Artsakhpress

International

March 17, 2024 set as date for next year’s presidential election in Russia

The Russian Federation Council (upper house of parliament, or senate) unanimously agreed to officially designate March 17, 2024 as the date for next year’s presidential election at a plenary meeting on Thursday.

Ukraine aid bill fails procedural vote in US Senate

The bill on allocation of aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan failed the procedural vote in the US Senate, TASS reports.

China, EU must together contribute to global stability — Xi Jinping

China and the EU must together contribute to global governance and maintenance of stability in the world, Chinese leader Xi Jinping said.

U.S., Sweden sign Defence Cooperation Agreement

The United States and Sweden on Tuesday signed a Defence Cooperation Agreement, the U.S. Department of State said, as the Nordic country strengthens military alliances while waiting for approval to join NATO, Reuters reported.

Death toll from conflict escalation in Gaza Strip exceeds 15,500

The death toll from the escalation of the conflict in the Gaza Strip has exceeded 15,500, more than 41,000 have been wounded, Gaza’s health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said.

Volcano eruption in Indonesia kills 11 people

At least 11 people died in an eruption of a volcano in Indonesia’s Sumatra, Reuters said citing a spokesperson for the local search and rescue team.

US-centric world coming to end — Kremlin

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov projects the end of the US-centric world and the beginning of the period of variety.

Hamas ready to extend truce with Israel

The Palestinian movement Hamas is ready to extend the four-day humanitarian truce in effect from November 24, the AFP news agency reports, citing a source.

Moscow dislikes new NATO-Ukraine cooperation program, says Kremlin

Moscow dislikes a new NATO-Ukraine cooperation program that is provocative in nature, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.

Red Cross confirms release of two Russian women by Hamas — Russian diplomat

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has confirmed that Hamas handed over two Russian women, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told TASS.

Stoltenberg: NATO will remain a regional alliance

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization will remain a regional alliance, but it must work with partners in the Indo-Pacific region to respond to global challenges, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said during the press conference held in Brussels, Tass informs.

UN secretary-general says humanitarian pause in Gaza not a solution

The humanitarian pause in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict zone is not a solution, and the United Nations continues to insist on a ceasefire and immediate release of all hostages, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said.

Biden to skip UN climate summit in Dubai — The New York Times

US President Joe Biden will not attend a major United Nations climate summit in Dubai, known as COP28, The New York Times reported citing a White House official.

China begins military drills along Myanmar border

China has started military exercises along its border with Myanmar, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

4-day Israel-Hamas ceasefire comes into effect Friday morning

The four-day ceasefire between the Israeli army and the Palestinian Hamas movement, which governs Gaza, comes into effect on Friday at 7am.

EC to present 12th package of sanctions against Russia on November 15 — Borrell

The European Commission plans to submit the 12th package of anti-Russian sanctions to the EU Council for approval on November 15, head of the EU diplomatic service Josep Borrell said at a press conference after a meeting of the EU Council at the level of foreign ministers, Tass informs.

UN Security Council to hold session on Middle East settlement on Nov. 9

The United Nations Security Council will gather on November 9 for an open session on the Middle East conflict settlement, Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, the United Arab Emirates Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said.

Lavrov: Western politicians are fomenting major conflict in Middle East

Western politicians are provoking a big conflict in the Middle East, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking at the Knowledge Society marathon as part of the Russia International Exhibition and Forum.

No statements yet from Putin about running in 2024 election – Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin has not announced a decision to seek another term in office yet, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS.

China, UAE request UN Security Council meeting on Middle East for November 6

China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have requested a closed-door meeting of the UN Security Council on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict for Monday, informs TASS.