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Stoltenberg to stay on as NATO chief for another year — TV

Jens Stoltenberg took the post of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General on October 1, 2014

HELSINKI, March 24. /TASS/. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will stay on at his post for another year, Norway’s TV-2 channel reported on Thursday citing its unnamed sources.

"According to information, obtained by TV-2, Jens Stoltenberg’s term of office, in his post as NATO Secretary General, will be extended for another year," the Norwegian television channel reported.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store announced on TV-2 earlier that he would back Stoltenberg’s choice of remaining NATO’s chief, if such a decision was made. The Norwegian PM said that he discussed this matter with Stoltenberg and expressed his support.

Stoltenberg, a seasoned Norwegian politician, who served as the prime minister of Norway in 2000-2001 and in 2005-2013, is 63 years old and has been at the helm of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) since October 1, 2014. His term was already extended twice since he took the reins as NATO Secretary General.

Iran announces arrest of two Mossad-affiliated organizers of protests

According to the Tasnim news agency, the detainees played "a key role in organizing mass unrest in the country"

EU working on sanctions against US over Greenland plans — newspaper

The Sunday Telegraph points out that "a more extreme option could be to evict the US military from its bases in Europe, denying it a key staging post for operations in the Middle East and elsewhere"

NATO would collapse if US annexed Greenland — Danish lawmaker

Rasmus Jarlov also called the hypothetical annexation of the island by the US "probably the most unjustified territorial claim in history"

High time for Europe to talk to Russia — Italian PM

However, she believes that the conditions for Russia's return to the G7 have not yet been met

Botswana plans to open embassy in Moscow soon — foreign minister

This is a process that, of course, involves allocating resources and appropriate preparation, the foreign minister noted

US President Trump ponders several options regarding strikes on Iran — NYT

Donald Trump has not made a final decision, the New York Times daily reported

Creation of buffer zone proceeds according to plan — Putin

The elimination of encircled enemy groups on the eastern bank of the Oskol River and in Dimitrov continues

Russian defense firm to show latest versions of Taifun armored vehicles at Army forum

The Army 2021 international military-technical forum will run at the Patriot Congress and Exhibition Center outside Moscow on August 22-28 and feature over 220 exhibits

Europe’s wrong Ukraine policy leads to dead end, Swiss politician says

Guy Mettan pointed out that ex-German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former French President Francois Hollande had pretended to comply with the Minsk Agreements in order to cover up Ukraine’s rearmament and Kiev’s plans to take back control of Donetsk and Lugansk by force rather than through diplomacy

Russia and Syria create joint air defense system

Russia's air defense group in Syria includes a radio engineering battalion, a battery of Pantsir-S units and the S-400 air defense missile systems

Nordic nations reject Trump’s claim of Russian threat facing Greenland — newspaper

"There are no ships, no submarines," a senior diplomat said

FACTBOX: A rundown of Russia's sanctions on EU officials

Trump says there will be no more oil or money going to Cuba

The US president also mentioned Venezuela, saying that the country "now has the United States of America" to protect it

Police arrest drugged driver after 5-minute car chase through Kazan airport

Several police officers were injured in the chase which lasted for some five minutes

Europe has no strategy to prevent possible takeover of Greenland by US — FT

European leadership circles are considering retaliatory measures, including closing US military bases or banning the purchase of US Treasury bonds

Air defenses down 33 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions in seven hours

On-duty air defenses intercepted and destroyed 33 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles between 9 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Moscow time (6 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. GMT)

NATO is 'now done' — Tucker Carlson on Greenland

According to him, "the whole illusion has shattered in the past four days"

Internet access in Iran restricted for over 60 hours — monitoring service

Internet access in Iran was restricted on the night of January 8, when rioters staged armed provocations across the country

Fico calls for Kallas's removal as EU head of diplomacy

The EU is facing an unprecedented crisis, the Slovakia’s prime minister declared

Greenland party leaders call on US to stop disrespecting island

The authors note that Greenland is a democracy and wishes to continue cooperation with both the United States and Western countries

Russia's rotorcraft industry turns 70: How the historic helicopter sector took off

On September 20, 1948, the first Soviet-made mass-produced helicopter Mi-1 made its first flight

Iran accuses Israel, US of organizing protests in country

The work of law enforcement agencies in the country is aimed at preventing such threats

EU will continue to churn out sanctions against Russia — expert

Andrey Bystritsky, Chairman of the Board at the Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai International Discussion Club, characterized EU sanctions as more than mere punitive measures

Russia opposes any Western military contingent in Ukraine — Medvedev

It’s been said a thousand times: Russia won’t accept any European or NATO troops in Ukraine, Medvedev wrote on X in English.

