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Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Damage to Gaza from Israeli bombardments up to $244 million — authorities

According to Gaza's Ministry of Public Works and Housing Construction, missile and artillery bombardments from Israel ruined 800 homes and partially destroyed 10,000 others

© AP Photo/Khalil Hamra

CAIRO, May 18. /TASS/. The damage caused to the Gaza Strip by Israeli bombardments has grown to $244 million, the authorities of the coastal enclave have said.

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US arms supplies add fuel to fire of Palestinian-Israeli conflict — China

"The total damage to Gaza caused by the Israeli bombardments since May 10 has reached $244 million," the Palestinian radio broadcaster Donia Al-Watan quotes the authorities as saying.

Earlier, Gaza's Ministry of Public Works and Housing Construction said that missile and artillery bombardments from Israel ruined 800 homes and partially destroyed 10,000 others.

Also, the coastal enclave's government in a statement refuted reports the Israeli authorities had opened checkpoints for the delivery of fuel to Gaza.

"Reports by the Israeli authorities of occupation about the opening of checkpoints are false: Gaza has not received any fuel," the report says.

On Monday, Donia Al-Watan quoted the Palestinian enclave's border checkpoints directorate as saying that Israel was going to open one of the checkpoints on the border with Gaza with the aim of delivering fuel for the sole operational electric power plant there. The Times of Israel later said that the Israeli leadership was still undecided whether it should open the Kerem-Shalom checkpoint on the border with Gaza.

Radical Palestinian groups and the Israeli army have been exchanging bombardments since May 10, following unrest near the Al Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem, triggered by an Israeli court ruling to confiscate homes from several Arab families in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. According to the latest statistics, no less than ten people have been killed on the Israeli side and more than 230 on the Palestinian side (in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank).

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Israeli-Palestinian conflict

At least 32 people killed in Gaza over past 24 hours — Health Ministry

According to the local Health Ministry, the number of fatalities in the enclave has increased to 34,183 and the number of wounded has reached 77,143 since the onset of Israel’s military operation

Chinese diplomat cautions US against 'demonizing' China-Russia relationship

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Revival Party leader released after being questioned by Moldovan special services

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

"In any case, whatever the modality of providing this aid, de facto it is about provoking Ukraine into further hostilities down to the last Ukrainian, putting guarantted money in the pockets of the US," Dmitry Peskov said

Destroyed TV tower in Kharkov carried Ukrainian air defense coordination device — official

Digital TV signal interruptions are now observed in the city

Russian economy to see serious structural changes — presidential aide

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Current Russian turn eastward possible owing to Baikal-Amur railway — Putin

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Russia, Ukraine sought to agree on Crimea at Istanbul talks, Lukashenko says

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Involvement of NATO states prolongs Ukrainian conflict — Russian ambassador to Germany

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"This is dozens of sorties, carried out along the same routes, more or less", said Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense Deputy Commander Colonel Lieutenant Eduard Zhmakin

Russia firmly ready for peace solution in Ukraine — Kremlin spokesman

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North Korea presumably launches ballistic missile — Japan Coast Guard

This is North Korea’s fourth ballistic missile launch this year

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Russia, in his words, is "correcting what others have done"

US accusing Russia of allegedly deploying nuclear weapons in space absurd — Lavrov

The foreign minister also pointed out that Russia is firmly committed to its international legal obligations, including the 1967 Outer Space Treaty

NATO, Poland made no decision on deployment of nuclear weapons — Andrzej Duda

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

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

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Ukraine turns from sovereign country into Western protectorate, Hungarian PM says

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Russia becomes Europe’s first economy despite 'pressure from all sides,' Putin says

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Moldovan opposition announces creation of Pobeda political bloc

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Chinese car plant to start production at former Mercedes site in Moscow region in May

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Almaz-Antey adapts air defense launchers for various missiles

Russian air defense launchers have a bigger range than US Patriot in Ukraine, Sergey Druzin said

Lavrov slams West for promoting 'dishonest schemes' for restrictions on nuclear weapons

The top Russian diplomat stressed that "striving to attain decisive military superiority, Washington and its allies are enlarging the network of alliances directed against third countries"

