{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Israel believes Hamas essentially rejected Biden’s ceasefire deal — report

According to Ynet, Qatari mediators briefed Mossad Director David Barnea on the Hamas’ response on evening of June 11

TEL AVIV, June 12. /TASS/. Israel believes that Hamas essentially rejected US President Joe Biden's plan for a Gaza ceasefire, as the group responded by making changes to all the provisions of the original proposal, the Ynet news portal reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

"The meaning is clear: It is a rejection of Biden's proposal," the website quoted one of the sources as saying.

According to Ynet, Qatari mediators briefed Mossad Director David Barnea on the Hamas’ response on evening of June 11.

Ynet reported, citing an unidentified Israeli official, that Hamas made "significant changes" to the proposal, although Biden had warned that the group should accept the document in its original form.

Earlier, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters that Washington received and is studying Hamas' response to the Gaza ceasefire proposal.

Ynet said, citing no sources, that Israel is going to reject the group’s response to the deal proposal.

The situation in the Middle East sharply escalated following an incursion of Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip into Israel on October 7, accompanied by killings of residents of Israeli settlements near the border and taking more than 200 hostages, including children, women and elderly people. Hamas cast the attack as a response to Israeli actions against the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Israel declared a complete siege of the Gaza Strip and started striking the enclave and parts of Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also taking place in the West Bank.

Tags

Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Police detain general who led attempted coup in Bolivia — TV

The television channel showed the general leaving the building of the General Staff escorted by police

Russia tests strategic bomber with new air-to-surface missile

As was reported earlier, Russia had been working on a new version of the Tu-22M3 bomber - the Tu-22M3M

Russia looking at lowering level of diplomatic relations with West — senior diplomat

Such decisions in Russia are made at the top level, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said

Is Gaddafi's gloom prophecy in regard to Europe bound to be fulfilled?

As Europe’s migrant crisis grows far and wide, many Russian media are recalling the late Libyan leader Muamar Gaddafi’s gloom prophecy made several months before his violent death

Russian agency finds that 3,000 mercenaries fight on Ukrainian side

Alexander Fyodorov also said that since 2014, about 5,000 criminal investigations have been started against more than 1,000 individuals

US reaction to Putin's initiative means it doesn't need peace in Ukraine — ambassador

Anatoly Antonov stressed that the initiative outlined by the Russian president "will require colossal efforts and political determination"

Russia expels Austria’s ORF chief correspondent in tit-for-tat measure — MFA

The Foreign Ministry emphasized that this step is a response triggered by the continued discrimination of Russian media representatives in Austria

Bolivia’s army commander orders all military to return to their barracks

Shortly after, the television channel showed the military leaving the square in front of the government building

Moscow warns Seoul not to supply weapons to Kiev — diplomat

"Russia will not stand by and watch as South Korean weapons and military equipment are handed over to Ukrainian neo-Nazis for attacks on Russian territory and the murder of peaceful civilians," Maria Zakharova emphasized

Russian stocks close in the green on Wednesday

Freedom Finance Global projects the MOEX Index at 3,100-3,200 points on Thursday, the dollar at the range of 86-89 rubles, the euro at the range of 93-95.5 rubles

'Everyone got what they wanted' in Assange release deal, Kremlin says

WikiLeaks reported earlier that its founder had been released from Britain's Belmarsh prison, where he has been held since 2019, and left the UK by plane

Lavrov says West will allow killing Russians in Ukraine if conflict becomes frozen

According to the top Russian diplomat, American experts proposed to end hostilities and suggested "looking at the Korean scenario"

Russian, US defense chiefs exchange views on situation around Ukraine in first phone call

Andrey Belousov highlighted the danger of further escalation due to continued US weapons supplies to the Ukrainian armed forces

Politician blames former British PM for Ukrainian battle casualties

The Reform UK leader Nigel Farage did not rule out that Ukraine would have to give up some of its territories in order to put an end to fighting

Kiev responsible for 192 child deaths on Russian territory since February 2022 — envoy

