Russian president Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian deepened military ties between their countries yesterday by signing a 20-year strategic partnership that is likely to worry the West.

South Korean investigators yesterday moved closer to formally arresting president Yoon Suk Yeol, who has been impeached and detained after a botched attempt to impose martial law last month, as they hold him on suspicion of insurrection.

US president Joe Biden announced yesterday that he was commuting the sentences of almost 2,500 people convicted of non-violent drug offences, using his final days in office on clemency actions to nullify prison terms he deemed too harsh.

Israel&s full cabinet was meeting yesterday evening to discuss the Gaza ceasefire deal after prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed an agreement had been reached that would pause the 15-month war with Hamas and release dozens of hostages.