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

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Middle East conflict

UN chief says shocked by large numbers of Palestinian civilian casualties

Also Antonio Guterres has called for ensuring safe work of journalists in the zone of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Maxim Shemetov, Pool via AP

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

© Maxim Shemetov, Pool via AP

UNITED NATIONS, May 16. /TASS/. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Sunday he is appalled by the number of casualties among Palestinian civilians, including women and children, as a result of Israeli sirstrikes.

"The hostilities have already caused unconscionable death, immense suffering and damage to vital infrastructure. I am appalled by the increasingly large numbers of Palestinian civilian casualties, including many women and children, from Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. I also deplore Israeli fatalities from rockets launched from Gaza," he said at an extraordinary online meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the Palestinian-Israeli settlement.

"I am appalled by the attack on a refugee camp in Gaza, in which 10 members of one family were killed. Humanitarian installations must be protected," he stressed.

Safe work of journalists

Guterres has called for ensuring safe work of journalists in the zone of the Palestinian-Israeli conflct.

"Journalists must be allowed to work free of fear and harassment. The destruction of media offices in Gaza is extremely concerning," he said at an extraordinary online meeting of the UN Security Council on the Palestinian-Israeli settlement on Sunday.

On Saturday, Israel’s airstrike targeted a building in the Gaza Strip that housed offices of several international mass media, including Associated Press. The Israel Defense Forces claimed the building held Hamas military equipment and mass media offices were used as a human shield.

Israel and Palestinian groups in the Gaza Strip have been exchanging missile strikes since May 10, following an outburst of unrest near the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City in early May. Clashes between Palestinians and the Israeli police were triggered by an Israeli court ruling to seize dwelling houses in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood from Arab families who have been living there for more than 50 years in favor of Jewish resettlers who had reportedly owned these buildings before 1948.

According to the latest reports, at least ten Israelis and 202 Palestinians, including 52 children, have been killed.

Tags

Middle East conflict

Israel registered about 200 rocket launches from Lebanon

Attacks mainly targeted northern areas of Israel

Kiev’s losses in Russia’s borderline Kursk area reach 26,000 troops, says Putin

During its counteroffensive last year, the Ukrainian army lost about 18,000 items of military equipment, the Russian president added

Iran to exercise its right to respond to Israeli attack — Foreign Ministry

It noted that "based on the inherent right of self-defense, as also reflected in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, the Islamic Republic of Iran considers itself entitled and obliged to defend against acts of external aggression."

Hezbollah forces carry out almost 50 operations against Israel in past day

According to the organization, its drones hit enemy military targets in Beit Hillel, Kfar Giladi, Qatsrin, Misgav Am, Shomera, Shtula and some other settlements

Ukraine couldn’t conduct its gamble into Kursk Region without Western support — envoy

Ukraine had not the slightest chance to make a gamble into Russia’s Kursk Region without the West's support and satellite intelligence, Rodion Miroshnik, the Russian Foreign Ministry's special envoy for the crimes of the Kiev regime, said at an informal meeting of the UN Security Council

Four Ukrainian drones eliminated over Russia’s Oryol, Bryansk regions

No damage or casualties have been recorded

FATF avoids putting Russia on its penalty lists

FATF penalty lists include financially unreliable countries

Four Ukrainian drones downed over Russia’s Lipetsk region

"Air defense forces on duty destroyed four Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles over the Lipetsk Region," the ministry specified

Georgian opposition announces protests to start from October 27

One of the leaders of the Georgian opposition party, Elene Khoshtaria, called the elections stolen

Dialogue on Ukraine with West possible only after arms shipment to Kiev cease — diplomat

Maria Zakharova underscored that only this would be considered a certain "checkbox, a sign, a symbol" that the collective West countries "turned their sight away from an escalation and towards a political and diplomatic or other way to settle the situation"

Bank of Russia sharply raises key rate by 2 p.p. to record level of 21% per annum