Nebenzya pointed out that the Ukrainian military "is also responsible for the deaths of 129 and injuries of 503 children in Donbass" from 2014 to 2022

Germany’s calls for Russian-Ukrainian talks signal shift towards realism — Russian MFA

According to Maria Zakharova, if the AfD initiative translates into concrete political action, "it will be possible to talk about a return to common sense"

Russia bans entry to 27 Australian citizens — Russian MFA

According to the statement, the list includes "former politicians, executives of Australian companies, university teachers, journalists and public figures who are shaping the anti-Russian agenda in that country"

Russia’s export of sausage products up 21% in four months — Agroexport

Supplies to Kazakhstan were the growth driver, with over 11,000 tons of sausage products delivered to the country in the reporting period

Wikileaks founder pleads guilty in deal with US that secures his freedom — agency

Julian Assange pleaded guilty to a single felony charge for publishing US military secrets in federal court in Saipan

Confiscation of Helsinki Hall from Russian owners ahead 'with 99% certainty' — newspaper

The sellers of the arena through the company Arena Events are Russian owners Gennady Timchenko and the Rotenberg family, the media clarifies

Press review: Indian PM to visit Moscow and EU-Ukraine accession talks officially begin

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, June 26th

World must take threat of World War III seriously — top Turkish dip

According to Hakan Fidan, tensions in the world are rising because of the crisis in Ukraine and Gaza

Gasum to stop buying Russian LNG from July 26

"Gasum complies with all sanctions imposed by the EU and will not purchase or import Russian LNG as of 26 July," the company informed

Russia backs Syria’s demand for withdrawal of illegal troops, envoy says

According to Vasily Nebenzya, Russia believes that "it’s only possible to achieve sustainable unity in the Syrian Arab Republic by putting an end to foreign military presence."

EU, Ukraine to sign treaty on security guarantees for Kiev on June 27

According to the diplomat, the EU summit will be attended by a "special guest," likely a reference to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, who is expected to sign the treaty for Kiev

West to whitewash Kiev amid attack on Sevastopol until last moment — diplomat

According to the diplomat, all this only reinforces the feeling of impunity in the Ukrainian Presidential Office

Third of Ukrainian troops surrender near Lisichansk, LPR’s envoy to Russia says

According to Rodion Miroshnik, the operation to liberate the LPR would be brought to an end as soon as the operation in Lisichansk was finished

Ceasefire in Ukraine along current frontline realistic scenario — Sahra Wagenknecht

Instead, German authorities support "maximum demands of Zelensky, who wants to hold peace talks only after the Russians withdraw their forces from Crimea and Donbass," the head of Germany’s Bundnis Sahra Wagenknecht political party said

Russia bans entry to 36 citizens of New Zealand as tit-for-tat measure — MFA

In response to the politically motivated sanctions against Russian individuals and entities imposed by New Zealand’s government as part of the collective West’s Russophobic campaign, entry to our country is closed indefinitely to another 36 New Zealanders

Body of US diplomat found in Kiev hotel — report

Medical data provided by the US Embassy show he had a high level of cholesterol

46 people seek medical attention after train derailment in Komi — Russian Railways

All passengers have been evacuated from the derailment site

US seeks controlled mechanism of probes into infectious outbreaks — Russia’s top brass

As an example, Igor Kirillov cited the American nonprofit organization RAND known for its studies of artificial intelligence use for planning large-scale biological attacks

Russia to block access to 81 EU media outlets — MFA

The ministry noted that the Russian side has repeatedly and at various levels warned that "politically motivated harassment of domestic journalists and unfounded bans on Russian media in the EU will not go unanswered"

Pentagon rapidly expanding its military-biological presence in Africa — top brass

Igor Kirillov drew attention to the fact that Metabiota’s activity in Africa was wound up after "too many questions about its methods arose from national governments"

Russian interior minister, senior UN official discuss police activities in UN missions

Production of passenger cars in Russia up almost 1.7-fold in January-May to 267,000