Press review: Ukraine mulls elections and Trump plans laser fleet as gold prices soar

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

Putin's envoy reminds Kallas no defense system can stop Oreshnik

This is how Kirill Dmitriev commented on Kaja Kallas's statement about the Russian strike with the Oreshnik missile

Venezuela lauds UNGA voting results on lifting blockade of Cuba — foreign ministry

Venezuelan foreign ministry Yvan Gil Pinto demanded "an immediate, complete and unconditional lifting of the blockade, ending all coercive measures and removing unilateral sanctions against Cuba"

Russian Armed Forces liberate five settlements over week — top brass

The battlegroup East continued to advance deep into enemy defenses

US striking Islamic State in Syria — Fox News

For the second time since December 19, 2025, the US military is launching airstrikes against the Islamic State in Syria in retaliation for the killing of two National Guard soldiers and a translator, the presenter said on air

Cuba is ready to defend its independence to last drop of blood — President Diaz-Canel

He further noted that the United States has no moral standing to criticize Cuba, as it often reduces human lives and international relations to mere commodities

Russian air defenses shoot down seven Ukrainian drones in five hours

Four drones were shot down over the Belgorod Region and another three over the Kursk Region, Russia’s Defense Ministry said

Iran to retaliate against Israel, US if attacked, parliament speaker warns

US President Donald Trump announced Washington’s readiness to come to the "rescue" of Iranian protesters

Gerasimov says international security deteriorates as West wants to keep dominating

It is reported that the Russian forces keep the initiative and advance in the whole front despite colossal aid to Kiev from the West

US fighter jets deliver strikes against 35 Islamic State locations in Syria — Al Arabiya

According to the television channel, over 20 fighter jets struck terrorist locations in Syria firing some 90 high-precision missiles at IS targets

West must grasp consequences of Russian assets seizure — Foreign Ministry

"Such steps will inevitably affect the stability of the eurozone and the attractiveness of the EU jurisdiction for foreign investors, primarily from Asian and Middle Eastern countries," Maria Zakharova said

No existing missile defense system can counter Oreshnik — US expert

Theodore Postol also vehemently rejected suggestions that the Oreshnik system represents previous outdated developments of Moscow

US President Trump instructs JSOC to draft Greenland invasion plan — UK daily

US president has repeatedly stated the need for Greenland to join the United States

Project to build road from Kolyma to Anadyr drawn up

The new road will provide round-the-year transport link to the Magadan region

Temperatures inside Soyuz spacecraft do not exceed acceptable levels — Roscosmos

According to Roscosmos there is nothing to threaten the security and comfort of the crew

Oreshnik’s launch is sudden, undetectable by satellites — analyst

The range of the Oreshnik system is up to 5,500 kilometers

China, South Africa will resist ‘the law of the jungle’, hegemony — Wang Yi

Wang Yi confirmed that Beijing will continue to work on eliminating tariffs on South African goods

Thousands of New Yorkers protest against Trump administration’s policies

The demonstrators gathered near Central Park in Manhattan, then marched down Fifth Avenue, where the Trump Tower skyscraper, owned by the US leader, is located

US to file criminal charges against Marinera ship crew — attorney general

The ship’s crew members undertook "frantic efforts to avoid apprehension" of the tanker, which reportedly was "responsible for transporting sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran," Pam Bondi said

Press review: Zelensky peace plan is no-go for Russia and Trump puts on peacemaker hat

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, December 25th

Russia to make more efforts to remove irritants in relations with US — senior diplomat

"Minimal progress has been made," Sergey Ryabkov added

Finnish politician reveals Helsinki's secret plans to deploy nuclear weapons

According to him, some people in Finland feel like the country is at war with Russia

Situation in Venezuela stable, authorities maintaining order — Russian envoy

"The authorities confidently control public order," Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov added

Cuba denies US accusations of receiving compensation for security services

Havana also reiterated its right to import fuel from willing markets, free from interference or unilateral coercive measures imposed by the US, Cuba’s Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodriguez, said

Moscow’s January 9 snowfall inks 146-year record — meteorologists

"The snowfall closes the top five for the entire period of meteorological observations," a source in the country’s Hydrometeorological Center said

