Middle East conflictUS expects Hamas to begin partially handing over its weapons over two weeks — news agency According to the Associated Press, US officials are optimistic about the prospects for the imminent implementation of the second phase of the peace agreement in GazaNEW YORK, July 31. /TASS/. US officials and representatives of the Board of Peace, established at their initiative, believe that police units controlled by the radical Palestinian movement Hamas will begin handing over weapons to the interim authorities in Gaza within the next two weeks, the Associated Press reported, citing sources. According to the news agency, US officials are optimistic about the prospects for the imminent implementation of the second phase of the peace agreement in Gaza. For now, however, the discussion is limited to police units controlled by Hamas. The timeline for disarming Hamas' main units, including handing over heavy weapons, remains unclear. Some US officials and Board of Peace members estimate that this process could take between 200 and 350 days. On July 30, Axios reported that Washington officials believe the Hamas’ disarmament will begin in the coming weeks. According to the agreements, Hamas and Israel must take a series of steps based on the principle of reciprocity over the course of approximately seven to eight months, which will be verified by an independent party, the news agency specified. The Associated Press noted that the tunnels used by Hamas units and the facilities used for weapons production are expected to be destroyed. Earlier on July 30, US President Donald Trump announced that the Board of Peace, established at Washington’s initiative, had agreed on the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza. The US leader also stated that Israeli forces would subsequently withdraw from Gaza. US-Israeli strikes on IranAllies not ready to provide US with direct military aid in conflict with Iran — newspaperPolitico noted that "traditional US partners are wary of any direct support until they receive reassurances of a lasting ceasefire – or other promises" from WashingtonRead moreUS military aircraft that has been in service for 66 years flying over Persian GulfAccording to a source in the Middle East’s air traffic control services, a Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker is flying a circular route at an altitude of around six kilometers the immediate vicinity of the border of the airspace controlled by Iranian air traffic controllersRead moreRussian missions assist compatriots in Baltics daily — envoyGennady Gatilov said protecting the rights and freedoms of Russians and Russian-speaking residents in the Baltic states remains one of Moscow's top priorities across the post-Soviet spaceRead moreRussia strongly condemns Ukrainian attempt to attack Zaporozhye nuke plant — MFAThe attack was supposed to target a spent nuclear fuel dry storage facilityRead moreLebanon’s billionaire Sehnaoui accused of treason following dinner with Israel’s NetanyahuLebanese Prosecutor General Ahmed Rami al-Hajj issued an arrest warrant for Antoun Sehnaoui for violating the law on the boycott of the Jewish state, in force since 1955Read moreFACTBOX: What is known about last night's massive strike by Russia on targets in UkraineAccording to the Russian Defense Ministry, the strikes hit military airfields, defense industry enterprises, military telecommunication and logistics centers of UkraineRead moreIran’s IRGC reports destroying three planes at US base in JordanAccording to the Iranian side, casualties were also reportedRead morePoland not target of object that fell in southeast of country — TuskThe Polish PM said that the US was interested in investigating the circumstances of the incidentRead moreRussia liberated 13 settlements in the Kharkov region in July — administration headRussian units continue their advance in the area of Kupyansk, developing the offensive downstream along the Oskol River in the direction of BorovayaRead moreRussia cushions external shocks through large FX reserves — IMF The remaining restrictions on cross-border transfers curtailed capital outflows and helped preserve buffers, the report saidRead moreRussian forces deploy over 100,000 Gerbera drones in special op zone in Ukraine — expertIgor Potapov noted that the Gerbera was initially designed as an air defense decoy, a deception targetRead moreLukashenko thanks Trump for revealing true nature of US foreign policyAs an example of a wise and pragmatic model of national development, the Belarusian president pointed to ChinaRead moreMaduro praises situation in Venezuela — RodriguezDelcy Rodriguez said