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Middle East and North Africa

Iran to continue talks with Sextet on nuclear program

The mediators themselves have already made known their willingness to resume the talks

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

CAIRO, July 17 (Itar-Tass) - Iran’s Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said Wednesday that the Islamic Republic will continue talks with the Six Negotiating Countries /five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany/ regarding its nuclear program and it will form a team of negotiators after the inauguration of its new President, Hassan Rowhani.

Salehi said in an interview with the ISNA news agency that talks with the group of international mediators have been going on for a number of years already and everyone pinned hopes last year on the successes to be attained this year and all the indications are there now that this year will be a fruitful one indeed.

There has been no formal exchange of letters between Iran and the Six Countries so far but the dialogue with them will continue by any means, Salehi said.

The mediators themselves have already made known their willingness to resume the talks. Tuesday, the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Baroness Catherine Ashton said the Six Countries are awaiting the list of a new team from Iranian negotiators.

Middle East and North Africa

Eight Syrian servicemen wounded in Israeli strike on Damascus — SANA

Al Hadath channel said the attack targeted a base of Lebanon’s Shia militia, Hezbollah, located southwest of Damascus International Airport

Israel does not rule out a new deal with Hamas — Ambassador to Russia

According to Simona Halperin, it is possible to talk about a complete ceasefire after Israel wins

Terrorists sentenced for Crocus City Hall attack to face harsh jail conditions — activist

"Nothing good awaits those perpetrators of the act of terror," executive secretary of the Moscow Public Monitoring Commission Alexey Melnikov told

Kazakhstan purchases around 280 mln kWh of electricity from Russia in 2024

Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan Almasadam Satqaliev added that the price of electricity varies depending on the time of day

Russia, like most of the world, does not support sanctions against Cuba — Putin

The recent vote at the UN, which was devoted to the issue of lifting the blockade, showed that the vast majority of countries in the world are also on the side of Cuba, the Russian leader said

Russia’s top brass mulls arming military pilots with PP-2000 submachine gun

A more compact PP-2000 submachine gun is meant to replace the Kalashnikov AKS-74U assault rifle

Polish PM says NATO troops are in Ukraine

Polish prime minister emphasized that NATO’s direct engagement in the military conflict in Ukraine must be avoided

Russian diplomat slams Western ambassador for being absent from Putin’s inauguration

Maria Zakharova also asked a rhetorical question about what these countries’ new ambassadors would do when they have to hand over their credentials to the president

Israeli army attacking Rafah in southern Gaza — media

Lebanon’s Al Mayadeen television said the Israeli air force is also delivering airstrikes at Khan Younis

Efforts to distort World War II events grow over the world — ambassador

The diplomat noted that he believes it's everyone's duty to tell the younger generation the historical truth about the events of World War II

Putin awards Soviet WWII veterans in Israel lifetime benefits

According to Israel’s Ministry of Immigrant Absorption, some 10,000 veterans of the Second World War live in the country

Putin invites Guinea-Bissau president to come again to Russia on state visit

Meanwhile, Umaro Sissoco Embalo said that he hopes that the Russian president would visit his country in case he went on a tour of Africa

Kiev troops presumably used ATACMS missiles to strike Lugansk — politician

"Missiles hit an oil storage facility within city limits," Vladimir Rogov said

EU countries hold around 100,000 tons of illegally seized fertilizers from Russia

According to Maria Zakharova, despite Western countries' claims that the sanctions do not apply to Russian agricultural products, they actually prohibit even strictly humanitarian, let alone commercial, deliveries

Ukrainian companies report damage to energy facilities

Meanwhile, the Ukrenergo company reported that explosions had damaged an energy facility in central Ukraine

European Commission confirms agreement on expropriation of income from Russian assets

This decision must now be approved by the EU Council at ministerial level

FACTBOX: What is known about string of blasts at Ukraine’s power facilities

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the strikes were carried out with drones as well as sea-and air-launched precision weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missiles

Medvedev gives warning amid talk of deploying Western troops to Ukraine

According to the politician, the cause of the discussion on dispatching Western troops to Ukraine, launched by French President Emmanuel Macron, is a "shameless calculation for political bonus points"

Gazprom gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine reach 42.4 mln cubic meters

The transit line through Ukraine remains the only route to supply Russian gas to western and central European countries

Belarus, Russia conduct tactical nuke drills amid current situation — Lukashenko

"An escalation is ongoing," the president said

Russian defense ministry reports losses among Russian troops during special operation

