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Botswana ready for cooperation with Russia in diamond sector — Foreign Minister

The minister noted diversification aims for Botswana to "benefit from and participate in processing industries," including in diamonds, and to develop other minerals, "including rare earth ones."

MOSCOW, January 4. /TASS/. Botswana is ready to cooperate with Russia in the diamond sector, Foreign Minister Phenyo Butale told TASS, expressing hope to utilize Russia's expertise in mining and processing.

"We are a leader in diamond mining. Currently, we are actively moving toward economic diversification," he said. "We hope to utilize Russia's knowledge and expertise in large-scale mining projects, as well as in processing industries to create added value. These are precisely the areas where we see opportunities for cooperation."

The minister noted diversification aims for Botswana to "benefit from and participate in processing industries," including in diamonds, and to develop other minerals, "including rare earth ones.".

Putin welcomes return of flag, anthem to Russian Paralympians at int'l competitions

The Russian president noted that throughout all these years, the Russian Paralympic Committee has been fulfilling an important, socially significant mission, uniting thousands of people with health limitations through its noble goals, introducing them to adaptive physical culture and sports, and helping them fully reveal their talents and demonstrate strong character and an indomitable will

Russian forces wipe out Ukrainian infantry near Kupyansk in Kharkov Region

According to the ministry, Russian reconnaissance drones monitor the enemy movements and then direct fire at them

Starlink to provide Venezuela with free communication services for one month

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto said on January 3 that the United States had attacked civilian and military facilities in Caracas

Venezuela asks to reopen US embassy in Caracas — Trump

Washington is thinking about it, the US leader said

US’ strategic goal in Venezuela is control of its oil reserves — Russian senator

According to Alexey Pushkov, the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to opposition Venezuelan ex-lawmaker Maria Corina Machado was "an information preparation" for the US operation

Air defenses down three Ukrainian drones over two Russian regions overnight — top brass

Two of them were destroyed over the Moscow Region

Maduro, his wife taken to Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn — TV

According to NBC News, Maduro may appear in court in New York on Monday

Ukrainian Security Service head submits his resignation letter — lawmaker

A number of Ukrainian military leaders expressed their dissatisfaction with such plans

Trump praises Maduro's decision to surrender

US special forces acted "very violently", Donald Trump said

Russia strongly calls on US to release Maduro, his wife — MFA

It also emphasized the need "to create conditions for resolving any existing problems between the United States and Venezuela through dialogue"

US nuclear weapons may end up in Eastern Europe if Germany rejects them — NATO

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stressed that the alliance's aim was a world free of nuclear weapons, but as long as other countries have them, NATO must have them too

US operation in Venezuela confirms ‘collapse’ of liberal world order — Hungarian PM

Viktor Orban said that if his party, Fidesz-Hungarian Civic Union, wins the parliamentary elections scheduled for April, Hungary will continue to pursue "a policy of peace and security"

North Korea launches two ballistic missiles toward Sea of Japan

Earlier, the South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported the launch of a missile by North Korea

Kazakhstan’s 2022 unrest overseen by ‘revolution specialists’ — president

The instigators of the unrest "took advantage of the government’s decision to raise fuel prices and provoked mass demonstrations," Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said

US CIA agents tracked Maduro’s movements in Venezuela since August — FT

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto said on January 3 that the United States had attacked civilian and military facilities in Caracas

Trump says hardly possible that Kiev attacked Russian president's residence

According to the US President, "there is something that happened fairly nearby," but it had nothing to do with the attack on the Russian leader's official residence

Finnish politician says European Commission president building ‘Fourth Reich’

Armando Mema added that the EU, in its attempt to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia, is losing political weight

Recent events in world require North Korea to strengthen its nuclear forces — Kim Jong Un

Kim Jong Un also added that the purpose of the drills was to assess the combat readiness of the hypersonic weapons system and the effectiveness and mobility of North Korea’s deterrence forces

Zelensky blackmails Western handlers to get them secure his re-election — Russian diplomat

Vladimir Zelensky’s presidential powers expired on May 20, 2024

US oil companies seek to return to Venezuela's energy sector — Trump

The US leader said that "they're going to rebuild the infrastructure"

Xi Jinping urges Ireland to promote development of China-EU relations

The Chinese President noted that Beijing and Brussels should maintain a partnership approach, view relations in the long term, and resolve disagreements "objectively and rationally"

Russia-Venezuela strategic partnership agreement comes into force

The agreement, initiated by the president, strengthens bilateral cooperation in political and economic spheres, including energy, mineral extraction, transport, and communications, as well as in security, counterterrorism, and counter-extremism

