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Middle East conflict

Egypt suggests Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire from May 20

The United States and the European Union, as well as Palestinian factions, support Egypt’s ceasefire initiative, Al Arabiya said

CAIRO, May 19. /TASS/. Egypt has put forward a proposal for Israelis and Palestinians to cease fire starting from 06:00 local time on Thursday, May 20, an official source in Cairo told TASS on Tuesday.

"Cairo has put forward a proposal to cease fire from 06:00 local time (coincides with Moscow time) on Thursday, May 20, in coordination with the US administration," the source said. "We are waiting for the Palestinian factions and the government of Israel to respond, and expect military operations to be stopped at the end of this week."

According to the official, an Egyptian delegation on security matters was to depart to Tel Aviv for talks with Israeli colleagues soon. Contacts with the Palestinian side are maintained as well, but no visit to Gaza was scheduled due to ongoing air strikes.

According to Al Arabiya, the United States and the European Union, as well as Palestinian factions, support Egypt’s ceasefire initiative. Israel, however, has not yet responded to the proposal.

The TV channel reported that an Israeli delegation has been invited to Cairo for consultations on the ceasefire initiative.

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 12 Israelis have been killed and hundreds have been injured. The Palestinian side reported 237 deaths, including 217 in the Gaza Strip, and more than 6,000 wounded (in the Gaza Strip and West Bank).

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Middle East conflict

Israel could annex West Bank in two weeks, journalist Hersh says

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Press review: Russian air defenses can down Western missiles as EU conducts live exercise

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, November 19th

Russian troops liberate Ilyinka community in Donbass region over past day

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US to keep sharing intel with Ukraine for operations against Russia — official

US State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller was commenting on Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks about direct American involvement in strikes on Russian territory

Moscow-Washington hotline not in use now — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov added that there have been no contacts via this new channel lately

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

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Defeating Ukrainian forces near Olgovskaya wood, enemy losses: situation in Kursk Region

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Russia’s special military operation to continue — Kremlin

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Russia must be able to defend itself — Erdogan on revised nuclear doctrine

The Turkish leader reiterated that "both Russia and Ukraine are Turkey’s neighbors"

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

The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw

Ukraine conflict moves towards NATO-Russia direct clash — expert

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Ukrainian losses, captives, aid to civilians: situation in Kursk Region

Russian tactical and operational/tactical aircraft, missile forces hit enemy manpower and equipment in the Kursk and Sumy regions, the Defense Ministry reported

Russia, North Korea agree to increase number of charter flights

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FSB arrests German citizen who arrived from Poland to sabotage Russian energy facility

According to the FSB, "Nikolai Gaiduk, born in 1967, a resident of Hamburg, was detained upon arrival in the Kaliningrad Region from the Republic of Poland"

US trying to save Zelensky from inevitable failure by allowing attacks on Russia — expert

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The national economy is in the "breaking point" and inflation slowdown can be expected in coming months

Ukraine admits responsibility for Odessa missile incident where civilians injured

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Ukraine creates 'sabotage manual' showing former citizens how to get Russia — lawmaker

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West uses 'big guns' to project control over global situation — SVR

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Washington refrains from naming those responsible for Baltic Sea cable rupture — DoS

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Press review: Uranium costs soar as Moscow updates nuclear doctrine and US OKs attacks

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Six European countries accuse Russia of allegedly attacking security architecture

"Moscow's escalating hybrid activities against NATO and EU countries are unprecedented in their variety and scale," the statement reads

List of trade with Russia expanding in Sweden — Russian envoy

"Over eight months of 2024, the number of goods subcategories of Swedish imports to Russia increased 1.5-fold, while Swedish exports to our country rose 2.3-fold," Sergey Belyayev noted

Freezing Ukrainian conflict unacceptable for Russia, says Kremlin

"It is important for us to achieve our goals, which are well known to everyone," Dmitry Peskov emphasized

German defense minister says Ukraine reached parity in shells with Russia

Boris Pistorius noted that just a few months ago, Russia held an advantage in artillery shell stocks

US Congressman urges to impeach Biden for allowing strikes deep into Russia

"By authorizing long range missiles to strike inside Russia, Biden is committing an unconstitutional Act of War that endangers the lives of all US citizens," Thomas Massie said

