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Middle East conflict

UN Security Council to vote on US-backed resolution on Gaza

The US draft "determines the imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire to protect civilians on all sides" and "unequivocally supports ongoing international diplomatic efforts to secure such a ceasefire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages"

UNITED NATIONS, March 22. /TASS/. The UN Security Council will convene on Friday to vote on the US-backed draft resolution on the Middle East, said Nicolas de Riviere, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations.

"We will have probably vote by the US draft tomorrow morning," he said. "Then there are two options: either <…> the text of the US is adopted, and then we will move to the next phase of crisis management, or the text is not adopted and then the draft of the elected members [non-permanent members of the UN Security Council] will come to the table and put to the vote, and I hope it will be adopted."

The US draft "determines the imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire to protect civilians on all sides" and "unequivocally supports ongoing international diplomatic efforts to secure such a ceasefire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages." It also "rejects actions that reduce the territory of Gaza," including through the establishment of official or unofficial buffer zones and opposes the forced displacement of civilians in Gaza.

Russian First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Dmitry Polyansky said the document needs to contain a demand or a call for a ceasefire, instead of "determine the imperative."

An alternative draft resolution, drafted by ten non-permanent members of the council, has four provisions and calls for an immediate ceasefire during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, observed by all sides. It also calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and demands that the parties honor the international law while treating all captured individuals. It also urges to increase the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza and remove all obstacles for humanitarian deliveries.

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Palestine Israel

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Thailand receives invitation to become BRICS partner country — diplomatic source

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Ukraine issue gets more attention at UN after Trump’s election win — Russian diplomat

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Ukrainian forces ready to withdraw from Kurakhovo, but no order yet — serviceman

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Trump to reverse Biden’s executive orders in first week in office — press secretary

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Houthis attack two US destroyers — Pentagon

Earlier, the Houthi movement’s military spokesman Yahya Saree said that the rebels had delivered rocket and drone strikes on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea

Russian troops secure supply route to Plekhovo in Kursk Region — commander

It is reported that fighting in the settlement itself is taking place at the moment

Trump may be set to change US course on global conflicts, Russian envoy believes

Alexander Lavrentyev also pointed to the potential withdrawal of US troops from Syria

DPR head Pushilin visits Ugledar, says town badly destroyed

Denis Pushilin added that "it is almost impossible to find an undamaged building"

Extension of conflict not in Ukraine’s interest — analyst

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Defense enterprises in Ukraine hiding their employees from mobilization

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Article II of the US Constitution stipulates that: "No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President"

US delivers strikes on infrastructure of pro-Iranian militants in Syria — CENTCOM

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Ukraine admits to mismanagement of military personnel

Maria Berlinskaya recounted how Ukraine’s army received tens of thousands of people, including "the smartest managers, the smartest economists, and very good businessmen, for free"

Russia to open embassies in several African countries — MFA

In some African states, such as South Sudan, for example, the Russian side reached an agreement at some point to open an embassy, though "it has not been done for a variety of reasons," Mikhail Bogdanov noted

Russian Security Council secretary meets with senior Chinese official

The meeting involves consultations on security, justice and public order

Amount of Russian assets frozen in Switzerland unchanged since August — agency

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Medvedev warns that EU behavior in struggle with Russia fraught with 'bad scenario'

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Lukashenko calls for support to developing nations in accessing green technologies

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Group plotting violent coup detained in Kyrgyzstan — interior ministry

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Musk helping Trump choose top officials — media

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FSB foils attempted terrorist attack on power station in Nizhny Tagil

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Russian forces strike Ukrainian military airfields, energy sites over past day

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Two US military bases in Syria come under missiles attacks — TV

According to tAl Mayadeen, at least two attacks targeted a military facility near the Conico gas field in the Deir ez-Zor governorate in a span of one hour

Czech intelligence warns of crime surge after Ukraine conflict ends

More than 380,000 people, mostly women and children, have fled Ukraine to the Czech Republic since February 24, 2022

Breakthrough near Krasnoarmeysk could enable Russian push toward the Dnieper — expert

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