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Middle East conflict

Top Hamas officials leave Qatar after mediation efforts stall — TV

Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said on November 9 that his country’s authorities had decided to suspend their mediatory efforts toward a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip because they didn’t see a desire to end the conflict on the part of the parties

DOHA, December 2. /TASS/. All of Hamas’ senior officials and their families have left Qatar, the Sky News Arabia television channel said, citing a source,

"All the Hamas leaders, along with their families, have left Qatar and have gone elsewhere," the unnamed source said.

Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said on November 9 that his country’s authorities had decided to suspend their mediatory efforts toward a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip because they didn’t see a desire to end the conflict on the part of the parties. On November 19, he said that the Hamas leaders representing the movement in the negotiating group on Gaza were no longer in Doha. While the Hamas office in the Qatari capital city was set up to maintain open lines of communication, once Qatar's mediation efforts stalled, it saw no reason to force the movement's representatives to stay in the country.

The Times of Israel reported on November 19, citing an unnamed Arab diplomat, that senior Hamas officials had left Qatar for Turkey but later Hamas refuted these reports.

Middle East conflict

Israel violates ceasefire 54 times in southern Lebanon — Lebanese parliament speaker

"Israeli bulldozers continue tearing down houses in border villages, artillery is shelling the area and aircraft are making flights inside Lebanon’s territory," Nabih Berri noted

Syrian Air Force strikes militants in Aleppo Region — Defense Ministry

The Syrian military command stated on November 28 that units of the Jabhat al-Nusra extremist group "launched a large-scale attack on a broad front" on the morning of November 27

Georgian foreign ministry condemns pressure on its diplomats abroad

According to earlier reports, Georgia’s ambassadors to Bulgaria, Italy, the Netherlands, the United States tendered their resignation amid protests in Tbilisi

Ukrainian captives, losses: situation in Kursk Region

Over the past day, the Ukrainian army lost more than 250 troops, a tank, an infantry fighting vehicle, two armored combat vehicles, two cars and four mortars

Developments in Georgia look like attempt to stage color revolution — Kremlin

"This is Georgia’s purely internal affair, and we don’t interfere in such affairs," Dmitry Peskov stressed

West beginning to realize only part of Ukraine will remain — Lavrov

According to the Russian foreign minister, this represents the "confrontational logic" of the West

Hungarian PM sounds alarm over presence of US, French troops in Ukraine

Additionally, the news that Russia used its latest Oreshnik high-precision ballistic missile, which has significant destructive power, to destroy Yuzhmash, a Ukrainian defense plant in Dnipro (previously known as Dnepropetrovsk), is alarming, Viktor Orban stressed

Over 100 members of Georgian law enforcement injured in Tbilisi protest rallies

According to the agency, overall, 113 law enforcement officers have been injured with 21 sustaining wounds last night

Russia does not rule out trilateral meeting with Turkey, Iran on Syria — Foreign Ministry

On the morning of November 27, the extremist group Jabhat al-Nusra (banned in Russia) carried out a large-scale attack in northern Syria

Romania, Poland, Germany, UK plan to divide Ukraine — Russia's foreign intel

"A total of 100,000 so-called peacekeepers are planned to be sent to Ukraine," the SVR noted

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

US funds 'Nazis, maniacs' in Ukraine, Israel — American journalist

Jackson Hinkle also pointed out that the US authorities are no friend of "freedom-loving American patriots"

Ukrainian forces abduct children in Selidovo — member of parliament

Anna Kuznetsova shared a story of a child being forcibly taken away by Ukrainian servicemen while walking with his grandmother outdoors

Medvedev says Zelensky's fate won't be pretty if Ukraine faces second Maidan

The Russian senior official was indignant over the fact that the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry "condemned the crackdown on protests in Georgia"

Russia designs Titan rifle for commandos

The rifle is reliable with precise and dense fire

Pakistan feels Russian support on work in BRICS format – speaker

Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Sardar Ayaz Sadiq notes Russia’s support on the issue of working within the framework of BRICS

Press review: CSTO discusses Russian weapons as US and Russia continue prisoner talks

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, November 29th

Chinese MFA warns Germany against manipulations related to Ukraine issue

Spokesperson Lin Jian pointed out that his country "has repeatedly said that it strongly opposes any accusations and attempts to shift the responsibility to China"

Britain’s MI6 chief admits London's involvement in covert operations in Ukraine

According to Richard Moore, the cost of supporting Kiev was "well known"

Novaya Zemlya facility prepared for resumption of nuclear tests — Russian general

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said in an interview with TASS that Russia was considering a resumption of nuclear tests amid the United State’s policy of escalating tensions

