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Middle East conflict

Palestinian economy rolled back by more than 20 years in 15 months — UNCTAD

While the downturn was severe across Palestine, Gaza has experienced the most devastating impact, UNCTAD experts stated

GENEVA, November 25. /TASS/. Israel’s military operations in the Gaza Strip wiped away more than twenty years of Palestine’s economic development, the UN Conference on Trade and Development said in its report titled "Developments in the Economy of the Occupied Palestinian Territory."

"The military operations have had significant macroeconomic repercussions. By 2024, the gross domestic product (GDP) of the Occupied Palestinian Territory had fallen to 70 per cent of the 2022 level, with output shrinking by 27 per cent compared with in 2023. This decline led to a 28 per cent drop in GDP per capita from 2023 levels and a 33 per cent drop from 2022 levels. By end-2024, the economy had regressed to 2010 levels," UNCTAD said.

"While the downturn was severe across Palestine, Gaza has experienced the most devastating impact," UNCTAD experts added. A serious humanitarian crisis accompanied by impoverishment of the population, they stressed.

US department confirms detention of tanker near Venezuelan coast

"The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil," the Head of the Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said

Lawsuit against Euroclear filed in time — Central Bank chief

Elvira Nabiullina said that it is difficult for her to comment on specific arguments prevailing among EU member-countries that did not approve the confiscation of Russian assets

Hong Kong flu has pandemic potential — virologist

Doctor of medical sciences and virologist Yelena Malinnikova called upon everyone to comply with sanitary and epidemiological guidelines

Dollar declines to 92.22 rubles on Moscow Exchange

The euro was not traded

Netanyahu plans to discuss potential new strikes on Iran with Trump — TV

According to NBC News, the Israeli prime minister plans to share with the American leader his concern over Tehran’s missile program that may require swift actions in response

Russia’s Win team wins Dota 2 competition at 2025 Games of Future

The winners received $175,000 in prize money

Lavrov meets with South Sudanese counterpart

The top South Sudanese diplomat stated that his country’s government jointly with the regional partners are making efforts to establish peace in neighboring Sudan

Crashed Luna-25 lunar probe’s thrusters operated longer than required — Roscosmos chief

It is noted that the thruster shutdown did not occur normally in accordance with the cyclogram but under a time cutoff and it operated for 127 seconds instead of 84

Only Indonesia, Italy ready to join ‘stabilization forces’ in Gaza — Palestinian envoy

Nofal stressed Palestine's interest in quickly completing the first stage of settlement

Lavrov tells Europe we don't need your help on Ukraine deal, just don't blow it up

"The Russian-American dialogue is based on understandings reached in Alaska," the Russian top diplomat stressed

Ukrainian elections only legitimate if citizens residing elsewhere take part — Medvedchuk

Medvedchuk also noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin demonstrated political will by declaring his readiness not to hinder the free will of Ukrainian citizens

Putin points to new report on special military operation by General Staff chief

The supreme commander-in-chief emphasized that the Russian army had the full strategic initiative, advancing in all directions

Putin sends major message to West by his statement on Ukraine — portal

L’AntiDiplomatico also recalled that during his year-end press conference, the Russian leader noted that US President Donald Trump "is making serious efforts" to end the Ukrainian crisis and is doing this "absolutely sincerely"

US, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey report progress in implementing Gaza ceasefire phase one

As follows from the document, they held talks in Miami, Florida

Georgian president calls EU decision to allocate €90 billion to Ukraine bluff

"Ukraine has simply been sold out," Mikhail Kavelashvili said

International Handball Federation to discuss return of Russians

The president of the International Handball Federation Hassan Moustafa recently announced the possibility of allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete internationally in 2026

EU diplomats do not rule out retaliation against Ukrainian elites by angry mob — SVR

The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service said that the Mindich-Zelensky case is undermining Ukraine

Putin goes to St. Petersburg for informal CIS summit

The head of state will also have bilateral meetings with leaders of certain countries

Providing military aid to Ukraine weakens EU instead of making it stronger — Orban

The Hungarian prime minister recalled that the European Union’s summit on December 18 and 19 in Brussels decided to grant a military loan to Ukraine in 2026-2027 at the expense of a common European loan worth 90 billion euro

Peace in Ukraine close like never before — US envoy to NATO

Matthew Whitaker added that the US administration will not give up its efforts to resolve the conflict

Russian defense technologies unmatched by Western military-industrial complex — expert

