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Middle East conflict

Biden, Netanyahu discuss ongoing negotiations on Gaza ceasefire

White House says the US and Israeli leaders "discussed developments in Gaza and the ongoing negotiations on the ceasefire and hostage release deal in detail"

WASHINGTON, July 26. /TASS/. US President Joe Biden met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the ongoing negotiations on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the White House press service said in a statement.

The document says the US and Israeli leaders "discussed developments in Gaza and the ongoing negotiations on the ceasefire and hostage release deal in detail."

"President Biden expressed the need to close the remaining gaps, finalize the deal as soon as possible, bring the hostages home, and reach a durable end to the war in Gaza," the White House said.

He also raised the issue of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, stressing the need to remove any obstacles to the flow of aid to the Palestinian enclave, and noting the critical importance of protecting civilian lives during the military operation.

Netanyahu travelled to the US capital on July 22 and addressed the US Congress on July 24. On Thursday, he met with US Vice President Kamala Harris. Former US President Donald Trump said he would meet with Netanyahu in Florida on July 26.

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7, 2023, when militants from the Gaza Strip-based radical Palestinian movement Hamas staged a surprise attack on Israeli territory from Gaza, killing residents of Israeli border settlements and taking over 240 hostages, including women, children and the elderly. Hamas described its attack as a response to the aggressive actions of Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City. In response, Israel declared a total blockade of the Gaza Strip, home to 2.3 million Palestinians before the crisis, and has been delivering air strikes on Gaza as well as some parts of Lebanon and Syria. Clashes have also been reported on the West Bank. According to latest reports, about 39,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 90,100 wounded as a result of the Israeli operation. 70% of them are women and children.

On May 31, US President Joe Biden announced his three-phase Israel-Palestine ceasefire plan, with each phase lasting six weeks. The first stage envisages a complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from populated localities in Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian inmates from Israeli prisons. Apart from that, the parties are supposed to begin talks during this stage, with the ceasefire staying in place until they reach an agreement. Phase two provides for the release of all surviving hostages, including the military. The third stage will see the beginning of the reconstruction of the war-torn Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu said his government supports the plan, while Hamas has been obstructing the deal.

US cannot confirm downing of MQ-9 Reaper drone by Houthis

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Voter turnout at gubernatorial election in Kursk Region nears 47%

As many as 55,040 people took part in the voting online

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Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

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Foreign aid to Ukraine a money laundering scheme, head of Chechnya says

Ramzan Kadyrov noted that there is no need to worry about hostilities currently happening on Russian territory

German fighter jets practice landings in Finland, 180 km from Russian border

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Russian Navy latest frigates to have hypersonic weapon capabilities

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Russian Defense Ministry announces liberation of Kalinovo settlement in DPR

The Armed Forces of Ukraine lost up to 810 servicemen in the area of responsibility of Russia’s South battlegroup over the day

Putin appreciates Brazil, India, China for trying to help resolve Ukraine crisis

Russia will always protect its interests and the interests of people in Ukraine who fight for their rights to speak Russian and for their traditions, the Russian leader emphasized

Conflict in Ukraine to be settled through talks — Pentagon chief

"We are going continue to work to put Ukraine in the best possible position" for peace talks, Lloyd Austin pledged

Turkey's entry into BRICS will encourage other countries to join association — expert

It is reported that Turkey's corresponding decision stems from its intention to enhance its status in the changing geopolitical order amid the world’s irreversible drift to multipolarity

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According to him, it is necessary to remove existing legislative barriers, primarily in the area of taxation and currency control

Oil market still underestimates OPEC+ actions and geopolitical risks — experts

Finam analyst Nikolay Dudchenko noted that yesterday’s OPEC+ decision demonstrates the cartel’s readiness to continue controlling the situation on the oil market

South Africa considering oil supplies from Russia — ambassador in Moscow

Mzuvukile Jeff Maqetuka added that PetroSA, the largest state-owned oil and gas corporation in South Africa, is in touch with all Russian oil and gas majors, including Gazprom and Tatarstan-based Tatneft

