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Middle East conflict

IDF claims elimination of Hamas politburo members in Gaza Strip

According to the IDF, Izz al-Din Kassab and his assistant Ayman Ayesh were eliminated by a precision strike near the city of Khan Yunis

TEL AVIV, November 1. /TASS/. The IDF eliminated Hamas Politburo member Izz al-Din Kassab in the Gaza Strip, the army press office reported.

According to the IDF, the senior official was eliminated by a precision strike, carried out by the Israeli Air Force near the city of Khan Yunis based on reconnaissance data.

"Kassab was one of the last high-ranking members of the Hamas Politburo that remained in the Gaza Strip. His assistant Ayman Ayesh was eliminated along with him," the statement says.

The IDF claims that Kassab was involved in the organization of terror attack aginst the Jewish state. He "had significant power" and worked on upholding Hamas’ "strategic and military ties with other [Palestinian] factions in the Gaza Strip," the statement says.

The situation in the Middle East escalated dramatically when on October 7, 2023 armed Hamas supporters from the Gaza Strip penetrated Israeli territory, killing residents of border settlements and seizing more than 240 hostages.

In retaliation, Israel launched a military operation in the enclave in order to destroy the military and political structures of Hamas and liberate all those hostages. The hostilities in the Gaza Strip continue to this day.

Middle East conflict

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There are about 400 civilians in the medical facility, including newborn babies Al Jazeera reported

IDF eliminates chief of Hamas Security Mechanism directorate

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Russian forces take control of Severny neighborhood in Chasov Yar — Donbass region head

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Scientists discover 400 dead seals along Dagestan's coastline

The expedition once again confirmed the concerns of scientists that the Caspian seal population is declining at an unprecedented rate

Russia and Pakistan to be connected by direct railway line — minister

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Kremlin reviews Putin's international activity in outgoing year

The president participated in more than 220 events in 2024

Trump's plan to seize Panama Canal to cause migration, poverty — Colombian president

Gustavo Petro emphasized Colombia's backing for Panama in defending its sovereignty

Germany fails to admit its policy of support to Ukraine falters — Russian envoy

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Ukraine may cease to exist by 2034 — Russian security official

Dmitry Medvedev noted that Ukraine will never join NATO

Slovak PM thanks Putin in Russian for meeting with him

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Georgian president demands appointing snap elections within week

Salome Zourabichvili also promised to announce her further plans on Monday

Lukashenko announces upcoming meeting with Putin and official visit to China

The Belarusian president pointed out that the coming year is expected to be difficult for a number of reasons

CIA station in Kiev targeted in recent Russian attack, military expert reveals

According to Alexander Stepanov, strikes are systematic efforts to gradually wipe out the military capabilities of Ukraine

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Ukrainian troops attempt counterattacks on Vasilyevka direction in Zaporozhye Region

According to the report, the Russian troops also improved their positions near Nesteryanka on the Orekhov direction

Deployment of Moldovan troops to Transnistria to violate settlement accords — expert

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Russian Railways boost freight traffic via border crossings with China by 14.1% this year

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Mineral fertilizer export duty in Russia to be 7% by end of December

"The measure will provide for lowering of the fiscal burden of mineral fertilizer producers, which paid export duties at a higher rate since last fall," the Russian Ministry of Economic Development stated

Ukraine’s General Staff admits tense situation along entire frontline

The Ukrainian military also admitted the Russian army’s supremacy in terms of military equipment and the size of personnel

Trump’s election victory changed Western approach to Ukrainian conflict, adviser says

According to Mike Waltz, Trump has made it clear that the war must end

Berlin’s any aggressive action will not remain unanswered — Russian ambassador

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Kiev considers negotiations with Russia inevitable, Ukrainian official says

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Fico’s visit to Russia perfect slap in Zelensky’s face, Slovak politician says

The MEP said that Fico stands for Slovak interests in Russia, "even in spite of the warmongers in Brussels"

Israeli Defense Minister admits his country's involvement in assassination of Hamas Leader

