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Bill and Melinda Gates split up after almost 30 years of marriage

Microsoft founder and his wife added that they will continue their work together at the Gates Foundation

Melinda and Bill Gates EPA/KAMIL ZIHNIOGLU/POOL

Melinda and Bill Gates

© EPA/KAMIL ZIHNIOGLU/POOL

NEW YORK, May 4. /TASS/. Microsoft founder Bill Gates and his wife Melinda announced their divorce after almost 30 years of marriage, according to the businessman’s Twitter.

"After a great deal of thought and a lot of work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end out marriage," Bill Gates said in the joint statement tweeted Monday. Bill and Melinda said they "no longer believe" they can "grow together as a couple," adding that they will continue their work together at the Gates Foundation.

Bill Gates and Melinda French married in 1994.

"Over the last 27 years, we have raised three incredible children and built a foundation that works all over the world to enable all people to lead healthy productive lives," the statement says.

The couple did not disclose the financial side of their divorce. Bill, with his net worth of $130.5 billion, is the world’s fourth richest man, according to Forbes, while his wife was named as the fifth most influential women of world.

Established in 1975 by Gates and Paul Allen, Microsoft is one of the world’s largest software maker. Its headquarters is based in Redmond, Washington.

Over 40% of Russians desire to live in a smart city, survey reveals

The nationwide telephone survey "VCIOM-Sputnik" was conducted on October 24, 2024, among 1,600 respondents aged 18 and older

Trump says he considers resolving Ukraine conflict as priority

The US President-elect believes that even though the situation in the Middle East is also important

Russia, Arab countries stand for just world free from diktat — Putin

"We stand united in advocating for the establishment of a just and democratic world order founded on genuine equality and adherence to international law, free from all forms of discrimination, coercion, and sanctions pressure," the Russian leader emphasized

Russian economy expected to grow by 3.9% in 2024 — Novak

This is much above the average growth rates globally, the Russian deputy prime minister noted

Oreshnik missiles to eliminate need for nuclear weapons, Putin says

This is why, in President Putin’s words, Russia behaves with caution and even restraint in all areas

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

Press review: Putin declares Russian economy's recovery as US reevaluates BRICS stance

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Trump may unravel fresh loan to Kiev by lifting sanctions on frozen Russian assets — NYT

The move would not affect the European portion of the loan

Drone attacks IAEA vehicle en route to ZNPP

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi strongly condemned the incident, describing it as "unacceptable."

Kurdish coalition says it maintains contact with Syria’s new government via US

The Syrian Democratic Forces, supported by the United States, currently control most of the territory in the country’s three eastern and northeastern provinces - Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa and Hasakah

Euroclear warns of risks in confiscating seized Russian assets — Bloomberg

According to the head of Euroclear, the use of the sanctioned Russian assets to provide aide to Ukraine, as proposed by the EU, could undermine confidence in the existing international financial system and create a dangerous precedent

Group of militants from Syria tries to cross into Leban — Lebanese military

According to the statement, "unidentified individuals with firearms crossed the border, and headed towards a roadblock of the Lebanese armed forces, firing into the air"

Bashar Assad's son graduates with honors from Moscow State University — newspaper

Hafez Assad was handed his diploma by the rector of the university, Viktor Sadovnichy, along with other Syrian students who also graduated from MSU

Press review: Israel controls Golan Heights as Kiev plans aid summit before Trump’s term

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FACTBOX: What we know about Mohammed al-Bashir, head of Syria’s interim government

The interim government’s mandate is expected to last three months

Court sentences New Zealand mercenary who invaded Kursk Region to 14 years in absentia

According to the united regional court press office, an international arrest warrant was issued for the defendant

Major Syrian cities experience food shortages — UN

On top of that, hospitals all over Syria are filled beyond capacity, the UN agency said

Rumors about Trump-Zelensky tete-a-tete prove false, says expert

According to Mikhail Pavliv, the leaders' meeting lasted about ten minutes or less

