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Stargazers expect Quadrantids meteor shower to peak early on January 4

According to the International Meteor Organization, skywatchers will be able to see up to two shooting stars in a minute in clear weather, astronomers forecasted

MOSCOW, January 1. /TASS/. The Quadrantids meteor shower, visible between December 28 and January 12, will peak during the early hours of January 4, a spokesperson for the Moscow Planetarium told TASS.

The number of meteors burning up in the atmosphere in an hour may reach 110 during the first starfall of 2023, the spokesperson added.

According to the International Meteor Organization, skywatchers will be able to see up to two shooting stars in a minute in clear weather, astronomers forecasted.

“The Quadrantids meteor shower, visible between December 28 and January 12, will peak on the night of January 3 to 4. <...> The conditions for observing the Quadrantids will be unfavorable in 2023. The moon will be on its way to a full moon (January 7) and will significantly affect meteor observations,” the Moscow Planetarium reported.

The Quadrantids meteor shower is named after the Quadrans Muralis constellation. The radiant, or the point from where meteors originate, is located under the handle of the Big Dipper in the Bootes constellation.

Roscosmos chief notes high quality of Vostochny space center’s construction

Yury Borisov said that the space facility’s launch pad bore practically no visible signs of the recent Angara-A5 carrier rocket’s launch

Iran done with retaliation, calls for efforts to stop Israel from reckless steps — MFA

According to the minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, in the event that Israel uses force against Tehran's interests, "the Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to use its right to give an immediate and decisive response that will make them regret"

Tehran’s two major airports cancel international flights — Mehr

Imam Khomeini International Airport and Mehrabad International Airport suspended their operations until 10:30 a.m. local time

Military base near Iran’s Isfahan hit following attack — newspaper

The sources said that Iranian forces managed to destroy several small drones near the city of Tabriz, about 800 kilometers from Isfahan

Senior Chinese official to take part in conference on security in Russia — diplomat

The conference will take place from April 23 to 25 in St. Petersburg

Two pilots of jet that crashed in southern Russia hospitalized

The plane crashed in a field in the Krasnogvardeysky district of southern Russia’s Stavropol Region

Sounds in Isfahan due to air defense work to repel attacks by suspicious objects — general

According to Iranian media reports, three drones were downed by air defenses in the skies over the city of Isfahan

Three Ukrainian soldiers swim across Dnieper to surrender to Russian troops — governor

Vladimir Saldo called on other Ukrainian servicemen to switch to the Russian side and request the corresponding assistance

MiG-31I fighters receive air refueling system

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West wants to make Transnistria hotbed of tension — Lavrov

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

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Lavrov says Borrell let it slip that Europe ‘fighting against Russia’

Russia’s top diplomat noted that Josep Borrell may made the statement in a moment of weakness

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

Robert Fico believes Moscow will win in its confrontation with Kiev

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Hezbollah warns Israel it will fight back if attacks on Lebanon continue

The Lebanese Shiite organization "would not accept that the Israelis transgress the rules of engagement that are currently set in the south" of Lebanon

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

US blackmails other countries at United Nations — Russian mission

Dmitry Polyansky said "this shameful neocolonial tactics are fully exposed now in the context of Gaza War"

Ukraine’s military loses positions near Avdeyevka, says DPR

Igor Kimakovsky said that Ukrainian forces suffered heavy casualties among personnel and military hardware, including Western equipment

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"They would have been scared had anyone come down on them with similar ferocity," the Russian foreign minister added

Russia’s defense chief inspects production of tanks, flamethrowers at Siberian enterprise

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Kiev ordered mandatory evacuation from Kharkov Region to accommodate mercenaries

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

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Moscow-based embassies of NATO countries helped anti-government groups, Lavrov says

The top Russian diplomat also spoke about the detention in Germany of two people suspected of spying for Russia

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

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

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Final statement by G7 top diplomats to call for supplying more air defenses to Kiev

