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Egypt set to sort out all tourist security problem before New Year — official

MOSCOW, November 17 /TASS/. Egypt wants to resolve all problems related to furnishing security for foreign tourists before the New Year season starts, Maya Lomidze, CEO of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), told a news conference on Thursday.

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Kremlin: Work on resumption of flights between Russia and Egypt is in progress

She noted that "at the moment ATOR has no objective information (on the resumption of air flights to Egypt)." "I know that the Egyptians are growing more insistent on ironing out all security matters every day. The Egyptian side’s degree of motivation is increasing daily," Lomidze went on to say.

"The World Tourism Organization has even called on countries which send tourists to Egypt to speed up the resumption of air flights to Egypt. Apart from Russia, the call was also addressed to Germany, Britain, France and other European countries," the ATOR CEO said. "Every country has questions (for Egypt), and Egypt, in turn, is determined to resolve all problems before the start of the New Year season," Lomidze emphasized.

"Representatives of our Transport Ministry and our inspection teams, as far as I know, are planning to visit Egypt early in December," Lomidze concluded.

Russia suspended all flights to Egypt after an A321 Kogalymaiva passenger aircraft bound for St. Petersburg crashed over the Sinai Peninsula on October 31, 2015 killing 224 people onboard. The Russian Federal Security Service classified it as a terrorist attack.

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The European Commission suggested introducing duties on agricultural products from Russia and Belarus earlier

Founder of neo-Nazi cell in Crimea flees to Georgia — source

According to the official, the investigation established that Mikhail Maurov planned to travel to Ukraine to join the ranks of a right-wing Ukrainian organization called the Freedom of Russia Legion

Russian investigators start inquiry into financing of terrorism by US, NATO officials

Investigators have established that the funds that were received through commercial organizations, such as the oil and gas company Burisma Holdings operating in Ukraine, have been used to carry out terrorist acts in Russia and abroad

West, Kiev indulge in nuclear blackmail by demanding control of ZNPP — Russian MFA

"Without noticing it themselves, they spoke the language of an ultimatum," Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova underlined

Cuba expects to welcome over 200,000 Russian tourists in 2024 — minister

Juan Carlos Garcia Granda expressed hope that in a short term the number could climb to half a million

Major Western investor accuses Zelensky's office of extorting millions of euros

Arnulf Damerau said that he provided details of the meeting, along with evidence and a list of names of those involved, to US and European intelligence agencies

Iran tells US about April 13 attack on Israel, it does not want escalation — top diplomat

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian added that prior to the attack, Tehran said that it would not target US military infrastructure in the Middle East "except in a situation where the United States wants to take military measures in support of Israel"

Nearly half of those present in UN Security Council hall walk out before Israel’s address

israeli Permanent Representative Gilad Erdan was to address the council after Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour

Russia, Iran maintain contacts on nuclear security - deputy foreign minister

Sergey Ryabkov said that "very soon, Russia and Iran will have new additional opportunities to discuss the situation in the Middle East in general, as well as details of what is going on there at this point"

French, US, British nukes all interwoven — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova described France’s decision to place its aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, directly under NATO control as a symbolic move marking the end of "the era of an independent Paris in the international arena"

Court arrests man accused of blowing up car of former SBU officer in Moscow

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Lavrov states West’s growing concern about BRICS plans to develop own financial tools

According to the minister, Russia is interested in increasing the role of the BRICS states in the international monetary, financial and trading systems, developing interbank cooperation, expanding the use of national currencies and creating its own exchange

EU summit calls to continue work on duties on Russian, Belarusian agricultural produce

The European Commission suggested introducing duties on agricultural products from Russia and Belarus earlier

CIA chief says Ukraine could lose by end of this year — Politico

William Burns said "there is a very real risk that the Ukrainians could at least put Putin in a position where he could essentially dictate the terms of a political settlement"

Ukrainian front may collapse this summer — newspaper

According to the newspaper’s assessments, Russia "has never been closer to its goals" in the special military operation zone

Kiev ordered mandatory evacuation from Kharkov Region to accommodate mercenaries

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Crimea, Donbass to forever remain within Russia, Slovak PM tells national parliament

Robert Fico believes Moscow will win in its confrontation with Kiev

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Russian MFA says Russia won’t invade Ukraine, blames US for ‘aggressive plans’

Maria Zakharova said it was "absurd" to say Russia nurtured any aggressive plans about Ukraine

MiG-31I fighters receive air refueling system

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EU leaders urge to adopt proposal on using incomes from frozen Russian assets for Ukraine

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US 'not forgetting' to help itself with aid to Ukraine — Kremlin

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Yevgeny Pogrebnyak said that he was treated well by Russian troops in his captivity

EU plans to invest first profits from Russian assets in military aid to Kiev

"I think that the decision has been taken by the member-states - all 27 have agreed that we use the windfall profits following our proposal," Ursula von der Leyen said

Russia will not 'shake up' relations with Argentina due to its partnership with NATO — MFA

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Press review: Ukraine, Israel vie for EU’s attention and Georgia passes controversial bill

