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Middle East and North Africa

Israeli prime minister calls on int’l community to intensify pressure on Iran

He said that there was a threat of the Iranian regime’s winning international legitimacy so, in his words, the pressure should be continued

TEL AVIV, October 20 (Itar-Tass) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called to intensify international pressure on Iran.

“I think that international pressure must stay in place until we see actions instead of words,” he said on Sunday at a weekly meeting of the government. “More to it, this pressure should be intensified to increase chances to make Iran stop its military nuclear programme.”

This week saw another round of negotiations between the Sextet countries and Iran, he noted and urged to bear in mind that Iran has deceived the international community systematically. “In 2006, Iran had 167 centrifuges, now, despite all the bans and promises, they have 18,000 centrifuges, which means that their number has increased by more than 100 times, whereas parties to the talks called to completely stop any uranium-enrichment activities,” he said.

He said that there was a threat of the Iranian regime’s winning international legitimacy so, in his words, the pressure should be continued.

FACTBOX: Collective Security Treaty Organization

The Collective Security Treaty came into force on April 20, 1994 to herald the emergence what would eventually become the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The six member-countries are Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan

Ukrainian drones continue to fly over Zaporozhye NPP — press service

On April 19, the Ukrainian military attacked the training center of Zaporozhye NPP again, but the drone was neutralized over the roof of the building

No plans to ‘get involved in combat role’ in Ukraine, White House official says

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

The first Konteiner radar went on combat duty in the Volga area region of Mordovia on December 1, 2019

Russia handed over draft agreement to Ukraine on April 15, still no response — diplomat

"Many things, stated both in public space and at the negotiations table, have been immediately debunked by Kiev, sometimes within an hour or even 15 minutes," Maria Zakharova noted

Lavrov labels way West ramping up sanctions against Russia as mindless

According to the foreign minister, Russia has decided not to depend on the West in all spheres, including those in which it can limit the country's development

Ukrainian president admits Russian troops’ advancement

Vladimir Zelensky asked his country’s supporters to provide "everything that helps to hold the frontline," including shells, military vehicles and drones

Operational tactical group North HQ destroyed, DPR’s People’s Militia

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Russia’s export duty on wheat to be $37.42 per metric ton from April 24

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Putin signs law on holding World Friendship Games

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West wants to make Transnistria hotbed of tension — Lavrov

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West frightens voters by 'Russian threat' to win elections — Lavrov

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Russia bans 235 Australian local government officials from entering country — MFA

"Taking into account the fact that Canberra does not intend to give up its anti-Russian course and continues to introduce new sanctions, work on updating the Russian stop list will continue," the ministry said

US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace 13 times in past day

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Russia's revenues from oil exports remain high despite price ceiling — IMF

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Russian instructors help train over 10,000 Central African troops — CAR president

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Final statement by G7 top diplomats to call for supplying more air defenses to Kiev

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Russia to begin next week clinical trials of anti-COVID-19 vaccine for children

This is for the age group of 6 to 11 years old

French, US, British nukes all interwoven — Russian diplomat

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Ukrainians abroad storming embassies to avoid mobilization, Russian diplomat says

On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky signed the mobilization law passed by the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) in the second and final reading on April 11

Mauritania needs Russian experience in growing grain-crops — Agriculture Minister

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Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Egypt’s Ambassador talk BRICS cooperation, arms control

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US assured Israel that Iranian drones will be intercepted — US journalist Hersh

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"The United States and the United Kingdom were reluctant to even discuss it, citing lack of unified approach to the incident during the session," Dmitry Polyansky said

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

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Iran suspends flights above several cities amid reports of air attack — IRNA

Fox News said the Jewish state delivered a limited strike on Iran

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Russian forces destroy Ukrainian command post, two S-300 missile launchers over day

Russian forces improved their frontline positions and repelled a Ukrainian army counterattack in the Donetsk area where the enemy lost roughly 590 troops over the past day, the ministry reported

Iran has no plans to immediately retaliate to attack on its soil — agency

"We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack," a senior Iranian official reported

Russia open to help resolve situation in Sudan — ambassador

Andrey Chernovol recalled that the Russian embassy is currently located in the temporary capital of Sudan, Port Sudan, and diplomats are in contact with the country's official authorities

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

Ivan Paskar is charged with illegally transporting explosive substances, but he does not recognize his guilt

Russia to scrap moratorium on intermediate missiles if US deploys them anywhere — MFA

Sergey Ryabkov said the US seeks to maintain military superiority in a great variety of areas

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

Emmanuel Macron added that Europe’s resources are limited, and the European Union will continue helping Kiev keeping in mind its own reserves

Russian government increases customs duties on beer from unfriendly countries

This measure is not a prohibitive one and will make it possible to make competitive conditions equal for Russian producers, the ministry said

Russian economy proves resilience amid large-scale sanctions — IMF

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KazMunayGas, Sibur, Sinopec sign protocol on plant construction in Kazakhstan

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Proposals on Russian assets confiscation undermine financial system — Finance Minister

Russia urges the International Monetary Fund to resume the effort of improving the global monetary and financial system, Anton Siluanov noted

G7 leaders to decide on Russian assets use — Italian Deputy PM

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Armenia’s relations with Russia not at their highest — top diplomat

Ararat Mirzoyan also said that Yerevan is currently making efforts to expand cooperation with the European Union and the United States

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Lavrov views situation in Middle East as 'very bad'

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Russian stock indices rising on Friday

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Unidentified man attempts suicide outside courthouse where Trump trial is underway

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Swiss parliament votes against joining task force on frozen Russian assets