The Bank of Russia also raised its forecast for the average key rate for 2024-2026

Serbia to continue to strive for EU membership — president

Aleksandar Vucic stressed that under his presidency, Serbia "will not alter the core goals" of its foreign and domestic policy

Georgian Dream party winning elections with 55.3% of votes – electoral commission

The Coalition for Change party is second with 10.53% of votes

Putin states replacement of post-Bretton Woods system based on dollar

"Our common task is to give these inevitable changes and transformations a civilized character," the Russian president stated

Press review: BRICS unveils partner status and Russia ratifies key pact with North Korea

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, October 25th

Fourth body found where helicopter crashes in Russia’s Kirov region

The Polish-made copter has been in service for almost 38 years, data from Russia’s Civil Aircraft Register seen by TASS showed

North Korea sending troops to Russia would be in line with international law — diplomat

Kim Jong Gyu pointed out that he has seen "versions of the deployment of the North Korean armed forces to Russia that have been circulated in the world media recently"

PREVIEW: Parliamentary elections to be held in Japan

According to polls, the Liberal Democratic Party may lose the majority during them

Israel delivers strikes on Iranian military targets outside populated areas — US official

The official said that the US "did not participate in this military operation"

Soviet marshal’s daughter blasts The Death of Stalin as ‘abominable’ mockery of history

Maria Zhukova called this film "a provocation beyond any doubt"

Russian Pacific Fleet ships return home after joint drills with Chinese Navy

The joint naval task force of Russia and China departed from Vladivostok on September 21

Three Turkish banks still allow cash withdrawals from Mir cards

It was reported earlier that Turkish banks Is Bankasi and Denizbank suspended withdrawal of the Turkish lira from bank cards of the Russian Mir payment system

Court arrests US mercenary for invading Russia's Kursk Region as part of Ukrainian army

According to the report, US citizen Daniel Bernard Rebar is accused of committing a terrorist act, engaging in mercenary activities, and committing murder and attempted murder of two or more persons

AK-19 rifle for NATO cartridge draws foreign customers’ great attention — Kalashnikov

The AK-19 assault rifle was created on the basis of the AK-12, approved for use by the Russian Armed Forces in 2018

Moldova's Central Election Commission approves results of EU accession referendum

The referendum was held at the same time as Moldova's presidential election

Unknown attackers ambush Rosgvardiya convoy in Grozny's suburb, killing one

The wounded soldier was taken to hospital, where he is receiving all the necessary assistance

Putin praises efforts of 155th marine brigade in liberating Kursk Region

The Russian president said that then the 810th marine brigade, as well as units of the airborne forces were involved to reinforce the result

Israel conducts three waves of strikes on Iran — reporter

The first wave focused on the Iranian air defense system and the second and third waves focused on missile and drone bases and production sites

Economic growth to be in Russia, China, India and Saudi Arabia — Putin

"Forming of new centers of development" is the sign of time, the Russian leader underlined

Guterres, Putin discuss international financial system — UN secretary-general's office

They also discussed the situation in the Middle East, a statement said

Lavrov is no longer chain-smoker, says spokeswoman

Sergey Lavrov has cut down on smoking to literally a couple of cigarettes a day, Maria Zakharova says

BRICS becomes the most quickly developing association globally — Serbian minister

Serbia will keep a close eye on development of BRICS, Minister in charge of international economic cooperation matters in the Serbian government Nenad Popovic noted

Ten Iranian policemen killed in terror attack

Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni ordered an investigation into the incident, the government’s press service reported

Russia downs 12 Ukrainian drones over Bryansk region in span of 30 minutes

"Air defense forces on duty destroyed 12 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles over the Bryansk Region," the ministry specified.