Meanwhile in May Russia’s production of passenger cars lost 2.1% year-on-year and by 31.5% month-on-month

Top UK diplomat signals NATO’s rejection of Ukraine in prank call — spokeswoman

"Both Cameron and this tubby man from the UK Defense Ministry (former UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace - TASS) likely wanted to get some publicity through Vovan and Lexus, and, perhaps, float the idea that Ukraine will never be a part of NATO," the diplomat wrote on her Telegram channel

ICC’s claim of intent to cooperate with Russia absurd, Kremlin spokesman tells TASS

Assange situation testament to West’s hypocrisy on free speech — MFA

According to Maria Zakharova, the West "chased Assange around the globe like a wounded animal" and then "just drove him to the Ecuadorian embassy to languish there," after which he went to a British prison

Bolivian army units storming Government Palace in La Paz — TV channel

It is also reported that they have already entered the palace

Kama eyeing electric car production in Uzbekistan

The issue of producing Atom electric vehicles in Uzbekistan for the local market and Middle Asian countries was discussed at the meeting of presidents of Russia and Uzbekistan

What is known about coup attempt in Bolivia

Russia seeks to stem Western security threats, Lavrov says

Russia’s top diplomat fully believes that the country’s neighbors in western Eurasia "could become a lynchpin of the evolving multipolar world order as soon as they come to their senses and realize that the policy course being dictated by Washington is a dead end and runs counter to their own interests"

Lavrov says West will allow killing Russians in Ukraine if conflict becomes frozen

The foreign minister said that in recent years Ukraine had adopted laws that banned all things Russian: education, news media, and cultural events

Moscow - St. Petersburg high speed rail to cost $20.6 bln — Finance Ministry

The railroad with the length of 679 km will cover six regions: Moscow and St. Petersburg, Leningrad, Novgorod, Tver, and Moscow Regions

Russia welcomes initiative of Georgian politicians to restore ties — diplomat

It is reported that Georgian politicians asked to ease employment rules for citizens of the republic in the Russian Federation

Bolivia’s president urges citizens to defend democracy

It is vital that people of Bolivia get consolidated, Luis Arce said

Derailed Vorkuta-Novorossiysk train included 14 cars, 9 turned over, evacuation underway

The Western inter-regional transportation investigative directorate of the Russian Investigative Committee reported that no one died in the incident

Analyst sees Ukrainian strikes on radiation monitoring posts as psychological operations

Yury Braslavsky also said the purpose of destroying the radiation monitoring post could be political

South Africa implants isotope capsules in 20 rhinoceroses to protect them from poachers

According to calculations, the dose of radioactive material is so small that it will have no negative impact on the animal's health or the environment, James Larkin said

Putin hopes construction of warships will be cheaper

Russian President said it at a meeting on shipbuilding

Electricity output in Russia up 3.7% in January-May to 524 bln kW per hour — Rosstat

In particular, Russian thermal power plants boosted generation by 2.3% in five months in annual terms to 341 bln kWh, while May output fell by 19%

Agreement between Gazprom, NIGC to turn Iran into gas hub — Iran’s acting president

Cooperation between the two countries will lead to signing of larger agreements and contracts, Mohammad Mokhber said

Kiev's mining of Black Sea poses threat to other nations in region — diplomat

Maria Zakharova also drew attention to contradictions in the actions of the Kiev regime representatives, who, with the ongoing mining of the coastal waters, "invite the world community to do business, supply food, and engage in economic operations in the Black Sea"

Syria highly appreciates Putin’s peace proposal for Ukraine — Assad

"The peace initiative that was put forward by Russian President Vladimir Putin represents a real basis for a peaceful settlement between the two countries," the Syrian leader stressed

Bolivia sees joining BRICS as path towards prosperity — president

Bolivia has "certain difficulties with availability of the dollar," which is why it is necessary to get out from under "US hegemony" as much as possible, Luis Arce said

IN BRIEF: US ambitions to 'rule the world' doomed to failure, Lavrov tells forum

It is reported that Russia is open to dialogue with Europe based on the recognition of new territorial realities enshrined in the country’s constitution

