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Middle East conflict

Witkoff gave Hamas Trump’s personal guarantee that Gaza war would not restart — TV

According to the source, the Hamas delegation led by head of Hamas Gaza office Khalil al-Hayya, met with Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner after a round of talks in Sharm El Sheikh

DOHA, October 13. /TASS/. US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff conveyed US President Donald Trump’s personal assurance that Israel will not resume hostilities in the Gaza Strip to Hamas officials in Egypt’s Sharm El Sheikh, the Al Araby television channel said, citing a source.

According to the source, the Hamas delegation led by head of Hamas Gaza office Khalil al-Hayya, met with Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner after a round of talks in Sharm El Sheikh. "Witkoff conveyed to the Hamas delegation Trump’s verbal reassurance that the war will not resume," the source said.

The Axios portal said earlier, citing sources, that last week Witkoff and Kushner met with Hamas representatives in Sharm El Sheikh in the presence of the Egyptian and Turkish intel chiefs and senior Qatari officials. During the 45-minute talks, Trump’s envoy said that hostages were rather a burden than an advantage for Hamas and suggested people be released on both sides of the border. He also confirmed that Trump had supported all the 20 provisions of the peace plan and would see to it that all of them be implemented. After the meeting, Egypt’s intelligence chief Hassan Rashad conveyed to the Americans that the Palestinian side had accepted the deal.

On Monday, Hamas and other Palestinian groups released all the 20 living hostages under the Gaza ceasefire deal. The hostages were handed over to the Israeli military through the Red Cross and are already in Israel’s territory. In turn, Israel will release 1,968 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life or long sentences.

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Palestine Israel Donald Trump

Ukraine under Zelensky has no right to exist as a state — Medvedchuk

The leader of the Other Ukraine movement Viktor Medvedchuk stressed that "the Ukrainian people should determine their future"

Russian diplomat slams Kiev’s attack on civilians in Kherson Region as act of terrorism

The countries for whom international humanitarian law still has a meaning should make a proper legal and political assessment of this inhumane act

The ones 'doubting' victims in Ukrainian drone attack in Khorly have no conscience

"If there are doubts, these are only in respect of clean habits of the doubters," Official Spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said

INTERVIEW: Effect of Trump’s new approach to Ukraine felt at UN — diplomat

The US avoids anti-Russian attacks and calls for a peace agreement, noted Polyansky

Russia to retaliate Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia’s actions against Russian embassies — MFA

On December 30, the charges d'affaires of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia were summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry, where they were presented with a strong protest

EU’s decision on loan to Ukraine deals major blow to Zelensky, allies — newspaper

From a technical standpoint, this is a relief, but politically it is a defeat for Zelensky and his European allies, who promised to make Moscow pay, but in reality, settled for a compromise

Handover of Tomahawks to Kiev to irreparably damage US-Russia ties — diplomat

Moscow is hopeful that Washington will hear its message on the potential supply of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, Maria Zakharova stated

Russian government extends parallel import mechanism through 2026

The list of goods permitted for parallel import will be reduced in categories where Russian manufacturers or companies from friendly countries have largely replaced firms from unfriendly countries, namely in cosmetics, electronics, and light industry, the ministry said

Ukraine under Zelensky has no right to exist as a state — Medvedchuk

The leader of the Other Ukraine movement Viktor Medvedchuk stressed that "the Ukrainian people should determine their future"

Putin believes rumors of his 'palace' were used in scheme to brainwash Russians

Putin says the palace he allegedly owns doesn’t belong to him or his relatives

Russian army advances near Pokrovsk despite massive attacks by Ukrainian drones

According to military expert Vitaly Kiselev, the Russian troops are still making gains under these challenging conditions

Press review: US intel leaks – cui bono? and Europe seeks safe space between US, China

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, April 11th

Visa-free travel between Russia and South Africa comes into effect

A spokesman for the consular department of the Russian embassy in South Africa told TASS that Russian nationals can enjoy 90-day visa-free stay in South Africa once every calendar year

US may agree on normalizing relations with Russia in 2026 without EU participation — Orban

Orban believes that while the West previously managed to demonstrate unity, "that is now over"

Ukraine is playing Russian roulette by attacking Putin's residence — magazine

Valeurs Actuelles notes the complete lack of response from Kiev's European allies

First list of those killed by Kiev’s drone strike on seaside cafe published

Identification of all other victims will be possible only after a special genetic examination

Third of Ukrainian troops surrender near Lisichansk, LPR’s envoy to Russia says

According to Rodion Miroshnik, the operation to liberate the LPR would be brought to an end as soon as the operation in Lisichansk was finished

