QUITO -- Some 39 inmates broke out of a prison in the Ecuadorian city of Riobamba, in Chimborazo province, Monday night amid a state of emergency declared by the government to crack down on crime, a local official confirmed Tuesday.

Riobamba Mayor John Vinueza told the local Pichincha radio station that the breakout occurred during a prison riot, where detonations of explosives were heard. (Ecuador-Prison Riots)

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TEHRAN -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday exchanged views on the Red Sea situation amid escalating tensions across the region.

In a phone call, the two ministers also discussed the latest developments of the conflict in the Gaza Strip and issues related to bilateral relations, including the finalization of a treaty on comprehensive strategic cooperation, according to a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry. (Iran-Russia-FMs Talk)

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JERUSALEM -- United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed in Tel Aviv on Tuesday with Israeli officials the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and urged the Israeli side to protect civilians in Gaza.

Blinken's visit marks his fourth trip to Israel since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October last year. The international community is increasingly concerned about Israeli attacks in Gaza, as the death toll in the Palestinian enclave has surpassed 23,000 and approximately 2 million people were displaced amid a severe humanitarian crisis. (Israel-Blinken-Gaza Conflict)

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DAMASCUS -- A military bus carrying Syrian soldiers was hit by an explosive device in the desert near the ancient city of Palmyra in Homs Province on Tuesday, killing nine people and wounding 13 others, the Syrian Defense Ministry said.

The ministry specified that the fatalities included eight soldiers and one civilian, attributing the attack to "terrorists." (Syria-Military Bus-Attack) Enditem

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