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Middle East conflict

Release of hostages, troop withdrawal to begin during phase one of Gaza ceasefire â€” Biden

Phase one "ncludes a full and complete ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces from all the populated areas of Gaza and the release of a number of hostages held by Hamas, including women and elderly and the wounded," the president said

WASHINGTON, January 15. /TASS/. Phase one of the Gaza ceasefire agreement will continue for six weeks, with hostage release and Israeli troop withdrawal scheduled to begin over that period, US President Joe Biden said.

"Phase one will last six weeks. It includes a full and complete ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces from all the populated areas of Gaza and the release of a number of hostages held by Hamas, including women and elderly and the wounded," the US president said.

According to Biden, when phase two begins, all the remaining living hostages will be released, including male soldiers, and all the remaining Israeli forces will be withdrawn from Gaza, while the temporary ceasefire will become permanent.

During phase three, any final remains of hostages who have been killed will be returned to their families, and a major reconstruction plan for Gaza will begin.

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United States Palestine Israel Joseph Biden

Slovak Prime Minister says he may meet with Zelensky in coming days

According to Robert Fico, "the meeting would be a good environment for an open discussion about gas supplies to Slovakia and other countries through the territory of Ukraine"

Exhumation of USSR heroes' remains in Lvov reveals essence of Kiev regime â€” Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that "the essence of the Kiev regime has repeatedly manifested itself in such actions"

Nominee for US secretary of state says Ukraine settlement will require concessions

"In order to achieve objectives like the one that needs to occur in Ukraine, it is important for everyone to be realistic", Marco Rubio, US President-elect Donald Trumpâ€™s pick for secretary of state, said

EU sees Russian strikes on Ukraineâ€™s energy system as 'surgical'

According to Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, Brussels will continue to support Kiev

Hamas reneges on Gaza ceasefire deal, Israeli PMâ€™s office says

The Palestinian group has backed out of the deal in a "last-minute blackmail attempt," Benjamin Netanyahuâ€™s office said

Foreign special services become active ahead of Belarusian election â€” Security Council

According to Alexander Volfovich, in order to impact the election campaign, the US and its allies continue to promote a comprehensive strategy, putting pressure on Belarus in the international legal, political, economic and other spheres

Hamas says Israel struck site where Israeli hostage was held

The spokesman for Hamasâ€™ armed wing warned that "any shelling attack" on Israelâ€™s part "may turn the release of hostages into a tragedy"

IN BRIEF: What is known about fire at oil depot in Voronezh Region after drone attack

A blaze at an oil depot broke out as a result of several drones crashing

Putin to meet with visiting president of Central African Republic

The parties plan to discuss the current state of and the prospects for political, trade, economic and humanitarian cooperation, as well as pressing issues on the international and regional agenda

US could cut off support to Ukraine to achieve peace â€” Sullivan

The US forcing Ukraine to accept certain peace terms would "surely shatter" NATO unity, the US national security advisor went on to say

Ukraine to spend heavily to rearm after conflict â€” lawmaker

Daniil Getmantsev noted that, in 2023, Ukraineâ€™s military expenses stood at 40.5% of GDP and observed that they may decrease after the conflict is over, but "no sharp reduction will happen in the foreseeable future"

Russian government agency, companies hit by new US sanctions

The Treasury also imposed sanctions on sixteen nationals of Russia, Turkey and Germany

Netanyahu thanks Trump, Biden for help in securing hostage release deal

The sides also agreed to meet in Washington soon to discuss the situation around Gaza and other important issues

Press review: Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal finalized as NATO aims to inspect Baltic vessels

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, January 16th

Transnistria to receive gas from Russia as humanitarian aid, leader says

According to Vadim Krasnoselsky, talks on the resumption of gas supplies were initiated "in collaboration with Russia", and the negotiations were held at the Russian Energy Ministryâ€™s level

China hopes for cooperation with Trump to stabilize bilateral relations â€” embassy

"We hope that the new US government will make the right choice and work with China to maintain the hard-won stabilization momentum of China-US relations, lay a good foundation for the future development of China-US relations," spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the United States Liu Pengyu said

