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Berlin hopes Trump will not sign current edition of bill on anti-Russian sanctions

The Europeans are worried over the United States’ plans to use these measures to impose restrictions on cooperation with Russian companies

BERLIN, July 31. /TASS/. German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said on Monday he hopes US President Donald Trump will finally opt not to sign the bill on further anti-Russian sanctions in its current edition.

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Austria to protect its interests if US applies anti-Russian sanctions to EU

"We are glad that the American president has not yet made up his mind what to do with that. He has a possibility to discuss these sanctions with us, to take into account European interests," DPA quoted him as saying during a visit in Belgium.

"I am in a very close contact with my US counterpart," he said, adding that the Europeans hope the US would not act to the prejudice of Europe’s interests.

He described the new round of the anti-Russian sanctions as "illegal" and they are meant "to squeeze Russian gas out of the European market to give room to American gas." "We think it to be an absolutely improper approach," the German top diplomat stressed.

Last the week, the US Senate adopted by an overwhelming majority of 98 against 2 votes a bill toughening the US’ unilateral sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea. Previously, the bill won the majority of votes ($19 against 3) in the House of Representatives. Now, Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act has been referred to President Donald Trump.

The Europeans are worried over the United States’ plans to use these measures to impose restrictions on cooperation with Russian companies under gas pipeline construction projects, pushing Europe to buying US energy resources instead.

Personal devices blasts in Lebanon

Hezbollah leader threatens reprisals to Israel for device explosions, doesn’t say when

On September 17 and 18, numerous explosions of communication devices and other electronic gadgets swept across Lebanon

Gold price reaches new all-time high as Fed cuts interest rate

Prices rose sharply after the US Federal Reserve decided to cut its key interest rate by 0.5 percentage points for the first time in four years to 4.75-5%

Moldova may organize energy blockade of Transnistria — Moldova’s ex-president

"I think the highest risks are linked with gas transit via Ukraine," Igor Dodon said

Putin calls for meeting Russian army’s demand for drones

The Russian leader emphasized that "drones of various classes have already become an indispensable attribute of modern combat operations"

Israel set up fake pager manufacturing company — media

The newspaper noted that at least two other front companies were set up to conceal the identities of Israeli intelligence officers involved in the operation

Bulgaria denies involvement in supplying pagers detonated in Lebanon

The Bulgarian State National Security Agency said that it had initiated inspections "regarding the involvement of the company registered in Bulgaria" in cooperation with relevant agencies

First MC-21 flight in fully imported version expected this year — minister

The domestic MC-21 is the most promising aircraft for international markets, Anton Alikhanov said

Press review: Russia moves to boost its army and Zelensky to present victory plan to Biden

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, September 17th

Iran pledges to take measures in response to attack on ambassador in Lebanon

Iran’s Permanent Mission to the UN said that "the continued terrorist actions and violations of international law by the Israeli regime pose a serious threat to international peace and security"

Biden plans to travel to Germany in mid-October — report

The German government and the White House declined to comment on the report to the NTV

Hungarian BAC company denies involvement in pager blasts in Lebanon — media

BAC Consulting has blocked access to its website following claims by Gold Apollo, the Hungarian Telex website reported

Kremlin spokesman explains why Kremlin has resumed publications on YouTube

It was done in order to have more possibilities to reach foreign audiences, Dmitry Peskov said

Expulsion of British diplomats from Moscow a logical response to London — Russian embassy

"In the context of the discussion of the current situation in bilateral relations, Andrey Kelin, at the request of the British side, explained the motives behind the Russian side’s decision," the statement reads

Russian units strike energy facilities of Ukrainian military-industrial complex

Russia’s battlegroup Center has continued to advance into enemy defenses and wiped out more than 500 Ukrainian servicemen over the past 24 hours, the Defense Ministry said

Two-thirds of Abrams tanks in Ukraine already destroyed — Russia’s deputy OSCE envoy

As Maxim Buyakevich noted, the discussion is afoot in the West about the possibility of using high-accuracy long-range weapons against facilities deep inside Russian territory

Moldova stepping up pressure on Transnistria under pretext of EU integration — Tiraspol

"Citing the EU standards, Moldova plans to toughen imports of all types of packaged merchandise, including food, to Transnistria," Transnistrian foreign ministry said

