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APEC leaders confirm work on free trade area in region

APEC leaders emphasized that they "remain committed to deepening economic cooperation to navigate the evolving global environment"

GYEONGJU /Republic of Korea/, November 1. /TASS/. Economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region will be promoted on market principles, including through the work to create a free trade area, according to the 2025 APEC Leaders’ Gyeongju Declaration.

"We will advance economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region in a manner that is market-driven, including through the work on the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) agenda. We will continue working together to enhance experience sharing, capacity building, business engagement, and technical cooperation efforts among members, aimed at strengthening member economies’ readiness to participate in high standard and comprehensive regional undertakings," the document reads.

The declaration also states the shared recognition that robust trade and investment "are vital to the growth and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region." APEC leaders emphasized that they "remain committed to deepening economic cooperation to navigate the evolving global environment." "We acknowledge the importance of a trade and investment environment that promotes resilience and benefits for all. We note the various discussions on the current state and future of global trade and recognize the need for cooperation among economies in this regard," they noted.

Cambodian foreign ministry condemns Thai aggression violating sovereignty, UN Charter

The Cambodian foreign ministry pointed out that Thailand’s use of F-16 fighter jets on Cambodian territory is "a clearly disproportionate and ungrounded" use of force

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Kupyansk is under Russian army’s control — Battlegroup West

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US-Ukraine negotiations continue in Berlin, Zelensky says

The US delegation includes special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and the American leader's son-in-law, entrepreneur Jared Kushner

US demands Ukraine give up territories in exchange for security guarantees — media

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EU prepares for war with Russia, forces Serbia to choose sides — ex-premier

Aleksandar Vulin said that freedom reigns supreme in Serbia, but that’s not the case in the EU

Russian troops liberate Peschanoye, gain foothold at Gaichur River — security sources

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Russia did not betray Syria, developments there are its domestic affair — Lavrov

Sergey Lavrov also noted that Russia has smooth, stable relations with the new authorities

Iran’s top diplomat sets off for meeting with Lavrov in Moscow — ambassador

The agenda includes a wide range of political issues and economic projects, Kazem Jalali said

At Berlin talks, Zelensky refuses economic zone in Donbass, troop withdrawal — newspaper

European countries disagree with Washington's position, believing that the issue of territories is not subject to discussion until Ukraine receives security guarantees

Turkish warplanes take down drone over Black Sea — defense ministry

The Turkish Ministry of Defense did not specify where exactly the drone came from

Hungary will not let EU to send military mission to Ukraine — top diplomat

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Our efforts were collaborative, involving other international partners, primarily Iran and Turkey, noted Lavrov

FSB detains 10 Russians blackmailed by Ukraine security agencies to stage sabotage acts

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Zelensky to fail in trying to take Crimea back, secure NATO membership — Kremlin

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Kiev lying about battlefield situation to influence US peace plan — source

The Ukrainian mass media are disseminating reports alleging that the Ukrainian army has taken control of the settlements of Kondrashovka, Radkovka, and Moskovka northwest and southwest of Kupyansk

Moscow’s video game studios clinch export contracts

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Moscow says West morally culpable for Ukraine’s murders of Russian journalists

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EU’s 19 packages of sanctions on Russia weaken European economy — Italian official

Italian deputy prime minister and minister of transport and infrastructure Matteo Salvini emphasized that sanctions brought European economies to their knees, leading to more expensive energy for Italians

Ukraine carries out four attacks on Donetsk People’s Republic in past day

Two civilians were reported injured

EU social spending cuts to benefit the military will intensify, sparking protests — expert

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EU youth seek to turn bloc into ‘United States of Europe’ — Politico

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The Hungarian government has repeatedly stated that it will not allow Ukraine's fast-tracked accession to the EU, as it would ruin the European economy and spark a direct armed conflict with Russia

Seven EU countries against expropriation of Russian assets — news outlet

According to the report, Belgium, Hungary, and Slovakia initially opposed the plan, and they have now been joined by Italy, Bulgaria, Malta, and the Czech Republic

Finnish politician calls EU 'bankrupt' over plans to use Russian assets

Armando Mema emphasized that the EU is not doing "one thing right" and the bloc "should respect Belgium’s sovereignty" and its decision to refuse to transfer the assets to Ukraine

No true partnership in relations between Poland and Ukraine — Polish president

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Merriam-Webster names 'slop' as word of the year

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US can resolve all issues with Venezuela peacefully — Belarusian president

Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that he had raised the Venezuela issue at a recent meeting in Minsk with US Special Envoy for Belarus John Cole

