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Middle East and North Africa

UN SC decides to authorize Syrian chemical weapons elimination in a letter, not resolution

On October 7, Ban Ki-moon sent a letter with his recommendations to the UN SC proposing to establish a joint mission by the UN

UNITED NATIONS, October 11 (Itar-Tass) - The UN Security Council has decided to authorize the proposals by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on elimination of the Syrian chemical weapons stockpile in a letter, not in a resolution, Azerbaijan's Ambassador to the UN Agshin Mekhdiyev, the current council president, said on Thursday.

On October 7, Ban Ki-moon sent a letter with his recommendations to the UN SC proposing to establish a joint mission by the UN and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons with bases in Damascus and on the Cyprus, and a staff totaling some 100.

Middle East and North Africa

Top Russian, Iranian security officials discuss Middle East

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Russian defense minister dismisses his deputy Ivanov

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Kremlin vows to resolve situation with Turkish Airlines refusing service to Russians

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Ukrainian army short about 150,000-200,000 troops, says Polish general

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

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Russia vetoes US-backed UNSC resolution on banning nuclear weapons in outer space

The resolution gained 13 votes

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"

IN BRIEF: Russian deputy defense minister, entrepreneur arrested for taking bribes

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13 violations by US-led international coalition’s aircraft recorded in Syria

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Andrey Marochko added that the Ukrainians have also intensified artillery and drone attacks at Russian positions

Lukashenko says US rues giving rise to Russia-China alliance

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Ukraine’s EU accession to require 20% increase in union’s budget — European Commissioner

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IAEA chief to have working contacts with Rosatom, no meeting with Putin is planned

Rafael Grossi may visit Russia in late May

Ukraine’s draft dodger makes attempt to cross Dniester into Moldova on air mattress

Men of conscription age try to leave the country in every possible way, often putting their lives at risk

Top US diplomat Blinken arrives in Shanghai

A State Department spokesperson told a special briefing previewing Blinken’s trip earlier that the Secretary of State would visit Shanghai and Beijing to "build on our intensive diplomacy [with China] over the past year"

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

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Russian athletes have right to decide on Olympic participation — aide

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Iran denies reports it pulled some military advisers from Syria — Al Mayadeen

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Russia’s Viner vows to set up International League of Rhythmic Gymnastics Clubs

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Apty Alaudinov added that if the Ukrainian army received long-range weapons, it might try to attack Russia's civilian infrastructure due to its powerlessness on the front

Ukrainian troops in Kharkov Region lift antennas with kites to get better signal

Military expert Andrey Marochko speculated that the Ukrainian army had to resort to this tactic because the TV tower in Kharkov was damaged

Putin informed about detention of Deputy Defense Minister Ivanov

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Press review: Dissecting US aid package to Ukraine and sands of global economy shifting

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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"

Annual inflation in Russia gearing down to 7.82% over week — Economy Ministry

"Inflation in the consumer market slowed down to 0.08% over the week from April 16 to 22, 2024," the ministry informed

No response from West to killing of Izvestia war reporter Eremin — diplomat

The Russian war correspondent died of wounds suffered from a strike by a Ukrainian FPV drone on April 19

US waging hybrid war against Serbs to snuff them out for good — Republika Srpska head

"Republika Srpska comes under direct pressure and under constant US sanctions; and we are looking for ways to solve this problem," Milorad Dodik said

Russia’s top brass reports destroying US-made Hawk air defense system in Ukraine operation

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted casualties on personnel and equipment of two Ukrainian army brigades and improved its tactical position over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Putin stays in daily contact with Sergey Shoigu, Kremlin spokesman says

Timur Ivanov was arrested by Moscow’s Basmanny Court

Anti-Russian measures prove world cannot exist in unipolar diktat, envoy says

According to Anatoly Antonov, "the further it goes, the more America corners itself into a zugzwang"

UNSC rejects amendment by Russia, China to resolution on nuclear weapons in outer space

The amendment gained seven votes from countries including Russia and China

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

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

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, April 24th

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

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Stockmann company to buy Russian business of Hugo Boss — Industry Ministry

All the existing Hugo Boss stores will be reopened in July - August 2024, Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Viktor Evtukhov said

Moscow slams NATO drills near Russian borders as inflammatory

"It is obvious that the upcoming combat training on the territory of Finland is part of a hybrid war against our country," Maria Zakharova said

Russian children’s commissioner holds first face-to-face talks with Ukrainian counterparts

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

Russia, Africa united by common vision on global issues — senior diplomat

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"

Some people in 2021 Kabul terror attack were killed by gunfire, not explosion, CNN reports

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Konstantin Gavrilov also noted that the "manic efforts" of some Western OSCE member countries to isolate Russia "are futile and will backfire on their initiators"

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Senior Russian, Tajikistani diplomats talk about fighting terrorists, radicals

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Radioactive cloud from Ukraine’s eliminated munitions drifts to Europe — Security Council

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Russian President said in an interview with Rossiya-1 TV channel journalist Pavel Zarubin

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Central African Republic expects Russia to supply weapons, munitions — defense minister

According to CAR Defense Minister Claude Rameaux Bireau, all necessary documents are ready but there are certain logistical difficulties

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The sides also exchanged views on the progress in the implementation of large-scale tasks set by the heads of the two states and heads of government along the political, trade, economic and migration trajectories, the implementation of projects on the cultural and humanitarian fronts

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Dmitry Peskov added that the issue of fighting against long-range weapons being supplied to Ukraine and potential strikes on the areas where they are concentrated "is rather under the purview of <…> the armed forces"

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West balancing on edge of direct military confrontation between nuclear powers — Lavrov

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Ukraine turns into testing ground for future world order, says Belarus president

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Switzerland unblocks Russia-related assets worth 290 mln Swiss francs

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US draft on nukes in space seeks to go beyond legal framework Russia adheres to — MFA

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Russia ready to cooperate with all interested partners to ensure security — Putin

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German defense minister says Russia making more arms than it needs for its op in Ukraine

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Russia presents world’s first hydrogen-fueled luxury car at Innoprom exhibition

The unique vehicle was built on the basis of the Aurus Senat luxury car

Nearly 70 Israeli hostages killed in Gaza, Hamas says

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US effectively dooms Ukraine by its new decisions, Russian envoy says

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Ukraine could send special forces to capture Zaporozhye NPP — politician

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Blinken’s visit to China meant to shatter Russian-Chinese ties — senior Russian diplomat

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Bolivarian Alliance countries stand for multipolar world — Maduro

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Houthis attack two commercial ships, US destroyer — statement

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Ukrainian army strikes own surrendering soldiers — POW

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Kiev may use ATACMS missiles to hit Crimean Bridge — Russian defense ministry official

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White House alleges that Russia working on satellite carrying nuclear device

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Russia dissatisfied with UN’s activity under grain deal — senior diplomat

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Gagauzia against Chisinau’s policy of severing ties with Russia

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Niger would like Russia to train its troops — interior minister says

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Russia’s victory in Ukraine to change course of history in Europe — von der Leyen

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Attempts are made to turn Moldova into ‘second Ukraine’, Lavrov warns

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