FACTBOX: Cities awarded Russia’s New Year’s capital title

TASS has prepared this factbox on the project dubbed The New Year’s Capital of Russia

Bulgaria should support efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine — president

Rumen Radev noted that 2025 brought the first hopes for ending the conflict

EU refuses to believe Kiev's attack on Putin's residence

As EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas asserted, this is "a deliberate distraction" and its aim is to "derail real progress towards peace"

Russian gas exports to Europe via TurkStream pipeline reach record levels in 2025

The previous peak of 1.68 billion cubic meters was recorded in October 2025

FIB Executive to study IOC recommendations on Russians’ access to tournaments

Although the FIB Congress agenda was finalized and published prior to the IOC's communication, Adamfi confirmed that the Executive Board will deliberate on this issue at its next meeting

FACTBOX: New Year’s key traditions reviewed

The custom of decorating Christmas trees dates back to biblical myths

Kiev spends Western funds on civilian killings, Russian diplomat says

Earlier, Kherson Region Governor said that a drone attack on a cafe and a hotel had killed 24 people and left another 50 injured

British, EU intelligence behind attack on Kherson Region — Akhmat commandoes' chief says

Lieutenant-General Apty Alaudinov noted that Ukraine is reporting to US President Donald Trump its readiness to sign a peace agreement, while simultaneously taking actions that provoke the Russian side to retaliate

Zelensky wouldn't dare to attack Putin's residence without direct order — ex-PM

Nikolay Azarov also stressed that the target had been chosen deliberately

Kiev did not make suspect in Trump assassination mercenary, deeming him 'off' — newspaper

According to the sources, Ryan Wesley Routh tried to join the Ukrainian Foreign Legion, but was rejected

Putin's New Year's address lasted 3 minutes 20 seconds

It became one of the shortest New Year's addresses of the president

Turkmenistan takes over as CIS chair

Stanislav Pritchin, Head of the Central Asia Department at the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of World Economy and International Relations, said that the fact that Turkmenistan takes the reins of the CIS chairmanship shows that the country views this organization as important and effective

Trump administration recalls heads of nearly 30 foreign diplomatic missions — news agency

According to its information, the heads of US missions abroad have been notified that their terms in their current positions will expire in January

BRICS expansion enhances group's economic standing — UAE Finance Ministry

In August 2023, six new members were invited to join the BRICS group, including Argentina, but in late December it refused to join

Attack on Putin's residence was guided by NATO systems, expert says

Andrey Marochko believes that disrupting negotiations on a peace settlement of the conflict was Kiev's primary aim in the attack

EU structures involved in arms supplies to Ukraine to be responsible for consequences

"EU structures and individuals involved in supplies of lethal weapons and fuels to the Ukrainian army will bear responsibility for any consequences of such actions amid the ongoing special military operation," it said

Trump sees diminishing leverage for Kiev as settlement stalls — expert

According to Peter Kuznick, the US leader "even restrained his usual penchant for saying how 'perfect' meetings are and how much was achieved"

Dmitriev asks whether Western media cover tragedy in Kherson Region

Kirill Dmitriev wrote this on the X, making a repost of a blogger that wrote about the terrorist attack in Khorly

Hotel, cafe in Khorly were attacked by large UAVs capable of carrying 15 kg of explosives

According to security officials, the drones must have carried 10-15 kilograms of TNT

Business jet crashes in Tver Region killing ten

"There were three pilots and seven passengers on board. All of them died," the source reported

Russia-EU relations may change under new European Commission — diplomat

"I don’t think that the Russia-EU dialogue is lost forever," Vladislav Maslennikov said

IN BRIEF: Ukrainian army carries out drone strike on civilians in Kherson Region

According to preliminary reports, over 24 people, including a child, were killed, and another 29 people, among them five kids, suffered injuries

Cyprus takes over six-month presidency of EU Council from Denmark

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides noted that his country was assuming the EU Council presidency “against the backdrop of acute geopolitical upheaval and unpredictability”

Over 500,000 Ukrainian troops killed or wounded in action in 2025

Besides, Russian forces destroyed 19 Ukrainian warplanes, over 50 missile systems, more than 67,000 drones, and over 6,500 tanks and other armored combat vehicles in 2025

Top defense official calls Russian army ‘world’s most combat-ready’

According to Andrey Belousov, the Russian army has proven in practice that it can ensure the country's sovereignty

Ukraine to face inevitable retaliation for attack on Kherson Region — Medvedev

In his view, Banderites must be eliminated wherever they are, be it Ukraine or Europe

