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Middle East conflict

Northern Gaza receives no food for over 50 days — UN agency

According to the World Food Program, almost 2.2 mln people are facing severe food shortages in Palestine

ROME, December 5. /TASS/. Almost no food has reached northern Gaza for over 50 days, the World Food Program (WFP) said.

According to Antoine Renard, WFP country director in Palestine, the levels of hunger, devastation and destruction in the Gaza Strip are worse than ever before.

"People cannot cope anymore. There is barely any food coming in, while markets are empty," he pointed out in a video posted on the X social media platform. "In November, around 815,000 people received food aid from the WFP, barely half of those who depend on it for survival," Renard added.

According to the WFP, almost 2.2 mln people are facing severe food shortages in Palestine.

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 about 250 hostages. Hamas described its attack as retaliation for the aggressive actions taken by 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, launching airstrikes on Gaza, as well as some parts of Lebanon and Syria, before starting a ground operation in the Palestinian enclave.

US won’t seek to split BRICS, will keep an eye on association’s development — expert

According to Subhashish Banerjee, discussions about replacing the US dollar with the BRICS currency "might have triggered some kind of disbalance in understanding"

Journalist Lex Fridman says he wants to interview Putin in Russia

Fridman didn’t say whether he had reached an agreement for the interview with the Russian leader

Last year was rather successful for Russian economy — Putin

Key macro indicators are in the positive zone owing to calculated and responsible action of the government and the business community, the president said

Thailand expects to welcome 1.9 mln tourists from Russia by year end

According to Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the flow of tourists from Russia to Thailand increased by 18% in 2024 compared to the previous year

Trump may recognize reunified Russian regions, says US expert

Ukraine’s membership into NATO remains the main issue of the conflict, Christopher Helali emphasized

Ukraine conflict unlikely to be resolved quickly under Trump, expert says

At the same time, Krissada Promvek highlighted a new trend in some European countries, which "have started to withdraw their support from Ukraine"

Zelensky fears US will seal Ukraine’s fate behind its back

"I very much believe that the US won’t do that, although I’m not sure that earlier this did not happen," Vladimir Zelensky said

Trump signs order re-designating Houthis as foreign terrorist organization

Trump already added the Houthis to the FTO list during his first presidential term in 2017-2021

West realizes peace in Ukraine hinges on tackling underlying issues — Lavrov

The foreign minister underscored Russia's continued commitment to achieving the goals of the special military operation and resolving the Ukrainian crisis by fixing its root causes

IDF says it thwarted attempts to violate Gaza ceasefire

Besides, "masked suspects were identified approaching IDF troops," the IDF press service said

Ukraine’s General Staff describes frontline situation as tense

Ukrainian commanders of various ranks have been describing the frontline situation as very complex lately

Money behind Stargate signifies strategic importance of AI for the US

The project may become a gamechanger in the global technology race

Moscow, Tehran to fight against disinformation on international platforms — ministry

Apart from that, the sides expressed interest in expanding contacts and exchanges between Russian and Iranian media outlets

Russian troops advance along three sectors of frontline, military expert says

Besides, Russian troops have "improved their frontline position" near Makeyevka in the Lugansk People’s Republic, Andrey Marochnko pointed out

Germany not the one to lecture others on freedom of speech — Foreign Ministry

Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova referred to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's statement at the World Economic Forum in Davos

Ukrainian Armed Forces attack Energodar using four UAVs

"According to preliminary information, at least four UAVs attacked the town," the statement said

Annual inflation in Russia accelerates to 9.92% — Economy Ministry

Prices changed by 0.34% in the food sector

Trump says people shouldn’t forget Russia ‘helped us’ win World War II

"I love the Russian people, and always had a very good relationship with President [of Russia Vladimir] Putin," the US President wrote on his Truth Social platform

Putin to discuss coal, construction industries at meeting with Cabinet

"I wait from colleagues in the government in the first quarter of this year a prepared program of action on the large-scale agenda of structural development and enhancement of the potential of the Russian economy," the president noted

Russian troops liberate Zapadnoye community in Kharkov Region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted roughly 40 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility in the Kharkov Region over the past day, the ministry reported

Russia needs to look at Trump’s proposals on Ukraine first — diplomat

"It's not merely the question of ending the war. It's first and foremost the question of addressing root causes of Ukrainian crisis," Russian First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Dmitry Polyansky said

Higher import duties in the US may re-orient goods to Russian market — experts

Assuming the extension of US foreign trade restrictions to other Asian nations, deliveries of goods from India and Vietnam may potentially grow

