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Wild giant panda population reaches 1,900, US agency says

The Global Panda Partners 2024 conference is "a scientific, open international platform for dialogue and exchange of opinions aimed at strengthening consensus and jointly planning the development of a global ecological civilization," the event organizers informed TASS

BEIJING, November 27. /TASS/. The number of wild giant pandas has climbed to nearly 1,900, while the global captive population of giant pandas has increased to 757, Zhang Yue, an official with the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, told the Global Times.

A total of 67 giant panda reserves have been established in China, Zhang Yue said. Beijing is also cooperating with 26 zoos in 20 countries where bamboo bears are kept. In 2021, the Giant Panda National Park was established in the People's Republic of China, launching a program aimed at adapting these animals to life in their natural habitat.

The Global Panda Partners 2024 conference is "a scientific, open international platform for dialogue and exchange of opinions aimed at strengthening consensus and jointly planning the development of a global ecological civilization," the event organizers informed TASS.

The discussions are attended by over 380 participants from more than 30 countries and regions, including representatives from government agencies, experts, and members of the general public. The event is organized by Xinhua News Agency, the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA), and the Chengdu Media Group.

Russia ratifies agreement on outer space cooperation with Tajikistan

The areas of cooperation are space science and exploration, including astrophysical research and planetary study, remote sensing of the Earth, satellite systems and related technologies, manned space flights and personnel training, provision and use of launch services and other areas

Ukraine's national debt reaches record $159.74 bln

In October, the national debt was $155.37 bln, which was also a record

Kremlin points to a wide range of countries to host negotiations on Ukrainian conflict

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that Moscow respects the peacekeeping efforts of various countries

Russian state arms seller reports record high orders portfolio of over $57 bln in 2024

Rosoboronexport clarified that the priority of the defense industry sector today is to meet the needs of the Russian armed forces

Press review: Putin outlines Russia's future goals and Tehran faces energy blackout riots

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 20th

External forces to prevent Syria’s collapse — expert

Israel "does not need this territory, as the Israelis have already taken the Golan Heights," Vitaly Naumkin said

FACTBOX: Orthodox Christian world celebrates Christmas

Until 1917, Christmas had been one of the official holidays in the Russian Empire. It had not been celebrated in Russia until the 1990s

Putin, Kazakh president to remain in touch over plane crash in Kazakhstan — Kremlin

"The two countries’ leaders will remain constantly in contact on matters related to investigation into the circumstances of a tragic incident involving the Azerbaijani airplane and on important issues of fostering Russia-Kazakhstan cooperation," the statement says

Russia concerned over escalation of tensions on Pakistani-Afghan border — diplomat

Earlier, Afghanistan's Ariana News reported clashes on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan

Recruitment for unauthorized rallies aims to destabilize Russia — strategy

It is specified that to this end, various ways of manipulating public opinion and spreading unreliable information are being increasingly used

Kiev loses nearly 400,000 soldiers on Lugansk’s frontline in 2024

Andrey Marochko noted that over the year the Russian army did not just manage to withstand the onslaught of the Ukrainian armed forces and mercenaries, but also "successfully advanced" deep into the enemy’s defense

Ukraine loses over 250 servicemen over past day in Kursk Region, another surrenders as POW

Russia's army continues to defeat Ukrainian formations in the Kursk Region

RuStore surpasses AppStore in terms of user audience in Russia — minister

Maksut Shadayev noted that Chinese developers have increased investments in promoting their applications in the store fivefold this year and spent 60 million rubles ($590,088)

Number of homeless people in US up to record 770,000

The surge in homelessness came amid a shortage of affordable housing, inflation, as well as a stagnating salary growth, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development said

Ukraine receives first 100 mcb of LNG from United States

It was noted that this delivery was aimed at ensuring Ukraine's energy security and took place several days before the end of Russian gas transit through the country's territory

Two crew members of Ursa Major yet to be located — vessel’s owner company

The Ursa Major bulk carrier sank in the Mediterranean Sea

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

Russia withdraws from agreement on multilateral nuclear environmental program

The agreement also involved Belgium, Denmark, the European Union, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the UK, as well as EURATOM and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

About 70 former Syrian troops deported back after fleeing to Lebanon

According to Elnashra, they was detained on December 27 in the town of Byblos

Russia to convene UNSC meeting in January to discuss Ukraine’s crimes against civilians

The report on Ukrainian atrocities in Selidovo will be presented

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

The US national debt for the first time climbed above $36 trillion on November 15

US debt to reach limit in mid-January, authorities to take extraordinary measures — Yellen

