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Magnitude 5.7 earthquake occurs in Afghanistan

No injuries or damage have been reported

DOHA, October 16. /TASS/. A magnitude 5.7 earthquake has been registered in Afghanistan, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC) announced.

According to the EMSC, the epicenter was located 40 km away from the settlement of Jorm, population 12,000, and 190 km deep.

No injuries or damage have been reported.

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Over 60 people detained in Interpol’s sweeping anti-terrorism operation

"The operation focused on identifying and analyzing the movement patterns of Foreign Terrorist Fighters and people with links to terrorism as well as criminal groups responsible for cross-border crimes such as drug trafficking, weapons smuggling and human trafficking," the international police organization’s press service said

Ukraine’s Zelensky rules out territorial concessions in his so-called settlement plan

Other key provisions of the plan include inviting Ukraine to join NATO, allowing the country to strike deep into Russia, increasing arms supplies to Ukraine

Russian Airborne Force snipers daily destroy Ukrainian manpower in borderline Kursk area

Sniper pairs pay special attention to camouflaging their positions

Bundestag lawmaker calls Zelensky’s initiative a 'world war plan'

According to Sevim Dagdelen, the German government must deny such an initiative

Zelensky’s so-called victory plan has two secret annexes that won’t be made public

The public part of the third provision spoke about the deployment of a kind of "comprehensive non-nuclear strategic deterrence package" on the territory of the country

Russian forces liberate two communities in Donbass region over past day

Battlegroup Center units liberated the settlement of Krasny Yar in DPR and battlegroup West units liberated the settlement of Nevskoye in LPR as a result of active offensive operations

Russia-China cooperation on the rise despite external pressure, PM says

Moscow and Beijing are also creating new international transport corridors and paying special attention to agriculture and strengthening food security in Russia and China, Mikhail Mishustin noted

Over 1,300 children wounded due to Kiev regime’s actions since 2022 — ministry

"Medical aid was provided to all children who needed it, including advanced treatments," Russian Deputy Health Minister Yevgenia Kotova said

Russian, Chinese sailors practice maritime rescue in East China Sea

In accordance with the scenario of the drills, sailors responded to a mayday call issued by a civilian vessel in the vicinity

Switzerland expands sanctions against Russia — Federal Council

The Federal Council decided to adopt most of the measures in the EU’s 14th package of sanctions against Russia

NATO disintegration is just a matter of time, says Politico

It is reported that the only real question the election will resolve for Europe’s security is the timing of NATO’s collapse

Lavrov, Brazil’ foreign minister discuss BRICS summit, Ukrainian crisis

"Substantive discussion was given to preparations for the 16th BRICS summit to be held in Kazan from October 22-24, as well as certain aspects of the group’s activities," the Russian Foreign Ministry said

Nine counterattacks repulsed: situation in Kursk Region

The Ukrainian military lost more than 350 personnel, twenty-one armored vehicles, including two tanks, three infantry fighting vehicles and 16 armored combat vehicles, as well as five mortars and seven automobiles

Ukrainian troops demoralized, routing on Avdeyevka direction — reconnaissance commander

According to the report, Russian troops slowly, but steadily, approach the city of Pokrovsk

Russian embassy alarmed by anti-Russian sentiments in Germany

The embassy said that "the artificial hysteria in addition to stories about the growing 'hybrid threat' Russia poses result in calls for rapid mobilization in Germany and pumping even more arms and equipment into Ukraine"

Russian Lancet munition destroys Polish-made Krab howitzer in Kharkov Region — top brass

It is reported that data recorders showed the destruction of a Polish-supplied 155mm Krab self-propelled artillery system of the Ukrainian army by a Lancet loitering munition

Murder of military officer in Moscow Region pre-planned

According to the source, the serviceman's car was waiting for him, possibly following his movements

Russian warplanes destroy training base of terrorists in Idlib zone — military

The strikes were delivered with the goal of preventing radical groups from attacking territories controlled by the Syrian government, said Oleg Igansyuk, the deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria

Zelensky unveils his plan without getting West's approval — media

It is reported that Ukrainian officials were expecting a response during a meeting of the contact group on military assistance to Ukraine at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany

Russian industrial producers’ prices up 0.5% in September — statistics

In foodstuffs production, the price hike was 18.2% for m·lange, 17.2% for salmon roe, 13.7% for dairy products, and 12.6% for preserved fish

Kiev realizes liberation of Kupyansk inevitable — official

According to Vitaly Ganchev, this is not the first time that the Ukrainian authorities have carried out a mandatory evacuation