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Russia’s prominent figure skating coach Tarasova lauds ISU’s recent decision

Last week, the International Skating Union (ISU) announced a decision to clear Russian and Belarusian athletes for the Olympic qualifiers

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Group of foreign mercenaries taken out in Velikaya Novosyolka in Donbass region

The military said that a conversation in a foreign language was intercepted by radio intelligence before visual control over the group was established

50,000-year-old mammoth calf carcass revealed in Yakutsk

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Situation with gas supplies from Russia to Europe difficult — Kremlin

"You have heard the Ukrainian side’s statement and you know the position of the European countries that continue purchasing Russian gas and that consider it necessary for normal operation of their economy," Dmitry Peskov said

Magdeburg attacker previously threatening to copy Boston Marathon bombing

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Biden refuses to commute Boston Marathon terrorist's death sentence — media

Earlier, the head of the US administration commuted the sentence for 37 out of 40 people to life imprisonment without the possibility of release

Russian gas imports by Czech Republic soaring — news agency

The Czech Republic is receiving Russian pipe gas indirectly via Slovakia and Hungary

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

It is planned to launch it in general circulation in early 2025

Putin agrees 'Russian world' now faces war

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Eight more dead dolphins found in Krasnodar Region following tanker accident

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Ukraine shells city hosting Zaporozhye NPP — politician

No reports of casualties and damage have come in yet

Ukrainian conflict will end when Kiev’s sponsors see need for peace — Russian diplomat

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Lavrov reaffirms Moscow’s unity with Belgrade in protecting rights of Serbs — Russian MFA

Another issue discussed was cooperation in the oil sector amid illegal Western sanctions, the ministry said

Global mpox incidence exceeds 117,000 cases — WHO

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Strike on SBU control center response to Russian general’s assassination, expert says

The ministry clarified that Ukraine launched a missile strike against the Kamensky Integrated Plant in the Rostov Region using six US-made ATACMS missiles and four Storm Shadow cruise missiles

Assad allegedly hands list of military targets over to Israel before leaving Syria — media

According to the Turkish newspaper, the former Syrian president did it to ensure his own safety

NATO spies study damage from Oreshnik at Yuzhmash — expert

Alexander Stepanov emphasized that both Kiev and its Western allies are closely scrutinizing the consequences of the strike on the plant

Russia considers launching direct flights with Brazil, Malaysia, Pakistan — Minister

Roman Starovoyt noted that Russia is holding negotiations with many airlines from friendly countries

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TASS has gathered the main information about the incident

Iranian president invited to visit Russia in early 2025

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The movement struck military targets in Ashkelon and near Jaffa

Russian drone operators use air ramming to down 4 Ukrainian copters in Kharkov Region

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Fyodor Lukyanov emphasized that Robert Fico, just like Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has also visited Russia, is driven by the interests of his country and first of all "is accountable to his own citizens, and not the European Commission"

Ukrainian army launches long-range missiles at Donetsk

Air defenses are in operation, and at least six aerial targets have been shot down

Special services remove over 4,000 tons of contaminated soil in Krasnodar Region, Crimea

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France announces new cabinet, with foreign and defense ministers keeping their jobs

Bruno Retailleau also stayed on as interior minister

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Kiev’s shelling kills 61 civilians in Russia-controlled part of Kharkov Region in 2024

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Kalashnikov improves combat capabilities of Vikhr-1 aviation missile

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The previous generation of Russian politicians chose the course towards the country’s destruction for the sake of joining the so-called civilized world but this was what the West wanted, President Vladimir Putin

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Russian stock indices in the green on Monday — market data

The ruble-denominated MOEX Russia Index edged up by 2.43%, the dollar-denominated RTS Index gained 3.16%

Greenland's parliament reminds Trump that island not for sale

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Proposal to duel with West response to claims of Oreshnik missile vulnerability — Kremlin

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Russian Olympic champ Nagorny welcomes ISU’s decision to clear Russian athletes

