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Middle East conflict

IDF reports eliminating 40 radicals in clashes in northern Gaza

Additionally, some military infrastructure facilities have been destroyed, the army press service said

TEL AVIV, October 29. /TASS/. Israeli troops continue combat in the vicinity of the Palestinian Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip.

According to the army press service, 40 Palestinian radicals have been eliminated there over the past 24 hours.

The press service noted that this involved both ground and aerial strikes.

Additionally, some military infrastructure facilities have been destroyed.

On October 6, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced a new operation in the vicinity of Jabalia "following prior IDF intelligence, an ongoing situational assessment, and IDF activity in the field that all indicated the presence of terrorists and terror infrastructure" there, "as well as efforts by Hamas to rebuild its operational capabilities in the area."

The operation in Jabalia "to systematically dismantle terrorist infrastructure in the area will continue as long as required in order to achieve its objectives," the Israeli army press service said.

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7, 2023, when militants from the Gaza-based Palestinian radical group Hamas staged a surprise incursion into Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip. 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 has declared a state of war readiness; announced a total blockade of the Gaza Strip, home to 2.3 million Palestinians; and began delivering air strikes on the enclave and certain parts of Lebanon and Syria, followed by a ground operation in the enclave. Clashes are underway in the West Bank as well.

Russia ready for negotiations on Ukraine, but no temporary ceasefire — ambassador to UK

Andrey Kelin dismissed the idea of a temporary ceasefire, previously put forward by French President Emmanuel Macron

Zelensky says US, Ukrainian negotiators to resume talks

According to the earlier reports, US and Ukrainian teams are set to meet in Saudi Arabia on March 12

France continues to provide intelligence to Ukraine — top defense official

"We transfer the information we have to the Ukrainian side," Sebastien Lecornu emphasized

Russian artillery crews wipe out Ukrainian stronghold near Chasov Yar

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Putin appoints Alexander Darchiev as ambassador to the United States

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Polish PM highlights need for Europe to enter arms race with Russia

According to Donald Tusk, initiatives aimed at increasing funding for the defense industry mark the first step along this path

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The curfew will last from 10:00 p.m. on Thursday to 8:00 a.m. on Friday

Zelensky plans to visit Saudi Arabia on March 10

US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steven Witcoff said earlier that delegations from Kiev and Washington planned to meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss Ukrainian reconciliation

Top US diplomat acknowledges that conflict in Ukraine is proxy war between US, Russia

"It needs to come to an end," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said

Russia says its Buk air defense system destroyed Ukrainian air-launched missiles over DPR

The ministry added that anti-aircraft crews are on 24-hour combat duty

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The Axios news website reported earlier, citing sources, that US and Ukrainian officials would "discuss efforts to reach a ceasefire" at a meeting in Saudi Arabia on March 12

US hopes Ukraine has changed its stance, is interested in settlement talks — Rubio

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International Criminal Court: at a crossroads or at an impasse?

US developing plan to seize Iranian oil tankers — media

The experts interviewed by the agency added that the aggressive actions of the United States may in the short term reduce Iran's exports by about 750,000 barrels per day

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Milorad Dodik has also said that in terms of geopolitics, Ukraine is not a country that deserves to survive

Nobody interested in Europe's proposals on Ukraine — ex-Merkel advisor

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Trump suspends introduction of tariffs on some goods from Mexico until April 2

On March 4, the U.S. administration imposed tariffs of 25% on almost all imports from Canada and Mexico

Trump's entourage in talks with Zaluzhny, Klitschko on outlook for ceasefire — media

According to the sources, "Washington aims to use these contacts to exert internal pressure on Zelensky, compelling him to agree to a ceasefire"

Respite for Ukrainian forces on battlefield unacceptable — Russian diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, the true intention of France and the UK, which came up with a plan for Ukraine, was to prevent a collapse of the front line for Ukrainian forces

Pentagon's declaration of readiness for war with China leads to confrontation — diplomat

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US to resume arms supplies to Kiev if rare-earths deal is signed — Medvedev

Earlier, a Pentagon spokesman told TASS that the US Armed Forces have suspended military aid deliveries to Ukraine

Trump makes it clear to Zelensky there is path back to talks with Washington — US envoy

Trump said earlier that he had received a message from Zelensky with the latter expressing his readiness for talks on a peaceful solution to the conflict in Ukraine