Putin, Iranian president discuss situation in Syria

According to the Kremlin, unconditional support was expressed for the actions of the legitimate government in Syria to restore constitutional order and the country’s territorial integrity

Israeli military force Iranian plane make U-turn over Syria — media

According to the newspaper, the incident took place in the early hours on Sunday

US president's justification for pardoning son fails to withstand criticism — publicist

According to Joe Biden's written statement published by the White House on December 1, he had decided to issue a pardon for his son Hunter on two separate criminal charges, despite his previous repeated vows not to do so

Press review: Ukrainian trace behind militants in Syria as protests in Georgia radicalize

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, December 2nd

Russian forces strike Ukrainian military airfields, UAV control posts over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 490 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four enemy ammunition depots in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Biden's pardon of son may harm his legacy, former US official suggests

The US president announced the move in a statement on Sunday, granting a pardon to his son Hunter, who was found guilty of gun and tax evasion charges by federal courts in Delaware and California, respectively, despite previous promises not to intervene

Syria stops terrorists from infiltrating Hama province, eliminates dozens of militants

The Syrian Armed Forces also managed to take control of a number of areas, the most important of which are Qalaat al-Madiq and Maardis, the General Command said

Ukraine may make territorial concessions to achieve peace — former NATO secretary general

"However, actually we do not see that this can be realized in the near future," Jens Stoltenberg noted

Two-week NATO drills begin in Estonia — newspaper

The maneuvers will involve some 2,000 troops from Great Britain, Latvia, the United States, France, and Estonia, mostly taking place in the latter’s northern and northeastern areas

No existing missile defense system can counter Oreshnik — US expert

Theodore Postol also vehemently rejected suggestions that the Oreshnik system represents previous outdated developments of Moscow

Russia critical of Baltic states’ plans to impose sanctions on Georgia — senior diplomat

Earlier, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis announced joint plans by the Baltic states to impose national sanctions on those who suppressed what he called legitimate protests in Georgia

Last Russian protester ends her hunger strike on SH Diana liner

According to Natalya Litvinova, she decided to seek the desired compensation through the court

INTERVIEW: Russian State Duma speaker invited to visit Pakistan

Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq sent an invitation to Vyacheslav Volodin

Lavrov dismisses West's ceasefire idea: 'not a path to peace'

According to the top Russian diplomat, Moscow is ready for an honest discussion

Russia ready to consider Ukraine proposals based on sincere desire for peace — Lavrov

According to the minister, Russia's position is based on the will of the people who found themselves in the area of hostilities "after the Kiev regime declared them terrorists"

West deploying troops to Ukraine to up ante in fight with Russia — senior diplomat

Mikhail Galuzin described such plans as provocative and noted that they "confirm the West’s intention to continue its profound engagement in a direct standoff with Russia"

US president's son above the law with his father's pardon, celebrity entrepreneur believes

Earlier, Musk pointed out that Biden's pardon of his son coincided with the period of Hunter's work at the Ukrainian energy company Burisma and ironically called it a coincidence

Over 300,000 personnel undergo combat training for Ukraine operation — Russia’s top brass

Military instruction pays special attention to servicemen’s individual training

Houthis say they attacked US destroyer, three support vessels in Arabian Sea

According to Sarea, coming under the attack were the Stena Impeccable tanker, the Maersk Saratoga container vessel, and the Liberty Grace bulk carrier

Georgia’s special forces push protesters away from parliamentary building in Tbilisi

Members of the law enforcement have demanded that the protesters disperse, sometimes using water cannons

Biden grants his son pardon on two criminal cases

According to the statement, the issue concerns Hunter Biden’s federal gun charges in Delaware and federal tax evasion charges in California

Blinken, Fidan note necessity to protect civilians in Aleppo

According to a Turkish foreign ministry source, Fidan told Blinken Ankara was "against any development that would increase instability in the region"

Russian forces liberate 88 settlements during fall

Thus, the battlegroup Center liberated a total of 37 settlements, according to TASS calculations based on the Russian Defense Ministry's reports

US senior official says decision on territorial concessions is up to Ukraine

According to Sullivan, Kiev understands that the conflict would be ultimately settled through talks

Situation in Georgia its internal affair — Russian Foreign Ministry

A new wave of anti-government rallies began in Georgia on November 28, triggered by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze saying that the ruling Georgian Dream — Democratic Georgia party had decided to postpone any talk about launching EU accession negotiations until late 2028

Russian forces maintain initiative, block Ukraine from gaining foothold in DPR — official

Denis Pushilin noted that Russian forces are also steadily advancing in the Krasny Liman area in the north of the region

West may well just set money intended for Ukraine on fire — Russian diplomat

Politico reported earlier that US President Joe Biden had asked the Congress for another $24 bln to provide additional military aid to Kiev and replenish US stocks

