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Middle East conflict

Israeli airstrikes on central, southern Gaza Strip kill six — agency

According to Palestine’s WAFA news agency, an Israeli airstrike on a group of civilians in Gaza City killed four, another two people were killed in an airstrike on the western residential areas of the city of Rafah

DUBAI, December 7. /TASS/. At least six people were killed in Israeli airstrikes on the southern and central Gaza Strip.

According to Palestine’s WAFA news agency, an Israeli airstrike on a group of civilians in Gaza City killed four. Another two people were killed in an airstrike on the western residential areas of the city of Rafah in the south of the enclave.

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants staged a surprise attack on Israeli territory from Gaza, killing residents of Israeli border settlements and taking 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 air strikes on Gaza as well as some parts of Lebanon and Syria before starting a ground operation in the Palestinian enclave. Hostilities in the Gaza Strip continue to this day.

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Palestine Israel

US President Trump ponders several options regarding strikes on Iran — NYT

Donald Trump has not made a final decision, the New York Times daily reported

Russian cancer vaccine ready for use — FMBA head

The initial target for this vaccine will be colorectal cancer

Putin's envoy reminds Kallas no defense system can stop Oreshnik

This is how Kirill Dmitriev commented on Kaja Kallas's statement about the Russian strike with the Oreshnik missile

Trump plans to turn Greenland into militarized zone — expert

"Danish politicians have already said in a statement that they have sent a message to Trump, in which they offered to shake hands on a security deal, in fact, on the placement of American weapons," Alexander Mikhailov said

Protesters rally near US Embassy in Bangkok calling for Venezuelan president's release

Alongside local residents, US citizens living in Thailand also took part in the protest

Trump does not intend to pardon Maduro — NYT

The US President also made it clear that he has "no intention of pardoning" the other individuals

Damascus regards Kurdish drone strikes on Aleppo as terrorist attacks — MFA

"The Syrian Arab Republic calls on the international community to condemn these terrorist acts and support the efforts of the Syrian state in the fight against terrorism and in strengthening security and stability," the Foreign Ministry of the Syrian transitional government said

Sheremetyevo Airport stabilizes operation after restrictions

Passengers on arriving flights are receiving their baggage in full

Trump issues executive order to protect Venezuelan oil revenues from legal action

The proceeds from oil sales are sovereign property of the Venezuelan government held in custody in the United States, according to the document

Tehran condemns US attempts to intervene in Iran’s domestic affairs — envoy to UN

Amir Saeid Iravani emphasized that the United States is interfering in Iran’s internal affairs through the encouragement of instability and violence

Russian air defenses take down drone heading to Moscow — mayor

First responders are working at the area where fragments have fallen, the Russian capital’s Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said

Medvedev considers use of Russian flag by Marinera to be inappropriate

He emphasized that the seizure of the tanker by the Americans was "a clear violation of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea"

NATO stockpiles nukes near Russia's borders, preparing for offensive actions — expert

According to Alexander Stepanov, at the initial stage, it is possible that B61 thermonuclear bombs, which are currently deployed in Belgium and the Netherlands, will be shifted to Russia's borders

Death toll from Kurdish shelling of Aleppo since Jan. 6 up to 23 — SANA

At least 104 people weere injured, according to the report

No one knows what will happen to Cuba after US operation in Venezuela — Trump

The US leader also added that unlike Venezuela, Cuba does not have its own oil and other energy sources

Situation in Venezuela stable, authorities maintaining order — Russian envoy

"The authorities confidently control public order," Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov added

Macron voices his plans to hold conversation with Putin as soon as possible

Marcon was answering a question from the channel's journalist, who recalled the French president’s recent statement that it would be useful to talk with Putin and inquired about any progress in this regard

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

Aeroflot to restore its Sheremetyevo flight schedule by 8 a.m. on January 11

Starting at 6:00 p.m. Moscow time (3:00 p.m. GMT) on January 10, Aeroflot plans to operate flights to and from Sheremetyevo Airport as scheduled, excluding flight cancellations for Saturday

Trump plans to meet with Venezuelan delegates soon

US President Donald Trump did not elaborate on who exactly he was planning to talk to