Russian Foreign Ministry condemns US armed aggression against Venezuela

The ministry emphasized that, under the current circumstances, "it is crucial, above all, to prevent further escalation and to focus on finding a way out of the situation through dialogue"

US wants elections in Venezuela to take place after its recovery — Trump

Donald Trump stressed that it is necessary to "fix up the oil, fix up the country, bring the country back and then have elections"

US operation in Venezuela is 'very bad news' for Zelensky — news outlet

Even in the West, some argue that the US violated international law, the news outlet pointed out

Russian says warning systems failed during US strikes on Caracas

According to Ivan Pavlov, there is still silence on television

Venezuelan authorities remain united in their support for Maduro - source

Senior Venezuelan government officials are denouncing the US actions as the kidnapping of the legally elected head of state

Dmitriev calls Europeans 'poor' after von der Leyen’s promise

"President of the European Commission promises to work even harder on Western civilization’s suicide in 2026," Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev said

Saudi Arabia launches air strikes on separatists in eastern Yemen — TV

Al Yemen television said STC forces near Al Ghaydah came under air attack after they refused to lay down arms and leave the governorate, no information about casualties is available

Former US Marine slams US operation in Venezuela as 'catastrophic error'

John Mark Dougan warned that such actions lead to the destabilization of the entire international system

Botswana willing to cooperate with Russia in rare earths — top diplomat

According to Phenyo Butale, the foreign policy course being pursued by Botswana is that it is open to cooperation with everyone globally who is seeking mutually beneficial cooperation with it

US will find it hard to bring oil companies back to Venezuela — expert

American energy expert Tom Kloza noted that it will be difficult due to the country's peculiarities and the situation on world markets

Brent oil price down to $60 per barrel on London’s ICE amid US attack on Venezuela

This happened due to US strikes on Venezuela

Russian troops liberate Bondarnoye community in Donetsk region over past day — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,300 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours, according to the latest data on the special military operation in Ukraine released by Russia’s Defense Ministry

Trump says US needs Greenland 'for defense'

The US President emphasized that the island is "surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships"

Maduro, wife taken out of Venezuela by copter, brought to New York by ship — Trump

According to the US leader, Maduro lived "in a house that was more like a fortress than a house"

Medvedev comments on US aggression on Venezuela, double standards in use by Europe to TASS

According to the senior Russian security official, Washington no longer has the formal right to criticize Moscow for any actions

Trump doubts Machado will become Venezuela's new leader

US President added that it would be very difficult for her to become a leader

Trump says Venezuelan oil supplies to China will continue

Trump noted that after conducting an operation against Venezuela, the United States cannot risk that someone else will establish control in the country

Trump says many Cubans guarding Maduro killed during operation in Venezuela

"A lot of Cubans were killed yesterday," Donald Trump told reporters aboard his presidential plane

EU issues statement on Venezuela not supported by Hungary — foreign policy service

According to the statement, the principles of international law must be upheld by Venezuela, as the EU argued that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro lacked "democratic legitimacy"

US triumph in Venezuela could turn into disaster — Russian senator

Alexey Pushkov opined that by attacking Venezuela and capturing its president, the US violated all norms, "once again stirring up the whole world, returning it to the savage imperialism of the 19th century"

Venezuelan vice president will pay a 'very big price' unless she does what’s right — Trump

Asked about concerns that his administration has been imposing a regime change on Venezuela by force, the US leader argued that "rebuilding and regime change" in the Bolivarian Republic was "better than what you have right now"

Trump’s team prepares plan for managing Venezuela after Maduro’s abduction — WSJ

Earlier, Venezuela’s Supreme Court appointed Vice President Delcy Rodriguez acting head of state

Czech parliament Speaker may face resignation due to his critical statements on Ukraine

The parliamentary liberal opposition parties intend to submit to the Chamber of Deputies the question of stripping Okamura of his post as head of the lower house of the republic's highest legislative body

Maduro to appear in New York court on January 5 — newspaper

According to court documents, Venezuelan President has been charged with conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, and possession of weapons and explosive devices against the US

US demands major investments in Venezuela from oil companies for compensation — Politico

The newspaper emphasized that US oil companies have long wanted to regain their assets in Venezuela, and now the administration of US President Donald Trump is offering to help them on one condition

US operation in Venezuela violates sovereignty international law — North Korean MFA

Earlier, India’s foreign ministry expressed deep concern about the events in Venezuela, supporting the well-being of the Venezuelan people and calling on the two parties to resolve issues through dialogue

Trump makes no secret that true US purpose is to seize Venezuelan oil — Medvedev

According to him, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has repeatedly said that the current US administration’s true purpose is to grab their oil and other fossils