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Polish premier refuses to hand over his country’s Patriot systems to Ukraine

Donald Tusk said that German Chancellor’s call to send more air defense systems to Kiev had no relation to Poland, provided the country's geographical position near the frontline

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Ukrainian trace obvious in Crocus City Hall attack — Russian prosecutor general

The law enforcement employees exert efforts to identify the instigators of this crime, Igor Krasnov said

West can’t comprehend Russia’s resilience — Lavrov

"They would have been scared had anyone come down on them with similar ferocity," the Russian foreign minister added

Three Ukrainian soldiers swim across Dnieper to surrender to Russian troops — governor

Vladimir Saldo called on other Ukrainian servicemen to switch to the Russian side and request the corresponding assistance

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

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Russia forms Moscow, Leningrad military districts amid NATO expansion

"Two new strategic territorial units of the armed forces - the Moscow and Leningrad military districts are being created in response to NATO’s expansion," Valery Gerasimov specified

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"The Hungarian community’s opportunities to use its native language in the fields of education, culture, media and self-governance have been significantly limited," Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto specified

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"This military whirlpool can drag Europe to the bottom. Brussels is playing with fire and angering God," the Hungarian prime minister said

BRICS’ expansion makes it much stronger — senior Russian diplomat

Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia, became full-fledged members of BRICS from January 1, 2024

Russia delivers 34 strikes on Ukrainian military infrastructure over week — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost more than 3,550 troops, four tanks and five armored combat vehicles in battles with Russian forces in the Donetsk area over the past week, the ministry reported

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

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

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Russian forces destroy Ukrainian army’s aircraft park near Nikolayev — defense ministry

"Big fuel depots in Konstantinovka, Nikolayev region, Slavut, Rovno region, and Ternopol were hit by high-precision air-based missiles," he said

Musk says he will not vote for Biden in presidential election

The billionaire commented on his interview with CNBC, published in May last year, when Musk said that he voted for Biden in the 2020 elections

US volunteer Russel Bentley missing in Donetsk killed — RT editor-in-chief

Bentley came to Donbass from the United States in 2014

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

Robert Fico believes Moscow will win in its confrontation with Kiev

Russia not to go for settlement on Ukraine based on 'Zelensky formula' — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat referred to a swindling trick used by a thimblerigger who puts a small round object, such as a ball or pea, under one of three thimbles or cups and asks the player to guess under which the object is, while unfairly manipulating this object

FSB declassifies archival evidence on Nazi executions of Poles, Katyn case

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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

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Lavrov speaks of West’s agony, Russia’s approach to any future talks with Kiev

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Press review: Biden backs aid to Israel, Ukraine and Russia assets giving West legal fits

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, April 19th

Iran done with retaliation, calls for efforts to stop Israel from reckless steps — MFA

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"

Revenues from NWF investments in financial assets reach $3.9 bln in 2023

The return on investing NWF resources recognized as the basket of authorized foreign currencies and gold in the depersonalized form totaled 0.14% per annum in 2023

Russian military base may appear in CAR’s eastern region — President Touadera

According to the president, this step will help strengthen his country’s defense potential and contribute to bolstering the national armed forces’ capabilities

Russia won’t allow NATO to move closer in Ukraine — Lavrov

There is still no full clarity regarding the future of Ukraine's western regions, the Russian foreign minister went on to say

Russia’s sanitary watchdog trains African colleagues on using mobile labs

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World’s anti-doping agency WADA still waits for Russia’s 2023 financial contribution

Russian Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin said in February that the Russian side had agreed with WADA to pay the membership fee for the year of 2023

US blocks Security Council resolution granting full UN membership to Palestine

A total of 12 countries, including Russia and China, voted in favor of the document

NATO discussing transfer of ‘deep precision strike capabilities’ to Ukraine — Stoltenberg

Stoltenberg said NATO believes Ukraine has the right to strike "legitimate military targets" inside Russia

Armenia has to define CSTO’s zone of responsibility on its territory, says Lavrov

On March 12, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Yerevan asked its CSTO partners to answer where the CSTO's zone of responsibility in the republic was

US gives nod to Israeli operation in Rafah in exchange for canceling major attack on Iran

According to the media outlet, "the US administration will support the plan for a military operation in Rafah put forward earlier," which provides for dividing the city into numbered sectors that will be mopped up one by one

Russia’s defense chief inspects production of tanks, flamethrowers at Siberian enterprise

Sergey Shoigu handed down an instruction for the defense enterprise to ramp up the production of T-80BVM tanks, the Defense Ministry said

Switzerland does not suit Russia for negotiations on Ukraine — Lavrov

The Foreign Minister pointed to the fact that Switzerland is on board with all Western sanctions

US House passes procedural vote on Ukraine aid bill

It cannot be ruled out that the House of Representatives may pass this package as early as Saturday

Russia might register coronavirus vaccine by end of summer - expert

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Russian economy positively influences neighboring countries — Deputy PM

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One crew member of jet crashed in Stavropol Region killed, search for another continues

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Caucasus Investment Forum to take place in Grozny this year — organizer

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Israel may have used banned white phosphorus munitions while shelling Lebanon — TV

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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

Russian military closely monitors all Ukrainian 'novelties' — Kremlin on UAVs

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Indonesia cancels forty flights due to volcano eruption — Internet portal

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Zelensky's presidential powers to expire May 21 — Ukrainian legislator

Alexander Dubinsky argues that the only situation where the president can continue to fulfill his duties after the expiration of his term is the period until the president-elected takes office

Iran may target Israeli nuclear center in Dimona in case of Israel’s attack — TV

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