that she had only received a few messages from Nicolas Maduro through his lawyers since JanuaryRead moreFate of 45,000 Russian children adopted abroad remains unknown — lawmakerAccording to Nina Ostanina, these children had left the country before the law banning adoptions abroad was passed in 2022Read moreAfter liberating Svetloye in DPR, Russian forces about to liberate Vodyanskoye — expertAccording to Andrey Marochko, after Svetloye’s liberation, Russian forces have gained control of more than ten square kilometers of territories that had been occupied by Ukrainian troopsRead moreUS redirected 24 ships since start of Iran’s maritime blockade — CENTCOMThe US military also reports that a Navy P-8 Poseidon specialized reconnaissance aircraft has been monitoring regional watersRead moreFires at Wildberries facilities, 258 drones: aftermath of attacks on Russian regionsAccording to latest reports, four people were injuredRead moreRussia doubts Armenia can secure comparable gas prices outside EAEU — ministryAccording to Maxim Reshetnikov, Russia supplies gas to Armenia at $177.5 per 1,000 cubic meters within the Union’s Common Gas MarketRead moreSpain’s Ceuta sees migrant 'invasion' — PoliticoAccording to the report, the crisis in Ceuta has provoked criticism of the migration strategy of the Spanish governmentRead moreRiyadh seeks 50-nation coalition to protect Red Sea shippingThe key issue in establishing the coalition is the position of the United StatesRead moreUkraine admits failure to intercept any hypersonic missiles at nightThe General Staff also acknowledged that the Ukrainian army was unable to shoot down several Russian Iskander-M ballistic missilesRead moreRussian man detained for scouting defense sites for UkraineThe suspect confessed to conducting reconnaissance of Russian military facilities on behalf of a terrorist organizationRead moreEuropean football authorities oppose Infantino’s plans to sell World Cup’s rights — UEFAThe World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product, it is one of football’s greatest sporting legacies, the statement saysRead moreZelensky totally unreasonable, tries to scale up conflict — diplomatMaria Zakharova noted that the head of Kiev regime was trying to engage as many countries as possible into his terrorist actionsRead morePavel Durov added to list of terrorists and extremists — Russia’s financial watchdogPavel Durov has been charged with aiding terrorist activities in Russia as part of a criminal investigation, and proceedings have been initiated to place him on an international wanted listRead moreAir defenses shoot down 59 Ukrainian drones over seven Russian regionsThe Ukrainian fixed-wing UAVs were intercepted over Belgorod, Kirov, Kursk, Rostov, Udmurt and Perm regions, as well as CrimeaRead moreEU makes Ukraine integral part of its military machine — Russia’s envoy to OSCESimultaneously with Ukraine's arming, NATO's military exercises are widening at an unprecedented rate, and its military infrastructure is being expanded directly near Russia's borders, Dmitry Polyansky saidRead moreNumber of Colombian mercenaries in Ukraine eclipses 7,000 — defense sourcesCaptured Colombians almost unanimously claim that the conditions promised during recruitment are radically different from realityRead moreEU seeks seat at Ukraine talks while refusing to hear Moscow — Russian diplomatMaria Zakharova added that the West had blocked access to all alternative viewpointsRead morePakistan reaches agreement with Iran on passage of Qatari tanker through Strait of HormuzThe vessel Al Areesh, which had been idling in the Persian Gulf since early July after loading at the Ras Laffan export terminal in Qatar, passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday morningRead moreWorld Boxing allows Russian athletes to compete under national symbolsIn April, Russian athletes were allowed to compete as neutralsRead morePress review: Trump, Zelensky hold dubious meeting as Netanyahu tries to kill Iran truceTop stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, July 29thRead moreNew temporary export ban and fuel supply for agriculture enterprises: cabinet’s measuresUnder the signed decree, the temporary export ban on fuels will be in effect from August 1, 2026, through January 31, 2027Read moreNew drones forcing armies around world to change approaches to air defense — expertYevgeny Poddubny noted that such factors as UAV range and combat power continued to evolveRead moreNetanyahu, Trump discuss three scenarios for dealing with Iran — ReutersThe source said that in the current conflict with Iran, the US president is acting as the "senior