Ukrainian breakthrough attempts thwarted: developments in Kursk Region

The Russian military repelled three attempts by the Ukrainian military to break through the border near Novy Put, Malaya Obukhovka and Medvezhye

Turkish banks want to stop transactions with Russia, transfer them to one bank — source

The issue reportedly concerns private and state-owned Turkish banks that do not have foreign partners, mainly Western ones

Putin examines kamikaze drones, unmanned systems at St. Petersburg defense plant

The Russian president was accompanied by Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Maxim Oreshkin and Presidential Aide Alexey Dyumin

Exploding pagers disrupt Hezbollah’s communications network — ex-CIA operative

According to Robert Baer, the pager attack rendered the Lebanese Shia group unable to coordinate operations effectively, giving Israel a significant strategic advantage

Moscow categorically disagrees with Armenian PM’s criticism of CSTO — Kremlin

"The CSTO cannot and does not pose any threat to Armenia’s sovereignty," Dmitry Peskov stressed

Press review: Hezbollah pagers attack threatens wider war and Russia ready to test nukes

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, September 18th

Turkey’s top diplomat confirms Ankara seeks to join BRICS

Ankara always looks for new opportunities to expand its trade and economic cooperation anyway, Hakan Fidan added

Lebanon blasts must be thoroughly investigated — Russian Duma speaker

In Vyacheslav Volodin's opinion, the possibility of mass production of "such ‘weapons’ takes terrorism to a new level"

West is persuading Ukraine to give up claims to 1991 borders — legislator

Yegor Chernev shared a "feeling" that the Western world is ready to declare as a victory for Ukraine at least the fact that "Kiev has not fallen" and that it "has not lost its sovereignty"

Japanese company probing into reports that its walkie-talkies exploded in Lebanon

The company said that it received information that walkie-talkies with its logo had exploded in Lebanon and promised to share the results of the probe

Senior Russian lawmaker warns that calls for long-range strikes open way to nuclear war

Vyacheslav Volodin commented on a recent resolution of the European Parliament to allow strikes inside Russia with Western weapons

Russian forces take control of two settlements in Kursk Region

According to Major General Apty Alaudinov, the entire frontline in moving forward, with Ukrainian soldiers surrendering

Seoul warns Russia, North Korea of consequences if they threaten its security

Yoon Suk Yeol told ahead of his visit to the Czech Republic, where he said he plans to discuss Russia’s cooperation with North Korea, as well as Pyongyang’s nuclear missile program

New wave of explosions in Lebanon affects personal devices, including phones — TV

According to the report, radios, phones, fingerprint devices, as well as devices working on solar and lithium-ion batteries exploded in different regions of the country

Six people died of hunger in Kharkov Region after Ukraine blocked supply routes — official

Yevgeny Lisnyak said the victims were mostly elderly people who struggle to take care of themselves

Russia increases size of armed forces to staff new military districts — Putin

The decree will come into force on December 1,

Import-substituted SJ-100 to make about 200 test flights in 2025 — minister

"We are actually waiting for permission to conduct flight tests," Anton Alikhanov said

Expert: Demand for Far Eastern, Arctic hectares is growing

More than 140,000 people have participated in the program, and more than 92,000 hectares of land have been allocated for free

Russia destroys key Ukrainian highways leading to DPR’s Krasnoarmeysk — security forces

As a result, according to the security services, Krasnoarmeysk has been virtually cut off from supplies

Putin extends food embargo on imports from Western countries for two years

The food embargo, introduced in response to the unfriendly actions of the West, has been in effect in Russia since August 7, 2014

Russia’s battlegroup Center repels 9 Ukrainian attacks, inflicts over 510 enemy casualties

According to the report, the enemy sustained more than 510 casualties and lost two vehicles, a Msta-B 152mm howitzer, a D-30 122mm howitzer, a US-made M101 105mm artillery mount and a Rapira 100mm anti-tank gun

FACTBOX: What is known about shooting at Wildberries office in central Moscow

The shooting took place at the entrance to the Wildberries office in the Romanov Dvor business center, the emergency services reported

First five Baikal aircraft will be delivered in 2026 — minister

"It has been decided that we will switch to the domestic VK-800 engine," Anton Alikhanov said

European Parliament urges end to restrictions on strikes on Russia with Western weapons

In addition, the EU member states and NATO allies are asked to "collectively and individually commit to supporting Ukraine militarily, with no less than 0.25% of their GDP annually"