EU is pursuing increasingly irresponsible policy — Chinese expert

Yan Xuetong further explained that EU member states are "considering the possibility of deploying troops in East Asia, yet they are unable to guarantee their own security"

Russia-EU economic relations unlikely to recover even within decade — economist

According to the economist, the Russian economy and budget system have already adapted to the severing of old ties

Russia grateful to US for decision to release two Russians from Marinera crew — diplomat

According to Zakharova, the Russian side is urgently addressing issues related to the return of its freed citizens to their homeland

Phosphorus munitions used by Ukrainian troops in Donbass first time in 2019

Russian forces launch Oreshnik strike in response to Kiev's attack on Putin's residence

According to the ministry, "the strike goals were achieved"

Russian Doomsday Planes’ service life is 25-30 years — manufacturer

Doomsday Planes were designed as national airborne operations centres that could be used by the senior military leaders in case of a nuclear war or other very serious conflict

Lukashenko says there was collusion, betrayal in situation with Maduro's capture

The Belarusian leader also called for caution amid the events in the Bolivarian Republic

What Solzhenitsyn said about Putin, and vice versa

The prominent writer and historian, who was exiled to GULAG camp, was born on December 11, 1918

Russian artillery forces wipe out over 110 Ukrainian targets in past week

An artillery battalion commander with the callsign Kulak said that battlegroup members particularly targeted engineering and special equipment used by the Ukrainian army to strengthen fortifications

Potential EU sanctions on US companies unlikely to be effective — Russian senator

The Sunday Telegraph reported earlier that the EU was working on sanctions against American companies over US President Donald Trump’s plans to acquire Greenland

Volvo files application to register three trademarks in Russia

Two of them are for Volvo, and the third is for Volvo Penta

Russia-US talks on Ukraine experience difficulties, but they can be overcome — expert

Dmitry Suslov highlighted media reports about a potential meeting in Paris involving Kirill Dmitriev, Russia’s Special Presidential Envoy for Investment and Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries and head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund

Criminal case against pyramid scheme founder dropped in Novosibirsk

In the early 1990s, the MMM pyramid was one of the largest financial schemes in Russia

US conducts operation to seize Russian oil tanker Marinera — Reuters

It also said that US troops were also involved in the operation

Russia calls on US to cease illegal activities against Marinera — MFA

The United States is required to ensure humane and dignified treatment of Russian citizens and not create obstacles to their speedy return to their homeland

Iranian authorities ready to heed people’s demands, implement reforms — Pezeshkian

Iranian President asserted that the demonstrators are expressing their disagreement with the worsening economic situation, but they are not setting markets on fire or committing criminal acts

Almost 1 million cubic meters of snow removed from Moscow streets over two days

Cleanup operations continue around the clock, as snowfall persists at a slightly reduced intensity

Tehran rioters burn down 25 mosques, harm 26 banks, three medical centers — mayor

According to him, rioters harmed ten government buildings, 48 fire trucks, 42 buses and ambulances, as well as 24 apartments

At least 200 rebel leaders detained in Iran — Tasnim

During the operations, a large quantity of weapons, ammunition, grenades, and Molotov cocktails were seized from the hiding places of the pogromists, the agency said

Trump feared operation in Venezuela could turn into 'Carter's disaster' — media

The American leader noted that this operation “destroyed the entire Carter administration"

Trump issues executive order to protect Venezuelan oil revenues from legal action

The proceeds from oil sales are sovereign property of the Venezuelan government held in custody in the United States, according to the document

Russia calls up 135,000 conscripts for military service in autumn draft

As in the previous army drafts, Russian conscripts had the right to choose military service in various military branches and armed services, considering their health condition and the results of professional psychological selection

US government mulls holding nuclear test, but has no clear plan yet — energy secretary

Chris Wright also stressed that the US nuclear arsenal has to be meaningfully better than all of its foes in the world

Female civilian dead as Ukrainian drones target Russian city of Voronezh

Doctors performed surgery on her but the injuries proved fatal, regional Governor Alexander Gusev said

European leaders lack expertise to make proper assessment of Ukraine crisis — Swiss MP

According to Mettan, today’s European leaders did not experience World War II and came of age only at the end of the Cold War

US business interests orchestrate Madagascar crisis — newspaper

Influential businesses in the US linked to President Donald Trump see the instability as an opportunity to reshuffle their agents in Madagascar to the detriment of national sovereignty, the article says

