{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Updated at:

Voter turnout at elections to European Parliament nears unprecedented 51%

The procedure of direct elections to the European Parliament was introduced in 1979 and the turnout at the first elections marked the figure of 61.99%

© AP Photo/Olivier Matthys

BRUSSELS, May 26. /TASS/. The 2019 Elections to the European Parliament prompted an over 50% turnout of voters in the European Union’s member states and it was an increase against the turnout in the 2014 elections, a spokesman for the European Parliament told journalists.

According to him, the turnout in all of 28 member states, including Great Britain, totaled 50.5%, which was by eight percent higher compared to the last ballot in 2014.

Leaders of all parties and candidates for the post of the head of the European Commission thanked all citizens of Europe for their involvement commenting on the elections.

The procedure of direct elections to the European Parliament was introduced in 1979 and the turnout at the first elections marked the figure of 61.99%, which declined ever since demonstrating a low interest of Europeans in this project. The year of 1999 registered the lowest-ever turnout of 49.51%

The 2019 European Parliament elections started on May 23 in Great Britain and the Netherlands and the last polling stations were closed in Italy at 23:00 local time on May 26.

According to European experts and media, the declining tendency in voter turnout this year was altered owing to the rapidly growing politicization of the society due to protest manifestations, particularly regarding the yellow vests’ movement, anti-migration protests and numerous rallies in the European cities against the climate change.

Middle East conflict

Death toll from Israeli strikes on Lebanon exceeds 3,500 — health ministry

As many as 143 civilians received wounds during the past day

Russian troops liberate DPR's Leninskoye, Makarovka

Russian army hits Ukrainian energy facilities

Damage to infrastructure reported in southeastern Ukraine

According to Dnepropetrovsk Region Governor Sergey Lysak, damage was reported in the region’s Nikopol District

Press review: Switzerland open to hosting Putin-Trump talks as NATO and EU back Ukraine

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, November 15th

US using Ukraine as instrument for fighting against Russia — Kremlin

Russia still urges the Kiev regime to stop sending its citizens to death and killing Russians in Ukraine, Peskov noted

Putin, Trump have ways to get in contact with each other, Kremlin says

Trump said in an interview with NBC on November 8 that he had not yet spoken to the Russian president after his election win, but allowed for such a possibility

Trump team fears negative impact of allegations against Hegseth — media

According to sources, many in Trump's team are reportedly disappointed

White House dodges question about authorizing strikes on Russia with ATACMS

The New York Times reported on November 17, citing sources, that US President Joe Biden had authorized the use of US-supplied ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes deep inside Russia

Moscow court fines Google $76,002 for refusal to delete banned information

As reported, Google's debt to Russia for administrative offenses has grown to two undecillion (a 36-digit figure) rubles and is increasing every day due to late payment of fines

US permission to strike deep into Russia unlikely to change Ukrainian conflict — NPR

US-based NPR broadcaster notes that the stock of such missiles in Ukraine is limited, since they have already been used during the conflict

Phone conversation between Putin, Scholz lasted one hour — Kremlin

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, marking their first phone conversation since December 2022

Decision on strikes inside Russia seals US puppet Zelensky’s fate — commentator

The New York Times reported earlier, citing sources, that US President Joe Biden had authorized the use of US-made ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes inside Russia

China’s new microwave weapon can scorch low-orbit satellites — expert

Engineers from China have surmounted obstacles and built a system consisting of seven emitting devices and their experimental firings have confirmed that it can effectively suppress signals of the US GPS and other satellites," Alexander Stepanov said

Russian troops liberate Novoalekseyevka community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr inflicted roughly 70 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed a US-made counterbattery radar station in its area of responsibility over the past day

Ukraine admits responsibility for Odessa missile incident where civilians injured

Ukrainian blogger Anatoly Shary commented on the statement by saying that Ukraine’s air force officials only agreed to recognize this because "the media started posting photos of Patriot wreckage"

Scholz defends his phone talks with Putin as right move

At the same time, Olaf Scholz stated that "nothing has changed" in the Russian leader's position, which he said was "unacceptable"

Russia should respond to Biden’s decision by running nuclear tests, expert argues

Russia has officially stated that it would not resume nuclear tests unless the United States did so first, Dmitry Suslov recounted

Abkhazia’s authorities, opposition take break in settlement talks

Abkhazia’s parliament was expected to consider the ratification of the agreement with Russia on the implementation of investment projects in Abkhazia by Russian legal entities, but the session was canceled after the lawmakers failed to agree upon its agenda

Scholz to stick to his guns, vows not to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine

"This is something for which I cannot and do not want to bear responsibility for," he added

Bundestag analyst says US okays deeper strikes inside Russia due to domestic politics

