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Middle East and North Africa

OPCW-UN mission of destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons finish work in Syria by June 30

The mission would keep a flexible approach depending on the development of situation

© ЕРА/LOCAL COMMITEE OF ARBEEN/HANDOUT

THE HAGUE, November 15, 23:37 /ITAR-TASS/. The joint mission of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the United Nations for the destruction of Syria's chemical weapons plans to finish its work in Syria by the scheduled date - June 30, 2014, Sigrid Kaag, the head of the mission, said on Friday.

She said the mission would keep a flexible approach depending on the development of situation but sought to fulfill its tasks by June 30.

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Middle East and North Africa

Military operation in Ukraine

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

Swiss parliament votes against joining task force on frozen Russian assets

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

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Ukrainian drone attack damages four houses in Russia’s Voronezh

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Russia expects Armenia to clarify 'military, political accords' with US, EU — diplomat

Maria Zakharova noted that Moscow would not be surprised if it turned out that the US and the EU had imposed their plans on Yerevan

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Dmitry Peskov underscored that Moscow has already made its position clear on this matter

Ukrainian president admits Russian troops’ advancement

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

Russia says its forces repel four Ukrainian counterattacks in Kupyansk area

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Water in Kurgan above dam, breaking records

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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"

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G7 foreign ministers set to call on all sides to exercise restraint in Middle East

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Israel will "most likely" respond to the recent Iranian attack

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

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

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Ukrainian military reportedly uses HIMARS rocket launcher to attack Gorlovka

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Iran to review nuclear doctrine in case of Israeli aggression — IRGC

Ahmad Haghtalab pointed out that the Iranian Army and other security forces protect Iranian nuclear facilities using the most advanced equipment, so "national nuclear centers are completely safe"

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

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

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Russian government approves draft agreement on military cooperation with DRC

It provides for the organization of joint drills and exercises, participation in and monitoring drills at the invitation of relevant agencies, visits by warships and warplanes at an invitation or request, training of the military and other formats of cooperation

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

Cooperation between Moscow and Beijing in the military-technical sphere contributes to enhancing security of Russia and China and "is not directed against third countries," Maria Zakharova stressed

Kiev continues to openly announce terrorist attacks on Russia — diplomat

Maria Zakharova also pointed to the fact that Ukraine's special services do not give up attempts to "massacre their former compatriots"

Ukrainian president signs law tightening mobilization rules

According to Rada Deputy Speaker Alexander Korniyenko, some of the law’s provisions will take effect after its publication, while most of them will enter into force in a month

Ukrainian military under constant gunfire by Russian troops near Urozhainoye, says POW

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

Ukrainian nationalists in Mariupol used maternity hospital as their base — Lavrov

Earlier, Russian delegation presented evidence at a session of the UN Security Council that the maternity hospital in question had long been seized by the Azov battalion and other radicals and all expectant mothers and all nurses had been driven out of it

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

The country faces the task of doubling the flow of passengers in excursion trains by 2030 compared with 2023, while Russian Railways sets tripling the number of passengers as a goal, Ivan Kolesnikov noted

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

Kazakhstan to sign new agreement with Russia on border checkpoints

The previous intergovernmental agreement dated December 23, 1998 on checkpoints through the Kazakh-Russian state border will cease to have effect on the effective date of the new document

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 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"

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’s military loses positions near Avdeyevka, says DPR

Igor Kimakovsky said that Ukrainian forces suffered heavy casualties among personnel and military hardware, including Western equipment

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Throughput capacity of railroads to Subarctic ports to be 110 mln tons — governor

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North Korean leader arrives at public event in Aurus luxury car gifted by Putin

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

Nikol Pashinyan pointed out that the demarcation process also involves risks, but they are manageable, after which "Armenia will become ten times stronger"

New US bill calls for $26 bln in assistance to Israel

The bill also includes a proposal to earmark $2.4 billion to fund US Armed Forces operating in the Middle East in response to threats against Israel

Press TV reports all of Iran's hypersonic missiles hit intended targets in Israel

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Russian sovereignty over southern Kuril Islands indisputable, diplomat says

Maria Zakharova pointed out that the southern Kuril Islands were an integral part of Russia under international law based on the outcome of World War II

Agents in Ukrainian, Poland foil attempt to kill Zelensky, security officials in Kiev say

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Colombian president displays interest in country’s entry into BRICS

Brazilian leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva welcomed Gustavo Petro’s initiative, "being committed to promotion of Colombia’s candidacy"

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

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

The Russian defense minister has given his instructions to speed up the introduction of promising weapons that have been tested in the special military operation zone into service with the Russian Army

Gazprom CEO and Belarus’ Ambassador to Russia discussed Russian gas supplies — company

OJSC Gazprom Transgaz Belarus is a 100% subsidiary of PJSC Gazprom in the Republic of Belarus

West militarizes South Caucasus, buries hope for region’s peaceful future — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova emphasized that the result of efforts by external actors as represented by NATO in the South Caucasus would inevitably lower the degree of trust in the region and escalate armed confrontation

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

The two other State Duma members mentioned in the verdict alongside Karpov are Viktor Kazakov and Georgy Karlov

Russia can join top three countries by lithium reserves — governor

Infrastructure is required to implement the investment project, both power transmission lines and the railroad, Andrey Chibis noted

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

Investments in Subarctic region to be over $32.6 bln in next decade — governor

Murmansk authorities said earlier that the capacity of the port of Lavna under construction on the western coast of the Kola Bay is planned to be involved in transshipping export cargoes from Belarus

Pipeline explodes in Kharkov Region

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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

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"

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

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Argentina applies for status of NATO’s global partner

"We will keep working to rebuild ties that will enable us to upgrade and train our forces in accordance with NATO standards," Luis Petri noted

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

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

Anatoly Antonov has urged the US "not to open Pandora's Box" and follow Russia’s suit "by taking all necessary steps to ensure global stability and predictability"

Vologda Region to present its stand at SPIEF first time

The organizers will present multimedia and interactive materials on main sectors of the regional economy

Serial production of missiles for S-500 air defense systems begins in Russia — source

State trials of S-500 are under way at a testing range in southern Russia

Germany moves to exclude Russia from concentration camp liberation celebrations

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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

MiG-31I fighters receive air refueling system

Another source said MiG-31I differs from previous MiG-K option by "different engines, avionics and missiles"

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

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

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Russian prosecutor general accuses US of imposing illegitimate sanctions

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Russian-Turkish monitoring center in Karabakh ceases to operate — Ankara official

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

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

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

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

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Press review: Iran fires back at Israel and Russia, West spar over AI rulebook

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, April 15th

Over 40 nations want to join BRICS — Russian lawmaker

According to Grigory Karasin, many BRICS members share the opinion that the association should be in no hurry to adopt a strict charter, "seeing how counterproductively and even provocatively the European Union is acting"

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

Yury Popov said that aircraft of the so-called international anti-terrorism coalition, led by the United States, continue to set dangerous precedents in skies above Syria

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

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