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EXPLOSION IN BEIRUT

Hezbollah leader says his party has nothing to do with Beirut blast

A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport area near the Lebanese Navy’s base on August 4

BEIRUT, August 7. /TASS/. The Shia party Hezbollah has nothing to do with the explosion at Beirut’s port, the party’s leader Hassan Nasrallah said on Friday.

"There have never been any Hezbollah munitions, substances or warehouse on the port’s territory," Al Jazeera quoted him as saying. The Hezbollah leader also said he hoped all those responsible for the blast would be punished "regardless of their whereabouts."

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Search and rescue operation continues in Beirut after massive blast

A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport area near the Lebanese Navy’s base on August 4, sending a shockwave through residential neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital. The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars. Local authorities say the blast was caused by the detonation of 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, stored in the port after being confiscated by the customs services in 2015.

According to latest updates, at least 154 people were killed and more than 5,000 were injured. Dozens are still missing. Over 300,000 people were left homeless.

Abkhaz officials, opposition hold talks after seizure of government compound

Protesters are demanding the resignation of President Aslan Bzhania

Only plan Zelensky should be thinking about is 'plan of surrender' — opinion

In a video address on November 14, the Ukrainian president unveiled a ten-point plan covering the issues of security, energy, weaponry, production in Ukraine, and cooperation with allies

Release of 23 Russians taken to Ukraine from Kursk Region being discussed — ombudswoman

The documents are currently being considered by the Verkhovna Rada’s commissioner for human rights, Dmitry Lubinets and his office

IN BRIEF: What is known about situation in Abkhazia

In order to stabilize the situation, President Aslan Bzhania decided to withdraw from the parliament a bill on the ratification of the agreement with Russia on the implementation of investment projects by Russian legal entities on the territory of the republic

European Commission gives ‘positive assessment’ for payment of 4.1 bln euros to Kiev

The commission concluded that Ukraine had satisfactorily fulfilled the nine agreed reform indicators for this payment

Ukraine's Kurakhovo Reservoir dam blast to help, not hurt Russian troops — expert

At least ten Ukrainian troops were killed

Israel hits nuclear research facility in Iran, Axios claims

In October, Axios reported that an Israeli strike on Iran had disabled a crucial component of Iran's ballistic missiles production program

Russian troops organizing logistics, ammo delivery in Kupyansk outskirts — military expert

"Logistics is being organized to enable our troops to retain their positions they are trying to secure," Andrey Marochko explained

Ukrainian troops surrender as Russian forces advance — captive

Alexander Rapolyuk noted that they had originally been sent to the Kursk Region under the pretext of replacing their comrades, but upon arrival, they found that the servicemen they were meant to replace had already been killed

Russia, US have many annoyances, it is hard to pick worst one — Kremlin spokesman

Earlier, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Baku

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

Authorities of southeastern Ukrainian region report ‘infrastructure damage’

In addition, a power transmission line was reportedly damaged in the Dnepropetrovsk Region

Pilot lauds thrust, aerodynamics of smooth-flying Su-57 fighter jet

According to Sergey Bogdan, this fighter jet flies smoother than anything out there today

Zelensky announces work on new action plan

In terms of weapons, the plan will focus on production in Ukraine and cooperation with partners

Mass production of Lada Iskra cars planned to begin in spring 2025

In June, Avtovaz presented its new model Lada Iskra for the first time at SPIEF

Russian troops storm into Kupyansk outskirts in Kharkov Region — military expert

Troops from various Russian army units are engaged in battles in the outskirts of Kupyansk, Andrey Marochko said

Ukraine not holding talks on gas transit from Russia after December 31 — Energy Ministry

The agreement between Gazprom and Naftogaz on the transit of Russian gas to Europe expires on December 31

Opposition seizes control of entire complex of Abkhazia’s government buildings

A representative of the republic's authorities told TASS that Abkhazia’s President Aslan Bzhania is absent from the building of the presidential administration

Russia does not interfere in US affairs, says Kremlin spokesman about Trump's appointments

Earlier, Trump announced the nomination of Florida Senator Marco Rubio for the secretary of state

Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand become BRICS partner countries — Russian MFA

"The BRICS Summit in Kazan demonstrated the desire of the global majority to establish a fair world order, reform global institutions and build equitable economic ties," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin said

France wraps up training of new Ukrainian brigade — minister

The brigade is equipped with French weapons

German chancellor holds phone call with Putin for first time in two years — agency

The phone call lasted about an hour

Gazprom says EU artificially destroys gas demand to the detriment of its own economy

