Russian forces have taken Soledar, defense ministry says | CNN

CNN  —  Russian forces have taken the town of Soledar in eastern Ukraine, according to Russia’s…

NYC mayor cites slower economic growth spurred by high office vacancy, cost of migrant crisis and health care, in budget address | CNN Business

CNN  —  New York City Mayor Eric Adams unveiled the state of the city’s economic outlook…

Former US attorney named special counsel in Biden document probe | CNN Politics

CNN  —  Attorney General Merrick Garland on Thursday appointed a special counsel to take over the…

US government has received more than 350 new UFO reports | CNN Politics

Washington CNN  —  The US government has received over 350 new reports of what the US…

Biden’s document scandal eats away at efforts to hold Republicans accountable | CNN Politics

CNN  —  President Joe Biden’s embarrassment over classified documents found in his former offices is spiraling…

How much should people worry about Covid’s newly-dominant XBB.1.5 variant? Our medical analyst explains | CNN

CNN  —  A new Covid-19 variant, XBB.1.5, is spreading rapidly throughout the United States. In December…

Explosion kills at least 5 people near Afghan Foreign Ministry, Kabul police say | CNN

CNN  —  At least five people were killed in an explosion near the Afghan Ministry of…

Dual British-Iranian citizen sentenced to death for spying for UK | CNN

CNN  —  Alireza Akbari, a dual British-Iranian citizen and former Iranian official, has been sentenced to…

US and Japan to strengthen military relationship with upgraded Marine unit in attempt to deter China | CNN Politics

CNN  —  The US and Japan are set to announce a significant strengthening of their military…

Executions aren’t new in Iran, but this time they’re different | CNN

Editor’s Note: A version of this story appears in today’s Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter,…