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Beirut explosion aftermath: destruction, chaos and search for survivors

At least 100 people were killed and 4,000 wounded in a massive explosion that shook Beirut on August 4

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Scene of an explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon

© AP Photo/Bilal Hussein

A man triying to walk in the mud near the scene of explosion at the Beirut Port, Lebanon

© EPA-EFE/IBRAHIM DIRANI

Smoke is seen after a large explosion rocked the harbor of Beirut, Lebanon

© EPA-EFE/WAEL HAMZEH

Shockwaves from the explosion destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars in Beirut

© EPA-EFE/WAEL HAMZEH

According to the latest data, the explosion killed over 100 people and left more than 4,000 injured

© AP Photo/Hassan Ammar

A man passing a house destroyed by massive explosion in the seaport of Beirut

© AP Photo/Hussein Malla

A two-week state of emergency has been declared in the Lebanese capital

© EPA-EFE/WAEL HAMZEH

Lebanese soldiers searching for survivors after a massive explosion in Beirut

© AP Photo/Hassan Ammar

The authorities announced that August 5 would be a national day of mourning

© AP Photo/Hassan Ammar

A damaged hospital is seen after a massive explosion in Beirut

© AP Photo/Hassan Ammar

A general view of the destroyed port a day after a massive explosion in Beirut

© EPA-EFE/WAEL HAMZEH

Workers removing debris from a damaged restaurant in Beirut

© AP Photo/Hussein Malla

A woman is seen in damaged church, after an explosion in Beirut

© AP Photo/Hussein Malla

A destroyed port after a massive explosion in Beirut

© AP Photo/Hassan Ammar

A powerful blast rocked Beirut’s port area near on August 4. Shockwaves from the explosion destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars. Local authorities say that the blast was caused by the detonation of 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, seized by customs officials in 2015. According to the latest data, the explosion killed over 100 people and left more than 4,000 injured. A two-week state of emergency has been declared in the Lebanese capital. The authorities announced that Wednesday would be a national day of mourning.

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37 Russian, Ukrainian children receive treatment in Qatar — diplomat

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Top Russian security official praises Republika Srpska’s principled position on Ukraine

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Switzerland unblocks Russia-related assets worth 290 mln Swiss francs

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Russian troops destroy four boats with Ukrainian assault force on Dnieper River

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Putin signs law on holding World Friendship Games

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

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UN chief describes current state of climate as ‘preview of disaster’

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Spokesman for the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades Abu Ubaida emphasized that at the moment "the ball is in the court of Israel's allies," but "time and opportunities are limited"

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There were no casualties, egional Governor Igor Artamonov said

France preparing contingent of 2,000 troops to be sent to Ukraine — intelligence chief

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Weapons for new US package for Kiev yet to be found — Ukrainian ambassador

Oksana Markarova explained that $4 billion worth of weapons that was to be provided under the previous decisions still remained undersupplied

Ukraine no longer sovereign state, says Hungarian Prime Minister Orban

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

Russia views the West’s encroachment on its assets as "a blatant and shameless theft for the purpose of lining its pockets," Maria Zakharova noted

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"The Kiev regime has failed to achieve the goals of its counteroffensive prepared by NATO instructors," the defense minister said

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Ukrainian presidential office confirms London’s agrement to Zaluzhny as ambassador

Verkhovna Rada legislator Alexey Goncharenko said on Monday that the UK had granted its agrement to the Ukrainian former Commander-in-Chief

Speakers of EU parliaments back idea of creating rapid response forces

The speakers praised the EU initiative to have its own military capability to "defend the security of its people, their interests and democratic values"

US expert says more ATACMS won't alter battlefield dynamics in Ukraine

"There is no magic weapon, there is no series of weapons that could change this" situation for the Ukrainian armed forces, Scott Ritter said

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Vasily Prozorov said that "it is extremely difficult to count on any better judgement on their part"

Polish opposition party calls for country to host nuclear weapons

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Apty Alaudinov posted a drone video footage of elimination Ukrainian personnel and Russian forces capturing enemy trenches

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According to the law enforcement, the search for the fourth crew member is ongoing

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BAM personifies giant labor and courage of two million very young people from across the entire Soviet Union, the Russian leader said

