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Judge sentences Wikileaks founder Julian Asssange to time served — agency

According to Reuters, Assange will be able to walk free from the courtroom on Wednesday after the judge approved a plea deal with prosecutors

NEW YORK, June 26. /TASS/. A federal court judge in Saipan, the capital of the US commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, has sentenced Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to the time he served in a British prison, Reuters reports.

According to the news agency, Assange will be able to walk free from the courtroom on Wednesday after the judge approved a plea deal with prosecutors, ending his 14-year legal ordeal.

As part of the deal, Assange pleaded guilty to a felony charge for publishing US military secrets. The plea deal will allow him to return to Australia, his home country. Assange is expected to arrive in Canberra at about 6:40 p.m. local time (8:40 a.m. GMT), The Australian newspaper writes.

In 2019, Assange was placed in Britain's Belmarsh prison after being removed from the Ecuadorian embassy in London. For more than five years, Washington kept trying to ensure the extradition of the WikiLeaks founder from Britain to the United States, where he was accused of crimes related to the largest case of disclosure of classified information in American history.

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United States Julian Assange

US analyst says Biden, Trump misinformed about situation in Ukraine

Both politicians appear to be incompetent about some important issues, according to the professor of political science at the University of Rhode Island Nicolai Petro

Discussions on South Caucasus need to be moved out of Switzerland — Russian delegation

"This is related to the fact that the Geneva venue is no longer comfortable for Russia and its allies," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin added

Russia never interfered in US electoral processes, not to do that now — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that "there have been repeated investigations in the US itself, many accused Russia there," however, Washington "concluded on its own that no interference took place"

New technologies necessary for Russia’s and Belarus’ sovereignty — Putin

According to the Russian leader, such implementation must be carried out not only at the national level, but also at the regional level, which will be facilitated by the Forum of Regions of the two countries

FACTBOX: Mir payment system launched in 10 countries, over 15 want to introduce it

In 2023, the regulator plans to bring the card to 5-6 new countries

More than 128 countries confirm participation in SPIEF 2024 — Roscongress

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum will be held on June 5-8, 2024

Houthis say they attacked four commercial ships in Red, Mediterranean Seas

According to the movement’s military spokesperson Yahya Sarea, the Houthis and the Islamic Resistance in Iraq attacked The Waler oil tanker, Johannes Maersk container ship, as well as the Delonix tanker for liquid chemicals and the Ioannis bulk carrier

Arabs remove Hezbollah from list of terrorist organizations — senior Arab League official

"The military escalation in the south poses a severe challenge to security and stability not only in Lebanon, but also across the Middle East, especially if the conflict spills over," Hossam Zaki said

Zelensky admits Ukraine unwilling to prolong conflict due to high casualties

Previously, Ukraine announced that it will prepare a settlement plan after the first conference in Switzerland, which will be presented to Russia at the second similar meeting

Democrats discussing replacing Biden after his poor debate performance — Politico

According to three strategists close to the Democratic party, Joe Biden’s fellow party members "are panicked" over his poor performance in the debate with former US President Donald Trump

St. Petersburg and Republic of Congo outline areas for broad cooperation

The statement was made after a meeting between Governor of St. Petersburg Alexander Beglov and President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou-Nguesso

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

US coalition's drone flies too close to Russian plane in Syria — top brass

Russian pilot demonstrated high professionalism and took timely measures to prevent a collision

Trump dodges question on whether he is ready to recognize Palestine’s independence

In his opinion, Biden fails to provide Israel enough support to allow the Jewish state defeat the radical Hamas movement

Finland planned genocide of Soviet people in 1940-1941 — Russian Security council

Rashid Nurgaliyev pointed out that, on July 8, 1941, one day before the beginning of the Finnish offensive north of Lake Ladoga, Carl Gustaf Mannerheim issued the order number 132, its fourth clause reading: "capture the Russian population and send it to concentration camps"

Russia’s Battlegroup South repels attacks of Ukrainian assault groups in three directions

The head of the group's press center, Vadim Astafiev, said that artillery in the area of the village of Ivano-Daryevka destroyed an enemy infantry fighting vehicle

Russia strikes Ukrainian military airfields by precision weapons — top brass

Russian troops struck massed Ukrainian manpower and military hardware in 117 areas over the past day, the ministry reported

Countries that recognize Palestine

Palestine proclaimed independence in 1988

Russian stocks up during Friday trading

On June 12, the US Treasury imposed sanctions against the Moscow Exchange and the National Clearing Center, part of the Moscow Exchange group

Russia ready for possible hurdles during Nord Stream 2’s operation — diplomat

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced earlier that the pipelaying operation for the first string of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline was successfully completed