As for global gas demand, gas consumption in January-October increased by 80 bln cubic meters year-on-year, the company noted

Top diplomats from UK, France, Germany to discuss Ukraine’s future

Reuters wrote with reference to anonymous sources that the sides would also discuss what Trump’s return to the Oval Office could mean for the world

Politician slams Western elites for behaving like 'collective Hitler' on Ukraine issue

Viktor Medvedchuk added that there was no unified position in the West regarding the situation in Ukraine

Demographic crisis threatens Ukraine’s viability as state — think tank

Ukraine’s "overall population had declined to 29 million people in 2023 - compared to 48.5 million in 2001," Responsible Statecraft writes

Biden to discuss support to Kiev with EU colleagues before Trump’s inauguration

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that European support to Ukraine should continue and that should intensify

South Korea to support Ukraine in response to Russia-North Korea alliance — president

As Yoon Suk Yeol said, the reported dispatch of North Korean servicemen to participate in Russia’s special military operation "poses a serious security threat not only to the Korean Peninsula and Europe but also to the entire world"

Kennedy Jr. added to Mirotvorets list after Trump’s appointment

Tulsi Gabbard, whom Trump previously nominated to head the U.S. National Intelligence Agency, is also still on the list

Hundreds of people participate in protest rally near Abkhazian parliament

Members of the opposition broke onto the parliament’s premises, having rammed a metal fence with a motor vehicle

Trump picks ex-congressman Collins for veterans’ affairs secretary

Doug Collins is a former lawmaker representing Georgia in the House of Representatives

Gagauzian public figure sees possibility of early parliamentary polls in Moldova

Mihail Vlah told TASS in an interview that the ruling Party of Action and Solidarity 'has started urgent preparations'

US missile defense site to defend Poland from Russia too — Polish minister

At the same time, the official evaded a direct question of whether the facility is capable of protecting country from missiles

Abkhazia’s opposition demands cancelation of investment agreement, president’s resignation

In case the authorities do not accept the opposition's demands, former lawmaker Natali Smyr called on the protesters not to leave the square around the complex of government buildings

Part of YouTube issues linked solely to Google’s position — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that this situation stems from Google’s refusal to follow Russian laws, despite being legally obligated to do so

Russian air defenses destroy 51 Ukrainian drones overnight

Krasnodar Region Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said two municipalities in the region - the town of Krymsk and the Krasnoarmeisky district - came under attack

Musk says Trump, himself have public mandate for change

US President-elect Donald Trump announced earlier that Musk and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy would lead the Department of Government Efficiency in his new administration

Russian Rubicon drones strike Ukrainian trench shelters

"Upon detecting enemy positions and equipment, the data was immediately relayed to the strike force," the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Opposition in Abkhazia demands early presidential election

A Central Election Commission official has told TASS that if the president agrees to resign today, an early election should be held within three months

Gazprom has the right to stop gas supplies to Moldova due to country’s debts — Moldovagaz

Chairman of the Board of the Russian-Moldovan gas distribution company Vadim Cheban noted that he was not aware of any plans by the Russian gas holding to take advantage of this opportunity

IN BRIEF: What is known about drone attack on Russia’s Krasnodar Region

Damage will be assessed, and local authorities will provide assistance with restoring the damaged buildings

Ukrainian intel officers in Syria to be eliminated as terrorists’ accomplices — diplomat

According to Alexander Lavrentyev, there are "in fact Russian troops stationed" in Syria

Court sentences ‘Russian Volunteer Corps’ members to life in prison in absentia

According to the investigation, the defendants, acting as part of a Ukrainian sabotage group, armed with firearms and explosives, illegally crossed the Russian border and infiltrated two settlements in the Bryansk Region, opening fire at civilian cars and people

IN BRIEF: Protesters storm parliament building in Abkhazia

Opposition members made several attempts to break into the parliament building and managed to enter the square in front of parliament

Musk, Iran’s UN envoy discuss ways to ease tensions between Iran, US — NYT

According to the report, the meeting took place in New York on Monday and lasted for more than an hour

Ukrainian army attacks Kharkov Military-Civil Administration car with drones

The car's chassis, body, and cabin were badly damaged in the attack

Trump to fundamentally rethink US policy on Ukraine conflict, says Iranian expert

Serious differences of opinion may arise between Washington and other NATO members regarding support for the Kiev regime, Mehdi Seif Tabrizi noted

Outgoing US administration should end military support for Ukraine — Hungary’s Orban

