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

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Biden could announce this weekend he quits race — report

The president’s fellow party members, close friends and major campaign donors believe Biden will not be able to change public perceptions of his age, deliver congressional majorities or defeat his Republican rival Donald Trump

NEW YORK, July 18. /TASS/. US President Joe Biden could announce this weekend that he is dropping out of the presidential race due to rising pressure from congressional leaders and close friends, the Axios news website reported, citing sources.

The president’s fellow party members, close friends and major campaign donors believe Biden will not be able to change public perceptions of his age, deliver congressional majorities or defeat his Republican rival Donald Trump, the report said.

Supporters of Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race include former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, along with Senate and House Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries. Former US presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, as well as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, did not publicly voice their position on Biden's candidacy, but their advisers have openly opposed the incumbent.

According to Politico, many of the delegates to the upcoming Democratic Party Сonvention feel incensed after Biden’s poor performance in the debate with Trump in June and are confused about the campaign.

The Wall Street Journal reported on July 2 that Harris is viewed as the most likely candidate to replace Biden if he drops out of the race. According to a poll by the Economist and YouGov Institute, which was published on July 11, about 73% of Democratic Party supporters believe that Harris should be the Democratic nominee in the November presidential election.

Tags

United States Joseph Biden

Kiev sanctions organizations, individuals linked with Russian aviation infrastructure

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky also signed another package of sanctions against Ukrainians who support Russia and who are labeled by the Ukrainian authorities as "collaborationists"

Kamchatka Governor confirms there were 22 people on board of Missing Mi-8

It was reported earlier that a A Mi-8 helicopter with three crew members and 19 passengers on board disappeared from radars almost immediately after taking off from the Vachkazhets volcano site

Russia was ready for talks with Ukraine before reckless move in Kursk Region, Lavrov says

Ukrainian forces started a major attack on the Kursk Region on August 6

Ukrainian drone shot down over Kursk Regions — defense ministry

"A Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle was destroyed over the Kursk Region," it said

Russian government approves list of unfriendly countries

There are two countries on the list

What is known about the missing helicopter in Kamchatka

Russian Tsar’s daughter might have escaped 1918 execution

Leading Russian historian says there is evidence that Grad Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna might have escaped execution in 1918, lived up to 83 years and died in the US under the surname of Manahan

Ukrainian army’s foreign mercenaries rape civilians in Kursk Region — Russian diplomat

According to Rodion Miroshnik, Ukrainian forces are essentially "a motley crew" that skirts international humanitarian law, allowing themselves "to shoot people in the back, take no prisoners and spare no one"

Biden administration not interested in resolving Ukraine conflict — economist

The true causes of the Ukrainian conflict have never been explained to US citizens, Professor Jeffrey Sachs said

Firefighters dispatched after fire reported at Moscow Oil Refinery in Kapotnya

The fire was assigned the 5th difficulty rank, emergency services said

Six Israeli hostages found dead in Gaza killed by Hamas — TV

According to the source, the forensic examination proved that the six had been shot dead by Hamas radicals

Russia calls on international structures to condemn terrorist attack on Russia’s Belgorod

The ministry also called the shelling of Russia’s Belgorod and the Belgorod region with cluster munitions of the Czech Vampire MLRS a terrorist attack and a pre-planned and of intimidation

Russian helicopters wipeout Ukrainian troops, armored vehicles in Kursk Region

"The enemy manpower and armored vehicles were eliminated," the ministry said

BRICS bank needs to create independent payment system — Russian official

One of key tasks NDB should solve is the revision of the entire international monetary and financial system and the entire financial infrastructure, Ivan Chebeskov said

US investors held $30.5 bln in Russian securities at the end of 2023

At the end of 2022, American investors owned $29.907 bln in Russian securities

Number of people injured in Ukrainian shelling of Belgorod grows to 46

Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said, that 5 civilians were killed

Several Ukrainian drones neutralized over Russia’s Voronezh Region

There have been no injuries or damage

EU's total military aid to Kiev reaches 43.5 billion euros — foreign policy chief

Josep Borrell also emphasized that EU countries should speed up the delivery of military aid to Ukraine

IDF eliminates over 600 militants in West Bank since October 2023

According to the newspaper Jerusalem Post, about 5,000 people were arrested during these raids, including approximately 2,000 identified as Hamas members

Procedure to enter Russia for foreigners not sharing Western values simplified

Such visitors will be issued three-month visas based on the decision by the head of a Russian diplomatic mission or a consulate