partner," while the Israeli prime minister is playing the role of "junior partner"Read morePR for Zelensky's terrorism, pride in Russians, 'healthy anger': Lavrov's statementsThe Russian foreign minister added that people need to understand the gravity of a situation where essentially the entire West is against RussiaRead moreInternational Ice Hockey Federation rules to keep Russia barred until 2027The decision was made due to "ongoing safety, security and sporting integrity concerns"Read moreIran strikes US military facilities in BahrainThe Iranian army struck electric generators, a navigation system and administrative buildingsRead moreIN BRIEF: IIHF Council extends suspension of Russian ice hockey playersThe Council said the decision was "due to ongoing safety, security and sporting integrity concerns"Read moreTrump says Israel to withdraw forces from Gaza after Hamas disarmamentAccording to the US president, as disarmament is completed, the International Stabilization Force will work with a new Palestinian police force to ensure safetyRead moreMajor ChinaJoy digital entertainment expo opens in Shanghai with Russian participationRussian companies VK, RuStore, Yandex Ads, and the Moscow Department of Culture's Creative Industries Agency will participate in the eventRead moreRestrictions on Pavel Durov unrelated to Telegram — watchdogAt the same time, organizations involved in financial transactions and deals with other property are obliged to freeze assets of those designated as terrorists and extremists in Russia, the federal agency saidRead moreWestern support provokes Zelensky to new dangerous adventures — Russian Foreign MinistrySuch actions by the Kiev regime would not have been possible if it had not had a constant political support provided to it by Western countries, Maria Zakharova notedRead morePolish PM claims Russian missile fell in Poland despite no debris analysis yetDonald Tusk stated that "everything points to a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile"Read moreRussian Battlegroup North’s Lancet drone destroys Ukrainian MLRS in Sumy RegionThe distance from the operator to the target was more than 20 kilometersRead moreAt least 18 migrants die trying to reach Spain's Ceuta — mediaLocal media previously reported that more than 1,500 migrants reached Ceuta from Morocco over the past weekRead moreLebanese president determined to ensure withdrawal of Israeli troopsJoseph Aoun separately said after talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Lebanon’s authorities intend "to rebuild the country, carry out reforms, and launch an economic recovery process"Read moreRussia to insist on identifying masterminds of Nord Stream sabotage — ambassadorSergey Nechayev highlighted that the fact that "the German prosecutor general’s office admitted that it was not just an accident involving six diving amateurs who somehow managed to plant explosives" was "an important sign by itself"Read moreWest helps Ukraine not out of altruism, but pushes it into debtWestern financing will not bring anything good for the economy or for the development of the country's infrastructure, Vitaly Ganchev emphasizedRead moreRussian envoy likens migrant influx into Ceuta to fall of RomeKirill Dmitriev accompanied his post with Thomas Cole's painting "Destruction" from "The Course of Empire" series and a photograph from CeutaRead moreRussian troops take Novaya Sech, start fighting for two neighboring settlements — expertFighting has begun for Kiyanitsa and KhrapovshchinaRead moreMoscow urges Austria to resolve diplomatic visa issue — envoyAccording to Andrey Grozov, the visa issue remains "the most sensitive area" in relations with ViennaRead moreUS to be very disappointed if China supplied weapons to Iran — TrumpAccording to the US president, Chinese President Xi Jinping promised in May not to provide military assistance to IranRead moreArms deliveries to Ukraine create problems for West — Crimean officialWeapons may end up in the hands of criminal groups, Vladimir Konstantinov said Read moreGlobal demand for gold jewelry falls to 278 tons in Q2 — WGCIn the first half of the year, global demand for jewelry in value terms rose by 22% year-on-year to $86 blnRead moreIran demands International Maritime Organization to condemn Ukrainian attack on its shipThe Iranian government requested the UN agency "to duly reflect the Ukrainian attack against the Iranian vessel ANA as a serious threat to maritime safety, commercial shipping and the safety of seafarers"Read moreSaudi Arabia-Israel normalization is possible, Trump saysThe US president said he had discussed normalization