German Office of General Prosecutor identified two suspects in Nord Stream case

"Yes, we are moving forward in the investigation [of sabotage acts at Nord Stream pipelines]. We managed to identify two suspects," Rommel said

Oreshnik becomes serious problem for Ukraine — Polish general

According to Waldemar Skrzypczak, satellite reconnaissance failed to detect the launch and flight of this missile

Violent upheaval attempt takes place in Georgia — security service

Syrian authorities thwart militants' disinformation campaign — source

The Syrian military command stated on November 28 that units of the Jabhat al-Nusra extremist group "launched a large-scale attack on a broad front" on the morning of November 27

Press review: Russia to avenge Kiev's new strike as experts analyze US-EU trade risks

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, November 27th

Over 320 militants killed, over 60 their combat vehicles destroyed in Syria in past day

The Syrian government army, backed by the Russian aerospace forces, continues the operation to rebuff the terrorist aggression in the Idlib, Hama, and Aleppo governorates

Accords of undefined status cannot be subject of Ukraine talks — Russian senate speaker

Valentina Matviyenko emphasized that the Russian president had outlined all the conditions, "and it’s only on this basis that genuine talks can be held"

Opposition in Syria says ready for talks with Assad — television

On the morning of November 27, the extremist group Jabhat al-Nusra carried out a large-scale attack in northern Syria

Russian politician sees Stoltenberg’s statements as Western attempt to fool Russia

"The West only talks about negotiations, peace or truce when it smells defeat," Russian Civic Chamber member Vladimir Rogov noted

No rerun elections to Georgian parliament will be held, says PM

"No, of course not. This is out of the question," he told a briefing when asked about such a possibility

IN BRIEF: How Russia responded to Kiev’s strikes deep into its territory

Here are the key points about the strikes on Ukrainian military-industrial facilities

Russian forces liberate DPR’s Petrovka, Ilyinka over past day — top brass

According to the Defense Ministry, the Russian servicemen also hit the infrastructure of Ukrainian military airfields, drone assembly shops and warehouses over the day

Syrian armed forces eliminate nearly thousand militants — state broadcaster

The units of the Jabhat al-Nusra extremist group "launched a large-scale attack on a broad front" on the morning of November 27

Russian diplomat criticizes Biden’s move to pardon his son as caricature of democracy

Previously, the White House and Joe Biden himself have repeatedly stated that he would not pardon his son

Syrian army with Russian air support destroys terrorists’ 5 command centers, 7 warehouses

The command expressed the readiness of "the Syrian army to continue coping with its tasks"

Syria will defeat terrorist whoever its sponsors might be, Assad vows

The Syrian army command reported on November 28 that units of the Jabhat al-Nusra extremist group had staged a large-scale attack on Syria’s northern governorates the day prior

Syria downed Russia's plane because Israeli F-16s used it as cover — Russian top brass

The bombing raid was not far from France’s frigate The Auvergne

Georgian president calls on protesters in Batumi to exert pressure on Constitutional Court

Several thousand people have blocked traffic along Rustaveli Avenue in front of the building

IN BRIEF: Pardon of US president's son, Hunter Biden

The statement indicates that the matter involves legal proceedings in Delaware and California

Georgian president will have to resign despite rejection — PM

On Saturday, Zourabichvili said that she would not resign despite the expiration of her mandate because the parliament is "illegitimate."

Western handlers beginning to dump Zelensky — Ukrainian politician

"Polls are now emerging where Zelensky is no longer at the top but in second or even third place," Viktor Medvedchuk noted

Iraqi militias arrive in Syria to support government army

Iraqi militias previously fought on the side of the Syrian army in the eastern parts of the country and contributed to the defeat of the Islamic State (banned in Russia) terrorist group in 2017

Senior Russian diplomat points to risk of nuclear exchange

But Moscow will do everything possible to prevent it, Sergey Ryabkov said

US mercenary in-absentia arrest, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

Over the day, Ukraine lost more than 340 troops, an armored personnel carrier, an armored combat vehicle, 12 motor vehicles, an artillery piece and six mortars

Russian passengers on Antarctica cruise liner with engine failure go on hunger strike

The liner left Cape Town on November 13 for a 20-day cruise, and passengers say they paid between $9,000 and $12,000 for the trip

US assumes UNSC presidency for one month

It is expected that in December, the UNSC members will focus on the situation in the Middle East

China studies Russian methods of countering Western sanctions — newspaper

According to The Wall Street Journal, Beijing is also interested in Russian "incentives for the development of domestic production" in the face of sanctions pressure

Flight program for Cuba can be revised due to jet fuel shortage — Russian air regulator