Russian foreign ministry refutes allegations about Russia’s meddling with Bolivian affairs

Moscow considers such allegations as provocations

Western anti-Russian line pushes country to revise its nuclear doctrine — politician

According to Viktor Medvedchuk, Russia will consider these shifts not only because of the West's readiness to use nuclear weapons, but also because of the general trend of the collective West's policy toward Russia

Putin, Iran’s acting president discuss Russian-Iranian cooperation — Kremlin

Russian troops wipe out three US-made HIMARS rocket launchers in Ukraine operation

Russia’s Battlegroup South improved its tactical position and inflicted roughly 510 casualties on the Ukrainian army in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Beijing willing to work with Hanoi to maintain solidarity, friendship — Xi

The Chinese leader noted that both China and Vietnam "maintain rapid economic development and long-term social stability, demonstrating the strengths of the socialist system"

Dollar losing global reputation — Lavrov

"By the way, this was highlighted by Donald Trump in one of his recent speeches, where he accused Biden administration of ruining the belief in what was the basis for the American domination globally," the top Russian diplomat stressed

Russia’s gold production up 6.2% in five months of 2024 — Rosstat

Gold production gained 9.6% year-on-year and 15.4% month-on-month

Coal production in Russia down 0.2% in January-May to 179 mln tons — Rosstat

The production of all types of hard coal slipped by 0.6% in annual terms to 139 mln tons, including a 18.2% decrease in anthracite production to 9.5 mln tons

Russia open to dialogue with Europe if it recognizes its new territories — Lavrov

"As regards Ukraine, the current regime deserves the role of an instrument in the hands of Washington, but of course this is humiliating for Europe," the top Russian diplomat noted

Annual inflation in Russia up to 8.61% on June 18-24 from 8.47% in previous week

In the food sector price rates grew by 0.25% during the reporting week, in the non-food segment inflation equaled 0.15%, the Economic Development Ministry said

French politician calls to end 'anti-Russian hysteria' after Russia bans EU media

Florian Philippot pointed out that Russia was retaliating 27 months after the EU had banned several Russian media in March 2022, which is "very nice"

Former Russian NHL player arrested in US for suspected fraud

Sergei Berezin and his wife allegedly paid a Boca Raton-based company, American Advisory Associates, to get Medicaid and food stamp benefits for which they were unqualified and ineligible for

NATO countries approve Rutte's candidacy for five-year term as Secretary General

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte will replace Norway’s Jens Stoltenberg in October 2024

West's underestimation of Russia’s ability to use nuclear weapons could be fatal — MFA

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov is certain that Russia has the resource to convey signals to the West in the sphere of nuclear deterrence even despite its opponents' reluctance to conduct a sober dialogue

US permits oil supplies from Sakhalin-2 to Japan until June 28, 2025

The general license does not authorize any transactions otherwise prohibited by restrictions against Russia imposed earlier

Macron says ready for dialogue with Putin

The French leader pointed out that he "believes in the power of dialogue"

Change of SecGen to have no impact on 'NATO’s unbridled expansion,' says Russian senator

Konstantin Kosachev said that endorsing Mark Rutte is "a scene change in NATO" and pointed out that he expects nothing from the new appointment "for two objective reasons"

Eurasian countries join efforts to counter US hegemony — Lavrov

"But it is a fact that the course towards control from the ocean of everything that occurs everywhere is now countered by the course towards uniting the efforts of Eurasian countries," the top Russian diplomat stressed

Lavrov horrified by Israel's statement there are no civilians in Gaza

Moscow hopes that Israel will hear the voice of the world's overwhelming majority on the situation in Gaza, the top Russian diplomat said

West getting closer to point of no return by taking anti-Russian measures — diplomat

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov noted that foreign policy all-permissiveness and overindulgence in the feeling of impunity in the long run will lead to an escalation

Russia’s production of fertilizers up 16% in five months — Rosstat

Production of fertilizers added 13.9% year-on-year and 5.2% month-on-month

US sanctions unable to prevent Russia, China from delivering development goals — Lavrov

