Briefly

RUSSIA

2024 elections to go on as scheduled: Kremlin

The Kremlin believes Russia's presidential and parliamentary elections should be held on schedule irrespective of the special military operation in Ukraine, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted on Monday as saying. "We proceed from President (Vladimir) Putin's statement…(where he) emphasized the need to comply with all the requirements of democracy, the constitution and, accordingly, to hold these elections," Peskov was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying. Russia is scheduled to hold the next presidential election in 2024 and the next parliamentary election in 2026.

MYANMAR

UN concerned over camp bombing that killed 29

The United Nations in Myanmar said on Tuesday it was deeply concerned about reports of civilian deaths at a camp for internally displaced people in northern Kachin state. "The UN in Myanmar is deeply concerned by initial reports from Kachin that civilians, including women and children, have been killed and injured in a bombing," it said on Facebook. "IDP camps are places of refuge, and civilians, no matter where they are, should never be a target." According to media and other sources, 29 people were killed and dozens wounded in an artillery strike at the refugee camp. Zaw Min Tun, spokesman for the Myanmar military, said the military was "investigating" the reports. "We always take care of the border peace situation," he said.

MIDDLE EAST

Iran, Sudan agree to resume diplomatic ties

Iran and Sudan announced the resumption of their diplomatic ties on Monday, seven years after they were severed. The two countries "decided to resume diplomatic relations following high-level contacts in recent months", said a joint statement released by the foreign ministries of the two sides on Monday. Iran and Sudan also agreed to "take the necessary steps to reopen their embassies soon", the statement said.

Agencies - Xinhua