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Hunter Biden's home burns down in California wildfire

According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, fires in Los Angeles County have engulfed almost 27,000 acres of land

NEW YORK, January 9. /TASS/. The Malibu home of US incumbent President Joe Biden's son Hunter was completely burned down as a result of raging fires in the state of California, The Daily Mail reported.

Photos provided by the newspaper show that the $4 million property was completely torched by the fires, save for two chimneys which were left standing. The publication reports that Hunter Biden rented the house for $20,000 a month. The fire also burned down a neighboring building Hunter used to house his security service.

According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, fires in Los Angeles County have engulfed almost 27,000 acres of land. The flames have destroyed over 1,000 buildings and caused at least five deaths. Local authorities have requested the assistance of firefighters from neighboring counties, as well as emergency services from the states of Washington, Oregon, and Nevada. However, the fire continues to rage out of control.

Almost 180,000 Los Angeles residents told to evacuate amid fires — sheriff

About two dozen looters have been arrested since the disaster broke out, Robert Luna said

Ukraine’s allies adopt plans of support to Kiev until 2027 — Pentagon chief

The member countries said in a joint statement, released by the Pentagon, that Kiev’s allies plan to work closely with Ukraine to identify how to meet the designated benchmarks in Ukraine’s military needs through "respective national donations, procurements, investments, and efforts to expand defense industrial base capacity"

European Commission, Slovakia to create working group for solving gas problems

Russian gas transit to Europe via Ukraine was completely halted on January 1 due to Kiev’s refusal to renew the agreement

Chisinau's block of power supplies to Transnistria is mockery — Foreign Ministry

Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted that it 'is happening under the model the West is promoting around the world, under the false slogans of freedom and democracy'

Insurers’ losses from fires in California may reach $20 bln — newspaper

Anticipated insured losses were doubled from the $10 bln estimated a day earlier, limited progress on containment and the spread to neighboring areas were indicated as the reasons, The Financial Times said

Scientists drill deep down in Antarctic, take ice sample to unlock Earth's climate secrets

The research team has been drilling every summer for four years

Musk looking for ways to oust Starmer as British premier — newspaper

"Musk has sought information about whether it might be possible to build support for alternative British political movements," the report said

Kazakhstan lifts ban on wheat imports from third countries and EAEU — Russian regulator

At the end of July 2024, Kazakhstan decided to extend the ban on the import of wheat by all types of transport into the republic from third countries and from the EAEU until December 31, 2024, in order to protect the domestic market and prevent re-export

Wink online movie platform to launch subscription service in Belarus

The online movie service is also in talks to launch subscriptions in other CIS countries

Frontline situation tense, Ukrainian General Staff acknowledges

Earlier, the Kiev regime reported the forced retreat to the Dnepropetrovsk Region from the Donetsk People’s Republic’s territories controlled by Ukraine

Slovak PM held talks on gas transit via Ukraine with European Commission

A new round of consultations of EU countries on gas scheduled for January 7 failed because of absence of the Ukrainian delegation, Robert Fico said on Monday

Kamala Harris' Los Angeles home placed in evacuation zone due to wildfire — media

The vice president is currently in Washington

Europe’s anxiety deepens over Trump's plans for future presidency — newspaper

The European allies of the United States from both the EU and NATO are awaiting Trump's return to the White House with great uncertainty

Russia’s grain exports exceed 86.7 mln tons in 2024 — watchdog

Wheat exports by the end of last year amounted to 57.5 million tons, exports of barley reached 8.2 million tons, export of corn totaled 6.7 million tons

Ukraine's Kursk counteroffensives flounder as losses mount — expert

According to Alexander Mikhailov, Vladimir Zelensky is currently pouring all available resources into Kursk

Over 15,000 Ukrainian troops engaged in Kurakhovo, says Russian top brass

Control over Kurakhovo hinders supplies to Ukrainian troops

Russia preparing to use lasers to protect infrastructure against drones

Protection of critical infrastructure and industrial facilities against drone attacks requires the use of different technologies anticipating neutralization and physical destruction of drones, Nikita Danilov said