Konashenkov also said that several Russian soldiers have been taken prisoner

Israel supports families of 9 killed Russian IDF servicemen — envoy

The embassy noted that there are many Russians with double citizenship currently enlisted in the IDF

US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace ten times in past day

No shelling attacks on the positions of government forces were reported in the Idlid de-escalation zone

At least 90,000 soldiers attend Victory Day celebrations across Russia

Celebrations marking have been held in over 300 cities and towns across Russia

Israel has no plans to introduce Russian Mir payment cards — ambassador

Israeli Ambassador to Russia Simona Halperin said said that Israel works with the international SWIFT system

Two more Ukrainian drones shot down over Belgorod Region — defense ministry

This happened in a period from 8:10 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Moscow time

Russian paratroopers thwart attempt by Ukrainian troops to cross Dnieper — ministry

The coordinates of the targets were transmitted to the group’s artillerymen, who hit the infantry positions and also destroyed the Ukrainian armed forces’ boats

Aurus Merlon electric motorcycle available for pre-order — acting Deputy PM

The Aurus Merlon made its public debut at the inauguration of the Russian President

Macron denies death of French troops in Ukraine out of fear of protests — SVR head

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the French Army is "visibly concerned" over the growing number of French citizens killed in Ukraine

Mishustin plans to increase volume of non-resource, non-energy exports by 2/3

The Russian government will increase the attractiveness of Russian jurisdiction for business, acting Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin

Russian envoy vows both mirror, asymmetrical response to provocations by Baltic states

According to Sergey Belyaev, diplomatic relations with the three Baltic states have been downgraded to a charge d’affaires level

French tired of supporting Ukraine — war correspondent

Christelle Nahan noted that people were tired of the fact that there was not enough money for the development of infrastructure, hospitals and schools, for pensions and benefits for children

Pentagon awards $332 mln contract to produce GMLRS

The estimated completion date is October 20, 2027, the US Department of Defense added

BRICS mulls creating form of mutual settlements similar to early EU — Sherpa

According to Sergey Ryabkov, BRICS should not create a financial and monetary alliance, but work hard to create payment and settlement systems that do not depend upon whims of the West

UN General Assembly recommends Security Council consider making Palestine UN member state

The resolution was supported by 143 states; 9 states, including Argentina, Hungary, Israel, the US and the Czech Republic, voted against; 25 states abstained

Russia’s Battlegroup West destroys Ukrainian armored vehicles, M777 howitzer

Crews manning the Msta-SM2 self-propelled artillery system from the 1st Guard Tank Army also destroyed a manpower, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

At least 3 killed in Ukrainian strike at fuel depot in Rovenki, LPR

According to LPR Head Leonid Pasechnik, the Ukrainian forces opened fire at the city of Rovenki, causing fire at the local fuel depot and damaging several houses

Pashinyan remains silent over opposition’s demand for his resignation within one hour

Neither the government’s press office nor Pashinyan himself have somehow responded to the opposition’s demands yet

Russia’s Dnepr group repels counterattack by 118th brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

Over the week, units of the Dnepr group of troops defeated the manpower and equipment of three brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Russia does not accept US policy to limit Cuba’s development — Putin

According Russian President, the Cuban people have been fighting this for decades and they are confident

Putin confident in Russia’s victory in special military operation

The Russian people show their best qualities in difficult moments, their courage and heroism, which is confirmed by the special military operation, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting with military on May 7, following the inauguration ceremony

Ukrainian nationalists financed by US, Britain after WWII — declassified archives

In particular, Ukrainian nationalists carried out terrorist acts in small groups of 3-5 members and sometimes engaged in individual terrorism

Putin submits Mishustin's candidacy for post of prime minister to State Duma

State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin recalled that the State Duma "for the first time in the history of modern Russia will form the line-up of the government: approve the chairman of the government, his deputies, and federal ministers"

US seeking to throw Balts, Poles, Germans, French ‘into fire of war’ — Medvedchuk

"They are clearing the way for this, since the Ukrainians are running out while the scheme of turning their deaths into America’s profits is waiting for new victims," leader of the Other Ukraine movement said

Russia’s Battlegroup East strikes Ukrainians near Staromayorskoye in DPR

According to Spokesman Alexander Gordeyev, the Ukrainians lost roughly 50 troops

Belgorod Region attacked with 37 Ukrainian drones in past day

There were no casualties, but reported damage caused by drone and shelling attacks

UK announces expulsion of Russian defense attache, new diplomatic visa restrictions

According to Home Secretary James Cleverly, this is a message to Moscow in response to its actions allegedly aimed at undermining British assistance to Ukraine