The New York Times reported on November 17, citing sources, that US President Joe Biden had authorized the use of US-supplied ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes deep inside Russia

Houthis say they attacked Tel Aviv, Ashkelon

According to Sarea, the Houthi drones "successfully hit their targets" in Israel

Russia sees 'freezing' of Ukraine conflict as unacceptable, Kremlin spokesman says

"The conditions that President Putin laid out in June remain fully relevant," Dmitry Peskov said

UNESCO places 34 cultural properties in Lebanon under enhanced protection

These cultural properties - including temples, museums and archeological sites - now benefit from the highest level of immunity against attack

Israel targeted component of Tehran's nuclear program when striking Iran — PM

However, Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged that the strike did not halt Iran's nuclear program entirely

Russia’s top diplomat Sergey Lavrov to participate in G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro

According to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, the minister will hold a series of bilateral talks and meetings on the summit’s sidelines

US is now at war with Russia, Ritter says

According to former US intelligence officer Scott Ritter, the United States "is a direct party to the invasion and occupation of Russian soil," because it helped Kiev plan its incursion into the Kursk Region

US-made projectile strikes to destroy ties between Moscow, Washington — Duma speaker

Vyacheslav Volodin added that these weapons "may cause damage but it will not change the situation on the battlefield"

Pentagon chief believes Ukraine conflict will be resolved through talks

Pentagon chief said that following a meeting with his Australian and Japanese counterparts

Russian army traps Ukrainian troops in Chasov Yar — intelligence center

The official reported that fighters from the 98th Airborne Division were engaged in fierce battles

US communicates its decision to authorize Kiev to strike inside Russia 3 days ago — Axios

These weapons were authorized for use in the Kursk Region only, the news outlet said

Russia inflicts damage on gas production facilities used for Ukraine’s defense industry

Energy facilities backing Ukrainian defense industry extensively attacked

Decision to allow use of long-range weapons against Russia is ‘insane’ — Maduro

"The American imperialism has entered a phase of madness and revenge," the Venezuelan president noted

US military industrial complex seeks to unleash World War III — Donald Trump Jr.

"The Military Industrial Complex seems to want to make sure they get World War 3 going before my father has a chance to create peace and save lives," he said

Secret prisons in Ukraine overseen by Western intelligence — former SBU officer

Alexander Mazur stressed that all the information is reported to the top officials

Ukraine loses almost 10,100 troops while trying to counterattack in LPR last week — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, from November 9 to November 15, the battlegroups North, West and South destroyed 32 Ukrainian tanks, 75 field artillery guns and over 320 different combat vehicles

Over 25 tons of prohibited substances seized by police in Russia in 2024

According to the minister, illegal drug trafficking accounts for more than a third of organized crime in Russia, with drug dealers maintaining international ties

Le Figaro removes statement about France authorizing strikes against Russia

The newspaper has not yet responded to a TASS inquiry asking why the statement was removed

Erdogan to present proposal to freeze Ukraine conflict on current lines at G20 — Bloomberg

The Turkish proposal envisages establishing a demilitarized zone in eastern Donbass and placing international troops there

Ukraine loses up to 420 troops in Kursk area over day — top brass

The Russian troops destroyed two US-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, one German-made Marder infantry fighting vehicle and a German-made 155 mm PzH 2000 howitzer over the past day

Trump to rely on forces that brought him to power — Russian presidential aide

Nikolay Patrushev agreed that Trump, when he was still a candidate, "made many statements critical of the destructive foreign and domestic policies pursued by the current administration"

Netherlands regrets leak of Biden’s decision on strikes inside Russia

Meanwhile, the Netherlands has repeatedly stated that it imposes no restrictions on the use or range of weapons, including F-16 fighter jets, the country is supplying to Kiev

Georgian president calls for new parliamentary elections

Salome Zourabichvili has also called on citizens to continue protesting the results of the October 26 parliamentary elections

US, West use Ukraine as ‘strike force’ against Russia, says North Korean leader

"The global situation is approaching the dangerous threshold," Kim Jong Un said

Over 300 DPR residents killed in attacks by Ukrainian troops since January

According to the report, a total of 1,539 people, including 125 children, received various wounds

Several people injured near Tel Aviv by falling fragments of intercepted missile

The Israeli police did not say however how many people were injured

UK Defense Ministry mum on publications about Storm Shadow missile strikes on Russia

The New York Times reported on November 17 that Biden had authorized the use of US-supplied ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes inside Russia

EU introduces trade sanctions against Iran — statement

According to the document, the measure "is targeted to the use of vessels and ports for the transfer of Iranian-made Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), missiles and related technologies and components"

German Defense Minister confirms plans to deliver 4,000 attack drones to Kiev — DPA