Lawmaker suggest scrapping post of president in Ukraine

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West fails to bring Ukrainian issue to forefront of G20 summit agenda — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister stressed that "no one from the countries of the world majority, the Global South, supported it"

Training Ukrainian troops makes France direct participant in combat — top Russian diplomat

"The same goes for talk about using French-made SCALP missiles [in Ukraine] which are identical to the UK’s Storm Shadow," Sergey Lavrov noted

US senator labels Biden’s approval for ATACMS strikes on Russia as unconstitutional

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

Admiral Nakhimov cruiser to sail out on auxiliary engines in November

The physical launch of the two nuclear reactors will take place after the return to Sevmash, the source said

FACTBOX: Abkhazian President Aslan Bzhania resigns

The president’s resignation was supported by 28 out of 31 lawmakers who took part in the vote

Ukraine’s former top commander sought to blow up Turkish Stream pipeline, report says

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The diplomatic mission informed Spanish citizens living in Ukraine about this via email

Iran claims to have disabled Israel’s Iron Dome air defense in past strikes

Major-General Gholamreza Soleimani stressed it was essential to inform the world that Israel had failed and now survives solely relying on support from the United States

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"Ukraine is our neighbor. Russia is our neighbor too," the Turkish leader noted

Russia monitors situation in Kursk Region after reports of ATACMS missiles — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that "it is hardly possible to be guided by the reports of a TV channel"

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Ukrainian side had committed to not using the mines in areas populated by civilians

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Putin sends message to those seeking to 'add fuel to fire' before Trump’s return — expert

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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

ATACMS strikes on Bryansk Region sign West wants escalation — Lavrov

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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

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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

Putin confirms Russia’s readiness to assist CAR with security challenges

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FACTBOX: What is known about Russian nuclear deterrence policy

The first Russian nuclear doctrine was ratified and published by decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 21, 2000

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"The US is making it clear that as the main sponsor of the war, it intends to continue military activities, using Ukraine as a proxy and seeking to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia," Mauricio Estevez pointed out

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He warned that further escalation is fraught with a "full-scale nuclear conflict"

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No laymen in Western intel agencies despite decline of ruling class — Russian spy chief

Sergey Naryshkin emphasized that irrationality had particularly affected leading European countries, where presidents, prime ministers, and chancellors unfailingly served the interests of globalist capital

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Indonesia accepts invitation to become partner state in BRICS, ambassador announces

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More than 80,000 users were left without power in Gorlovka on Tuesday morning due to the Ukrainian armed forces' shelling

Swedish armed forces to help investigate Baltic Sea cable ruptures

Earlier, the Swedish Prosecution Authority launched a preliminary investigation into the cable rupture on suspicion of a sabotage act

Russia to address NATO’s engagement in strikes deep inside country — SVR

Sergey Naryshkin observed that the military and political elites in the West are increasingly recognizing the gravity of Russia's intentions and the need for greater caution in their actions

Putin ready for talks on Ukraine, including with Trump — Kremlin

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Russia’s revised nuclear doctrine makes defeat over its army impossible — SVR chief

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Trump may soon start talks with Russia following Biden’s decision on ATACMS — news agency

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Rubicon center drones hit Ukrainian equipment in Russia's Kursk Region

The Russian Defense Ministry released footage showing the destruction of the enemy equipment

Kremlin spokesman says not acquainted with US counterpart, but ready for dialogue

Donald Trump announced that his campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt will be the new White House press secretary

OPCW technical secretariat involved in Kiev’s chemical provocation against Russia — Moscow

The OPCW report will be reviewed during the 29th Session of the Conference of the States Parties, due in The Hague on November 25-29, 2024

Pentagon doesn’t see any signs that Russia prepares to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine

The US Department of Defense wasn’t surprised by Russia's update to its nuclear doctrine, according to the spokeswoman

Putin orders protection of critical infrastructure, including Crimean Bridge — Kremlin

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Russia delivers strong response to US by revising nuclear doctrine — Chinese expert

Wang Yiwei suggested that outgoing US President Joe Biden and the American "deep state" are trying to intensify the situation in Ukraine because President-elect Donald Trump "is unwilling to support Kiev"

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

Russian forces strike ammo plant in Ukraine’s Sumy Region in drone attack

The Impulse plant is Ukraine’s sole enterprise producing explosive devices: detonation primers, electric detonators, detonating cords, cartridges and ammunition for automatic and under-barrel grenade launchers

