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Middle East conflict

Biden highlights to Netanyahu importance of humanitarian corridors in Gaza

The US leader once again blamed Hamas for disrupting the humanitarian pause, condemning the movement’s refusal to free "young women civilian hostages"

US President Joe Biden AP Photo/Evan Vucci

US President Joe Biden

© AP Photo/Evan Vucci

WASHINGTON, December 8. /TASS/. In a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Joe Biden has underscored the importance of creating humanitarian corridors in the Gaza Strip, the White House has said.

"The President emphasized the critical need to protect civilians and to separate the civilian population from Hamas including through corridors that allow people to move safely from defined areas of hostilities," the White House press service said in a statement.

Biden also underscored the importance of the continuous and sustained flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza and welcomed the recent Israeli decision to allow more fuel into the enclave. However, he stressed that "much more assistance was urgently required across the board."

The US leader once again blamed Hamas for disrupting the humanitarian pause, condemning the movement’s refusal to free "young women civilian hostages." He reiterated that the ICRC must be permitted to access remaining hostages and expressed his concern about violence committed against Palestinians in the West Bank.

Biden also held a phone conversation with King Abdullah II of Jordan. The sides discussed increased delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza and agreed to continue working together for a durable and sustainable peace in the Middle East.

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Palestine Israel Joseph Biden Benjamin Netanyahu

EU resorts to double standards when sanctions China for trade with Russia — Chinese MFA

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Moscow concerned with outgoing US President Biden’s escalation strategy — Kremlin

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Russia designs Titan rifle for commandos

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Potential deployment of intermediate-range missiles depends on US moves — Russian diplomat

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Kiev forces lose over 450 troops in Battlegroup Center responsibility area in one day

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Russian forces pound Ukrainian military airfields, energy sites over day — top brass

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Anglo-Saxons secretly push Kiev toward nuclear terrorism — FSB head

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Ukraine abandons Selidovo, laying mines in wells — security services

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Sergey Naryshkin stressed that Moldova is "following in its footsteps"

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Netanyahu may accept ceasefire in Lebanon to stop Hezbollah bombings — diplomat

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Dr. Predrag Ceranic pointed out that in Republika Srpska, everyone understands very well that Russia was compelled "to make this move in order to protect its people in Donbass"

US did not contact Russia after use of Oreshnik missile — Deputy Foreign Minister

In his televised address to the nation on November 21, Putin stated that the United States and its NATO allies had authorized the use of long-range high-precision weapons before US and British missiles struck Russian military facilities in the bordering regions of Kursk and Bryansk

Top Israeli defense official announces construction of fence on border with Jordan

"We are going to do it very quickly," Israel Katz said

Russia to develop bilateral cooperation with Afghanistan — Shoigu

He pointed out that to this end, Russia will continue to support Kabul's integration into regional structures and associations

France, UK will have to pay for their helping Ukraine strike inside Russia — diplomat

Russia’s Permanent Representative to the Vienna-based international organizations Mikhail Ulyanov said that what has been done by the White House is very dangerous

West wants to use Kalinousky Regiment to destabilize Belarus — Russian intelligence chief

Sergey Naryshkin pointed out that now this nationalist group was fighting together with the Ukrainian army along with the Russian Volunteer Corps (recognized in Russia as a terrorist organization) and the Georgian Legion (the paramilitary group Georgian National Legion is blacklisted as terrorist and banned in Russia)

Russia rejects Korean scenario for freezing Ukraine conflict — foreign intel chief

Sergey Naryshkin recalled that the only way to ensure peace is to eliminate the root causes that triggered the Ukrainian conflict

Trump promises to impose 25% tariff on all goods from Mexico, Canada

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

West beginning to realize only part of Ukraine will remain — Lavrov

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Shooting of Selidovo residents by Ukrainian troops meant to repeat Bucha provocation

The shooting of civilians could have been meant to "simply intimidate people who want to continue living on their soil," Russian foreign ministry’s ambassador at large, Rodion MIroshnik said

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

London intensifies anti-Russian campaign in face of impending ‘Ukrainian project’ failure

The realization of the impending failure of the ‘Ukrainian project’ London has been staking on in hopes of capitalizing on plans to inflict a ‘strategic defeat’ on our country by proxy is now as clear as ever," the embassy said

