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Developments in Afghanistan

SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group needed to understand situation on the ground — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, Afghanistan that neighbors the SCO space is the central item on the agenda of the current summits

MOSCOW, September 17. /TASS/. The idea to revive the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group is meant to gain understanding of the situation on the ground, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday to comment on the initiative voiced by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.

"It is clear that Afghanistan that neighbors the SCO space is the central item on the agenda of the current summits and it is of course clear that the SCO needs to get information about what happens on the ground there and what steps the new leadership takes," he said.

"That is what this initiative was formulated for," the spokesman added.

Earlier on Friday, Putin spoke at the SCO summit via videoconference to urge member states to consider resuming the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group operation. The Russian leader recalled that the algorithm of joint actions in response to potential threats from Afghanistan was discussed in detail on September 16 at the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) at the session of the Collective Security Council.

Tags

Foreign policy Power transfer in Afghanistan

Military operation in Ukraine

Trump team offers nothing interesting in proposals on Ukraine — Russian envoy

Lately, the Ukrainian side has also indicated "signals about some accords," which cannot be perceived seriously, he added

FACTBOX: New Year’s key traditions reviewed

Russia has celebrated New Year and Christmas with decorated fir trees since Peter the Great’s reign

Putin issues orders to draft Basics of State Language Policy by June 1

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Press review: EU preps for gas cuts via Ukraine as China boosts naval and air power

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President expects Bolivia to obtain new opportunities as BRICS partner state

According to Luis Arce, it will make possible for the country to expand and diversify trade relations with growing markets

Russian stock market switches to decline after opening higher on Friday, yuan grows

The yuan slowed its growth to 13.764 rubles

Pentagon mum on F-16 fighter jet downed in Zaporozhye Region

The US Department of Defense "has no statement or information to provide," a department’s spokesperson said

Death toll in New Orleans terrorist act increases to 15 — CBS

Ten died and 35 injured people were reported earlier

Ukraine may lose Odessa and access to Black Sea if it refuses to negotiate — Musk

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Russian air defenses destroyed 103 Ukrainian drones over day

Ukrainian army lost up to 505 servicemen from Russia’s Battlegroup West actions

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

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The head of the Rylsk district, as well as all emergency response services are at the scene of the attack

Press review: Putin discusses EU gas supplies and Russia open to Ukraine talks with Trump

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 27th

Russian gas is 50% cheaper for Europe than US LNG — OMV CEO

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Attacker in New Orleans incident recorded videos with threats — Biden

The FBI reported to him the killer was an American citizen, born in Texas, served in the US Army on active duty for many years

Ukraine loses over 46,460 troops since start of fighting in Kursk area

The Russian Defense Ministry also added that Russian forces repelled six counterattacks by Ukrainian assault teams in the past day

Russia’s Zub to return to Ottawa Senators after leg injury

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Number of Palestinians killed in Gaza since October 2023 close to 45,600

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Cybertruck explosion may be terrorist act — Musk

One person died and seven others were wounded as a result of the Cybertruck explosion on Wednesday

US may face bankruptcy if situation with national debt does not change — Musk

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

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 24th

More than 2,100 birds rescued in Krasnodar Region after oil tanker emergency

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Russia bans mining in ten regions from January 1

The ban was introduced in Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachai-Circassia, North Ossetia, Chechnya, Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions

US creating NATO bases in Ukraine under guise of training centers — Belarusian president

"Unfortunately, the Ukrainian authorities don't care a bit about their own people and they don't hear our concerns," Alexander Lukashenko noted

French military expert says NATO may repeat Soviet Union’s fate

Regis Chamagnedescribed NATO and the EU as 'two sides of the same coin'

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Law enforcers were blocked by the military upon the execution of their order to detain impeached President Yoon, Yonhap reported

Russian foreign trade surplus growing to $118.6 bln in 11M 2024

The current account surplus grew to $57.4 bln as of the end of January - November 2024 against $49.5 bln a year earlier

At least two dead after small plane crashes in California’s Fullerton

US-based ABC7 news channel reported that 18 others were injured

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Bureau’s Deputy Assistant Director Christopher Raia said noted that the investigation was at an early stage

Putin nearly doubles number of foreign visits in 2024 — TASS estimates

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Gas supplies to household consumers suspended in Transnistria

The authorities in both Moldova and Transnistria have declared emergencies

No connection between Cybertruck explosion and Islamic State

One person died and seven others were wounded as a result of the Cybertruck explosion on Wednesday

German legislator calls for launching Nord Stream, as gas flow through Ukraine runs dry

"By stopping the flow of Russian gas to Europe, Ukraine is pushing energy prices even higher," Bundestag member Sevim Dagdelen said