Switzerland unblocks Russia-related assets worth 290 mln Swiss francs

The total amount of blocked assets of the Russian Federation decreased by 150 million Swiss francs (about $165 million) due to the fact that a number of individuals "were removed from the EU sanctions lists"

Liberation of Novomikhailovka brings closer encirclement of Ugledar, says DPR official

On Monday, the Russian Defense Ministry said the village had been liberated

West balancing on edge of direct military confrontation between nuclear powers — Lavrov

According to the top Russian diplomat, it is especially concerning that the three Western nuclear powers are among the key sponsors of the Kiev regime and the main initiators of various inflammatory moves

North Korea stages first combined tactical drill simulating nuclear counterattack — KCNA

The drill’s main purpose is to demonstrate the reliability, superiority, might and diverse means of the DPRK's nuclear force

No point in peace conference on Ukraine without Russia — top Hungarian diplomat

All parties involved in combat operations must meet at the negotiating table, Peter Szijjarto said

Russia looking to open diplomatic missions in South Sudan, Niger, Sierra Leone — diplomat

According to Alexey Klimov, in 2023, almost 30,000 temporary entrance (return) permits were issued abroad and over 460,000 foreign passports were issued

Ukrainian troops fleeing Ocheretino in small groups, says DPR

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Ukraine 'not in a position to win' against Russia — Spanish reserve colonel

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Top Hungarian diplomat warns US-NATO-EU competition in Ukraine could spark WWIII

"Preparations for a world war are intensifying in Brussels," Peter Szijjarto warned

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London grants agrement to Zaluzhny as ambassador to UK — Ukrainian parliamentarian

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Russian missile cruiser Varyag enters Mediterranean Sea

The ship's crew continues to fulfill the mission it was given for the long-range voyage

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Russia’s Battlegroup West repels three attacks in past day, moving to better positions

Units of Battlegroup Center have improved their tactical positions

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Russian ambassador criticizes Germany for lack of answers in spy case

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The operation to recover bodies of people killed in Israeli bombardments continues in the city

Russia sees tendency for Latin America to become one of multipolar world order centers

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

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The US decision may provoke panic among investors that would start withdrawing their funds from European banks, being concerned of their freeze and further confiscation

Russia expects Xi Jinping to attend BRICS summit in Kazan — Lavrov

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US capitalizing on Israel-Palestinian conflict — Syrian president

America preys on any conflict and then steps aside to watch the growing havoc, waiting for a moment to deal a knockout blow, Bashar Assad said

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"That’s what happens when the head of state doesn’t care about his own people and sells out his country," Dmitry Polyansky said

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"Now, our country has every reason to make symmetrical decisions against foreign assets," Vyacheslav Volodin said

Lavrov speaks of West’s agony, Russia’s approach to any future talks with Kiev

The Russian foreign minister also described Armenia and Russia as more than formal allies

Moldovan authorities try to present Gagauz as separatists — official

Earlier, Yevgenia Gutsul noted that the Gagauz autonomy would withdraw from Moldova if Chisinau decides it wants to unify with Romania

Over 40 nations want to join BRICS — Russian lawmaker

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Russian troops liberate Novomikhailovka community in DPR — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup West repulsed four Ukrainian army counterattacks over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Russian troops level off frontline near Kremennaya in LPR for further advance

Russian combat aircraft and artillery "have begun to operate more intensively" at that frontline, delivering "precision strikes" on the Ukrainian army, Andrey Marochko said

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

Over 14,700 residential houses remain flooded in Russia

The source also said that 38,302 Russians have been evacuated from flooded areas and settlements potentially falling into these zones since the beginning of the spring floods

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

Prime Minister said that it is possible if proponents of peace, not war, win the June elections to the European Parliament and the US Presidential elections in November

Balticconnector gas pipeline returns to operation

The gas pipeline has its operations suspended on October 8 of the last year because of the detected leak

Romanian rescuers find Ukrainian deserters who spent four days in mountains

Romanian media regularly report the discovery of young Ukrainians in the mountainous terrain on the Romanian-Ukrainian border

Moscow Zoo delegation arrives in North Korean capital — media

Russia and North Korea have intensified bilateral exchanges since late 2023

South Korea threatens to end North Korean 'regime' in case it uses nuclear weapons