Russian diplomat dubs Zelensky’s plan as 'collection of incoherent slogans'

Maria Zakharova stressed that the Ukrainian president is using his plan to push NATO toward a direct conflict with Russia

Annual inflation in Russia staying at 8.51% over week — Economy Ministry

The inflation pressure remains but certain signs of improvement in the near term are observed, First Deputy General Director of the Center for Strategic Research Gleb Pokatovich said

Russian diplomat says US 'can’t wait to see' things flare up in Korean peninsula

Maria Zakharova was commenting on the US State Department's appeal to North Korea to stop actions that increase the risk of conflict on the Korean peninsula

NATO provided Ukraine with weapons worth $20.9 bln in first half of 2024

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that work is well on track on the pledge of 40 billion euros in military aid for Ukraine next year

Oslo's new requirements paralyze Russian diplomatic missions in Norway — MFA

Maria Zakharova noted that Russia would take this latest unfriendly move into account when shaping its future approach toward Norway

Number of deserters in Ukraine quadruples in 9 months

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Israeli soldiers find 800-meter-long Hezbollah bunker with weapons, bikes in Lebanon

According to the IDF, Hezbollah intended to use this bunker as part of its plan to invade northern Israeli area of Galilee and "deliberately placed an underground command center under a civilian area in southern Lebanon."

IN BRIEF: Enemy losses and surrendering troops: situation in Russia’s Kursk Region

BRICS Kazan summit to challenge Western, US hegemony — Angolan newspaper

The US may soon "leave the stage" since the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East lead to "an overload of Washington’s capabilities," the media said

Over 60 people detained in Interpol’s sweeping anti-terrorism operation

"The operation focused on identifying and analyzing the movement patterns of Foreign Terrorist Fighters and people with links to terrorism as well as criminal groups responsible for cross-border crimes such as drug trafficking, weapons smuggling and human trafficking," the international police organization’s press service said

Pier upgrade at Pacific Fleet base allowed 7 subs to enter service, Russian ministry says

Commander of the Pacific Fleet Submarine Forces Vice Admiral Vladimir Dmitriyev made the statement in a report to Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov as the minister was visiting the Kamchatka Region

More than half of world's energy will be produced with low emissions by 2030 — IEA

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Renowned Italian judo expert Ezio Gamba parts ways with Russian Judo Federation

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Russia, DPRK show opponents that strategic treaty 'not a sheet of paper,' expert says

Commenting on the rumors that have been spreading after Russian President Vladimir Putin introduced a treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership with North Korea to the State Duma for ratification, Alexander Vorontsov pointed out that "the demonization of both countries has been going on consistently and for a long time"

Kalashnikov to start of pre-orders for Ultima cyber rifle

The gun can be pre-ordered online

Iran tells US it wouldn’t respond to 'limited' Israeli strike — report

According to the media, the "behind-the-scenes" message from Iran to the US differs from the Iranian public statements, which threaten a painful response to a possible Israeli strike

Ukrainian troops preparing to retreat from Russia’s borderline Kursk Region — blogger

Russian forces continue operations to destroy Ukrainian army units in the borderline Kursk Region

Ukrainian troops sent to areas seized by Russia to become 'cannon fodder,' POW says

According to the soldier, retreating from the settlement of Karlovka was especially hard for him and his fellow servicemen

Trophy active protection system 'toothless’ against Russian anti-tank weapons, says source

The Trophy active protection system is operational in the Israeli and US armies

Slovak prime minister predicts imminent end of Ukrainian conflict

Robert Fico also noted that "there are talks again about the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO"

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Inflation stood at 8.38% in annual terms as at October 14, 2024

Israeli foreign minister says attack on UN forces in Lebanon happened by accident

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Russian airlines transportation to rise by 5.4% to 72.6 mln in April-October

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US announces $425 mln military assistance package for Ukraine

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Zelensky plan a scheme to pull West into direct standoff with Russia — senior lawmaker

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Israel begins to view UN flag in Gaza as target indicator — Russia’s UN envoy

"It appears that the UN flag is not only failing to protect civilians, humanitarian workers and civilian social infrastructure, but also tends to become a direct target for the IDF," Vasily Nebenzya said

Musk spends over $1 billion to fund failed coup in Venezuela — Maduro

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Magnitude 5.7 earthquake occurs in Afghanistan

No injuries or damage have been reported

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Yevgeny Khotenko noted that he did not want to cross into the Kursk Region

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Israel obstructs Gaza ceasefire deal — Qatari premier

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani added that Qatar will continue its efforts aimed at resolving the conflict

