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Middle East and North Africa

Militants attack Egyptian army roadblocks in north of Sinai Peninsula

The military are returning fire. There have been no immediate reports of casualties

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

CAIRO, July 6 (Itar-Tass) - Egyptian army roadblocks in the north of the Sinai Peninsula came under a series of militants’ attacks last night. Clashes are reportedly underway in the area of the city of Rafah, on the border with Gaza. Strong explosions can be heard.

The military are returning fire. There have been no immediate reports of casualties.

A military garrison in the nearby town of El Arish has been attacked. After a fifteen-minute shootout the militants had to flee.

In the small hours of Friday armed extremists supporting ousted President Mohamed Morsi mounted several attacks on military facilities in the north of the Sinai Peninsula. One serviceman was killed. Later in the day five police were shot dead in El Arish and about 20 others injured.

In the wake of the attacks the armed forces’ command alerted all units in the Sinai Peninsula and in Suez, in the northeast of the country.

The military declared Sinai “a zone of war on terror.”

Middle East and North Africa

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US using human rights topics to shake political situation in Russia — embassy

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Mikhail Bogdanov noted that "the African continent is a dynamically developing part of the world with an enormous growth potential, attractive domestic market and expanding export prospects"

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The US businessman commented on remarks by Gad Saad, a Canadian professor of Lebanese origin, who insisted that "the path that the West is taking will result in civil war"

US shifted conflict in Europe onto EU, NATO shoulders to weaken Russia, says Lukashenko

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US incapable of replicating Cold War-era arms race — Valdai club expert

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

"In any case, whatever the modality of providing this aid, de facto it is about provoking Ukraine into further hostilities down to the last Ukrainian, putting guarantted money in the pockets of the US," Dmitry Peskov said

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According to the agency, the companies being assessed for potential sanctions are based outside Russia but have links to Russian and Belarussian individuals and firms

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Maria Lvova-Belova thanked Qatar for setting up a venue for dialogue between Russia and Ukraine regarding children’s interests

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Moscow court arrests Deputy Defense Minister Ivanov over bribery case

The court said that Timur Ivanov is accused of receiving a bribe as part of an organized group while performing contracted and subcontracted work for the Defense Ministry

Switzerland unblocks Russia-related assets worth 290 mln Swiss francs

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Ukrainian forces refuse to obey Commander-in-Chief Syrsky — CIA ex-analyst

Larry Johnson also noted that the Russian forces manage to advance recently despite the slush on the roads

West’s unwillingness to give up hegemony escalates tensions in world — security official

According to Nikolay Patrushev, this creates conditions for the devaluation of international law and its institutions and the erosion of the UN's central role in resolving global and regional conflicts

US authorities prepare military aid for Ukraine worth $1 bln — Reuters

The aid package includes vehicles, Stinger man-portable air defense system munitions, HIMARS rockets, 155-mm artillery shells, TOW and Javelin anti-tank missiles and other weapons that could be "used at the battlefield immediately"

Russia discourages use of UN sanctions for interference in African affairs — envoy

Vasily Nebenzya underscored that Russia continues to "make an important contribution to strengthening of African countries’ potential, including UN Security Council and General Assembly"

Ukrainian army strikes own surrendering soldiers — POW

Andrey Babenko said that after a crash course in Britain he had been sent to the frontline near Liman

Drone crashes in industrial zone in Russian city of Lipetsk

There were no casualties, egional Governor Igor Artamonov said

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US Senate approves aid bills for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan

As many as 79 senators backed the initiative and 18 voted against

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The organization believes that the states that deploy nuclear weapons on their territory are "consenting to be party to mass murder of civilians"

Raisi doubts 'Israeli regime' to exist in case of its attack on Iran

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All those linked to Crocus terrorist attack must be punished — Putin

"Russia’s intelligence services and law enforcement agencies are investigating and scrutinizing every detail of this despicable act [the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack], identifying all parties involved, including instigators, sponsors, and orchestrators," the Russian president stressed

Biden to sign Ukraine aid bill on April 24

According to a statement released by the White House, the US plans to resume weapons supplies to Kiev this week

US has no idea what to do about Zelensky — Seymour Hersh

According to the journalist, the decision to conduct the operation was made by US President Joe Biden personally, following nine months of discussions with White House national security advisers

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However, Ignazio Cassis declined to comment on Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s recent statement that Switzerland had turned from a neutral country "into an openly hostile one"

NATO has no plans to deploy nuclear forces in Poland — Stoltenberg

NATO Secretary General did not immediately understand the reporter’s question, forcing the reporter to explain that they were referring to the idea of deploying nuclear weapons in Poland

Hamas threatens that hostages remaining in Gaza may go missing

Spokesman for the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades Abu Ubaida emphasized that at the moment "the ball is in the court of Israel's allies," but "time and opportunities are limited"

Gaza settlement crucial for Islamic world, Erdogan believes

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Over 14,700 residential houses remain flooded in Russia

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Kremlin vows legal action against US bill on seizing Russian assets

Dmitry Peskov noted that the trial will be "very complex," but will cause severe damage to US economic interests if the US authorities finally approve the bill regarding Russian assets

Most agents at Security Service of Ukraine set on war with Russia — former officer

Vasily Prozorov said that "it is extremely difficult to count on any better judgement on their part"

Russia has significant amount of West’s funds in case of confiscation of its assets

Russia views the West’s encroachment on its assets as "a blatant and shameless theft for the purpose of lining its pockets," Maria Zakharova noted

No damage, casualties after drone attack over Russia’s Kursk Region

Roman Starovoit thanked air defense troops and the regional crisis center and cautioned residents against approaching the drone wreckage if found

Beijing condemns US hypocrisy around Ukraine conflict

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin reiterated that China "is not an instigator or a party to the Ukrainian crisis and has never fanned the flames of the conflict, not to mention, used the situation for its own purposes"

Putin informed about detention of Deputy Defense Minister Ivanov

Minister Sergey Shoigu was also informed beforehand, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

Ukrainian presidential office confirms London’s agrement to Zaluzhny as ambassador

Verkhovna Rada legislator Alexey Goncharenko said on Monday that the UK had granted its agrement to the Ukrainian former Commander-in-Chief

US arms supplies unable to change situation in Kiev's favor — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that a year ago the opponents "were telling everyone that they were waiting for the moment Russia would be defeated on the battlefield"

Network of international conspirators plotted Crocus terrorist attack — watchdog

Yury Chikhanchin pointed out that the perpetrators of the attack were provided with money, weapons, transportation and ammunition

Russia and friendly countries produce almost 90% of components for Aurus cars — NAMI

"We developed this car in close cooperation with European, Korean and other foreign partners, but due to certain events we had to abandon this cooperation," Alexander Lebedev pointed out

Modern weapons make up 82% in Russian air defense troops — Shoigu

"The Kiev regime has failed to achieve the goals of its counteroffensive prepared by NATO instructors," the defense minister said

Russian forces take Ukrainian strongholds near Klescheyevka under control

Apty Alaudinov posted a drone video footage of elimination Ukrainian personnel and Russian forces capturing enemy trenches

Press review: NATO flexes muscles near Russian border and South China Sea runs hot

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