The deliveries are financed by the German government

Putin has already voiced his position strikes inside Russia with US weapons — diplomat

Earlier The New York Times reported that US President Joe Biden has allowed to use US-supplied long-range missiles, known as the Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, to strike inside Russia

US approval of strikes on Russia derails hopes for peace talks — Slovak PM

"Those who support US President [Joe] Biden's decision are in favor of the start of World War III," Robert Fico noted

Strikes inside Russia not discussed by Putin, Scholz — Kremlin spokesman

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called Russian President Vladimir Putin on November 15

Germany to start supplying Ukraine with 'mini-Taurus' attack drones in December — report

A total of 4,000 AI-powered drones are set to be transferred, several hundred every month

Russian, Egyptian diplomats discuss continuing confrontation in Palestine, Lebanon

The diplomats also discussed current issues on the international and regional agenda, including bilateral cooperation within the UN and BRICS, the ministry noted

Top Hungarian diplomat blames West for trying to expand war in Ukraine

Peter Szijjarto pointed out that "the supporters of war in Washington and Brussels have launched a final, desperate attack on the new reality"

Moscow’s response to strikes with Western arms on Russian soil to be felt — diplomat

The New York Times reported on November 17 that US President Joe Biden had authorized the use of US-supplied ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes inside Russia

Biden authorizes use of US long-range weapons to strike inside Russia — media

According to the report, it is not ruled out that Joe Biden may allow to use American missiles to deliver strikes not only on the Kursk Region but also elsewhere in Russia

Army specialists helping Rosatom secure Zaporozhye nuke plant - official

A regiment of radiation, chemical and biological protection troops has been additionally deployed to the plant

Over 80 states join Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty — Brazilian President

The list, which was published by the alliance's press service, includes, in particular, Russia, China, the United States, the African Union and the European Union

Strikes on Ukrainian military sites to prevent launch of missiles — Russian lawmaker

According to Andrey Kartapolov, Russia "will definitely" respond to such a decision by Western countries

Lavrov arrives at G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that Sergey Lavrov will address sessions on combating inequality, hunger, and poverty, as well as on the reform of global institutions

Case against Georgian mercenary, prisoners, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

Twenty-four Ukrainian servicemen surrendered as prisoners of war over the past day

German envoy doubts time is ripe for talks on Ukraine ceasefire

"It’s quite clear that Europe will play its part in resolving" the conflict, Alexander Graf Lambsdorff said

Russian stock indices in the red on Monday — market data

The sentiment on global markets was generally negative as the week starts

Rising stakes and escalation: Reaction to US decision on strikes inside Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has already clarified his position on US long-range missile attacks on targets inside Russia, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented

Putin congratulates Gazprom on completion of work on Nord Stream 2

The gas pipeline is ready for operation, the Russian President said

US Department of State not commenting on other states’ decisions on strikes inside Russia

Earlier, Matthew Miller confirmed that the United States has authorized the use of US-made ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles

Chinese diplomat urges to cool situation in Ukrainian conflict

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian pointed out that Beijing has always encouraged and supported all efforts aimed at the peaceful settlement of the crisis

Ukrainian army attempts to redeploy reserves to DPR — republic’s head

Denis Pushilin specified that the situation in Kurakhovo is hopeless for the Ukrainian army, however, the Ukrainian units have not been ordered to retreat

Fico’s adviser says special military operation underway between US, Russia

Military and financial support provided to Ukraine is not a way of solving the crisis, Mazgut said

Biden sets stage for WW3 by letting use US weapons to attack deep into Russia — senator

Earlier, The New York Times reported, citing sources, that US President Joe Biden had authorized strikes from the territory of Ukraine deep into Russia with ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles

Trump likely to revoke Biden's authorization to attack deep into Russia — magazine

"Nevertheless, there is every possibility Trump will repeal the decision - indeed, his camp has already accused Biden of trying to 'escalate' the conflict", Lisa Haseldine pointed out

Russia, Republic of the Congo sign memorandum of naval cooperation

It is reported that the sides exchanged views on current issues of Russian-Congolese military and defense cooperation, discussed promising joint projects in the defense sphere and outlined ways to implement them

US-led coalition aircraft violate Syrian airspace 14 times in past day

Apart from that, three violations of the deconfliction protocols of December 9, 2019 linked with the flights by the US-led coalition unmanned aerial vehicles were reported

54 countries vote against resolution on combating ne-Nazism

116 countries, including Azerbaijan, Algeria, Armenia, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Cuba, Serbia, and Syria, supported the document

US approving strikes inside Russia not to alter outcome of conflict — Polish minister

Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz added that this decision needed to be made much earlier to have any impact on the battlefield situation