Ukrainian soldiers execute wounded comrades due to lack of evacuation chances â€” expert

According to Colonel Vitaly Kiselev, the Ukrainian forces have been trying to halt the Russian advance by sending lightly armed infantry into combat without the support of heavy weaponry or artillery

Zelensky says he signed century-long partnership agreement with UK

The report says the document will deepen bilateral relations in the defense sector and pave the way to further military support to the Kiev government

Release of hostages, troop withdrawal to begin during phase one of Gaza ceasefire â€” Biden

Phase one "ncludes a full and complete ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces from all the populated areas of Gaza and the release of a number of hostages held by Hamas, including women and elderly and the wounded," the president said

Biden boasts of mobilizing 50 nations to fight in proxy war against Russia â€” Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat drew some historical parallels

Talks on Ukraine should touch upon neutrality, anti-Russian sanctions â€” Trumpâ€™s nominee

Speaking about the possibility of negotiations on Ukraine, Marco Rubio said: "When you get and sit at the table, <â€¦> you're going to have to give, not just get"

Over 2,400 Russian soldiers returned home in 30 POW swaps with Ukraine

In 2024, there were ten exchanges, with 1,266 servicemen being back home

Russia strikes power infrastructure across Ukraine

Ukraineâ€™s Vladimir Zelensky said the strikes targeted gas infrastructure and power facilities

NATO soldiers not ready to fight Ukraine war, Latviaâ€™s top diplomat says

According to Baiba Braze, putting European boots on the ground in Ukraine would cause escalation for the EU that has been shying away from it

Minsk can rebuff any aggressor with tactical nukes, Oreshnik missiles â€” security official

The Belarusian military-industrial sector "is also developing actively" today, Alexander Volfovich pointed out

Press review: Kiev hopes Trump supports its proposals and Russia backs Panama's neutrality

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, January 14th

Russian forces pound Ukrainian military airfields, UAV assembly, storage sites

Russiaâ€™s Battlegroup North inflicted roughly 40 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy artillery gun in its area of responsibility in the Kharkov Region over the past day, the ministry reported

Ukraine unable to push Russian troops back to earlier positions â€” US diplomat

"There's a size differential here that's important," Marco Rubio added

West accuses Russia of damaging Baltic infrastructure to curb oil exports â€” MFA

According to Maria Zakharova, the West is using similar double standard tactics in the situation with Kiev's attacks on a compressor station in the Krasnodar region

Putin, Trump will settle Ukrainian crisis in 2025 â€” senior Slovak MP

"I pray to God for this because this situation is bad for us, for you and for all the rest," Andrej Danko said

Russian schoolgirls break into Billboard top-10 with 'Sigma Boy' track

"Sigma Boy" is seventh in the Hot Dance/Pop Songs chart

Attack against Russkaya compressor station prompted by the US â€” Russian Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova stressed that Washington and Kiev are indeed working together, doing "everything to halt supplies of stable, reasonably priced and high quality Russian gas to Europe""

Kremlin ready to study signals from US that will come anyway â€” foreign policy aide

According to Yury Ushakov, if both sides make reciprocal moves, first there will be some communication behind closed doors between the relevant services and agencies

Press review: Lavrov signals Russiaâ€™s readiness for talks as Kiev seeks stronger position

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, January 15th

Russiaâ€™s stance on Ukraine is explicit and widely recognized â€” Kremlin

"This stance was laid out in June last year, when the head of state gave instructions to the [Russian] Foreign Ministry. Our stance is consistent, transparent, and well-known to everyone. I have nothing to add here," Dmitry Peskov remarked

Frontline situation remains challenging, Ukrainian General Staff admits

Recently, Ukrainian commanders of various ranks have repeatedly characterized the strategic situation on the frontline as extremely difficult

Senior Russian MP sees Moscow, Tehran playing key role in shaping multipolar world order

According to Leonid Slutsky, Russia and Iran "jointly oppose the US hegemony, the unipolar world order, and the Westâ€™s collective attempts to dictate their policies to others, as well as unlawful sanctions and foreign interference in the affairs of third countries"