Alexander Stepanov noted that established industrial production would make it possible to make tens and even hundreds of items per year to provide strategic coverage for all critical areas and facilities in the Russian border regions

Kiev troops shell DPR four times in past day

The attacks targeted the city of Gorlovka and the town of Starobeshevo

Lavrov meets with Algerian counterpart

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on March 23, 1962

Zelensky says Ukraine discusses options to ensure election security with US

According to Vladimir Zelensky, the Ukrainian foreign ministry is working on the issue of organizing voting among Ukrainian nationals living abroad

More than 20 delegations visit Almaz-Antey exposition at Astana military show

"Generally speaking, the exhibition has met our expectations, we have received the result we hoped for," the company’s representative Vyacheslav Szirkaln said

Dmitriev calls for resignation of Merz, von der Leyen after failure at EU summit

The Chief Executive Officer of Russian Direct Investment Fund added that Friedrich Merz and Ursula von der Leyen "spent all their political capital, promised results – and delivered a spectacular failure"

US starts publishing Epstein case files — FBI

Jeffrey Epstein’s friends and acquaintances included a large number of current and retired officials not only from the United States but also from many other countries, including former heads of state, major entrepreneurs, and show business stars

Russia attaches great importance to developing relations with African partners — Putin

Putin noted that African states possess enormous economic and human potential and are playing an increasingly significant role in global politics

Ukrainian forces fail to retake parts of Krasnoarmeysk, suffer losses — Putin

According to the Russian president, the enemy is achieving no success

Russian intel chief reveals recent extended call with MI6 director

Sergey Naryshkin said the phone conversation was held "just a few days ago"

Putin says 3I/ATLAS comet poses no threat to Earth, it can be 'sent to Jupiter' anytime

According to the president, Russian scientists keep this issue under control and "are well aware of ongoing developments regarding this comet"

German expert slams EU decision on loan to Ukraine as 'madness'

Earlier, an EU summit concluded with no consensus on the expropriation of Russian assets under the guise of a so-called reparations loan to Kiev despite spending 17 hours in discussion

Brussels will have to repay Ukraine’s debts to Europe, warns Russian diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry’s Ambassador at Large Rodion Miroshnik noted that Ukraine will not receive the loan in a lump sum

Russia-Africa ministerial meeting joint statement adopted unanimously — Lavrov

According to the top Russian diplomat, the statement lays bare the countries’ principled approaches to the key issues of international development

Putin’s Direct Line demonstrated that 2025 was successful for Russia — Focus

According to Focus, Russia, despite a tough sanctions regime, successfully exports its products and secures its defense budget

US aggression against Venezuela may lead to humanitarian catastrophe — Brazilian leader

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called on the countries of the region to consolidate their efforts to preserve it as a zone of peace and stability

Press review: EU leaders clash over Ukraine and Trump approves Taiwan arms sale as test

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 19th

Russia ready to organize voting for Ukrainians in case of legitimate elections in Ukraine

"If Ukraine opts for legitimate elections and we are tasked to organize voting for Ukrainian nationals in Russia, we will do everything we can to make this happen," CEC chairwoman Ella Pamfilova stated

Cancer-stricken Serbian sues NATO for use of depleted uranium in 1999 attack on Yugoslavia

His lawyer Srdan Aleksic disclosed that the Serbian officer’s grievance is fully identical to the 500 lawsuits, filed by Italian soldiers who were deployed in Kosovo in 1999

Top Russian, Tunisian diplomats discuss situation in North Africa

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed issues of the development of bilateral relations with his Tunisian counterpart

Trump confirms retaliatory strike against IS in Syria

The strike was very successful, with precision, also said US President

Ten people injured in road accident in Samara region

Mercedes bus overturned at the Ural-Mukhanovo highway

West downplayed importance of traditional energy for internal political reasons — Putin

The Russian leader noted that Western politicians speculated on people's natural concern about climate issues

Kiev counterattacks near Krasnoarmeysk, trying to slow Russian advance — expert

The Russian Defense Ministry announced the liberation of Krasnoarmeysk on December 1

US conducting operation to seize ship off Venezuela — agency

The officials did not say where operation was taking place but added the ·Coast Guard was in the lead, Reuters said

Inevitable Ukrainian surrender to make peace talk much easier — SVR

According to Sergey Naryshkin, no one will be able to prevent the peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian conflict after that

Route to Slavyansk opens from liberated Seversk — Putin

The head of state recalled that the Russian side had long ago urged the Kiev regime to withdraw its troops from the territories of the republics which do not want to live under nationalist control