Hungarian, Polish foreign ministers exchange heated remarks on Russian assets online

The spat started with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s post, which stated that the EU leaders’ decision to seize Russian assets without consulting Hungary violates numerous laws and is "a declaration of war"

EU 'light years' away from seizing Russian assets, Polish PM says

Donald Tusk said that it won’t come to any fundamental decisions at the European Council meeting

US, Europe to provide security guarantees to Kiev in case of truce — German chancellor

Friedrich Merz stressed, however, that the parties would need to discuss the details

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Normalization between Iran and Arab world to strengthen regional security — Lavrov

This initiative is becoming more and more relevant, especially when Iran is tried to discriminate against in terms of the Iranian nuclear program, trying to deprive Iran of its legitimate rights

Lavrov discusses Russia-US ties with American Chamber of Commerce officials

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Gazprom highlights untypically low gas reserves in European UGS for December

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Emergency personnel are working at the site where debris came down

Florida man sanctioned by EU for pro-Russia social media posts

The EU Council claims that John Mark Dougan holds American and Russian citizenship

Russian compatriots among victims of terrorist attack in Australia — foreign ministry

"Moscow strongly condemns the barbaric extremist attack, as a result of which 15 innocent civilians, including a ten-year-old girl, were killed and dozens were injured," Maria Zakharova stated

Europe works against US in Ukraine peace process — Lavrov

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EU blacklisted forty vessels said to carry Russian oil — Kallas

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Berlin says no plans for direct dialogue with Russia

Some European leaders, the head of the European Commission and the NATO secretary general, are expected in the German capital in the evening

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European countries note progress in Ukrainian conflict settlement

The EU leaders "appreciated the strong convergence between the United States, Ukraine and Europe"

Kiev ready to hold elections, renounce NATO aspirations — media

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Sixth Russia-China media forum kicks off in Beijing

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Alexey Vereshchagin, commander of the Nevsky reconnaissance-assault brigade of Battlegroup South’s volunteer corps said that his "brigade’s zone of responsibility covers the city of Soledar, as well as the Kramatorsk and Druzhkovka area"

Romanian expert considers EC decision to confiscate Russian assets 'illegal'

"Freezing such assets is illegal under both European and international law," Adrian Severin noted

Russian specialists, CAR security forces ensure president's safety at rally in Sibut

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Russia never wavered in its support of Iran in JCPOA talks — Lavrov

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Belarusian leader dismisses allegations of Maduro’s involvement in drug trafficking

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Trump says he held conversation with Putin recently

The US leader did not give any details

Russian embassy in The Hague calls on the Netherlands to end 'anti-Russian hysteria'

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US conducts strikes on three drug-carrying vessels in Pacific Ocean — Pentagon

A total of eight men were killed during these actions

US showing interest in Lukoil's assets due to sanctions, Astana has priority — minister

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EU 'traps' itself into Russia reparations loan plan for Ukraine, expert says

Boris Pervushin said this approach threatens to erode long-term trust in Europe as a stable and predictable economic space

UNGA passes Russia-initiated resolution against glorification of Nazism

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Europe missed all chance to take part in Ukrainian settlement — Lavrov

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Cryptocurrencies will never become money in Russia — lawmaker

Anatoly Aksakov said such currencies can only be used as an investment instrument

White House believes that Israel violated ceasefire regime in Gaza Strip — Axios

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Italy softens language in Ukraine bill to get it passed ahead of EU summit — paper

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Zelensky told Bundestag president of his readiness to hold elections

Julia Kloeckner announced plans to visit Ukraine after the New Year

No IAEA inspections of Iran’s nuclear sites without condemning Israel — official

The agency, which failed to condemn the attacks and has no instructions regarding the inspection of damaged sites has no grounds to declare its intentions to inspect," head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization Mohammad Eslami said

Russia wants to develop cooperation with Iran within CSTO — Lavrov

Sergey Lavrov noted that Russia wants to cooperate with Iran and with its other neighbors, including within the Collective Security Treaty Organization

Russian exports to the US up 35% in 2025 — AmCham

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Oil transit from Russia to China via Kazakhstan does not require US approval — minister

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Russia hopes Iran will ratify convention of Caspian Sea status by August 2026 — Lavrov

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Contacts with US on Ukraine drive Russia's stance home to Americans — Lavrov

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US Treasury rejects Xtellus' offer to buy Lukoil foreign assets — Reuters

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Germany agrees on ten-point plan to expand military cooperation with Kiev — media

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