Over $300 bln paid for Russian gas stolen by West from Russia - Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister stressed that Russia has decided to switch to rubles in payments for its gas in order to stop "the shameless robbery" by the West

High time for Europe to talk to Russia — Italian PM

However, she believes that the conditions for Russia's return to the G7 have not yet been met

European leaders lack expertise to make proper assessment of Ukraine crisis — Swiss MP

According to Mettan, today’s European leaders did not experience World War II and came of age only at the end of the Cold War

Figure skaters Efimova, Mitrofanov win US pairs championship

Efimova is currently awaiting approval of an American passport, which will prevent the pair from competing at the upcoming Olympic Games in Italy

US President Trump ponders several options regarding strikes on Iran — NYT

Donald Trump has not made a final decision, the New York Times daily reported

Ukrainian attacks Belgorod Region with nearly 50 UAVs, 18 munitions over past day

In addition, the Ukrainian military targeted the Valuysky, Volokonovsky, and Grayvoronsky districts with 12 drones, leaving five people injured

At least 25 law enforcement officers killed by rioters in Iran

Between January 3 and 9, Iranian authorities reported the deaths of more than 10 security personnel, including the Esfarayen city prosecutor

Western oil companies to invest billions in Venezuela — Trump

US President Donald Trump spoke highly of his meeting with oil executives

Russia maintains global leadership in Pacific salmon production

Russia is fully supplied with red fish and caviar, the agency added

Ukraine loses around 1,090 troops across special op zone over past day — top brass

In the responsibility zone of the Battlegroup North, the Ukrainian military lost more than 130 soldiers and three cars

Medvedev bashes US general’s idiotic remarks about Kaliningrad’s air defenses

The Russian PM commented on media reports citing the commander of the US Air Forces in Europe on Pentagon's plans to ‘crack’ the air defenses in the Kaliningrad Region in case of Russia's aggression

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

NATO is 'now done' — Tucker Carlson on Greenland

According to him, "the whole illusion has shattered in the past four days"

Danish PM shocked by Trump's, his administration's statements about Greenland — NYT

Trump has repeatedly stated the need for Greenland to join the United States

Paris declaration on Ukraine brings world closer to third world war — Ukrainian politician

This declaration, in his words, "means that there will be no peace and the conflict will never end"

Iranian police report stabilization following armed unrest

An official spokesperson for the Islamic Republic’s police Saeed Montazer al-Mahdi emphasized that "the situation in various cities across the country is calm"

US demands from Venezuela to severe economic ties with Iran, Cuba, China, Russia — TV

According to the US-based television broadcaster, Washington put forward several demands to the acting President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez

What Solzhenitsyn said about Putin, and vice versa

The prominent writer and historian, who was exiled to GULAG camp, was born on December 11, 1918

UN Security Council schedules Ukraine-themed meeting for January 12

The meeting will take place at 3:00 p.m. local time

Finland withdraws from convention banning anti-personnel landmines — media

Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland have also announced their withdrawal from the convention earlier

Medvedev calls Oreshnik strike best way to deal with Ukrainian ‘lunatics’

He noted that "international relations have been in complete chaos since the beginning of the year"

Turkey starts accepting 1st batch of Russian S-400 air defense systems — source

The process may take two months

Venezuelan authorities declare constancy of foreign policy — Russian envoy

"Venezuelans, in their contacts with us, confirmed their commitment to adhering to the provisions of this document and, in general, to the spirit and principles of our partnership," Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov said

Over 2,000 Belarusian servicemen take part in dealing with consequences of snowfall

The ministry noted that military personnel will continue assisting with recovery efforts for as long as necessary

Russia opposes any Western military contingent in Ukraine — Medvedev

It’s been said a thousand times: Russia won’t accept any European or NATO troops in Ukraine, Medvedev wrote on X in English.