Cuba condemns US announcement to close airspace over Venezuela

Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla called the decision "an aggressive act that no state has the authority to perform outside its national borders"

Putin signs law on reliable Russian Internet

The document presupposes the centralized operation of the Runet if it is disconnected from the global network infrastructure

NATO builds up forces on borders of Russia-Belarus Union State — Lavrov

According to the Russian foreign minister, NATO member states try convincing the world community that they are preparing not for war, but for some kind of just peace in Ukraine, seeking "some kind of role in the settlement"

Iranian president calls on people to demonstrate to protest unrest

Masoud Pezeshkian extended condolences to the families of civilians who lost their lives and cautioned young people against involvement in terrorism

Ukrainian lawmakers seek to abolish draft deferments for students over 25

According to head of the parliamentary Committee for Educational Affairs Sergey Babak, the average number of male students over the age of 25, which stood at about 30,000 before 2022, rose sharply to 250,000 by September 1, 2025

White House thinks Trump will preserve good relations with Putin, Xi, despite Venezuela

According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the US leader is going to "enforce our policy that’s best for the United States of America"

Damage to Qatari embassy in Kiev result of Ukrainian air defense failure — Russian MFA

There were no designated military objectives near the Qatari diplomatic mission, the ministry noted

Russian sabre fencer Mikhailova wins Grand Prix in Tunisia

Yana Egoryan and Milena Sergeyeva advanced to the round of 16, whereas Olga Nikitina and Evelina Popova were eliminated after the round of 32

Wildberries launches sales in Germany

In the near future, Wildberries plans to enter the markets of France, Italy and Spain

US wants Russia, China to stay away from Greenland — Trump

Donald Trump also expects Caracas to become its ally in the future

NATO spies study damage from Oreshnik at Yuzhmash — expert

Alexander Stepanov emphasized that both Kiev and its Western allies are closely scrutinizing the consequences of the strike on the plant

Over $300 bln paid for Russian gas stolen by West from Russia - Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister stressed that Russia has decided to switch to rubles in payments for its gas in order to stop "the shameless robbery" by the West

One of Russia's oldest centenarians, Nafiza Zharylgapova, dies at 112 years of age

In her final days, she dedicated her time to visiting children in the Kazakh city of Uralsk, where she was laid to rest

Russia, Venezuela maintain strategic partnership — ambassador

Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov emphasized that these relations of strategic partnership will continue in all areas

Russian forces hit Ukraine’s defense facility, energy sites used by Ukrainian army

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, a total of 670 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 108,406 drones, 645 missile systems, 27,057 tanks

Russian armed forces destroy Ukrainian forces’ equipment near Kupyansk — Defense Ministry

The ministry noted that specialists from the unmanned systems troops have reduced the reconnaissance-to-strike cycle to a minimum

US tech billionaire Musk slams UK government as ‘fascist’

That is what he said in response to a previous media reports that more than 12,000 people were arrested in the UK for online comments

Danish PM shocked by Trump's, his administration's statements about Greenland — NYT

Trump has repeatedly stated the need for Greenland to join the United States

Ukraine loses about 1,330 troops in special military operation zone in past day

Units of Russia’s Battlegroup North hit the forces of two Ukrainian mechanized brigades and an assault regiment near Kondratovka, Miropolye, and Andreyevka in the Sumy Region, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Ukraine, US to sign $800-bln post-conflict reconstruction deal in Davos

The loan will be provided within a decade

Russian says warning systems failed during US strikes on Caracas

According to Ivan Pavlov, there is still silence on television

Agonizing Kiev regime vents its anger on Russian civilians — MFA

Maria Zakharova called on international organizations to provide an impartial assessment of the terrorist assault carried out by the Ukrainian military against civilians in Russia’s regions

Trump does not intend to pardon Maduro — NYT

The US President also made it clear that he has "no intention of pardoning" the other individuals

Venezuelan authorities declare constancy of foreign policy — Russian envoy

"Venezuelans, in their contacts with us, confirmed their commitment to adhering to the provisions of this document and, in general, to the spirit and principles of our partnership," Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov said

Kremlin spokesman critical of NATO chief’s remark about preparations for war

This must be a statement by a person from the generation that has forgotten what World War II was like, noted Dmitry Peskov

Grateful Dead founding member Bob Weir dies at 78

He succumbed to underlying lung issues, the family said