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Middle East and North Africa

RF, US, Syria experts at UN to review elimination of toxic agents producing facilities

UNITED NATIONS, January 29, 0:58 /ITAR-TASS/. Experts from the Russian Federation, the United States, and Syria will meet at the UN headquarters early in February to review the process of eliminating facilities for the production of toxic agents in the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, Ahmet Uzumcu, Director-General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), announced.

His report on the activities of the OPCW mission in Syria is attached to the letter of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to the UN Security Council.

"On January 16 and 17, 2014, the (UN) Secretariat arranged technical consulting among experts from the Russian Federation, the Syrian Arab Republic (S.A.R.), and the United States of America. The experts discussed modalities for the destruction of 12 declared (by Syria) faciltities for the production of chemical weapons in the territory of the S.A.R. A new meeting will be held in the first week of February," Ahmet Uzumcu wrote in the report.

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Middle East and North Africa

US blocks Security Council resolution granting full UN membership to Palestine

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Tokyo potentially joining US nuclear missions fraught with danger — Russian diplomat

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Russian MFA says Russia won’t invade Ukraine, blames US for ‘aggressive plans’

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West, Kiev indulge in nuclear blackmail by demanding control of ZNPP — Russian MFA

"Without noticing it themselves, they spoke the language of an ultimatum," Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova underlined

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Over 40 nations want to join BRICS — Russian lawmaker

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Serial production of missiles for S-500 air defense systems begins in Russia — source

State trials of S-500 are under way at a testing range in southern Russia

Russian diplomat challenges France to stop arming Kiev amid Olympic truce talk

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Russian artillery thwarts Ukrainian army’s rotation near Kupyansk — underground resistance

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US 'not forgetting' to help itself with aid to Ukraine — Kremlin

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Kiev ordered mandatory evacuation from Kharkov Region to accommodate mercenaries

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Agents in Ukrainian, Poland foil attempt to kill Zelensky, security officials in Kiev say

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Major Western investor accuses Zelensky's office of extorting millions of euros

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Ukrainian front may collapse this summer — newspaper

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Ceasefire necessary for implementation of UN humanitarian resolution on Gaza — UN envoy

"The Israeli forces carry out strikes at humanitarian forces, block their access, slow down the cargo clearance," Vasily Nebenzya said

Germany fails to present evidence in case of espionage suspects — Russian embassy

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Polish premier refuses to hand over his country’s Patriot systems to Ukraine

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Chief prosecutors of Russia, Venezuela sign cooperation agreement in Caracas

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German Foreign Ministry confirms summoning of Russian ambassador

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Gazprom CEO and Belarus’ Ambassador to Russia discussed Russian gas supplies — company

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Ukraine convicts 12th world chess champion for recognizing Donetsk, Lugansk republics

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UK imposes sanctions against leading Iranian military figures — Foreign Office

Restrictions have been imposed on Sayyed Javad Musavi, commercial director of the Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group (SHIG), which is responsible for the Iranian ballistics program

Russian Aerospace Forces strike five militant hideouts in Syria’s Homs

Yury Popov said that aircraft of the so-called international anti-terrorism coalition, led by the United States, continue to set dangerous precedents in skies above Syria

Press review: Ukraine, Israel vie for EU’s attention and Georgia passes controversial bill

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Ukrainian president signs law tightening mobilization rules

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Founder of neo-Nazi cell in Crimea flees to Georgia — source

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Protesters give Georgian government one hour to revoke foreign agents bill

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CIA chief says Ukraine could lose by end of this year — Politico

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Energy prices help US economy to develop better than Europe — IMF

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Investments in Subarctic region to be over $32.6 bln in next decade — governor

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Nord Stream AG's refusal to pay compensation destroys Western insurance system — diplomat

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Press review: Iran fires back at Israel and Russia, West spar over AI rulebook

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Asked if it was because of Russia’s nuclear weapons, Kirby repeated that the circumstances were different

Ukrainian trace obvious in Crocus City Hall attack — Russian Prosecutor General

The law enforcement employees exert efforts to identify the instigators of this crime, Igor Krasnov said