Twenty-one people detained after attempted military coup in Bolivia

On June 26, a group of Bolivian army officers led by General Juan Jose Zuniga, who was removed as army commander on June 25, occupied the square in front of the government building in La Paz

Russian proposals about Ukraine time-sensitive — Medvedev

The politician said this proposal is based on two positions

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

Granddaughter of Cold War-era Soviet leader dies after being hit by train near Moscow

The woman attempted to cross the rail tracks away from the established safe crossing

Russia’s tech corporation reveals how Tablet-M-IR mobile artillery control system works

Tablet-M-IR is planned to be integrated in the Athlet special purpose armored vehicle

Georgia, Moldova reject EU’s decision to hand over income from Russia’s assets to Kiev

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell noted that these countries will make sure that their national policies comply with the European Council decision, adding that the Council welcomes it

Assets to be withdrawn from US jurisdiction — Russian Security Council

"The most efficient mechanism will be the withdrawal of all the sovereign assets out of the US jurisdiction and structuring of deals without using the dollar," Dmitry Medvedev noted

Ukrainian MP demands Supreme Court oblige parliament to call presidential election

"The latest polls also reveal that people want changes," Alexander Dubinsky said

Russian forces destroy Ukrainian troops trying to entrench near Belogorovka, says LPR

After suffering casualties, the Ukrainian troops "had to retreat to their previous positions," Andrey Marochko said

Armenia confirms its participation in NATO summit in Washington

The summit will look at establishing a new structure for helping Ukraine

Moldova may join SCO, BRICS after leadership change — former President Dodon

"The status of an EAEU observer we obtained during my presidency was the right step and this status should be used," Igor Dodon said, adding that Moldova should pursue a balanced foreign policy

Trump says Kiev not winning in conflict with Russia

At the same time, Trump also claimed that Russia "is going to take [entire] Ukraine"

European servicemen won't fight in Ukraine even if they come there — Belgian army chief

Michel Hofman also pointed out that "in any case, this will be a political decision"

Ukrainian troops withdraw from some important areas near Toretsk — DPR official

Igor Kimakovsky specified that the Ukrainian armed forces had lost dozens of troops in the Toretsk area in recent days

IN BRIEF: Trump’s presidential debate win puts final nail in Biden’s political coffin

A flash poll showed that 67% of watchers said Trump performed better during Thursday night’s debate

Russian forces strike Swedish-made CV90 combat vehicle near Artyomovsk

"Whereas an Abrams tank costs about 8.5 million US dollars, the price of an CV-90 is more than 10 million US dollars," the deputy commander of the Burevestnik unit of the Battlegroup South said

Georgian PM says Tbilisi will under no circumstances become second Ukraine

Irakli Kobakhidze emphasized that Georgia has dealt with similar threats in the past and the government will not let anyone bring the country "to such a dire condition" as Ukraine has been put in

Trump vows to end Ukraine conflict even before he assumes office if elected US president

He pointed out that Joe Biden had "given $200 billion now or more to Ukraine"

US’ actions on Korean Peninsula threaten both North Korea and Russia — diplomat

"The treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership that was signed by Russia and North Korea on June 19 is called to play a stabilizing role in Northeastern Asia amid the unprecedented escalation of tension," Vasily Nebenzya said

Russia warns Japan of countermeasures over military drills — MFA

The Japanese side "was told that provocative military activity next to the Far Eastern borders of our country, conducted also in cooperation with extra-regional countries - NATO members - is categorically inadmissible"

Voting in Iran’s presidential election ends, vote counting begins — spokesperson

Voting hours were extended three times because of hot weather, Mohsen Eslami said

Musk assesses US presidential election debate as preparation to replace Biden

Atlanta was the site of the first-ever televised election debate between a sitting president and a former president in US history

Contracts worth around $338.64 mln signed at Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia

Natalya Kochanova noted that within the framework of the forums "over the past 10 years 580 agreements of various levels have been signed and trade contracts have been concluded for the total amount of more than 20.5 bln Belarusian rubles (more than 550 bln rubles - TASS)"

Russia vows immediate countermeasures should West take its assets — MFA

"We have a range of political, economic countermeasures against those attempting to get hold of Russian reserves," Maria Zakharova said

Biden intends to take part in second presidential debate in September — CNN

Biden’s advisers say that one debate should not disqualify the president from seeking reelection and therefore Biden still plans to participate in a second presidential debate

Putin discusses situation around INF Treaty with Russian Security Council

The Russian leader recalled that several years ago the United State had withdrawn from the treaty under an invented pretext and announced its plans to manufacture such missile systems

Press review: Putin receives Congolese president and rumors fly after failed Bolivia coup

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, June 28th

Burevestnik unit destroys $23.5 mln worth of Ukrainian weapons in two months

According to the report, most of the targets were heavy equipment, weapons, dugouts, and deployment sites