Viktor Orban believes it would be only fair and just for the outgoing Biden administration to reduce military support for Ukraine as power changes hands

Hezbollah reports attack on Israeli military intelligence base near Tel Aviv

On Wednesday, Hezbollah reported attacks on Israel’s Glilot military base in the Ramat Hasharon

Iran may retaliate against Israel before Trump's inauguration — newspaper

From a number of high-ranking Iranian politicians' point of view, such a move would "strengthen Tehran's position in negotiations" with Trump's team

Kalashnikov concern trains first group of operators for Bars-Sarmat UAV unit

The soldiers studied the hardware, including the drones’ electronics, internal systems and rules of operation

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

The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw

Russian troops liberate five communities in Donbass region, Kharkov area over week

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted more than 4,715 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed 10 Western-made artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past week, the Defense Ministry reported

Israeli anthem booed before start of football match in Paris

Prior to the event, leftist politicians and activists staged a protest at a square in Paris’ northern suburb of Saint-Denis

EU needs to rethink anti-Russia sanctions — Orban

Industrial companies in EU countries pay for gas and electricity several times higher than their main competitors in the US and China, the Hungarian prime minister noted

Western efforts to vilify Russia climax, Moscow fights back — MFA

"We are witnessing the culmination of the Anglo-Saxons' systematic efforts to vilify our country, exerted over decades, and maybe even centuries," Maria Zakharova said

One third of Mariupol residents, who fled to Ukraine, already returned

Lack of due support, and accommodation issues, are the reason

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

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

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

US does not fulfill LNG contracts for Europe worth tens of billions of dollars — Gazprom

In addition, the United States is influencing the global gas market with its verbal interventions regarding the possible withholding of LNG supplies to China, as well as a temporary suspension of the issuance of export licenses, Deputy Head of the Department - Head of the Directorate at Gazprom Kirill Polous said

Scholz, Putin agree to maintain contact — source in German cabinet

It is reported that Scholz expressed concern over reports about the alleged deployment of North Korean servicemen to Russia

Security Service of Ukraine operated ‘concentration camp’ in Kiev in 2022, lawmaker says

"This concentration camp was organized by SBU Head Ivan Bakanov and his first deputy Vasily Malyuk," Alexander Dubinsky claims

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

Trump to zero in on fragmenting BRICS, Ukraine to take back seat — expert

According to the political scientist Boris Mezhuyev, in all likelihood attempts to replace the presidents of Brazil and Venezuela, and pit India, Russia and China against each other are coming

Trump to nominate North Dakota governor Burgum as interior secretary

The official announcement will be made on Friday

German chancellor calls for peace talks with Ukraine in phone call with Putin

Olaf Scholz also highlighted "Germany’s unwavering determination" to support Kiev "for as long as it takes”

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"

Developments in Kursk Region: Ukrainian fighters suffer losses, face charges in Russia

Ukraine lost more than 100 servicemen, a tank, an armored fighting vehicle, four motor vehicles, two D-30 122-mm howitzers, a mortar and an electronic warfare station over the past day

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"

Xi Jinping advocates for child-centric China

"It is essential to place great importance on traditional family values," the Chinese leader stressed

Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

Over the day, the enemy lost more than 430 troops, ten tanks, two infantry fighting vehicles, 19 armored combat vehicles, 33 motor vehicles, one Anklav-N electronic warfare station

US views Russia as present-day threat, Trump may prioritize containing China — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister stressed that reputation matters the most to the United States which does not care about the real fates of peoples, in particular the Ukrainian one

Russia hopes for resumption of dialogue with US under Trump — Kremlin spokesman

According to Dmitry Peskov, changes in bilateral relations could be possible depending on who the US president-elect appoints

White House official sees possibility of DPRK nuclear test soon

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that transition periods in the US 'have historically been time periods when the DPRK has taken provocative actions'

Ukrainian battlegroup deprived of regular supplies in Kurakhovo in Donetsk area — expert

The Ukrainian battlegroup’s supplies have been impaired in the Kurakhovo area after Russian forces placed a road section west of that community under their gunfire control, Andrey Marochko clarified

Russian forces capture 10 km of LPR border — military expert

On October 16, Andrey Marochko informed TASS that Ukrainian forces were still operating near three key towns in the LPR’s west: Svatovo, Kremennaya, and Lisichansk

Two opposition representatives enter Abkhazia’s parliament building for talks

On Friday, Abkhazia’s parliament was to consider the ratification of the agreement with Russia on the implementation of investment projects by Russian legal entities on the territory of the republic