with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin SalmanRead moreTrump says Witkoff, Kushner to visit Ukraine in coming days — mediaThe US president told the Financial Times that his attention was focused on ending the conflictRead moreMedvedev says Ukraine conflict to end in Russia’s victoryThe Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman stressed that the authorities would have to ensure the transfer of people from the military sector to the civilian sector of economy after the end of the conflictRead moreZelensky spouts rhetoric about ceasefire, but continues to strike energy sites — diplomatIn Maria Zakharova's words, Zelensky is absolutely unable to negotiateRead moreFive injured, fire at warehouses in Volgograd Region: aftermath of Ukrainian UAV attackOne person was injured in the Rostov Region in southern RussiaRead moreRussia at important point of completing special op — MedvedevThe Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman addressed volunteers of the United Russia Young Guard and the Volunteer Company departing to the special military operation zoneRead moreLNG market holds promise, but Russia faces cold reception — expertGlobal LNG production capacity could expand by 65% over the next five years, with the US driving roughly half of that growth, Anvar Gafiatullin notedRead moreTrump restricts export of waste containing recoverable critical materialsAccording to documents published on the White House website, the US Department of Commerce must determine the scope of the restrictionsRead moreSpain summons Italian ambassador over Schengen remarksSpanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said Antonio Tajani's statement on an intention to suspend the Schengen Agreement with Spain was "unworthy of the foreign minister of a partner and friendly country"Read moreTrump says agreement on full disarmament of Hamas reachedThe US president stated that an agreement on the complete disarmament of all other armed groups in Gaza was also reachedRead moreLDARZ, LORTA plants in Lvov, struck by Russia, were of strategic importance for KievBoth plants were added to the list of strategic enterprises in 2015, when Ukraine embarked on a course of militarization with Western supportRead moreHamas, Palestinian factions agree on all Gaza deal provisions — TVAccording to sources cited by Al Hadath, the official announcement will be made "after the Israeli side signal its approval to the provisions"Read moreWeapons supplies to Kiev fall into European mafia hands — expertAlexander Stepanov said that it transforms European organized criminal groups and communities into paramilitary combat units equipped to carry out a wider range of tasksRead moreUkrainian attacks on Black Sea energy facilities raise concerns — Russian diplomatOn July 30, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium reported another drone attack on two tankers near its terminal outside the southern Russian city of NovorossiyskRead moreArmenia does not intend to cut off dialogue with Russia — PashinyanThe Armenian PM stated that he did not consider the country plunging crisis due to restrictive measures imposed by RussiaRead moreWorld Boxing lifts all restrictions on Russian athletesThe decision was announced by Russian Sports Minister Mikhail DegtyarevRead moreRussian Kalinskaya reaches tennis quarterfinals in WashingtonThe player defeated Indonesia's Janice TjenRead moreUS journalist Owens declares her love for RussiaThe American journalist denied any allegations of her ties to the Russian authoritiesRead moreGazprom to be producing nearly half of its gas from hard-to-recover reserves by 2030According to Gazprom Deputy Chairman Vitaly Markelov, as of the beginning of 2026, the company’s current recoverable gas reserves totaled over 27 trillion cubic metersRead moreCENTCOM says no US planes damaged by Iranian strikesAccording to the US military, all missiles and drones were intercepted or failed to reach targeted areasRead moreRussian forces liberate four settlements in Ukraine operation over past day — top brassThe Russia's battlegroup North has established control over the settlements of Yurchenkovo in the Kharkov Region, and Mogritsa and Malaya Slobodka in the Sumy RegionRead moreWest’s desire to subjugate Russia, Ukraine as ‘battering ram’: statements by MedvedevThe Russian Security Council deputy chairman emphasized that the only way to preserve Russia is to ensure victory in the special military operationRead moreIsrael says it destroyed Hezbollah tunnels near BeaufortAccording to a joint statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, the IDF will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon