* Kerry on Monday tweeted denial that he told Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif about Israeli strikes in Syria
* The former Secretary of State, now President Biden's climate change tsar, said: 'This never happened - either when I was Secretary of State or since'
* Newly-released tapes see Zarif claim Kerry told him about Israeli intelligence operatives attacking Iranian interests in Syria 200 times
* Israel has previously gone on the record to confirm that it has carried out attacks in Syria numerous times
Former Secretary of State John Kerry has denied he told Iran's top foreign minister about secret attacks by Israel on Iran's interests in Syria.
'I can tell you that this story and these allegations are unequivocally false,' Kerry, who is currently President Biden's special envoy on climate change, tweeted on Monday.
'This never happened - either when I was Secretary of State or since.'
Read more ....
MIDDLE EAST
Iran downplays controversial leaked FM remarks.
Erdogan slams Biden’s recognition of Armenian ‘genocide’.
Turkey seeks arrest of over 500 coup suspects: Anadolu.
Turkey begins trial of pro-Kurdish politicians over Kobani protest.
Turkey announces full lockdown in bid to halt COVID surge.
Deadly fire tears through Baghdad Covid-19 hospital after oxygen tank explodes.
Israeli police take down East Jerusalem barricades after violent protests.
Iran sentences Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe to further one-year jail term.
Saudi king invites Qatar’s ruler to visit: Emir’s office.
Covid wave stalking Yemen strikes fear in hospitals.
Virus surge in crowded Gaza threatens to overwhelm hospitals.
ASIA
SOS messages, panic as virus breaks India’s health system.
India reportedly running out of vaccines amid Covid surge.
Philippines weighs extending lockdown as COVID cases top 1M.
Philippines president issues threat to China as Beijing makes moves in South China Sea.
Chief diplomat warns China wants Australia to compromise on key national interests to reset relations.
Fiji's capital Suva goes into COVID-19 lockdown after quarantine facility soldiers spreads infection.
Thailand ramps up efforts to rein in COVID-19 as deaths hit new daily record.
Myanmar protests continue after ASEAN peace initiative.
Pakistan bombing narrowly misses Chinese ambassador in Quetta.
Japan's ruling party defeated in parliamentary by-elections amid COVID-19 surge.
AFRICA
Dozens of Nigerian soldiers killed in militant attack on army base.
Nigerian troops suffer heavy losses in drawn-out battles with jihadists.
Chad junta refuses to negotiate with rebels after calls for 'ceasefire'.
Chad's military council names presidential runner-up Padacke as interim PM.
Somalia’s unrest continues over president’s stay in power.
Blinken presses Ethiopia on 'humanitarian disaster' in Tigray.
UN report warns South Sudan at risk of return to 'large-scale conflict'.
Fuel giant Total pulls staff from Mozambique gas project.
‘Sham’ Libya trials sentenced 22 to death: Rights group.
EUROPE
EU set to allow vaccinated US tourists to visit this summer.
Italy to start easing its Covid-19 lockdown as parliament debates recovery plan.
EU sues AstraZeneca over delayed deliveries of COVID-19 vaccine.
Romania kicks out Russian embassy official.
Coronavirus: Portugal records no daily deaths for first time since August.
Exit polls: Tight race in Albania’s parliamentary vote.
Russia suspends activities of Alexei Navalny's campaign groups.
AMERICAS
California's Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom officially faces RECALL after 1.6million signed petition to have him removed from office.
US census gives Texas, Florida more seats in Congress.
US marks slowest population growth since the Depression.
US to help Guatemala train its border protection force.
US weighs policy on Venezuela as Maduro signals flexibility.
Brazilians urged to postpone pregnancies in pandemic.
More than 27,000 displaced in Colombia violence this year.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
France's Total suspends Mozambique gas project over jihadist attacks.
5 held as France investigates deadly police station attack.
Biden's move on Afghanistan raises Guantanamo questions.
US Supreme Court to hear Palestinian Guantanamo prisoner’s case.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Stocks reach more records as earnings kick into high gear.
Even as economy heats up, US Fed to stick with near-zero rates .
Tesla reports higher profits, says expansion on track.
China is on track to unveil a digital currency that it hopes could challenge dollar dominance.
