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Middle East conflict

At least 39 people killed, almost 500 injured in Gaza in past day — Health Ministry

That said, Gaza’s death toll has reached 61,369 since October 2023, and over 152,000 people have been injured

© AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana

TUNIS, August 9. /TASS/. At least 39 people were killed and almost 500 suffered injuries in Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip in the past day, the Palestinian enclave’s Health Ministry said in a statement.

"Over the past 24 hours, 39 bodies, including one pulled out of the rubble, as well as 491 injured people, were brought to hospitals across Gaza," the statement reads.

That said, Gaza’s death toll has reached 61,369 since October 2023, and over 152,000 people have been injured.

The Health Ministry also said that 11 deaths of starvation had been recorded in Gaza in the previous day, bringing the total number to 212.

Tensions intensified again in the Middle East on October 7, 2023, when militants from the Gaza Strip-based radical Palestinian movement Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing residents of border settlements and taking hostages. In response, Israel initiated a military operation in the Palestinian enclave to dismantle Hamas' military and political structures and free all hostages. In March, the Israeli military resumed military operations in Gaza, carrying out intensive strikes on the enclave, thus breaking the ceasefire deal that had been reached in January. The Palestinian movement Hamas and Israel failed to make a ceasefire agreement in several rounds of talks brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the US.

US pressuring Zelensky into accepting peace plan terms — media

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Russia takes note of America's foreign policy turn in new National Security Strategy

Maria Zakharova drew special attention to America's about-face on hegemony

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Ramzan Kadyrov added that captured Ukrainian servicemen often ask not to be returned back, fearing for their lives

Liberation of Volchansk year in making — expert

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Putin extends ban for residents to buy stakes in foreign companies without permit

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"Construction of the first unit is almost completed," Alexey Likhachev said

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Shoigu calls Russia's recently deceased North Korea envoy true patriot

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Dmitry Peskov did not comment on US President Donald Trump's statement that, unlike his entourage, Vladimir Zelensky was not familiar with the peace plan's contents

New US national strategy signals readiness to discuss security architecture — Medvedev

The Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman noted that for the first time in many years, the US document refers to Russia not as a "threat" but as a participant in the dialogue on stability

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The region's governor Yevgeny Balitsky said that the Zaporozhye Region authorities were ready to provide all necessary administrative and humanitarian assistance to residents of the liberated territories.

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Confiscation of Russian assets would completely undermine trust in EU — lawmaker

Anatoly Aksakov also noted that such actions by the European Union would constitute a violation of international law

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76% of respondents said they have not seen so far practically any positive effect from the initiatives

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Putin extends authorization for foreigners to pay for gas not only with Gazprombank

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Maxim Ryzhenkov pointed out that the European Union is looking at allocating more than billion euro to help Lithuania fight Belarus and Russia’s alleged hybrid aggression

Europe feels humiliated as US, Russia determine Ukraine's future — media

According to the newspaper, "the Europeans are becoming irrelevant on their own turf"

Expropriation of Russian assets being 'crucial act for European defense' — von der Leyen

"Securing financial support will help ensure the survival of Ukraine," President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen added

Zelensky unveils shortlist for new chief of staff — media

Among them are Defense Minister Denis Shmygal, First Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Transformation Minister Mikhail Fedorov, First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Kislitsa, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence Kirill Budanov, and Pavel Palisa, deputy head of Zelensky’s office in charge of military issues, the Novosti.Live portal said

Russian army controls key highways in Kupyansk district — expert

The Ukrainian army sends its units to this area with full knowledge that the city and the region are lost, head of the Kharkov Regional State Administration Vitaly Ganchev said

Kiev is luring foreigners into trenches, Ukrainians are hard to come by — Russian envoy

According to Rodion Miroshnik, this strategy is driven by the increasing difficulty Ukraine faces in mobilizing its own citizens

Trump says he is a bit disappointed that Zelensky has not read the draft peace deal yet

The US leader also noted that Vladimir Zelensky's people loved the US government's proposal

Brazil urges Venezuela not to enter into war with US, even if attacked — newspaper

Lula da Silva’s administration will work to prevent the US attacks from happening

Ukrainian military brings tanks, artillery, mercenaries to Kharkov Region — official