NATO faces crisis as member states increasingly distrust each other over intel — newspaper

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All EU members but Hungary back bigger aid to Ukraine

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Kellogg disagrees that Kiev wants peace more than Moscow

According to the envoy, Moscow reached out to the new administration in Washington "fairly fast" on Ukraine settlement matters

MFA calls on Macron to apologize to French people for lying about Ukraine settlement

Maria Zakharova recalled that the ex-French president and former German Chancellor Angela Merkel "confessed, not under torture or pressure, that they were not going to fulfill the Minsk accords for all seven years, because they had a different plan"

Kiev planning to deploy foreign mercenaries to Chasov Yar in Donetsk region — expert

In that frontline area, the enemy is hastily delivering concrete slabs by railways to create a defensive line, Vitaly Kiselyov said

Ukraine won’t be able to use Storm Shadow missiles without US intelligence — newspaper

The US has not only stopped sending its intelligence to Ukraine, but also prohibited the UK from sharing it with Kiev

Zelensky-Trump clash meant to involve London, Paris in talks, Russian diplomat says

"Zelensky’s heated exchange [with Trump] in the White House served the purpose of getting London and Paris into talks between Kiev and Washington," Rodion Miroshnik wrote

Washington, Moscow, Kiev made a lot of progress in past few days — Trump

"It'd be great to bring that to an end", US President said

Russia sees no ground for compromise on EU military deployment in Ukraine — Lavrov

"If you have already deployed troops into the territory, you are unlikely to negotiate any conditions because you are shaping the situation on the ground," the Russian foreign minister emphasized

US officials discuss delegation to future talks on Ukraine, inform Russia, says envoy

When asked whether the US should at least provide Ukraine with "defensive weapons" during a pause in military aid, Witkoff said: "We've been giving them plenty. But I think the larger discussion for us is to get a peace deal done. We want to see peace."

Trump says he plans to visit Saudi Arabia soon

The US president did not answer whether he plans to visit Saudi Arabia for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin

Kremlin agrees with Trump that he "gave Russia nothing except grief"

Trump introduced sanctions against Moscow and supplied Javelin missile systems for Kiev

Transition of Panama Canal under US control won’t affect Russian economy — expert

Alexey Bezborodov recalled that the operator of the ports will be Mediterranean Shipping Company

Brussels seeks "peaceful strength" in Ukraine, rearms — EC head

The ReArm Europe Plan gives the EU member states the opportunity to invest in the Ukrainian defense industry or to procure military capabilities that go directly to Ukraine

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Local residents have been advised to evacuate during the operation

Poland not ready to transfer MiG-29 jets to Ukraine yet — Duda

Warsaw previously transferred 14 MiG-29 aircraft to Kiev

Russia to work out new countermeasures if Japan continues to support Ukraine — diplomat

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Russia-China duo important stabilizing factor in world affairs — MFA

The two countries make a significant contribution to the democratization of international relations and the establishment of a fairer multipolar world order, Maria Zakharova stated

EU militarization to be carried out in cooperation with NATO — European Council

With priority status assigned to long-range artillery and missiles

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US seeks dialogue with Russia, China to get rid of nuclear weapons — Trump

Trump pointed out that he had discussed the issue with Moscow and Beijing during his first term in office

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Dmitry Peskov described the French leader’s statements as "very confrontational"

Macron's remarks disconnected from reality, Russian diplomat says

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The document, however, makes one mention of NATO

Russia’s Olympic Champion Melnikova gets neutral status permission for int’l tournaments

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As long as France is in NATO, it will be unable to manage nuclear arms on its own — expert

Alexander Mikhailov characterized Emmanuel Macron's statements as "political bravado," reflecting his desire to "consolidate his status as the informal leader of Europe"

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Europe not to win arms race against Russia as Moscow has no intention of joining — Kremlin

"We will focus on our own matters and secure our own interests," Dmitry Peskov emphasized

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According to Roman Chekushov, it is necessary to obtain the Russian government’s consent of the concept that was discussed with the Egyptian side

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Trump to rely on forces that brought him to power — Russian presidential aide

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Famous Ukrainian TV host calls for appearance of new Lee Harvey Oswald

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Makeshift graves with bodies of 17 civilians found near Kupyansk — administration

Kharkov Region military-civilian administration deputy head Yevgeny Lisnyak stated that most of the deceased showed signs of being forcibly held, strangled, and had other types of trauma and gunshot wounds