and will "continue to destroy all terror infrastructure"Read moreRussia urges UN to condemn Moldova's actions against Russian language — envoyGennady Gatilov says that the issue of the Russian language has long been used by the geopolitical opponents as a tool to "separate the former Soviet republics from Russia by any means"Read moreIN BRIEF: Belarus tips Poland off about plot to attack opposition figure’s childrenAccording to the former operative of Belarus’ State Security Committee, the attack was being planned by former journalist Denis Dashkevich, a member of the Belarusian oppositionRead moreShnaider advances to quarterfinals of tennis tournament in WashingtonDiana Shnaider will face Russian Liudmila Samsonova in the quarterfinalsRead moreTrump 'not sure' US will grant Ukraine license to produce Patriot ammunitionThe US president said that Washington was "looking at it"Read moreIran strikes hangars holding US drones in Kuwait — IRGCThe Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said that strikes on US infrastructure would continue until a complete expulsion of the United States from the regionRead moreBelousov congratulates Battlegroup Center on liberating Mogritsa in Sumy RegionThe defense minister noted that that strategic success had opened up new opportunities for the development of Russia's offensiveRead moreDrapaty’s appointment reflects compromise with West — Russian diplomatAccording to Rodion Miroshnik, Vladimir Zelensky had to make this decision because Mikhail Drapaty "belongs to the group" represented by former Defense Minister Mikhail FyodorovRead moreKiev uses drones to scatter new type of Lepestok landmine in LPR — diplomatKiev broadly uses anti-personnel landmines and explosive devices to booby-trap civilian facilitiesRead moreRussia welcomes UN efforts to advance Cyprus settlement — envoyMurat Zyazikov stated that Russia continues to advocate resolving the Cyprus issue "solely through dialogue, diplomacy, and peaceful negotiations" under UN auspicesRead moreUkrainian army abandons weapons in three settlements while retreating — Defense MinistryThe Russian Defense Ministry earlier reported that Battlegroup North units established control over the settlement of Yurchenkovo in the Kharkov RegionRead moreFire breaks out at Wildberries warehouse in VolgogradThe company said the facility had previously been attackedRead moreRussia developing new air defense system against Ukrainian UAVs — expertYevgeny Poddubny highlighted three key conditions for successful defense against enemy UAVs: the presence of radar stations, mobility, and well-coordinated interaction of unitsRead moreRussia, Mauritania sign memorandum of understanding on economic cooperationThe sides focused closely on fisheries cooperation, a mutually beneficial partnership spanning over 50 yearsRead moreImpunity in Nord Stream sabotage case provokes new precedents — Russian envoyRussian ambassador to Germany Sergey Nechayev noted that Moscow was closely monitoring the investigation into the sabotage of the pipelinesRead moreIran carries out drone strikes on military facilities at air base in KuwaitAccording to the statement, the air base in Kuwait plays a vital role in US air reconnaissance and support operationsRead moreAny loss of F-16 fighter jet to be painful for Kiev — Der TagesspiegelThe publication emphasized that Ukraine is unable to produce them on its ownRead morePress review: US-Iran strike lull short-lived and Telegram's Durov faces terrorism chargesTop stories from the Russian press on Thursday, July 30thRead moreSixteen-year-old Russian Lyutova advances to WTA quarterfinals in USThe tennis player defeated Australia's Maya JointRead more‘Christian Corps’ plans punitive operations in Ukraine — Russian security officialAccording to available information, it includes members of the Tradition and Order group, the Stugna special unit and the Belarusian Volunteers groupRead moreDurov's bank accounts frozen after terrorist tag applied — expertPavel Durov will not be able to open a sole proprietorship or become self-employed in the Russian FederationRead moreNLMK steelmaker reports H1 2026 IFRS net profit down 45.6% year-on-yearIn the reporting period, the company’s revenue fell 11.6% to $4.8 blnRead moreAurus helicopter could be developed based on offshore Mi-171A3The project was carried out in partnership with Gazprom and coordinated by its subsidiary, Gazprom TechRead more
India should have a polar ambassador – parliamentary panel
• What happened: A parliamentary panel in India has recommended the appointment of a "polar ambassador" to enhance the country's engagement in po...