Reports indicate the presence of mercenaries from Poland, Georgia, and various Latin American nations, according to the press service of the Military-Civilian Administration of the Kharkov Region

Russia hopes that US refrains from full-scale conflict with Venezuela — diplomat

The US-Venezuela conflict threatens to cause unpredictable consequences for the entire Western hemisphere, Maria Zakharova said

Putin signs annual decree to call up reservists for military training

The Russian government and regional authorities are instructed to ensure the implementation of measures related to the call-up of citizens for military training and the conduct of these training sessions

French politician calls Zelensky ‘irresponsible’ for not reading Trump peace plan

"Zelensky is disregarding the peace plan: this is inadmissible and irresponsible," Florian Philippot stated

Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora dies at age of 70

Alexander Matsegora has been Russia’s ambassador to North Korea since 2014

Turkey, Hungary discussing joint defense projects — Erdogan

Touching on trade and economic relations between Turkey and Hungary, the Turkish president stated that the two countries "are close to reaching their trade target of $6 billion"

Press review: President Putin begins India state-visit while EU mulls Military Schengen

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, December 4th

Russia’s CSTO presidency to focus on strengthening organization — Putin

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Foreigners wishing to move to Russia are calling Putin's Direct Line

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New US strategy indicates threat of interference in Europe’s affairs — EU official

European Council President Antonio Costa also responded to Washington's criticism of the European Commission’s move to fine the X social media platform, and accusations of Brussels violating freedom of speech

F1 Red Bull supremo Helmut Marko to part ways with racing team at end of year

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Tucker Carlson hopes to visit Russia again

He also noted that the trip to Moscow left a strong impression on him

Europe is 'moving in some bad directions' — Trump

Donald Trump voiced concern about the current political track taken by EU countries

Putin hopes VAT increase is temporary measure

The Russian president noted at the same time that the majority of activities anticipating adoption of federal laws is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026 in the plan for improving legality in individual economic sectors

Large package of documents to be prepared for BRICS summit in Kazan — Lavrov

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US to spend $800 million on support for Ukraine in 2026, 2027 — Pentagon budget draft

The document also obligates the Pentagon chief to report to the House of Representatives and Senate on the temporary suspension or cessation of intelligence provision to Ukraine

Zelensky says new proposals for peace plan to be submitted to US on December 9

"The plan has been reduced from 28 points to 20," and a compromise on the issue of territories "has not yet been found," he said

Only renewed cooperation with Russia can save Europe from collapse — Dodik

According to the Bosnian Serb leader, Europe’s economic success was largely based on access to Russian resources

Lenin bust unveiled in Venezuela’s capital

The sculpture was installed on the Liberators’ Alley

Trump could quickly broker Russia-Ukraine deal — Swiss Foreign Minister

Ignazio Cassis emphasized that Switzerland’s goal as OSCE Chair for 2026 is "to ensure the OSCE is ready" for such developments

Russian industrial products export up 18% in 9M 2025 — PM

Machine-building, chemicals and metallurgy were the main drivers, Mikhail Mishustin noted

Hungary, Turkey condemn Ukrainian attacks against pipelines, tankers — Szijjarto

Hungary and Turkey together speak for termination of war in Ukraine through negotiations, the Hungarian foreign minister said

Kremlin spokesman points to possibility of next US administrations revising strategy

According to Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin doesn’t rule out that the removal of the current irritants could open up prospects for the two countries to restore relations

No one wants to share responsibility for seizing Russian assets with Belgium — Kremlin

Belgium opposes the European Commission’s plan for the expropriation of Russian sovereign assets blocked in Europe under the guise of a so-called "reparations loan" to Ukraine, being afraid of Russia’s potential response

Europe remembers Turkey as NATO ally only when it suits them — newspaper

Tunja Bengin pointed to the cases, when hypocritical statements are being made by Europe

Netanyahu plans to discuss Gaza plan at meeting with Trump on December 29 — TV

According to the Ynet portal, Netanyahu’s visit will last a week

France does not want to expropriate Russian assets held in its private banks — FT

French banks hold around 18 bln euros in Russian assets, which is the second-highest figure in Europe, the paper said

Putin says Russia needs to do more to help its businesses

According to the Russian leader, "the business community is working hard and striving to improve efficiency, but it needs to be helped at the administrative level," and even more so in the social sphere