Russian Railways to triple tourist passenger flow to 3 mln people by 2030

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EU leaders urge to adopt proposal on using incomes from frozen Russian assets for Ukraine

The EU, the US, Japan and Canada have frozen Russian assets worth a total amount of around $300 bln

French, US, British nukes all interwoven — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova described France’s decision to place its aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, directly under NATO control as a symbolic move marking the end of "the era of an independent Paris in the international arena"

Majority of France opposes confrontation with Russia — expert

Laurent Briard believes that French President Emmanuel Macron crossed a line when he announced he was considering sending French troops to Ukraine

Yerevan's refusal to delimit borders with Baku to escalate regional tensions — PM

Nikol Pashinyan pointed out that the demarcation process also involves risks, but they are manageable, after which "Armenia will become ten times stronger"

Russia will not 'shake up' relations with Argentina due to its partnership with NATO — MFA

According to Sergey Ryabkov, Russia and Argentina maintain a good dialogue at various levels

Swiss parliament votes against joining task force on frozen Russian assets

The group contains US finance and justice ministers, representatives of Australia, the UK, Germany, Italy, Canada, France, Japan, as well as the European Commission

Kazakhstan to sign new agreement with Russia on border checkpoints

The previous intergovernmental agreement dated December 23, 1998 on checkpoints through the Kazakh-Russian state border will cease to have effect on the effective date of the new document

Crimea, Donbass to forever remain within Russia, Slovak PM tells national parliament

Robert Fico believes Moscow will win in its confrontation with Kiev

Both main US parties threatened Telegram, co-founder says

"So we got two letters that said: whatever we do, we would be violating the US Constitution," Pavel Durov said

Ukraine turns from sovereign country into Western protectorate, Hungarian PM says

Viktor Orban noted that there should be a buffer zone between NATO and Russia and Ukraine could serve as one

German MFA summons Russian ambassador after detention of espionage suspects — newspaper

Commenting on the men's arrest, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said: "Our security services have prevented possible explosions aimed at undermining our military assistance to Ukraine"

US deploying missiles in Philippines to endanger global security — Russian envoy

Anatoly Antonov has urged the US "not to open Pandora's Box" and follow Russia’s suit "by taking all necessary steps to ensure global stability and predictability"

Germany moves to exclude Russia from concentration camp liberation celebrations

According to Maria Zakharova, Moscow "regards this provocative attack as the latest move by the German side aimed at further twisting history, painting the course and outcome of World War II in an anti-Russian manner"

EU summit calls to continue work on duties on Russian, Belarusian agricultural produce

The European Commission suggested introducing duties on agricultural products from Russia and Belarus earlier

Ukrainian military under constant gunfire by Russian troops near Urozhainoye, says POW

Yevgeny Pogrebnyak said that he was treated well by Russian troops in his captivity

North Korean leader arrives at public event in Aurus luxury car gifted by Putin

On April 10, the vehicle was also spotted when the North Korean leader visited Kim Jong Il Military and Political Academy

French president says creating Israeli-type air defense network for Ukraine impossible

Emmanuel Macron added that Europe’s resources are limited, and the European Union will continue helping Kiev keeping in mind its own reserves

Iran completed operation, to respond with greater force if needed — envoy to Russia

On the evening of April 13, Iran launched drones and missiles toward Israel in response to what it called "repeated crimes" from Tel Aviv, including the attack on the consular office of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus ascribed to Israel

Russian government approves draft agreement on military cooperation with DRC

It provides for the organization of joint drills and exercises, participation in and monitoring drills at the invitation of relevant agencies, visits by warships and warplanes at an invitation or request, training of the military and other formats of cooperation

Georgian protests against foreign agent bill reek of US influence — Medvedev

"The experienced and all-too-familiar Hollywood touch can be seen behind these rallies," the politician pointed out

Russian investigators start inquiry into financing of terrorism by US, NATO officials

Investigators have established that the funds that were received through commercial organizations, such as the oil and gas company Burisma Holdings operating in Ukraine, have been used to carry out terrorist acts in Russia and abroad

Ukraine struggles to garner support for Swiss conference — Russian Foreign Ministry