Greenland party leaders call on US to stop disrespecting island

The authors note that Greenland is a democracy and wishes to continue cooperation with both the United States and Western countries

Russian envoy summoned to Moldova’s Foreign Ministry over referendums

It was added that Moldova will not recognize the results of the plebiscite and "resolutely condemns" the annexation of new regions to Russia

Europe has no strategy to prevent possible takeover of Greenland by US — FT

European leadership circles are considering retaliatory measures, including closing US military bases or banning the purchase of US Treasury bonds

Germany’s oil imports from Russia down 99.9% in January — statistics

The EU’s embargo on seaborne supplies of Russian oil became effective on December 5 of the last year

NATO may bolster presence in the Arctic to avert US-Denmark conflict

According to the newspaper, NATO ambassadors proposed increasing defense spending in the Arctic, deploying additional military equipment, and stepping up military exercises to show Donald Trump that the region is sufficiently secure

US government mulls holding nuclear test, but has no clear plan yet — energy secretary

Chris Wright also stressed that the US nuclear arsenal has to be meaningfully better than all of its foes in the world

Moscow’s January 9 snowfall inks 146-year record — meteorologists

"The snowfall closes the top five for the entire period of meteorological observations," a source in the country’s Hydrometeorological Center said

US President Trump instructs JSOC to draft Greenland invasion plan — UK daily

US president has repeatedly stated the need for Greenland to join the United States

Russian forces eliminated 147 French mercenaries in Ukraine, Defense Ministry says

Overall, the Russian forces eliminated 5,962 foreign mercenaries, most of them from Poland

Russian paratroopers destroy Ukrainian tanks, self-propelled gun by drones

"Crews of reconnaissance drones of Russian paratroopers discovered two tanks and a concealed self-propelled gun firing from covered positions against peaceful settlements on the left bank of the Dnieper River in the Kherson Region," the Russian Ministry of Defense said

Iranian authorities accuse external forces of turning peaceful protests into unrest

"Hands stained with blood of more than a thousand Iranians killed in the 12-day war" with Israel are visible in those riots, Hadi Tahan Nazif, spokesperson of Iran's Guardian Council, said

Vatican urges US to avoid military ops against Venezuela — media

According to the publication, Parolin told Burch that Maduro could receive asylum in Russia

Lukashenko says there was collusion, betrayal in situation with Maduro's capture

The Belarusian leader also called for caution amid the events in the Bolivarian Republic

Russia-EU economic relations unlikely to recover even within decade — economist

According to the economist, the Russian economy and budget system have already adapted to the severing of old ties

South Korea’s defense minister denies launching drone to North

According to the news agency, South Korean forces had not conducted flight operations on the dates claimed by North Korea

West deliberately wages war against Russia, using Ukraine as a cover — ex-defense chief

According to Vulin, the West fully controls what is happening, and the opinion of the Ukrainians themselves does not interest anyone

Nuclear powers UK, France risk provoking war with Russia — Szijjarto

"War fanaticism is rampant among Europe’s political leaders," the minister said

Trump's portrait now on display at National Portrait Gallery in Washington

The black-and-white image depicts the US president standing in the Oval Office, leaning on a desk with both hands

Air defenses down 33 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions in seven hours

On-duty air defenses intercepted and destroyed 33 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles between 9 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Moscow time (6 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. GMT)

At least 59 Ukrainian drones downed over Russian regions overnight

11 of them were destroyed over the Black Sea waters

White House thinks Trump will preserve good relations with Putin, Xi, despite Venezuela

According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the US leader is going to "enforce our policy that’s best for the United States of America"

US to file criminal charges against Marinera ship crew — attorney general

The ship’s crew members undertook "frantic efforts to avoid apprehension" of the tanker, which reportedly was "responsible for transporting sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran," Pam Bondi said

Kim Jong Un pledges to continue Russia-North Korea cooperation in his letter to Putin

The North Korean leader emphasized that he is ready to always stand for Russia

European Commission considers Oreshnik's strike on Ukraine warning to EU, US — spokeswoman

Brussels intends to continue providing military assistance to Ukraine

Russian Armed Forces liberate five settlements over week — top brass

The battlegroup East continued to advance deep into enemy defenses

US wants to have Greenland, will get it anyway — Trump

The US President believes that if Washington does not own the island, Russia or China will take it over

Russia calls on US to cease illegal activities against Marinera — MFA

The United States is required to ensure humane and dignified treatment of Russian citizens and not create obstacles to their speedy return to their homeland

Russian says warning systems failed during US strikes on Caracas

According to Ivan Pavlov, there is still silence on television

US striking Islamic State in Syria — Fox News

For the second time since December 19, 2025, the US military is launching airstrikes against the Islamic State in Syria in retaliation for the killing of two National Guard soldiers and a translator, the presenter said on air