Russian LNG flows to France in record amounts — Bloomberg

However, Bloomberg notes that it is unclear how much of the Russian LNG imported into France is actually consumed there

UN calls for protecting civilians amid reports on US authorizing strikes inside Russia

The New York Times reported on November 17 that US President Joe Biden had authorized the use of US-supplied ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes inside Russia

Situation with strikes deep inside Russia dangerous, as West may get involved — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov said that "these strikes are carried out by those countries that give permission, because targeting, other maintenance is not done by Ukrainian servicemen"

Long-range US missiles in Ukraine to be legitimate target for Russian troops — senator

The potential launch of long-range weapons from Ukrainian territory or elsewhere is defined in detail in Russia’s new nuclear doctrine, Viktor Bondarev noted

Kremlin says decision to launch ATACMS missiles deep into Russia 'escalation of tensions'

Moscow's position should be absolutely clear to everyone, Dmitry Peskov pointed out

Giving Kiev Taurus missiles tantamount to declaring war on Russia — German politician

Sahra Wagenknecht pointed out that the US decision to strike deep into Russia is another step towards a major war

Trump may review Biden’s decision on strikes inside Russia with US missiles

"I suspect most everything will be under review," a member of Trump’s transition team said

Russia awaiting Egypt's ratification of industrial zone agreement — minister

The intergovernmental agreement between Russia and Egypt was signed in 2018

Trump may pressure Ukraine to end war with Russia, Turkish expert suggests

According to Ilter Turan, Ukraine lacks the capacity to sustain its confrontation with Russia for an extended period without support from the US and Europe

US decision to allow strikes inside Russia could trigger global war — Serbian deputy PM

Aleksandar Vulin stressed that such an action leads to "devastating consequences for the global community"

Musk doubles down on his opinion about 'endless war' in Ukraine

Earlier, the entrepreneur opined that the bloodshed in Ukraine would end soon

Putin made Russia’s position on long-range missile strikes perfectly clear — Kremlin

The New York Times reported earlier, citing sources, that US President Joe Biden had authorized the use of US-made ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes inside Russia, namely the Kursk Region

West’s decision on missile strikes gives Russia free hand to attack NATO bases — expert

According to Dmitry Suslov, retaliatory measures may include the handover of more advanced weapons to the forces "that are directly fighting against the US, particularly, in the Middle East"

Japan may toughen sanctions against Russia, North Korea over their cooperation — NHK

According to the Japanese broadcaster, Tokyo is concerned that the cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang has allegedly an impact on security in Europe and Asia

Russia could deploy new weapons if Ukraine hits Russia with US missiles, warns senior MP

"It is not out of the question that new weapons systems, which have not yet been used against Ukraine, could be employed," Vyacheslav Volodin said

Biden administration tries to prevent Trump from ending war in Ukraine — expert

Wang Wen called the next few months a "high-risk period" in the conflict

Swedish minister in charge of gender equality suffers from bananaphobia

The phobia is so strong that special precautions need to be taken before her meetings

Lukashenko tells Putin situation is "starting to get tense with Wagner"

The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw

Russia to be excluded from international forum on nuclear reactors — UK Energy Ministry

The report highlights that UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and US Deputy Secretary of Energy David Turk signed an agreement on cooperation in nuclear research and development on the sidelines of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku

Press review: Biden OKs long-range missile use as backlash to Scholz’s Putin call grows

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, November 18th

US State Department doesn’t confirm permission for deeper ATACMS strikes inside Russia

"I'm not going to speak to or confirm any policy changes," Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesman told a news conference

Russian medical institutions receive first homemade osteosynthesis implants

A trial batch of Russia's first bioresorbable rods was sent to hospitals in St. Petersburg, Moscow and Novosibirsk

Bank of Russia lowers dollar rate to 99.94 rubles for November 19

The Central Bank said on June 13 that it would fix official dollar and euro rates against the ruble on the basis of reports of banks on results of transactions in the over-the-counter currency market

West to face 'devastating' response if it allows Kiev to strike deep into Russia — MFA

According to Maria Zakharova, Ukrainian social media accounts are meanwhile speculating that the Zelensky regime plans to present the received Western missiles as Ukrainian, changing the labels to use the weapons to attack Russia

US approving strikes on Russia not to affect decision to withhold Taurus deliveries

German Cabinet Spokesman Wolfgang Buchner added that Chancellor Olaf Scholz "was briefed" on Joe Biden's decision to "support" Kiev with ATACMS missiles

Putin proclaims Odessa Russian city, challenges Ukraine's historical narrative

At the same time, the president noted that once upon a time "Vladimir Lenin gave away the whole of Ukraine when he created the Soviet Union"