Aggression condemnation, fallout: global reaction to US operation in Venezuela

In the statements of the leaders and foreign ministries of several countries, Washington's action is characterized as aggression and an attempt to change power in the country

China backs emergency UN Security Council meeting on US operation in Venezuela

Lin Jian added that countries have the full right to choose their own partners for cooperation and external powers should not interfere in their internal affairs under any pretext

North Korea conducts hypersonic missile launch drills — news agency

According to the news agency, the drills aimed to assess the combat readiness of the hypersonic weapons system and confirm its effectiveness and mobility as part of the operational assessment of the war deterrence forces

EU sees Serbia as troops for Ukraine, not future member — ex-Serbian deputy PM

Aleksandar Vulin also said that the most recent EU-Western Balkans summit, which Serbia did not attend, was aimed at containing Belgrade

Mass protests in support of Maduro, his wife take place in Venezuela

Supporters of the head of state and the Bolivarian Revolution bravely took to the streets and squares of the capital despite the fact that it had been bombed and shelled by US Armed Forces the day before

Air defenses down yet another drone flying toward Moscow — mayor

Earlier, Sergey Sobyanin reported downing 23 drones targeting the megalopolis

ICC ruling on Putin to cause disastrous consequences for international law — Medvedev

Dmitry Medvedev said ICC judges shouldn’t have raised their hand against a major nuclear power

Danish envoy calls for respecting Denmark’s integrity in response to US official’s wife

On March 13, Trump stated that the United States would annex Greenland, a self-ruling territory of Denmark

Trump confirms he is not setting deadlines for settlement in Ukraine

The US leader has repeatedly said that he is not trying to set a deadline for this issue

Putin welcomes return of flag, anthem to Russian Paralympians at int'l competitions

The Russian president noted that throughout all these years, the Russian Paralympic Committee has been fulfilling an important, socially significant mission, uniting thousands of people with health limitations through its noble goals, introducing them to adaptive physical culture and sports, and helping them fully reveal their talents and demonstrate strong character and an indomitable will

Russia to provide decoded data from Ukrainian drone to US — Defense Ministry

According to the ministry, Russian intelligence officers examining the navigation system of one of the Ukrainian drones shot down during the attack managed to extract the file containing flight plan data

Neither Europe, nor US forces will oppose Trump’s policy toward Venezuela — expert

"We resemble Europe in 1936 more than we do the post-War West," Michael Brenner, former Director of the International Relations & Global Studies Program at the University of Texas said

UK, France hit Islamic State facility in Syria

"There is no indication of any risk having been posed to civilians by the strike, and all our aircraft returned safely," the UK Ministry of Defense said

Philippines urge US to restore peace, order in Venezuela

The Philippines calls on concerned parties to respect international law, including the UN Charter, the country’s Department of Foreign Affairs said

France says US operation to capture Venezuela’s Maduro violates international law

The government’s spokeswoman, Maud Bregeon, said that Venezuela should now be given the opportunity to "build a future after Maduro"

Maduro is Venezuela's only legitimate president — Vice President

"This country has only one president, and his name is Nicolas Maduro Moros," Delcy Rodriguez said

Japan’s prime minister avoids criticizing US actions in Venezuela, Maduro’s capture

Sanae Takaichi emphasized the importance of the "swift restoration of democracy and stabilization of the situation" in Venezuela

Guterres deeply alarmed by Maduro's capture, calls for respect for international law

The UN Secretary General called on all actors in Venezuela to engage in inclusive dialogue, in full respect of human rights and the rule of law

FACTBOX: Cases of abductions of heads of state

Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro was captured by fighters of the elite Delta force unit of the US army оn January 3, 2026

US must immediately release Maduro, return him to Venezuela — Vice President

Delcy Rodriguez said that in a speech broadcast on the Telesur television channel

Attack on Putin's residence was guided by NATO systems, expert says

Andrey Marochko believes that disrupting negotiations on a peace settlement of the conflict was Kiev's primary aim in the attack

Russia's retaliatory measures to create operational problems for Euroclear — FT

According to the report, Euroclear has hired 200 additional employees to handle frozen Russian assets on a permanent basis

Precedent set by Trump in Venezuela could backfire against him — former US ambassador

In turn, Lawrence Wilkerson, US Army Colonel (Ret.) and former chief of staff to US Secretary of State Colin Powell, told TASS that large-scale military operations in Venezuela are unlikely

Chinese foreign ministry demands US immediately release Maduro

The Chinese side calls on the US side to ensure the personal safety of President Maduro and his wife

State of emergency comes into force in Venezuela — vice president

According to Rodrigues, the decree comes into force immediately

US actions in Venezuela deprive of arguments against Russia — head of Munich Conference