Russian missile cruiser Varyag enters Mediterranean Sea

The ship's crew continues to fulfill the mission it was given for the long-range voyage

More than 500,000 Israelis protesting in Tel Aviv — organizers

Similar protests took place in Jerusalem, Haifa, Kfar Sava, Be'er Sheva, Netanya, Rehovot and Rishon LeZion

Miners’ power consumption in Russia above 2.5 GW — Bitriver

"Gray miners make connections to public utility networks using tariffs for households, which are not designed for the consumption profile characteristic for mining," the statement reads

Starliner undocks from ISS, returns to Earth without crew

The undocking occurred at 6:04 p.m. US East Coast time on Friday

Striking Ukrainian reserves: situation in Kursk Region

Over the day, the Ukrainian military lost up to 370 servicemen and 17 armored vehicles

Russian Air Defense shoots down 4 HIMARS MLRS missiles, 3 Hammer bombs, 30 Ukrainian UAVs

The Russian Defense Ministry added that since the beginning of the special military operation, Russian troops have destroyed 17,953 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 14,226 field artillery pieces and mortars, and 25,766 special military vehicles

Trump puzzled by Putin’s ironic comment about supporting Harris

Puyin said ironically that after incumbent US President Joe Biden "had been withdrawn" from the presidential race, Moscow came "to back" his successor Kamala Harris

Downed drone causes fire at warehouse in Gomel, Belarus, no one injured — Ministry

It is reported that the fire damaged 5 square meters of the roof

Russian government orders to set up embassy in Dominican Republic

According to the order, the Russian Foreign Ministry is to determine the number of the embassy staff and to endorse the schedule

Gazprom gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine reach 42.1 mln cubic meters

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Putin convinced Russia to keep boosting ties with Tajikistan

Putin pointed out that relations between the two countries are "making progress in the spirit of strategic partnership and alliance."

Putin calls West's policy to ban Russia from dollar settlements ‘stupid’

The head of state noted that in this situation, Russia and its friendly countries are switching to national currencies in their mutual settlements

US, Europe working on substitutes for S-300 system, R-27 missile — Pentagon chief

Earlier, Western media outlets reported that Ukraine had failed to fully replace Soviet-made S-300 missile systems with Western-manufactured ones

Lavrov begins talks with Swiss counterpart Cassis

The meeting, organized on Switzerland’s initiative, is currently under way at the UN headquarters in New York

China launches remote sensing satellites

The satellites of this group will be used for testing new technologies of low-orbit constellations

Russia to allocate $1.9 bln for purchases of currency, gold from September 6 to October 4

Daily volume of purchase of foreign currency and gold will equal 8.2 bln rubles

Putin slams Germany's refusal to turn on Nord Stream 2 as lunacy, nonsense

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Azerbaijan, Armenia agree on 80% of peace treaty’s wording — President Aliyev

"We are actively continuing negotiations, with almost 80% of the peace treaty paragraphs having been approved," the president noted

Syrsky to be fired over fallout from attack on Kursk Region, says Ukrainian politician

Ukraine’s former Interior Minister Yury Lutsenko said that the best Ukrainian units and equipment had been deployed to the Kursk Region

Ukrainian army loses 444,000 troops during military operation — Shoigu

According to the Russian defense minister, the liberation of several residential settlements in Donbass, disclosed Kiev attempts to prevent the collapse of the front

German-made Leopard tanks prove inefficient on battlefield, says DPR

According to Yan Gagin, Ukrainian servicemen perish both in operations as Leopard 2 crews and in attempts to evacuate the armor from the battlefield

Passenger left note about bomb onboard Indian plane landed in Turkey in plane’s restroom

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Three civilians wounded in Ukrainian shelling attack on borderline Belgorod Region

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"I hope everybody understands the work of the IAEA, the technical basis of what we do, and our un-relentless compromise with nuclear safety," Director General Rafael Grossi stressed

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"We continue to have regular communication at various levels, including in very, very sensitive areas," Dmitry Peskov noted

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Agreements worth more than 10.5 trillion rubles ($116.4 bln) have been signed at the last three Eastern Economic Forums