Ukraine, not Russia, posing a threat to the Baltic region — Kremlin

Two underwater cables were damaged in the Baltic Sea on November 17 and 18

UK police say no video evidence of Russians’ involvement in Salisbury case

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Pentagon official admits US arsenals shrinking amid Ukraine, Mideast crises

Сommander of United States Indo-Pacific Command Samuel Paparo emphasized he was speaking about "the stocks of the United States of America, and the high end capabilities of the United States of America"

US sees no preconditions for Russia to use nuclear weapons — news agency

According to the report, the updated nuclear doctrine did not come as a surprise for Washington

Russia’s foreign intelligence agency successfully adapting to new challenges — SVR chief

Russia has no need for its "Foreign Intelligence Service to act similarly to the CIA and MI6 and disclose secrets of its everyday activity," Sergey Naryshkin said

Trump plans to counter China 'all over the world' — transition team

When discussing Donald Trump's use of US import taxes, the representative noted that this is "one of the favorite [foreign policy] tools" of the incoming US leader

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

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Putin approves Russia’s revised nuclear doctrine

The fundamental principle of the doctrine is that the use of nuclear weapons is a measure of last resort to protect the country’s sovereignty

Biden’s actions increase likelihood of escalation in Ukraine — PM

Viktor Orban asserted that the government’s mission is to prevent Hungary from being dragged into the Ukrainian conflict

Russia’s renewed nuclear doctrine unlikely to alter special mil-op’s nature — senator

The fundamental principle of the doctrine is that the use of nuclear weapons is a measure of last resort to protect the country’s sovereignty

US Embassy in Kiev to be closed on November 20

"The US Embassy recommends that US citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced," the statement on the official embassy website said

Potential adversaries, criteria for use: Russia’s revised nuclear doctrine

Russia will also engage in nuclear deterrence against those countries that offer their territory, maritime zones, airspace, and resources for aggression against it

Russian forces gain foothold in central Chasov Yar in DPR — expert

While Ukrainian commanders have been making every effort to stabilize the situation in Chasov Yar, Kiev does not have enough soldiers, weapons or military hardware for that, Andrey Marochko said

More than 5 drones attack industrial enterprise in Russia’s Voronezh Region — governor

According to Alexander Gusev, firefighters and other emergency management services are working at the scene

More desperation in Zelensky's appeals, ex-NATO commander says

According to Stavridis, the Ukrainian armed forces are facing "mounting personnel losses," while Kiev is growing concerned about the possibility of the incoming US administration

Pentagon refrains from commenting on Ukraine’s missile attack on Bryansk region

Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh also declined a request to comment on the US permission to use ATACMS missiles for deep strikes on Russia

Allowing Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia with US weapons irresponsible — Slovak PM

Robert Fico noted that authorizing the use of long-range weapons for strikes against Russia would not alter the balance of power in the conflict zone

Current escalation of Ukrainian conflict not seen as world war harbinger — Pentagon

Ukraine has around 50 ATACMS missiles — The Times

According to the report, the Ukrainian military has sufficient launchers that are capable of firing them

US uses veto right to block new UN Security Council draft resolution on ceasefire in Gaza

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Biden’s ATACMS decision aimed at tying his successor’s hands — expert

In his opinion, Russia "should not fall for this gambit," and "just keep on winning"

Up to allies to decide whether or not to authorize strikes inside Russia — NATO chief

"I would generally say let’s not communicate too much and not make our adversaries more wise than is necessary," Mark Rutte added

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"

Houthis report striking commercial ship in Red Sea

The rebel forces had registered a direct strike on the ship’s hull, the group's military spokesman Yahya Saria said

US gives Ukraine green light to use Storm Shadow for strikes deep inside Russia — media

According to the newspaper, although these are British missiles, their successful use is impossible without American guidance systems

Ukraine’s allies doubt impact of US approval of strikes against Russia on conflict balance

According to the media, the Ukrainian army has been losing ground in recent months "amid heavy pressure from more numerous and better-equipped Russian troops"

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

Russian, US presidential spokespersons not contacted since Obama presidency — Peskov

At the same time, the Kremlin spokesman said he did not have a chance to communicate with Donald Trump and Joe Biden’s press secretaries