Blast that killed teenager in Moscow Region caused by mishandling of explosive object

An investigation is underway

Gazprom, European Commission, German FM urge mutually beneficial relations

Russia’s offensive in Zaporozhye forces Kiev to expand evacuation zone

The reason behind this decision is an increase in the operational range of Russian drones, the source said

Palestine believes Gaza Strip should be administered by PNA, awaits US decision — envoy

Abdel Hafiz Nofal noted that the international community and, in particular, the United States, need to finally define their position on this issue, "without resorting to unworkable solutions that are currently being considered"

People evacuated after accident on gas pipeline in Izhevsk

Gas had leaked from a section of a gas pipeline running near the shopping center

Russian foreign minister notes prospects of African Continental Free Trade Area

The second ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum is taking place in Cairo on December 19-20

Bern takes part in EU’s risky plans, though it realizes danger of stealing Russian assets

Russian Ambassador to Switzerland Sergey Garmonin stressed that Swiss elites "understand perfectly well that a theft of Russian assets will be illegal and destroy the confederation’s reputation of a 'safe haven' for foreign investors"

Russian troops destroy 67 foreign mercenaries in battles for Yunakovka — defense source

According to the source, they were mostly Colombian nationals

Russian troops to move westward after liberating Kupyansk-Uzlovoi — Putin

As the president stressed, the Russian troops have been assigned a very important task to eliminate the enemy group on the left bank of the Oskol River

WSJ names five key obstacles to peace between Russia, Ukraine

These include territorial issues, Ukraine's accession to NATO, the size of the Ukrainian armed forces, the status of the Russian language, and control over the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

Putin, Trump only spoke once over phone since inauguration — Kremlin

The last telephone call between Putin and Trump, of which the Kremlin informed, took place on February 12

Russian diplomat says US Justice Department places her in waiting queue for Epstein files

Maria Zakharova believes that the files "show all those western 'mentors' in interesting circumstances and with no less interesting fellow partygoers"

Gazprom Export files lawsuits against Axpo Solutions AG, Vychodoslovenska energetika

No other details about the cases were given in the database

US starts striking Islamic State sites in Syria — NYT

The operation involves US fighter jets and attack helicopters

Ukraine, Portugal sign statement on joint production of surface drones

Portuguese prime minister Luis Montenegro is on his first visit to Ukraine, Vladimir Zelensky said

Putin’s words about Europe echo position of Trump with his supporters — Die Welt

This position will significantly complicate the already tense relations between European elites and the Trump administration

Zelensky admits that Kiev will not be able to finance 800,000-strong army

Vladimir Zelensky said that he maintains dialogue with Western leaders concerning partial financing of Ukrainian army at the expense of the partners

Volvo files application to register three trademarks in Russia

Two of them are for Volvo, and the third is for Volvo Penta

Ukraine must be prepared for continuation of conflict in 2026 — US envoy to NATO

The reason is that a peace agreement may not yet be concluded by the end of this year, said US Permanent Representative to NATO Matthew Whitaker

Zelensky contradicts himself about elections in Ukraine — Kremlin spokesman

According to Dmitry Peskov, this discussion is a reaction to the Russian leader’s latest statements

Putin sees EU's Russian asset grab as daylight 'robbery'

The Russian leader emphasized that the European Union is trying to do it overtly

First stage of Russian Army transition to new military construction model over — Belousov

According to the Russian defense minister, the regulatory framework for forming military construction units will be developed in 2026

Britain refuses to expropriate Russian assets after failure of EU summit — FT

According to the newspaper, London "will continue to work closely with the G7 and EU on Ukraine financing"

Russia remains reliable partner for African countries — Lavrov

According to the top Russian diplomat, to achieve a lasting settlement of crises in Africa, it is necessary to eliminate their root causes inherited from Western colonialism

Special operation in Donbass to be intensified — Donetsk republic’s leader

On February 24, the Russian president responded to a request for help from the leaders of two Donbass republics with a decision to launch a special military operation in Ukraine with the aim of the country’s demilitarization and denazification

Ukrainian soldiers desert due to lack of food, water, clothing — expert

Vitaly Kiselev pointed out that Ukrainian barrier detachments operating within the zone of the special military operation are unable to stem the tide of desertion

Russia, Belarus to hold Zapad-2021 strategic drills at 14 practice ranges — commander