Crimean amateur astronomer discovers new comet in solar system

In April, the astronomer said that he had discovered a large asteroid with a diameter of about 200 meters, potentially dangerous for the Earth

Abkhazia’s opposition has nothing against country's relations with Russia — statement

"As the opposition, we have always emphasized the importance of brotherly and strategic ties between our countries," the statement reads

APEC leaders to discuss digitalization, sustainable economic growth in Peru

The official part of the summit will be held, resulting in the adoption of the final declaration

Chechen leader reports eliminating Ukrainian troops in Sumy Region

According to Ramzan Kadyrov, fighters from the 34th Akhmat-Russia motorized rifle regiment conducted reconnaissance using unmanned aerial vehicles

Russia's newest Su-57 fighter jet superior to China's new J-35 — test pilot

Sergey Bogdan emphasized that the newest Russian fighter was a "magnificent platform for a future generation of configurations, just as the Su-27 aircraft in its heyday"

Zelensky’s new plan for Ukraine is ‘an attempt to imitate’ busy activities — politician

Vitaly Ganchev noted that Zelensky's plans "pose no particular interest anymore to anyone and they the proposals are certainly not taken seriously"

Trump does not rule out he may run in next US presidential election

Trump's participation in the next US election would be against the Constitution

Russian Marines destroy Challenger 2 tank with FPV drone in Kursk Region

Previously, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the enemy lost 10 tanks in the Kursk region in the past 24 hours

Gaza radicals post new video of hostage identifying himself as Russian national Trufanov

The man pointed out that the hostages' lives "are in grave danger every day," and recalled the country’s religious obligation to ransom the hostages

Trump to pursue dialogue with Tehran before escalating pressure, says Iranian expert

Heshmatollah Falahatpishe believes Tehran should have made more efforts to advance Oman-based negotiations in order to prevent an escalation of tensions in the Middle East and continue Iran’s rapprochement with Arab countries

Violence against Kupyansk residents refusing to evacuate reported in Kharkov Region

The press service of the Military-Civil Administration of the Kharkov Region clarified that the Ukrainian militants view such people as traitors, "waiting for the Russians," so they are not entitled to either humanitarian aid or human dignity

Kremlin comments on possible return of Japanese, European cars to Russia

No official statements have been received so far from European automakers regarding the return to the Russian market, Dmitry Peskov noted

European Commission upgrades outlook on Russian GDP growth for 2024, 2025

According to the report, private investment, supported by government-subsidized loans, increased as demand for domestic goods picked up, following the exit of foreign firms

Trump nominates his lawyers to key Justice Department jobs

Emil Bove will be nominated to be principal associate deputy attorney general and Todd Blanche to the post of the US deputy attorney general

Russia's liberation of Stepanovka in DPR spells trouble for Ukrainian troops in Kurakhovo

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the Russian Armed Forces had liberated the settlement of Stepanovka in the DPR

Zelensky's new plan for Ukraine is just another effort to stay in media spotlight

In his video address on November 14, Zelensky announced 10 provisions of his new plan, including matters of security, energy, armaments, industrial development in Ukraine, and cooperation with partners

Foreign mercenaries fighting on Ukraine’s side near Kupyansk, says military expert

Most of the intercepted talks deal with military issues, using a special talk chart, Andrey Marochko specified

RFK Jr. calls for immediate US-Russia talks on Ukraine

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin put forward his latest peace proposal for the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, which envisages the recognition of the status of Crimea, the Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics, the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions as Russian constituencies

All weapons pledged by Biden to Kiev to be delivered before he leaves office — Pentagon

Department’s Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh expects that for the 'next coming months of this administration'

Russian forces liberate Voznesenka community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 655 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy tanks in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Russia open to Ukraine talks based on June proposals, Putin tells Scholz

"Russia's proposals are well known and outlined, in particular, in a June speech at the Russian Foreign Ministry," the Russian president said

Russia inks first deals to deliver Su-57 fifth-generation fighter to foreign customers

Alexander Mikheyev also explained the expectations and effect of the demonstration of Russian military hardware at Airshow China in Zhuhai

Football fans clash during France vs Israel football match in Paris

The match is taking place a week after a Europa League match involving Maccabi Tel Aviv football club wreaked havoc in Amsterdam

Clear Zelensky won't be the one to decide about talks with Russia, says Lavrov

"Russian President Putin has repeatedly said that we have never refused to negotiate," the Russian foreign minister reiterated