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NATO expanding presence in Arctic, Baltic, Black Sea, Caspian regions — FSB chief

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Sergey Naryshkin added that the Western capitals "stopped thinking about strategically defeating Russia and shifted to thinking about how to avoid such a defeat themselves"

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The Turkish side will also provide information on the progress of the investigation

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Bloomberg pointed out that the missiles were sent before the US and UK authorization to use long-range precision-guided weapons to launch strikes from Ukrainian territory deep into Russia

Candidate for post of top diplomat confirms bid to join NATO, EU a priority for Georgia

On Monday, acting Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze endorsed Bochorishvili as a candidate for the position of the republic’s foreign minister to replace Ilia Darchiashvili

Ukrainian commander-in-chief reports threats to troops in Zaporozhye Region

Earlier, it was reported that the Russian forces had advanced for over 2 km near Malaya Tokmachka in the Zaporozhye Region

NATO disregards all etiquette in discussing possible preemptive strikes on Russia — Lavrov

NATO Military Committee Chairman Rob Bauer earlier called for producing more weapons for precision strikes inside Russia in case a conflict broke out

No one wins in trade war, says Chinese embassy in US

Earlier, Trump promised to impose an additional 10% tariff on all goods from China due to the alleged large-scale drug smuggling from China into the US

Lebanon wary of reports of potential ceasefire with Israel

Beirut is cautious for now because it is dealing with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "and all previous deals with him have failed," Lebanese Parliament Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab pointed out

No int’l restrictions on deployment of Oreshnik systems — senior Russian diplomat

When asked if the 1998 Russian-US memorandum of understanding on notifications of missile launches remained in effect, Sergey Ryabkov answered in the affirmative

Diplomat mocks US Senator for talking about invading Netherlands

Maria Zakharova quoted the US Senator, who called the ICC a "Kangaroo court" and ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan a "deranged fanatic"

Russian diplomat doesn’t rule out missile deployment in Asia as response to US’ actions

Sergey Ryabkov warned Russia’s adversaries against settling into a "false sense of security"

Biden team may escalate global tensions to highest level, FSB chief warns

According to Alexander Bortnikov, the United States, the United Kingdom, and their allies will continue trying "to blatantly interfere in allied relations within the CIS, hinder integration processes, and undermine our joint efforts to ensure security and stability across the Commonwealth"

British mercenary taken into custody and Ukraine's losses: situation in Kursk Region

The Ukrainian armed forces lost over 250 troops, four tanks, four infantry fighting vehicles, three armored combat vehicles, eight motor vehicles and two mortars in the past day

Rome plans to arrange Ukraine conference with Russia's participation

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga is set to attend the G7 foreign ministers' meeting on November 26, marking the end of Italy’s presidency of the informal group

US continues to plunder Afghanistan with impunity, says Shoigu

"In my opinion, the United States should invest in the reconstruction of Afghanistan after everything it has done and abandoned there," the top security official emphasized

Fire at Tupras oil refinery extinguished

No one was injured in the fire, the company said in a press release

Russian military engaged in tough battles with Ukrainians in Kharkov Region — official

"Our forces continue their coordinated efforts to liberate the Kharkov Region from the enemy," Vitaly Ganchev said

Russia’s launch of new missile illustrated assured retaliation capability, lawmaker says

Andrey Kartapolov also noted that the enemy currently has no defenses against the Oreshnik.

Russia may soon push Kiev troops out of Kursk Region — Ukrainian battalion commander

It is noted that Russia has about three times as many men as the Ukrainians in the Kursk Region and six times as many explosive drones

Proposal to give Kiev nuclear arms highly extremist — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that this is an absolutely irresponsible line of reasoning from those with a poor grasp of reality

Zelensky begs ‘for his country to be flattened’ — US journalist

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French politician calls for protests against deployment of Western troops to Ukraine

Florian Philippot called on his supporters to rally "in support for peace and against this madness" on December 1

Europe resumes talks of troop deployment to Ukraine — newspaper

According to the sources, this is driven by the fact that Washington may scale back support for Ukraine after Donald Trump returns to office as US president on January 20, 2025