UN ready to chip in to help fire-ravaged California

According to the California Fire Department, wildfires have engulfed an area of almost 29,000 acres

SpaceX may become most valuable startup after insider shares sale — Bloomberg

In November, SpaceX was valued at $210 billion

Man detained at Moscow airport after making bomb threat on plane

An investigation has been launched into the incident

Zelensky cleared Ukrainian political field enough to secure re-election, experts say

"However, given the ongoing developments at the frontline, his chances are diminishing with each day of combat," Vladimir Zharikhin stressed

Humanity has fed AI with all its knowledge — Musk

The businessman believes there’s a good chance that artificial intelligence will surpass human capabilities as early as by the end of this year

NATO countries to continue shipping tanks to Ukraine

On Thursday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced at the Ramstein-format meeting that the participants of the working group approved roadmaps in eight areas of military cooperation with Kiev

Ukraine puts over 500,000 people on wanted list for draft evasion

At the same time, Natalya Kondratova says, 400 criminal cases against recruitment centers’ actions were launched, with most of them being at the stage of investigation or court hearing

Press review: Russia notes Japan's militarization while allies expect Ukrainian assault

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, January 9th

Free Syrian Army deploys heavy weapons to frontline with Kurds — newspaper

Currently, Turkey is not preparing for a direct military operation against Kurdish forces in Syria, but is not dismissing such an option either

At least 19 people killed in attack on presidential palace in Chad — authorities

There were 18 militants among them

Europe loses to Putin in Ukraine despite billions in aid — president

Milorad Dodik paid special attention to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's statement about arming Kiev, also noting that former German Chancellor Angela Merkel (in office from 2005-2021) also resorted to misleading within the Minsk agreements

EU civil aviation watchdog toughens safety guidance for flights in Russian airspace

The authority advises against operating within the Russian airspace "west of longitude 60° East, at all flight levels"

Trump’s team yet undecided on Ukraine conflict settlement plan — FT

In the absence of a clear and definite plan, the US President-elect's administration may continue to provide assistance to the Kiev government after his inauguration

Russian President Putin lauds opening of Russia-China Youth Winter Games

"Held in summer and winter sports disciplines, the Russian-Chinese Youth Games have firmly established themselves as one of the most far-reaching and successful undertakings in terms of promoting humanitarian cooperation and people-to-people ties," the Russian president said

Medvedev doubts Trump’s ability to swiftly resolve Ukraine crisis

The Russian senior official added that "the US economy continues at its own slow pace and even the fight against immigrants is not promising major victories"

Hunter Biden's home burns down in California wildfire

According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, fires in Los Angeles County have engulfed almost 27,000 acres of land

Bankruptcy moratorium for Nord Stream 2 pipeline operator extended until May 9

If the Nord Stream 2 pipeline operator fails to comply with this period, it will be recognized bankrupt without setting a grace period

Oil pumping to drop by 2% in 2024 — Transneft

Shipments via Kozmino in 2024 would for the first time be above oil throughput via the port of Primorsk, the largest one in Northwestern Russia

Russia welcomes Indonesia’s full BRICS membership — foreign ministry

The ministry said that Indonesia’s candidacy was submitted and tentatively approved during the 2023 Johannesburg summit, when the group began its initial process of expansion

Pentagon chief points to Russia’s 'advantages' in Ukraine conflict

Lloyd Austin will chair the 25th meeting of the group of Western countries coordinating weapons supplies to Ukraine

Slovak PM threatens Kiev with tough response if gas transit issue remains unresolved

Robert Fico noted that Slovakia could also use its veto power in the EU on Ukraine-related issues

Musk calls idea of Russian NPP on Moon ‘interesting’

US entrepreneur and founder of the SpaceX space technology company Elon Musk has called the prospect of delivering a Russian nuclear power plant to the Moon in 2033-2035 "interesting."