Russia maintains contact with all political forces in Syria, diplomat says

A related statement has already been issued recently by Russian Foreign Ministry

Putin to discuss coal industry development with Russian government

A number of current issues will be also discussed

Just a few km of Lugansk People’s Republic territory remain to be liberated — lawmaker

"People from all regions of our huge country are taking part in battles to liberate the remaining tiny piece of the LPR territory," Yury Yurov said

Russia hammers Ukrainian railway sites of Western arms deliveries

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 455 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed eight enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported

Russian defense chief commends growing defense ties with India

Andrey Belousov stressed that the relationship based on trust between the two countries’ leaders was crucial for strengthening bilateral ties between Russia and India

Russian Su-35S fighters cover aircraft in air strikes on Ukrainian army in Kursk area

One of the fighter jets uncovered enemy air defense sites by its weapons suite, the statement added

Russian sleeper agents open up about secret trip to 2018 World Cup

The married couple, Artyom Dultsev and Anna Dultseva, returned home as a result of an exchange

Hezbollah hopes that Syria’s new government can resist Israeli attacks

According to Israel’s N12 television channel, 350 Israeli fighter jets have hit 320 strategic facilities of the Assad army over the day

Ukrainian troops attack DPR’s Yenakiyevo with long-range weapons — DPR head

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Yemeni Houthis say they attacked two US destroyers in Gulf of Aden

The movement’s military spokesperson said that this was the second attack on destroyers and support ships in the past ten days

Iran ready to sell missiles, drones to any countries, especially Arab — official

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Russian troops advance towards Dachnoye, road leading out of Kurakhovo — official

According to Vladimir Rogov, as of early morning, Russian forces have reached the city council building, which is located in the western part of Kurakhovo

Syrian ex-president Assad now in safety in Russia — deputy foreign minister

The Russian diplomat added that it "would be very wrong for me to elaborate on what happened and how it was resolved."

Polish Defense Minister recognizes Kiev's critical situation in special military op zone

According to Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, the Ukrainian population feels "enormous war fatigue"

Biden administration may remove HTS from list of terrorist organizations — NBC

Two sources expect this to happen soon, but one official said related discussions are still at early stages at this point

Bulgaria may stop gas transit from Russia if payment solution not found — minister

As Vladimir Malinov explained, at the moment, the Bulgarian state gas company Bulgargaz has received all payments

Special military op to end after all goals set by Putin achieved — Kremlin

"These goals can be achieved both as a result of the special military operation and as a result of the peace talks," Dmitry Peskov stressed

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Alexander Lukashenko also pointed to his long record of interaction with Syria's leaders

US allocates $20 bln loan to Ukraine on account of revenues from Russian assets

The loan is provided within the framework of the initiative of the Group of Seven on provision of the $50 bln loan to Kiev, the Treasury said

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"This is a turning point for Syria. It should not be used by its neighbors to encroach on the territory of Syria," UN Secretary-General’s Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said

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Israel attacks two ports in Syria harboring 15 Syrian military ships

The press office noted that "dozens of ship-to-ship missiles with a range between 80 and 190 km, which posed a threat to civilian and military ships in this region, were destroyed" during the strikes

Suspension of Russian gas transit via Bulgaria last resort measure — source

The Bulgarian side expects that the problem with transit payment will be solved and sees "nothing critical" in the evolved situation

Putin orders Russian forces pullout from Syria

Russia is ready to deal a new blow to terrorists if they again try to break peace in Syria, the president said

Committee on constitutional amendments to be established in Syria — opposition

"The new Syria will be based on justice and law," spokesperson for the Syrian opposition’s political department told

Russian troops advance to better positions near Malaya Tokmachka in Zaporozhye Region

Russian servicemen struck Ukrainian artillery guns and their crews in the area of the town of Gulyaipole

Putin ranked among Europe’s most influential figures — newspaper

The name of the most influential person in Europe will be revealed later in the evening

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Ukraine drone production drastically drops due to intrigues in Zelensky's office — Rada

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Trump unlikely to keep US aid to Ukraine at current volumes — NYT

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"According to preliminary information, no one was harmed in the incident, but the aircraft was damaged," the statement says