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Scholz says ready to discuss Ukrainian settlement with Putin

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Kiev ready for ceasefire along current front line, without recognizing new border — media

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US, Europe recognize insufficiency of Zelensky's plan — media

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Press review: Kim Jong Un dynamites Seoul links and NATO, US lay plans to deter Russia

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, October 16th

'Nuclear Five' countries meet in New York on October 10, Russian MFA says

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Unknown person kills special op participant who just arrived home

The press service of the Moscow Region Investigative Committee announced that a criminal case has been initiated for murder and illegal arms trafficking in connection with the incident

Ukrainian Defense Ministry reshuffle aims to keep intel chief away from finances — expert

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SCO countries oppose unilateral sanctions undermining trading system

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Zelensky passes off fighting to last Ukrainian as new 'peace plan' — Kremlin

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SCO notes 'tectonic shifts' in global economy due to AI development

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Swedish police request statement from Mbappe amid rape allegations — French TV

Kylian Mbappe's lawyer Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard stated on Tuesday that her client is planning to sue for libel

Bank of Russia increases dollar rate to 97.26 rubles for October 17

The official yuan rate is fixed at 13.59 rubles

Ukrainian front in Kursk area may collapse within month — Russian commander

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One Direction’s former member Liam Payne falls to death in Buenos Aires

He was 31 years old

Putin describes Ukraine as artificial state

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West's endgame to make Moldova part of Romania — Foreign Ministry

"This is a historical battle that has been going on for decades and centuries, and now it has simply reached a new level," Maria Zakharova stated

Russia to give military help to North Korea if it comes under attack — senior diplomat

Andrey Rudenko said clauses to that effect are contained in the treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and North Korea that was submitted to the State Duma for ratification the day before

Ukrainians in Poland show no interest in fighting for Ukraine — Polish defense minister

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Press review: NATO postures with nuke drills and Biden's arms control calls miss mark

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, October 15th

Large-scale war on Korean Peninsula improbable, but escalation will continue — expert

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China ready to cooperate with all nations on nuclear disarmament — minister

China’s commitment to not use weapons of mass destruction first "has become an important consensus and a priority for international arms control" over the past decades, Mao Ning clarified

US-led coalition's aircraft violate Syrian airspace 10 times in past day

In the reported period, The Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria also registered four violations of the December 9, 2019 deconfliction protocols on the part of the coalition

Residents to be obligatory evacuated from Kupyansk in Kharkov Region

According to Oleg Sinegubov, this decision was motivated by "the worsening military situation"

US has no idea what to do about Zelensky — Seymour Hersh

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North Korea says South Korean military behind drone flights over Pyongyang

"The instigators will pay a tough price," Kim Yo Jong noted

Magnitude 6.1 earthquake hits eastern Turkey

According to the report, the quake struck 47 kilometers east of the city of Malatya which has a population of some 441,000

UN peacekeepers say Israeli tank fired at their watchtower in Lebanon

No peacekeepers were hurt in the incident

Ukrainian troops attack volunteers aiding in evacuation of civilians for sport — volunteer

Maria shared a story of Ukrainian forces trying to attack a civilian car carrying eight civilians with a kamikaze drone in the settlement of Krasnooktyabrskoye

Death toll of fuel truck explosion in Nigeria grows to 140

The incident took place in the Jigawa State in the southern part of the country

Russia makes another real peace proposal to Kiev — Putin

Vladimir Putin emphasized that Russia's plan would mean ending the conflict once and for all, not freezing it

Russia urges Argentina not to support Kiev by attending Ottawa conference — envoy

Dmitry Feoktistov pointed out that Russia views the conference as a "blatantly anti-Russian project"

Ukraine loses key road previously used for supplies for forces — security agencies

This will make the situation for the Ukrainian armed forces in this area worse, as well as make it easier for the Russian troops to advance in strategically important areas, the source clarified

Russia’s Su-25 attack aircraft disrupt rotation of Ukrainian forces in Kursk region

After the use of aviation weapons, the crews performed an anti-missile maneuver, releasing decoy flares, and returned to their airfield of departure

Serbia will not join NATO because it cannot forget children killed in 1999 — Vucic

NATO’s aggression against Yugoslavia in 1999 lasted for 78 days

Russian stocks up as Tuesday trading opens

On June 13, the Moscow Exchange suspended trading in the dollar and euro after the US Treasury imposed sanctions against it and the National Clearing Center, part of the Moscow Exchange group

Russian airlines to carry 5.4% passengers in April - October 2024

In summer, Russian airlines carried almost 35 mln passengers