Head of Georgia’s Central Election Commission pronounces parliamentary election a success

The election was held in a peaceful and calm atmosphere, the chairperson of Georgia’s Central Election Commission, Giorgi Kalandarishvili said

Seven bodies of Tu-154 plane crash victims found near Sochi — source

The latest data from Russia's Defense Ministry suggests 92 people were on board the plane

INTERVIEW: Republika Srpska leader says he takes no orders from West

According to President Milorad Dodik, knowing his position, the West has even stopped threatening him

Pashinyan, Aliyev instruct top diplomats to finalize peace treaty for its signing

The leaders discussed issues related to the advancement of the bilateral peace agenda, including the peace agreement, border delimitation and other issues of mutual interest

BRICS member states now discuss partner status of 13 countries — Kremlin aide

According to Yury Ushakov, the issue of obtaining the status of a partner country is "a subject of consultations between delegations"

BRICS Summit marks beginning of end of US hegemony — former UK MP

According to George Galloway, the summit will give impetus to the movement towards a multipolar world order

Jordan, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia refuse to be involved in Israeli attack on Iran — WSJ

According to the officials, Tehran warned via secret diplomatic channels that countries will become targets for its strikes, if their territories or airspace are used for an attack on Iran

Ukraine’s army loses stable command and control of troops encircled in Kursk area — Putin

The president explained that Russian forces had cut Ukrainian troops off the state border at one of the enemy’s infiltration sites, blocking them in the Kursk Region

Israel warned Iran of attack ahead of time — news portal

The IDF said earlier that it was conducting surgical strikes on military targets in Iran "in response to months of continuous attacks"

Zelensky denies UN’s Guterres visit to Ukraine after BRICS Summit — report

According to the source, the secretary-general wanted to visit Ukraine after the summit, but Kiev rejected his proposal

Iranian death toll from Israeli attack rises to four as two wounded soldiers die — media

Two Iranian servicemen who were wounded in the attack died on Saturday evening

BRICS will spearhead digitalization and AI, not Western associations — diplomat

The 16th BRICS Summit, which is the key event of Russia’s chairmanship in the association, was held in Kazan on October 22-24

IN BRIEF: Key statements of Bank of Russia’s Chief following sharp key rate raise

Elvira Nabiullina reiterated that the regulator remains committed to the inflation target of 4%

Ukrainian troops fire 88 rounds at Russia’s Belgorod Region over day, wounding three

Ukrainian troops have attacked seven districts in the region over the past day, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said

Russian commandos redeploy to Uzbekistan for drills on Afghan border

In the course of joint practical measures, the troops will accomplish the combat training tasks of ensuring the state’s territorial integrity

West should tell Kiev ultimatums rule out talks Moscow — Ryabkov

"The situation on the ground will continue to change not in favor of Kiev and its handlers," Sergey Ryabkov stressed

IN BRIEF: Putin comments on situation in Ukraine, treaty with North Korea in TV interview

According to the Russian leader, it is too early to determine what Russia and Ukraine can agree on, as no detailed talks between Moscow and Kiev have yet taken place

Elon Musk says US default is a matter of time

The US businessman was commenting on a White House video that lashed into Republicans for their refusal to approve a higher government debt ceiling

Iran downs Israeli fighters, drones while repelling its attack — legislator

"Almost all drones and fighter jets launched by the regime were destroyed before they took any action," Zohrevand, who sits on the commission on national security and foreign policy at the Iranian parliament, told Iran’s state broadcaste

Russia-North Korea treaty to take effect after exchange of ratification documents — MFA

According to Maria Zakharova, the treaty contains the basic principles for the further development of Russia-North Korea relations aimed at boosting partnership and strategic cooperation

Russian government to allocate $6.2 mln for drug development equipment — PM

Creation of drugs to prevent severe diseases, including cancer, is the priority, Mikhail Mishustin stressed

Israel conducts preliminary strikes on radars in Syria to ‘blind’ Iran’s air defenses

Israel’s preliminary strike quickly escalating into an offensive targeting Tehran and Karaj, Iran’s capital and another strategic location

