*) UN demands Russia withdraw from Ukraine

The United Nations has voted overwhelmingly to demand Russia immediately and unconditionally withdraw its troops from Ukraine.

The world body called for a "just and lasting" peace as the world marks the one-year anniversary of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Meanwhile, China has called for peace, saying "dialogue, negotiation are the only viable way to resolve the Ukraine crisis."

*) Türkiye arrests more contractors as quake toll nears 50,000

Some 171 people have been arrested in investigations into destroyed buildings in southeastern Türkiye after February 6 earthquakes.

The action comes as the death toll from the disaster in Türkiye crossed the grim mark of 43,500.

The twin quakes have left more than 5,800 people dead in Syria. In total, the fatalities from both countries have surpassed 49,300.

*) Fresh magnitude 5.0 earthquake strikes Türkiye's Hatay

Staying in Türkiye, a fresh magnitude 5.0 earthquake has hit southern Hatay province.

Hatay Governor Rahmi Dogan said a few buildings, which were already damaged from the previous quakes, collapsed.

There were no injuries or people trapped in the debris, according to initial reports.

*) Israel okays 7,000 illegal homes, accused of 'spitting on the face of US'

Israel's far-right government has granted approval for over 7,000 new homes in illegal Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.

The move defies growing international opposition to construction in the occupied territory of Palestine.

The announcement came just days after the UN Security Council passed a statement strongly criticising Israeli illegal settlement construction on occupied Palestinian lands.

*) Russia launches rescue ship to space station after leaks

Russia has launched a rescue ship for two cosmonauts and a NASA astronaut whose original ride home sprang a dangerous leak while parked at the International Space Station.

The new, empty Soyuz capsule should arrive at the orbiting lab on Sunday.

The capsule leak in December was blamed on a micrometeorite that punctured an external radiator, draining it of coolant.