Biden not to drop out of presidential race over performance at debates — campaign

The media also noted that members of Joe Biden’s campaign say that the current US president has no intention to drop out of the second round of debates with Donald Trump on September 10

Putin highly appreciates projects for production of PD-14 and PD-35 aircraft turbo engines

The Russian leader has no doubt "that these plans will be implemented, and then we will have our own engine for wide-body long-haul aircraft"

Chinese defense official warns of hellish consequences for US’ Taiwan drone plans

"Those who are clamoring about turning other people's homes into hell should first prepare to be sent to a hell of their own," Chinese Defense Ministry Spokesman Wu Qian said

Business in Russia has become more patriotic and state-oriented — Putin

The head of state noted that Russian entrepreneurs did not allow the national economy to collapse after the departure of Western companies

Outcome of election campaign in France is of interest to Moscow — Kremlin

"We see that there are dynamics related to the loss of popularity by some political forces and the growth of popularity of other political forces," Dmitry Peskov noted

Thirty companies ready to be residents of free economic zone in Belgorod region — governor

Vyacheslav Gladkov added that next his administration expects to receive clarifying criteria for the selection of residents of the free economic zone

US prepares to evacuate citizens from Lebanon — NBC

According to the report, Washington fears that Israel may launch a ground operation in Lebanon in the coming weeks

Turnover of SMEs in Moscow region reaches $82.23 bln in 2023

According to the Ministry of Investment of Moscow Region, almost 440,000 organizations and individual entrepreneurs worked in total in the Moscow region in the field of small and medium business at the beginning of 2024

Putin starts work at Eastern Economic Forum

The President will see today the interactive presentation of the Far East development results, with residents of advance development territories connected via a videoconference link

Kiev demands that NATO establish no-fly zone over Western parts of Ukraine — AFP

"I do not understand what NATO cannot deploy air defense systems along the Polish border," Verkhovna Rada lawmaker Alexey Goncharenko said

Belarusian border guards thwart airspace violation by Ukrainian quadcopter

According to the report, the unmanned aerial vehicle was forced to land 150 meters from the state border

Tanks playing major role in Russian army’s advance in south Donetsk area — top brass

The T-80BVM tank was engineered to operate in a tense environment under heavy enemy fire

US diplomat says Russia ramped up its defense industry after starting special operation

Nicholas Burns stressed that it is "far stronger now than it was even in the beginning" of the conflict

Russian air defenses down 62 Ukrainian drones, 14 HIMARS rockets, three Hammer bombs

Battlegroup South took up better forward edge positions, causing Ukrainian forces to sustain roughly 660 casualties, report said

Yemeni Houthis report joint attack with Iraq’s Islamic Resistance on Haifa

The US and its allies launched Operation Prosperity Guardian aiming to ensure both the freedom of navigation and the safety of maritime traffic in the Red Sea

UN has no issues with Russia’s training of peacekeepers — minister

According to Vladimir Kolokoltsev, "41 Russian law-enforcers are participating in missions in zones of armed conflicts, including 12 women"

Kremlin says will look at statements made in US presidential debate

On Thursday night, the first televised presidential debate was held between incumbent US President Joe Biden and his predecessor, Donald Trump, in Atlanta, Georgia

Russia’s inflation expected to slow down in 2H 2024 — Siluanov

In March, the Russian Finance Minister said that the Bank of Russia’s measures to combat inflation were effective

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

The Republic of the Congo offers new projects to Russia’s Lukoil — Congolese minister

According to Ivan Romanovsky, Congo and Lukoil discussed new initiatives and the company’s existing projects in the country, including the possibilities of monetizing gas from developed fields

Russian judokas to skip Paris Olympics

The IOC issued invitations to Valery Yendovitsky, Makhamdbek Makhamadbekov, Elis Startseva, and Dali Liluashvili

EU fails to approve measures to allocate $50-billion loan to Kiev — EC president

Charles Michel said that discussions on the subject will continue over the next few weeks

Arkady Novikov: I’ll continue to be a Slave of the Lamp

The founder and owner of the Novikov Group in a TASS special project Top Business Officials

Investigative Committee chief for considering abolition of moratorium on death penalty

Alexander Bastrykin said that it should be used "in some cases," citing the terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall music venue as an example

Dagestan police carry out searches in Nurmagomedov martial arts school over terrorism case

Earlier, reports appeared on social media that one eliminated militants could be MMA fighter Gadjimurad Kagirov - graduate of the Nurmagomedov School

Ex-British envoy to Russia points to West’s role in provoking conflict in Ukraine

According to Anthony Brenton, "when NATO enlargement first loomed, both former Director of the US Department of State Policy Planning Staff George Kennan and former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger warned of the likely disastrous effects for Russia-West relations"

Liberation of Razdolovka to help Russian army expand bridgehead in Seversk area — expert

