UKRAINE: The Ukrainian Security and Defence Council announced today that it has banned government officials, military personnel and other defence and critical infrastructure workers from installing the popular Telegram messaging app on state-issued devices, describing the move as necessary for national security during the war with Russia.

IRAN: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has pardoned thousands of prisoners including foreigners and people accused of anti-state crimes, the IRNA news agency reported today.

IRNA reported that the Iranian leader had agreed to pardon and commute the sentences of 2,887 prisoners. The death sentences of 59 people were commuted to imprisonment, it said.