Politics never discussed in Spartak — club’s former sporting director

Accortding to Tomas Amaral, the focus was on football and the best course of action for club

Revenues from West’s frozen assets allocated for support of Russian regions — ministry

The US Department of the Treasury said earlier that a $20 bln loan would be provided to Ukraine and paid in tranches

China, Russia move ahead avoiding confrontation — Xi Jinping

According to Chinese President, mutual political trust and coordination of positions between China and Russia "regularly rise to higher levels under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries"

FBI identifies driver of Cybertruck that exploded in Las Vegas

According to KTNV, the suspect was an army veteran

Kazakh leader calls Russia invincible, Ukraine trying to withstand with West’s help

Astana favors talks on settling the Russia-Ukraine armed conflict but does not insist on its mediation in the process, he said

Fuel oil leak into Black Sea not as bad as originally estimated — Transport Ministry

The main way of eliminating the effects is to collect the pollutant washed up on the beach

Ten people killed in Israel’s army attack against refugee camp — TV

According to its information, the Israeli army delivered a strike against a tent camp for displaced Palestinians in the Al-Mawasi

Russian diplomat blames shutdown of Russian gas transit via Ukraine on West, Kiev

According to Maria Zakharova, the Kiev authorities decided to end the transit of Russian gas to European countries even though the Gazprom company was complying with its contract obligations

UN calls for restoring Al Jazeera broadcasting in Palestinian territories

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

German lawmaker slams Ukrainian diplomat for demanding more weapons

According to Sevim Dagdelen, Friedrich Merz, Economic Minister Robert Habeck and current Chancellor Olaf Scholz 'will probably continue to burn German taxpayer money in Ukraine'

World’s oldest Olympic champion Agnes Keleti dies at 103

She won her first Olympic gold in 1952

Murderer in Montenegro died after suicide attempt

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Police are looking for the suspect

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Russian air defenses down Ukrainian Su-27 aircraft — Defense Ministry

According to the ministry, a total of 651 aircraft have been destroyed since the start of Russia’s special military operation

Termination of Russian gas supplies to spur inflation in Moldova — expert

Pensioners and public sector employees, whose wages and salaries have long lagged behind rocketing prices, will also be among the most affected

Ukraine loses up to 1,050 troops in all areas of special military operation in past day

Russian air defenses downed seven HIMARS and Uragan rockets and 66 Ukrainian drones in the past day, according to the Russian Defense Ministry’s bulletin

Tourist bus accident in Thailand leaves 27 Russians injured

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SKA head coach expects Ovechkin to beat Gretzky’s record in 2025

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Press review: Middle East may host Putin-Trump talks as experts probe Kazakhstan crash

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, December 26th

Critical infrastructure suffers damage in Kiev-controlled part of Kherson Region

Meanwhile, Ukrainian media outlets have reported several explosions in Kiev

Hungary lost one billion euro of EU funding due to violation of statute law supremacy

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Authorities checking potential link between New Orleans, Las Vegas incidents — Biden

The intensive work on the incident will continue "until we have a full and complete information," the president said

Life and career of Russian politician Boris Nemtsov

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Soviet Union could have survived as Union of Sovereign States — Gorbachev

The Soviet Union’s first president believes that the Soviet authorities had underestimated the scale of inter-ethnic problems in the Soviet Union and the need for reforming the country

Russia’ special operation has every chance to reach Transnistria — French expert

Regis Chamagne added that Ukrainian men were now being chased on the streets and sent to fight 'as cannon fodder'

Denmark to strengthen control over Greenland after Trump’s words — top defense official

Denmark plans to increase the number of personnel at the Joint Arctic Command in the Greenlandic capital of Nuuk

Putin addresses Russians with New Year's greetings from Kremlin

Putin's New Year's address will be shown before midnight local time in all time zones

Putin orders Accounts Chamber to analyze National Projects implementation

The relevant assignment was given in conclusion of the meeting of the Council for Strategic Development

Project 885M latest nuclear-powered submarine Arkhangelsk joins Russian Navy

During the ceremony, the Russian Navy chief handed in the St. Andrew’s naval flag to the submarine commander, Captain First Rank Alexander Gladkov

Syrian ports of Latakia, Tartus fully resume operations — official

Both ports are now serving ships and handling cargo normally

At least 90 Palestinians killed following Israel’s strikes on Gaza Strip over past day

According to Al Jazeera, hundreds of people were wounded

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Data obtained from the Russian defense ministry’s daily bulletins and other open-access information from its officials indicates that Kiev lost some 595,000 troops as killed or wounded in action in 2024

Bacteriophage found in Arctic may be used in therapy

The bacteriophage has been isolated from soil at a bird colony north of Cape Flora on the West Northbrook Island, the Franz Josef Land Archipelago