Russia doing every effort toward peace in Middle East — embassy in Iran

Earlier, the Russian embassy said it continued to operate normally following the Israeli attack on Iran, adding that there were no reports about any injured Russian citizens

PREVIEW: Georgia to hold parliamentary election

As many as 18 parties are taking part in the election

VEB.RF signs agreement with China, South Africa on credit lines in national currencies

The 16th BRICS Summit, which is the key event of Russia’s chairmanship in the association, is being held in Kazan on October 22-24

Western countries may join de-dollarization, but their goals must be clarified — diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov noted that the Russian presidency of BRICS has successfully achieved results in developing models for weaning off the dollar and formalizing them in agreements

Putin dismisses scope of 'bomb effect' in US on reports of North Korean troops in Russia

The Russian president said the satellite images were "a serious thing" but added that NATO troops had been directly involved in the Ukraine conflict for a long time now

G7 countries agree on how to deliver $50 bln in loans to Ukraine — statement

The document stressed that "the loan proceeds will be disbursed through multiple channels to support Ukraine’s budgetary, military and reconstruction assistance"

NATO expansion, threats from Trump and Kursk developments — Putin summarizes BRICS Summit

TASS has gathered key takeaways from the president's statements

West losing war in Ukraine, but unwilling to stop — Hungarian PM

Viktor Orban stated that Hungary’s principled stance has allowed it to preserve "room for maneuver" in the economic field, which is heavily impacted by the conflict in Ukraine

Serbia sees referendum to join BRICS or EU as realistic option — Deputy PM Vulin

"Right now, the group is becoming ever more popular among Serbs and in Serbia in general," he said

Russia considers vulnerabilities of NATO weapons in building new arms — defense chief

According to Andrey Belousov, today’s joint Russian-Belarusian defense ministry board meeting in Minsk affirmed the continuity of efforts to establish a common defense space and ensure the military security of the Union State

Russian attack drones wipe out two Ukrainian armored combat vehicles in Kursk region

The ministry added as it also released a video of how the Ukrainian armored combat vehicles were destroyed

Iran to retaliate for violation of its territorial integrity by Israel — lawmaker

"The failure as the Zionists (Israel - TASS) conducted their operation still does not mean that Iran will not respond. The Zionist regime should pay for the violation of territorial integrity," Kowsari, who is a member of the Majles (parliament) National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, told

US expects Iran, Israel to end exchange of strikes, official says

"I will say we've heard the same thing from many across the region, including many with close ties to Iran," a senior US administration official added

Parliamentary election held in calm atmosphere, Georgia’s chief electoral body says

Over 2.06 million voters took part in the election, with voter turnout reaching 58.94%

Putin made it clear that conditions for peace in Ukraine will be set by Russia — opinion

Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with senior officials of the Russian foreign ministry on June 14 that a peace solution to the Ukrainian conflict is impossible without Russia’s participation and an honest dialogue with it

BRICS partners respond positively to Russia’s proposals on association’s payment system

According to Russian Deputy Finance Minister Ivan Chebeskov, the current international payment system is outdated, it is expensive and ineffective

Air defenses down 31 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions in past day — Defense Ministry

According to the ministry, ten fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles were downed over the Kursk Region

Kiev's coordinator for preparing riots arrives in Georgia — source

He is a resident of Mariupol, holds a Ukrainian passport, and reportedly plans to leave Georgia later this year

Iranian nuclear facilities undamaged by Israeli attack, IAEA chief says

On October 26, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it was conducting surgical strikes on military targets in Iran "in response to months of continuous attacks."