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Romania tries to cancel Russian culture by banning films — diplomat

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Kremlin declines to comment on alleged assassination attempt on Zelensky in Poland

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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

Shoigu orders additional tank protection sets for Ukraine operation

The minister also inspected the training process in Omsk Armor Engineering Institute

Pipeline explodes in Kharkov Region

The exact location of the damaged pipeline or the causes of the incident is not reported

Ukrainian front may collapse this summer — newspaper

According to the newspaper’s assessments, Russia "has never been closer to its goals" in the special military operation zone

Russian military closely monitors all Ukrainian 'novelties' — Kremlin on UAVs

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Russia not to go for settlement on Ukraine based on 'Zelensky formula' — Lavrov

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Security guarantees on Ukraine did not apply to Crimea, Donbass — Lavrov

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Earlier, the media reported, citing a US official, that Israel had launched a missile strike on a site in Iranian territory

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

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"A failed attack with a few quadcopters that were shot down cannot be considered a real attack anywhere in the world," a spokesman for Iran’s Supreme Council of Cyberspace said

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Infrastructure is required to implement the investment project, both power transmission lines and the railroad, Andrey Chibis noted

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Russia always prefers talks to fighting, wars, says Lavrov

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Situation in Iran’s Isfahan stabilizes after drone attack — media

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"I think that the decision has been taken by the member-states - all 27 have agreed that we use the windfall profits following our proposal," Ursula von der Leyen said

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Kiev continues to openly announce terrorist attacks on Russia — diplomat

Maria Zakharova also pointed to the fact that Ukraine's special services do not give up attempts to "massacre their former compatriots"

Iran has no plans to immediately retaliate to attack on its soil — agency

"We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack," a senior Iranian official reported

Switzerland does not suit Russia for negotiations on Ukraine — Lavrov

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

The two other State Duma members mentioned in the verdict alongside Karpov are Viktor Kazakov and Georgy Karlov

Zelensky's formula should be put aside for Ukraine talks, Lavrov says

"One should clearly support the need to seek solutions that take into account the balance of security interests and ensure the indivisibility of security," the top Russian diplomat underlined

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Vasily Nebenzya described the US veto as a "fruitless attempt to stop the inexorable course of history"

Israel assesses effectiveness, consequences of strike on Iran — media

A spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces declined to comment on the reports of the strike

Iran suspends flights above several cities amid reports of air attack — IRNA

Fox News said the Jewish state delivered a limited strike on Iran

Chinese analyst sees US veto on Palestine as reflection of arrogance, double standards

Wang Wen stated that it’s still very hard to achieve a settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Israeli Air Force attacks airfield in southern Syria during strike on Iran

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Russian instructors help train over 10,000 Central African troops — CAR president

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EU border checkpoint closest to Russia’s St. Petersburg to cut its working hours

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US blocks Security Council resolution granting full UN membership to Palestine

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

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Ukrainian trace obvious in Crocus City Hall attack — Russian prosecutor general

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Swiss parliament votes against joining task force on frozen Russian assets

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Ukrainians abroad storming embassies to avoid mobilization, Russian diplomat says

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Nearly half of those present in UN Security Council hall walk out before Israel’s address

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Tasnim refuted foreign media reports about an incident at a nuclear site in Isfahan

Kremlin condemns 'illegal' seizure of villa from Russian businessman

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

Putin signs law on holding World Friendship Games

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Water in Kurgan above dam, breaking records

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Ukrainian president admits Russian troops’ advancement

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Vehicles, equipment participating in Victory Day parade depart for Moscow — ministry

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French, US, British nukes all interwoven — Russian diplomat

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Lavrov describes Georgia’s bill on foreign agents as 'mildest of all'

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Russian forces destroy Ukrainian command post, two S-300 missile launchers over day

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

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

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Israel to not take responsibility for attack on Iran — newspaper

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

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