Over 8,300 Aeroflot passengers celebrated New Year in flight

On the night of December 31 to January 1, Aeroflot operated 42 festive flights

Fourteen drones destroyed in Tula Region — governor

Nobody was injured, Governor Dmitry Milyaev said

TASS publishes footage from scene of Ukrainian attack on hotel, cafe in Khorly

Footage from the tragedy’s aftermath has been released by the agency, depicting the extent of the destruction

Russian MiG-31 jets did not violate Estonian airspace — top brass

Three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets made a scheduled flight from Karelia to an airfield in the Kaliningrad Region, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Actual death toll in Gaza is ten times as high as officially reported — UN

According to special rapporteur Francesca Albanese, if this figure is verified, some 380,000 of them are children under five

Zohran Mamdani sworn in as New York city mayor

The ceremony was administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James

Kiev prepared for attack on cafe in Khorly in advance — expert

Military expert Vitaly Kiselev condemned the attack, describing it as "not just a terrorist act but a tragic reflection of the 21st century’s brutal realities"

Russian army destroys Ukraine's underground bunkers in Zaporozhye Region

Zaporozhye Region Governor Yevgeny Balitsky stressed that the seizure of Gulyaipole would pave the way for the liberation of the entire Zaporozhye Region

Russia to provide decoded data from Ukrainian drone to US — Defense Ministry

According to the ministry, Russian intelligence officers examining the navigation system of one of the Ukrainian drones shot down during the attack managed to extract the file containing flight plan data

Every third Russian decorates their New Year’s tree with Soviet toys – poll

Experts also found that 75% of respondents confirmed that their families still preserve tree decorations from previous generations

FACTBOX: Major aviation disasters of 2025

At least 12 such incidents were recorded during the year, including two involving big passenger jets

Russia to maintain continuity in key areas of cooperation within CSTO — Lavrov

"Given geopolitical tensions, we set ourselves the goals of further consolidating CSTO member states, strengthening allied ties, and deepening coordination on key international issues," the minister noted

US peace plan, special military operation, contacts in UAE: what Putin said

According to the Russian leader, the US list of points on Ukraine "can be used" as the basis for future agreements

Diplomat points to OHCHR biasedness due to silence after attack on Putin’s residence

Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Geneva Office and other Geneva-based international organizations Gennady Gatilov noted that an increasing number of states condemned the Kiev regime's terrorist attack

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

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

Head of Russian delegation in Vienna talks about obscenity of Europeans at OSCE site

Head of the Russian delegation to the Vienna talks on military security and arms control Yulia Zhdanova also noted that "there is a total degradation of the negotiating culture among the Europeans"

Russia hails Moldovans’ striving for sovereign development — embassy

"Russia doesn’t interfere into Moldova’s domestic affairs, respects its sovereignty, neutral status and territorial integrity," the statement reads

Lukashenko says Slovakia’s PM to visit Belarus

According to the press service of the head of Belarus, Lukashenko noted that he would be glad to see Fico on Belarusian soil to discuss strategic issues of interstate cooperation

Russia expects global bodies to impartially assess Ukrainian attacks on Belgorod — envoy

"We want an unbiased view of the events that are taking place," Rodion Miroshnik said

PREVIEW: Digital ruble greenlit for Russian budget revenues

The mass introduction of the digital ruble for all categories of users is planned from September 2026

Russia downs 168 Ukrainian UAVs over regions overnight — Defense Ministry

61 of them were destroyed over the territory of the Bryansk Region

IN BRIEF: Key takeaways from Vladimir Putin's New Year's address to Russian people

TASS has compiled the head of state's key statements from his New Year’s address

Africa to become world leader in economic growth in 2026 — IMF

Despite the influx of foreign investment, some countries, such as the Central African Republic, will remain among the least electrified on the planet

34 drones downed when approaching Moscow at New Year night, January 1

This was reported by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin

Ukraine’s 201 UAVs shot down over Russian regions in 7 hours

51 of them were neutralized over the territory of the Belgorod Region

Zelensky, in impotent rage, decided to take it out on civilians — Russian MFA

The Russian Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case over a terrorist act

Attempts continue to expand Ukraine conflict to entire Europe — newspaper

Selvi believes that the forces supporting Ukraine are plotting to set Turkey and Russia against each other

After uniting hard around Ukraine, Europe could splinter once peace deal reached — paper

In its opinion, German businesses will possibly put forward an initiative to resume Russian gas imports, which Poland and Estonia may denounce as "treason against Europe"

Double tax convention between Russia, the UAE become effective

The agreement will promote mutual attraction of investments

Ukraine takes part in NATO Article 5 response drills for first time ever

Around 1,500 civil and military specialists took part in maneuvers all over Europe