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Serbia sees how high Putin values it — deputy PM

The deputy prime minister pointed out that the presence of high-ranking officials at the meeting was meaningful for Serbia

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Bloomberg reported that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said that Kiev could use the situation in the Kursk Region "as a bargaining chip in talks"

Ukraine loses over 600 men after Russian attack on Poltava military school — politician

Igor Mosiychuk noted that the blame for what happened lies mainly with the Ukrainian military authorities, who allowed such a large number of servicemen to gather in one place

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Defense Secretary John Healey said that since early 2022, as many as 45,000 Ukrainian personnel have been trained under Operation Interflex, which provided them with "the vital skills they need to defend their nation"

Ukraine’s 80th Brigade mopped up Kursk Region villages — captured solder says

Oleg Ivanenko surrendered to the Akhmat special forces on August 16

There should be less talk about militarization of space, says former NASA chief

According to Charles Bolden, he felt that his job was to to maintain peace

China interested in cooperation with Russian technology companies

"China also has its own experience in creating technology parks built with private investment," lawmaker Alexey Govyrin said, adding that "this experience is also very useful" for Russia

Russian units expand offensive bridgehead in DPR over week

According to the report, the Russian forces liberated several residential areas in the region

Medvedev touts Russia as global leader in drone warfare thanks to special op

The Russian Security Council deputy chairman pointed out that no one could have imagined that drone usage would become so widespread before the special military operation

Iranian President plans to attend BRICS Summit in Kazan — Ambassador

There Masoud Pezeshkian plans to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Kazem Jalali said

Russian forces wipe out Ukrainian training center with NATO instructors in Poltava

Vladimir Saldo stressed that the military bloc is providing both financial and administrative support for the operation of such centers

Trump says he was offended by Putin’s ironic remark about endorsing Harris

Earlier, the Russian leader said ironically that after incumbent US President Joe Biden "had been withdrawn" from the presidential race, Moscow came "to back" his successor Kamala Harris

US allocates new $250 million military aid package to Ukraine — Pentagon

According to the statement, the package includes RIM-7 missiles and air defense support, ammunition for HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, artillery shells of 155 mm and 105 mm caliber, Stinger MANPADS, Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems

Russia already won special military op — army official

"Our next task is to do everything possible to ensure that we remain a united family ready for future challenges," Apty Alaudinov said

Former US President Trump can 'hardly' resolve Ukrainian conflict within 24 hours

Russian Ambassador to London Andrey Kelin noted that Russia was "not going to stop with its offensive actions" even if negotiations on the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine were launched

White House irked by Putin’s ironic comment about US elections

Earlier the Russian leader said ironically that after incumbent US President Joe Biden "had been withdrawn" from the presidential race, Moscow came "to back" his successor Kamala Harris

Ukraine may receive about 2 million FPV-drones by year-end — expert

"According to open sources, in 2023, about 40 billion rubles was allocated to finance the Ukrainian project Drone Army," a representative of the Center for Unmanned Competences said

Collapse of Operation Citadel 2.0

Putin says Russia 'backs' Harris post-Biden exit

The Russian president joked that Harris’ "laughter is so expressive and contagious," that you can assume "she’s doing well"

Response to mpox requires $290 mln over six months — WHO

"The strategy, plan and resource requirement will be reviewed and adjusted quarterly," the organization said

Russia's hydro potential allows to build 250 GW of hydroelectric power stations — minister

Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev emphasized that Russia will use this potential in stages

Houthis down US MQ-9 Reaper drone — rebel representative

This is the eighth drone of the US air forces of this type downed by the rebels over the airspace of Yemen since the start of escalation

Top Hungarian diplomat condemns idea of using Western weapons deep inside Russia

According to the statement, Peter Szijjarto "reiterated Hungary’s commitment to diplomacy over arms, emphasizing that Hungary remains the only EU and NATO member that has not and will not supply weapons to Ukraine"

35 radicals eliminated, 45 detained by Israeli military in West Bank over past week