Russia's non-oil and gas revenues in 2024 increase by 26% — Putin

At the same time, the Russian budget received $13.15 bln in additional revenues from the sale of oil and gas in 2024, the head of state said

Iran raises objections to UN Court jurisdiction in downed Ukrainian plane case

According to the document, the Iranian side has challenged the court’s jurisdiction and the admissibility of the application filed by the United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, and Ukraine

Moscow notifies Tokyo of terminating agreements that set up Japan Centers in Russia

"The unprecedented unfriendly steps that has been taken by Tokyo against our country since February 2022 are contrary to the spirit and letter of the memorandums," the Russian Foreign Ministry stated

35 Chinese planes approach Taiwan — defense ministry

According to the Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense, 27 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, southwestern and eastern ADIZ

Trump picks former Carl’s Jr and Hardee’s fast food chains CEO for EU ambassador

In 2000, Puzder, 74, was appointed Chief Executive Officer of CKE Restaurants, Inc., parent company of international restaurant chains Carl’s Jr and Hardee’s

Ensuring stability and resilience of public finances remains important for Russia — Putin

The President stressed that the budget for the forthcoming three years had been made with consideration of the return to the fiscal rule

Top Chinese diplomat, Brazilian envoy agree to promote dialogue on Ukraine

According to the top Chinese diplomat, China and Brazil’s six-point conflict settlement initiative and the ‘friends of peace’ group formed with their participation are geared toward pooling the efforts by the global South countries

Zelensky believes Europe won’t risk sending troops to Ukraine unless US participates

According to Vladimir Zelensky, Ukraine's European allies can’t muster up enough servicemen to pose a realistic deterrent

Fighting erupts in southwestern Krasnoarmeysk in Donbass region — security officials

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s White Angel special police officers have been using force to evacuate children from Krasnoarmeysk, according to the security officials

Press review: Putin, Xi talk after Trump’s inauguration as US reconsiders aid to allies

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, January 22nd

Trump’s aggressive trade policies leading to global economic crisis — journal

"Trying to force others to use the dollar would actually make them want to use it less — and undermine its credibility," the article says

Ukraine’s frontline to collapse in 100 days, if Zelensky does not negotiate — lawmaker

Alexander Dubinsky believes that Vladimir Zelensky lies the number of soldiers at the frontline is as large as 880,000

Russian authorities should respond to accelerated inflation — Putin

The head of state noted that there should be no imbalances in the credit sphere because the decline of activity in this sector may create risks for economic development on the whole

Several infrastructure facilities damaged in Kiev-controlled areas of Zaporozhye Region

The Ukrainian authorities declared an air-raid alert in the Kiev-controlled areas of the Zaporozhye Region five times on January 22 and twice on January 23

Over 200 bodies retrieved from under debris in Gaza during ceasefire

According to Palestine’s health ministry, more than 14,200 people

Trump instructs special envoy to resolve Ukraine conflict in 100 days — newspaper

Trump is determined to control peace talks himself, the Wall Street Journal notes

US secretary of state to visit Panama next week — agency

According to the source, the trip is to underscore "President Donald Trump’s seriousness about taking back the Panama Canal"

Any day could be Zelensky’s final in office, Ukrainian lawmaker believes

Donald Trump claimed that he planned to resolve the Ukrainian conflict in the near future and on January 21, the US leader told reporters that "Zelensky wants to make a deal"

Weekly inflation stands at 0.25% in Russia-statistics

In annual terms, inflation in Russia was 10.06% as of January 20, 2024

Drunken American goes on rampage in Moscow cafe over Trump’s inauguration

The 44-year-old American said he wanted Biden to stay in office, while his girlfriend backed Trump

Press review: Trump reveals his priorities as US president and Iran threatens to exit NPT

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, January 21st

Chinese, Kazakh diplomats hold security consultations

China and Kazakhstan plan to hold a series of high-level meetings in 2025

Russian banking sector feels itself confidently — Putin

"The banking sector of Russia has sufficient capital reserve," the head of state noted

Canadian premier to attend events marking anniversary of Auschwitz death camp liberation

He will be accompanied by Canadian Holocaust survivors as well as Canada’s Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism, Deborah Lyons

Serbian president skeptical about Trump’s plan to resolve Ukrainian conflict in 100 days

"If Trump indeed manages to resolve the conflict, he deserves a monument for saving the entire planet," Aleksandar Vucic said

Russia may ease restrictions on imports of livestock products from EU — watchdog

Head of the regulator Sergey Dankvert noted that any potential relaxation of restrictions can occur only under one condition: that all products coming into Russia undergo strict inspections