"I am confident India is also able to do everything it requires for development, if you also fall suddenly from grace. And this is possible," the foreign minister said

15 injured in train derailment in Russia’s Komi

The victims reportedly suffered minor traumas and bruises

If Austin talks about risk of NATO-Russia conflict, it means US has a plan for it — Lavrov

According to the top Russian diplomat, Europe is currently the main victim of the US policy of "dragging Ukraine into NATO"

Police detain general who led attempted coup in Bolivia — TV

The television channel showed the general leaving the building of the General Staff escorted by police

BRICS to suspend admitting new members for a while — Lavrov

"By the overwhelming majority, the ten nations decided to ‘take a pause’ with new members to ‘take in’ the new members who have doubled the association," he said at a meeting with speaker of Belarus

Ukrainian presidential office refutes plan of Trump’s advisers on settlement — news agency

Mikhail Podolyak reiterated that Kiev only promotes President Vladimir Zelensky's so-called peace formula

Bolivian president addresses supporters after military leave square at government building

Luis Arce thanked his supporters

Vucic sees no way of ending Ukrainian conflict under current conditions

"Only when a ceasefire has been achieved and when no more people lose their lives the negotiations should begin," the Serbian president stressed

NATO won’t be part of Ukraine conflict, it won’t cross this line, says Scholz

According to the German chancellor, the NATO summit will discuss the strengthening of its role in coordinating support for Ukraine and training the Ukrainian armed forces

Direct Russia-US clash to entail massive use of nuclear weapons — expert

Yevgeny Buzhinsky pointed out that despite all the modeling that had been carried out over decades, it is impossible to accurately predict what effect a massive use of nuclear weapons would have on the globe

Russia’s Navy to receive over 40 new ships in 2024 — Putin

In 2023 the number was 33

IAEA experts notified of destruction of ZNPP radiation control post by Ukraine

According to ZNPP Director Yury Chernichuk, the experts have been provided with photos of the current condition of the remains of this equipment

Trump team's plan on Ukraine should factor in situation on battlefield — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, Russian President Vladimir Putin "has repeatedly said that Russia has been and remains open to negotiations, taking into account the real state of affairs on the ground"

Russian army starts active use of motorcycles to seize Ukrainian positions

These bikes helped five Russian servicemen take control of a Ukrainian strongpoint

Russian diplomat warns Ukraine could suffer huge losses if it attempts another offensive

Maria Zakharova said the Ukrainian government has little concern that, if they go ahead with the plan, losses could be "even more terrible than the catastrophic losses that the Ukrainian armed forces suffered during the previous such reckless move in the summer of 2023"

New security architecture in Eurasia to exclude external military presence — Russia’s MFA

Maria Zakharova recalled that the initiative to create a new continent-wide security architecture in the Eurasian space had been put forward by Russian President Vladimir Putin

North Korean missile most likely exploded in air — news agency

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said earlier that the launch of a ballistic missile from Pyongyang into the Sea of Japan most likely failed

Senior Russian diplomat sees risks of direct armed clash between nuclear powers as high

Sergey Ryabkov also said Western opponents deliberately make unacceptable conditions for security talks with Moscow

Conflict in Ukraine must be resolved via diplomacy — foreign minister of Turkey

"We advocate that negotiations are given priority in all conflicts and wars," Hakan Fidan stressed

Republic of Congo president arrives in Moscow

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited the Republic of the Congo on June 3-4 and held talks with the country’s president

Russia cares little about Zaluzhny’s appointment Ukrainian ambassador to UK — Kremlin

Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said: "we don’t care"

US intention to inflict 'strategic defeat' on Russia 'doomed to failure' — Lavrov

"There is an impression that the US ruling elites have not learned any lessons from their recent numerous foreign policy and military failures," the foreign minister noted

Putin not planning to speak to Vucic for now, Kremlin aide says

The Primakov Readings international forum is being held in Moscow on June 25-26