Israel-Hamas agreement to strengthen global security â€” top Hungarian diplomat

Peter Szijjarto thanked diplomats from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar for mediating the deal

As EU president, Poland aims to speed up Ukraineâ€™s accession process â€” Polish leader

Donald Tusk said that Warsaw, on its part, was not planning to name any additional preconditions for Kiev

Zelensky uses lives of Ukrainians as bargaining chip with Western countries â€” lawmaker

Alexander Dubinsky called Vladimir Zelensky "the greatest perpetrator of genocide against his own people"

Especially needed armaments delivered to Russian troops in full â€” top security official

Also in 2024, the production of many armaments increased, taking into account the experience of combat operations, Dmitry Medvedev said

Novgorod-made FPV drone Prince Vandal causes $300 mln damage to NATO

Earlier, the CEO of the research and production center Ushkuynik, Alexey Chadayev, said that the drone for the first time would begin to be manufactured in several regions of Russia

UAE may host Putin-Trump meeting, Russian expert says

Oleg Karpovich dismissed Switzerland as a possible location for the meeting

Iranian experts defuse bomb at nuclear facility, says vice president

A large number of pagers exploded almost simultaneously across Lebanon on September 17, 2024

LA wildfires destroy 200 paintings made by Hunter Biden, valued at 500k a piece â€” media

The collection was stored in a warehouse near the home of Hunter Biden's attorney, Kevin Morris, in Pacific Palisades

Russian troops liberate Ukrainka community in Donbass region over past day

Russiaâ€™s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 460 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed five enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Russia will not give Donbass and Novorossiya to anyone â€” Patrushev

Nikolay Patrushev believes it is important for the world to recognize the incorporation of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol into the Russian Federation

Conflict in Transnistria follows West's tactics â€” senior Slovak MP

According to Andrej Danko, "there is no question of whether such a conflict will arise, as these conflicts are already underway"

Earth getting hotter, meteorologist confirms

Temperatures have been rising by 0.2 degrees Celsius every decade, meteorologist Roman Vilfand said

Deployment of European troops in Ukraine prone with Russia-US conflict â€” FT

Ð¡olumnist Samuel Charap said that Donald Trump is likely to try to disengage the United States from European security affairs, but, eventually, Washington may become potentially embroiled in a new conflict

Macron, Zelensky donâ€™t serve their countries any longer â€” senior Slovak MP

They cannot simply replace one fuel by another and stop using fuel that once was used at a nuclear plant, "this as the Westâ€™s hypocrisy and insincerity because they want to preserve their social welfare level", "Macron and Zelensky do not serve their countries," Andrej Danko said

Russian forces improve positions in Petropavlovka in Kharkov Region

Our militaryâ€™s precision strikes wipe out several enemy fortified emplacements in the northern and northwestern part of the settlement," military expert Andrey Marochko said

Russia invites 19 countries to Victory Day parade on Red Square â€” minister

According to Andrey Belousov, solemn events involving military personnel will be held in 370 settlements

Black box data from crashed Azerbaijani airliner contradicts earlier media reports

"At this stage, thereâ€™s no need to create a media frenzy by relying on information that, for the most part, is not supported by the data from the black boxes," the Russian foreign minister added

Lavrov tells reporters about Bidenâ€™s last moves, Trump and security guarantees for Ukraine

TASS has put together the Russian foreign ministerâ€™s key statement

DPR head says Ukraine plays down liberation of Kurakhovo

Denis Pushilin also said it was not possible to "get the enemy" as they used concrete for their fortifications, while industrial sites allowed them to hold the settlement for a long time

Desperate enemy sought to bribe Russia amid botched assault on Gorlovka â€” DPR adviser

In the course of that unsuccessful assault, Ukrainian troops sustained heavy casualties and lots of military equipment was lost, Igor Kimakovsky said

Size of Ukranian army stands at 880,000 troops â€” Zelensky

The Ukrainian president also emphasized that French leader Emmanuel Macron's initiative to deploy a foreign contingent needs further study