"Razdolovka is yet another settlement on the way to liberating Seversk," Igor Kimakovsky pointed out

Russia to continue supplying energy and food to global market despite EU sanctions — MFA

Maria Zakharova reiterated that although the EU sanctions are formally aimed against Russia, they are equally harmful and undermine the security of developing countries

Russia builds equality-based cooperation with partners, unlike West — foreign minister

Sergey Lavrov assured the congress attendees that Moscow, together with its allies, partners and associates from the countries in the Global South and East, will continue to work on shaping a more just multipolar world order

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

Russia remains fundamental pillar of UN work — secretary-general

Antonio Guterres also said problems that problems in the UN "normally come from big powers"

Disrespect for immunity of countries could be step toward war — Medvedev

"Russia, like most countries of the world, including, incidentally, the United States of America and the largest countries - China, India - is not a party to this theatrical institution called the ICC," the official stressed

Share of foreign investment in Russian OFZ flat at 6.8% in May — Central Bank

As of April 1, 2024, the share of non-residents in OFZ stood at 7.1%

Republic of Congo and Russia to boost energy cooperation — Congolese president

Denis Sassou-Nguesso noted that the republic continues to follow the path of strengthening cooperation with Russia

Lavrov wishes successful presidential elections to Iranian counterpart

The sides also stated their serious concerns over the dangerous escalation of tensions in the region, which emerged due to the lack of settlement of numerous crises

Russia taking measures in response to US involvement in strikes on Sevastopol — diplomat

Commenting on the likelihood of the Russian side using tactical nuclear weapons in response to the shelling of Sevastopol, Sergey Ryabkov pointed out that "the Russian president, as the supreme commander-in-chief, makes such fateful decisions"

Russia’s agriculture exports to BRICS countries to exceed $16 bln in 2024 — minister

Year-to-date exports of agriculture products from Russia to BRICS countries have already surpassed $7 bln, Oksana Lut noted

Russian forces destroy 2 HIMARS and one Olkha launcher in a day — Defense Ministry

The Russian army also eliminated the radar of the S-300 anti-aircraft missile system in the area of the settlement of Sanzheyka in the Odessa region

Missiles, drones launched from Lebanon into Israel, IDF hits Hezbollah military targets

"No injuries were reported and damage was caused to a building in the western Galilee area," the IDF said

Trump to eventually see there is no alternative to Putin's proposals on Ukraine — diplomat

Commenting on US politicians' perception of Vladimir Putin's proposal, Sergey Ryabkov pointed out that "Trump is not the entire US elite"

VTB top manager projects growth of Central Bank’s key rate to 17% in July

The banker also admitted that the key rate might go even higher by the end of the year

US planes, drones to continue flying in international airspace — Pentagon

Earlier, Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov ordered to the General Staff to draft proposals on response to US provocations involving drone flights over the Black Sea

No EU sanctions can undermine Russian economy — MFA

Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova recalled that the new sanctions provide for illegal measures against the Russian energy sector, designed to limit or completely block the supply of Russian oil and gas to the world market

Trump says Putin’s conditions for peace in Ukraine ‘not acceptable’

"Look, this is a war that never should have started if we had a leader," former US President said

Severomorsk welcomes Admiral Golovko frigate

The Admiral Golovko of project 22350 was built by Severnaya Verf Shipyard and joined the Navy on December 25, 2023 in the presence of President Vladimir Putin

Russia ranked world’s second largest military power — GFP

More than 60 individual criteria were factored into the rankings, including the number of military troops, financial and logistics capabilities, as 145 world powers were considered

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

In 2023 the number was 33

Russia delivers 17 strikes at Ukrainian military-industrial sites over week

Russia’s Battlegroup West improved its tactical position and inflicted casualties on eight Ukrainian army brigades in its area of responsibility over the past week, the Defense Ministry reported

Europe’s KNDS defense holding unveils new howitzers, come may be sent to Ukraine — TV

According to the report, the Kiev government may receive 50 such howitzers

New Russian combat equipment in 2024

BRICS countries back Russia’s initiative to create grain exchange — agriculture minister

Oksana Lut also mentioned "the development of the possibility of settlements in national currencies of the BRICS countries"

Russian Defense Minister tasks General Staff with measures to respond to US drone missions

The ministry pointed to the increased intensity of activities of US strategic unmanned aerial vehicles over the Black Sea, which are conducting reconnaissance and targeting of precision weapons supplied by Western countries to the armed forces of Ukraine for attacks on Russia

Forty Ukrainian draft dodgers die while crossing Tisza border river since 2022

The most popular routes to flee Ukraine run across the borders with Moldova and Romania, where draft evaders have to pay guides from $3,000 to $12,000, up to $18,000, Andrey Demchenko noted