*) Red Cross warns of looming famine in Gaza

The head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has issued a stark warning about the dire situation in besieged Gaza.

He emphasised the looming threat of severe food insecurity, with approximately 80 percent of the population facing critical food shortages.

He further highlighted the plight of over a million children and elderly who are particularly vulnerable to health issues like dehydration, respiratory and skin diseases and anaemia due to the harsh conditions in shelters.

*) Biden says Gaza truce imminent while Israel plans Rafah invasion

US President Joe Biden said he hoped that a ceasefire in besieged Gaza could start by next Monday.

When asked about the possibility, he stated that his national security adviser informed him that a deal was close but not yet finalised.

*) Putin vows to boost Russian special forces' ability to strike

Russian President Vladimir Putin has promised to increase the mobility and striking potential of Russia's special operations forces, saying this is a key priority to making the country's army stronger.

Putin said in a congratulatory video message issued ahead of the February 27 Special Operations Forces Day in Russia that Moscow "will continue to strengthen the Special Operations Forces, increase their mobility and striking potential, and arm them with new-generation weapons and equipment."

Putin then added that "this is one of the key priorities for the long-term development of the army and navy."

*) Hungarian parliament approves Sweden's NATO accession

Hungary's parliament has approved a bill to allow Sweden to join NATO, finally clearing the way for the Nordic country to join the Western defence alliance as war rages in Ukraine.

Hungary was the last among the 31 members of the alliance to ratify Sweden's membership after months of delay by the ruling party.

*) Istanbul hosts 9th International Publishing Meetings

The 9th International Istanbul Publishing Professional Meetings will be held at the Rami Library from the 5th to the 7th of March, aiming to establish Istanbul as a major copyright market.

Organised by Türkiye's Press Publishing Profession Association, the event will bring together national and international publishers.

Since 2021, the programme has offered participants a hybrid model for conducting business, allowing both physical and online B2B meetings.