Russia adapted to life under sanctions, prime minister says

Mishustin assured that Moscow will continue to "do all that is necessary to stabilize the dynamics of the economy and restore investment activity"

Deal on Ukraine could be made without Kiev's involvement, ex-Foreign Minister admits

According to Pavel Klimkin, the formula of "nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine," which he himself helped to formulate, could be an afterthought at this point

Armenia justifies treaty with US by 'complex international situation'

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan called for further deepening of cooperation with Washington based on the signed document

BRICS New Development Bank issues $845 mln Panda bond on interbank bond market

The New Development Bank was set up by BRICS nations on the basis of the intergovernmental agreement signed at the sixth BRICS summit in Fortaleza in July 2014

FACTBOX: What we know about Gaza ceasefire agreement

It will come into force on January 19 and happen in three stages

Russia vows retaliation to Kievâ€™s attack with Western-made missiles on Bryansk Region

Last night, Ukraine delivered a missile strike at facilities in the Bryansk Region by six US-made ATACMS operational-tactical missiles, six British-made Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles and 31 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles, the ministry specified

Trumpâ€™s team prepares sanctions against Zelenskyâ€™s entourage â€” Ukrainian reporter

According to Diana Panchenko, these measures mark the beginning of the end for the "era of impunity" for Vladimir Zelensky

Ukraine may cease to exist by 2034 â€” Russian security official

Dmitry Medvedev noted that Ukraine will never join NATO

Replenishing losses challenging, Zelensky says

It is emphasized that those enlisted must be adequately armed

Judge in Russiaâ€™s borderline Kursk Region puts captured Colombian mercenary under arrest

"Case files examined by the judge show that the foreign citizen illegally crossed the Russian Federationâ€™s border and took part in military action on the Kursk Regionâ€™s territory," the regionâ€™s judicial press service said

Bulgaria's parliament elects Rosen Zhelyazkov as new PM

Following the vote, the entire cabinet was sworn in and will assume office in the coming hours

Only Putin, Trump can settle Ukrainian crisis â€” senior Slovak MP

Andrej Danko drew a parallel between the current situation and the end of the Cold War, which, in his words, was ended by President of the former Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev and US President Ronald Reagan

Zelensky doing harm to Eastern European countries â€” senior Slovak MP

Vladimir Zelensky "has learnt to play a political theater and he abuses the issue of gas supplies", "this is harmful for the entire European Union," Andrej Danko said

AliExpress fully restores platform operations in Russia

Problems in operations of AliExpress were observed in Russia on Wednesday

Another mobilization not necessary, special op successful â€” Russian MP

According to Andrey Kartapolov, the Russian Armed Forces are fully supplying the group in the special operation zone with everything necessary, including military personnel

Russia ready to help Transnistria with gas â€” Kremlin

Russian gas supplies to Moldova were halted since early January after Kiev banned Russian gas transit via Ukraine and Chisinau refused to settle the problem of the debt for consumed fuel estimated at $709 mln by Russia

Russia surprised Denmark not up in arms about Trumpâ€™s plans to annex Greenland â€” MFA

According to Maria Zakharova, this is particularly surprising given the Danish authorities' penchant for talking about the "Russian threat"

Opposition submits motion of no confidence in Fico government to Slovak parliament

According to the portal, the National Councilâ€™s leadership now has seven days to convene a session to hold a vote of confidence in the current cabinet

Russian diplomat calls on NATO to end war talk, focus on reality

Maria Zakharova added that NATO allies and policy-makers "are facing economic and ideological collapse, with their countries and unions seeing moral degradation, disintegration and instability"

Putin, Central African Republic leader to discuss security cooperation

The Russian leader noted that Russia attaches great importance to cooperation with the CAR on the global arena, including within the UN framework

Kremennaya area littered with remains of Ukrainian soldiers, Russian troops find

Andrey Marochko told TASS earlier that Russian troops had made gains on the frontline in a six-kilometer-long wooded area near Kremennaya

Russian air defenses shoot down targets over Belgorod, surrounding area â€” governor

According to Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, the man with shrapnel wounds to the head and forearm is being taken by an ambulance crew to the regional clinical hospital