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Iran completed operation, to respond with greater force if needed — envoy to Russia

On the evening of April 13, Iran launched drones and missiles toward Israel in response to what it called "repeated crimes" from Tel Aviv, including the attack on the consular office of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus ascribed to Israel

Iran intends to bolster military cooperation with Russia — envoy to Moscow

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Kiev lacks both troops and equipment near Chasov Yar in DPR, says retired general

Military commanders of Ukrainian army brigades "lack both personnel and the required amount of equipment" while Russian troops enjoy a considerable superiority, especially in artillery, Sergey Krivonos noted

China to act over possible US measures for alleged support of Russian defense sector

"China always opposes the illegal unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States and will continue to take necessary measures to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises," Liu Pengyu said

EU border checkpoint closest to Russia’s St. Petersburg to cut its working hours

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France-Russia relations hit rock bottom — ex-envoy to Paris

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Swiss parliament votes against joining task force on frozen Russian assets

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According to the minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, in the event that Israel uses force against Tehran's interests, "the Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to use its right to give an immediate and decisive response that will make them regret"

Humanitarian efforts in Gaza doomed without durable ceasefire — Russia’s UN envoy

Vasily Nebenzya is convinced that the work of the UNRWA is indispensable under these circumstances

US blocks Security Council resolution granting full UN membership to Palestine

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US deploying missiles in Philippines to endanger global security — Russian envoy

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Russia-China military-technical cooperation not directed against other states — diplomat

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Colombian president displays interest in country’s entry into BRICS

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Russian artillery thwarts Ukrainian army’s rotation near Kupyansk — underground resistance

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Ukrainian trace obvious in Crocus City Hall attack — Russian Prosecutor General

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Ukrainian president admits Russian troops’ advancement

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Yerevan's refusal to delimit borders with Baku to escalate regional tensions — PM

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Kiev continues to openly announce terrorist attacks on Russia — diplomat

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Tokyo potentially joining US nuclear missions fraught with danger — Russian diplomat

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Over 40 nations want to join BRICS — Russian lawmaker

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Russian Aerospace Forces strike five militant hideouts in Syria’s Homs

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German prosecutors confirm they have two suspected Russian agents in custody

According to prosecutors, Dieter S. asserted his readiness to carry out attacks, above all, against military infrastructure, but also industrial facilities

Number of applications in RuStore surpasses 37,000

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French president says creating Israeli-type air defense network for Ukraine impossible

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Russian Railways to triple tourist passenger flow to 3 mln people by 2030

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Russia can join top three countries by lithium reserves — governor

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Investigation into Crocus terrorist attack underway, traces lead to Ukraine — diplomat

Maria Zakharova noted the need to "wait for official information from the investigation"

Ukraine convicts 12th world chess champion for recognizing Donetsk, Lugansk republics

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Argentina applies for status of NATO’s global partner

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German Foreign Ministry confirms summoning of Russian ambassador

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HIV rate in Russia below 1%, expert says

Dmitry Kireyev noted that the rate of HIV-positive people was different across Russian regions, depending on the number of intravenous drug users

German MFA summons Russian ambassador after detention of espionage suspects — newspaper

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Ukrainian drone attack damages four houses in Russia’s Voronezh

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Exports of Chinese goods to Ukraine rise by 50% to $783 mln in January - March

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Ceasefire necessary for implementation of UN humanitarian resolution on Gaza — UN envoy

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Shoigu visits presentation of over 30 promising weapons, including robotic vehicles

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UK imposes sanctions against leading Iranian military figures — Foreign Office

Restrictions have been imposed on Sayyed Javad Musavi, commercial director of the Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group (SHIG), which is responsible for the Iranian ballistics program

Pipeline explodes in Kharkov Region

The exact location of the damaged pipeline or the causes of the incident is not reported

Nord Stream AG's refusal to pay compensation destroys Western insurance system — diplomat

"The West is not only taking state assets and private property, but also threatening to destroy the major civilian infrastructure facilities, which were built with investments and then miraculously blown up, and they have now threatened insurance," Maria Zakharova said

Press review: US throws Russia New START curveball and Washington's aid balancing act

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, April 17th

Germany fails to present evidence in case of espionage suspects — Russian embassy

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Georgian protests against foreign agent bill reek of US influence — Medvedev

"The experienced and all-too-familiar Hollywood touch can be seen behind these rallies," the politician pointed out

Russia says its forces repel four Ukrainian counterattacks in Kupyansk area

The Ukrainian army losses were up to 70 servicemen, three motor vehicles, a D-30 howitzer, 2 Plastun-3000 electronic reconnaissance stations and a Nota electronic warfare station

Ukraine struggles to garner support for Swiss conference — Russian Foreign Ministry

"There are increasingly fewer people willing to discuss this subject with Kiev’s envoys, let alone going there," Rodion Miroshnik stressed

Putin points to high risk of new epidemic outbreaks

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Kazakhstan to sign new agreement with Russia on border checkpoints

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Russia’s advanced radar in Kaliningrad to monitor entire territory of Europe — source

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Ukrainian president signs law tightening mobilization rules

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