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US, Russia experiencing one of most difficult periods in bilateral relationship — envoy

Russia and US must endeavor to improve relations to effectively deal with a rapidly changing world, US Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman said

MOSCOW, December 18. /TASS/. The United States and Russia are experiencing one of the most difficult periods in bilateral relationship, US Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman said, addressing a meeting dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Institute for US and Canadian Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences.

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"It’s no secret that we are experiencing one of the most difficult periods in the US-Russia bilateral relationship but I am truly confident that the minds and the will of many of the people here in this room are up to the challenge of improving relations between our countries and I say it’s for the sake of global stability," he said.

"It’s not an option, it’s an imperative," the US ambassador added.

"As large nations with global responsibilities and as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, we must endeavor to improve relations to effectively deal with a rapidly changing world," Huntsman stressed.

Ex-Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh died at age of 92

"He was being treated for age-related medical conditions," the All-India Institute of Medical Studies informed

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The top Russian diplomat expressed disappointment that virtually none of the Western nations have joined Russia’s condemnation of these attacks, including the leaders of international organizations like the UN, OSCE, or UNESCO

Russia shortens temporary stay term for foreigners to 90 days — Foreign Ministry

In some cases, the temporary stay term is being prolonged in accordance with the abovementioned federal law

Azerbaijan Airlines says its ill-fated jet underwent full examination in October

The aircraft’s crew chief, Igor Kshnyakin, clocked more than 15,000 hours of flight time

Russia 10 years ahead of whole world with research into 4th generation nuclear power

The BREST-300 fast neutron reactor is due to be launched in 2026-2027 and to go on stream in 2028

Contract for gas transit to EU cannot be renewed before New Year — Putin

According to the Russian President, an option of concluding contracts for delivery through third parties - Turkish, Hungarian, Slovak, Azerbaijani companies - is possible

Russian gas is most profitable for Europe in terms of price and logistics — Novak

In conditions of competing China, Europeans pay significantly more for US LNG than for Russian gas, the official noted

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According to the Kazakh Transport Ministry, the plane belonged to Azerbaijan Airlines

IN BRIEF: Putin talks to reporters about Oreshnik missile, natural gas transit

Russia could use Oreshnik again if need be, but the country is seeking to end the conflict in Ukraine, the Russian president said

Ukrainian agents attempted to deliver booby-trapped documents to Archangel Project head

The project's curator Vitaly Romanov noted that the bomb was defused, and no one was injured

Rescue workers recover bodies of all those killed in Kazakhstan plane crash

The ministry confirmed an earlier statement by the Kazakh authorities that the crash had killed 38 people

Yemeni ports of Hodeidah, Ras Isa put out of service by Israeli strikes — source

Damage also came from sweeping fires that were set off by strikes on oil tanks in both ports

Decision-making centers in Kiev may be targets of Russia’s strikes, says Lavrov

Moscow selects targets for strikes on the territory of Ukraine, proceeding solely from threats to Russia, the foreign minister stressed

No panic aboard crashed Azerbaijan Airlines plane, eyewitness says

The Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190, en route from Baku to Grozny, crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on December 25

Putin says he receives information about frontline situation round the clock

There is always something new at certain sections of the front, the head of state emphasized

Dutch citizen remanded in custody in Moscow on charges of assaulting police officer

Harry Johannes van Wurden should be taken into custody for two months, until December 3

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

It is planned to launch it in general circulation in early 2025

Armored vehicle with Israeli commanding officers blown up in West Bank

The rest of the passengers in the vehicle did not get injured

Scientists present Russia's first 50-qubit cold atom quantum computer — MSU

The experiment that allowed testing the supercomputer prototype took place on December 19, the Moscow State University said

Almost 440,000 Russians sign up for military service this year — Medvedev

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This is a record for the entire history of observations

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"We will beat them to the bone until they understand, too," the minister said

Finnish police detain oil tanker on suspicion of damaging communication cables

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Zelensky as commander-in-chief loses trust of army, population — MP

Aleksandr Dubinsky recalled the unsuccessful financing of Ukraine in the middle of the year

Press review: US, Israel aim to curb Turkey’s gains while Moscow, Tehran strengthen ties

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Crew of plane that crashed in Kazakhstan lost control due to system failure

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No politics behind current absence of Russian ambassador in US — Lavrov

The top diplomat stressed that it was not a demarche

EAEU leaders approve 17 documents following summit in Leningrad region

These include an agreement on the single customs transit system, a decision on the entry into force of the free trade agreement with Iran, and an order on the functioning of the single services market within the EAEU

