The Israeli government has designated nearly 2,000 acres in the West Bank as state-owned land in a move described by rights groups as the biggest land grab on occupied Palestinian territories in decades. The expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank is illegal under international law. In 2016, the …
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The US has sanctioned another 500 people and entities connected with Russia, including financial executives and prison officials. US President Joe Biden said that the restrictions will ensure that Russian President Vladimir Putin “pays an even steeper price for his aggression,” but the Kremlin has dismissed them as “fruitless.” The …
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Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has announced a blockade of Gaza amid intense fighting between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Hamas militants. It comes after the Palestinian group launched a massive assault against Israel on Saturday, killing and wounding hundreds of people. “I have ordered a complete siege to …
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The Bank of Russia raised interest rates by 350 basis points to 12% at an emergency meeting on Tuesday in a bid to halt the rapid depreciation of the ruble against world currencies. “Inflationary pressure is building up… The decision is aimed at limiting price stability risks,” the regulator said …
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China has announced the replacement of Foreign Minister Qin Gang with his predecessor, Wang Yi, who previously served in the role for almost a decade. The decision was confirmed on Tuesday during a meeting of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee. As well as replacing Qin, the committee appointed a …
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President Vladimir Putin has ordered the Russian military to impose a cessation in hostilities in Ukraine. Hours earlier, Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, had called on both sides of the conflict to cease hostilities in the run-up to, and during, the Orthodox Christmas holiday. According to the Kremlin, …
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Russia is overhauling the way its federal and regional governments operate due to the continued threat posed by Ukraine and the need for a more efficient response to it, President Vladimir Putin announced on Wednesday. Speaking at a meeting of the Russian National Security Council, Putin announced signing several documents …
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Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) announced on Friday that it had begun conducting a “filtration” of civilians in Balakleya, the town in Kharkov Region reportedly taken by forces of the Kiev government. SBI agents will be checking for those who “may pose a threat to national security,” the agency …
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The UK will provide Ukraine with underwater drones which are to be used by Kiev for sweeping mines as the nation remains locked in conflict with Russia, the Ministry of Defence revealed on Saturday. In total, six underwater unmanned vehicles will be delivered, while the UK is also set to …
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US Navy ships and planes will transit the Taiwan strait in the next two weeks, the White House announced on Thursday. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby condemned Chinese military drills in the area and said the Pentagon had ordered the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and her escorts to …
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