Rossiya and Nordwind air carriers are flying from Moscow to Havana and Varadero airports, the Russian air regulator added

Russia can fully equip its military with Oreshnik missiles — Roscosmos CEO

"As for the high-precision systems, we have already significantly increased the production of this type of weapon over the past two years or so. As for the Oreshnik [missiles], we have all the necessary capabilities to supply the Defense Ministry, let's say, with the required quantity," he told VGTRK reporter Pavel Zarubin

Ukrainian servicemen abandon military units due to fear of Russian army — official

Kiev is constantly losing control over populated areas because "tens of thousands of tired and desperate Ukrainian servicemen are leaving their positions to flee in an unknown direction," the agency reported

Russian forces destroy Ukrainian temporary deployment site in Nikolayev Region

It was destroyed with an Iskander missile system, the Defense Ministry said

Peru refrains from supplying Ukraine with military equipment — Russian Ambassador

Igor Romanchenko admitted that Russian-Peruvian relations are currently going through difficult times

Protesters in Tbilisi tossing stones at riot police

The police are using pepper spays against the demonstrators

Russia offers world’s first hydrofoil cruise missile gunboat

The new Project 133RA gunboat has been named the Antares RA while Club missiles have been chosen as its main armament, the chief executive said

Zelensky acknowledges Ukrainian army’s inability to reclaim lost territories

The Ukrainian president added that the conflict in Ukraine had entered "a difficult phase."

Georgian president discusses situation in country with European Council’s new president

Another anti-government rally is being held near the parliamentary building in Tbilisi

Ukrainians flee from Kiev regime to regions reunited with Russia — politician

The process, which can today be confidently called the reunification of the Ukrainian people with Russia, began after the 2014 coup, Viktor Medvedchuk stressed

EU diplomacy chief sees Putin's global reach expanding

Kaja Kallas took up her post as the new EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on December 1

German chancellor arrives in Kiev on surprise visit — media

According to the report, the visit was not announced earlier for "security reasons"

Ukraine loses over 36,800 troops, 225 tanks: situation in Russia’s Kursk Region

Russian forces destroyed two tanks, two infantry fighting vehicles, an armored combat vehicle, four motor vehicles and two mortars

Dozens of militants killed, wounded in strikes by Russian, Syrian air forces — agency

According to SANA, Syrian air defense systems shot down a terrorists’ drone over the city of Masyaf in the Hama governorate

Iraq, Kazakhstan to compensate for excess oil output of 164,000 bpd under OPEC+ deal

Russia will not reduce production further in December, according to the schedule

Putin describes ban on Russia’s use of US dollars as ‘complete foolishness’

The Russian president pointed out that this desision damaged the US economy and undermined the power of the United States across the world

Assad may accept Erdogan's offer to normalize relations — media

On June 28, Erdogan announced his readiness to restore diplomatic relations with Damascus, which were severed in 2012

Trump wants to set 100% duties on BRICS goods if they create single currency

"There is no chance that the BRICS will replace the US dollar in international trade and any country that tries should wave goodbye to America," he added

China hopes, Ukrainian conflict parties show restraint — diplomat

Lin Jian had earlier told TASS that, amid the US policy of escalation, there is consideration of resuming nuclear tests in Russia

Putin signs law on Russia’s federal budget for 2025-2027

According to the law, federal budget revenues in 2025 are expected to be 40.296 trillion rubles ($378.5 bln)

Houthis say they attacked target in Israel with hypersonic missile

According to the Houthi spokesman, the Houthis will double their armed attacks with the use of missiles and drones amid Israel’s continuing operation in the Gaza Strip

UK, US, France, Germany stress need for de-escalation in Syria

The current escalation only underscores the urgent need for a Syrian-led political solution to the conflict, states in a joint statement of the countries

Trump nominates Kash Patel to head FBI

He previously worked in the White House National Security Council, was an adviser to the acting director of national intelligence, and at the end of President Donald Trump's term headed the office of the US Secretary of Defense

German minister says Israel has no excuse for hampering aid deliveries to Gaza

According to the German politician, Israel now must fulfil its promises and guarantee sufficient humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip at any time

Recent Putin-Scholz conversation positive thing even as Berlin supports Kiev — Kremlin

On November 15, the two leaders spoke over the phone at Berlin’s initiative

Gaps in relations between Pakistan, Russia closed, dialogue going well — speaker

Sardar Ayaz Sadiq notes that "there is interest on both sides" and expects "a lot of positive things in upcoming meetings"

Kiev troops attempted to kill British mercenary who surrendered to Russians — officer

In his words, they fired conventional 120mm mortar rounds, silent munitions and at least one FPV drone with a fragmentation charge