US admits shipments of ATACMS, F-16s, Abrams tanks did not help Ukraine

The official also said that the most part of the promised weapons has already been delivered, while the remaining weapons are currently being delivered to Ukraine

Ukrainian army abandons servicemen refusing to lay mines — captive

According to Mikhail Kostyuk, following his draft, he went through virtually no training

Top UK diplomat expects Trump to settle Ukraine conflict around Easter

In 2025, Catholics, Protestants and Russian Orthodox celebrate Easter on the same day, April 20

West should remember Donbass in talks about respecting opinion of Greenlanders — Kremlin

"If they claim that public opinion should be taken into account, perhaps we should remind them of the views of those in the four new Russian regions," Dmitry Peskov clarified

Pentagon unveils NATO plans on granting military assistance to Ukraine until 2027

The Pentagon representative said that eight "capabilities coalitions" have been created within the Ukraine Defense Contact Group

Russian Ka-52M combat helicopter wipes out Ukrainian army stronghold in Kursk area

The Defense Ministry uploaded video footage showing the destruction of enemy targets

Ukrainian troops attacking Kamenka-Dneprovskaya with artillery, drones

Information on casualties and damage is being clarified

Kremlin says following debate around control of Panama Canal in wake of Trump’s remark

"We are watching this exchange of statements very closely," Dmitry Peskov said

No clear plan yet on Ukrainian settlement from Trump’s team, Polish defense minister says

In the US presidential election on November 5, 2024, Republican Trump defeated his Democratic rival, US Vice President Kamala Harris

UK top brass announces plans to deliver 30,000 drones to Ukrainian army

The Drone Capability Coalition was set up in November last year by the United Kingdom and Latvia to support Ukraine with uncrewed surveillance and attack capabilities

Russia’s pork exports to China total 39,000 in 2024 — agricultural watchdog

The Russian agricultural watchdog reported that the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China signed a protocol on inspection, quarantine and veterinary and sanitary requirements for pork exported from Russia to China, and a corresponding veterinary certificate was also approved

About 100,000 tons of Russian fertilizers remain blocked in European ports — Uralchem CEO

Dmitry Konyaev noted that Uralchem has supplied about 200,000 tons of fertilizers as humanitarian aid to various countries

Some 25 kilometers of oil-polluted shoreline cleaned up in Crimea in past day

A total of 136 kilometers of the coastline have been cleaned up since the start of the effort, with about 322.14 tons of oil waste collected and disposed of

US to announce new sanctions against Russia this week — Reuters

The US may also impose sanctions on a number of Chinese companies for the alleged support of Russia, the news agency noted

Around 120 cubic meters of oil waste removed in south Russia’s Anapa in past day

According to the Russian emergencies ministry, six major clean-up areas have been designated in southern Russia’s Krasnodar Region, or 63 kilometers of the shoreline in total

Panama Canal Administration will not prevent passage of Russian ships — EFE

The Canal remains safe and open for peaceful transit of vessels of all nations on conditions of full equality either in peace time or in war time, it added

Liberation of Kurakhovo to pave way towards Dnepropetrovsk Region — official

According to Vladimir Rogov, Ukrainian defenses in the northern part of the Zaporozhye Region were not structured to counter a Russian advance from the east

Kremlin keeps mum about how Russian gas getting to Slovakia

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico called reliable gas supplies to the republic at reasonable prices the main result of December talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow

Russia donates over 1,600 tons of grain to Ethiopia as aid to refugees — embassy

Russian Ambassador to Addis Ababa Yevgeny Terekhin said that the countries are connected by "long-established strong friendly relations"

Russia’s military planning to take note of US attempts to use Greenland to ensure security

According to Russian Ambassador to Denmark Vladimir Barbin, the future of Greenland should be decided based on the will of its residents and the current Danish laws

Ukraine crisis exposed flaws in West’s defense industry that are yet to be fixed — Austin