Kremlin confident Putin’s warning about strikes inside Russia was well heard in West

According to Dmitry Peskov, the position of the Russian Federation was outlined quite clearly by President Vladimir Putin

Fire breaks out in Japan during test of Epsilon S rocket engine

There were no casualties as a result of the incident, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said

Defense contractor delivers new batch of Su-34 bombers to Russia’s Aerospace Forces

The new fighter-bombers have undergone necessary testing and have been sent to the places of their operation, Vadim Badekha noted

Kabul counts on Moscow to help neutralize Western pressure

"We can assure you that the Islamic Emirate is a reliable economic partner," Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar said

Intel chief calls on West to embrace Putin's vision for resolving Ukraine conflict

"The sooner Western capitals realize [the need to accept] the Russian president’s conditions for a peace agreement and talks, the better it will be for Ukraine, Europe and Russia, too," Sergey Naryshkin noted

Retreating Ukrainian troops leave dozens of bodies behind in Chasov Yar

According to the sources, some of these makeshift morgues were destroyed by retreating Ukrainian troops

British mercenary claims he was sent to Russia’s Kursk Region against his will

The captive explained that he had served as a private in a battalion for four months

Scholz vows to continue supporting Ukraine following his chancellor nomination

The German chancellor listed supporting Ukraine at the top of his priorities should the SPD win and form a government

Potential handover of nuclear arms by US to Kiev ‘act of treason’ — US congresswoman

Marjorie Taylor Greene suggested that the Biden administration is "trying to start a nuclear war and use it as the reason to stop the transfer of power to Donald Trump"

Kiev has ‘no chance’ of retaking lost territories — Blackwater founder

Erik Prince noted that it was necessary to end the Ukrainian conflict as soon as possible

Majority of Americans oppose further military support for Ukraine, poll shows

The poll, conducted on November 19-22, involved over 2,200 Americans

Citizens of Poland, Germany, Italy apply for residence permit in Lugansk Republic

The decisions will be made in response to these applications in the near future

New EU sanctions on Russia may target 80 individuals, entities — agency

In addition, the EU proposes imposing restrictions on some 30 organizations allegedly assisting Moscow in acquiring military technologies

Russian forces entrap Ukrainian troops near Svatovo in LPR — military expert

Ill-thought-out command and control of Ukrainian troops has demoralized enemy forces and increased the number of desertions among its personnel in that frontline area, Andrey Marochko said

Pentagon not yet assessed damage caused by use of Russia’s newest Oreshnik missile

"When we have more to provide, we will," Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said

'Western vector' leaves Ukraine poorest country in Europe — politician

Ukrainians have never seen the promised freedom, Viktor Medvedchuk noted

France, UK may deploy troops to Ukraine following ceasefire — expert

According to Elie Tenenbaum, European countries may send troops to east Ukraine to ensure the observation of a ceasefire regime and guarantee Kiev’s security

British military instructor captured, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

In total, the enemy has lost more than 35,510 troops since the fighting began in the region

EU Commissioner for Justice calls on members states to step up assistance to Ukraine

Didier Reynders stressed that EU countries provided Ukraine with 45.5 billion euros for military needs and supplied "a wide variety of arms" from their stockpiles, including F-16 aircraft

FACTBOX: What is known about Russian flight incident at Antalya Airport

A Russian Sukhoi Superjet 100 operated by the Azimuth airline caught fire as the plane landed at Antalya Airport on Sunday, TASS has compiled the key facts about the situation

Kremlin explains why Oreshnik missile came as surprise

"I am sure that neither of us is even aware right now of any new future developments," Dmitry Peskov said

Russia’s Medvedev warns Europe could face 'catastrophic damage' from Oreshnik missile

The Russian Security Council deputy chairman also commented on Vladimir Zelensky’s "resilience plan"

Kremlin spokesman says missiles like Oreshnik are developed in secrecy

Dmitry Peskov said that he himself did not know about this work before Russian President Vladimir Putin announced it

Lukashenko tells Putin situation is "starting to get tense with Wagner"

The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw

Denmark, its neighbors hold talks with China about damaged cables under Baltic Sea-report

The Chinese ship is currently anchored in international waters in the middle of the Kattegat Strait off the Bjare Peninsula