Plane crash in Kazakhstan claims 38 lives

29 people had been hospitalized

Russian fighters control about 40% of Terny in Donetsk region, military expert says

Andrey Marochko added that Russian servicemen have advanced east of Yampolovka, bringing the distance between that village and Russia’s frontline positions to less than 1.2 miles

IDF blows up 2-km-long Hamas tunnel in northern Gaza Strip

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Miguel Diaz-Canel thanked the association of the invitation and noted that the participation in such events has become a usual event for Cuba

Thailand accepts invitation to become BRICS partner state — MFA

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EU to impose new sanctions on ‘Russian shadow fleet’ over Baltic Sea incident

In addition, the European Union is strengthening protection of the bloc's undersea cables

US disrupts payment of Russian contribution to ICRC budget — Foreign Ministry

This is another example of a harmful impact of unlawful restrictive measures, the ministry said

Kremlin will not speculate about causes of plane crash near Aktau — spokesman

Dmitry Peskov recalled that the day before during the informal summit of the CIS, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered deep condolences to the families and friends of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured

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Gazprom Alexey Miller recalled that on December 1 Gazprom had brought the Power of Siberia pipeline to its maximum design capacity of 38 billion cubic meters of gas per year

Azerbaijan Airlines plane tried to land twice at Aktau airport before crash

The Aktau air traffic controller promptly performed all necessary measures for the aircraft’s landing

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Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov said earlier that Washington had not contacted Moscow in order to discuss the possibility of a visit by Trump’s Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg and communication with him

Russian emergencies minister expects more natural disasters due to climate change

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Israel says strikes on Yemen serve to retaliate for earlier Houthi attacks

The country’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called the Houthi rebels "the centerpiece of Iran's axis of evil"

Russia has no illusions that Ukraine conflict can be resolved easily — top diplomat

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Russia to donate 1 million euro to UN Climate Convention

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The Cordelia Moon is 274 meters long and 50 meters wide

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Russia’s Chechnya ships 200 ‘Jihad mobile’ vehicles for special military operation

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Lukashenko says he discussed gas supplies to Europe with Putin, Russia ready to sell them

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Expert sees the collective West behind Ursa Major terrorist attack

Alexander Stepanov emphasized that "the goal of the enemy’s terrorist campaign on international shipping routes was to disrupt trade and economic cooperation"

Biden tasks Pentagon with boosting military aid to Kiev

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Oreshnik missile systems still few, but they are enough — Putin

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Azerbaijani president on his way back home from Russia after AZAL plane crash

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CIA station in Kiev targeted in recent Russian attack, military expert reveals

According to Alexander Stepanov, strikes are systematic efforts to gradually wipe out the military capabilities of Ukraine

Russia’s still paying for gas transit through Ukraine — Putin

Pumping also continues through the Sudzha station, where military activities are ongoing

Emigration of 5.3 million Ukrainians a serious blow, Ukrainian expert says

According to Alexey Poznyak, problems are to be expected in the labor market

Sandu regime may seize Moldavan power plant in Transnistria — Russian Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova noted that "under such a scenario, the Russian peacekeeping presence in the region will be jeopardized"

Launch of Russia’s Bion-M biosatellite scheduled for March 25 — manufacturer

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El Al suspends Tel Aviv - Moscow flights

The airline will assess the situation in the upcoming weeks and will decide whether the flights will resume depending on the assessment

Lukashenko, Putin discuss regional security, bilateral relations

The presidents also talked about cooperation between the countries in a variety of areas, including economy

Three communication cables between Estonia, Finland damaged — media

The cause of the damage is still unknown, with operators currently investigating it and conducting repair operations

Two people preparing attempts on Russian military officials' lives recruited in Ukraine

One of the detainees stated that he had moved to Ukraine, where he was recruited by Ukrainian special forces

Turkey to help new Syrian authorities create regular Armed Forces — Defense Ministry

The defense ministry also noted that the experience of Turkey, which has an "exemplary army" and a powerful defense industry infrastructure, will significantly contribute to strengthening Syria’s security and defense capability

Russian prime minister approves list of countries imposing destructive attitudes

It includes the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan and other states

Russian forces break through Ukrainian defense lines in Kharkov Region — expert

Marochko added that the operation allowed Russian troops to "expand their zone of control" in the area

Russian troops liberate Novy Trud community in Donbass region over past day

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Gazprom plans to produce gas at some fields for another 110 years — CEO

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Putin congratulates Emergencies Ministry’s staff on professional holiday

"Employees of the Ministry of Emergencies rightfully enjoy the deserved recognition and respect in our society," the president said