Slovakia to discuss retaliatory measures against Ukraine over gas transit halt — Fico

The minister said that the halt of Russian gas transit was an act of "sabotage by Zelensky"

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 was EU's second gas supplier in 2024, LNG shipments record-breaking

Supplies of Russian liquefied natural gas to the EU increased by 21% to a record 21.5 billion cubic meters

Biden announces around $2.5 bln in aid for Ukraine

The American president also said the US Department of Defense is in the process of delivering hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds and thousands of missiles to Kiev

Russia manages situation in Ukraine, while West in big trouble — US political scientist

According to John Mearsheimer, Russia has become much stronger over the past two to three years because it has managed to become "a truly sovereign country"

Russia’s Gazprom stops gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine as transit deal expires

The deal provided for the transit of 40 bln cubic meters of Russian gas through Ukraine annually

Ukraine’s 2014 coup was CIA’s political mistake — Putin

The Russian president noted that the US agency had achieved its goal of changing the government but failed to see what it would evolve into

Russian paratroopers destroyed three Ukrainian tanks by drones

Russian paratroopers destroyed vehicles in Kursk region

Putin extends Russia’s anti-'oil price cap' measures until June 30, 2025 — decree

The decree on retaliatory measures against the oil price cap initially came into effect on February 1, 2023, and was originally intended to last until July 1, 2023, but has been extended multiple times since then

Almost 1,000 vehicles burned down in France in New Year night

Hooligans burned down 690 vehicles last year, earlier reports said

Ukrainian attack targets civilian infrastructure in Kursk Region — acting governor

Alexander Khinshtein emphasized that he is personally engaged in continuous monitoring of the situation

2025 to see four great celestial events, scientists say

In the spring of 2025, we will also witness a partial solar eclipse

Dyatlov Pass incident investigators publish book unlocking its "mysteries"

According to the head of the Dyatlov Group Memorial Fund, the material gathered while working on the book is sufficient to resume the official investigation

FACTBOX: Celebrities who passed away in 2024

Many well-known politicians, statesmen, scientists and cultural figures passed away in 2024

US commercial satellites surveyed Russia’s Engels airstrip ahead of Kiev’s strike attempt

Earlier, it was reported that, on Monday morning, Kiev attempted to strike the two airstrips with Soviet-made jet drones in order to disable Russian long-range aviation planes

Death toll from Montenegro shooting incident rises to 12 — prosecution

Victims had been killed at five different locations

Russian pipeline gas supplies to Europe rise by 14% in 2024

In 2023, Russian pipeline gas supplies to Europe stood at about 28.15 bln cubic meters

West does not rule out Ukrainian defense collapse soon — Russia’s intel agency

The outgoing administration of US President Joe Biden seeks to avoid this scenario, making emphasis on "the deliveries of more sophisticated weapons, including longer-range missiles," the press office said

Roscosmos to extend flight duration of Soyuz manned spacecraft to 7-9 months next year

Next year, Roscosmos and NASA are set to sign the third supplement to the agreement on seat swap flights to the International Space Station

Spacemen to return to Earth after longest mission in ISS’s history

The undocking has been scheduled for 11:37 Moscow time, the spacecraft is expected to land at about 15:00 Moscow time

Kazakh President Tokayev rules out early presidential election in his country

He also said that there were no prerequisites as of yet for holding the parliamentary election as well

South Korean law enforcers suspend execution of arrest warrant for Yoon Suk Yeol — agency

The Corruption Investigation Office is looking into the circumstances of the announcement of martial law by the president who has been accused of insurrection following the move

WHO condemns drone attack on hospital in Kherson Region

The organization is committed to documenting and investigating attacks on health care through an online surveillance system

Russia not satisfied with Trump team’s proposals on Ukraine — Lavrov

At the same time, Lavrov noted that Moscow has not received any official signals from the United States on the Ukrainian settlement at the moment

Tesla investigates Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas — Musk

One person died and seven others were wounded as a result of the Cybertruck explosion on Wednesday

Hungary, Russia find payment workaround for gas amid sanctions against Gazprombank

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stressed that "there are no factors on either the Hungarian or Russian side that would prevent us from finding a way out of the current situation"

Moldovan president plans military operation in Transnistria — Russian intel agency

According to the SVR, Maia Sandu recently convened a meeting on energy security issues with senior government officials

One person killed in Cybertruck explosion outside Trump hotel in Las Vegas — police

Law enforcement authorities have not yet identified the deceased person

Over 20 Ukrainian drones attack Russia’s Belgorod Region in past day

The attack left two civilians injured, while two cars were damaged