The 25th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group on coordinating weapons supplies to Kiev took place at Ramstein Air Base in Germany on January 9

LA residents report no panic amid spreading wildfires

"Some restaurants are closed, but grocery stores are operating normally, food products and water are available," said Canoga Park resident Valeria Novozhilova

Greenland looking forward to dialogue with US on business opportunities — government

The island’s authorities reiterated that Washington is one of its closest partners, and cooperation will continue

Russian units break through Ukrainian defenses near dominant point in DPR

Military expert Andrey Marochko said that in order to reduce threats, the Russian Armed Forces began delivering intensive combined strikes on Ukrainian positions

European NATO members call to preserve Ramstein-format meetings — minister

Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz announced that Warsaw is preparing another package of military aid for Kiev

Trump labels Ukraine crisis as ‘a Biden fiasco,’ sees chance of escalation

Trump said Russia wouldn’t have started its special military operation if a more competent leader than Biden had been at the helm of the US

Eurasian Economic Union and EU not compatible — Russian Deputy PM

"It is becoming increasingly evident at present that membership in the EAEU is a privilege and considering economic and social problems the European Union faces, entry into the EU can be compared with buying a ticket to the Titanic," Alexey Overchuk said

Russia eyes discussion of EU accession in Armenia as start of withdrawal from EAEU

"In the meantime, this is the sovereign choice of the Republic of Armenia and she definitely has the right to it," Alexey Overchuk noted

Moldovan foreign ministry slams Russian embassy’s statement on Transnistria energy crisis

Earlier this month, gas supplies to Moldova were halted after the suspension of Russian gas transit through Ukraine and Chisinau's refusal to settle the problem of fuel debt, which Moscow estimates at $709 mln

No comments from Kremlin spokesman about Putin’s alleged apology for Lavrov’s remarks

During the press conference, reporters noted that the Israeli Prime Minister’s office told about Putin’s apologies in its statement, published after the phone call between the two leaders, while the Kremlin did not

Russia boosts meat, meat products exports in 2024

"In general, imports of meat and meat products into Russia surged by 1.2 times from 586,200 metric tons in 2023 to 709,000 metric tons in 2024," the regulator noted

FACTBOX: Putin instructs Cabinet on liquidation of fuel oil spill in Black Sea

The president noted that the relevant authorities are not doing enough to minimize the damage from the emergency

Ex-president of Georgia seeks to perform 'presidential duties' in new office in Tbilisi

Salome Zourabichvili's new office is located on Chovelidze Street in the heart of Tbilisi

Kremlin keeping eye on US claims to Canada, Greenland — spokesman

"We are closely following these dramatic developments - thank God, it has not gone beyond statements yet," Dmitry Peskov noted

Russia calls for peace in Arctic as region remains in its sphere of interests — Kremlin

"We are interested in maintaining an atmosphere of peace and stability and are ready to cooperate with all countries," Dmitry Peskov noted

Russian Su-35S fighter jets uncover Ukrainian air defense sites in Kursk area

Russia’s Defense Ministry said that "the crews of Su-35S multirole fighter jets practiced air cover in the designated area of sorties by bombers and attack aircraft"

Contact group on Ukraine may halt its activities under Trump — NYT

The group held its inaugural meeting on April 26, 2022, at the Ramstein air base in Germany

Trump said to be serious about acquiring Greenland to expand US influence — Reuters

Sources added that the US president-elect is interested in territorial expansion as a means of creating a legacy that will be remembered for numerous generations

Expert gives Ukrainian army 10-14 days before they run out of steam in Kursk Region

Ralph Bosshard says that the goal of the Ukrainian offensive operation in the Kursk Region has always been unclear

Russia’s battlegroup East destroys six Ukrainian drone control posts — spokesman

"During the day, the enemy lost up to 160 servicemen, a MaxxPro armored fighting vehicle, a Krab howitzer, two FH-70 and D-30 guns, a vehicle, a electronic warfare station, six drone control posts and two fixed-wing drones," Alexander Gordeyev said

