. It is the second airport