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Middle East conflict

Swiss lawmakers receive threatening letters over death of children in Gaza

The Bern Cantonal Police are investigating the incident

GENEVA, December 13. /TASS/. About 100 members of the Swiss parliament have received threatening letters and calls to stop the mass death of Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip from starvation. Several letters were accompanied by a small bag of black powder that emitted a distinct odor, the Blick newspaper reported.

According to the report, the letters accuse the Swiss lawmakers of being complicit in the genocide in the Palestinian enclave. The text says that the scent of black powder "pervades Gaza." The police told the newspaper that the substance does not pose any health hazard. The letters also included photos of killed and injured Palestinian children and a QR code leading to a video of a Palestinian child with burns all over their body. The Bern Cantonal Police are investigating the incident.

On December 2, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres reported about widespread famine in the Gaza Strip. According to Guterres, in the past four months alone, about 19,000 children were hospitalized due to acute starvation, almost twice as many as in the first half of 2024.

Middle East conflict

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US to remove Cuba from list of state sponsors of terrorism — news agency

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According to the report, the Syrian authorities intend to put an end to attacks on patrols and barracks in coastal areas

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Press review: Kiev hopes Trump supports its proposals and Russia backs Panama's neutrality

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Trump plans to speed up arms supplies to Taiwan — advisor

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Russia’s international reserves down $1.8 bln in one week to $609.5 bln — Central Bank

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US sanctions to postpone implementation of several Arctic projects — Rosatom CEO

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Armenia cannot be member of both EU, EAEU, says Russian top diplomat

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Slovakia supports immediate launch of talks on Ukraine — MP

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Some $6.5 bln worth of private investment attracted into Crimean economy since 2021

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NATO defense chiefs to discuss aid to Ukraine, alliance’s plans

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Only technical level of communication between US, Russia — Kremlin

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Kremlin aide admits Ukraine will cease to exist in 2025

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Baba Yaga drones attack their own troops, says Ukrainian army captive

Alexander Shevchenko noted that he did not undergo any special training

South Korean law enforcement agents place president under arrest

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Russia now flies direct to 40 countries — ATOR

The most popular international destination is Moscow-Istanbul

Hegseth says Trump to seek best settlement for Ukraine

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Armenian Foreign Ministry summons Russian ambassador over remarks in TV newscasts

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Russia vows retaliation to Kiev’s attack with Western-made missiles on Bryansk Region

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Lavrov, visiting senior Slovak MP discuss bilateral trade, economic cooperation

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Trump declares desire to meet with Putin 'very quickly'

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Taiwan records approach of 24 Chinese PLA warplanes, six vessels

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Cuban president lauds US’ plans to lift his country’s designation as sponsor of terrorism

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Lavrov calls for assessing Trump’s methods of making America great again

The news conference is dedicated to reviewing Moscow’s main foreign policy achievements in 2024

Kremlin aide believes talks on Ukraine should be held between Russia, US

The EU’s leadership "has long had no right to speak for many its members, such as Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Romania and some other European countries interested in stability in Europe and holding a well-reasoned policy on Russia," Nikolay Patrushev said