Russiaâ€™s Lancet kamikaze drone destroys Ukrainian armor with assault force in Kursk area

Having waited for an appropriate moment when the Ukrainian assault force boarded the infantry fighting vehicle, a Lancet loitering munition team of the Battlegroup North destroyed the enemy IFV together with the militants, accurately hitting the target, the ministry said

Hamas hands over draft Gaza ceasefire deal to mediators â€” statement

The movement stressed that it was guided by "the principles of responsibility before the Palestinian people in Gaza"

Trump and company plan to tweak sanctions to facilitate Ukraine peace deal

The Trump team's plans are still in their early stages and ultimately depend on the president-elect himself, the sources said

Share of national currencies in payments within CIS over 85% â€” Putin

This figure continues growing, the Russian leader noted

Ukrainian military commanders lose grip on situation near Krasnoarmeysk â€” journalist

Yury Butusov went on to say that Ukrainian infantry is sustaining significant losses in an apparent attempt to slow down Russian troops

Ukrainian forces driven out of most positions in DPRâ€™s Dzerzhinsk â€” source

According to the report, "several isolated zones of resistance consisting of troops that were left behind by the Ukrainian army continue to fight"

Israelâ€™s advance in Syria unacceptable â€” new leader

"Everyone agrees that the Israeli advance in Syria is a mistake, and that we need to return to previous arrangements," Ahmed al-Sharaa said

Ukraine actively recruiting Belarusians via Internet to gather intel â€” security council

According to Alexander Volfovich, the recruited individuals are then used by Ukrainian special services and their Western handlers to establish arms, ammunition and explosive devices depots, which are intended to later be used in terrorist acts and sabotage in Belarus and Russia

Venezuela continues rapprochement with BRICS countries â€” Maduro

"I am thankful for the BRICS countriesâ€™ support for Venezuelaâ€™s accession to this association of the future," the president said

Slovakia will never approve of termination of Russian gas transit to Europe â€” MP

We hope that gas transit via Ukraine will resume, Marian Kery, head of the Slovak parliamentary committee on international affairs, said

Scholz reiterated his public statements on Ukraine in phone talks with Putin, Lavrov says

The German Chancellor did not say a word about root causes of the conflict, the Russian language and the rights of Russians

Russia now flies direct to 40 countries â€” ATOR

The most popular international destination is Moscow-Istanbul

FACTBOX: What we know about South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeolâ€™s arrest

He is being charged with organizing and leading an insurrection

Russia does not view remarks by Trumpâ€™s nominees as official statements â€” Lavrov

"The Democrats want the Republicans to look unconvincing, because Joe Biden said that the four years [of his presidency] will be historic for America," the Russian foreign minister added

Prudent, pragmatic man in charge of Russia â€” senior Slovak MP

"The United States will soon be governed by a businessman who openly says he will handle Panama and Greenland," Andrej Danko also noted

US must not allow its relations with Russia to escalate into wars â€” incoming CIA chief

John Ratcliffe said that "Russia is increasingly cooperating with other adversaries to continue the war in Ukraine and amplify threats to American interests"

Armenia, Russia agree to reduce Yerevanâ€™s debt by cost of unshipped weapons

Previously, Yerevan said that it had not yet received weapons it had already paid for, but that it was ready to resolve the issue in good faith

Satellite images show that Russiaâ€™s Lake Baikal remains without solid ice cover

"Itâ€™s been a warm winter in Baikal, as observed from space," Roscosmos said in comments to its posted pictures

Trump's plans to remake US aimed at changing strategic landscape â€” Russian ex-ambassador

Anatoly Antonov went on to say that increased US military presence in the Arctic region would necessitate a proper response from Russia

Kiev offered $1 mln to Russian troops for leaving Gorlovka

Elite units of the Ukrainian armed forces were deployed, indicating that the Ukrainian intelligence agency was confident it had successfully bribed Russian troops

Russia boosts output of especially needed weaponry under 2025 plan â€” Medvedev

Developing hi-tech weapons is a top priority task, the politician stressed