Extended deterrence refers to Washington's willingness to use all means, including nuclear, to defend an ally

Russian peacekeepers heading for temporary deployment centers in Armenia

The Armenian government provided Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh with places for temporary deployment in Goris and Sisian

Russia's eyes open to nature of US sanctions — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov added that the Russian authorities will try to minimize the effect of new EU sanctions against the country

Qiwi projects $247 mln loss over sale of Russian assets

Moreover, Qiwi plc acknowledged impairment by $155 mln in 2023 due to the same reason

Army officer some media point to as Nord Stream blasts coordinator goes missing in Ukraine

The man, Roman Chervinsky, was under arrest in the case of a failed operation to recruit a Russian pilot

Dollar exchange rate down to 93.29 rubles on Moscow Exchange, euro up to 99.4 rubles

The yuan added to 12.851 rubles

Ukraine’s military intelligence chief recognizes Russia’s success in Avdeyevka

Ukrainian troops suffered significant losses in the fighting for the control of this town

Armenia purchasing only defensive weapons — PM

Yerevan's defense spending is 15-20% of what Azerbaijan spends on it, Nikol Pashinyan said

Russia recovers black boxes from crashed Tu-22M3 bomber

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

Hamas leader wants to see Russia, Egypt, Turkey as guarantor countries for Gaza

Talking about the current situation in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh noted that "the resistance is still strong"

Armenia remains engaged with CSTO — head of post-Soviet security bloc

Imangali Tasmagambetov noted that "relations between the CSTO and Armenia, which is a member state of our organization, are far from being at their best"

Knauf to transfer its Russian business to local management — company

To complete the transaction, the German company is yet to receive the approval from Russian authorities

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

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

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

Arms supplies are only reasonable if a large number of military personnel able to use those weapons in defense and assault operations is available

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

Russian peacekeepers leave Karabakh after Yerevan recognizes Baku’s state borders — Peskov

"Geopolitical realties in the region have changed and there are no more operational functions left for the peacekeepers," the Kremlin spokesman said

Top Security Council official meets with Cuban interior minister, foreign counterparts

Nikolay Patrushev also held talks with Brazilian Special Advisor for International Affairs Celso Amorim

Builders from Azerbaijan participate in BAM upgrade — Putin

"Design engineers and construction workers from Azerbaijan built two settlements with terminal facilities during BAM construction - Ulkan and Angoya," the Russian President said

Development of Baikal-Amur, Trans-Siberian railways important for Russia, CIS — Putin

The Russian leader recalled that Heydar Aliyev, the father Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev, supervised construction of the Baikal-Amur railway

Dollar almost completely gone from Russia-China trade relations — Lavrov

"The supply of our agricultural products to the Chinese market is growing," the top Russian diplomat noted

TikTok criticizes bill that would ban platform in US as free speech violation

On April 20, the House passed the legislation that would ban the platform in the United States unless the Chinese owner, ByteDance, sells its stake within a year

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

Units of South battlegroup fully free Bogdanovka in Donetsk People’s Republic — top brass

The enemy lost up to 440 troops, three cars and an Osa-AKM air defense system, a 152mm D-20 weapon

EU reacts to worsening of situation for Ukraine by preparing for new world war — Szijjarto

The Hungarian Foreign Minister noted that the participants of the EU foreign and defense ministers meeting "did not challenge the information about the degree of Russia’s arms superiority"

Transport National Project funding estimated at over $109.2 bln by 2030

"The greater portion is railroad projects - 60%," Russian Deputy Transport Minister Valentin Ivanov said

Repaired strategic bomber Tu-22M3 re-enters service with Russia’s Aerospace Force

The bombers will get advanced precision weapons while their radio-electronic devices and engines will be similar to the equipment aboard the latest Tu-160M2 aircraft

NATO’s backing of Kiev’s strikes beyond special op area makes peace unachievable — expert

"The position of the majority of Western states negatively affects the probability of a peaceful settlement of the conflict, creating a risk of further escalation," Jiraporn Ruamphongphatthana believes

International meeting of security representatives opening in St. Petersburg

Moreover, discussions within two theme-based roundtables will be held

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