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Andrey Babenko said that after a crash course in Britain he had been sent to the frontline near Liman

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Minister Sergey Shoigu was also informed beforehand, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

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The aid package includes vehicles, Stinger man-portable air defense system munitions, HIMARS rockets, 155-mm artillery shells, TOW and Javelin anti-tank missiles and other weapons that could be "used at the battlefield immediately"

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Russia presents world’s first hydrogen-fueled luxury car at Innoprom exhibition

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Rodion Miroshnik pointed out that over the past week, Ukrainian forces fired "at least 1,278 rounds of ammunition" at the civilian facilities in the border regions

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Leader of Moldova’s region of Gagauzia supports turning country into federation

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WADA biased towards Valieva due to anti-Russia stance — renowned coach

"Here is the attitude towards our country, the Russian girl, practically a child," Tatiana Tarasova stressed

Gagauzian leader on unity of Moldova’s opposition, ability to watch Russian TV channels

Yevgenia Gutsul underlined that Gagauzia plans to start exporting products to Russia in the near future

US can ship weapons to Ukraine within few days if funding approved — Pentagon

West battlegroup destroys two Ukrainian drones, hit over 170 Ukrainian army’s facilities

The battlegroup’s spokesman Ivan Bigma said that a Gvozdika self-propelled system, nine mortar squads, two Furiya fixed-wing type unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed

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

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Ukrainian forces refuse to obey Commander-in-Chief Syrsky — CIA ex-analyst

Larry Johnson also noted that the Russian forces manage to advance recently despite the slush on the roads

MGIMO to host third international forum ‘Russia - Africa: What Next?’

The forum’s key topics for discussion include ways to combat fake news, the development of academic tourism, and government support for youth projects and businesses

Ukrainian army loses 444,000 troops during military operation — Shoigu

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Several Ukrainian drones destroyed over Kursk Region

Apart from that, according to Roman Starovoit, Ukrainian troops staged several shelling attacks on the Kursk Region

Russian envoy, Sudan's intelligence chief discuss military-political situation in republic

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Russian presidential envoy visits Afghanistan to discuss political cooperation

Russian presidential envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov met with Deputy Prime Minister for political issues Abdul Kabir, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, and Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani

Mobilization law condition for new supplies of arms to Kiev by NATO — source

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Senior Russian diplomat warns about proportional response to threats coming from Finland

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Detained deputy defense minister suspected of taking grand bribe of over $10,000

This charges carries a punishment of up to 15 years behind bars

Russia scraps plans to hold Immortal Regiment march in 2024 amid security threats

This year, the May 9 festivities will take the form of other events, Yelena Tsunayeva noted

US Senate approves aid bills for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan

As many as 79 senators backed the initiative and 18 voted against

Beijing condemns US hypocrisy around Ukraine conflict

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin reiterated that China "is not an instigator or a party to the Ukrainian crisis and has never fanned the flames of the conflict, not to mention, used the situation for its own purposes"

Russia to incorporate US nuke scenario in Poland in its military planning — diplomat

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Ukraine lost best fighters near Artyomovsk, retired general says

Sergey Krivonos added that relocation of troops from one direction to another will not solve Ukrainian forces’ problems, and that each fighter should be used according to their specialization

Russia tasked with 'building new world' — Putin

Speaking at a plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club, the Russian leader also highlighted "the role and responsibility" of its members

Conflict in Ukraine can be over by end of 2025, Hungary’s Orban believes

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US Abrams tanks, Bradley APCs unloaded in Greece — report

The website underscores the great importance of the port of Alexandroupolis for the US and NATO

Azerbaijani president accuses West of seeking to draw vision lines in South Caucasus

"That is why we expressed our concern over the unprecedented meeting in Brussels between the European Commission president, the US secretary of state, and the Armenian prime minister," Ilham Aliyev stressed

Biden to sign Ukraine aid bill on April 24

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Russia’s UN envoy, Serbian leader discuss coordination on Kosovo at UN

They "exchanged opinions on a wide range of pressing bilateral and international issues while focusing on the situation in the Balkans," the Russian diplomatic mission to the UN said

Press review: Dissecting US aid package to Ukraine and sands of global economy shifting

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, April 22nd

Gaza settlement crucial for Islamic world, Erdogan believes

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