The national debt of the US currently stands at around $36.2 trillion

Russian fighters advance in Volchansk in Kharkov Region, force Volchya River — expert

Andrey Marochko added that Russian servicemen "start preparing the way for further advancement southwest of this locality"

Moldova can go to court over Gazprom's decision to suspend supplies — Prime Minister

Dorin Recean confirmed that his government does not recognize the debt to Gazprom for supplied gas, which representatives of the Russian gas holding estimate at $709 million

Ukraine’s army reports forced retreat to ‘last defensive line’ in Donbass area

Ukraine’s General Staff admitted earlier that the frontline situation remained tense for the Ukrainian army

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

Roscosmos achieved significant progress in several major projects in 2024 — CEO

Yury Borisov announced that throughout next year, Roscosmos will continue working on the development of projects such as creating multi-satellite clusters, new launch vehicles, and Russia’s future orbital station

Moscow Exchange index tops 2,800 first time since October 16

The index climbed by 1.56% at 10:56 p.m.

Expert offers to use navy ships to escort tankers after Eagle S incident

Alexander Stepanov believes that NATO intends to lock the Kaliningrad enclave, to lock the Russian trade fleet in Neva estuary and to simultaneously block the Leningrad naval base

Russian Railways tests robodogs for work on dangerous railway sections

The iron dogs are equipped with cameras and lidars that automatically transmit data to the operator's computer

Houthis say they shot down US MQ-9 Reaper drone over Yemen

According to the group’s military spokesman Yahya Saree, the rebels have destroyed 13 such US drones since the escalation began in the Middle East

Putin apologizes for AZAL airliner incident in Russia’s airspace — Kremlin

The Russian leader conveyed his deep and sincere condolences to the families of the plane crash victims

Russia says battlegroups North, Dnepr cause Ukraine to lose up to 160 troops over past day

"Units of the battlegroup North struck manpower and equipment of Ukraine’s mechanized and motorized infantry brigades, a territorial defense brigade and formations of foreign mercenaries near Volchansk, Liptsy, Slatino and Neskuchnoye in the Kharkov Region," the ministry said

Russia sees elimination of threats in Ukraine as critical condition for fighting extremism

According to the strategy, the widespread occurrence of neo-Nazi ideas and the increasing strength of radical nationalist armed formations in such countries as Ukraine create "most serious extremist threats"

US, UK special services plotting terror attacks on Russia’s bases in Syria — intel agency

"Washington and London presume that in such conditions they will be able to achieve more quickly their geopolitical goal of ensuring their long-term dominance in the region on the basis of a repulsive concept of the rules-based order," the statement reads

No countries interfere in Kazakhstan’s airplane crash probe — deputy prime minister

Kanat Bozumbayev recalled that Kazakhstan had been a member of the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation since 1992

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

NATO to boost military presence in Baltic Sea following cable incidents — Rutte

Earlier, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas attributed responsibility for the Baltic Sea incidents to the tanker fleet transporting Russian oil, even before the investigation concluded

Four injured in plane crash in Kazakhstan now in intensive care in Aktau hospital

It is reported that the condition of three is stable

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

Russia extends series of accident-free carrier rocket launches to record 134 by yearend

Seventeen launches of Russian carrier rockets took place in 2024

Scholz could make unexpected steps in relations with Russia amid German crisis — analyst

According to the analyst, Scholz's recent phone talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin came out of left field for the German political community

Kremlin says no comment on 'highly specialized' issue of Finland’s seizure of oil tanker

On December 25, Reuters reported that Finland’s police and border guards have detained an oil tanker, which flies under the flag of the Cook Islands, suspecting that an anchor of the vessel may have damaged the EstLink 2 cable

Europe must be punished, US ignored after hybrid war between West, Russia — Medvedev

According to the politician, Europe "became the primary stronghold of Russophobia globally," undermined the Istanbul agreements, initiated the sanctions campaign, and fueled the most extreme war factions without considering the losses suffered by both sides of the conflict

Kazakh president warns against misinformation, provocations about plane crash near Aktau

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev instructed the General Prosecutor's Office and the government commission to conduct an impartial investigation of the plane crash near Aktau

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

Top stories from the Russian press on Saturday, December 28th

Houthis report attacking Santa Ursula vessel in Arabian Sea

The container ship Santa Ursula, sailing under the flag of Denmark, is bound from Spain’s Algerciras to the Omani port of Salalah, Marine Traffic data showed

Norwegians who refused to rescue sailors from Ursa Major acted like non-humans — senator