Dozens of weapons and explosive devices were seized and three laboratories manufacturing explosives were wiped out, the IDF said

Lavrov slams as blackmail Kiev's demands for letting it use Storm Shadow against Russia

The Russian top diplomat warned that the West was playing with fire whenever it started discussions on this topic

West doesn’t want to listen to Russia’s concerns – Kremlin

According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, these accusations are "direct evidence that they are not going to take Russia's position into account at all"

Ukrainian ambassador’s visit to Yasukuni Shrine 'affronts' Asian peoples — Chinese daily

The newspaper also recommended Sergey Korsunsky not to forget about China's peacekeeping efforts to resolve the Ukrainian conflict

Press review: Big bucks flow at EEF and Macron's PM pick has left talking impeachment

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, September 6th

Lavrov says his only meeting with Kuleba lacked constructiveness

The minister noted making an exception while visiting Antalya - there were no plans to participate in this diplomatic conference, because it did not fit into the schedule

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"

Paris sees 26,000 people take to streets protesting against Macron’s policy — prefecture

Against this backdrop, Jean-Luc Melenchon, founder of the leftist France Unbowed party, said about the onset of the "right of the strongest" in France and called on supporters for a "long-term struggle" against Macron’s policy

Friendly football match between Russia and Thailand canceled — source

The match was scheduled to take place on September 7, but was canceled due to bad weather

Durov declines Russian, Emirati diplomatic assistance — Politico

"The person concerned refused Russian consular protection and an Emirati consular visit but agreed that the Emirati embassy be kept up to date on his situation," the official said

BRICS summit in Kazan to bring together leaders of important, powerful countries — Vucic

Vucic specified that during his conversation with Ambassador Botsan-Kharchenko, they touched upon economic cooperation issues, including "the construction of the Russian Railways’ dispatch center

Russia plans to create 90 nm lithography machine — minister

The first commercial specimen of the lithographic printer operating on the 350 nm topology already appeared this year

West escalates situation in Ukraine, does not want a ceasefire — Iranian Ambassador

The ambassador stressed that "this is the West's approach not only to Ukraine".

NATO invades Russia in Kursk Region, ex-US intel officer says

Scott Ritter noted that the Russian army was learning from the situation in the Kursk Region and would use that experience in the future

Putin congratulates city residents on Moscow City Day

The Russian President called Moscow a symbol and a reliable stronghold of Russian statehood

Russia becomes largest economy in Europe, 'being right in hot pursuit of Japan' — aide

Maxim Oreshkin stressed that the gradual loss of all these elements leads to long-term stagnation of the European economy

Kiev reiterates hopes for Moscow’s attendance of second peace conference

"It is very difficult to end this war diplomatically without the Russian side," Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said

US cannot confirm downing of MQ-9 Reaper drone by Houthis

The movement’s military spokesman Yahya Saree said earlier that a US MQ-9 drone had been downed when it was carrying out hostile actions over the airspace of the Marib province

Russia says its Grad MLRS destroys Ukrainian positions near border in Kursk Region

The ministry said that, in cooperation with forward reconnaissance teams and unmanned aircraft, Grad crews strike enemy locations, strongholds and observation posts

BRICS countries may present instruments for mutual settlements at summit in Kazan

The key principles in designing the new financial system are decentralization of international interaction and the use of digital technologies, Andrey Mikhailishin said

Ukraine’s troops cling to outskirts of Krasnogorovka, sustain daily losses — DPR head

Denis Pushilin said Russian soldiers were very resourceful in selecting methods and tactics of liberating the city, as well as rescuing the local population

Russia’s 4th Yasen-class submarine completes hydraulic tests

The first Project 885 nuclear submarine Severodvinsk was delivered to the Russian Navy in 2014

Ukrainian forces daily send troops to Kursk area, suffering losses — commander

In particular, three Baba Yaga drones and three mortars were destroyed during the day

Russian forces use drones in road mining to wipe out enemy vehicles — businessman

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Iran’s mission to UN denies country supplies weapons to sides of conflict in Ukraine

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Telegram founder may be forced to hand over encryption keys to France — Medvedev

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