The exercise will run at five training grounds and one terrain section in the Republic of Belarus and nine practice ranges on the territory of the Russian Federation

Putin says attackers, masterminds of terror attack in Egypt must not go unpunished

Putin confirmed that Russia would remain Egypt’s reliable ally in the struggle with terrorism

IN BRIEF: Resuming nuclear tests, NATO threat: what Russia's military chief of staff said

The North Atlantic Alliance, under the pretext of a so-called Russian military threat, has "significantly increased" its military presence near Russia’s borders

Hong Kong fire death toll up to 161 — police

However, the possibility of discovering other dead people cannot be ruled out, and this number may increase

Krasny Liman to be liberated in near future — Putin

The head of state added that Russian forces currently control about half of the city

US drafts $112-billion Gaza reconstruction plan — WSJ

According to the newspaper, Project Sunrise was designed "to turn Gaza’s rubble into a futuristic coastal destination"

Kremlin warns about consequences for masterminds, perpetrators of Russian asset seizure

"Those who made decisions collectively, those who made decisions individually and those who put them into practice will all bear responsibility," Dmitry Peskov said

Civilians being relocated to left bank of Dnieper in Kherson Region — officials

It is reported that rescuers were out there to provide routes to people accordingly

Kyrgyz president arrives in Russia on working visit

Sadyr Japarov has arrived to take part in the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council and the informal meeting of CIS leaders in St. Petersburg, the press service of the Kyrgyz leader said

Two Russians arrested in Bulgaria at US request — Russian embassy

No official details about the US extradition request are available at this point

Israel trying to resettle Palestinians abroad with US support — Palestinian envoy

Israel also seeks to open the Rafah crossing unilaterally solely to facilitate the departure of citizens from the Gaza Strip, but not for their return

At least 27 drones taken down over various Russian regions overnight

Two of them were destroyed over the Sea of Azov waters

One killed, two injured in explosion in Khimki near Moscow

According to earlier reports, an unidentified explosive device detonated in Khimki

Press review: US-Ukraine talks fail on Donbass as Kiev struggles with election competition

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 16th

Crew Dragon with Russian cosmonaut on board to be launched no earlier then Feb. 15 — NASA

The spacecraft’s multinational crew will also comprise NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway

DPR prevents several blasts attempted by Ukrainian saboteurs

Materials on the abortive terror attack would be referred to international organizations and the DPR prosecutor’s office, DPR People’s Militia informed

Putin to chair SEEC, host CIS leaders in St. Petersburg

Furthermore, on the initiative of the Russian leader, a traditional informal meeting of the leaders of the CIS member countries will be held in St. Petersburg on December 22

More than 400 Palestinians killed during ceasefire with Israel — Palestinian ambassador

This is due to Israel continuing to violate the ceasefire regime and allowing humanitarian aid to be brought in only in minimally possible volumes, noted Abdel Hafiz Nofal

Russia, Thailand in talks about use of Mir cards — deputy foreign minister

Earlier, it was announced that Mir cards are from now on accepted in the Maldives

US may continue strikes on Islamic State in Syria for several weeks — TV

According to NBC News, the operation targets areas where Islamic State is trying to revive its potential and is geared to exterminate its forces and facilities

Hong Kong influenza seasonal, not epidemic — expert

The virus is primarily a risk for those encountering it for the first time, as well as young children, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic conditions

Ukraine itself to blame for failure of mobilization — intelligence chief

Budanov emphasized that "it was all done from here," meaning within Ukraine, "sometimes deliberately, due to the personal ambitions of certain people, sometimes thoughtlessly"

Top Egyptian diplomat describes Miami talks on Gaza as good

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty also expressed hope for the soonest beginning of the implementation of the Gaza deal second phase

Purpose of VAT increase, key rate, rising prices: Putin’s takes at 'Results of Year'

As the head of state noted, the Russian economy grew by 9.7% over the past three years, which is much higher than in Europe

Russia seeks to develop energy, investment cooperation with Qatar — Putin

“We also stand for security in the Persian Gulf and other trouble spots in the Middle East,” the Russian president said

Russia to eliminate threats to Kaliningrad Region should they emerge, says Putin

The Kaliningrad Region is separated from mainland Russia by the borders of European Union countries

Russian army has full strategic initiative in special military operation zone — Putin

The president said that the Russian forces are advancing along the entire line of engagement

Hundreds of thousands of Russian troops fighting in special military operation — Putin

The Russian leader noted that not all of them planned to build civilian careers after the special military operation