Zelensky shocked by Trump’s decisions, tries to manipulate Europe — LDPR leader

Leonid Slutsky recalled that at the talks in Istanbul, settlement agreements were reached and "initialed by the head of the Ukrainian delegation David Arakhamia"

Senior diplomat predicts ambiguity ahead for Russia-US ties after Trump’s inauguration

Sergey Ryabkov said that Donald Trump ushered in "a revolution of common sense" in his inaugural speech

Kasatka signal relay drones developed in Russia

Flying at an altitude of one to two kilometers, Kasatka drone can transmit direct radio commands at a range of up to 50 kilometers to quadcopter suicide drones Tribunal

Trump to redesignate Houthis as foreign terrorist organization — media

The US leader is expected to sign this order during the day

Belgian court throws out von der Leyen’s vaccine transparency case

"The decision also applies to other parties that joined the lawsuit," the court said in a statement

European Parliament votes to advise EU not to recognize presidential election in Belarus

Lawmakers also called for stepping up sanctions against Belarus, accusing its authorities of human rights violations

Man, child killed in stabbing attack in southern Germany — report

The suspect, a 28-year-old Afghan man, has been detained

Zelensky goes on ‘witch hunt’ to shift blame for military failures — Ukrainian MP

According to Irina Gerashchenko, several Ukrainian generals have already been arrested and accused of defensive failures

Rebels seize Bweremana city in eastern DR Congo — report

On Tuesday, rebels took control of Minova, an important commercial and industrial center with a population of more than 50,000

Ukraine launches drones at two enterprises in Russia’s Belgorod Region

The roofing of a storage facility and two vehicles were damaged

US cannot or doesn’t want to stop illegal arms trafficking to Haiti — Russian diplomat

According to the Russian diplomat, the United States refuses to share any information about what it is doing to stop arms trafficking to Haiti with experts from the UN Security Council’s sanctions committee

Slovakia faces destabilization by those responsible for similar events in Georgia — party

Commenting on reports about "foreign experts" and their activities in her country, European Parliament member Katarina Roth Nevedalova said: "This is a question of national security, and we are in the process of assessing the situation"

Russia's budget deficit reaches 1.7% of GDP in 2024 — Putin

"This is an acceptable level, especially against the background of the state of public finances of the so-called developed economies," the Russian president noted

Payments in national currencies to lower BRICS dependence on dollar — Iranian leader

"A nation under sanctions must focus more on its internal capabilities and utilize them for its objectives," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stressed

Ukrainian troops double enveloped near Novaya Kruglyakovka in Kharkov Region

According to Marochko, the enemy is trying to retain a strategic height on the Lozovaya bank

Trump’s team prepares sanctions against Zelensky’s entourage — Ukrainian reporter

According to Diana Panchenko, these measures mark the beginning of the end for the "era of impunity" for Vladimir Zelensky

Ukrainian troops used civilians as human shield in Kursk Region — Russian military

According to Tatar, Ukrainian troops retreated from Russkoye Porechnoye to Cherkasskoye Porechnoye

Trump threatens to curb Russia’s exports if no deal on Ukraine reached

The US president said he was ready to do "a very big favor" to the Russian side

Russian forces wipe out Ukrainian mortar in Kherson Region — defense ministry

According to the ministry, the mortar was hidden in the debris of an abandoned residential house and conducted fire at Russian defensive positions

Xi briefs Putin about his conversation with Trump — Kremlin aide

Immediately after the conversation with Xi, Trump wrote on his social media page Truth Social that the discussion was very good for both Beijing and Washington

Gas reserves in UGS facilities in Latvia, Hungary, Czech Republic fall below 60%

The top five countries in terms of gas storage capacity are also actively depleting their reserves

Fico calls meeting of Slovak Security Council after intel points to impending coup d’etat

According to the Slovak prime minister, foreign "specialists" have already arrived in Slovakia

French court issues new arrest warrant for ex-Syrian president Assad — media

The warrant was issued at the request of France's National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office, which investigated the death of 59-year-old Franco-Syrian national Salah Abou Nabout

Ukrainian commanders in Krasnoarmeisk form group of looters — Russian security officer

"There is evidence that it was organized by the command of the battlegroup stationed there, which is now managing the process," he said

Ukraine’s army lacks strength to hold Krasnoarmeisk in Donbass area — ex-military officer

Igor Romanenko also highlighted that the situation in the Pokrovsk area "is indeed, difficult and is deteriorating"

World needs shared prosperity, not 'golden age of America' — Medvedev

The dialogue between the heads of Russia and China, held after the US presidential inauguration is undeniable proof of the multipolarity of the modern world, the official noted