Diplomat vows decisive response to EU move to `pocket’ revenues from frozen Russian funds

Misappropriated Russian funds will only eradicate the remains of global confidence to the EU as a trade, economic and investment partner, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said

Iran refutes data on Israeli attack

According to Tasnim, the number of targets hit is significantly below 20

Ukraine accelerates fleeing from Selidovo to save remaining troops — security services

"They come out in groups along the roads that are subjected to shelling, losing significant numbers of people there," the source said

Inokhodets strike drone eliminates Ukrainian armored vehicle in Kursk Region

The Ministry also published video footage of the Ukrainian vehicle being destroyed by the drone

China, India, Russia beginning to play more active role globally — Thai political analyst

The key result of the summit was the interest in BRICS shown by more countries and the establishing of economic interaction, a Thai political scientist Jiraporn Ruamphongphatthana believes

Israel’s attack on Iran involves over 100 aircraft — newspaper

Officials have refuted reports that Iranian air defenses managed to intercept the majority of Israeli missiles

BRICS states to increase turnover of precious metals based on common quality standards

The parties noted that they support the Kimberley Process, the international organization for certification of diamonds "as the sole global intergovernmental certification scheme, regulating trade in rough diamonds"

Russian Yars road-mobile ICBM launchers embark on combat patrol in drills

It is reported that the Russian Strategic Missile Force personnel will practice assigned objectives and scenarios, and in particular, sharpen the skills of conducting intensive maneuvers along combat patrol routes in combat alert operations

Kiev deploys group of mercenaries from Germany to Krasny Liman area — defense circles

It is reported that the largest number of the Ukrainian army’s foreign contingent remains in that frontline area

Russia hands the baton to Brazil in implementing measures for de-dollarization — MFA

Sergey Ryabkov emphasized that "weaning off the dollar through mutual settlement clearing schemes is a well-tested approach that needs further development and a multilateral character"

Russian forces deliver strikes on Ukrainian military airfields, drone storage facilities

Ukrainian military personnel and hardware were hit in 149 districts, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Iran not to respond to Israeli attack — TV channel

Iran has informed Israel via third countries that it will not retaliate in response to its strike, Sky News Arabia said

Thwarted enemy breakthrough, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

The Ukrainian military lost more than 26,550 servicemen since the fighting began in the region

Russia not giving up on gas supplies to Europe, it can be done via several routes — Putin

The Russian leader added that "the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline and one thread of Nord Stream 2 were destroyed, but one survived, and it is in working order"

Russia strikes Ukrainian military-industrial sector, mercenaries’ sites over past week

Russian forces liberated four communities in the Donetsk People’s Republic over the past week, the Defense Ministry reported

Russian aviation hit 20 areas of deployment of Ukrainian troops in Kursk Region

Russian warplanes hit 13 settlement in the Sumy Region as well, the Russian defense ministry said

BRICS and G7 countries in global economy

Gas supply by Gazprom for Europe through Ukraine totals 42.5 mcm via Sudzha

The nomination for the Sokhranovka gas pumping station has been rejected

Iran asks Switzerland to convene Security Council’s meeting due to Israeli strike

Furthermore, the Iran requests the President of the Security Council to convene an urgent meeting to address this "severe violation", the permanent representation of Iran to the UN said

Iran says Israel struck from US-controlled area in Iraq

On July 23, Reuters reported that there were around 2,500 US troops in Iraq

IN BRIEF: What is known about Israeli strikes on Iran

The IDF have carried out airstrikes on Iranian missile manufacturing facilities and surface-to-air missile arrays

Voting in Georgian parliamentary election ends

As many as some 48,000 local and international observers were present in the election as more than 2,800 reporters from the Georgian and foreign media covered the voting

Iran reserves right to lawful response to Israel — UN mission

On October 26, the Israel Defense Forces informed about delivering attacks against military installations in Iran

US ready to repel Iran’s potential retaliation strike on Israel — official

"Should Iran choose to respond, we are fully prepared to defend Israel and support Israel, and there will be consequences," the official reiterated

Putin accuses West of unfair NATO expansion, says Russia will right this wrong

"We wish to change this situation and we will achieve this goal," the Russian leader stressed

US public debt poses one of most serious risks to world economy — Russian Finance Ministry

On July 29, the US Department of the Treasury announced that the country's national debt exceeded $35 trillion for the first time in history