US gives Ukraine carte blanche for attacks inside Russia, diplomat says

"Being driven by ambitions of world domination, Washington has been intensifying tensions with Russia as it seeks to inflict a 'strategic defeat' on our country and it is not looking to avoid escalation, despite statements by a number of high-profile US officials," Maria Zakharova noted

Russian commander reports presence of active NATO soldiers in Kursk area

Apty Alaudinov specified that he referred to active NATO servicemen

Five children, two adults wounded in Ukraine’s attacks on DPR settlements

According to Pushilin, one child is in critical condition

Russia’s most unique Mil helicopters

As the renowned Mil Helicopter Design Bureau marks 70 years since it was established, TASS tells about the legendary company’s most unusual and interesting projects

Bombs with power of 13 kilos of trotyle found in Russia’s Kabardino-Balkaria

An active accomplice of bandits was detained in the search operation and gave confessing testimony

Aliyev’s party likely to win majority of seats in Azerbaijan’s parliament — exit polls

According to the poll results, Eni Azerbaijan may win 63 out of 125 seats in the legislature

Russia won’t exchange territory after attack on Kursk Region — Lavrov

It is very hard to tell what goal and intent they were pursuing

Japan made bacteriological weapons experiments in battle of Khalkhin-Gol — FSB

The Red Army together with Mongolian units defeated the Japanese invaders who had intruded into the territory of the Mongolian People's Republic

Hamas warns that other Israeli hostages may go missing following death of six of them

The Israeli military found the bodies of six Israeli hostages in an underground tunnel near the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on August 31

US denies permission to assess state of seized Russian diplomatic property — envoy

The issue of the return of diplomatic property is constantly raised at all levels during contacts with representatives of the White House and the State Department, Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said

Lavrov criticizes Borrell’s stance on Ukraine settlement as ‘incompetence or madness’

I thought they were educated at least, that they had an understanding of how to make policy based on reality

Armenia hands over to Azerbaijan 10th package of proposals on peace treaty

The senior Armenian diplomat also hailed the active political dialogue and the solid basis for cooperation between Armenia and the European Union countries

Kanye West leaves Moscow

Designer Gosha Rubchinskiy was seeing him off

Problems with SSJ-100 angle of attack detectors reported one week before crash

It is reported that the values of the other two angles of attack at detectors 2 and 3 and the pitch angle were about 0 degrees

Three Russian universities listed in top 100 of prestigious global ranking

Moscow State University is in 17th position in the ranking, St. Petersburg State University is in 49th place and Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology is ranked 54th

Up to 1,000 militants attack Russian fighters in Mali — statement

It is reported that on July 25, the militants attacked again, "but thanks to the coordinated actions of storm troopers and Malian servicemen, the attempted attack was repelled"

Putin never rude towards other national leaders, Kremlin spokesman says

It was incomprehensible for the Russian leader when US President Joe Biden called him a "killer," Dmitry Peskov said

Telegram's staff comprises some 50 employees, mostly Ukrainians — media

It is noted that Durov plays a major role in the company's decision-making, which raises the question of "whether Telegram can exist without Pavel"

Five drones heading toward Moscow taken down — mayor

All services are working on site

About 70 Ukrainian military surrender in DPR in past two weeks, says source

Most of them laid down their weapons voluntarily

US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace 360 times in past month

According to Ignasyuk, 360 such violations were reported in the al-Tanf area during the past month

US trying to bring imbalance to international security in nuclear sphere — intel chief

In this context, Sergey Naryshkin recalled that Washington "withdrew from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, from the agreement on Iran's nuclear program, and refuses to fulfill its obligations under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty"

Foreign tourists made 4 mln trips to Russia in the first half of the year — Rosstat

Tourists from non-CIS countries made 1.6 mln trips to Russia in the first half of the year

Ukrainian lawmaker claims F-16 was lost due to friendly fire — lawmaker

Maryana Bezuglaya criticized the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces for falsely describing the incident as "a crash"

Hamas shot dead Israeli hostages from point-blank range — health ministry

According to IDF Spokesman Daniel Hagari, the bodies of the six hostages were found in an underground tunnel near the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip late on August 31

Akhmat commandos liquidate several Polish, German mercenaries in Kursk Region

Russian FPV-drones hit one US-made Stryker and two Hummer vehicles

Ukrainian drone shot down over Belgorod Regions — defense ministry

"A Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle was destroyed over the Belgorod Region," it said.