Konstantin Kosachev noted that the West was in the habit of discussing values, but the true Western values are not about legalizing same-sex marriage or overthrowing unwanted regimes or supporting Ukraine

Investigative Committee opens case against US mercenary who invaded Kursk Region

In August 2024, armed with automatic firearms, large-caliber weapons, explosive devices, and military equipment, Ryan O'Leary illegally crossed Russia's state border

Russian flag hoisted on nuclear-powered icebreaker Yakutia in St. Petersburg

It is reported that the vessel is equipped with a twin-reactor nuclear power plant RITM-200

Russian PM to visit Vietnam in January 2025 — ambassador

Gennady Bezdetko recalled that Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited Russia in October 2024 to attend the BRICS Plus/Outreach meeting in Kazan

Russia substantially expands blacklist of EU officials in response to sanctions — MFA

"Any unfriendly actions on the part of the European Union will continue to be met with a timely and proportionate response," the ministry warned

Russia employs over 16,000 former servicemen and personnel of Ukrainian armed forces

Drills have been organized for newly employed officers who are trained on programs of upgraded professional education at educational establishments of the Russian Defense Ministry

Russian policy paper says foreign NGOs step up extremist activity aimed against Russia

Russia views the support of such activities by unfriendly countries, including the initiation of "color revolutions," as an extremist threat

Putin signs law on increased penalties for armed mutiny

According to the law, a participant in a mutiny may be exempted from criminal punishment if they voluntarily and promptly inform the authorities or otherwise contribute to "preventing further harm to the interests of Russia"

Russian, Azerbaijani presidents discuss details of passenger plane crash in Kazakhstan

According to the latest updates, 38 people, including seven Russians, lost their lives, while 29 others survived

Undamaged leg of Nord Stream may be launched in year’s time, Serbia’s Vucic predicts

On September 26, 2022, Nord Stream AG reported unprecedented damage that occurred the day before on three strings of the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 offshore gas pipelines

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

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

Putin suggests linking subsidized loans to public offerings

"The government is implementing the whole range of subsidized loans for the business and individuals," the Russian leader said

Angolan delegation to come to Russia in 2025 to discuss defense ties — ambassador

"Since the latest meeting of the delegations took place in Angola, in 2025 it will be held in Moscow," Augusto da Silva Cunha said

Russian Su-35S jets cover combat aircraft in air strikes on Ukrainian troops in Kursk area

It is highlighted that the Su-35S fighters practiced aerial cover in the designated area for sorties by bombers and attack aircraft and army aviation helicopters in delivering air strikes at Ukrainian armor and manpower

Russia says it carried out 38 strikes with high-precision weapons over past week

Russia’s Battlegroup West has repelled 25 Ukrainian counterattacks over the past week, wiping out over 3,080 enemy servicemen and destroying a German-made Leopard tank

Kiev fires over 120 munitions on Russia’s Belgorod Region in past day — governor

Three more people were wounded on the evening of December 26 after a Ukrainian drone struck a townhouse in the village of Razumnoye, Vyacheslav Gladkov specified

Trump's words on Greenland escalate tensions in the Arctic — Russian ambassador to Norway

Nikolay Korchunov pointed out that Greenland and Denmark are not the only Arctic Council members feeling pressure on their sovereignty, and are in a difficult position in light of possible moves by the incoming Trump administration

Gazprom Group's production in 2024 to reach around 416 bcm of gas — CEO

This is 61 bln cubic meters of gas more than in 2023, Alexey Miller said

Kiev loses nearly 32,000 troops at Lugansk region borders in December —military expert

In December, Russian forces also destroyed 48 Ukrainian tanks, 2 Croatian-made RAK-SA-12 multiple rocket launchers, 31 electronic warfare and counterbattery radar stations, 49 field ammunition depots, 317 field artillery guns and more than 700 enemy combat vehicles, Andrey Marochko specified

Almost 37,000 tons of contaminated soil removed from Black Sea beaches

"Almost 8,000 people were employed in this work today," according to a statement by the region’s crisis center

US believes Ukrainian forces to be pushed out of Kursk Region in few months — Bloomberg

According to the report, Ukraine lacks personnel and Kiev has no confidence in further provision of military aid by the West

Arkhangelsk nuclear submarine ready to join Russian Navy — Sevmash Shipyard CEO

Project 885M nuclear-powered submarines carry Oniks and Kalibr-PL cruise missiles as their basic strike weapons

IN BRIEF: What is known about shopping mall explosion in Russia’s Vladikavkaz

According to emergency services, the incident was caused by a household gas explosion

Russia has decided on voluntary reduction of oil output only for March, says Novak