Taliban invited to participate in 'Russia - Islamic World' forum in Kazan — envoy

Zamir Kabulov also mentioned that Russia's cooperation with the Taliban government on counter-terrorism continues "on a regular basis"

Domodedovo Airport closes its international flights sector

Since March 27, all regular and charter flights between Russia and other countries have been halted, except for those repatriating the stranded Russian nationals

White House claims Russian forces started offensive on Kharkov

" We’ve been coordinating closely with Ukraine to help them prepare", John Kirby said

Putin re-appoints Mishustin as Prime Minister of Russia

The decree enters into effect since the day of signing

Russia pre-emptively plans intermediate-range missile sites to counter US moves — diplomat

Correspondingly, specialists are carrying out preliminary pre-emptive planning, Sergey Ryabkov said

Around 110,000 people fled Rafah in southern Gaza Strip amid Israeli operation

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East said that "nowhere is safe in the Gaza Strip and living conditions are atrocious"

Hungary, China ink 16 cooperation agreements, including on nuclear energy

The cooperation agreements tackle such fields as investment, energy, trade, finance, customs control, agriculture, tourism, science, culture and media

Hungary views China as pillar of multipolar world — Orban

Hungarian prime minister recalled that Hungary has always adhered to the ‘one China’ principle

Putin shows West dialogue on security issues is possible — ambassador

Antonov said that during his inaugural speech, President Putin gave a clear message to Western powers

China-Russia trade turnover rises by 4.7% to $76.58 bln in January — April

According to the report, imports from Russia over four months increased by 10.2% to $43.85 bln

Russia’s ice cream production rises by 12% to 110 mln kg in Q1

In comparison with the previous quarter, when 66 mln kilograms were produced, the production of ice cream for January-March 2024 increased by 66%

Putin describes attempts to ban Ukrainian language and culture as unjust

The head of state noted that about three mln Ukrainians permanently resided in Russia

Driver lost control of vehicle resulting in bus crash in St. Petersburg — report

Representatives of the company and the committee management were sent to the scene of the accident

Lavrov slams Zelensky over his claims of not backing Nazis while okaying SS-hailing events

According to the Russian top diplomat, Ukraine’s authorities are conniving at the manifestations of neo-Nazism

Zelensky cannot be legitimate president after May 21 — Medvedchuk

"Ukraine has already lost its statehood," leader of the Other Ukraine movement said

President of Cuba wishes Putin success in special military operation

Miguel Diaz-Canel said that Moscow can always count on the support of Havana

China supports Serbia in defending its sovereignty on Kosovo issue — Xi

Xi Jinping is on a state visit to Serbia on May 7-8

Russian air defenses shoot down 100 Bayraktar drones during special operation

Andrey Demin said the incident with the US MQ-9 over the Black Sea, when as a result of sharp maneuvering it went out of control, lost altitude and collided with the water surface "makes it clear to the Western world community that for Russia’s air defenses such aerial targets are no problem"

Hungary views China as pillar of multipolar world — Orban

Prime Minister pointed out that the world had recently undergone serious transformations, as the world order had changed to become multipolar

London refuses to engage with Moscow on Skripals — senior Russian diplomat

According to Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Second European Department Sergey Belyaev, the Russian Embassy in London has sent over 60 written inquiries to the UK Foreign Office since the provocation in March 2018

Russia knows how to deal with Ukrainian drones — Putin

The Russian leader noted that those tasks that until recently were solved exclusively with the help of aviation systems are now being solved with small means, but with great effect

Aerospace Forces receive new Su-35S fighters

Su-35S have passed ground and flight trials and flew from Komsomolsk-on-Amur to the deployment airfield

Russia welcomes 16 new foreign brands in 2023

The majority of new foreign companies on the Russian market this year are Turkish brands of clothing, footwear and household products

BRICS’ authority on international stage grows — Russian Federation Council speaker

Valentina Matviyenko noted that BRICS already makes up over one third of global GDP and almost a half of the planet’s population

Relations with Russia are really important for Israel — Ambassador to Moscow

Dialogue between Israel and Russia is important, including on those topics where the parties "absolutely disagree," Simona Halperin said

Three people dead in bus crash in St. Petersburg, nine rescued, four — in clinical death

The Ministry of Emergency Situations added that diving rescue work has been finished at the accident site

Putin congratulates parade participants on Victory Day

Putin is confident in ensuring free and safe future of Russia and its united people

Russian battlegroup Dnepr destroys two Ukrainian boats on Dnieper — spokesman

According to Roman Kodryan, enemy losses totaled up to 55 servicemen over the past day