An-2 aircraft makes hard landing in North Ossetia during training flight

According to the statement, there were no casualties in the incident

Two children in critical condition after Ukraine’s attack on Belgorod Region

According to Gladkov, eleven civilians, including two children, were wounded

Raisi’s helicopter could not have been shot down — Iranian General Staff

According to the report, the forensic examination found "no suspicious substances" in the bodies of those killed in the crash

US can’t intimidate Moscow by brandishing 'nuclear sledgehammer' — Russian intel chief

As Sergey Naryshkin pointed out, "the US wants to show off that very 'nuclear sledgehammer' that US President Harry Truman had sought to intimidate the Soviet Union with in 1945"

Israel to hold general strike on September 2 demanding immediate release of hostages

According to Bar-David, the hostage release deal is being delayed "due to political reasons"

Russian forces destroy Ukrainian armed forces missile, artillery weapons warehouse

"As a result of the missile strike carried out by the crew of the Iskander-M of the Russian Armed Forces, the warehouse was destroyed," the ministry reported

Gaza talks participants reach agreements in principle — Biden

US President said he was "still optimistic" and that "people are continuing to meet"

Ukrainian Armed Forces loses up to 400 servicemen in Kursk direction

Units of Russia’s North battlegroup repelled six attacks by assault groups of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kursk region, the ministry reported

Russia, Egypt adjusted plans for construction of El-Dabaa NPP due to pandemic

Russia and Egypt signed an intergovernmental agreement on the construction of the country's first nuclear power plant in Cairo in November 2015

Israel hits Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon

Israeli warplanes attacked Hezbollah military facilities near Beit Lif, Tayibe, and Odaisseh in southern Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces said

Putin congratulates TASS staff, veterans with agency’s 120th anniversary

The president noted that the history of Russia’s oldest news agency is tied to many key events in the country and the world in the 20th and the 21st century

Russian Armed Forces liberate Kirovo settlement in Donetsk People’s Republic

Russia’s Air Defense System shot down four ATACMS operational-tactical missiles of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in one day

Nine drones taken down on approaches to Moscow — mayor

Earlier, the mayor reported five UAVs shot down in various parts of the Moscow Region

Spain’s El Pais publishes full text of US, NATO response on security guarantees

There are two documents in English: a four-page response from NATO and a five-page response from Washington

Mi-8 helicopter missing in Kamchatka crashed, fragments discovered from air

Bodies of 17 people had been found already, the Ministry of Emergency Situations said

Press review: Kiev sends SOS to NATO and legacy of USSR's first atom bomb test

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, August 29th

Several aerial targets shot down over Belgorod Region — governor

According to the governor, after the attack on Belgorod, a passenger car parked near a multi-apartment house and a balcony of one of its apartments caught fire, which was promptly extinguished

Without exhumation of Volhynia victims Poland will not support Kiev's EU bid — minister

Wladislaw Kosiniak-Kamysz noted that he was speaking not as a member of his country’s government, but as a politician who heads the Polish Peasant Party

Mercenary activities and Ukraine’s losses: What is known about situation in Kursk Region

The enemy has lost more than 7,800 troops since fighting began in Russia’s borderline Kursk Region

Russia says its forces destroy Ukrainian strongpoint in Kursk Region

The ministry also published footage of an artillery strike by the battlegroup North on Ukrainian infantry positions near the border in the Kursk Region

New iPhones in Russia to cost double what Americans pay — retailers

Official sales of the devices will start on September 22, and pre-orders will be available from September 15

Kiev sanctions organizations, individuals linked with Russian aviation infrastructure

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky also signed another package of sanctions against Ukrainians who support Russia and who are labeled by the Ukrainian authorities as "collaborationists"

No concerns about Mongolia’s participation in International Criminal Court — Kremlin

"We aren’t worried; we maintain a wonderful dialogue with our friends in Mongolia," Dmitry Peskov said

At least three projectiles hit near multi-storey building in Belgorod — eyewitness

One of the projectiles landed in the asphalt, and another hit a road in the courtyard of the apartment building

Turkey ready to discuss pulling troop from Syria, but terms not yet agreed — Lavrov

He said that according to the Syrian government a clear decision about the process for the eventual withdrawal of Turkish troops from Syria is necessary for the normalization of relations with Istanbul

Russia delivers 15 precision strikes at key Ukrainian energy sites, airfields over week

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 16,910 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past week

Far East development to be main topic of EEF 2024 — foundation

The EEF-2024 will be held in Vladivostok from September 3 to 6, 2024

Syria’s relations with Turkey can be restored after settling what severed them — Assad

According to Assad, to settle the conflict, the sides need to be open and sincerely want to find out what hampers the restoration of relations

Putin-Biden video conference made clear US had no intent to continue dialogue — spokesman

According to Dmitry Peskov, it became clear that there was nothing to talk about with Washington

