PARIS -- French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday evening that France would withdraw its troops deployed in Niger by the end of 2023.

Speaking in a televised interview, Macron said that the 1,500 French soldiers deployed in Niger to fight against terrorism in the Sahel region would "return in an orderly manner" by the end of the year. (France-Niger-Troop Withdrawal)

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TEHRAN -- The Iranian intelligence has foiled a terrorist plot targetting multiple crowded places here in the Iranian capital and arrested 28 suspects, the Intelligence Ministry said on Sunday.

In a statement published on its website, the ministry said 30 simultaneous explosions had been planned, with an aim to disrupt national security, create fear among the people, and provoke unrest on the anniversary of last fall's riots. (Iran-Terrorist Plot)

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ANKARA -- Turkish security forces detained at least 72 suspects in anti-narcotic operations across seven provinces, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said in a statement on Sunday.

The operations were carried out in the provinces of Agri, Mugla, Diyarbakir, Tekirdag, Sakarya, Aydin and Bingol, according to the statement.

It added that 9.5 kg of cannabis and various narcotics weighing 0.5 kg were seized in Sakarya, 13 kg of cannabis in Bingol, and some 2.2 kg of cannabis and 1.6 kg of methamphetamine in Aydin. (Türkiye-Anti Drugs-Arrest)