March 23, 2022

*) Kherson facing ‘humanitarian catastrophe’ Some 300,000 people stranded in the Ukrainian city of Kherson face a “humanitarian catastrophe” as they run dangerously low on supplies under a Russian blockade. Ukraine’s foreign ministry spokesperson warned that “food and medical supplies have almost run out, yet Russia refuses to open humanitarian corridors to evacuate civilians”. Oleg Nikolenko said “Russia’s barbaric tactics must be stopped before it is too late!” *) Russia seized relief workers in Mariupol convoy Ukrainian leaders have accused Russia of seizing 15 rescue workers and drivers from a humanitarian convoy trying to get vital supplies into the besieged port city of Mariupol. Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said the Russians seized 11 bus drivers and four rescue workers along with their vehicles, adding that their fate was unknown. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russian forces of blocking the aid convoy despite agreeing to the route ahead of time in his nightly video address. *) US changes tone over Iran nuclear deal US optimism that a deal to restore the 2015 agreement to limit Iran's nuclear development has soured, with Washington now warning it was headed toward "Plan B" if Tehran doesn't budge. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said that an agreement is neither imminent nor is it certain. He said the onus is on Tehran to make decisions that it might consider difficult. Just a week ago Washington officials were hopeful that an agreement that aimed to halt Iran's march toward nuclear weapons capability was within reach. *) Navalny's sentence extended to nine years in jail A Russian court has found jailed Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny guilty of additional embezzlement and contempt of court charges and extended his sentence to nine years. Having been behind bars for over a year, Navalny's defence team said he will serve his sentence for another eight years in a higher security prison. Navalny, who will also have to pay a fine of $11,500, has denied the char