Tanks at Iranian oil storage facility holding 18,000 tons of oil ignite

According to the company’s statement, it was a small liquefied natural gas tank that ignited

In letter to Trump, Biden says he prays for US prosperity — TV

"As I take leave of this sacred office I wish you and your family all the best in the next four years," Joe Biden wrote

Western countries using ‘hidden veto’ to block UNSC resolutions — Russian mission

According to First Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dmitry Polyansky, Western countries openly abuse their membership in the UN Security Council

Trump declares readiness to meet with Putin any time he wants

Presidents last spoke over the phone on July 23, 2020

Zelensky falls short of conservative values that Trump brings back — politician

Viktor Medvedchuk expects the US to become a much tougher and more determined actor in world politics during Trump's term

West’s decision on missile strikes gives Russia free hand to attack NATO bases — expert

According to Dmitry Suslov, retaliatory measures may include the handover of more advanced weapons to the forces "that are directly fighting against the US, particularly, in the Middle East"

Russian forces to control Ukrainian army routes after seizure of Zapadnoye in Kharkov area

The Russian troops continue expanding the right-bank bridgehead towards Kupyansk

Granddaughter of Cold War-era Soviet leader dies after being hit by train near Moscow

The woman attempted to cross the rail tracks away from the established safe crossing

Russia resembles one big family — American previously working for Moscow

Daniel Martindale also compared Russian President Vladimir Putin to the head of a family

Trump starts major reshuffle of National Security Council — report

The career government employees were told to work from home while the administration reviews staffing, according to the report

New US administration considers support for Israel as its priority – Department of State

He also expressed readiness to address "the threats posed by Iran and pursuing opportunities for peace"

New Russian fiber-optic drone wipes out Ukrainian combat vehicle in Kursk Region

The Knyaz Vandal of Novgorod FPV cable-controlled drone has been engineered by the Ushkuinik research and production center

Total of 17.67% of voters cast their ballots early in Belarus election

The highest turnout was reported in the regions of Brest and Vitebsk, where 19.35% and 18.35% of voters, respectively, have already cast their ballot

Trump becomes 'less precise' about China, Ukraine — former US legislator

Despite Trump’s calls on NATO allies to increase defense spending to five percent of GDP, many European countries "may find that the additional financial burden is simply too much to bear," Richard Black argued

Syria terminates Tartus port management contract with Russian company

The 49-year-long agreement was signed between the Syrian government and Russia’s Stroytransgas company in 2019

Colombian police make historically large cocaine bust — president

Including today, Colombian police have seized 24 metric tons of cocaine this month alone, Gustavo Petro said

Kiev hopes for ending hostilities this year — deputy PM

According to Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Economics Minister Yulia Sviridenko, the Ukrainian authorities believe that a dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin is possible

Russian troops push for full control of Dzerzhinsk

According to the report, people from the main office of the Ukrainian armed forces keep complaining about an insufficient number of troops

Moscow waits for apologies from those accusing it of submarine cable sabotage — MFA

Maria Zakharova drew attention to an article saying that "ruptures of undersea cables were likely the result of maritime accidents"

West to start preparing for new conflict with Russia after clash in Ukraine over — Times

Lt. Gen. Ralph Wooddisse, the commander of NATO’s allied rapid reaction corps, said the Russian armed forces will be a "whole lot better next time round" as its military has shown the ability to constantly adapt to battlefield challenges

Syria’s defense minister says talks with Moscow over Russian bases still ongoing

The talks are conducted by the Syrian leadership and involve the Syrian Foreign Ministry, according to Murhaf Abu Qasra

Colombian mercenary fighting in Russia’s Kursk Region detained

The investigation has revealed that Boorjes took part in the armed conflict for a financial reward as part of Ukrainian forces

US may bolster dollar amid shifts in EU triggered by Ukraine conflict — Chinese expert

Discussing the prospects for resolving the Ukraine conflict, Gou Liwu suggested there is a high likelihood that Donald Trump's return to power in the United States could lead to a resolution of the conflict, but not within the short timeframe he promised during his election campaign

Russian army’s foothold on Oskol River’s right bank growing, expert says

"The enemy’s attempts to retain their positions there are not the same as, for instance, three or four months, half a year ago, when we could not even approach the Oskol River," Colonel Vitaly Kiselyov said

Trump says he has good relations with Putin, likes Russia

"I’m not looking to hurt Russia. I love the Russian people, and always had a very good relationship with President Putin," the US President wrote

Iran’s intelligence minister warns against accords with the US

Esmaeil Khatib believes the United States is likely to intensify its pressures on Iran after the inauguration of President Donald Trump