US defense spending to skyrocket if Russia prevails in Ukraine — experts

According to experts of the American Enterprise Institute, "maintaining security in a strategic environment in which Russia is victorious over Ukraine could cost the United States an additional $808 billion in defense spending over five years"

Russia welcomes inspections at Shanghai stores selling counterfeit products — REC

The REC press service believes that the growing popularity of Russian products and the Made in Russia national brand has a downside, stimulating "unscrupulous entrepreneurs who seek to profit from this popularity by selling counterfeit products"

Putin to only welcome Trump’s will to seek contact — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov recalled that the Russian president repeatedly stated his readiness for dialogue as well as the need for this

Indonesia to use BRICS membership to boost exports of mining products — official

Yuliot Tanjung noted that he is "still studying the likely impact of Indonesia's official BRICS membership on domestic mining"

Houthis provide military training to over 800,000 people — leader

On February 1, 2024, he reported that at least 600,000 people had received military training during the three weeks of mobilization

Russian Human Rights Commissioner publishes list of 517 people missing in Kursk Region

Tatiana Moskalkova asked everyone who are aware about the fate of these people to call a hotline or submit an online form on her website

Twenty-five tons of fuel oil gathered in Kerch Strait — minister

About 38,000 sq m were treated with sorbent in the immediate vicinity of the coast line, including in the port of Anapa, Russian Minister of Emergencies Alexander Kurenkov said

Yakutia, Magadan Region record coldest temperatures globally in the past day

The warmest temperatures on Earth were observed in Australia and Paraguay on January 8

Ukraine loses over 290 troops in Kursk Region over past day

Russian diplomat notes Vatican’s realistic approach to current global affairs

"The Vatican fears that the world may split into interest groups, and that armed conflicts may exacerbate," Ivan Soltanovsky said

Transnistria still considers Russia as main gas supplier — foreign minister

For supplies through the TurkStream gas pipeline political decisions are required, Vitaly Ignatyev noted

Russia welcomes resolution of Lebanon's presidential crisis — Foreign Ministry

According to the statement, "Russia believes that the restoration of broad national accord is key to ensuring unity and civil peace in the multi-confessional republic"

Russia’s Su-35S fighter hit stronghold of Ukrainian forces in Kursk region

As the ministry noted, the strike from the Su-34 was carried out using universal planning and correction modules

Pope Francis’ visit Moscow, Kiev not being prepared at this point, Russian envoy says

Russian Ambassador to Vatican Ivan Soltanovsky said that good intentions of pontiff "raise no doubts"

Russian tourism segment in Hainan's Sanya rapidly growing — authorities

Sanya has recently seen a surge in tourist arrivals amid closer cultural and economic ties between China and Russia, according to the local Tourism Development Commission

General Joseph Aoun sworn in as Lebanon's 14th president

The president pledged to develop "a new Lebanese defense doctrine that will protect the country from Israeli aggression"

DPR head announces restoration of liberated Kurakhovo

According to Denis Pushilin, specialists will assess the scale of the restoration work

Almost 180,000 Los Angeles residents told to evacuate amid fires — sheriff

About two dozen looters have been arrested since the disaster broke out, Robert Luna said

Kurakhovo fortified area as crucial as Avdeyevka, Ugledar — official

Denis Pushilin added that the enemy had used considerable forces in the battles for the city

Russia hammers Ukrainian army, equipment in over 160 areas in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 245 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported

Armenia’s drive to join EU is country’s sovereign right — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov stressed that membership in the EAEU benefits not only the Armenian government, but also the people of this country as Armenia's economic growth rate owing to its participation in this association is "going up by percentage points"

Russian army captures 18 Ukrainian servicemen west of DPR's Kurakhovo

Russia’s army also destroyed a tank, an infantry fighting vehicle, a US-made M113 armored personnel carrier, seven pickup trucks, two artillery pieces and an ammunition depot