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Houthis say attacked US aircraft carrier in Red Sea, shot down US fighter jet

According to the Houthi spokesman, the strike on US vessels was delivered with the use of "eight cruise missiles and 17 drones"

Putin to attend meeting of Supreme Eurasian Economic Council on December 26 — Kremlin

As Yury Ushakov noted, Cuba's participation in the meeting will be in the format of a video address by the country's president, Miguel Diaz-Canel

Ukraine's refusal to transit Russian gas will hit EU economies hard — French expert

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Russia, Iran talk four points for Rasht-Astara project implementation — Deputy PM

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Russia, Tajikistan to discuss cooperation in migration, economy and politics

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Contracts worth over $286 million signed at Vietnam Defense Expo 2024

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Lives of several hostages depend on IDF’s advance in northern Gaza — Hamas

According to spokesman for Hamas’ armed wing Abu Ubaida, areas where these hostages are held allegedly come under regular Israeli bombardments

Former Mossad agents disclose details of pager operation against Hezbollah

Mossad used dummies to test how much explosive is required to be just enough to hurt the pager’s owner, but not the person next to him

Russia evacuates 4,000 Iranian fighters from Syria at their request — Putin

Russian forces evacuated them from the Hmeimim base to Tehran

Putin travels to St. Petersburg for informal CIS summit

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Greenland PM tells Trump island not for sale

Mute Egede stressed that Denmark should continue to be open to cooperation and trade with the whole world, especially with its neighbors

Iran informs Russia about ratification of free trade zone agreement with EAEU

Alexey Overchuk noted that the parties discussed Iran's participation in the Eurasian Economic Union as an observer

Latest nuclear-powered sub Arkhangelsk to join Russian Navy by yearend

The Arkhangelsk submarine was rolled out from the slipway of the Sevmash Shipyard on November 29, 2023 for completing its construction afloat

Ten dead dolphins found in Russia’s Krasnodar region following oil spill

Additionally, mass beaching of Azov Sea harbor porpoises has been reported in Novorossiysk, some 60-70 km (32-42 nautical miles) from Anapa, where the oil spill occurred, Tatyana Belei highlighted

Direct flights between Pakistan and Russia expected soon — Energy Minister

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Kremlin announces countries to become BRICS partners from January 1

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More than 20 countries show interest in BRICS — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov noted that uncontrolled expansion of the association would break its backbone

Putin holding talks with visiting Slovak PM

According to Putin’s press secretary, the meeting is being held one-on-one

Press review: Putin outlines Russia's future goals and Tehran faces energy blackout riots

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 20th

Skoda, Volkswagen to recall over 55,000 cars in Russia — regulator

All owners of vehicles subject to the recall will be informed of the need to bring the vehicle to the nearest dealership for repairs, Rosstandart said

Hungary wants to maintain ties with Russia under its economic neutrality policy — PM

Victor Orban also said that hopes for the development of economic cooperation with the United States after President-elect Donald Trump takes office

Trump wants to rename North America's tallest mountain Denali

Denali, standing at 6,168 meters, was once considered the highest point of the Russian Empire before the territory was sold to the United States

Russian Defense Ministry names those who worked on bioweapons in Ukraine

The chief of Russia’s radiation, chemical and biological protection force, Igor Kirillov, told a news briefing that one of the key figures was Robert Pope, the Director of the US Defense Department's Cooperative Threat Reduction Program at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency

Meeting of Putin with Slovakia’s Fico lasted for two hours — presidential aide

According to Yuri Ushakov, the meeting was substantial

Russia to continue helping Sahel countries boost their armies’ combat capacities

According to Russian Ambassador to Mali Igor Gromyko, Moscow considers the establishment of the Alliance of Sahel States as a major step toward consolidating efforts against Islamist groups in the Sahara-Sahel zone

Finland plans to open three crossings on border with Russia — paper

The media reports that Prime Minister Petteri Orpo is expected to announce the government's decision on Tuesday