Israeli attacks Hezbollah facilities, red lines: Middle East escalation

The constant shelling of the Lebanon-Israel border continued amid Israel's operation in the Gaza Strip

Israel behind Hezbollah walkie-talkie explosions — media

According to the sources, the walkie-talkies were stuffed with explosives in advance by Israeli intelligence and then supplied to Hezbollah as par of the emergency communication system to be used during combat operations with Israel

Global challenges should be solved through joint effort, says Putin

The Russian leader said that the Eurasian Women’s Forum is "one of the more prestigious international venues which showcases the potential and opportunities of modern women"

US Treasury sanctions two banks from Russia and South Ossetia

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Bulgarian company may have shipped pagers used in Lebanon blasts, says news portal

According to its information, the Budapest-registered BAC Consulting served merely as an intermediary with the Taiwanese company, while the Sofia-based company was directly involved in purchasing the devices

US House of Representatives fails to pass government funding bill until March 2025

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Death toll from walkie-talkie blasts in Lebanon up to 20 — health ministry

According to the ministry’s bulletin posted on its Telegram channel, the number of those wounded has increased to 460

Ukrainian forces in difficult situation in Kursk Region, try gain foothold — commander

Major General Apty Alaudinov added that, on Thursday, he visited the rightmost flank of the Russian troops on the Kursk direction - near cities of Rylsk and Lgov

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Explosions of portable radios, phones and other devices running on lithium-ion batteries and solar batteries were recorded in different regions of Lebanon

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Alexander Lukashenko stressed that by cooperating with the DPR, Belarus "is absolutely not violating any international norms"

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Aide to the Russian health minister Alexey Kuznetsov noted that 15 more people were being examined by doctors

Harris may meet with Zelensky next week — agency

According to the sources, Zelensky also hopes to meet with US President Joe Biden in New York

NATO was called obsolete, braindead in past 10 years — Stoltenberg

"During my time as Secretary General, the relevance of NATO has been questioned," Jens Stoltenberg noted

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"Of special concern for us are security risks stemming from the continuing terrorist activities of the Islamic State Afghan wing," Vasily Nebenzya said

In contrast to Lebanon pager attacks in Russia impossible — expert

Anton Nemkin explained that nowadays almost all the functions that pagers once performed have been completely taken over by smartphones, messengers, social networks and e-mail

Israeli military chief endorses defensive, offensive plans for country’s north

Israeli forces are on high alert in the north of the country, Halevi said following the meetings

Russia firmly committed to principles of UN Charter unlike West — Lavrov

In this context, the foreign minister noted with appreciation that the position of Russia enjoys "the broadest support from like-minded BRICS countries and other states of the world majority"

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According to the investigation, the accused women were members of the Islamic Liberation Party international terrorist organization

Russia strongly condemns unprecedented attack on Lebanon, its citizens — MFA

"In all likelihood the organizers of this high-tech attack purposefully sought to foment a large-scale armed confrontation with the aim to provoke a major war in the Middle East," Maria Zakharova said

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The chain's owner Alexander Govor said in early September that Vkusno I Tochka was ready to open restaurants in the Chinese city of Heihe and is waiting for the US company's decision on this issue

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Explosives in Lebanon pagers undetectable by import-control equipment — report

Sources in the Lebanese security forces told the television channel that the explosives were planted in the pagers by the Israeli Military Intelligence and Mossad

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Kiev believes these measures would increase pressure on Moscow in military, economic, political, and diplomatic terms

Russian National Guard eliminates about 30 Ukrainian vehicles in Kursk Region

The National Guard noted that its troops provide extra protection measures for important state facilities

Putin instructs authorities to support small producers of drones

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Russian forces move to better positions in Zaporozhye Region — politician

The Russian forces are making progress in the Orekhov direction near Malaya Tokmachka, Novodanilovka, and Marfopol

Tver region governor says no serious injuries in drone attack on Toropets

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Russian aviation wipes out base of Ukrainian militants in DPR — expert

The Russian Aerospace Forces delivered a strike with a glide munition

US mistaken if it thinks nuclear conflict would affect Russia, Europe only — diplomat

Anatoly Antonov reiterated that there must never be a nuclear war and that there can be no winners in any nuclear conflict

Trump says may meet with Zelensky next week — agency

Republican presidential candidate did not say however where and when this meeting might take place