Russia’s Aerospace Forces down Ukraine’s Su-27 fighter jet

In addition, Russian air defenses downed a smart bomb and 250 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles

Russian weapons highly competitive on world arms market Egyptian experts

As for the Egyptian military hardware, it contains about a third of Russian-made weapons

Putin visited frontline command center, heard report on liberation of Krasnoarmeysk

Apart from that, Commander of the Battlegroup Center Valery Solodchuk reported to the president about the progress in the elimination of a Ukrainian battlegroup near the Krasnoarmeysk-Dimitrov agglomeration

FACTBOX: Kremlin’s New Year magic begins with century-old fir

On December 23, Russia’s main New Year tree was set up in the Kremlin’s Cathedral Square, fully decorated and ready for the holidays

FACTBOX: Cities awarded Russia’s New Year’s capital title

Ryazan has taken on the title of the New Year’s capital for the second time during the project’s existence

Over thousand soldiers desert from Ukrainian army daily — reporter

Accoridng to Ukrainian journalist Vladimir Boyko, this number means the army is gone, and it can no longer be rebuilt

Putin orders to expand security belt on border with Ukraine in 2026

"This is a very important task," the Russian president said

Kim Jong Un wishes Happy New Year to soldiers serving in Russia

The North Korean leader called on the KPA soldiers to remain brave

Drone attack on cafe, hotel in Kherson Region kills at least 24 people

The governor pointed out that the attack had come right about midnight

Earth to be illuminated by year’s largest Sun on January 3

The difference between the Sun's diameters in January and July will be most noticeable when professional photographs are placed side by side, astronomers noted

Six children listed on Ukraine’s database of unwanted persons on New Year’s Eve

This is not the first time that children’s personal data has been published on the Mirotvorets website

FACTBOX: New Year holidays in Russia

According to a government decree, the New Year holidays in 2025–2026 will last 12 days — from Wednesday, December 31, 2025, to Sunday, January 11, 2026

Putin hears report on Ukrainian strike on Khorly — Kremlin spokesman

According to Dmitry Peskov, "the regional governor briefed the head of state on the investigative actions and also announced that as the investigative team's work progresses and the bodies of the dead are being identified, and information and names will be published on the regional administration's website"

Ukrainian army launches over 80 drones at Russia’s Belgorod Region in past day

A drone strike on a car near the Krasivo farming community in the Borisovsky District left a man injured; he was taken to the hospital in serious condition

Canada's support for Ukraine example of strategic helplessness — Russian ambassador

"Ottawa is a hostage to its own political decisions," Oleg Stepanov said

About 40 people killed in explosion at Swiss ski resort

According to the paper, at least 100 people have suffered injuries

IN BRIEF: What is known about Israeli strikes on Iran

The IDF have carried out airstrikes on Iranian missile manufacturing facilities and surface-to-air missile arrays

FACTBOX: Major natural disasters of 2025

In January, large-scale forest fires erupted in southern California, affecting Los Angeles, Ventura, and Orange counties, destroying more than 16,000 buildings

Lux Express to launch bus service from St. Petersburg to Helsinki on December 13

From December 14 to January 14, six out of eight checkpoints on the Finnish-Russian border will be closed, cargo traffic through Vainikkala station will continue, the statement says

Romania joins program to buy US weapons for Ukraine

Romania will allocate 50 million euro to purchase weapons for Ukraine

Over 100,000 consumers left without power in Ukraine’s western Volyn Region

Air raid sirens went off in the region last night; local media outlets reported explosions in the town of Lutsk

Ukraine loses 32 dugouts and 10 drones during day from actions of battlegroup South

Russian forces also destroyed two enemy UAV control points

Zelensky will have to hide for rest of life, Medvedev predicts

"The stinking Kiev bastard is trying to derail the settlement of the conflict", Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman said

Five children taken to hospital following Ukrainian attack on Kherson Region

Meanwhile, the Russian Investigative Committee has launched a criminal investigation based on Article 205 of the Russian Criminal Code, committee spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko announced

Trump criticizes George Clooney's acquisition of French citizenship

The US leader pointed out that France is "in the midst of a major crime problem because of its absolutely horrendous handling of immigration"

Dmitriev calls Europeans 'poor' after von der Leyen’s promise

"President of the European Commission promises to work even harder on Western civilization’s suicide in 2026," Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev said

Russia’s Battlegroup West repels three Ukrainian attacks on Kupyansk direction — top brass

Russian forces also struck energy facilities used for Ukraine's military-industrial complex

Trump promises to strive for peace on earth in 2026

The US President didn't answer questions about the CIA's role in the attack on Venezuela or whether American troops would put boots on the ground in Ukraine