State Duma approves Mikhail Mishustin as Chairman of Russian Government

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin thanked State Duma lawmakers for approving his candidacy for the prime minister’s office

Russia's largest hydroelectric plant: five years after the accident

The dam in Russia’s Siberia suffered an industrial disaster on August 17, 2009

IN BRIEF: Unity, care for people, country-civilization: Putin’s inaugural speech

The atmosphere in society has changed, now "reliability, mutual responsibility, sincerity, decency, nobility and courage" are highly valued, the Russian leader stressed

Russia has no territorial claims to Poland, Latvia or other countries — Putin

The President assured that Russia can use military force against Poland "only in one case, if Poland attacks Russia"

Four residential blocks catch fire as Ukrainian attack hits oil depot in LPR

Presumably, US-supplied cluster warhead ATACMS missiles had been fired on Rovenki, LPR Head Leonid Pasechnik wrote on his Telegram channel

Presence of French-speaking mercenaries identified in 20 cases in Zaporozhye — politician

Ethnic Poles and Georgians account for the largest groups of mercenaries in the Ukrainian army

US aims to halve Russia’s oil, gas revenues by 2030 — newspaper

Sticking to sanctions against Russia "has enormous geopolitical implications in terms of <…> Russia’s ability to use its energy as a strategic asset," Geoffrey Pyatt noted

Trump sees Biden willing to stop all aid to Israel soon

Earlier, former US President said that the Democratic Party actually hates Israel

Russian government done a lot in difficult conditions — Putin on Mishustin’s candidacy

Putin added that he hopes that parliamentarians will support his choice

Russia mulls developing vertical take-off fighter jets for new aircraft carrier

"We are discussing this with our aircraft-building companies," Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said

Medvedev warns that Russia’s default may entail Europe’s default

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council added that the European Union’s financial system is not very stable and people are losing confidence

Russia’s 6th-generation fighter jet to get lasers capable of burning missile homing heads

In addition to electromagnetic guns, the Russian sixth-generation fighter jet will also get guided electronic munitions

Death toll of bus crash in St. Petersburg rises to 7

A passenger bus fell into the river in downtown St. Petersburg earlier on May 10

US veteran says Soviet Union turned the tide of World War II

Frank Cohn said the people that refuse to do justice to the Soviet role in the war simply don't understand what was going on

Israel and Russia double number of flights for spring and summer — ambassador to Moscow

Tourist flow between the countries is not high for a number of reasons, Simona Halperin said

Hungary supports Chinese peace plan on Ukraine — Orban

Hungary urges for an immediate ceasefire and peace talks, the prime minister said

Eight civilians injured as several aerial targets downed over Belgorod

Five of the injured people have been taken to hospital,Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of the region said

Russian sniper reports elimination of Ukrainian serviceman wearing helmet with SS emblem

He specified that his group took the helmet as proof of the elimination

Russian military fights Nazi followers in special military operation — Shoigu

He stressed that during the war, the qualities of a multinational people were revealed — its strength and fortitude, incredible mutual support, and a commitment to fight for the ideas of justice and humanism

New US arms shipment to Ukraine a reaction to Russia’s success at frontline — envoy

Anatoly Antonov also castigated the US administration for shrugging off responsibility for Ukrainian attacks at civilian facilities in Russia with the use of weapons being supplied from the United States

Lukashenko dismisses Chairman of General Staff of Belarusian Armed Forces

According to the press office, Gulevich was discharged due to retirement age, with a right to wear military uniform and rank badges

Russia didn’t invite officials from unfriendly countries to victory parade, diplomat says

Maria Zakharova said veteran organizations in unfriendly countries weren’t affected by the decision not to invite officials

Cuba thanks EAEU countries for support amid US blockade — president

We are a small country, which has been under the [US] economic, trade and financial blockade for more than 60 years, Miguel Diaz-Canel said

Russian forces hit Ukrainian points of deployment and equipment at railway stations

Тhe Russian Ministry of Defense noted that "air defense systems, arsenals, fuel depots, workshops for the production and repair of unmanned boats and UAVs, temporary deployment points for foreign mercenaries

Volunteers from Turkey join Zaporozhye Region’s Sudoplatov battalion

When asked about the potential reaction of Turkish authorities, another volunteer, code name 'Laz' noted that Turkey and Russia have good relations, so he believes that Ankara will take this decision "well"

Armenia to refrain from financing CSTO activity in 2024

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said earlier that his country cannot rely on the CSTO and he cannot answer Armenian society’s question why the country should be its member