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The Kursk Regional Court has sentenced Jordan O'Brien, a New Zealand citizen, to 14 years in prison in absentia for his involvement in the invasion of the Kursk Region

HAMAS hands over full list of hostages to Egypt — Al Arabiya

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Russia in dialogue with Turkey on Syria — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that "it is very important to maintain dialogue with all regional countries"

Italian expert says Europe biggest loser in Syrian uprising

Tiberio Graziani recalled that Italy had sent its ambassador to Damascus to resume diplomatic relations with the Bashar Assad government shortly before power in that country was seized by the armed opposition

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The Russian deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council is to hold meetings with China’s top officials

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According to Al Arabiya, strikes were also delivered the special force headquarters in the city of Qamishli

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Earlier, a Kremlin source said that Bashar Assad and his family members had arrived in Moscow

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Russia urges West to end support for Zelensky following attack on IAEA personnel — MFA

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Russian troops liberate Zhyoltoye community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 225 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed a US-made armored personnel carrier in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Russian troops seize Ukrainian stronghold south of Kurakhovo — official

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FPV drones take out Ukrainian convoy in Kursk Region — Defense Ministry

The first drone successfully intercepted a fleeing pickup on the move, while the second drone struck another vehicle parked near a wooded area, neutralizing additional personnel," the ministry reported

Israeli tanks spotted 20 kilometers from Damascus — TV

The Israel Defense Forces has yet to comment on the information

Medvedev to begin his two-day visit to China

Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council is expected to meet with senior Chinese government officials

Sanctions on Gazprombank to be lifted, says head of Turkey-Russia Business Council

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New Syrian government to decide on fate of Russia’s military bases — opposition

"The issue of military bases is a sovereign decision of the Syrian state," Mohammed Alloush stated

Ukraine fires 34 projectiles at 8 settlements in Belgorod Region in past day

No injuries or damage were reported

US Department of State approves possible sale of F-16 equipment to Kiev

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NATO looking to divide up Western Ukraine among members — Russian diplomat

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Syrians to decide on US military presence in republic themselves — opposition

Mohammed Alloush expressed hope that "Syria will become a country of local and global peace, without the presence of foreign military bases of any party there"

Former Syrian President Assad personally decided to resign from his post — Kremlin

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Houthis say they attacked targets in Israel with drones

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Russian FPV drone wipes out Ukrainian army shelter in Kursk area

"A reconnaissance unit of the Battlegroup North used an UAV in a border area of the Kursk Region to uncover a shelter for Ukrainian troops in a forest belt," the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Erdogan says he and Putin are the only two leaders in world

Turkish President also said that he respects Germany’s former Chancellor Gerhard Schroder

Russia comes close to achieving special military operation's goals — intel chief

"Russia holds the initiative in all areas, while the Ukrainian armed forces are on the verge of collapse and the Zelensky regime has lost its legitimacy, along with the ability to make agreements," Sergey Naryshkin pointed out

Many US partners asking Russia `not to stop halfway’ on Ukraine — SVR chief

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Russia expands list of e-visa eligible countries

At the same time, Andorra and Serbia, who have agreements on visa-free travel with Russia, were taken off the list

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Kiev to last only six months if US cuts aid under Trump — finance minister

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Russia's Syria operation cost over $460 million — Putin

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It is indicated by Vladimir Zelensky’s presentation of the so-called "plan of resilience" in the Verkhovna Rada, by the establishment of the Ministry of Unity and a number of other measures, says Andrey Reva, ex-Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine

Syrian airline restarts ticket flights to Moscow and back

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Syria’s Assad was no dictator, didn’t kill anyone, Lukashenko says

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Press review: Russia's role in Syria questioned and UN hints at a possible SC summit

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 10th

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Syria should not be turned into base of terrorists — top US diplomat

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Syrian opposition controls city of Tartus hosting Russian base — source

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Functioning of Russian bases, Israeli army in the buffer zone: situation in Syria

The Syrian armed opposition currently controls the Latakia Governorate, where Russian military bases are located