Press review: EU opposition backs US aligned approach as Russia mediates talks with Iran

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, March 5th

Russia’s defense chief inspects laser innovations at Sarov federal nuclear center

Andrey Belousov held a working meeting with the heads of the Russian Federal Nuclear Center and specialized military agencies

EU torpedoing mere prerequisites for peace in Ukraine — Russian diplomat

Meanwhile, Washington’s rhetoric has turned more realistic of late, Maria Zakharova noted

Ukraine's attacks on IAEA staff at Zaporozhye nuke plant cannot be left unpunished — envoy

Ukraine had violated written guarantees to ensure the safety of the IAEA observers at the Zaporozhye NPP more than once, Mikhail Ulyanov noted

US reconsidering funding for Ukraine — White House spokesperson

"What he National Security Council told me in regards to that was that they paused, or they are reconsidering the funding for Ukraine," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said

Putin says armed conflict in Ukraine forced on Russia

"The entire law enforcement sector and its key link, the Interior Ministry, should certainly build all their activities based on these threats, which undoubtedly arise in today's situation," the Russian president said

Sales of heavy haulers in Russia plunge 50% in February — statistics

Kamaz was the bestseller in February with 1,190 trucks

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Canadian-American ice hockey star Wayne Gretzky played for four different NHL teams between 1979 and 1999, scoring more goals than anyone in history during his 20-year career

EU cannot effectively replace Starlink satellites, expert believes

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US froze military aid to Kiev because Zelensky took it for granted — intelligence chief

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Russia needs sustainable peace in Ukraine, not "respite" for rearmament — Zakharova

"We need legally enforceable agreements and mechanisms that will prevent the resumption and recurrence of the crisis," Maria Zakharova stressed

Russia to introduce responsibility for executives of companies hiring illegal workers

Relevant authorities should close any loopholes for illegal workers and unfair employers by common efforts, Dmitry Medvedev noted

Kremlin says Minsk best site for Ukrainian talks

Dmitry Peskov stressed that the main Russian ally is Belarus

Russian company to build drone plants in Belarus — CEO

"A turnkey plant project was developed, based on the country’s needs for drones," Yury Kozarenko said

Lavrov to hold talks with OSCE secretary general in Moscow on March 11 — diplomat

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Russia to oppose deployment of European military in Ukraine — Kremlin

Moscow considers it unacceptable, Dmitry Peskov emphasized

Istanbul agreements may be departure point for Ukraine talks — US envoy

"You can start from that position," US president's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg stated

EU leaders stop short of approving defense loans to member states

They called on the Council to consider the proposal as a matter of urgency

Europe eggs Zelensky on for continued combat, Vance says

US Vice President said in an interview with Fox News

Hamas units in Gaza remain on high alert, official says

Abu Ubaida stated that Israel’s threats to resume military operations in the enclave would only cause more "disappointment" to the Jewish state

Trump administration plans to revoke refugee status from 240,000 Ukrainians — report

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Kremlin does not consider US friendly nation

"However, we are currently working to revive and restore bilateral relations," Dmitry Peskov stated

Russian ministry to reduce home care, cosmetics share in parallel import list

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Russia ready for honest conversation about root causes of Ukraine conflict — Lavrov

"I will not speculate on how long this pause may last," the top Russian diplomat said

Dollar, euro having less than 30% in payments in BRICS — Russian Finance Minister

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Russia, Belarus reach new level of economic integration — official

Deputy head of the Russian presidential administration Maxim Oreshkin noted that the issue of technologies was one of the key ones from the standpoint of moving up and achieving results

Russia won’t tolerate NATO contingents in Ukraine, Lavrov says

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Russia urges Germany to assess risks of supporting terrorist organizations — diplomat

"Germany has already had a bitter experience in this regard," Maria Zakharova emphasized

Macron's latest statements on Ukraine nervous — Lavrov

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Resumption of aid to Kiev depends on willingness to seek peace, minerals deal — US envoy

Keith Kellogg noted that the Washington administration would like to know how serious Ukraine was "to get to peace discussions"

Moldovan prime minister refutes Macron's statement about threat from Russia

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Lavrov compares Macron to Hitler, Napoleon

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Curfew imposed in Syria’s Latakia province amid clashes with Assad’s supporters — SANA

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