Activists say Iran’s crackdown has killed at least 6,159 people

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Activists say at least 6,159 people have been killed in Iran’s crackdown on nationwide protests and many more are still feared dead. The new figures on Tuesday came from the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate in multiple rounds of unrest in Iran. The Iranian government has put the death toll at a far lower 3,117 — including 2,427 civilians and security forces, and the rest labelled “terrorists.” Meanwhile, Iran’s currency, the rial, has fallen to a record low of 1.5 million to $1. The protests in Iran began on Dec. 28, sparked by rial’s downward spiral, and quickly spread across the country only to be met by a violent crackdown by Iran’s theocracy.

Israel marks the return of the final hostage’s remains after more than two years of war

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel is marking the end of a painful chapter after the return of the remains of the last hostage held in Gaza. Across the country, people removed yellow pins from their lapels and marked what many described as the fulfilment of a pledge to “bring them all home.” The return of Ran Gvili, a 24-year-old police officer, followed days of forensic work in northern Gaza, where teams combed a cemetery to locate, exhume and identify his remains, drawing on search units, intelligence officers and forensic dentists. Accounts of how Gvili was found were quickly disputed, with Palestinian militant groups saying they provided key information and Israel crediting its own intelligence.

India and EU clinch the ‘mother of all deals’ in a historic free trade agreement

NEW DELHI (AP) — India and the European Union have reached a free trade agreement to deepen economic and strategic ties. The deal covers up to 2 billion people and was reached on Tuesday after nearly two decades of negotiations. It will likely take several months before the agreement takes effect. The deal represents 25% of global gross domestic product and a third of global trade. The agreement aims to lower tariffs, ease regulatory barriers and expand cooperation across goods and services. India will reduce tariffs on 96.6% of EU exports while the EU will reciprocate for nearly 99% of Indian shipments. The deal also includes a framework for deeper defense and security cooperation.

Russian drones kill 3 and wound children in Ukraine as Zelenskyy urges speedier diplomacy

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Officials in Ukraine say that a heavy Russian drone attack on Odesa has killed at least three people and wounded 23, including children and a pregnant woman. The new attack comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is urging the U.S. to speed up efforts to end Russia’s invasion. The Odesa attack involved over 50 drones, some recently upgraded by Russia, targeting the power grid and hitting apartment blocks. Zelenskyy says each strike undermines ongoing diplomacy. Analysts suggest Russian President Vladimir Putin believes time is on his side, expecting Western support for Ukraine to fade.