"There are increasingly fewer people willing to discuss this subject with Kiev’s envoys, let alone going there," Rodion Miroshnik stressed

Russia’s advanced radar in Kaliningrad to monitor entire territory of Europe — source

The first Konteiner radar went on combat duty in the Volga area region of Mordovia on December 1, 2019

China to act over possible US measures for alleged support of Russian defense sector

"China always opposes the illegal unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States and will continue to take necessary measures to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises," Liu Pengyu said

US blocks Security Council resolution granting full UN membership to Palestine

By doing it, the United States is trying to break the will of the Palestinian people and bring them to Israel’s heel, Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya said

Putin points to high risk of new epidemic outbreaks

The Russian president pointed out that Moscow’s "program of assistance to the African countries in sanitary and epidemiological well-being provides for the delivery of ten mobile high-containment biological laboratories"

Kremlin condemns 'illegal' seizure of villa from Russian businessman

Dmitry Peskov underscored that Moscow has already made its position clear on this matter

Iran to review nuclear doctrine in case of Israeli aggression — IRGC

Ahmad Haghtalab pointed out that the Iranian Army and other security forces protect Iranian nuclear facilities using the most advanced equipment, so "national nuclear centers are completely safe"

Ukrainian president admits Russian troops’ advancement

Vladimir Zelensky asked his country’s supporters to provide "everything that helps to hold the frontline," including shells, military vehicles and drones

Kiev lacks both troops and equipment near Chasov Yar in DPR, says retired general

Military commanders of Ukrainian army brigades "lack both personnel and the required amount of equipment" while Russian troops enjoy a considerable superiority, especially in artillery, Sergey Krivonos noted

France-Russia relations hit rock bottom — ex-envoy to Paris

Alexander Orlov noted that recently French President Emmanuel Macron "has made a number of questionable moves that have increased the divide" between both countries

Russia-China military-technical cooperation not directed against other states — diplomat

Cooperation between Moscow and Beijing in the military-technical sphere contributes to enhancing security of Russia and China and "is not directed against third countries," Maria Zakharova stressed

Cuba expects to welcome over 200,000 Russian tourists in 2024 — minister

Juan Carlos Garcia Granda expressed hope that in a short term the number could climb to half a million

Ukrainian military reportedly uses HIMARS rocket launcher to attack Gorlovka

Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin also said that an explosive device had detonated in the Kievsky District of Donetsk, injuring a man born in 1964

Investigation into Crocus terrorist attack underway, traces lead to Ukraine — diplomat

Maria Zakharova noted the need to "wait for official information from the investigation"

Ukraine attacks ZNPP training center again, drone neutralized

"No one was injured as a result of the attack," the news release said

Iran intends to bolster military cooperation with Russia — envoy to Moscow

Kazem Jalali noted that Iran had demonstrated its ability to ensure security and nudge the region toward a de-escalation

Crimea’s revenues rise to $1.12 bln over past ten years

Sergey Aksenov noted that the increase in budget revenues helped use a large amount of funds on the development of priority areas, including environmental protection, education, health care, and road construction

Russian-Turkish monitoring center in Karabakh ceases to operate — Ankara official

On November 9, 2020, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh

Russia, Iran maintain contacts on nuclear security - deputy foreign minister

Sergey Ryabkov said that "very soon, Russia and Iran will have new additional opportunities to discuss the situation in the Middle East in general, as well as details of what is going on there at this point"

Argentina applies for status of NATO’s global partner

"We will keep working to rebuild ties that will enable us to upgrade and train our forces in accordance with NATO standards," Luis Petri noted

Water in Kurgan above dam, breaking records

More than 100 employees of the Russian Ministry of Emergencies are fencing the shores and filling the least reliable dam segments

Court arrests man accused of blowing up car of former SBU officer in Moscow

According to materials in the case, the accused man has a residence permit in Ukraine, where his wife lives, and Kyrgyz citizenship

Colombian president displays interest in country’s entry into BRICS

Brazilian leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva welcomed Gustavo Petro’s initiative, "being committed to promotion of Colombia’s candidacy"