It is noted that companies’ output reduction in March will be proportional to production

Transnistria must become part of negotiations on Ukraine — Foreign Minister of Moldova

The authorities of Transnistria call on the Moldovan leadership to intensify the negotiations on all platforms

Gazprom to limit gas supplies to Moldova up to zero from January 1 over contract breach

The company notes that the restriction will remain in effect until Gazprom notifies Moldovagaz in writing otherwise

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

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

MOEX, RTS indices rise by 0.22% at the opening of trading session

The yuan to ruble exchange rate at the opening of Moscow Exchange trading fell by 5.8 kopecks to 13.392 rubles

Scholz polling increasingly worse as German chancellor candidate — Bild

For comparison, ahead of the 2021 election, the CDU/CSU bloc enjoyed the support of 27% voters in opinion polls and came ahead of Scholz’s party by just a 9.5% margin

Russian Investigative Committee’s head office takes over plane incident investigation

Alexander Bastrykin held a situation meeting in Grozny

NATO considers use of ATACMS missiles in Ukraine reckless, indiscriminate — NYT

The newspaper notes that, since Ukraine received an authorization from the UK and the US, Kiev carried out at least six missile strikes, using 31 ATACMS and 14 Storm Shadow missiles

Russia's annual GDP grew by 4% in 11 months of 2024 — ministry

Russia's GDP grew by 3.6% by the end of 2023

Russia’s FSB foils assassination attempts on defense officer, military blogger

The plotter allegedly contacted an employee of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate via Telegram messenger

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"

Bank of Russia raises dollar exchange rate for December 28 to 100.53 rubles

At the same time, the official yuan exchange rate was reduced by 3 kopecks to 13.4434 rubles

Kazan airport in Russia’s Tatarstan suspends service — regulator

"The air harbor is temporarily not accepting or sending flights," the statement reads

New Syrian authorities do not intend to annul agreements on Russian military bases

On December 9, a TASS source said that Russia has commenced the negotiations with the new Syrian authorities on the continued presence of its military bases

Over 380 square kilometers surveyed following Black Sea tanker accident

The Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239 oil tankers collided on December 15

Kremlin announces creation of blockchain-based payment system in BRICS

Work will continue to develop the Contingent Reserve Arrangement, primarily regarding the use of currencies different from the US dollar," the Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov pointed out

Fall conscription concluded with 133,000 individuals drafted — Russian Defense Ministry

As in previous conscription campaigns, conscripts had the right to choose service branches based on their health status and the results of psychological testing

Ukraine opens second front in Africa — envoy

Igor Gromyko noted that in August, Mali's transitional government announced the termination of diplomatic relations with Ukraine

Russian policy paper says foreign NGOs conduct destructive activities

Signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the strategy includes the clause on the list of the main extremist threats to Russia

Germany seen defenseless against Russia’s Oreshnik missile system — report

Bild said the German Foreign Ministry commissioned an internal government analysis on defense from ballistic missiles

Kazakh, Russian specialists jointly investigate Azerbaijani plane crash — president

"Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that the Government Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan continues the investigation with the involvement of specialists from Azerbaijan, Russia, and Brazil," the Kazakh presidential press service said

Plane that crashed in Kazakhstan suffered damage outside of country — deputy PM

It is reported that the law enforcement agencies of Kazakhstan will conduct ballistic and explosive ordnance examinations

Fighting erupts on border between Afghanistan, Pakistan — report

According to sources, light and heavy weapons were employed in the skirmishes

State Duma adopts bill to revoke CTBT ratification in first reading

The bill was supported by 412 Duma members

Embassies in Niger, Sierra Leone to serve as ‘windows to Russia’ — deputy PM

According to Alexey Overchuk, it is important to create comfortable conditions for the activation of business contacts

Finnish police detain oil tanker on suspicion of damaging communication cables

It is also reported that the Eagle S "noticeably slowed down" presumably at the moment when the cable between Finland and Estonia was damaged

Soviet marshal’s daughter blasts The Death of Stalin as ‘abominable’ mockery of history

Maria Zhukova called this film "a provocation beyond any doubt"

Zelensky defines essence of next summit on Ukraine in four-letter explicit word — Lavrov

The first Kiev-initiated conference on Ukraine was held in Burgenstock, Switzerland, on June 15-16

Russia, Turkey in talks about friendly football match in 2025 — Russian sports minister

Since sanctions were introduced, the Russian national football squad has played a series of friendlies against other countries, namely against Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Iraq, Cameroon, Kenya, Cuba, Serbia, Belarus, Vietnam, Brunei, and Syria

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

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