Ukraine lost in conflict with Russia, says Iranian lawmaker

Abolfazl Zohrevand pointed out that the country’s Foreign Ministry has repeatedly denied allegations of arms sales

Untrained Ukrainian soldiers seen deserting `en masse’ near Kremennaya — expert

The majority of freshly mobilized Ukrainian soldiers have no military specialty record, Andrey Marochko stressed

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US afraid Israel may launch offensive in Lebanon — media

The newspaper emphasized that Israel had deployed a military contingent of thousands of special forces and paratroopers from the south to the north of the country

West needs to sacrifice Zelensky to avoid World War III — politician

Viktor Medvedchuk emphasized that Russia may intensify its attacks on Ukraine which practically lacks its own air force or nuclear weapons

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The explosion occurred in a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado off-road vehicle parked on Korovinskoye highway in the north of Moscow, when the driver started the SUV

Rising number of dead foreigners in Ukraine proves West's involvement — envoy to UN

"We have warned from the beginning that those who help the Zelensky clique stay afloat will become our legitimate targets," Vasily Nebezya reminded

Russian troops entrenched in liberated settlements of Kursk Region’s Sudzha District

According to commander of the Akhmat special forces unit Apty Alaudinov, the situation is under control

NATO sets new tasks for Tallinn in event of conflict with Russia — Estonian General Staff

Major General Vahur Karus noted that, as opposed to a decade ago, Estonia can unequivocally count on allied units, stationed on its soil, to immediately participate in a conflict with Russia

Member of Yemen’s presidential council arrives in Moscow — agency

According to the Yemeni news agency, Saleh is expected to hold a number of meetings with Russian officials during his visit, which will last a few days

Harris holds slim lead over Trump in latest poll

According to the poll, 50% of its participants are ready to support Harris at the presidential election, with 48% of those polled supporting Trump

US strengthens military alliances, groups against China — Chinese Foreign Ministry

"China seeks friendly cooperation with all countries of the world and normal relations with other states without targeting third parties," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian said

Experience gained in special op thoroughly studied to boost army capabilities — Putin

"We focus attention on the technical rearmament of the army and navy," the Russian leader underlined

Israeli intel officials sent messages in Arabic to pagers before they exploded — media

According to the report, the officers assumed that some pager owners believed the messages were from the supreme leadership of the Shiite Hezbollah movement

North Korea test launches new short-range ballistic missile

The launch was carried out on September 18 to test its accuracy at a distance of up to 320 kilometers, KCNA said

UK Foreign Office summons Russian envoy over expulsion of diplomats from Moscow

The Russian Embassy in London has not yet commented on Andrey Kelin's summons to the Foreign Office

Two people killed, seven injured in shooting in downtown Moscow

The list of wounded includes two law enforcement officers who arrived at the site to stop criminal actions

Pashinyan's words about CSTO posing threat to Armenia cause concerns — expert

"His ill-considered and reckless policy of reorienting Armenia strategically away from Russia and toward the West has been one of the main issues on which I have focused my critical attention," Arman Grigoryan stressed

Snowden said exploding pagers in Lebanon likely to be stuffed with explosives

Former NSA employee and whistleblower blamed Israel for this, slamming its actions as reckless, bordering on terrorism

European Parliament calls for arrest warrant for Maduro

The lawmakers recognized Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as the legitimate president of Venezuela and urged EU member countries to do the same

Zaluzhny objected to attacking Russia’s Kursk Region — media

Russia’s tactical successes and ongoing offensive in Donbass cause big losses in the Ukrainian army, Politico said, citing the Ukrainian military

Peace talks between Russia, Ukraine unlikely to happen in near future — DPR head

As Denis Pushilin noted, for now the word "peace" is interpreted in different ways, but everything should end in negotiations sooner or later

Ukrainian servicemen captured: developments in Kursk Region

Over the day, Ukraine lost up to 400 troops and 23 armored vehicles

In case of deep strikes Russia to respond with more powerful weapons — Duma speaker

According to Vyacheslav Volodin, it is crucial for the parliaments of the United States and European countries to "understand and realize what can happen"

Lukashenko confirms readiness to develop cooperation with DPR

The Belarusian leader emphasized that the DPR could count on Belarus when it came to restoring and developing the region

Zelensky may be overthrown if Ukraine fails to hold elections — Ukrainian MP

Ukraine is still facing the question of the legitimacy of power in the absence of parliamentary and presidential elections, which cannot be held during martial law