Use of phones is cause of tragedy in Makeyevka — Russian Defense Ministry

A commission investigating circumstances of the incident is working and required measures are being taken to exclude such tragedies in the future

Washington may lift more sanctions against Venezuela next week — US Treasury chief

Scott Bessent did not specify the exact dates

Finnish politician reveals Helsinki's secret plans to deploy nuclear weapons

According to him, some people in Finland feel like the country is at war with Russia

Lavrov urges to raise voice to shield Christians from persecution in the Middle East

According to Russian Foreign Minister, the Foreign Ministry and the Russian Orthodox Church have many joint projects

Finnish politician backs Italian PM's stance on dialogue with Russia

Meloni earlier stated that the time had come for Europe to begin talks with Russia and voiced support for appointing a special representative for Ukraine

US officials have held preliminary discussions on possible strike on Iran — WSJ

The negotiations are in their early stages and are a standard part of any planning process, according to sources, according to the report

Press review: Russia may revise Ukraine talks post attack and China launches Taiwan drills

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 30th

At least 200 rebel leaders detained in Iran — Tasnim

During the operations, a large quantity of weapons, ammunition, grenades, and Molotov cocktails were seized from the hiding places of the pogromists, the agency said

Tehran rioters burn down 25 mosques, harm 26 banks, three medical centers — mayor

According to him, rioters harmed ten government buildings, 48 fire trucks, 42 buses and ambulances, as well as 24 apartments

Russia, Venezuela maintain strategic partnership — ambassador

Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov emphasized that these relations of strategic partnership will continue in all areas

Early return of Crew-11 from ISS planned no earlier than January 14 — NASA

In this case, astronauts Zena Cardman, Mike Fincke, Kimiya Yui and cosmonaut Oleg Platonov will splash down off the coast of California on January 15

Avangard hypersonic missiles replace Rubezh ICBMs in Russia’s armament plan through 2027

Russia’s Avangard strategic silo-based hypersonic missile complex has been included in the state armament plan through 2027 instead of Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missiles

Damage to Qatari embassy in Kiev result of Ukrainian air defense failure — Russian MFA

There were no designated military objectives near the Qatari diplomatic mission, the ministry noted

US fighter jets deliver strikes against 35 Islamic State locations in Syria — Al Arabiya

According to the television channel, over 20 fighter jets struck terrorist locations in Syria firing some 90 high-precision missiles at IS targets

Ukraine, US to sign $800-bln post-conflict reconstruction deal in Davos

The loan will be provided within a decade

Zelensky in talks with US on possible free trade zone — Bloomberg

According to the news agency, the deal will have zero tariffs on trade with the United States and will be in place in some of Ukraine’s industrial regions

Russian forces launch Oreshnik strike in response to Kiev's attack on Putin's residence

According to the ministry, "the strike goals were achieved"

North Korea accuses South of violating its airspace

The incident occurred on January 4, when North Korean air defenses detected and tracked an aerial target that crossed the border from the South

"Coalition of the Willing" won’t send troops to Ukraine, French politician says

Russia opposes the presence of NATO troops in Ukraine

Over 100 armed rioters detained in western Tehran — authorities

On December 29, 2025, merchants began staging protests in central Tehran over a sharp decline in the value of the Iranian rial

Trump confirms plans to visit China in April

The US President believes that he "gets along very well" with President Xi Jinping

US wants Russia, China to stay away from Greenland — Trump

Donald Trump also expects Caracas to become its ally in the future

Russia grateful to US for decision to release two Russians from Marinera crew — diplomat

According to Zakharova, the Russian side is urgently addressing issues related to the return of its freed citizens to their homeland

Iran accuses Israel, US of organizing protests in country

The work of law enforcement agencies in the country is aimed at preventing such threats

EU preparing for possible direct confrontation with Trump — newspaper

European governments now understand the seriousness of Trump's threats and are "desperately looking for a plan to stop him"

Oreshnik’s launch is sudden, undetectable by satellites — analyst

The range of the Oreshnik system is up to 5,500 kilometers

US tech billionaire Musk slams UK government as ‘fascist’

That is what he said in response to a previous media reports that more than 12,000 people were arrested in the UK for online comments