Decision to buy Rafale fighters is Serbia’s free choice — Kremlin

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic announced acquisition of 12 new Rafale fighter jets from France to the amount of 2.7 bln euro the day before

Death of F-16 pilot 'significant blow' for Ukraine — newspaper

It is also emphasized that it was Mes who played a major role in lobbying for the delivery of fighter jets to Kiev and convincing Western politicians and media of the need for such a step

IN BRIEF: In Kursk Region, Ukraine forces regroup, suffer losses

A total of more than 4,400 Ukrainian servicemen have been destroyed during the hostilities

Russian expert expects no practical outcome from IAEA chief’s visit to Kursk NPP

It is noted that the IAEA had no leverage to influence Ukraine

Russian forces wipe out convoy of Ukrainian military equipment in Sumy Region

The Russian top brass also released images of how the convoy was destroyed taken using objective control means

Ukraine floods numerous coal mines while retreating to DPR — official

Vladimir Rogov noted that the flooding of the mines poses environmental threats to the region, as well as implies the loss of resources and work opportunities

Three drones attempt to attack power plant in Moscow Region

There have been no casualties or damage

Poland to not train Ukrainian servicemen on its territory — Defense Ministry

It is also emphasized that Russian drones and projectiles will not be shot down with the help of forces and means located on Polish territory

Twice as many men being mobilized in Ukraine now than in Q1 2024 — media

Amid combat failures and the retreat in Donbass, the Ukrainian army command has been a target for criticism over the understaffing of frontline units and the lack of reserves to rotate them

Weapons supplies to Kiev fueling terrorism in Sahel region — Malian mission to UN

"We urge the countries providing weapons to Ukraine to guarantee that these weapons will not fall into the hands of terrorists and extremist groups active in Africa," Issa Konfourou said

Zelensky criticized for Ukrainian military failures due to attack on Kursk — FT

It is reported that Ukrainian military analysts branded the situation near Krasnoarmeysk as "chaos" and the Ukrainian army’s "complete defensive failure," pinning the blame on the military leadership

Two Ka-32 helicopters used to extinguish fire on Berezhkovskaya Embankment in Moscow

Emergency services told TASS that water has already been dropped on the burning building four times

Netanyahu’s adviser visits Russia for contacts about Gaza hostages — PM’s office

According to the prime minister’s office, Netanyahu said this during a phone call with Oxana and Grigory Lobanov, the parents of Alexander Lobanov, who was murdered while being held hostage by Hamas

Equinor transfers stakes in joint ventures to Rosneft

The exit from the projects has been completed in accordance with Norwegian and EU sanctions legislation related to Russia, the company specified

Armenia frozen its participation in all CSTO bodies at this stage — Pashinyan

We have frozen our activities in all CSTO bodies and consider this sufficient at this stage, Pashinyan said

FACTBOX: A history of TASS

Nine settlements in Kursk Region cleared of explosive objects in past week

The Russian emergencies ministry’s mine action teams continue surveying territories of populated localities and infrastructure facilities

Kamaz plant to be opened in Senegal soon — Foreign Minister

Russian businessmen might invest in energy, oil and gas and food sectors of Senegal’s economy, Yassine Fall noted

Russia puzzled by Armenia’s resistance to logistics corridor agreements

According to Sergey Lavrov, Moscow believes that it is essential to "follow the spirit and the letter of the series of trilateral agreements between the Russian, Azerbaijani, and Armenian leaders, which were reached in 2020-2022"

Ukrainian old-time generals leading country to defeat — lawmaker

"Generals who have been holding their posts since Yanukovich’s time continue following old-time-schemes and are fostering disciples of the same sort," Maryana Bezuglaya said

Venezuela stayed almost entirely without power, communication for 12 hours

According to the El Nacional newspapers, the first report of power and communications outages appeared early on Friday

Russia to change nuclear doctrine upon examination of West’s actions — senior diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov explained that the corresponding document is being finalized, but it is too early to talk about a specific timeframe for its completion

US mercenary tells about chaos in Ukrainian army in Kursk Region

The American spoke on condition of unanimity but ABC said it had identified him

Russia offers safe haven for people trying to escape Western liberal ideals

Under the document, such foreign nationals will have the right to apply for temporary residence in Russia "outside the quota approved by the Russian government and without providing documents confirming their knowledge of the Russian language, Russian history and basic laws"

'The United States of America is our enemy,' says Medvedev

"What I can’t understand is the position of European leaders who are unable to make decisions that benefit Europeans. All of their decisions benefit either certain rival political groups or the Americans," the politician said