"If the United States is now intervening in the situation in Venezuela without a UN mandate, then the argument that Russia could in no way interfere in the situation in Ukraine without convening the UN Security Council is losing its political and international legal significance," Wolfgang Ischinger noted

Press review: Russia may revise Ukraine talks post attack and China launches Taiwan drills

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 30th

Exhumation of Soviet soldiers in Lvov 'degradation bordering on savagery' — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister emphasized that despite the OSCE's declared commitment to defending and protecting human rights as one of the organization's fundamental aims, Western countries maintained a deathly silence while watching the actions of the Kiev regime

Ukraine’s terrorist attacks against Russia could be seen as ‘suicide’ for Kiev — Ritter

Commenting on the Ukrainian armed forces' attempt to attack Russian President Vladimir Putin's state residence, Former US intelligence officer and ex-UN inspector suggested that the CIA may have been involved in the operation

Trump says not satisfied with progress of his contacts with Putin on Ukraine

The American leader again stated that he inherited this conflict from his predecessor as head of state Joe Biden

Restoring peak oil production in Venezuela could take decades — US expert

Tom Kloza opined that it might be relatively easy with a friendly administration to get back to two million barrels per day but that would happen later this decade"

Botswana ready for cooperation with Russia in diamond sector — Foreign Minister

The minister noted diversification aims for Botswana to "benefit from and participate in processing industries," including in diamonds, and to develop other minerals, "including rare earth ones."

Professor Jeffrey Sachs is right: Ukraine risks losing Odessa, says Duma member

According to Alexey Chepa, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, Ukraine is losing ground every day

Trump says he spoke with Maduro one week ago, offered him his surrender

"He was not going a week ago," Trump added

At least 40 people die after US attack on Venezuela — media

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto said on January 3 that the United States had attacked civilian and military facilities in Caracas

Russia downs 41 Ukrainian drones over regions during three hours on Sunday evening

14 of them were destroyed over the Kursk Region

Death toll from Ukraine’s drone attack on village of Khorly in Kherson Region rises to 29

Genetic examinations are ongoing to identify victims, with the investigation having ordered 70 forensic examinations

US destroys Venezuelan airfields, where F-16s stationed — expert

Both the air and sea logistics of Venezuela are currently virtually paralyzed, both military and civilian, Alexander Stepanov said

Russian armed forces liberate settlement of Podoly in Kharkov Region

The Russian defense ministry also reported that air defense systems have shot down 210 enemy fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles

Eight OPEC+ countries discuss oil production plan

The next meeting of the OPEC+ eight will take place on February 1

Maduro rejected US offer in December to leave Venezuela for Turkey — NYT

According to the source, Maduro's reaction made it clear that he had no intention of seriously considering Washington's proposals

Trump says US now effectively runs Venezuela

Donald Trump explained that he had not personally been in contact with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, who is acting as head of state, but noted that "she is cooperating" with the US

FACTBOX: What we know about attack on Venezuela’s capital

US forces attacked civilian and military facilities in Caracas, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto said

Kallas wants EU to enter into a war with Russia and China — Dmitriev

When you hear EU, just think Ursula & Kaja — that tells you everything you need to know," Russia’s Special Presidential Envoy wrote on the X social network

US more focused on increasing oil production in Venezuela than on elections — Trump

According to the US President, elections in Venezuela will take place "at the right time"

Thirty-two Cubans killed during US operation to capture Maduro — president

A two-day mourning period was announced on the island

Russia to make every effort to prevent OPCW from becoming Western tool — envoy

In particular, Vladimir Tarabrin said Russia intends to continue informing OPCW member states about Kiev’s use of toxic chemicals and riot control agents

Bolivarian Alliance demands US immediately release Venezuelan president

The Bolivarian Alliance reiterated its support for the Venezuelan people and government who demonstrated their ability to preserve internal stability, social peace and constitutional order in the face of external aggression

Venezuela's acting president could face something 'worse than Maduro' — Trump

According to Donald Trump, this is possible if Delcy Rodriguez's actions do not satisfy the US

UN Security Council meeting on Venezuela to take place on Monday at 6 pm Moscow time

The Somalis have scheduled the meeting

War on Cape Sterlegov. Nazis' failed mission in Siberia

In September 1944, amphibious assault force landed from Nazi submarines to capture Cape Sterlegov's meteorological station, which sent forecasts to vessels carrying military cargo along the Northern Sea Route and thus disrupt Soviet Arctic transportation

IN BRIEF: What is known about mass fatal traffic accident in Rostov Region

TASS has compiled the key information about the incident